Sunday Peace...

Hey there Journey friends!  I'm here to share a little project I created this weekend using some goodies from my special delivery on Friday.  I received my box full of goodies ordered from the Spring into Summer mini catalog and when I saw the new steel rule die, I knew I had to play!

I've had this wooden cross for over six month and it's been sitting in my craft room just waiting for the perfect time to shine!  Sooo... I got out some Gold shimmer paper and used my Journey Platinum to cut out the posies and leaves, then headed to my stamping room to spritz and add color and a little Gold Silk splatter.  Such a yummy, yummy color collection!

After the ink dried, I started bending and manipulating the paper so I could create some pretty flowers.  I also diecut some of the wrapping paper that FSJ carefully wraps and packages our shipments in.  This kraft paper really adds to the fun of the piece, I think.  I decided to give a little stamped element to the krafty paper by using the Postage Stamp ATS and some Hazelnut Blend ink. Perfect for the texture I was going for!

If you may notice, I stenciled using the Starburst Lines Stencil and applied a light coat of modeling paste with my finger onto two of the flowers.  That gave another note of dimension to my flowers. After the three flowers were assembled to my liking, I arranged them onto the cross.  I layered some of the leaves (scored to create a fold line for dimension) and added some Whip Cream floral spray diecuts from the Spring Into Summer Mini.  I just LOVE these dies!

The finishing touch was adding some Green Olive ribbon and some jute at the top.  Such a fun project...I know I'll be making more ! :)

FSJ Items Used on this piece:
Stamps:  Postage Stamp ATS
Inks:  Hazelnut Blend Ink, Gold Silk, Lavender Color Splash, Watermelon Color Splash, Sweet Berry Color Splash, Pineapple Smoothie Color Splash, Lemon Grass Color Splash
Dies:  Summer Bouquet Steel Rule Die, Bloom Cluster Die, Summer Branch Die
Stencils:  Starburst Lines
Modeling Paste
Whip Cream Cardstock, Gold Pearled Cardstock
Olive Green Satin Ribbon, Natural Journey Twine
Clear Blooms Accents

Non FSJ items:
Distressed Wooden Cross was found in the wood elements section of Michaels about six months ago.
Jute

It'll be alright...

Hello Journey friends,

Today I'm sharing a few cards I created after a fellow coach reached out to me (and other coaches) in hopes to send some well wishes for a friend...I had a mission to create a card that would help her friend keep her spirits up during some trying times.  

I had plans of using the Cupcake Liner Die this week and this card was the perfect opportunity to pull it out and experiment.  I love using this die in unexpected and different ways and using it on a card gives me a chance to do that.  The scallop and the arch on this die allow for the perfect layout design on a card.  

After stamping the diecut, I softened up the ink a bit with some Butter Cream ink.  I mounted this diecut onto some Yummy and Delicious Printed paper that I had mounted onto a brown panel and Butter Cream card base.  I also added the sentiment by using the Circle and Scalloped circle punches.  Fussy cutting the stamped leaves and adding the ribbon/twine bow was next. The final touch was adding some sparkle dust on some of the "berries".  

Stamping all over the ButterCream cardstock diecut allowed me to add some pattern to the card and a little feminine touch...Perfect for this card.

I don't often go all out on the insides of my cards, but I felt this card needed just as much a beautiful inside as the outside...I hope the recipient "gets that message".

Since I had half of the stamped diecut left, I decided to make another card with my leftovers.  This time, I selected some gold stripe vellum (LOOOOVVVEEE IT) mounted on Butter Cream panel and a Bubblegum Pink card base.

So there you have it...Two cards created with one cupcake diecut!  I like how both cards turned out and I hope the recipient finds her card a comfort during her trying times.  

