mary rose's cafe

Where My Heart Is

2012-02-13T07:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! Hope your weekend was fun! I got to spend the weekend with my oldest son and youngest son, and had the chance to talk with my son in the middle on the telephone last night. But now it's Monday, oldest son is back at college, youngest son is back to school, and middle son won't be home until next week. Sigh! Wish I had all of my little sparrows back in the nest. That's the thing about children. Wherever they go, they take your heart with them.

Today's card uses a sketch from SCS and a challenge from PTI to combine butterflies and leaves. I needed a bright color combo (melon mambo and kiwi kiss) to combat the grey skies outdoors.

I'm in full crafting mode today! I need to make twenty-five Valentines for Sam's class party tomorrow, and I need to finish up a custom crafting project that's part of my gift for my husband tomorrow.

Happy Crafting, Cafe friends!

Focus

2012-02-11T07:42:00.001-08:00

Opening night of Star Wars Episode 1 in 3D. We just knew the costumed fans would be out in full force last night!

Another Kulczak son finally got to see one of his all-time favorite movies on the big screen!

I have to say that the 3D aspect of this movie was rather disappointing. Not nearly as spectacular as we thought it would be. But what other opportunities do you get to wear cool sunglasses indoors?

One line of the dialog in last night's movie really stood out for me. Qui Gon Jinn tells young Anakin "Your focus determines your reality."

Wow. I repeat, your focus determines your reality!

It is so hard to focus in our culture. There are so many distractions! Cell phones, texting, tweeting, reality television, movies, radio, news, ipods, internet surfing, sports, hobbies, books, shopping, food. The list goes on and on! Very few things that build community, but everything to prevent even one minute of boredom.

I don't know about you, but I know that I really need to refocus and change my reality. What that will mean for me is stepping away from the things that have done very little to give me a sense of community. Facebook, Pinterest, online forums, internet surfing. Those distractions have never brought connection or purpose or peace.

Focus. Prayer. Focus. Walking. Focus. Connecting. Focus. The Word. Focus. Service. Focus. Humility. It won't always be easy. But one thing it will be? Real.

I thought you might like to see how the interactive Love Banner is evolving. Lots of good things to love...Starbucks coffee, Star Wars, Dad's grilling, grandmas and grandpas, puppies. Love is good!

Love well, my friends!

To Pin or Not To Pin

2012-02-09T08:21:00.000-08:00

Do you pin? As in, Pinterest? I am torn on this new form of social media mixed with eye candy. I can see where Pinterest might occasionally be nice, especially if you are using it as a form of online inspiration board. Where Pinterest and I part is pure esthetics. I love pretty things as much as the next gal. Heck, that's why I love magazines so much. But I also like to keep my life real. Pinterest holds an unusually high standard to the rest of the world with its pretty fluffy messages, pretty hair, pretty houses, and pretty handmade everything. But is it real and true and good?

Here's an example. Pinterest will show you a unique way to decorate your home using stamps.

What it won't show you is what a mess rubber stamps will make in the rest of your house( if you get really serious about collecting them! tee! hee!).

Pinterest will show you a carefully cropped and beautiful photo of roses.

It won't show you the morning table where those roses reside, cluttered with newspapers, homework, unfinished weekly bible study, pencils, pens, scissors, and a game of Bananagrams.

Pinterest might show you a nice new sofa, artfully arranged with pillows and blankets.

But it won't show you that it's taking up valuable real estate in a room that is currently occupied by four couches!

Let's face it. Life is messy! And while I might occasionally need a pretty photo or a feel good message to inspire me, I also do not need to see a young woman in an impossibly small bikini with perfectly braided hair who lives in a just so house filled with the best of everything. I have enough inferiority complexes to battle every day without Pinterest helping the devil's hand, thank you very much!

Will I pin? Maybe. But I have to remember to "keep it real" every day. Easy to do here at home, not so easy to do when bombarded by television and the internet.

But here I am, on the internet, showing you my pretty thing, making myself a part of the problem instead of the solution. What can I say? I'm a complex, flawed individual. Good thing God loves me so much!

Papertrey Ink now has a Pinterest gallery to browse, and it is inspiring, I'll give you that! One project inspired me to use strips of pretty papers for this bookmark that I made for Sam. A mother just loves to hear "As soon as I finish this chapter"!

Tell me, do you pin? What are your favorite inspirational blogs?

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." Philippians 4:8

A Love of Good Books

2012-02-08T10:56:00.001-08:00

Don't you just love this nightstand? Sam keeps the bookcase close to his bed (for easy access) and lines the top with all of his treasures. He has such a sweet little boy heart!

Right now, Sam and I are reading "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis every night. When I was a young mom to my two oldest sons and a new teacher, I poured my heart into the roles by researching and reading everything related to early childhood education. I owned a book called "The Read Aloud Handbook", and the author made the case for parents reading to their children, even long after the kids can read by themselves.

I remember reading the Narnia books to Luke and John Ryan, with all three of us curled up in Luke's little twin bed. When Aslan, the king, sacrificed himself for Edmund, it was a lightbulb moment for my boys. "Hey! That's just like Jesus!" they exclaimed, surprised. Yes, I said, wiping the tears from my cheeks, yes it is.

Last night, Sam read to me from his new library book, and I'm proud to say that he is an excellent reader. His test scores are well in the advanced range. Of course, that's not a big surprise. Would you look at all the books bulging out of his bookcase? We can't help ourselves. We're a family that loves reading.

Yesterday, Sam made himself a little book (similar to the one I'd made for my book journal), and instead of using background papers, he made his own.

I love the title. "Art and Writting for boys". Isn't that precious? And here's the back:

So creative! Sam is participating in Illustrator's Club after school, exploring new books and favorite illustrators, and learning their art techniques. He loves it. He's only eight, but he already has an appreciation for great illustrators like Eric Carle, Jan Brett, Lois Ehlert, and Mark Teague.

Tell me, who are your favorite illustrators or children's authors?

A Warm Welcome to Lexi!

2012-02-06T14:18:00.001-08:00

Day 2 of PTI's Fifth Anniversary was a big surprise! They revealed the talented women whose very own designs will be featured in upcoming releases for 2012. It was so nice to see a familiar face in the lineup! Lexi Daly will be creating her own line of stamps for PTI! Yea, Lexi! Lexi and I were on the design team for The Saltbox Studio several years ago. It was always fun to see what Lexi would come up with, as her clean and simple style is legendary!

Nichole's blog features a sheet of free digi images from the new designers, and I chose Lexi's fun toaster image to make today's card.

I thought that these papers from October Afternoon's Modern Homemaker collection were the perfect choice! They remind me of my Tante Mimi's kitchen when I was a child. It was always a warm and happy place to have a cup of tea and a cookie or two.

Thanks for visiting the cafe today!

The Sweet Blush

2012-02-05T18:22:00.000-08:00

Ever have a card or a craft project that just takes on a life of its own?

I was totally inspired by this fabulous card that Maile Belles created here:

Maile Belles' Fabulous Card!

I loved the graphic quality of the repeating patterns in rainbow colors. I loved the buttons. And oh yes, I loved the kraft!

I was inspired to make something similar to this card. And then a funny thing happened. I put a piece of Sweet Blush card stock next to Kraft card stock, and they looked so happy together in a soft and romantic sort of way. Who am I to separate true love? I opted for the softer color palette that you see here:

{recipe: Kraft/Sweet Blush/Rustic White card stock (Papertrey Ink), Love Lives Here sentiment (PTI), heart border die (PTI), versafine onyx ink, versamagic cloud white ink}

Did you know that Papertrey Ink is celebrating their fifth anniversary this month? The PTI team has all sorts of festivities planned, so make sure you stop by Nichole's blog for all the details!

A Banner of Love

2012-02-03T11:35:00.001-08:00

Okay, I've been in a bit of a crafting funk this week. I decided it was time to break out of the card making mold and do something a little fun and funky. No challenges, no special inspiration, just creating.

I had been thinking of this pennant banner all week, and finally got around to making it. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, papers and dies and punches from a lot of different companies, and voila! Something for the home and for the whole family to enjoy!

I thought that it might be fun to make this an interactive banner. I decided to leave a lot of space for all of the family members to add something or someone they love.

I put out a basket and filled it with some tags, punched hearts, and a Sharpie. This will help inspire my boys to add a little something to our banner of love. Totally organic, as my sister Jenny likes to say. I'm hoping that this banner will evolve during the month of February.

This was a fun project to help get me out of my creative rut. Tell me, what do you do when you've lost your crafting mojo?

Rest and Relax

2012-01-30T09:14:00.001-08:00

Rest and relaxation is the best medicine, don't you think?

My poor dear husband had surgery last week to repair his separated shoulder incurred while biking in the fall (pun intended!) of 2010. He tried to let it heal, he tried exercises, he tried cortisone shots. In the end, he knew that he would either have to deal with the pain for the rest of his life or get the surgery to repair the injury.

The ortho doctor performed the two hour surgery, stapled up the five inch incision, wrapped him in bandages and sent him home. Yes, outpatient surgery. It was pretty overwhelming, to say the least. My husband has been off work ever since, and I have taken on the role of caregiver, helping him bathe and dress and eat and get comfortable. Ed had it in his mind that he'd be doing a lot of reading and movie watching, when in truth he has not had the wherewithal to entertain himself. Instead, he has been napping. And let me tell you, my husband is not normally a napper!

I have been doing my best to keep the house calm and quiet. I follow his lead. Some mornings, I can tell that he's antsy and needs a short trip out of the house. Other days, like today, I can tell that he just needs to stay home and recuperate, which is fine by me. In between my nursing duties, I can read and stitch and craft and cook. My husband is so thankful for the care, and I am so thankful that I am not working outside the home. God provides, and this week, He is providing us with patience for the day and rest for some weary bones.

When I visited Cath's blog at Moxie Fab World, I was so surprised to here that she was not going to CHA, the Craft and Hobby Association's big trade show in Anaheim, California. Poor Cath is recovering from a rotator cuff injury and is also nursing a sore shoulder. Cath, you have my sympathies! I hope the doctors can get you on the road to recovery soon!

I made this card to cheer her up today. This stamp from Lockhart Stamp Company seemed like it was just the medicine the doctor ordered. Sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the wonderful photos of new product lines that are being posted every day!

Happy healing, Cath!

So Dog-gone Cute!

2012-01-28T17:52:00.001-08:00

Things have been a little crazy at our house. Earlier this week, my husband had surgery (more on that later!) and has been home from work, resting and recuperating. Unfortunately, Maggie, our lab, is used to her daily routines with Mama, and now these routines have been interrupted. To make matters worse, Dad has claimed her favorite napping spot, the big lumpy sofa under the windows that looks out over the backyard and the birds and trees.

I had to laugh when I saw her on the second best option, the lumpy loveseat, with her head tucked under the pillows.

Awww, she's so dog-gone cute! I made a fun little Valentine today that was inspired by Maggie!

This card uses the stamp set "Dog-gone Cute" from Pure Innocence (My Favorite Things stamps). I paired soft stone cardstock (PTI) with papers from October Afternoon (Schoolhouse collection).

I colored the dog with Prisma markers and drew a little dog collar so that I could add this twinkle heart from Amuse.

Inside, more stamps from PTI and a fun strip of paper from the same OA pack.

Blessings on your weekend, friends!

