"Arctic Blast"

I love it! Anytime anything happens, the news media has to create a 'catch phrase' for it....for the past 3 weeks we've been hearing 'arctic blast' everywhere ( now that the snow has all melted away, we're hearing 'arctic cleanup') I just wanted to share this picture of one of the biggest icicles I've ever seen- on my in-law's porch on Christmas Eve....I thought it was absolutely beautiful! Tonite is New Year's Eve...may you all have a great time celebrating and looking forward to whatever God has in store for you in the year ahead :)

Merry Christmas Eve!

May you all be blessed with the True meaning of Christmas !

The view from here.....

It's snowing!! We usually don't have snow until January or February, if at all...and to have it now, with the possibility of a white Christmas is just awesome! It doesn't matter that I haven't gotten all of my cookie plates delivered, or that there are 25 people coming over in four days and I need to go food shopping, or anything else that might steal the joy that I'm feeling this day :) I love it when it snows....everything is blanketed by sparkling beauty and the noises of life are 'hushed'...hmmnn...kinda reminds me of what Jesus did for us! Maybe THAT'S why I love it when it snows :) Now it's time to sit by the fire and look out the window a bit....enjoy your day !

thinking outside my color box......

So this year I decided to step out of my purple comfort zone and make some really different Christmas cards....lime green! I have a lifetime supply of background papers, so each one looks a little different...part of my 'goal' for 2008 was to use up some of the things I've been 'saving' ( for WHAT? )



The other fun thing I do every year is create some kind of matching 'faux postage' and print it on sticker paper- then I use the Fiskars scissors that look like stamp edging and cut around them. One year I incorporated a great picture of my two kids..(they were less than thrilled, I might add :) and yes, I do have too much free time on my hands ;) kinda hard to see in the picture, but the triangle one says "Christmas in the Northwest" . Most of the stamps are Heart & Soul, the big snowflake is one I received from one of my 'trading buddies' and I have no idea what company it's from.

So the bottom line is that I think I'll be going back to purple next year....lol....now what to do with the half ream of lime green cardstock that's left over ????

"having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us...." Romans 12:6

I have two extremely gifted friends in my stamping circle 'support group' that I owe a huge debt of grattitude to: Miss Dina for the beautiful new lighthouse image ( which is above & beyond what I had hoped for- plus her artwork is so much lovelier to look at than mine...one of her gifts....) and my amazing 'webmasterette'- (as I call her) Cyndy, without whom I would be lost in cyberland in the fetal position somewhere....and here's how you can tell that html is HER gift; she says it's FUN FOR HER !!!! Bless her heart she has tried over and over again to teach me what I need to know to update my own website, and I swear it just goes in one ear and out the other without so much as a 'howdoyoudo'....so she patiently and graciously does it for me. What a huge blessing both of these women have been to me over the past year. Here's a hug ladies :)

This is the new lighthouse stamp Dina designed for Heart & Soul- I just love it! I was looking for a 'wreath' button in my box but of course all I could find was a 'holly' one, which is ok but not what I was shooting for. I drew little beams of light with a glitter gel pen ( I love those things too :) Pretty simple stuff....

An Attitude of Grattitude :)

I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving day and that you're living a life of gratefulness :) Even when things seem dark & foreboding- we can be thankful that God is on His throne- He Reigns- nothing will ever change that! And the fact that He loves us all so very much and showers us with blessings! Even those who don't believe it yet receive His gifts...I am so thankful for family and friends who love me (or put up with me...heheheh....) and a roof over my head, plenty of food to eat, fresh air to breath, and the ability to understand that it all comes from my Heavenly Father. Happy Thanksgiving!

(almost forgot to tell about the card :)- All stamps are Heart & Soul images. The turkey was embossed with 'copper sparkle' powder on the back of a grocery sack...I love this background paper, and a little maple leaf brad on the corner of the phrase. Pretty simple stuff :)

More Blessings...

