SSS36 Celebrate King Jesus

It's hard to believe how quickly Christmas seems to come and go! For me, the weeks just before Christmas are filled with shopping for gifts, decorating, meal planning, and house cleaning...all in preparation for the Christmas Grand Event....celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, opening gifts, and eating an elaborate meal and spending time with family and friends. As the festivities of Christmas Day come to an end, all is once again quiet...I can now sit and contemplate on the abundant blessings of this past year while giving thanks to God for His sacrificial gift...that being His only begotten son who took upon Himself the sins of the whole world, that we might have the gift of salvation, forgiveness of sin, and the promise of eternal life with Him in Heaven.

My card today uses a portion of an image from the SNSS digital set, 'The Greatest Gift' by Korin Sutherland. In order to create the sentiment I wanted for this particular card, I've combined words from a couple of the sentiments included with the set.
The color combination is Red, Silver, and White.

Of course, the sketch is from The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge, SSS36. If you would like to play along with this sketch, we would love to have you join us. Click the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Badge on my sidebar and it will take you directly to the blog and the sketch. Also, I would encourage you to visit the blogs of the other Sugar Babies for more fantastic inspiration.


I have been a Sugar Baby Design Team Member for 3 months now. It has been an exciting adventure and I'm proud to have had this opportunity. Korin has given us the option to remain with the team for another 3 months...Unfortunately, because of a possible surgery and a couple of other things needing my attention in the coming months, I've had to decline her offer. Having said that, I want to thank Korin for inviting me to this team: it has truly been an honor to work with her and all of the SNSS Design Team Members...they are awesome ladies and extremely talented.

Also, in order to get some personal issues taken care of, I have to step back from my crafting and blogging for about 3 months. I may be able to 'play' a little during this time period and if so, I will post to my blog. But I wanted my 'followers' to know I will be missing-in-action for a short time. Hopefully things will go well during this little hiatus and I will return to my crafting with a clearer mind and more creativity than I've been able to do of late. If any of you would like to be removed from my 'followers' list, I will certainly understand and will not be offended.

May this New Year be filled with wonderful blessings for each of you and your families.

As always, spend time with family and friends and then,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Barbg(WV)

SSS35 Candle Light Pocket Card

Are you ready for Christmas...I'm getting there, but still have quite a bit to finish up...I still have a few decorations to put out, Christmas Cards need to be written and mailed, and my dining room table is full of presents waiting to be wrapped...and then, my house is in desperate need of a cleaning...gotta get things ready for my daughter and her family to join us for Christmas dinner.

This year I plan to begin a new family tradition...It is an idea I found on an Internet crafting website... I bought a new cream colored linen table cloth and plan to have everyone who joins us for dinner write a message with their name and the date onto the table cloth using a fabric coloring pen. I 'hope' to embroidery all of the messages, but if I don't, the fabric color pens are permanent ink, so the messages should remain even after washing. My plan is to continue using this same table cloth each year adding new messages from each person joining us that year....isn't this a fun idea! And, while at the dentist last week, my dentist's assistant and I were talking about Christmas traditions and she mentioned using this same tradition with her family for almost 20 years...she said they were already working on their 3rd tablecloth because the others had no more room for messages...what a wonderful way to preserve the memories of these special times with family and friends!

So....what about you...do you have special family traditions for Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays....I would love to hear about your traditions, if you would care to share them with us by commenting on this post.

Well...today I've posted my card for The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge with a Spin....The spin: you have to include a 'pocket' somewhere in the design of the card. It can be a pocket on the inside or front side...anywhere you desire to add a pocket on the card. I decided to put the pocket on the card front and included a Tag as part of the sketch design.

