Week 285: SWOON

This evening I made a card for the challenge at: 

CASology

  

I used my C.C. Designs rubber stamp called first kiss.  Just a nice basic stamp that I thought reflected the word "swoon" in a lovely way.  I colored in the image and then added one little heart embellishment in the corner.   I then just punched out a pink heart for the inside of the card to carry the theme throughout.

Well, I suppose I better try and get our dishes done here, and clean up the stamp desk, it's mighty messy. 

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.  

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

SSC171 POPS OF PINK~Work of Art, Sure Do Love You

 For as simple as this card is, I had a heck of a time putting it together.  My gosh I just fussed around and around with it until finally it worked.  I used the Sure do love you and Work of Art stamp sets from Stampin Up.  I did multiple colors of pink in the background and then stamped a real light pink on patterned paper for the heart.   I stacked the heart 6x to give it a raised look.  I like how it turned out, all sandwiched together.  I put the sentiment on the little banner that I cut out.   I then added a few little pop dot hearts for embellishments in the lower corner.  I'm on a role with stamping the inside of my card too.  Thank you Nancy for being my inspiration behind that.  

I'm going to submit this card to the challenge at: Sunday Stamps

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

PP378~ Count your Blessings, Valentine's Day Card

 I'm happy to say my face swelling is going down a bit more today. Thank you JESUS.   I have no idea what it is from.  My daughter thinks  it was an allergic reaction to the make-up  I wore for her wedding day, we had a our make-up done.   I just don't ever wear the stuff.  Then we did go out afterwards and have a few drinks, and I'm not a drinker either..SO maybe the combination of both.  Just happy it it getting slowly better.  

Well enough about me.  Onto the card.  Yay~  I made this card for the challenge at: 

The Paper Players

    

A sketch challenge from Nance.  How wonderful.    I used 3 different stamp sets for this card.  And I managed to stamp the inside again too.  That makes me so happy to give the card a finished look.   So here are the stamp sets:  Lawn Fawn's: Happy Wedding for the love birds.  Stampin Up's: sunshine sayings for the diecut heart.  Which fell on the floor and smashed my case to smithereens.  *UGH❕  Lastly, this little stamp set I found at wal-mart for 2.97 called creative you.  Isn't that fantastic?  Please know the stamps are not as good quality as what us "stampers" are use to, but hey they were cute and inexpensive..with lovely little sentiments of faith.  So I was sold.

I do believe this will make a lovely Valentine day card for the newlyweds. 💕

Thank you for taking time to pop in for a visit. 
Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping. 

FUSION - Coffee and a Book

 What a weekend.   Our daughter got married on Saturday, and she was beautiful.  Just lovely as could be.  Her groom was so handsome.  Everything went nicely, even though the bridal bouquet was wrong, and I had to go over to do a different flower shop for a last minute arrangement.  Which she did  an AMAZING job with, and quickly too, while my son and I waited.  Then 15 minutes to get us ready and drive out to the chapel.  The cake topper fell over on the cake.. but you know it's all memories that will make us smile,  so  Praise the Lord it all worked out.

Now for today's card.  I just had to try again at Fusion Card Challenge 

I was not happy with my first entry, and thought to myself, I could do perhaps a little bit better.   After all I do love to read, so I made my card into a little book, a book about coffee.   I used gold washi tape for the binding on the book, and then a few different pattern papers to give it that old worn book look.    The stamp sets I used were a.muse ~Perk UP  for the sentiment and travel mug.  Then Stampin up's Scentsational season for the inside steam.  Over all I think it's kind of a cute card, and I know just who to give it to my friend who happens to be a librarian.   Perfect!

I will share a few pictures of the wedding.  When the Bride and Groom give me the OK to do so. 

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

Challenge 42~Wedding Day 1-27-18

 I have to keep this a short little post this evening, for it is the Eve of our Daughter's wedding.  So much to do, spent most of the afternoon at the little chapel decorating it with the kids.  I posted a picture of the outside, so you can see the wreath I made for the door. I'm a bit tired out but I wanted to share the wedding card I made for the happy couple.  Plus time was running out for the challenge at: 

Always Fun Challenges where the theme is "Wedding or Anniversary"  Imagine that.  Wedding how very appropriate and timely for my family.

I used a couple different stamp sets: Lawn Fawn's Happy Wedding and the sentiments are from Sweet 'n Sassy.   I used some sparkle paper behind the navy blue to give it some glimmer.   I embossed the heart on the front of the card and die cut out the center.  I then used that heart to add it to the back of the card.  I even left the smudge mark on the inside.. they'll understand. it's mom's work. 

I'm so excited for their big day tomorrow.   I will be sure to add pictures of the inside of the chapel and the Bride and groom.  When they give me the ok to do so.  

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.

Please pray for a beautiful peaceful day, and that all will go well.  

