My Day of Rest and Worship

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

NKJV

Frolicing in the Waves

Now this is what I would like to be doing.  No creating today so I'll just let you enjoy this wonderful whale having a fine time playing in the ocean.  I think they are such wonderful creatures.

Leafy Branch in Blue and Gold

Yesterday, as I was out and about doing a wee bit of shopping, I came across an embossing folder I just had to have.  I love trees and anything to do with trees, well, except for the bugs.  The folder I used on this card is called Leafy Branch.  In several of the leaves and indent is made so I filled them using a Stardust Gelly Roll Pen.  I love how the gold looks just like stardust and really stands out on the Midnight Muse.

Card Stock:Whisper White, Midnight Muse (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Leafy Branch Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Stardust Gelly Roll Pen/Gold, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

I was going to add a sentiment but liked the way this looked just the way it is.  The sentiment will be stamped on the inside of the card once I'm ready to send it off. 

He Is Risen

It has been a crazy day for me.  Doctor's appointment, show buying, lunch with a friend and a visit from my number two son and his wife.  I've not had a chance to take a deep breath!  The one thing I did do before heading for bed last night was create a new Easter card.  It's just taken me all the day long to get it posted for you.

Stamp Set:  He is Risen; Inks:  Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party; Card Stock:  Wisteria Wonder, Glossy White, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon/Pool Party, Extra-Large Oval Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, alcohol, cotton balls

I love the way Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party complement each other.

John Wayne: A Fellow Iowan

Recently, I came across this wonderful image of John Wayne and knew I had to have it.  He has long been a favorite of mine and over the years I have collected many of his movies.  It is unusual for me to even consider such a purchase but, it's John Wayne, right?  Besides, I do love one-of-a-kind, no one else will have one like it items.  This was made from wood using a scroll saw and, while I know little about such a process, I was told it is very time consuming to make a picture using this method.  Isn't he wonderful!

 
Okay, time to take my movie off pause and finish watching "The Quiet Man."  Yes, you guessed it, it stars John Wayne along with Maureen O'Hara.

Stay tuned.  I promise to get back to sharing handmade projects with you soon.  I'm working on several and I hope to have one of them done to show off tomorrow.

Grandma's Crocus

One of the things I remember most about my Grandma is her flowers.  There were beds of flowers scattered throughout her huge yard.  The first sign of spring was the little flowers that popped their heads up out of the ground.  Soon, the entire front of her house was alive with beautiful lavender Crocus.  I loved visiting Grandma in the spring when everything was so fresh and colorful.

Just a Wee Bit Crabby!

 

Yup!  That's me today.  Little sleep, no creativity happening and I have to go out in the snow and cold.  Truthfully,  I've had better days but I'll make the best of this day and look forward to tomorrow.

I hope all of you are having a great day.  Stay tuned.  I just may have something for you later once I get back from my trek out into the cold.

My Day of Rest and Worship

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

New American Standard Bible

Old Jalopy for Dad

The other day I mentioned that I was working on some cards featuring an Old Jalopy.  Well, I finally managed to get one of them done.  I thought it would make a great Father's Day card and the sentiment from Delightful Dozen fit perfectly. 

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Whisper White Craft Ink Pad; Card Stock:  Bravo Burgundy, Basic Black, White Vellum (Stampin' Up!), Basic Grey/Lucille Designer Paper Pad; Accessories & Tools:  Old Jalopy Die (Tim Holtz), 1/8" Mini Brads (Stampin' Up!), Stardust Clear Glittering Gel Ink Pen, Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I think it's time to make something for her.  Stay tuned for further developments!

One Handsome Grandson!

Yesterday I shared a scrapbook page I made of my granddaughter.  Well, technically she's not a scrapbook page but her photos now are one.  I think it only fair that I give equal time to her brother.  Again, I took a baby photo and current school picture and made a scrapbook page using My Digital Studio.  Devin is now 12 and, being the oldest of three, quite the responsible one.

Be sure to browse through the Sale-A-Bration Last Call Blog Hop where you'll find many fantastic projects.  Just click on the tab in the menu bar at the top of the page.