I love it when you guys send me cards made with Heart & Soul stamps- there are so many amazingly talented & gifted stampers! I tend to get in a stamping 'rut' where most of my cards look somewhat the same....mind you, a 'stamping rut' is better than most any other rut you could fall into.....but I digress :) So I've picked out one that I especially liked- this comes from Michelle Adams- a really cute card made from another of my personal favorites- I love how she masked & colored this one into a whole forest of Christmas love.....Thanks Michelle for the blessing! <>< Sue

The Check's in the Mail ! :)

Hey everyone! Just a quick note to say your donations are on their way! You may find out more about where they're headed by going to ; www.txdistlcms.com or www.lcms.org/worldrelief - here's some other numbers if you want even more information....Hurricane Relief 2008, LCMS World Relief & Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, Mo 63166-6861 toll free: 888-930-4438 or http://givenowlcms.org Phew! And on this Election Day 2008 I would like to quote one of my 'edgier' stamps: "God has already blessed America- how about if America blesses God?" My prayer for this day is that God's Will would be done, and the leader He blesses would be elected. Did you vote yet?????????

TA DAH !!!

First, let me start by saying how awesome stamping people are!I always new it- this just reinforces it....When I had this 'overstock sale' idea, I was so excited about it that the 'downturn' in the economy hadn't been in the forefront of my mind....(not a whole lot of things can make it all the way up there...heheheh) I appreciate that $$ is hard to come by, and EXTRA $$ IS EVEN HARDER TO SCRAPE UP! That being said: 26 of you took the leap of faith and ordered anyway! ( and Kay R. is the 'secret contest' winner- be watching your mailbox Kay :) What I assumed would be a blessing to others, has blessed ME beyond measure. (That's the 'strange economics of grace' in a nutshell :) ) I was so encouraged by all of your emails and birthday wishes. (51! yikes) You gals rock ! ( and I can say gals because the men folks all passed on this opportunity...musta been out in the garage or something...) So our grand total for the month is $463.00 ! and I will 'round it up' to $500 and send a check out tomorrow to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Hurricane Relief Fund. I really can't thank you all enough...NOW GO GET STARTED ON THOSE CHRISTMAS CARDS!!! heheheh....P.S. I'm sure that if you all get to 'comparing' you'll find that almost everyone received a 'garden verse' stamp- I have no idea how I ended up with so many of those! P.S.S.- and you all probably think I can't count :) God Bless you as you stamp for Him :) Oh yeah- about the card- One of my personal H & S favorites! Most of my cards have some kind of 'fiber' attached- and I'm into 'tearing' these days...nothing really amazing about it but I like it :)

Overstock Update......

Well....there's only a few more days left.....until the 31st......things are picking up a little......there's a "4-way tie" of people who qualify for the 'largest order prize'....it's seems like the hurricane relief check is not going to be the huge amount I was hoping for.....perhaps I'll need to just match the dollar amount so that it's doubled??? Thanks so very much to everyone who has played along so far....I've been blessed and I hope you have too! Happy Fall :)

Overstock Sale!

Hey everyone...I've been trying to think of another way to help all the hurricane folks in the Gulf Coast- they need $$$$$$- not my rubber stamps!(They don't actually belong to me anyway...I'm just the steward :) So here's the plan....During the month of October (yes...ALL MONTH LONG !) I'm going to pick from the stamps (UNMOUNTEDS ONLY!!!) that are really overstocked and sell them for 50 cents each! You can send in your order by snail/email like this : "I'd like, say, $20 worth." For ordering information go to www.heartandsoulrubberstampco.com -No repeats (unless you order more than I have! ) I'll pay for the shipping, keep track of how much we raise, and the first part of November send a ginormous (hopefully!) check (100% of the orders!) to the hurricane relief efforts connected with my denomination- you can see more at www.lcms.org.....Here's a few 'hints' to make it even more fun to be involved: the more generous you are, the more generous we'll be :) And I have a birthday in the second half of October...if I receive your order on my birthday you will be especially blessed!!! This will be great! I can make some more room around here...we help some folks who really need it...and you get a great dealio on some rubber...think ahead to Christmas gift giving! OOOH OOOH! I just had another great idea! I think I'll have a 'secret contest' with a special prize for the person who is the most generous! Tell your friends....have them tell their friends....tell your Aunt Fannie.....tell your cat....just kidding.....Let's see what God will do with all of this! Because of Him <>< Sue

randomness & new stamps :)

So it's been awhile since I posted anything...I'm not really sure anyone's even paying attention.....but I can't believe how fast summer is whizzing by! Half of my family just returned from a mission trip to New Orleans to help rebuild Katrina houses (STILL!) Theirs was the 400 somethingth house being worked on and THERE WERE OVER 1000 HOMES STILL ON THE WAITING LIST!!! Just amazing to me...