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

♥ Going to the Chapel Song. ♥

SSC170 Steppin' Style

  I just wanted to try one more time with this amazing sketch at:

 Sunday Stamps  

This time I used a few older stampin up

sets.   2003 Simple shapes to make the squares & circle.  I used sweet sugarplum ink for the inside of the circle and squares.  I then used the Steppin' Style set for the shoes and sentiment.  I colored each of the shoes and then fussy cut them out. 

    I really like how this one turned out compared to my last entry.  I stamped the inside again too. Whoohoo❕

I can almost hear the wedding bells ringing.   This Saturday is our daughter's👰big day.   Still doing a few more little projects. I'll be dipping rice krispie treats in white chocolate, finishing off the favor boxes.. and then decorating the church tomorrow afternoon.  

 Praying they have a blessed day.💑   

It's difficult to keep my emotions in tact.  Trying to write sympathy card thank you notes for my mom's passing,  and then trying to do wedding favors and such for our dear daughter's wedding.  It's a lot to process.  We tried to hurry the wedding, but mom couldn't hold on, at least she is at peace, no more pain.  She will be gone two weeks on their wedding day.   We planned the wedding in 6 months.   but God's timing is perfect.  So we  find comfort in that.  Thank you for all the love and prayers my friends.  💗

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

RRCB78~Stipple Hydrangea

I made this card for the challenge at:  Retro Rubber Challenge Blog. 

I used my 2001 Stipple Hydrangea stamp with night of navy ink color, and background paper.  I had the sentiment for years and thought it would work lovely for a Valentines day card.  I added clear wink of stella to a few of the petals, and then used my white pearl drops to each center of the blooms.  however it took on the tint of the night of navy ink and so it now looks a little like light blue centers.   I thought about adding an extra dot of it on top, but didn't want it to be to dramatic.  I'm pleased to say I finished the inside of this card as well.  That's my new favorite thing to do.  Just really makes the card look so professional.  (haha)  

  I have to say Thank you to Jan for letting me know where to find my comments that were not appearing on my blog.  And  I also want to Thank my dear friend Nancy at Nanny's Pansy Patch she inspires me with her cards, she always stamps the inside.  Please check out her beautiful work. 

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

   

PP377~Sure Do Love You.

 Right away this morning I wanted to start stamping, even before Bible study and chores.   It's just a great way to escape for me.   However, I did get a return call on the air control testers.  They will be coming out next Tuesday.  I hope they find out what is going on in this old house, and furthermore hope that it will not cost a lot of money to take care of the problem.   The nice receptionist said sometimes they have to take down walls to get to the source.  UGH❕❕    So had to go my "happy place"  Stamping. 💗 

Today I'm going to submit this card to The Paper Players

I used my new, Sure Do Love You stampin up set..  And yes I sure do love it.😊  I made this card for my sweet Husband who has been a rock, especially the past 2 weeks, with my mom passing away, my hospital stay, (scare with my heart)  and now our daughter's upcoming wedding this weekend.  He truly is holding it all together for us.  So Blessed.

I kept this card very simple.  I embossed the leaves in white and then die cut out the center heart, to stamp the sentiment in black on white.  I think it's such a classy look.  I then stamped the inside heart and banner.  The leftover little diecut heart did not go to waste as I added it to the back of the card above my little personal stamp.   I think the 3 little black jewels on the front, make it just enough and not to much. 

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  I'd love to have you follow my blog, or fb page.   By the way blogger is once again not showing my comments in the comment section.  GRRRR  I am receiving them in my email account.. So THANK YOU!!!  I love hearing from ya all.  

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.  

FUSION - Coffee and a Book

 I love books.  I have one side of my porch with books, and the other side is the crafting/stamping area.  That will be changing soon.  After our daughter's wedding this weekend, Hubby said he will start working on fixing her room for my stamp room.  YIPPEE.  That's awesome.  I'm so excited.   

Well Onto the card.  I chose to play along with Fusion Card Challenge  

 

Coffee and a book.

I made a book case that reminds me of my very own.  With all kinds of nic-nacs, plants and books to fill the shelves.  I think the sentiment is sweet and goes well with the inside of the card too.   I like the wood background.   Reminds me of ship lap.    I think the two little brads finish the card off nicely. 

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.  

SSC170 ~Baby Girl Card

 Still trying to get back into the stamping groove after quite the past week.     I'm also trying to figure out what kind of wedding card to make for my daughter.  Any ideas?  Plus I have to finish the wedding favors this week.   So much to do before Saturday and I'm running on empty.  

I came across this challenge at:

Sunday Stamps 

 

I had so many ideas, and then poof.  All GONE.  I couldn't think of a thing.  BUT, I came across this checkered print paper and wanted to use it, and for some reason it just said "baby"  to my creative side.  So I put together this pepto-bismol pink card.  I'm not a big fan of pink but I guess it works well.  

