Saturday, December 31, 2016

"Happy New Year...2017"

Ring out the old and ring in the new.

Be a "new you" in 2017.

Get rid of all the negative and focus on the positive for yourself. 




Sending you LOVE, PEACE and HAPPINESS,
Lois

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

"Let Us Pray"

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
I'm popping in today with two cards that I made to add to my box for 2017.
I like doing cards that will encourage someone in one way or the other.  I even include "birthday" cards in the box with encouragement cards.  Why?  You've reached an age, whether young or old, in which you are celebrated at the moment but encouraged to enjoy life whichever  way you can.
The encouragement I'm presenting to you today is : PRAY
I cannot tell you what to pray for or how to pray.   I will encourage you to PRAY.  The year is not quite over and many people are losing family members. My very first grade school teacher died Sunday morning.  She was well into her nineties.
 Many people are discouraged or becoming discouraged because they cannot provide material things for their family for the holiday.  Some people are so depressed at this time of the year.
I'm encouraging you to pray for others as well as for yourself.  Pray that we are still here doing good for someone other than ourselves on Dec. 31, 2016.  Pray that God will bring us over to 2017 with a mind that stays on HIM and the desire to be there for HIS children.  Don't wait...PRAY.
  One of the best prayers that we could ever pray is “God, not my will, but your will be done.”


entry for WordArtWednesday   Anything Goes - Challenge Weeks #262-263 
Material Used:
Neenah white cardstock; Kaisercraft kraft cardstock
Spellbinders "Gothic Strip" die;  Sizzix thinlits "garden greens" die; Hero Arts stamp & cuts "prayers" die 
Prima flowers and eksuccess pearl

This card came about from using the Sizzix "garden greens" die for the first card (above).  The cut-out provided an opportunity to do this second card.  The same cardstock was used along with black Recollections cardstock for layering.  From my stash, I found a beige and white striped piece of cardstock to cut three circles for embellishment.  Very clean and simple to make.

Caution:
I took some time out last evening to do these cards.   As stated on Monday....I'll be in and out from now until the new year (if it is God's will).

Thanks for visiting and I love hearing from you.  Comments are always welcomed.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois
                           

Monday, December 19, 2016

"Sharing With Friends"

Monday, December 19, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
This is a busy time of the year for so many people... the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holiday.  Yes, your tree is up.  The lights are hung.  The music is playing in the background...but wait...all of that was done the week during and after Thanksgiving.  Why are we so busy and feel that time is running out and you won't get everything done?
I have been prepared since last December (lol) .  Since my girls are grown and gone...we don't do all the decorations and the shopping we were accustomed to doing when they were home.  Yes, there is a grandchild, but she doesn't visit until after the holiday is over.  This year we are going to visit her on Christmas day.
I talked with several people at church yesterday.  We talked about the upcoming holiday and what their plans were for this time of the year.  Many of the older people just want to be at home to receive family while some of the younger generation want to be away sharing with friends.  One group of teens had already boarded a tour bus to spend the holiday in Florida  while others are driving north on Wednesday to do the same.
All in all, life is sweeter when shared with friends and family.  Here is the card that prompted this blog post for today:
While I was playing with some distress inks last week, I did the background for this card and set it aside (at the time I was not sure what I would use it for).  I came back to it this morning to stamp something on it for my post today.  
Stamps used:  Sentiment (from Hero Arts CL351)  Hummingbird ( from Inkadinkado "mindscapes") and the border on the right (from Recollections "crochet lace")
Five faux gems were added.  The focal layer was added to a piece  of black Recollections cardstock which was then added to the coral Recollections cardstock base.
This will be added to my collection for 2017  (cards to use when the time arrive).

Caution:  I may do like I did last week...pop in every now and then from now until the New Year.  I'm not "holiday" busy but I am sharing in helping others during this time of year.  
I hope and pray that this season of joy will be spreaded toward you and your famiy.  
May God continue to bless you now and well into the New Year!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

She Said, "One Or Maybe Two More If You Can"

Wednesday, December 14,2016

Hello friends, viewers, visitors and followers,
How is your day and time going?   When I "think" I'm controlling things my way...it doesn't work.  I stop and just let things fall into place and then I can breathe a breath of relief.

