Birthday Blog Candy Prize Winners! Hooray!

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Strawberry Lavender Mint tea

I know all of you are on pins and needles wanting to know who the happy prize winners are from my Birthday Blog candy, so I will get straight to it...

Winners will have one week to contact me with mailing addresses or else they forfeit their prizes and other winners will be chosen.

for Mo's Digital Pencil gift certificates, I will use the email address you provided in the Inlinkz to send your certificate.  I will send you Paulette's email address or you can find it on her blog at Create With TLC. I will be sending each of these store owners a list of the winners so they will know to expect to be hearing from all of you. :)

Once all prizes have been claimed, I will delete the Inlinkz database from my original post to keep within the new privacy guidelines.

Here we go!!!!

Grand Prize Winner:

14. Stef H. (Glitterbabe)

Second Place Winner:

9. Rhonda Miller

Third Place Winner:

4. terriavidreader - Terri Scott

Create With TLC Gift Certificate Winners:

6. Valerija

3. KT Fit Kitty

Mo's Digital Pencil Gift Certificate Winners:

10. Fikreta

1. Annie

2. Annabel

Thank you to everyone who joined the fun! I am sorry that I don't have a prize for all of you. Check back again in the fall because I will have more candy for you then. :)

Thank you for making my birthday a very special one! :) YOU are the best present I could ever receive!!!!
Jennifer

p.s. make sure you have downloaded the wonderful free images from Paulette at Create with TLC on both pages. then please stop by and say thank you to her for her very generous gift to all of us. :)

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:

Lil' Inker Fine Print stamp set

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

Wow! ultra slow dryng embossing 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

You Are Amazing - Autism Blog Hop

Coffee of the Day - Cinnamon Hazelnut

I am back today with another card for the Stamping for Autism Awareness Blog Hop. We are asked to only link one card for the hop, but I am making several to send to our son Ryan, who works with children on the autism spectrum. It's a facility called Hope Bridge, and they have locations in several areas. He is in Indiana, and I want to send him a few cards to share with some of the children he works with.

Today's card uses a cute image by Mo Manning called "Hurricane Harvey." my sons wouldn't just pull out one toy to play with; they had to pull out the entire toy box just like this little guy! :)

the watercolor bg is part of the same paper I created in the card from this post - made using brusho powders on watercolor paper. I used cobalt blue and grey, spraying with pearl glimmer mist to add a bit of sparkle. the stripe paper is from the Authentique Cuddle Boy collection.

sentiment is by Create with TLC and all other elements are from my stash. that fabulous wood bark star is from an online store that is no longer open. so glad I stocked up, because it is so fun! lots of ink distressing and a border of white gel ink dots helps add a cool visual touch.

thanks for stopping by! it sure feels good to be back playing in my craft room again. Palmer and Moon Pie, our dog and cat, are happy to be playing in there with me, too! :)
Jennifer

Challenges:
A Perfect Time to Craft - anything goes
ATG with TLC - anything goes with a TLC product
Crafter's Cafe - color: blue, green, and yellow
DL Art - anything goes

Beer Barrel Dwarf Publication

No Coffee today... feeling poorly and having juice instead.

I am finally getting a chance to share the card that was recently published in issue #110 of PaperCrafter magazine. I was so excited when they let me know they wanted to use one of mine in their publication!!! I am still waiting on the issue to arrive here in the States so I can add it to my collection. :)

I made this card for Tyler, our oldest son who graduated last month with a degree in bio-technology. He wanted to go into either the craft beer or winery industry, so I thought it would be fun to use this cutey little dwarf by Mo Manning, one of my ab fab fave artists.

papers are from the Basic Grey Boxer collection, flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, ric rack is by Really Reasonable Ribbon, and vintage buttons & twine are from my stash. liquid applique is added to the top of the tankard for beer foam. the beer label is from one of Tyler's favorites to add a bit of a personal touch. ;)

He actually started working for The Winery at Wolf Creek right after graduation and loves it!

