a new project...

that I've started is making Quiet Books for the young moms in our church. We've had quite the explosion of babies this spring and... well, I never know quite what to get them as baby gifts.

The other Sunday, I noticed that my friend had a version of a Quiet Book for her grand-daughter. It brought to mind the one that my aunts made for me when my children were little. As I pondered these random and seemingly unconnected thoughts, the lightbulb went on and I thought... "Why don't I bless these young moms in the same way that I was blessed by my aunts?"

A call to my sister... a visit to the fabric store where we found some fabulous deals... and the project was underway.

I've given 2 away and a 3rd is ready to be gifted this weekend...

the cover:

page 1:

pages 2-3:


pages 4-5:


pages 6-7:


pages 8-9:


pages 10-11:


page 12:

As I was working on these, my kids saw them and it brought back memories for them providing some really neat conversations of "back then" LOL

Again, thanks for stopping by.... and I wish for you a blessing-filled day!!

on a roll...

but then, I have no choice LOL

This morning, Florian had to go in to work to do some software upgrades so I took advantage of that and worked on a couple of cards. This easiest thing to do is to find something you like and make a few that are similar!!

So, in just a couple of hours, I made two baby cards. One will go with me to church tomorrow and the other is all ready for a baby shower next weekend!! It's a great feeling to have both made!!!

Both are very simple - an embossed front panel (Stickles on some of the embossed dots to add a little glitz & glamour), cut out a square for image to peek through (digital images, coloured with Copics & BIC MarkIts), and then finished off with a tiny bow. So easy!!

Thanks for stopping by - your visits (and comments) make me smile!

two cards. . .

to post today. I've not had as much time lately to work on these. I really really don't like that. I feel like every card now is so very last minute and I hate working under that kind of pressure.

This first card was for a "pre-baby shower" that I attended, along with my girls. It was for a friend of DD1. Although she hasn't had the baby yet, she was in need of quite a few items to get ready for the arrival of this precious little one. She is expecting to have a girl, so I took my chances and made my card pink!!

I found the image on the 'net but it needed quite a bit of cleaning up to make it workable. I love that I can do that with PSP. RicRac ribbon is from a local Dollar Store and the pearls are from my stash LOL.

Then this week I realized that Father's Day is just around the corner. My card needed to be mailed (or at least I thought so, but more on that later) so I spent the evening putting this together. Notice anything different about it?

no? well.... it doesn't have any pearls on it!!!! I popped it into the mail to get it on its way. Then I received an email from my sister.... "Have you mailed Dad's card yet? If not, I can take it with me when I head down tomorrow...." oops. It's already in the mail and... well, it'll get there probably next week :(

I still have 3 more cards to make this week - 2 more baby shower cards and a birthday card for my son. I'll have to get really creative with my time if I want to get them all made before Sunday!!

So, that's it for today. It was so nice of you to stop by :-)

back to reality. . .

I enjoyed a fabulous weekend in Vancouver. My husband and I trekked all over the water front on Saturday ending up at Murchies Tea & Coffee. That is my all-time-most-favourite place!! It was wonderful to sit for a spell and enjoy a cuppa while giving our feet a rest. We logged just about 8 miles that day!!

But now it's back to reality. We have yet another funeral to attend today. I got up early to make this card. I took my inspiration from several cards that I saw in the SCS gallery. I'm loving my copic markers (the few that I own)! The image is a digital one that I found; the sentiment is computer-generated (surprise surprise) LOL I would do things a little differently next time, but generally it's OK.

Cardstock is GinaK's Pure Luxury white - I love the weight of this paper!! Satin ribbon from a local fabric store; pearls .... what can I say? I have just "a few" left from making wedding invitations - they have quickly become my embellishment of choice!! I think they add a touch of elegance - so I love to use them whenever & however I can!! I used exactly 6 so I could participate in KWEDs challenge to use six of something (it could be anything, as long as there were 6 of them).

So, that's it for this time around. Thanks again for stopping by.

blessings,

on a cheerier note...

my future DIL has a birthday next week!! Making a card for her was a delight as it (1) gave me a reprieve from the sympathy cards that I had been making lately and (2) it gave me such joy to think about her and pray for her as I was making the card. I hope her birthday is a day full of blessing!

I had given some thought to the design and then as I was surfing the web (for something totally unrelated), I stumbled across this JustRite Friday Challenge. The sketch was perfect. In fact, it was very close to the ideas that I already had in mind for the card.

I have only the Damask Borders Monogram stamping kit from JustRite, but with a little creativity, I managed to add a computer generated birthday sentiment to the stamped border. Pearls accent the scallops as well as add interest to the black ribbon; buttons tied around the ribbons anchor the sentiment panel.

