Cup of Chamomile

I belong to the Altenew monthly Paint-A-Flower subscription, and months ago, we received a chamomile get well set.  This is one of the images that comes in it, along with the sentiments:

Stampin' Up! Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder; Altenew Paint-A-Flower: Chamomile sentiments and flowers

I kept it really simple, with some subtle polka dot embossing on the bottom, and a really thin strip from a book page.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Blue Hydrangeas

Hello friends!

Life has been busy, and of course it's close to Christmas so there have been additional things to do.  I am popping in with a hydrangea, in December! 💙

Altenew Paint-A-Flower: Hydrangea; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment, die; white cotton thread; yellow Stickles; Stampin' Up! Very Versailles script stamp

I have some good news to share:  no chemo is needed!  I will begin radiation treatments soon-ish, no date set yet.  But, praise God I don't need chemo!!  

Sending hugs your way,

Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances

Hello friends!  A bit of time has passed since I was last here on the blog.  Life got crazy.  Health issues developed for me and it has been quite a whirlwind of tests and doctor appointments, and then surgery.  I am a private person and I've struggled with whether to share here or not, but the Lord has put it upon my heart that I should share.  

Not even a month ago, I was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal breast cancer.  There is no family history of it for me, nor was I having any problems.  This was found on a regular yearly mammogram.  I skipped having a mammogram in 2020 because of the pandemic.  My surgeon told me that timing is everything, and that if I'd had my mammo last year, it likely would not have been big enough to be seen.  This year, it was.  

God's hand has been on me the whole time during this process, as it is every second of my life.  Within a week of my diagnosis, I had a consultation with a surgeon who is a top doc, in our insurance network, AND she is a good friend of my cousin.  I got permission to go on vacation, which was already planned, and I went to see my mom and spend time with her.  It was just the perfect timing, because everything He does is good, He is never late, and He works all things together for our good:  Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

That vacation was refreshing and it was so good to see Mom. 💗 We went to Hobby Lobby, so you know it was a highlight for me!  Got some cool stamps and patterned paper.  But I digress...

Altenew Painted Flowers; Papertrey Ink A Cheerful Heart sentiment Proverbs 3:5-6; Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Pinking Squares die; white ribbon

Spellbinders Large Deckled Rectangles die; Stampin' Up! mushroom patterned paper; Papertrey Ink New Every Morning sentiment Psalm 118

Memory Box Classic Tags dies; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two die; Inspired By Stamping Fancy Alphabet stamps; pearls; hemp twine; dictionary page

I had a lumpectomy this past week, and I feel pretty good, all things considered.  The tumor was removed, and so was one lymph node.  Both of those are being biopsied, and I'll have results next week.  Those results will determine if I need chemo and how long radiation treatments will be.  I tell you friends, I am trusting Jesus that I will NOT need chemo, and that I will need only the shortest amount of radiation treatments!  He is my Great Physician.  He has got me so close, I can feel Him.  In fact, before I went for my first mammogram in August, I felt these words in my spirit:  Do not be afraid, Do not be afraid.  I thought it meant that my mammogram would be fine, but of course it was not.  Those words were firm and gentle.  And I take them seriously:  I am not afraid.  Overwhelmed at times, yes!  And sad in the beginning, yes, but afraid?  No.  I trust Him.

I'll come back here and visit again as time allows.  

Thank you for allowing me to share such a personal testimony with you.  We are here on this earth to help one another.  Perhaps there is someone reading this who will be touched by it, or someone who has put off having a mammogram who needs to go get one.

1Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Let It Snow

Tough to capture the sheen and sparkle of this card, with it's glittery moon, pearlescent cardstock, and scattering of rhinestones.  Please use some imagination while looking at it! 😊

Altenew Winter Cottage; Papertrey Ink Pen & Ink: Christmas sentiment; white glitter cardstock (for the moon); rhinestones; Mama Elephant Season's Greetings snowflakes; brushed silver cardstock

Trust me, so much more festive in real life!

Thanks so much for coming by today!  

Dearest Friend, Happy For You

Hello!  Today's cards put the spotlight on patterned paper.  The first card used skinny scraps that all paired so nicely with one another (and I found them in a Stampin' Up! scrap bag).  

Altenew Dearest Friend sentiment; Stampin' Up! patterned paper scraps; peach gems; wooden butterfly; Kat Scrappiness Wonky Wavy Stitched Rectangles die; EK Success Acanthus Leaf border punch

The second card also features 'vintage' Stampin' Up! patterned papers I've had for quite a while.  You may recognize them if you have been into SU for years.  I'm really trying to use up my patterned papers, but it will take me a loooong time to do this.  LOL

Stampin' Up! patterned paper, Organic Grace fern stamp; Spellbinders Labels Eighteen die; wooden butterfly; Recollections ivory burlap butterflies

Hope you had a lovely Fourth of July holiday weekend, if you live in the USA! 💙💓

Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue

Happy Independence Day to my USA friends!

Though red, white and blue is not a color scheme I gravitate toward, amazingly I've got three cards to share that feature it today! 

Flourishes Strawberries strawberry stamps (background), Botanical Bookplates Vol. 1 sentiment; Inspired By Stamping Mason Jar Summer Add On strawberry, circle frame; pearls

The Greetery Fleur Impressions floral stamps; Papertrey Ink A Cheerful Heart Galatians scripture stamp; Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Pinking Squares die; red ribbon; pearls; Martha Stewart Doily Lace border punch

The day I made the card above, it all started with the red patterned paper scrap I wanted to use.  I literally did build this card with scraps I have had for a long time.  The pinking square die cut seemed about the right size for this scripture stamp, but it looked too plain by itself.  I added some floral stamps by The Greetery to dress it up.

The card below began with the scrap of patterned mulberry paper I received as a sample, and began piecing a few other elements around it.

Stampin' Up! Vintage Vogue floral border; iridescent & clear sequins; mulberry patterned paper; Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Pinking Squares die

Last but not least, this is not red, white and blue, but it's another scripture card that was built out of scraps.  Reminds me of the way God pieces together our lives.  He takes what is broken, cast off, and doesn't seem to fit, and makes us into new creations in Christ.  Praise His Holy Name!

My Favorite Things Pierced Oval STAX die; Papertrey Ink New Every Morning Psalm 118 sentiment; Inspired By Stamping Fancy Labels 2 die; Altenew postcard (floral images, trimmed out)

I had never used the PTI New Every Morning stamp before, so I am going to link this up to Darnell's NBUS challenge, #28.  The flowers were not colored by me; they came on an Altenew postcard with a stamp set I had purchased.  I did not want them to go to waste!  Too pretty to trash!

image credit

Long may she wave!  Enjoy this wonderful day! 💖💙

French Nail Polish

Hello there!  I've got a rather "pink" post today.  The first card, man, I don't think it even looks like something I made...but it was fun and different!

Years ago, I had ordered some stamps from, I think, Ellen Hutson.  In the package was a small sample of ribbon as a gift, and this little piece of paper with the nail polish bottle you see below.  So I trimmed it out, and tried to build a card around it.  I had watercolored a background as a practice run, and it was pink and orange (SO not my usual colors!), but it looked too bland.  I found a fleur-de-lis stamp and since we're talking French 😉 I thought it went well with the nail polish.  Then, the hot pink background looked too plain...so I added an Eiffel Tower stamp all over.  There's a My Favorite Things flourish die cut on here, too.  Again, just filling in some space.

My Favorite Things Four Corners flourish die; Technique Tuesday Mon Ami Paris Eiffel Tower stamp (background); not sure about the fleur-de-lis stamp, I can't remember!

The card below is super, super simple, and I just made it for my stash.  I used a panel from a calendar my mother-in-law was getting rid of, and added a sentiment and a few punched flowers.  

Altenew Label Love;  Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; gold gems; panel from calendar

I hope your day has been a good one, or is about to be a good one, depending upon when you are reading this!  Thanks for your visit!

God bless,

A Trio of Cards, No Common Theme!

Hi again! 👋 I've got three cards to share in this post.  There's absolutely no common theme, except that they were made by me (ha), and you know I generally like to cluster my cards together in a theme, if at all possible.  Not possible here!  LOL

The first card I made for my in-laws' anniversary either last year or the year before...I think last year?  They are REALLY GOOD COOKS (and my mother in law is an amazing baker, too).  So, this seemed like an unconventional but whimsical anniversary card for them.

Close To My Heart Tasty Treats sentiment; Memory Box Classic Tags die; Jolee's Boutique stickers; Stampin' Up! Hardwood background stamp; crochet lace

The next card I sent to my youngest daughter while she was still away at school.  She has taken an interest in growing plants - among them, succulents - and when I received one of my fun Stampin' Up! scrap bags, this cute succulent paper was in it.  Perfect!  I found a Power Poppy sentiment to go with it.

Power Poppy Summer Berries sentiment; Stampin' Up! Ornate Frames die; Inlovearts Heart Clover Wave Frame Border die; pearls 

And lastly, this was truly made up of scraps.  LOL  The sentiment, the punched flowers, the velvet ribbon snippet, and that Altenew leaf cluster stamp...they were all lying around on my desk for a good while.  I was determined to use them up!

Hero Arts Sending Smiles Messages sentiment, Leafy Vine background stamp; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; Altenew Build A Flower: Rose leaf cluster stamp; gray velvet ribbon  

Thanks for your visit again!  😀

God bless!

Easter, Mother's Day and more - Catching Up!

