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

Casting all your cares on Him...

Hello, sweet friends! It's been a busy time, and I know we are all looking forward to spring. While our weather has been lovely, I know that snow still is falling in parts of the country. Wishing you warmer weather soon!

This month I am honored to be a guest designer for the Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge. It's a challenge that I love but one that has often stumped me. So the best way to fix that is to meet it head on! As a guest designer, I know the colors ahead of time and place half sheets of the card stock on my table to be inspired by them and visualize what I might do with the colors. This week's colors are Blackberry Bliss, Mossy Meadow, and Soft Sky (Stampin' Up), and they just spoke flowers. You know my love for coloring flowers, right?!

I found a Penny Black stamp that I could color with my Copic markers blending from the darkest areas out to the petal edges with Blackberry Bliss (and just a wee touch of yellow in the center -- can you see it?). Of course the leaves were easier with Mossy Meadow, and then I added some shading using Soft Sky with pointillism. My positioning of the flower allowed for the precious Scripture verse that I know will encourage my friend.

I used a decorative die, added some paper piercing, and then adhered it to the base. I added a make-shift easel on the back that folds flat for mailing, but it allows the card to be displayed like a normal card. 

*     *     *     *     *

This Scripture verse is such a great reminder for us all that no matter what our cares are (and we all have them -- big and small), God cares for each of us and wants us humbly to place all our burdens and cares on Him. I sometimes think that "Oh, I have this under control." But He wants us to bring all our cares to Him. Nothing is too big or too small for God to handle. That brings me great peace, and I trust that it will bring you peace as well.

Cast all your cares on Him
for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Oh, sweet friends, thank you for your visits and comments. I love reading each one and pray for you and your requests. Your prayers for me continue to be an encouragement, and I thank you! May God bless you and give you joy today and every day.

Blessings,

Stamps: Full of Glee (Penny Black), Faith Medley (Verve)
Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, Soft Sky (SU!)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Onyx Black (Versafine)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Grand Decorative Labels One dies (Spellbinders), MISTI tool, Mat Pack (SU!), piercing tool, Tombow Multi Mono Liquid Glue
Card Size: 5" square
Copic markers used: Flower Petals - V01, V15, V17, V09; Flower Center - wee touch of Y15; Leaves - G20, YG91, YG93, YG95, G99; Shading - BG000, 0