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Saturday, June 30, 2018

Birthday Blog Candy!

* This post will remain at the top of my blog until the drawing *


Happy Birthday to me, but ALL of you are going to help me celebrate! :)


I have some fun candy that everyone can take part in, no matter where in this lovely world you live! some friends are joining the part, bringing the balloons and party hats, because I want to make sure that EVERYONE can come to my party! :)


There will be actual prizes given out to several winners here in the States, but online gift certificates for digital products sent to those of you who live in other parts of the world. does that sound like fun?!


I am not going to make you do anything other link your little blogs with our blue froggy friend down below. you have until the end of the month, and I'll announce winners both here on this post and on another one on Monday, July 2.  and I promise to make the announcement that day. isn't it bothersome to go to a blog when they say they are going to post a winner and they never do? not here. if I say candy, you get candy! :)


but do you want even more chances to win? all you have to do is link up a birthday card or project and you will gain more entries. link that specific blog post for each additional entry. play as often as you like, just be sure to link each post separately.

now I know you want me to stop chatting and show you what's in the prize boxes, so here goes:

Grand Prize:


3 Dare 2B Artzy ink pads
Prima doily stencil
Petaloo burlap flowers
Asst. of Unity single sentiment stamps
tags and doilies
ribbons and trims
resin frames
other fun goodies!

Second Prize:


Tim Holtz Distress Oxide ink pad
(I received this as a prize win
and already had one.)
Crafters Workshop stencil
Asst. of Unity single sentiment stamps
tags and doilies
ribbons and trims
Charm assortment
other fun goodies!

Third Prize:


Spellbinders Seahorse & Sand Dollar die set 
plus extra goodies

now keep in mind that since taking the pictures, I have already been adding more stuff to the goody bags. little extras like buttons and a few more ribbons. who knows what else might end up in there by the time the month is over! Just found a little stash I had tucked away from Whimsy Stamps! wooo hooo! each prize package will receive a stamp goody from them! :)

click on the photos to be taken to a larger piccy. any questions? just leave a comment. no need to become a follower unless you just wanna hang out here in the coffeehouse with me. :) I try to be cool that way. peace, love, and all that jazz. no pressure. don't even need to post a photo on your blog.  just have a slice of cake. maybe dance a little. chill out and get your groove on.


and just so you know, I WILL be wearing one of my tiaras all day. I might have lost most of my hair, but I can still rock a tiara like nobody's business! ;)  Party like a Princess!


One of the prizes offered for International winners is a gift certificate to Create with TLC. Paulette has very kindly given all of my readers and followers some free images! isn't that so nice of her?! please stop by her blog and leave her a thank you. :) aren't party favors fun?! there are more over on my post for today, so head over when you finish linking....





(to save these images, click on the photo 
which should take you to another page.
right click and then 'save as' to
the file of your choice
on your computer.
if you have any troubles, 
pop me an email.)


more additions!!!! :)


I have heard back from my friend, Mo, of Mo's Digital Pencil. I am adding a few gift certificates from her digital store to the prizes for the international players! wooo hoooo! you  might want to head over to her shop now because she has a great sale going on for retiring images using the code: BYEBYE.

*Inlinkz tool removed per new privacy laws since all prizes have been claimed. thank you for your understanding. :)

now go get your cake before it's all gone. ;)
*Reminder - the only way to be entered into the candy drawing is to use the inlinkz froggy tool! otherwise I don't know that you want to be entered. :)

Jennifer

It's a Joy to Celebrate YOU! :)

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Coconut Hazelnut coffee

Today's card is one that is very special to me because of who and what it represents. I don't talk much about my activism here on my blog, but today across the United States there are marches and rallies to stand in support of the families who have been torn apart because of the Immigration ban, ICE, and border patrol. The event is called "Families Belong Together."   #FamiliesBelongTogether


Normally I would be right there marching in support of these families, but my health problems keep me at home. In the past I have marched for DACA, in support of the repeal of the Immigration ban, and anything else that keeps us from being a nation of togetherness and compassion. I am so sad that I can not be in downtown Cleveland today showing my solidarity with my brothers and sisters of all colors and nationalities. We are so much better together! :)

