Winter Birthday Wishes

Hello friends!  Just popping in with a wintery birthday card.  I designed it with my father-in-law in mind; he's got a winter birthday.  I like the dapper plaid background with the pinecones and sprigs.

Stampin' Up! Peaceful Boughs dies, Close to Cocoa grosgrain ribbon; Inspired By Stamping Heartfelt Greetings sentiment, Fancy Labels 18 frame; Spellbinders Labels Eighteen die

I'm going to enter this at a new-to-me challenge, found it thanks to my friend LeAnne. 😊

It's Inkspirational - and they're looking for plaid.  How perfect!  

That's it for me today, keeping it short and sweet.  Hope your Thanksgiving was lovely (to my American friends)!

God bless you!

Frosty Tidings

Though our temps are in the upper 60's today, they'll be dropping soon.  It will feel more like Christmas in the air when it's cold outside, at least that's always how it has been for me.  

I'm putting this wintry Christmas card in the Jingle Belles challenge, Ornamental. It was hard to capture the sparkle of these iridescent gemstones I decorated my tree with, wish you could see them in real life.  And since the card is nearly all white, with some navy at the perimeter, the gems are truly the star of the show.

Verve Glad Tidings sentiment; Stampin' Up! Christmas tree die and birch tree die; iridescent gems

Maybe you can see the sparkle a little better in the picture above?  

Thanks so much for your visit, God bless you!

Planted In My Heart

When Papertrey Ink was discounting many of their stamps and dies months ago, I bought quite a few things.  Among my new goodies is Garden Variety stamps and dies.  I keep meaning to play more with the suite of items, because they are so charming!  I created just one card so far.  My intentions are good, I promise!

Papertrey Ink Garden Variety stamps and matching dies; crochet lace; Stampin' Up! ribbon; pearls; Market Street Stamps Gingham Background

I'm going to enter this at Word Art Wednesday, challenge #517-518.  "Anything Goes"!

While I was visiting over there at W.A.W., I noticed this card of mine made it into the Top 3!  That made my day much sweeter!  Thank you all at WAW!

Thanks for your visit today 😊

Grid Cards

Hello friends 😊  I am back with some grid cards I've created since the end of summer.  I was inspired by Jacqueline de Groot's creations, after revisiting her blog after many years, and soaking in her words as well as her creations.  What a lovely woman, and I do so enjoy looking at her cards.  Her work inspired me to try grid cards.  It was fun to try.  Here are a few examples of what I came up with:

Stampin' Up! Organic Grace flower, Bliss butterfly, Canvas background; Inkadinkado Botanical Script Background (hydrangea); Rubber Stampede Monkey Paw Fern; pearl; vintage thread; tag; old gardening book page

I'm entering the card above in the NBUS challenge.  The old gardening book page I used as background paper is new to me from a local thrift store.  What a great find!

Stampin' Up! Organic Grace flower, dragonfly, Itty Bitty Accents flower punch, Canvas background, Nature Walk bird; Inkadinkado Botanical Script Background (hydrangea); Rubber Stampede Monkey Paw Fern; pearls; burlap ribbon

Stampin' Up! French Script background, Organic Grace flower, Canvas background; Inkadinkado Botanical Script Background (hydrangea); Rubber Stampede Monkey Paw Fern; pearls; tag; crochet lace; twine

Here is something interesting, and makes me really ponder the ways of God.  He is truly wondrous.  Earlier this summer, I was looking around on Pinterest and stumbled upon one of Jacqueline's cards.  I thought, "Oh yeah!  I remember her!  I liked her cards years ago."  So I went looking for her blog.  I read her posts from most recent to oldest - even though many of them are years old - on my lunch breaks, and sometimes before bed.  As I read backwards in her blog, I discovered that she had breast cancer.  She spoke of her faith continually, and I was learning new things as I read her blog as though it were a book.  I looked forward to each "chapter".  Then, in late August when I had my mammogram, and then a second plus ultrasound, and finally a biopsy with cancer diagnosis, I realized why the Lord had led me to read Jacqueline's blog.  Her words were filled with hope, and she praised the Lord continually throughout her trial.  She came through it, and watched sons get married, and grandbabies be born.  It brings tears to my eyes writing this. 

Jacqueline, if you ever wind up reading this post of mine, I thank you for sharing your trial and your faith on your blog.  It was of great benefit to me.

God is good.  He is always good. 

A Day for Groovy Guava

Hello again!  Yesterday I posted a card that featured Groovy Guava and mentioned I had a fun time making a few cards with that retired In Color from Stampin' Up!.  Here are the other two!  All in the same color scheme:  Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Groovy Guava, Certainly Celery.

They're simple cards, but I wanted to share just so I could say hello to you all again.  😊

Stampin' Up! Simply Scrapping kit (Secret Garden?), Touch of Nature butterfly; Papertrey Ink Love Lives Here sentiment and house; Inkadinkado Chandeliers flourishes; gold sequin

Stampin' Up! Simply Scrapping kit from years ago!  Secret Garden?; gold sequins

Thanks for joining me again!  God bless you!

Tea For You

Hello my friends, happy Wednesday!  I hope you're doing well in your little corner of the world.  Wanted to pop in and share a get well card I made a while back.  I was having a fun day with Groovy Guava cardstock from Stampin' Up! (remember that In Color?) and came up with this, plus a few other cards (for another post).  

Inspired By Stamping Tea Party tea pot and cup, Delicate Doilies II doilies; My Favorite Things Cup Of Tea sentiment; crochet lace; pearls

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I so enjoy my self-challenges, like picking out a cardstock or patterned paper or stamp set and seeing how many different things I can make with it in one or two sittings.  It's such a simple thing, but it brings me joy.  I suspect you understand what I mean! 😉

Have a wonderful evening!

Inspired By Nature

Happy weekend!  I've got 3 cards to share, that all seem to fall into a nature theme.  Two of the cards use stickers that a friend gave me, so they are rather simple cards.  The middle card was a special commission for a family member who adores outdoor life. 

stickers truck, flowers; rhinestone; Momenta Hello sentiment

The card below is the custom card for a family member's son.  He LOVES being outside.  I used Paper Rose tree dies and a My Favorite Things bike die to create a little scene, complete with rolling hills, water in the background, and a sunny sky.

Paper Rose Stitched Trees dies; My Favorite Things Bicycle die; Stampin' Up! My Wonderful Family sentiment; Papertrey Ink In The Meadow dies

sticker watering can; rhinestones; Momenta Hello sentiment

Short and sweet today.  Enjoy your weekend! 😊

Christmas Quad

Happy Saturday!  Oh, and it's today that we need to set our clocks back one hour, and who doesn't like an extra hour of sleep on Sunday?  I sure do!

I've got four Christmas cards to share today.  I'll be entering one of them in a card challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge:  W and X are for Whimsical and Xerox.  I chose Whimsical for my second card.

Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags star tag die, Joyful Christmas bottlebrush tree stamps and matching dies; ; white cotton thread; pearls; Spellbinders Labels Thirteen die; Hug Snug Sistine Blue seam binding

The next card was "made" by our black cat, Cristabel, for Daddy.  It is my submission to the "Whimsical" card challenge.

Paper Rose Stitched Trees die; Memory Box Large Sitting Cat die; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags tag die; vintage thread; red gems; My Favorite Things BB Cool Cat paw print

Next up is a card that was so quick and easy to make, I feel like I cheated.  I used a K & Co. sentiment panel, some icy blue patterned paper, and felt snowflakes (retired Stampin' Up!) topped with pearls.  No stamping at all on the front!

Stampin' Up! blue felt snowflakes; pearls; K & Co. sentiment panel

The last card helped me use up some patterned paper (Anna Griffin) that I've had for quite a while.

Paper Rose Stitched Trees die; red gems; Papertrey Ink Silent Night swirls, Christmas Blessings sentiment, Tiny Tags tag die; vintage thread

My friends, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

God bless you!

Hope

Hello friends, I'm back again with another post.  I was able to get a bunch of card photos edited and some draft posts begun.  Makes things a little easier.

As I mentioned in my previous post from today, I've got more surgery to face soon.  My medical team is trying to prevent me from needing chemo (radiation and hormone therapy are still necessities, though).  I tell you, having cancer is such a humbling experience.  I am in control of NOTHING.  This is completely out of my hands, and totally in God's.  He is directing my steps, and providing my medical team with the knowledge and skills they need to treat me.  My job is to move forward, do the "work" (surgeries, treatments, medications, etc), and trust in Him.

Fittingly, I had made a card months and months ago that says, "Hope".  And, what do you know, it's in pink.  The sentiment is from a PinkFresh set called, Walk By Faith, and that is exactly what I am doing.   It's a perfect card to share right now.  I have hope.  I am overwhelmed at times (often!) by what is happening, and how many appointments I have, but...I have hope.  

