Easter Blessings

Exploring Cricut and More Challenge Entry

Machine:  Silhouette Cameo 
SVG file:  Easter Blessings Frame and Cross
is a free file from Paper Yoga at: 
http://paperyoga.com/?s=Easter+Blessings

Easter Challenge:  Create a card, layout,
Paper Craft - any colors, include at least one
frame & one embellishment (jewel, brad, pearl).

 

Challenge is open until Saturday, April 12 10 PM (EST).

Check out the other challenge entries and play along by visiting Exploring Cricut and More at:
http://www.exploringcricut.blogspot.com/2014/04/its-easter-challenge.html

I pray you have a Blessed Easter...

Welcome Spring

So long Winter... We need the beauty of Spring to lift our spirits and brighten our day! Springtime....You are Welcome here!

Personalized Vinyl Piggy Bank Baby Gift

Plain piggy bank was purchased at Hobby Lobby on clearance.

Materials:  vinyl purchased from Expressions vinyl.  They have great instructions on their website with the best settings to cut your vinyl.

Cricut Cartridge used: Lyrical Letters
Simply personalized with childs Initial, Name and colorful circles.

I love giving personal gifts that will become a keepsake. Blessings!

Summer Memories on Winter Days

Oak Island, North Carolina

Anyone else feel like it has been a long Winter?
While scrapbooking beach photos tonight

I couldn't help just staring at the peaceful scene
of the sun sinking into the horizon.

Remembering the warmth on my face

and the wind in my hair, I was reminded

of why I scrapbook....preserving precious memories.

Just seeing these photos transported me to

my last vacation and all the peace, tranquility

and fun with family immediately brought a 

smile to my face.

Now, the other ladies I was scrapbooking with

may have thought I was a little off if

they noticed me staring in space with a smile, 

but we've all done this when we scrap...right?

What sparks your favorite memories

when you scrapbook?

 

A Time for Everything

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

 A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up; 

A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing; 

A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away

A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak; 

 A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A lot of time has passed since I've written on my blog.

I've had wonderful times with family and friends

and I've had hard times of health issues with surgery and tests.

Through it all I was reminded of these verses...

There is a time for everything.

So, wherever you find yourself today...

Remember, the hard days won't last forever.

There is a time for everything!

Cupcake Bar & Popcorn Bar for Celebrations

Build Your Own Cupcake Bar

Choose a Cupcake...Add Buttercream Icing &
Your Choice of Toppings.

All placed in Mason jars with spatulas &
long tea spoons to dip toppings.

Cupcake Flavors:  Red Velvet & French Vanilla

Fun Unique Topping Choices:  Marshmallows,
Cherry Chips, Pretzel Pieces, Crushed Peppermint,
Mint Chocolate Chips, Sugar Beads & Sprinkles

A Tiered Storage Basket Made the Perfect Cupcake Stand

I gave a surprise birthday celebration for my husband with a 

possible 100 people coming so I needed lot's of food but

also needed to hide it from my husband.  It all

needed to be easily prepared and easy to set up quickly.

 Popcorn Bar

 Build Your Own Popcorn - Add Your Own Seasonings 

Unique Seasonings:  Cinnamon/Sugar, Cajun,
Cheddar, Ranch, Parmasean

I started with buttered popcorn from
Subway in the bags for easy prep.

I purchased seasonings from Dollar Tree & Walmart in the

spice sections (actual popcorn seasonings in popcorn aisle
was much more expensive).  My favorite was a ranch seasoning in 

an envelope used for salads, etc.

Punch Recipe: 1/2 gallon raspberry sherbert,
1 gallon fruit punch & 2 liters 7 up.
It wouldn't all fit in a punch bowl so we guessed
and it was delicious & easy!

This was a fun celebration with easy
to prepare food for many friends!

 

Check Out this Cool Up-Cycling Project from Apron Strings and Favorite Things Blog

This used to be a stand to hold TV trays that was

antiqued and graphics added.  Now it's a lovely towel rack!

An old metal chair gets a new chic makeover!

Check out the link below to see the details!

Apron Strings and Favorite Things: Metal Chair, and TV Tray Stand, Makeover

Blessings to All!

