Soul Mate Valentine

 

          I finally got around to using my brand new Verve set, “More Than Love”!  Once again, they ship soooo fast!  Love it.  I got the stamp set on Thursday and just got around to using it today – the last day to enter to win some Verve on the MOJO Monday blog!  So here goes.  This is my special card for the love of my life Thom.  We have only known each other 10 years.  It was 10 years ago at the end of January that we were matched on e-Harmony.  You should have heard our kids telling us to be careful!  The Lord used e-Harmony to bring us together.  We will celebrate 9 wonderful years of marriage in March.  He is my soul mate.  When I saw the scripture from the Song of Solomon, I knew that this stamp set had to make it into my growing Verve collection.  I had to fussy cut the hearts; I’ll be getting the dies soon!  My card is 4¼” by 5½” with a left-hand fold!

·       Stamp set(s):  Verve – More Than Love & Surely Goodness

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Marina Mist

·      Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke & Very Vanilla CS; My Mind’s Eye – Bella Bella French Flea Market Stripe (“found” in the blue section of my Scrap Rack carefully tucked away!  LOL!); The Paper Studio – Solid Glitter CS light blue

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  A Cut Above Dies by Verve – Surely Goodness die set; Spellbinders – Contemporary Hearts, Classic Rectangles Large & Classic Scalloped Rectangles Large; Stampin’ Up! – Sizzlits Little Leaves & Square Lattice EF

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up! – Classic Jewels Pearls Large; Fiskars – Small Heart Punch

I changed the sketch up a bit.  I rotated the sentiment block 90° to the left and used the rectangle block under the sentiment block as a mat for my sentiment.  I decided against the small narrow banner/ribbon running diagonally across the top and used the flowers instead of the larger hearts.  I instead took the hearts and added them above the sentiment.  I like how my card came out!  I didn’t want to go too over the top with hearts and flowers so kept it fairly simple and as subtle as I could since this is a card for my husband. 

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a look.  I’ve made it easy to leave a comment by turning off the verification box.  Please feel free to let me know what you think.

Until next time, have an awesome day!  The inside of the card and the MOJO331 sketch are below!

Many Blessings,

Donna

Serenity Pine

          I was in need of a couple of Get Well cards for my card ministry for my church.  I’ve been looking for a tool or idea that I could use to make the process of making the cards and sending them for my church.  I found it from one of SU friends.  She turned me on to a SU demonstrator’s website, www.simplysimplestamping.com.  This wonderful and innovative lady by the name of Connie Stewart from Oklahoma came up with this idea of “Flash Cards”, i.e., cards in a flash.  Get it?!!!??  She has a whole series of videos that she has done on YouTube.  Please go by and check her out.  This is a really simple idea but you come up with great cards for any occasion.  I went to one of my favs from SU, Lovely as a Tree for my card.

·       Stamp set(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Lovely as a Tree & Thoughts & Prayers

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Old Olive & Early Espresso; Stampin’ Write Markers – Early Espresso; Ranger – Distress Ink in Antique Linen

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Early Espresso, Old Olive & Very Vanilla CS

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Classic Ovals Large & Classic Scalloped Ovals Large;  Stampin’ Up! – Square Lattice & Fancy Fan EF

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Stampin’ Up! – Linen Thread & Jewels Basic Rhinestones

I followed Connie’s instructions for cutting up my cs.  I stamped the tree on my Very Vanilla CS and distressed it with a sponge and the Antique Linen ink.  The sentiment went well with my Spellbinders dies.  I added some bling to the sentiment and a bow of linen thread, and I was done.  Quick, easy, beautiful – what’s not to love?  Thank you Kathy for telling me about this website and thank you Connie for your clever ideas.  I named my single tree Serenity Pine.  There is something very serene and elegant about this pine from Lovely as a Tree!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by.  Please feel free to leave a comment or join my e-mail distribution list so you’ll know when I’ve been a craftin’!

Many Blessings,

Donna

 

 

 

The Perfect Valentine: God is Love

 

          It’s been a while since I’ve had time or felt like playing in my craft room.  The flu definitely got me behind and down for a while.  I’m feeling better now and hope to be putting the winter doldrums behind me.  With Valentine Day coming up it is time to start thinking about making something special for my family.  These are headed for my two beautiful daughters.  I hope that they don’t read this blog and ruin the surprise. :-)  I don’t always send them cards any more for Valentine’s but this year is special.  Last May Rachel received her Master’s Degree, and this May Rebecca will receive her Master’s Degree.  I’m so proud of both of them.  They are both beautiful young Christian women who seek to serve Him.  I just wanted to send them a note of encouragement and love especially from their mom!  My card is 4¼” by 5½” with a left side fold.

·       Stamp set(s):  Stampin’ Up! – My Little Valentine (ret.) and Trust God

·       Ink(s):  Stampin’ Up! – Raspberry Ripple (sentiments) Primrose Petals (edges)

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up! – Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals & Very Vanilla CS; The Paper Studio – Mirabella Plaid & Solid Glitter CS in Light Pink & Champagne

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Stampin’ Up! – Hearts Collection & Chalk Talk Framelits; Heartfelt Creations Decorative Dutch Iris Die; Spellbinders – Classic Circles Large/Standard & Classic Scalloped Circles Large   

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  iCraft – Easy-Cut Adhesive Sheets (double-sided); Prima Floral Embellishments; Stampin’ Up! – Brads Brights Collection (ret.) and Denim Ribbon Artichoke (ret.; ) & Basic Jewels Rhinestones; Recollections - Pearls

I ran across the patterned paper when I was at Hobby Lobby – love that place – when I was looking for glitter cardstock for another project which I was also able to use here for some additional glam & glitz.  I have quite a bit of burlap and wanted to make some embellishments with some double-sided adhesive sheets.  The patterned paper is light weight so I decided to add some texture with the burlap rather than by embossing it.  In the pictures of the two cards you can see that the burlap flourish is oriented differently and one is trimmed in rhinestones and one in pearls to reflect my girls’ personality.  This will be my first card in the Viva la Verve Challenge for this month.  I hope to get a few more cards made and entered before the 6^th.  We’ve had some snow here this week in central NC, so I’m going to be at home tomorrow and might as well get creative!

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a look.  Please feel free to leave me a comment and sign up to follow me so that you’ll be notified when I post something new.  I am doing an On-line Bible Study from Proverbs 31 Ministry so there might be a few non-crafty posts from now until early March 2014.

Many Blessings,

Donna

PS:  Do you prefer pearls or rhinestones?

Feeling Empowered and its flip side Pride!

     As I started this week's bible study - a little late due to a hectic schedule and slow recovery from the flu last week, I did feel empowered.  I had every intention of joining everyone on the FB page on Thursday.  The week was going well.  I was caught up with the reading and reflection questions.  I had spent the evening at home on Tuesday and had successfully battled temptation to eat outside of my plan with prayer and walking away from the kitchen.  Even after I weighed myself at home for the first time in months on Thursday morning things were going well.  I am following a heart healthy eating plan and controlling portions by using Weight Watchers Points Plus program.  Then time at home by myself again while my husband was working his part-time job.  (We are both retired from our careers.)  I binged on crackers with my tune salad.
     I was so frustrated, but the idea that the  Lord loves me anyway when I fail, that I don't have to perform to earn his love and attention was a comfort and got back on track on Friday.  But I was too ashamed to join in with the FB meeting.  The Holy Spirit is our "Empowerment" Coach.  When I turn to Him - which I did on Tuesday and not on Thursday, I can do all things with His gentle guidance and encouragement.  He will show me when I remember to stop and listen (and not let pride get in the way like I did when I ignored him on Thursday) how to battle the flesh and "the little devil whispering in my ear on my shoulder".  It's very easy when you think you are empowered to fall into pride and try to do this without the help of Jesus.  There is a thin line between pride and empowerment.  Let me not fall into that trap, Jesus.  I need your help and encouragement daily as I walk this walk of eating to live and not living to eat.

Many Blessings,
Donna

Why Now & Why Made To Crave

          This is not my usual kind of post.  I don't have a new card creations to share with you today.  Today I'm giving you some "inklings" about why I joined an on-line bible study!  So bear with me, please!?
          I have struggled my whole life - I just turned 62 the end of December - with my weight and body image problems.  I have done nearly every diet in the book.  I've had some success, but not lasting success.  I almost made it 10 years ago, but fell off the cliff 3.5 years ago when some health issues and hormone imbalance issues crept up behind me and widened my hips! 
          I want to be at peace with food and my food choices.  I also want to eat healthy and maintain a good weight.  When I weigh too much and it affects how I feel about myself -" I'm a failure" and how I feel inside my body.
         I need help, and as a believer in Jesus, my Lord and Savior, the only help that will be lasting is to admit the defeat of my own self efforts and learn to call upon the name of Jesus.  I need help and encouragement to make the lasting changes that I need to eat healthy, exercise - which I already do when there is a water aerobics class at the gym, and maintain a healthy weight for me.  I need the support of a community of believers to finally DO this!  That's why I've joined an on-line bible study.  I've read Lisa book and am doing the devotional, but I have gone on carb binges 2 times this week when I turned to food instead of my Savior.  So Jesus, I want you to walk with me and be my companion as I turn this area of sin - gluttony is sin - over to you.  Help me, Jesus, to lay this down once and for all!

Under the weather

Hi, there bloggers!  I have not dropped off the face of the planet.  I have come down with the flu.  I have so many ideas for cards to do and not enough strength or energy to do it.  I hope to be back on track towards the end of the week.  Please stay on the look out for more goodness and inklings later!  And pray that the Tamiflu works for me to shorten the duration of this awful mess and for my dear husband not come down  with even though the Tamiflu he is taking is supposed to do that!

Many Blessings to All!
Donna

Sweetest Gift

 

           Hi, there bloggers!  This is my first post of 2014.  I’m off to a slow start.  I think the Christmas Holidays took all of my mojo!  It took a mojo to get me back in the swing of things.  Since I was in need of a baby shower card for my lovely step-daughter that I helped to raise, I decided to go with blue since we are welcoming next month a cute little boy to be named Mason.  I used the MOJO327 sketch and will be posting this card there as well as the Verve's January 2014 Diva Dare - Smitten and Verve's January Diva Inspirations Hop - Shimmer & Shine! Don't you love Shimmer & Shine and Smitten?

·       Stamp set(s):  Stampin’ Up – Sweetest Gift; Verve – Surely Goodness; Our Daily Bread Designs – Gingham Background

·       Ink(s):  Stampin' Up! - Marina Mist 

·       Paper:  Stampin’ Up – Marina Mist & Whisper White CS; the Paper Studio – Solid Glitter Light Blue

·       Dies & Embossing folders:  Spellbinders – Classic Rectangles Large  

·       Embellishments/Other things of note:  Fiskars – Heart Punches

I didn’t have any baby shower type of paper so I decided to make my own.  I stamped off the cute little stork from the Sweetest Gift SS to get the two colors of storks and then stamped the ODBD Gingham Background.  Gingham is so perfect in blue this time for a soft baby look.  I was looking for a scripture stamp to use for the focal of this card and choose this particular one.  What a special scripture to pray over the soon to be mother of three and her newborn baby.  We all need the Lord’s goodness and mercy to follow us all the days of our lives.

I want to wish all of my readers a very “Happy New Year” and pray the Lord’s blessings over you and your family.  I hope that this year is a truly crafty year for you and may you get inspiration for a wonderful year of raising spirits and creating and maintaining memories for you and your family!

Many Blessings,

Donna