The Longest Night

My Bible study *small group* leads a service every year called "The Longest Night" - in conjunction with the Winter Solstice, where it's the longest and darkest day of the year.....much like what some people experience during Christmastime when they are anything BUT *merry*- due to grief, illness, any kind of struggle or difficulty they may be experiencing. The lights are dimmed, meditations, reading, prayers, and worshipful music abound. At the end, we are invited to take a candle ( lit from the Christ candle in the Advent wreath) and literally carry our burdens to the altar, lighting a candle and giving them to Jesus. It's all very symbolic, touching and healing....Many tears are shed and souls lifted :) May you also experience the peace that passes all human understanding as you prepare for Jesus' birthday! 

Advent

I love the Advent season at church! Decorating the Sanctuary to help people prepare their hearts for the Baby Jesus, and the return of the Triumphant King of Kings, just makes my heart happy :)  I was trying for a 'less is more' design this time....and believe it or not, this is me *reigning it in* heh heh. The little spots you can see are mirror squares glued together on fishing line- I'm hoping that when the sun shines through the windows ( you can see two of them at the right) it will be brilliantly beautiful :) May you find time in this season of *harrying* to spend some time with Christ !

copper snowflakes

Gettin' in the mood :) I've made dozens of beaded snowflakes over the years, as little gifts, and for our own tree. This year it dawned on me that copper ones might be really cool. And I love how they turned out. One will be around the rear view mirror soon :) ><>

Candlelight Dessert

One of my favorite things we do at my church each year is the Candlelight Dessert~ ladies only ( our awesome men serve as waiters for the evening!) where we gather and celebrate the coming of Advent. I've been hosting a table for years now, and my inner *Martha* just thrives on all the planning and decorating. I'm already thinking about what I'll do next year :) Which really helps, because often most of what I use comes from Goodwill/garage sales so I have plenty of time for treasure hunting throughout the year.

This year we were a little short of folks who could set up a table, so I gladly set up a second table :) I just love seeing the gymnasium transformed into a Winter Ballroom atmosphere.....you've never seen so many fake ficus trees full of white lights :) but it works....

Homewarming :)

This was for my nephew &  his lovely wife....after way too many deployments and separations, they are finally able to settle in together for a few years, and they landed in our hometown! (Yay- a new *crafting buddy* ! ) We're so happy they're here! Made this from the scrap drawer for their housewarming party. Words are vintage Stampington & Co. 

minty fun

Greetings bloglanders :) Just sharing a little something I've been working on this week~you've all seen these peppermint patty goodies before, I'm sure. I've wanted to make them for a few years now to give as little treats, but have always ran out of time before Christmas.....so this year I've started early. Everything here is a punch, except the nose. All from the scrap drawer (bonus deal!). Words are A Muse, the tiny snowflake is vintage Whippersnapper. All displayed in a 'pretzel bag' from the craft store. Too cute to tear into :) ><>

*ordinary season*

Hey there! I'm still alive and well......Heart & Soul is still very much alive and well.....the only thing that's 'fizzled' is my blogging. So very sorry about that~ I have a dozen reasons, but no real excuses. Seems it's the first thing I let go when the *going* gets tough. And it has been kinda a tough first half of the year. Some real sadness in our family.But now, thankfully, we head into a season of JOY as my son's wedding approaches this fall! 

I wanted to share with you the new liturgical mobile I made this week at church- to celebrate the season within Pentecost of 'growth' - often called the 'ordinary' season :) My friend and worship team leader suggested a 'vine or branches & greenery' theme and I ran completely with it. As usual. Fortunately I have almost every shade of green paper known to woman, so I just cut out a bunch of leaf shapes and taped them to fishing line. I borrowed some branches from the yard. I think it will look neat when the air currents move it gently in a circle. 

Thanks for hanging in there and not giving up on me :) 

Goodie Bags :)

I made these fun treats to pop into some of our church mailboxes soon :) Who doesn't love a little *surprise chocolate* now and then ??? I used an older SU image ( love this one!) and found some York peppermint bites in the perfect color combo!

Here's the back side- I *tweaked* a Heart & Soul image ( a little something I learned from the amazing Dina Kowal ) - cutting your stamps apart and using them in different ways! 

That's all for now ><>

*Post It* note holder

I used a cheap ( of course!) 3 x 5 easel photo frame~ here's the *before*:

and here's the *after* ~ a cute background paper, Heart & Soul 'just bee' stamp and a button for good measure. I also stamped the SU bee on each page. Fun stuff :)

Like a rushing wind

Happy Pentecost! Today we commemorate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. Can you IMAGINE what it must have been like to see flames dancing around people's heads, and hearing so many languages spoken at once praising God? It just gives me goosebumps :) At my church, we also celebrate the Rite of Confirmation on this day~ how sweet to hear the testimonies of our youth as they celebrate this milestone of faith! Behold the Pentecost 'mobile' in the center of the sanctuary. Tomorrow I go back to trim the ribbons that were TOO long and casting shadows on the screens :) Yeehaw! ><>

We just had a lovely week's visit with my nephew and his sweet marine wifey :) whom I loved from the moment I first met her ( apparently that happened to them too :)  He gave me this really awesome star from one of his four tours of duty. It says:

This Star was flown with pride over the home of an American Patriot, until the sun and winds caused it to become tattered and torn.

This Star was sent to a U.S. Marine to remind him that his sacrifices so dearly given upon the Altar of Freedom will never be forgotten.

This Star was flown again in an AV-88 Harrier flown by Capt. 'Jack' Ash, VMA-231 "Ace of Spades" United States Marine Corps on 27 Oct 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Helmand Province Afghanistan.

This Star was sent to you, to remind you that your support is never forgotten and that We Marines will never stop protecting your God given right to Freedom.

PRETTY AWESOME , HUH?!? 

><>

A Ginormous *God Wink* :)

I have to share this. It's just too incredible not to! This week I was on the 'receiving' end of one of the best *God Winks* I've ever encountered :) I'm a firm believer in the '6 degrees of separation' concept- that we're all connected more closely than we usually figure out. And never is it truer than in the Body of Christ. I also think people are put in our lives for a reason ( HIS reasoning, not ours!) So- I have to say thank you to the sweet new friend I "met" this week who so graciously emailed me and the amazing story that has unfolded throughout the week :) How someone clear across the country could have so many experiences in common with me could only be orchestrated by a really amazing God.  Yay for the internet! And thank you Lord, for 'connecting the dots' this side of Heaven :) 

another Pinterest idea :)

So I tend to spend a little time on Pinterest :) occasionally. Like 10 minutes at a time. Love this idea using a Sharpie and a plain old cup. You're supposed to bake it in the oven to 'set' the ink....but chances are this will never make it out of the 'candy bowl' designation......so I'm thinking the ink will remain just fine. Or maybe I'll come up with something else to write if it wears off :)

Happy Easter!

What a glorious day! We are having just unheard of weather here in the PNW~ over 70*! Last few Easter's people had to cancel their egg hunts because it was so soggy.....but not this year:) Here's a picture of the Sanctuary mobile I worked on this week- the "Easter Jellyfish" heh heh. It's hard to see in the picture, but there's a lot of gold shinyness going on in there :)

And here's a picture of the flower cross.....we start with a really 'ugly' stick cross covered with wire and transform it into this as the service progresses.....then people march their kids up afterwards for a photo op :) Ah....traditions....Hope you're all having a glorious Resurrection Day in your own tradition ><>

Chickn' Up :)

Just a little something to have on hand- good for all kinds of occasions! Stamp is DeNami, and the cute paper is K*I Memories- got a whole big pack of it for $5 at Craft Warehouse:) 

I also want to thank THE INK PAD In New York City for carrying our stamps! Hope they do real well for you :)

May you have a blessed and contemplative Holy Week~ 

Happy St. Patty's Day :)

Even though I may only be, like, 1/72nd Irish, I still have fun being Irish once a year :) I went through the scrap drawers again and punched like crazy:) The heart punch makes a great shamrock. I printed the sentiment on the computer, and sponged a little gold ink around the edges- hard to see in the picture. Oh, and I get to play on the worship team this Sunday, so I'll be sportin' the green :) Got a super fun T-shirt last year from www.oldlutheran.com that has 'Father, Son & Holy Spirit' on each leaf of a shamrock. More fun than an Irish jig:)

feels like spring :)

I know it's snowing in most of the country....but we're looking forward to Spring here in the NW~ every sunny day just brightens our spirits a bit, and the crocus are blooming! Made a bunch of these just to have on hand....I like the idea of 'corner rounding' half of the squares- just adds a bit of 'something' :) The image is 'vintage' SU. (You would have thought I'd have grabbed a Heart & Soul stamp! OY) Hope your day is blessed <3

Lenten Mobile

Helped with the mobile in the Sanctuary at church today ~ Lent is my favorite liturgical time of year ( PURPLE & Soup Suppers!!!) :) Love how this looks....it's different on all sides so as it gently spins in the air current it will make me think of repentance & joy at the same time! Blessings on your Lenten journey to the Cross <3

loopy cat :)

I found this grapevine wreath at the Goodwill last week~ I like the unusual oval shape and was planning to decorate it for the front door for Spring ( yes, it's coming!) But apparently *Princess Daisy* thinks I bought it for her :) it must make her feel special ( even though she barely fits!) ><>

fail :(

I love the look of those heart garlands, and got the bright idea to make my own out of the scrap drawer. After sewing them ALL together, I discovered why the ones I have seen are sewn vertically through the heart :) 'Cause mine are all hanging upside down ( heavier on the bottom!) Oh well...just proves my life motto ONCE AGAIN: "It seemed like a good idea when I thought of it" :)

weird combo :)

So. I found a whole bag of these flower die cuts in the clearance bin at Craft Warehouse...I was intrigued by the color combo :) I made this kit for the card club, and I'm trying to be more *intentional* about sewing on my cards, 'cause I just love the little extra lift it gives them. The ribbon is a closer match in person ( hopefully :) That's all I know ><>

eeersch.

Hello blog family......just wanted to check in and let you know I'm still kickin'. 2013 has not been kind to a whole lot of people in my little circle. I've just been a little overwhelmed lately, and not too stampy....well, that's not quite true....I've made cards that I'd rather not share since the people who received them are going through some really tough stuff that doesn't need to be public. All very cryptic, no? My immediate family is great......my extended and church families are going through some really really hard stuff :( Best thing I can offer is prayer~ and if you want to lift them up as well, that would be much appreciated! We are who we are because of Jesus

time flies :)

I made this for our "little" neighbor girl who is celebrating her *golden* birthday this year...hard to believe she's grown up so quickly. Stamp is SU, and I used stencils from Oriental Trading Co. to make the numbers :) Easy peasy. And I'll fix that ribbon loop before I give it to her :) PS~I'm a goober...she won't be 13 until NEXT year!

here's the proof :)

Obviously I have waaaay too much free time on my hands :) I saw this idea on Pinterest and just KNEW I'd have to copy it for myself! I am a *rainbowey* kinda girl though( as in...God's Promises are new each day), so I did mine with colors instead of white. The smaller squares are samples of texture plates, and the bigger circles are embossing folders. I am just having fun organizing some things in the stamp room office :)

ok. i'll get with the program now :)

I really have issues with thinking ahead. but I see everyone online making these beautiful Valentines and figure I'd better get with it too :) So I made this card for the *Sassy Stampers* card club I go to~ each person makes a 'kit' for everyone, so you go home with lots of fun cards!Plus, those gals are a hoot :) Dug deep into the scrap drawers for all the papers, and the stamps are Heart & Soul. I've been *purging* my stamp room closet....going through old magazines ( like....from 1999+ !) keeping the card samples I like, and ditching the rest with friends or Goodwill. Feels kinda nice. Whatever will I DO with all that extra room? YOU fill in the blank: buy more _____! Heh Heh. That's all I know for now :) ><>

after Christmas sale finds :)

the bargain shopping continues :) I found this Inkadinkado stamp and Cuttlebug folder at Craft Warehouse last week @ 75% off! The weatherman keeps taunting us with the hope of snow....we had a little bit last week, but I want more :) ><>