Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Giving You The Tall and Skinny On National Coffee Day

Hello friends, followers, viewers and visitors.
Welcome to Tuesday.
I received the sketch for MojoMonday on yesterday.  Since my daughter is here from Florida and we are doing some things together, I didn't think I would have time to work on a project.  After dinner, she and her dad were catching up and sharing some things and they excused me to do something before calling it a night.  I worked on the sketch which is called a "tall and skinny" card.  The top mat took more time because I wanted to used distress inks, a stamp and  some coloring.   I like the tall and skinny cards but seldom make them.  Not realizing until this morning that it was National Coffee Day (thanks Dana), I thought that this card and this day would go hand in hand.
I had already had at least one cup while reading the news and checking e-mails before seeing Dana's announcement.
I do share the love of coffee with many across America and beyond.
Here is my tall and skinny for National Coffee Day which will also be shared on MojoMonday.blogspot.com for sketch #417


Enabler's List: I used a sheet of brown Bazzill cardstock cut down to 3.5 x 5.5 for the base.  On top of this I used a piece of light blue pattern paper with brown strips as a mat.  I cut out a piece of craft card stock and matted that with another piece of the Bazzill cardstock.  Ranger distress ink ( aged mahogany, walnut stain and tea dye was used on top of the craft cardstock. Next, the cup and coffee beans were stamped and colored.  The last item:  "thanks a latte was stamped on a creme Recollection piece of cardstock.  All the stamped images and sentiment came from Fiskars Latte Love.

Enjoy a cup or two of your favorite coffee and then create your very own tall and skinny card.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, September 28, 2015

"Hello"

Good Morning,
Followers, Friends, Viewers and Visitors, thanks for coming back to see what is happening here on my blogspot for today. Thank you Abantika Hazra for joining as a  follower.  Welcome aboard!

I'm a little tired from the activities I attended this weekend but blessed that I could be a part of what was going on.  I had both daughters and my granddaughter home for the weekend. My oldest daughter from Florida will be here for a week so I'll remain a little tired. We plan to have a grand old mother-daughter time before her departure.   We attended a baby shower for my youngest daughter's BFF since elementary school.  She (Carla) is so much a third daughter to us and a second sister.

Today is a hello world day (my own made up day).  I hadn't caught up with the news since Thursday because I was preparing for the weekend.  Things that wowed me this morning were:
1. The Pope has finished his U.S. visit and is now back in Rome...he thought a family that travel over 13,000 miles to see him was "crazy" to do so
2. John Boehner announced his resignation (October)
3. President Obama and Putin will meet at the UN (hadn't talked to each other in over a year)
4. "Super moon" Eclipse thrills sky watchers around the world
5. Tony Stewart will retire from NASCAR in 2016...this one is for my DH
6. Windows 10 has seven free top rated photo apps ( I need one because my pictures are out of focus and the colors are too far off from the real thing)

I know some of you are not at all interested in the news around the world...it's okay.  I always want to know something to share in a good conversation.  These are just my picks for this morning. Yours may be different.

The card I'm sharing :
Enabler's List: white and black Recollection cardstock and watercolor paper.  The top mat was embossed with a cuttlebug embossing folder.  The watercolor paper peering from beneath a Tim Holtz's die cut was inked with various shades of distress ink and the left over was used to cut out the leaves from a die. I free- hand cut a tree branch and placed a bird from K & Company on top of it.  The sentiment was cut with Cricut Explore and Design Space.

"Hello" can go with a majority of other words:
hello sunshine;  hello to my BFF;  hello, how are you;  hello, I'm just tweeting.

Hello, I hope the remainder of your day is fantastic.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, September 25, 2015