The Candle/Rose Image is a digital image from 'Fred She Said Designs'.....I purchased the colored version and all I had to do was print it out and then I added just a little more sparkle by coloring areas of the image with my Copic Spica Glitter Pens and then adding just a little Crystal Effects on the candle area. This was a major 'time-savor' for me! The website also offers the image in outline form so that you can color it yourself, if you wish to go that route. This purchase included a couple of different images and a few sentiments,they were all very good and worth the price of $3.37. I used one of the verse sentiments on the back of the tag...it is pictured at the end of this post.

The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is from one of my Paper Pretties Stamp Sets...I had it out on my table and decided to use it for this card...I love the font used for this sentiment and find myself going to this stamp quite often.

You will find the Sketch Challenge at 'The Sweet Stop Blog'...just click on the Badge located on my sidebar and it will take you directly to the blog. And of course I would encourage you to visit the blogs of all the Sugar Babies...they have posted some fabulous cards for this sketch challenge! These ladies have fantastic talent and if you are in need of some sweet inspiration...you HAVE to go check out their blogs....you will not be disappointed!

As we celebrate with family and friends, take time to remember the Birth of Jesus--who is after all....the reason for the season!

Merry Christmas to all...
Barbg(WV)

Back View of Candle Light Tag with Scripture Verse Sentiment.

SSS34 Sing Noel!

Oh my word, I am sooooooooooo cold as I sit here preparing this post for this week's Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge! My fingers are numb and my feet...well, I can't feel them....brrrrrrrrrrr, the wind is blowing like crazy outside, making it feel so much colder! OK....so, I've had ENOUGH of Old Man WINTER, seriously, he needs to move on outta' here!

My Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge SSS34 card uses a digital image from KLM Designs, titled 'Singing Angel'. She is cute as can be, isn't she! It only took me about 8-10 tries at coloring the image before I was somewhat satisfied...just let me say, coloring with Reds is not always so much fun, at least not for me. I don't know what it is, but the Copic Red inks almost always seem to 'bleed' outside my lines...I don't have that problem as much with the other colors, but it almost always happens with the red shades...and forget trying to 'clean up' the edges with the Colorless blender....the red seems to bleed even more, grrrrrrrrrr. Oh well, at least this one is fairly decent and the task is complete.

I stamped the image onto white, colored it using my shades of red...added some gold spica glitter pen to the choir robe collar and also to the stars....Ended with some gold glitter to the angel wings. But, I decided it would be even better if I colored another image and popped it up off of the main image....so here we go with another round of battles with the Copic Red Markers. Once completed, I liked the idea, so I'm glad I took the time to march back into the war zone and win the battle once again....well...this time, anyway!

Be sure to visit the other Sugar Baby Design Team Blogs for more FABULOUS samples using today's Sweet Stop Sketch! We would love to have you join us with the Sketch Challenges, so if you are able to play along with us, please post a link to your project at the Sweet Stop Blog....I hope to find some time this next week to catch up with those who have been participating....it is always a joy to view your designs!

Thanks for stopping by today. I appreciate your interest and do hope all of you are having a great time with family and friends during this wonderful season of Christmas Blessings!

Hope to see all of you again, next Saturday!

Spend time with family and friends and then....

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Merry, Merry Christmas....
Barbg(WV)

SSS33 Snow Doodles

Anyone who really knows me, knows this...I don't like the COLD weather, but.... if you have to have cold weather, then give me the snow to go with it because then you can at least have some fun times while freezing to death!


For the last couple of months I have intended to get out all of my 'snowman' stamp images and stamp one of them 'upside down' to look as if he was standing on his hands...it just seemed like it would be a fun idea. Well, I needed to make myself sit down and get something created for this weeks SSS33 Sketch Challenge...I wanted something new and fun to work with, so I went 'browsing' through some of the companies I have in my files. And all of a sudden 'my idea' was staring at me... right in the face... This fantastic snowman....doing a 'handstand' in the snow. Now to be honest, the stamp is titled, 'Rolling Snowman', but to me, he looks as if he is doing a 'handstand. I was so excited to see 'my idea' already done up for me,(hummm, someone else has an imagination similar to mine...now, that might be kind of scary) so of course, I purchased it, printed it out, and have used it for this week's SSS33 Challenge!


