Gray Cat Sympathy

I try to keep a stash of pet sympathy cards on hand.  It's so heartbreaking to lose a furry friend.  This is one simple cat sympathy card in somber tones, gray, white and black.  

Papertrey Ink 'Willow' sentiment, 'With Sympathy: Loss of a Pet' paw mark; Memory Box 'Large Sitting Cat' die 

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Hope your day is blessed,

Two Dozen Cards to Share

Hello and happy Friday!  Thought I'd pop in today with a parade of cards for you.  This helps me with some of the backlog of things yet to post.  Hope you enjoy!

The Greetery - Pretty Postmarks sentiment; Gina Marie Designs - butterfly die; patterned paper - Tilda (a gift from Stella in the Netherlands); digital butterfly; pearl

Papertrey Ink - Tiny Tags sentiment & tag, Boards & Beams house, Topiary Trio bush die; burlap ribbon

Impression Obsession - Twig Wreath die; pearls; Stampin' Up! - Nature Walk bird; button; Papertrey Ink - Daily Design Sentiments 'home sweet home'

Flourishes - DIY Topiary topiary stamp; Hug Snug seam binding - Stampin' Up! lace trim; Hip Stamp Hooray - Occasions sentiment 

Stampin' Up! - Nature Walk bird; Papertrey Ink - Tiny Tags sentiment; Inkadinkado - Botanical Script Background stamp; pearls; Hug Snug white seam binding 

Stampin' Up! - Butterfly Basics freesia; Papertrey Ink - Daily Designs Sentiments 'with sympathy'; vintage thread; ivory dot; Webster's Pages patterned paper

Inkadinkado - Manuscript; Stampin' Up! - Avant-Garden freesia; pearls; potted plant from catalog; Wplus9 - Vintage Ephemera (in background); pearls

Stampin' Up! - The Open Sea globe & background stamps; Altenew - Sentiments & Quotes; braided jute ribbon ; Stampin' Up! - copper foil cardstock

Papertrey Ink - Love Lives Here sentiment; Impression Obsession - Twig Wreath die & pine sprigs; pearls; chipboard bird

PSX - Hydrangea; Hug Snug seam binding; pearls; Papertrey Ink - Tiny Tags sentiment; Stampin' Up! little tag punch; Copic markers in grays

Memory Box - Lucky Leaves, Lucky Charms dies; Stampin' Up! - Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; Papertrey Ink - Tiny Tags sentiment and die; vellum;  Ann-Ticipations - Irish Blessing stamp; vintage thread

Power Poppy - Lavender sprig; Copic markers; lavender soap packaging; pearls; Hip Stamp Hooray - Post Stamp (background images); vintage thread 

PSX - K-1593 Birdhouse Wreath; vintage twine; Papertrey Ink - Keep It Simple: Home sentiment; Copic markers 

PSX - F-467 Pansy Basket; Gina Marie Designs - butterfly die; Copic markers; Papertrey Ink - Keep It Simple: Thank You II

Gina Marie Designs - butterfly die; Hip Stamp Hooray - Noted (background stamps) & Occasions (sentiment); little pink flower; rhinestone gem 

Stampin' Up! - Avant-Garden flower bouquet; Papertrey Ink - Year of Psalms: April Mini; Market Street Stamps -  Grace background; pearls; Copic markers

Stampabilities - Psalm 112:7; matte gold cardstock; Gina Marie Designs - butterfly die; rhinestone

Inkadinkado - Chandeliers; Papertrey Ink - Light of Life verse/ sentiment; Glossy Accents on glass panels; Copic markers

My Favorite Things - Bold Greenery die; chipboard rose; pearl; vintage twine; Hip Stamp Hooray - Post Stamp (in background), Occasions - birthday sentiment 

Sentiment - unsure!; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punches; pearls; pink/white twine

Flourishes - DIY Topiary; Stampin' Up!- Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; Hug Snug seam binding; Papertrey Ink - Daily Designs Sentiments - 'with sympathy' 

What have I been up to?  Nothing exciting and I am ok with that!  And of course, I am always making cards, usually only on weekends.  That's when I have energy for a creative endeavor.

"What sweet delight a quiet life affords." 

- William Drummond 1585 - 1649

I am very fond of this quote above.  A quiet life is just my style. 😊

Also like this verse from James 1:19 --

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

I've heard it said that we have 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason.  I try to remember that daily.

Hope you are well, my friends!  Until next time!

Christmas Quad

Happy Saturday!  Oh, and it's today that we need to set our clocks back one hour, and who doesn't like an extra hour of sleep on Sunday?  I sure do!

I've got four Christmas cards to share today.  I'll be entering one of them in a card challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge:  W and X are for Whimsical and Xerox.  I chose Whimsical for my second card.

Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags star tag die, Joyful Christmas bottlebrush tree stamps and matching dies; ; white cotton thread; pearls; Spellbinders Labels Thirteen die; Hug Snug Sistine Blue seam binding

The next card was "made" by our black cat, Cristabel, for Daddy.  It is my submission to the "Whimsical" card challenge.

Paper Rose Stitched Trees die; Memory Box Large Sitting Cat die; Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags tag die; vintage thread; red gems; My Favorite Things BB Cool Cat paw print

Next up is a card that was so quick and easy to make, I feel like I cheated.  I used a K & Co. sentiment panel, some icy blue patterned paper, and felt snowflakes (retired Stampin' Up!) topped with pearls.  No stamping at all on the front!

Stampin' Up! blue felt snowflakes; pearls; K & Co. sentiment panel

The last card helped me use up some patterned paper (Anna Griffin) that I've had for quite a while.

Paper Rose Stitched Trees die; red gems; Papertrey Ink Silent Night swirls, Christmas Blessings sentiment, Tiny Tags tag die; vintage thread

My friends, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

God bless you!

Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances

Hello friends!  A bit of time has passed since I was last here on the blog.  Life got crazy.  Health issues developed for me and it has been quite a whirlwind of tests and doctor appointments, and then surgery.  I am a private person and I've struggled with whether to share here or not, but the Lord has put it upon my heart that I should share.  

Not even a month ago, I was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal breast cancer.  There is no family history of it for me, nor was I having any problems.  This was found on a regular yearly mammogram.  I skipped having a mammogram in 2020 because of the pandemic.  My surgeon told me that timing is everything, and that if I'd had my mammo last year, it likely would not have been big enough to be seen.  This year, it was.  

God's hand has been on me the whole time during this process, as it is every second of my life.  Within a week of my diagnosis, I had a consultation with a surgeon who is a top doc, in our insurance network, AND she is a good friend of my cousin.  I got permission to go on vacation, which was already planned, and I went to see my mom and spend time with her.  It was just the perfect timing, because everything He does is good, He is never late, and He works all things together for our good:  Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

That vacation was refreshing and it was so good to see Mom. 💗 We went to Hobby Lobby, so you know it was a highlight for me!  Got some cool stamps and patterned paper.  But I digress...

Altenew Painted Flowers; Papertrey Ink A Cheerful Heart sentiment Proverbs 3:5-6; Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Pinking Squares die; white ribbon

Spellbinders Large Deckled Rectangles die; Stampin' Up! mushroom patterned paper; Papertrey Ink New Every Morning sentiment Psalm 118

Memory Box Classic Tags dies; Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch; Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two die; Inspired By Stamping Fancy Alphabet stamps; pearls; hemp twine; dictionary page

I had a lumpectomy this past week, and I feel pretty good, all things considered.  The tumor was removed, and so was one lymph node.  Both of those are being biopsied, and I'll have results next week.  Those results will determine if I need chemo and how long radiation treatments will be.  I tell you friends, I am trusting Jesus that I will NOT need chemo, and that I will need only the shortest amount of radiation treatments!  He is my Great Physician.  He has got me so close, I can feel Him.  In fact, before I went for my first mammogram in August, I felt these words in my spirit:  Do not be afraid, Do not be afraid.  I thought it meant that my mammogram would be fine, but of course it was not.  Those words were firm and gentle.  And I take them seriously:  I am not afraid.  Overwhelmed at times, yes!  And sad in the beginning, yes, but afraid?  No.  I trust Him.

I'll come back here and visit again as time allows.  

Thank you for allowing me to share such a personal testimony with you.  We are here on this earth to help one another.  Perhaps there is someone reading this who will be touched by it, or someone who has put off having a mammogram who needs to go get one.

1Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Little Aqua Houses for you and me

Hello friends 😊

One of the categories of cards I sell at the local shop is "new home".  I made these two for sale, and it gave me a chance to use a new-to-me town house die that is so cute!  It's from Poppy Stamps.  So versatile.  Wish it came in a slightly larger size too, but it's okay.  I have PLENTY of supplies to choose from, I don't need to shop for more craft supplies right now.  Ohhhh, I think I've uttered that phrase countless times in my life!  LOL

Both cards have a strip of mirror cardstock on them, but you know how hard it is to photograph that kind of thing.