Dearest Jane

2012-01-27T12:08:00.001-08:00

When Papertrey Ink released the new Dearest Jane line of stamps and papers inspired by Jane Austen, I thought they made it just for me. I could hear Nichole saying "You know, it's Mary Rose's birthday next month. Let's make stamps and paper just for her." Yeah, I'm that special. :)

When I opened this book of patterned paper, I nearly swooned. Chapter One, Vintage Script!

And Chapter Two, Book Print!

Don't you love it? I'm thrilled with the new format of PTI's papers. It will be so wonderful to easily add this to my bookshelf. I love storage made simple!

I used my new goodies to make this sweet little book organizer today. I had these mini composition books in my stash. They measure 4 1/2 by 3 1/4 inches. First, I cut the papers to size. Then I stamped on the front using chocolate ink. I used my Mono Multi glue to adhere, adding a little strip of chocolate and kraft paper (Webster's Pages) for the binding. To embellish, I added a strip of velvet ribbon, then made a sweet little bouquet using a florist's sprig, some taffeta ribbon, Papertrey Ink's Rustic Twine and a PTI Vintage button.

Super easy and oh so sweet! I'm using this little mini book to record the books I've read this year, along with the books I hope to read. I'm the kind of person that can spend hours in a bookstore with a cup of coffee in one hand and a piece of paper and pen in the other. I'm always making notes about authors and books I'd like to read. If I don't have to own the book, I will take my list to the library and try to find the titles there. (If I can save money on books, then I can spend it on crafting. There are only so many hobby dollars to spend in any given month!)

I've been reading A LOT this month. I think I'm on to my fifth book for the month of January. I am now reading "Death Comes to Pemberley" by P.D. James. My sweet mother bought me this book for Christmas. Are you sensing a theme? I think it may be time for a BBC Austen movie marathon. Perhaps during Super Bowl weekend?

PTI January Blog Hop

2012-01-25T07:55:00.000-08:00

Hello, friends! Today is the January Blog Hop at Papertrey Ink. Our challenge: take one of your favorite projects from last year and use it as an inspiration for a new creation.

I made this card for my mom for mother's day last year. My mom is also a papercrafter, and she gushed over this card. She kept asking me "How did you get the colors so vibrant?" What can I say? Good quality stamps make all the difference! (And it doesn't hurt to keep your pads well inked, too!) I made this card using Blooming Button Bits and a bright and cheery springtime color palette.

This card measures 4 X 9 1/4, making it the perfect fit for a business sized envelope. I needed the card to be long so that it would fit this fun little gift inside...a car freshener from A Cheerful Giver candle company. I also stamped inside of the card, which I often forget to do.

Are you ready for today's card? Here it is:

I used the same layout, but changed a few elements. For starters, I wanted a soft pastel color palette for this card (October Afternoon Thrift Shop Collection), which I think is very appropriate for Valentine's Day. I also switched out the stamp sets. This time, I used Friendship Jar and Flower Fusion 6. I replaced the scalloped edge with a pink lace edge. The card base is one of my favorites: Rustic Cream card stock from Papertrey Ink!

I also stamped a little flower inside of this card, but I haven't included a "gift" to go inside just yet. After all, my mom reads my blog, and I can't spoil the surprise completely!

Thanks for stopping by the cafe today!

My Cup of Tea

2012-01-23T07:26:00.001-08:00

Is there anything more exciting than the beginning of a new bible study? I love diving into God's Word. As I've begun this new study from Beth Moore called "James: Mercy Triumphs", I have this feeling that God has picked exactly the Word He wants me to hear.

I could have done a bible study with the folks at my little church, but the topics just didn't call to me. And then I remembered that I could easily do a study at home. Buy the book, download the weekly videos, and do the homework. It was as if God was whispering "Let's just do this study together, you and me."

And right there, on day one, the very thoughts that I've been pondering for the last six weeks. Joseph, a simple carpenter who becomes a man of dreams. Mary, chosen to be the mother of a savior. Simeon, and his prophetic words.

It gives me goosebumps.

I love it when the pastor's sermons, with no planning, preach the very words I've been reading in my daily study. Just yesterday, I leaned over to my husband during the sermon and whispered in his ear "This is right out of my new study!"

Isn't God wonderful? It reminds me of the words of Jeremiah 29:13-14: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you."

I love God's Word. It's just my cup of tea!

And here's a little square card that is also my cup of tea! This stamp is from Amuse Studio, and I've paired it with some papers (SU DSP) and stitched grosgrain ribbon (Amuse) for a little clean and simple card ready for Valentine's Day or any day!

Blessings on your week ahead, friends!

Tea For Two, Me and Luke

2012-01-18T07:29:00.000-08:00

Hello! I'd like to feature my first born son, Luke, today. Or Irish Luke, as I often call him. And for obvious reasons. The red hair, the fair skin, the freckles. And yes, ladies, he is single! :)

Over Christmas break, when Luke was home from college, he was so happy to grow this red beard. He doesn't like shaving, as he has sensitive skin. I took this photo of Luke right before he went back to college and back to his job in food service that would require him to shave his beard. He's actively looking for a job on campus that will allow him to keep his facial hair. Too funny.

Luke and I both hold the opinion that everyone should have to work a job in food service and a job in retail once in their lifetime. If you do, you'll be kind and patient to wait staff, and you'll always make an effort to put things back in their proper places in the store rather than plunking them on any ole shelf. Trust me, we've learned from experience.

When Irish Luke is home, we drink a lot of tea. In the warm months, it is iced tea, and on the chilly months, it is hot tea. No on else in my family shares my appreciation for tea as much as Luke. ( I'm trying to make at least one of my sons a coffee lover, but it hasn't happened yet!) Luke and I went out to lunch one day and ordered hot tea. The waitress brought us a box full of exotic herbals. We looked at her and said "Don't you have any regular tea?" In the end, we settled on Earl Grey.

We have favorite blends at home. Luke loves Lipton's, a classic orange pekoe. I also enjoy Constant Comment for its spiciness. If we're making a pot of tea, it has to be Yorkshire Gold. The British know a thing or two about good tea!

I think it's important for everyone to take time for tea! I made this card for today's sketch challenge at SCS using the PTI stamp set Tea For Two and papers from Crate Paper Farmhouse collection.

Have you seen any sneak peeks for what CHA has in store? The Craft and Hobby Association will be putting on their big trade show soon, where all of the major manufacturers will showcase their upcoming lines. I was so tickled to see that Cosmo Cricket will have a new line featuring tea called Tea For Two! It looks yummy!

Take time for yourself today, friends! And thank you for your kind comments and thoughtful words. I treasure them!

A Smashing Great Day

2012-01-17T12:36:00.000-08:00

Today is the day...the first official day of my unemployment. And I have to be honest, I sat in my comfy chair, under my comfy blanket, with a warm cup of coffee in my hand and thought "Well, now what?"

I haven't found my daily groove yet, but I know that it will come. I decided to make a list of what I hope to accomplish with my days. And what better place to put it than in my SMASH book?

I started with my inspiration piece. This magnet from Curly Girl Designs was a gift from my sister, Tina, and I just love it. It says "She requires a steady diet of Faith and Fancy with a little mischief here and there for good measure." And in little word strips on the side, it says "She made a great effort to balance all the wild and wonderful things that make up life." And that is exactly what I want to do with my days!

As I reflected on the celebration of life, this fun little party theme popped into my head, and I knew what stamps I wanted to use (Hero Arts Bicycle stamps/die set). I think of life as a party, and I had a great party, but then had to leave that party. So we moved to a new party, and I came to love that party, too, but then we had to leave that party...again. This new party is not at all what I thought it would be, and truthfully, I've been more of a wallflower than a festive party girl. That needs to change.

This page will serve as my reminder to get out there and enjoy the party. I know the things I need to do, and now I need to get busy doing them. For starters, I was totally underwhelmed by my church's offerings for bible studies this month. Well, that's no excuse not to be in the Word. So tomorrow, I'm going to my local Lifeway store and I'm picking up the new Beth Moore study on the book of James called "Mercy Triumphs". Did you know that you can even download the video portions of the bible study to view at home? I can't wait to get started! Want to join me? I'd love to discuss this study with you! Drop me a line!

Hope you are having a smashing good day, friends! And if it's not so good, can I make a suggestion? A warm cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa can do wonders! Stir, sip, and enjoy!

{SMASH book recipe: pink SMASH book, Crate Paper Portrait Collection, Hero Arts bicycle stamps/dies, birds from PTI Bird Watching, paper doily, SMASH stickies, Blank SMASH pad, mini alphabet set}

Fun With Color

2012-01-16T12:59:00.000-08:00

As I've been sorting through my craft stash and purging unused and rarely used items, I've also been finding some hidden gems. I recently discovered a big stash of retired inkpads and reinkers from Stampin' Up. I thought I'd sold these off in my last garage sale, but apparently I still had quite a few left.

I was pleasantly surprised to find some old discontinued purples and nearly full reinkers. SU doesn't have a very wide range of purples, and these old colors suddenly look fresh and new again! Lovely lilac, almost amethyst, and today's beauty, orchid opulence.

For today's card, I made rectangle masks, laying them at varying angles on the card. Then I used sponge daubers to ink around the mask. I chose basic gray ink for the flower and sentiment. It's a nice, soft alternative to the harsher and more dramatic black. I used my Sharpie marker to color some clear twinkles, and then placed them in the corner. I like the fact that every rectangle has something interesting going on inside. It makes the eye travel over the entire card, I think.

This "previously loved" stamp set is called Wildflower Garden, and I acquired it on the PTI forums last week. Thanks, Marlo!

Peace and love, friends!

January Clean Up! LOTS for sale!

2012-01-13T05:35:00.000-08:00

January and its arctic weather is finally here. What better time is there to clean out house than when you're indoors where it's warm and cozy! I'm still purging my craft supplies, selling off a lot of wood mounted stamps and accessories that are no longer being used. I've lowered the prices on lots of items to move them from my house to yours! Ink pads, wheels, dies, storage, and of course, stamps! Take a look at my list and email me! Buyer pays shipping. I'll make deals for anyone who's buying multiple items. Thanks for looking today!
maryrosek@att.net

SU WHEELS:

Jumbo Wheels $3 each:
Busy Blocks
Sweet Stars
Bouquet
Standard Wheels $2 each:
Double Line Stitch Plaid
Star Spangled
Watercolor Joy
Boho Friend

Background Stamps, $8 each:
Stipple Plaid
Print Pattern
Wild Hearts
Soft Swirls
Polka Dot
Paisley 1 and 2
Just Jeans
Big Blossom

SU Ink Pads, $2 each:
Cranberry Crisp
Vintage Violet
True Thyme
Dusty Durango

SU reinkers, $2 each:
pixie pink
blush blossom
barely banana
only orange
pink passion
bordering blue
buckaroo blue (pending)
apricot appeal
handsome hunter
ballet blue
green galore
brocade blue
Cranberry Crisp $2(pending)
Going Grey $2(pending)
Black ink cartridge refill $2

SU Rub Ons, $2 each:
A Perfect Day
Eastern Elegance
Love and Happiness

Stampin' Pastels, original colors, used: $10

SU divided alphabet cases, new never used: 7 available, $2 each

SU Stampin' Stack and Store(old style, not spinning, one stack with 6 containers) $5

SU current, for trade:
Jumbo wheel storage, 2 for $3
standard wheel storage (pending)