Personalized Tumbler Glasses with Vinyl

Gift Ideas with Cricut Projects

My first try at cutting vinyl with my Cricut.
I love making practical gifts for friends/family &

creating something to let them know I care.

Cricut Settings used for vinyl

Pressure 3

Blade Depth 3

Speed 3

Lyrical Letters Cricut Cartridge used for Monogrammed Letters

This allows the vinyl to be cut but leaves the backing on

for easy removal of letters with tip of paper piercer

 or tip of exacto knife.

This is a great way to use small scraps of ribbon also.

Happy Crafting!

 

Hello Spring...So Long Winter!

Looking Forward to Sunnier Days

Anyone else really glad its Springtime?

I don't usually mind any of the seasons including Winter,

but I admit this has been a long Winter

and I'm so thankful Spring is here!

Winter brought many blessings to me

through times of health problems and resting

more than crafting, although I do have lots 

of ideas now to try out this Spring/Summer.

I look forward to seeing you in 

the blogging world once again

in these Sunnier Days of Spring!

God Bless!

 

Been a While...But Not Forgotten

Blogging Friends....

Life has been too busy,

but I certainly haven't forgotten you!

My Christmas projects are finished

with pictures taken, so...

Many paper craft Posts Coming Soon!

Merry Christmas!

 

Vintage Memory Tray Wall Hanging

Vintage Memory Tray

I made this for a friend's retirement and was inspired

by the party invitation showing a photo 

from many years ago. 

My favorite piece of the project.

When I recently bought my son new jeans,

the Union Bay jeans had this tag on them.

Cover the size with vintage ric-rac and a button.

Presto...Beautiful Vintage Tag for FREE!

 

Buttons, Ribbons & Lace...

 I purchased tray at Hobby Lobby.

It is made by The Paper Studio.

Papers are Die Cuts with a View, K & Company

& My Big Idea

Get Creative...Try Your Own!

Can't wait to get started on Christmas gifts now!

 

Beauty in Nature

Cumberland Falls

Corbin, Kentucky

 Such beauty in God's nature!

 

The roar of rushing water meets your ears

as you watch water cascade down the falls.

 

 The Cumberland River makes a spectacular

show at this unique state park in Kentucky.

Learn  more about Cumberland Falls at:

http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/cumberland-falls/default.aspx

 

Liebster Award from Cyndi

Liebster Award from Cyndi

Thank you Cyndi for giving me the Liebster Award.

I have been under the weather for a while
and now ready to BLOG!  

Check out Cyndi's lovely blog at: 

http://cricutfanatic.blogspot.com/ 

                                     When You Receive the Liebster Blog Award You...                                                   

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who presented you the award .
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to bloggers with less than 200 followers.
5. Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are the blogs that I am
passing the Liebster award to:

 

1. Trisha of:   http://apronstringsandfavoritethings.blogspot.com/

2.  Beth of: http://www.teatotaler-thisandthat.com/

3.  Patty of:  http://mymountainblessings.blogspot.com/

Enjoy visiting their blogs, making new crafting friends and
gaining inspiration to share with others who need encouragement! 
 

Happy Crafting & God Bless!

 

Favorite Vacation Spot

When one foot hits the sandy beach, 

I simply just exhale a long breath!

Do you have a favorite spot where you

allow your cares to float away?

Unfortunately in life, we don't always get

to head to the beach or the mountains.

 There are those pesky things called bills

that prevent us from traveling at times.

I read in a book somewhere that life

is made up of Have to's and Want to's

and we should choose to 

do some of each everyday.  

The key to that exhale of breath

that we often experience on vacation is

to keep life in perspective and have a 

little fun along with that pesky thing called work.

The next time you feel yourself tense and 

holding in your breath as you think of all the

work you need to do, take a deep breath and

exhale reminding yourself to take a break

and do something you want to do (even though

it may not be going to the beach, it could still be fun)!

Keep on Trying!

 

What Do You Do When You Can't Craft?

Don't you hate it when you aren't able to make things!

I love scrapbooking and card making but

health problems keep me from enjoying it at times.

As I struggled with being behind on scrapbooking....