If you have been keeping up with me, then, you know I was working on some Christmas cards for a client.  I sent them to her so she could start sending them out the week after Thanksgiving.  Guess what my friends, who really read this blog...I received a phone call on Monday.
My client has sent out her cards and she is getting request to have some made by some of the individuals she sent them to.  She wanted to know if I was interested.  I told her ...it is a little late for me to be doing bundles of Christmas cards for this year.
Then she asked if I would just do her one more favor...she needed just one more or maybe two more Christmas cards if I could get them to her before Christmas.  She didn't mind giving me a little extra for the two cards she is requesting.  She really understood I was pushed for time in trying to accommodate "her clients" but she didn't think about my time being pushed for her.

My friends....I love making cards.   I never really started out trying to do this as a business.  Many people have requested that I start a card selling business and I have refused.  My family is trying to push me into opening up an Etsy shop...again, I have refused.   The reason is....I enjoy what I'm doing and if I start trying to sell my cards then the enjoyment will stop.  It will feel as if I'm obligated to selling than to really keep having fun doing something that I do for relaxation.
Card making is my "physical therapy".  After leaving the classroom, I still must find something to do to keep this brain active and involved (lol).

Here, and I promise you and myself, the last Christmas cards for 2016:

This is the first card photographed 2 times so you could see how the light bounced off of the gold. (When I said I had packed up my Christmas "stuff" and placed it towards the back of everything else...well I didn't dig far.  I used the first thing that was on top...paper and die).  I did open my file cabinet and got a piece of white tulle to use.  The paper had gold Christmas writing so I didn't add any extra for a sentiment on top of it.
Supplies:
white Neenah cardstock
DCWV gold foil cardstock
The printed sheet is from Kaisercraft "Glisten Collection"
The dies that were used are Sizzix "tattered poinsettia" and Sizzix "holiday greens"
One faux pearl from Recollections was used in the center of the flower
white tulle



This is the second card, also photographed 2 times.  To make this quick and fast, I looked in my "cut out stash pieces" to put together this card.  I forgot to mention above that the client wanted something that didn't really look "Christmas-y" for her second card.  I think she wanted something to send for another occasion.  It looks appropriate to me...what do you think?
Supplies: brown Kaisercraft cardstock with a darker brown Recollection cardstock for a layer.  The focal layer is from Botanique paper.  I die cut the open brick wall using a Sizzix Mixed Media #3 die.  The tall flower was cut using a die from Sizzix wildflowers.  The small flowers are from Prima.  Pieces of Spellbinders Romantic vines die cuts were used to fill in blank spaces.  Two clear faux pearls were used for embellishments....Recollections.  The book is a Spellbinders die cut and the "believe" is a die cut from Tim Holtz (Sizzix) "holiday words". The die cut under the book was cut from Spellbinders "Labels 47".



 

Your visit  and your comments are always welcomed.
Please come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, December 12, 2016

"Fly....As In Butterfly"






Monday, December 12, 2016

Hello friends, visitors, followers and viewers.
Welcome to Monday.  We are glad to be back with you today.  Hope you had a lovely, relaxing, or fun filled weekend.

I got a little "inky" playing around with distress ink and embossing powder.  I had a stamp set that I picked up about two months ago and decided to "crack open" that package to see what I could do.
I love butterflies and I had flying on my mind when I was looking through my supplies.
A school friend of mine has to make a trip home from Hawaii because his sister died on Friday.   My daughter will be flying home from Florida for Christmas...you never know, I may be flying somewhere when it gets really, really cold and I need some warmth...stay with me to see if it will happen.

Let me tell you of some of the steps I  used for the first "fly" card:

  • on watercolor paper...I blended some wild honey, dried marigold and broken china distress inks together.
  • After some drying time, I stamped butterflies from the Vintologie (Hampton Art) "stamp & stencil"  butterflies stamps and the word "fly" using VersaMark watermark stamp pad and the Misti stamping tool
  • I used clear embossing powder and the heat tool to emboss the butterflies and sentiment
  • I covered the entire card with tea dye distress ink ...this brought out the butterflies in all their beauty.


 The second "fly" card was made using the following method:

  • I used a regular black piece of Recollection cardstock and the Misti Stamping Tool to stamp a large butterfly from Inkadinkado "mindscapes" clear stamps, two of the smaller butterflies and the word "fly" from the Hampton Art Vintologie stamp set using VersaMark watermark stamp pad
  • Ranger "silver embossing powder" and the heat tool was used to bring the images to life
  • Nuvo crystal drops in gloss white was used to add white drops onto the focal area



I'm still getting inky...Tune in later this week to see what I'm doing.