So the best I could do was to make this card to share with everyone. I understand that ICE targets people of ALL colors. sadly, they seem to be going after the Hispanic population more frequently, at least here in this area of Ohio. I hear more and more stories of raids and people being detained. my heart breaks for these poor souls. families are being torn apart. people are dying. that is not who we as a nation are. that is not what God calls us to be. and children are being torn away from their parents. we have friends that disappeared overnight. we can only pray that they are safe. oh my gosh, I am crying as I type this.

but we must have hope. we  must do better.
and so with my poor health I can make a card. it isn't much, but this I can do.


so I used one of the images from my precious friend, Mo Manning, called "Rosa." she is dancing with joy. because no matter what terrible things life may bring our way, we can never let someone else steal our joy. :)

Mo's sister has created some beautiful artwork that for the march. I have been allowed to link to the post on her Instagram account. if you have an account, please stop by and leave her some love. :) it's a powerful poster.

and I paired it with a sentiment from another dear friend, Paulette of Create with TLC. in our darkest moments, we can celebrate the blessings God continues to provide every single day. :) and I choose to celebrate YOU and those beautiful, wonderful, amazing people who might be locked in those dark, terrible interment camps, but we are here praying for them. we are here standing together letting other people know that they are not alone. we are here saying that they are welcome here and we want them here. we are here saying to those beautiful people that they are loved and they matter. because every one of us is precious in the sight of our God. no immigration ban can diminish  a person in His sight.

so now that I have gone on and on, I will leave you.
if you want details about my card, just leave a message in the comments. I'll send you an email. :)

today is the last day of my birthday blog candy, so pop over here to enter. :)

much love to YOU, because YOU matter to me. :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
Crafty Catz - anything goes w/embossing option
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes
Crafty Creations - anything goes
Path of Positivity - anything goes w/neutrals option
Colour Crazy Craft - anything goes
Catch the Bug - Make it Bright: kraft cs and a pop of bright color
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
House That Stamps Built - anything goes
Crafty Gals Corner - anything goes
Retarte - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Dream Valley - all things bright and beautiful

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Birthday Blog Candy Reminder

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Victorian Earl Grey tea


Hello everyone!

Sorry that I haven't posted anything in a while. my seizures have been pretty bad these past few days. I haven't been able to do any crafting and have spent most of my time in bed. I am going to try to get to my craft room today for a little while. crossing fingers to get a card finished to show all of you. :)


I wanted to pop in to remind all of you to sign up for my birthday blog candy here at this post. you can gain extra entries by linking birthday themed projects. just link those projects separately please. :) enter as many times as you would like, with each entry having a separate post. thanks! :)

*Reminder - the only way to be entered is to use the Inlinkz blue froggy tool. otherwise I don't know that you want to be entered. :)

You have until the end of June to enter! so hurry on over! :)

Friday, June 22, 2018

You are Somebody!

Coffee of the Day - Pecan Turtle coffee


Happy Friday and welcome to the weekend! Don't forget to enter my Birthday Blog Candy before the end of the month! new additions are being made to all of the prize packages, including the international packages, almost daily. :) you know you want to win. :) right now the odds are pretty good since only a few people are entered. looks like a few of you are going to possibly get LOTS of goodies! grins! you can gain more entries by linking up a birthday themed project. I have heard back from my friend, Mo, of Mo's Digital Pencil, and I'll be buying gift certificates from her store later today. you can't win in you don't enter!

now on to today's project...
I received these beautiful stamps from Reverse Confetti in the mail after having a lovely gift certificate arrive in my mail box from the owner, Jen Del Muro. What an incredibly nice person!!!! I wanted to make something with them right away, but had a few other projects that I had to complete first. But then God put someone on my heart. you know how that goes. and I have learned that when He speaks, I had better listen. He might be quiet, but He is mighty indeed. :)

so I got busy yesterday. I have used the sets "Tall Blooms" and "My Tribe".  Around here, during late summer and early fall, there are some wildflowers that grow along the roadside in the most vibrant purple. they are absolutely gorgeous! they stand out so beautifully from the brown wheatgrasses they grow alongside. I wanted to try to recreate that if I could. it's not easy to see the purples in my photo, but they are there.


(you may click on 
the photo to be taken to
another page to see it larger)

after the Coffee Loving Cardmaker's blog hop, I was so blessed to have won a neat kit from WOW embossing powders, filled with all kinds of goodies. included were the powders that I used on this card: Perissa and Caramel Macchiato on the flowers, and Skinny Chai Latte on the sentiment. The Perissa is probably more suited to scattering like you would do with frantage powders, but I really love the look here on the flowers. it is a gorgeous silver and copper color when melted. the caramel macchiato is a shade of copper.

The sentiment from "My Tribe" was stamped onto vellum with brown ink. it didn't show up so well, so I added the skinny chai latte embossing powder to see if it would help make it pop a bit. once embossed it created a neat marbling effect. this is only a portion of the entire stamp, but the person the card was for needed to know that she is somebody in God's eyes. :)

a few years ago I attended a women's leadership conference. one of the most powerful moments was when we were all told to stand up and repeat over and over again, "I am somebody." for this woman, who had been abused since the time I was a little girl, to say that was difficult because I have never believed it. the young woman receiving this card needed that encouragement yesterday. she immediately sent me a text letting me know how much it meant to her. so to Jen Del Muro, that portion of your stamp is powerful. it's not so much the card, but the message of the stamp you created. thank you. :)

The flowers were stamped onto watercolor paper, embossed, and then painted with SU! inks. after heat setting and painting, I double stamped the other images with ink to make it appear that they were in the bg. I used my SU! ink squirty tool in shades of brown and purple over the top.

beautiful die is by Spellbinders, copper glitter ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and miscellaneous sequins & lace are from my stash. flower is from Michaels, distressed with ink, and then a bit of distress stickles were added. paper is from my beloved Basic Grey, the Vivienne collection...sigh....

thanks for your patience with my long post. :)
have a most fabulous weekend!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Reverse Confetti Stock Your Stash - hello/just because
Crop Stop - anything goes w/a product they carry (Spellbinders, distress stickles)
As You Like It - favorite type of embossing and why: heat because I can use so many neat colors of powder for lots of neat effects. I do enjoy dry embossing, but it doesn't compare to the fun things I can do with embossing powders, such as here.  thanks!)
Aud Sentiments - anything goes w/a sentiment
Moving Along with the Times - June Blooms
Creative Crafters - anything goes
Back to Basics and Beyond - heat embossing
Crafting By Designs - flowers, flowers, flowers
Crafty Addicts - anything goes/w say it with flowers option
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Die Cuttin' Divas - embossing
Tuesday Throwdown - you are on my mind
Crafty Catz - anything goes w/beautiful blooms option

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Birthday Cats, Mice, and Old Cheese

Winner at House Mouse and Friends
DT Favorite at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Dunkin' Donuts Vanilla CupCake coffee

So today is my birthday and we are having a party here on my blog! Gourmet cupcakes, ice cream, balloons, music, and lots of dancing! chips and nachos, too! something for everyone!


Don't forget the candy, BLOG CANDY!!!!! Head over to this post and get your name entered for a chance to win some fun prizes! it doesn't matter where in this big, happy world you  live, because everyone has a chance! :) you have until the end of the month to enter. more entries if you link a birthday themed card or project!


so now on to my project....

I pulled out one of my oh, so neglected House Mouse stamps, "Gift for Kitty" and combined it with elements from one of my most favorite ever online stores & blogs, Create with TLC. you have probably seen me use Paulette's sentiments and digital elements if you are a follower or frequent visitor here. she  is a doll. really and truly. she gives away free stuff ALL the time. honest. go check out her blog. now. well, maybe after you finish reading my post. and linking your blog to the candy. then go visit Paulette. tell her hey and ask her what she has against coffee. she will laugh. ;)

speaking of Paulette, she has a few freebies for y'all. talk about party favors! check out the blog candy post for a few more. :) a few of the International participants will win gift certificates to her Etsy store! cool, huh, ?!







(to save these images, click on the photo 
which should take you to another page.
right click and then 'save as' to
the file of your choice
on your computer.
if you have any troubles, 
pop me an email.)

so now we really will get to my card.

card:
cute House Mouse image: check
great Create with TLC elements: check


story: this thing drove me up the freaking wall to get done. I was worried about that cat. it just wasn't right. But here it is finished. Ta da! :)

digital papers are from the Echo Park Celebrate Spring collection, flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, lace trim is from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and seam binding is distressed & by Zipper Stop. little ticket and burlap doily are from my stash. no clue whatsoever where the pretty pink sequins came from, but I do like them ever so much. Die is by Spellbinders and punches are from SU! I used a wink of stella glitter pen to go over the jingle bell.


thanks for hanging in there with me. y'all rock the casbah! let's party!
now go get some cake!


Challenges:
House Mouse and Friends - anything goes w/birthday option
Ike's World - anything goes/song inspiration (Happy Birthday, kinda obvious, sorry)
SUYP - furryything goes with cats
Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Cute 'N Crafty - birthday
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Cupcake Inspiration - color challenge: pink, green, yellow
Use Your Stuff - inspired by a song: Happy Birthday, of course ;)
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - anything goes w/a critter
Ching-Chou Kuik - cats or dogs
Crafty Animals - anything goes w/an animal
Dream Factory - Nine Lives

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Serene Still Life Spotlight Birthday

Top 3 Pick at Crafting With Dragonflies
Coffee/Tea of the Day - World Market Bourbon Pecan coffee

Hello, everyone! I hope your week has been off to a good start so far.

Please pop back by tomorrow as it's my birthday and we are going to celebrate with some blog candy! hooray! :)

Today's bit of crafty is a card using a technique I haven't done in years! if you haven't tried it before, it's actually quite fun and easy. Spotlighting a portion of your image can be done with either rubber stamps or digital images.

For my project today I am using one of the image from the beautiful "Graceful Still Life" digital set by Power Poppy.  don't forget that they have that great sale going on from now through the end of the month if you use the code COLORINGCHALLENGE at checkout. for more details, be sure to head to either their blog or store. no, I am not on commission, I just happen to think they have gorgeous images. ;) I am trying to improve my painting skills, so these challenge me to try to be better. as with everything in life, we have good days and bad. yesterday was most definitely a bad one. not only did I have horrid migraines and seizures that knocked me for a loop. but whatever I tried to paint ended up in the trash. thank goodness today is a new day with brand new blessings to unfold! :)

anyway, on to my card....


for the spotlight technique, you don't have to, but I did print out my digital image twice. this made it easier for me to line up the image after matting and coloring.

digital papers are from 3 different Prima collections: Almanac, Lucid, and Steel Toe Mary Jane. nothing like being all mixey matchey! :) flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts (just had notice pop in my email about a sale going on here, too! check it out!) and Dimco at Really Reasonable Ribbons. the polka dot ribbon and crochet trim are also from Really Reasonable Ribbons. vintage buttons are from my stash. sari ribbon smidgen is left over from making rehearsal dinner invitations. :) you will see those as the date approaches! :) btw - wedding invites have been mailed and are reaching nearby mailboxes. people are letting us know how excited they are! happy happy!!!!  all of the dies are by Spellbinders and my favorite little punch in the world, the banner punch, is from SU!

you can't tell from the photo, but I did stamp "Happy Birthday" on the inside, because this card is going to Ryan's fiancee. her birthday is next week, although they are currently in New York City with their youth group on a missions trip.

I think that does it for me. I have rambled long enough and y'all have been so very patient. :)

much love to all of you! see you back here tomorrow for birthday fun and a card if my mojo comes back after going on vaca as evident from yesterday. ha!


Challenges:
Power Poppy - round and round (spotlight, buttons, polka dots on ribbon & border paper)
Crafting With Dragonflies - ribbons and lace
TTCRD - anything goes
Hiding in My Craft Room - buttons and bows
Creative Craft Cottage - Eileen's anything goes w/purple option (as a cancer survivor I know how terrible this disease is. my prayers remain with her family & friends. I have added purple to my card in her honor. saw the challenge posted on my friend, Fiki's blog)
CCC Digi - Eileen's anything goes w/purple option (see above)
Morgan's Art World - anything goes
Sparkles - let's be pretty
Retarte - anything goes
Ribbon Girls - anything goes w/ribbon and summer option
30 Day Coloring Challenge - really trying my best to get a little done every day as long as my seizures allow

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Hoppy Father's Day!

Coffee/Tea of the Day - World Market Fireside Rum coffee

Hoppy Father's Day to all of the dads, granddads, uncles, and father figures out there! :)

now I say 'hoppy' because my card today is inspired by all of the fabulous craft beer breweries around our wonderful world! Dave and I enjoy visiting them as we travel the country (or we did travel a bit before my health woes took over).  in the Cleveland area, which is near where we live, there are some amazing breweries, not to mention in the state of Ohio. I was never really a beer drinker, but have enjoyed trying some since some of the stouts have tastes similar to my beloved coffee. did you realize that? servers are always amazed that I am the one drinking the dark beer, while Dave gets the lighter ones. it's funny. :)

Power Poppy has this really fun "Hops and Barley"digital image which includes several neat sentiments that can be used for different occasions. they currently have a sale going on if you use the code COLORINGCHALLENGE.  I believe the sale goes through the end of the month and can be used multiple times. for more information, head to their store or blog.


I added the image twice, flipping one of them, and then inserting the Benjamin Franklin quote inside the space. I then fussy cut around the piece. the papers are from the Authentique Meadow collection. the brown gingham is one of my favorite go to papers right now. it's actually the flip side of their journal cards, but I just love the look, especially for masculine cards. :) I added texture paste over a Carta Bella stencil in the corner.

matting dies are by Spellbinders, seam binding is from Zipper Stop and was distressed with ink, vintage buttons are from my stash, and jute ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

the inside reads, "Hoppy Father's Day," which is one of the newest sentiments that was just added to this set in the past week. I didn't get a photo.

I apologize that my photo is so light. I am having a tough time with photo editing with my head all messed up due to the seizures. my eyes just don't seem to work properly. so very sorry. if you click on the photo, it will take you to a larger window where you can see everything in much better detail, and hopefully that will make it better. I will try to do a nicer job on future projects until I can get over these yucky things.

Have a most lovely day, and thank you for stopping by!
Jennifer


Challenges:
Allsorts - use at least 2 dies (both by Spellbinders)
Craftaholics R Us - kraft (card base and one of the matting pieces)
Digistamps 4 Joy - anything goes w/optional for the men in your life
Crafty Calendar - 3 of something (buttons)
Pile it On - holidays (Father's Day)
Catch the Bug - bingo: ribbon, die/punch, sentiment
Daisy Chain - for the boys/men
Simply Create Too - for a male
Aud Sentiments - anything goes w/a sentiment
Cardz 4 Guyz - Father's Day
Stinkin' Inkers - the guys have it
Try it on Tuesday - for the boys
Unicorn Ch - masculine
Daily Marker 30 coloring challenge - trying the best I can when my seizures allow

Saturday, June 16, 2018

A Bee Skep Birthday

Featured Project at Little Red Wagon
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Salted Caramel coffee

It's the weekend! hooray! :) that would usually mean that hubby is home for the day, but he and Palmer are out at Camp meeting a delivery, so it's just Moon Pie and I here at home. the seizures haven't changed, but I so appreciate the kind comments and emails that so many have you have sent. :) thank you!

I apologize that it's taking me so long to post projects. the card I am sharing today took me about 3 days to complete. I can only craft for about 30 minutes before my wonky head gets too much for me to bear. but I'm thankful for the time I am able to spend in my craft room, no matter how short it is. :)


I created this birthday card for my SIL, although it will be a bit late getting to her. The beautiful bee skep and flower image is from Power Poppy. they have a great sale going on now if you use the code: COLORINGCHALLENGE . the sale is valid through the end of the month to my understanding and can be used multiple times. there are a few restrictions, so please check the store or their blog for more information.

the fun little journal cards are from a new to me store I found on Etsy called Arty Maze. wonderfully shabby goodies at a reasonable price that download and print out so nicely! why yes, thank you! :)

you can see that I used them on both the front and inside.


the background paper is made with sunburst yellow and grey brusho powders spritzed with pearl glimmer mist. the small flower stamp and birthday sentiment are from the SU! "Best Birds" set. iridescent texture paste was spread over a Studio Calico hexagon mask in the lower right hand corner of the card.

ribbons along the bottom of the card are from Really Reasonable Ribbon, while the lace and natural jute trim in the upper right hand corner are from my stash. vintage buttons are stash items as well. a wink of stella gel pen was used to accent the bees' wings. flower is from Michael's.

Enjoy your weekend, and I'll see you back here tomorrow for Father's Day!
Jennifer


Challenges:
Always Happy Birthday - anything birthday w/summer birthday option
Crafts Galore Encore - anything goes
Creatalicious - anything goes w/optional flowers (on digi, bg paper, journaling card, & mulberry flower)
Scribbles Designs - anything goes
Colour Crazy - anything hand colored goes (watercolor brushes & SU! ink refills)
Craft Rocket - birthday
Little Red Wagon - too bee or not to bee
Crafty Gals Corner - summer colors
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Rubbernecker - birthday
DL Art - anything goes
Daily Marker 30 Day coloring challenge - trying as best I can when my seizures allow

Monday, June 11, 2018

Under the Sea Altered Nuts Can

Top 3 Pick at Sparkles Monthly Challenge
Highlighted Project at Use Your Stuff
Winner at Sunsational Stamps
Top 3 Pick at The Fairy and the Unicorn
Coffee/Tea of the Day - Sweet Pear tea

Hello! Happy Monday! :)
I hope you had a great weekend! I apologize that I haven't had a craft project to share with you in a while.  These seizures and migraines are really doing a number on me. Unfortunately they seem to be getting worse rather than better, much to my dismay. I am using my cane to get around much more often, as opposed to just 'holding on to the walls' as I usually do to get around the house. Yesterday it was easier to just stay in bed, because I found myself falling down  every time I tried to stand or walk.  this is not fun, folks. :( I want to be out enjoying the sunshine and bird songs and the smell of grass and good stuff of summer. oh well. maybe soon.



 anyhow, enough of the icky stuff.  I had wanted to have this project completed in time to celebrate World Oceans Day and the March for the Oceans. I had planned to attend a nearby march, but of course I couldn't. taking care of our waterways and the beautiful creatures that live in them is very important to me.


So I created this altered project using a mixed nuts can. Since becoming a vegetarian over the past few years, we eat lots of nuts. :) I save the cans for my projects, and thought it would be fun to make this for Tyler and Danielle to put the shells and beach glass they collect on their honeymoon this fall.

I gathered images from The Graphic Fairy (anchors), Create with TLC (fish), and SU! (fish rubber stamp).  papers are from the Authentique Sea Maiden collection, and flowers are from both Wild Orchid Crafts & Petaloo. all ribbons and trims are from Really Reasonable Ribbon. sea horse and sand dollar dies are by Tim Holtz.


The background base paper was sprayed with Tattered Angels pearl glimmer mist. This is one of my favorite sprays for a glorious all over sparkle, but especially for water scenes. Essentially every piece of paper or cardstock used on here was sprayed with this glimmer mist at least once. :)

From there I created the sand portion. I used the actual sand designer paper from Authentique, but then sprayed it with the Tattered Angels walnut gold & pearl regular glimmer mists and the Hot Chocolate Chalkboard glimmer mist. once these had dried I stippled a bit of gesso over the top to give a bit of texture. this piece of dsp was then adhered around the bottom with foam tape.