Poppy Stamps Town Houses die; Spellbinders Labels Eighteen die; mirror cardstock; Stampin' Up! patterned papers

The card below is supposed to feel like nighttime, with the stars above, and the yellow 'lights' in the windows.

Poppy Stamps Town Houses die; Papertrey Ink Cover Plate: Night Sky die, Boards and Beams sentiment; mirror cardstock

Psalm 127:1 NIV

A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

Wishing you a most beautiful day!

A Trio of Cards, No Common Theme!

Hi again! 👋 I've got three cards to share in this post.  There's absolutely no common theme, except that they were made by me (ha), and you know I generally like to cluster my cards together in a theme, if at all possible.  Not possible here!  LOL

The first card I made for my in-laws' anniversary either last year or the year before...I think last year?  They are REALLY GOOD COOKS (and my mother in law is an amazing baker, too).  So, this seemed like an unconventional but whimsical anniversary card for them.

Close To My Heart Tasty Treats sentiment; Memory Box Classic Tags die; Jolee's Boutique stickers; Stampin' Up! Hardwood background stamp; crochet lace

The next card I sent to my youngest daughter while she was still away at school.  She has taken an interest in growing plants - among them, succulents - and when I received one of my fun Stampin' Up! scrap bags, this cute succulent paper was in it.  Perfect!  I found a Power Poppy sentiment to go with it.

Power Poppy Summer Berries sentiment; Stampin' Up! Ornate Frames die; Inlovearts Heart Clover Wave Frame Border die; pearls 

And lastly, this was truly made up of scraps.  LOL  The sentiment, the punched flowers, the velvet ribbon snippet, and that Altenew leaf cluster stamp...they were all lying around on my desk for a good while.  I was determined to use them up!

Hero Arts Sending Smiles Messages sentiment, Leafy Vine background stamp; Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Accents flower punch; pearls; Altenew Build A Flower: Rose leaf cluster stamp; gray velvet ribbon  

Thanks for your visit again!  😀

God bless!

Autumn-Themed Cards

Hello everyone!  I've been wanting to play in a card challenge, and I was intrigued by the Tic Tac Toe challenge #104.  I picked the bottom row, which features birthday, coloring & yellow.  I put together an autumn-themed birthday card, with a birthday sentiment inside.  Sometimes I like the simplicity of  'for you' on the front of a clean and simple card.

Stampin' Up! Lovely As A Tree oak leaves stamp, patterned papers; Inspired By Stamping Fancy Label 18 frame stamp; Spellbinders Labels 18 die; yellow clear enamel dots; Copic markers 

And while I was in an autumn mood, I went a little crazy and crafted up all kinds of things with leaves.  LOL

Papertrey Ink Autumn Hills sentiment, tiny pumpkin stamps; Stampin' Up! Autumn Harvest pumpkin stamp, brown embossed die cut; Lawn Fawn Stitched Leaves dies; yellow clear enamel dots; Verve Notebook Paper stamp

Top Dog Dies Fall Foliage acorn die; Lawn Fawn Stitched Leaves dies; Sizzix / Tim Holtz Sewing Room dress form die; My Favorite Things Slanted Sentiment Strips die, Falling Leaves dies; Papertrey Ink Keep It Simple: Thanksgiving sentiment stamp; lace; white crackle paint

Sizzix / Tim Holtz Tattered Leaves die; natural twine; My Favorite Things Mix & Match Banners die; gold & walnut stain Distress Ink sprays; Papertrey Ink Stemmed Statements sentiment stamp

Sizzix / Tim Holtz Tattered Leaves die; gold & walnut stain Distress Ink sprays; Hero Arts With Sympathy sentiment stamp

Sizzix / Tim Holtz Tattered Leaves die; gold & walnut stain Distress Ink sprays; Hero Arts With Sympathy sentiment stamp

Papertrey Ink Autumn Hills sentiment; Stampin' Up! Avant Garden flower stamp (for border); Memory Box Elegant Scrollwork die; tiny acorn from stash

Hope you and your loved ones are doing well.  My husband has been busy repainting our living room, going from a beige that I am tired of, to a pale warm gray.  The woodwork is white, we keep that standard throughout the house.  I'll try to remember to share a pic or two here when it's all finished.  

One of my teeth fell two Fridays ago (a crown with post) while I was eating.  Ugh.  And of course, it was a Friday, so I needed to wait the weekend to have the problem addressed.  I went to a new-to-me dentist office that was highly recommended, and on Monday morning, lo and behold, my tooth that had been given a root canal, where the crown had been, was yanked.  Thankful for nitrous oxide.  I am now in the process of getting a dental implant.  It will be my first.  I hear good things about them.  😀

God bless you!