Thanks for stopping by today.  
Come back again...look around ....leave a message so I know you visited.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Friday, December 9, 2016

"Embossing...Debossing"

Friday, December 9, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Welcome to weekend eve.
"Baby, it's cold outside and my allergy/sinus problem is really bothersome today.  I woke up with a headache.  I've taken my medication and I'm still not feeling 100%.  After my post, I'm going to take it easy for the remainder of the day.
This is going to be quick and sweet.
Two cards were made using one embossing folder, a stamp/die set, another die set and perfect pearls.
The Darice "paisley background" embossing folder was used on watercolor paper in two ways: the embossed side and the debossed side.
Our Daily Bread Designs "beautiful borders" was used with two of the dies from the set.
Hero Arts stamp & cuts "happy" die with stamping sentiments was used twice.  The "happy" was die cut twice and two different stamps to go along with the die were used.
Ranger perfect pearls in different colors were used to color in parts of the embossed/debossed card fronts.
Neenah white; Recollections black and paper from Hunkydory were used for the base and card layering. The focal layer is Ranger watercolor paper.
White pigment ink and white embossing powder was used for the sentiment on both cards.

This is the folder's debossed side

This is the folder's embossed side
Thanks so much for viewing.  You are always welcome when you visit and your comments keeps me going.  Please come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois



Thursday, December 8, 2016

"Listen To What Your Heart Is Saying"

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.

Are there times when you listen to yourself rather than asking someone else for advice.  We all have what is called inner- tuition or intuition.   Inner-tuition defines the process where 'intuition' functions within our body and psyche. Our gut head operates 5 to 10 moments ahead of our aware mind. This mind center in fact steers us within the right way and guides us in directions which can be useful to us whilst in addition protecting us from harm.(urban definition)

I'm going to share just one card today using a statement that goes along with "intuition" (Listen To What Your Heart Is Saying).  I started with cardstock or design paper that came from Recollections Mixed Media paper pad.  I pulled out item that would coordinate together with the colors in the paper.  The only "extra" that I did was to cut hearts using my die cutting machine.  After putting everything together, the picture I'm posting does not look as good as the card.  I'm not sure if it is my camera on the ipad or  the lighting (it is real dreary today).  I tried three times to take pictures and each time they looked dark (just like the overcast sky outside my window).

Here is a view of my last try.  The actual card in real life is much lighter than this:

Neenah white cardstock
black and cream  Recollections cardstock
Recollections mixed media paper pad
ODBD corner die cuts
Spellbinders "romantic vines" die cut and Spellbinders "hearts" die cuts
Prima flower 
Recollections "encouragement sticker"

I'm going to listen to what my heart is saying today..."take it easy"!

Thanks so much for viewing and leaving such beautiful comments.  I do enjoy hearing from you!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Wednesday, December 7, 2016

"Smile...You Are Awesome"

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
I must say that I didn't believe today was the middle of the week.   It seems that Monday and Tuesday went by in a blur and I missed the adventure of those two days.   Is time really "flying"  or I'm I just busy with having fun and enjoying life?

"Smile...You Are Awesome"  are two cards I made today.   I started off using an idea from "Gina K" (resist technique).  You use stamps, clear embossing powder and distress inks. Check out "StampTV" to find out more.  I took my cards one or two steps further:
On this card, I did the resist technique and then added a flower, vine and tulle.
The stamps I used came from Recollections.
The flower is a Sizzix poinsettia die cut by Tim Holtz and the vine is a Spellbinders "romantic vine" die cut.
The cardstock is Neenah white and Recollections burgundy and black .

On this card, I did the resist technique using Penny Black's "petal power" stamps.  On the right hand side I used a Sizzix "holiday knit" die to cut out an opening.  I adhered a piece of green Offray ribbon under the rose using a glue dot.  The stamped sentiment came from Recollections.

As always, I enjoy you visiting with me.  Your comments are always welcome. Please come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

"Scraplifting A Store Bought Card"

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
It's a rainy Tuesday where I am.  Neighbors to the north of me reported sleeting in their area.  We didn't get the snow on Sunday, although, the air really looked as if it would fall.  I have a facebook friend who moved from Virginia to Wisconsin and he reported he needed a snow blower because of the amount of snow he received in his neighborhood.  I know it is coming my way...when...I don't know.

