"She who finds a friend, finds a good thing"

Tomorrow Gabe turns FIVE! He's my inspiration for this blog because he loves to help Gracka make cards, which he always declares "pretty" despite what the opinions are of others.  He's had some storms in his short life that I would have done anything in my power to protect him from. The past 8 months have been especially difficult for him, as will be the next 3 months. Because he is so precious to me, I have called on, and trusted, my very special friends to stand beside me in prayer for Gabriel, in much the same way that Aaron and Hur stood with Moses (http://donsweeting.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/the-blessing-of-having-a-moses-an-aaron-and-a-hur-in-your-life/). And they have indeed been faithful. I love to make unique cards for my one-of-a-kind friends, and here is my latest result:

 Can you tell what the vintage-looking paper is? It's actually not paper at all, but the fabric from a used tea bag! I LOVE the way tea bags look when they have dried; each has a unique pattern, and different colors depending on the blends of the teas. And it always seemed such a shame to throw away those tea bags after just a few minutes' use. (I might not be able to convince anyone, but I'm really NOT a "hoarder"). The bird is a Tim Holz stamp, the flower is a piece of satin ribbon, and because I'm not at home where my sewing machine is, the stitching is "faux". I've entered this into these challenges:

Creative Belli Blog Challenge                  #123 Non-paper Materials

PaperPlay Challenges                             Create your own DP

Delightful Challenges                             Things With Wings

Southern Girls Challenge                        Black & White with pop of one color

Created By Hand                                   Rainbows/Multicolors/Wings (hope the bird qualifies)

Feed the Dog

One of the things my pastor emphasizes frequently is that faith (hope) and fear are like two dogs, each fighting to be the "alpha dog", the master in our lives. Whichever dog is being fed, is the one who's winning the fight. I struggle with this constantly, often sounding like Eeyore: "Oh, well, this is just the way it's going to be for the rest of my life." And the "fear dog" begins to win. But I know from experience that if I feed my "faith dog", he and I will begin to win the fight. I like the Tim Holz sentiment on this card because it reminds me that the battle for my mind and my will and my emotions is constant, but never over!

The circle shapes were cut with the Martha Stewart circle cutter and the scallops were all cut with scissors. The embellies just happened to coordinate with the colors and were from a re-packaged package from The Scrapbook Outlet, my favorite (super-discount!) craft store, so no company name, and the papers were some I've had for a while. Incidentally, the four-loop bow just "happened" while I was playing around. If anyone has the actual directions, I would love to have them!

I've entered the following challenges:

Mojo Monday                          their sketch
Die Cut Dreams                        recipe (3 shapes, 2 colors, 1 ribbon/bow)
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge    use those scissors (and/or Xacto knife)
Scrap-Creations                        recipe (at least 2 papers and at least 2 embellies)

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

The stamp on this card is from Zum Gali Gali Rubber Stamps and I'm particularly excited because I had just a tiny bit of input on its creation! Over three years ago I began an email correspondence with Arlene Bandes at the company, asking if they offered a stamp with the phrase "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem". She answered that they did not have such a stamp but that it was a good idea and they would get to work on it. After many emails back and forth, I got the word that the stamp was designed, then in production, and finally what I had been waiting for: the stamp was on its way to me! The result is on this card, and is my new most favorite stamp for many applications. I hope you like it also, and visit Zum Gali Gali often. And I especially hope you'll join me in praying for the peace of Jerusalem.

I have entered this in the following:

Paper Pretties                     their sketch
Allsorts Challenge               free and easy (anything goes)
Created by Hand                 metallics (three silver embellies)
Papertake Weekly               anything goes
Ladybug Crafts Ink             summer birthdays (it's my son's 44th birthday -- Happy Birthday, Matt!)

And last but not least, be sure to take a look at the Getting Ready for CHA Sale at Claudia & Company. I love sales!

Paris Tag

I don't know why, but a pretty or unique bookmark, to me, is the height of luxury! That's why I typically take every opportunity to make them, although  I usually end up giving them away, including them with books or as little "extras" with cards I send. And so, because I'm trying hard to get back into a creative mode, I made this one, which I really hope to keep myself.

