Keep Your Face to the Sunshine

Coffee of the Day - actually not sure, hubby made it before he headed out for work....

Hello after a bit of a break! I ended up going to Indiana and Chicago after all. it was a great trip - bittersweet in that we dropped off Ryan at Indiana Wesleyan University to begin his new adventure there, but a fun time in Chicago celebrating our anniversary. I loved everything about the city, as I knew I would. we spent most of our time driving around to look at the architecture, which is was the main thing I wanted to do. We did get to have lunch at Frontera's, a fabulous restaurant owned by Rick Bayless. we sat next to the most charming gentleman who dines there every Saturday. he kept us entertained for the entire meal! But I knew the whole time we were in Chicago that as much as I enjoyed it, I could never live there. it is a beautiful city, of that there is no doubt. but I need my hills and trees and woods. :)

I'm going to slam y'all with several posts, so hold onto your seats. I wasn't able to get these scheduled before I left, so I'm very late adding them to my blog now. please forgive me for being tardy. once we came back home, the  traveling took it's toll, and I've not been doing well. I'm trying to get caught up slowly but surely.....

I was blessed to receive an invite to be a guest designer over at Quirky Crafts Challenges. There new challenge is called 'I Like to Move it, Move it.' They want to see movement of some kind on your papercraft projects. The sponsor is The Cutting Cafe. There is also a new challenge over at the Digi Makeover - pearls and lace. I combined all of these challenges into one card!

First I printed Kat the Pinwheel Fairy and one of the sentiments from Jen's Sunshine onto white cs. these were cut with a Spellbinders circle die to create a suspension card. papers are Basic Grey Mint Julep, flower and leaves are Prima, linen thread & pinwheel punch are SU!  her wings are painted with shimmerz. the pinwheels do actually turn, so there is more movement on the card there. I did add a light wash to the pinwheels to tame the white of the dsp. the pink lace is vintage. the sentiment side was sprayed with glimmer mist.

Challenges:
WAW - anything goes
Bearly Mine - anything goes
Creative Card Crew - things with wings
TTCRD - anything goes
Emerald Faeries - magical creatures
Mema's Crafts - lace and flowers
Oozak - anything goes with dies/punches
Flutter By Wed. - anything goes with a butterfly or fairy
Allsorts - it's about the sentiment
Pattie's Creations - anything goes
Sister Act - anything goes
Aud Sentiment - any sentiment
Delightful Challenges - make the cut

Results of Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

Good morning! I realized that in all of the excitement of the Jen's Sunshine blog hop, I had failed to give all of you a final report of the amount raised. I know some of you have been asking, so here ya go -
after all of the proceeds I have received from Paper Makeup Stamps, The Stamping Boutique, and the individual donations, all of YOU have so graciously donated almost $600 to my family! isn't that wonderful?!?!?!?!? we are so touched by your love & kindness! already one of my medical bills has been paid off, so your contributions really have made a difference! thank you so very much! :) Also, because so many of you have asked, I will add the paypal donation button to my sidebar for you. (give me some time to figure out how to do this!)

one dr.'s appt. down this week, oh so many left to go..... blech! don't know if I'll have the time or energy to craft, but sure hope I can.

Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop Winners!

I am going to get straight to the chase, because y'all don't want a bunch of fancy chit chat.....

here are the winners from MY BLOG for the Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop. Please go to the Party Time Tuesday challenge blog or the Paper Makeup Stamps challenge blog for a complete list of winners.

if you see your name listed, pop me an email at jenscull at yahoo dot come with your mailing addy (if it applies). If I haven't heard from you by Sunday evening at midnight, a new winner will be chosen for that prize. I will try to get prizes mailed out ASAP. Please be patient, though. I have dr.s' appt.s and testing almost every day next week. On top of that I still have this blasted fever and now a fun cough..... I'll do the best I can to get these goodies out to you quickly pronto fast! :)

btw......winners were chosen using the random blue box thingy. I can't for the life of me get it to post on my blog properly. doesn't help that my head is off in left field picking daisies like a first year Little Leaguer....you are just gonna have to trust me on this. ha!


Complete set of Jane's Doodles digital stamps:
Winner - Lorianna Z.


