2 For 1

Hello dear friends!

Can you believe it is November already?  Where has this year gone?

Like any other year it has had happy times and sad times.  This card is for one of those sad times.  One of the ladies from the Teapot Tuesday Challenge on SCS recently lost her sister to cancer.  Our challenge was to make a mosaic card.  The base cardstock is elegant eggplant.  I took a piece of designer paper and cut it up into pieces and then pasted them onto the elegant eggplant.  Then I stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I did this twice to give it a shiny mosaic look.  With the Cuttlebug I used a Nestibilities die-cut to make a frame on which I placed the image and sentiment.  The image was colored with Copic markers.  The image is a digi stamp from Bugaboo Stamps.  Added rhinestone swirls and sheer, polka dot ribbon to finish it off.  The frame and image are on dimensionals.

MMTPT170

Ingredients:

Paper:  elegant eggplant, pure plum cardstock, unknown designer paper

Stamps:  Digi from Bugaboo Stamps

Ink: Versamark, Copic markers

Accessories: Cuttlebug, Nestibilities die-cut, scissors, glue, heat tool, clear embossing powder, dimensionals, rhinestone swirls, polka dot sheer ribbon.

SC354, CC344

This card was made for a color challenge and a sketch challenge.  The colors we were to use were tempting turquoise, elegant eggplant, pumpkin pie and I love these colors and sketch for a Halloween card.
The base is tempting turquoise run through the Cuttlebug using a swirly vine folder.  The next layer is pumpkin pie on elegant eggplant and embossed with the pumpkin folder.  Used a corner rounder punch on two corners.  Next is a strip of elegant eggplant that I used a border punch on the one end.  The image is a digi from Bugaboo Stamps on white and pumpkin pie.  Image is on dimensionals.  Added orange rhinestones and black metallic ribbon.  Very simple to make.

Ingredients:
Paper:  elegant eggplant, tempting turquoise, pumpkin pie, whisper white cardstock
Stamps:  silhouette digi from Bugaboo Stamps
Ink:  Computer
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, swirly vine folder, pumpkin folder, corner rounder punch, scallop doily border punch, dimensionals, rhinestones, black metallic ribbon

Tomorrow I pack to go to Fairmount Resort for a week of rest and relaxation.  Pray that the roads are good and not icy.

Blessings,

50 Years

Wow!  imagine celebrating 50 years of marriage.  This past weekend friends of ours did just that.  What a great time of celebration and thanking God for all of His wonderful blessings.
For the occasion I made this card.

The card is 5x5" so I used a piece of white cardstock 5"x10" and scored it at 5".  The front is done using the Cuttlebug and a Spellbinders Medallion die-cut.  Place the die-cut centered on the edge, set up the Cuttlebug to die-cut and run through to the half way point of the Medallion.  Back up and reset it to emboss the rest of the Medallion.  Trim in to the edge of the medallion on each side.  Use the ScorPal to score diamond pattern on the remainder of the front of card.  The flowers were made using mulberry paper and Stampin Up flower punches and layered on gold leaves.  Added gold pearls to the centers and on each diamond point.  The sentiment is computer generated and die-cut with a Verve tag and put on dimensionals.  Added some gold flourishes and gold metallic ribbon and a square of gold cardstock to the inside so it would show through the cutouts.

Ingredients:
Paper:  whisper white, gold cardstock
Ink: computer generated sentiment
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Medallion die-cut, Verve tag die-cut, Stampin Up flower punches, gold leaves, gold pearls, gold metallic ribbon, flourishes, dimensionals


Blessings to all,

August

How can it be August already?  The time is flying by way too quickly.  Before we know it the snow and cold will be back.  It would be so nice to have at least 6 months of summer.  We have had a lot of thunderstorms and hail this year.  My poor plants have really taken a beating, knocked a lot of cherries off the trees and leaves off the trees.  Crazy weather!

Here is a cute little belated birthday card.  Very simple, quick and easy to make.  This is a stamp set from The Stamps of Life.  This is a one layer card so is easy to mail out.  Whisper white is the cardstock and the turtle is stamped with black Momento and colored with Copics markers.  The grass is stamped with garden green and the balloons and sentiment are real red.  I added diamond Stickles to the balloons after using the Cuttlebug to emboss with the Swiss Dots folder.  Used a corner rounder punch on the corners to finish it.  He is a cute little guy, hope you like it.

