Wishes-Hopes-Dreams

Hello everyone.  I hope you're all having a great day.  I got busy this morning making some Design Team cards I needed to take care of, and when I finished those, I decided to make another card for a couple of challenges.  I used Simple Stories Summertime for the patterned papers, and then October Afternoon for the stickers and chipboard embellishments, then added some machine sewing, a Melissa Frances rub-on and some Baker's Twine.  I plan to send this to a friend who is terminally ill.  I try to get at least one card per week in the mail to her for encouragement.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-saysanything-goes.html - Anything Goes
http://www.papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2012/01/sketch-64.html - Sketch #64

Thank you so much for stopping by to take a peek.  I truly appreciate your comments, and look forward to visiting your blogs as well.  Have a wonderful day.

Blessings,
Karen

A Thank You From The Heart

I made this card today for a special friend who has been a tremendous blessing to me.  No card or words could express how thankful my heart is for her kindness and friendship, but I hope that somehow she will know how very grateful I am for her beautiful friendship and for all the ways she has blessed my life.

I am going to enter this card in the challenge at Simon Says Stamp Blog.  You can read all about it by clicking on this link:
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-saysanything-goes.html - Anything Goes

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope that you are having a great day.  I am so grateful for all of you for stopping by.

Blessings,
Karen

It's Word Art Wednesday

I hope you're all having a great week.  Today is another Wonderful Word Art Wednesday.  Each Wednesday begins a new challenge at www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - and we would be SO pleased to have you join in the fun this week.  You can link up any project you like - just use scripture or an encouraging sentiment.  Also, every week at Word Art Wednesday, there is a new piece of "Word Art" (a scripture image file) that you can have FOR FREE to use on your project.  You aren't "required" to use it, but it sure is beautiful.  Here is the card I made using my Word Art.

We also have a special Guest Designer this week at Word Art Wednesday - her name is Annette Allen.  You can check out her lovely work on our challenge blog, or you can see her own personal blog here:  www.myclevercreations.blogspot.com

Please plan to join us for a super fun Blog Hop starting February 9.  You won't want to miss this opportunity to win several great prizes and see the beautiful art along the way.  The main purpose of Word Art Wednesday is to share the love of the Lord, Jesus Christ, through our art. God is wonderful, and having the opportunity to use His precious Word in our art is such a blessing to us - we just want to share that joy with all of you.  We hope to see YOU this week at Word Art Wednesday, so get your free Word Art on our blog, and link up your cards and projects.  Here is the link for our Challenge blog:  www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

I'm going to enter this card in the challenge at Simon Says Stamp.  You can read about that challenge here:  http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-saysanything-goes.html - Anything Goes

And I'm also entering Abby's Scripture Challenge here:
http://www.littlebirdieblessings.blogspot.com/2012/01/scripture-thursday-linky-party-13-love.html

Have a blessed week, and thank you for stopping by to say hello.

Karen

Simple Stories - Simon Said So

I was making a card today for one of my Design Team assignments using Simple Stories Baby Collection patterned papers, and it turned out so cute.  And so, since I was already making cards, and since Domi's sketch is so cute and I've been having so much fun with it, and after all - since SIMON SAID SO - I just couldn't resist.  I made another card (this one shown below) using Simple Stories patterned papers, cupcake sticker and journaling card, Recollections pearls and flowers, a PTI doily die-cut, a Making Memories button, a Kaiser rub-on, hand-made scrunched seam binding, some jute, and machine stitching.

http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-says-use-domis-sketch.html - Use Domi's Sketch

Yes I know, this makes attempt number four.  A girl can dream, right?

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I really do hope that you're all having a great week.

Blessings to you all,

Karen

Third Time Is a Charm

Well, those of you who know me...know how I've been dreaming of winning the weekly challenge at Simon Says Stamp for so long now.  So, this week I decided to enter more than once.  This card, following Domi's adorable sketch, is my third entry in this fun challenge.  Hey, if nothing else, at least I'm stocked up on cards - LOL.

You can read all about the challenge by clicking on this link:
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-says-use-domis-sketch.html
You can play along, too.

On a separate note, I had to say goodbye to my middle daughter yesterday as she headed back to Bible College.  Oooooo.....I miss her already.

Hope you're all having a wonderful and restful Sunday.  Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,
Karen

Penny's Challenge & Simon Says Stamp

I'm a little bit late getting this blog post up.  Our newest challenge at Penny's Paper-Crafty Images www.pennyschallenges.blogspot.com is a Buttons & Bows/Trim Challenge.  You can click on this link to enter your card in the current challenge, or to read all the details about it.  We'd love to have you play along.  You just need some Buttons and Ribbon/Trim on your project.
http://www.pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-71.html

Here is the card I made for the challenge at Penny's.  I used the adorable Cowboy Chaps image from our sponsor, Bugaboo Stamps, and I placed the image on a denim pocket by Rusty Pickle that could hold a gift card.  I added some wooden buttons, some Making Memories trim, as well as some Baker's Twine and a cute little sentiment that I printed off on my computer.  I just LOVE how this card turned out, and now I just need a little boy to give it to so that it doesn't go to waste.

Next, I made this adorable little card (photo below) for my most precious niece, Alexa.  She is 4 years old, and I know she will love getting this card in the mail.  I miss her SO much.  She lives in Minnesota, so I get to see her about once a year, and she's growing up so quickly.  She's a beautiful little girl, and she is SO smart.  She speaks English and Russian fluently (her Mom is Russian).  I can't wait to pop it in the mail to get it to her.

Other than the Baker's Twine it's completely made of October Afternoon supplies.  I followed the fun sketch by Domi over at Simon Says Stamp.  This is my second entry for the challenge there - I really have my eye on the prize there (keep crossing my fingers tightly).  You can read all about their challenge and view the sketch by clicking on this link:  http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-says-use-domis-sketch.html

That's all for today.  I'm going to enjoy the last night of having our daughter, Lily, home before she heads back to college tomorrow.  Family nights are the best.

Blessings,
Karen

Word Art Wednesday

It's a new week, and that means a brand new challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  For those of you who haven't yet become familiar with Word Art Wednesday, it is a beautiful challenge blog where you are encouraged to use the free Word Art, some Bible scripture, or an encouraging sentiment in your art to enter the challenges.  Each week, there is a new piece of Word Art (a beautifully designed Bible verse or encouraging sentiment) in beautiful fonts, creatively put together - and they are always FREE.  There are so many exciting things happening at Word Art Wednesday, you won't want to miss ANY of it.  There's a new challenge today with work from our amazing Design Team, our first Guest Designer next week, and a fun blog hop coming in early February.  SO MANY amazingly fun activities are lined up, and you won't want to miss out on ANY of it.  You can check it out, and enter the new challenge, by clicking on this link:  www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - There is a beautiful prize up for grabs every week.

I'm also pretty regular about another challenge on Wednesdays, and that's the one over at Simon Says Stamp Blog.  I'm still chasing the big prize there - a $50 gift voucher to their awesome store.  Here is my card for their challenge: 

http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-says-use-domis-sketch.html - I Used Domi's Beautiful Sketch

Thanks for stopping by, and I really hope you will stop by Word Art Wednesday and join in on all the fun.

Blessings to you,

Karen

So Grateful

With every day that passes by, I become even more grateful to God for all the blessings in my life.  I try so hard to not take anything for granted.  Our health, our ability to be mobile, to experience God's constant hand of mercy upon us - it is all worthy of our praise because He has been so gracious to us.  I want you all to know how deeply I love Him, and how greatly I praise Him.  My verse this week is Jeremiah 17:14 - "Heal me and I will be healed, save me and I will be saved, for thou art my praise.   Praise His precious name for being SO good ALL the time.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-saysspots-stripes.html - Spots and/or Stripes
http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-115-itty-bitty-yellow-polka.html - Itty Bitty Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-template_26.html - Challenge #26 - Hearts - I hope you can see my cute little heart stickers
http://skippingstonesdesign.com/its-time-for-the-january-release-blog-hop-with-grunge-2/ - Sketch #110
http://www.stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-122-rev-215.html - Something New - I used my new Echo Park papers and stickers I just got, as well as my new wool felt
http://www.dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-12-2012-thankful-thursday.html - My Inspiration was the choice of colors/blues and pinks

Thank you for stopping by, and please know that I visit everyone who comments, I follow everyone who follows my blog, and I will pray for you if you have a prayer request.  I hope you know His goodness.

Praising God always,

Karen

Be Ye Kind One to Another

I realize that most of Hollywood prefers to be "politically correct" as opposed to being right with God.  I saw a segment where Oprah was interviewing Joel Osteen on the subject of homosexuality.  While I admire Oprah for her generous and giving heart, it is clear to me that she does NOT understand the things of God. In his interview, Pastor Osteen said that he simply cannot read the Bible and come to any other understanding than homosexuality being sinful.  You could clearly see that Oprah strongly disagreed.  But he is correct.  God calls it sin.  While He loves the sinner, He cannot deny the fact that sin is found in living in the flesh.  I admire him for standing firm in the Word of God even if it makes him unpopular in the eyes of the famous people.  Under the same circumsatances, I hear Ellen Degeneres say every day on her talk show, the quote "Be kind to one another".  I often wonder if she would continue to say it if she realized that it was a direct quote from scripture (Ephesians 4:32 "Be ye kind one to another tenderhearted,  forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you".  It's a beautiful and powerful passage, but would she continue to quote it if she knew it was Biblical scripture?  I often wonder.  Like I've always taught my children, we must stand for what is right - even when it means we must stand alone.

I try to be kind to people.  Even when they are not kind to me.  Not because it's easy, but because it it is right and good, and it follows the teachings of the One who gave us instructions on how to live a life that is pleasing to God.  I hope you are  being kind to one another.

This card is one I made for the current challenge over at Shelly's Images.  You can read all about the awesome weekly challenge by clicking here:  www.shellysimagesblog.blogspot.com where the challenge is "Let it Roll".  You can roll the random generator and pick three elements to use on your card.  The Design Team all used Shelly's adorable Snow Beary image.  You can find this, and dozens of other adorable images in the store at:  www.shellysimages.com - I hope you will check it out.  I sure had a lot of fun with my project.

The entire Design Team did an amazing job with their projects, and you won't want to miss a single one.  You can win some beautiful digital images, so stop by today and link up your project.

Thanks for taking a look.  And remember to "Be Kind One to Another"; not because it's a nice gesture, but because it is God's Word, and you will NEVER regret living the way God has called us to live.

Have a blessed day!

Karen

Thinking of You

I truly believe that God lays certain people on our hearts at certain times for very specific reasons.  Lately, I've been thinking about my dear Mom a lot.  I also believe that when God does lay a certain person on your heart, it means that you need to pray for that person.  Maybe they're hurting physically or emotionally, or maybe you simply need to thank God for their presence in your life.  At any rate, I have been thinking about my Mom, and therefore, praying for her a lot lately. As I grow older, I understand her better, and am more able to relate to her as a woman and as a mother and wife.  I love that woman more than words can say.  I am going to send this card to her.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges.  I hope you will stop by and check them out.  There are so many wonderful challenge blogs out there, and I wish I could enter them all.  I get such inspiration from these blogs.

http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-says-new-something.html - Simon Says Stamp Something New.  I used my new Baker's Twine.

http://craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.com/2012/01/cyda-challenge-36-new-beginnings.html - Craft Your Days Away - New Beginnings - I'm making a new beginning in my relationship with my Mom, and putting her feelings before my own.

http://www.stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-121-phil-23-4.html - Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Thinking of You

http://www.ribboncarouselchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/rcc34-anything-goes-with-unity-stamps.html - Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes

http://www.heartsonginspirations.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-30-border-punchestorn-paper.html - Heart Song Inspirations - Border Punches (I used two different border punches)

http://www.papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-new-year-anything-goes.html - Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

http://www.sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/2012/01/sss140-january-7.html - Sweet Stop Sketches SSS#140  - This sketch is so cute.  I hope you will play along.

I haven't had much luck in challenges, but. . . . . .I keep trying.  It sure would be nice to win something, but nonetheless, I have fun playing along.  I hope that someone out there enjoys my work and is inspired by it.  I truly appreciate having you stop by to say hello and leave a comment.

I also want to mention that Lily of the Valley (LOTV) has a generous give-away that you can enter by clicking here:  http://ideastoinspire.blogspot.com/2012/01/super-duper-mega-candy.html

Have a blessed week.

Karen

I Thank God Always on Your Behalf

1 Corinthians 1:4 (a) says, "I thank God always on your behalf", and I want you, my blog followers and readers, to know that I really am thankful for you.  I have made some wonderful friends through my blog, and have gained so much inspiration from visiting everyone's blogs.  It's always fun to see evreyone's art.  For instance, on a Design Team, we can each be given the same materials to work with, and yet, every project turns out SO differently because of the person behind it.  I love that - because it shows us how unique and special each one of us is in God's eyes.  Isn't it nice to know that YOU are important to Him, and that nobody else can do things quite the same way that YOU do?   I know that I am blessed by this.  So, THANK YOU, and please know that I thank God for you.

One of the newer blogs I've been visiting (new to me, that is) is Diana Larson's blog.  I made this little card last night for one of her "Thankful Thursday" Challenges.  Heaven knows that I always need extra thank-you cards on hand, so this is what I made, and I'm linking it up over on her blog.
http://www.dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2012/01/thankful-thursday-part-2-giveaway-jan5.html - Thank You (predominant color pinks)

Please know that I really do appreciate you.   Each time I get a sweet comment, I head right over to your blog to see what you've been doing; and each time I get a new follower, I head right over to follow you as well.  You're a blessing to me.

Karen

Enjoying the Weekend

I am enjoying the weekend, and hope that all of  you are enjoying it as well.  I had a bad kidney infection, and ended up in the Emergency Department the other day.  So, at this point, I'm just counting all my blessings, and realizing that being able to walk on my own and get around my house is a blessing.  It's funny how God will let us go through something difficult in order to get our attention, and to help us gain a new perspective on what is truly important and how many things we have in our lives to thank Him for that we far too often take for granted. I'm so grateful for so many things.  Being able to walk on my own is a blessing right now, and my heart goes out to those who cannot do this.  I am truly grateful for SO very much.

This card is certainly nothing special, but I am entering it in a couple of contests. It's my second entry for this week at Simon Says Stamp where the challenge is "Something New".  I'm using my new felties from KI Memories.
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-says-new-something.html - Something New - KI Memories Felties now on clearance at Michaels.

http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2012/01/week-95-time-flies.html - Time Flies - Use Something With Wings - I used a little bird from the KI Memories Felties set.

I appreciate having you stop by to say hello.  Please remember that if you become a follower or leave a comment, I will always do the same for you.  Have a very blessed weekend.

Blessings,

Karen

Something New

Today I'm celebrating several things that are new.  First, is my new position on the Design Team at Shelly's Images.  This week's challenge is "Out With The Old, and In With the New".  You won't want to miss seeing everyone's fabulous creations using the adorable Snowman Set available in the store.  You can check out, and enter, the Shelly's Images challenge right here:  http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/terrifically-thrilling-thursday-at.html
Below is the card I made for the Design Team.   The "Something New" I used were my new sheets of wool felt.

I am entering this card in the challenge at Simon Says Stamp.  Their challenge this week is "New Something", and again - I couldn't wait to use my new wool felt on this project from www.prairiepointjunction.com - They have the most wonderful wool felt, a wide array of brilliant colors, and great prices.  It is easy to work with on digital images, and in your cutting machines (such as Cuttlebug, etc.).  I use a lot of wool felt with my Papertrey Ink dies.
Here is the link to the Simon Says Stamp Challenge:
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/simon-says-new-something.html - New Something

The challenge this week at Little Red Wagon is "Warm Fuzzies" where they wanted you to use felt.  Since I'm very "warm and fuzzy" with this felt card, I decided to play along.  Read about it here:
http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2012/01/114-warm-fuzzies.html - Warm Fuzzies

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-new-year-this-week-at-sweetstamps.html - Winter Challenge - The sentiment on my card says, "In The Meadow, We Can Build a Snowman".  I love making snowmen in the Winter, so this is my idea of fun during this season.  What's yours?

I am super excited about my new Design Team position.  I hope you will stop by Shelly's Images at:
www.shellysimagesblog.blogspot.com to check out the awesome inspiration, and to enter this amazingly fun challenge.

Have a great day!

Karen

Word Art Wednesday

It's Wednesday, which means there's a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  It's also the first week that the Design Team (including myself) has their work posted there.  I't's the first week of our Design Team terms.  This challenge blog encourages you to use God's Word in your art.  I would so love to have you all stop by to enter this challenge.  There is a great prize up for grabs each week to one lucky participant.  Don't miss out on all the fun.  It's been such a blessing to me to create art using the scripture we've been given.  I hope you can check it out.  Here is a link to the blog:  www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
http://skippingstonesdesign.com/skipping-stones-designs-sketch-challenge-109/ - Sketch #109
http://critterchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-96-celebration-challenge.html - Celebrations (I am ALWAYS celebrating my relationship with God, and that He will lead me, cuz thruthfully, I tend to lose my way A LOT - LOL)

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you all have a blessed day in the Word.

Karen

Felt Flowers

I've been wanting to make these felt flowers for quite some time now.  The inspiration for the card came from the very sweet and talented Ashley Cannon-Newell.  She was kind enough to share this tutorial with me in case you want to learn how to make these felt flowers.  Thank you, Ashley.
http://ashleynewell.com/blog/2011/10/05/watch-me-wednesday-baby-card-w-felt-flowers/

I am entering this card in the following challenges.

http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/simon-says-anything-goes.html - Anything Goes
http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/2012/01/make-it-monday-with-kraft-outlet.html - Make it Monday/Anything Goes
http://www.dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2011/12/thankful-thursday-challenge-and.html - Diana's Thankful Thursday - Thank You Card Challenge
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/pile-it-on-1-of-2012-anything-goes.html - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by to say hello.  I am so grateful for each of you, and I wish you a happy and blessed New Year!

Karen

Authentique. . . . Beautiful

I was so super excited when my package of new goodies arrived yesterday.  I got some beautiful Prima trims, Melissa Frances rub-ons and paper, and. . . . .the stuff I've been waiting for - the beautiful Authentique products I used on this card.  I bought more than what I used on this card, but here is my supply list for this card.

Authentique Patterned Papers from the Uncommon Line - Gifted (one side) and Special (both sides)
Authentique Icons from the Uncommon Line - Stamp Image
Wool Felt by Prairie Point Junction
Maya Road stick pins
Hand-made Scrunched Seam Binding
Papertrey Ink die-cuts
Melissa Frances rub-on
Machine Stitching

I'm entering this card in a few challenges.  You can learn all about the Authentique Blog, their challenges, inspirational tutorials, beautiful products and more by clicking on this link:

http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/2011/12/december-sketch-challenge.html - Card Sketch

 I'm making every effort to win at Simon Says Stamp.  Here's another entry for the "big fish that keeps getting away".  http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/simon-says-anything-goes.html - Anything Goes

I love to play along at Pile It On.  They have great inspiration from their Design Team, great prizes, and a fun blog with awesome challenges.  Read about it here:  http://www.pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/pile-it-on-1-of-2012-anything-goes.html - Anything Goes

Also, the challenge at Bearly Mine Challenges is always a fun one.  You can read all about their fun challenges by clicking right here:  http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.com/2011/12/bearly-mine-challenge-26.html - Anything Goes

The other challenge I'm entering is entry #2 over at Diana's blog.  I was SO blessed to have found her amazing blog and to chat with her a bit.  Diana is an amazingly generous crafter.  I'm entering this THANK YOU card in one of her challenges as well.  Thanks, Diana, and Happy New Year.

 http://www.dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2011/12/thankful-thursday-challenge-and.html- Thank You

I'm so glad you stopped by today.  Hope you had a safe and happy New Year's Eve.  I hope you love these Authentique products as much as I do, and also hope you will check out their blog and get some of their gorgeous products for yourself.

Have a blessed day!

Karen