Ken's Homegoing

A dear friend celebrated his Resurrection Day last week after a 19 month long valiant effort to overcome cancer. Ken was the *epitome* of health- never smoked, ate very wisely, excerised greatly. Why lung cancer would come to him is beyond my comprehension. I've had quite a few difficult conversations with God over this one. What I keep hearing back is TRUST ME. So I am. I do. I always have. I always will. For His ways are not our ways. I am thankful for Ken's faithful life: friend,teacher,mentor,prayer warrior,gardener,woodworker,volunteer...the list goes on and on. I truly believe he saved my daughter's life one year on the annual youth group bike trip to the San Juan Islands when he noticed that her bike had no brakes (ok, so we're NOT parents of the year!) and promptly fixed them on the spot. 'Cause that is some *hilly* biking! I'm grateful for every time we were together- and for the 19 months Ken had to meet his new grandaughters. Especially for the Grace of God that assures me we will see Ken again. I am honored to be playing on the worship team for his Celebration of Life service- Jesus help me play through the tears- happy and sad. See you soon, my friend ><>

PS- Ken HAS overcome :)

My Redeemer....

I think this card needs something more...but obviously I don't know what it is :) Both images are Heart & Soul- I added a little heart on the *i*. I've always meant to color this stamp with each spot being a different color....but this is as close as I'm getting today! ><>

a nice surprise :)

Thank you Shelly for your blog award :) How sweet! Now I'm supposed to tell 7 things about myself...hmmm....
1)music is a huge part of my life- either listening to it & singing along all day, or playing it occasionally on the praise team at church. I just love music.
2)I collect kaleidoscopes :)
3)I love the beach (like you, Shelly!) The smell of ocean air, the sandpipers running together, shells, whatever! I don't know how birds can fly or run so closely together without crashing into each other. Oh wait- of course I know- it's because God created them that way!
4)I love anything purple. Pretty much.
5)I'm a Gleek! ( That means I watch Glee, for you *civilians* :)
6)I also like to make bead bracelets & necklaces. Nothing fancy, just stringing them along :)
7)I married my *high school sweetheart* ( rival high schools....but whatever!) and I have two awesome & amazing young adults whom I am so very proud of...or does it show? heheheh)

and now I'm supposed to pass it on: in no particular order of inspiration...
The Colour Purple
lifelovepaper
Mama Dina's Stamperia
Joy in a Jar

The list goes on....every blog inspires me to some degree- especially to try to be a better blogger myself!

Thanks again Shelly ><>

mahalo hoaloha :)

I made this for a friend who just came home from the *trip of a lifetime* to Hawaii with her daughter-of course the tsunami warning was something they hadn't planned on! But everything else was awesome. She brought me back a beautiful bowl made of Kamani wood. I love it :) Back to the card: the clear stamps are Hero Arts- bg paper from my scrap drawer, and I just just hand wrote the word. Aloha ><>

oh my.

This is one of those *it seemed like a good idea when I thought of it* cards....not sure I like the finished product tho'. It's a mash up of many companies- Inkadinkado for the 'inchies'- SU for the butterflies & punch- and finally on the inside-

another new Heart & Soul image. I loved this ribbon and thought it would tie the whole thing together- it didn't photograph well. Very busy indeed! ><>

more new stamps

Here's another new one from Heart & Soul. The background paper was a *major score* from the *last chance* Goodwill ( everything is just dumped into big bins- you sort through it and pay by the pound!) It's actually from an old quilting magazine- I just ripped out the pages I wanted to keep when I got home:) And that new EK success badge punch is my new favorite toy :) purple goodness through and through! May God Bless your day ><>

happy birthday Jackie !

I made this special card for a very special young woman- one of the most compassionate, kindest, funniest, loving, caring, talented, *sold-out-to-Jesus* ladie's I know...who just happens to be my lovely *baby girl*...and who is also a little bummed out at becoming an *un teenager*. I couldn't be any prouder to be her mom- my heart is full :) Oh yeah- about the card: I just punched some squares out of scraps, and the image is SU. ><>