Ingredients:
Stamps: late4Bday
Paper:  whisper white
Ink:  black Momento, real red
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots folder, diamond Stickles, Copics markers


Have a wonderful Sunday!
Blessings,

Daisies

Greetings!  I can't believe it is the middle of July already.  Time is flying by too quickly.  Today is a gorgeous sunny day, of which we have not had an over abundance, so we must enjoy it while we have it.
The card I am going to show you today was made for the Teapotter Challenge on Splitcoast.  This challenge is my absolute favorite.  Sending out cards to those that need encouragement, a lift, some love, prayer, a word of cheer is so satisfying.  This one went to a lady in Ontario who recently was diagnosed with lung cancer.

This is a Rubbernecker stamp I love.  I stamped the image twice so I could cut out the largest blue and yellow flower.  The base is white cardstock that has been embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.  The image was colored with Copics markers and then cut out and put on dimensionals.  The two extra flowers were colored and then I used a stylus and foam mat to gently mold the petals, then added a dimensional and positioned them on top of the matching flowers.  This adds wonderful dimension and depth.  I also stamped a bumblebee from Penny Black's set A Wonderful Day and the small hummingbird from Flourishes Humming Along.  Colored, cut out, molded, added dimensional and positioned them on the card.  Flower Soft was added to the flower centers for added texture.  Diamond Stickles were added to the bumblebee wings and finally  I used a variegated sheer ribbon along the bottom edge.  I was quite happy how this turned out and I hope it brought some cheer and encouragement to the recipient.

Ingredients
Stamps:  Rubbernecker Daisies, Penny Black Wonderful Day, Flourishes Humming Along
Paper:  white cardstock
Ink:  Copics markers, black momento
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, embossing folder, scissors, dimensionals, Diamond Stickles, variegated sheer ribbon, Flower Soft


Have a wonderful day and thanks for visiting.


Blessings,

Green!

It is wonderful to see all the green grass, trees and flowers.  It seemed like summer was never going to arrive.  I love this time of the year when everything is fresh and new.  It reminds me of the new life we have in Christ as believers.  The most precious gift we ever receive.

                                                  SC337 & CC327

Speaking of green this is a card I made for the sketch and color challenges on Splitcoaststampers.  I love this image from Flourishes, the old sailing ships were so majestic.
The colors we were to use were chocolate chip, old olive and very vanilla.  The base on each layer is chocolate chip, then old olive and then very vanilla.  The panel under the image is Stampin Up designer paper layered on chocolate chip cardstock and the edge is punched with the Martha Stewart stars border punch.
The image is stamped with old olive and popped up on dimensionals.  I punched a couple of old olive dots and covered them with Crystal Effects for my faux brads.  One corner of the image panel has been punched with a corner rounder punch.  Added old olive ribbon and a seaside piling to finish it off.  I know green is an unusual color for an ocean scene but I really like how it turned out.

Ingredients:
Stamps:  Flourishes A guiding Light
Paper:  chocolate chip, old olive, very vanilla cardstock
Ink:  old olive
Accessories:  Martha Stewart stars border punch, corner rounder punch, faux brads, Crystal Effects, dimensionals, old olive ribbon, seaside piling


Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,

Will & Kate

Is there anyone that hasn't seen that beautiful Royal fairytale wedding?  Kate was absolutely gorgeous in her beautiful Princess gown and Will was the handsome Prince.  I sincerely hope they will have a happy marriage and that it will be a lasting one.  They look so happy!  God bless them.

Teapot Tuesday was all about finding a suitable cozy cottage for the newlyweds.  I found this digi stamp on Make It Crafty that I fell in love with and thought it would do quite nicely for the Royals.

                                                        MMTPT143

The base is peach parfait that has been embossed with a folder I can't remember the name of.  The bottom panel is Basic Grey Indian Summer layered on so saffron and also embossed with the same folder.  Image is colored with Copics markers.  The greenery and flowers are done with Flower Soft.  I used yellow stickles in the windows and diamond stickles on the water.  Unfortunately this does not show up in the picture.  The flower is two layers of white daisy petals that I laid flat on the peach parfait and so saffron ink pads and rolled with a brayer until I got the effect I wanted.  Added a button and bakers twine to the flower center and so dewdrops to finish off.
Will & Kate will be able to live there forever happily thereafter.
I appreciate your visits and comments.

Blessings,                                                

Spring Has Arrived!

I do believe Spring has sprung, finally!  It seems like we have had winter forever, but God is blessing us with sunshine and warm breezes.  It is so good to see the robins and all the other birds back.  Soon it will be time to get some planting done.  We have such a short growing season, I envy those who live in warmer areas.  It really is very pretty here with the rolling hills and the Rocky Mountains to the west of us.  We are only about an hour and a half's drive from the mountains.  I don't know how anyone can go through the mountains and not be in awe of God's handiwork.

