5 Days of Digis - Gifts from the Sea

Hello, sweet friends! 

Today I am happy to join my Power Poppy teammates on Day 4 of the "5 Days of Digis." Marcella's theme of this release is "kindness, love, peace, curiosity, and meaning. Each of these images were created from the heart, with the intention of sharing part of myself with our customers...a little more than usual."

Today we have "Gifts from the Sea," a lovely arrangement from the gifted Marcella Hawley. Here's what she shares:

"First of all, I'm going to recommend that everyone stop, run to the library, and pick up a copy of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book, Gifts from the Sea. Life-changing perspectives on life as a woman and mother, all written while she was staying in a cottage by the sea in Captiva, Florida. I read this book on the very beaches where she wrote the book years ago and collected seashells galore from the fertile Gulf of Mexico. This illustration is inspired by that experience -- with a bouquet of plumeria flowers and petite palm fronds, nestled in an ink-bottle vase. Seashells of every stripe surround the scene, where someone has been writing a postcard or maybe starting to write the follow-up volume to Gifts from the Sea. Whatever it is, I recommend all to Seas the Day."

Even living here in South Florida, I did not realize all the beautiful colors of seashells. Certainly, some shells are colored and sold to create lovely arrangements like this one. But it was fun to color this image. We have plumeria plants/trees throughout our area, and we call them frangipani. We first purchased a "stick" they sold at a craft fair, and the vendor told us to stick it in the ground. Truly, we were shocked when it grew and finally bloomed! They grow in so many beautiful colors. I must admit that I ended up coloring my flowers more vibrantly than I had planned, but it was fun. Hope you have as much fun as I did with this arrangement.

This card reminds me the need to make time for relaxation and "downtime" -- something I struggle with doing. My quiet time in the morning is spent reading God's Word, praying, and journaling. With life's many distractions -- especially as I age, it can be difficult to shut out the pressures of my daily schedule. That's why it's important for me to treat my quiet time as being equally important than any other item on my schedule.

Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10

For my stamping friends, you will find this new digital image at Power Poppy. Hop on over to the Power Poppy blog and see what Marcy shares about this wonderful new digital release and see what my teammates have to share. Tomorrow is the last new digi, and I hope to finish a card to share. It's a darling one.

I would like to enter this card in Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week, which is Use a Die and/or Punch. Once again I used a die.

Sweet friends, you are dearly loved. Thank you so much for your visits and comments. I have begun reaching out and thanking you for your sweet comments (when possible). It's such a joy to encourage and be encouraged. I trust you will take time to enjoy some of the beauty that God has around you today. May God bless each of you and give you joy today and every day.

Blessings, precious friends,

Stamps: Gifts from the Sea (Power Poppy) 

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Flirty Flamingo (SU!)

Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Pleated Lace Rectangles dies (Gina Marie Designs), white tape

Card Size: A-2