I paper-pieced his mittens using the same pattern paper as the background paper. His hat and scarf are colored with copics. I've added red rhinestones for his buttons and orange stickles for his nose. For added dimension and sparkle, I added more stickles beneath his head and hands. I also used 'Snow White Flower Soft' product on portions of the snowman...it makes him look all 'fluffy'.


The Snowman image is from DZ Doodles Delight (link is listed on sidebar).
I purchased a couple other images from them while there and hope to be using them sometime soon.


Well, as always, be sure to check out the work of the other Sugar Baby Design Team Members...they will not disappoint you, I promise! And, if you have time to play along with the challenge, we would love to have you....be sure to post a link to your creation on the Mr Linky post at 'The Sweet Stop Blog'...I would love to see what you do with the sketch!


Also, this week Korin has added 2 new digi images and 2 stamp sets to the website. A portion of the sales from one of the stamp sets will go to benefit a family who's young son suddenly passed away in recent months...you can get more information about this family at the 'Sweet N' Sassy Stamps" website....link is on my sidebar!


As all of you know, this is a very busy time of year for everyone and I have more than enough to keep me busy this month. Because I am a very S-L-O-W crafter, more-than-likely, I will only be posting for 'The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge' for the remainder of this month...I hope you will all understand.


As always, spend time with family and friends and then...


Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Barbg(WV)

SSS32 Gingerbread Boys

Here we are with another Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge and for today's card I used a digital image from SNSS, 'Gingerbread Couple'. The image consists of a boy and a girl gingerbread, but I chose to use only the boy image for this card. I paper pieced the little outfit, using the same dotted pattern paper as I used for the first square layer beneath the sentiment.. After paper-piecing and coloring the image, I covered the 'bread' portions with Crystal Effects to give it the 'shine' factor. As you can tell, I wrote the sentiment freehand...this card will be used for one of my grandson's and I wanted something that would work for him....so I just decided to write it out by hand, nothing fancy about the sentiment at all!

Be sure to visit the blogs of the other Sugar Baby Team Members and see their fantastic cards for this sketch.

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend with family and friends. My schedule for this coming week is super busy and I may not get much stamping done. But, I'll definitely be back next Saturday with the new SSS33 challenge.

Oh, and don't forget to check out the Sweet N' Sassy Stamps Website....Korin has 2 new digi sets posted and they are super cute!

If you get a chance to join us for the SSS32 Challenge...be sure to post a link to your card on the Sweet Stop Blog...I'd love to see what all of you do with the sketch.

Spend time with family and friends and then,

Make time to create, but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

SSS31 Christmas Squirrel

I'm back with another Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Card! Included with the challenge this week, we had to use some kind of 'sewing' technique on the card....it could be 'faux' stitching, machine stitching, or free-hand sewing. For my main image, I chose a digtal image from 'Mo's Digital Pencil'...it was just so cute, I had to have it. I love his little collection of acorns...looks as if he has been quite busy gathering food supplies for the upcoming Holiday meals...or perhaps he is out sharing his wealth with other little squirrels less fortunate than he is....but whatever his intentions, he is a cutie and I had a fun time coloring the image.

For my 'stitching', I simply did a free hand stitch on the edge of the red panel using some gold embroidery thread.

I hope all of you have a wonderful week, celebrating the Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends. The Lord has blessed my family abundantly this last year and I have so much for which to be thankful.