We are always looking for ideas... entering challenges, viewing videos, subscribing to a channel on Youtube, checking out Pinterest, aren't we?  When someone sends you a "store bought card" from Hallmark, American Greetings, Zazzle, Vistaprint, Shutterfly, etc., do you look at it (those who make cards) and say, "I can make that"?

In November, one of my sisters sent me a card and challenged me to duplicate it.  She told me she searched for one that looked similar to cards that I make and she wanted to see if I could do it.  I took on her challenge today.  I also looked at something on Pinterest to go along with this challenge so I could have two scrap lift projects:


 

Here you have the card I made on the left and the card I received on the right.
Measurement: 8 x 5.5
blue cardstock with a cream topper:  I used Recollections light blue and cream cardstock for this project.
stamping:  I used two stamp sets, "fancy flourishes" from Autumn Leaves Stampology and a clear stamp from Fiskars "petals from scratch".
flowers: My granddaughter had given me some stickers last year.  This gift was really the go ahead to make this card since I already had the glitter type flowers in my arsenal of craft supplies.

***So that my sister would know I did come very close to her store bought card...I posted it on this blog today.  I will probably do it again and move the sentiment caption over to the right a little more to resemble the store bought one.  It is not going to any recipient at the moment.  I just wanted to play around with some cardstock today.

 


This card is a scraplift of one I saw on Pinterest.  My card is on the left and the original is on the right.
Measurement: 5.25 x 6.5
I used Recollections taupe, black and cream cardstock.  I printed the sentiment on the cream cardstock using my computer and printer and then used a scallop die to emboss around it .  On the right side, I used a Penny Black "border edgers" die to cut out an opening. Behind the opening, I used a piece of black and beige polka dot scrap paper from my stash.
Martha Stewart's "foliage" punch was used around three beige Recollections flowers.
This one will be saved for a time of need.

When your thoughts go blank and I know they sometimes do...check out a store bought card or one from another place and see if you can duplicate it or come very close to making it look like theirs.

Thanks for viewing.  Comments and your visit are always welcome.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, December 5, 2016

"Lifting You Up In Prayer"

Monday, December 5, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Happy Monday to you.  I hope you had an enjoyable, fantastic weekend.
My "sunshine" (granddaughter) came and spent the weekend with me.  She is so much fun! We had a wonderful, marvelous time together.  She didn't want to cut out anything with the dies....instead, she wanted to use the "Misti" to make her teacher a Christmas card that had a Christmas tree on it.  We were so busy that I forgot to take a picture to post it.  She packed it up in her suitcase and took it back with her on yesterday. (So guess what I had to do after putting my Christmas crafting "stuff" away...pull it out so we could get her project done).

Are there days that you wake up and just have someone on your mind and a thought that you can't shake ?  This morning, there were many people coming to my thoughts and I kept getting this feeling that I should make a "lifting you up in prayer" card....why?...  I don't know at the present time, I guess it will come before the week is out.  Anyway, as I started ...my thoughts also kept going to pink and white...maybe in the future it will be used for a woman because we don't really use this color for a male.
So, the card is made and here it is for your viewing....btw, if you are the person that is in need of prayer and you are a  woman, then, this is for you:
Supplies used:
Recollections pink and black cardstock;  Neenah white cardstock; Kanban polka dot design paper
Spellbinders "M-bossabilities EL-028" embossing folder
Offray pink & white polka dot ribbon
Little B "Morrocan" punch  and ODBD "stitched circle" die

           Challenge Weeks #258-259 - Anything Goes

a peek in the inside of the card

Thanks for taking a little time out of your busy schedule to view this page today.  Your comments are always welcome.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Friday, December 2, 2016

"Not Straight"

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Hello Everyone,
It's the beginning of December and the last month of the year.   Let's make it a great month.   Christmas is on the 25th but you can share the joy all month long.  As I have stated before, 'Tis the season to be jolly', by starting with someone else other than yourself.
I have two cards I made.  I specifically did not want anything that I put on these cards to be "straight".   I looked back over some cards I had made and some of the images were uneven (I guess that was due to my glucose being a little high on those days).
Today, I wanted everything to be off centered on purpose:
Kindness Is Contagious


It's not what happens
It's how you handle it
You may or may not like what you're seeing but I always try to do something different.
However, thanks for visiting.  Come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

"I Have To Say This Often...Thank You Very Much"