Hello there!  I'm on a mission to get the backlog of cards posted!  In today's assortment, you'll find Easter, Mother's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Love You, Miss You, Thank You, and a tiny frame that includes one of my favorite verses of Scripture, Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."  This is a source of great comfort and strength to me.  There are days that are hard, moments that are difficult, and I think on this verse to get me through.  I don't have to do things in my own strength; I lean on my Lord and He provides for me.  Amen.

Thank you for joining me today for another parade of cards!

K & Co. flower sticker; pearls; Papertrey Ink Keep It Simple: Easter sentiment; pink houndstooth digital paper

Papertrey Ink Keep It Simple: Easter sentiment stamp; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; pearls; vintage thread; Spellbinders Large Deckled Rectangles die; Stampin' Up! Ivy Background stamp

Papertrey Ink Keep It Simple: Easter sentiment; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; L'il Inker Designs Bunnies and Bows dies; K & Co. blue floral sticker; pearl; Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Rectangles Large die

Wplus9 Easter Blessings sheep, bunny, corner flower, sentiment stamps; Spellbinders Persian Motifs die; pearls; white gel pen

Papertrey Ink Mother sentiment, purple and green felt, Doodlie Do leaf die, flower die; silver embossing powder; My Favorite Things Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangles die; Stampin' Up! amethyst brads; Kat Scrappiness Stitched Postage Stamp Edge Rectangles die

Papertrey Ink Family Ties: For the Girls word die; Colorbok blue doily die cut, circle die cut; K & Co. blue flower sticker; pearls

Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment and tag die; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch, Punch Potpourri heart stamp, Full Heart punch; white twine; pearls; Flourishes Lilac lilac sentiment stamps

Stampin' Up! Butterfly Thinlits die; K & Co. blue floral sticker; pearls; pink plaid digital paper & Eiffel Tower element; Flourishes Spring Bouquets sentiment

Memory Box Lucky Leaves shamrock die; Papertrey Ink Irish Blessings sentiments, small shamrock stamps; crochet lace; pearls

K & Co. bird, flower stickers; pearls; white satin ribbon; Papertrey Ink Penned Elegance sentiment; corner rounder punch

My Favorite Things - Pierced Heart Stax dies, Slanted Sentiment Strips die; Stampin' Up! Flower Trio punch; gold sequins; Papertrey Ink Keep It Simple: Missing You sentiment

Stampin' Up! Butterfly Thinlits die, Flower Trio punch; gold sequins; sticker from The Greetery

Power Poppy Olive and Oak Expanded sentiment stamp; Stampin' Up! Touch of Nature fern stamp; Papertrey Ink Meadow Greens fern stamp; frame

Altenew Label Love sentiment; gold embossing powder; My Favorite Things Mini Delicate Doilies die, Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle die; Stampin' Up! Irish Blessing Background stamp; DCWV Mariposa patterned paper

Friends, I hope you have a wonderful day, wherever you are, and despite any negative circumstances that may surround you.  💖

God bless you!

Pen Pals Needed for Country Acres Personal Care Home Residents

Hello everyone!  I'm putting out the word on behalf of Country Acres Personal Care Home from Pennsylvania.  They are asking for pen pals for some of their residents.  I found this on Facebook, and wanted to help out by making personalized cards for them.  If you can see this link, look at the pictures, and you'll see residents holding posters indicating their name and address, and what it is that they would like to converse about.  They are precious! 

Here are my cards going in the mail this week:

For Doris, who likes cooking, I used a piece of an old calendar and stamped some herb names in a light color ink on the panel.  Can you see coriander, parsley, rosemary, thyme?  I added a stamped butterfly, sentiment, and punched flowers.

For Louis, who likes to travel the world, I found a great piece of patterned paper by Teresa Collins, from the World Traveler paper pad.  It's perfect!  I added a sentiment - Follow your heart; it will take you to incredible places - from Stampin' Up!'s Parisian Beauty stamp set, and a circular postmark stamp that says 'Palermo Porto' from Inspired By Stamping's Vintage Postcards stamp set.

For Ellen, who likes to craft, I used patterned paper from Stampin' Up! that features pens, markers, pencils, and a couple of buttons and pretty burlap/scalloped ribbon. 

For Esther, who likes gardening, I found another calendar image to repurpose.  It has a grand bouquet of roses and ferns on it.  I added a butterfly stamp from Verve, and a sentiment from Stampin' Up!, plus a couple of punched flowers. 

And for Mrs. List, who loves cats, I used an Memory Box Large Sitting Cat die, and cut out another cat from black craft foam to help pop him up.  There's a 'hello' stamp from Altenew Label Love, and a sentiment from Stampin' Up! to show Mrs. List that this was truly made with love!

Here is the mailing address for Country Acres Personal Care Home:

2017 Meadville Road
Titusville PA 16354

There are a few other residents I saw that are also looking for pen pals:

- Joe likes anything Italian
- Dave likes sports
- Darel likes science (was a chemistry professor)

Spread the word!  What a great way to make someone's day a little brighter. 😀

Thank you for coming by, and God bless you!