I wish you could all see outside right now.  The wind is howling and the the snow is blowing and swirling about.   It sure is pretty.  Just don't want to deal with it though.   But bless our daughter's heart she does want a snowy Wedding, and by golly I do believe she will have it.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

Sketch 247 & Hand Stamped Sentiments Inspiration Challenge #281~ HEARTS

I'm so grateful that today my little stamp order came to my house.  I was struggling to make thank you notes for the sympathy cards I have been receiving.  I'm so humbled that people care enough to send me cards during this sad time.   So I wanted to make a special thank you, and nothing was coming to mind until the mail person delivered my order.  Yay.   I ordered the Sure Do Love you bundle which I used to make this card today.  I ordered it to make a Wedding card for my daughter's wedding next weekend.    With that order I qualified to pick a free celebration stamp set and I chose the Heartfelt blooms.  It worked perfectly for the sympathy thank you notes for my mom.

I really am trying to decorate the inside of my cards more.  It truly does give them a more finished look.   I choose non-traditional colors for this Valentine card.  I like the playful background.   I chose to work with purple and green for accent colors.  The twine and the leaves under the center heart.  I placed them there to resemble an arrow.    I added a few dimensional dots to raise it up a bit.  The jewels had to be placed there on the banner because of a few smudges.  (sigh) 

I'm going to submit this card to the following challenges.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

Hand Stamped Sentiments

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

If you want to read my mom's memorial card

please click here.

Tuesday Morning Sketches #436

 Well dear  friends/followers of my blog, we had mom's funeral yesterday.   It was a long hard day, but we all held up good.  That was until we got to the cemetery and they had dug the wrong spot.  OMGOSH>>> can you believe it?   And then my poor dad had to go talk with the women who was in charge and not very helpful, my sister then went in to assist.  I was sitting in the car thinking oh gosh that's like sending two loaded guns in there.  So I went in.  I'm not a confrontational person, or take charge gal. BUT it must have been divine intervention.  I told dad to be with the funeral guests.. and my sister too.  I spoke with the women.. she said the site would not be ready until Saturday.. I told her that was unacceptable.  She proceeded to say they didn't have the equpiment to heat the ground faster then that.  I told her to find someone that could.  She then said it would cost a lot, I told her she'd be then one covering it since as she said, "it's our booboo"  omgosh.. talk about stress.. then says we have a storage shed we can put your mom there for now until we get the site ready.. NO WAY.. I asked the funeral director to take her back with him.. The angel of a man said of course.. and he got on the phone and started calling too, he found a company that is actually from where I live, and my husband knows them.. they stopped everything they were doing, and came down to work on the correct site.  Let me also just say this.. it was about 3:30pm.    They brought their heated jack hammers and tractor scoop down, and by 5:30 we were back at the cemetery.  They were so professional.  We used the vault they had there, and then a tractor came and transported mom up to her final resting spot and lowered her in.  I had not ever witnessed this part of the funeral before, but as we were standing in the dark with tractor lights and sounds.. it was somewhat peaceful.. Between the grandsons and husbands we had enough pall bearers.. and my sister played Amazing Grace.    Gosh talk about stress.   But God had a plan (of course) and it all worked out in the end.   We went back to the house with dad and had pizza.. and spent sometime with him to make sure he was doing good.  Here is my mom's memory card.  Sorry it's not the best picture. I took it with my lap top. 

Now for the card I made.  I honestly thought perhaps I've lost my creative juices.  I just couldn't seem to get in a groove.  I knew I wanted to try and make a Valentine card with this sketch at: 

Tuesday Morning Sketches

But goodness gracious it was more difficult then I thought it would be.   Lots of pattern paper and perhaps that's what threw me for a loop, I don't work to well with it.  Very little stamping just the heart and sentiment.  I cut out the heart and colored it in carefully adding clear wink of stella, and adding some pearl drops to the flowers and also to the flower strip I punched out.   I thought the heart brads in the corner were a nice finishing touch.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit. 

One week until my daughter's wedding.

Please keep our family in your prayers.  

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping

Tuxedo (Black & White) Card Challenge

My goodness, it's been 10 days exactly since my last blog post.  So much has happened.    My mom was in palliative care less then a week.  On Monday we made all the arrangements and got her admitted.  I was struggling with what I just assumed was low blood sugar or something.  So the next day (Tuesday) I went to the dr. for a little check up.  He hooked me up to an EKG which apparently was a bit wonky, and from there I was taken by ambulance to the hospital ER and then had to spend the night.  I was released on Wednesday evening, and sent home on baby aspirin, and tomorrow we go to the doctor so he can go over test results.   I'm very nervous, and would appreciate prayers.   Needless to say I was unable to go visit my mom then last week.  So this past Saturday my husband had off and we headed over to Palliative care Hospital.  (about 40 minutes away)   When we got there dad told me she had passed away about 40 minutes before I got there.  So much to my distress I was overwhelmed with not getting there in time.     Her funeral will be this Thursday the 18th at 2pm.  I know she is in peace and no more pain.  Praising the LORD for that.  

Onto the card.  I am having a hard time concentrating on card making but thought I'd try and play along with the challenge at: Cards In Envy  the theme is : Tuxedo, black and white cards.

I used my stampin up Swan Lake set to make this card.  I even stamped the inside. which is rare for me.  I really should start doing that more.. Just makes the card seem more complete.   I added a bit of clear wink of stella to mama swan on the front, so she would sparkle.  

I've also added a picture of the sympathy card I made for my Dad, Sister, Grandma, Aunts and Uncles.

Thank you all for your continued prayers. 

I will try to keep stamping and keep smiling.    

   

SUO Challenge 191~Let it SNOW ~Snow Angels

 Well I brought out a few of my older stampin up favorites to make this card.   The snowman and little girl is from a 1999 set titled "snow angels"  and the sentiment is from a 1997 set titled "Let it Snow"   it actually stamps that sentiment 3 times, so I just cut out one.  I also fussy cut out the other images too, after I colored them.  I added a bit of wink of stella to the snowman, and snowballs to make it shimmer a little bit.   I always love the rosy checks and noses of little ones after they have been outside playing in the snow.  I also fondly remember the kids coming in the house whipping off their snow caked mittens and boots, scarves, snow-pants, hats..etc.  so they could sip some hot chocolate.  Aww..so sweet.  I have to tell ya a short story about the "snow angels set.  I actually had bought it once upon a time when it first came out, and when my kiddos where younger.   But  then I made the mistake of selling it.   Well folks I did that to one other set too, it was the one with the little boy and girl in Autumn, raking leaves.  I found the Snow Angels on ebay and bought them for a second time.. I have not come across the Autumn set yet.  But I know I will want that too.  I should have not ever sold them. They remind me so much of my kids.  And I suppose now that I'm older and they are grown I'm just very sentimental about it.   Plus it was a lesson learned,  Really think long and hard before selling your stampin up stamp sets.  I'm going to submit this card to the challenge at: SUO Challenges Brrr.  Baby it's cold Outside.

I've included a picture of our very well fed little fella here.  He sure does love his corn.  

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit.  If you're not a regular follower I invite you to become one, and also want to let you know that my blog is not publishing the comments for some reason.  I'm still receiving them in my emails and such but they are just not showing up under my blog posts.  UGH❕ always something.    I just want you to know how much I love and appreciate all you words.  So thank you for taking time to let me know you visited.  

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

Winter Chills Card Challenge

I made this card for the challenge at: Cards In Envy where the theme is "Winter Chills"   I thought how appropriate since it's been below zero for the past week here in Wisconsin. These little feathered friends have snuggled up together on a branch to stay warm.  

I also want to let ya know that for some reason again my blog is having issues receiving comments.😞  I get them delivered in my emails, but not in my blog comment section.  UGH!!! always something with my blogger.  GRRRR.    I have so much going on right now, that I'm just hoping this fixes itself.  I'm so overwhelmed with many things.  My mom's health, the wedding, and apparently now my health again.  *sigh.  Praying for peace and strength.

Please KNOW  I really appreciate you taking time to comment, and like I said I'm receiving them by email.  So THANK YOU.

Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.

Week 281: ENCOURAGE~Beautiful YOU

A dear Christian Mentor friend called me this morning.  Her words of encouragement were just what I needed.    I could sense my burdens being lifted from my shoulders as she spoke over me and prayed.   She also shared many good scripture verses with me too.  Such a blessing.   I was telling her about my plant that usually sits on the table.  I have many household plants (about 50).  This particular one was from my daughter.  Watering day is usually on Monday, and they all just get a drink then.   But because of the holidays and my mom's failing health (hospital runs), and helping my daughter with the wedding(Jan 27th).. I completely forgot to water plants.  Well, I noticed it the other day when the lovely fittonia was laying flat on the soil dead is what I assumed.  So sad.  I picked it up and gave it a drink.  and PRAISE the LORD the little plant has started to show signs of life again.  I hope it survives.  But you know it made me think of my life with out Jesus, Bible study and prayer.  Just lifeless and limp.  He truly is the Living Water that makes our soul bloom.  I'm so thankful to Him for that gentle reminder of getting back in "step" with Him.   Which now brings me to today's card.   Encouragement.  God never leaves us.  We just need to take that first "step"  He will be there with open arms.  I also like the acronym for FAITH=Forwarding-All-Issues-To-Heaven

I'm going to submit this card to the challenge at: CASology

I also thought I'd include a song that came to my mind about taking the first step. 
Thank you for stopping by.
Keep Smiling and Keep Stamping.