Monday, September 29, 2008

more Faithbooking

So here I go again, pretending to be a scrapbooker. The women from our church are having another get together for a new mom this Friday and one of the gifts we always give the new moms is a Faithbook for the new baby. Many of the women will submit a scripture to be used and I will add a different one to each page. I am not a scrapbooker so they are never an easy task for me, but I have managed to make each book different, and am usually pleased for the most part with the outcome. Here are a few pages of the one I am working on for this Friday:























So, if you wonder what I am up to...just picture me at my craft table, bag of peppermint patties at my side with paper scraps flying everywhere and glue stuck to my fingers, ribbon rolling around on the floor,... you get the picture!
Will post more pages tomorrow...thanks for stopping by!

Friday, September 26, 2008

LSC - 187 Holly Jolly Christmas

Today's limited supply challenge on splitcoast was to make a Christmas card using an animal stamp. The only stamp I have that had was this Polar Bear image that I purchased a couple years ago at AC Moore. He is not even really "Christmas" but he is wearing a scarf...and he is running on his way to see the newborn King! :)

The only embellishment we were allowed to use was ribbon, which I chose not to use, but I did use stickels, so, if that counts as an embellishment, I have failed the challenge.
The cardstock is SU Real Red, and the dp is from Joanne's. The tree stamps are from Homegrown Hospitality, and the sentiment (which says "A child is born" is from SU's set - A Gift From Heaven.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Friday!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Third times a charm

Yep, this is my third post today. Not that I have nothing else to do of course, but I just had to get in on this fabulous contest that Cammie
has going on. I am sure everyone knows the story, but if not, Cammie lost her Grandmother in June from complications due to Alzheimer's disease. So for National Alzheimer's day, she asked everyone to make a thank you card and to give it to a caretaker that has cared for someone with Alzheimer's. And oh, this was so easy for me to do because I knew right away who my card would be for. Up until a few weeks ago when my MIL received her own bad news, she was a nurse and has cared for many patients with Alzheimer's. She always speaks so highly of her patients and has always treated them with both love and respect.

Her favorite color is blue, so I chose this pretty paper from Imaginisce called Drapin Daisies. I tried to mimic the daisies by adding a white sting of cotton and used my SU flower punch for the flowers, adding a dot of orange stickles in the center. I think it came out pretty close to what the paper looks like. Hope you can see it in the picture.



Update on my daughter - after many blue raspberry popsicles and plenty of rest, she is feeling much better.

An Amazing Child

My sister emailed this story to me, and I thought I would share with all of you:

Here is a great story for you. If this doesn't make your day, nothing will.

There is a little boy named Derek Andrews who lives in Clarence NY...right outside Buffalo.
He is presently 7 years old and will turn 8 in October. Derek has a muscle disorder and doctors told his parents that Derek would never be able to run or play sports.
Apparently, however, no one ever told Derek.
He plays hockey at the Amherst Pepsi Center , baseball and soccer in Clarence, and participates in gymnastics. Maybe the word 'plays' is a bit misleading.. Derek was on the baseball league all-star team, the ice hockey select team and was the leading scorer on his soccer team! All despite that condition that continues to weaken the muscles in his body.
To make the story even more heartwarming, after winning a local bank's essay contest (who in the world writes essays at 7 ????), Derek used his prize money to put on a magic show at Children's Hospital, help organize a book drive for a Buffalo school and buy supplies for elephants at The Buffalo Zoo.
Derek's uncle says that Derek has been nominated for 'Sports Kid of the Year' by Sports Illustrated for Kids and is now a top 10 finalist. I can't think of any more deserving kid than this boy. To help Derek achieve that honor, all you have to do is vote for him at the following web site Sports Illustrated Kids

It literally takes 15 seconds to do. You are allowed to vote as often as you wish.

Buffalo weather + child with asthma = no fun!

I used to love the fall season. Now, I dread it as my youngest child has asthma and this is her toughest time of the year. It was a rough night and she is home from school today, sleeping for now. So, while she is resting...
Today's challenge on splitcoast was to use charms of any kind. I have had these little trees forever, in fact, I could make lots and lots of cards with all of the charms I have! And I am sure I am not alone! :)

I made the card very simple, just used my nestabilities to cut out the scalloped squares of felt...the dp is from Minds Eye, and the sentiment is from Homegrown Hospitality. Seriously, less than a 5 minute card. Love when that happens!



