Love Birds

Hello friends!  I have a simple love / Valentine card to share with you today.  It's clean and simple, but with a little bit of detail.  Does that make it "simple", or no? 

The birdcage is from Inspired By Stamping "Sweet Aviary" set, with a tiny red heart added from a Stampin' Up! "Heart to Heart" punch.  There's a pearl too, and some little wooden birds.  The sentiment is from Verve Stamps "Heart to Heart" (isn't that funny, both the punch and stamp set go by the same name.) 

Hope you have a wonderful day!

So Kind

It's me again!  There's a card I have yet to share here, full of tulips and a bouquet of flowers.  There's nothing like 'old' K & Co. beautiful patterned papers.  That's where these are from.  I still have many of those paper pads and am grateful they are in my stash!  Besides the patterned paper, there's a K & Co. pretty sticker with the bouquet on it.  I mounted it on a die cut circle from Colorbok, added clear sequins and a twine bow.  The Inspired By Stamping tag stamp is tucked under the bouquet, with a "so kind" sentiment.

Thanks for taking a peek today!

Hope you have a beautiful day full of blessings!

Very Victorian

Happy Friday!  Popping in real quick to share a card with a Victorian flair.  I'm entering it over at NBUS Challenge # 34 -- I used a new-to-me-but-really-old gardening book to create my card.

Anna Griffin flowers in urn; Inspired By Stamping Vintage Postcards postmarks;
paper flower; brad; pearls

The gardening book was a great deal (maybe $3) and will provide a lot of fun 'patterned paper' for the days to come.  

Our Christmas decorations are still up.  Last night we took the ornaments off the tree, so that will come down soon.  Slowly I will put away the other things.  Life is going to be especially busy the next month and a half, and my energy may wane.  Have to remind myself to take it easy, take it slow, and rest often.

Hope to be back here on the blog again very soon with another card or two!

God bless you! 

Sweet Bird, two ways

Hello my friends 😊 

Did you have a nice Christmas?  As much as I love this holiday, and the reason for the season, I am kind of glad the hustle and bustle of it is finished.  It's the same each year for me.  It totally exhausts me.  

I did get a few new stamping goodies recently, but they are not on display here today.  Instead, I've got a sweet bird, two ways.

The bird and greenery stamps are from Stampin' Up!'s An Open Heart, which is an older retired set (describes most of my inventory - ha).  Subtly in the background of the center pale pink panel, you may be able to also see a hydrangea stamped in pink.  The patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Madison Avenue (also old!).  I've got the 12 x 12 inch version of that paper pad, so it does take a while to use up.

Stampin' Up! An Open Heart bird & greenery, Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; Hero Arts Hydrangea; The Greetery Sentiment Suite: Birthday sentiment; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags die; DCWV flower sticker; vintage thread; pearl

Stampin' Up! An Open Heart bird & greenery, Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; Hero Arts Hydrangea; The Greetery Sentiment Suite: Birthday sentiment; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags die; DCWV butterfly sticker; vintage thread; pearl

Which version do you like better?  I am leaning toward the bottom one, which has a lighter background paper.

Thanks for dropping by!

Winter Birthday Wishes

Hello friends!  Just popping in with a wintery birthday card.  I designed it with my father-in-law in mind; he's got a winter birthday.  I like the dapper plaid background with the pinecones and sprigs.

Stampin' Up! Peaceful Boughs dies, Close to Cocoa grosgrain ribbon; Inspired By Stamping Heartfelt Greetings sentiment, Fancy Labels 18 frame; Spellbinders Labels Eighteen die

I'm going to enter this at a new-to-me challenge, found it thanks to my friend LeAnne. 😊

It's Inkspirational - and they're looking for plaid.  How perfect!  

That's it for me today, keeping it short and sweet.  Hope your Thanksgiving was lovely (to my American friends)!

God bless you!

Tea For You

Hello my friends, happy Wednesday!  I hope you're doing well in your little corner of the world.  Wanted to pop in and share a get well card I made a while back.  I was having a fun day with Groovy Guava cardstock from Stampin' Up! (remember that In Color?) and came up with this, plus a few other cards (for another post).  