I Was Trying To Make "Orange" My New Color

Hello Friends, Followers, Viewers and Visitors,
The rain sounded so relaxing outside my window this morning.  I just wanted to turn over and stay in bed a little while longer, but I didn't.  It is Friday and this is my day to accomplish many task.  I've known all week that this weekend is going to be busy with a capital "B" and I am so looking forward to it.
  So let me share my cards with you and get back to multi-tasking around my home.
I did three cards (not all today).  They were done and put aside because I was not liking the outcome.  It happened three times this week when I was crafting.  So by last evening, I decided to title my blog "Ugly Cardmaking" (as you can see I changed that also). I even tried to find a challenge that I could enter using this title and color.  Nothing was out there.
There is something about each one of the following cards that didn't look good to me.  If you know me and have seen me, you will know that I don't wear "orange".  It is not a color I will buy to dress in.  I am not going to say that I don't like the color but I will say that "orange" doesn't appear as one of my favorite colors.  I'll wear "brown" (another color that is not my favorite)  a little more than I would orange.  Something that is a "loud orange"...no!!!  Something that is muted and is leaning a little closer to brown...maybe.
One card was supposed to be for the MOJO Monday challenge and I didn't post it.  The reason...it was just too "orange".  Even after trying to masked it down with the black...it still felt like it was over the top "orange".
Another card was made for WordArtWednesday challenge.  I tried to use a fall scene with the muted "orange" background and this wasn't working either.   So, I tried another one.  I had a Prima flower on top of my desk and when I began to look through my paper pad, I found a sheet that had the same polka dots (just a little bigger) as the flowers.  I thought I would like this one, but again, something about this card didn't please me either.
Why did I use "orange" if it is not my favorite color?  Sometimes I try to step outside my comfort zone and do something that is different. Autumn was approaching and I wanted to do something for this season.  I was trying to make "orange" my new color this week.  I'm not giving up.  I'll keep introducing it until it (orange) becomes one of my favorite colors to go to.



Enabler's List:   Cardstock; pattern paper; embossing folder; window die; Prima flower; handmade flower; faux gem; computer generated sentiments.
I like everything I did except using the color orange.  Someone else may find this color appealing and I hope they do.
Have a fantastic weekend.  
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, September 24, 2015

A Journey Of Hope

Hello to all this Thursday morning.
We're experiencing a nice fall day with the temperature being just enough for a light jacket.  It looks good and feels good.    In our area we have what is called the "Peanut Festival" which starts today and will culminate on Sunday.  Many are hoping that the predicted rain will stay away tomorrow and Saturday.

Now, to the topic for today:
What was the reason for your last trip?  Was it a journey of hope, adventure, curiosity or freedom?
I've  taken an adventurous journey.  Exploring unknown territory highlights your imagination and increase your learning experiences to pass on to others.  My journey of curiosity was taken just to find out where someone lived and or where a place of interest was located.  I've never taken a freedom journey.  I'm bless to have the opportunity to live in a country that gives me religious and political freedom and I don't have to leave to find that kind of enjoyment.

 A journey of hope...reminds me of a deep spiritual  experience.
Examples:   If I am put down, I look to the emotional reservoir of hope for the strength to return good for evil. Without hope I have no power to absorb the wrong and walk in love, and I sink into self-pity or self-justification.  If I experience a setback in my planning — I get sick (with a terminal illness that has no cure) , or things don’t go the way I’d hoped in the board meeting, for example — I look to the emotional reservoir of hope for the strength to keep going and not give up.
 This hope not only desires something good for the future; it expects it to happen. And it not only expects it to happen; it is confident that it will happen. There is a moral certainty that the good we expect and desire will be done.

A card expressing "A Journey Of Hope":  This will be entered on WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com for Challenge #202

Enabler's List:  Card base is A2 (4.25 x 5.50) made with cream piece of Bazzill cardstock; a medium blue piece of Recollection cardstock was cut 1/8 inch smaller than the base and a light blue piece of Recollection cardstock was cut 1/8 inch less than the medium blue followed by a piece of cardboard cut 1/8 inch less than the light blue.  The cardboard piece was distressed by removing some of the smooth background to expose the ridges in the cardboard.  It was then distressed more with Ranger distress inks (picked raspberry, broken china, pine needles, and aged mahogany). I cut out a white doily from QuicKutz Antique Doily die, cut it in half and placed that to the left of the piece of cardboard.  On top of the doily, I used a piece of purple netting, four Prima flowers, greens and vines cut from Tim Holtz's Holiday greens and Spellbinders Romantic Vines.  Butterfly; hemp cord.