You can purchase any of the FSJ items by heading to my shop HERE or click on the items below:   

Stamp Set:  Lead Me
Inks:  Bubble Gum, Butter Cream, Cocoa Powder, River Stone, Sweet Pear, Lemon Grass
Papers: Bubble Gum, Butter Cream, Cocoa Powder, Yummy Prints, Vellum Designer Prints
Dies and Punches:  1 1/2 inch Circle Punch, 1 3/4 inch Scalloped Circle Punch, Cupcake Liner
Ribbon/Twine:  Cocoa Powder Gingham, Natural Thread
Embellishing Elements:  Hearts and Stars Wooden Buttons, Sparkle Dust
Glues and Adhesives:  Small Foam Squares, Journey Craft Glue, Journey Glaze
Non FSJ Items:  Seam Binding

I'll be back again tomorrow for the Season's Givings Blog Hop...It's HUGE...Won't you stop back tomorrow to see what I've created and what I'll be GIVING away to one special blog reader...

Happy New Year!

Cancer Sucks!

It's with a heavy heart that I'm writing this post.  I received word this Friday that my cousin Wayne passed away after a very short and private battle with cancer.  His cancer was aggressive and at stage IV when he was diagnosed a little over a month ago.  Just this June, he unexpectedly lost his precious buddy Bella Angelina, who I'm sure now, left this world in preparation for his Homecoming.  

In honor of his wishes, I kept his struggle within family reach, but quietly prayed for a miracle or God's mercy for more time on earth.  I guess it wasn't mean't to be.  Although I don't understand the reason why he was taken so soon, I have faith that GOD always has a plan, and I pray that this knowledge brings comfort to so many aching hearts.  My only wish is that his family believes it too, and knows that someday, we'll all be together again.

I'm so terribly sad for my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Leland who are experiencing the loss of their youngest son.  I can't imagine the pain and the sorrow in their hearts.

 I'm sad for his wife Carol who lost her adventurous partner in life and their baby Bella all too soon.

I'm sad for his older brother Todd (and family) who remain with treasured memories that will lift their sorrows and carry them through.

I'm sad for my Dad and his brother and sisters who have lost a smart, dedicated, hard working, and loyal nephew.

I'm sad for Wayne's friends who will hold memories of all their adventures and see his gentle smile on the face of a stranger passing by.

Yep...Cancer SUCKS!

As for me, well, you read it, I'm sad!   Not so much for myself, but for the many, many people I care about who are impacted by Wayne's passing.  In grief and sadness (and in happy times), I retreat to my stamping room, always on a mission to create a smile, inspire a memory, garner some hope...Today, I went up to my room and carried on...to create some hope for my family...

PS....See those red hearts?  Every...single...heart...represents a condolence that was posted on my facebook message post yesterday...I appreciate your condolences but somehow, I don't feel right in accepting them. They're really not for me, they're for Wayne.... so....I'll be packaging them up...all of them...and sending them off to Wayne's Mom and Dad...I hope they feel our love...

RIP Cousin Wayne!  You were an amazing man and I'm honored to be your cousin.  I'll see you again when it's my time to come.  Please give Grandma and Grandpa a BIG hug for me.

Even closer to GOD now Wayne!  (photo from his FB collection) 

Bella was waiting for you, I'm sure!  Welcome HOME, Wayne!  (photo from his FB collection)

Faithbooking...

Hello stamping friends,

I was inspired to create this little Faithbook journal when I received this lovely book from one of my students before we headed off for Spring Break.  I so appreciate when my students think of me with hand-picked treasures and am blessed to know that in a crazy sensitive world we live in today, they felt comfortable and safe sending this treasure to me.  I've read several of the prayers, love the selections, and have found it comforting to read...even in the car.  The chocolates are yummy too!!!

I wanted to create a little book where I could compile my most favorite and inspirational scriptures and while I was making it, I thought of friends that might also enjoy one of these little faithbooks to fill with their heart blessings.

Here are a few of my favorites from the book.  They will be included in my faithbook:

Sooo...here is the first of my series of faithbook journals.  This was placed in the mail today and will be heading to someone special.  I hope she shares the pages she creates inside...and in the weeks to come, I hope to share my pages too...

Blessings!

I colored the stamped image with Copics (R32, 42, 81; E93; B000; G82; YG25) colored pencils and shimmer chalks.  It's a bit sparkly, but not too much.

 I took a photo to show that the pages inside are plenty...Many spaces to create fabulous and inspirational pieces.

Antique Gold Rub-N-Buff adorns the cover.  Perfect for the golden blessings that will be created from the heart.

All tied up with a pretty button bow...and the sentiment is a reminder, to keep faith in your heart...