Inspired By Stamping Tea Party tea pot and cup, Delicate Doilies II doilies; My Favorite Things Cup Of Tea sentiment; crochet lace; pearls

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I so enjoy my self-challenges, like picking out a cardstock or patterned paper or stamp set and seeing how many different things I can make with it in one or two sittings.  It's such a simple thing, but it brings me joy.  I suspect you understand what I mean! 😉

Have a wonderful evening!

Hope

Hello friends, I'm back again with another post.  I was able to get a bunch of card photos edited and some draft posts begun.  Makes things a little easier.

As I mentioned in my previous post from today, I've got more surgery to face soon.  My medical team is trying to prevent me from needing chemo (radiation and hormone therapy are still necessities, though).  I tell you, having cancer is such a humbling experience.  I am in control of NOTHING.  This is completely out of my hands, and totally in God's.  He is directing my steps, and providing my medical team with the knowledge and skills they need to treat me.  My job is to move forward, do the "work" (surgeries, treatments, medications, etc), and trust in Him.

Fittingly, I had made a card months and months ago that says, "Hope".  And, what do you know, it's in pink.  The sentiment is from a PinkFresh set called, Walk By Faith, and that is exactly what I am doing.   It's a perfect card to share right now.  I have hope.  I am overwhelmed at times (often!) by what is happening, and how many appointments I have, but...I have hope.  

PinkFresh Studio Walk By Faith sentiment; Inspired By Stamping Summer Flowers lily; Sizzix / Stampin' Up! Large Paper Doily Sizzlit die; ivory dots; crochet lace

When I made this card, I pulled together odd bits to make a cohesive card.  The text background is from packaging from a Girls' Paperie stamp set.  It was much too pretty to throw away.  And if you can see it, there's a mauve doily diecut tucked under the crochet lace.  That had been hanging around my desk for too long!  

I am entering this card in a challenge, at Little Red Wagon - #626 So Very Thankful.  I am beyond thankful for HOPE.

Thanks for joining me friends!  I so appreciate your visits!

Rose with Woodgrain, Rose with Dictionary Print

Hello my friends, thanks so much for the kind words from my last post.  It's so comforting to have my cardmaking friends be out there, thinking of me.  I truly appreciate it. 💖

I need normalcy as much as possible, and things that bring me joy. Anything related to handmade cards is big joy in my book!  I already have some posts in draft form, so it will be easy to hit "publish".

Here are two cards today that both features roses.

Inspired by Stamping Garden Seed Packet rose; Stampin' Up! Hardwood background, Rose Wonder sentiment; crochet lace; pearls

Stampin' Up! Dictionary background; Inspired By Stamping Elegant Flowers and Garden Seed Packets roses; sentiment is Stampin' Up! from a scrap bag - unsure of set

It was fun (when I made these a while back) to play with the two Stampin' Up! background stamps, Dictionary and Hardwood.  I've got a nice collection of their background stamps, most pretty old, but very well loved!

Thanks for joining me here today!

God bless you!

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.

All For Baby

Hello there!  As I had a post of baby cards mostly filled in and ready to go, I thought I'd go ahead and share right now.  

First up, going for a neutral, somewhat woodsy kind of card:

Papertrey Ink Inside & Out: Baby sentiment; Lawn Fawn Little Bundle stamps & matching dies; Inspired By Stamping Background Basics II gingham stamp; ivory dots; woven ribbon; Stampin' Up! Weathered Background

Throwback to DCWV Nana's Nursery Boy paper stack on the next card!  It takes me a long time to go through my patterned paper stash.  So this is considered 'old' now I guess!  It sure is cute, though.

Unity Wild About You giraffe/balloon; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment; DCWV Nana's Nursery Boy patterned papers; glossy accents (on the balloon)

Next, totally assembled out of scraps and bits.  All I had to do was stamp a sweet sentiment.

Papertrey Ink Inside & Out: Baby sentiment; Gina Marie Designs Medium Butterfly die; felt heart, flowers; ivory dot

And last, another card formed out of bits and pieces.  The lamb sticker came in the pack of other critters I showed on cards here in this post.  Since she's pink, I found a piece of plaid paper that harmonized with her fur.  The balloon is from a scrap bag.