2012/2014 Stampin' Up! In Color Pattern Stack DSP:
winner - Sue Berker


A*Muse Spooky Boo Day stamp set:
winner - Colleen Holmes


My Blog Candy of Breast Cancer Support & Vintage Items:
Winners - Penny & Esther


Collection of magazines from Paper Craft:
winner - Chris Veneruso

Congratulations to all of you! again, please send me an email with your mailing info or email address so I can make sure your prizes get to you.:)

thank you so VERY much to everyone who participated in the hop, donated so VERY kindly to my family, or stopped by to say hello and wish us well. Our hearts are full with the love you shared! We are blessed in abundance! my love and that of my family goes out to all of you! :)

It's Here! The Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop!

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Paper Makeup Stamps & Party Time Tuesdays Challenge Blog
proudly present
"Jen's Sunshine" Blog Hop

This hop will remain open till Tuesday Sept.4th
Winners announced Sept. 7th

I would be terribly remiss if I didn't begin by saying a most heart felt thank you to the ladies behind this blog hop - Jenn, Michelle, and Katie. they have gone above and beyond putting everything together for all of us. My family and I can not express enough how much we appreciate every single person who is participating in the blog hop as well as the numerous stores, companies, and individuals who have so graciously donated prizes. Please please take a moment from the blog hop to stop and tell these people thank you. I am so overwhelmed and blessed! :)

My card uses the fairy image from the Jen's Sunshine set as well as the 'You add sunshine' senti. paper is My Mind's Eye The Sweetest Thing Lavender, wings were coated with shimmerz paint as were her shoes (hey, every girl needs at least ONE pair of pink shoes! I myself have several!!! grins!) buttons are vintage, flower is Prima, leaves from a Martha Stewart punch, washi tape & baker's twine are from Etsy. little touches of rock candy distress stickles edge the main image and pink mat. my white gel pen was used to accent image as well as to add a dotted border.

I'm sending this card to a 9 year old girl who is currently going through treatment for leukemia. you can find more information about her battle here. I know how much the cards I have received mean to me. I hope to share a bit of sunshine with someone else fighting this awful cancer monster. hope she likes it!

Also, a friend of mine of fellow DT member is kinda sorta playing along in the hop. I would love it if you could take a moment to pop by her blog and see what she has made! Lisa - Adventures in Paper Land

We ask as you hop along with us, please consider donating at least $1 using the paypal donation button at any stop along the way. Your donation will go directly to Jen. Thank you. (I have to add this..... thank you for helping my family!)

It wouldn't be a hop without prizes. To see a full list of the prizes up for grabs, please visit

Paper Makeup Stamps
and
Party Time Tuesdays Challenge Blog

To be eligible to win a prize from our sponsors, collect the hidden letters located throughout the hop. Once you spell out the secret phrase, please email ---> Jenn Cochran at partytimetuesdays@hotmail.com. <----This will get you entered to win one of several fabulous prizes throughout the hop. ***Prizes up for grabs on my blog will be selected from comments left ONLY on my blog.***


Paper Pretties has kindly donated one digi of the winner's choice to be chosen from comments left on my blog! :)


Jane B of Jane's Doodles is so very generous to one lucky winner! That person will receive not one digi, but EVERY digi in the Jane's Doodles shop! wowza!

an anonymous donor has given me this fun, brand new A*Muse stamp set, 'Spooky Boo Day' (retail value $24.95) to offer one person who leaves a comment on my blog!


another anonymous donor is offering this great pack of Stampin' Up! 2012/2014 in color designer series paper (retail value $21.95) for one person who leaves a comment on my blog.

$15 gift certificate to Paper Makeup Stamps to one lucky person who leaves a comment on my blog!


and then there is the grand kahuna prize from those who leave a comment on my blog - Cath, a dear friend, editor at Paper Crafts mag, and writer extraordinaire of Moxie Fab blog has offered this ginormous selection of special edition PC mags, shipping included, to one lucky winner! whoa nelly! that is one fabby prize! :)

Now these are just a portion of a Cancer Support Prize package I am putting together for one person who leaves a comment on my blog. I am also adding some pretty pink vintage goodies that you know I love so well! :) then you can make projects to encourage someone going through this battle and who needs a little dose of love & smiles! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by and bearing with my longer than usual post..... hope you had a BIG cup of coffee to keep you going! grins!

p.s. I have to add, as I have been slowly going through the hop, because the compy hurts my head to do too much at once, I've been listening to a most fabulous CD. It is called "Here for YOU", worship music by David Crowder and Chris Tomlin. Several songs have popped out at me - 'Lord, I Need You', 'Always', and 'Forever Rein'. if you don't get anything else from today, know this - God is good, always. almost every day I can say without fail I have felt peace through this battle because He goes before me. He does not ever fail me. He is always always faithful, and His blessings are neverending. oh how thankful I am! and how God has blessed me with all of YOU! :)

Reminder about the Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop....