Merry & Bright

Coffee of the Day - Butterscotch

Happy Saturday to all of you!

It's the last weekend before Christmas.... are you ready? almost? not quite? not even close?
when hubby and I first met back in college, he notoriously saved ALL of his Christmas shopping for Christmas Eve. it was a tradition for the kids in his family. drove me absolute bonkers, but I do confess to the rush of trying to find the perfect gift in what was left in the stores before they closed.... thank goodness we are waaaaaaaaaay past those days now. ;)

 

 I needed a special card to send out to my MIL with her gifts, so of course I turned to Paper Temptress card stocks to get me started. my card base is Desert Storm Kraft (as most of my cards are...). She has a special fondness for cats, so this adorable image from Mo's Digital Pencil was perfect for her! :)  I added some stickles to their Santa hats.

decorative papers from the Basic Grey Aspen Frost collection, vintage buttons, and a doily sprayed with glimmer mist were added. Tim Holtz holiday script dies were used to cut words from olive Basis cs. I so love this color! ribbon scraps were stapled to the upper right corner and then jingle bells were tied to a bow made from 1/8" red satin ribbon with white polka dots. little rose is by Wild Orchid Crafts.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend! hugs to you all! :)
Jennifer

p.s. some of you have asked for my hot cocoa mix recipe. I'll post it later this weekend.

Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge - anything Christmas goes
Di's Digi Designs - anything Christmas
Mo's Digital Ch - traditional or non-traditional Christmas with an image by Mo (guess it's more traditional)
Little Claire's - special Christmas card (for MIL)
Sweet Stampin' - Merry Christmas
QKR - Christmas
Cardz 4 Galz - Christmas
Crafty Ribbons - favorite thing at Christmas: singing Christmas carols and being with the ones I love :)
Little Miss Muffet - holiday cheer
MAWTT - to a special person at Christmas
Creative Moments - anything goes/traditional Christmas
Inspiration Destination - anything goes
Paper Shelter - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wed Ch - die crazy (Tim Holtz and Spellbinders dies)
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wed - anything goes

Summer Flowers For You!

Coffee of the Day - Moon Pie (just enough left for half a cup!)

It has been ages since I used one of Mo's cutey pie images to make anything, so it was time to fix that. I popped over to the challenge blog to see what the theme was, and then I headed off to my craft room to get busy. this is what I came up with for their 'Summer Flowers' challenge.

I chose the precious 'Thanks' image and papers from the Basic Grey Capture collection. sentiment stamp is SU!, cut with a Jenni Bowlin punch. sunflower is from Factory Direct Crafts, while roses are by Prima. belt loops were cut from some jeans headed to the trash. you know how I love to re-purpose! :) twine is some I saved from the dog food bag. love the bright red of it, so I use it all the time.

make sure you enter my Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy. you have until the end of the month to get your name  in the draw. yep, today is my birthday. I'm wearing my fancy tiara as I sit and type, 'cause that is just how I roll. ;)

enjoy your weekend!

Challenges:
A Little Bit Crafty - Child's Play
A Creative Need - anything goes
Craft for the Craic - something summery or with flowers (both!)
Crafts Galore Encore - use a stamp
Crafting Musketeers - stamped image
Let's Craft and Create - spots or stripes
Loves Rubberstamps - spots and dots
Brown Sugar - dots and/or stripes
Divas by Design - 3 or more layers
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Creative Craft Cottage - digi/flowers

Such a Cute Big Sister!

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Pecan

Yesterday we received the news that our nephew and his wife welcomed their second child, a handsome boy, into their family! mom and son are doing great, thank goodness! I am putting final touches on the baby card, so will hopefully share that with you tomorrow. but in the mean time I want to show you the card I made for 'Big Sister'.  I didn't want her to feel left out in the excitement of Baby Brother coming home. :)

the image is one given out over at Maurie Manning's new "Bronte and Bella's Clubhouse" on Facebook. it's a great group of VERY talented crafters. there are challenges and contests that will take place all the time. this image was given so everyone could practice their face coloring and shading.  I know I'll be using it to work on some much needed Copic coloring skills. sigh..... no way could I ever afford one of the Copic classes, so will practice practice practice away here at home with this cutie!

papers and sticker embellishments are from the Basic Grey Fresh Cut collection. sentiment banner was sprayed with glimmer mist. stickles was dotted on the butterfly sticker. ric rack, a doily, button from my stash, and pretty pink wired ribbon complete the card. a few little dots with my white gel pen sit in the upper corner.