It's time for me to to get back to cleaning things up for tonight.  My oldest son, Wayne, and his youngest son, Gage, are coming over for homemade pizza.  I don't get to see Gage very often so I'm plan to take a few pictures and make some new pages for my scrapbook. 

"Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' Into the future"

Part of the lyrics from the song Fly Like an Eagle by the Steve Miller Band is how I feel about those precious grandchildren of mine.  They are all growing up so fast.  School pictures are a great way of watching them slip into that future.  The scrapbook page below was made using My Digital Studio.  It's my youngest granddaughter as a baby on the left and as a sweet little nine year old on the right.  She is definitely one of a kind!

You know, I think it's time she and I had an all girl weekend together.  Shopping, lunch out and crafting together.  She is quite a little artist and I know she will love some of the new things I've acquired since her last visit.  I think it's time I introduced her to some Twinkling H2O.

The First Day of Spring

I'm not a big TV watcher but on Tuesday nights a friend comes over and we watch NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles together.  Most of the time I have my nose stuck in a book or my fingers covered in ink depending on my mood for that day.  So, today I'm sharing a new banner I made using My Digital Studio.  Bright, cheerful and today is the first day of Spring!

 
I don't know about you but I am more than ready for Spring to be here.  Winter just seems to drag on too long these days.

Happy Spring everyone!

Thanks So Much

Okay, so I slept late and didn't get a post out to you as usual.  Sleeping late is a rare occurrence but it was a welcome one this morning.  After my coffee, I dug out the scrap bin and went to work.  I love trying to figure out how to use up all the little bits and pieces of paper.  Here is the design I came up with this morning.  I think the coffee made the difference.  :-)

Stamp Set:  Oh, Hello; Ink:  Island Indigo; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Pool Party, Island Indigo, First Edition Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Adorning Accents Edgelits, Curly Label Punch, Petite Curly Label Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stamping Sponge

This is an all Stampin' Up!® design.  It's the first time I've used the Petite Curly Label Punch and I love it! 

Okay, now I'm off to finish up that old jalopy design I mentioned the other day.  I've changed my mind about a dozen times on what I want to do with it and now I think I have it.  Stay tuned!

Fab Friday 14

Today's card was inspired by the Fab Friday color challenge.  You can find out all about it by clicking on the following link, http://fabfridaystampinchallenge.blogspot.com/.  It's been a while since I last participated in one of their challenges and the colors are ones that I've not paired together before.  This is the color palette they gave for the challenge.

Here is the card I came up with for this challenge.

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes;  Ink:  Calypso Coral; Card Stock:  Sahara Sand, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pink Pirouette, Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stacks; Accessories & Tools:  7/8" Scallop Punch, Paper Doily Sizzlits L, 1/8" Mini Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

So, what do you think?  Does it work for you?

My Day of Rest and Worship

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalms 118:24

KJV

Just For You

Today, I dug out my Tim Holtz Sewing Room die and played around with the die cuts until I came up with the following design.  The dress form is a wee bit over six inches but I didn't have any 12" x 12" card stock on hand to make a slightly larger card.  So, I cut the dress form down to fit on the card front.  I like the way it all came together.

 
Stamp Set:  A Little Greeting (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Basic Black (Stampin' Up!), Vintage Photo (Ranger); Card Stock:  River Rock (Stampin' Up!), Basic Grey/Lucille Paper Pad; Accessories & Tools:  Sewing Room Die, Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button/Tangerine Tango, Jewelry Tag Punch (Stampin' Up!), Pearl Basic Jewels, black sewing thread, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Well, there you have it.  Now I'm off to play with an old jalopy!

Miracles Happen

Last night found me playing around with some stamps and ink and paper even though I was ready to call it a day at 6pm.  It was way too early so I knew starting a new craft project would keep me occupied until a more normal bedtime.  It worked and here is the card I made.