Friday, December 2, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.  
Are you ready for the weekend?
Let's see what we can get into...shopping (all the people on your gift list), cooking (get those pies, cakes and cookies ready for the office parties that are coming up), cleaning (take down those summer curtains and put up the ones for the winter and or rake/blow those leaves so you can see what and where you are walking), relaxing (time is of essence, you just want to have a spa day).
Okay, what's for today?
I always try to keep up with giving thanks to everyone who stop by to view or to make a comment.  Those nice comments have been coming my way and I don't want you to feel that I didn't notice them.  If you know me through this blog, then you know I always make a card to "thank" you for your service. You may not get one every week or every day, but every once in a while I do try to make one for my viewers.
Here is your card for today.  Copy it and save it on your computer:
entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
Challenge Weeks #258-259 - Anything Goes



I apologized for the abrupt posting on yesterday.  I had an appointment and I had to stop without finishing the ending and I got home late and still didn't have time.  I'm letting it stand as written...nothing more will be added except my closing.  If you want to check that you may.

Thanks for viewing.  Your comments keep me going and I love hearing from you.  Please come again!  Have a lovely, enjoyable weekend.

Sending you this card with a hug and LOVE,
Lois



Wednesday, November 30, 2016

"Last Day For Christmas In November"

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Hello friends, followers, family, visitors and viewers.   I think I have covered everyone!!!  If I didn't, just find you a spot in one of the groups and have a good laugh.  'Tis the season to be JOLLY... Fa la la la la, la la la la. I am and I want you to be also.

I packed up all my Christmas dies, stamps, stickers and paper pads this morning and put them toward the back of everything else.  I love making Christmas and Valentine's day cards.  It seems that the traditional red, white and green are so pretty for Christmas as well as the red, white and pink for Valentine's day.
Just before the packing...I made three cards (two with Christmas items and one without).  If I had not been interrupted on yesterday...there would have been NO Christmas card today.  I basically forgot the "garbage men" who pick up the trash in our neighborhood.  So the final two cards will be for them.
Take a look at my latest creations:
entry for wordartwednesday
Neenah white cardstock;  Bazzill red cardstock:  Kanban white cardstock
dies used: Sizzix Tim Holtz "holiday greens"; Darice "snowflake die"
embossing folder: Darice "snowflake"
stickers from Jolee's boutique "pinecones" and Sticko "holiday glitter words & silhouettes classic"
NUVO glossy red crystal drops;   red netting
Recollections poinsettia flower


Recollections kraft and black cardstock; DCWV pearlescent cardstock
Recollections "holiday washi tape" and Little B "holiday washi tape

Neenah white cardstock; Recollections kraft and black cardstock; Recollections "Christmas Noel" paper
die: Spellbinders "cherry blossoms" and ODBD stitched circle die
Rangers  pink "liquid pearls"

Your visit is always appreciated.  Your comments keep me motivated to craft
.
Thanks for coming and you are always welcome to come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

"You Make Me So Happy"

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Hello to all this Tuesday.   How are you?
We have one more day in the month of November and one month left in the 2016 year.  Have you started your plans for 2017?   I am a "take one day at a time" type of person.  I really need to get through December before thinking about the new year.

At the last minute, I received some cute die cuts from a site that I frequent often.  They were included in a package I received as a prize for entering a card  in a challenge.  I had put the package aside and basically forgot about it until I started cleaning and organizing some items in my craft room.  My cards and the cards I did for a client (Christmas cards) were finish.  I just had to play around with one of the die cuts on yesterday because when I pack up Christmas dies, stamps and anything related to Christmas...I will not open that case until July of next year.

Another project I'm working on is making cards for those special occasions like ...Thinking Of You...Wishing You A Speedy Recovery...You Make Me Happy...Happy Birthday...etc.

Here are the two cards I'm sharing today:
I've used Neenah white and Bazzill green cardstock.  The focal layer is piece of cardstock from the DCWV "the Mariposa Matstack". A Penny Black "border edgers" die was used at the top of the focal layer.  The green flower and stems were die cut using Tonic "sweet melia beautiful blooms" die.  The sentiment was stamped and die cut from Hero Arts "Happy stamp and cut".


Neenah white cardstock; Bazzill green; Recollections paper from "Christmas Noel" pad; a die cut from Recollections "Christmas Noel"; Jolee's Boutique "Happy Holidays" sticker.  The white background was cut using a Spellbinders die.