Call someone or do something for someone to let them know that they are not on this "journey of hope alone.  You are there for them and they don't have to ask.  Just step up and do your part.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

"Some Days Ya Just Gotta Put On Your Boots And Dance Anyway"

Hello Everyone,
So many things to mention today.
Happy first day of Autumn to all who have waited for summer to be over.  Clean out those closet and get your sweaters and coats cleaned for this time of year.  Say good-bye to the hot temperatures  if you live in climates that experience changes in this department.
Happy celebration to all the people who are getting a chance to just be in the presence of the Pope while he is in Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia.
Happy celebration to all those observing Yom Kippur.
These celebrations are times for some to say, "It's a day to put on my boots and dance". You are excited and happy that you have something to be thankful for.
With the cool temperatures some will want to put their boots on  anyway whether they are celebrating or trying to make a statement.  Go ahead.  Have yourself some fun.

I really like the quote used in the title.  I'm using it today to express to the cancer patients, survivors and anyone with other problems that no matter what you're going through...some days you just gotta dance anyway.
If you're just going through something and know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel...dance.
Trouble don't last always...dance.
Better days are ahead...dance.

Here are the card(s) I made for your viewing today:
MOJO416
I've used a piece of Spectrum Noir white cardstock, black Recollection cardstock and pink Bazzill cardstock for the base and mats: a piece of pattern paper with song notes; pictures of boots with cowgirl hat colored with water colored pencils; a sentiment printed on computer and cut out.  The sketch is from mojomonday.blogspot.com

Enabler's List: white Spectrum Noir cardstock and black Recollection cardstock; Ranger distress inks (tattered rose, picked raspberry, tea dye and tumbled glass); water colored pencils (shades of pink).
Put those boots on, kick up your heels and just have a good time.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Tuesday Tutorial...Exploding/Explosion Box for Baby Shower



Hello Friends, Followers, Viewers and Visitors,
Today, I'm sharing steps on how I made my first explosion box.  I've done the card-in-the-box several times and enjoyed the results from it.  I have seen the explosion box on Google+ done by several individuals and they were so pretty.  I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could do one.

My first one is for a baby shower and I want to share how I did it:

Step One:  Here are the supplies that I have gather to do a “baby shower” explosion box card.
Some of the items:  3 sheets of 12 x 12 cardstock ( I've used a light blue, a yellow, and a darker blue); pattern paper; images (paper and or 3D); score board; cutting board; score pal tape; liquid glue

 

Step 2:    We are going to begin by taking our 12 x 12 sheets of cardstock and cutting them down to size: Your first piece (my light blue) which will be the outside of the box  is cut down to 9 x 9 inches.  The second piece (my yellow) will be cut down to 8 5/8 x 8 5/8 inches.  The third piece (my dark blue) which you will see when the box “explode” should be cut down to 8 ¼ x 8 ¼ inches.



 

Step 3:    Using the score board, score the 9 x 9 (light blue) piece at 3 inches on each side ( after the first score at 3 inches,  turn your paper and score again at 3 inches, turn and score at 3 inches and one last time, turn and score at 3 inches).  Score the 8 5/8 x 8 5/8 piece (my yellow) at 2 7/8 inches on all four sides.   Score the 8 ¼ x 8 ¼ piece (my dark blue)  at 2 ¾ inches on all four sides.
 

Step 4:   After scoring, cut out each square corner on all four sides (your piece will look like a cross).  Do this for the 9 x 9, the 8 5/8 x 8 5/8 and the 8 ¼ x 8 ¼.

Your pieces will look like this with the corners cut away.
After using score tape, your pieces will look like this.
Step 5:   Next, I used a corner rounder to round each edge of the cardstock and placed score  tape under the bottom to adhere each piece to the next piece.  You do not have to round your corners.  You can use a decorative die on each end if you desire to do so.



Step 6:  The pattern paper and decorative images were used to decorate the flaps..Measure and cut your decorative paper 1/8 inch smaller than the flap.  Since I rounded my corners on the cardstock, I had to do the same thing with the decorative paper. Here is the first page you will see when the box is opened.


1st page (my dark blue sheet) is the 1st page you will see when the box "explode" or is opened.

The second page of the box (my yellow sheet).  What I did  to take the picture...use a rubber band to hold the top layer together.  You will not be doing this for your project.  This was only done so you could see what the second layer looked like. The patten for the bed came from paper is bliss

 Step 7:   The box top was made with a piece of cardstock that measure 6 ¼ x 6 ¼ inches.  Scored at 1 inch on all four sides.  Each corner was cut to the score line so that ends could be folded in and glued to form the top.
Here you can see the top decorated with more items.



The beginning of another project!
I hope you take the challenge and try one for yourself.  I'm going to try doing one for a wedding and when I do I will post it for you.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, September 21, 2015

Are You Doing More Of What Makes You Happy?

Hello Friends, Followers, Viewers and Visitors on this crisp fall-like Monday (if you're in the south).

My weekend was great.  How about yours? I don't know of anything else I could have done to make it as fantastic as it was.

Have you been in an environment lately where you could look around the room and notice the expressions on the faces of the other  people that are there?  Do or did they look happy?
 
I was in an environment looking around at the faces of the other people who were present.  I saw less smiles compared to the large number of frowns on the faces of the people that were in the room.  There was no unpleasant odor in the room (not unless they were sitting near someone with one). There was nothing  bad being said that would cause so many frowns.

Okay, I'm going to be honest!  I'm in this particular environment every week and it is the same expressions that I notice every week.   No matter if something nice is going on or if you are giving out gifts, it is the same frowning faces on the same people week after week after week...you get my point!  I've wonder if my presence is the cause of the frowning but I've been told that it isn't.  These people are the same no matter where you see them.  There is no noticeable happiness that beams from within to without. Happiness is the outward manifestation of inner joy. You can fill up your life with lots of stuff, but if you’re not internally okay with yourself, then there’s but so much a new pair of shoes, dress, car or job can ever do for you.

When God wakes me up in the morning.. I'm happy.
A sip of that first cup of coffee...I'm happy.
My husband telling a joke or saying something funny...I'm happy
My craft room with things out of place...I'm happy
Phone calls from my daughters, granddaughter and family...I'm happy
Reading...I'm happy
I’m starting to beam just writing these down. And there’s a lot more. My frizzy hair on yesterday and a new blouse that half of the buttons fell off when my handbag rubbed against them.   I was happy.
Out of these on this list and others, I'm going to keep doing them because this is what makes me happy (all except the buttons popping off my blouse)!
Do More Of What Makes You Happy
Base Card was make with a Recollection sheet of beige cardstock cut down to 4.25 by 5.5.  This was topped with a burgundy piece of Recollection cardstock 1/8 less than the base card on each side.  A piece of Ranger watercolor paper was used on top of this which was masked, distressed and embossed.  The Ranger distress inks used were: broken china, barn door, aged mahogany and shabby shutters.  A heat gun was used to make sure the ink was dry before stamping it with  Tim Holtz's Visual Artistry Collection using distress embossing ink and white embossing powder.  The same burgundy Recollection cardstock was cut at 2 by 3 1/4 and was diagonally placed and matted with a  white piece (same size) of cardstock with a vellum overlay printed with the sentiment.  The owl image was a free Digi from pinterest that I colored using water colored pencils and placed above the white piece of cardstock.  Three faux gems from Recollection were placed on the card.

So I ask you, what makes you happy? I’m not talking deliriously happy, like putting on a Halloween costume, but just a general feeling of contentment with the world around you. Think about it and post your answers here. I’ll like to hear what you have to say.

Thanks for joining me today!
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Friday, September 18, 2015

Spellbinders Labels 47 Decorative Elements

Hello Friday.  Hello Friends, Followers, Viewers and Visitors.

Have you tried the Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 47 die?  Spellbinders Nestabilities dies add elegance and sophistication to any creative project. These decorative elements comprise of three ornate dies, including two frames and an inner embellishment die.
Today I want you to take a look at this die and see how I have used it for the upcoming festive holiday, winter season and a decorative card:
The Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 47 Decorative Elements

These two images show the first use of the die by me.  I used a dark blue background  to cut out the die.  I embossed it with Darice snowflake embossing folder.  With white pigment ink, I created a snow scene at the bottom of the card.  I placed the  image of a snowman on the card and added a 3D sentiment that corresponded with the image.  The card base (white Spectrum Noir cardstock) was cut at 6 1/4 by 4 1/4. With this being the first time cutting with the die, I wanted to showcase it on a background.



May Your Days be Merry & Bright
This card base (white Spectrum Noir cardstock) was cut at 6 1/4 by 4 1/4.  I used red Recollection cardstock to cut the die-cut.  This time I backed the square with white and red striped pattern paper.  A vellum Christmas picture from K& Company was used with a tag from Pinterest.


This card has no sentiment at this time.  One will be used at a later date.
Bronze cardstock was use to cut out the Spellbinders Labels 47 die.  It was placed on a taupe piece of Recollection cardstock that measure  4 1/2 by 4 1/4.   Using First Edition Craft Doily Dies, I cut a doily to place on top of the die cut.  I used a piece of taupe ribbon to wrap around the card and come back through the center of the doily (trying to make it a little more decorative than the first two cards).  Again, this card will be one to use at a later date with a sentiment for the appropriate recipient.

Love how this die looks once it is cut out.  The blue, red and bronze all make very good colors to use.  I will experiment with other  colors in the future.
Thanks for spending some time with me this week.  Have a great weekend.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Thursday, September 17, 2015

Seriously, I Want You To Notice My Grey/Gray

Hello Thursday, friends, followers, viewers and of course, visitors.  Most of the time I leave you (the visitors) out of the greeting.  I just want you to know that I know you are out there.  You come by every now and then just to see what is going on.  Thank you for your visit.

Now, to the important issue for today.  Your mirror doesn't lie.  It really talks silently to you if you stand staring at it for a long period of time.  What it says may make you hate it or embrace it.  The one that I peer in every day tells me my hair is grey/gray.  I embrace this fact because it makes me feel wiser and look mature.  Yes, there it is!  I look good with my salt and pepper hair.  When I see my stylist and she fix me up...I'm on cloud nine, eleven and twenty (lol).
I don't intend to dye it blonde, burgundy, orange or blue. If I did, I would be the biggest liar trying to hide my true age. God didn't make my hair those colors but he is gracefully telling me I'm reaching maturity when I start to see the change.

You need to know - gray is now THE color to have. Celebrities are even going out of their way to embrace gray/grey.  We are not prepared to fake any longer. We will celebrate middle-age.

Take a look at the cards I'm sharing with you today:
Each new flower is a symbol of HOPE
This card was made with an A2 white Recollection cardstock card base; a grey Recollection cardstock mat; First Edition Craft Doily dies; Spellbinders Poppy die; Offray ribbon and computer generated sentiment
*notice the grey/gray

You are Remarkable
This card was made with an A2 white Recollection cardstock card base; a piece of DCWV gauze (grey) paper; Sizzix thinlits Tim Holtz Alterations die on the corner and my own design on the left; three roses stamped from Stampendous clear stamps...embossed with gold embossing powder and colored with Akashiya Sai red watercolor brush pen; a Martha Stewart's butterfly embellishment and a computer generated sentiment  *notice the grey/gray

Embrace that grey/gray.  On your head as well as on your card making or scrap booking.  It really will look good on you!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Wednesday, September 16, 2015

"Go The Extra Mile, It's Never Crowded"

Happy middle of the week friends, followers and viewers.
I'm coming to you with a quote by an unknown author today: "Go the extra mile, it's never crowded.  You may have seen it in many places.  My first time seeing this quote was on Pinterest (favorite place to find valuable information).  I also saw this on  the back of a t-shirt when I was visiting my daughter in Florida.
These very words struck me. I wrote them down and started to ask questions within my own mind. What does this mean for me?  Is it just a nice little quote that I could use on a card and forget that I included it as a sentiment?
 When I did look at it again and gave more thought to the words... How true that saying  is, right? When you go the extra mile — whether it’s at work, at church,  on a project at home, in an activity, or in your business — you really stand out (not that you want to be placed on a pedestal or shine more than others).
The extra mile is what makes you more than average.   Most people settle into an easy, “good enough” pattern then wonder why they’re not happy. Pushing yourself a little bit can make a huge difference.
Here are two cards that I'm sharing with you today.  They both contain quotes and they both follow the same sketch:
Just Be Your Beautiful Self
Enabler's List: white Spectrum Noir cardstock; burgundy Recollection cardstock; pattern paper from  Our Daily Bread Shabby Rose Collection and pattern paper from Recollection; a sheet of vellum paper and Recollection faux gems.  
Go The Extra Mile It's Never Crowded
Challenge #201 - Anything Goes @ wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
Enabler's List: white Spectrum Noir cardstock; burgundy Recollection cardstock; pattern paper from DCWV The Timeless Type Stack; and pattern paper from Bohemian Bamboo paper pad; vellum paper and Recollection faux gems.


Take the time to go the extra mile today for a friend or a project on your job.   You're not really doing it to get that pat on your back or to be placed on a pedestal.  You will be doing it because  sometimes it is good to be blessed  but better to be a blessing.  Think about the story of the Good Samaritan in the bible.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Tuesday, September 15, 2015

"Get Well Soon" Is Not Appropriate On A Card For All People

Hello Friends, Followers and Views.
All of us know or have known people who are sick.  The sickness can and  could range from a mild to a serious illness.  People are experiencing physical as well as mental illness.  Physical illness can be anything from the flu to a broken or sprain ankle to  terminal cancer.
 We want to acknowledge that we are aware of what is going on with them by sending or taking them a card.  You would think that all people love those cards that say "get well soon".  I thought they would  until recently.
I've had some people say..."I like your cards and would love for you to make me some  for people who are sick but I don't want the words "get well soon" on them".  Why not, I asked?
 There are some cancer patients who are or have been diagnose with cancer  and are going through radiation and chemo treatments. Some of these treatments take a long time.   The sender of the card didn't want to give someone a "get well soon" card in this case.
 Some people know their recipients so well that they already know the person don't want a reminder that they are ill.  Those people will want something to lift them out of their situation. They would prefer a card that didn't have "get well soon".  Instead, have a message or sentiment that showed your concern but not necessarily saying that you acknowledge they need to get well soon.

Today's card can be use in numerous categories.   If the sender chooses to send it to someone who is ill, it will be okay.  What is  written in the inside will make all the difference to the recipient.


Love
Enabler's List: white Recollection and white Spectrum noir cardstock for the A2 base and mat respectively; a piece of pattern paper in a beige and brown hue to offset the white; prima flowers; floral vines cut from Spellbinders' dies; a heart cut out  using the Spellbinders heart die and cork;
 
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois
 

Monday, September 14, 2015

What Has Happened To All Your Joy?

Hello Friends, Followers and Viewers,
It is September 14, one of my sisters birthday today.  If she is reading this, Happy Birthday to you and wishing you many more.
It is a "joy" to have her with us today.  I'm not sure if I ever told you how cancer runs rampant in our family.  It has taken so many of our members.  My sister has had to deal with breast cancer but thank God she is still with us today.

Today we’re going to take a plunge into the topic called “joy”.  Christmas is not that far away and we will be singing the carol, "Joy To The World".  If you are a regular reader of  scripture you know it is full of references dealing with "joy" in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.  If you know of Kay Warren, she has written a book, "Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn't Enough"

What constitute joy?  Merriam Webster says, (1) it is a feeling  or source of great happiness, (2)  success in doing, finding, or getting something.

Biblical reference (a few): Nehemiah 8:10 says, "For the joy of the LORD is your strength;   James 1:2 , "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; and the Fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…”

Joy is often misunderstood.  We tend to equate “happiness” with joy but they are two totally different ideas because they each spring from a different source. One comes from the world around me. The other originates directly from the Spirit of the Living God. Happiness is conditioned by and often dependent upon what is “happening” to me. If people treat me good, if things are going well in my life, then I’m happy. If my circumstances aren’t favorable, then I’m unhappy.

Joy, on the other hand, throbs throughout Scripture as a profound, compelling quality of life that transcends the events and disasters which may dog God’s people. Joy is a divine dimension of living that is not shackled by circumstances. The Hebrew word means, “to leap or spin around with pleasure.” In the New Testament the word refers to “gladness, bliss and celebration.”

Has something happened to your joy?  Do you have some unsatisfied expectations that have led to a spirit of discontent?    Are you involved in some conflict with someone?   Is God’s hand heavy upon you right now because of some sin that you’ve not confessed and repented of?   Lost joy can be restored. As a result of some discontentment, some conflict, and some open sin, David (in the Bible) had tubed out spiritually. His joy was a long-lost memory. And yet, he boldly prays in Psalm 51:12, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation…” God honored his prayer, and He will honor yours. 



For this card, I used the following:
white Recollection cardstock cut @ 3.5  x 5.5 (tall and skinny card)
slate blue Recollection cardstock cut 1/8 inch less on all four sides for a mat; Spellbinders floral die  was used twice to cut out the vines
pattern paper from Recollection was placed under the mat;
Martha Stewart butterfly embellishment along with three gems and the  word "joy" cut from wood.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois





Friday, September 11, 2015

I'd Rather Twinkle Than Shine

Hello Friday!
Good day to my friends, followers and viewers.
I know and have worked with many extrovert -- sociable, positive, and friendly. They have long, personal conversations with people they meet no matter where... on walks, at the grocery store, library, doctor's office and or shopping malls
As a result, they gain huge amounts of useful information as well as having an interesting life ( or so it seems). They can be your "go-to" person whenever you  need a baby-sitter, a plumber, or a place where you can find the best foods,  plants, fruits and flowers.

Extroverts and introverts differ in a host of ways.  I found that I fall somewhere in the middle and I'm not truly an all out extrovert or an all out introvert (take your own test).  I am the type of person who enjoys socializing with both large and smaller, more intimate groups of people.  I don't mind being around big crowds, but that doesn't mean I want to crash every party I'm invited to.  I've managed to strike a great balance between actively involving myself in my larger social network, and spending some quality time with a few intimate friends.  Although I may not always be the conversation-starter or the "life of the party", I am generally a very outgoing individual, whether among friends or people I am less familiar with. 

Some days I'm more of an introvert when I'm  alone, reading a book, crafting or writing this blog. Or being the one who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Other days I'm an  extrovert, exercise more, function well without sleep,  and get energy from being with other people.

Today, I've found my own little niche where I can work in the lamplight rather than in the spotlight.   Where I'd rather twinkle than shine.
Here's to you:
 
Twinkle
You will also see this card posted on WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com for their Challenge #200
what you're looking at is a "shaker" card made with purple Recollection cardstock for the base (4.25 x 5.5);  three sheets of pattern paper from DCWV The Citrus Matstack to use as mats.  The top mat has a circle cut out with a piece of window plastic adhered to the back of it... foam tape adhered to the plastic and that was backed with another piece of paper after including the chunky glitter .  The card on the right is the same card turned upside down (showing the shaking).

Spreading Love
Enabler's List:  (this card was previously made but was never posted)
white, red and black Recollection cardstock with strips of pattern paper from my famous stash;  I used my printer and a picture from Google to make my top mat with the image and sentiment.  The inside of the jar was cut out and replaced with window plastic and I added the chunky glitter before adhering this mat to another piece of white cardstock. Three black circles were cut out and adhered to the left side of the mat.

Take a look at some LOVE I received today.  I was glad I got it before hitting the submit button to close out my blog.  My DH was walking in just when I was on the Enabler's List above with the mail.  I want to thank this little sweet girl for spreading love in my direction today.  I don't know her personally but have met her through her mother's website http://memoriescrafter.blogspot.com/.  Please go over and check out Catherine's work.
Thank you so much Catherine!!!!



Do you know whether you are an extrovert or an introvert?  Do you like to sparkle and shine or just twinkle every now and then?  Do you like being the center of attention or just being?

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois 

Thursday, September 10, 2015

We All Share Something In Common...What Is It?

Hello Friends, Followers and Viewers,
I conducted a little test that involved only my DH and myself.  I did this before searching to see what would be the result from other randomly or scientific testing on the following test question, “What do we have in common”?

 While we were eating dinner, my mind kept thinking about the common things we share.  Common, meaning something happening frequently or existing in large numbers in the same way that makes us all one.    Did I see something in him that is common in me or everyone else also?  Yes, I did.  We are so different physically but yet in some spiritual areas and intellectual areas we shared a commonality.

We have flaws, sins, addictions, mistakes, and all the ugliness of our lives, past and present.  But, the most important common thing, that stands out is all humans dream to have a better life for themselves and for their closed ones, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, creed, sex etc.
And throughout our life, we chase that dream. Whether we are going to succeed or not that is different matter.

Presenting to you three (3) cards today.  Hoping you can see what they all have in common.
WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com
Challenge #200 - LET'S CELEBRATE!!! 


Challenge#200 - Let's Celebrate

Enabler's List: light blue, cream, white, gray and gold cardstock from Recollection was used; blue and white polka dot pattern paper from Recollection;  Ranger watercolor paper; Ranger Distress Ink (tattered rose, mustard seed, dried marigold, picked raspberry, tumbled glass, barn door, and shabby shutters); faux gems; Penny Black's blooming garden die; Tim Holtz's thinlits word die; Tim Holtz's thinlits Alterations die; hemp cord; 

Do your own little test.  Look at yourself and someone else and see what you share in common.  Opposites do attract but we all want to share in something common to one another.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois