Paper Crafts magazine Presents: 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop

 Stamps - Pinecone Wreath by Hero Arts, Holiday Sayin by Hero Arts

Paper - Vintage Cream by Papertrey

Ink - Real Red by Stampin' Up!, Vintage Photo Distress by Ranger

Other - Chocolate Chip marker by Stampin' Up!, Cottage Ivy marker by Tsukineko, Stampin' Up! corner rounder, Red ribbon from stash, Pure Poppy button by Papertrey, Natural String by May Arts, Hot glue gun

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop! I am so excited to be a part of this hop and I am so glad that you stopped by for a visit!

Today we wanted to celebrate the release of Holiday Cards & More which is always one of my fav issues! Creating for this call is always so much fun! I just love Christmas and since Paper Crafts works six months in advance... I get a little bit of holiday cheer during the summer! If you want to order your own copy of Holiday Cards & More... click HERE!

The other purpose of this fun hop is to give you even more ideas for quick 'n easy holiday cards!

I am all about quick 'n easy! Most of the cards that I create are made in 5 steps or less. I love that! Not only do I save time by keeping my designs simple... I will also actually use the cards. If I make a card with a lot of layers/dimension... I find it difficult to mail. I don't know about you but I don't find that many opportunities to hand deliver cards. I love cards that are easy to slip in the mail.

If you are interested in how to reproduce the card that I am sharing with you today.... here are the steps:

1. Make card base and round bottom corners
2. Ink edges with distress ink
3. Color wreath and stamp onto base
4. Stamp sentiment
5. Tie ribbon with button and twine and adhere with glue gun

Easy Peasy!

Now... lets talk giveaways!

If you go comment on the Paper Crafts Connection today, you will be entered to win this fun prize package!!

If you leave a comment on my blog, you will be entered to win a copy of Holiday Cards & More! Comments must be posted by midnight (MDT) on Sunday, Oct. 2. I will post a winner soon after right here on my blog!

Make sure to visit everyone on the hop to get more great inspiration for quick 'n easy cards! Don't forget to comment all along the hop for even more chances to get your hands on a copy of this fab mag!!

Thank you for visiting!! Keep hopping!!

Julia Stainton
Chan Vuong
Teri Anderson
Kelley Eubanks - You are here
Maile Belles
Vanessa Menhorn
Amber Daigre
Lorena Canto
AJ Otto
Windy Robinson
Betsy Veldman
Dawn Petrick

Love Fest Day One

 Stamps - Love Notes by Verve Stamps

Paper - Pretty In Pink by Stampin' Up!

Ink - L'Amour Red by Superior, Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen and Vintage Photo Distress by Ranger

Other - Doodlebug Jewels, Offray Black Ribbon, Teal Prima Rose, Jotted Heart Die by Verve, Bucket from Target

 Stamps - I Love by Purple Onion Designs, Background Builders Hearts by Wplus9 Designs, All About You by Papertrey

Paper - White by Papertrey

Ink - Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen by Ranger, Reflection Blue and L'Amour Red by Superior

Other - Stampin' Up! Corner Rounder, Doodlebug Jewel

 Stamps - Love Notes by Verve Stamps 

Paper - Chocolate Chip by Stampin' Up!, Vintage Cream by Papertrey

Ink - Real Red by Stampin' Up!

Other - Chocolate Chip marker by Stampin' Up!, SU Dimensionals, Kaiser Rhinestone, Sweetheart Pillow Stickers by K & Company

 Paper - Be Loved Collection by My Minds Eye

Ink - Vintage Photo Distress by Ranger

Other - Paper Mache Letters by Darice, Rose Petal Acrylic Paint by Making Memories, Paper Matte Mod Podge by Plaid

Stamps - Love Notes by Verve Stamps

Paper - Basic Grey Out of Print

Ink - VersaMark by Tsukineko, Vintage Photo Distress and Tumbled Glass Distress by Ranger

Other - Doodlebug Jewels, Blue Metallic Zing by American Crafts, Broken China Distress Crackle Paint by Ranger, Frame by Michaels

Whew... that is a lot of love! I hope that you have a great day! :)

Peace and..... LOVE!

Trick or Treat Bags

 Stamps - Halloween Moon and Happy Halloween by Hero Arts

Ink - Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen by Ranger and Pumpkin Pie by Stampin' Up!

Other - Tsukineko Markers, May Arts Twine, Target Treat Sacks

Happy Wednesday!

Today I wanted to share the treat bags that I made for Carvers preschool class! I made 11 of them a couple of nights ago. I guess I am a little excited for Halloween. Now I have to find a place to put them all until he can actually give them to his friends! :)

I just ordered Carvers Halloween costume. He is so excited to get it and not because of the costume itself but because of one of the accessories that I bought to go with it. When I was flipping through the Chasing Fireflies catalog and looking at the costumes, Carver wanted to look at it with me. He decided pretty quickly that he wanted to be a fireman because of this cool little backpack thing that actually shoots water! :) I have a feeling that we are going to have a cold and wet Halloween!

Thank you for stopping by! Peace and Love!

Rainbow Hello

 Stamps - Essential Messages by Hero Arts

Paper - Papertrey and Stampin'  Up

Ink - Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen by Ranger

Other - Papertrey Button, Martha Stewart Ribbon Tag

Happy Tuesday!

Sorry for my lack of posting lately! I started an antibiotic last Sunday and didn't feel well all week last week. I believe that I might be allergic to that medication. After a couple of doc visits, bugging one of our doctor friends to death, and a trip to the ER... I quit taking the medicine and have felt much better ever since! I finally got a little agreement from my doctor today about the whole allergic/allergy thing. I was beginning to think everyone thought I was crazy! :) Anyway... sounds a lot more dramatic than it was ... even though I was quite the drama queen at times! :)

Enough rambling... just wanted to let you know where I have been in case you have wondered!

I hope you have a great day! Thanks for stopping by! :)

Peace and Love!!

Housewarming Cards

 

Happy Wednesday! I just wanted to pop in real quick and post a few cards that are on the PSA Stamp Camp blog today. Click here to see the post!

Sorry to keep it short and sweet! I wasn't feeling great yesterday so I didn't get anything done while Carver was at school. I have a lot to do today! I hope you have a great day! Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and Love!

Give Thanks Tag

 Stamps - Thanksgiving Feast Sentiment Set by Purple Onion Designs, Leaf Prints by Papertrey

Paper - Parakeet by Bazzill, White by Papertrey

Ink - Jenni Bowlin Brown Sugar by Ranger

Other - Leaf Print Die by Papertrey, Harvest Gold Felt by Papertrey, Labels 8 Nesties, Big shot, SU Dimensionals, Doodlebug Jewel, BellaTerra Specialty Paper Ribbon by Offray

Today I wanted to share a tag that I made and can I confess that I love it? I am not sure why... pretty sure it has to do with the colors (which are a little brighter in person)!! Anyway... not a lot to talk about. I am scheduling this post a couple of days in advance just to get the blog hop post off the top of my blog as instructed! :) Honesty is the best policy! :)

Thanks for stopping by! Peace and Love!

Missing Summer Blog Hop

Hello!! Thanks for stopping by for the Missing Summer Blog Hop! You should have come to me from Becky. If you came to me first and want to start at the beginning of the hop... you can start HERE!

Today we wanted to show how great PSA Essentials and Urban Lily products work together!! On my card below... I used Monopack Gigi K peel and stick pack from PSA Essentials and Massimo from the Blink collection of Urban Lily! I think they are a perfect match! :)

If you want to be in the running for a prize...

1. Comment on each blog along the hop

2. Be a follower of PSA Stamp Camp blog

The winner of a PSA Custom Stamper will be chosen via random.org on Monday the 19th and will be announced on PSA Essentials Facebook!

Urban Swank is also giving away a scrapbook kit!!

If you are interested in where to purchase PSA Essentials ... Polka Dot Parlor is having a sale from 9/16 - 10/1. They are giving 25% off all Peel and Stick packs, $29.99 for a custom stamp, and a free alignment tool ($10 value) with custom stamp purchase!

You can also purchase Urban Lily products at Scrap-Tastic.com at 10% to 20% off!!

Looks like I am the end of the hop!! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Here is a complete list in case you missed anyone....

PSA Stamp Camp
Petra
Mandy
Eli
Marcie
Andrea
Becky
Kelley - That's me!


Peace and Love!! :)

Clean and Simple Thanksgiving

 Stamps - Harolds ABCs by Lawn Fawn

Paper - Kraft and Vintage Cream by Papertrey

Ink - Jenni Bowlin Seed Packet and Spice Tin by Ranger, L'Amour Red by Superior, Vintage Photo Distress by Ranger

Other - May Arts Natural String, SU Dimensionals, Autumn Forest Diecut Stickers by Reminisce

 Stamps - Gobble Gobble by Papertrey, Thanksgiving Feast Sentiment Set by Purple Onion Designs

Paper - Kraft and Vintage Cream by Papertrey

Ink - Orangerie and L'Amour Red by Superior, Jenni Bowlin Brown Sugar and Vintage Photo Distress by Ranger

Other - Gobble Gobble Die by Papertrey, SU Dimensionals, Big Shot, Doodlebug Jewel, SU Corner Rounder

Happy Friday!

I wanted to share a clean and simple card and place cards that I made a while back!

I hope you have had a great day! Ours has been a little lazy. I think the cooler weather is making me lazy! :) Carver had a make up day at school today but wasn't able to go. His little tummy has been upset! :(

I will be posting again in a few hours for a blog hop with PSA Essentials and Urban Lily. Make sure to come back and follow the hop for a chance to win a prize! :)

Peace and Love!

Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!

I have been a little bit lazy this week and haven't kept up with posting! I thought I would get back in the swing tonight and post the remaining Christmas projects that I have yet to post. I saved my least favs for last! :) Although... I am partial to the photo card because the little boy who holds my heart in his hand is on it! :) All of these were made months ago ... I am sure for Paper Craft submissions... and I almost made it to December without posting them... ALMOST! :) I am basically going through my notebook(s) of unposted projects and just throwing them out here! So... probably by the time Christmas rolls around... I will be posting some Valentines projects! :) That's how I roll!! :) 

I am going to continue to be lazy tonight and not post my supply lists. Sometimes... I just don't want to! Especially if I am sharing a few things... it is a lot of work! :) I am tired!

Well... I hope you are doing well and I appreciate the visit! Peace and Love!

Christmas Cards

 Stamps - Faux Ribbon and Boy Basics: Simple Circles by Papertrey, Holiday Sayin by Hero Arts

Paper -  White and Simply Chartreuse by Papertrey

Ink - Jenni Bowlin Fountain Pen, Chili Powder, Seed Packet and Lemon Drops by Ranger

Other - SU Dimensionals, Doodlebug Jewel

Stamps - Rejoice by PCD

Paper - White by Papertrey, Garden Green by SU

Ink - JB Fountain Pen, Lemon Drops and Seed Packet by Ranger

Other - Doodlebug Jewels, SU Dimensionals, Labels 8 Nesties, Big Shot

Happy Friday! While I am waiting on my lunch to cook... I thought I would post a couple of Christmas cards that I made a while ago! Then it is back to work on the house. I didn't actually get anything accomplished yesterday! :( The water went out for a while and that was the perfect excuse for me to do nothing! However... my boys just left for a bit so I have to make up today for being lazy yesterday!

Anyway....

I hope you have a great weekend!! Peace and Love!!

Fall Wreath

Hello!! I have let this week get away from me as far as posting goes! I have been busy around the house. After cleaning out my attic yesterday... I am taking it a little easier this morning!

Today I wanted to show a fall wreath that I made a while ago. This is my first wreath attempt! :)

Also.... I wanted to show off my new banner. I got it from the same shop/sweet lady that I bought my last one from. You can check out the Etsy shop HERE! There are some really cute Halloween banners.... I had a hard time deciding which one to get. I went with this one so I could leave it up through Thanksgiving!

Well... I guess I had better get after it! I have been super busy with the house! I spent 2 days this week on the bonus room. We had to do some repair work on the ceiling in there so there was drywall dust all over the place. Fun stuff! Yesterday I spent the day lugging buckets upon buckets of stuff down from the attic. My back is a little sore but... my attic looks good! :) It bugs me if I get too much stuff in my attic! I am weird... I know! If there is anything opposite of a hoarder... that is what I am becoming! I want it all out of here!! :)

Today my plan is to clean the rest of the house. It has all been cleaned at least once so I am hoping to get it all done before I get C from school! THEN... I am devoting the rest of any 'free time' I get this weekend to working on the Paper Crafts call! Woo Hoo!!

Sorry to subject you to all of my plans! I am trying to motivate myself to get up and get going! :)

Peace and Love!

A Thoughts Post for Janelle

A couple of weeks ago, Laura, emailed me and asked me if I would join her today in doing something special for Janelle Hayes. If you don't know Janelle... she is a sweet blog friend whom I have actually been able to meet once in real life. Janelle has been recently diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumor.

Laura's ideas for our posts were to maybe share an encouragement card, share a bible verse, but most importantly... to glorify God in some way! Laura knew that would mean the most to Janelle.

As I began to think about what I was going to make... I just felt really compelled to just talk! I use to post what I like to call ... rambling posts... quite often and have gotten away from that somewhat. Janelle always read and either commented on my posts or emailed me to tell me her thoughts on what I talked about. Janelle has always been the kind of friend to listen, encourage, and give advice when needed. I appreciate her and respect her and her opinion/advice!

As I read Janelle's blog daily, I feel like I can understand some of what she is going through. The key word is SOME! When I was going through my cancer scare... even though it was not as serious as what Janelle is going through.... it scared the crap out of me. Most of all... because I had a 2 year old at the time that I did not want to leave!

As horrible as my experience was for me... I wouldn't trade it for anything! You see... God can turn anything bad into something good for His glory! It was always easy for me to say..."this life is not about me"... but sometimes it takes being confronted with losing your life before you really get that! It doesn't mean that it isn't a struggle to 'keep that' because it is... which is probably the reason for my lack of rambling posts. I have gotten back to being more concerned about what I call 'my life'! You see... our sinful nature makes us focus on us and what we want instead of what is really important... praising God and living with the mindset of this life is not my own. Our world is so backwards! The things that we think are important... status, a big house, nice cars, fancy clothes, lots of craft stuff (had to throw that one in), etc etc... are SO NOT IMPORTANT and it is really sad how much time and attention that we give to those THINGS! Okay... I feel like I am starting to get off track so let me switch gears! That is a post for another day! :)

So... I know Janelle is feeling so much joy and love through all of this from all of the cards, gifts, food, prayers, etc that she is receiving! Although 'we' are the ones actually mailing the cards or preparing the food.. God is the mastermind behind it all. Gods timing is perfect. God is using us to comfort Janelle through all of this and I will bet my right arm that Janelle would probably say that she has received so many things at just the right time. Maybe a card with a verse that brought her comfort when she needed it... or a hug from a friend when she really needed to be held at that moment.

I have several stories to share from my own cancer experience but one in particular that I wanted to share with you (again) today!

A couple of months before I found out about my cancer... I received an email from a sweet lady who I did not know very well at all. I was a pretty new follower of her blog. I had left a comment one day on a set of coasters that she had made. They had a different scripture on each coaster. Out of the blue, this woman emailed me and offered to send me 4 coasters for free. Now... I am really not the free kind. I have a hard time with free. After begging her to let me pay... she told me that God wanted her to make and send me these coasters. She asked me not to take that blessing away from her... to just take them.. so I reluctantly agreed. She asked me to go to a website (a stamp company) and pick out 4 scriptures ... out of probably 25-30... to put on my coasters. At the time... I didn't really think about the scriptures that I chose.

After I found out about my cancer... one night I was in my craft room and I looked down at the coaster that still to this day sits by my computer. The scripture reads....

Fear not, for I AM WITH YOU; Be not dismayed for I AM YOUR GOD. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I WILL UPHOLD YOU with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

I knew right then why God told the woman (her name is Betty by the way) to send me the coasters. God was comforting me before I even knew that I needed it!! What an Awesome Father!!

I went to get the other coasters so I could read them....

GOD  did not give us a spirit of fear, but a SPIRIT OF POWER, of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND. 
2 Timothy 1:7

He who dwells in the shelter of THE MOST HIGH will rest in the shadow of THE ALMIGHTY. Psalm 91:1


GOD IS MY SALVATION; I will trust and not be afraid. THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH and my song; He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

Pretty cool, huh? :)

God is so Good and is worthy of my praise... and your praise... and your praise! No one on this earth will ever love me like my Father does! I love Him so much and I am so thankful that He loves me even though I don't deserve it!

I felt compelled to share that story for my friend, Janelle! I know she will find comfort in those verses... just as I did and still do!

Please remember to keep praying for Janelle!


Thanks for stopping by and taking time to read my ramblings! :)

Autumn Frame

Happy Friday!

Today I wanted to share a frame that I made a while back. I am almost positive it was for a Paper Crafts call! Anyway....

Excuse me for not listing the supplies but I am being lazy. When I wrote them down ... they were not written in any sort of order and I don't feel like sorting it all out. :)

Not a lot new going on here. I am still working on my house and am happy to report that I have made a lot of progress. I have a lot of projects/home improvements that I want to do around here but that will all come later on... as we have the money and time to do them. I am excited to have an almost really really clean house again that I will be able to keep up with while Carver is in school. I hope to start next week on being able to work on other things ... like crafting, working out, etc... while Carver is at school. I am anxious to see what I can get accomplished each day and get a good feel of what my 'new life' is going to be like! :) After a bit... I am hoping it will lead to a less stressed and more rested momma who can't wait for her little boy to get home so they can play together! :) I am hoping! I always want him to get home but the playing part... I am still kind of tired and don't 'want' to play most of the time!

Carver is doing great in school and HE LOVES IT!! He is so smart and sweet! I love him!!

Okay... well... that is enough rambling today! My boys just left for most of the afternoon so I need to get busy on the kitchen!

Peace and Love! :)