Never Give Up

Never give up! I started an exercise regiment lately to try to tone up and get healthier. Yup even though I am 60 I was told that you are not too old and to give it a shot. (Thanks sons and daughters in law) So I made this card for me! Today was a tough work out (CrossFit) and I certainly did think I would rather be home - at my desk - cutting paper and coloring images. But I didn't give up AND made a card when I got home.

Anyway, here is my card with the wonderful sentiment from Word Art Wednesday, following the photo inspiration from JUGS. I painstakingly cut out the fence (since my legs hurt too much to walk) and colored the stamps from TCM for the flowers. If you look closely you can see that the fence is popped up a little.

So this is my fun little entry for today. 

Recipe: 

Stamps: TCM - Nature's Beauty - WAW - Sentiment
Paper: GKD - whit, red, black

Designer Paper: None

Other: Spellbinder's butterfly and tag, ribbon, colored pearls

Challenges: 
JUGS - picture inspiration
WAW - sentiment
Make it Monday - always Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp and Show... - Sentiment

 

Birthday Bloom: Matthew 27:51

Happy Sunday dear friends. We are always amazed at how quickly Sunday rolls around, I suppose that is the case for every day but Sundays are special especially over at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

Our dear Peggysue is the challenge hostess this week and she chose another verse from Matthew 27:51. Yes, we do seem to be focusing on the book of Matthew lately don't we? Be sure to read her devotion for this week over on SSIC, you won't regret it!

"The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom."

I made this card using one of the sponsor for this week's stamps. I have a lot of birthdays in my family and I like having some made in advance. This one can be for male or female. I paper pieced the image using some patterned paper from BG. Then just tore some vellum after stamping the SU sentiment on it. I sponged a little around the edges and added a couple of buttons to it.

The challenge this week is; use torn paper technique (just tear paper with your fingers and use it somehow on your card, but it must be torn, not cut)

This week our sponsor is Inspired Stamps. Be sure to stop and browse the wonderful stamps. The flower image on my card is one of theirs.

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: Inspired Stamps (Flower Buds)
Paper: GKD - white

Designer Paper: BG -Marjolaine

Other: buttons, spellbinder oval die

Challenges: 
Mojo Monday - Sketch


 

So Grateful: Matthew 11:30

This has been a challenging week for me so the verse today was perfect as is often the case for many of us stamping sisters over at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

Michelle is the challenge hostess this week and she chose another verse from Matthew 11:30. Be sure to read her devotion for this week over on SSIC, trust me it is well worth the read!

"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Sometimes is certainly doesn't feel like the burden is light does it? It has seemed a bit on the heavy side for me this week. One of our daughters, Katie, is mentally challenged. She is 34 physically but about 5 in every other way. She lives with another challenged adult and a caregiver about 30 minutes away from us. She had to be hospitalized for the first time in her life on Thursday for swelling and a rash on her lower face, it was effecting her swallowing and breathing. It turned out she has cellulitis and she has been on IVs since then. She has been scared and really just wants to be home so we have been with her most of the time. 

Now as I am reflecting on this verse and thinking that my yoke and burden is heavy right now having to juggle life and other commitments around I realize that it really is not - mine is easy - Katie's is not. There are a lot of people praying for her and physically she is going to be fine but this has not been easy for her at all. She misses her routine, is worried about having missed two days of work as a bagger in the area grocery store and wants her own bed and her own things. I am again so very thankful that I do nothing alone - that Jesus shares the yoke with me and with Katie.

The challenge this week is; CAS - clean and simple.

This week our sponsor is A Day for Daisies. Be sure to stop and browse the adorable digis.

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GKD - Hello Sunshine
Paper: GKD - white - Calypso

Designer Paper: BG - none

Other: Border punch from MS, ribbon, pearls, and a glittery frame from some bargain bin at sometime in my past. :-)

Challenges: 
ATCs & Cards With Attitude -  Anything Goes

 

Precious Friendship: Matthew 5:13

Yeah! It is Sunday again. I love weekends even though it is summer vacation for me, I still love weekends. Time with my hubby is always a plus and it means a new challenge based on scripture at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

It is my turn this week to be the challenge hostess this week and I chose the verse from Matthew 5:13. Be sure to read my devotion for this week over on SSIC!

"You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and be trampled underfoot."

I have been blessed in my life with 2 precious friends. They have been special in my life for more than 40 years and the really neat thing is that we all share the same last name! (we married brothers) We share many things other than our last names and family ties. We share our faith with each other. One lives her faith as a Catholic and the other as a Protestant. One lives in Wisconsin (far away from me) and the other lives about 2 hours away. But none of that matters - they are "the salt of the earth" each in their own way and they make me a better person. I made two of these cards and will send out this week.

The challenge this week is; make it sparkle!