Have a great weekend! :)

Challenges:
Bronte and Bella's - plenty of embellies
Sweet Sketch Wed. - sketch
As You Like It - fave coloring medium and why (I really enjoy watercoloring with my SU! inks.  I like the different looks I can get by using the various brushes and amounts of water. they are just so much fun!)
Aud Sentiments - anything goes with a sentiment
Crafty Ribbons - anything goes with ribbons
Crafting By Designs - use a ribbon
Penny's Paper Crafty - buttons and bows
WAW - anything goes encouraging
Outlawz Twisted Thurs. - anything goes with texture twist
Fan-tastic Tues. - anything goes square
Ladybug Crafts - for a special lady (I hope a young lady counts! grins!)
{pin}spirational - photo inspiration (pink, flowers, polka dots)
Artistic Inspirations - for the kids
Created with Love - girly
Melonheadz - girly
Shabby Tea Room - anything goes
Bearly Mine - one for the girls
A Gem of a Challenge - for a special lady (again, a young lady)
Sweet Stampin' - special (young) lady
Aurora Wings - anything goes

I Need a Hero! :)

Coffee of the Day - Mocha

Has everyone been having Blogger issues or is it just me? so in comes a SuperHero to save the day! :) I made this card several days ago, but just haven't been able to get into Blogger to get it posted. crossing fingers it stays active long enough for me to finish typing! ;)

I read about a young 9 year old boy named Dylan with some serious health problems over on Dustin Pike's blog last week and was inspired to make a card to send off to him. Since all of my compy woes wiped out my stash of digis, I was rummaging through my little bag of 'already printed out images' for something that might work. I came across this Super Hero from Mo at Digital Pencil that just seemed perfect! I know it isn't one of Dustin's, but hope that it will work nonetheless.

Papers are from the K & Co. Americana collection. not sure where the baker's twine is from as I purchased it on Etsy a while back. buttons are just part of my ever-growing collection. as soon as I un-earth the proper letters, I will place a monogram on his chest in the circle using stickers. I haven't found the right colors in my collection yet, but will keep digging.

Everyone have a most glorious weekend! love to you all! :)

Sentimental Sundays - Anything Goes plus a sentiment
Tuesday Taggers - One for the Boys
Cards for Men - masculine for someone special
Craft Your Passion - Check it Out (use checks, plaids, or gingham)
Kaboodle Doodles - Lots of Layers
Pollycraft - Boyz 2 Men
Ribbon Reel - Color Challenge
Stamps R Us - Masculine
Stamp Something - Anything Goes (Happy 3 year Anniversary!)
Digital Pencil 2 - Here Comes Summer (patriotic colors for both Memorial Day & July 4th)

A Golfer's Lucky Day

Coffee of the Day - Tiramisu

Hello everyone! Sorry to have been away for so long. still battling the pneumonia. this breathing thing is a real downer. wish it was optional or I could just hire someone to do it for me. then I could get about my fun crafting and not have to deal with the struggle of it anymore. but enough of that blech...

I saw these MOST fun new fellas over at Mo's Digital Pencil called the 'Big Guy' series and knew I needed to start adding them to my Mo stash! oh goodness, they are all wonderful! This one was the first to go into my cart, followed quickly by his friend at the bbq grill. you will see him on a creation soon, I am sure. The challenge for this week is to make a masculine card. It has been FOREVER since I last played in a Mo challenge, so I quickly got to work.