The seahorses were distressed with white craft and crumb cake inks and then sprayed with the pearl & Atlantic glimmer mists. I added a little bead for the eyes. torn cardboard was distressed with white craft ink. the floral anchor piece was edged in gold glitter glass. I used a little fern punch by Martha Stewart to replicate sea plants. they were distressed and inked. The top has a wonderful burlap doily and neat flower that I came across a few years ago in my travels, knowing that it would be perfect on some project. looks like this was the one! :)


Pearl beads and metallic beads by Prima add more texture along the ocean floor. Real shells & beach glass pieces, along with postage stamps and vintage laces & buttons help to complete the project.

I hope you have enjoyed my little altered project today. Enjoy your day!
Jennifer

Challenges:
Canvas Corp - To the Sea (Tattered Angels pearl, walnut gold, Hot Chocolate, & Atlantic glimmer mists)
613 Avenue Create - anything goes w/optional buttons & bows theme
Dragonfly Dreams - anything goes
Corrosive Challenges - anything goes
Catch the Bug - make a splash
Fairy and the Unicorn - anything mystical/mythical (mermaids, on card)
Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media - layers
Let's Craft and Create - anything goes w/punch it optional theme (Martha Stewart fern punch)
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Sparkles - sea shells
Sunsational Stamps - beach
Crafter's Cafe - tic tac toe: lace, patterned paper, ribbon
CRAFT - add ribbon and sparkle (sparkle comes from the numerous glimmer mists, pearl beads, and beach glass. it has a lovely shine irl)
Use Your Stuff - magical (mermaids, on card)
Altered Eclectics - anything altered or mixed media

Friday, June 8, 2018

A Few Words... You Are Loved

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Tea Thyme

No crafty things to show you today, although I have been working on some stuff in the background while still dealing with these yuckity yuck seizures. they still aren't going away, much to my dismay and disappointment. :(

But I wanted to post today about the very sad news we woke to this morning regarding the passing of Anthony Bourdain. yet another suicide has taken the life of a wonderful, yet obviously hurting soul. We have also been dealing with the news this week that Kate Spade, the talented designer, took her own life.


Last night I was reading the news that suicides are up more than 30% in recent years. Just a few days ago I finished watching the newest season of "13 Reasons Why." it's a fabulous series on Netflix that tackles the aftereffects of a teen's suicide at a high school, but I warn you now, it is not easy to watch. it is graphic with very serious themes and scenes. but that doesn't stop it from being a truthful telling.

Unfortunately, many of the situations dealt with in the series, and that we are seeing played out in the news, I have had to experience in my own life. Which is why I am writing this post today.


“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” 
{Ephesians 3:17-19}

I want to let that one person out there reading this know that YOU are loved. Someone out there loves you very much. There are probably a lot of someones. There are probably people you don't even realize that are impacted by your life and you have no idea. I am sure Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade had no idea the number of people who would be so shocked and in mourning over their passing. We had a long group text about it this morning with everyone in my family because it hit us all so hard.


The point is that YOU matter. There are going to be times that you feel overwhelmed, and life is going to be so very hard. I know. I have been there so many times. I am a suicide survivor. so I really have been there. and there are times that you really can't feel the love that people have for you, but that doesn't make it less real. and it doesn't make God's love for you less real.


you were created to be here, in this moment, at this time on Earth, for a certain purpose that ONLY YOU  can fulfill. I know that there are other things in life where other people can take over for you if you don't do your job or a chore or show up or whatever, but in this particular case, you are the only one who has been called to fulfill YOUR PURPOSE.  you are necessary.


so please understand how very much you are loved. really really loved. and we have to show that love to other people who might be feeling less than lovely.  because we have been there. we know that loneliness.  and the hurt. but sometimes you sharing a smile can be what it takes to let someone know that they are worthy.


be kind. show compassion. walk in peace. and in doing so you will know love. you will spread love and be love.

but for this moment, just remember that you are loved. really truly loved. always and forever.
Jennifer

* all of the graphics used today can be found here. if you use or link them on your own blogs, please be sure to give credit to the artist/author, Holley Gerth. :)

*Editing to add:
Here is the link to a fabulous article I highly recommend everyone read. Thanks!

Another good article...