And there have been a couple of you asking, so here is the update on my MIL:

She had to have another surgery yesterday to have a new stint put into her liver as the first one dissolved. How does that happen? And why didn't they just put the metal one in the first time?!
Anyway, she will have to stay in the hospital for a few more days but my FIL says her color already looks better. So that is good news.
Now, due to this, her new scan has been pushed back yet again to 10/9!
Keep the prayers going!

Thanks so much for stopping by...have a great day!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

SC195 - Sweet Child

Hello! I needed another baby shower card, and todays sketch was just the inspiration I needed to get it done! I loved this sketch!
The dp on the image panel is from My Minds Eye, and the dp on the other panels is from Martha Stewart. The sentiment is a rub-on from the dollar store and the scalloped oval was cut using my nestabilities. The card itself is SU's soft sky. I am going to be really sad when I run out of that color because I use it so often. And last but not least, the image is from Rubbernecker Stamps.



Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

Monday, September 22, 2008

TLC187 - Bookmark card

The new technique on splitcoast today was a bookmark. Not the everyday bookmark you always see, but one that fits over the corner of the page in the book. How cool is that?
Anyway, got late start on mine, but here it is:





I decided to add my bookmark as part of the card...so I used it as the roof of the house. The cardstock is bazill, and the dp is Heidi Grace. The stamped tree comes from...hmm, I cannot remember! And that my friends is why I will never be chosen to be on a design team...I am so bad with giving credit to all these companies! ;)
I used the same dp for the drapes in the windows as I did for the actual bookmark. I also added velum to the windows.
Well, have to say that was a really fun card to make!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Monday!

I've been tagged!

I have been tagged by Lisa
over at the Craftbugs Blog to list 7 random things about myself. I think these kind of tags are so fun because what other way would you get to learn about a person that is thousands of miles away. I have made some really good friends through blogging and it is fun to share with them.
Thanks so much Lisa. And by the way, everyone should stop over and say hello to her and check out her awesome blog. Very talented lady, she is!

So here goes:

1.) I love the Lord, Jesus Christ. We are very involved in our church and I am constantly being asked to do projects since I am the ONLY crafter there. Can you believe it?? That's right, I have no crafting friends nearby, so it is so fun to share the whole experience with all of you!

2.) I am extremely shy. Yep, in a crowd of 3 or more people, you will rarely ever hear me speak.

3.) I recently had to get glasses. Well, had glasses for a few years now, but never wore them. So, for my good behavior, I now have to wear progressive lenses (nice word for bi-focals!)

4.) I read 2 books this week, the first being "The Shack" and the second being "Marley and Me". Both very different books, but I enjoyed them both very much and would suggest you read them!

5.) I have 6 children...3 girls and 3 boys.

6.) I posted this in a previous tag, but I will post again since I have not done it...yet. I really want to get my nose pierced. I do not know why, but I have wanted it done for about 15 years now...it's just the practical side of me keeps taking over, like- I am too old, what if I have to go for a job interview, etc.

7.) Really like York Peppermint Patties...but only the little ones. I eat them by the bagful, daily!

ok, so now I have to tag 7 other bloggers. I try to tag people I have not tagged in the past, so here goes:

Joanne


Debi



Cheryl



Tori


Sharon


Patter


Vicki


Now, the rules are as follows:

1.) Link the person who tagged you.
2.) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog...some random, some wierd, whatever.
3.) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4.) Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

ok, there you have it...now I am off to check splitcoast for today's challenge!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Feature Stamper Challenge 85

Todays feature stamper is Shannon and the card I chose to case is http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1018762?cat=500&ppuser=89875
I changed the image on my card and the embellishments. I was excited to be able to case her snowman card as I had purchased a set of stamps from Stephanie
over at Homegrown Hospitality...and I had not yet used the stamps.


The cardstock is SU and the dp is from a stack of paper I purchased at Joanne's. The white strip of cardstock is embossed using a fiskars texture plate.

Thanks for stopping by...off to church! Have a great Sunday everyone!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Today's Inspiration Challenge

I do not normally participate in the challenges on the weekend, but when I looked on splitcoast, I knew I wanted to do today's challenge. Isn't it funny how a card can come together so easily for you just by seeing a pattern on something such as dishes?



This card was made using kraft cardstock from SU. I used my cuttlebug embossing folder for the inspiration piece and inked it with close to cocoa also from SU. I then used a sizzix die to cut out the leaves which are wool felt. The sentiment is from SU's set Refuge and Strength and in case you cannot read it, it says "In those times I can't seem to find GOD, I rest in the assurance He knows how to find me".
And speaking of SU...I used to be a demonstrator a couple of years ago, but only as a hobbiest, not an actual demo. So, I then left to go with another company as they had lower quota's to meet which was easier for me to handle. Well, 4 catalogs later, I have switched back to SU! I have learned that you cannot put a price on something you truly love. ;)

Please keep those prayers going for my mother in law. We received a call last night saying she did not have a good day yesterday. And now her tests have been rescheduled for the 26th. It is so hard to be patient when you are waiting to find out any kind of news!