The Paris postmark and french script are both Tim Holz stamps; the crocheted flower is just one I've had and wanted to use for some time; and the distressed edges are thanks to Ranger's Vintage Photo Distress Ink . This has been entered into the following challenges:

Crafty Creations             Paris theme, anything but a card

For Fun Challenges         Sit a Bit and Crochet

ABC Challenge              Y is for Yesterday (vintage)

Papertake Weekly          anything goes 

Allsorts Challenge           anything goes

Be sure to visit Claudia & Company to grab some great sale items at the Getting Ready for CHA Sale

Gabe says "Jesus is living in my heart!"

I've been away from my card creativity for several months, due to illness. It's only been recently that I've had the energy to begin creating again, mainly because of a granddaughter's graduation. That card will show up on a later post. But for today, I want to express the utter joy a "gracka" feels because little Gabriel, age 4 and the inspiration for this blog, just asked Jesus to come and live in his heart!

Now, I do realize that Gabe doesn't have a complete understanding of the theology behind his simple prayer of "Jesus, please forgive me and come and live in my heart." But I also know that it was Jesus Who said, "Allow the little children to come to me." Our responsibility, then, is to raise Gabe in an atmosphere that supports this early decision, and to teach him how to allow it to shape his life.

What a privilege this is for me, to watch and be part of the cycle that began with my own "Jesus in my heart" moment at age 8, to my children's decisions, and to the decisions of my "children's children." The fulfillment of God's promise!

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue

It's an incredibly beautiful November day today in west Michigan. Sunshine, temps in the mid-60's, still some color left on the trees. God is so creative, and every time I make my feeble little attempt at being creative too, I feel my kinship with Him all over again. Consider the colors of His world: flowers, rainbows, even trees and grass are varied shades of green (or in my backyard, brown where George Bailey plays). But I love the color blue. It always makes me smile, and it seems so peaceful and unassuming. There's lots of agreement on the pleasanter characteristics of blue: blue chip stocks, true blue (THANK YOU, VETERANS!), bluebirds of happiness, and nothin' but blue skies. Of course, there are those who would disagree: the baby blues, singin' the blues, the blue flu, and a blue Christmas without you.

Once again I've taken a little step outside my personal "box". No flowers this time, no pearls, no embossing. Just circles, all in blue, just because I like it. and, believe it or not I saw several challenges to enter this card!

If The Shoe Fits                                  the color blue
Totally Stampalicious                          blue
Crafty Creations                                buttons  (lower right-hand corner)
Gingersnap Creations                         sewing notions (2 buttons in corner)
Moving Along With The Times           nice & bright (wash away Autumn Blues!)
Daring Cardmakers                            colors of topaz (blue)
Raise the Bar                                    curves
If the Shoe Fits                                  blue

How cool is that??!!! See? It really is a wonderful day!

Second-Hand Rose

Today I've been looking at other artists' blogs and admiring their creations. I realize that my "art" all too often imitates life, and I wonder if that's something unique to me, or if everyone feels that way, at least some of the time. I so admire those little masterpieces with the perfect colors and the just-right embellishments. I'm sure their creators are the same people whose outfits and accessories always inspire second looks and sounds of appreciation. I so want my cards, like I want myself, to be an "Uptown Girl," but we both just sort of end up being a "Second-Hand Rose." Is there hope? Can it be learned through repetition and attempted duplication? It's what I'm working toward.

How I wish I knew how to add more embellishments to this card; I envisioned something "luscious", like a wedding cake. The card is lighter lavender than it appears: the front was cut horizontally, the sentiment stamped on the inside, and the top and bottom of the front are held together by a strip of acetate, creating a "window" to view the sentiment. Most of my papers and embellishments have been in my craft room, just waiting to be of service, so I rarely know the company they came from. As simple as this card is, though, it still fits a few challenges.

Oh Alice                            window or hole
Challenge Up Your Life      lace and pearls
The Shabby Tea Room       pearls and pastels
City Crafter                       flowers and frills
Easy Craft Projects            purple