Coffee of the Day - Creme Caramel

Happy Saturday to all of you! :)

If you have had a chance to pop by the Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop, then thank you so much! For those of you who haven't, it's going on through Tuesday, so you still have plenty of time!

I'll be honest, I'm STILL working my way through..... I've taken sick, which is no fun whatsoever, and everything is taking me so much longer to accomplish since I seem to sleep for hours on end. there are so many inspiring, heart touching posts that it is also taking me a while to make my way through to say thank you to all of the people involved. I'm still overcome every time I think about all of you who have put so much of yourselves into your posts and projects. :)

and imagine my surprise when some of these cards have shown up in my mailbox! what a treat!

so many lovely prizes are up for grabs by the FABULOUS stores and sponsors. please please take a moment to say thank you to the wonderful people who have donated so many goodies for all of you to enjoy!

have a great weekend!
Jennifer

Happy Anniversary to my Hunny Bunny!

Coffee of the Day - Salted Caramel Pecan

I want to thank all of you who have stopped by so far on the Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop! it has truly been just flat out overwhelming the love and kindness that has been poured out upon my family & myself by all of you! Thank you for everything!

The hop will continue through Tuesday, Sept, 4, so it is going to stay at the top of my blog until then. Prizes will be announced on Friday, Sept. 7. I KNOW all of you are excited about that! :)

I am still working my way through the hop. I hope to finish leaving comments by this evening. It's pretty emotional for me. I laugh, I cry (boy, do I ever cry on some of these posts.....), and I smile so so so big at every single stop along the way! then I have emails that come in, too, and I want to answer them all. Several of you have made donations, and we appreciate every penny. I will try to thank you all individually when I get the chance, but know that your generosity has made such a difference for us.

I can't stay on the compy for long periods of time until my poor wonky head just gives out and I'm exhausted. by 7pm last night you coulda put a fork in me - I was DONE! I went straight to bed and didn't wake up until after 7:45am this morning when the dogs were ready to go outside. I probably would have kept on sleeping, but they don't take 'no, I'm still tired' as an answer! grins!


Today hubby and I celebrate 26 years of marriage. whew! Poor guy.... I sure have put him through the wringer! I think back to last year on this day when we celebrated 25 years and went out for a nice dinner. who would have ever thought of the changes we would go through from one year to the next. But he has stayed by my side, and that says so much about him. God truly blessed me the day He brought David into my life!

poor guy just shakes his head every time I tell him that he is my hunny bunny and that is what I call him on my blog..... see, he really does put up with a lot! ;)

Tomorrow is the day for Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop!

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut

The big day is right around the corner, and I'm as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs! I so want this to be a success for the wonderful people who have put so much time and heart into the blog hop.....and good golly molly, the prizes! the generous folks from all over who have donated the most fabulous goodies for all of you to win!!! your socks are gonna be blown right off of your little tootsies! :)

Please please plan to stop by just to thank those amazing people who have given so much of themselves to help this random person out in bloggy land y'all have embraced with such compassion it brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it. :)

All of you have been asking, so I'm gonna get the icky stuff out of the way -
yesterday's visit with the surgeon did not go well. Not only do I have 4 torn tendons, but I also have a torn rotator cuff. BUT he does not want to operate, for some random reason known only to him..... no matter how many times I asked, he never would answer me directly. don't you hate it when someone, especially a dr., does that? he admitted that the tears will NOT repair and heal on their own. instead he wants to put me on a lonnnnnng regimen of steroid injections and physical therapy. I quickly said no to the steroids. they didn't help whatsoever when I was getting them with my chemo so why would they help now? he honestly couldn't answer that one....but he still wanted to shoot me full of the blasted stuff. no thank you.

