God's amazing provision...

I don't have a card for you this morning, but I do have a story of God's amazing provision. It's nearing Jesus birthday...how like our loving God that we get all the presents. This story actually happened in August, but I've never shared it with you, so thought in honor of Jesus birthday I'd share it now. My daughter who is a single mom, is finishing up her schooling in nursing (she has just till May and she graduates!) She has been very blessed to have gotten a couple of scholarships and a student loan to pay for most of the expense of her tuition and books. But as you know schooling is expensive besides all the add ons like uniforms, gas to travel for clinicals and back and forth to classes. She has been blessed by having a PRN (as needed) job at a rural hospital so really doesn't have any set hours, and doesn't always get enough hours to pay her rent and car payment, groceries etc. My husband and I have helped out as we have been able, but we don't always have the extra either. In August she was not going to be able to have enough money for her rent ($500). She had not gotten enough hours of work at the hospital that month. I pray for my kids and grandkids everyday...they believe in God, but don't really have a close relationship with Him. I had been praying for Jenny financially as she tries to get through her schooling and God has come through everytime by either getting her more work or my hubby and I having the extra money she needed. This time however, God provided in an unexpected, amazing way. Two days before her rent was due, she received a refund check from the college for $514.00. She had no refund coming. There was no reason for her to get that check. But even more amazing...the check was written a year ago. She called the college to see what was going on and they verified it was a good check and she could cash it, but they couldn't explain it either! The bank accepted and cashed it even tho it was over a year old and it said "void after 90 days". Do we not serve an amazing God? He knew of Jenny's need a year in advance. The answer to prayer was already provided just awaiting the right moment for it to be answered. I don't know about you, but it sends chills up my spine to know our God loves us that much. This Christmas season don't forget to thank God for all the gifts he's given you...the hug from a friend, a roof over your head, family, too many gifts to mention. But most of all, the gift of His son Jesus who died for us so that we can have this wonderful closeness and eventual home with the God who loves us so much. Merry Christmas to all my papercrafting friends. I'm hoping to get things back on track after the holidays and start posting more artwork again. It's been a crazy couple of weeks for me!

It's just one of those cards.....

Have you ever had one of those cards that you had pictured in your mind to make, but when you were done it just wasn't what you were thinking? That's where I am with this one. I made this card for the Sweet Sunday sketch (flipped it on it's side) and the Stampin' Sisters in Christ "Use your treasures" challenge. I thought that I would like the patterned paper, but it's way too busy once I got it put together. But...I had way too much time invested in it already to start over. So...it is what it is.

Here's a close up of my "treasure". The cookbook charm I've been saving to use for homemade treats I've made for a gift.

And the inside of the card.

And a close up of the inside. Stamps were Magnolia (Tilda) and Holiday Treats from Papertrey Ink, with a Martha Stewart punch.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you're having a wonderful day. I'm getting ready to start my Christmas treat making binge. What do you think the chances are of me not snacking the whole time I'm making....yeah not great!

Stampin Sisters & Friday Sketchers Challenges

I had a little time today so I combined a couple sketch challenges into one card. The pictures don't do justice to the actual colors of the card. It's overcast and yucky outside today, so therefore it's kinda dark in my scrap room :( This card is for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge...to let someone know you're praying for them..and the sketch is from Friday's Sketchers.

Front of the card

Inside of card

And the sentiment....

Hope you're having a wonderful day. We're supposed to get snow this evening. Just not ready for that yet...maybe a couple weeks? Thanks for stopping by.

Swirly Girly....

This card is for Cute Card Thursday sketch challenge. It's all about girls... anything girly will do! I love this stamp from "The Greeting Farm". I've already made several cards with this stamp. She so reminds me of my youngest daughter dragging around her rabbit everywhere she went. I can't use it without thinking about Jenny! Happy Friday everyone...the weekend is on it's way! Have a great one!

Thinking of you....

Wow, it felt really good to be able to get my stuff out and create today. It's been several days since I've had the chance between working and picking out pecans and company from the holidays. This card is for Mercy Tuesday's sketch challenge. I really love the way this turned out. I didn't really have any idea in mind, I just kinda "went" with it. The stamp is from "My Cute Stamps"

and the paper is "Turning a New Leaf" from Papertrey Ink

I also used punches from Martha Stewart for the leaves and the border. Sentiment stamp from "On my couch" also from Papertrey Ink. Hoping to get a couple more cards done today, but I hear the pecans calling me, so don't know if it'll happen or not today. We have to get them picked up before the squirrels and the blue jays and crows eat them all! We leave them the little ones, but pick up the big ones.

Have a great day...thanks for stopping by!

Giving gifts...

The challenge over at Stampin' Sisters in Christ this week was to create a card that portrayed a gift. I have three of those that will fit the challenge, so am posting all three! I am happy to say I have all my Christmas cards completed and just need to get them mailed. I think that is a first for me this year. There are no two the same this year either. That also is a first. Usually I just have 2 or so designs and make multiples. Because I got an early start this year I was able to take my time and make them all different. That is definitely worth repeating next year!

This card uses the Santa stamp from the Believe set from Papertrey Ink.

I'm not sure what stamp this is. Paper is from Cosmo Cricket.

Here again is the stamp from the Believe set from Papertrey Ink. Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!

Giving Thanks....where it belongs

I don't know about you, but I have a tendency to overlook the wonderful things that God does in my life. Oh, not the big, amazing things that you KNOW could have ONLY been divine in origin. ( I have had a couple of those). It's all those little things that I tend to pass off as coincidence. You know, like finding something that I needed when the budget was tight that is suddenly 50% off....or getting to work an overtime shift when I was short just a few dollars from making ends meet this time. I have a feeling that I pass those off too many times when really they are like a "kiss" from God. A heavenly hug sent down that says "hey sheryl, just wanted to let you know I'm here and thinking of you, here's a little gift"

Because I don't ever want to take God for granted, I decided today to make a book of remembrance. I call it "A Journal of the Amazing Things God Has Done In My Life" What better verse could I find then Psalm 98:1 "Oh sing a new song; for He has done marvelous things!" God has done some radical work in my life over the last couple of years. I'm so very grateful to Him for that. I enjoy a peace that I yearned for and now at last have. I hope on this Thanksgiving weekend you remembered to thank the One from whom all blessings flow. Thanks for dropping by and God bless!

Be a Lighthouse...

Jesus described His followers this way: "You are the light of the world...Let your light shine". See yourself as a lighthouse for others in the sea of life. Some may be caught in a storm, some may be drifting aimlessly, and some may be completely lost. To such people, shine some light on their path. Whenever you encounter people in trouble, trauma, or loneliness, be there with the gift of light in the darkness. A small gesture of support or a gentle word of encouragement can make the difference between giving up or going on. May you all be blessed with a wonderful Thanksgiving...remembering to give thanks to the One who gave the most of all.

I totally cased the card from Judy Rozema. So the credit goes to her for design! Thanks Judy wherever you are!

Wow, it seems like forever since I've posted anything. Life gets in the way of creating....that's just not fair! I'm off for the next few days, so hoping to get some challenge cards done and increase my stash of Christmas cards a little. Here's one I've been working on a few minutes here and a few minutes there. I bought a few of the Magnolia stamps to play with; they are fun so fun to color. I've been picking out pecan meats every free chance I get. God has blessed us this year with an abundance of pecans! They make great Christmas gifts...a big bag of pecan meats! My mom and sister will each get one. I'll still have plenty to put in the freezer too! Hope you all have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Farm Fresh Friday sketch challenge

Good Saturday morning! I was excited this morning to ink up my first Magnolia stamp and play using the Farm Fresh Friday sketch challenge. I can tell that these stamps are going to be addictive! They really are sooo cute. I have lots of grandkids stuff to do today so this will be the only challenge I get done today...then four 12 hour shifts in a row starting Sunday, so unfortunately, no time to play for the next few days....