This one was made for this weeks Teapot Challenge and the color challenge.  Our destination this week is to a fellow teapotter.  This image was created by Leigh from Happileigh Scrapping specifically for the Teapot Challenge.  It is so adorable. The colors for this weeks challenge are bashful blue, baja breeze and certainly celery, lovely spring colors.  The image is colored with Copic markers and is on dimensionals.  The base is bashful blue and then baja breeze is layered on top.  The designer paper is from Stampin Up and is one of my favorites.  I used my Cuttlebug and Nestibilities rectangle diecut for the image and layered it on certainly celery.  Added some diamond Stickles to the butterfly, a pretty button, Basic Grey half pearls and certainly celery ribbon.  A very simple, easy to make card.
Thank you for popping by.  Please leave a comment so I know who has visited.

Ingredients:
Stamps:  Digi
Papers:  bashful blue, baja breeze, certainly celery, white, cardstock, Stampin Up designer paper
Ink:  Copics markers
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Nestibilities rectangle, dimensionals, fancy brad, Basic Grey half pearls, certainly celery ribbon


Blessings,

Snow

Yes, you read it right.  We have more snow with the possibility of more.  The one good thing is it doesn't stay for very long.  Where or where is Spring?  Some of my bulbs are coming up so that is a positive sign.  And the moisture should help out the farmers, of course there is a lot of flooding going on in different parts of the country.  So far we are okay.

SC328

What a classy lady this is!  Rubbernecker stamps has some really lovely ladies and this is Greta.  I made this card for this weeks sketch challenge on SCS.

Every layer has been embossed with the houndstooth folder.  I added a strip of lace to the edge of one layer along with some pearls.  The image was stamped on white, colored with Copics and then cut out and put on the top panel which is on dimensionals.  Added a fancy button and sentiment.  

Ingredients

Stamps:  Rubbernecker

Paper:  pear pizzazz, riding hood red, white cs, Basic Grey Boxer dp

Ink:  Black momento, pear pizzazz, Copics markers

Accessories:  Cuttlebug, houndstooth folder, dimensionals, white lace, button, Basic Grey pearls

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

April

Welcome!  It has been one whole week without snow.  Yippee!  The snow has been slowly melting, which is good, because we have so much we could very easily have flooding.  It is so good to have the sunshine and not to have to wear all that heavy clothing.  And soon there will be no ice.  Ice and me do not have a good relationship.  I fall very easily and have to walk on egg shells when it is icy.  One of the perks of getting older!

                                                  Bad Puddy Tat!

This fun card was made for a lady in Idaho who had a bad fall a couple of years ago and as a result has had many surgeries on her back to the point of having nearly every vertebrae fused.  She loves cats and needed a little cheering up so she will be receiving many cards in the next few days.
I love this image from Cornish Heritage Farms.  Unfortunately they no longer are in business.  He is colored with Copics markers, also the little bird peeking over the top is a digi.  The image and bird are on dimensionals to pop them up.  Added rhinestones to corners for a bit of glitz.  Isn't he just the cutest!  What a mischief maker!
Have a wonderful weekend and soak in the love of God.

Ingredients:
Stamps:  Doodle Pantry Digi, Cornish Heritage Farms Naughty Kitty
Ink:  black momento
Paper:  rust, so saffron, white cardstock. Basic Grey Boxer designer paper
Accessories:  Copics markers, dimensionals, rhinestones


Blessings,

Spring is in the Air!

What a glorious Sunday this is!  Started off with a fabulous church service where God's word was shared so wonderfully.  The sun was shining, didn't even have to wear a jacket.  Praise the Lord!  God is good and is the Almighty Creator.
I believe the spring air has given me a boost.

I just had to share this card with you.  I am so happy with how it turned out.  This card is going to a young woman in the States whose home was flooded and everything in her basement was destroyed which included all of her crafting supplies, toys, etc.  Mothermarks Tea Party took this challenge on and everyone was to make a girly card and send it off with ribbon.  Well, it turns out that most people are sending ribbons, stamps, card making supplies, etc.  The caring hearts of the women on Splitcoaststampers is overwhelming.  I feel privileged to be part of this group.
The base is so saffron topped with certainly celery.  Two triangle panels of so saffron and Basic Grey Lily Kate designer paper are layered on top.  The next layer is also so saffron with a different Lily Kate paper.  The image is on white cardstock layered on certainly celery.  The image is a digi stamp that I colored with Copics markers.  I used a corner rounder punch on all the corners.  Added a panel of white lace, a green bow and some Zva pearl flourish.  Hope you like it.

Ingredients:
Stamp:  digi
Paper:  Stamping Up so saffron, certainly celery and white cardstock, Basic Grey Lily Kate designer paper.
Accessories:  Copic markers, corner rounder punch, dimensionals, ribbon, glue dots, white lace, Zva pearl flourishes


Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,

Spring!

