"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

"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

                           

"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

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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

entry: wordartwednesday.blogspot.com 

           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

"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