I realize that I am going to have PT regardless. but let's fix the actual problem instead of just doping me up with stuff. I still have enough icky floating through my system from the chemo. so we are going to try to find another surgeon to get a 2nd opinion. sigh.....

thank goodness for the sunshine! (actually it was pouring down rain yesterday and I loved every single drop!!! it was glorious!! Dave & I taught the boys to play in the rain....he & I used to have date walks in the rain storms. so very romantic!)

The Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop is Coming to Town!

I sure hope all of you are planning to either be in the Jen's Sunshine blog hop or stop by the blogs participating! you will just flat out be amazed at the number of prizes so generously donated and the amazing projects that have been created! gosh, am I EVER blessed!

can't wait to see you there! if that pesky ol' Isaac gets in your way, the blog hop will last for several days, so you have plenty of time to stop by. not to mention that my prayers for your safety are with you above all else!

well I am off to the surgeon's to see what he has to say about my shoulder..... hope it is good news and I can get back to crafting soon. this being one armed is playing havoc with stuff I want to do at my crafty table! grins!

hugs to everyone! :)

Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop News! :)

Coffee of the Day - White Chocolate Mousse

Hello to everyone! Thank you so VERY much for your wonderful words of encouragement yesterday. it really touched me heart the way so many of you reached out to me during my moaning and sadness. I can't even begin to tell you how much it helped lift my spirits. :) I try so hard to find the 'happy' each day, but gosh, yesterday I just couldn't. the joy was gone, but all of you brought it back to me. am I ever blessed!!!!



I want to share some most amazing news with you about the upcoming blog hop. As I've been telling you for the past few days, the Jen's Sunshine Blog Hop is on Wed., Aug. 29. that happens to be the day before Dave & I's 26th anniversary, so we both thought that was pretty special! So many people have been working so hard behind the scenes to make this blog hop a big success. I really do appreciate every single person who has done so much to help. :)


Several people have sent prizes directly to me so that I may offer them to those who comment on my blog that day. I just today received an email from Jane Beljo of Jane's Doodles. You will not believe what she is doing - she is going to give away her ENTIRE digi collection to one winner here on my blog! shut the door! can you believe that?! how completely fab is THAT?!?! and that is just one of the prizes I am giving away...... I have at least 3 more on top of that..... and then there are prizes galore throughout the hop.......

sheesh oh pete, folks! you have so got to be a part of this somehow, some way! if you want to actually be a blog stop, get in touch with Jenn C. by reading this post over at Party Time Tuesdays. otherwise, stock up on drinks & snacks and plan to party with us on Wednesday! man, is it gonna be a blast! can't wait to see you there! :)

Keep Your Face to the Sunshine!

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Happy Monday to ya! Last week on my one day of feeling good, I had a chance to play with the wonderful "Jen's Sunshine" digi stamp set created by Paper Makeup Stamps. every time I see all of the fun bits from that set I just smile so BIG! :)


well the challenge today at the Digi Makeover is 'Endless Summer", so what better time to have a card about sunshine! There are 2 fab designers playing along, too: Carla Aerts is a new full time DT member and Sammibug is our Guest this week. Please stop by their blogs to tell them hello!




My card uses the sun, which I paper pieced, and the Helen Keller quote from the set. You can find it here in the Paper Makeup Stamps store. thank you again to Katie, Michelle, and Jenn for all they are doing to help my family! papers are Bo Bunny Vicky B, flowers are Prima, seam tape is vintage from our fave little antique store, and washi tape is from Etsy. the main senti piece was left in its Spellbinders die and sprayed with 2 colors of glimmer mist. the card size is to fit in a legal envie.

A blog hop is planned for Aug. 29 if you would like to join along. you can get in touch with Jenn through the Digi Makeover blog or send me an email if you would like. there will be prizes and lots of fun. I hope you will join us! :)

Challenges:
Crafty Bloggers - anything goes
Creative Stamp Friends - summer, sun, beach, and sea
Cupcake Craft - Great Outdoors
Squigglefly - speak to me
Tammy's Scrappin Corner - anything goes
Victorine Originals - summertime
Dream Valley - summer
One Stitch at a Time - use a digi
Robyn's Fetish - summer fun