It really was fun to see everything come together so very quickly for this card. Maybe because I had already created one that was very similar?! LOL In any case, I hope she likes it.

Well, that's it for today. Again, thanks for stopping by.

blessings,

two sympathy cards...

to make this week. It seems that it is generally agreed that these are, hands-down, the hardest cards to make.

This first card was for a neighbour whose husband passed away last week. Not knowing whether or not they have any kind of faith in God, I wanted to be careful. At the same time, I didn't want to hide my faith.

As a result I created the sentiment on the computer using my graphics editing software. I left the inside blank so I could write a personal message to her, expressing our sympathies and giving quiet evidence of our faith.

Then today we heard that a co-worker from our early career days had passed away. Just two years older than me, he died in his sleep. The funeral is scheduled for Monday. Because I won't have time this weekend to work on any card making, I knew I needed to get that done today as well.

DP is from Little Yellow Bicycle; stamps are Hero Arts flourishes and Autumn Leaves (rhonna farrer). I love how the buttons anchor the computer generated sentiment. And of course, there's not a card these days that doesn't get some kind of pearl treatment from me!!!

Thanks for coming by today... I wish for you a blessing-filled day!!

two cards. . .

to share today.

Robert Green Ingersolls once said, "In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing". A friend of mine had an adaptation of this in her signature line this week. It read, "In the nighttime of despair, hope sees a star".

I have been thinking lately about "the dark night of the soul" and as I read the quote, it caught my attention. As I read it, I asked myself, "If hope sees a star, what is it that would find, or hear, or perhaps even sing, a song?"

She challenged me to try to make a card using her quote. I wasn't at home at all yesterday, but during the night I had plenty of time to ponder.

StampTV had two challenges this week (sketch, colour) that helped me form some ideas and this afternoon, while I had a few hours, I took to my stamping area to see whether I could actually create something that even closely resembled what I envisioned.

The result? a black, grey (fitting colour for despair, don't you think?) and white card (you can't really see it, but I used some handmade paper for the top white panel), a trail of stars, slowly getting larger as they cascade towards the bottom of the sentiment, reaching their destination as the result of that hope.

This hope that can be ours as we relinquish our fears and feelings of despair. Hope that sees the star as it shines & beckons us to recognize the Creator. Hope that results in song - a soul-song - coming to us in the darkness of despair - a song that we sing as our winter turns to spring.

This second card is for the Stampin' Sister in Christ challenge this week - to use the colours brown, blue and white. I wanted a card to give to a close friend of mine who has encouraged me... who has challenged me to hear the song - to allow the ice of winter to melt - to embrace the spring - to sing my soul-song. I found a neat tutorial on how to make your own background (you can read it here). Again, I designed the sentiment using PaintShopPro; the background uses the allegro embossing folder (CB). Having sanded the cardstock to get the blue to show through, it ended up with a really weathered feel - quite appropriate considering that's just how I feel when I have forgotten the words to the song in my heart.

So there you have it. Two very different cards that come from some of the thinking I've been doing this week.

blessings,

oh it's rather frightful...

outside today... another winter storm warning... snow... wind warning in effect with northwesterly winds gusting to 100km/h...

but inside it's been pleasant and warm... A great day to snuggle up with a good read... or to take some "me time"...

I chose the latter.

The Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge for this week was to "use the talents you have been given to create a card or project that is knit together (stitched- faux or real)." Sentimental Sundays' challenge was "for someone special".

Today is the birthday of a special friend - one who came into our lives about 26 years ago - one who, together with his wife, has walked alongside us through the good times and the not-so-good. He loves the Oregon Coast so with that in mind I found a picture that I could use a focal point. A few layers/scraps of paper I had... a bit of zigzag stitching to hold the scraps in place... inspiration from others.... paper piercing... and this is the final result. The birthday sentiment was computer generated and cut out using my label nestibilities.

I hope that in spite of the weather, he will enjoy a great day as his family surrounds him with warmth and love.

Happy Birthday, Murray!!

a little too late..

to qualify for the Stampin' Sister in Christ challenge for the week (to use flowers on a card), but it does qualify for Sentimental Sunday's Bloomin' Gorgeous challenge.

I had been contemplating this card all week. The ladies from my church were hosting a wedding shower for my son's fiancee. I knew I needed a card - to incorporate flowers was easy. I just didn't get a chance to get to my stamping until late Saturday.

We had spent all day working on the invitations; everyone had left; my husband went to bed and I headed down to my stamping area. I had a design in mind - all I needed was to put the pieces together.