I don't know anything about this paper, I apologize, because it came in the most phenom gift from Rhonda. But I knew it would be the ideal thing for his whacked out golf pants! I remember when Dave was a golf pro and the crazy outfits we would see on the course. So I dug into my memory banks and created something a little bit crazy that is probably more suitable for the Sr. Tour. :) I remembered that Julia S. is always using bits of cardboard on her projects, so thought I would use a piece here, too. I inked it up a bit with some vanilla craft that is also on the edges of the main card. Added a few manly buttons, some neat ric rac, and of course, a golf tee tied with linen thread.

Enjoy your evening!

Paper Sundaes - color challenge

Pile it On - boyish colors

Digi Doodles - anything goes

SOOOOO Thankful Mo's Challenge! :)

I had the coolest Secret Sister in the whole wide world!!! I wish I would have taken a photo of the amazing box I received yesterday, but when I opened it last night, I really dug in deep! :D David and I had spent the day at the Church District Christmas party, so it was late afternoon when we returned home. Lo and behold this box of goodies was waiting for me at the back door. It was filled with gorgeous handmade ornaments, beautiful handcrafted cards, several kinds of Tootsie Rolls (WOW!!!! and yes, I did share! giggles!), a fascinating book on herbs and spices that I am still going through, some gorgeous Primas, beautiful vintage styled tissue paper that I can not wait to try out, and some other neat vintage type embellies. I was in hoggie heaven!!! Thank you so much, Amy!!!!

So of course I needed to come up with a thank you card for her. Along came the challenge of the week over at Mo's Digital Pencil2 - create a thank you card. Perfect!!! So I typed out this sentiment under the fun image and printed. I colored Bella like any young girl would dress herself - BRIGHT! who cares if pink and red aren't supposed to go together? they are FUN!!! and of course the petticoat and socks needed some shimmerz to make them sparkle! so did the confetti - of course again! :D I used papers from the Basic Grey Junebug collection punched out in various flower shapes to match the flowers in the paper. Added some red flowers from Making Memories as well as gold sequins and some red & white polka dot ribbon that matches the papers. The edges of the flowers are bent up to add extra dimension.

I sure hope she enjoys her card as much as I have enjoyed the goodies in my box. and by the way, the Tootsies are all gone........ :D

A Beautiful Holly Fairy that shines!

This is quick 'cause Ryan really really really wants to get on the compy, and I have to get this uploaded for a challenge that ends at 5pm!!!! ack! Actually using it for 2 challenges - 1 over at Sweet n Sassy for the challenge to use holly on your creation. 2 for Mo's Digital Pencil to use 3 sparkly shiny things on your project.

I added lots of shimmerz to her dress and holly wings, put stickles on the snow in the globe as well as on the church roof, and of course the holly leaves (Prima) and glitter button. snowglobe is also covered in crystal effects. paper is Basic Grey Figgy. sorry to be quick, but he REALLY wants on! :)

Just a Happy Little Sheep! :)

Coffee of the Day - Spiced Hazelnut

Hold on to your seats - I am actually done with my Mo's Challenge card EARLY!!!!!! I know, you are wobblin' in your chairs, not sure whether the earth is still rotating, the sun is still coming up in the east, the Yankees are still gonna win the Series..... you get my drift..... :)

I actually made 2 cards yesterday that were back to my happy little style and I was in hoggie heaven! or maybe I should say SHEEP! I have always loved this image from Mo's Digital Pencil. Just something about the primitive take on it, but also the expressions of those carefree sheep! Somedays I long for that meadow on a hill far away. you with me there? So I grabbed my new Cosmo Cricket Early Bird papers, my new to me apron border punch, some stickles, baby primas, that fabby gold Mike's ribbon from the other day, and went to town! The sheep are actually covered in this way cool clear glitter glue I found. It gives them some extra dimension and a tad of sparkle without making them too glittery shiny. The flowers are covered in crystal effects and the bees in candlelight shimmerz. Needed a non-traditional card fold for both the challenge and my Secret Sister card, so combined them with this gate fold. I had never done one before and was surprised at how easy they are to make. Man, I love trying new techniques and folds! Wrinkled up the edges and made sure to not glue them down all the way to add to the prim feel.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jennifer

