This Cracked Me Up!

Found this book at JoAnn Fabrics yesterday- my daughter will L.O.V.E. it! Peeps were a source of all kinds of jokes at our house: until she discovered one youth group camping trip that they make AWESOME *Smores*...called *Smeeps*. Lots of great recipes/crafty ideas in here...
So I made my own version of a centerpiece for our Easter Feaster table :)
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Easter Recycling :)

I'm always about 6 months behind the *latest thing*. I'm just too cheap for my own good sometimes. It took me almost a year to break down and buy a Cuttlebug- when it went to 50% off for a special sale I took the plunge. Same way with the Scor-Pal. Couldn't justify it. I don't have the $45 ginormous tape dispenser either ( just lots of the rolls of tape- easy enough to apply by hand :) Last week the *Martha* edition of the scoring board was on sale for $19.95. Got one now :) Stamp convention had a Nestibilities booth- bought my first one for $18.00 ( still cringing a little...but whatever....) I managed to use most of those things here on the cards for my buddies- also used up alot of scraps from the *scrap warehouse*. The cross is a Heart & Soul stamp- the saying is a new $1 'studio g' stamp from Craft Warehouse. Some ribbon, bling and it's good to go :) Here's a closer look:

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Another Easter Banner

This is a *vintage* banner ( which means someone else made it before I started making banners over 25 years ago :) I like the "groovitude" of the colors, and the gold cross is stuffed to make it 3D..... really a nice one, that I think would also make a fun card idea! ><>

Hosanna!

Palm Sunday - the beginning of Holy Week - May God Bless you as you walk the road to Calvary with Him ><>

He Lives!

I made this banner years ago too :) The blackness of the empty tomb, and the swatches of fabric going from dark to light all have gold ribbons intertwined in them. Kinda hard to see in the picture, but hopefully the idea comes across! ><>

Looking ahead....

This was a banner I made years ago at church....I was thinking that it would make a neato card too! Big week ahead filled with many emotional ups and downs as a God Follower- starting with Jesus' triumphant entry into town on Palm Sunday. I've always wondered what was going through His mind as everyone around Him was cheering His arrival as their new King- and He knew He was on the path to His Crucifixion. Thank you , Lord, for deeming us worthy to die for ><>

Easter Tree :)

So...if you've been following along since last December...you'll know that my poor little dogwood tree also doubles as a *Charlie Brown* tree at Christmas time. My husband says it's embarassed that I hang all this stuff on it....really it's all very light weight and I don't think it's hurting anything...sure makes me smile when I look at it. Of course- I KNOW Easter's not about bunnies, eggs, and chicks...I really should try to hunt down some bright plastic crosses to hang on there next year! *Note to self* ><>

Cherry Blossom Beauty

The cherry & plum trees here are just blooming like crazy. I love it- but I empathize with allergy sufferers....I like the way the air smells when they're blooming too. Thank you God, for painting the seasons with joy ><>

Happy Birthday Sweetheart....

So 19 years ago today my 'youngest' blessing entered the world...we are so proud of the young woman she is- following after the Lord, making wise choices, compassionate, caring, and sharing a love of music with her ol' mamma.... This is another card made from the *rock star* paper pack- pretty clean and simple 'cause I think the paper speaks for itself :) A few embellishments and away we go! Happy Birthday Miss J <3

Stamp Convention :)

Need I really say more ???? Looking forward to a morning of hanging out with fellow *addicts* oh, and probably some new stamps too. ><>

Almost Spring!

Another gorgeous 68* day in the Pacific Northwest! (although it was 24* this morning!) What a gracious gift from the Master Gardener Himself :) Worked in the flower beds most of the day- things are looking spiffy! Hopefully I haven't 'jumped the weather gun' and the flowers get frostbit. This is my favoritest flower- Heliotrophe - PURPLE of course, and the most fragrant vanilla-like scent. A double blessing ><>

Top O' The Mornin' To Ya:)

Have a fun day! St. Patrick was 'credited' with the spread of Christianity throughout Ireland. I'm guessing the green beer thing is something that got tagged onto the day farther down through history :) I don't believe in *luck* - so I'll say God Bless ><>

*Upcycled* Sweater Wreath

This was made from a wool sweater that I found at the Goodwill- had a coupla holes in it- then I 'felted' it (on purpose!- not accidentally, which is how it usually happens :) by washing it in hot water and drying it. Cut it into about 2" squares, then ran them through the dryer again to beat some of the lint out....there's a lotta lint! Then I strung the squares onto a length of thick floral wire and crimped the ends together into a circle. Hmmn...a shamrock shape woulda been nicer, but it also doubles as a Christmas wreath....A little green ribbon and *sure n' begorrah*! ><> *Wikipedia: Irish for 'would you look at that!'

Thanks Sally :)

This stunning card was made by one of my customers/*CSSC* - I just LOVE LOVE it! You can check out her other beautiful creations on her blog- link at the left of the page :) - sally's creative corner - ><>

Yay for rehearsal day :)

Being on the worship/praise team is one of my biggest blessings....I spent over 30 years thinking I couldn't possibly play IN FRONT OF PEOPLE.....but then: either I hit the big *5-0* and stopped caring what other people think, or, most likely, I changed WHO I was playing FOR :) When it's an *Audience of One*- miraculously there's no more fear :) And as if God wasn't good enough to me already, He allows me the blessing of playing behind my daughter occasionally :) It's spring break time- I have the joy of rehearsing with her tonite and jammin' for Jesus on Sunday! Thank you Abba Father ><>

More St. Paddy's fun...

This one's for my bff's. I used up a bunch of scraps, made the background paper myself, added some ribbon & bling and *O'voila*! You can't really see that the dark strip under the ribbon is actually gold foil. The sentiment I printed on the computer right onto the background paper. I also printed up a *disclaimer* on the back of the card- that basically said "I have a NEED to make stuff, and since I can only make so much stuff for myself, you bless me by being a recipient of the stuff! No reciprocation necessary. And if I'm driving you bonkers with stuff- let me know and I'll take you off the 'stuff' list :)". I have a couple of friends who FEEL BAD when I give them stuff because they didn't get me anything! And this is totally NOT why I give stuff- to get stuff in return - and my friends should 'get that' about me...so then I feel bad that they feel bad and 'round and 'round it goes :) You know that God loves a cheerful giver.....I'm guessing He loves cheerful *receivers* too :) Anyhoo....I'm thinking of making my disclaimer into a stamp. Whaddyathink? ><>

St. Paddy's Day

This was a little *RB* (random blessing) bookmark I made tons of last year....STILL using up lime green card stock...heheheh...I have a strange fascination/obsession/whatever with bookmarks, so I collect them too...a little bg paper, some ribbon, some doodling with a gold marker, some hole poking, a glittery sticker and *poof* it's 'bookalicious'. ><>

firewood stacking :)

So my hubby is doing some logging work with a friend..he's 'supposed' to be retired, but doesn't like having 'nothing to do', and he's really good at falling trees and running equipment....so he gets occasional little side jobs here and there. And we get some great firewood from the 'left-overs'. Someone sent me this picture years ago- I tried to get DH to stack the wood this way....but I don't think it's going to happen :) heheheheh. ><>

my helper...

Meet Daisy ( she had that name when we got her...I would have been a little more 'original' picking her name...I had a cat named *Euripides* when I was a kid...but I digress..:) my stamp room helper. Sometimes she just gets jealous, I guess, that I'm not spending time holding her on my lap, so she just barges in and makes herself at home on my desk. Usually it's right in the middle of whatever I'm doing- this time she was gracious enough to patiently wait in the envelope box...but not before she walked across a brown ink pad and left paw prints on the envelopes....hmmn....I'll probably make a 'cat card' to go with those! heheheh. One 'spoiled' critter...just like the rest of us in the household :) ><>

Last One :)

This one's for Tyler- awesome young man working at finding his way in the world :) Amazing guitarist/drummer...heart of gold ( I think ). Easy card- more *rock star* paper - of course - some tearing, a little background stamping on the white piece, a button & some twine. For his *RB* (see earlier posts) I made some guitar picks out of old Starbucks/iTunes cards- just traced around a 'real' pick, cut them out and smoothed the edges with a nail file. Fun for me ><>

Sabrina's turn...

The cutest 'middle' niece in the family. Just fun to be around and always has a twinkle in her eyes :) Quick & simple...the card, not the girl :) Can't remember where the 'love' image is from- could be Stampin' Up...but it must be vintage SU. I added a tiny flower brad where the 'o' is, a little ribbon and some glittery bg paper. Her mom will love the temporary tattoos I got for her....hopefully......><>

"Miss B"

This is the card I made for my 'newest' niece, I call her Miss Brooklynn- she is a delight and a fellow Winnie the Pooh fan - we are kindred spirits in that respect :) Really vintage stamps used here- beehive background, and the Pooh image just colored with markers. A little ribbon, a bee button ( tied in about 5 knots so she won't eat it....hopefully.....) and her *RB* is a neato book I picked up at a garage sale about dogs. And sorry about the glare in the photo.... ><>

Savannah

This card is for my beautiful teenage niece (well- I have more than one, but one in this particular family unit!) She loves fiercely- her family, her boyfriend, animals, and life in general. Also a great hugger! ( see yesterday's post :) More paper from the *rock star* pack - it's hard to read but it says 'you are loved' - words are from Heart & Soul- a little ribbon, a button and tadah. She gets a box of Gobstoppers :) ><>

Blessings....

Brace yourselves...this is gonna be a long post :) I just love the whole *RAK* idea, or *RB* (random blessings) and I wanted to do a little something for some of my niece's and nephew's....nothing fancy/elaborate/spendy....just something to let them know that Aunt Sue is alive and well and thinking about them ( and praying...but I'm not sure how they'd feel about that..:) So in no particular order, I'll share the first 'teenage boy' card- Phoenix loves to skate, play football, anime, life in general...and he's one of the first to come give me a hug when he sees me :) so I made this with him in mind. The 'skateboard' I cut free hand, and attached big brads to the sides for 'wheels'. The paper is from the *rock star* pack. Some good stuff in there! Probably the first handstamped card he's gotten....I've got some catching up to do! I went on Ebay and found him a little something to go with it. (Like he's ever going to read my blog and the secret's out!) Now the best part of the story ( for me ) is that I got to spend the day Sunday *corrupting*/stamping with the beautiful young woman that loves my son :) - while he's busy elsewhere for awhile :) (hi Jamie :) and she gets credit for adding the wheels when I said "this needs something else...what is it?" I just think the world of that girl and I'm so thankful for the blessing she is to my son, and our family. I think I need to go find some kleenex now....heheheh. ><>

Beckoned

So this morning I woke up at 6:30 am. I didn't NEED to be awake at 6:30 am. I just was. Then I opened my eyes....and the room was awash in a beautiful pink glow....I KNEW I had to bounce out of bed and see the awesome sunrise :) It was almost as if God had poked me awake and said "come and see what I made this morning! You will LOVE it!" He knows me very well indeed. Of course it was way more breathtaking in person, and there was a light fog lower to the ground. Just stunning! Thank you Father, for waking me up early so I didn't miss it; for the eyes to see the beauty of your Creation; and for the *faculties* to understand that it all comes from You :)
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