This week our sponsor is The Stamps of Life. Be sure to stop and browse their selection.

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GKD - Border Bling
Paper: GKD - Black - ivory - Calypso

Designer Paper: BG - none

Other: Spellbinder die, pearls, ribbon, pearls, heat embossing

Challenges:  
ATCs & Cards With Attitude - Anything Goes

Aud Sentiments Challenge -  Friends

Delightful Challenges -  Bling,  bows

Moving Along With The Times - Sentiment only

Southern Girls -  Pearls

CSS - Sketch Blog Hop - 7/13/2012

It is another StampTV blog hop. This is a sketch challenge which happen to be my favorite and Melissa gave us a great one for this hop! 

You should have arrived from the sketch designer, Melissa Cash, with her interpretation of the sketch. 

I made 2 cards for this hop. This first one is a square card that I made for my brother and sister in laws 40th anniversary.  This one was fun to make. For the first time I ordered some of GKD clear stamps and it came on this clear plastic sheet. So I stamped the bird cage image from the True Love stamp set on this plastic sheet with Staz-on. It is popped up a little on the wonderful GKD patterned paper, this one is called Petals and Wings. I stamped the sentiment from Fanciful Tags on some Lemon Yellow. I also used the Bubblegum Pink at panels.

I made this second card for the choir director at our church. She really loves my cards so I try to make special ones for her. This was stamped with one of the new stamp sets (that I got in the clear) called Grand Tags. I colored around the border and set the GKD pure luxury black and ivory off with a pink ribbon and a few gems. The background was made with stamping off once from the stamp set called Vintage Borders. These were fun cards to make and a great sketch to work with!   

Now hop on over to visit Sharri Seffens she always has a wonderfully creative project to share. If you want to start at the beginning or get lost along the way, just jump directly to the links for all of the wonderful creations on StampTV.

Make sure to leave a comment as you hop along because on Tuesday morning (July 17), we will randomly choose one of the comments from all the blogs and that person will receive a huge grab bag of fabulous Gina K. Designs Stamps!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Thanks: Jeremiah 29:11

It is just about the middle of summer vacation for me. It always amazes me how quickly the weeks zoom by - much like the fun little scooter I colored for the card this week. It is also time once again for a new challenge based on scripture at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

The super talented MariLynn is our challenge hostess this week and brings us the  verse from Jeremiah 29:11 .

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." New International Version (NIV) 11

Oh I have plans - lots and lots of plans, I just don't always get them done. Right now I have plans to lose weight and plans to get my cards done in advance and plans to get some lessons planned for when school starts. I like planning - but often life gets in the way because those are my worldly plans. I do wish, though, that I knew what plans God has for me. I would love to know if I am doing it right. It is a good thing that God's plans for me always get done.

The challenge this week is; Make a project that follows this PLAN: (at least) 1 circle or oval element, (at least) 2 different papers, and (at least) 1 embellishment.

This week our sponsor, with your choice of 3 digital images is DoodlePantry.

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: TCM - Vintage Rides
Paper: SU - Grey

Designer Paper: BG - Lime Ricky

Other: Spellbinder die, pearls, Copics to color

Challenges:  
The Craft's Meow - Sketch

Sweet: John 13:34-35

We are back from a wonderful two weeks in Alaska visiting our son and his family. It was so nice being able to hold our new grandson and spending time with the entire family. We were able to see a few incredible sights too! As always though, it is good to be home! Time once again for a new challenge based on scripture at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

Our beloved, lovely Linda is our challenge hostess this week and brings us the  verse from John 13:34-35.

"A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another."

Sounds simple doesn't it? I know that is not always the case. It can be very difficult to love people that are critical of us or are not pleasant to be around. I have the most difficulty loving those that hurt those that I do love. Yet that is what we are all called to do, that is what shows others that Christ lives within us. Sometimes that involves forgiveness or letting go of our pride. For me it usually means both. I am a regular Mamma Bear when one of my cubs is hurting - I want to snarl and growl and it takes some powerful prayer (and counting to 100!) to fight that impulse and LOVE!

The challenge this week is; Use something NEW on your project. I used a new stamp set from GKD and some of her fantastic patterned paper. I decided to run the middle panel through the Cuttlebug with the dotted swill folder. Kind of looks like strawberries doesn't it?

This week our sponsor, with your choice of 3 digital images is Digital Delights by Louby Lou! 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GKD - Sweet Strawberries
Paper: GKD - White, Red Hot, Grass Green

Designer Paper: GKD: Berries and Vines

Other: Spellbinder die, pearls, Copics to color

Challenges:  
Stamp TV: Use 4 ribbons
Mojo Monday: Sketch

Flowers: Ephesians 2:10

As you read this my husband and I will be in Alaska visiting our son and his family. We will also be meeting our new grandson for the first time!  Hopefully the post goes off without a hitch. Welcome once again for a challenge based on scripture at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

Sweet Jerusha is our challenge hostess this week and brings us the  verse from Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

I love nature and flowers. I have a couple of bird feeders in our back yard and thoroughly enjoy watching the birds and we have a lot of flowers too. I have a thing for blue flowers - hard to find though. I also do like red. We have 12 geranium pots hanging in our back yard. Every day Jerry (my DH) waters them and says prayers for our children and other intentions as he waters. All 8 of our children know which pot is theirs and enjoy seeing how many blooms "their" plant has. So I think that I/we are reflected in what we love - our children - each other (husband and wife) and nature.

The challenge this week is; Create something that reflects you - you are God's masterpiece!

This week our sponsor, with a $15 gift certificate for their wonderful digital images is Clear Dollar Stamps! 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: TCM - Cherished
Paper: SU - Buckaroo Blue - GKD - white and black

Designer Paper:None

Other: Spellbinder die, pearls, Copics to color

Challenges:  

Reflected Love: I John 3:18

Hello friends, welcome once again for a challenge based on scripture at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

Helen is our challenge hostess this week and brings us the  verse from 1 John 3:18.

"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other, let us show the truth by our actions"

I fell in love with this image, the look of love in the girl's eyes speaks volumes. It is amazing what others see in our eyes. When we were at church tonight we had 2 of our grandsons with us (ages 4 and 8), yes we are very, very lucky! The youngest, who my husband calls his "Alleluia Boy", left my side to stand by his grandfather (the cantor) to sing the Alleluia Acclimation; it was awesome! When I saw him look up into my husband's eyes and the reflection of that in my grandson's eyes my heart swelled up! The congregation remembered when Dylan did the same thing when he was about 2 (hence the name) and it was totally unplanned. Today he even rehearsed. This is what memories are made of.

The challenge this week is; image showing action OR 2) an image only on the front of your card (no sentiment on the front) OR 3) action card (make it move).

This week our sponsor, with a $20 gift certificate is The Paper Shelter, they have adorable images, in fact my card was made with one of the colored images. please give them a visit! 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: Market Street Stamps - Blast Off
Paper: SU - navy, Glossy, and white

Designer Paper:None

Other: Spellbinder die, aluminum foil, black gems, Cuttlebug folder

Challenges:  

CSS - Color Blog Hop - 6/8/2012

It is another StampTV blog hop. This time around it is a color challenge. These colors are so rich and vibrant, it was fun to work with.

 

You should have arrived from Melissa Schultz blog with what I am sure was a wonderful project! 

For some reason I had a hard time with a card for this challenge. I like pink and purple but I had to make a specific card for a friend who was laid off from work and I needed to get it done quickly. So I went with the sentiment and image from the GKD stamp set called Great Sayings. It said exactly what I wanted to share with her. I did incorporate all of the colors and added some pearls and a a ribbon.The pretty patterned paper is from the GKD paper pack called Parisian garden.

Now hop on over to visit Tera Fujan she always has a wonderfully creative project to share. If you want to start at the beginning or get lost along the way, just jump directly to the links for all of the wonderful creations on StampTV.

Make sure to leave a comment as you hop along because on Tuesday morning (June12), we will randomly choose one of the comments from all the blogs and that person will receive a huge grab bag of fabulous Gina K. Designs Stamps!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Blast Off: Isaiah 40:26

Hello friends, welcome once again for a challenge based on scripture at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week Diane is our challenge hostess and brings us the  verse from Isaiah 40:26.

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”

I wasn't sure where I was going to go with this verse. It is overwhelming to think of His great power, of His knowing each and every one of us. Some of you  may know that we have 8 children (now adults with children of their own) and I remember another mother (of 1 child) asking me once how I could love and nurture each and every one them. I had thought about it and couldn't really come up with an answer other than that I love each and every one of them and couldn't imagine my life without them all. Now we have 18 grandchildren and I once again cannot imagine my life without them. That is just a portion of how He knows and cares for us. Out of this world! 

The challenge this week is; Create a card that depicts any element of heaven—angels, music, clouds, sun, stars, blue, glitter, bling, etc.

I made this card for one of my grandsons who has a birthday coming up this month. Yes, I make a lot of birthday cards and no two the same. I did something I had not done before, I used aluminum foil and cut out the pieces for the space ship and the stars. I like the way that turned out. For the flames I used the shaving cream technique on some glossy cs and cut it out. It was a fun card. 

This week our sponsor is Market Street Stamps, please give them a visit! 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: Market Street Stamps - Blast Off
Paper: SU - navy, Glossy, and white

Designer Paper:None

Other: Spellbinder die, aluminum foil, black gems, Cuttlebug folder

Challenges:  
Secret Crafter - Anything Goes
Send a Smile for Kids - Bright Colors for Kids