Thursday, April 30, 2015

Peace In The Midst Of A Storm

Hello Followers, Viewers and Friends,
You've read, viewed, heard and probably been an eyewitness to the unrest in Baltimore, Maryland.
This follows the same situation in other parts of the United States.  The death of an African American black male from a police officer here, there, and everywhere and the violence and destruction that is pursuing in the neighborhood and across the land leaves one with the question... How can we experience peace in the midst of the storm?  Peace is not just the absence of a storm, but rest in the middle of the storm. Many of us could use that kind of peace right now, and it is the kind of peace that you can have right now if you're resting where you ought to be.  As our headlines have become dominated with new dangers and so many hearts have been struggling with new anxieties and fears, we're ready for the incredible peace offered in Psalm 46. It is good news for troubled times and should be our word for every day! "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." The more troubled things are, the more present God makes Himself. The psalmist then says, "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Everything's collapsing, even things that have always been there for us. Have no fear because "God is our refuge and strength."
Okay, turn off the news, leave those other voices, and get where you can just be with God. Realize that as long as you're in His hands, there's no such thing as out of control. He is still God and you are still His!
The cards I am presenting today are for sketch challenges that are going on over on other websites.  I like to play along with the other girls for advice and constructive criticism:

MOJO #395
Enabler's List: turquoise cardstock, with patterned paper from DCWV Stack 7; Ribbon Trim (Michaels); Marvy Uchida die cut butterfly; Computer generated sentiment that was die cut using Spellbinders circle die


SC538
Enabler's List: black and red cardstock; patterned paper from DCWV The School Days stack; Miss Elizabeth's Alphabet Stickers for the sentiment;  Followed the diagram sketch for the card.


FMS 184
Enabler's List: white and black cardstock; patterned paper from DCWV The School Days Stack; Computer generated sentiment; Embellishments from Sticko

Thank You
This follows the sketch for SC538.
Enabler's List: brown and beige cardstock; patterned paper from Recollections brown basket, burlap polka dots, burlap doilies and Ancestry Paper Pad scrapbook paper; Stampendous clear stamps "Thank You"


Prayer: Lord, whenever I'm faced with adversity, remind me that You are with me, and grant me Your discernible presence. Assure me that You are in control, no matter how chaotic and confusing things may be around me. Give me the certainty that no matter what happens, You will bring great good out of it. Thank You that as I keep my trust firmly placed in You, I shall remain peaceful, tranquil, and unshakable!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois



Wednesday, April 29, 2015

TEACHER APPRECIATION...a lever card tutorial

Hello Viewers, Friends and Followers,
If you can read this then thank a teacher.  It's that time of year to appreciate a teacher or teachers. I have retired from the teaching profession in the school system. I'm still working on Sunday mornings teaching an Adult Sunday School class at my church.  Today, I want to teach some of you how to do a "lever card".  If you research fancy fold cards, this is one that is listed.  Let's get started:  If you would like to follow go to http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/levercard
Supplies:
•Two 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" pieces of cardstock
Paper Cutter
Scoring tool
Adhesive
Patterned paper, stamps, and dies to decorate completed card



Step 1 Score the first piece of cardstock at 4 1/4" and fold in half. This will be the card itself. On the side that is the front, cut out a square window, 1” from all 4 sides.Note:
The completed card measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"



Step 2 Score the second piece of cardstock at 4 1/4" and 6 3/8”. Go in 2 1/8” from the left edge and score down to 1” from the top and up to 1” from the bottom.
Step 3  Measure 1" around on all 4 sides and cut out window.
  Step 4 To cut the “lever” that will fit through the card front “window”, go in 1” from the left edge and cut a slit that starts 1” from the top and goes down to 1” from the bottom.Cut from the top and bottom ends of that slit over to the 2 1/8” score line. This produces the “lever” that will fit through the front window.

