Mad Props with Top Tip Tuesday!

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Bourbon Pecan (yes, it is THAT good!)

Today is a midway post over at Top Tip Tuesday. we are sponsored by the most fab Krista of Saturated Canary. Our challenge is to use faux stitching of some kind on your projects.

I chose the fun 'Starla' for my card. I love her quirky attitude and that great 'stache she is carrying! Papers are Basic Grey 'Clippings.' I love this new set of embossing folders from Tim Holtz that I came across on the JoAnn's website. all of you know that I can't sew worth beans, so the funky, shabby stitching of these is right up my alley! I took several scrap pieces  and adhered them to a piece of plain white cs. I then ran this through my embossing folder. I then lightly sanded the tops to give a more distressed look.

Linen thread is SU!, faux stitching was done with a black spica glitter pen, sentiments come from my SMASH date stamp (gosh, I love that thing!), and just a little button from my stash. oh yes, can't forget the little touches of washi tape and flowers! :) I also used both my clear spica glitter pen and a gold glitter pen to accent the stars on her face as well as the gold highlights I added to her hair.

Tip - a fun, new way to add faux stitching is with some of the great embossing folders on the market now. you can even lightly sand the tops once you emboss for a great distressed look! Check both Stampin' Up! and Tim Holtz to name just a few.....

Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge - distress
My Time to Craft - stitching
Delightful Challenges - color my world
Saturated Canary - anything goes
Sarah Hurley - projects with character
Lollipop Ladies - moustache (on a prop stick)
Nutcrafters - anything goes
WAW - anything goes with encouraging senti
TTCRD - anything goes
Bearly Mine - digi days

Sweet Flowers

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Bourbon Pecan

Today is a new challenge over at Paper Makeup Stamps Digi Makeover - Animal Friends. I know all of you have some great critter images in your stash, and the prize is some fun images from the Paper Makeup store.  I sure hope you will play along! :)  new images have been added to the store, too, so I know you'll wanna go take a peek!

I used the soft and pretty Felicity Fawn image for my card along with a sentiment from Create with TLC. papers are from Basic Grey's Kioshi collection. the flower is Prima and silk ribbon is May Arts. not much fancy here, but I love these colors together. the little pearls were actually colored with a Copic marker. hooray, I used a Copic!!! grins! the little bit of cardboard underneath the main image is actually a scrap from a Starbucks coffee cozy. I tore the edges and lightly inked it to distress.

I want to thank all of you who have been so very encouraging to me. as you might know by now, I didn't win, place, or even show in the May Arts contest. pretty much was low man on the totem pole. didn't place with any of the other challenges I entered with it either. so that lets me know that this project was a failure from the get-go. some are like that. you put hours into them, but no one likes how they turn out. that's okay though because it was a big lesson learned. it's all already been torn apart, thrown away, and some of the pieces salvaged for another project down the road. most definitely didn't want THAT reminder sitting around to stare in my face.

it has definitely changed how I will enter (or not enter) contests from here on out. I'm done with publication submissions and anything that isn't made for my family or someone I know. I spent money we didn't have getting ribbon, spent money we didn't have mailing projects out, and it all comes to naught. I've taken my chances and seen the results. I will continue to enter challenges because that is how I earn my crafting supplies. I win enough to keep me in paper and embellishments, so that is good enough for me. you would be surprised at the number of challenge blogs and companies that don't follow through with sending out prizes, but that would be a story for another post......I'm thankful for the ones that do.

and above all, I'm thankful for each of you. you are loved and appreciated! :)

Challenges:
Eureka - animal catwalk
Inky Impressions - dies/punches
Penny's - use a sentiment
Paper Crafting Journey - use a sentiment
Paper Shelter - make it bloom
QKR Stampede - punches/
OSAAT - use a digi
Allsorts - passion for flowers
Digi Darla - recycle for Earth Day (Starbucks cozy)
Forever Friends - lots of flowers
Kaboodle Doodles - spring
Kraft Journal - recycle or reuse (Starbucks cozy)
Sparkle and Sprinkle - use a digi
Stamp and Create - use at least one die

Keeping it all in perspective..... Smile!

I've been having a tough past few days....not the greatest news in regard to my health stuff, but what has hit me the hardest has been my May Arts project. some of you have been very supportive and kind here on my blog, so I must begin by saying this is NOT what I am making reference to....

over on the May Arts blog all of the projects have been posted. I do hope all of you have had a chance to stop by because man oh man, there are some jaw dropping gorgeous projects! I am being completely honest when I say that mine in no way compares to what some people made. I knew at the time I saw the list of contestants that there were going to be some fabulous creations. I just flat out don't have that kind of talent, and I truly am in awe of the folks that do. they are my inspiration!

but of the over 200 comments left at the time I'm writing this, not one comment has been left for my project. every project has been mentioned except mine. not one person has said, "nice job" or "cute ribbons" or anything. that is not the reason I entered the contest. but gosh, I worked really hard at a time when I felt absolutely horrible to make something that I thought looked nice. I realize it doesn't compare with all of the other projects. but it flat out hurts. and I'd be lying to say it hasn't affected the way I think about future crafting, posting to my blog, and entering any other contests/challenges. we all want to hear nice things about what we make. to say otherwise isn't being honest.

what I make is part of what I do, but it is not who I am. my life is more than paper and ribbons. hard to believe some days, but it is true. my life is also more than cancer. it's about smiling, regardless. it's about a deeper joy that comes from something other than a comment left or not left. it's about being the daughter of a King. and for me, that is enough. it is always enough. :)

Awesome Birthday

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Bourbon Pecan

Yesterday was Paulette's birthday from over at Create with TLC. many of her DT members got together to surprise her with cards made using the same image. her daughter, Bri, put them up on the TLC blog first thing yesterday morning so that Paulette would see them wishing her a happy, happy birthday when she logged on to her computer!

I want to share my card with all of you here.....

image and senti are obviously from Create with TLC, papers are Basic Grey Knee Highs, gorgeous flower is Prima, pins are Maya Road, border die at bottom is MFT, buttons and trim are vintage. accents of stickles were used to add a bit of sparkle. few touches were also made with my spica clear glitter gel pen.

I put my card in the mail to Paulette, so hopefully she will have it by the weekend. that way it helps to extend the birthday wishes a little bit longer! :)

Challenges:
Clear it Out - anything goes with 2 or more buttons
Inky Chicks - happy birthday girl!
Oldie but a Goodie - make it girly (old - pins are over a year old, as is Spellbinder die)
TTCRD - anything goes
By the Cute and Girly - vintage
Digi Galore - one for the girls
Forever Friends - paper piecing
Pink Elephant - paper piecing

May Arts Spring Challenge Projects!

Coffee of the Day - Maple Pecan

Well today is the big day that all of the projects for the May Arts Spring Challenge are being featured over on the blog! I would love for you to stop by to see the fabulous things made by those chosen, including me! :)  I'm not sure if comments count for votes, but it would sure make the designers feel happy to see happy thoughts and wishes left for them if you have a moment.

I have to take just a second to say a huge thank you to the very kind people over at May Arts who believed in me and my idea for a project! it means so much that you allowed me to take part in this contest! :)

please be prepared for LOTS of photos here.....
I also need to add that while May Arts DID provide 2 yards each of 4 styles of ribbons, I was allowed to add any extras of their products that I wanted to complete my projects. these were purchased on my own and were not provided by May Arts.

everyone was given this beautiful photo for our inspiration. you will see how I used various elements in my 2 projects.

My first project is an altered vintage milk bottle.

Please forgive my photographs. my tremors keep my from taking very nice nice pictures of my projects, which is why I scan as much as I possibly can. it's really hard to scan something like this though, so we will press on! ;)

The bird was cut with a Tim Holtz die from a popcorn box of all things! I cut 2 pieces to give extra strength, as well as a piece of white cs to cover the back. I then cut a bird and wings from Butterfly Garden digital papers, adhered to chipboard with ModPodge, covered in fine glitter for body and SU! glitter glass for the wing, and added a vintage button for the eye.

Ribbon roses were made with the pink satin ribbon, teal organza ribbon (used on next project), and the pale blue silk ribbon combined with the blue satin ribbon for a 2 tone flower. I also have to add here that my SU! silicone craft sheet is an invaluable tool when it comes to making ribbon roses, or flowers of any kind. this includes those made with the dies that are so popular now. this thing is fabulous!

I took a length of the natural wired burlap that was long enough to go around the bottle and cut it in half.  I pulled several strands away to fray the edge. I then took the teal cord and wove it through the top edge. this will later be used to tie a bow and hold a metal edge tag of vintage music paper.

Fuchsia ruched ruffle trim and white eyelet trim were glued along the burlap.

Pale celery green leaf trim was added.....

and then the other final embellies added before adhering to the bottle. the bird rests on several small twigs accented with Webster's Pages bead pins. I used a hot glue gun to add the decorative burlap piece.

White eyelet trim was glued around the lip of the bottle with several vintage buttons adhered as accents. The bottle was then filled with twigs.

May Arts products used: teal string white eyelet trim fuchsia ruched ruffle natural burlap leaves pink and blue double faced satin Pale blue silk ribbon

My next project is a card featuring a beautiful image from Tammy at A Day for Daisies. I chose 'Bird's Nest' because it reminded me of the birds that are currently flying around my front porch, so busy building their new family nests.

Papers are Basic Grey Hello Luscious, chipboard bird is Maya Road inked with summer starfruit and then covered in scattered straw distress stickles. I used a piece of the burlap string that was removed from fraying to tie the vintage button on the bird.

white eyelet trim was dyed with soft suede ink and a few drops of water. this was then braided with teal organza ribbon around a twig. the same teal organza ribbon was made into a ribbon rose (see above project photos) and then added to metal tag. the galvanized metal tag was sanded to distress. a few leaves cut from the ribbon accent the rose. vintage buttons complete the card.

May Arts products used: teal string white eyelet trim - dyed natural burlap leaves sheer organza ribbon

I hope you can see how I used the inspiration photo in my 2 projects. the metal containers played into both pieces, as did the bird, twigs, and beautiful soft colors. I had a wonderful time working on this contest entry! I tried to come up with something a bit different as far as using the ribbons, so I do hope you take away a few new ideas for your own crafting projects!

thank you so much for stopping by! :)
Jennifer

p.s. I will post my blog candy on Wed.

Challenges:
Party Time Tuesdays - anything but a card (bottle)
Catered Crop - just add glitter
Eclectic Ellapu - put a tag on it
Great Impressions - pastel colors and/or polka dots
Joanna Sheen - spring into spring
Scrappy Frogs - think spring
One Stop Craft - pastels
A Day for Daisies - fave technique (distressing, watercolor) card
Crafts 4 Eternity - wings
Hot Shot Craft - anything but a card (bottle)
Totally Papercrafts - get krafty (card)
Crafting by Design - spring flowers
Creative Moments - things with wings
Divas by Design - flowers (bottle)
Paper Pretties - buttons
Paper Shelter - spring delights
Simon Says Stamp - april showers and/or spring flowers
Anything Goes - heavy metal (metal tags on both projects)
Creative Craft - alter it (bottle)
TTCRD - anything goes
Shabby Tea Room - photo inspiration and recycled item (bottle)
Incy Wincy - fur or feathers

A Week for Crossing Fingers

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Marshmallow

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a fabulous week so far! only one more sleep and then it's time for the weekend to semi-officially begin! :)

I just 5 minutes ago hit the 'send' button on the email for my big May Arts Spring Challenge project submission.... yikes! what a nervous nelly I am right now, as well as the entire time I was typing up that message. All projects will be posted over on the May Arts blog on Monday, April 15, so you will be able to see them all there. I have to tell you, some of the most amazing, talented, crafters are part of this round, so I don't expect to be chosen as a winner. but good golly gosh, am I thrilled as ever to have been selected as one of the contestants! All of you will have several days to vote, at least that is my understanding. so I do hope you will pop by their blog to see all of the entries and support everyone who worked so very hard! :)

I also sent off at the beginning of this week, one little card for the Paper Crafts Stamping Royalty contest. I haven't actually stamped a complete card in a while, so that was fun to do! I had Dave give the envelope a big kiss, (well not THAT big! grins!) for good luck before we took it off to the post office.

then there is the ever fun medical testing that began yesterday. ick. as usual, they had a hard time drawing blood on me. they laugh at the hospital that now when they see my name they call down to the actual lab to have one of the specialists come do the actual taking of the blood because it is so hard to draw. sad but true. lovely side effect of chemo that you don't find out about until after the fact. I could tell you horror stories of having 4 and 5 and more needles sticking out of my arm at once while they try to find a vein, but then it's not Halloween just yet...... ha! again, sad but true. more visits tomorrow. but then again, as I mentioned before, after that is WEEKEND! hooray!

just gotta focus on the happy happy.
next week is blog candy! yippee skippee!

love to all of you!

Create with TLC Vintage Fashion Show Blog Hop

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

So glad to have you here at my stop on the Create with TLC blog hop! grab a cup of my yummy coffee and sit back for a moment.... you have seen so many wonderful things on the hop, haven't you?!?! lots of talent on Paulette's team! I feel honored that she invited me to participate since it's been a long time since I was last a part of her DT. thank you, Paulette, for including me. :)

you should have arrived here from.....

RHONDA's wonderful blog.

my card uses this beautiful image, Fashion for the Shore and a sentiment from Create with TLC as well.

papers are Pink Paislee London Market, buttons are vintage, linen thread is SU!. ribbon flower and crochet trim tape are from a fab blog candy I won the other day and happened to receive as I was finishing my card. perfect timing! :)

you may either click on the image below to open in a separate page and then save to your computer, or just right click and save directly from this post. please let me know if you have any troubles saving...

thank you for stopping by my blog. be sure to top off your coffee before heading over to.... 

VICKY's fabulous blog!

and be sure to tell Paulette thank you for all of the amazing images she so generously provides day after day! :)

Challenges:
Cut it Up - wet
Catch the Bug - anything goes
2 Sisters - anything goes
Rhedd and Rosie's - vintage/shabby chic
Digistamps 4 Joy - anything goes
Digital Tuesday - new papercraft trends (ribbon flower, staples, map paper)
Ladybug Crafts Ink - anything goes
LEJ Designs - fave style (vintage/shabby chic)
TTCRD - anything goes
Deep Ocean - photo inspiration
A Little Bit Crafty - anything goes
Cards Galore - vintage
Heck of a Challenge - just add water
Really Reasonable Ribbon - buttons and bows
Bunny Zoe - girly
Crafty Bloggers - anything goes
Simon Says Stop and Show - anything goes
Great Impressions - pastel colors and/or polka dots

I Mustache You a Question.......

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread (it's now all gone until the holidays roll back around.....sigh....)

I've been trying to get some crafting done behind the scenes so to speak, as I am feeling up to it. I've finished one project for the May Arts challenge, but would like to do a few more if I have time. I really really feel the need to make some cards for my family to stash away for 'later'......have a feeling they are going to be needed sometime down the road. So you'll probably be seeing a lot of masculine cards here on my blog in upcoming days and weeks. not sure how much DT work I am going to get done. I really feel a pressing need to get these cards made for my family first, as they truly are my priority.

a week or so ago I was blessed to win a gift certificate from Crafty Secrets. I was able to get some great digital sets, one of them being this fun 'Mustache Men.' Every November my guys all participate in 'Movember', which is a big promotion to raise awareness for prostate cancer. the idea behind it is for men to start the month off clean shaven and see how large they can grow their  mustache, or 'mo' as they are called in Australia where this all began, by the month's end. I knew it would be fun to use this set to make a card for one of the guys.

Papers are My Mind's Eye Union Square, crochet trim is Pink Paislee, buttons are from my stasth. hi ho sliver shimmerz was painted on the barber pole, the shaving cup and light at top of barber pole were covered in crystal effects.

I've added some buttons to my sidebar to make following and getting in touch with me a bit easier. for email, hover your mouse over the email button to see my email address in your lower taskbar. you can always click on 'my profile information' to see my email address as well. for all others, just click the buttons to be taken directly to each site.

Challenges:
Crafty Secrets - linky party
Crafty Catz - anything goes
2 Sisters - anything goes
Catch the Bug - anything goes
Moving Along with the Times - kraft
Digistamps 4 Joy - anything goes
LEJ Designs - fave style (vintage)
Loves Rubberstamps - anything goes
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Cards Galore - vintage
Sparkle and Sprinkle - use a digi
Love to Create - tag you're it
Simon Says Stamp and Show - anything goes
There She Goes - masculine
Kraft Journal - anything goes with kraft
Kaboodle Doodles - 2 different patterned papers
Crafty Bloggers - anything goes

I Really Haven't Disappeared.....

Coffee of the Day - Red Velvet Cake

Happy Thursday to all of you! I'm still here, just battling a nasty bugaboo that has had me knocked for a loop since the weekend. you remember how I mentioned that Mick came home sick one day last week? well, I ended up catching a version of what he had plus a tummy bug on top of it. so I haven't been able to keep any food in my tum since Saturday. spent Easter (and the rest of this week) in bed while the fam went to church to hear Mick sing and then visit with friends. they had a lovely time, and the singing was a huge success. :)  good news is that I've been doing tons of reading since I've spent so much time in bed. I've added a new widget to my sidebar via Good Reads that tracks what I am reading in case you are interested.

anyhow, bear with me please, as I hope to be back crafting soon. I have been working on my May Arts project itty bits at a time when I can. the big blog hop for Create with TLC is this Sunday, so do stop by for that.

my 500+ blog candy will be up soon, so I KNOW you will want to pop by to sign up for a chance at winning some crafty goodies!

next week I head to the oncologist for a major big appointment. not excited about it only because that means tons o' tests at the hospital. blechy poo on that. can think of a bajillion and one things that I would much rather do! grins! ;)

anyway, y'all take care, and I'll see you in a few days. hugs to ya!

some DT challenges I've missed posting for, but you most certainly will want to check out:
Paper Makeup Stamps
Top Tip Tuesday
ABC Christmas Challenge
Milk Coffee showcase
Outlawz Paper a la Mode
Jellypark Friday Friends

He Has Risen Like He Said!

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Marshmallow

Blessed Easter Morning, the tomb is empty! He has risen indeed, just like He said! What a glorious promise that has been fulfilled! :)  oh, the love that God has for us! may you feel it every day, every moment of your life!

My card for today is for all of YOU - my special friends who have lifted me up to such wonderful places when I didn't have the strength to lift myself. you have poured out your love and friendship and kindness upon me. thank you so very much! may you feel the heart that I put into this card for you!

The beautiful cross image is from Eureka Stamps. I actually saw it first on a friend's blog and knew I needed it for my own! papers are Basic Grey Plumeria. buttons are vintage and trim is Prima. flowers were made with a MFT mini roses die and the BG papers. leaf die is SU! and covered with distress stickles. same distress stickles edge main image. little cluster of berries is some I happened to find in my travels. the colors match the paper perfectly! sentiment is Create with TLC.

Challenges:
Pile it On - handmade flowers
Inky Impressions - Easter or Spring
Raise the Bar - sketch
House that Stamps Built - spring flowers
Brown Sugar - flowers
Digi Haven - spring
Pattie's Creations - Easter
Stampin' with the Dragon - Easter
Sweet 'n Sassy - think spring
4 Crafty Chicks - Easter
DRS Designs - paper flowers
Little Miss Muffet - Happy Easter
Play Date Cafe - color photo inspiration
WAW - anything goes with inspirational verse
Crafting by Design - vintage Easter or Spring
Crafty Creations - Easter
Creative Belli - Easter (papers & dies are my oldies. vintage buttons & lace are really old! grins!)
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Easter
Sisterhood of Crafters - Easter/Spring
Stamp 'n Doodle - Easter or Spring
Crafty Sentiments - Easter
Cuttin and Stampin - Easter
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - Easter
Loves Rubberstamps - Easter
Oldie but Goodie - Easter (papers & dies are my oldies)
Our Daily Bread - He is Risen! :)
Party Time Tuesday - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Craftin Desert Divas - Easter
Daisy Doodles - Easter
Melonheadz - Easter or Spring
Victorine - anything Easter
Basic Grey - Easter
One Stop Craft - Easter
Allsorts - vintage
LEJ Designs - vintage or retro
Simon Says - anything goes
Ruby's Rainbow - Easter
Squirrel and Fox - Easter or Passover

Several Cards - Finally!

Coffee of the Day - Santa's White Christmas (yep, it's been one of those weeks. our holidays are all mixed up!)

I finally have a few cards to show you. this has been one of those turned upside down and inside out kinds of weeks. the guys have been home for Spring Break, but we've hardly seen them. Tyler and Mick have started  new jobs at the same restaurant in Kent, so they've been driving back & forth all week for training. the restaurant opens on Monday.

as I had posted earlier, our water heater went kaput the first part of the week. David spent a few days trying to track down a proper replacement and then install a new one. because we live in a Century home, not just any hot water heater will work in our basement. it's hard to find one that will fit, and of course they don't come on the cheap end.... then yesterday as Tyler was driving to work, his car started to act funny. it's about an hour drive to Kent from here, so he stayed on the phone with Dave pretty much the entire time. Mick had been staying with his girlfriend's family for several days because he is singing at their church Easter morning. (He was going into work during the day and then going over to the church in the evening for rehearsals.) So David drove over to Kent to work on Tyler's car yesterday morning and ended up spending all day there.

When Mick arrived, everyone discovered that he was super sick with a nasty flu/cold. So he was sent home to recuperate. I immediately mixed up a tea brew in preparation for him, and he's been in bed ever since. whew.....hopefully Mick will feel well enough to make it to church tomorrow to sing. we've all been invited to Jocelyn's family Easter dinner afterward, then the guys head back to school. :(

now for the cards after you have sat through the boring life stuff! ;)

the first card I actually made a while back and then forgot to post! everything today is courtesy of Create with TLC or Baubles by Bri.

papers are K & Co. Julianne, images are Create with TLC sprayed with walnut ink after printing,  flower is a gorgey one by Prima, buttons are vintage, ribbon is May Arts, tiny file folder is from JoAnn's. I used my beloved tiny attacher from Tim Holtz and lavel maker and finished it all off with a little metal clip.

A new Paper a la Mode challenge begins today at The Outlawz, so this is my DT submission to hopefully inspire everyone!

next card is for my best friend and her family. they have been going through a lot lately, and I wanted her to know I've been thinking about her. even though we text all the time, it's nice to get a reminder in the mail. sentiment is Create with TLC, image is Baubles by Bri, papers are Melissa Frances Attic Treasures, buttons are vintage, as are the seam tape ribbon & lace trim. the tag was sprayed with both Clam Bake & Coffee Shop glimmer mist. several washi tapes were added and then a tiny arrangement of some flowers that seemed to match the ones in the main image were added near the largest button. I added dots to the flower stems on the main image with my white gel pen to mimic the ones in the little flowers.

a publication update for you - I have several cards being published in a UK magazine next month. I'll give you more information as soon as I get it. another card will be published in an online magazine in a few months. yep, I'm excited! :)

I'm working on my May Arts spring challenge project in my spare time. have a few extra ribbons I ordered coming in over the next few days. hope that what I plan turns out to be a neat project! I've been picking up little pieces here, there, and everywhere, so you never know what is going to show up on this! tee hee! the competition is very fierce, so I'm trying to bring my A+++++++ game to the ring. yikes!

--------> keep your eyes open because I am finally going to be posting my 500+ followers blog candy soon!

Challenges:
Whoopsi Daisy - use a digi
One Stitch at a Time - use a digi
613 Avenue Create - anything goes
Lacy Sunshine - layer it up (in my thoughts card)
Chocolate, Cards, and Coffee - bring on spring (in my thoughts card)
Creative Corner - anything goes
Digital Tuesday - spring colors (in my thoughts card)
Crafty Ribbons - anything goes with ribbon (knowledge card)
Paper Crafting Journey - ribbon or lace
Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes
CRAFT - Mother's Day/Female (in my thoughts card)
Crafting by Designs - vintage Easter or Spring (in my thoughts card)
Totally PaperCrafts - metal (knowledge card)
Creative Card Crew - for a man (knowledge card)
LEJ Designs - vintage or retro
Allsorts - vintage

Greater Love

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Marshmallow

it's Good Friday. not really a time when I would say 'Happy Good Friday' to ya, because it is more a time of  quiet reflection than a happy occasion. a week that began with 'hosanna' and 'hallelujah' is now starting to hear cries of persecution. how quickly the crowds will turn.

we all have times like that in our own lives. what starts out as a mountain top experience soon seems to feel like a fall over the edge.

BUT there is good news. we are not alone. we do not walk this journey by ourselves. we have friends who come along beside us at different points in our lives. sometimes they are there only for a season, sometimes they are there for longer. regardless, we need to remember that it is all too easy to turn inward during times of difficulty - to hold everything inside. that is one of the lies of depression.

and above all, we each have a Father in Heaven whose love for us can hardly be put into words. it is more vast than the number of sand grains on a beach, deeper than the love you feel for your own children, more encompassing than the stars in a night sky......and it is pure and true and never wavers depending upon what you wear or how much money you make or what kind of car you drive or don't drive. or even whether you have  hair or not. He loves YOU. God loves YOU. and that is where the 'Good' comes into Good Friday. that is the good news. because that tomb may be filled for a few days, but it doesn't stay that way.

I found this pretty little calling card one day while out with David doing some of our antiquing. it is dated 1897. funny, that is the year my grandfather was born. it reads, "Loyal friendship, pure and true. This is what I feel for you." it is such a pretty little card. I want to share one of my very favorite verses with you that seems perfect alongside this.....  John 15:13 KJV
¹³ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

for those of you who don't know me very well, I do have a tattoo and have plans to get more. but my tattoo has a very deep meaning to me - it is a reflection of my faith, and all that follow will be the same. my next one will be a reflection of this verse.

and so I wish for you and your family a very 'Good' Friday. may you feel the love that God has for you. and may you know that love in your heart forever. you are truly loved with an everlasting love that will not go away! now THAT is the good news of Easter! :)
Jennifer

Randomness....

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

no card to show you today, I'm afraid. sorry about that, but I've been in bed most of these past few days, sicker than that proverbial dog. cancer is just flat out yucky. okay, enough of that. suffice it to say, I am getting weary of feeling icky all the time. blech! I hope to get some crafting done in the next few days if all goes well and I'm feeling a bit better.

anyhow, still snowing like crazy here. it's so pretty! I haven't updated you on my critter friends in a while, so here goes....
my owl friend is back from his winter vaca to parts unknown. he woke me up with his hoot, hoot, hoots the other morning. so lovely to have him around again! my little squirrel buddy is no longer a baby, but has reached the 'toddler' stage and is fighting the blue jays for the peanuts I leave out on the front porch banister. it's pretty funny to listen to them 'argue' with one another over who is going to keep the peanuts! yes, I am very easily amused when it comes to the critters on my front porch! :) the other birds still enjoy their games of chase and my front door wreath. hubby still insists that I take it down, while I am just as adamant that it stays put. I've counted as many as 5 birds perched upon it at one time.

my ribbons arrived yesterday for the big May Arts Spring Challenge! I am so excited to get started on my project. the ribbons they sent are absolutely gorgeous, as you can imagine! the tricksy part is going to be taking photos of all the steps. my shaky hands and a camera do NOT get along well. that is why I use my scanner all the time. oh well. crossing fingers it goes well.

all of my handsome, fabulous sons are home for Spring Break.... can you tell I am such a proud mom?! they stay up late gaming and laughing, and Dave is right in the midst of it all! what joy it brings to my heart! :) life truly couldn't get any better than this.....

well, maybe if the hot water heater hadn't gone out. as in cracked a leak and poured water all over the basement floor. but such is life. always something to make you thankful for the multitudes of things that go right every day that we take for granted. so thank you to the heater in our cold weather and the refrigerator and the car and our clothes and our dogs and the electricity and so on and so on...... :)

my tip for the day - if you sit down at a restaurant and notice that they offer grape as a flavor of margarita, more than likely the drinks there will NOT be very good! ask me how I know..... and no, I did NOT order a grape margarita..... I know better. ;)

You're So Hot

Coffee of the Day - more Coconut Marshmallow (hubby really likes this one!)

My card today is a very simple one I made for hubby. he has a deep love for all kinds of peppers. well, all of the  guys in my family do, but this is a card I could only give my lovey dovey man! :)

all of the papers and images come from Doodle Pantry in a pre-colored kit. I kept the embellies simple, 'cause that is how Dave likes his cards. yep, VERY hard for me to do! the peppers along the left side are layered with foam tape. they are actually 3 layers deep - sort of a decoupage look to them irl.

wanted to add that if any of you have been waiting on an email from me, I am discovering that messages I'm sending out are not always making it to their destination. those yahoo gremlins are playing havoc again. please re-send your email to me letting me know and I'll be sure to email you back, again. I am so very sorry my messages to you are on vaca in cyberspace somewhere. or else they are stuck on the tarmac waiting for take-off, eating complimentary peanuts and drinking cheap little bottles of spirits..... ;)

Challenges:
Doodle Pantry - anything goes with DP image
Lady Anne's - use a sentiment
Charisma Cardz - die cuts
Happy Campers - add dimension
Shelly's Images - anything goes

A Little Bunny Just for YOU! :)

Coffee of the Day - more Coconut Marshmallow (yes, it is tasty!)

Today is a fun day over on the Jellypark Friday Friends Challenge Blog - new release images and a new challenge to boot! Please pop by to see so many gorgeous creations by the DT to inspire your weekend crafting, plus some great new digital images to get you in the mood for spring! Our challenge is 'pretty pastels', so I hope you will play along with us! :)

I am using the precious little Rose Bunny image on my card. the sentiment actually comes from another of Claire's images - Flowers in Vase. You will see that image coming up on a card later....
Papers are Basic Grey Soleil, flower is from Michael's, buttons & lace are vintage.

This is also my entry in the new Paper a la Mode challenge of anything goes over at The Outlawz. it's always fun to see what everyone creates over there, and so many great prizes, too! :)

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments - girl power
Paper Crafting Journey - ribbon or lace
Creative Moments - animals
Inky Impressions - flowers
Paper Shelter - spring (flowers, pastel colors, bunny)
Simon Says Stamp - Easter/Spring
Stampotique - Spring
Crafty Sentiments - flowers
Die Cuttin' Divas - use a bunny
Card Mania - lots of layers
Craft Your Passion - ribbons or lace
Crafty Boots - flowers
Digi Darla - Easter/Spring
Eureka - what's in your Easter basket?
Stamp and Create - fur or feathers
Brown Sugar - anything goes
QKR - what's in your Easter basket?

You Are Beautiful

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Marshmallow (Ryan bought this for me yesterday! what a treat!)

We have a wonderful showcase over at Milk Coffee for you today. Our theme is florals and there are some gorgeous samples on the blog by the team. I hope you will stop over to see what everyone has created to inspire you!

My card uses the beautiful Tiffany in flowery bridal gown image from the Etsy store. the sentiment is from Create with TLC. the papers are digital ones, Carina Gardner Flourish. buttons and lace are vintage, leaf die is SU!, gorgeous flower is from Wild Orchid.

there is a lot of sparkle and shine on this card that doesn't really show in the scan. the roses have all been covered in milled lavender distress stickles as was the border the, accent dots were highlighted with my clear spica glitter pen, the flower was sprayed with shimmer mist, and the sentiment banner was sprayed with glimmer mist. A silver doily is tucked away in behind the flower, but might be kind of hard to see.

Even though the calendar says spring, we are in the midst of a huge snowstorm here in NE Ohio. 3"-5" of snow are expected today and temps are about 15*. roads are pretty nasty. I do love snow, but I'm happiest when no one is out driving in it. my guys start their Spring Break tomorrow, so I'm excited! :)

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments - girl power
Forever Friends - lots of flowers
Paper Crafting Journey - ribbon or lace
Inky Impressions - flowers
Crafty Sentiments - flowers
Crazy Amigo - wedding
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - fave embellies (vintage buttons & trims)
Craft Your Passion - ribbons or lace
Crafty Boots - flowers
House of Gilli - anything goes with flowers and/or ribbon

Blessings This Christmas

Coffee of the Day - Creme Brulee

Today starts a new challenge over at ABC Christmas Challenges - F is for felt or fabric. I had a bit of fabric left over from when we re-did our dining room chairs a few years ago. it was perfect for not only this challenge, but for a pretty Christmas card. or at least I think it turned out pretty. hopefully whomever receives it this year will agree.

I followed a sketch from The Craft's Meow, using one of Lisa's pretty stamp sets, too. it is called 'Christmas Angel', and I was blessed to win this the end of last year. it is such a gorgeous set. the sentiment on the banner comes from the set as well.  I inked the portion I wanted to use of a larger sentiment stamp  using a marker prior to stamping. The images were stamped directly onto paper from the My Mind's Eye All is Bright collection. all dies come from Spellbinders. the fabric was cut with a die also - I just had to run it through a few extra times to be certain it cut. barn door distress stickles edge both the fabric banner and sentiment banner.

coloring of the angel was done with my usual SU! inks and watercolor brushes. the white wings were colored with white craft ink. don't they just pop?! thin lace trim is vintage and flowers are Prima.

As I had mentioned in yesterday's post - if you follow my blog via Google Friend Connect, you do NOT have to worry about losing your dashboard feeds based on information I received from Google discussion boards. everything will be just fine with these when Reader goes away. if you are concerned about the way you follow my blog, feel free to sign up for posts via email, which you will find at the top of the blog under the header. I will not be signing up for Bloglovin' because I don't care for it. I find it very un-reliable.

Challenges:
Craft's Meow - sketch (flipped upside down)
Word Art Wed - anything goes with encouraging sentiment
Sentimental Sundays - anything goes with a sentiment
Stamp 'n Doodle - anything goes
Whimsy Inspirations - stitching (mine is faux)
Bearly Mine - anything goes
Love to Create - anything goes
Shabby Tea Room - anything goes

Top Tip Tuesday is Making me Laugh!

Coffee of the Day - Spiced Hazelnut

First of all I want to address the big upset regarding Google Reader -
I did a bit of research on Google Friend Connect, which is how I follow most of my blogs. from what I can gather per the Google Discussion Forum, I will still be getting those feeds in my dashboard as usual once Google Reader goes away. nothing is changing there. for any blogs I haven't been able to follow through GFC, I have always opted to follow by email where available. it's nice having the posts go straight into my mailbox. this means one less place for me to have to check each day - a good thing for me, but it might not work for other people.

the bottom line is this, folks. do what works best for YOU. :)

now for my card -
Top Tip Tuesday Challenges is looking for ROFL projects. I'm using a great image from QKR Stampede and one of my fave ever sentiments from Create with TLC.

papers are some digital ones I printed out. I'll be back to post the collection as soon as I find it in my files. the sentiment was printed directly onto a journaling card. buttons are from my vintage stash. I took a mug, dipped the rim into cold coffee, and then stamped that directly onto my card in several places. goofy me forgot that this is NOT the wisest thing to do with digitally printed papers, as they tend to run..... oh well. it adds to the flavor of the card, that is for sure! the journaling card was sprayed with my SU! ink squirty tool and an early espresso marker. isn't that an appropriate color for this card?! grins! chevron dies are from MFT.

Tip - a great way to add texture for animal fur is to stipple a darker color of ink over the area. you can even add a light coat of stippled white or ivory ink over the top once that is done. this helps give added dimension to the animal's fur.

Challenges:
Created with Love - button up
Love to Create - anything goes
Ooh La La - it's a man thing
Pause Dream Enjoy - anything goes
There She Goes - anything goes
Sentimental Sundays - anything goes w/a sentiment
One Stop Craft - anything goes
Crafty Catz - make us laugh
Creative Corner - fasteners (buttons and clip)
Delightful Challenges - here's one for the boys