SU Stamp Sets:
> > > > A:
> > > >
> > > > Alphahearts rare $15
> > > > B:
> > > > Big Deal Alphabet $10
> > > > Blooming With Happiness $5
> > > > Big Blooms $10
> > > > Bug Builders $5
> > > > C:
> > > > Carved and Candlelit $5
> > > > Carte Postale $10
> > > > Congrats $5
> > > > Country Pleasures $10
> > > >
> > > > Close As a Memory $5
> > > > Collage Numbers $5
> > > > Classic Alphabet $10
> > > > Collage Alphabet $10
> > > > Classic Caps $10
> > > > Country Morning $5
> > > > D:
> > > > Doodle This $10
> > > > Doodle Alphabet $10
> > > > E:
> > > > Espress Yourself $10
> > > > F:
> > > > Fabulous Flowers $10
> > > > Friendships Grow $5
> > > > Fly Fishing rare $20
> > > > Friend to Friend $5
> > > > Fresh Fillers $3
> > > >
> > > > Fashion Statements $10
> > > > H:

> > > > Happy Harmony $5
> > > >

> > > > I:

> > > >
> > > > J:
> > > > Journalling Fun $5
> > > > Just Journalling 1 w/ template $5
> > > > Just Journalling 2 w/ template $5
> > > > L:
> > > > Little By Little $10
> > > > Little Pieces $5
> > > > M:
> > > > Mixed Bouquet $10
> > > > Memory of the Heart $5
> > > > Many Thanks $5
> > > > Mon Ami $3
> > > > N:
> > > > Noteworthy $5
> > > > O:
> > > > On Angel Wings $10
> > > >
> > > > Oh So Lovely $5
> > > > Old Glory $10
> > > > Occasionally $5
> > > > P:
> > > > Priceless $10
> > > > Party Punch $5
> > > > Phrase Starters $5
> > > > Q:
> > > > Quirky Alphabet $10
> > > > R:
> > > > Reason To Smile $5
> > > > Riveting $5
> > > > S:
> > > > Simple Wishes $3
> > > > Serene Sunflower $10
> > > > So Very $5
> > > > Spring Fling $3
> > > > Short Order Alphabet $10
> > > > Sweet Spot $3
> > > >
> > > > Sketch An Event $5
> > > > T:
> > > > True Friend $15
> > > > Tag Alphabet rare $10

> > > > W:
> > > > Whimsical Alphabet $10
> > > > Wonderful Wishes $5

My Favorite Things, new, never used:
Dienamics Rolled Flower die $8
Dienamics Oval Open Scallop doily die $16
Flapper Doodle Get A Wiggle On $3
Flapper Doodle Goofy For You $3
Flapper Doodle Hotsy Totsy Birthday $3
Flapper Doodle Flappers in a Vespa $3 __________________
mary rose

Stitching Together A Little Happiness

2012-01-12T09:08:00.000-08:00

Before I even opened my eyes in bed this morning, I had a happy thought: I don't have to go to work today!

This happy elective unemployment is leaving me lots of time to do the things I love. I'm moving right along on my coffee cup stitching project...

...and I don't have to go to work anymore!

I have more time to read a good book! I'm enjoying a new Monica Ferris needle art-themed mystery because...

...I don't have to go to work anymore!

I had all kinds of free time to make a card this morning because...

...I don't have to go to work anymore!

So, have you noticed some themes today? Everything is needle-art related, AND I don't have to go to work anymore!

Yeah, I'm just a little bit happy about that!

Today's Ways To Use It challenge: incorporate stickers into a card project. I don't have a big stash of stickers, but I did find a sticker sheet from Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl line in my stash. It seemed to fit the theme of the day because I am feeling "sew happy"!

I used a kraft card base (PTI), added some paper (Cosmo Cricket Material Girl), layered on a doily (MFT die), tied a stitched grosgrain ribbon (Amuse Studio), slapped on the sticker, then finished it off with a button and some linen thread (PTI). Super easy, with just a taste of vintage.

The snow is gently falling, and I have nowhere that I have to be but right here snug in my home. Hope your day is sew happy, too!

,

Be Strong

2012-01-10T08:50:00.001-08:00

Are you a quitter or a stick-to-it kind of person? I'll confess, quitting is hard for me. Remember last September when I decided to quit paper crafting? Yeah, that lasted for about a month. LOL!

I quit my job this week. And for some silly reason, I agonized over the decision and had to talk it out with everyone who would listen. I gave my husband a long list of reasons why I was quitting, until he finally looked at me and said "You don't need a reason to quit. You're miserable, you don't like the work, the pay stinks, so quit."

Well, when you put it that way!

I just feel as though I'm at a funny transitional point in my life right now where I'm having a hard time focusing on anything. I'm not currently in a bible study, I'm not exercising, and I have no clear goals. Partly cloudy, with a chance of fog. New Year's Resolutions? I can't wrap my brain around one, let alone a list.

There's one thing that I do know. I feel a strong desire to be home right now. I've been missing the daily rhythms that I've always found comforting...a good walk, a deep dive into the Word, a little stitching, a good book with a cup of coffee, a card sent to a friend. One day I will find a way to parlay my dabbling talents into a paying gig that helps to fund two college tuitions. In the meantime, I'm going to just try to be still and wait upon the Lord for a change.

Today's card features some new stamps that have been begging to get a little inky. This set is from Unity Stamp Co. I've wanted to purchase from them for a long time, and when they had Black Friday sales, I couldn't resist!

I wish I could stop buying new craft supplies, but I'm no quitter!

Blessings on your day, friends!

Stitch The Things You Love

2012-01-08T13:23:00.001-08:00

I decided to begin a new stitching project last night. But what to choose. Snowmen? Nope. There's nary a snowflake to be seen. Spring? Too soon. Coffee? Now you're talkin'! Coffee knows no season! It's perfect all year long!

I'm stitching this Lizzie Kate pattern on 28 count hand-dyed linen from Sassy's Fabrics. The color is called "Cocoa Bean". How perfect is that?

Thankful For Sisters

2012-01-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, we decided to head home to Michigan to ring in the New Year with family. Our jobs prevented us from celebrating Christmas with the folks back home, so it seemed like a good idea at the time.

My husband, who was recovering from a cold, was regaling my sisters with a funny story when he began coughing, stood up, and passed out...face first. OUCH! There was much bleeding and much cause for concern. An ambulance was called, and my poor husband was rushed to the hospital. Turns out he broke his nose from the fall, and bruised his poor face considerably. It could have been much worse, and we were thankful for the care he received.

My sister, Sue, calmly called 911 and cleaned the bloody carpet like a professional. Thank you, Sue!

My sister, Jenny, has often professed that sick people make her sick. And yet, in the midst of the panic, she provided the comic relief. "Ed, can I get you anything?" she asked my prostrate husband. "A shrimp tray?" he laughingly answered. Needless to say, she brought the shrimp tray the next day. Thank you, Jenny!

My sister, Nurse Tina, offered to drive me to the hospital. She knew all the right questions to ask, and didn't care that we were filling prescriptions at two in the morning. The plush ride in her new Cadillac was quite a treat! Thank you, Tina!

I made these thank you cards for my big sisters...where would I be without them? If my husband had to faint, I'm glad he did it in my mom's living room in Michigan, surrounded by family. What a blessing you all are to me!

Each card was made with the same elements...heart twinkles and stamp from Amuse Studios (Love Conquers All), papers from Crate Paper Farmhouse collection, PTI rustic cream cardstock, ink and scallop edge punch from SU.

Thanks again, ladies! Love you all!

The Power of the Sun

2012-01-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a beautiful sunrise this morning. I bundled up to admire the view from the deck on this frosty dawn. As I snapped away, I heard a cardinal singing its morning praise song. It made me want to sing, too. Way to go, God! Here's how the dawn unfolded:

Isn't it amazing how sunshine can make even the chilliest days better? My sisters in Michigan purchased happy lights last week. These lights are supposed to mimic natural sunlight for those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder during the dark winter months. Today, God is supplying the happy light, and I am soooo thankful!

My mom always supplies the happy light, too. I made this card for her today. We had a brief visit with Mom last weekend, and it was far from relaxing! But Mom always supplies the sunshine, even on the dark days.

I made this card using two stamp sets (Scattered Showers and Scattered Showers Additions from Papertrey Ink), a slice of Tangerine from Crate Paper (Farmhouse), and all the colors of the sunrise. I tried my hand at a framing technique from PTI's Make It Monday. Not bad!

Hope your day is sunny, too!

A New Year, A New Color

2012-01-02T14:10:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! 2011 is now a memory, and 2012 is a clean slate filled with hope for the future. And when I think of a color that conveys the feelings of warmth and hopefulness, this lovely shade of orange comes to mind.

Pantone has chosen the color of the year for 2012, and the color is...Tangerine Tango!

Yes, that is the name of one of Stampin' Up's colors. Coincidence? You decide.

According to Pantone executives, this color "provides the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward." It is "sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive." We should be prepared to see this color popping up a lot in home furnishings and fashions in the future.

I LOVE this shade, and I've included it in my wardrobe for years. It's a color that just looks good on me. I have sweaters and jackets and purses and shoes in this hue.

For today's card, I tried to embrace the "drama and sophistication" of Tangerine Tango by paring it with smoky grays. I used a new stamp/die set from Hero Arts and Sizzix called Floral that my dear husband bought me for Christmas. For a little added drama, I decided to make a "window" to frame the flower using a die from MFT Stamps.

Wishing you many blessings in the new year!

A Smashing Good Time

2011-12-29T18:36:00.000-08:00

Are you making a list and checking it twice? A list of what, you ask? A list of new year's resolutions, of course!

One of my new resolutions for 2012 is to expand my creativity in new ways. When I saw this new product from K and Company, I knew that it was just the sort of thing to help me with this resolution.

What is a SMASH book? Well, it's like scrapbooking used to be when you were a kid, before all of the rules about archival this and memory keeping that. Just a book to inspire you, like a Pinterest that you can hold in your hands. Tape it, glue it, jot it, scribble it, smash it in and have some fun. No rules, just right...for me!

There are lots of fun accessories to make it easy, and all of them are super affordable. The SMASH books come in different colors and themes, and each one has a handy SMASH stick attached. One end of the stick is a glue stick for adhering fun things like movie tickets or magazine clippings, the other end is a black fine point pen for adding a few thoughts or quotes.

I can't wait to start playing with my new pink SMASH book! So many possibilities!

Check out the smash stories link on the right for more info, and make sure to watch the fun youtube video that explains it all!

A Few More Leftovers

2011-12-28T14:46:00.001-08:00

Thank you, Nichole and the Papertrey Ink team! I was one of the lucky winners for the December Blog Hop Leftover Challenge! What a wonderful surprise! Now I get to pick out a free stamp set from PTI. That will be the tough part...so many choices!

I had another "leftover", and decided to make another thank you card with it tonight. This chipboard star came with the other pair of flannel pajamas. How cute is that? Of course, I had to repurpose it.

This is clean and simple card making at its best. A big focal point (chipboard diecut star), a dynamic color combo (soft stone/smoky shadow card stock from PTI), a trendy strip of chevron patterned paper (Crate Paper Random collection), a sentiment ( Faux Ribbon from PTI), and a little bling and ribbon (Amuse Art Studio).

Thanks for stopping by for a few more leftovers. Now if someone would just eat the rest of the Christmas cookies for me (the ones that keep calling my name) I'd be so happy!

I promise...no more leftovers! Tomorrow I'm serving up something new and yummy, so stop back!

The Leftovers Challenge

2011-12-26T17:22:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day! I'm not exactly certain what one celebrates on boxing day, but here in our house, we celebrate the removal of the holiday gift boxes and leftover bits of ribbons and wrapping paper. This also coincides with the feast of Christmas leftovers...frosted cutout cookies, noodles, potatoes, homemade cheesy biscuits. Mmm, so good. So bad for my diet, though. I've got to get rid of these leftovers!

Today's Papertrey Ink challenge? Use up those leftovers! Leftover wrapping papers, ribbons, tags, whatever is waiting to be repurposed after Christmas. For today's card, I used this adorable diecut chipboard reindeer that was tied with ribbon to my new flannel pajamas.

I've been dying to use my new Background Basics Woodgrain stamp set from PTI. I paired it with Faux Ribbon (PTI) stamps and sentiment for a clean and simple style. This card has the Nordic look that was so popular this holiday season on everything from sweaters and blankets to gift wrap and greeting cards.

It's never too soon to get started on those after-Christmas thank you cards! I have a lot to be thankful for...a wonderful weekend spent at home with family. Such a blessing. Hope your holidays are blessed as well!

Last Minute Christmas Crafting

2011-12-24T15:10:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Eve, friends! The cookies were baked, the presents wrapped...but wait. Did I remember to get gift tags for those packages? Nope!

This afternoon, between frosting cookies and baking goodies, I whipped up a few gift tags using some simple strips of card stock, a little bit of fancy paper, and a few punches.

Easy peasy! And with a little creativity and some handy dandy glue dots, I even made a few bows for some of those packages.

And here's a little tip for all of you after Christmas bargain shoppers. When looking for gift wrap, always go for the solid colors. Red wrapping paper can be used for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Birthdays, just about any occasion. I wrapped all of my gifts in solid red wrapping paper this year. It will look so pretty when Santa puts them under the tree tonight.

God Bless Us All, everyone!

Patriotic Christmas

2011-12-21T05:16:00.000-08:00

I am so proud of myself! I finished another stitching project last night! woo hoo! This project took me more than two years to complete. No, not because it was that complicated, just because I was that slow. I had finished the stitching portion over a year ago, but never got around to turning this into an ornament.

I found this red plaid fabric in my stash. Now I must add here that I am not a frequent buyer of fabric. Some of these items have been in my stash for over a dozen years. One of the bundles of fabrics had a tag from Lolly's Fabrics in Shipshewana, Indiana. I know for a fact that I purchased that when I still lived in Michigan, before the first Lolly's fabric was burned in a fire and rebuilt, that's how old this fabric is! But that's the wonderful thing about a lot of craft items. If you hold onto them long enough, you'll eventually find a use for them!

I used a little fiberfill stuffing to give this some form, added a rose red grosgrain ribbon (Stampin Up) for hanging, and hand-stitched it all together. Not bad!

This pattern is from one of Sandra Sullivan's Homespun Elegance designs. My Sam said it looked more like Independence Day than Christmas, but that's what I love about it. It's a design that works all year long! Father Christmas/Uncle Sam holding a flag, with just a teeny little snowman to tell you this is a winter image.

I like to make my designs with loops that are long enough to turn them into doorknob hangers, if so desired. As a former preschool teacher, I have a TON of ornaments from students, and I'd probably need five trees to display them all. But a doorknob hanger can be used to dress up any door for the holidays. You can add it to a wreath, fancy up a flat fronted basket, or even display it from a coat rack hook, as I have done here.

I have now cleaned up my work-in-progress stitching mess for the holidays. Whew! I forgot how much fun it is to stitch in the evenings. It has such a meditative, calming effect for me. I have a brightly colored Lizzie Kate Snowman pattern that I think I'll work on next.

Four days until Christmas! Are you making any gifts this year?

Handmade Holidays

2011-12-20T10:50:00.001-08:00

I love to give handmade gifts for the holidays. Holiday nut breads, cookies, candies and mixes are all wonderful gifts from the kitchen. And when time allows, I like to get back to handcrafted needle art projects.

This punch needle mitten was nearly three years in the making! I would start it, forget it, put it away for the next year, and repeat the cycle all over again. I have a hard time finishing things this year, for some reason. But yesterday, I was determined to get this one done for Shirley Ann, who loves snowmen.

I found this pretty piece of flannel in my fabric stash. I traced the finished punch needle mitten and cut out two pieces of flannel. I attached the punch needle to one side, stitched it all together
and inverted it. Then I turned the cuff, added a strip of fringed flannel, and finished the top cuff.

A warm winter mitten to warm the heart!

I had to finish this project by hand because my very old sewing machine was not cooperating. I think it's time to buy a new model, something smallish and cheap that I can use for paper crafting, too. Any suggestions?

Stamped, Addressed, and Ready To Go!

2011-12-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

Last night, I watched a Hallmark holiday movie and put the finishing touches on the Christmas cards. I got out the address book and stamps and went to work. Today, I have twenty cards to take to the post office, and no two are alike.

I liked the look of my cards this year, and more importantly, I had fun making them. Take this card, for example. Adorable sheep and sentiment (classic Amuse Art Stamps) paired with a little bling and glitter. I liked this color palette of cool blues, warm reds, and white for the holidays. It appeared on a few of my cards.

I still need to get about five or ten cards created and mailed. So many nieces and nephews moved into new houses, and it seems I never got the new addresses. That's okay...they might end up receiving Epiphany cards instead!

I hope to find the time to do some baking and crafting this week. That is, in between the house cleaning and preparations for my mom-in-law's visit, retrieving the last of the college boys, and putting the finishing touches on holiday gifting.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Angel Tree Ministries

2011-12-18T10:54:00.001-08:00

Every year, my family tries to help some of our favorite charities over the holiday season. In years past, we have given to Heifer International, Operation Christmas Child, Habitat for Humanity, and others. This year, we are once again working with Prison Fellowship to bring Christmas to a child whose parent is incarcerated.

Haily is a sixteen year old girl who will not be spending Christmas with her mother. I cannot even begin to imagine how hard this must be for the girl and her siblings. Haily requested the gift of jewelry. This weekend, I took the place of Haily's mom and went shopping in her stead. We'll be praying for Haily, her siblings, their caretaker, and her mother this holiday season.

In honor of Angel Tree Ministries, I made an angel card today! I thought this angel from Love Lives Here: Holidays (PTI) was beautiful! I chose muted tones of soft earthy browns and pale mossy greens to compliment the papers. This stash of papers from Cosmo Cricket's Wonderland Collection is so old, but I keep pulling it out and using a little more year after year! That's one of the nice things about holiday papers...they last forever!

I added a sentiment from Peace Be Still (PTI). It just seemed to match the feeling of the card...a joyous Christmas.

Joyeux Noel, mes amis!

Birthday Bike

2011-12-17T08:44:00.001-08:00

I am so happy that Hero Arts has paired with Sizzix to make some awesome new stamp set/die/embossing folder combos! As someone who was very slow to hop aboard that die cutting train, I am making up for lost time by adding to my collection. Hero Arts makes so many wonderful images for clean and simple stamping. I loved this set! Three different sizes of bike stamps, a few sentiments, and a nice triangle stamp and die to make those very popular pennant/ banner images that I'm seeing everywhere.

For this card, I decided to use some background papers paired with die cut images. The papers are from We R Memory Keepers. This was a super easy card to make. It looks a lot more complicated and detailed because of the papers.

But what if I were to use the stamps to make a One Layer Wonder card? Could I still make it fun and interesting? Of course!

I stamped some gingham grass (PTI) onto rustic white card stock, stamped the bike in Versafine Onyx, and then sponged on some blue clouds. Look ma, no layers!

Today is my biker husband's birthday! Tell me, which card should I give him?

I always say a prayer for two sets of parents on this day. I pray for the birth parents who gave my husband the gift of life, and I pray for the adopting parents who gave him a home. It's a wonderful story of sacrificial love during the holiday season.

Eight days until Christmas! Are you prepared? Yeah, me neither! Happy Saturday, friends!

In The Holiday Spirit

2011-12-16T06:00:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, friends! Maggie here! My pet, Mary Rose, is taking a break from blogging today. She thought you might like to hear about my morning instead.

It started the way most mornings do. I stretched in my cozy orthopedic bed while my pet rubbed my belly. I find this to be an ideal way to start the day. Then we go downstairs and out on the deck to feed the birds. This job earns me a biscuit! I love my pet!

Then things took an exciting turn. My pet went to the Christmas tree and pulled out a present. I love presents! Grandma always gives me wonderful things, like pretzels and steak and yummy treats she has to hide under the dinner table. Grandma sent a present just for me! I love grandmas! And even though this present was all wrapped up, I could still hear jingling bells. I was so excited! Finally, a new noisy toy just for me to chew and love and destroy!

What could it be? A stuffed raccoon? A duck? A squirrel? Nope. Antlers. Reindeer antlers, to be precise. And would my pet let me chew them? Nope. I had to wear them instead. Oh, the indignity of it all! But I do love my pet, and these are the things we do for love.

I love you, Grandma! But next time, could you send a squirrel instead?

Merry Christmas!

A Little Plain, A Little Fancy

2011-12-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Madison! My great niece and goddaughter, Madi, turns nine today! And of course, her present is not quite in the mail...yet! But I'm promising myself that I'll make one more trip to the post office tomorrow.

I decided to use the sketch challenge at My Favorite Things stamps for this card. And let's face it, this sketch was anything but clean and simple! So I let myself go a little crazy with the patterned papers from Crate Paper's Random line today. I wanted a card that looked fun a feminine, and this one fits the bill!

Inside, I decided to add a little clean and simple stamping. All stamps from MFT Pure Innocence line.

And here is the present that Sam helped me find for Madison's birthday. Doodle Diary, an art journal for girls. Doesn't this look like fun? I think I want one for myself! Sam found these books at the Wild, our favorite local children's book store. My eight year old,Sam, really really really wants the boy's version of this journal (and that's how I know that Madi will like this gift, too!).

A little plain, a little fancy, and a lot of fun!

A Bird For Christmas

2011-12-14T07:00:00.001-08:00

Last week, my nephew and godson, Joey, sent us an early Christmas present...some handcrafted goodies from his mom! My sister, Jenny, is a fabric artist (not my words! Those words were used to describe her in the local newspaper last week!) and crafter extraordinaire. She repurposes things like old wool sweaters, denim jeans, and tin cans and turns them into something new.

Isn't this owl fun? He even has his own perch.

These hand poured soy candles smell so good, and they look darn cute, too. Jenny's items were featured in a holiday gift giving guide published in the Toledo City Paper, a weekly newspaper that I used to write for about a dozen years ago. You can see more at her blog. Just click on the link at the right "Old Maid New". Will she take orders and ship? Of course! And tell her I sent you! If you are a hot beverage drinker like me, then you must have one of her coffee beanies! Trust me, you will be the envy of the coffee shop when you pull out one of those beauties!Need a gift for the person who has everything? How about a coffee beanie and a Starbucks gift card!

My sister takes traditional items and turns them into something new. Today, I took a non-traditional Christmas image (folksy bird from Unity Stamp Co.), colored it with traditional red and green (prisma markers), added a holiday sentiment (PTI), and voila! A Christmas card!

Today's weather is gloomy and grey, but this fun and funky bird has brightened my day.

Order a nice warm holiday drink and savor the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the season!

Under The Tree

2011-12-12T08:49:00.001-08:00

My Mom is the sweetest thing! She decided to send me a big box of gifts to open every day until Christmas. Isn't that thoughtful? Each present is individually wrapped, and I get to open one every morning. Yesterday I opened chocolate biscotti. Yum! This morning I opened a big package of much needed dish towels. Thanks, Mom! You're the best!

Can you believe that I am a crafter, and I have never gotten around to making a Christmas tree skirt? So every year, I pick something new to go under the tree. One year, I might use a plaid wool blanket, another year it might be a lace tablecloth. This year, we've decided to use my husband's patchwork quilt, a gift from his grandmother many years ago. I think it looks just adorable!

I am sticking firm to my three-present theory for our family for Christmas! I'm nearly done with the shopping, all the presents are wrapped. It's a nice feeling! We've had years with piles of presents under the tree. But as our boys get older, this just seems to make more sense. And as a working mom, this plan is a lot less stressful! No need to make a dozen trips to Target and the mall. Just three presents. No gold, frankincense or myrrh, but we will remember our greatest gift of a savior this Christmas!

This card fit perfectly with today's Clean and Simple challenge! I used some torn papers from Basic Grey (Fruitcake) to make the snowy hills for this camel (classic amuse art stamps). The sentiment and star stamp are from PTI Silent Night. And boy, do I love that simple little line art star! Add a twinkling star to the center, and it's perfection!

This card makes me so happy! Clean and simple, but still fun and interesting. I love it when a plan comes together!

Christmas Program 2011

2011-12-11T11:39:00.000-08:00

So, how was your weekend? We had a fabulous festive time!

On Friday night, we decorated the tree and watched classic Christmas cartoons like "The Year Without A Santa Claus" and "Santa Claus is Coming To Town". On Saturday, we went driving through the neighborhoods that had gone all out with their holiday decorations. WOW! Trans Siberian Orchestra and synchronized light displays seem to go hand in hand!

This morning, we continued with one of my favorite traditions...the Sunday School Christmas Program!

Samuel did a great job this year with his first speaking part. He portrayed Father Abraham. And as a family, we all agreed that Sam put the Ham in Abraham!

I just love seeing those little ones in costumes, reciting their lines so earnestly and singing their hearts out. Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere! Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

Today's card features a little bit of old mixed with a little bit of new. The old? Basic Grey's Fruitcake papers paired with this wonderful image and sentiment from classic Amuse art studio stamps. The new? Snowflake dies from My Favorite Things made with the ultra yummy white card stock from Papertrey Ink.

A little bit of bling, fitting for a king!

Blessings on your Sunday, friends!

His Unspeakable Gift

2011-12-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

Last week, I was on the telephone with my sister, Jenny. We were discussing the spiritual thoughts that we'd been meditating on that week. Yeah, I know, that might sound strange for some people. But I come from a family that frequently has deep theological discussions around cups of coffee at the kitchen table. Discussions like "What do you think Dietrich Bonhoeffer meant by cheap grace?" and "How does that relate to the third article of Luther's catechism?" No, my father was not a pastor. Just a godly man with a godly wife who tried their best to raise a godly family. I guess you could say we're just Bible-loving freaks.

My sister has been pondering the words of John 3:16. Not just that God so loved the world, but that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. I bet there's a great Hebrew translation with lots of meaning there.

For me, I love the moments of perfect symmetry that are interspersed between the old and new testaments. Our brokenness came in a garden, with a man and a woman surrounded by animals to witness. And our redemption came in a stable, with a man and a woman surrounded by animals to witness. I love this thought, that somehow God has an important place for animals in the creation and redemption stories. It is a mystery, and someday the Lord will explain it to me.

This card perfectly sums up these thoughts. The sheep in the fields who saw the angels proclaim the Good News! God SO loved!

I LOVE this image from Unity stamp company! I paired it with the sentiment from Papertrey Ink. A clean and simple card proclaiming the Good News. Now that's what Christmas cards are all about!

We Now Interrupt...

2011-12-05T19:18:00.000-08:00

We now interrupt our regularly scheduled Christmas card making to bring you...

...a birthday card!

December is a hectic month in our house. We not only celebrate Jesus' birthday, but we also celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday on the sixth and my husband's birthday on the seventeenth! Yep, twice the presents and twice the cleverness in just one month.

I received a lot of new dies from MFT Stamps this week! I couldn't resist their Black Friday sales, and thought it would be a great time to stock up on new dies for my favorite new crafting tool, the die cutting machine. I've used several different dies here: the bird is from the Homespun Bird House dies, and I paired it with the branch and leaves. The leaves are sweetly embossed in the process, making them look extra cute. I added a die and sentiment from PTI, a little twine, and a little faux stitching for fun.

My husband will have the chance to hand deliver this tomorrow when he makes the three and a half hour trip to take his mother out for a birthday dinner. Awww, isn't he a sweetie?

Traditional Red and Green

2011-11-30T14:30:00.001-08:00

I made a few more cards for Christmas, using sketch challenges at Splitcoast Stampers to inspire me. I decided to use the red and green color palette. Artists will tell you that there's a good reason why these two colors pair well together. Red and green are opposites on the color wheel, and opposites do indeed attract!

For this fun and festive card, I used a Hero Arts stamp set with matching Sizzix dies. This card followed the sketch for Monday's Clean and Simple challenge. And I kept it so simple that I even resisted the urge to color in that snowman!

I made this card for today's sketch challenge. I had pulled out some October afternoon papers for crafting, and these were sitting on my desk. Non-traditional patterns, perhaps (from OA's Modern Homemaker), but still festive nonetheless! I paired two stamp sets from Papertrey Ink: Love Lives Here and Love Lives Here Holidays.

For some reason, I had to have all new Christmas stamps this year. In the past, I refused to spend a lot of money on Christmas stamps because they have such a limited time frame in which to use them. I would purchase winter stamps and nature stamps, but rarely a Christmas stamp. Well, not this year! When I decided to purge my stash of old stamps, I picked up quite a collection of new holiday stamps. Sure, it was a splurge. But if I was able to craft with some of those old stamps for a dozen years, I think this year's fresh supply should keep me crafting for many holidays to come!

Today, I splurged on my first Gingerbread Latte of the season. Mmm, it was so good! Be good to yourself today, friends!

Three More For Christmas

2011-11-29T16:07:00.001-08:00

I checked my Christmas card box to see how the total was coming along. Ten. Yep, ten cards. December is two days away, and I only have ten cards made! Time to double down!

Today's color challenge at Splitcoast was interesting: kraft, white and pear. It's a very subtle/nontraditional Christmas palette.

For starters, I made this card featuring products from Papertrey Ink. I used the Damask Snowflake die, and paired it with stamps from Rustic Snowflakes. (Ink, tag and ribbon from SU, a little twinkle thanks to Stickles.)

The next card is super clean and simple. There's something very serene about this card that just makes me sigh contentedly. Stamp from Hero Arts, twinkle star from Amuse, Stickle snowy hill for a little wintry touch.

Finally, I made a little square card using this sweet image from Hero Arts. So soft and sweet, the words replete, of peace on earth, good will to men.

Three snowy cards for a snowy day. Make sure you warm yourself with a nice peppermint cocoa treat. Thanks for stopping by the cafe today!

Shop Local Saturday

2011-11-26T15:12:00.000-08:00

Today was Shop Local Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting our local small businesses. And by local small business, that does not include the big box store that was selling the flat screen TVs at midnight on Black Friday! Nope! I'm talking about the brick and mortar stores that our country was built upon.

I had a shopping partner who was happy to accompany me to the shops downtown for a little fun. With a grande peppermint mocha in one hand and a camera in the other, we set off for a shop hop in downtown Noblesville.

We always have fun at Logan's Antique Mall! This is where I pick up my car air fresheners from A Cheerful Giver candle company. Today's fragrance: Cozy Cabin!

Sometimes. window shopping is just as much fun as shopping in the stores. The Linden Tree had some lovely displays, and they sell a great assortment of candles from Trapp (Winter Air is the perfect mix of pine and snow!).

Sam loves to shop at The Wild, a small independently owned children's book store ( think Meg Ryan's Shop Around the Corner in You've Got Mail!). I picked up a great gift for my god daughter's birthday next month. We liked the sign posted at the register...a good reminder!

I am a terrible holiday shopper because I always find too many things for myself! Today was no exception! I had to have this cute hand-crafted hair band. Fun and funky!

Rosie's Place is one of our favorite restaurants. The owners are recent transplants from St. Louis, just like us. They've been in operation for over a year now, and business is booming every time I visit! Open for breakfast and lunch, with a bakery to tempt you as you leave. This wreath out front was so simple and stunning. Love those green apples!

Did you know that for every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. But if you spend that same $100 at a national chain, only $43 stays in the community. I love my local Target and Macy's and Barnes and Noble, but I also love my corner cafes and quaint shops and antique malls. I'm not a Black Friday mall shopper, but I do confess to doing a little online shopping this weekend. I guess that when it comes to spending, I like to share the love.

Love your local shops, friends! And when you stop in, tell them I sent you. :)

For more information on shopping local, visit the 350 project!

Bonus! Red and Green Friday!

2011-11-25T15:03:00.000-08:00

I was finished paper crafting for the day. FINISHED! And then I saw this lovely photo challenge on Nichole's blog at Papertrey ink, and I knew I had to play along!

And what's not to love! The red gingham, the red toile, the evergreen roping on the banister, the ice skates and snowflakes and wide red ribbon. Perfection!

The old me would have gotten all flowery, with lots of layers and ribbons and snowflakes and glitter. The new Clean and Simple me decided to interpret this style in a new way.

Some greenery and a pair of red birds (Little Bitty Bird), a strip of gingham (Background Basics), a twinkling star and a simple sentiment (Tag-Its #8).

Hope your black Friday was filled with red and green and joy!

Home Sweet Home for Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T11:04:00.001-08:00

When the last of the boys returned home for the holiday, the house felt complete once again. Even our old lab, Maggie, had a grin from ear to ear!

It was a nice, quiet celebration at home, complete with fancy Spode turkey dishes and our favorite hand blown wine glasses (perfect even for the Kool Aid drinkers of the house!).

The applique pumpkin table runner has served its purpose for the entire season!

I love the look of the applique images from this Waltzingmouse Stamps set (Sewing Box Hugs). It gives the look of a blanket stitch applique without all the hassle of actually stitching something! (Am I the only person who has to look up "How to blanket stitch" every time? Where would I be without Youtube videos?)

This card was done with papers from We R Memory Keepers (Autumn Splendor). A little bit of cutting, a little bit of gluing, and a whole lot of homespun. Soft, muted colors, just like the tail end of Autumn.

The sun is shining and the sky is blue. Time to take a walk to work off some of that pumpkin pie! Blessings, Friends!

Sentimental Background

2011-11-22T08:51:00.001-08:00

Papertrey Ink posted a make It Monday challenge yesterday: Use your sentiment stamps to create a background for a card. Hmm. I liked this idea!

I used the stamp set "Silent Night" (PTI), a gift from Nancy(Phantom at SCS) and her random acts of kindness. Thank you, Nancy!