Anyone else behind?????  I thought of

what I was still able to do during times of illness.

God reminded me of other things I love to do, like writing.

Doesn't it seem easier to focus on what we can't do...

rather than on what we can still do?

While I'm recuperating and getting my strength back,

I will be writing and sharing some encouragement

for those of you who are crafting!

Once I'm able to craft again, I will have lot's of your 

ideas to try out!  Thanks for stopping by!

Quote for the Day

Sunshine on my shoulders

makes me happy!

 John Denver

I've always noticed the sunshine coming

through the windows and warming

my face while I'm driving.

It's a gentle reminder that no matter

what the day brings,

there will always be a little 

sunshine to brighten the way.

There are so many things about life

that we cannot change, but 

our perspective isn't one of them!

We can choose to see the sunshine

and allow it warm our hearts

and change the perspective 

for the day!

Sunny Blessings to You!

 

I'm a Princess

Many of us don't see ourselves

like others see us or more importantly

the way God sees us.

It can be difficult with the many hats

we wear and how difficult life can be

to see our true worth and instead

we see the constant To Do List 

and how we can't get caught up.

We fall into the trap of basing our 

self worth on our performance with

the many hats we wear!

I love the Bible study called

Search for Significance by Robert McGee.

Here is a special poem to give

encouragement from the study.

My Identity in Christ

Because of Christ's redemption,

I am a new creation of infinite worth.

I am deeply loved,

I am completely forgiven,

I am fully pleasing,

I am totally accepted by God.

I am absolutely complete in Christ.

When my performance

reflects my new identity in Christ,

that reflection is dynamically unique.

There has never been another person like me

in the history of mankind,

nor will there ever be.

God has made me an original,

one of a kind, really somebody!

 By:  Robert McGee

So, that makes me a daughter of the King...

I always wanted to be a Princess!

Thought for the Day

Life is Made up of Have to's 

& Want to's...

Choose to Complete Some

of Each Everyday!

Good Friday and Great Easter

If you are fortunate enough to have Good Friday off from work/school, then it's very good to you.  Why is it good; because you have a day off?  Is the Friday before Easter the last call for all Easter shoppers to get your baskets and gifts ready? 

What about Easter clothes for your kids or yourself.  Does everyone in the family have to match?  We give new meanings to holidays based on our current circumstances.  If you've worked forever and haven't had a day off, then of course any Friday you have off is welcome.  A busy family rarely has enough time to shop and most of us are running to Wal-mart to pick up last minute essentials before any holiday.  (I shop at Wal-mart all the time and often tease...one day they will take over the world.  Ha/Ha)

 

In the middle of life, crazy as it is sometimes, do we forget the meaning of days that were set aside so we wouldn't forget.  Good Friday is set aside to remind us of a day long ago when something terrible happened that would bring us much good.  We all know that none of us are perfect.  We all do things that are wrong.  If we think that we are perfect, just ask our families...they will tell how imperfect we really are.   

God in Heaven is not like us...He is perfect & holy and we are unable to have a relationship with Him, because of the wrong in our life/sin.  In order to give us a relationship with Himself, where we can be forgiven our wrong and someday go to Heaven with Him, God sent someone perfect and blameless that would be a bridge between us and God, forgiving us of our wrong and presenting to God, His Father, clean people who can talk to God, feel Him directing and giving us help in our daily life.

This bridge was God's Son, Jesus Christ, who came from Heaven to Earth to live here, showing us God's love and how we should live honoring God.  On a Friday, long ago He sacrificed His perfect life and allowed all of the wrong/sin of everyone to be placed on Him, when He died on a cross, a cruel death, so if we ask God to forgive us, He will, because of this bridge...this perfect, holy, Son of God, making a way for us to know God, have forgiveness and go to Heaven when we die.  

Good Friday has also been called...Great Friday and Holy Friday.  It was a day when terrible pain & suffering took place, but it was all good for us.  Good Friday allowed us to have a good Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, because now, we have a bridge to God, allowing us to talk to Him, be forgiven, let Him help in our crazy lives and give us meaning & purpose.

