Finally Got My Crafty On!

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

It is snowing like crazy here, which is great since most of it had melted off in the past few days. I just LOVE the Winter Winderland I call home! :)

while my family was away this past weekend working at Winter Camp, I was actually able to do a bit of crafting for the first time in over a month! gosh, did it ever feel GREAT! of course it took me almost an entire day to make one card, and my poor scanner is on it's very last leg, sad to say. but I hope to get back to my craftroom again in the next day or so. wooohoooo!

The image is by Simply Betty and is called 'Angel Elizabete'. she cracks me up! back when I was in Jr. High, we had to draw pictures of what our friends thought of us, what our parents thought of us, and then what we thought of ourselves. this image is pretty close to the one I drew of myself! yes, I've always had that sassy, rebellious side to me! tee hee!

The sentiment is from Ginger's House, papers are from the Echo Park Winter Park collection, ribbons from rose are May Arts, white trim is Prima, accents to main image are done with stickles, spica glitter gel pen, and shimmerz paint. washi tape, buttons, and rhinestones finish the card.

Challenges:
Simply Betty Facebook Ch - add snowflakes
Sketch Saturday - sketch
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesday - Anything Goes
Pile it On - 'P' is for.... pink, patterned paper, punches, Prima :)
Sentimental Sundays - pick one of the fave challenges (#160 for the girls)
That Craft Place - anything goes
Stampin' for the Weekend - anything goes
YNS - photo inspiration
4 Crafty Girls - anything goes
DRS Designs - frosted flakes
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - anything goes
Paper Shelter - anything goes

Merry Merry Christmas!

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

I want to wish each and every one of you a most merry Christmas! I hope you are filled to the top with love and all you could possibly want & need in your life. :)

"8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 
Luke 2:8-14

as I was thinking about this post and writing to each of you, God really laid something upon my heart. so often our first question after the usual greetings of Christmas is 'so what did you get?'

my question for myself this year is a bit different - 'what did I give?' did I give love to each person I met? did I share peace with each person I encountered? did I leave joy under the tree and in the hearts of those who passed my way? did I share even  a brief smile with anyone who dared cross my path?

or more likely, did they wonder at the scowl on my face or the distant way I treated them....was I just another person in line or in the car beside them (or wherever) who brushed them aside as if they didn't matter. did I treat each person with respect? did I give more respect to the birds and trees I enjoy than the man who delivers my mail or reads my electric meter?

today we celebrate God gifting the world with His only son. God knew that Easter was around the corner. we didn't, but He did. He knew the road that cute little baby born in a manger was going to have to walk. but God gave the gift of His son to us nonetheless. man. I am not worth it. that is a huge sacrifice. do I respect that gift? not one tiny bit. but I'm going to try to do better. I am so thankful for grace.

all of you know about my cancer battle. I want to make sure that when I am called home, the people I care about know that I love them, without a doubt. they are going to get so tired of not only hearing me say it, but seeing it in action.   that's the key. I could say it 'til the cows come home, but if they don't see it, it doesn't matter.

so maybe things will change a bit here on my blog, and maybe they won't. but I am going to try to do better about getting around to all of your blogs and leaving comments. remember I said 'try'!!!
love and Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! new friends or old friends, you are special to me! :)

My Thoughts on the Entire Duck Dynasty Article/Issue....

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

my thoughts in light of the entire Duck Dynasty article/issue~
(also shared on Facebook)

one day I will stand in front of God and have to answer many questions about how I lived my life. one of these, I'm sure, will be "did you love my people?" how will I be able to look Him in the eyes and say, "well, I chose to love only certain ones, God. some had different opinions than I did, some looked different than I did, some well, they just weren't really that clean or smelled kinda funky, so they weren't all that easy to love. and gosh, God, some just weren't very nice. some were down right mean to me."

and I have a feeling God will shake his head in sadness and reply to me, "and what about those times when you were mean and outspoken and said things in anger you didn't really intend to come out the way they did? or that time back in the 80's (and 90's) when you were just kind of a pain and thought you knew everything, but in fact still had a lot to learn about kindness? how lovable were you then? and didn't someone still wipe your brow and soothe your soul and tell you how beautiful you were?"

and He will remind me of the people who dropped off food at our back door when David didn't have a job or sent cards or texts when I was going through chemo or built a front porch as I went through more treatments for my cancer or the outpouring of cards when Tyler was hit by a car or the multitudes of other blessings that happen each and every day.

He will let me know that no matter what my sin, I was loved always and there were people who let me know.
so by following in HIS footsteps, I have to pass along that same love to others - regardless of their life choices. I am to love others unconditionally. understand that I am not asked to love the sin, but instead to love the sinner, for that is what each and every one of us is. we are all on a journey and can only do this with the help of one another and God's grace.

I am not the judge. I do not sit in judgement upon anyone. I can't. it's not my job. I am only called to love my neighbor. and I am working on it. it's not easy. it's one of the hardest commandments in the Bible. but it's worth it. we have to help each other out, not push each other down. that is what it means to be a follower of Christ, in my opinion.

I'm not here to debate the Bible - just stating my thoughts and opinions. each of us is entitled to our own. I'm weary of the hate and mud slinging from both sides. A & E has a right to suspend whomever they want as far as I am concerned. it's their network, they can do what they want. The Robertsons can say what they want when they are away from the series. they have that right as well. I just don't necessarily agree with them.

A Gal without a Team....and it's okay

Coffee of the Day - Moon Pie

Well it is now official. I have left every one of my Design Teams. yikes. I'll be honest - it's kinda scary. wandering out here all by myself. but it's kinda freeing, too. a bit like the time when I was in my early 20's and heading off to Oxford, not knowing anyone at all, alone in another country, a new school. but excited. new opportunities, new things to learn. a chance to find out more about who I really am.

this time off has let me know that I need more of this.... I need to get back to the roots of my crafting. creating for the joy of it. creating to pass along that joy (hopefully anyhow!).

I was inspired by a post I read a little while ago on Jennifer McGuire's blog. she said that she isn't on any Design Teams and creates only with products she really truly loves. that is pretty cool.

so for a little while, I'm going to be playing. playing in my craftroom. organizing my craftroom. (eek!) finding new artists to experience. and finding myself creatively again. I do think I stay fairly true to myself with what I make, but I want to be sure. I want to be away from the timetables and deadlines and just play. I want to come out from behind my walls and not worry about making the top 3 or 5 in a challenge or contest.

and I thank all of you for your patience and kindness. you mean so much to me! :)  I'll try to do better at getting around and leaving comments. I've been horrid at that. I really want to stop by and let you know I've been around. right now I stop by as more of a gallery watcher.

I want to do better, be better. be a better me. well, as good a 'me' as I can be. with God's help. and I want to honor Him. I haven't done a whole lot of that lately either. thank goodness I am a work in progress!

If you enjoy music and singing....

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

Hello! I have several little things to share today. if you are a fan of fabulous music, then this is the post for you.

Today here in the States, a wonderful t.v. show starts back up for the holiday season. It is called 'The Sing Off' and features only a capella music groups. it is absolutely amazing the talent this program showcases! sadly, it wasn't on last year, but enough fans helped bring it back again. I hope you will pop in for a peek!

next, you know what LOTR fans we are in my family. well Tyler hooked my on this GORGEOUS song that is in the upcoming 'Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug' movie that premiers on Friday. every time I hear it my soul just cries at the beauty of it. I'm sharing the youtube video with all of you here. enjoy! :)

 

Two Dogs Go Out for a Walk......

Coffee of the Day - Oatmeal Cookie Crumble (I have GOT to get some new coffee flavors..... but a BIG thank you to Kathy C who sent us some for Thanksgiving! yum yum!)

okay, so the story goes like this..... 2 dogs go out for a walk in the snow.  a crazy lady goes out with them. (yep, you see where this is going, I bet!) no, she is not wearing a tiara this time. ;) the dogs sniff in the snow for squirrels, chipmunks, and other various friends and then decide it's time to go back inside where it is nice and toasty warm. crazy lady in her slippers starts to walk back in with them. suddenly dog #1 decides, 'hey, I think I want to race down the hill one last time!', but doesn't bother to inform either dog #2 or crazy lady in slippers. dog #2 goes toward warm toasty house, dog #1 goes back down hill, crazy lady in slippers lands on her face in snow.

so that was several days ago. I've been stuck in bed ever since. my poor knee is swollen bigger than a bowling ball where I landed on it prior to crashing on my face. I have bruises on my legs, torso, and shoulders. was bleeding out my ears for the first few days. that was an interesting development I've not had happen before. needless to say I missed the majority of the visit with all of my sons home because I was in bed unable to move. boo hiss blech.

never let it be said that cancer is the most interesting thing that goes on in this house! grins! of course no one was the least bit surprised that it happened...... bet y'all aren't either! tee hee!
good news is that I am getting a LOT of reading done. and sleeping.

hope all of you had a fabulous Thanksgiving! take a bit of time over the holidays to remember the reason we celebrate. don't get so caught up in the 'doing' that you forget the 'loving' part! :) hugs to ya!