Word Art Wednesday Challenge

I recently discovered a website that gives you a challenge every week with a corresponding verse to use in a creation.  It doesn't have to be a card, but that's what I chose to do this week.  We read Proverbs 31 today in our OwnIt365 plan, so this week's verse seemed most appropriate for me. 

I would love to hear how you like to incorporate Scripture in your crafting.  What have you found that pumps those creative juices, like this website did for me?  

Mother's Day Prep

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!  This email contains pictures from the children's event held at our church last Saturday.  If your child attended please do not read this post!  It will spoil your Mother's Day Surprise!





I had the privilege of working with some amazing crafters this past week.  Since Mother's Day is this  Sunday, everyone is preparing...and I got to help with those preparations.

On Thursday I visited an assisted living facility and worked with the residents on a stamping project.  We created invitations for their Mother's Day Tea that will be held this week.  These sweet ladies did a FABULOUS job of stamping and punching.  I really enjoyed my visit there and look forward to stamping with them again next month.

On Saturday, our Children's Ministry hosted an event for the children to come and make a gift and a card for their moms.  Here are a couple of pics from our fun day.  They were all very excited about their gifts and I  am sure the moms will treasure them.  Although I only took pictures of two, all the children put thought and creativity into their gifts.

One of the things I love about stamping is that it is a craft you can enjoy at any age.  I love to stamp with my sister and my best friend, but I also love to stamp with my college age son & daughter.  And you can bet that someday when grandkids come into the picture I will be sharing my craft room with them too!

Thank You!

My daughter's roommate was headed to Walmart this week to buy a thank you card.  Of course Christina told her not to go because she knew her mom would gladly provide a card for her...and she was right. I was happy to head to my craft room and play with some new toys!

The card turned out just as girly and blingy as I hoped it would.  It needed to be a money holder so I made it with a pocket inside to hold the cash...

The card was being given to a friend who had helped her secure a dress for a recent event. This was the perfect occasion to play with the dress framelits and bitty banner framelits.  I will be using this die again to create some wonderful Mother's Day cards.  Join us at the April card class to create yours!

Please be watching for information regarding my updated mailing list.  Sign ups will begin very soon and you don't want to miss out on the free gift you get for signing up.  Even if you have been on my list before, you will need to sign up again to receive the free gift and to continue to get email updates.  I will send out information as soon as that is set up and ready to go.

Hip Hip Hooray!!!!

What a great game last night between the Louisville Cardinals and Michigan.  I said at the beginning of the year that the Broncos were going to win the Super Bowl, then Louisville was going to win the NCAA and then Jesus was going to come back!  Much to my disappointment, the Broncos were out of the playoffs pretty quick.  But the Cards came through for me last night and there was much rejoicing! (Not like when Jesus does actually return, but like when YOUR team wins the BIG game.)  I was too excited to sleep so I decided to craft instead.  Here's the celebration card I made...

It really isn't hard to make that cute little cardinal with the Bird Builder Punch (117191).  You just punch an extra wing to make the feathers for the top of his head.

Tonight the Lady Cards play for the women's NCAA basketball title.  If they win I am going to craft again...maybe using some pink...we'll see.

My husband thinks I need to send this card to Rick Pitino...and I just might do that.

Last Day to Save!

Today is the last day of the FREE SHIPPING offer from Stampin' Up!  If you haven't taken advantage of this, be sure to contact me today or place an order on line here.  Just click on the 'shop now' tab.

FREE SHIPPING!

This weekend Stampin Up' is offering free shipping on all orders!  You can place an order online by visiting www.joanngraham.stampinup.com and clicking on the 'shop now' tab.

Stampin' Up has also announced a color refresh coming with the new catalog.  Some of the current colors will be discontinued to make room for new ones.  All product in these discontinued colors is available while supplies last!  Use this free shipping offer to stock up before they are gone!  I will be updating my Facebook Page this weekend to let you know about colors that sell out.  If you haven't already, go to my FB and like it, so you will receive these updates!

DISCONTINUED COLORS:   Regal Rose, Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Bravo Burgundy, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, River Rock

Call or email me if you would like to place an order directly through me.  I will be placing an order before the free shipping expires!

2013 A Blessing A Day {Day 2}

I think today's blessing was as much for me as for the recipient!  We took a little road trip to Jackson, TN to see our son and to deliver needed items that were left at home last weekend (the most important of which was the current license plate for his car, since the old one expired Thurs...yikes!)  What a blessing to visit Andrew even for just a short time.  :)  Tomorrow is Sunday and I am expecting many opportunities to bless those around me.  Hope you will too!

2013 Blessing a Day!!! {Day 1}

Each day during February, I will be working on something that will bless someone else.  I will share my progress on here so you all can help keep me accountable, and maybe get some ideas on blessing those around you.

Today's project is a hybrid scrapbook page.  One of my friends is putting together a scrapbook for a pastor that has been influential in her life, and many others.  She is gathering pictures and testimonies from people all over the country, and I have the honor of putting it all in a book.  On this page I used this pastor's favorite verse...

Although this will be a traditional scrapbook, there will still be plenty of opportunities to use My Digital Studio for designing and making page elements.  Since I don't have a 12 X 12 printer, I designed the main elements in My Digital Studio, printed it on 8 1/2 X 11 paper, then trimmed it, embellished it and attached it to a piece of 12 X 12 scrapbook paper.  I would LOVE to have an opportunity to show you how easy it is to create a page like this using your computer and some basic crafting supplies.  Let me know if you are interested! :)

The month has just begun, I hope you will consider joining me in this adventure of being intentional about blessing the people around me everyday in February!

God Is Love

Since my house looked so empty after packing up the Christmas decorations, I decided to make some Valentines decor to fill the space.  Thought I would share my heart wreath with you today.

It is made from a styrofoam heart that I covered with strips of Stampin' Up fabric.  Then I used my punches to make different sized hearts from red glimmer paper to add some sparkle.  I thought it still looked like it was missing something, so I added the cute Stampin' Up buttons.  Finally, I decide to attach the small heart in the middle with "God is Love" from the Trust God stamp set.  I thought it would help remind me (and anyone else that sees it) that love is really all about God and not about a holiday in Feb.

Hope this inspires you to make something fun for your house that will also remind others of God's love for them!

2013...Here We Go!

Half of January is already gone!  Have you started thinking about Valentines Day yet?  I have made some decorations for my house and worked on some cards.  I have had sympathy cards and birthday cards to make this month as well.

My parents have lived in the same house for about 35 years.  Until a few months ago they had neighbors who had lived there longer than that.  As health problems increased, their friends moved in with one of their children and last week the father passed away.  I wanted to make a special card for these longtime friends.

I will once again be taking on the "Blessing A Day" challenge in February.  I hope some of you will consider joining me.  The challenge is to do something intentional to be a blessing to someone every day of the month. Sometimes I make a card, other times I fix a special meal for my family.  It can be ANYTHING.  The point is that you are focusing on others, just as our Lord taught us to.

Please leave a comment and let me know if you want to take the challenge with me.  We can encourage one another and hold each other accountable...which is always a good thing! :)

Have a great day in the Lord today!