PinkFresh Studio Walk By Faith sentiment; Inspired By Stamping Summer Flowers lily; Sizzix / Stampin' Up! Large Paper Doily Sizzlit die; ivory dots; crochet lace

When I made this card, I pulled together odd bits to make a cohesive card.  The text background is from packaging from a Girls' Paperie stamp set.  It was much too pretty to throw away.  And if you can see it, there's a mauve doily diecut tucked under the crochet lace.  That had been hanging around my desk for too long!  

I am entering this card in a challenge, at Little Red Wagon - #626 So Very Thankful.  I am beyond thankful for HOPE.

Thanks for joining me friends!  I so appreciate your visits!

All On A Slant

One day back in JANUARY (man, it took me a while to get these into a blog post!) I played with a new-to-me Papertrey Ink die set, Sentiment Splits: Angle Vertical.  It was fun making simple cards with patterned paper, a quick sentiment, and a tiny bit of embellishments.

Certainly not some of my fancier work, but it was fun to just play around with the same supplies while they were all out on my desk, and vary things up a bit on each card.  

Papertrey Ink Sentiment Splits: Angle Vertical dies, Keep It Simple: Get Well sentiment; gold sequins; Stampin' Up! Touch of Nature butterfly and patterned paper

Papertrey Ink Sentiment Splits: Angle Vertical dies, Hero Arts Everyday Sayings sentiment; Stampin' Up! Touch of Nature butterfly and patterned paper

Papertrey Ink Sentiment Splits: Angle Vertical dies, Keep It Simple: Get Well sentiment; Stampin' Up! Touch of Nature butterfly and patterned paper; gold sequins

Papertrey Ink Sentiment Splits: Angle Vertical dies, Hero Arts Everyday Sayings sentiment; Stampin' Up! Touch of Nature butterfly and patterned paper

Papertrey Ink Sentiment Splits: Angle Vertical dies, Keep It Simple: Get Well sentiment; gold sequins; Stampin' Up! Heartfelt Love Notes envelope

This week was a busy one with doctor appointments, and next week will be as well.  I found out I will need further surgery, to remove more lymph nodes and see what they contain.  If they look good, no chemo is needed ("just" radiation and hormone blocking pill).  Praising Jesus in advance that I will not need chemo.  This surgery date has not yet been set.  I am disappointed that I am facing another surgery, but it truly is important.  If I can avoid chemo, I would like that very much.

Thanks for coming by today, God bless you! 

Succulents, two ways

Happy hump day!  Halfway through this chilly week, and we might have to turn on our heat.  We like to wait as long as possible to save money, but it's going down to 37 degrees overnight tonight, so...that's pretty cold.  LOL

I've got two similar cards to show today, both featuring succulents.  My youngest daughter, who is away at college, likes to grow succulents in her apartment room.  When my friend gave me these two stamp sets -- HoneyBee Stamps and Photo Play -- I knew they were just right for my special someone! 💕

Honeybee Stamps Stick With Me and Photo Play Stuck On You plants; Gina Marie Designs Big and Little Chain Rectangles die; My Favorite Things Stitched Sentiment Strips die; Glossy Accents glue 

Honeybee Stamps Stick With Me and Photo Play Stuck On You plants; Gina Marie Designs Big and Little Chain Rectangles die; Glossy Accents glue; The Greetery Sentiment Suite: Love sentiment

Not sure if the above photo better shows the Glossy Accents glue on the plants, but, it is there.  So shiny in real life.  I layered two of the plants on dimensionals too.

Thanks so much for joining me today.  You're the best!

Dainty Baby, Bolder Baby

Hello all, back with a couple more cards today so I can enter a new-to-me challenge:  Dragonfly Dreams.  Their October challenge is "In The Pink".  Yes, it's November now, but the challenge closes on 11/5 so there's a little more time if you want to play!

First up is my pink baby card.  I think this soft pale mauve pink is so feminine, so pretty.  I wish I knew which brand the cardstock is, but it was in a bag of goodies given to me, and I had one precious piece!  I added some stamping off the edge, and several assorted pieces of lovely patterned paper scraps in shades of pink and soft gold.  And, of course, some hydrangea blossoms topped with pearls.

Papertrey Ink Wonderful Words: Baby die; Sizzix Donut Phrases 'sweet' die; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; pearls; doily; scraps of paper; matte gold cardstock

The next baby card is so different from the first!  Bursting with more color, with a more modern feel thanks to the patterned paper full of interesting stripes.  I added two sentiments from the same stamp set; one is on the heart, and the other is in tiny print below the patterned paper rectangle.  It says, "Life is sweeter now that you are in the world."  Awww.

