Farewell....for a bit.....

I've come to a crossroad and decided that it's time to step away from my blog for a while.  I considered shutting it down completely....but then I changed my mind and decided to keep it around...but just not post to it.  Life has been so busy and I'm finding it hard to post on any type of regular schedule.  So for now I'm taking a sabbatical from my blog.  Not sure how long it will be...but for now it's time to get life back in order and organized.  Until next time...whenever that may be... 

Struggling

I've been struggling lately.  There.  I said it.  It's out there.  My heart has been pricked and I feel I'm supposed to DO something....but I don't know what that is.  Let me start at the beginning....

A friend of mine recently started being the pastor of a local church.  He's a part time pastor and the congregation is small.  But they are certainly mighty.  Their church is involved in a couple very successful local ministries - one being a meal program where they provide a free meal once a week to the poor, lonely, and/or homeless and the other is a clothing "closet" (that is so much more than just clothing - they can get clothes, household items, etc).  They also take those plastic grocery bags that we all just throw away or use as trash can liners and weave mats for the homeless.  And they give mattresses.  He shared with me about a couple who were at one of the meals - a young, unmarried couple.  She was obviously pregnant.  And they had no vehicle.  They walked to the church.  And when they walked back "home" then went behind a store to a dumpster....a dumpster they called home.

That has chilled me to the bone.  I sit here and look at what I have - the stuff - and yet within 3 miles of me is a couple living in a dumpster. 

I'm not wealthy by any means.  We don't own a home.  I drive a car that is rusting out from under me and will be 20 years old if it makes it to next year.  I don't wear designer clothes.  I don't carry a designer purse.  I have 3 pairs of shoes.  I don't own a smart phone or android but use a prepaid cell for emergencies only. We don't go on vacations because we just can't afford them.  But I do have a roof over my head.  And I do have food on the table.  Lord knows I get enough to eat - too much!  I sleep in a bed.  And 3 miles away from me is a couple living in a dumpster.

I have a craft room full of stamps and paper and markers and embellishments.  I have a couple drawers full of yarn.  I have a sewing machine.  And 3 miles away from me a couple is living in a dumpster.

How is it that we can overlook those who are in such need?  How is it that I can overlook those in such need?  How can I justify buying one more thing that I don't need when 3 miles away from me a couple is living in a dumpster.

I know I keep saying that....but it has touched a part of my soul that is aching.  It has made me realize not only how blessed I am, but how because of that blessing I should be doing something to help those around me.  But what can I do?  This is my struggle.  I don't know what to do.  I don't know where to start.  What can one person do?  But I know that God is calling me to something.  I can feel it in my soul. 

It's even got me to thinking about this blog.  What is it supposed to be?  I started off thinking it was a creative outlet for cards.  But can it be more?  And if so - what is that?  I'm not sure where this is going.  I guess I just wanted to share my heart and let you know why I have been MIA lately.  I'm praying about where to go from here.  I'm asking God to show me what He wants me to do.  I'm asking Him about this blog too.  I'm praying for an answer.  Stay tuned.

Beautiful Things

Beautiful things.  What is beautiful in your life?  Is it a favorite outfit?  Maybe a wedding ring?  Or is it your home?  Maybe a piece of glassware that has been passed down through your family?  Beautiful things are all around us - and we take so many of them for granted.  Many times we think beautiful things are just that - things....something tangible...something that we own.  But the most beautiful things in life are those that we can't really touch or own - but things that are given freely to us because we just don't deserve them.  You've experienced it I'm sure - a smile when you're having a bad day....a friendship that spans years and years...a rainbow after a storm...the kindness of a stranger...and most importantly - God's unfailing love.  The most beautiful things can't be bought.  In a conversation today I was talking with someone about two people I have never met that I try to encourage but yet in the end - they bless me.  They haven't given me a thing - except their appreciation and they friendship.  Those are beautiful things.

I encourage you to be a beautiful part of someone's life today.  Send them a card and tell them how much they mean to you.  Or leave a note for your waitress along with the tip - telling her that you appreciate her service.  There are so many little ways to lift someones spirit...to show some kindness.  And I promise you one thing...you will be more blessed than the person you are trying to bless.