Mo's Challenge - Fall Frolickers

Here I am sliding in by the seat of my pants again for another challenge, but I really wanted to play in this one - it is for Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge Blog. You know how much I truly love Mo's beautiful artwork, but it seems these days I don't get to play with her images as much as I would like to. So when I saw the challenge for this week was to create something using fall colors, I knew I would have to try my hardest to participate. Deadline is tonight, so I am just barely squeaking in........



My card uses more of these beautiful papers from K & Co. - I only found one of each sheet at Michael's the other day, so I want to use them on precious projects. A Mo certainly qualifies!! :) This digi is one of my faves of hers! I just love these little guys - they remind me so much of the ones from the movie "Willow" - one of my all time favorite movies. I used my distress stickles on the dandelion head - gave a really cool look irl. Also pulled out the handy dandy ink squirty tool with 2 colors of ink - green and brown, over the entire main image. lots of distressing - as if you couldn't tell - tee hee hee!!! Wanted to go with that whole woodsy/rustic feel. The card base is edged in vanilla craft. Love these coconut buttons. seemed the perfect way to finish it off. Couldn't tell you how many projects I have used both this sentiment and this trim on - but obviously I love them both!!!! gotta be thankful for stand-bys! Card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.



Be sure to play in the new challenge starting tomorrow. And don't be late to the party like me! :D

Just Feed One

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

Good morning! I want to share a card I have made with all of you. It has a very special quote on it - one by Mother Teresa. What a phenomenal woman. If you ever get a chance to read her autobiography, please do. For the last 20 years of her life, she says that she didn't hear God speaking to her. I can't imagine living in His silence for that amount of time. I know how desolate I feel when I go for extended periods of time without hearing His voice. I am empty. And yet I know that those times are necessary if I am to truly grow in my faith. But that she accomplished so much for His glory during that time amazes me. What an example. What a truly humble woman.

These 2 digis come from Mo's Digital Pencil and Digiments. Michelle at Digiments has some great stuff going on this week. When her new releases premeire on Saturday, HALF of the profits will be going to a very special organization indeed. Please go check out the deets for yourself. You wil be able to pick up some free digis and see some absolutely stunning examples of projects done by her DT while you are there. and no, I'm not affiliated with either company, just a big fan!! :D you know how I love Mo and her beautiful art. and this precious girl is no exception! Her name is Charity and she seemed the perfect pairing for this special quote!

My papers are from Colorbok (acorns) and Rusty Pickle. The card base is some of my coffee paper. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the leaves, which are both sides of the Rusty Pickle paper. The flowers are Prima and trim is from JoAnn's. all buttons are vintage. coloring is watercolors as I am want to do of late. card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.

My card is an entry for the Stampin Sisters in Christ challenge for the week to make a fall card following the verse from Eccl. 3:1 " There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." It is also for the ChristianCrafters DT to make a project of some kind that reflects how you are a sheep for God as described in Matthew 25:31-46.

Have a beautiful day, my friends! love ya! Jennifer

Celebrating & Dancing like King David! :)

Coffee of the Day - Spiced Hazelnut

It's a happy Thursday mornin' to ya! I hope it's just glorious over on your side of the world, wherever that may be! it is absolutely STUNNING here! a nip in the air, the sun in the sky, the birds chirping away, the leaves turning beautiful colors - Fall is here in it's glory!!!