I am thinking positively.  Spring is here, it just isn't showing its face yet.  We have had 6 months of snow now and still have about 3 feet of it in our yard.  Our walks had to be cleaned three times last week because of more snow.  God tells us to give thanks in all things so I am thanking Him for the moisture that the farmers will be happy to have.  Sorry it has taken me two months to post but I have been very busy the last while with Splitcoaststampers.  I am on the Birthday Committee and am responsible for mentoring all the new volunteers.  I have just done the Annual Spring Cleaning which is almost completed.  For this I send out about 130 emails to all of our volunteers to check to see if they want to continue making cards and to make sure we have all the correct information.  As the replies come in I have to keep updating the volunteer database and when it is completed I send it to our Co-ordinator Barb.  I love doing this and being part of the Splitcoaststampers, I find everyone to be so supportive, caring and loving and a great place to learn all things to do with paper crafting.

Here is a card I did recently.  It was made for one of the challenges and we were to make a card with smiles.  I love Penny Black stamps, especially the Hedgies and thought this little guy had such a sweet smile.

The base is close to cocoa with a layer of cameo coral that has been embossed with a cuttlebug folder.  The image is stamped with black Momento ink on white and die cut with a Nestibilities die.  Mounted this on top of a close to cocoa circle cut out with a Coluzzle.  Image is colored with Copics markers and popped up on dimensionals.  The two corners are a cuttlebug die and added a couple of pearls.  I really like the white lace down the side.  A very simple, cute card that I am very happy with.

Ingredients:
Stamps:  Penny Black Hedgie
Paper:  close to cocoa, cameo coral, whisper white cardstock
Ink:  black Momento, Copic markers
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, embossing folder, corner die-cut, Nestibilities circle, Coluzzle, dimensionals, Basic Grey half pearls, white lace.


Thanks for dropping by.  Please say hi, I love to know who has been by and from where.
Blessings,

Reach Out To Katie

I hope everyone is warmer where you are, it is about -30 Celsius with lots of snow.
It seems like everywhere you look people are getting buried under mounds of snow.  I am so looking forward to Spring.
With this post I want to draw your attention to the badge in the left hand panel.  Katie is a young woman with 3 boys, twins age 5 and a 10 year old and a husband who was diagnosed with level 4 stomach cancer just before Christmas.  She is undergoing chemo treatments as that is the only thing they can try.  She has such a strong spirit.  Jak Heath in the UK has started a fundraiser to help with their finances and whatever else they may need.  Just click on the badge and it will take you to Jak's site and all the info is there.  Just imagine, if you donate you could win a prize!
Yesterday, on Splitcoast Stampers the weekly Teapot Challenge was for Katie.  The cards are to go to Katie to give her a little encouragement and a lot of love.
This is the card I made.

                                                   MMTPT128, CC305
This also meets the requirements for the color challenge which was cherry cobbler, pretty in pink, and mambo melon.
The base is cherry cobbler as well as the punched border panel.  Pretty in pink was stamped with Pretty Petals stamp using cherry cobbler ink.  I then traced all the vines with a gold metallic pen.  Then took a piece of vellum and embossed it with the Birds and Vines folder and glued this on top of the pink.  The Nestibilities circle is mambo melon and is on dimensionals.  Sentiment is stamped using black Momento ink.  Added some pearl swirls and tiny roses to finish it off.  I love these colors together and was quite happy how it turned out.  I hope Katie enjoys it and feels the love and prayers that go with it.

Stamps:  Stampin Up Pretty Petals, Sweet N Sassy Prayer
Papers:  cherry cobbler, pretty in pink, mambo melon cardstock
Ink:  cherry cobbler, black Momento
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Birds and Vines folder, Nestibilities die cut, Martha Steward border punch, gold metallic pen, pearl swirls, tiny roses, dimensionals


Blessings,

Sparkle Plenty

Yesterday Joan Ervin challenged us to color with Stickles for the technique challenge.  Now I love Stickles but had never thought of coloring with them.  I will be doing more of this, it is so pretty.
Here is my effort for the challenge:

                                                         TLC306

The base is daffodil delight topped with certainly celery.  Love Basic Grey Origins designer paper which is next.  Then took a different sheet of Origins and used my new Martha Stewart border punch on it.  This strip was then put on certainly celery.
The image was stamped on whisper white cardstock with black Momento ink.  The entire image is colored using Stickles and blending the colors.  Added some brads, a ribbon and button.  This card went to Ireland for a birthday.  Thought it was appropriate to send all that green to Ireland, home of some of my ancestors.
Today is a special day.  God has granted me 49 years with my wonderful husband and what a blessing that has been.

Blessings to all,

Winnie Not Whinney!

