Thank You, Friend, You Are Enough...and more

Hello friends!  It's hump day, and we're halfway through the work and school week. For those of you who have young kids, how's the homeschooling going?  I have to admit, I don't think my stress level would be too good if I had to work from home full time AND help little ones stay focused and on track with schoolwork, plus find other ways to keep them occupied.  That would tire me right out!  God bless all of you who do it every day. 

I've got a parade of cards to share today.  The first one is my favorite.  I am of Irish descent (Polish and Lithuanian too), born on St. Patrick's Day, and I have a penchant for shamrocks and Irish blessings.

Memory Box Lucky Charms, Lucky Leaves shamrock dies; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags die, thank you sentiment; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; vellum; Gina Marie Designs Pleated Lace Rectangles die; Ann-ticipations Irish Blessing stamp (under vellum); vintage thread

In the close-up below, you can see better the sheen on the green cardstock.  It has a pearly look.  Very pretty!

Memory Box Lucky Charms, Lucky Leaves shamrock dies; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags die, thank you sentiment, Luck Of The Irish small shamrock stamp; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; vellum; Gina Marie Designs Pleated Lace Rectangles die; Ann-ticipations Irish Blessing stamp (under vellum); vintage thread

Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags tag die, sentiment stamp; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; My Favorite Things Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle STAX die; Prima paper; vintage thread

Wplus9 Clear Cut Stackers Stars dies; Papertrey Ink Double Ended Banners die; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles dies; silver cardstock; I can't remember which set the sentiment came from!

Papertrey Ink Choose Joy sentiment; Gina Marie Designs Picket Fences With Wood Grain Finish die, Frilly Lace Rectangle die; rhinestones; Altenew Lavender Bud stamp and die; small leaf die cuts from Stampin' Up! scrap bag

Echo Park Trust In The Lord sentiment; K & Co. butterfly die cut; Kat Scrappiness Wonky Wavy Stitched Rectangles die; brown rhinestones, assorted Ranger Distress Ink sprays; gold embossed snippet from store bought card

I'm glad I bought the Papertrey Vintage Picnic set when I did, because it was on clearance and is all gone now.  It's the sweetest set.  I put my picnic basket on a gingham 'blanket'.

Papertrey Ink Topiary Trio dies, Vintage Picnic stamps and dies
(basket of food, sentiment); Gina Marie Designs Picket Fences With Wood Grain Finish die

A coworker of mine retired last year, and I made a card for him that looks very similar to the one below.

The Craft's Meow Just Sayin' sentiment; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles die; sun and palm tree stickers - dollar package; My Favorite Things Stitched Basic Edges die; Stampin' Up! Avant Garden dotted stamp

Verve Strong Anchor stamps (anchor, wheels) and matching Nautical dies; L'il Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles die; Inspired By Stamping Masculine Tags sentiment and nautical frame stamp, Fancy Label 2 dies; twine

Our Daily Bread Workshop Tools tool dies; Lost Coast Designs Measuring Tape stamp; Stampin' Up! Hardwood and Sanded background stamps; Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments sentiment   

Avery Elle Winter Wreath stamps and dies (wreath, berries, bow); Impression Obsession Birds dies; Papertrey Ink Daily Designs Sentiments sentiment, Double Ended Banners die

I had my eye on this oldie but goodie Stampin' Up! set, Garden Pleasures, below, for a while.  I found it for a (bird) song on Mercari (it's a yard sale kind of site, where people sell used items and ship around the country; I sell things on there too, and have made a decent penny doing it!).  It is such a charming stamp set.

Stampin' Up! Garden Pleasures birdhouse, bird stamps, Holiday Home sentiment stamp, Linen background stamp; Spellbinders Lacy Squares die; pearls; Papertrey Ink Double Ended Banners die 

Stampin' Up! Christmas Stocking punch (don't own it, not sure if that's the right name?), Hardwood background stamp; red gems; Sizzix / Tim Holtz Bricked embossing folder; twine; Hero Arts Holiday Sayings sentiment

Impression Obsession Square Shaker Frame die; Stampin' Up! Peaceful Boughs pine dies; Flourishes / Spellbinders Classic Tags die; Papertrey Ink Tag-Its #8 Mini sentiment; Stampin' Up! Hardwood background stamp; red button; twine

Before I go, I would like to share this verse from Scripture with you.  I say it aloud when I feel any anxiety creeping in to my mind:

2 Timothy 1:7
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

If we give in to fear, the enemy has won.  Stay positive, even amidst all the strangeness we are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Research has proven that focusing on the positive is good for you.  I found this article on the Mayo Clinic's website that shows benefits of keeping negative thoughts away from your mind.  Here is an excerpt:

"The health benefits of positive thinking
Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress
• Greater resistance to the common cold
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body."

Sending love and social distance hugs to you all!
God bless you!