Cherry Thanks

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Pecan

hello! I have been so busy crafting, but had to wait to borrow David's compy so I could post! ;)

I spent this past weekend trying to do a bit of blurfing and catching up on my comments. please forgive me that it has taken me so long to make the rounds. it's tough when I don't have my own computer any more to get around the way I would like. we aren't even gonna talk about all my beloved digis that I lost....... but I have a flashstick that I am slowly filling up as I am able. I will NOT lose digis again! I must say this has given me a whole new appreciation for my 'regular' stamps again though - no waiting to borrow a computer, no trying to figure out how in the world these weird programs on his compy work when I was happy as a clam with MINE, no trying to find a compatible program for this or that - just good ol' stamping! grins!

So with all of that said, I made a card for several challenges I came across. Back in January I contributed to the fundraiser for Katie and printed out a few of the images. thank goodness I did since I lost all of those in the crash. these 2 were part of the pack for anyone who made a donation.

I added crystal effects to the cherries and some wonderful glass glitter from Meyer Imports to the heart on the bowl. the papers are Cosmo Cricket Early Bird. the border punch is from SU! & I have to say that I am absolutely in love with my new Big Shot!!!!! it is the best prize (other than hubby! tee hee!) I have ever won!!! the frames were obviously cut using a die, Cherry Pickin' is the name I believe, and it is so cool because it actually embossed these adorable little cherries around the border. they show up much better irl. I added a collection of my beloved vintage buttons and this fun pom pom trim.

Challenges:

Stampin Sisters in Christ - something you treasure (vintage buttons)

Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge - sketch

Do You Stack Up - layers

Crafty Pad - buttons

Scarecrow and His Wagon

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle

As I had mentioned the other day, Squigglefly has released some gorgeous new images by Marla Shega. So of course I had to go pick up a few on Saturday, and this wonderful 'Scarecrow on his Wagon' was first on the list! I love Fall, as you know, and this scene sets the stage so beautifully. It really was easy to color, even with my tiny watercolor brushes. It was the putting the card together that proved a challenge for me...... ever have projects like that where your creativity just seems to be on vaca or on coffee break (if only..... giggles!), or otherwise MISSING?!?!?!

I struggled with the card ALL DAY LONG - nothing seemed to go right, look right, feel right... nothing. so I took a nap in the late afternoon and finally just put it together. still think it is 'okay', but not fantastic. but I DO love the artwork Marla has drawn. so I will give it a go again when my stmaping mojo has returned...... perhaps a trip to Starbucks is where I will find my inspiration? tee hee!

everyone have a wonderful day!

• Stampin Sisters in Christ - Autumn colors with leaves (precious little plastic ones from Making Memories Vintage Findings)
• Paper Sundaes - Fabulous Fall

Just a happy little owl!

I am sliding this card in by the seat of my pants for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge this week, but really wanted to play and really wanted to make something with this image. phew.....

The SSIC challenge is to use something metal in keeping with the scripture, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Proverbs 27:17. My little bit of metal is the happy sentiment bit in the lower right corner. and this card is going to a most precious friend who constantly sends me the most beautiful photos that she takes and includes uplifting scripture. I put them on the fridge, by the compy, or keep them on the craft table with me. So hopefully she will enjoy this little bit of something to help brighten her day the way she has so often brightened mine!

The image comes from Tracey at The Stamping Boutique. papers are Cosmo Cricket DeLovely. I painted lots of pink shimmerz over the cutie owl plus some other colors on the pretty little flower in her hair. The lace trim is some vintage from my Etsy stash. I also added the little felt branch and punched flowers for a bit of fun.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend! :)

And He Shall Be Called ... Prince of Peace

Coffee of the Day - Holiday Spice

It's a glorious day! I hope you see it that way as well! God has placed on my heart today the whole idea of perspective.

Think of the people in the time of Jesus' birth. They expected a King to be born. and He was, but He came in a way that was least expected - born in a stable surrounded by animals, not in a castle. In the peoples' perspective, Jesus couldn't be the Messiah. His earthly father was a carpenter. But how like God to do the unexpected. Does He do that in your life? We think that God will only act in grand or huge ways, and of course He can, but He also loves the small acts and speaks with whispers. He longs for us to get quiet and seek his small signs. How often do we miss out on something God is trying to show us or tell us because our perspective is all out of whack? Sadly, I do this all the time. I trust my own judgement and not His. But it is never too late to start afresh! :)

I was reminded of this again when I saw the challenge this morning at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Based on this verse:

Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

we are to stop hoarding our precious crafting supplies and start actually using them. what an idea! :)

so I decided to pull out some of my wonderful Prima trim, holly leaf, & poinsettia, K & Co. paper and rosette, vintage buttons, and sequins. The card base is sprayed with pearl glimmer mist while the music piece is sprayed with walnut gold. Lots of shine on this big card - it is an entire piece of cs folded in half.

This beautiful verse comes from Doodle Beans. I used my ink squirty tool to help age it.

Have a wonderful start to your week! Love to you!
Jennifer

Counting Blessings

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

I am sorry for the late post today - haven't been feeling well and couldn't get around easily. the compy was really rough on my head, so have avoided it. but did want to get my card posted for one of the challenges, so this will be short. Please be sure to check back tomorrow for the big blog hop for Jaimie.

I checked out the new challenge over at Stampin' Sisters in Christ for the week. It is to make a card that honors the times when God is unseen based on the verse in Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV) I know that so often I feel God's presense when I am in worship, not necessarily in a building, but when listening to music. I can close my eyes and get lost in the notes, the rhythms, the feels of the stanzas, the words. I love to stand in a church service among my fellow brothers and sisters and get carried away to God's feet. I can feel the angels singing along, and I know God smiles. But I can also hold tight to those feelings when times get tough, such as now when I am physically so very weary, and know that He has not left me. He is still holding me, the angels are still singing, and the music still plays. I may not feel it as strongly, but it is all still there just the same.


So I printed the church image from Doodle Beans on this beautiful Prima paper, as a subtle reminder, that not all has to be so 'in your face obvious'. The sentiment comes from the Count Your Blessings Leaves digi. Using my circle punch, I punched out just the words, distressed the edges, and then popped it up in the center of this wonderful Prima flower. I added some neat glitter flourishes from Making Memories, pretty crochet trim, and vintage buttons. I followed a sketch from Whimsy and their challenge for the week.



Try something new this week with your digis - print them on decorative paper, use only a portion, mix several together, or whatever floats your boat! Then post back 'cause I would love to see! See you tomorrow! Jennifer

A Beautiful Thankful Day! :)

Coffee of the Day - Almond Roca


I was reminded this morning while reading the new challenge over at Stampin Sisters in Christ, that we need to be thankful in all things. How like God to know that I had this card planned for today! :) It is amazing to me how such little things can be of importance to Him. and what a difference they can make in our lives. It's not a big deal really, but it is certainly enough to make me grin and know that in His way, He is saying, "see, my child, I know EVERYTHING about you and I am watching. I know it all, and I care about every detail of your day. I love you THAT MUCH!" and so I say 'thank you, God, for loving me always, most especially when I don't deserve it', which feels like most of the times. and thank you, faithful blogging friends, for sticking with me through the good times and bad! so this card is for you! you touch my day each time you stop by and join me for a cuppa, leave a little comment love, which is in itself leaving a little bit of yourself behind for me to cherish. :)


My card uses this wonderful digi from Doodle Beans. It is available in both black and brown print. Here I have used the brown. The paper is Basic Grey Indian Summer. I sponged rose on the sentiment and around the edges. Artichoke was inked over the distressed edges and also sprayed using my ink squirty tool. I did a light gold wash over the entire piece. The leaves and berries were filled in with spiced cider shimmerz paint. I added this fabby glitter flourish from Making Memories and a handfull of buttons from my vintage stash. Some JoAnn's lace trim and vintage seam tape finish off the card.


I guess what makes me giggle the most about this card is that I had one of my all time fave CD's playing while I was making it - one by a group called 'The Insyderz' entitled Skalleluia. They are a Christian Ska band. It is just so in contrast to my card - but that is me! sassy and shabby all at the same time! :) good thing God loves me just as I am, but is always moving me to where HE wants me to be!!! thank Heavens for grace!


Have a glorious day! love ya!
Jennifer

Newborn King

I really wanted to play in the challenge this week over at Stampin Sisters in Christ - create a project that honors the birth of our precious Saviour!!! Well how could I resist?! :)


This stamp set has long been one of my very faves. I couldn't wait to get it out and inky again. I decided to emboss it in gold on natural cs, and then use my watercolors on this thick paper to see how vibrant it would turn out. the paper did not disappoint!!! look how those colors just pop!!! The beautiful dp is by Anna Griffin and was also inked with a gorgeous verse in Versamark for a subtle bg effect. I then embossed the pomegranate in gold in the lower corner. I added the luscious gold May Arts ribbon, a Prima flower, button, and gold cord. All edges were inked in gold.


The really cool part about this whole project - while I was making it, Ryan had pulled out one of our very favorite movies of all time, Godspell. I had that playing in the background while i was creating!!! Had a hard time keeping my feet still!! He and I were both singing along the entire time!!! What a glorious way to worship in more ways than one!! :)

I am also using this card for the Whimsy Stamps challenge - use embossing - heat or dry - on a project. this is my first time playing in one of their challenges. I used to emboss all the time and had forgotten just how much I really enjoy it! thanks for taking me down memory lane - both with a long forgotten technique and a treasured stamp set! :)

Happy World Card Making Day 2009! :)

Coffee of the Day - more Pumpkin Spice of course! perfect to celebrate!! :)

What a perfect day to celebrate!!! Happy World Card Making Day to you!!!! Isn't this so exciting?!?! So what are your special plans for the day? Card making? Scrapbooking? Blurffing? All 3? Taking a class? Getting together with friends to make cards for the troops? Tell me a bit about what you have going on!

I am planning to stamp the day away! and get this - I am going to make cards that are going to ACTUALLY GET MAILED OUT!!!!!! Too often I make cards for DT projects or because Dave needs one or just because I have to get my vintage fix on! ;) and they sit in the card basket on the buffet...... and sit....... and sit........ and sit...... until an occassion comes along and Voila - there is the perfect card! now don't get me wrong - I am quite thankful to have that handy dandy basket of cards sitting there. but today is a day to make cards with special people in mind and put them in the mail bright and early Monday morning.

First on the list will be our nephew Wesley. He is doing pretty well with his chemo treatment that started on Monday. As Dave's sister said, he has put on his 'game face' and is ready to win! Wes was a star football player in high school, so this is the perfect analogy for him! I am so proud of all that he is facing with such bravery!! What an amazing guy! :) (please let me know if you would like his address to send him a card) Have a few other people to make some cards for as well, but no matter what - these babies are gonna be postal come Monday!!!!

I want to show you a card I made using this precious digi from Altered Expressions. The owner of the store, Carol, is quickly becoming a dear cyberfriend of mine! What a wonderful person! I wanted a card for the challenge going on over at StampinStisters in Christ. The challenge this week is to make a card to let someone know that you are thinking of them. Well, this image immediately came to mind - Forget Me Not Flower Girl. I was in desperate need of a vintage card fix, so quickly went to work. The papers from Basic Grey Wisteria were the perfect match. The butterfly charm and word strip are from Making Memories. buttons are from my vintage stash, as is the lace trim. coloring is my standard watercoloring of late.

Check back next week, as I am gathering LOTS of goodies for my BLOGAVERSARY BLOG CANDY giveaway!!! can't believe it's almost been a year since I first started this fun adventure! thanks for stopping by!

love ya!

Jennifer

p.s. head over to Sew Many Cards for games and fun today! The more you chat, the better your chances of winning a way cool prize! We'll also be doing a blog hop later on tonight, so stop back by for all kinds of chances to win new digis! :)

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

Cards for the Boys

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Good morning to everyone! I hope it is just super glorious wherever you are!

I wanted to share with you my card projects from yesterday. It's kinda funny actually - I made 2 cards, 1 for Wes and 1 for another little boy I'll tell you about, but David didn't want to send the one I made for Wesley, so we're actually gonna mail him the one from this post instead. Several of you have asked me about sending him cards - I've emailed his mom to get their thoughts first. I want to be sensitive to what they are going through. But I'll post just as soon as I hear back. Today Wes goes to the oncologist. Before I even got out of bed this morning, I was praying for this visit. I know how that first trip can be. My oncologist is phenomenal - I wouldn't trade him for any other dr. around. He is as tenacious as a dog with a bone, but also kind. I hope and pray the same for Wesley. I would trade places with him in a heartbeat if I could. He has already undergone 1 surgery for this. But God is holding him tightly in His loving, healing arms. and I have to trust God to do exactly what He promises us He will do. Thank you for your prayers!

My first card uses a very cute (unless you don't happen to think little spideys are cute! grins!) from Shirley's 2 Girls. Be sure to drop by SNR this weekend for Digi Day, as S2G is sponsoring it! There is sure to be lots of fun whenever this group of gals is involved! anyway, 2 of the guys in my fam are TERRIFIED of spiders. think that might have something to do with why Dave didn't want to send this card?!?! ;) I happen to like them, so I thought this card was cute! this poor guy just looks like he knows he's always getting a bad rap. The paper is from Daisy Hill. love that great trim I picked up at JoAnn's.

The next card uses this adorable little image from Digi Stamp Characters. It's called Boy with his dog. The paper is from Cosmo Cricket. Kept it simple, as it's for a 2 year old boy whose 5 year old sister, Kate, is battling cancer. You can find more info about the card drive going on at this post here on Jennifer McGuire's blog.

I'm also posting both of these cards for the challenge issued for Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog this week - make a card to encourage a child. although Wes isn't technically a child anymore, gosh, I remember back when his mom was pregnant at Dave and I's wedding. So I think this will count. But I woulda made a card anyhow.

all of you take care and have a wonderful day! love ya! Jennifer

ETA - Wes's mom says cards will be great. email me for addy.

Operation Nice Blog Hop Day 2

Coffee of the Day - even MORE Pumpkin Spice!!!! :D

The card I have made for today incorporates a challenge that has been going on over at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge blog. The verse was from Song of Solomon 6:3 "I am my Lover's and my Lover is mine; he browses among the lilies." The whole idea was to make a card for your spouse/significant other/special friend/ and actually give it to them.

I chose a wonderful vintage image that I just fell in love with from Altered Expression. Even though for the challenge we were supposed to make a card in our beloved's style, David likes my vintage cards a lot. I tried to go easy on the 'frou frou' stuff, but I did have to 'make it my own', too! The little strip of paper is from Prima, the buttons are all vintage, the ticket is from Making Memories, and the music sheet is an actual old hymn page. I distressed the papers where I could and added some pretty shimmerz to the lady's hat and sash. my glitter pen added the shine to her ruffled neck line.

The reason I wanted to share this with you today for the blog hop is this - how often do we forget to do something nice to tell our special someone just how much we love them and how important they are to us? way too often in my case. So this week make it a point to do a little something for your honey bunny. You could leave them a note on the front seat of their car while they are at work, send them a card to their workplace, write a special message in the fogged up mirror of your bathroom mirror, tuck a note into a briefcase or bag, surprise them at work for a wonderful lunch, or just whatever is special to the two of you.

If you are on the blog hop, please keep hoppin' on over to Angie's blog!