a new year

*oh dear Lord ~ three things I pray...to see Thee more clearly....follow Thee more nearly......love Thee more dearly day by day* :) and that's my motto for 2012! Let it be so, Lord Jesus ><>

The Longest Night

I had to share this photo ~ even tho' it's a little hard to see ( because someone...me...forgot to bring her camera, and this is a phone picture, thanks to a friend :) Our church family added a *new* service to the pack this Christmas: called "The Longest Night" because of the Winter Solstice when it's the least amount of daylight (hence the most amount of darkness)We had communion, took a candle and lit it from the Christ candle, then walked over to the altar and lit another candle, representing laying our burdens at the feet of Jesus. It was pretty therapeutic:) Mostly it was for folks who may not be having the merriest of Christmases, due to whatever season of life they are in...grief, loss, anxiety, financial difficulty, you name it...we all have some! It was so peaceful, serene, beautiful, hopeful, and wonderful. I think a few healing tears were shed by everyone :) I was honored to be a small part of it. If you squint you can also see the chancel area which has been transformed into the backdrop for the youth Christmas Eve service. God's Peace ><>

Part 2 :)

This was the inside of the same cards I used to make yesterday's posting....I used most of the same components too. Basically I ended up with twice the amount of finished cards using the ones I got at the Goodwill :) *win win* ! I just wanted to say thank you to my Heart & Soul customers, and to anyone who takes the time to read my ramblings musings :) I greatly appreciate both! May you have a Christ centered Christmas ~ whether it is in the bustle of family or the quiet contemplation of worship ><>

Recycling Christmas :)

I found boxes of these super cute snowmen cards at the Goodwill last year.....I think that Target must have donated their left-overs. The cards were kinda beat up around the edges, but I fell in love with the snowmen & their bling :) So I used my Nestabilities and die cut them out. I had a mountain of this red & blue pointsettia paper from years ago....never could find the right use for it but it was a fairly close match. I added one of those awesome SU felt snowflakes. I have so much fun making Christmas cards that I want to start on next year's right away...but we ALL know how THAT turns out! ><> Here's a closer look at the snowbling ~

Advent *Mobile*

If you've followed along for awhile you'll remember that I help with the Sanctuary art at my church....this is the latest centerpiece that rests way up high in the ceiling :) The air currents cause it to spin gently sometimes and it definitely looks more beautiful in person :) All blue and silvery~like....our sanctuary is pretty large and mostly *off-white* which means there's plenty of opportunity to add some colors :) ><>

Yahoo :)

Thanks Jackie :) Now I'm up & running again :) I made these big blocks from scrap wood from a friend who works at a lumber yard ~ he gave me these from his campfire wood stash :) 4" x 4" and I used a lot of scraps and embellishments up from the scrap bins :)

A fine time to go AWOL :(

Happy week before Christmas everyone :) I picked the worst time to switch computers ~ and until my awesome techie daughter comes home from college for Christmas I don't have much to post in the way of pictures....It's bad when you think you know what you're doing (computer-wise) and then realize you do NOT! But.....I will catch up eventually. My prayer is that you are all taking time to *soak in the season* and draw close to Jesus ><>

Punkin Turkey :)

Every year I turn a pumpkin into a turkey using these fun wood pieces my son cut out for me many years ago. My sweet sister-in-law gave me this huge awesome white pumpkin ~ I think he's just the perfect greeter for my front porch :) A dear friend shared this tidbit at our small group Bible study Sunday night and I just love it ( sure to become my newest fridge magnet!)~
"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"
Food for thought as we gather for Thanksgiving :)
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so much to be thankful for

I made a few of these for my *homies* to let them know how thankful I am for their friendship ~ I love this time of year! It was good to use up some of my hoarded bg paper ~ I must have gotten a super deal on it because I had alot of it! I generated the saying on my computer. The 3D hearts and strip were punched. Praying that you all have a blessed day Thursday ~ no matter what our circumstances are, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for :) ><>

Preparing for Advent :)

We have a lovely tradition at our church of kicking off the Advent season (next Sunday!) with a Ladies Candlelight Dessert event. Our gymnasium is transformed into a beautiful sparkly fellowship hall. Some of our more *adventurous* menfolk serve as waiters...each year it's something new...this year our waiters were all German for the evening. I had the honor of hosting a table...I just love this evening ( so much fun!) and seeing everyone so excited for the Advent season...preparing our hearts to make room for the Baby Jesus ><>

Word Art Wednesday Challenge

This week I have the honor of sponsoring the Word Art Wednesday challenge :) Go on over there to check out the details and I look forward to contacting one of you next week with some goodies :)
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My *helper*

So you can see why some days I get more accomplished than others :)

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Thank You !

To all who serve and have served our great country ~ your sacrifice is appreciated more than mere words can express. We truly are the Land of the Free because of the Brave. I hope to cross paths with someone today that I can shake hands with and express my grattitude :)

and the card? Both images are Heart & Soul ><>

Happy Reformation Day !

To all my Lutheran *homies* :) Also wanted to let you know that the web site/catalog update is *complete~a~mundo* thanks to my bestest webgal :) Hope you're enjoying your Sunday routines ><>

Grateful for Fall :)

We are having an absolute *Gift from God* kind of fall day! I just treasure these sunny blustery leaf-blowey gifts! This card has one of the newer Heart & Soul images stamped many times and wrapped with crochet thread ~ topped off with a heart button. You might be able to see the *hard copy* if you venture in to *inkpaperrubber* in Overland Park, Kansas....as they are the newest retail store to carry our stamps. Thanks so much Jen!

We're in the process of re-doing the entire catalog for 2012. Nothing has changed, price wise, with the exception of grab bags which are now $20~ still a smokin' deal, mind you :) But things are just being rearranged a little. Should be up on the website before too long thanks to our amazing web woman ><>

Happy Fall :)

Well I stopped doing Halloween a long time ago....but I really *do* Fall bigtime! This card is for my buddies ~ sorry about the crummy photo ~ Used the SU medallion on the background in brown, then the smaller SU circle pattern in the middle, punched out. You can't tell but the orange paper is that dreamsicle colored glitzy stuff. *Happy Fall* is a Heart & Soul stamp, punched out with a leaf punch. Added a button and some ribbon. Fall is my favorite time of year ><>

World Card Making Day :)

What a blast! I spent the morning Saturday with an awesome bunch of Stampin' Up demonstrators and stampers ~ making cards from pre-assembled kits. Super duper fun and now I have 20 more *idea cards* for my stash ( 'cause most of them are too cute to part with :)Definitely something I want to do again next year :)
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More New Goodies :)

I like this new phrase ~ who doesn't have a friend that's helped them through a rough patch just by being there? I got this paper in a packet from Tuesday Mornings (of all places!) I just loved the flowery circles :) A felt flower, a fun button, and some dyed to match ribbon and there you have it! ><>

New Stamps :)

In celebration of the Autumnal Equinox ( or...it was about time :) there are a whole lotta new stamp images at Heart & Soul! Just posted on the web for your perusal :) I love fall! The end of summer heat & the beginning of cool foggy mornings, changing leaves, pumpkin spice lattes :) you name it. Oh yeah, the card...one of the new phrases, Bo Bunny bg paper, ribbon, leaf punches, and teeny tiny beads. Yet another one of my cards that won't fit in an envelope :) yay for fall ><>

Here's a close up view of the details :

Happy Birthday Kyle :)

I made this for our son's birthday this week....still a 'Mater fan :) I 'cheated' and used some stickers, wish the circle one had photographed better, but they are just stickers. The *fun* part (for me anyway) is the diamond plate metal piece- made with my Cuttlebug folder from a pop can. I like it :) I'm so proud of the young man he is ( well, I've always been proud of him!) I am a blessed old woman :)><>

I'd *pick* you :)

I've been getting ready for a *green* art fair this fall ~ only recycled/repurposed things ~ and making guitar picks from old gift cards....when it hit me how cute the pink ones would be on a card :) ><>

Apple Thieves :)

These precious little apple pickers have been loving the ones that hit the ground out in the yard. So much fun to watch them! I actually have been stamping ~ I just keep mailing off the projects without taking pictures of them! So forgetful sometimes! Hope you're all enjoying the last days of summer/first days of school. Now that my kids are all grown up, I sometimes miss the school bus days. Oh well :)

Fun *Upcycling* Project :)

My daughter & I made these fun mittens while she's home from college ( made hers last winter) from an old sweater I found at the ~ you guessed it~ Goodwill :) Had a small hole in it so I didn't feel too horrible cutting it up. Here's a link to the video we used for the idea ~ we didn't *felt* the sweater, or piece them like she did, but the end result is the same. It took me awhile to get the concept through my head...but it's really easy once you do! Here you can see where I cut the pieces from the sweater ( and my nosy cat who has to be in the middle of things :) I'm going to keep the scraps and maybe make something else- I just love the pattern & colors!

Ready for super cold winter! ><>

Words of Comfort :)

I made this for a gal I know who just received some pretty hard news :( I'm hoping when she sees it, that she'll be encouraged. If God is for us, who can be against us? Love this new SU big doily stamp! The verse is Heart & Soul ><>

Sad/Happy :)

God called another of His saints home this week ~ a lovely lady with the sweetest spirit ~ my daughter and her granddaughter were bestest buds when they were little! Again I have the honor of playing at her memorial service. So it's a sad thing, 'cause we'll all miss her, but a happy thing, that Christ has overcome the world ( and Alzheimer's ) and we'll see her again soon. God is good! Oh yeah, the card....just got some new design paper on clearance at Craft Warehouse. It's actually a little *yellower* in person....sanded a CB folder, *Nestabilitied* the verse...sorry I can't remember whose it is....old UM trade. That's it for now :)
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Three Cups of Tea

I just finished reading this really great book. (Yes, I'm always at least 6 months behind what's *new* :) It was required reading for my daughter's college last year, and I thought it would be interesting to read it too and discuss it with her. I'm so glad I did! Now I need to find the next book and devour it too :) I understand that there was some controversy surrounding the exact details in the book, but to me, what matters most is the servant's heart of Greg Mortenson and all he has accomplished for the children who can now go to school for the first time in their lives- especially girls in Afghanistan & Pakistan. I know that those countries have been torn apart by war & strife. It reminds me never ever to take for granted for the freedom & liberty we have in America ~ and that knowledge is power! I plan to support this effort in the near future with more than just my prayers. Check it out :) ><>

Welcome Paisley Jane :)

We have a new addition to the family- I have a *grand kitty* :) My son & his girlfriend adopted a baby kitten- a yellow tabby- and I wanted to thank them for *kitty sitting* my cat while we were away on vacation :) I've had the cat image for years, got it unmounted in a swap, so I don't really know who made it...but the little paw print is one of the Heart & Soul paw print stamps. I'd forgotten how sweet kittens are...my cat was about 7 months old when we got her years ago. Ciao Meow ><>

Scrappy Get Well :)

This is for a friend at my church. She's been struggling with health issues for a few years now....1 step forward and 2 steps back. Hopefully this will make her smile and feel encouraged a bit. The white background paper is actually from an old wallpaper book :) and the rest are scraps from my desk that needs cleaning off. I think the phrase is vintage Printworks. I double punched the flower ( don't look too closely :) It's been fun playing in my studio this past week. Reality check says *go pull weeds* ><>

Patriotic Time :)

So I'm still having fun with my patriotic papers :) The flower is Heart & Soul, colored with a little watercolor & reinker. I glued some beads in the center and added a little glitter glue...kinda hard to see in the photo. Yesterday was a great day. But I'm thankful that *firework season* is on the wane...I know all the noise is hard on the poor animals... and I'm a little embarrassed as an American that we waste so much money on them. ( I haven't bought any since our kids grew out of them....but that's not to say I don't waste enough money elsewhere :( I digress. Looks like another beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest ><>

Happy 4th!

More fun with that *beautiful for spacious skies* paper :) I cut some scrap pieces and made the wind mill. Words are Heart & Soul- I used that *sequin waste ribbon* as a stencil and sponged dots everywhere- a little bling here and there too. I had a stamping *revelation* this week! Been collecting these old photo cubes at Goodwill & garage sales- have a bunch- and *DUH* they make perfect covered blocks! Be sure to tape them closed before gluing on the papers. Although I couldn't distress them like the wood ones, they do have a neat little *shine* around the edges. And they are way cheaper than a same-sized wood block would be (and lighter too....but that doesn't matter :) Praying for a safe and wonderful Independance Day for all my American friends! ><>

Here's a close up of the windmill :)

God Bless America :)

I absolutely LOVE these BoBunny papers! Words are Heart & Soul. The paper did the rest- with a little bling added to the back of the star. Of course I can't stand to waste any of that prism paper, so I strip pieced it around the edges :) Made a wood block to go with it. One of my favorite H & S stamps says "God has already blessed Amerca- how about if America blesses God?" Food for thought while BBQ-ing ><>

I tell you what!

Yesterday was a great day for a random visit to Craft Warehouse :) A bunch of the embossing folder sets were marked down to $3.80! So I bought them :) I made this card right away for some sweet young people ( I would call them *kids*, because they are compared to me :) but I don't want to offend :) at our church who are getting married tomorrow. Look closely and you can see the clear plastic wedding cake layered over the main image- the plastic was from the packaging. Both were in the embossing set. The white pieces are from their wedding announcement. These are their colors too- or close enough for horseshoes! Congrats J & K and God Bless your marriage tomorrow and always ><>

windchimes sun catcher :)

I found these fused glass pieces at...you guessed it....Goodwill. They were apparently a windchime *kit* that someone had given up on. I started to string them on fishing line, but discovered that the glass shapes were pretty sharp where the line would come in contact with them, so I figured they would just break right away from the friction in the wind. So....I used light gage wire instead, and decided to string beads on the wire ( to hide it too) and of course with all that extra weight...there's not a whole lot of wiggle room for the wind to do it's thing :( so NOW I have a really big ol' sun catcher on my back porch. What I can't decide is if it's just uber too much and hideous, or really colorful and beautiful! Considering the fact that I have alot of hours invested in it....I'm going with the second choice! ><>

*Retro Wreath*

Every 4th of July I drag this poor thing out of the attic:) I made it probably, what, 2o years ago? Cut the fabric into squares with pinking shears, poked the center around a chopstick, dipped in glue and poked into a foam wreath form. I think I bought the wood stars at the Goodwill ><>

Shower card :)

This card is for a wedding shower I'm going to tomorrow- a suprise bowling one! How fun is that? The stamps and punch are all older SU stuff- I did that fun new (well, new to me...) embossing technique where EVERYTHING gets run through the Cuttlebug folder and squished together- I kinda like the end result!
Here's the inside:

*Upcycled* Glass :)

This was so much fun! I saw these at a recycled art fair a few years ago and of course decided that *I could make those* so I started collecting pretty glassware at garage sales and my favorite recycler, Goodwill :) My DH drilled holes in the centers of all the bowls & plates ( we did have a fair amount of *casualties* - glass does not particularly LIKE being drilled! But it's doable. And my initial investment was pretty minimal :) Then I bought some glass paints at the craft store ( I'm sure there are better quality ones out there- I just went the least expensive route- as usual ) I painted the backs of the glass, then covered the paint with a clear coat sealer. Mounted on a pole, and voila. This is my favorite one- if you look closely there are two similar glass pieces. I put it near my front steps behind my favorite flower- heliotrophe ><>

Happy Dad's Day!

Made another trip to the scrap drawer for this one. Bits and pieces of old projects- dad will be proud that I'm cleaning things up :) Both stamps are Heart & Soul. I'm thankful for my great father and father-in-law ><>

A Sound Like a Strong Wind :)

"When the feast of Pentecost came, they (the disciples) were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force, no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them." - The Book of Acts, Chapter 2.
And so it was that the church was born :) This is the new Sanctuary mobile at my church- all very *flamey* and *firey*- it looks awesome when the wind currents cause it to spin gently! Happy Pentecost Church <3

happy birthday Jamie :)

This is one of those *twisted easel* cards- it lies flat like a regular card, but then stands up when you want it to! I LOOOOOOOVe this! I'm not very tech savvy so I don't have a link how to make it yourself....sure you can find it on Splitcoast somewhere. ><>

*cheater* cards

I've been having a blast this week cleaning out and using up some things I've been hoarding/saving for years! I've made a ton of cards using repurposed bits and scraps- these coffee note cards were originally from a daily calendar :) I used pieces of a kraft paper bag for the background. The gray paper is the 'back side' of some birthday invitations I made too many of (oops). Add some cute kraft envelopes and 'voila' I have an instant gift for any of my fellow coffeeholic friends :) ><>
Here's a set of 6~

what fun!

I made this card for the stamping group I go to once a month: *Sassy Stampers* :) We all bring kits and share with each other. Went back to the scrap drawer for most of this- the bunny is vintage SU and the words are from *My Heart Stamps For You* (I believe) Used the Cuttle Bug here and there, and the embellishment I got at the Goodwill in a big grab bag pack. ><>

Almost :)

I dug into the scrap drawer again for this one- bits and pieces for the most part. Words are Heart & Soul- the awesome butterfly punch is from Martha Stewart- it's pretty hard squeezing- maybe my paper is too tough :) But I like it nonetheless.
Well it almost feels like Spring here...but I'll take the rain any day over all the tornadoes! My heartfelt prayers for all those families who are just devastated. ><>

He is Risen Indeed :)

Here's the new Sanctuary mobile- look closely and you can see a cross in the middle of the bottom....but wait! It's been overshadowed by new life (pastel ribbons) and the white draping represents Christ's discarded grave clothes :)

This is the ugly barren chicken wire covered stick that we slowly transform into a beautiful cross during our Festival of Flowers service :) Everyone brings flowers from home and turns something ugly into something beautiful! Just like Jesus does for us :) Halleluia! ><>

Good Friday

A little late with this one...but here is what the Sanctuary mobile looked like last night with the crosses dangling from it- our Good Friday service included a performance of "The Weeping Tree" - a beautiful cantata! At the end we all went up to the 'tree' and dipped our finger in ashes, leaving our fingerprint on the cross. It was very moving & powerful! ><>

Easter fun

This started out as one of those 8/$1 cards from Craft Warehouse- I just loved the shape and it came with envelopes too. What. a. deal. Added a little eggy background paper, used one of the $1 egg stamps, and made some Easter grass with that cool punch that looks like a fern leaf. Alleluia :) ><>

Hosanna!

Thank you Jesus....for this day. For going into the midst of chaos and suffering willingly. You have my heart :)