On another note- if you mosey on over to www.heartandsoulrubberstampco.com you'll find some new stamps! Have a good day :)

things I hope I never take for granted...

the sun rising and setting every day without fail. the beauty of the starry sky and the snow covered mountains. every breath and heartbeat i get. my family loves me. i have a working automobile and can afford to drive it. music. God's hand of protection over my family. i live in a safe part of town/city/country where i can lay my head to rest at night in peace without fear. the beach. i have access to good fresh water and food anytime i need or want it. that God loves me so much He didn't abandon me in my sinful nature, but sent His very own Son to take the punishment i deserve, and someday i can thank them both 'face to face'......

"The Shack"

So....I just tearfully finished reading "The Shack" by William P. Young...rarely do I find a book that I "can't put down" but this definitely qualifies! The subtitle says it all- "Where tragedy confronts eternity". I cried my way through most of it- jumping back and forth between tears of grief and tears of joy....(which are the kind I usually shed: joy-filled at the awesomeness of the God Who loves me without limits). I highly recommend it- whether you believe in God or not. I believe I am forever changed as it 'tweaked' or 'fine tuned' what I think I understand about God. You can check it out if you're interested at www.theshackbook.com......

Memorial Day

This is one of those bittersweet 'holidays' for me....."I'm proud to be an American- where at least I know I'm free" ( thank you Lee Greenwood for one of the best patriotic songs ever written, in my humble opinion....still makes me tear up when I hear it!) The bittersweet part comes from the aknowledgement that so many men and women through the years have given their lives to pay for that freedom. So this Memorial Day weekend, I will be prayerfully thanking God for our freedom, and for all of those families who are serving our country everywhere in the world, and for those who have lost their loved ones in the line of duty.....and I am going to try to be more deliberate about shaking hands with servicemen/women and thanking them if I see them out and about....

What A Great Day!

So today I spent the day quad riding with my hubby- something we hadn't done in a long long time due to life, home building, job, etc....and it was a beautiful day in God's awesome creation. We were high enough up in the hills that we could see the snow covered peaks of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Jefferson. I have lived in the Pacific Northwest all of my life, and I NEVER get tired of looking at the mountains. God really didn't have to make everything so beautiful- I think He did it just to make us happy :) So thank you again, Lord, for the beautiful day, travelling mercies, the wonder of your Creation, and the eyes to see it all with ( plus the sense to know that it came from You! ) God is good...all the time.....

Yay For Spring!

Well it's finally starting to feel like Spring here in the NW....looking at Dina's beautiful flower pics made me think of this card I made awhile back with a picture of some lilies in a friend's garden last year. I used a photo editing program (Picture It) to soften the edges and give it that 'framed' look. You can print alot of these on one sheet of photo paper if you choose the 'wallet size'. I attached it to the black cardstock with gold photo corners, then layered it to the yellow paper- use a color that's closest to the color of your flowers :) The verse is from the 'new for spring' section of the Heart & Soul catalog.

Mother's Day Blessings to all of you moms!

May Day Sale

In celebration of May Day...Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Company is having a sale on all things 'floral' in the month of May! Scoot on over to the web site and look through the catalog (click on the link here) and if you find something you like- just add the special code 'Mayday' to your order form to receive 30% off your entire order :)

May Day brings special memories of my two sweet little neighbor girls sneaking up on my porch with a beautiful bouquet of specially hand picked flowers- then ringing my doorbell and running away giggling :) They are both beautiful young women now, but their kindness will stay with me always :) Happy May Day- and National Day of Prayer!

Frustrated....

I am so frustrated with the way things are going at my house of worship. There is just a general 'malaise' about the whole thing...Maybe we are just too 'conservative Lutheran' for our own good. I understand that worship is a response to our relationship with our Lord & Savior and that it is personal between each of us and our Creator....- but I know He deserves our complete, joyful, sold out, loving praise and adoration. The bible says He hates 'lukewarm' and will 'spit it out'! ...and I'm afraid that's what we've become....or maybe I'm becoming more bold in my thinking as I get older....as it is now most folks are uncomfortable even clapping or raising their hands in praise....last fall a group of us had a vision for a new "progressive" youth service ( which means more loud & rocking than anything else we've ever done :) and it seemed like an awesome undertaking....but we are just not getting the attendance or support that we thought it would. Which is a major part of my frustration- there are church families around us that are thriving with this kind of worship service- growing in leaps and bounds! And so we go on 'haitus' for the rest of the summer.....thankfully God never goes on 'haitus'... the bottom line is that God would be Glorified.....maybe if we had a latte cart the people would come......

Happy 'Rendering Unto Caesar' Day!

or Tax Day, as it's also known....even tho' I whine about having to pay taxes, I still am grateful that I can afford to pay them- that means we have enough- and that we are living in the greatest country in the world, inspite of what others may believe or try to sell.....we have been blessed to be a blessing, I believe. And most of the good things that America, and we as Americans, do around the world, strangely seems to escape the media's attention. But God sees it all....so 'pay it forward'....you truly CANNOT 'out give' God! ( but it's kinda fun to try :) Blessings & Joy <><

Awesome Snowiness:)

So today...we received a late winter/early spring surprise.....it snowed! Now here where I live, in the beautiful Pacific 'Northwet'- as I so affectionately call it- we don't get all that much snow in a good year- but today was off the charts as it is the latest snowfall in any year that anyone around here can remember :) It was just beautiful- like a dusting of powdered sugar! God is good- all the time!

Happy Resurrection Day !

He is Risen! He is not here! Why do you look for the living among the dead? Have any sweeter words graced the pages of history? We are an Easter people...Halleluia!

Why "Good" Friday ???

Why is Good Friday called “good”? What the Jewish authorities and Romans (and we ourselves, being sinful creatures- because He died for everyone!) did to Jesus was definitely not good !- in fact it was the most excruciatingly horrible death sentence handed down in that day! (see Matthew 26-27). However, the results of Christ’s death are very good! Awesome is a better word, I think....Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was sinless- but He took our sins upon Himself- took the punishment we deserve, and made it so that we can be forgiven...God looks at us through the eyes of Jesus and our sins are paid for- we go free! And the even more amazing part of it all? All you have to do is receive it and believe it! Have a great Friday!

Maundy Thursday

The Last Supper. Imagine sitting with Jesus and breaking bread together. Amazing fellowship. Brotherly love in it's truest sense. Loving Him and all that He is. And then...He explains that this is the last night you'll all be together like this....What? Why? Say it isn't so! But Jesus knew all along what was coming. And still- He walked right toward it, instead of running away. That is amazing love. Beyond anything we humans can fathom. Thank you Jesus.....

Easter Card

This is a new card I made for friends this Easter...the cross is from Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co., (I can't remember where the 'alleluia' was from...) colored with pencils and attached with brads to a sage green backgound with torn background paper scraps. One of my goals for the year is to USE UP some of the stuff I've been collecting through 20 odd years of stamping! Having moved recently- I had a first hand look at what a 'paper packrat' I am...I never throw anything away ('cause sure as you do- you'll need it!) I even keep the cute little Target dotty paper that comes in the mail! Wow. Anyway...blessings on your Holy Week and Easter preparations.....It really is about more than a bunny & eggs! :)

An Irish Blessing

May soft be the grass you walk on

May fair be the skies above you

May true be the joys that surround you

May dear be the hearts that love you

May the Lord above look down and bless

Your life in large and small ways!

God's Peace to You

Palm Sunday

So...what does Palm Sunday mean to me, personally ??? Well---a couple of things actually. It marks the beginning of Holy Week- Jesus willingly going to the cross to carry all of my sins upon himself....a week to remember and contemplate such an amazing event. Like Mary, I hide these things in my heart and ponder them......And it's a reminder that Christ made his triumphant entry as King- not the King the Jewish folks were expecting- that would divide and conquer the 'bad guys' of the day, but as the King of Kings who would divide and conquer Satan, death and separation from God. He would rather die, than live without us ! Hosanna !

Two Beautiful Words......

STAMP CONVENTION ! I took a 'mental health' day today and went to the stamp convention in Portland. I think it had been about a year since my last one- due to home building and moving and life in general....I was actually impressed at the number of shoppers and vendors. Still small by most standards- but there were plenty of people there dropping $$$ and I boosted the economy a little myself..heheheh... The last convention I went to was very scarce and I was discouraged that stamping was dying out...silly me....I could see today that it's alive and well! Now...all I have to do is go trim some rubber and get busy stamping! Blessings!

"See, I am doing a new thing...."

So...I'm new to this whole blogging thing....thanks to Mamidini I am hooked, though :) So many beautiful card ideas and tips. I must become a part of it all ! Blessings, my stamping friends !