So what am I going to do today?  Well, this card is going out in the mail today....

The papers were from my stash and the image is from Deedee's Digis.  You can find it here: 

Special Lady - Non-EU Residents ONLY

Special Lady - EU Residents ONLY

My card is heading off in the mail today to a very special lady.  

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

• Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes 
• Alphabet Challenge - H is for Hats/Handbags 
• Left Of Center - For the Girls 
• Catch The Bug (Bugaboo) - Anything Goes 

And hopefully this will encourage YOU:

Thank you for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!!!

Forever Friends

Have I ever mentioned that I love animals?  I do.  Any animal.  Ok, maybe not snakes and bugs....but most animals.  LOL!!  And I love animal images/stamps.  Deedee's Digis has some great animal sets and one of her recent ones is called "Forever Friends".  You can find it here (EU Only) or here (non-EU Residents).  I printed the color image in black and white then colored it with an orange Spectrum Noir marker.  I like how it turned out.

The papers were from my stash as well as the ribbon.  Oh - and look at the little easel thing my wonderful husband brought me home from work!  It's just perfect for taking pictures of cards!!!  LOVE IT!  He's such a great guy!!! 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

• Robyns Fetish - Anything Goes
• My Time To Craft - Zoo Animals
• The Crazy Challenge - Use Ribbon or Lace
• The Pink Elephant - Anything Goes

As always - I do like to share a little encouragement with you....

Why is that encouraging to you?   Because it's something we can say every day no matter what day it is - Be Happy - Be Blessed - God is doing amazing things!!!!


God bless you and thank you for spending a few moments with me today.  

Dreaming of the beach....

Why is it that everyone seems to be heading to the beach this week except me?  LOL!!  I know of 3 families who are beach bound this week (or already there) and I'm sooooo jealous!  So since I can't be there - I thought maybe I could at least feel sort of "beachy" by making a card using beach items.  One of the things I always loved doing at the beach was looking for shells....so why not use "Seashells" by Deedee's Digis for a card and remember those times.  At Deedee's Digis we are sponsoring All Sorts Challenge - No Squares Allowed this week.  Come on over to Deedee's Digis and play along with us....or see who else we are sponsoring too...or just get some great inspiration from some very talented cardmakers!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

• Fresh Brewed Challenge - Ribbon or Twine
• Cuttlebug Mania - Ribbon
• Cards In Envy - When Nature Calls
• Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes

And a little something to encourage you:

I just love those old hymns!  They really touch my heart.  Hope this one touches you.  Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!!!

Tea anyone?

I know most people are coffee drinkers...and while I love the smell - I honestly can't figure out how anyone can drink it!  I can't even stand the fancy mocha drinks or milkshakes.... But give me a cup of tea or a big ol' glass of iced tea (unsweetened of course) and I'm very happy!

I decided to use a set called Cuppa Love from Deedee's Digis.  Even though you do get a colored version with the set, I used the outline version and then colored it in with pencils.  The paper came from my stash - just an extra piece I had from a previous project...and the same with the ribbon. 

I decided to to two different versions....since I did have the extra paper and ribbon.

The insides of both cards are decorated but I think I liked the corner ribbon one better. 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

• Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
• Wonderful Wednesday - Anything Goes
• Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
• Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes (Ribbon)
• Doodle Pantry - Anything Goes
• Crafty Ribbons Challenge -Anything Goes with Ribbon

As always I like to leave you with a little something to encourage you:

Thanks for stopping by today!  Come back and visit soon.  God bless you!

Paper Piecing - new for me

I tried something new!  I know it's not new for everyone else but it is for me.  I've never really done any paper piecing before and was given the challenge in a card kit...so I tried.  I can't say I'm 100% thrilled about the results but for the first time I don't think it turned out so bad.  I'm not sure I will put this technique into my usual routine....I'm so basic and all....but it was fun to try something new.  What do you think?

 (inside)

Cross your fingers for me too...I used this card to enter a contest to win a MISTI!  Oh how I would love to have one.....sure hope they pick me! 

As usual, I want to give you a little encouragement today.....

Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!!

April Showers....

