Monday, March 31, 2014

Everything is Coming Up Dasies!

One of my favorite flowers is a Daisy.  It's so simple and yet elegant with those fragile white petals and that bright yellow center.  This week at Eureka Stamps we are celebrating Spring with the theme "Spring Flowers".  Of course I had to use Digi14703(539) – Daisy Swirl and Digi14504(147) – Coming up Daisies. Yes, I know that Daisies are more Summer flowers rather than Spring....but I just love Daisies so much!

 
This is my last post as part of the Eureka Design Team.  I've so enjoyed being part of the Eureka team!  It makes me sad to leave this talented group of ladies, but I decided to step down because I just didn't have the time to dedicate to team as I wanted.  I will certainly be back to participate!!!!!

Come on over and show us your Spring flowers....I'd love to see the whole Eureka blog full of Flowerly Springtime!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today!!  God bless you!!!!!

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Sentimental Sunday - Add a Doodle

Today is the last Sunday of March....and that means it's the last Sunday that I'm a Guest Designer at Sentimental Sundays.  It's been so much fun - what a talented group they are and what fun challenges!  I certainly will be back to participate!!!  I hope you join me too.

This week the theme is "Add A Doodle" and the sponsor is Scribbles Designs.  There are some FABULOUS doodle designs!!!  When I think "doodle" I think freehand, sort of messy in a good way....and what lends itself to that style?  Watercolors!  So I broke out the watercolor pencils!!!


I loved the flowers because I want spring to arrive so badly...yes, I woke up to 2 1/2 inches of snow this morning!  UGH!!!  So if it's not feeling like Spring outside, at least it can feel like Spring on this blog so flowers it is!  LOL!!

Come on over to Sentimental Sundays this week and show us some Doodling! Have a very blessed day!!!

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Deedee's Digis - Hello Spring

I love Spring!  The flowers start to bloom, the birds are singing, everything is new and fresh, and it starts getting warmer!  I'm celebrating Spring with Deedee's Digis "Hello Spring" set.  I fell in love with Deedee's Digis and somehow I've made it onto Deedee's Digis Design Team!  YEAH!!!!

I used the little bird in her nest for my card.  Recently I've rediscovered my chalks....it's always fun to go back to something that just isn't used in the stash anymore and find that there is still a love there for it!  After I colored the image, I went over the whole thing with a very pale blue chalk - I love how it turned out!  You can't see it very well but it's really pretty in real life.  LOL!


So there you have it - a little Bluebird of Happiness! 

I'm entering this into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!!

Friday, March 28, 2014

Kitty Bee Designs - Aloha Friday - Play Pretend

It's time for another Aloha Friday challenge and this go around our theme is "Play Pretend".  What does that mean?  Show someone in a costume or doing some job or hobby.  Our sponsor for this challenge is 2 Cute Ink and, true to the company name, there are some really cute images!!!

Besides making cards, I also like to crochet (although I don't do it enough and am planning to get back to that this this year).  You already know I love kitties - so when I saw the image "Cat Knit" with yarn and needles - well, that was a no-brainer for me!  LOL!!!  I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers and then added a big chip board embellishment I have had for a very long time.  I love to dig deep in the stash and use something that has been there forever.


Come on over to our Aloha Friday challenge and pretend with us!!  Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Uneggspected!

What's in the middle of an egg?  Hmm, sounds like the age old question "how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop"?  The center of my egg:


A kitty of course!!!  This month at Deedee's Digi's the featured set is "Uneggspected".  The whole set is absolutely wonderful but of course, I fell in love with the kitty.  I colored her with Spectrum Noir markers and then just used some paper scraps I had along with some buttons and a ribbon.  Don't forget that if you participate in Deedee's Digi's monthly challenge you will get next months featured set FREE.  And believe me - you won't want to miss it!!!  It's DARLING!!!!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!!

Monday, March 24, 2014

A Very Cool Cat

I love cats.  I'm sure you've noticed that if you have followed my blog for any amount of time.  Eureka Stamps has some great kitty images and this week I was able to use Digi23902 – Cool Cat with Shades and Digi23901 – Being Cool.  Our theme at Eureka this week is "No Square Cards".  Ah, I'm so bad at shaped cards.  But I had this circle base already form a kit and decided to embrace the circle!  After embossing the base, I just added a ribbon and cut the image our with Nesties.....instant card!


Come on over to Eureka Stamps and join the fun with us this week!

Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!!

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Flowery Springtime!

Spring has arrived!!!  Ok, well, somewhere it has....here in Ohio it was snowing again this morning.  UGH!  But at least what was on the ground before church this morning has already melted off and the sun is out again. 

This week at Sentimental Sundays the theme is "Flower Springtime!".  I'm honored to be a Guest Designer for the month of March and have enjoyed playing along with this great bunch of creative designers!!!  This week is a double blessing though because not only do I get to be the Guest Designer for Sentimental Sundays....but the sponsor of this challenge is Deedee's Digi's and I always love showing Deedee's Digi's (since I'm on the design team there).  I chose to use "Cup of Joy" which is a wonderful set for Spring!  My Aunt used to grow the prettiest African Violets and my cousin has carried on that tradition - I believe she even has won at shows!  When I saw this set - I immediately thought of that and knew the flowers just had to be purple. 


Hop on over to Sentimental Sundays and show us your lovely spring flower projects!! 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
God bless you!!!  Have a beautiful day and enjoy all the great gifts that God has given to you!!!!  Thank you so much for spending a few moments of your day with me.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Here Piggie-Piggie!

I love animals.  Cats, dogs, birds, fish, cows....the list could go on and on.  This month the Stamp of the Month at From The Heart Stamps is Hamlet the pig!  He's soooo cute!!  Don't you think so?


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Friday, March 21, 2014

Who doesn't love ice cream?

I have an addiction.  Unfortunately there isn't a 12-step program to help mine.  And it seems like everywhere I turn - there it is.....I confessing today:  I'm addicted to ice cream!  I can't even have it in the house - if I do, I'll even eat it for breakfast.  Hey, it's dairy right?  LOL!!!  Since Pattie's Creations Design Challenge theme is Anything Goes I decided to use "Ice Cream Trio".  What's better than once ice cream cone?  THREE!  LOL!!! 


Come on over and join us at Pattie's Creation Design Challenge.  Remember the only rule is that you must use an image on your project.

Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Lifted Up

Today is the first day of Spring!  I love this time of year!!!  It's when flowers start blooming, trees start budding...everything is fresh and renewed!!  It gives us hope that the cold is done for a while.  To celebrate the first day of Spring I'm share a card using Deedee's Digis "Lifted Up". Deedee's Digis are WONDERFUL!  Each set has sentiments and the images always have the colored and uncolored versions.  Can't ask for more than that!!!  Plus if you use the Stamp of the Month in the monthly challenge, you get the next months set FREE!!!  I don't have a color printer so I always use the black & white version.


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
God bless you!!!!  Thanks for stopping by today.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Digistamps4Joy - Vintage Challenge

What does "vintage" mean to you?  Is it a style?  Or is it just something that you've had for a long time?  Is it something old?  Something new that looks like it's been around for years?  When I think of the word "vintage" the first thing that comes to my mind is cars!  I love those old cars!!!  When my hubby and I go to car shows he usually likes the muscle cars from the 60's and 70's.  But my heart goes to those earlier cars.....20's, 30's, 40's.  There is just something about them that I think is so cool! 

The new challenge at Digistamps4Joy is Vintage.  I knew as soon as I saw the theme - I wanted to use one of the newer images called "Dad's Austin".  I also knew that I didn't want to color it because I loved it just the way it was....sometimes when something is so perfect you just have to leave it alone and let it speak for itself.  I decided to go black & white with this card too...and of course turn it into a Birthday card because it seems like I never have enough Birthday cards.


I want to see what you think of when you hear the word "vintage" so come on over to Digistamps4Joy and share with us.  Remember that you can't win if you don't play! 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!!!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

{PIN}spirational #98



Today starts a new challenge at {PIN}spirational Challenges.  It will also be my last card submitted as part of the Design Team.

Our inspirational photo for the week:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/141581982007234471/

And as always we have some great sponsors:

Sponsors are:
Prize-3 digis
 
and
 
Prize- 2 digis
 
I was able to use an image by East Wind called Hatted flower Mon Amour.
 
 
Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!

Monday, March 17, 2014

Seeing rainbows - Eureka Stamps

"Rain Showers and Rainbows" - that's the theme this week at Eureka Stamps!  Isn't that a great theme for Spring?  Yes, just in case you didn't know - Spring arrives this week...YEAH!!!!!

For my card I used digi19401 - Not A Day.  I knew I wanted to use that sentiment but I didn't know how to turn that into a rainbow.  While I was sitting at my craft table trying to figure out what to do - I looked over and saw my chalks sitting there.  WOW, they just don't get much use anymore but they would make such a pretty blend of colors.  So I kept the sentiment the focus and made a rainbow background.


Show us your interpretation of "Rain Showers & Rainbows" this week at Eureka Stamps!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!!!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Cute & Cuddly - Sentimental Sundays


Cute & Cuddly.  What a great theme don't you think?  That's the theme at Sentimental Sundays this week.  Our sponsor:


MilkCoffee
Donating: 3 images, winners choice
 
I used a sweet image called Flower for Mom.  How cute is it when a child brings their mom flowers?  

I thought this paper was perfect for this card!

Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!
 

Friday, March 14, 2014

Kitty Bee Designs - Aloha Friday - Challenge #19 - (Living) Things with Wings

It's a Aloha Friday challenge at Kitty Bee Designs!  This challenge theme is "(Living) Things With Wings" and our sponsor is Dilly Beans.

I chose to use "#510 Chickies".  Yep, these little things have wings so they worked and I thought they were just sooooo cute!!  Plus I had chickie paper that was just perfect to use with them.


Stop on over at Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday and join the fun!  And you could even win 3 images!!!!!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!!

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

When Live Gives You Lemons.....

When life gives you lemons....make lemonade!  Those are great words to live by....and today it's the theme of my card!  I used "Lemonade Stand" by Deedee's Digis.  Have you ever visited Deedee's Digis Challenge blog?  If you haven't, you'll have to take a look.  The challenge is monthly and you must use the monthly set - but you can get it at a reduced price or free when purchasing $10....and then guess what?  The next month you get the monthly set for FREE!!!!  Who doesn't love freebies!!!!!  The March set is "Uneggspected" and it's soooo cute!!!


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thank you for stopping by and spending a few moments of your day with me.  God bless you!!!

Monday, March 10, 2014

Color, color, color


It's a color challenge at Eureka Stamps this week:


Aren't those great colors - and the photo for inspiration is so pretty!!!  I used Digi11401 – Teapot and digi14501(539) – Tea Maker then colored the teapot with colored pencils.  I was very happy with it - until I took the picture and it enlarged - then I saw all the mistakes...but it was too late to go back....don't you just hate when that happens?  LOL!!!





Come on over to Eureka Stamps this week and show us your take on the colors and photo.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Sentimental Sundays - Cards for a boy/man

It's my second week as a Guest Designer for Sentimental Sundays.  This week the theme is "Cards for a boy/man".  I've heard so many people say that they struggle making cards for men and I have to admit that I do as well.  But I was up for the challenge!  The sponsor this week is QKR Stampede and I chose to use "Hug Me".  I loved him the minute I saw him!!!  His tie just screamed to be orange and I just went from there.  Orange isn't usually a color I use but hey - just go with the flow right?  LOL!!!



Come on over and join us at Sentimental Sundays.  I'd love to see what you create!!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by!  God bless you!!

Carriers of Faith: Thankful

It's March 9th and time for the monthly post for Carriers of Faith.  This month I chose the theme and this is what I gave the group:



Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I've been thinking a lot about prayer lately. Then last night I was talking with a friend at church and she said "don't you sometimes feel like our prayers are list a list of requests?". That really challenged me. Yes, we are supposed to take our needs and requests to Him. But our prayers should also be about praise and worship - about thanking Him for ALL He has done for us. These verses are short - but the are packed with power! "Rejoice evermore". It's a choice you know? I chose to rejoice because He has made me exceedingly glad! I chose to rejoice even when things are difficult because He will bring me through and He is right by my side!

So what am I asking for with regards to your posts and pictures? Two things:
1. Share about something that you are thankful for....not the big things that everyone is always thankful for - but those little things that we seem to overlook...that we take for granted.
2. Share about why you rejoice and why you worship Him.

And there is one last part to this challenge. The prayer part. Before you sit down to write your post, pray and ask God to direct your words and your heart. And when you are done writing your post, pray for people who will read your post...that they will somehow be challenged or blessed...that the Lord will speak to them through your words and your blog.

I've been thinking about what to post here...and praying about it.  It's so hard to chose just one thing. So I want to tell you a story.

It was the summer of 1967.  She had already been through so much in her very young life.  She was only 14 years old and had given birth to a baby boy just a few months earlier.  Her mom and dad had decided to raise him as their own son and adopted him.  One evening while her parents were out bowling, her brother's friend came over - he was 18 and she was needing to feel loved.  Shortly after that night she found out she was pregnant for a second time.  When she told her parents, they were so angry!  In those days there were homes for unwed mothers and her parents sent her to one where she stayed until she had her baby.  Her parents couldn't take another baby in and so this one would have to be given up for adoption.  For most of her pregnancy her mom wasn't speaking with her...but shortly before the birth, they did patch things up.

The day came - April 8, 1968 - and she gave birth.  She wasn't able to see her daughter - they took her right away.  And so there she was - 15 years old and giving her second baby away.  She cried and cried even when they came in to have the paper signed to relinquish her parental rights.

That little girl was placed into foster care.  Not much is known about the first 7 weeks of life for that little girl.  The notes from her foster mother stated that they believed she was born a bit premature because she slept more than usual - not even waking up to be fed.  But her foster mother cared for her while the paperwork and waiting period was completed and she was able to be adopted.

During this same time period there was a couple who were unable to have children of their own.  They tried for years and eventually went to the doctor to find out that they would never be able to have their own baby.  So they decided to adopt.  They adopted a son four years prior to 1968.  And decided they wanted a daughter a couple years later.  So once again they went on the waiting list.  In 1966 they were put on the waiting list for an infant girl.  In May of 1968 they received a call that a little girl was available and wanted them to come meet her.  There she was - 7 weeks old - the girl they had been praying for...and so they started the process to adopt her.  In late May they adopted the little girl and took her home.  They raised her as their own daughter.  She grew up knowing she was adopted - her mom and dad always told her that they chose her - that she was special.  They were wonderful people!  She could have never had better parents!!  She was raised in a loving, Christian home.  She may not have been raised in a wealthy home and had everything she ever wanted - but she had everything she ever needed and she was rich in love - which was more important than money.  You can see in this picture that the little girl was a very happy baby:


 45 years later that little baby girl is still thankful her parents.  Her father passed away over 20 years ago and her mother is still part of her life.  They were/are Mom & Dad and God can been through every single aspect of her life.  

That little girl is me....and I have been blessed so much through my life.  I'm thankful for every little thing that God has done for me.  And He has had His hand on my life from the very beginning.  Mom and Dad started praying for me even before I was born.  So what am I thankful for:  EVERYTHING!  And why do I worship Him?  Because everything I am and everything I have is because of Him!  And even if I had absolutely nothing - I worship Him because He is who He is.  As the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 8: Oh Lord, our Lord - how majestic is Your name in all the earth!!!!

I invite you to take some time and visit the blogs of the Carriers of Faith - the list can be found to left of this post.  I can't wait to read and see what they are thankful for - I'm sure it will truly bless my heart.

God bless you today and thank you for stopping by.  And yes, I prayed as I wrote this and have asked Him to reveal Himself to you in a very special way today.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Happy Cow!

It's the second Saturday of the month which means that it's my Design Team Spotlight over at Kitty Bee Designs.  I love doing the DT Spotlight because it gives me a chance to use a Kitty Bee Designs image.  There's always a problem though.....I want to use them ALL!  They are all so cute!!!  This month I decided to use one of the cow images... "For You Cow Bee".  I'm not sure but I've really been liking cow images lately...go figure. 

Stop over and visit Kitty Bee Designs - we have challenges every other Friday called Aloha Friday Challenges where we have great sponsors and you have a chance to win the prize offered for that challenge.  And of course there is the Design Team Spotlights where you get to know the DT a bit better and see the Kitty Bee Design images in action.  And of course - visit the Kitty Bee Designs Etsy shop and see what great images are there!  But beware....you'll probably be like me and want them all!


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today - God bless you!!!!

Friday, March 7, 2014

Going GREEN!

No, I don't mean "Green" as in the environment (although we do recycle and live as "green" as we can)...but "Green" as in the color GREEN!  Our new challenge at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge is "Green for St. Patrick's Day".  Your project doesn't have to be St. Patrick's Day themed - just use the color green.  And of course - as with all Pattie's Creations Design Challenges, you must use an image.  And guess what?  Since today is the first Friday of the month - it's FREEBIE time!  Check it out:  Freebie.

For my card I went a bit crazy with the green theme.  Pattie said "green" so I did the whole card in green!  LOL!!!  I used "Spring Herbs" for my card.



I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!