If it ain't broke...

I have made a version of this sympathy card before.  I really like the image of the skunk from the Cricut Create a Critter cartridge. (say that 5 times-lol).  Often times when we lose a loved one we get a massive flux of sympathy cards and a lot of people rally around us.  Then some time later the visits, dinners, well wishes and cards stop coming. sometimes we feel alone, like we should just get over our loss.  There is no time limit on memories.  Some memories make us laugh and others make us cry.  I know first hand that there are days that are just plain ole' STINKY.  So that is the idea behind this card.  Sentiment: When life stinks...smell the flowers.

I received the cuts to layer about 20 of these skunk images.  So I can make a variation of this card many times. That was a very thoughtful RAK. It is wonderful that my online buddy was listening close enough one day when I must have expressed how much I liked the skunk-lol how amazing.  It is wonderful how seemingly idle 'scrap chat' can turn into a craft that may uplift others.  Thanks for your kindness Helen!

Entered in: Word Art Wednesday Challenge #130

A Birthday card

A masculine birthday card. 

Happy Birthday stamp, buttons, paper crimper, origami dress shirt, paper scraps.

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Submitted:

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #130

Sympathy Card

Sentiment: may you find comfort in your loving memories.

Again I am using up my scraps.

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submitted in the Word Art Wednesday challenge #129

How does your garden grow

A flower touches everyone's heart...Georgia O'Keefe

I used the Marvy embossing markers on glossy paper and then punched out the flowers.  The sentiment is embossed.  Other supplies: white signo uniball pen, pearl pen, butterfly embellishment, white embossing powder.

Used for the Journal52 prompt #13

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I AM grateful...

I am grateful for many and all things, but in this season I am especially grateful to GOD for sparing my life.  I was experiencing increased pain in February 2014 until I went to the emergency room on March 7.  After a series of miraculous events including a discharge interruption I came out of my anesthetic sleep to learn that my appendix had ruptured.  I was told that it had ruptured some time ago and that gracefully most all the toxins were encapsulated in one spot.  Glory to God!  So, yes I am grateful to GOD for amazing grace and favor.

I created this background with leftover paints some time ago.  It just happened to be in my travel mixed media kit.  I sketched this face while in the hospital.  Amazingly it satisfies two challenges for this month-wow!

 

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March 2014 Creative Dare

March 2014 Challenge with Limor Webber

Word Art Wednesday challenge #125

More faces

I am almost at 29.  Even though I didn't keep up with a face each day, I am still working to complete the challenge.

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Sketching faces

I am not officially doing the 29 Faces, but looking back over the month I have drawn 12 faces.  Since I am pretty much caught up-I guess I am sort of playing along in the challenge-lol.  This gives me motivation to keep going.  I cannot recall what I already shared and where so here is a update of the faces that I think I didn't share previously.  They are numbered arbitrarily, but all done this month.

#8

#6

#9

#13

#10, #11 and #12

Getting my craft fix

I was unable to craft most of the weekend since I was not feeling well.  I had it in my mind that I would work on some projects all weekend.  Therefore I HAD to go into the art studio before church on Sunday morning.  It was a NEED-lol.  I made this card. You'll be happy to know that I was not late for church, but the card was finished a bit later teee hee.  Priorities you know-lol I was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest a few days ago.

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Submitted: SOC Blogger challenge: Embossing.
                Word Art Wednesday #119

Building Character

Journal52 prompt #4: Building character.  

Sentiment: Romans 5:3-4
We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces CHARACTER...and character produces HOPE.

Entered:
Word Art Wednesday Challenge # 119
Journal52 prompt #4

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Abstract Watercolor

This was done for a art journaling prompt to make an abstract inspired piece.

Watercolor pencils and black MS marker on watercolor paper.

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You always make me smile

The week #3 Journal52 prompt:  what makes you smile

A lot make s me smile.  When my dog, Dugan curled up on the bed to take a nap I decided that folding laundry could wait while I sketched him (ROTFLOL).  I wish I could skip housework and do art without the guilt.  But I digress...here is the page:








I was surprised that it sorta looks like Dugan







I did some doodling and tried some different lettering.  BUT THE WHITE SPACE NEAR ABOUT KILLED ME! rotflol
Sentiments: It is very hard to embrace the white space.  Look it's here too! Grrr...Seriously this is stressful...White Space.  More white space.  DUGAN MAKES ME SMILE. STOP...embrace the space..STOP.