Stamps:  Bloomin' Marvelous by Stampin' Up!, Garden Shed by Taylored Expressions; Inks:  Raspberry Ripple, VersaMark, Stampin' Write Markers in Old Olive, Raspberry Ripple; Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Whisper White, Basic Grey/True Love Designer Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Stampin' Emboss Powder/Cherry Cobbler, Scallop Circle Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Heat Tool

As I said, I was just playing around.  There is probably more I could have done to it but, as tired as I was, my brain just was not firing on all cylinders.

Changes, Changes, Changes

There have been a few of those in the last couple of weeks.  I no longer watch my little three year old grandson.  I now have a job at Archiver's.  I am no longer a Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator.

Aiden is now going to "school."  He is going with his mother each day to the day care where she works.  This came about because I applied for a job, interviewed for the job and was offered the job.  Besides which, he was ready to be with other little people his own age.  It can be kind of boring at Grandma's when you are all by yourself.

Because of the job, I had to give up being a demonstrator with Stampin' Up!®.  I will miss it but that won't keep me from continuing to use their great products.  There are just some things that are too good to give up.

So, for today here is a picture of my brain on overload from training at the new job.  My processor is so full of row after row of data that I know I'm going to forget by the time I go back to work on Monday.  Not really, but there is a lot to learn.  I love it!

Raspberry Ripple Flower

It seems so odd not having my little man around every day.  He is now going to daycare with his mom and I am working out of the home.  I haven't heard how he is doing but I'm sure he is doing well.  I do miss the little guy.

For today's card, I paired Raspberry Ripple with a page from the Basic Gray/True Love paper pad.  The design is from a sketch challenge that is on a demonstrator forum that I will soon no longer be able to access.  I like the way the two papers complimented each other.

I haven't added a sentiment, yet, but I think it's going to turn into a birthday card.  I have several coming in the next couple of months and want to be ready to send them out in time.

My Guys are the Best!

I have been blessed with such wonderful sons!  I have needed new tires on my car for months now but not having worked for so long, it just wasn't something that fit my budget.  My thoughtful and generous boys gifted me with new tires on Sunday.  They knew I was starting a new job Monday and knew that my tires were not safe to being driving such a distance on a regular basis.  While at my youngest son's getting the tires put on, it started to snow and soon turned into a nasty driving situation.  Once the tires were on, I headed for home, about a ten mile drive, and due to tires with tread made it home without a problem.  The old tires had no tread, no traction and I'd slip and slide all over just trying to drive a straight road.  It was not fun.  So, now I"m good to go with good tires.  Like I said my guys are the best! To pay tribute to them here is a scrapbook page I did using My Digital Studio.

Handsome, aren't they?  I sure do love them.

Beautiful You Mixed Media Book

Saturday morning I had the privilege of being in a class taught by Cheryl Mezzitti.  To find out more about her visit her blog at http://cherylmezzetti.typepad.com/alter_this/.  She is an energetic and very hands on teacher and the class was a joy to attend.

We didn't have time to complete the whole book but I came away with many more ideas and new techniques I can incorporate on other projects.  For now, here is the cover of the book.  Once all the pages are done and I've put it all together, I'll set up a special page just for the Beautiful You Mixed Media Book.

I used products I had never heard of before and had no idea even existed.  The Twinkling H2O is a fascinating product.  We used chipboard and card stock and ribbon and lace and my head is still swimming from all that I learned.

My Day of Rest and Worship

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5:7

KJV

Delightful Dozen Mother's Day

Today I was thinking of my mother and how much I miss her so thought it would be a good time to design a Mother's Day card.  I've been finding all kinds of goodies I forgot I had since I started an early spring cleaning.  One of those is this beautiful blue ribbon that is so shimmery.

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen; Ink:  Pool Party; Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Basic Gray/Lucille; Accessories & Tools:  Extra Large Oval Punch, Sycamore Street Pool Party Ribbon, Two-Tone Blue Ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Soft, pretty and a great way to remember Mom on Mother's Day.

Celebrate

With a house full of grandsons yesterday, I didn't have a lot of time to be creative.  One of my favorite stamps sets from Sale-A-Bration is Feeling Sentimental.  Here is the card I made just before going to bed last night.  Sometimes clean and simple is the way to go.