A New Year!  and what better way to start it off than with the 'Mudder' and Teapot Tuesday!  We have a bit of a problem.  Seems there is some disagreement as to what the theme of a baby shower should be for the new grandson of Pat Smethers a SCS member.  Now I don't dislike horses that whinney but I love Winnie the Pooh so I am going in the front door with Winnie and the color blue.

                                             MMTPT127, CC303, SC313

I didn't have any Winnie the Pooh stamps so I went on the internet and found some free coloring pages and downloaded this happy picture.  I cut it out and colored it with Copics and mounted it on dimensionals.  This card also is for the color challenge which we had to use old olive, night of navy and daffodil delight and the sketch challenge.  I reversed the sketch to accommodate Winnie. The sentiment is on dimensionals also and added a couple of little butterflies.  I love this image of Winnie, it just makes me feel happy and free.  It makes me think of the happiness and freedom we have in Christ. I hope you enjoy it.

Stamps: 
Paper:  Old Olive, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, white cardstock, designer paper
Accessories:  Stampin Up border punch and flower punch, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Copics markers, dimensionals, flower gems, star buttons


Blessings,

Happy New Year!

I really haven't completely lost it.  I know it isn't New Years yet but I just wanted to be sure and get my wishes out to all of you special people.  I hope your Christmas was merry and full of love, joy and peace.  We had a wonderful Christmas.  Christmas Eve was the time for the family to gather, and what a time it was.  So much fun, lots of laughter.  We had one empty spot, our granddaughter in Victoria was not able to come and she really was missed.  Once all the fun and frolic was done everyone went home and on Christmas day there was just us and two daughters and one grandson.  A wonderful day to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Here is a card I made for Teapot Tuesday.  We had to start with a white canvas and paint, chalk, stamp and whatever we could think of.  I am not an artist so I did use one stamp.  This stamp is from DRS Designs and was stamped with versamark and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.  First I masked off the area for the moon and then sponged all over with baja breeze and pacific point.  Used a soft cloth to rub the excess color off the trees.  Diamond stickles is used at the base of the trees and added a picket fence border punch.  Quick and simple.

Stamps:  DRS Designs Trees
Paper:  whisper white cardstock
Ink:  Versamark, baja breeze, pacific point, black
Accessories:  paper mask, heat tool, white embossing powder, sponge, Martha Stewart picket fence border punch

Sweet Mouse

I cannot believe it is November already!  Where has the time gone?  We have been having the most gorgeous weather the last month or so.  God has been showering us with blessings through the beauty of His creation.
This card was made for SC305 at SplitCoast Stampers.  Roxie always has such great challenges for us and I particularly like this one.

I ended up making 2 cards with the same image.  I went to a Copics class with Loretta (lorettal) and these are my practice images.  Still have a lot to learn and need lots of practice.  I used different colors and papers.
The top card is done with peach parfait, pear pizzazz cardstock and Basic Grey Porcelain designer paper.  Bottom card is dusty durango, river rock and Basic Grey Boxer designer paper.  The images are cut out and popped up on dimensionals.  Added a button and ribbon and a bit of stickles to the butterfly.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Unfortunately I don't know who makes this image
Paper:  peach parfait, pear pizzazz, white cs,  Basic Grey Porcelain dp
             dusty durango, river rock, white cs, Basic Grey Boxer dp
Ink:  black Momento
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, embossing folder, Nestibilities label diecut, Copics markers, dimensionals, buttons, ribbon, diamond stickles.

Snow

I woke up to snow this morning!  I am not a winter person, although I do enjoy the beauty of the snow.  You can get some gorgeous pictures but I would prefer the picture to the reality of the snow.  I think as a person gets older winter becomes more difficult.  I must say that I do want snow at Christmas.  Here is a Christmas card I made last week that I thought you might enjoy.

                                                  SC303

I made this for the Splitcoast sketch challenge.  This is my favorite Santa image which I purchased at Michaels.  The base is Real Red that I stamped using Stampin Up Snowflake stamp set and Versamark ink and heat embossed with Bridal embossing powder.  The two panels are Basic Grey Figgy designer paper layered on always artichoke.  Oval Coluzzle and oval scalloped Nestibilities show the image and a small circle Coluzzle and circle scalloped Nestibilities had the sentiment.  Both the image and sentiment are on dimensionals.  Image is stamped with black momento ink and was colored using Copics markers.  I added frosted Stickles to the snowflakes and dots of snow and then added Crystal Effects to the lens on the glasses.  Used a glitter brad on the sentiment to finish it off.  I am very happy with how this turned out and hope you enjoy it too.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Stampin Up Snowflakes

Ink:  black momento, real red

Paper:  real red, always artichoke, and whisper white cardstock, Basic Grey Figgy designer paper

Accessories:  Cuttlebug, scalloped oval and circle Nestibilities, oval and circle Coluzzle, Versamark, Bridal embossing powder, frosted Stickles, Crystal Effects, Copics markers, glitter brad, dimensionals

Blessings to all

I'm Back!

I can't believe it has been almost 4 months since I last posted.  There has been a lot happen in that time so I will try to give you all the news.
May 5th around 11 pm I was getting ready for bed and was walking out of my bedroom into the kitchen when all of a sudden I lost my balance and before I could do anything I was flat on the kitchen floor face first.  The way I fell I hit my forehead with all my weight on the tile floor which kind of snapped my head back.  Now, I have had two surgeries on my neck, one being a fusion, so all I could think was 'what have I done to my neck?'  My husband came roaring up the stairs and there I was on the floor bleeding all over.  Turns out the force of the blow cut my forehead, actually there is a dented spot there now.  He and my nephew, who was staying with us, got me up off the floor.  The cut had pretty well stopped bleeding and I was able to move okay and felt okay so I convinced them I did not need to go to emergency.  My husband bandaged up my head and everyone went to bed.  About 2 hours later I woke up and was having some trouble breathing so I got my husband up, told him I needed to go to emergency.  By then my breathing was very labored, sounded like a bad asthma attack.  We went to emergency which is only about a 5 minute drive from our house but by the time we got there I no longer was breathing and was blue.
DH ran into emergency hollering for help, people came flying from everywhere, he ran back out to the van and lifted me out by himself (I am not exactly a light weight) and put me in the wheelchair and they whisked me off, cut off my clothes, and put any airway down my throat with great difficulty.  Once they got me stabilized off I went by ambulance to Calgary where I spent 2 weeks in the Foothills Hospital.  8 of those days were on life support in ICU.  I was one happy puppy when all the tubes could be removed.  Turns out that when I fell and my head snapped back it caused a bleed which over time formed a huge mass behind my airway and eventually pressed on it till it was closed off.  One of those really weird things that you would have no way of knowing until you can't breath.  I don't remember arriving at the hospital, in fact I don't remember anything until later the next day.  God was so good and He was with me every step of the way.  I had no fear, never panicked when I couldn't breathe and I know that was all by the grace of God.
It was so good to get home again.  Only thing is a couple of days later I ended up back in emergency with a massive blood clot in my leg so spent 3 more days in hospital for them to get me on blood thinners.  It has been a long haul but thanks be to God I am doing extremely well and slowly getting my strength back.
My family, the splitcoast members, and my church have been absolutely fantastic.  I have been so blessed.
I would not recommend this experience to anyone.  But I can give God all the glory for His watchfulness over me and for providing all the incredible Drs. and nurses that brought me back to health.  I serve an amazing and wonderful God!
Tomorrow, I will post some pictures of cards I have made recently.  Again, thank you for all the prayers and support.

Blessings,
Faith

Embarassed

I really am embarrassed ! It has been soooo long since my last post, I am sure everyone has given up on me. Please forgive my absence, the last 4 months have been nuts! I have been trying to sort out the bookkeeping for my daughter's business and have also taken on responsibilities as the new BRAK Member Mentor on Splitcoaststampers. We have a whole new committee so it has been a real learning curve for everyone as well as trying to make sure all the info we have is accurate. For those that may not know BRAK stands for Birthday Random Acts of Kindness. We send out birthday cards to the RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) members as a way of thanking them for their thoughtfulness.

I haven't even been making cards. I am in withdrawal!! I am going to show you 2 cards that I have done in the last month.

This first card was made for the color and sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers.

The base is basic grey, then so saffron that was run through the Cuttlebug using one of the many embossing folders. The square panel is basic grey topped with Stampin Up designer paper. The narrow strip across the card is basic grey that I used a Martha Stewart border punch on one edge and then topped with embossed sage shadow. The image panel is basic grey with so saffron. I stamped the frog and lily pad with sage shadow and cut them out and the used dimensionals to mount on the panel. Added a couple of flowers, a bow and lots of Basic Grey half pearls. A pretty straight forward, simple card to make.

This next one I love. It is so bright and colorful and Sarah Kay stamps are some of my favorite.

This was a color challenge. The base is bermuda bay and then apricot appeal embossed using the Cuttlebug and a folder. The panel is basic grey with Stampin Up designer paper. We had to have basic grey in there somewhere so that's where it is. :)

Then I used the Lotus Pendant from Nestibilities to die cut some bermuda bay and put on dimensionals. The image is stamped on whisper white and was die cut with the Nesties scalloped oval and mounted on the pendant. I sponged some so saffron around the edges of the oval. The coloring is done using Prismacolor pencils, mineral spirits and a stub. Used some diamond stickles on the flowers and bow in her hair.