It's been raining. A lot.  Last weekend we were in the southern part of the state and even saw that the Ohio River was high and over its' banks in some spots.  This week over at Splitcoast Stampers in the RAK Weekly Challenge the theme is April Showers so I made this little card to inspire the group.  (I sure hope it does!).  The image is Bugaboo - I just love this little chick - and is colored with colored pencils.

I always like to share something to encourage you:

 

Enjoy your day and thank you so much for spending a few moments with me.  God bless you!!!!

Western Birthday

I never have enough Birthday cards.  There.  I said it.  Sad isn't it....I'm a card maker and I run out of cards!  Honestly the last few Birthday cards I sent....I bought.  They say confession is good for the soul so there is my confession.  LOL!!  But I was able to make a Birthday card out of the same kit from the other day.  It's a western theme card so it's perfect for a masculine Birthday.  Now to just go through the calendar and see who it's going to....

 (inside)

I haven't entered a challenge in quite some time so I decided to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Crafter's Cafe - Animal Antics
• Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
• Wonderful Wednesday - Anything Goes
• {PIN}spirational - Anything Goes
• Fab n' Funky - Masculine Birthday

Need a little encouragement today?  Here you go:

Thank you for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!!  Come back again real soon.  :)

Howdy Friends....

A couple weeks ago I was able to spend some time in the craft room.  I'm hoping to be there again this Saturday.  It's supposed to rain so it's a good time to play.  This card was made using a kit I received from a group on Splitcoast Stampers.  I'm sad cause my time with that group is coming to an end...but sometimes life just gets too busy and you have to admit you can't keep up.  The photo's not that great - the colors are a darker and muted...I really like them.  The picture doesn't do it justice....

 inside....

In the next day or so I'll post the other card I made using the same kit.... But until then - here's something to encourage you:

Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!

Went back to another craft....

Where have I been?  I've been so busy...life has been nuts lately.  But now Easter is over and it's starting to get back to normal.  After this week all the activity will slow down and really be back to normal...and I have to tell you - I CAN'T WAIT!  LOL!!  I guess I do like a quiet, boring life. 

One thing I have found is a renewed love for an old forgotten craft.  Years ago I used to cross stitch.  I was never very good at it but did enjoy it.  A few weeks ago our "Strings and Things" group at church had a cross stitch class.  My friend was teaching so I went and realized I missed doing cross stitch.  She had these little beginner kits to teach the ladies....of course I had to do a kitty since I'm such a cat person.  I'm sending this little kitty to an elderly woman I write every week.  She's so sweet and I think she'll like it.

I finished it off with a purple bow tied at the top.  I'll mail it next weekend.  Today I went to Hobby Lobby and bought my next project and am excited to get started.

I also made a few cards today...but those I'll share in the coming days..... In the meantime - a little something to encourage you:

God bless you today and thank you so much for stopping by today!

Praying hands

Lately I haven't been participating in swaps.  I used to do it all the time.  But I think I overdid it and just got overwhelmed.  So I stopped swapping for about a year.  Recently I signed up for a Rainbow Swap on Splitcoast Stampers.  The premise is that you pick a color - make 10 cards (plus 1 for the hostess) using that color and then you get 1 card back of all the colors - making it a rainbow.  And today I finished my 11 brown cards.  Out of all the stamps I have, I only have one set that from Our Daily Bread.  Seriously - I need more!  LOL!!  (You saw that right - "need"....ok, maybe it's not a need but it's a serious want for sure).  This is the first time I used that set and I'm in love - not just with the set but with the brand.  Here's the card I made:

I love the image - prayer is such an important part of life...it's essential in the life of a Christian.  It's talking to God - and as with any relationship you have communicate to keep it strong.  Prayer is communication with God.  It's not just asking Him for a bunch of stuff...it's not having a laundry list of things you want or need.  It's talking to Him....not "at" Him...but to Him as you would with any friend or family member.  I'm so thankful that we have that ability - to communicate with our Lord.

Need a little encouragement today?  Here's a bit:

Thank you for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!!!