Stampin' Up! balloon/sentiment (from a scrap bag); lamb sticker; paper scraps

Thanks for coming by, hope your week is going swell! 😀

More Mother's Day Cards

Hello friends!  As the weather is so very hot outside, and gardening is more of a chore than a pleasure, I'll turn to paper flowers and insects instead!  Looking forward to lower humidity and lower temperatures, hope they come soon.

These are from my batch of cards that went to the shop this past Mother's Day.  Hope you enjoy.

Papertrey Ink Spiral Notebook Page die; Stampin' Up! Sentimental Rose sentiment; pink ribbon, lace, pearls; Anna Griffin rose sticker

Inkadinkado Butterfly; Papertrey Ink Daily Designs Sentiments sentiment; Anna Griffin rose cluster stamp; Gina Marie Designs Frilly Lace Rectangles die; pearls; Stampin' Up! Sentimental Rose (in background)

Pink Paislee Queen Bee sentiment, bees; Inspired By Stamping Fancy Labels 2 stamp and frame die; yellow gems, yellow ribbon; Stampin' Up! Country Floral embossing folder

Gina Marie Designs Medium Butterfly die; pearl; Stampin' Up! Avant Garden sentiment; Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames # 5 stamp & die; Flourishes Lilacs stamp (in background); K & Co. corner stickers

I'm entering the card below in Word Art Wednesday's current challenge # 505-506: use an uplifting sentiment.  Letting someone know they are a blessing is truly uplifting.

Heartfelt Creations Birds and Blooms birds, flowers, and matching dies; Stampin' Up! Rose Wonder sentiment, Artistic Textures (in background)

I do like these little birds and branches (from Heartfelt Creations), aren't they sweet?  The stamps and matching dies were a gift from my friend Susie.  She is good to me!  

Luke 12:27 ESV

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

God gives us a lesson each time we see flowers.  He created each plant and provides what they need to grow.  However, He treasures you and me far above these.  He gives us what we need to grow, too; we only have to ask Him.

Thanks for coming by, I appreciate you!

7 Baby Cards

Hello there!  I am popping in with some baby cards made earlier this year.  I think my basket at the store was short on this category, so I whipped up a small batch.  You will see similar stamps or dies used on a few of these, since my supplies were already out on the craft desk.

Hero Arts Precious Baby Boy boat, sentiment; Spellbinders Large Deckled Edge Rectangles die (to create frame); Gina Marie Designs Flower Pleated Lace Nested Rectangles die; turquoise mirror cardstock from Stampin' Up!; sequins

Penny Black Special Friends bunny, leaves; Stampin' Up! Praiseworthy Prose sentiment; Market Street Stamps Gingham Background (yellow); pearls

Stampin' Up! elephant, balloons, 'wild about you' sentiment (from scrap bag); Technique Tuesday Sweet Baby 'baby' sentiment; Penny Black Special Friends leaves; Gina Marie Designs Flower Pleated Lace Nested Rectangles die; string

Penny Black Special Friends leaves, bunny; Papertrey Ink Inside and Out: Baby sentiment

Hero Arts Precious Baby Boy lion; My Favorite Things Grassy Fields die, Jumbo Fishtail Stitched Banners die; Stampin' Up! Fable Friends sentiment

My Favorite Things Grassy Fields die; Gina Marie Designs Big and Little Chain Rectangles die; Stampin' Up! elephant, balloon & sentiment (scrap bag)

Hero Arts Precious Baby Boy rocking horse; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags sentiment and tag die; pink and white twine; Inspired By Stamping Whimsical Banners triangles; The Paper Studio Ornate Flourish damask embossing folder

I have not held a baby in my arms in so long!  My daughters are 23 and 19.  So, it has been quite a while. 😊

Thanks for coming by!  God bless you!

Purple Butterflies

Just a couple purple butterfly cards today, because....I do love purple.

Gina Marie Designs Small Butterfly die; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch, patterned papers, and sentiment (not sure; was in a scrap bag!); rhinestones

Inspired By Stamping All Year Wishes I sentiment; Gina Marie Designs Small Butterfly die; lavender pearl; Stampin' Up! Helping Me Grow frame stamp

This is a short and sweet post.  As I write this it is 97 degrees Fahrenheit outside.  My hydrangeas are SO UNHAPPY!  I've got to go out and water them, and beg them to hang in there!  We should be getting rain later tonight.

God bless you!

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! 💖💙