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:11-12

Friday, September 19, 2008

Practical gift

A couple weeks ago, I mentioned in a post that I was getting reading for a Community Fun Day that our church was having. Well, it turned out awesome! There were approx 660 people from the community that stopped by to enjoy a lunch on us, and partake in some of the fun activities we had for the children. So, now that it is over, the leaders from our church are having a follow up meeting tonight to discuss our thoughts on the whole thing. I wanted to take a little gift along as a thank you for everyones hard work...but was not sure what to take as I wanted it to be something that they could use . So I figured since we will be talking about idea's for next years Community Fun Day, that a planner would be a good idea.

This cover was embossed both with a nestability and a cuttlebug folder. All of the text you see throughout the planner was done on the computer. I did stamp some images in a couple of places though and embossed them with ep.



I wanted everyone to have a little reminder of how awesome this years event was so I made little photo books, (matchbook style) which include 5 photo's. The stamp used for the date is from TAC.



Here is an inside look at the photobook:



A "notes to go" pocket (mini notebook is also matchbook style), and a pocket to hold receipts for next years event:





There is a pocket to hold donations. The next page is for the "Notes" section and holds notebook paper:





The last section of the planner is for contact information. I am sorry the the picture of the actual contact page did not turn out but I am too lazy to retake it!





Well, that's it for me today. Had to do 15 of them! And now I am off to make a dessert to take to the meeting.

Have a great Friday everyone!

Monday, September 15, 2008

A great distraction!

A good friend of mine called the other day to tell me that she was engaged! What wonderful news to help take my mind off of everything else that is going on. But truly, I could not be happier for her. She is such a sweetheart. So, I met her for dinner tonight. And I could not go without a gift, so this is what I made for her.

This was a fun card to make. It is a tent card made using soft sky from SU and embossed vellum. The scalloped border was done with a Martha Stewart punch. I did get the inspiration for this card on splitcoast, but it was so long ago and just embedded in my mind that I do not have the link to give credit where credit is due. Sorry about that!



And I just kept the theme going with the frame. I used the same SU stamped flower for the top frame (Stamped on vellum, colored using ink pad and blender pen) soft sky cs, and embossed vellum. The middle frame will be for a picture of the engaged couple, and the bottom frame is a prayer for the two of them.



She loved it. And I hope you do too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Sincere Thanks!

Thank you so much to everyone who has offered to send a card to my Mother in Law. I cannot wait until she starts receiving them as I just know it will really bring a smile to her face when she opens each and every one! And big hugs to those of you who posted the info on your blog! That was so sweet of you to do and your kindness just blows me away! We are off to visit with her today and this is the card I will be bringing to her:



After we found out the news, I cried and I prayed and I cried some more. That went on for 2 days. When I woke up on the 3rd day, I realized how ridiculous I was being. She is still here and we have to treasure the time we have with her. So, I opened my Bible, letting it fall open to any page, and it was Matthew. The scripture I specifically read was Matthew 21:22 which is what you see on my card. In the words of Jesus, "All things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive". So, that is what I have been praying for all week, ...complete healing for my mother in law.
She has to go on Tuesday for another CT scan as the oncologist was not satisfied with the original scan, so I will continue to pray, and I will keep you posted.

Here are a few more cards I have done recently.











Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Card Request

Well, if you have read the previous post, you will know why I am about to ask you another favor. If you could, would you please send a card of encouragement to my MIL? We did go to see her last night and she is such a strong woman. Talking about the whole thing like it was nothing. She does have strong faith so I am sure that helps. The only time she teared up was when she was speaking about my children. She said that she has always prayed to God that she would at least live long enough to see them grow into little people, so she said she is thankful that she has been able to do that.

If you would like to send her a card, please email me for the address...and thank you!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Prayer Request

I am asking that you would say a prayer for our family as we received some bad news today. My mother in law called to tell us that she has cancer and it is terminal, so they say. They are saying she has about 6 months, but I am believing with prayer we can keep her around alot longer than that! I am also struggling with the fact that she does not want me to tell my children, but I think they should know. My in-laws live in Markham Canada, so my husband and I are going to drive up tonight to see her.
Please pray for healing in Jesus name!

Thank you all so much,

For those who like to pray by name, her name is Patsy Jo Smart