Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge #48

Hi Stamping Friends!!
Aren't these Easter images so beautiful?!!  I love the softness of them.  Pastels were meant for Easter.  I hope you can play along with us at the Stampin' Celebration Challenge this week.  In fact, this challenge will last for two weeks, so you have plenty of time to create a pretty Easter project.

EASTER BLOSSOMS

Stamps:  Easter Blossoms
Paper:  Pretty In Pink, So Saffron, Whisper White, Pretty In Pink DSP
Accessories:  Pear Seam Binding, Oval die, Decorative Label Punch, Basic Pearls, Markers, Paper Peircer

So I'll admit it.  I kind of cheated on this challenge.  This card was one of last month's hostess club projects.  I just never had enough time to upload it to my blog (In case you haven't noticed, I haven't been blogging much lately!).  But when I saw the challenge pictures and realized I didn't have time to stamp anything, I decided to use this.  :)

Easter Blossoms has to be my favorite stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I just love all the images in it.  I really hope it makes it to the new Idea Book and Catalog.  Although I don't know who else I can sell it to.  I think I've sold it to just about everyone I know! 

Don't forget, the last day to order from the Occasions Mini Catalog is April 30th.  So make sure to get all the things on your list.  Things like seam binding, glass glitter, punches, and all the  adorable stamp sets!!  Don't miss out!

And be sure to stop by the Stampin' Celebration Challenge and see what beautiful projects the other dsign team members created.  Unlike me, they actually put some effort into it!  Hopefully this uncreative season will soon pass and I will be back in the mood to stamp.  My Summer Mini pre-order arrived on Monday and I haven't even opened the box yet!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!

For Real Friday 4.8.11

Hi Friends!
Welcome to For Real Friday.  The one day a week a share (maybe a little TMI!) about me and my life.  But first, some stamping fun...

CHOO CHOO

Stamps:  Choo Choo, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:  Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Real Red
Accessories:  Perfect Polka Dots EF, Red Striped Grosgrain, Spiral Edge Punch

Sketch Challenge:  CREATE WITH CONNIE AND MARY #145
Color Challenge:  DIVA COFFEE BREAK DESIGNS #222
Theme Challenge:  STAMPIN' SISTERS IN CHRIST #83 Make a card for a child

Luke 18:17  "Amen I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."

I love participating in the challenges over at Stampin' Sisters of Christ.  They always include a verse and a little devotion with each challenge.  As I type out this verse, I can't help but think of the families in Brazil who lost their precious children in that horrible school shooting.  My heart just breaks for them.  What an awful tragedy.  My prayers are with them.

In all my various reading this week, I've ran across lots of passages that talk about the things Jesus said regarding children during His ministry on earth.  I'm guessing God wants me to sit up and pay attention for some reason.  Jesus loved little children.  He paid attention to them.  He blessed them.  This was out of the norm for the day.  The disciples even tried to shoo away the little rascals, but Jesus said no, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  Luke 18:16  We need to approach Christ with these same childlike attitudes of acceptance, faith, and trust.  Notice I said "childlike" and not "childish".  BIG difference!  Maybe that's what I need to be learning this week, that I need to let go of my cynic adult attitude and come before God's throne of grace with the faith and trust of a little child.  Oh, I have so much to learn!

Speaking of children... I had a not so pretty mom moment this week.  I told youth pastor hubby that I don't think I will survive parenting teenagers.  14yo man-child made a not so smart choice last Sunday.  Nothing that will put him in prison or even get him a detention.  It was just one of those decisions that disappoints you as a parent.  I did not give a 20 minute lecture on what a bone-head I thought he was (even though I wanted too!), but he knew I was not happy with him.  When he was heading for bed that night, he came and gave me a half-hearted hug (like always), and a kiss on the cheek, and said "I love you".  I told him I loved him too.  As he walked away I added, "Even if you are an idiot."  I thought I would get in one last dig for the day, just so he would know how disappointed I was.  I was even more disappointed when I saw his shoulders slump as he kept walking.  Why oh why can't I keep my mouth shut?!!  Why did I go and have to slam him one more time?!!  Did I really need to bring it up again?  Get the last word?  Oh what an ugly mom moment!!!  I have been trying for many years to control my tongue, but apparently I've got a lot more work to do.  Then to add salt to my wound, the next morning he posts on his FB page... "I love you, but your still an idiot.  Thanks mom for the words of encouragement."  So now the entire world knows what a fabulous mother I am!!  What I really need to do is apologize.  And try not to be so "childish".  Oh Lord!!  Please help me get through these tough teenage years and still have my children love me when it's all over with!

I've been doing lots of reading lately.  Do you guys have any great books that you've read lately?  I'd love to hear what's in your library.  I need to head to work right now, or I would share more.  Maybe next week.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge #47

Hi Stamping Friends!!
Wow these weeks are flying by!  I can't believe it is already Thursday and time for another Stampin' Inspiration Challenge!!!  Aren't these pics adorable?!!  I love them!!  Lots of cute colors and patterns.  I'm always a sucker for stripes and polka dots.

ANIMAL STORIES

Stamps:  Animal Stories, Something to Celebrate (Hostess)

Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz DSP, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Super Duper Old DSP that I can't remember the name of... I think it came in a SAB scrap kit quite a few years back.

Accessories:  Scallop Circle Punch, Tasteful Trim die, Marina Mist Grosgrain, Ice Cream Parlor Buttons (SAB), Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Sketch Challenge:  MOJO MONDAY #185

As you can tell, I was really drawn to the stripes in this picture.  And of course the cute little elephant.  I was so bummed that I did not finish this card in time to take a pic yesterday when it was 75 degrees with beautiful sunshine.  Today it is 53 degrees with overcast skies and drizzly rain.  Yuck!!

I hope you have a chance to pop in over at the Stampin' Celebration Challenge.  The design team did such a wonderful job with this inspiration.  Everyone found something unique that they were inspired by.  And although 3 of us used elephants, they are all different elelphant stamps!!  How fun is that!

I hope you are having a fabulous week!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

ColourQ #79

Hi Stamping Friends!!
It's Tuesday and that means it's time for more fabulous colors from Arielle at the ColourQ!!  Fun springtime colors this week with a punch of black.  I hope you can play along!

FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLY

Stamps:  Flight Of The Butterfly, Season of Friendship
Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Playdate DSP, Ice Cream Parlor DSP, unknown Tempting Turquoise DSP
Accessories:  Butterfly Punch, Dimensionals

Sketch Challenge:  CLEAN AND SIMPLE #134

Since I still haven't found my stamping groove, I decided to go with a CAS card today.  I couldn't find any Bermuda Bay DSP, so I cheated a little and used Tempting Turquoise.  Not even sure what pack that paper came from.  It was in my scrap bag and I was just too lazy to go through old catalogs to find it's name.

The weather has been beautiful this week in the Central Valley.  Spring is in the air and everyone has been feeling good... until this morning.  The 5yo woke up complaining his throat hurt.  Arrrrggg!!!  He just finished off a 10 day cycle of antibitotics last week!  Here's hoping it's just allergy related.  He's not acting as sick as he was last time.  I'm ready for a healthy family!!!

Hope you are having a beautiful week!
Thanks for stopping by!
Happy stamping!

For Real Friday 4.1.11

Hi Friends!!!
Welcome to another edition of For Real Friday!!  I'm still trying to get into the blogging groove after taking an unexpected break last week.  So many things happening all at once, and then add sickness on top of it all.  Not pretty!!!  But God is good.  And I continue to lean on His promises to help me make it through each and every day.  Whether they are pretty, or pretty ugly!!!

CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES

Stamps:  Crazy For Cupcakes
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Ealry Espresso, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette DSP
Accessories:  Oval Scallop Punch, Oval Punch, Square Scallop die, Basic Rhinestones, Scallop Ribbon Punch

Color Challenge:  COLOUR Q #78
Sketch Challenge:  THE PAPER PLAYERS #40
Recipe Challenge:  STAMPIN' SISTERS IN CHRIST #82 Paper Piecing

Phillipians 4:6-7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."


Thanks Stampin' Sisters in Christ!!!  Oh how I needed this reminder!!  So often I start running away with the "What ifs..." of life and I forget to leave my anxieties at the feet of Jesus.  He is so faithful to take care of all my needs and grant me the peace I desire.  If I would just remember to stop and ask!! 

Hubby and I started an accidental tradition the year 14yo man-child turned 5.  He had never been to Disneyland and we decided to take him and his little sister.  Little sis ended up getting a fever the day before, so we went with plan B and left her with grandma and headed down to the happiest place on earth with just the three of us.  What a wonderful time we had!!  We could give him our undivided attention and he got to rule the day.  So when little sis turned 5, we also took her to Disneyland by herself for her very first time.  What a completley different experience!!  Instead of Tom Sawyer's Island and Pirate's of the Caribbean, we spent the entire day visiting every princess and getting their autograph. Fast forward to this week when we finally took 5yo number three (he's almost 6!) on his first trip to Disneyland. 

He loved anything you could drive, shoot or run across.  He was too chicken to volunteer for the Jedi Training Academy, but it was fun to watch.  He disliked anything that spun around in a circle.  So the Teacups were not a crowd favorite.  He's our only kid that gets dizzy easily.  The Disneyland fireworks show is amazing!  And we loved the Aladdin show too.  Just so much fun!!!

What a special blessing to be a parent.  And what a wonderful memory to have of each one of our children as they got to experience something as exciting as Disneyland for the very first time.  It's nice to have an innocent 5yo in the house still.  It helps to alleviate those days when 14yo man-child gets in the car after school and asks how old you have to be to get a tattoo.  Ummmmm... old enough to buy your own groceries and pay your own taxes!!  This would be the same 14yo man-child who called me during a wedding rehearsal dinner to ask if he could get a mohawk.  I passed that one on to youth pastor hubby.  Who promptly got out the clippers the next morning and gave said man-child the haircut of his dreams.  Just in time for school.  Yikes!  I need to remember to take a picture so you can share in my misery.

So that's part of the reason I've been MIA for the last week.  The other part is I just haven't been feeling very creative.  Maybe once my Summer Mini pre-order arrives, I will feel like stamping again.  There's nothing like new stamps to get your mojo going.  :)

Thanks for stopping by!