Fold on all score lines. Folds should be valley/mountain/valley folded. Add adhesive to the “backside” of the left and right panels of the cardstock you just scored and glue it inside the card. The “lever” tucks inside of the front “window”. If this is a tight fit, trim a sliver off the top and bottom of the lever so that it will move freely through the window. Glue this section to the card front section. Cut a 4” x 5 1/4” piece of patterned paper for the front of the card. Cut in 7/8” from all 4 sides to make the decorative layer for the front of the card.  For the inside of the card, cut 3 strips of patterned paper 1 7/8” x 5 1/4” tall. Cut a fourth piece 3 1/8” wide by 5 1/4” tall. Adhere two of the 1 7/8” pieces to cover the two right panels inside the card. The third will be used to cover the left side of panel after you shape it.  On the remaining 1 7/8” x 5 1/4” piece, cut in 1” from the RIGHT side, 7/8” from the top and 7/8” from the bottom. Make a vertical cut that connects these two cuts, so that the remaining piece of patterned paper looks like a “C”. Adhere this to the LEFT panel of the inside of the card.  On the 3 1/8” x 5 1/4” patterned paper, cut in 1 1/8” from the LEFT side, 7/8” from the top and 7/8” from the bottom. Cut down from the top and up from the bottom to meet these two cuts and remove those two small squares of paper. This creates a shape that will cover the “lever” part of the card. 


  Lever Card Front...Teacher Appreciation #1
Decorate the front and inside of the card with die-cuts, images, and sentiments as desired.

Inside of Card

Lever Card....Teacher Appreciation #2
Card Front


Inside of Card #2

This card follows the sketch from www.freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com #184 .  I  posted this because it goes with the other Teacher Appreciation Cards.  This is the outside view.

This is part of the inside view with the sentiment.

This is the full inside of the card.

I'm sending these to my granddaughter so that she can give them to her teachers. 
Appreciate a teacher or teachers next week when we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week.  It could be a public or private school teacher or someone at your church.
Thanks for viewing with me today.  I love those comments.  Keep them coming!
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, April 27, 2015

"Unexpected Love"...Go and Do Likewise!

Happy Monday Followers, Friends and Viewers,
I hope you had a wonderful, fun-filled, enjoyable weekend.  Some of you may be back at work or some of you are still having a wonderful, fun-filled, enjoyable day off, making it a long weekend.
 Have you ever been in an environment where the speaker is getting ready to make a presentation.  He or she begins to speak about a person and tells some things the person has done or is doing (without mentioning their name).  You are sitting in the environment thinking about someone in the room who fits all of the characteristics but not really focusing on yourself .  After the speaker has finish, you finally hear..."and the person I'm talking about is (your name is finally mention)". What! Me! Oh No! Are You Kidding Me!  Here is the surprise of unexpected love! Then the tears start flowing.  You have to say something and get all emotional trying to get it out. You're thankful but you don't really want to endure the pressure in front of a crowd. Everybody is looking and listening to you.  The speaker is over and beyond joyful because they pulled one over on you. Okay, I guess you know by now that this is what happened to me over the weekend or I shall say Sunday during a Missionary Ministry Program at the church I attend. Surprised, shocked and emotional because I was the recipient of some unexpected love. Here is my gift followed by my card interpretation of the occasion:
Beautiful Peace Lily that I love and will share with my granddaughter

A Flip Card
Front of 1st Card....Love

Side view of front

Card opened: Sentiment reads  "The way to know LIFE is to LOVE many things...Vincent Van Gogh with LOVE tag

Flip Card #2
Front of Card

Side View of front

Card opened or flipped!


I'm grateful! I'm delighting in the little things! I think I'm getting my due!  But the message I received yesterday from Luke 10:25-37:  Go and do likewise!  I'm going out to give my DH some unexpected love (ha,ha,ha).
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois




 

Friday, April 24, 2015

"Delight In The Little Things"

Hello Viewers, Friends, and Followers,
Hope you've planted a tree, ate hot dogs and sausages, and took your feline to the Vet for a hairball issue.  Those are all the things listed for National Celebrate...day.  For some of us it could be a big thing and for the rest of us it could be the little thing.  Sometimes, it's the little things in life that make you happy. Personally, I make a point to delight in every little thing. The more little things you consider to be a reason for joy, the more joyful you will be.  A few things are so overwhelmingly positive or so completely negative as to not need any judgment on your part. All the other things, though, depend largely on how you see them.  What little thing makes you happy?
My share today comes from the quote used in the title of this post:
"delight in little things"
Enabler's List: Papermania cardstock; Sentiment stamped with Studio g stamp; EK Success bling stickers; Friendship Thread; Vintage Photo distress ink
 I'm playing along with the Freshly Made Sketch this week #183. I like to see what I can do with sketches from another source. Here is my take on this:

 FMS #183
Happy Mother's Day with love
Enabler's List:  white and black cardstock; polka-dot patterned paper; Copic R27 Cadmium Red marker, green Crayola marker; pop-dots; sentiment is computer generated

Thanks for sharing your time with me today.  Wishing you a lovely and happy weekend.  Enjoy the little things!
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois






Thursday, April 23, 2015

Do You Fit In Or Do You Stand Out?

Hello Friend, Followers and Viewers,
How many of you enjoy putting a puzzle together?  Do you start with the simple ones which only has about fifty or one hundred pieces or do you go for the more complicated one thousand piece puzzle?  Consider for a moment that your life is like a puzzle.  In some circumstances it may be simple and in others it may be complicated.  Complicated puzzles are a little tricky to put together.  Sometimes you've worked your way through the difficulty only to find some pieces are missing.  Do you feel like a missing piece of the puzzle in the assembly of life? Do you know where you fit?  As you work through this puzzle of life, you're more than likely going to try forcing some wrong pieces into the empty spaces. They look like they should fit, but as you continue on, it becomes clearer to you that they're just not meant to line up that way. Do you let God do the piecing or do you simply say, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?
Here is what I want to share with you today:
Enabler's List: white & black cardstock; puzzle pieces from scrap paper using Fiskars puzzle piece punch; 

Enabler's List: same as above with the sentiment cut out  using the circle die. This will be submitted for a prompt on Embrace Your Art 365...www.tiaresmith.com

Hello
Enabler's List: white, black, brown and canvas cardstock; Nostalgiques sticker letters; boots from Jolees; Prima flower and stems were die cut from Spellbinders floral die; frame for boots was cut from Spellbinders Elegant Ovals.

Thanks again for viewing today.  Maybe something you saw or read will have you to return again in the future.  Don't forget to leave a comment or like button.
Sending you a hug and LOVE, 
Lois 

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Generic or Brand

Hello Friends, Followers, Family and Viewers,
We've made it to the middle of the week.  For those of you working the nine to five, you only have two more days.  Missed you yesterday! I thought March was  bad enough with appointments and spring cleaning but it looks like April is ranked along with March.  I've had an appointment every week this month and I'm not finish. More to come before the month is over.
 Let's talk about generic or brand name.  What prompt this thought is a conversation I was having with someone in the medical profession. Our conversation pertained to generic medication versus brand name medication.
 ge•ner•ic  is  characteristic of or relating to a class or group of things; not specific
brand is a category of products that are all made by a particular company and all have a particular name a particular kind or type of something.
Generic or brand can also be seen in the grocery store, clothing line, tires, technology or just about anything made by man.  Do you prefer generic or brand?
I tried to make cards today that resembled my title: Generic (not specific) or Brand (a particular type of something).  Take a look and see if you can tell.  I'm also playing along with the sketch from  MojoMonday#394 on their blog, mojomonday.blogspot.com.
MOJO Monday# 394
Enabler's List: white and black cardstock; three pieces of patterned paper from Specialty Cloud 9 Design cardstock;Sentiment is computer generated; 

Enabler's List: white and black cardstock; grey corrugated and patterned paper ; beige and black patterned paper from stash; white flower from prima; stem was die cut; sentiment is computer generated.

   

Entry for CYCI #66
Wishing You a Blooming Marvelous Mother's Day
Enabler's List: white,black, and beige cardstock; patterned paper from DCWV the Far East stack; red burlap; red Olfray ribbon; floral rose from Recollections; Sentiment is computer generated; 

 SOC Blogger Challenge #7
Enabler's List: white,black,pink,blue,purple cardstock; Factory Card Outlet ribbon; Sentiment is computer generated.
Thanks for spending some time with me today.  Love reading your comments! Please leave me some love.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

   

Monday, April 20, 2015

Optimistic Today and The Same Tomorrow

Happy Monday Friends, Followers and Viewers,
I know you've been around people who don't have anything good to say about anything.  They don't have a positive outlook about the future.  It is either a complaint or a negative attitude.  People like this can drain you or like one elderly lady stated...they make you feel lifeless. We are  going to be optimistic today, tomorrow and forever.  Optimism comes from the Latin word optimus, meaning "best," which describes how an optimistic person is always looking for the best in any situation and expecting good things to happen. Optimism is the tendency to believe, expect or hope that things will turn out well. Even if something bad happens, like the loss of a job, an optimist sees the silver lining.
They think about, reflect on, and emphasize the good things in life.  They are grateful and thankful for all their blessings.  They don’t complain when something bad happens.  They feel that nothing can hold them back from achieving success and reaching their goals. They believe in abundance.  They are confident that the world offers plenty of opportunities for everyone to succeed. Here are two cards that I made to go with my OPTIMISTIC attitude today:
Enabler's List: beige cardstock with beige paper for mat; glasses cut in various sizes using black cardstock; eyes cut from sticker sheet; optimistic quote from Google image.

Enabler's List: beige cardstock, matted with brown floral patterned paper and red polka-dot patterned paper; Martha Stewart dogwood flower sticker, owl sticker and sentiment from optimistic quote on Google image.

One of these will be submitted to Embrace Your Art 365 for prompt # 110.
Be optimistic today.  Life may give you a lemon but you can sure make the best lemonade that is sweeter than the day before!
Thanks for taking five minutes of your time to view with me today.  Come back and visit again.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, April 17, 2015

How Grateful Are You?

Happy Friday Friends, Followers and Viewers,
Here I am with another question for you today.  It is one you hear often during the Thanksgiving holiday.  Unfortunately today is not Thanksgiving but I'm asking the question anyway...How Grateful Are You?  Maybe I should have asked, do you think of being grateful throughout the year or just on Thanksgiving day?  “Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.”
 ~ Christiane Northrup, MD  Grateful people are happy people, research shows. But how grateful are you?  Is it difficult to show gratitude?

  • You've tried to move up on your job and your current boss gives the job to someone else.
  • Someone wrong you...do you hold a grudge or let it go?
  • Your friend just won the lottery with numbers they heard you say but didn't play.
  • You remember people who helped you in small ways years ago.
  • The older you get, are you more or less appreciative?
  • Someone gives you a gift that you don't like.

I'm grateful you come by each day  to check out what I have to say and or create.  I'm also grateful for the lovely comments you leave.  They really make my heart happy.  Some of you can press the like button on "Google Plus" even if you don't write a comment, I'll be grateful if you did.
Three shares today:
Life is a Journey and only you hold the key: taupe, brown, beige and red cardstock. polka dot patterned paper;  three brass rings; key image cut from DCWV paper.

Grateful: white and black cardstock with red patterned paper; butterfly die cut 


Here is my entry to Freshly Made Sketches (FMS 182) 
Enabler's List: Paper- white and dark orange cardstock; pink and gray patterned paper
Accessories: Couture Mariposa Collection
Sentiment: Lots of Hugs and Lots of Love for Two Very Special People on their Anniversary

 

Show your gratitude today.  You don't have to wait until Thanksgiving.
Thanks for taking a little moment to view with me today.  Come back next week for more creative  creation in the crafty world of card-making.  Have a lovely weekend.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois






Thursday, April 16, 2015

It's Raining Pollen

Hello Friends, Followers, and Viewers,
I went out this morning due to an appointment.   While out on my drive I kept seeing what I thought was a dust cloud that could have been coming from a farmer plowing his field.  It wasn't!  It's raining pollen!  The warm weather and longer days are causing the trees to leaf out and cars and patios to turn yellow. Oak trees are a major issue right now. They look beautiful, but look at all the pollen they create all over the place. Lots of us are sneezing this time of the year.  Some of you may even have itchy, watery eyes, itchy ears and the runny nose that goes along with a full-blown allergy attack. Your throat may feel like you've ate a "dust" sandwich. The good news is that the grass hasn't really started its cycle yet, but it won’t be long.  If you are allergic to grass pollen that will start up in May.
In honor of how my black car looked after making it back home, I have two beautiful cards to replace the ugly look of that raining pollen.
The idea is to use this one for Mother's Day or a birthday card for a lovely lady.
Paper: black, white and yellow cardstock
Accessories: sunflower sticker, Couture, Mariposa Collection die,

Sentiment: It takes a Long Time to grow old friends
Paper: gray, yellow, black and purple cardstock
Accessories: Martha Stewart punch, Darice embossing folder, free floral image

Be very careful when you go outside today especially if you suffer with allergies this time of year.
 If you are an allergy sufferer take your antihistamines before your attacks begin. Hose the pollen off of your car, driveway or patio daily.  Change and wash your clothes after extended periods outdoors. You may even want to wash your hair or wear a hat when outside. Sunglasses can also protect your eyes. Exercise indoors if the pollen is really bad. Remember this too shall pass. On June 1, hurricane season begins. If it’s not one thing, it’s another!
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

"Take A Wild Guess"

Good Afternoon To All,
There is no prize for guessing what we're celebrating today.  If you're celebrating tax day, hooray for you. You may be in that group that will be getting a refund.  Personally, I can do without being taxed on anything and most definitely not having to give the government more money.  Wait! It is tax day but there's another celebration going on and that is "take a wild guess day". Have you ever heard of or read about Jim Barber the creator of this occasion?  Some of us like guessing games while the rest of us don't. Some of us think it is weird while the others find it to be lots of fun.   Little children will probably like this more than adults.  Guess how many jelly beans are in the jar.  Guess how many times I can touch my  toes in one minute.  Guess how many pennies can fill up a pint milk carton.   Guess, guess....guess what is the title to my card today?
This is the inside of the card.  What could possibly be the title?
Enabler's List: paper, pink, white and green cardstock with pink patterned paper
accessories; Karen Burniston Album Accordion Flip 3-D and Frame and Label Bracket from Sizzix
Silhouette print and sentiment from Google Image


Thanks for viewing with me today.   Be childish and take a wild guess at something today.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Be.you.tiful

Hello Friends, Followers and Viewers,
Here is a little test for you today.  Read the title. It says, Be.you.tiful.   Go look in the mirror and ask yourself this question, "How beautiful am I if I just be me"?  Take out a sheet of paper and start writing your answers. If you just be you or decide to be yourself for five minutes, how successful were you without comparing yourself to someone else? Testing is over and here are some answers you may or may not have on your paper: selfless, motivated, generous, forgiving, intelligent, loving, sympathetic, honest, humble, gentle, determined, strong, funny, confident, polite.  Did you pass by just being you or someone else came to your mind when you were writing?
This is not a part of the test. It is what I wanted to share with you today.  I've included two extra cards for my prompts at www.tiaresmith.com
Enabler's List:
Paper: scraps, white
Accessories: bee sticker, die cut flowers, computer generated sentiment

Prompt #103
Enabler's List: scrap paper, bee cut with Cricut, words printed and cut with circle die 

Prompt #104
Enabler's List: white paper, pink patterned paper, flowers cut with Cricut, Sizzix embossing folder, EK Success dimensional stickers

Be you!  Don't try to be anyone else. You are beautiful in your own skin.  Go out and have a beautiful day along with  your beautiful self!
Thanks for stopping at Lil Artsy Woman!  Come back again.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois