January Mystery Image Swap

Did you faint?  Two blog posts by me in one week?  (and I'm not even late for this one...)

Today is the reveal day for our Mystery Image Swap on SCS.  Kate is our host and she chose this adorable little guy from SU:

He's colored with a combination of pencils & gamsol and SU markers.  I went kinda fantasy on his colors, hope that's ok!

The papers are a little glittery and from a pack by DCWV called "Nana's Nursery, Baby Girl". I punched an oversized border punch by Martha Stewart, cut it in half and pieced it along the edge of the green DP to make that edge.

Here's a view from an angle, trying to show the glitter on the DP's.  However I doubt that it shows up well.



Thank you Kate for getting me outside of my usual zone with this fun little dinosaur image!  I hope that you and the other swappers like my card and thanks also for being a great hostess for this round!  Can't wait to get these back and see what the mystery image is for the next round.

Thanks for dropping by and thanks for leaving comments.  Wishing you all a great day!

Dueling Angels in January

Well...so much for my New Year Goal of being on time, LOL.  But I'm "only" one day behind here...

Jan. 15th was the Dueling Darlings post date.  Melina was the hostess for the Dazzlers and Carol (aka Glittah Queen) was the hostess for the Divas.  Our theme: Angels.

Here is my card with the GORGEOUS kit sent by Melina:

Image: C.C.Designs "Peace on Earth"
Polka Dot teal paper by Recollections
Gold-feathered acetate sheet: Crafters Companion
Fabric Flower: Wal-Mart
Teal button: MFT (mounted underneath the flower)

I must say, the gold acetate sheet is spectacular!  I almost wanted to hoard it LOL, but then I though how lovely it would be on top of the right cardstock.

The image is colored with SU markers, Spectrum Noir markers and the gold and clear sparkles on her dress, halo and wings are done with Spica Markers.

We were asked to share any "Angel Unaware" stories about someone we consider an angel. It seems I have many at this time, which is a true blessing!

My cardmaking buddies in Stamper Addicts and the Dueling Darlings are offering me prayers, positive reinforcement and friendships.  Thank you!

In my "other" life I would have to say that my son and neighbors who are helping me deal with snow, ice, and several other challenges that have come my way recently are true angels.  They've helped me time and again without me even having to ask.

I honestly believe in angels all around us, and have a few amazing stories of first hand accounts where the only possible explanation is that angels intervened on my behalf.  Who ever said that miracles only happened 2,000 years ago in the Bible?  Perhaps it's only mankind's arrogance that won't give the credit to angels.

Thank you Melina and Carol for picking such a great theme and sending such a pretty kit to work with.  It was angelic!

A Fond Adieu to Crafters of Faith

Our little online group is disbanding, The Crafters of Faith will finish off 2013 with one final challenge.  Issued by our lovely leader, Kelly.  Here's her challenge for us:

Psalm 113:2 (KJV) "Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore." During this celebratory time of year, we rejoice at the miracle of the birth of the son of God! One of my very favorite Christmas songs is Holy Night, heads bowed before the Redeemer.  The literal translation of the first verse is:

Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour,
When God as man descended unto us
To erase the stain of original sin
And to end the wrath of His Father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night that gives it a Savior. 

With that, I ask you to create a card based on the blessing we receive from knowing how much was given for us! May we all be aware of the beautiful blessings we have and bestow to others.
For your December card, create a card of your choice in color and design with the theme: Sprinkle an abundance of Blessings!

Stamp: "Chickadees on Pine", Sentiment: "Tree-Mendous" by Technique Tuesday
Cardstock: SU Cranberry Crisp & Brilliant Blue
Background Stamp: "Snowflake Sky" by Brother Sister Design Studio (2001), embossed with Stardust Embossing Powder by Stampendous
Colored with Prismacolor and Derwent pencils
Embellishments: Stickles for snow & frost on branches, ribbon from local craft store, corner punch by EK Success

Here's a closer look at the image, showing some of the glittery pine branches.





Chickadees are one of my favorite wild birds.  While other breeds are jockeying for position at the feeders, and arguing over who gets to eat & when, these little guys swoop in and out, eating their fill, ignoring all the silly bickering of the others!


I am reminded of Matthew 6:25:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink...
Look at the birds of the air;  they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?"

2013 has been a rough year for me, and for many friends and family members as well.  Through it all, it helped me to remember just how much was NOT going wrong in my life!

Kelly: I count knowing you as a blessing.  Thank you for starting our group and keeping it alive!  Because of you & your efforts I have enlarged my circle of online friends and that is also a blessing to me.

This is a fitting close to our monthly challenges - encouraging us to remember our blessings and how abundantly God loves us.  Peace to all of you in 2014!

Dueling Darlings and Treasures from Grandma!

Hello my friends!  My original post "poofed" into another realm...I have no idea what became of it, so here's round two:
The Dueling Darlings December kit for the Dazzlers came from our beloved Jeanette.  Here's what I came up with:

Image: Kraftin Kimmie O Holy Night
Papers: Paper Studio Hay and Wood Fences
Embellishments: Hobby Lobby Plywood Star Stickers, Hobby Lobby Gold Glitter Organza

The adorable image is colored with Spectrum Noir markers, cut out and mounted onto the Hay DP, which was die cut with Nestabilities "Labels 18".  This was mounted onto black CS die cut with Nestabilities rectangular scallop.

The front of the card features that wonderful Wood Fences DP topped with black cs covered with the Gold Glitter Organza.  Of course they need the star, so there it is, shining in the night!





Here's a side view, at an angle to show how gorgeous that Organza is.  It really sparkles!

Thank you, Jeanette for sending such a fun image and creative kit this month!  I truly enjoyed working up this card.

Here's the other part of the challenge: "Include in your post a Christmas story of your own. Perhaps a special Christmas decoration you own, a childhood memory, Christmas tradition, etc."

I knew immediately that I would share some of my treasures from Grandma.  She made incredible art from beads: wedding bells for my wedding cake, a mobile for over the crib of clowns and birds, miniature coffee & tea service, and many, many other items that defy description.

I have a box of Christmas ornaments that she made.  They are over 30 years old now and are truly loved by me.  My pictures fail to capture how brightly they sparkle in the sun or with the lights on the tree, but here are a few for you to look at.

A few angels and a southern belle.

Two of my favorite Christmas bells.

A closer look at the red bell with the overlay of clear and gold beading.

An assortment of various other ornaments.  The candy cane is amazing!











Some in blues with clear or mirrored accents.

Some are very dimensional.  These baubles are unique.  The green & clear one almost has a shape of a dreidel.

Holding it up, trying to give a better idea of it's shape.

A sampling of snowflakes and crystal shapes.  These look like glass when in a window or on the tree.

What's Christmas without wreaths?  Here are two.

And two more wreaths.

This star is wide in the center.  Below is a side view.
























Perhaps you can imagine how special these are.  My pictures really don't do them justice.  As I said, she made beautiful wedding bells for our wedding cake.  She crocheted teeny tiny clear beads into a beautiful necklace and gave that to me when I was a teenager.

She was a creative genius, making art out of rocks, (some of her collections won awards), soup bones, sunflower seeds, and many other common items.  Her work is now owned by her six daughters and over 20 of us grandchildren!  And now we begin to share them with her great grandchildren.  A very special legacy.

I think this is the longest blog post I've ever done, and if you stuck with me throughout, thank you!

Wishing all of you a very blessed Christmas and a safe and healthy new year!

"Let the little children come to me" COF Nov. Challenge

It's the last day of the month and the Crafters of Faith group on Split Coast has a challenge hosted by one of us that is due today.  This month was my turn to host and here's my challenge:
Matthew 10:13-16

"People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”  And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them."

I have always loved the image that this brings to mind.  The culture of the day was such that children were valued even less than women were, so once again, Jesus is teaching that he came for the least ones in society.  My biggest pleasure in teaching Sunday School is always experiencing God's love and grace through the accepting eyes of children.
So, with that in mind, look through your treasure trove.  What do you have that shows the innocence of childhood?  The pleasure in simple things?  The wonder of nature?  The pure fun of our world?  What speaks to that child-like spirit that you remember from your childhood?  Try to create something that takes you back to your childish, unquestioning, innocent faith in God.  Create a little bit of heaven on paper!

Many of you know that I am a big D. Morgan fan, her stamps and art work really appeal to me.  So of course it would come down to 1 of 3 different vintage seascapes with a little girl featured on them.  Here's the one that won out:

The image is colored with watercolor pencils, both Derwent and Stampin Up and blended.  I really like this image.  To me, it speaks of carefree youth, where it's enough to just be in the moment and enjoy all that God's creation has to offer us.

Here's a close up of the pretty roses on the side (hopefully without the shadows in the picture):

This is honestly the most flowers I have ever put on a single card!  LOL  It's my feeble attempt at imitating my friend Maggie's style.  I really admire what she does with lovely flowers and embellishments along the edges of her images.  Give me a few years, maybe I can come close to her handiwork!

Thank you for stopping by and also thank you for any comments that you may leave.  They are a special treat that I save for early in the morning with my coffee before starting my day.  Why not give yourself a little treat and visit the blogs of my fellow Crafters of Faith?  Their links are in my side bar.  Go ahead - leave them some love!

Peace!

"There's a Nap for That"!

It's the day for another duel for us Dueling Darlings!
This month I was the hostess for the Dazzlers, and Darling Tami was the hostess for the Divas.  I just love teaming up with Tami for hostessing, she's a hoot and we have a blast!

This month the Dazzlers received a kit containing:
Image: Lazy Boy Set by Art Impressions
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
CS: Conqueror Diamond White, 80#
Designer papers by Recollections: Light Blue Argyle, Green Argyle, Football, Black & White Plaid, Black Polka Dots, and black and brown Signature Series Shimmer CS
Washi Tape: various colors of chevron stripes by Recollections
Various assorted brads by Recollections

Here is my card:

Isn't this a funny image?  I also really get a kick out of the sentiment!

We also asked everyone to share a funny holiday story about a guy in their life.

Once when my oldest nephew was around 12 or 13, he challenged my husband to a contest of who could eat the most at Thanksgiving.  At the time, hubby was about 27.  Well, you guessed it.  They both packed in the food, my nephew should have waited just a couple of years and then proposed the challenge because he would have won then.  But, of course most 12-13 boys can't out-eat a man in his 20's.  This picture doesn't even come close to the scene after, LOL.  Both had to lie down for over an hour.  We all just laughed & laughed.

I encourage you to drop by the blogs of the Divas & Dazzlers (links are in my sidebar) and check out their challenges for November.  It's sure to be a treat - and not one that will pack on the pounds either!

Dueling Darlings October Duel

Hello!! I am terribly late with this post, but it should be no reflection on the challenge kit, only my disorganized life of late!

The theme was:

"Trick or Treats, smell my feet

OR

Give me something sweet to eat!"

Paola's kit contained so many fun and creative elements, it was hard to choose!  I just loved the ghoulies, aren't they a hoot?  And look at those cute little spiders coming to visit the witch kitty!  (never thought I would use cute to describe spiders!)

Here's a side view and if you look closely you can see the wonderful texture on the bat.  Paola die cut them from a thick Mulberry stock that almost feels like felt.

Contents in the kit were:

Stamps (all from SU): "Haunting Halloween" (cat, cauldron + 2sentiments)

                                    "Booglie Eyes" (mummy) & "Best Fiend" (sentiment)

D/P:     Wicked Fun (SU); Halloween Characters & Small Dots (both from Michaels)

                                      Black w/ silver thread (handmade DP from Costco)

Accessories: 'Boot To You' (CB folder); 'Black Bat's (Sizzix Die); 2 Halloween ribbons (Michaels);

                      1 XLrg orange brad by Elements/Am. Crafts ; sm. spiders from Recollections; 

                      pumpkins dimentionals stickers;

                      2 sets of Googlie eyes (Dollar store); 'Bootiful' brads from Sprinkles

We were also asked to share our view on Halloween - do we celebrate it, what is our favorite part, a favorite recipe, costume, etc.

Personally, I enjoy Halloween.  To me, it's all about kids.  No commercialization or pressure of planning the perfect holiday meal, gifts, cards, etc.  Just kids, having fun getting dressed up and showing off their costumes for a little treat.  

When our kids were young, we were always the gathering house after Trick or Treating.  I'd have a fire in the fireplace, some Halloween cartoons on & they'd come here, spread out their loot on the floor to compare and sort it.  Usually soaking wet clothing and shoes would be drying by the fire.  That's how it goes when you live where it can be cold and even snowy on Halloween.  Good times!

Thanks Sweet P for a fun and generous kit!  All of the leftovers have been saved for our final round.  Hugs to you!