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My word for the year

REPLENISH:

1. To fill or make complete again; add a new stock or supply to: replenish the larder.

2. To inspire or nourish: 

There are many words that I could have chosen. I decided upon Replenish. Mainly because I have so much trouble with doing what feeds my soul. I was programmed to believe that 'have to do' things must be done before 'want to do' things. I am not sure when this ideology became an issue; all I know that it is no longer working for me. Since the onset of my disability and physical limitations (coupled with age-lol) I no longer have the physical capability to do the entire 'to do' list in one day.
Now I do not think I am capable of totally ignoring responsibilities, house work, cooking, laundry etc., so no fear there, but I am trying to create balance.  Replenishing may be spending time in my art studio creating (not cleaning and organizing), going for a walk; watching a  movie, praying, taking a nap, taking a candlelight bubble bath, or just being a couch potato.  The lesson for me to learn is to not allow myself to have feelings of guilt when I am doing an activity that shows love towards myself.  I want to be present in the moment enjoying the replenishing activity and not thinking about all the things I "SHOULD" be doing instead.

I pray that the LORD will fill my cup.  The sentiment says: Help me Lord to show love to myself and to do things without feeling guilty.  AMEN.  The background is tumble dyes and doodles.


January Creative Dare with MMM
Word Art Wednesday challenge # 117

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Watercolor cards

I painted along with Tracy on Mixed Media Monday.  It was a fun show.  I made these three cards.  I was too busy chatting so I was way behind and didn't finish my cards until the next day.

Hope you are having a beautiful day!

May memories comfort your heart

It gets better

SOC Blogger challenge #1
Word art Wednesday #116

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January Virtual Scrapbook Pajama Party

It was so cool hanging out and chatting with the ladies at this event.  The host, Tiare posted the sketch here.  I didn't get the sketch until the show started so I just sat in my art studio staring at the walls (lol).  Then I decided that the design was pretty straight forward so I crafted along with the end of the show and made this page.

I let the scrap pp dictate the colors used in this lo (the paper says smile so I chose that for the title too).  The honeycomb pp is cut from...wait for it...a new piece of paper!!!  I do use more than scraps in my projects...silly rabbit...how else would I ever get all those scraps (LOL). 

Challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #115  The scripture this week will make great journaling for this page.  Psalms 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

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Round two using a sketch

I used the December sketch from the virtual scrapbook pajama party.  I will add this lo to my faithbooking album.

The butterfly border was a test that my friend Kathy was doing to show the 'Scrappy Chicks' the layered punch that she found on clearance.  I wouldn't let her throw it away (like Mikey...I'll take almost anything-lol).  I only used the top layer.  The same punch also made a solid background layer.  Cool punch.

Submitted:
Word Art Wednesday #111
December Scrapbook Pajama Party

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December Creative Dare

The assignment from Tracy was to make an art journal page highlighting 5 values.  Once I started pondering the question it was hard to only put 5 on the page.

 

Journaling: FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, PEACE, Creativity

Submitted: Word Art Wednesday #111

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Mixed Media Layout

Limor's Mixed Media December challenge is to make a monochromatic lo.  This is my version .  I am really trying to learn how to blend the edges better.

Materials: gesso, black gesso, white paint, washi tape, canvas scallop, french script stamp, circle stamp, script stencil, silver scrapbook paper, pp scraps, perfect pearls spray.

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I AM an artist

God made 'The creative call..."All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded" (Exodus 35:10) I answered the call...I AM AN ARTIST.'

Thank you LORD for choosing me to be a creator of beautiful, inspiring things.  I accept the call and daily rebuke the negative voices of self doubt and worldly criticism.  

I like the background colors.  They look a little dark for the writing in the photo.  In reality you can see the writing much better than in the picture.  All a part of letting go.

Submitted to Word Art Wednesday # 109

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In ALL things give thanks

Today in church the minister asked us to close our eyes and think of the things we were thankful for.  I began by thinking about my health, that I was no longer confined to my wheelchair, for my house...then suddenly I began to think about the fact that JESUS chose me.  He died for me!  That was all she wrote, I was overcome with emotion and gratitude.  Thank you God for sending your son to die for my sins.  Nothing else matters, because my name is written in heaven I can rejoice!

The Tracy W.'s November Creative Dare was about gratefulness.  I made this art journal page to express what I felt today and everyday.  I am thankful for a lot of things...I can't even count...

...but (sentiment) The thing that I am most grateful for is that HE knew me yet HE LOVED me...when HE was on the cross I was on HIS mind.

Submitted to Word Art Wednesday #108

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Fun fold card

I made this for the informal Twitter card challenge.  The challenge was to make a card with a fold.

The top flap lifts up.

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