Red, White and Blue - This Week's Theme

It seems like I've been crafting in themes here lately.  This week has been red, white and blue because of the Memorial Day Weekend.

So in continuation of the Memorial Day holiday - here are my red, white and blue flip flop cards.

I used the Die Hard of the Month Club stamp and die set from The Stamps of Life.  I also ordered the coordinating stamp set that came out later in the month.  The sentiments are all from the Stamps of Life flip flop sets.

I am a sucker for a flip flop, so this set was perfect for me.

For this card I didn't pull in the red so it's just blue and silver.  lol  I guess I left out the white, too.

Check out the Die Hard Club at The Stamps of Life if you like this set.  I have been thrilled with my membership.  And I don't work for them.  :-)

Stop by next week for a new theme - it's kicks - all about the footwear.

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Proverbs  13:3  Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. 

WOYWW 260 - Woo Hoo - A Celebration!

Congrats to Ms. Julia who has been hosting this awesome weekly desk hop at The Stamping Ground for 5 years!  I don't think I've done anything once a week for 5 years.

I am not going to particpate in the ATC swap because I am not an ATC maker.  I tried and failed miserably last year.  But I got some awesome ATC's in return for my poor attempt.  I hope those who are participating have loads of fun.  :-)

Here is my work desk this week:

I have come to the conclusion that even if my craft room was one giant table top - it still wouldn't be enough.

Thanks for stopping by.  Again - congrats to Julia - you go girl.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

1 Timothy 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

My New Cricut Explore - The First Creation

I told you guys I would get it.  I missed out on it the day it debuted on HSN.  I was actually working late that night, but I think I got done around 11:00pm.  After all the excitement of work, I plum forgot that it was coming on in an hour.  By the time I remembered the next day - they were sold out.

I cannot tell you how many time I put it in my cart.  Then, one day in May, I decided to take the plunge.  I had to try this new machine out.  I bought it.  Then I walked out to my mailbox and what did I find?  A coupon for 15% off because it was my birthday month!  OH NO!  So I called HSN and told the sweet customer service rep what had happened.  She said because it was on flex pay, she couldn't add the coupon.  I asked if the coupon would even work on the Explore.  She said she didn't know.  She didn't see any exclusion, but couldn't be sure.  I asked if she could cancel the order.  She said - 'Sure I can.'  I at least had to try to use the coupon.

Long story (too late), I got my new Cricut Explore at 15% off.  Happy Birthday to me.  :-)

Here is my first creation:

I just picked the first image that I liked and cut it out.  I love how it separates the colors by mat.  All I had to do was put the paper on the mat and feed it into the machine.

I plan on trying out box cards next.  I'll share the results.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

John 5:24  Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

Happy Memorial Day and Thank You to Those Who Have Served

I just want to say as I am sitting around enjoying my day off, that the reason I have this day off is because of all those men and women who have given their lives in service to their country.

I want to thank those men and women, past and present;  those who have left us and those who are still with us, who have served their country.  They didn't do it for the glory - they did it for love of country and freedom.

One of the most patriotic places in America is Washington D.C.  When we visited 2 years ago - I was amazed at the pride in country induced by all of that history and celebration of those who have made this country great.

Here are a couple pictures in honor of Memorial Day:

Take a moment to remember all who have served and then enjoy your day.

Per Presidential Proclamation:
Please unite at 11:00am to pray for permanent peace
and at 3:00pm to honor the fallen in a National Moment of Remembrance

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Proverbs 14:33  Wisdom rests in the mind and heart of him who has understanding.

The Progression

I don't know about anyone else, but my cards take time.  It's kind of like a fine wine - it needs time to age. Well, maybe it's not as complicated as a fine wine, after all it is paper, but I like to create a card, leave it and come back later to add the details.

I participated in a blog hop this weekend for OWH.  Anyone who has frequented my blog knows I make the majority of my cards for OWH.  I, of course, waited until the day before the hop to make my card.  I had actually been designing it in my head the whole time.  And it looks nothing like the picture in my head.

Here is the first draft of the card:

I thought it was a little plain, but when I made it - I couldn't see what detail I needed to add to make it look more finished.

Then this morning - I did this:

I think the little bit of stitching I added just gave the card a little more pop.

The next card I made right afer I made the first card.  There was only one thing I needed to do to it:

Can you see what the problem is?

The sentiment was upside down!  I didn't realize it until I was putting the picture in my post for the blog hop.  Oh well - it's fixed now and our heroes who get this card won't even know it was messed up.  lol

Do your cards progress or are you spot on with the first pass?  I'd love to see your beginning and ending.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

OWH Blog Hop - Red White and Blue

Today is the OWH Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop.



I loosely followed OWH sketch 225 for my card.

Here is my first version:

and then I took it a little further:

I didn't notice at the time my heart was upside down.  :-)  What do ya do?

Please hop on over to The OWH Red White and Blue Memorial Day Blog Hop and enjoy all the eye candy. And then while you're inspired, go make some cards for OWH.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Romans 3:23 - 24  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

WOYWW 258 - A Whirlwind Went Through It

It is once again that time of the week where we all take a picture of our work area and link them up on
 Julia's Blog.  My work area is a disaster area!  I went to an all day crop on Saturday and 'finished' 18 pages.  Then on Sunday morning I whipped up a graduation card before church.  And after church I whipped up 4 Mother's Day cards along with making broccoli salad.  My weekend flew by!

Here is my messy messy desk:

I should call it the after math.

I am off to go see everyone elses mess - uh - I mean work area.  :-)

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Psalm 61:1  Oh God listen to my cry!  Hear my prayer!

Watercolor Fun

I've seen so many examples of water coloring so I purchased a set from Hero Arts and decided to give it a try.

Here is my first attempt.  I stamped my sentiment in Versamark and then heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  I then took my water colors and my water brush and went to work.

Thank for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Revelation 1:8  I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

The Gift of Cards

As you know if you've read any of my blog posts, I try to keep a stash of cards for different occasions so that I have them when I need them.  Right now I am good on get well cards.  Hmmm - that's about it.  I did create 2 sets of cards that I can give as gifts though.  They have the same design, but in different colors and with different sentiments.  You will notice that I used a design I'd used on a sympathy card previously.  But I think the variety of colors is a nice addition.

I added some stitching which is different than the previous cards.  I downloaded some boxes for cards and if I have the time I will make a box for these card sets.

I used a Hero Arts stamp set, Hero Arts ink and sentiment stamps by Paper Smooches and Avery Elle.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

John 16:24  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete.

Technology - It is a love hate relationship

Hi everyone.  I have been missing in action as of last week.  It wasn't because I didn't try to post.  No!  It was because of computer issues.  Or internet issues.  Or - I wish I knew!  LOL

The computer I do my posts on is probably 5 years old if not a little older.  That's old for a computer.  When I purchased it, I purchased the newest and best thinking that it would last longer.  I think it did, but I think the old guy is slowing down.  It has been sooooo slllloooowwww over the past week.  And when I try to save or publish a blog post, it gives me an error.  :-(  But the other day my work computer was moving along very slowly too.  That made me think it might be an internet problem.  WHO KNOWS!  All I know is I am not able to post and it's a little frustrating.

Suffice it to say - I am still around, I am just experiencing technical difficulties.  I sound like a broken record.  I know I've said this before.  Maybe it's just me.  LOL

I plan on trying to post what I was going to post last week this week.  We'll see if it works.

In the meantime, happy Cinco de Mayo.  Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Proverbs 9:10  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

WOYWW 256 - Lots of Trying New Things

Well, it is once again my favorite time of the week where we all go to Julia's Blog and post pictures of our work areas.  If you are not familiar with what I'm talking about - go check out her blog.  You will be amazed at all the talent from around the world sharing their desks.

Here is my desk:

I've been dabbling in water color and using some stamp sets that I've had for a while, but have not used.

I'm off to visit other desks.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

April

Romans 15:7  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.