Technique Tuesday Sweet Baby sentiments; pearls; My Favorite Things Heart Stax die

Again, thank you so much for your visit, and God bless you!

Elegant Birthday Wishes

Good morning friends, hope your weekend was good!  It has gotten chillier here, and I am LOVING it.  Fall is definitely my favorite season.  

Just popping in to share a "fancy" birthday card that features one of my favorite stamping techniques:  creating my own patterned paper.  

Stampin' Up! Butterfly Basics sentiment, En Francais background, Elements of Style flourish, denim ribbon; gold dots; Papertrey Ink Happy Hydrangea frame and matching die

I am entering a challenge!  Word Art Wednesday Challenge # 515-516, Use an Encouraging or Uplifting Sentiment.

Thanks for taking a peek today at my card.  So happy to have you with me. 😃

Rose with Woodgrain, Rose with Dictionary Print

Hello my friends, thanks so much for the kind words from my last post.  It's so comforting to have my cardmaking friends be out there, thinking of me.  I truly appreciate it. 💖

I need normalcy as much as possible, and things that bring me joy. Anything related to handmade cards is big joy in my book!  I already have some posts in draft form, so it will be easy to hit "publish".

Here are two cards today that both features roses.

Inspired by Stamping Garden Seed Packet rose; Stampin' Up! Hardwood background, Rose Wonder sentiment; crochet lace; pearls

Stampin' Up! Dictionary background; Inspired By Stamping Elegant Flowers and Garden Seed Packets roses; sentiment is Stampin' Up! from a scrap bag - unsure of set

It was fun (when I made these a while back) to play with the two Stampin' Up! background stamps, Dictionary and Hardwood.  I've got a nice collection of their background stamps, most pretty old, but very well loved!

Thanks for joining me here today!

God bless you!

Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances

Hello friends!  A bit of time has passed since I was last here on the blog.  Life got crazy.  Health issues developed for me and it has been quite a whirlwind of tests and doctor appointments, and then surgery.  I am a private person and I've struggled with whether to share here or not, but the Lord has put it upon my heart that I should share.  

Not even a month ago, I was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal breast cancer.  There is no family history of it for me, nor was I having any problems.  This was found on a regular yearly mammogram.  I skipped having a mammogram in 2020 because of the pandemic.  My surgeon told me that timing is everything, and that if I'd had my mammo last year, it likely would not have been big enough to be seen.  This year, it was.  

God's hand has been on me the whole time during this process, as it is every second of my life.  Within a week of my diagnosis, I had a consultation with a surgeon who is a top doc, in our insurance network, AND she is a good friend of my cousin.  I got permission to go on vacation, which was already planned, and I went to see my mom and spend time with her.  It was just the perfect timing, because everything He does is good, He is never late, and He works all things together for our good:  Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

That vacation was refreshing and it was so good to see Mom. 💗 We went to Hobby Lobby, so you know it was a highlight for me!  Got some cool stamps and patterned paper.  But I digress...

Altenew Painted Flowers; Papertrey Ink A Cheerful Heart sentiment Proverbs 3:5-6; Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Pinking Squares die; white ribbon

Spellbinders Large Deckled Rectangles die; Stampin' Up! mushroom patterned paper; Papertrey Ink New Every Morning sentiment Psalm 118

Memory Box Classic Tags dies; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two die; Inspired By Stamping Fancy Alphabet stamps; pearls; hemp twine; dictionary page

I had a lumpectomy this past week, and I feel pretty good, all things considered.  The tumor was removed, and so was one lymph node.  Both of those are being biopsied, and I'll have results next week.  Those results will determine if I need chemo and how long radiation treatments will be.  I tell you friends, I am trusting Jesus that I will NOT need chemo, and that I will need only the shortest amount of radiation treatments!  He is my Great Physician.  He has got me so close, I can feel Him.  In fact, before I went for my first mammogram in August, I felt these words in my spirit:  Do not be afraid, Do not be afraid.  I thought it meant that my mammogram would be fine, but of course it was not.  Those words were firm and gentle.  And I take them seriously:  I am not afraid.  Overwhelmed at times, yes!  And sad in the beginning, yes, but afraid?  No.  I trust Him.

I'll come back here and visit again as time allows.  

Thank you for allowing me to share such a personal testimony with you.  We are here on this earth to help one another.  Perhaps there is someone reading this who will be touched by it, or someone who has put off having a mammogram who needs to go get one.

1Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.