The rest of the story came three days later when Christ came back to life and arose from the grave.   This gives us assurance that God has power over death and one day He will come back for those who have believed in Christ and will take us to Heaven.  May we not forget in all the Easter traditions, what's so good about Good Friday and what's so GREAT about Easter Sunday.  

Losing Weight and Loving It

Many things can contribute to adding a few pounds!

In my case, health problems, medications and 

less exercise was the culprit.

I have never dieted but from time to time made

a more conscious effort to eat more healthy

and exercise more.

A friend began losing weight and feeling great

so I became more interested in how she

was accomplishing this and wanted to try her system.

On February 28, 2012 I began eating more balanced

with keeping proteins and carbs in balance along

with drinking more fluids and water and

having snacks in between meals.

This system is called Diet Free for Life based

on the book and Food Lover's Weight Loss System

by Robert Ferguson, MS, CN.

I began seeing a huge difference in my weight.

In about 5 weeks I have lost 15 1/2 pounds

and several inches from my waist

and I've never ate so much in my life!

Eating balanced is really the key and it really 

does work!  I just wanted to share this with

others who may have picked up a few extra

pounds and would like to get the book

and see if it's right for you
and acceptable with your Doctor.

Best Wishes for Healthy Eating
& Happy Living!

A Season for Everything

"To every thing there is a season, 

and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, 

and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; 

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; 

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, 

and a time to gather stones together; 

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, 

and a time to cast away;

 

A time to rend, and a time to sew; 

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; 

a time of war, and a time of peace.

What profit has he that works in that wherein he labors?  

I have seen the travail, which God has given to 

the sons of men to be exercised in it.

 

He has made every thing beautiful in his time: 

also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man 

can find out the work that God makes 

from the beginning to the end."

Ecclesiastes 3

Long Winter Awaiting Spring

I hope this finds you all well

I am still here but its been a long Winter.

Illness has kept me from crafting

and showing my creations on my blog;

however, Spring is on its way and

I am confident that my health is

improving and I will be able to

share more real soon!

Looking forward to some Spring inspiration.

"For the which cause I also suffer these things: 

nevertheless I am not ashamed: 

for I know whom I have believed, 

and am persuaded that he is able to 

keep that which I have committed 

unto him against that day."  

2 Timothy 1:12

 

Encouraging Display Card Using Cricut New Testament Cartridge

I wanted to make a card for a friend
going through breast cancer that she could
display and read on those difficult days.

I used the new Cricut Cartridge New Testament
for the Scripture.

Display Card Size:  7 " Square

Scripture cut at 4 1/2"

Frame cut from Storybook Cartridge

I love using leftover flowers & vines to add some interest.

I even had a butterfly left over so added it as well.

I hope this verse will be a reminder to her that

with God all things are possible and He will

give the strength needed for each day ahead!

Blessings!

Baby Shower Cards

Cute as a Button

 I adapted this idea from the March 2012 CardMaker Magazine

where Designer Rosemary Dennis used frame & sentiment stamps
and a whale cut out with the layout above.

 Card Size:  4 1/4" Square

Larger Pink Mat:  4"

Larger White Mat: 3 1/2"

Small Pink Mat:  3"

Small White Mat:  2 3/4"

16  Buttons similar color

Duck cut from Cricut Cartridge A Child's Year 1 1/2"

Small black bead for eye

Sentiment printed on computer then cut to size

Foam tape used to attach larger white mat

These can be made in any color!

I have a friend who is not finding out what the baby is

so she is getting a yellow card!

Hope you have a blessed week!

Thanks for coming by to visit!

Z Fold Flower Card

One of my Favorite Cards
Bright & Cheerful Z Fold Card

 

Card Size:  11" x 6"

Score at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2" from left edge

Fold in half then fold small part to the left

Cricut Cartridge:  Twinkle Toes

Card Stock:  Die Cuts with a View & Basic Black Card Stock

Extras:  Prima Flowers, Ribbons & a Button

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for Spring!  

When I sat down at my craft table, I just wanted to make something cheery & bright!

It has been raining here for days. I chose yellow (definitely a Spring color) 

and the black seemed to make a nice contrast, making it even brighter!

Looking forward to Spring!