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

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”

Teddy Bear Alert...

Hello, sweet friends! Well, today is a very special and different day. As some of you may know (especially those who have seen my craft room), I love teddy bears! And I do mean love! My mom loved them dearly and collected them, and now I have many of her cherished teddy bears and have also added to the collection.

Here's a very old card I shared on Splitcoaststampers. (five years old - yikes, I was just starting with Copic markers). I guess I have improved some...hehe! I paper-pieced her outfit and bow, colored her body, and added some shading with Copic markers on the paper-piecing. And even back then I loved to pierce!

Today I would like to introduce you to the newest little teddy bear "fella" to my collection. His name is Barnsley, and his spaniel's name is Bentley. Barnsley was adopted by me from Katlyn, daughter to Tricia Traxler. You may know these talented friends as T. Joy and K. Joy on Splitcoaststampers. They make beautiful cards, and Katlyn is also making the most adorable teddy bears. I saw this post on Tricia's blog last year and just had to adopt Barnsley. Now (sitting in my curio cabinet) he is with Grandpa Norman (another very dear and beautifully handmade bear I purchased years ago while we were visiting the Teddy Bear Museum in Naples, which no longer exists...sad to say). When I introduced them, well, you can see how happy they are together. (Yes, we "bear" lovers are a little funny about our bears! Just ask Katlyn and any other bear lover you know!)

But the big news is -- Katlyn has entered Barnsley in a contest, and we would love for you to vote for him. Like her precious mom Tricia, Katlyn is a dear sister in Christ. Tricia has posted a card for Katlyn here along with a photo of Barnsley and where you can vote.

Here's a photo of Barnsley that just melted my heart! Click on him to vote. (There are specific rules for voting, so please follow the instructions below for your vote to count.)

The link takes you to Category 1. Scroll down to the bottom, select Category 9 (Friends and Pairs - Vignettes), scroll down again to the bottom, and click on the right where it says, "Vote now for your favorite in Category 9." Click "Vote," and you will be taken to a long list, and Barnsley and Bentley are at the top. Click the circle, scroll to the bottom, and hit "vote." Thank you!

I know teddy bears aren't for everyone, but I love mine dearly mostly because of my love for my mom and what she loved...most of all her love for the Lord. It's a reminder that we should pass along those values we love most, leaving a legacy to the next generation and beyond. It reminds me of this wonderful hymn by Steve Green. Here is the chorus:

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe.
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.

Thanks so much for "stopping by" and sharing a comment, thought or question, and I hope you have a wonderful week! And I truly hope you will take a few moments to vote to Barnsley!  (You have until July 31, so spread the word!)

Blessings,

My Techie Bear

Hello, sweet friends!  Today I finished a card and posted it for this week's Featured Stamper and Sketch Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. My goal has been to post at least one card each week.

I started this card on Sunday for this week's Featured Stamper, Mary J, who has a beautiful gallery filled with lovely cards. And she sure can color. I used the same bear named James, but my bear is working hard on his laptop...hehe! I decided to use this week's Sketch Challenge to finish the card and added colors to match the designer paper I chose. I added a small scallop border on the center piece, paper-pierced (have I can resist?), and added some DMC perle cotton with a button...and finally the sentiment. 

This card is headed to New Jersey as a thank-you note to our youngest son John who visited us last week. He is a teddy bear and gives the very best hugs...and we had lots of them! He is very techie, and we had such fun during our visit. Miss him already, but he is coming again next year...and he's coming earlier so we can make a spring season baseball game - yay!

Thanks so much for "stopping by" and sharing a comment, thought or question, and I hope you have a wonderful week! And warm hugs to all!

Blessings,

Stamps:  James - Laptop (Lili of the Valley), Take Note (PTI)

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), Vintage Cream (PTI), Soft Suede (SU), Sunshine (My Mind's Eye)

Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Square dies (Spellbinders), DMC perle cotton #840, piercing tool, Perfect Layers, 3M dimensional tape

Techniques: Paper-piercing

Card Size:  A-2
Copics used: E0000, E41, E43, E57, BG90, YG61, YG63, BG10, YR30, YR31, N0