Christmas Blessings

Hello, sweet friends! Well, it's hard to believe Christmas is upon us, and I hope you are all ready to take a deep breath in and a big sigh out. In all the hustle and bustle, may we all remember the true meaning of Christmas!

Here's a card I made last year that I never posted on my blog. I really enjoyed making it for the Color Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The focal image is James with his snowman pal, and it was such fun coloring this adorable pair (how I love snowmen - just not in real life - haha!). I added a simple sentiment, as they are clearly wishing someone special a beautiful Christmas. After die cutting with a square, I matted it with red. I used a background for the red and white stripes and matted it as well. I wrapped some red jute around the striped background piece, popped the focal image, and adhered it all to a white card base. A simple but sweet card with this cute little pair of snow buddies!

It's been such a joy to share with you this year, and I look forward to sharing more in 2016. I truly thank you, dear friends, for your prayers and thoughts as I have struggled through my health issues this year. God always has reasons for everything that He allows in our lives, and I can tell you that I have been so blessed by how God has worked both in my body but also in my heart. I believe God is answering our prayers, and I can definitely say that I am starting to feel a little better - praise God. Thank you for your continued prayers, as I pray for you as well!

How many of us have enjoyed watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" over the years? I am always touched by the part where in desperation Charlie Brown asks whether anybody knows what Christmas is all about. Then Linus stands all alone on the stage and says:

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them;
and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not,
for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you:
You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'

"...That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Linus read the Scripture passage from Luke 2:8-14. And that's what Christmas is all about - even today! 

Blessings and loving wishes for a beautiful and joyous Christmas,

Stamps:  James - Snowman (Lili of the Valley), Cover-A-Card Thin Stripes (Impression Obsession), Beautiful Christmas (A Muse)

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), White and Poppy Red (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Black (Versafine), Lipstick Red (Colorbox Chalk)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Squares dies (Spellbinders), Perfect Layers tool, red jute (May Arts), dimensionals

Card Size:  4¾”

Christmas is drawing near...

Hello, sweet friends! I think everyone is super busy getting ready for Christmas, and I just wanted to share some news about Power Poppy's Christmas sale and the new digital image for the 5th. Power Poppy has a special "Holiday Sale" going on right now. Just click on the Power Poppy store banner to see the Christmas sets for sale, and be sure to enter HOLIDAY10 in the discount code box at checkout - sweet!

And today is the 5th, so here's the new and adorable Snowglobe Greetings that features Santa Claus trying to squeeeeeze down into the chimney, and maybe we can help him out if we give that snowglobe a few shakes? Hehe! Marcy has created a decorative base wth extra spaces for your personal touches. A simple seasonal greeting rounds out this globular set! Is this not a beautiful snowglobe? I just love the base with the holly and berries. Allison Cope posted a most adorable card using this new digi, and she's even included a great video here. Be sure to stop by and leave her some "blog love."

So you may wondering where my card is with this snowglobe, right? Well, I just could not get myself going this week. It's been a struggle, and I would surely appreciate your prayers. I am being treated for small-fiber peripheral neuropathy and slowing increasing the medication, and this week has been a bit hard - hence no card. But I will be making a card soon, for sure. God is so gracious in His daily strength, encouragement, and peace through it all.

I am always so encouraged by God's Word, and here are just two Scripture passages that I trust will encourage you this day.

...do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and shield.
For our heart is glad in Him,
because we trust in His holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
Psalm 33:20-22

May we never lose hope or faith in the Lord. He is always with us...praise God! And that's what's so precious about Christmas, as we celebrate Immanuel, God with us in His Son Jesus.

Thanks so much for visiting and sharing a comment, thought, or question. I love hearing from you and am always happy to answer questions, so don't hesitate to email me. It brings great joy to connect with my precious friends.

Blessings,

Let's Chill...and Then Shop!

Hello, sweet friends! Well, today is the day, and I'm sure many of you will be out shopping in malls and shopping online. It's the big day that many stores hope to make it into the "black" in profits, hence Black Friday.

But today is a big day at Power Poppy. Not only is the new 25th digital remix available, but there is a 20% off storewide sale! The new digital image from Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley is called Let's Chill, and just wait until you see the entire set - a sweet "snowdude," a snowy background, and a sentiment.

But before you run off to shop, here's my card using this adorable "snowdude" that I just love from Let's Chill. I used only the snowman and used a sentiment from Wreaths Plain and Fancy. It's been a busy week, and I decided to keep it simple.