Here is my 'short list' of blessings:

1. good health

2. wonderful doctors

3. a loving church and church ministry

4. my 3 children who are all grown and married and have blessed my life with 8 beautiful grandchildren...with more to come

5. my Dad, who is still living and in good health at the age of 77

6. good friends...including those of you who take the time to read this blog and post encouraging feedback

7. the honor of working with Sweet N' Sassy Stamps and Korin....allowing me to share my 'art' with all of you...and for the inspirational talent each of you share with all of us

8. the privilege of being an 'American'...the freedom it allows me to live my life as I choose ...and for those who have willingly served and/or given their lives in an effort to keep us a free nation

9. a loving husband who keeps me 'grounded' and encourages me in all that I do

10. Knowing that I can put all of my faith and trust in my Heavenly Father who loves me more than I could ever deserve.

Don't forget to check out the Sugar Baby Blogs for more awesome inspiration with this newest sketch challenge.

Have a wonderful week of Thanksgiving and may all of you be blessed abundantly!

Spend time with family and friends and then,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

SSS30 Christmas Candle

Here we are with another Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge. For this week's challenge, I'm using a Sweet N' Sassy digital image titled 'Christmas Candle' -- illustrated by Leah Cornelius.

It was very difficult to 'capture on camera' all of the layers I used for the poinsettia of the main image...I printed the image 3 times, coloring the poinsettia of each. From the extra images, I cut out 'sections' of the flower and added them to the main image by gluing just the 'inside edge' of each section....curling the outer edges in an upward direction...the 'center' of the poinsettia is attached using a 'tiny glob' of Zip Dry glue (allowed to dry slightly). You can see just a hint of the layers with this side-view picture, but it is so much more evident IRL! For a touch of sparkle, I've added just a 'hint' of red stickles to a few of the floral petals. A little 'highlighting' using a White Inkssential Gel Pen completes the image.

The 'Candle'..... Diamond stickles were added to the main portion and then for dimension, I've added 'Crackle accents' (Inkssentials) to the top 'melted' portion of the candle and also to the flame. Crackle accents is similar to Crystal Effects but once it dries you get a bit of a 'crackled' effect...similar to the 'cracked glass' technique.

I had planned to use 'shimmery gold' cardstock for the layers of this card, but because I am totally 'organizationally challenged', I couldn't find it! So....I resorted to versamark ink, gold embossing powder, and my brand new 'Heat It' Tool (Ranger) to give a similar 'sparkle' for this card...it worked out OK but if I could have found it,the gold cardstock would have been better. Oh well.....

If I were to make this card again, I would add the 'gold element' to the top right corner, rather than leaving it 'white'....

As always, I encourage you to visit The Sweet Stop and play along with this newest Sketch Challenge. And be sure to check out the other Sugar Baby Design Team blogs....the ladies are super talented and never cease to AMAZE me with their awesome talent!

Links for the Sweet Stop Sketch and Sugar Baby Blogs on posted on my side-bar.

If you decide to play along, please post a link to your creation on the Sweet Stop Blog .... We'd love having you join us and will look forward to viewing your creative designs!

On Another Note

This last couple of weeks, I've not been able to keep up with all of you who 'follow' my blog...well, not nearly as much as I would like...but I do hope to be back to a more 'normal' schedule after next weekend....at least, that is my goal. In the meantime, please know that I'm not ignoring any of you on purpose and I do appreciate your patience as well as your loyalty....not to mention all of the sweet and kind comments many of you have left on my blog! I certainly don't feel deserving of such praise but do appreciate each and every one of you who take the time to share your thoughts and encouraging words with me. I cannot begin to tell you how much of a blessing you are in my life.... I'm so very grateful to God for every one of you!

This weekend...share your time with family and friends....and then,

Make time to create but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

Edited to add: I'm having trouble with the spacing for my blog...I either end up with way too much space between paragraphs, or all of the paragraphs run back to back and the whole post looks cluttered.....grrrrrrrr!

Princess Kaylee

We have a new little princess in our family! October 7, 2009 this new little princess was officially adopted into our family by my middle daughter, Shari, and her husband Jim. My daughter, who always considered herself to be the princess in our family, now has a little princess of her own! The story of how this new little princess came to be a part of our family is much to long and complex to share with you today.
However, I would like to tell you just a little about the person God used to give us our new little princess.

Not long after her birth, our little princess was placed into the foster care system. At about 6 months old, she was placed into the home of my daughter's 'best friend forever and always'... Aimee. Aimee is a beautiful young woman, both physically and spiritually...and she is the one whom God used to bring this new little princess into our family! I believe Aimee's actions not only demonstrate a remarkable spirit of 'self-less-ness' but also a geniun spirit of Christian love and kindness.

From the very first day Kaylee arrived in the home of Aimee and her family, they not only took care of her physical needs, but also lavished her with love and affection. Aimee took advantage of every opportunity to teach Kaylee of God's love. She and her family began praying with Kaylee on a daily basis, and part of those prayers were asking God to watch over the life of Kaylee as well as asking God to work in the hearts of those in the court system who would be making important decisions regarding her precious life. Aimee loved little Kaylee with her whole heart but she also knew that God's love for Kaylee was far greater than her own.

Shari and Aimee are blessed to enjoy a very close and loving friendship and Aimee knew of Shari's deep desire to one day adopt a daughter of her own. My daughter and her husband had been working with a Christian adoption agency in an attempt to adopt a little girl from Panama...a process which ended without success. Around this same time, Aimee approached Shari with the idea of becoming a foster parent and eventually taking Kaylee into her home...and to make a long story short... Shari and her husband (Jim) did indeed become foster parents to Kaylee and after a long and difficult 2+ years, are now the adopted parents of our new little princess, Kaylee Mae! It is Aimee whom God used to nurture and care for 'the little princess' and then lovingly and graciously give her over to the hands of my daughter and family to finish the work God had begun nearly 4 years ago! And because Aimee and Shari remain BFF, Aimee and her family will always be an important part of Kaylee's life.

And Aimee, if you should read this post, I want to personally thank you for sharing your life with my daughter and for the precious gift you have given her! Your thoughtful prayers and loving spirit have blessed our family with this precious gift of life, a gift for which we will always be thankful!

This past weekend, an Adoption Party/Birthday Party was held in Kaylee's honor. And of course if you have a party, you most often have presents. So of course I made a card 'fitting for a princess' to go along with my present for Kaylee... and I am sharing that card with you today!

I'm very happy with the end result and hope you will enjoy it as well.

This Princess Digital image is from 'The Character Cafe', titled 'Princess Ally'. I did have to do a 'little' altering to the original image. Much like the Magnolia images, this little princess did not have a 'mouth'....and I was certain 'my' new little princess would NOT understand why that was...so, I simply added a little smile to her sweet face.

The image is colored with Copics, and glitzed up with Stickles and Pearls. For the card base I used PTI Select White, and have added a purple textured paper to the outside base layer. The pattern paper is from Fiskars 'Brittany's Castle Collection' and has lots of shine and sparkle in the design. The shimmery scalloped piece behind the Princess image is by Best Occasions 'Prismatic Paper Pak' (from Walmart) and each piece in this pad is super shimmery (which made it a little difficult to photograph).

The main image is attached using dimensionals. With my pattern paper, I used an EK Success Large Scallop Border Punch that also leaves a little embossed line at the edge of the scallop . The ribbon is sheer and shimmery and is from Walmart, but I don't remember the brand name.

I wrote the 'Princess Kaylee' sentiment free-hand style and 'doodled' the border around the edge of the image.

For the inside, I simply did a 'computer generated' sentiment ...adding a smaller princess image...printing it onto a Bold Pink Top Note Die Cut layer....Why?....Well because....my little princess loves the colors Pink and Purple! After coloring the princess... again, I used a white gel pen around the edge of the die cut and then added a few pearls around the finished edge.

OK....I think that covers the basics.

Now, go spend some time with your family and friends and then...

Make time to create, but remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Barbg(WV)

And here is a picture of my princess with her little princess:

Kaylee loved the little hat and princess necklace included with her present and immediately wanted to wear both....she insisted on wearing them for this picture...isn't she precious.