St Patrick's Day Puppy

WOW - two blog posts in one month - I'm on a roll!  LOL!!!  Yesterday I was able to find my way back into my craft room for a bit....I had a card kit I needed to use...ok, honestly I have several and they are lined up - but this one had a St. Patrick's theme to it and I needed an extra St. Patrick's Day card for this week.  The group is on SplitCoastStampers - Girls of the Bakers Dozen.  Each month we receive an envelope that has a few images, papers, etc in it and even a challenge.  The March envelope came from Sue and had the cutest little St.Patrick's Day themed dog image.  She had three challenges along with her envelope and one of them was to use the dog image with the St. Patrick's paper.  Since I colored the dog brown I used a brown ribbon as well and brown base cardstock...although in the picture the cardstock does look black...but it's a very dark brown...really... :)  Here's the finished product:

 

I was pretty happy with how this one turned out.  

This weekend is Revival services at our church.  Last night was wonderful and I'm so looking forward to the services today....which means I better close this post out and get ready for church!  Here's a little encouragement for you today though:

In case I've never said it - or it's not clear - I do love the Lord with all my heart!  I hope that you do as well.  If you don't know Him and you would like to learn about Him - please let me know.  I'd love to share with you what He has done for me and how He is my source of strength and hope.  God bless you today!!!!!  Thank yo for stopping by.

A work in progress.....

It's March...and this is only my second post for the year.  Gee, what a slacker I've been...sorry.  My blog has been a work in progress.  Tonight - or should I say this morning since it's now 3:30 am and yes, I have insomnia - I've updated the "look" of my blog but in the process I lost some of my stuff like some of the blogs I follow...guess I should have been paying more attention to the instructions.  UGH.  So please bear with me while I try to get some things back.  If' your blog was linked to my blog - please leave a comment with your blog address so I can re-add it. 

So this is going to be one of those posts where I just show a bunch of cards...not sure when I made them but I'm also trying to clean up my computer and clear out some pictures...most of these are made with Deedee's Digis.  Yes, I'm on the DT...but haven't been a good DT member to be honest.  That is going to change too!  Deedee has been so patient with me - she is truly a SAINT!  The DT blogs are listed to the left - these are some very talented people!!!  And if I've left anyone out - again, please just leave a comment and your blog address so I can get it added.  So here we go:

I just love that Panda...and the grapes card too!  Ok, I just love Deedee's Digis....check out her store - you'll soon become addicted too!  Here's the link:  Deedee's Digis Shop.

Lastly are a few cards made with just some things I had laying around in my stash....not sure where the images came from:

Out of this last batch I think the last one is my favorite.  Anyway - that's it for cards I've made and I haven't posted.  Hopefully I'll be back on track now. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Please come back again....I promise to be more diligent and attentive to this blog.  God bless you today!!!!!

Hello again!

WOW - it's been two months since I posted anything here.  Life just got busy.  It's not that I haven't been crafting...well, not as much as I would have liked.  But I just am not sure where I want this blog to go yet.  My heart is that I want it not only to share my love of card making...but also be a source of encouragement in life.  I'm not sure what that looks like yet so be expecting for this to evolve.

As I said I haven't been crafting as much as I would like.  I think there are cobwebs growing in my craft room.  This weekend I had hoped to spend a lot of time making a ton of cards.  Well, I made one.  LOL!  But I did get other things done (filed State Income Tax for one and, thank you Jesus - we don't owe).  I also took a few naps along the way...all in all it was a good day.

Since yesterday was Valentine's Day I didn't see the point to making a Valentine....and since St. Patrick's Day is the next holiday I decided to start with a St. Patrick's Day card.  What do you think?

Inside:

The papers are from DCWV from one of the Stacks....for the life of me I can't remember which one.  I colored the image with colored pencils....I just wasn't in the mood to use markers.  Speaking of markers - has anyone tried those Camelon Markers yet?  I've been thinking about trying them.  Anyway - back to this card.  The image is from Deedee's Digis called "Irish Blessings".  The great thing about Deedee's Digis is that they come in sets and you get the image plus sentiments and even papers.  The only thing you need to add is your creativity!

I haven't entered challenges in a while so why not enter a few :)

• Allsorts Challenge - Any Occasion Other Than Birthday
• Throwback Thursday - Anything Green
• Digi Galore - Anything Goes
• Simply Create Too - Anything Goes

Here's something I posted on Facebook this morning...holds a lot of truth...

God bless you today!  Thank you for stopping by.  Hope you come again real soon!!!!