I wanted to share 2 cards with you today that hold a very special meaning to me. I have just been given the honor of being a part of the DT of ChristianCrafters over at PCP. The first challenge was to take a cherished verse and create something. Well, when I first heard the song, "Undignified" by Matt Redman I was hooked. Go to YouTube and find any of the videos - it is amazing, but don't be surprised if you aren't boppin' along in your chair! I asked Dave about the meaning behind it, and he told me it was about King David telling someone who accused him of being ridiculous in his praise & worship of God, that he could become 'even more undignified than that.' Well, since I have heard the same said of me at times while I've been on the worship team, I was all over researching that story. Go to 2 Samuel and read about it - wonderful stuff! Needless to say this song is one of my ring tones! and oh, I can not wait to sing and dance with King David in heaven! what a time we will have! I know Jesus will be kickin' up His heels with us, too! I hope you are there with us!!!!! :)

So I chose these great digi images from Mo's Digital Pencil to go with the verses. They just seem to portray the joy and excitement that go along with it. Papers are from Basic Grey, flowers and red floral trim are Prima, stickles has been added on the little girl card. Dave was the receiver of the nuns card - he loved it and already has it hanging on his wall at work.

So kick up your heels today and dance! I'll be right there with ya! Jennifer

p.s. not only did I make the DT at ChristianCrafters, but I am also on the DT with The Stamping Boutique, who's Grand Opening is this weekend over at SNR! I'm sooo excited! :D

Take Time to Read

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice (hubby is playing in a golf tournament, so it was alllllll my choice! grins!)

Today's card uses this beautiful digi from Mo's Digital Pencil. Mo issued a challenge to create something with it - and you know I can't resist a challenge! ;) Being an avid reader myself, this was right up my alley. I have to read every day - I mean HAVE TO!!! I always read every night before going to sleep, but sometimes during the day as well. Luckily the boys love to read, too. David is the only one in the house that struggles with it. We applaud him every time he manages more than a few pages! :D He told me the other day that he was bored reading. I corrected him by saying, "you can't be bored reading. You are bored with WHAT you are reading." He just looked at me funny. (he does that a lot!)

So on to my card ~

I wanted this card to look like something a teenage girl would like. The papers are Basic Grey Euphoria. As per usual, the image is watercolored. The curtains and pillows are painted with pink shimmerz and flashy fuschia blingz. I know I would have wanted glitzy pink back then if I'd had a choice! :) but then you probably knew that already, didn't ya? That marvy lace ribbon is by May Arts, and just a hodge podge of fun buttons finish this off. The card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square. I seem to be making a lot of cards that size lately.

I want to close this post by adding that I have a special card project to work on today. We have discovered that our 22 year old nephew, Wesley, has cancer. Today I am making a card for him. I know how powerful prayer can be. I am asking all of you to please say a little prayer for him and his family today. His spirits are good, but God is great! He believes that, too, which will take him far down this road to recovery. Thank you from the very bottom of my little heart!

Love ya! Jennifer

Big Stuff is a'comin'........ and a precious little angel baby

Coffee of the Day - Mocha Mint

Oh my goodness, you had better be on your toesies this week (especially tomorrow) 'cause there is so much goodness coming your way you will hardly be able to stand it! and I can't even tell you about all of it as I had to pinky swear to silence on some of it......... ;)

For starters - tomorrow starts the new challenge week over at Sewn Together, so get ready for some more fun with those cute scrappy digis! This one was quite the challenge, so be on the lookout for the DT and their amazing contributions. A new forum has also begun, so go check that out as well.

I will have a neato bandito announcement tomorrow, so tune in for that, too.

Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte's are available tomorrow!!!! major big stuff! :D at least at MY house this is huge news! grins!

This weekend is the 'Operation Nice' Blog Hop. It will be filled with lots of fun, artwork, and blog candy, so please plan to stop by. The whole idea behind it is to share kindness with other people. You can get more information by clicking on the blinkie on my sidebar about the blog hop. There is also a blinkie that tells more about the project that inspired the hop to begin with. Very cool stuff!

Now on to my card -

I've used this precious little angel from Mo's Digital Pencil. There are so many colors of shimmerz paint on this image, but don't know how much shows in the scan. I cut him out and mounted him on this great Basic Grey Two Scoops paper which has been outlined with my spica glitter pen. This was matted with a white cs piece that was inked in silver. The textured cs was sponged and inked in silver as well. The flower is by Prima and the trim is from Wal Mart. button is a vintage one from my Etsy stash.

