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