Christmas in July Blog Candy Winner

Ack! I almost can't believe I forgot to post the winner of my Christmas in July Blog Candy! (Almost, because it seems like this month, I am having trouble remembering lots of things. So annoying!)
Anywho, without further adieu, the winner is:

Natalie

Natalie, please email me at paperaddictcatherine (at) gmail (dot) com  with your mailing address and I will get your goodies out to you next week.

Sadly, I am still making my way through the hop.  But I want to thank everyone who participated and especially those who crafted and commented.

I still have work to do on my 2012 album, but I am thrilled that because of this hop event, it is off to a good start!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! Take care & God bless!

Christmas in July Blog Hop...with candy :)

Christmas in July Blog Hop

Welcome to the Christmas in July Blog Hop, inspiring you to get out your christmas stash and use it before all the new collections are introduced this month. Join the fun and create something too, use the hastag #scrapbookchristmas on twitter, facebook or instagram.

I don't know about you, but for some reason I had a hard time wrapping up Christmas, so to speak. I just took down my Nativity, and it took this awesome hop to get me to finish  start my Journal Your Christmas! And dare I also confess that I still have gifts in my closet that haven't quite made it to their intended recipients?  Yep, having some issues here - LOL!  Perhaps it is because this past Christmas was a blessed and blissful time, and I want to savor it.  But truth be told, it is just further evidence that I am a terrible procrastinator - haha!  Either way, here, finally, is my 2012 Christmas mini album.  I used a 6x6 chipboard album by BoBunny, and modified some leftover 8x8 page protectors with the assistance of my Food Saver to weld the inner edges.  The majority of supplies are from Kelly Purkey's 2012 December Daily Kit, with many additions from my stash.

First, for the second time, my album cover:

And here is *some* of the goodness between the covers:

I notice now that I've accidentally cut off the "y" in "nativity" in this photo. Oops. This was my first year having a Nativity.  That might explain why it took me so long to pack it away...maybe ;)

Another 2-page spread to showcase these beautiful dove ornaments.  Coincidentally, I found them in the gift shop of the tea room in the next layout.  No wonder I love going there so much! LOL

And finally, another 2-page spread for one of the two teas in December. And my first attempt at semi-hidden journaling using a shipping tag tied with silver tinsel  and a glassine bag with some Remarks snowflakes stickers to obscure it a bit more.

Next on the hop is Kate .

In case you get lost at any point, here is the list all the blogs

Ruth - http://scrapmachine.com/

Bernice - http://btsoi.blogspot.com/

Theresa - http://himynameistheresa.com/

Holly - http://harmonydiy.blogspot.com/

Sandar - http://www.thecraftybunch.com.au/

Melissa - http://digitalscrapbookinghq.com/christmashop

Kimberly - http://kimberlymariekett.blogspot.com/

Stella - http://myscrapbliss.blogspot.com/

Alanna - http://scrapping-and-life.blogspot.com

Megan - http://meganlianesblog.blogspot.com/

Jen - myreillyboysandme.blogspot.com

Lisa - http://mykreativepursuits.blogspot.com

Margareta - http://www.paperpilekitten.com/

Taniesa - http://thecraftypickle.com/

Smitha - www.smilingcolors.com

Catherine - http://paperaddictcatherine.blogspot.com

Kate - www.funkytales.blogspot.co.uk

Tasha - http://tashascreativejuice.blogspot.com/

Melissa - yesterday2day4ever.blogspot.co.nz

Alison - http://magicalmesses.blogspot.com/

Cat - http://decisioninspired.com

Manda - http://www.mandalikadesigns.com/

Madeleine - http://senoritaml.wordpress.com/

Melissa - http://www.scrappyjedi.com/

Amanda - http://amandathemadscrapper.blogspot.com/

Ali - www.moloneystylestamping.wordpress.com

Jenny - http://scrappinjen-partyoffive.blogspot.com/

Ros - http://noteverypicturezperfect.blogspot.com.au/
Sue - http://themakingtable.blogspot.com.au/
Julie - http://plywthpper.blogspot.com

As a special thanks for hopping along with us, I'm offering some Blog Candy in the form of various extras from my Christmas crafting stash! It includes papers, glitter, ribbon, embellies, journaling cards and more!  To be entered for the random drawing, please leave a comment on this post and include your favorite holiday candy. (Mine would be dark chocolate seafoam (aka sponge candy, depending on the region).  I'll announce the winner on Friday!

Coming Soon....

Join us on July 15th for lots of fun!  I'll also have a special Blog Candy up for grabs :)

In the meantime... 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!

May yours be blessed & safe!

Back soon...in the meantime, enjoy the music :)

Hey all!
There are days I wonder if I shouldn't just give up on the whole blogging thing. I haven't done very well at keeping up with it, and I never seem to have time to hop or visit with you on your blogs, for which I apologize.  But then, the Lord reminds me that this is an opportunity for ministry, as well as crafts, like He did today.

I haven't listened to CCM in a while. But today, the sun is shining and I had time to run out to pick up lunch. So I turned on the radio and this song was playing. Most of you (if you listen to Christian music), know it already as it is not new. It was encouraging and uplifting to me, and I hope to you.  My walk with the Lord has not been easy lately, and this song was a joy-stirring reminder that He's in control, He loves me/us, and He has a plan.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

 

 

Blessings

Colorful Birthday Wishes

Up to the wee hours (but that's what happens when you don't get started until 11 p.m., eh?) to make this one.

 

I finally cracked into my Amy Tangerine "Sketchbook" 6x6 paper pad for all the color little bits on the left, and used my tiny attacher to fasten them all together.

I stamped a really old little gift stamp in white Palette Hybrid ink and heat embossed with clear powder.  Then I dipped a small stipple brush into some yummy Pretty Pink Mr. Huey and swirled the color over the embossed image, which acted as a color resist. 

Tiny 3mm flat silver sequins and a few tiny drops of Gold Mr. Huey are the finishing touches.

For the envelope, I used sequins (the butterfly is also a sequin - I just used a single strand of turquoise twine for the body) attached with a glue pen and some more washi.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a very blessed day!

Bundle of Joy

Hi friends!
Sorry so long without a post. Life is busy, full, and blessed.

I was able to sneak in some crafting with this card.  My sister had a baby shower to attend on Saturday, and I needed an excuse to craft ;)

The pattern paper is from October Afternoon's "Midway" collection, and I just love it.  The stamp is one of the oldest in my stash and my go-to for baby cards.  I cut the little banner at the bottom on my Big Shot (one of my favorite tools) using the pennant set from Spellbinders.

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

Proverbs 8:32

May your day be blessed!

One Little Word: Love

God is love. 1 John 4:8

God has been working on me in a big way the last few months. So when I heard about Ali Edwards's "One Little Word" class, I decided to take the plunge. I knew instantly "love" would be my word for 2013.  Studying out, meditating upon, and seeking this word in everyday life, I trust the Lord will do amazing things with "love" in my life this year. Inherently this will be a very personal, very intimate, very transformational journey. And I thank Him for it.  I won't share every detail here, but I hope to share the heart of the experience. After all, "There is no fear in love."  1 John 4:18

What word will define you in 2013?