Have a wonderful day and hope to see you tomorrow!!!! :)

Take me to the Harvest Dance!

Coffee of the Day - Almond Roca

I am having fun using these wonderful bits of art from Mo's Digital Pencil. This one is called 'Harvest Dance', and it was such fun to get inky! A bit intimidating at first, I admit, but once I got going, I was having such fun! I tried to use colors that were found in nature. What I am also discovering with my digis and watercolors is the difference that the cardstock makes. I already had found out the hard way that the better quality inks in your printer work best for digital printing and coloring with watercolors. But when printing this image and another one on SU! vanilla cs, I discovered that it reacts much differently to watercolors than the whisper white. Too bad I can't get thicker paper through my printer. I've tried hand feeding it, but to no avail. That is okay, I kinda like the different effects achieved.

On to the card! Once I had finished coloring these fun guys (and I couldn't get the little fellas from the movie 'Willow' out of my head while I was making this!!!), I sprayed the main image with walnut gold glimmer mist to give a nice old world sheen. The cs base was distressed with sand paper and then the edges inked with caramel. Same with the dp. Papers are from the Basic Grey Archaic collection. Buttons are some cool ones I found on sale at JoAnn's that I picked up just for this card.

After posting this card over at PCP and SNR, some other INCREDIBLY talented ladies posted some of their creations. I had been pleased with the way my card had turned out, but then was really humbled after seeing some of the other things being done with Mo's artwork. But then I realized that this papercrafting gig isn't about comparing our stuff with other people's. Sure, we are human and can't help it. But what is most important is the process of creating. I am not supposed to be anyone else except who I am. I can't compare myself to anyone else. God made me to be just who I am. Sure, I'm supposed to improve myself with His help, but that is to be the best ME I can be. and to recognize that I have my own style, as goofy as that may be! :) and to bring that style about to its fullest.

So I share this with all of you in case someone else might be feeling a little intimidated by another person's creativity. Work on establishing your own style and then just keep at it. That is what I intend to do. Like the old saying from the 70's "keep on truckin'" or in this case, "keep on stampin'"!!! :D

love ya! Jennifer

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength! :)

Coffee of the Day - Hazelnut

"This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Nehemiah 8:10

Today's card is a very special one to me. The artwork is from my special friend, Mo, of Mo's Digital Pencil. She created this illustration based on a posting I made the day I discovered that I had 3 new tumors. I smile every time I see this beautiful drawing. I can't say that I have done it justice, but I have tried. of course my printer went wonky as the cs was coming out and smeared just a bit, but there was absolutely no way that I was going to waste it. So I decided to just go ahead and color the image anyhow and hope that people could overlook the little extra bits of black.

Doesn't this girl just make your heart smile?! even her homespun doll is full of joy and worship to God, our most amazing Creator and Abba Father. gosh, just looking at this brings me such peace and joy! The little girl's tutu is painted in pink shimmerz, 'cause if you wear a tutu (and what little girl doesn't?!), it had better be sparkly!!! The butterfly is painted in beeswax shimmerz. The flowers and hair ribbon also have a light coating of the pink shimmerz. Paper is from the Wild Raspberry collection by K & Company, the trim is from JoAnn's, the cool felt flower is from Wright's, and the button is from SU!. I added my usual distressing with the white craft ink and distressing tool. All coloring is done with SU! inks and watercolors.

God truly has filled me with such joy. I am blessed in overflowing abundance! Every day try to take time to find even the smallest thing to make you smile. God wants you to feel His love for you ALL THE TIME!!!! and if you ever need a big cyber hug, come on over and have a cuppa with me! :) I'm here for you, just as all of you have been there for me! love ya!

and don't forget that tonight is the deadline for the FANTABULOUS BLOG CANDY from Angel's Landing!!!!!! Make sure you leave a comment on this post to be entered to win!

"My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song."

Psalm 28:7