Power Poppy's Quiet Christmas Continues with Forest Fellas

 Hello, dear friends! Well, I jumped the gun and tomorrow (November 12) is the start of the second half of the release for Power Poppy's "Quiet Christmas" clear and digital sets. This one is so adorable, and it is sure to delight many. (I apologize for the mistake.)

After seeing this sweet stamp set, I knew which "fella" I had to color. Anyone who knows me well, knows my love for teddy bears that I inherited from my dear mom. I started with this piece of designer paper and colored this adorable bear, but then I always get stuck with layouts and actually making cards. So this is what I ended up with. Not my favorite card or colors, but it was still fun to make. I always relax when coloring (so I guess I need to do more of that -- especially since I am still rusty and a bit shaky). 

For my stamping friends, you will find this new stamp (clear and digital) at Power Poppy. 

Check out the adorable and sweet creations my dear Bloom Brigade teammates have shared along with what Marcella has to share about the "Quiet Christmas" Release on the Power Poppy blog. You are in for a delight! (Back later for the Bloom Brigade list.)

Jenn Dove

Sathya Kala

Leslie Miller

Christine Okken

Gloria Stengel

Barbara Campbell

Julie Koerber

Lisa Johansen

Broni Holcombe

Allison Cope

Saskia van den Berk

Barbara Walker

Cheryl Scrivens <you are here>

Marcella Hawley on the Power Poppy Blog

I'm not sure about you, but I definitely miss hugging. My dear dad was a hugger, and I inherited that gift and truly miss giving and receiving hugs. Even greeting others with our hands is something we miss today. However, I am comforted by the constant love of God my Father. There are times at night when I cannot sleep that I imagine being held in the arms of my Father. This is a precious verse from Isaiah.

He will tend His flock like a shepherd;

He will gather the lambs in His arms....

Isaiah 40:11a

No matter what we are experiencing, our Father in Heaven is always available. Just call to Him. That's what prayer is -- speaking to God, Who is infinitely powerful and always wants to help us -- especially during these difficult times.

Your friendship, love, and prayers are cherished. May God continue to give great peace, comfort, and strength to you. And may God always be glorified and praised!

Blessings, love, and big hugs, sweet friends,

Stamps: Forest Fellas (Power Poppy)

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Harvest Gold (PTI), Twelve Days of Christmas (Graphic 45), Scenic Route Paper Co. designer sheet

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Onyx Black (Versafine), Mustard Seed Distress Ink (Tim Holtz/Ranger)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Stitched Rectangle STAX dies (MFT), Mini MISTI tool, Mini Perfect Layers tool, Blueberry Sky button (PTI), Perle Cotton #725, X-Press It adhesive tape, Tombow Mono Glue, Gemini Junior die-cutting machine

Techniques: Copic coloring, sponging
Card Size: 5"

Copic Markers: Bear – E30, E31, E35; Coveralls – B91, B95; Scarf – R27, R29, G07, G19; Mug – Y15, Y19, B91; Watch Band – Y15; Shoes – N8, N9; Grounding – N4, N1; Shading – BV20

Brand New from Power Poppy - Mossy Pots with Paperwhites

Hello, dear friends! It's time for a new release from Power Poppy, and it's called "Quiet Christmas" offering clear and digital sets that will surely delight all for Christmas and winter. Marcella Hawley continues to amaze us all with her creative artistry, and this release will not disappoint you.

After seeing this first new stamp set, I picked out some designer paper and used it as my color palette. I used this sweet little image and colored it (my favorite thing about making a card). After searching for some sketches, I adjusted one of Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday sketches into this one. I was delighted to use a sweet Twine with Bows die that Leslie Miller "enabled" me to purchase. This is the first time I've used it, and I think it worked perfectly. I even wrapped the "twine" around the layer so it really looks wrapped, don't you think? I'll definitely use it again. So here's is the second card I've made this year. (However, I have made some very simple cards for our SonShine Card Ministry at church, which has been great fun and fellowship!)

For my stamping friends, you will find this new stamp (clear and digital) at Power Poppy. 

Check out the fabulous creations my dear Bloom Brigade teammates have shared along with what Marcella has to share about the "Quiet Christmas" release. You are in for a delight! 

Jenny Colacicco

Leslie Miller

Broni Holcombe

Barbara Campbell

Nancy Sheads

Christine Okken

Gloria Stengel

Allison Cope

Cheryl Scrivens <you are here>

Stacy Morgan

Barbara Walker

Julie Koerber

Jenn Dove

Lisa Johansen

Catherine Anderson

Sathya Kala

Marcella Hawley on the Power Poppy Blog

If you have followed my journey this past year and a half, you know how thankful to God my husband and I are for all He has done for us. I continue to take a prescription iron pill to increase my iron level (and my energy level). I am scheduled for blood work and a CAT scan in early December. We continue to pray that any remaining cancer cells are gone. I had both cataract surgeries and look forward to getting a new prescription for eyeglasses soon.  

I love this passage from Philippians, which reminds me that the Lord is always with me. I don't need to be anxious about anything. It says to take all our requests to God, Who will give us peace through Christ. Given all that has happened this year, I'm sure each of us is looking for peace and calm. Only God can give us true and lasting peace and comfort, no matter what difficulties we face. 

The Lord is at hand;

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 minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:5-7

I've memorized a lot of passages of Scripture this year, and Philippians 4:4-9 is one of them. So often I hear the passage above starting with "do not be anxious about anything." But the sentence doesn't start there. It starts with "The Lord is at hand." That's been a great comfort to me these past eighteen months knowing that the Lord is with me...therefore I don't need to be anxious. God promises that He will never leave us. May you be assured of His love and care as I have been...and take all your requests to Him, knowing that He is there for you.

Your friendship, love, and prayers are cherished. Prayer is powerful! May God continue to give peace, comfort, and strength to us all. May God Almighty be praised always! You are a great blessing to me and to those for whom you pray.

Blessings, love, and big hugs, sweet friends,

Stamps: Mossy Pots and Paperwhites (Power Poppy)

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), White (PTI), Riding Hood Red - retired (SU!), Sugar Plum paper pad (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Stitched Shapes Framelits/Squares (SU!), Twine and Bows (Pretty Pink Posh), pearls (Martha Stewart), X-Press It adhesive tape, Tombow Mono Glue, Mini Perfect Layers tool, Gemini Junior die-cutting machine

Techniques: Copic coloring
Card Size: A-2

Copic Markers: Flower - BV20, YR31, YR30, Y000; Holly Leaves - G20, G43; Holly Berries - R35, R37; Blue Ornament - B0000, B000, BG53, BG72; Blue Ornament Top - Y28; Red Ornament - R00, R20, R21, R14, R32 (some R35); Shading - BG0000

Power Poppy's Healing Bouquet

Hello, sweet friends! Well, it was about time for me to try making a card again, and it felt like I forgot everything. Coloring was relaxing, but I am rusty and will have to keep practicing. Things have changed with my photo-editing program GIMP and the new Blogger, so even writing this post took extra time. Oh my! But after researching all the wonderful elements in Healing Bouquet, I did finish coloring this beautiful image and quickly found a die I had not used before. I finished it off by adding this sweet image from the clear set Always Here -- and breathed a sigh of relief but satisfaction in making a card again!

For my stamping friends, you will find this new digital image at Power Poppy. 

Check out these fabulous cards my beloved Bloom Brigade teammates have shared along with what Marcella has to share about the Fresh-Squeezed Scents Mini Release. You are in for a delight! 

Stacy Morgan

Christine Okken

Leslie Miller

Allison Cope

Broni Holcombe

Barbara Campbell

Jenny Colacicco

Gloria Stengel

Julie Koerber

Catherine Anderson

Lisa Johansen

Cheryl Scrivens <you are here>

Sathya Kala

Marcella Hawley on Power Poppy Blog

My husband and I are so thankful to God for all He has done for us this past year and a half. I am feeling much better but am on a prescription to increase my iron level (and my energy level). I am trusting that my next blood work will be fine and will see the oncologist in a couple of weeks. Then I hope to get a clear CAT scan after that. We continue to pray that any remaining cancer cells are gone. I had my cataract surgeries, and I will get a new prescription for eye glasses and am eager to see better. It's amazing how white everything is and how some colors have changed. 

I continue to love this precious verse from Philippians, which reminds me how we all can face each day no matter what God allows in each of our lives. I know there are many who are facing great loss, grief, sickness, along with dealing with the pandemic. The fires in California and the hurricane in the Gulf are heartbreaking, but God can give each of us strength to endure. May we each reach out to share the Hope we have in Christ and help in any other material way as well. 

I can do [endure] all things

through Christ Who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

I especially appreciated that my friend said "endure" in his text because it fit what I experienced. After my second surgery, I did not think I could go another minute feeling the pain. A very dear and precious friend came to the hospital and prayed for me asking Jesus to give me His strength to endure. I have learned this year that we can endure trials of any kind only through God's strength. Some are more difficult than others, but I assure you that God is always with us and will strengthen and encourage us -- and give us peace. God promises that He will never leave us. May you be assured of His love and care as I have been.   

Precious friends, thank you for stopping by. I have missed you and have continued to pray for you. I am thankful as God brings your names and situations to mind. Please feel free to email me with prayer requests and updates. I have found joy hearing about praise reports as well as updates. Your friendship, love, and prayers are cherished. Prayer is powerful! May God continue to give peace, comfort, and strength to us all. May God Almighty be praised always! You are a great blessing to me and to those for whom you pray.

Blessings, love, and big hugs, sweet friends,

Stamps: Healing Bouquet and Always Here (Power Poppy)

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Mellow Moss - retired (SU!)

Ink: Printer for digital image, Onyx Black (Versafine)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Antique Frame die (Penny Black), Tombow Mono Glue, Gemini Junior die-cutting machine

Techniques: Digital images with GIMP and Microsoft Word, Copic coloring
Card Size: A-2

A long, hard journey, but slowly coming back!

Hello, sweet friends! It's been a long time since I have posted anything on my blog -- actually well over a year now. So much has happened in the last year, but through it all God has been faithful -- as He always is and will be.

Both my husband and I were in and out of the hospital and rehab last June and July. Walt had his second knee replacement surgery in mid-May and developed cellulitis and had antibiotic IV infusions. Then I ended up in the hospital in early-June and had Whipple surgery for pancreatic cancer (I was able to have Whipple surgery because of the location and the size of the tumor). After fifteen days, I came home to be with my husband who a few days later developed a staph infection in the knee that required more surgery. Several friends took turns staying overnight with me for five days, but I ended up back in the hospital for another five days unable to eat or drink. Walt had to have another round of IV antibiotic infusions three times daily and went to rehab to finish the treatment. Because I was so weak, I followed him to rehab, and we were there (just down the hall from each other) for more than two weeks before finally coming home and where he continued the remaining IV infusions. 

I started chemotherapy in August but had to have another major surgery for a small bowel obstruction in late-October and was in the hospital for another two weeks. After healing for more than a month after surgery, I resumed chemo and finally finished the six months of chemotherapy on March 18 -- not without numerous side-effects, some of which still linger. A month after completing chemotherapy, we praised God for the good reports from my blood work and CAT scan. The oncologist will follow me for two years with blood work every three months and a CAT scan twice a year. We will see where we go from there and are praying for complete healing.

It has been quite the journey, and there were times I truly wanted to give up. But we know that God was and is with us through all our trials and uses them to make us more and more into the image of Christ and increase our trust in Him. I am slowly regaining strength and energy, and I look forward to feeling better and more motivated.

Through this entire journey, we were covered in prayer by family and friends around the world and are so blessed to have such wonderful prayer warriors that continue to pray for healing and good reports. Thank you does not begin to express our appreciation for the many prayers, cards, gifts, flowers, and encouragement. We have felt so loved!

One of my sisters shared her favorite Scripture verse with me, and it has been a great comfort to me. 

It is the LORD Who goes before you.

He will be with you;

He will not leave you or forsake you.

Do not fear or be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

This verse should encourage us all as we encounter hard times. Each of us will certainly deal with hardship sometime during our lifetime. While the entire world has been dealing with the COVID-19 virus and unrest, God is always available to comfort and give us strength and hope. 

Another wonderful verse that encouraged me is a long-time favorite.

I can do [endure] all things

through Christ Who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

I especially appreciated that my friend said "endure" in his text because it fit what I experienced. After my second surgery, I did not think I could go another minute feeling the pain. A very dear and precious friend came to the hospital and prayed for me asking Jesus to give me His strength to endure. I have learned this year that we can endure trials of any kind only through God's strength. Some are more difficult than others, but I assure you that God is always with us and will strengthen and encourage us -- and give us peace. May you be assured of His love and care as I have been.   

Well over a year ago, I made this card that was never sent. However, it's been on my table as a reminder that God is always with me to give me strength and hope. My true hope is that I shall one day be with the Lord in Heaven, my real home. It's because Jesus has paid the price to make me acceptable to the Father when Jesus died on the cross for all my sins. I yearn for you all to know that kind of peace. This world is a mess and so flawed, but Heaven is a place where there is no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears, no more hatred -- and where we shall be with the Lord forever -- happier than we could ever imagine here on earth!

I found this digital image in my UFO box that I had printed from Rose and Chamomile and decided to finish coloring it and then fussy cut it to put it on a card with a sentiment. I remembered the beautiful decorative die from my dear friend Tracy, and I thought it would be perfect for this card. Doesn't it remind you of Battenberg lace? I cut the die in white and then traced the die on Rose Red and "loosely" fussy cut it. I traced the inside of the decorative die onto Rose Red and used it as a mat for the white layer. I used my Mini MISTI to add the sentiment from the Bridge Set, leaving room for the rose. I shaped the rose with my Empressor to give it dimension and popped it up with thin adhesive squares. I cut a card base that hides behind this card front. Using the clear set Everything's Even Rosier, I stamped the single rose in Rose Red inside at the bottom left, adhered it to the card front...and it was done. This card has encouraged me this past year and will be sent to someone who needs encouragement now herself.

We all have trials, difficulties, and suffering, and we should trust in God alone to guide, comfort, and love us through all circumstances that pass through the Father's loving hands. He promises to never leave us or forsake us.

Sweet friends, I have missed you so much. You have continued to be in my prayers, and I praise God for His mercy and for bringing your names to mind as I have prayed this past year. Even in my darkest moments, God has brought so many of your prayer requests to mind, and I have found joy hearing about praise reports as well as updates. Thank you for your friendship, love, and especially your prayers for us. Prayer is powerful! May God continue to give peace, comfort, and strength to us all. May God Almighty be praised always! You are a great blessing to me and to those for whom you pray.

Blessings and love, sweet friends,

Stamps: Rose and Chamomile and Everything's Even Rosier - retired (Power Poppy), Bridge Set by Dina Kowal (Impression Obsession)

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Solar White #110 (Neenah), Rose Red - retired (SU!)

Ink: Printer for digital image, Tuxedo Black (Memento), Onyx Black (Versafine), Rose Red - retired (SU!)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Lacey Edge Rectangle die (Gina Marie Designs), Empressor tool, Mini MISTI, Thin 3D Foam Squares (Scrapbook Adhesives), Tombow Mono Glue, white tape, red tape

Techniques: Digital images with Microsoft Word, Copic coloring, fussy cutting
Card Size: A-2