After opening Microsoft Word, I dragged this little fella in and resized him (and as you know, I always print two at a time). I colored up this cutie and used a new stitched banner die that my little "snowdude" fit into perfectly and still allowed for a sentiment. I had planned on using the snowy background but chose a simpler card. I used a sentiment from Wreaths Plain and Fancy that fit just perfectly and also fits for someone sending a card from South Florida - ha! I fussy cut a "mat" for the banner by tracing the outside of the die and fussy cutting it, and then I matted the designer paper with red as well using my Perfect Layers tool. I added a ribbon, and then adhered it all to the card base.

We had a quiet and lovely Thanksgiving yesterday, and I praise God for the many blessings He has given my husband and me over the years. During this busy season, I trust that we will all take some time to reflect on the many blessings from God...even when times are hard.

Look to the Lord and His strength;
seek His face always.
Remember the wonders He has done.
Psalm 105:4-5

Now it's time to visit the Power Poppy blog and see what Marcella has to share with us, and then blog hop to see the other beautiful cards my friends have designed.

Be sure to visit Power Poppy to get this new digital release to use today. While you are there, don't forget to check out the entire digital collection! Remember, it's all on sale!

Thanks so much for visiting and sharing a comment, thought, or question. I love hearing from you and am always happy to answer questions, so don't hesitate to email me. (I am entering this in this week's Word Art Wednesday challenge and also this week's Anything Goes Simon Says Stamps challenge.)

Blessings,

Stamps:  Let's Chill, Wreaths Plain and Fancy (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Classic White (Neenah), White and Pure Poppy (PTI), Merry (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Black (Versafine)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Stitched Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX dies (My Favorite Stamps), Red Riding Hood taffeta ribbon (SU), Perfect Layers tool
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word, fussy cutting

Card Size:  A-6

Thank You For You Sale!

Hello, sweet friends! I hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving here in the United States and enjoyed being with family and friends. It's still hard to believe the year is nearly over.

Many of you are wondering where the new digital is for the 25th of the month. Well, it's coming tomorrow. 

To celebrate you, hope over and get 20% off everything in the store at Power Poppy!

PLUS -- the new digital set, Let's Chill, featuring a sweet "snowdude," a snowy background, and a sentiment -- debuts tomorrow and will be ONE DOLLAR. Sale starts Friday, November 27, at 12 a.m., and ends Monday, November 30, at 12 p.m. CST.

Come back tomorrow, and I will be posting my card with this sweet "snowdude!"

Blessings,

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Hello, sweet friends, and I trust that you have had a good weekend. It's so nice to share another card for you in November.

It's the 15th of the month, and I am so excited about this month's new Instant Garden digital release from Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley called Partridge in a Pear Tree. It is an absolutely beautiful pear tree with ornaments and a sweet partridge - all "growing" out of a darling teapot. Just look at this amazing new Instant Garden digital. Is this the sweetest??

Oh my, this set is special because it comes with two main images - one with the words on the teapot and one without for versatility. There are also two wonderful sentiments.

I found several beautiful images that inspired me, and I used the main image without the sentiment in the teapot. I wanted to make a card that I could use to send several people and used one of the sentiments from Cozy Cupfuls. But I definitely plan to use the other image along with the sentiments in this set (you must see the whole digital release, Partridge in a Pear Tree).

I simply opened Microsoft Word, dragged in the main image, resized it, and then made another copy so I could print two. (Please see last week's post for details about how to do this so that your images will move and stay where you want them.) So then the fun began as I started to color (after finding some wonderful inspiration photos). Once colored, I die cut it using a stitched die, and then off to my MISTI to add my sentiment from Cozy Cupfuls. It still was missing something, so I dared to use BG70 to color in the entire background while it was still in the die. Next, I decided to use my gold Krylon pen to gild the edges (very carefully so some of the white inside would show). It just seemed to call for a traditional feel to me. Wanting to pull out the red from the sweet "ornaments," I used Pure Poppy to border it using a small scalloped die. Then I adhered it to the white card base, and it was done! What do you think? I know it will mail well, and I will make more of these. (Hint: I photocopied the original before coloring the background using "Best Quality" on Neenah, and then I Copic enhanced it followed by doing the BG70 coloring.) So try it with your printer to see whether it works. I was delighted, and my dear husband could not tell the difference (good test, eh?). And it will help me to make more cards. (I send out a fair number of cards to family and friends who don't live nearby to stay in touch.)

After finishing my card, I realized just how much I am looking forward to Christmas. (And I  must admit that this image had me singing the "Twelve Days of Christmas!" What fun!) But what true joy to celebrate the birth of our Savior. He came to this earth to live as a man and to die so that we might have eternal life with Him. That's the true gift of Christmas.

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call His name Immanuel
(which means God with us).
Matthew 1:23

Now it's time to visit the Power Poppy blog and see what Marcella has to share with us, and be sure to visit Broni Holcombe and Debbie Olson to see their beautiful cards. 

Then hop on over to visit Power Poppy to get this new digital release to use today. While you are there, don't forget to check out the entire digital collection! Have you seen how many digital stamp sets they have? And I love them all!

Thanks so much for visiting and sharing a comment, thought, or question. I love hearing from you and am always happy to answer questions, so don't hesitate to email me. (I am entering this in this week's Word Art Wednesday challenge.)

Blessings,

Stamps:  Partridge in a Pear Tree,  Cozy Cupfuls (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), Pure Poppy and White (PTI)

Ink: None - Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Stitched Rectangles dies (Simon Says Stamps), Blueprints 20 dies (My Favorite Things Stamps), MISTI, gold Krylon pen
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word

Card Size:  A-2

A Warm Autumn Welcome!

Hello, sweet friends, and I trust that you have had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend soon. Yes, it's been far too long since I've posted (where did October go?). But I'm back and have a special treat for you (and it really got me coloring again).

It's the 5th of the month, and I am playing with the newly remixed digital image from Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley called Maize for Days. Here's what Marcy shared, "Maize for Days is a bough of colorful Native American Corn (also called Indian Corn and Calico Corn - how cute is that!!) extending a token of friendship and a warm welcome to everyone, and it colors up beautifully in autumnal tones. Three sentiments allow you to have a straightforward sentiment – or two jaunty puns!"

This delightful image is exquisitely designed, and I love its beautiful detail. I found some wonderful inspiring photos to guide me in coloring my corn, and I used a lot of colors. I decided on a green ribbon for contrast, and I matted my focal image with green and sponged inside the die with Antique Linen and the edges of the card base. I know this is going to be a perfect image for lots of occasions, especially with the sentiments (and of course many other Power Poppy sentiments).

So, for any non-techies or those who are hesitant about digital images, today I'm going to explain how to use a digital image in Microsoft Word only. I know you can do it – I have confidence in you. First, I opened Microsoft Word, dragged in the main image and resized it (clicking on the image and using the corners only to push and pull for resizing). After I resized my main image, I righted click on that image, chose Wrap Text, and selected Tight. Now you can click in the center of the image and move it anywhere you want (you'll see the blue border around it). Easy, eh? Then I clicked anywhere in the white area to "unselect" the main image and dragged in the sentiment. If you do that, the sentiment will be "on top of" the white space of the main image. Repeat the Wrap Text and select Text procedure. Resize it and move it where you wish near the image. If you want to make multiple copies of this "arrangement," hold the Shift key down and select both images. Then right click, hover over Grouping, and select Group. Voila! Now move that "group" to where you want it, copy it, and paste it. Then move the second one where you want. Now you are ready to print two copies to make two cards (if you wish, do all four). If you have any questions, email me.

Well, this image really has put me in the fall and Thanksgiving mode, and I am reminded of all the many blessings God has given me. And in good times and bad, He is always my strength.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
Therefore my heart exults.
And with my song I shall thank Him.
Psalm 28:7

Now it's time to visit the Power Poppy blog and see what Marcella has to share with us, and then hop over to see what "a-maize-ing" cards Christine and Stacy have done!

Be sure to visit Power Poppy to get this new digital release to use today. While you are there, don't forget to check out the entire digital collection! 

Thanks so much for visiting and sharing a comment, thought, or question. I love hearing from you and am always happy to answer questions, so don't hesitate to email me. (I am entering this in this week's Word Art Wednesday challenge.)

Blessings,

Stamps:  Maize for Days (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Classic White (Neenah), Wild Wasabi (SU)

Ink: Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Stitched Rectangles dies (Simon Says Stamps), Perfect Layers tool
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word, sponging

Card Size:  A-2
Copics used:  Corn and husks - Lots of Y, YR, E - just have fun with the colors; Ribbon - YG61, YG63, and YG67

Vintage Christmas

Hello, sweet friends, and I trust that you have had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. 

It's the 25th of the month (just three months until Christmas), and I am playing with the newly remixed digital image from Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley called Glittering Glass Santa. Here's what Marcy shared, "The main image is a sweet Santa inspired by the antique German glass ornaments we always had on our tree growing up, hanging from a berry-dotted tree branch."

For my card, I decided to go simple and used GIMP to remove the backgrounds of both images (something I do automatically when I get my digis so I can "nestle" them up close to each other). I dragged in both the main image and the sweet sentiment (using Microsoft Word), resized them, and arranged them the way I wanted. 

After coloring, I ended up using a stitched rectangle die and sponged some Antique Linen distress ink around the border while it was still in the die. Then I matted it with a deep red card stock, used some retired designer paper and matted that, and then added some red jute around the base. I used some glitter on the branches for sparkle (a suggestion by my dear husband...he often has some great creative ideas...and we often giggle as to whether to pierce or not!), and then I actually used some sequins - my first card with them. Yay! I've had sequins and just never seem to use them or feel they "fit" on my cards. They remind me of snowflakes, something I hope we never see again...yes, we have adapted quite well in South Florida after more than 25 years! But I do love seeing the sparkle of freshly fallen snow...on television or in photos...hehe! 

I remember as a child our beautiful Christmas trees. My mom was the "boss" of the tree and its decorations, and it gave her great joy. She carefully unwrapped each ornament, and we got to hang them (when we got old enough). And when we took down our tree, she took great care in wrapping each ornament for the next year. What precious memories that I cherish (and now I take the same care of our ornaments, some of which are from my mom). We also had a nativity scene, and Jesus was always the center of our Christmas celebrations. I praise God that because Christ came, He has overcome the world and we can have true peace.

These things I have spoken to you,
that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Now it's time to visit the Power Poppy blog and see what Marcella has to share with us and then hop on over to my teammates from there for a fun blog hop:

Allison Cope
Cheryl Scrivens <me>
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence

Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Tosha Leyendekker

Marcella Hawley on the Poppy Blog

Be sure to visit Power Poppy to get this new digital release to use today. While you are there, check out the entire digital collection! 

Thanks so much for "stopping by" and sharing a comment, thought or question. I am always happy to answer questions, so don't hesitate to email me. (I am entering this in this week's Word Art Wednesday challenge.)

I wonder whether you have a special memory about Christmas. It's such a wonderful time.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends! Have I told you lately how much you bless me?

Blessings,

Stamps:  Glittering Glass Santa (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), Cherry Cobbler (SU), Holly Jolly Designer Series (SU), White (PTI) 

Ink: Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Stitched Rectangles dies (Simon Says Stamps), red twine (May Arts), Perfect Layers tool, Diamond Stickles, sequins (Verve), Diamond Glaze adhesive, 3M dimensional tape, red tape

Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word and GIMP, sponging

Card Size:  A-2
Copics used:  Santa's suit - R20, R22, R27, R39, R85; Santa's face - E000, E00, R000, R30, E81; Santa's mittens - E70, E71, E74; Santa's tree - G20, G21, G14; Tree bough - G20, G21, G82, YG67; Tree branch - E34; Tree berries - R20, R22, R27, R29; Small berries - R22, 0, Ornament fixture - Y28

Simply Sweet Flowers

Hello, sweet friends, and I hope you are having a wonderful Lord's Day. After church this morning, I decided to try this week's Featured Stamper challenge on Splitcoaststampers. 

Sundays are a day of rest, and I find coloring so relaxing. And I am working at getting more cards mailed - yes, written, put into an envelope, and mailed! 

Flowers always make a nice card for friends, so I used this image of a Mason jar with wild flowers. I colored it, sponged around the oval, pierced it, and matted it with a scalloped die. Following the layout of our Featured Stamper Linda's card, I matted a piece of designer paper with a small scalloped edge at the bottom. I used some printed ribbon like she did, and then I stamped the image using my MISTI (oh, do I love that new tool). I actually stamped it twice to get a nice, sharp image. The bow is actually tied and attached to the ribbon across the card (using one-side ribbon is a challenge). So now it's ready to send to a friend. 

This week I read a wonderful post by a dear blogging friend who lives in South Africa, and we have become good friends. Kelly-Anne shared some "Thoughts on Letter Writing," and I hope you might visit and read it. She said, "It is delightful to discover a handwritten letter in the mailbox in amongst bills and such, and just imagine the smile your sweet note will put on another's face." How precious!

When I receive a card or letter from a dear friend, I actually love to touch it and be reminded that it was touched by them and written by hand. To me, it's a piece of "love" from my friend, and I can read it over and over again. Friends are such precious gifts from God! 

Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I trust you will be encouraged to take a few moments this week and write a handwritten note to a friend. We may never know how much it will mean to them, and we share the love of Christ as well. May we bring some sunshine into a special friend's life this week.

A friend loves at all times.

Proverbs 17:17

Thanks so much for "stopping by" and sharing a comment, thought or question, and I hope you have a wonderful week!  (I am entering this week's Word Art Wednesday challenge and the Simon Says: Die Crazy challenge where I used two dies.)

Blessings,

Stamps:  Go Wild,  Simply Camellias (Power Poppy) 

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), White (PTI), Midnight Muse (SU), Brioche (Memory Box)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Black (Versafine), Barely Banana and Midnight Muse (SU)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Ovals and Scalloped Ovals dies (Spellbinders), Border Duo 2 die (Impression Obsession), MISTI, Perfect Layers tool, piercing tool, corner rounder punch (EK Success), ribbon (American Crafts), clear adhesive foam pads (Kool Tak), nymo thread, glue dots, red tape

Techniques: Sponging, paper-piercing

Card Size:  A-2