The vine/flowers is a free image from clker.com. After colouring it (I used my BIC MarkIts), I cut out the ovals (nestibilities) and then went searching for a suitable sentiment. I found the quote online and using my photo editing software, I designed the sentiment to fit inside the oval. My dear son came into the office just at this point, so together we chose the fonts and placement. Thanks C - you have a great eye for design!

To give it a little more pizazz, I pulled out the leftover pearls from the day's activities and then added the green ribbon as a final touch.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look!

blessings,

thoughts of blessing ...

I found myself thinking some more about the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge for this week and found my thoughts turning toward a few more Scripture verses.

Jesus promises that we won't have peace in this world... that's not a very wonderful thought to put into a card... can you imagine making a card for a friend... "Oh and by the way, things aren't necessarily going to get better. Jesus said He didn't come to bring peace, but to bring a sword (Matthew 10:34)"

And yet, Jesus came as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and in Isaiah 26:3 we read, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you". And again in John 14:27 we read, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

What wonderful promises that we have been given! Contemplating some of those thoughts, I found my way back to the beginning of the Old Testament, to the book of Numbers, where God instructs Moses in how Aaron is to bless the people of Israel. I cherish these verses:

"The LORD bless you
and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

That inspired me to try another card. I created the sentiment in Word using various fonts. I love the vintage look these days so attempted to bring that into the card as well using lace that I found in my sewing basket, ribbon, primas and buttons from my stash. The DP is K&Company that I picked up at Wal-Mart a few weeks ago.

Thanks for stopping by and may the Lord bless you today!

a focus on Scripture. . .

I enjoyed last week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ so much that I knew I wanted to play again this week.

The thoughts that Lisa shared are some that have been ruminating in the back of my mind for a while already. It's so easy to say, "don't worry.... just trust... God's in control... " but when life turns upside down, it's a lot harder to put those words into practice. It's so hard not to be anxious. It's so hard not to worry.

The challenge this week was to make a card/project about prayer and/or peace. My first thoughts turned to Ps. 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God". It's a life verse for me and has some deep personal meaning. I thought I'd create a card depicting a pastoral scene or something that would reflect serenity. I couldn't find an image that I liked well enough to use.

After searching and thinking and surfing the web for ideas I began to think about the verses in Luke 12 where Jesus speaks to his disciples and says,

"Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

With those verses in mind, I found a perfect digital image that I could use. It's actually a colouring page for children, but I knew it could also work beautifully for what I had in mind. I took all day to colour and cut out the birds and flowers, giving the image lots of dimension. (You can see some of that dimension in the 2nd photo).

But then I was stuck. The image was really too large to use on my regular 5.5x4.25 size card.

What to do? A little more pondering and the idea of using a larger card might work. I wanted to keep the dimension of the robin & flowers.

Out came my x-acto knife and i carefully cut out a window, panes and all. A little searching through my stash and I found the paper to trim the card front. Nestibilities, pearls, primas, ribbon, & lace from my stash to finish.

Here you can see some of the dimension of the card: the flowers are one extra layer, the robin is two layers.

I'm quite happy with it now. My husband asked, "Who is it for?" hmm... I really don't know. Now I'm stumped, again!!

I've been all alone. . .

this evening - a rarity! Two of the family are enjoying the Roughnecks game (at least I hope they're enjoying it) and three are attending a college student's 4th year guitar recital.

I looked forward to these few hours all day and knew that I would spend some (if not most) of the time making a card or two.

A phonecall from a dear friend this past week inspired me to check out the SSCS Challenge - it was to use the word "love" in a card or make a card that spoke of "love". I was contemplating that concept the last few days and as my time alone neared I saw a young friend's status on Facebook. It gave me the idea that perhaps a card would be welcome - after all, she's just left home for 5 months of training.

So, with her in mind, I made this card. The paper is all from my stash; the image is a free one from Sliekje that I coloured using my Bic Mark-It markers. I need to practice a little more with shading, but generally, I'm pleased with the result.

My prayer is that after it has flown its way to Hawaii, our dear friend will be blessed and encouraged to know that she is dearly loved!

a card for Easter

I'm glad I had a few minutes this afternoon. I realized yesterday that the days had flown by and it was now Good Friday / Easter. I still have to make Easter bread - I guess I'll be baking tomorrow!!

but for today, I managed to get a card made for my folks. Since we're spending the day with them on Sunday, I can hand deliver it ensuring a timely delivery!!!

I picked up a Copic blender pen this week so tried to use it with my BIC Mark-Its. I think I'm OK with the result, although I do understand I need LOTS more practice!

I used a digital daffodil image and layered with So Saffron. Ribbon is some from my stash. Sentiment is also computer generated.

Well, my time is up. I need to start dinner. We're having ham & mashed potatoes with carrots & salad - an early Easter dinner :-)

two posts today...

can you believe it?!

I had a bit of time this morning to create - a few minutes of browsing the SCS gallery looking for inspiration led me to this card by Karen.

Because I was specifically looking for something to make for my SIL, I thought the daisies would be perfect. A quick look for a digital image resulted in one from clker.com. Then I pulled out my trusty BIC Mark-Its to try my hand at colouring. (I really do think I need to expand into a different brand - one that has more than 36 colours, but that's a whole 'nuther story for another day!!)

Paper is K&Company that I found at WalMart when I was needing something for all those Thank You cards that I made. The buttons, ribbon & pearls are from my stash...

I'm quite pleased with the outcome. I hope my SIL likes it!!

March has flown by. . .

I really can't believe that this month is at its close. I am SO ready for the warm days of spring. We have enjoyed a few already and I can hardly wait for when they become more than a rare day here & there.

My focus this month has been on creating Thank You cards again. I sent the one set (of 20) with my husband to his office and that same day he had an email, "Would Edith be able to make another set? I just had someone walk into my office and take 15 (of the 20 that I had made)". I took a few days break before tackling the next set of 20. Those went in with my husband today.

In between, I worked on a few sample wedding invitations. My son & his fiancee have settled on a design so I can now start calculating the supplies I will need. I think we'll plan on a wedding invitation assembly party at the end of April!! That should be lots of fun!!!

another Thank You. . .

card which is long overdue... I made it for my daughter to give to the group of people with whom she works. They sent a yummy Edible Arrangement a few weeks ago and thanks to Misti on SCS' Flybabies Stamp Room Mission for today, I quit procrastinating.

I was looking to make a card that was a little fun and appropriate for my daughter to give her co-workers. These colours seemed perfect and the image was a freebie from Little Musings which was just perfect because she has begun to knit a scarf for herself... inspired by Harry Potter and his Gryffindor House LOL

so with all that combined, here's the card I put together:



Oh, and I can't leave without sending out a very special thank you to Kerri for the inspiration!

so until next time, here's some food for thought that I ran across recently:

'Tis easy enough to be pleasant,
When life flows along like a song;
But the man worth while
is the one who will smile
when everything goes dead wrong.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox ~

a free digi . . .

is available from Instyle Stamps. How awesome is that? You can choose either Miko or Lina.




You have until February 21st so hurry on over to InStyle Stamps for all the details....

something fun today....

I stumbled across another digital stamping blog today, Digitial Doodling. Some amazing images available there... lots of freebies....

but the fun thing is that Wendy has a fun little challenge going on... converting favourite photos into magazine covers. How fun is that?!! You can read the details here with a chance to win these:




The exciting news in our family this month is that our oldest son is engaged. He managed to snap a photo of the actual proposal (using the timer on his camera) so I thought it would be great to see it captured on the front cover of "True Love"....

If you want to give this a try, check out Fake Magazine Covers at MagMyPic

a celebration . . .

This is a few weeks late, but I realized just today that I neglected to post this extraordinary event that occurred in our home end of November.

My husband and I had some errands to do and while we were out, my dear children made dinner. We were treated to a fabulous meal... this was the appetizer while we waited for the rest of the meal to be ready. Cheese cubes and pickles and crackers... all precisely arranged... notice the "F" and the "E"!!! The goblets were filled with a sparkling cranberry punch. Delicious! and the rest of the meal? just fabulous!!! They served that at the dining table... but oh my... we felt completely spoiled!!!

That was the Thursday.

Then on Saturday we celebrated by inviting many many people into our home for games and finger food... The guests enjoyed visiting and it was a wonderful evening. To thank them for coming, we gave them each a little gift of apprecition. I played with my cricut all week, modified a pattern that I found and voila! The cardstock came in a glittery paper pack from WalMart... with all that glitter it didn't need any extra embellishments!! Each "slice" was filled with a few Hershey nuggets and/or Jolly Ranchers candies. It was a great way to celebrate our birthdays!!!

Now we have turned our attention to Christmas... and all the busy-ness that comes with preparing for the greatest birthday that we can and will ever celebrate - that of Jesus' birth!!! It really is the most wonderful time of the year! Let those bells ring out loudly & clearly that Jesus Christ is born!

a fun game to play . . .

with a chance to win some great digital images!!!



You play by completing the crossword puzzle (the clues refer to stamps that she created and has somewhere on her blog). Then you find the hidden message by unscrambling the highlighted letters. How fun is that!!