Stamp Set:  Feeling Sentimental; Ink:  Early Espresso; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (retired); Accessories & Tools:  Sycamore Street Ribbon/Tangerine Tango, Stampin' Dimensionals, sponge

Considering this took all of ten minutes to put together, I rather like the way it turned out.  I love that Sale-A-Bration Sycamore Street Ribbon.

Garden Shed

Last month I was invited to take a survey for Taylored Expressions and the reward for doing so was receiving a discount on a stamp set.  The one I chose is called Garden Shed.  It has been some time since I've used my markers and this was such fun.  No, the birdbath is not going to tip over.  I had a little help from my grandson on this one so the birdbath and the sentiment are a bit off but I like it anyway.  Aiden is always wanting to know what I'm doing and if he can sit on my lap and help.  He is quite a precocious three year old!

Stamp Set: Garden Shed; Inks:  Stampin' Write Markers in Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Midnight Muse, Lucky Limeade, Bashful Blue, Calypso Coral; Card Stock:  Naturals Whites, Basic Gray/True Love, Watercolor Paper; Accessories & Tools:  3/16" Corner Punch

Now that I've had a chance to play with this new set, I love it.  I'm already working on my next project.

Feeling Sentimental

Over the past couple of days, I've been cleaning and organizing my craft room... again!  I found several card bases along with other pieces of card stock that would work to make a complete card.  One of my favorite stamps sets from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure is Feeling Sentimental.  I have seen many wonderful cards made using this set.  Here is the one I designed using Feeling Sentimental and another favorite stamp set, Word Play.

Stamp Sets:  Feeling Sentimental, Word Play; Ink:  Island Indigo; Card Stock:  Island Indigo, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Dazzling Details, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Ferris wheels are so much fun!

Secret Garden Easter

Do you think Spring will ever get here?  I know, I live in Iowa and should know better than expect March to be anything but wintry.  I can always hope.  So, in anticipation of all those pretty Spring flowers, I made a vase full of flowers for Easter.

Stamp Sets:  Secret Garden, Oh, Hello, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Inks:  Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Primrose Petals; Card Stock:  Midnight Muse, Naturals White; Accessories & Tools:  Secret Garden Framelits, Dazzling Details, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Aren't you ready to see the first blooms of Spring?

Happy Father's Day

As promised, here is the other card I made using another of my new stencils, Mini Harlequin.  Again, I kept it clean and simple.  I can't wait to try this one on a new canvas.  I have this idea floating around in my head using this stencil and modeling paste.  Well, I'll save that for another time.  For now, here's the Father's Day card I made.

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen; Ink:  Basic Gray; Card Stock:  Naturals White; Accessories & Tools:  Decorative Label Punch, The Crafters Workshop Mini Harlequin Stencil, Stampin' Dimensionals

It does play tricks on your eyes, doesn't it?

My Day of Rest and Worship

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16

KJV

He is Risen

I have fallen in love!  Yes, you heard me.  Stencils have become the new love of my life.  I've been experimenting and playing with them on card stock and canvas.  It has been a journey in creative.  Today's card was done using one of my newest stencils, Mini Swirly Garden.  I laid the stencil over some Naturals White and sponged Perfect Plum all over the front of the card.  A very simple, easy card but I love the way it turned out.

Stamp Set:  He is Risen (retired); Ink:  Perfect Plum; Card Stock:  Naturals White, Perfect Plum; Accessories & Tools:  Labels Collection Framelits, The Crafters Workshop Mini Swirly Garden Stencil, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber

Monday, I'll show you another card made with another new stencil.  Didn't I tell you I was in love?

Washi Tape and Ink

Yesterday I had a job interview at a local scrapbook store.  It went well and when I was done I was asked if I'd like to make a card before I left.  They were having a free make and take day.  It was fun to make this quick card.  Everything was prepped and ready to assemble.  I had never worked with Washi Tape before and found it to be quite fun.  It's not what I was expecting but I always like trying new things.