Remembrance

Being Memorial Day weekend, and having lost my Dad (who was a WWII Vet), my Mom, and my brother all over the last 5 years, Memorial Day is fast becoming more significant to me each year.

And now that I live fairly close to a Military base, I am more aware than ever how many people and their families make sacrifices for our freedom.

Please let's remember that this weekend is about more than a first trip to the beach for the year, or a backyard BBQ.

Many, many thanks to our wonderful servicemen and women! May God always bless you!!

I was going to wait until Monday to post this for Memorial Day, but as I thought more about it I decided I'd rather do it sooner than later. As everyone is now well into the holiday weekend, I am hoping that there's more on their minds than just having a good time.

I have recently joined a wonderful group of paper crafters over on CPC (Christianpapercrafts) and started doing some of their challenges.

The other night, I did this one. It was a challenge by Angela, and it was to create something (with a Bible verse) that would honor Memorial Day and all the Veterans who have given their lives or put their lives at risk for out Country.

This is what I came up with

I embossed the image from SU!'s "The Free & The Brave" stamp set using Versamark and black embossing powder, then I used Prisma colored pencils to color it all in.
These wonderful patriotic brads have been sitting in a jar for a long time, just waiting to be used.
The sentiment is from SU!'s "Say It With Scriptures" set. I colored the letters with SU! markers.
The solid c/s is all SU!; the stars BG paper is from DCWV and the BG paper with the flags is from Colorbok.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I wish you a safe and blessed Memorial Day weekend!

Paired Up

Just a quick post today: Here are a couple of simple and easy cards I made the other night. They are both pretty much the same, but as I was making them I couldn't decide whether to use the burgundy ribbon or the blue, so I did one of each. Then, I wasn't sure which image, so again- one of each. I wanted to use bold enough sentiments so they would show up on top of the background paper, but my stamps were not bold enough. So, I went for Sizzix die cuts. I didn't have too many words, so I chose these. (I think they work okay.)
Just another couple of cards to add to the stash ;-) Hope you like them.

Thanks for stopping by!

Items used: SU! Happy Moments stamp set; SU! River Rock , Very Vanilla, and Basic Black c/s; K & Company background paper; SU! Bravo Burgundy grosgrain; SU! Bashful Blue satin; SU! circle punch; EK Success scalloped circle punch; Cuttlebug dot embossing folder; flat back blue pearls; SU! Bravo Burgundy marker; Fruit Punch and Gold Stickles.

A Couple Of Simple Cards

Can you believe this? I made a couple of cards and did NOT use a stitch of ribbon or a single flower! Amazing, huh? ;-)I do like making simple cards once in a while. I usually tend to think "the more the merrier", but sometimes I realize there are times when "less is best" is actually true.
I did two versions of the same card: One a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card, and the other a 6 5/8" x 3 1/4" card.
I used SU!'s Old Olive, Pretty In Pink and Soft Suede and some misc. designer paper I had lying around (not sure what company). The butterfly was made using a Sizzix Bigz die and the SU! French Flair background stamp. I used a couple of punches and added a few flat back pearls. Simple as that!

Thanks so much for stopping by; I'd love to hear from you!!

Hoping For Healing

I don't know what is going on lately, but I know so many people who have either been sick or have had some sort of injury. Including two of my very best friends- both having severely broken legs! Anyway, I can't seem to make get well cards fast enough these days. Here is a card I made for one of my friends.

I used Stampin' Up!'s Rich Razzleberry card stock for the base, and some Raspberry Lemonade DSP for the layers. I stamped the sentiment on vellum, which lets the design of the paper just show through faintly. I added several bits of bling, including quite a few flowers, some rhinestones and this awesome Prima butterfly. And I finished it off with Rich Razzleberry polka dot grosgrain ribbon.

Here is a close up of that awesome butterfly. I just love Prima flowers, and lately have been finding some other great embellishments from them as well.

Thanks so much for stopping by. As always, your comments are always so appreciated and enjoyed!

Hope Springs Eternal

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;

Man never Is, but always To be blest:

The soul, uneasy and confin'd from home,

Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

-from "An Essay On Man"

by Alexander Pope

The above two pictures were taken yesterday. I had just gone to an appointment with my son at the Children's Hospital (which we must do at least once a week now) and as always, we stop by our church afterwards. I love walking around the grounds, reading the walk of faith stones, and drawing a sort of "spiritual renewal" I get from the serenity of the surroundings there. This also gives me a chance to go down to the Memorial Gardens and have a little "visit" with my brother. As you may know, he died unexpectedly this past Christmas Eve, and I am still working on coming to terms with the shock and adjustment of his sudden passing. But at least I am able to go to this beautiful place where I can feel close to him and reflect on things.

Anyway, after my time with him yesterday, as I came up the steps from the cemetery, feeling the warmth of the sunshine and the breeze through the palm trees, and hearing the sound of many birds singing, I turned to my right and was taken aback by the beautiful view in front of me. It was almost as if I was seeing this place for the first time- in that it was so breathtakingly beautiful. I actually thought to myself that this may well be the most glorious weather I have ever experienced, and combined with the spectacular church buildings, statues and grounds, I felt as if this might just be a little bit of Heaven on Earth.

Only moments before, I was feeling heavy hearted, missing my brother and once again asking "Why". But as I stopped to take in the moment, I was reminded of hope. I was also filled with the feeling of eternity. The assurance of eternity which can only come from our Heavenly Father. I know my brother loved Jesus Christ, and I know he is with Him now. I have the assurance that I too, will someday be there and will never have to miss my brother again. Ever. But for now I am here on Earth, where there is hope...

.... and Spring! :-) God has given us so much beauty here! And you can find it right outside your own front door!

This morning, after taking my daughter to school I found a little "hidden treasure". I couldn't help but notice the fabulous bright color of the bougainvillea right alongside our house. And as I walked up towards my front door, I decided to take a closer look. That is when I found a single, closed red rose- and a couple of big, opened pink ones, too. I never noticed them before. I guess I hadn't really been looking.

Yes, hope does spring eternal. But we need to open our eyes- and our hearts to it.

Bird Call

I love making cards using bird images. I think it started with the fact that my mom really loved birds, and when I would make cards for her I'd try to find images she'd really like. And birds were always her favorite.

Now, it seems, birds are all the rage. Every time I get a new bird stamp I think "Oh, Mom would have loved this!" The images really make me think of her and her love of feeding the birds and watching them from her kitchen window.

These are some of my favorite bird cards I made for her. What I really like about these are the pretty details... brass findings, ribbon, and lace.

And I love the soft colors and beautiful background papers I found hiding in my stash.

I am not very good at watercoloring, but I gave it a try.

I love feminine cards, especially those with a vintage or Victorian feel. That was what I had in mind when I was making these. My cards never seem to end up the way they start out in my mind, but all in all I was very happy with how these turned out.

Here are the three I have left. Originally there were more in this set, but I didn't have a chance to send all of them to my Mom before she passed. I know she really loved them, and now even though she's gone I still enjoy making bird cards. They always make me think of her.

I'll be back again soon. Hopefully I'll have some scrapbook pages to show you next.

I'd love to hear what you think; I always appreciate your comments! Thanks for visiting!