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend and I'll see ya all soon!

Cute Card Thursday/Friday Sketcher Card

I don't have much time today for playing, but I did at least get to take a few minutes and make a quick card for the Cute Card Thursday and Friday Sketcher Challenges. Cute card Thursday challenge is "glitter me silly". I used glitter dotted paper and some glitter spots for my glittering and used the sketch from Friday Sketcher to complete 2 challenges in one.

Here's a close-up of the glittered dot paper, which is really cute I thought. Does everyone have big plans for the weekend? I'm watching one grandson in Championship Football this weekend and also attending another grandson's chili supper/school function, so I'll be busy. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend also. Take care and thanks for stopping by!

Babies are coming!

I haven't had a chance to do any challenge cards for the last couple of days as I seem to have to go to work to make money to pay bills! But I do have a couple of cards I haven't posted yet. Two girls at work are just about ready to have babies so I got a jump start on their cards. I know for sure one is a boy.....hopefully the other will be a girl!


This one is a cute little image from Pink Cat Studio. I glittered up the fairy wings to give it some sparkle. No sure what the problem was with the coloring on this one. I think it might have been my first copic card and I hadn't learned to blend yet! LOL!

This one is for the little cowboy! Also from Pink Cat Studio. I'll be glad to get back to creating this weekend, and catching up on the challenges! Hope you're all having a good week! One more 12 hour shift to go for me! Thanks for stopping by!

It's Mojo Monday....where's my coffee?

It's a new day. It's still dark outside. I stumble out of bed to the coffee pot and mechanically put it to task....wake me up...give me some MOJO!
Here's my card for Mojo Monday. The sentiments say it all. No life without coffee!
Have a great day!

Stampin' Sisters and Sweet Sunday sketch

I made this card this morning for the Sweet Sunday sketch and the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge. The SSIC challenge was to make a patriotic card to honor our soldiers and the Bible verse John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends". I used the sketch from the Sweet Sunday challenge so I was able to do both challenges in one card.

There will be alot of Veterans Day parades etc this week honoring our soldiers. There's nothing more beautiful then the rows of waving American Flags in the cemetery called "The Avenue of Flags". Don't forget to offer up a special prayer this week for them as they continue to fight for freedom and our safety.

I know the plans.....Unscripted sketch #30

I try to spend my Saturday's doing faith-based cards. Cards to encourage and lift people up. The way the world is today there seems to be more than enough opportunities to send out these type of cards. There is always someone going through something who needs a little encouragement to stand strong. I used the sketch from Unscripted along with papers from CTMH and stamp from Verve. Ribbon and crystals from PaperTrey Ink, and flowers from my stash. This will be it for me today...have other stuff I need to do.
Remember to be a blessing to someone else today! Later, thanks for dropping in again!

Card Patterns #40

Hello again! Here's my card for Card Patterns #40 sketch. I used my sock monkey Riley stamp again cause he's just so cute! I think I'm overdoing the "Embrace Happiness" sentiment tho! It just fits so well with all the images I've been doing lately with all the huggin' and squeezin' going on! I'll have to see what else I have that would fit with the theme. Thanks for dropping by yet again! Have a wonderful weekend....don't forget to take time to create!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge

I just about missed this last weeks challenge over at Stamping Sisters in Christ posted last Saturday. So I quickly made this card this morning. The challenge was to make a card that reminds us that God is always with us. This verse touched me as it tells me that God himself brings me to Him. He carries me through all of my problems, my trials, my worries, if I will just let Him lift me up on His wings and bring me to Him. He's always there for each of us. Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful blessed day.

Our Daily Bread - show us the shimmer!

I decided I'd do another card for the "show us the shimmer" challenge over at Our Daily Bread. I'm still loving this little girl with her bunny from The Greeting Farm. I found some shimmery dots and along with the stickles on her dress I think it fit the bill! If you click on the picture you'll be able to see the shimmer a little better. Hoping you all have a wonderful weekend. I think we are having company for a little awhile, but otherwise I don't have a thing planned except enjoying it. Hope you all get to do the same. I'm going to try and get some challenge cards done this weekend, so I'll probably see you again! Thanks for stopping by!

Cute Card Thursday...

Here's my entry for cute card thursday challenge. The challenge was to make a care using primary colors red, blue and yellow. I actually had made this one a while back, but it fit perfectly with this weeks challenge! I cased this card from someone, but can't remember who it was as it's been some time since I made it.

It's supposed to be another beautiful day here in southeast Kansas, so hoping to get rid of the nagging headache I woke up with so I'll feel like getting out and enjoying the sunshine. We have a ton of pecans to pick up under our trees, so need to do that also...those things are so expensive in the store these days! We our blessed with about 14 pecan trees and they were loaded with nuts this year! Yippee! I'll be cracking and picking out pecans all winter long. Have a wonderful day!

Mojo Monday on Wednesday!

I snapped this stamp up when I saw it over at The Greeting Farm as my daughter will be graduating as an RN in not too long a time. I couldn't wait to ink it up and play a little. I used Mojo Monday sketch and came up with this. I'll have to make up a few images and practice coloring so I can have that perfect card by the time she graduates! Since I am a nurse also, and work among many friends at the hospital, I'm sure I'll find plenty of reasons to use this particular stamp! Have a great evening!

Mercy Tuesday and a sock monkey!

Hello again! I love Riley the moose. Here's a brand new stamp with a friend of his....sock monkey. As you can see....I love sock monkeys too! My mother used to make these for me when I was little, and also for my girls when they were little. I was surprised but happy to see them making a comeback in some of the stores around the area. Tho these days sock monkey comes in a variety of colors! This is my take on Mercy Tuesday sketch challenge. I used prismacolor pencils and OMS to color, paper from Cosmo Cricket and sentiment, buttons and card stock PaperTrey Ink. Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Sunday Sketch/ Our Daily Bread Challenge

Good Wednesday Morning! It's good to be back to creating after being gone for a few days. I miss it when I can't at least make one card a day! I'll have several challenges to catch up on today along with laundry and all the other chores and errands needing to be done. I've combined a couple challenges in this card. The sweet sunday sketch I kinda took artistic license with and shortened it up a little....Our Daily Bread Challenge was to use some shimmer on your card. I used stickles on the little girls dress...I have to name this little girl Jenny even tho it's not her official name because if you scroll down you'll see the inspiration for this card.....

Close up of the shimmer.....

And this is Jenny...(she'd not to speak to me for awhile if she knew I was posting this picture) when she was 8 (she's 29 now!) This was her very favorite toy for years...his name was Hug-A- Bunny. She received it when her grandpa died as something to "snuggle" with. She and her sister were very close to their grandpa, and were very upset when he passed away. She still has "Hug-A- Bunny" to this day.

When I saw this stamp called "Snuggle" from "The Greeting Farm" I just had to get it so I could make this card for my daughter. I think she'll appreciate it! Have a wonderful day. Till later...

Unscripted sketch 29

This will be my last card today, and for a few days actually as I have 3 days of 12 hour shifts coming up, so no time to craft for a while. This card is for the Unscripted Sketch. I used my beloved Cosmo Cricket paper again paired with a Gink K stamp from awhile back. Ribbon and sentiment from Papertrey, and clip is from CTMH. I hope to be able to practice a little more with my copics and get better with coloring. Need to check out a few tutorials I think! Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight before bed...daylight savings time ends! Hurrah for the extra hour of sleep!

Have a good rest of the weekend. Later!

Card Patterns Saturday Challenge #39

I have been doing several blue Santas this year for some reason. I wonder if he minds? I have 3 different challenges I'm going to try and get in on today, so if you check back later there may be another post! This is for the Card Patterns challenge if you want to go over and check out the sketch.

I just got back a little bit ago from the big Neewollah parade (Halloween spelled backwards!). If you're not from around southeast Kansas, it's a very big deal around here. Lots of bands from all over Kansas, floats, clowns etc. This year there was 144 entries into the parade, so it's usually always at least 2 hours long. There's also a carnival, food stands, arts and crafts, theaters, numerous bands, (some well known..Smash Mouth for one this year, and some not so well known) but always good! It carries on for almost a week. I usually don't go as I don't like to fight the crowd (trust me, there are huge crowds),but I decided to go with my daughter and grandson this year. I must say, I'm glad I did. It was fun. But I opted out of the carnival and rides and came on home...after all...I have card challenges to do! Have a great Saturday!

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge Card

I love how this card turned out! I fell in love with PaperTrey Inks "On my couch" stamp sets designed by Lisa Johnson. It makes paper piecing furniture so much fun! Almost like re-arranging your house without all the effort. There's all kinds of lamps and pillows...even a cat you can put on the couch. Too much fun! I love just as much these papers from Cosmo Cricket. I reach for these papers all the time..(note to self, order some more soon!) This card is from the sketch challenge over at Taylored Expressions. Hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween. Remember to watch out for the little ones!

Thursday Cute Card & Friday Sketcher Challenge

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you are all doing wonderfully well! It is bitter cold here in Kansas with a brisk southwestern wind. I went for a walk earlier this afternoon and had to have a stocking cap, gloves, and 2 jackets! When I got back in, I was ready for a nice warm cup of cocoa! Which in turn fit right in with the Thursday Cute Card which was to make a card with a drink or cocktail on it. I used some liquid applique to look like whipped cream sprinkled with a little chocolate (brown chalk sprinkles). Hmmmm....
Here's a close up look of the "whipped cream"...

Now, I used the sketch from the Friday Sketcher site for the design of the card. Below is the sketch, so play along and make a card!

I'll be back later with a card from Taylor's Expression's cupcake challenge! If I don't see you again...have a wonderful weekend and spend some time with those important people in your life!

Got Milk? (You know, to dip the gingerbread man in?)

Good morning.....it's early, about 3AM central time. The day will soon be here with all it's challenges, but for now... got my coffee, waking up alittle before I spend some time with God, then off to work. I have a couple of 12 hour shifts to do the next couple days, so I won't be back until Friday to catch up on this weeks challenges.

This card is from an older sketch that I never posted. I used a little liquid applique on the "man" for frosting. Stamp is from PTI. I hope you all have a wonderful day. Remember, you're in charge of your own attitude! Make it a good one and be a blessing to someone today! Later...

Mercy Tuesday Sketch Challenge #45

Good morning! I poured myself a cup of coffee and started right to work on Mercy Tuesday's challenge card today. I took a little liberty and added the flower as another focal point as I thought it looked a little plain otherwise...still not sure if I like it all that well! Oh well, it is what it is!
I'm going to be making a special sympathy card for my sis and her hubby today. They had to put their little dog down yesterday due to cancer, and they are devastated. The dog was their faithful family member and went everywhere with them, loved like a child. Some people don't understand that love for a pet, but for those of us who love our furry friends the pain of loss is all too real. But I know that my God comforts in loss of pets too, because, that's just the way He is! What makes us, His children sad, makes Him sad also. Later...

Mojo Monday #110

I got my Papertrey Ink goodies in the mail today, so decided to use them for the Mojo Monday sketch challenge today. I used Holiday Button Bits and PTI paper along with aqua mist buttons. I was excited to find 2 glittered buttons in the batch that looked just perfect for Christmas tree bulbs, along with one that had some red swirls that fit right in with the color scheme! Can't get better then that! I would never have thought of using red and aqua mist and ocean tides together, but the colors were all in the patterned paper, so I gave it a try. The sun came out a little while ago, so I'm going to head out for a walk in a little bit. Have a great day. See you on Tuesday for Mercy Tuesday sketch challenge!

Sweet Sunday, 365 cards challenge & Stampin' Sister's in Christ Challenge

Hello everyone! Happy Monday to you all! I'm so happy that I was able to combine 3 challenges into one card this morning. Sweet Sunday challenge #41 for the sketch, 365 cards challenge to use some kind of stick pin, and Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge to show thankfulness. I even had the very verse stamp that was used for the inspiration over at Stampin' Sisters! I have to do a few chores around the house today before I can play anymore, but I'll be back later with the Mojo Monday sketch hopefully. In the meantime, thanks for stopping by. God Bless and have a wonderful day!

Card Patterns Saturday Challenge #38

It's a lazy Saturday with not much going on, so I whipped up this card for the Card Patterns

sketch challenge. It's a beautiful fall day outside, so am fixing to go outside and enjoy it. I might even get a chance to take a little nap this afternoon! Thanks for stopping by...I'll be back on Monday! Have a great rest of the weekend.

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge.....

Okay, this is my final challenge card for today. This challenge was from the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog site. The challenge this week is to make a card or project that features the nativity or religious theme of Christ's birth. I used a stamp set from Close To My Heart called Let us Adore Him. And although the actual scripture verse used on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ site was Luke 2:11, my verse is actually Luke 2:12. Papers and ribbon are also from CTMH. I hope you've enjoyed seeing all my challenge cards posted today, and also hope you jump on the challenge band wagon and do some challenges yourself. Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm...that cold October wind is blowing from the north....a good nite for soup I think. Till later......

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 88

Fridays sketch challenge over at Tayored Expressions is posted. I decided on doing Santa in a non-traditional color scheme. I must say I like it. It's a fairly simple card. I paper-pieced Santa's robe as I didn't have any copics or pencils that quite matched that color of blue.

Here's the sketch to follow:

Hop on over and see some of the great cards being posted for this challenge.

Christmas Joy - Friday Sketchers Challenge 75

I have several sketches to do today, so I'll post them as I get them done. Here's the first from "Friday's Sketchers" site. I don't make square cards very often, so it was fun to do something different from my norm. It's one more Christmas card done and in my stash ready to be mailed off after Thanksgiving! Yeah!
Here's the original sketch:

It's really fun to play along with these sketch challenges. It broadens your imagination, gets some cards done, and sometimes you even have a chance to win some fun stuff!

Cute Card Thursday...Challenge 83..Candy Corn

Today's challenge is "Candy Corn" which really is any candy or sweet themed card. I decided to use the gingerbread man from CTMH's "Gingerbread" stamp set. Sentiment is from Papertrey Ink "Everyday Button Bits" and paper is from Basic Grey "Figgy". I thought the gingerbread man had to have googly eyes, and a few sparkle buttons. I should have used liquid applique to make frosting swirls on his arms and legs, but was too lazy to go dig it out! I used to love to read my kids the gingerbread man story. Always when I'd made gingerbread cookies they'd play with them, chasing each other around chanting the gingerbread song "Catch me, catch me if you can...can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man... until they finally would chomp their heads off (including of course all the graphic screams of someone getting their heads chopped off, or arms, or legs...!) Makes me want to go whip up a batch of gingerbread cookies!

Have a happy day!

Sweet Sunday sketch challenge #40

Ahhh........my final post today...my final sketch challenge! It's tough working on the days of the sketch challenges cause then I have to make them all quickly to get them up in the right week! I was happy to see this sketch as it gave me a chance to break out my papertrey ink stamp set "Quilters Sampler". I haven't used this stamp set near as much as I should!

Sorry the picture is a little blurry. It was getting dark in my room, but didn't want to use flash!
I've had a good day catching up on all the challenges. Hope you all got to play a little today also!