Thanks So Much For Viewing 
Please Come Again

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Monday, November 28, 2016

"Stamping And Coloring On Fabric"

Monday, November 28, 2016

Hello Friends, Followers, Family, Visitors and Viewers.
Happy Monday to you!
Yes, I'm back and I've really enjoyed the break.
My Thanksgiving along with my extended birthday celebration was wonderful.  We spent the time with my daughter, her husband and our granddaughter along with my son-in-law's parents.  
Now, it is back to crafting until Christmas.
I did the early bird "black Friday" shopping last Monday for my craft room.  I've peeped at some of the cyber Monday deals but just don't see anything I want today.  What about you?
While flipping through a craft magazine (CardMaker...winter 2013 edition), I found a project that I wanted to try.  Colleen Schaan stamped and colored on a piece of canvas fabric.  My interest perked...I had canvas material (I had it for quite a long time)...I had stamps (not like the one she used)...I had paper and cardstock... so, why not give the project a try.  
This is my first time so don't be so hard and criticize what you are looking at.  I used "sharpie markers" instead of any of the distress markers, distress crayons, or copic makers that I have (I will experiment with those later):
entry for WordArtWednesday
Challenge Weeks #258-259 - Anything Goes

Supplies

  • Kaisercraft Cardstock; Recollections red and black cardstock; Neenah white cardstock;  My Mind's Eye "Comfort and Joy" paper pad; Recollections "canvas" fabric sheet; 
  • Studio g  stamp ( bird); Prima Marketing "Love.faith.scrap cling stamps (sentiment in upper right corner...Amazed)
  • Hampton Arts black pigment ink
  • NUVO "autumn red" crystal drops
Getting back into the swing of crafting after being off a couple of days is really refreshing.  
I enjoyed doing this project and I'm looking forward to creating something else during the remainder of this week.

Thanks for looking.   Come again.   Don't forget....I always enjoy  hearing from you!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, November 21, 2016

"R A K"

Monday, November 21, 2016

Hello friends, family, followers, visitors and viewers.
Welcome to my site today.  I hope you had an enjoyable weekend.  I'm still celebrating my birthday and I have plans for it to not be over until November 26, 2016.  I deserve a full week of enjoying myself.
How many of you have received all those ads for "black Friday deals".  My inbox is full of places I can go or just stay at home and shop on line.
I was sent a nice monetary gift from a site that I frequent often.  I took advantage of the gift and the free shipping they offered this morning.  When they announced, "shop, save, and be merry", that is exactly what I did ( I didn't have to spend any money out of my account, I used theirs).
I'm celebrating, but there are people who are not in the celebratory mood.
I talked with an elderly lady before church service on yesterday.  She is doing well (still a little weak) after having open heart surgery but her friend who is also of age is not doing so well.  The other lady is having cancer for the third time in her body...the treatments she is receiving is affecting her walking (she cannot walk as of now)....and the treatments have made her blind.  Her daughter has moved her out of our neighborhood and state to get better treatment.  The lady that I talked with yesterday even said she wouldn't be doing as well as she is doing if her daughter had not taken her out of our neighborhood and found a better treatment facility than the one she was in.
So the  card that I'm sharing is for the lady who has been moved out of our state, neighborhood and church.  I'm going to do a second one later on today for the lady that I had a conversation with yesterday.
Take a look at my random act of kindness card:
For Mrs. Graves
entry in the challenge at WordArtWednesday

Supplies
cardstock: Neenah white 5 x 6.25;  Recollections brown 
Designer paper: Recollections "Mixed Media"paper pad
dies: ODBD "stitched circle die"  and  Spellbinders "Romantic Vines" die
Recollections flowers and a piece of  Offray ribbon to complete this card
stamp: Stampendous "encouraging words"
ink: Hampton Art pigment black

For Mrs. Carr
same supplies used here

Thanks for visiting today.  Come again and if you like something, let me know.  My comment box is always open.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Friday, November 18, 2016

"Celebrating My Birthday Today Along With Mickey Mouse"

Friday, November 18, 2016

Hello family, friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Guess what day it is.
Yes, it is Friday but that is not the answer.
Try guessing again.  Do you want a hint?
You and I only have one of these each year and each year the numbers keep increasing.
Do you give up?
Okay, here it is....IT'S  MY  BIRTHDAY!   I'm celebrating along with Mickey Mouse.  On the TV, it was said that Mickey is 88 years old and still dancing.   Well, I'm not that old but I can still dance also.
I started doing the "happy dance" after I finished my client's order of Christmas cards.  I had said earlier this week that Thursday would be the official stopping day for that set of cards.  Did I work last evening to make sure they were finish?  Of course I did.
Here are the finished products.  I'm posting pictures only....



so I can go do something special for my "SPECIAL DAY":

Thanks for viewing.  Have a nice weekend.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, November 17, 2016

"Another Penny Black Border Die"

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Hello to all of my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
It's beautiful outside.  The weather is still cool but tolerable.  Maybe the "s" word on the weekend...maybe according to the weather report.  I'm not really ready for it at the moment.  What about all of my friends that stay on the east coast?  Are you ready to see the white stuff falling from the sky?
Let's change the subject.   Are you ready for next Thursday?   Are you cooking or are you eating out?  Will grandma see you or are you preparing for her?  I'm a grandma so someone will be preparing for me and grandpa...at least they said they would.  I always like to have something in my fridge for those "just in case" moments or when grandpa wants his own snack for later.
Before we get to next week....
Here is what I worked on for today.  I couldn't decide, before posting, what sentiment I wanted to put on one card.  It eventually will have something to do with "home for the holiday"  or "Christmas wishes from our house to your house".
The "O come all ye faithful"  looks good to my personal critiquer (DH) but I'm not really please with it for the moment.  It looks as if something is missing.  If I'm still feeling this way before I put this with the other cards, I may change the color.

Sentiment will come later before sending it to my client.

I may add something to this one or change the color of the paper .  It just looks as if something is missing.

Thanks for viewing.  You have given these cards and myself some really nice comments last week as well as this week.  Thank you so very much for your support and kindness.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

"Two More Holiday Cards"

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.  
How often do you start on a project and nothing goes correct for you?  It could be anything (cooking, cleaning, writing, public speaking, knitting, card making,etc).
We think or verbally say, "it is not my day" or " the odds are stacking up against me".
What a morning it has been.  I started around 10 this morning working on cards.  I'm almost finish with the ones I'm doing for a client.  Tomorrow will probably be my last day if nothing goes wrong as it did today.  It is pass the lunch hour (that is if your lunch is at 12N).  I'm just getting around to typing this post.  You should (maybe not) see my trash can with all the cardstock I've torn up and die cuts I've shredded because of little problems that went wrong.  I don't know about you, but, I get a little more nervous when I'm making something for someone else.  One more day and I will be able to relax.
After numerous problems, here is what I want to share with you today:

Joy To The World
supplies:
  • Neenah white...Recollection black...Bazzill red cardstock
  • My Mind's Eye "Comfort and Joy paper pad
  • printed copy of "Joy To The World" lyrics from Pinterest
  • Spellbinders "lacy oval die"
  • Sizzix "Caged Bird" die
  • Sizzix "dots" embossing folder
  • Martha Stewart faux pearls


The Meaning Of Christmas
supplies: Kraft cardstock; Recollection red and Neenah white cardstock
Recollection "Christmas Noel" paper
Sizzix "Holiday greens" die
mixture of Prima and Petaloo flowers.


Hope everything is going well for you today.  

Thanks for stopping by today.  You are so welcome to leave a comment.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

"Holiday Happiness Using Penny Black Border Edgers Die"

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Today is going to be a busy, busy one for me.
 I only spent a couple of hours working on these two cards to share with you today then I'm off to accomplish other tasks that need my attention.
I'm still working on larger cards for my client and my goal is to be finish my Thursday night or early Friday morning so they can go postal.  She would like to start sending them out after Thanksgiving.
So here they are for  your viewing:


entry for WordArtWednesday Anything Goes - Challenge Weeks #256 - 257

"Peace On Earth
Supplies:
Neenah white cardstock;  American Crafts "Christmas Foil" cardstock; Recollections "Noel" paper pad
die: Spellbinders "Lattice Ornaments and Penny Black "border edgers".
Recollection sticker for the sentiment

"Jesus Is The Reason For The Season
Supplies:
Neenah white cardstock; DCWV "The Shimmer Stack: Recollection black cardstock
die: Penny Black "border edgers" and Echo Park "Nativity Border Die Set"
stamp: Stampendous! "Nativity Christmas"
ink: Ranger distress "blueprint sketch"

The Penny Black Border Edgers Die makes these two cards look so pretty.  I like the way it cuts and the way it enhances an area on your card. This is just one of the dies that comes in the package.  The other one has a flower pattern (will use it at a later date).

Don't forget that today is "World Adoption Day".  World Adoption Day is a day to celebrate family...    a day to raise awareness for adoption... a day to raise funds to support families in their adoption.   Ambassadors from all over the world are organizing events and parties, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate World Adoption Day.   Join in as they create a day to celebrate the power and beauty of family brought together through adoption.

Thanks for viewing today.  Leave a comment if you desire and come again.  I always enjoy your company.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, November 14, 2016

"A Little Elegance"

Monday, November 14, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
We are back from a busy weekend. Trying to catch up on some of your posting and other things  today.  I did start last night and I have to tell you how great your projects are.  Beautiful, exquisite, stunning, awesome and some I will be casing for next year.
I'm still working on Christmas cards...not necessarily for myself but for an order for someone else.  Remember when I wrote about the little cards....how some people like what they see but would rather have something like what they would buy out of a card shop (5 x 7 size).... this is what I've been working on.
For the supplies on this first card...I've used

  • Neenah white cardstock; Recollections Signature  Paper Pad (it looks like glitter paper but it is cardstock); white vellum paper; some speciality Kanban white paper
  • the dies that were used are Sizzix thinlits "garden greens" and Spellbinders "poinsettia"
  • Martha Stewart white faux pearls
  • stamp and ink that was used: Hero Arts "Christmas sentiments" with Hampton Arts gold pigment ink
this will be entered in WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com
Anything Goes - Challenge Weeks #256 - 257

This second card is one that is still in the smaller size (it is not for my client).
Supplies that were used:
  • Neenah white cardstock for the A2 base; Recollection black cardstock for layering; Recollections "Christmas" paper pad for focal layers 
  • NUVO  "ruby slippers" crystal drops
  • Offray ribbon



After a little relaxing today, I will get back to my order and hope to share some of those cards with you.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment.  I'll never know that you visited unless you tell be so.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, November 11, 2016

"Just What Was I Thinking"

Friday, November 11, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
You know and I know that today is Friday.  It is also Veterans' Day.
We are so thankful for all the men and women who served and is still serving our country.  This is a great USA and we are so proud of it.  Don't move to Canada, we need you here!  America is beautiful and we love every square inch of it.
Here are some cards that I'm posting here for your view today.  They are some that I made... put aside... and ask myself "what were you thinking" when you made them.  I don't drink anything stronger than Pepsi or Coke products so that was not the reason they came out looking the way they did.
The reason for saving these cards:  so a day would come just like today, where I could post with this title "what was I thinking".
Look, laugh and come back Monday when I think I'll do better (lol):




Have a fantastic weekend.  
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, November 10, 2016

"Passing YOU Some Of My JOY"

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Hello friends, followers, visitors, and viewers.
How are you doing today?  Really, how are you?
Are you feeling as if you are in a bad dream and cannot wake up?
Is the pressure of losing a family member so overwhelming that you can't seem to shake the emotions that comes with it?
Do you feel so unhappy as if the pressure of the world activities are on your shoulders?
It all depends on where you put your faith.  My faith is in the one who made the world.  HE is still in control.  If I believe in HIM, then, I'm okay.  You see, this day, at this moment, at this present time, I still have JOY.  I want to pass on some of my JOY to you.
Open your heart and receive it.  Jesus is the reason for my joy now and during all the times of the year!  Not just during Thanksgiving and Christmas, but ALL times.  Those times that I feel sad.  Those times when I lose a family member.  Those times when world activities are overwhelming.  HE is here for me ALL the times.
Look at these two cards I made and see if they make you feel better.  Or, see if they bring you JOY!

entry for WordArtWednesday

Supplies:
  • Neenah white cardstock;  American Crafts Christmas Foil cardstock;  Recollection green cardstock
  • dies used; Cottage Cutz (Candles & Pines);  Spellbinders (Lattice Ornaments)
  • stamp used: Hero Arts poly clear Christmas sentiments
  • ink: Hampton Arts gold pigment ink


Supplies:
  • Neenah white cardstock (base and die cuts); Recollection green cardstock; Bazzill red cardstock
  • dies used: Our Daily Bread Designs (Layered Lacey Ovals); Cottage Cutz (Candles & Pines); Sizzix thinlits (Holiday Words: script)
James 1:2-3
Trials and Temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois