It's October!!!!!!!!!!!

Time to get ready for Halloween!  I don't do much Halloween-themed decorating around the house.  Most of my fall decorating is of the generic type (pumpkins not jack-o-lanterns) so it can last through November.  I do have a few things that are most definitely Halloween and only on display during the month of October.  One of those is a Charlie Brown dracula that plays the Peanuts theme song when his hand is squeezed....how cute is that!  I also have some black cat and jack-o-lantern cross-stitched pieces that get displayed this time of year. 

I have spent some time this week making Halloween cards.  Actually my Halloween card making started in August when I joined a card swap sponsored by the Bazzill Paper people.  I had to make 10 fall or Halloween themed cards (1 design, 10 cards) using the Bazzill All Hallows Eve paper collection.  I mailed my 10 cards to Bazzill; in return, I received back one of the cards that I made along with 9 cards made by other papercrafters around the US.  This is the card that I made for the Bazzill Swap.

Here are four Halloween cards that I made yesterday and today.

 

(the red is not part of the card)

 

 

 

(orange & blue is not a traditional Halloween color combo, but I like the way this one turned out)

 

 

 

This card

is not a typical style that I make.  The inspiration for the card came from the Graphic45 Papers blog.

 

 

 

And finally, a fun (that is, quick & easy) card:

I'm not listing the supplies that I used so if you have any questions about any of the cards, just let me know.  Now it's your turn.....go get your craft on!

All Things English

Tom & I recently returned from a two week Mediterranean cruise.  We had a *fabtabulous* time!  We cruised on the Celebrity Eclipse.  The ship left from Southampton, England.  We flew into London's Heathrow airport a day early.  Upon arrival in London, we took a bus (also known as a "coach") to Southampton where we had a little bit of time to explore.  This was our first time in the United Kingdom and we would love to return some time. 

The majority of our fellow cruisers were English folk on vacation (also known as "holiday").  We found them to be quite charming.  Our conversations ranged from Elvis (did you know that he never performed in England?) and US national parks to the Royal Family and the English countryside. 

Here is a photo of the hotel where we stayed in Southampton.  It was also the site of Jane Austen's 18th birthday party (go figure!). 



By the way, did you know that Southampton was the port that the Titantic sailed from?  Oh, but, I digress.....back to charming English things.  How about this mailbox? 

Wouldn't you be writing letters to your friends *everyday* just to walk down the street and drop them in that charming mailbox?  And the telephone booths................. I love how they match the mailboxes!

Fast forward to the day we disembarked from the ship.  Our plane did not leave Heathrow until late afternoon so we signed up for a post-cruise excursion to Royal Windsor Castle.  I hate to keep using the word "charming" but.........................look at the lamp posts! 

................and the men in uniform

We enjoyed touring the castle.  I was most excited about seeing Queen Mary's Dolls House.  Pictures were not allowed to be taken of the Dolls House so you *must* click on the link and check it out.  I did find a postcard pack of the Dolls House in one of the Royal Gift Shops so I do have "pictures" to put in my scrapbook.  Here's one more website that describes the Dolls House .  Isn't it charming???

After touring the castle, we ventured across the street to Maud's Ice Cream where we each had two scoops of incredibly charming delicious ice cream before heading back to our "coach".  We could have spent lots more time in Windsor exploring the quaint (notice I didn't use the word "charming"....although one definition of "quaint" is "charmingly old-fashioned") shops.  Maybe next time!

I'm Back and Ready to Get My Craft On!

Hello, Remember Me?

My last post was mid-August but I do have a valid excuse for being away.  The last part of August was spent preparing for vacation.  Then vacation happened from 8/30-9/15.  The last 10 days have been spent getting things back to normal.  It was so nice to get away on vacation but we came home with a pile of laundry in the suitcases and a pile of snail mail in the mailbox.....not to mention the PILE of emails. 

I will be blogging about the trip at some point and posting some pics.  But, for right now, I'm posting a photo of the card that I am entering in the WordArtWednesday challenge this week.

 

 

The Bible verse on the card (1 Peter 5:7) is a great verse for consoling those who are grieving or going thru a serious illness.  In fact, it is a verse that we should all take great comfort in not only when things are "bad" but in any situation.  Any care that I have, no matter how great or small, should be cast upon Christ because He does care for me.  He has promised to never leave nor forsake me.

 

 

supplies used:

 

white & red cardstock - from my "stash"

butterfly paper - Red/Black Line Extension II from Jenni Bowlin (JBS Mercantile)

butterflies - Beautiful Wings Embosslits from Stampin' Up



Don't Forget to Smile!

A quick post to show you my entry in this week's Word Art Wednesday card challenge.  I think the quote speaks for itself!

supplies:
green card stock - Bazzill Basics
yellow card stock - Stampin' Up (Summer Starfruit)
patterned paper - Teresa Collins Everyday Moments Collection
embossing folders: Stampin' Up Sizzix Textured Impressions (Framed Tulips and Adorning Accents)
green gingham ribbon - my stash

Rejoice in the Lord Always.......

It's easy to talk about rejoicing and praise on Sunday since I spent the morning in church participating in corporate worship.  But what about the rest of the week?  It's easy to talk about rejoicing and praise when "life is good".  But what about when trials come my way.  Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS......" 

The Psalms are good devotional readings for preparing our hearts for praise and rejoicing.  Many of the Psalms start out with worries and concerns by the Psalm writer; however, we are brought to see that even in times of fear, worries, and trials (Psalm 28), we can rejoice for God is always there with us.  And in our times of sorrow for sins that we have committed against God (Psalm 51), He is ever faithful to forgive.  That should definitely cause our hearts to rejoice.........ALWAYS!  I encourage you to read through the Psalms and rejoice!

The Bible verse for the Word Art Wednesday challenge is Psalm 33:1 - "Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright."

Supplies:

floral paper - My Minds Eye Indie Chic Nutmeg "History" collection
blue print paper - Graphic45 papers - Old Curiosity Shoppe collection, Exquisite Motif
yellow cardstock - Stampin Up (summer starfruit)
yellow tulle - Webster's Pages

(I folded up the piece of yellow tulle and secured it with a brad.....making a cute little bow!)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge

Last week I was entering the Word Art Wednesday Challenge at the last minute and this week I'm getting it done (almost) first thing!  First of all, here is a picture of the card.............

The card I made turned out to be a very simple design. Since the Bible verse talked about peace, I considered using a tree pattern paper or stamp. Many things in nature (trees, clouds, flowers, etc.) often stop me in my tracks and cause me to think of the greatness of God who created these very things. I had some paper with trees on it but could not come up with a good card layout using it. Then I spotted the dragonfly paper and knew that I had found a winner. I not only love the design but also the blues and browns in the paper. I also love the plaid backside of the dragonfly paper which I used for the cross-pieces. The gingham flower embellishment has been in my "stash" for many years......just waiting to be used on this card!

I considered adding something (maybe a grosgrain ribbon bow) to the top right corner but talked myself out of it. I like the simplicity of the end product. The Bible verse was added to a tag embellishment which I "distressed".

The Bible verse is Colossians 3:15, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."

We should let the peace of God *RULE* in our hearts.  I don't know about you but this is something I have a hard time accomplishing.  Is the peace of God ruling in my heart when I am in a hurry but behind a slow driver?  Is the peace of God ruling in my heart when I am preoccupied (or should I say worried) with some stressful situation?  Is the peace of God ruling in my heart when someone says or does something against me?  I could.go on and on.  I think you get the picture.

Letting the peace of God rule in our hearts is something that can only be done by humbling ourselves and recognizing that we are not the important person that we often think ourselves to be.  We must see our sinful self and recognize the great grace and mercy of God.  We must also come to truly believe in the sovereignty of God.  He is in control of all things....we are NOT!

When we do let the peace of God rule in our hearts, we will experience the peace that is described in Philippians 4:7......."And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

supplies used:

Dragonfly/plaid paper - The Paper Loft (Huckleberry Pond collection)

Blue card - Bazzill Basics Papers

Distress ink - Tim Holtz Distress Ink in tea dye

gingham flower - personal stash

Word Art Wednesday Card Challenge

Last week was a very busy week for me and this week is shaping up to be fairly busy.  I thought about skipping the Word Art Wednesday Card Challenge this week BUT I knew that if I skipped it this week, then it would be easy to skip it again, and again, and again.................you know the rest! 

I have been participating in the challenge for about a month and do enjoy coming up a card design each week.  So, I finally found a few spare minutes last night and started the card design.  I put the finishing touches on it just a few minutes ago.  I am deviating from the sentiment that was suggested and instead have used "Count Your Many Blessings".  Any uplifting sentiment qualifies for the challenge. 

While working on this card, I was reminded of all the blessings in my life.  I'm so thankful for Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made for sinful me.  I'm also blessed with a sweet husband (25 years!), a wonderful church family, precious friends and family, and good health.

Supplies used:
printed background paper and green paper for tag - 7gypsies (Conservatory collection)
butterfly stamp (Papaya Collage stamp set), ribbon, dahlia embellishment - Stampin' Up
Count Your Many Blessings stamp - Stampabilities
forever friend stamps (Framed stamp set) - Papertrey Ink
all other supples are from my endless "stash"!!!