Added some ribbon and a flower and a glittery brad. Also rounded the corners on the base.

So, there we have it! Hopefully I will be able to get back making more cards once everything settles down to a normal pace again.

Thanks so much for dropping in, I hope you will come back often.

Blessings to all of you.

Faith

A New Year

I can't believe it has been over a month since I last posted. The Christmas season is always so busy, but full of joy and hope as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. We were fortunate to have all of our kids and grandkids here for Christmas. We had a wonderful time. God has been so good to us and has blessed us with a very loving family.

God's Amazing Grace! This is one of my favorite hymns and I was so excited to see Our Daily Bread Designs come out with this beautiful stamp. This is my attempt to share His beauty

I

I made this for the monthly ODBD challenge. We were to use brown and any punches or die cuts. I love very vanilla and chocolate chip together so this was a happy challenge for me. The very vanilla has been Cuttlebugged with the Victorian folder. I used the Nestibilities labels for the book. The very vanilla page has been touched all around the edges with a gold metallic pen and all set up on dimensionals. I got to use my new Bow Easy and I love it. Added ribbon, flowers and Basic Grey Opaline Pearls. I love how this turned out. Thanks for spending some time with me.

Ingredients:

Paper: chocolate chip and very vanilla cardstock

Ink: chocolate chip

Accessories: Cuttlebug, Victorian folder, Nestibilities labels, gold metallic pen, dimensionals, Basic Grey Opaline Pearls, ribbon, Bow Easy

Have a wonderful evening!

Hugs,

Faith

Winter is Here!

Brrrr!! it is cold outside. Supposed to go to 24 below tonight (celsius). I am not a fan of winter, I love the pretty pictures that you see of the snow on the trees, frost covering everything, but I would rather not go out in it. This is from someone that grew up on the Prairies and had to contend with winter all my life. Things like 10 ft. snowbanks, whiteout blizzards are not unknown to me. This may be why the two cards I have here are flowers, they remind me of

warmth.

This card was made for the color challenge. Betty has a wonderful knack of combining colors I would never think of. This week is very vanilla, basic black, suede and a dessert of sparkles. I just got this beautiful set of stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs and had to put it to use. The base is suede, topped by very vanilla that has been run through the Cuttlebug using the tapestry folder. The image is stamped on watercolor paper with Stazon black and then colored using Copic markers. The corners are diecuts done with the Cuttlebug. The picket fence is a Martha Stewart border punch. Diamond stickles was added to the flower centers, the butterfly and the corners for dessert (sparkle). The black polka dot ribbon finishes it off. The image is up on dimensionals. I love the way this turned out.

Ingredients:
Stamps: ODBD Happy Birthday!
Paper: very vanilla, basic black, suede cs, watercolor paper
Ink: Stazon black
Accessories: Cuttlebug, tapestry folder, corner die-cuts, Copic markers, Martha Stewart picket fence border punch, ribbon, diamond stickles, dimensionals.

The Inspiration Challenge is always interesting. The website this week is www.oliebollen.com and has all kinds of neat items. I chose a group of alphabet cards that have flowers on them for my inspiration.
The base is sage shadow, topped by a panel of pretty in pink that both edges have been punched and topped with a panel of hand made paper. The image is on another panel of sage shadow and pretty in pink. The image was stamped three times using versamark and heat embossing with copper embossing powder. These were colored with Copic markers and cut into three different layers that were put back together on dimensionals to give depth to the flower. I brushed diamond Stickles on the petals of the flower to give it some sparkle. Added a pretty in pink ribbon.
For some reason the colors are not showing up correctly, blame it on the photographer (me).
Ingredients:
Stamps: Riot of Petals
Paper: sage shadow, pretty in pink cs and hand made paper
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Copic markers, heat tool, copper ep, scissors, dimensionals, Martha Stewart border punch, ribbon, diamond stickles

Blessings to all,

Faith

Rejoice

Today was not a very nice day. It snowed and turned the highways to ice. People were being told to stay off the main highways and there was at least one big accident. I pray that nobody was seriously injured.

The LSC challenge today was a fun one. We had to make two cards, using the same stamp, papers and colors but two completely different layouts. This is what I came up with.


The colors are very vanilla, pumpkin pie and whisper white and the designer paper is Basic Grey Wassail. The image is stamped with versamark and then heat embossed with copper embossing powder. Added Basic Grey Opaline half pearls and put the image and sentiment on dimensionals. These are different colors for a Christmas card but I really like them and the dp together.

Ingredients:
Stamps: Flourished Christmas
Paper: SU very vanilla, pumpkin pie, whisper white cs and Basic Grey Wassail dp
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: heat tool, copper ep, dimensionals, Basic Grey Opaline half pearls, Martha Stewart star border punch


This was made for the WT challenge where we were to make a card that had something sweet about it. So, I chose this sweet little bear with his sweet candy cane. I think this one is pretty self descriptive. I used liquid applique on the fur trim for the hat and glitter red gel pen on the hat and candy cane.

Ingredients:
Stamps: So Many Scallops, Stamp Oasis, Christmas Mini #3
Paper: SU real red, blue, whisper white cs
Ink: real red, creamy caramel
Accessories: Cuttlebug, snowflake folder, Martha Stewart star border punch, Nesties rectangles, scalloped circle punch, ribbon, dimensionals, brads

Hope you have a fantastic day!

Blessings,

Faith

Christmas Cards

Only one month until Christmas! Yikes! And here I am with nothing bought, no baking done, and a few cards made. I hope everyone else is more organized than me.
Just wanted to share a couple of cards I made recently. They are two of my favorites. This first one actually was picked as one of the favorites of the week on Splitcoaststampers. That just made my day.

This was made for a sketch and color challenge. The base is always artichoke topped with whisper white that has been embossed with the snowflakes folder and then lightly sponged with chocolate chip. The next 2 panels are topped with Basic Grey Wassail designer paper. The image was stamped with versamark, then heat embossed with green glitter embossing powder. Lightly sponged with chocolate chip. Added Basic Grey Opaline half pearls for decorations on the tree. The final piece is the green bow.

Ingredients:

Stamps: Inkadinkado Christmas

Paper: SU always artichoke, whisper white cardstock and Basic Grey Wassail designer paper

Ink: Versamark, chocolate chip

Accessories: Cuttlebug, snowflake folder, heat tool, green glitter embossing powder, sponge, dimensionals, ribbon, Basic Grey Opaline half pearls

I love this image from Stamp Oasis! This was a color challenge using bermuda bay, old olive, pretty in pink and any neutral. Plus a plaid for dessert if we so desired. The plaid and old olive were punched with the stars border punch from Martha Stewart and layered. The image is stamped with Stazon black on whisper white and then watercolored usin an aqua painter and ink squished in the lids of the ink cartridges. The image panel is on dimensionals. The sentiment is SU's A Merry Little Christmas. Added an old olive bow with a rhinestone in the center. These are colors I would never thought of putting together but I absolutely love them.

Ingredients:

Stamps: Stamp Oasis Nativity, SU A Merry Little Christmas

Paper: bermuda bay, pretty in pink, old olive, whisper white cs, Doodlebug dp

Ink: stazon black, bermuda bay, pretty in pink, old olive, creamy caramel, pink pirouette, pumpkin pie, summer sun, real red

Accessories: Cuttlebug, snowflake folder, dimensionals, Martha Stewart border punch, ribbon, rhinestone

Wishing all my Amercan friends a Happy Thanksgiving! We really do have so much to be thankful for. God just continues to pour His blessings upon us.

Have a wonderful day.

Blessings,

Faith

Accessories:

Little Loud Stamps

Well, I started this the end of October and here we are November 23rd. Oct. 31st we left for a week in Fairmont, BC for a nice quiet, restfull time. Half way through our stay I came down with the horrid flu. I ached all over, I was weak, vomiting, high fever (105) and generally felt horrid. Came home and it has taken till just recently to feel like I am getting back to normal. One of the worst things of this whole episode was the rash I developed basically all over my body. I was a nice bright red and blotchy. Then I started to peel. It was not a pretty sight! Thank goodness most of the peeling is done and I am not red anymore. I swear I glowed in the dark. lol

So now, it is time to get back on track. These cards are all made with the new release from PaperWorks Co. which has exclusive right to the Little Loud Stamps. They are so cute, I love them. I didn't order the whole set but when my order arrived Peggy had thrown in 2 more to give me the complete set. What a sweetie she is!


I love this image. The image is colored with Copics markers. I added frosted lace stickles for the snowfall. The designer paper is from Basic Grey.

Little snow angels. What fun that was when I was a little kid! Once again, used frosted lace Stickles for the snow, and colored with Copics. Added some bling ribbon and a candy cane.

Not sure who is more tangled in the lights! Used glitter gel pens for the lights and colored with Copics.

Christmas morning and all the presents! The trim on the hat is frosted lace Stickles and the balls and tree trim are done with glitter gel pens.

Christmas Eve and the plate of cookies for Santa. What a fun, exciting time Christmas is, especially when there a little children around. But, we really must remember that the birth of Jesus is the real reason for the season.

Thank you for bearing with me in my sporadic posting. I will post each time I make a new card.

Blessing to you all,

Faith