I decided to use shades of blue, and to pair a Christmas carol stamp with a bible verse stamp in a staggered fashion. Then, I used soft sky ink to stamp some stars and swirls, and I sponged the edges to soften them. A little seam binding and silver cord, a silver star, and a ONE LAYER CARD that turned out nice and simple. woo hoo!

When I make a Christmas card that has a generic "holiday" look to it, I always try to stamp an appropriate bible verse somewhere inside of the card. Dayspring does this with their cards, and I've always appreciated that. I like to remind myself and others of the reason for the season. This card needs no reminders. The reasons are all over the card front!

I'm still plugging away at Christmas cards, and I need to be getting my Thanksgiving cards in the mail TODAY! Thanksgiving is Thursday? In two days, you say? Yikes! Time to get to the mailbox before the postwoman!

A Quick Gift Tag

2011-11-20T11:22:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, I needed a quick gift tag for a pre-holiday present. Nothing too Christmas-y, just something festive. Papertrey Ink's new Christmas Poinsettia set to the rescue! The wonderful thing about poinsettias is that they come in so many colors...red, white, pink, and others. I thought this pink and green combo was bright and cheery!

I was in a bit of a hurry, so I hand cut the leaves rather than using a die cut. I added some red Stickles berries in the center for a touch of glitter.

I had a chance to play with the matching die cuts for this set. What fun! PTI sells some lovely felts in nice colors. I layered the flowers and added some red colonial knots to the center with a needle and some DMC floss. I thought this would make a nice addition to a holiday gift package.

I'm going to have a lot of fun with felt and my Big Kick in the future! I have a project that I'm working out on paper, combining die cut felt and needle art on a weaver's cloth background. I'm designing my own pattern, something to stitch in the winter months. For now, I'll continue to work on the holiday projects.

Chicken Cacciatore in the slow cooker, pumpkie pie for dessert. Joyful Sunday!

Brick by Brick

2011-11-18T06:06:00.001-08:00

When it comes to LEGO, my family gives this toy two thumbs up! My boys have loved LEGOs for a LONG time! Yes, Sam is just eight, so it is understandable. But Luke, who is 21, and John Ryan, who is 18, still love LEGO, too! My oldest sons have built with LEGOs for years, and yes, we've spent a lot of money on those little pieces of plastic over the years. But I truly feel that this creative outlet shaped my oldest sons and their future careers. (Luke is studying construction management and John Ryan is studying engineering). When I consider that John Ryan received a substantial scholarship to the top-ranked engineering institute in the country, then I guess that our investment has paid off!

Our local library recently sponsored a LEGO exhibit called "Pirates of the Bermuda Triangle". A local chiropractor in his forties built this amazingly detailed display. We were blown away!

Look what we spotted in the display! A Starbucks coffee cart! Now that's what I call an attention to detail!

The beach behind the hotel had dozens of palm trees and sunbathers on colorful beach towels!

What's a hotel without streets and parking lots?

Sam stared at this exhibit for over thirty minutes, and he wants to go see it again so that he can show his brothers. What fun!

Today's Splitcoast Challenge was to make a card inspired by pixels, those teeny little dots and squares that make up images. Pixels are a lot like LEGO bricks. You put enough together, and you can make something pretty amazing!

This paper from Basic Grey (Dasher) has a pixellated look, don't you think? All of those little snowy dots look like a pointillism painting by Seurat. (There I go, showing off my fancy Frenchiness again!)

I'm really loving the stamp set "Peace Be Still" from Heather Nichols over at PTI. Truthfully, I don't think there's anything at Pinefeather Press that I don't love! Remember the line from the movie Jerry Maguire when Rene Zellweger says "You had me at 'Hello'." Well, for a northern girl, Heather had me at 'Pine'. :)

Blessed Friday, friends!

Dark Days Lifted

2011-11-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

In recent years, I have come to acknowledge that I suffer from bouts of depression. More than likely, it is a side effect from my chronic Lyme disease. Whatever the cause, the dark days can come out of the blue, and it will take me some weeks before I am out of the pit.

I am not alone. As a matter of fact, you just have to read the Psalms of King David or the writings of Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon to see that I am in good company. Luther and Spurgeon are well known theologians who had great faith, but were also very candid with the fact that they were frequent sufferers of depression. At one time, Luther's wife, Kate, dressed in mourning clothes. When Luther asked her why she was donned in black, she answered that from Martin's deep sadness, she figured that God must have died. Luther was no slouch as a husband. He got the point.

When the dark days come upon me, it is not because of some flaw in my faith. I trust God, and I seek Him with all of my heart and pursue Him on a daily basis. The dark days actually find me clinging to Him more fervently than those happy sunshine days. In those days, I wrestle with God. And just like Jacob, who wrestled with God as well, He blesses me in the end.

At some point, there comes a time when I have to fully surrender to the work He is doing in me. As I learned from my recent Joyce Meyer bible study this week, there are things that will not change. Life won't change. The Devil uses the same tricks time and again, and he won't change. God, in his sovereignty, is unchangeable. The only thing that can change is me.

There really is no secret formula for change, though people will try to tell you that if you only do X,Y and Z, then your sadness will disappear and you'll be happy again. Join that class. Call that person. Take that vitamin. Drink that tea. Read that book. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. I can try everything external under the sun, but until there is an internal shift then there will be no change.

I felt the internal shift last week.

The job that I had come to dread had somehow become a little easier. I began to cheer myself on. I think I can! I think I can! Like the Little Engine that could, I persevered, and made it over a difficult hill.

I persevered at church and did not give up the practice of meeting together, just as the writer of Hebrews warned in chapter 10:25. Sunday worship, Sunday night women's bible study, Wednesday night family devotions night. And slowly, as I became more honest with my new church family, I've found greater acceptance and love than ever before.

No great changes. Just changes in me.

I still have a quiet life, a quiet job, I live in a quiet house and attend a quiet church. I deal with loneliness on a daily basis. There are days when this quietness is very foreign to me, and other days when I embrace it like a long lost friend.

This week, I am thankful that God has brought me out of the pit once again. It will be a quiet Thanksgiving and Christmas here at home this year. Just my husband, my boys, my old girl, Maggie, and our church home. It will be peaceful, and it will be plenty. I have everything I need.

Organization and Storage

2011-11-16T08:54:00.001-08:00

In September, I had a "crise de craft" and decided to put away paper crafting and do away with all of that clutter. After a month of soul searching, I learned a few things. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy paper crafting. It was that I didn't enjoy the clutter and mess. I was bored with my twelve year supply of stamps and just not feeling creative anymore. That's when I realized that I could sell off my old stamps and use the money to purchase fresh new stamps and supplies.

One thing was certain. I could not go back to wood mounted stamps. I needed to go totally unmounted and I needed to be choosier about the stamps I purchased. Storage would be an issue. I wanted all of my supplies to be pared down and kept neatly in one space...my craft studio. I have one armoire and a bookcase in my studio, and it had better be able to house it all, or it would have to go.

I decided to purchase a boatload of DVD cases from Amuse Studio, and I used these to store my new clear mount stamps. They fit very nicely on the shelf in my armoire. Nice and neat and easily accessible. I LOVE THEM!

Look at that! Thirty two stamp sets neatly housed in a space that measures about 8 inches by 15 inches. Amazing!

I have loved the stamps from Papertrey Ink for quite some time. However, I did not love their CD storage system. Those flimsy CD cases were always breaking, and it was so easy to lose a stamp in that space that was open near the spine. This is no longer an issue! Another wonderful feature of the DVD case is that you can store stamps on both sides of the open case, and when it is closed the two sides do not touch, so your stamps do not stick together. Yea!

The DVD cases have a wrapper around them that allows you to slip in a piece of card stock or a cover. I chose to slip in the sticker sheet that serves as an index label. This way, I can easily see what stamps are housed in this case.

My next project will be to use my DYMO label maker to put the name of each stamp set on the spine of the DVD case. That will be a piece of cake. I love my DYMO label maker!

I must confess...the rest of my studio is a bit messy today. But my stamps are looking neat as a pin, and that makes me happy!

Heartfelt Christmas

2011-11-15T12:11:00.000-08:00

Hello, and welcome back to the cafe! Did you know that we are now serving holiday favorites, like Peppermint Mocha Latte? Mmmm. Coffee and chocolate and peppermint...what could be better?

Today's holiday brew uses three sets from Papertrey Ink: Love Lives Here(Holidays), Background Basics Gingham and Background Basics Tintypes. Tintypes was a gift from fellow stamper Nancy (aka Phantom at SCS!) Thank you, again, Nancy! I love this set!

I had a little help from my Distress It sprays to give the lace and Tintype panel an antique look. These antiquing solutions are actually used for rug hooking, punch needle, and other projects. They are made by Hooked On Rugs, and I find myself reaching for them whenever I want to give something that instant aged quality.

These come in two colors, and they are both named after me: Slightly Distressed and Extremely Distressed, depending on the day. HA HA HA!

One more Christmas card finished, dozens more to go. How are you coming on your holiday card making?

I was at the post office today, mailing stamp sets to their new owners (don't forget to check out the A to Z list of stamps for sale!), and the clerk asked me if I needed any Christmas stamps.

"No, thank you, " I replied. "I'm going to continue to deny that I'll be needing them for a little while longer."

She laughed and said "Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week?"

No, I cannot! Guess I better get some Thanksgiving cards mailed ASAP!

Thanks for stopping by the cafe today!

Feeling Holly Jolly

2011-11-12T12:29:00.001-08:00

I officially started my Christmas shopping yesterday. Let the holiday frenzy begin! I have a new holiday gift giving plan that I'm hoping to implement in our household. I'm calling it the Three Present Principle. Everyone will have three presents to open. Just three. I figure if three presents were good enough for baby Jesus, then that has to be plenty for my family, too. I'm not sure how my boys will feel about this plan. Something tells me that Sam will be taking a much bigger list to Santa!

Time to get busy on Christmas cards! Today's card started out with really clean and simple principles. One strip of patterned paper, and everything else stamped on a one layer card base. That worked out just fine until...I stamped the sentiment crooked. AAARGH! as Charlie Brown would say. So I covered up today's boo (that's been a theme this week, hasn't it?) with a little sentiment pennant.

I love buttons, and this Holiday Button Bits from PTI was a must-have item. The buttons do add a bit of extra bulk when mailing, though. Hmm. Maybe these button cards will go in boxes when it comes time to send holiday gifts home. I may even have to start crafting a few paper and felt "buttons" in place of these vintage buttons.

Do you use buttons on your cards? If so, how do you approach the mailing problems with bulkier cards? I sometimes use a small sheet of thin foam or bubble wrap for a little extra padding.

Have you started holiday shopping yet?

The First Sighting

2011-11-11T16:41:00.001-08:00

I still feel a little thrill at the sight of the first snow. Silly, isn't it? The flurries fluttered in on a cold wind yesterday, and I had to call my son, John, to tell him the news. John loves winter, the snowier the better. He likes to snowboard, shovel, and build snow forts and snow men for his little brother.

The snow reminded me of an unfinished punch needle project that still needs to be completed. I haven't done punch needle in quite a while, and it was fun to get back into this craft today.

It always looks odd when you are working from the backside of the project. But when you flip it over, you can get an idea of what the finished product will look like:

I think I know why I put this project aside. I just had one color left to do. The brick color (weeks dye works) makes up the background for this mitten. Unlike cross stitch, punch needle uses a LOT of floss, making little loops similar to hooked rugs. You work three-ply strands at a time, and the floss disappears in a hurry!

I'll be shopping for a new winter coat for Sam this weekend. He put his old coat on yesterday, and the sleeves were about two inches too short. He has grown so much! Time for winter coats and flannel sheets, fires in the fireplace and hot cocoa with marshmallows.

Stay warm, friends!

Reverse Applique

2011-11-10T05:24:00.001-08:00

Heather Nichols at Papertrey Ink had a really cool technique video tutorial this week.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a techniquey kinda gal!

But I watched the video and I was charmed by Heather's adorable Northern accent (to which I can totally relate, yah, dontcha know?), and so I decided to give it a try. After all, Heather used the word "putzy" in her dialogue, and when someone adds a new word to my vocabulary, then I must comply!

Heather used a sewing machine, but I'd rather go to the dentist than drag out my cumbersome thing and find a flat surface to put it on. Nope! Not gonna do it! I used good old fashioned needle and DMC floss instead.

I'm not one hundred percent sold on my choice of black floss, but oh well, the deed is done. So I went to photograph the card, propped it outdoors on the hand rail of the deck, and a strong gusty autumnal wind blew it right smack onto the deck, face down. Of course, it got smudged. (Insert Charlie Brown's "AAAAARGH!" here.) Schmutz! I hate schmutz! I had to take the card back inside and add black smudging/sponging to the edges to cover said boo boo. Not too happy with the black smudging either, but the deed is done once again.

Let's not accentuate the negative. I've been travelling down that road for too long, and we know that it does not lead to a happy place of prancing ponies and rainbows and ice cream. No, it does not!

Let's accentuate the positive! Here's what I do love about the card:
*The Loverly papers from Crate Paper's Random line, with matchy matchy button!
*The floral paper that says "I look like your Tante Mimi's house and admit it, you want me in your house, too!"
*The fact that I stacked these colored cups in a red-yellow-green stoplight fashion only dawned on me later. Cool!
*The card got me stitching, and that's always fun!

So there it is. A card that is neither clean (literally, thanks to schmutz!) nor simple. I think I need a cup of tea.

Blessings on your Friday!

Homespun Holidays

2011-11-07T15:31:00.001-08:00

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I had a great time with Mom and sisters. We did a little eating, a little shopping, a little movie watching, and a lot of fun table talking. Good times!

On one of our shopping expeditions, we stopped in to Quilts Plus, a lovely shop filled with books, patterns, fabric for quilting, and supplies for punch needle and rug hooking.

Seeing all of these marvelous homespun creations really got me in the mood to do some crafting again. So today, I crafted a homespun Christmas card.

This card did take a little assembling, but I like the finished product. The tree has the look of a pieced quilt, thanks to the die that cuts out the various pieces and the matching stamps to give each piece a different pattern. Stamps and card stock from Papertrey Ink, ribbon and ink from SU.

I'm anxious to get started on some needle art projects for the holidays. It's perfect activity to keep my hands busy while I'm watching all of the Hallmark holiday movies!

Blessings!

Inspired By Laura

2011-11-03T17:16:00.001-07:00

I remember loving Halloween as a little girl. Now, not so much. Back in the day, before the holiday got hijacked by adults, Halloween was all about fun costumes and candy. My mother was so creative in the costume department. She sewed some amazing creations! Winne The Pooh, Indian Girl, Tiger, and Scarecrow were a few that come to mind. But my favorite costume of all was the year that I dressed up as Laura Ingalls Wilder.

It was the seventies, and Little House on the Prairie was our favorite television program. Tell me, who didn't love Ma and Pa Ingall? Mom made the calico dress and matching muslin apron and bonnet. I wore that dress for Halloween, and for just about every day after that, too. My father had built me a small playhouse in the back yard, and it was the perfect spot for creative play and imagination.

My little Sam is so much like me in so many ways. He also loves to dress in costume and spend hours pretending in the world of make believe. I try to encourage these magic years of creativity and wonder. They are so short and sweet.

When I found this paper from We R Memory Keepers, this sweet floral print reminded me of my little brown calico dress. It's crazy how a paper can make us so happy, isn't it? Add a doily, mix in some ribbon, and a dollop of stamped images from PTI, and I have the perfect recipe for happy. And that is something to be thankful for!

I love the thankful season of November, don't you? Thankful for the harvest, thankful for warm coffee and my fireplace, thankful for good books and a good dog at my feet. So thankful for my friends here at the cafe (bless you for your sweet words and encouragement!). Thankful for my mom and sisters, who are coming to visit this weekend, at I time when I need them most! And today, I am so thankful for my God, who brings me comfort.

Thanks for stopping by the cafe today!

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps. 34:18

Whatever You're Doing Inside Of Me

2011-11-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

"Whatever you're doing inside of me, it feels like chaos, but somehow there's peace
And it's hard to surrender to what I can't see, but I'm giving in to something heavenly."

Have you always considered yourself to be one kind of person, only to find out that you are not that person at all?

I thought I was a good friend to my coworkers. Surely, that would remain after I left my job. But six months and several attempts to make contact, and I realized that we were not friends after all.

I thought I was a cheerful, positive person. I can see now where that was only a mask hiding my insecurity.

I thought I was a fun person, the kind that other people would want to pal around with. I've learned that being a genuine imperfect person is more important than accumulating friends.

I thought I was a generous person, the kind of person that likes to give. Apparently, I'm not as generous as I thought I was.

I thought I was a supportive family member, only to find out that others consider me a hindrance and not a help.

"Time for a milestone, time to begin again,
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will or
Just climbing aimlessly over these hills?"

Convicted. That's how I've felt this year. Totally self-conscious and laid bare. Unable to utter a careless word without God pointing it out to me. Not a morsel of gossip. Not a bad thought. Not a single selfish act. Not a whining, complaining moment has slipped by that I haven't felt the weight of my brokenness.

"Time to face up, clean this old house
Time to breath in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears"

I thought I knew who I was, based on my relationship to others. This year, I have learned who I am all alone. Broken. Crushed in spirit. In need of a Savior.

"Whatever you're doing inside of me, It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me, larger than life, something heavenly."

lyrics from Sanctus Real "Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)"

All Saints Day

2011-11-01T07:21:00.001-07:00

All Saints Day. 11/01/11. It's a good day to keep our thoughts on the eternal, with an eye to our heavenly home. This young Jedi would tell you "The force is with you, always." And so it is!

Here's a sweet little home, made with love. Perfect for my father-in-law and his wife, who will be celebrating their anniversary this week. Shirley Ann is a homemaker extraordinaire. She puts her heart into her home, and I know she'll appreciate this card.

I used two Papertrey Ink stamp sets (Love Lives here and Tintypes) and added a little bling with a small piece of glitter paper. I'm so glad I bought a sheet of this glitter paper on my last trip to Archivers. Sometimes, you just want to play with one sheet without the burden of owning a pack of papers that you may never use up. In this case, a little goes a long way.

Today, I will remember the saints who have gone on before me.

"I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard,
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars,
I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharoah's court,
I hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord,
And when the saints go marching in,
I want to be one of them."

Sara Groves, "When The Saints"

Blessings on your day!

Autumn Wishes

2011-10-24T13:46:00.001-07:00

Autumn in the Midwest. There's nowhere else I'd rather be at this time of year.

Yesterday, Ed and I took Sam for a hike through Cool Creek Park. When my husband was a boy, just Sam's age, he had spent many summers at the adjoining Camp Acorn, learning to be an Acorn Scout and eating lots of Chef Boyardee for lunch. It was the seventies, after all, a time of blissful ignorance when the government was not trying to legislate healthy eating.

God does work in mysterious ways. Ed's family now lives in Ohio, and here we are, living in the very area of Indiana where he grew up over thirty years ago.

As we hiked through the colorful trees, we began to speculate on where God might take us next. Houston? Too hot. Los Angelos? Too pricey. Pittsburgh? Baltimore? Chicago? New York?

I know where I would like to be. Michigan, Pure Michigan. It's where my heart is.

I will be visiting my family in Michigan in just a few days. I'm so excited! Brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, Moms and friends.

I made this card for a nephew who will be turning thirteen this week. A teenager. Where does the time go?

A simple card. Strips of tree paper from We R Memory Keepers. A diecut leaf and matching stamp from PTI. Some gold cord to hold an acorn charm from Mark's Finest Papers.

An Autumn wish for good times with family and friends.

Blessings!

Monday Morning Update

2011-10-24T03:53:00.000-07:00

It dawned on me this morning that I have not updated you, my sweet, dear blog readers, on the status of my Great Purge!

Let me just say this...it feels good to send these neglected stamps to new homes that will love them and cherish them! Every time I mail off a package at the post office, I think to myself "Out of storage and into good use."

The sale has allowed me to purchase new stamps from places like Waltzingmouse Stamps, Papertrey Ink, Hero Arts and more. I've also had fun accumulating new dies for my brand new Big Kick, and it's been a pleasure to craft with heavy cardstock from PTI. I'm hoping to purchase some felt in the future. Something tells me that will be a lot of fun with the die cutting machine.

In the meantime, there are plenty of stamps and papers still left! I have marked down prices for the remaining items. If you see one or two or ten things that need to come home with you, then please send me an email at: maryrosek@att.net

Jumbo Wheels $3 each:

Busy Blocks
Sweet Stars
Bold Snowflakes
Bouquet
Wheels $2 each:
Double Line Stitch Plaid
Bella’s Border
Snowflake
Star Spangled
Watercolor Joy
Boho Friend

WILL SELL ALL WHEELS IN THEIR SU STORAGE CASES FOR $30!

Background Stamps, $8 each:

Stipple Plaid
Cheesecloth
Print Pattern
Aida Cloth
Tres Chic
Wild Hearts
Dots and Daisies
Baroque
Soft Swirls
On The Spot
Polka Dot
Paisley 1 and 2
Checkerboard
By Definition (pending)
French Flair
Just Jeans
Toile
Antique Cracking
Weathered
Big Blossom
From The Garden
Flannel Plaid
Crosshatch
Floral

SU Sets:

A:

Autumn $10
Art of Life $5
Artifacts $8
All Year Cheer 1, 2,3 $15 total
Alphahearts rare $25

B:

Best Blossoms $5
Bella’s Bloom $3
Big Deal Alphabet $15
Beautiful Season $15
Blooming With Happiness $8
Big Blooms $15
Beauty of Life rare $15
Bug Builders $8

C:
Carte Postale $15
Congrats $5
Country Pleasures $10
Cheery Chat $8
Close As a Memory $8
Classic Numbers $5
Collage Numbers $5
Classic Alphabet $15
Collage Alphabet $10
Classic Caps $15
Country Morning $5

D:

Doodle This $15
Dreams du Jour $5
Doodle That $3
Doodle Alphabet $15

E:

Edgy Eloquence $8
Espress Yourself $10
Espressoly For You $10
Elegant Beginnings $5
Everyday Flexible Phrases $10
Expressive Flexible Phrases $10
English Cottage rare $20

F:

Fly Fishing rare $30
Friend to Friend $8
Furnished With Love $5
Fresh Fillers $3
Frames w/ A Flourish $15
Fantastic Foliage $8
Fashion Statements $15
Fleur Cart $8
Faith and Hope $8

G:

Garden Collage $5
Great Groupings $5

H:

Happy Blessings $8
Happy Harmony $5
Handbill Headlines $5
Headline Alphabet $15
Holidays and Wishes $5

I:

It’s Snow Time $15
Itty Bitty Backgrounds $3
It’s Your Birthday $10

J:

Journalling Fun $10
Just Journalling 1 w/ template $5
Just Journalling 2 w/ template $5

L:

Little By Little $15
Love Matters $8
Love Ya Bunches $5
Little Pieces $18

M:

Mixed Bouquet $10
More Petal prints $8
Memory of the Heart $8
Moose You $8
Many Thanks $8
Mon Ami $3

N:

Noteworthy $5

O:
On The Porch (rare) $25
On Angel Wings $10
On The Farm rare $25 (will include matching jumbo wheel, unmounted on cling foam)
Oh So Lovely $5
Office Accoutrements $10
Old Glory $10
Occasionally $8

P:

Pick A Petal $10
Priceless $15
Party Punch $10
Phrase Starters $5

Q:

Quirky Alphabet $15

R:

Reason To Smile $5
Riveting $5

S:

Simple Wishes $3
Serene Spring $10
Serene Sunflower $10
So Very $5
Spring Fling $3
Stamp of Authenticity $15
So Many Scallops $5
Short Order Alphabet $15
Sweet Spot $3
Snow Flurries $5
Snowflake Spot $8
Sketch An Event $5

T:

Tags So Much $5 (pending)
True Friend $15
Terrific Tags and Too Terrific Tags $12 total (pending)
Tag Alphabet rare $20
Trimtastic $8

U:

Unfrogettable $10

V:

Very Punny $5

W:

Warmest Regards $5
DD Wildflowers $15
Warmest Words $3
Wonderful Words 1 $10
Wonderful Words 2 $10
Whimsical Alphabet $15
World Over $5
Window Dressing $10
Wild About You $10
Wonderful Wishes $5

Z:

Zoorific $10

SU Designer Series Papers, full packs $5:

Pool Party
Petals and Paisleys

SU Designer Series Papers, partial packs, $3:

Recollections
Fall Flowers
Springtime Vintage
Le Jardin
Parisian Summer
Afternoon Tea
Soft Sky DSP
Paper Notations
Bella Birds
Petal Patch
Uptown
Delicate Dots
Bali Breeze
Ginger Blossom
Spring Flowers
Au Chocolat
Spring Showers
Loves Me
Petals and Paislies

WILL SELL ALL DESIGNER PAPER FOR $50! MORE THAN 150 SHEETS IN ALL!
SU Rub Ons, $2: Love and happiness, Eastern Elegance, A Perfect Day

The Glory of Green

2011-10-22T06:58:00.000-07:00

Last week, I went out walking with the Lord. I've been feeling a little lost lately, like a sailboat without a sail that's drifting in a vast ocean. I desperately needed to feel God's presence. As I walked and prayed, I made a bold request.

"God, show me your glory! I desperately need to feel your presence today."

There was no flash of lightning or rumble of thunder. But God did show me something.

An Osage orange, or a hedge apple, depending on what part of the country you live in.

I picked up this wrinkly lime green fruit and carried it home.

Really, God? I ask for glory and I get wrinkled fruit?

My sons marveled over this strange fruit. My husband said he'd never seen or heard of one until I brought it home. We read about it on the internet and looked it up in our tree book. And wonder of wonders, that very Sunday on the front page of our newspaper's Living section, they featured a photo and article about Osage oranges. Coincidence or God wink? You decide.

The photo showed this weird fruit displayed as a lovely fall centerpiece. I thought to myself "I can do that, too!"

So yesterday, I went walking with the Lord again, but this time with a plastic grocery bag in hand. I loaded the bag with the Osage oranges and began the walk home.

And that's when God spoke to me. He whispered it to me, so I had to listen and pay attention. And here's what He whispered:

"You asked to see my glory, and I showed you a strange green fruit instead. You see, that Osage orange is my glory. It is my creation, in all of its wrinkled, weird and wonderful uniqueness. It is the very essence of the creation that I sent my son to redeem. And you, in your uniqueness, are part of this creation, too."

I had thought that the Osage orange was the booby prize. It turns out it was the treasure all along.

And let's face it, I'm no Moses. If I'd seen even a glimpse of God's glory that day in my fragile state, I'm sure that I could not handle it. A wrinkly lime green fruit is about all that my pea brain can wrap around these days.

The lime green of the Osage orange was the inspiration for this Christmas card. I love the non-traditional lime green when paired with red for the holidays! The green here is from Amuse Studio gingham papers. This stamp is from Inkadinkado (2.49! How cheap is that?) I loved the little berry garland frame, and decided to make it stand out with some red Stickles.

The sun is shining and "all of the earth is filled with His glory!" Enjoy the day!

Too Soon?

2011-10-20T14:31:00.001-07:00

So tell me...where do you stand on the "Christmas" debate? Are you a purist who does not even decorate for Christmas until the Advent season? Or do you rush headlong into the Christmas season before the frost on the pumpkin?

I heard on the radio yesterday that Nordstrom's Department Stores have decided that they will not decorate their stores for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. What's that sound? I think it's the sound of all of you Christmas purists clapping!

When I heard this news, my first thought was for the folks who work at those department stores. See, I come from a retail background, my husband works in retail management, and I have a little more sympathy for the visual display merchants who will have to scramble the day after Thanksgiving to make Christmas magically appear. (I wouldn't be surprised if they're required to work on the night of Thanksgiving to get it all ready before Black Friday!) There's a good reason why many stores get their trees and displays up before Halloween...it takes a lot of time and effort!

I am not a Christmas purist,as you may have guessed. I don't decorate my home for the holy day until after Thanksgiving, but I do begin listening to Christmas music early and I burn those Christmas scented candles early, too. I just love the smells and sounds of the season. And the truth is, I own so many Christmas CDs that I have to start listening to them now just to get them all in!

I made a Christmas card today. And I listened to Christmas music while I did it, just to put me in the mood!

I bought some really awesome Hero Arts stamps from Archivers when my mom was in town. Now normally, I go to Archivers, become overwhelmed, and leave with nothing but Glue Dots. But when I shop with Mom, I tend to go hog wild! I spent a small fortune there that last trip. What can I say? Mom's an enabler!

This stamp set had me shouting "Sold!" the instant I saw it. Hello! Birch trees! And cardinals! Two of my favorite things together!

The first card is stamped directly onto PTI's Rustic White cardstock, with a little red magic from a Prisma marker and an Amuse twinkle. Look, Mom! No layers!

The second card has the image mounted on a piece of Poppy card stock. Tell me, which one do you like better?

In past years, I've made very few Christmas cards. But this year, for some odd reason, I went overboard on new holiday stamps. I plan on sending out a LOT of cards this year! Consequently, that means that simple cards will be making a big comeback here on my blog in the days ahead.

Blessings, friends!

Techno-impaired

2011-10-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

I am blogging tonight from my new laptop! It is quite exciting!

My old laptop had really lost its speed after being abused for the last three years. I would turn it on and then go do a load of laundry and come back. I'd open my web browser and then go do the dishes, waiting and waiting for the thing to connect. While it was a great exercise in patience and multitasking, it wasn't so great when I really needed to get things done in a hurry.

This weekend, while my son John was home for fall break, I had the future computer engineer swap out my old files to a new portable hard drive and get me set up on his not-so-old former laptop. It's a fancy Compaq Presario with a nice widescreen.

While we've managed to get my camera's software uploaded to the new system, I don't think I can find my former photo shop program. At this point, I'm just happy that I can retrieve my email and upload photos again. Technology frustrates me.

But enough about that! I made a card today!

This stamp set from Papertrey Ink (A Wreath For All Seasons) is really versatile. I can tell that this will become a favorite set in no time! And talk about fast! A twiggy wreath in chocolate chip, a bittersweet overlay in Dusty Durango, and just like that I have a stunning fall wreath!

The plaid paper is from We R Memory Keepers Autumn Splendor pack. I am a mad about plaid kinda gal, and this one really spoke to me!

Can I tell you why I am so happy about this card? It's already been mailed! YES! I really want to get better about mailing my cards and not letting them pile up here in my craft room. Today was a good day...five cards mailed! It's a small victory for me. And these days, I will take victory whenever I can find it.

Now, if only I had victory over my messy house. Tomorrow is another day!

Sweetest Day With My Sweetest

2011-10-16T09:57:00.001-07:00

My husband is Mr. Adventure. Yesterday, he suggested that we take the boys on a canoeing trip on the White River. Sure! It was a beautiful autumn day, and I was certain that the view from the river would be spectacular.

I was right! The views were amazing, and I was surprised that we were the only canoers on the water that day.

Sam stayed in the canoe with me and Dad. He shared in some of the paddling duties, too.

It wasn't the easiest river we've ever navigated. There were shallow spots, large rocks, and fallen trees to get around. But it was definitely worth the effort!

We saw lots of turtles sunning themselves on the rocks. It won't be long before these fellows will have to find a place to keep warm for their long winter's nap.

We paddled under quite a few bridges. This covered bridge is called Potter's Bridge. In our family, we refer to it as "The Scene of The Crime" because it was where my husband has his unfortunate biking accident last fall.

We saw quite a few heron along the river, too. I love to watch them fly. They look like giant pterodactyls in the sky!

Canoe Number One and Canoe Number Two had a little competition along the way. Who could navigate the tricky bend, who could avoid getting stuck on the sand bar, who was in the lead. So many laughs! I enjoyed watching my older sons paddle. They were younger than Sam when we first began our family outdoor adventures, and now they are having adventures on their own. Such good memories!

Sam enjoyed seeing the sights, but I think he really wanted to be in my seat at the front. The truth is, I really love to paddle, so it's hard for me to give up that oar!

We cross this river in our cars every day and never give it another thought. I'm glad that Mr. Adventure gave us an opportunity to appreciate it up close.

It was a great day to spend with the sweetest men in my life.

The boys are heading back to college for their own adventures. I'm so blessed that we've had this time together to laugh and make memories as a family.

Blessings on your Sunday!

Fall Leaves

2011-10-14T08:57:00.001-07:00

Leaves! Beautiful autumn leaves everywhere! I love autumn, especially the colorful trees. Today's clean and simple card showcases some new products from Papertrey Ink. The leaf comes from the set "Leaf Prints". What makes this set so awesome is that there is a separate stamp for the leaf and a separate stamp for the veins. It's a picky little thing, but it really makes a difference! This could only be done with clear stamps, where you can see exactly where those veins are being stamped.

I also used the matching leaf die cut in my new Big Kick machine. Why, oh why, did I wait so long to get one of these fantastic machines? I am loving it! Thank you, my dear husband, for a great gift!

The sentiment, from Beautiful Blessings (PTI) is perfect, as I am sending these out to the families whom I have been assigned as part of my shepherding duties at church.

The big block of sahara sand ink? That's from the very old SU stamp set called "The Shape of Things". I had previously listed this set for sale, but have decided to take it off the market. I think it will have a lot of useful applications for my clean stamping philosophy. I added a little fine point line around the rectangle with my Pigma micron marker, and just like that, I've made a perfect frame for the focal point of this card. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

I finally had the opportunity to walk the trail this morning. Now that I'm working, I've been missing my morning walks with the Lord. This morning, the sun was shining and the air was crisp, and I let my soles catch up with my soul as I talked to God. We had a lot to catch up on.

I found some amazing leaves on the trail today! Would you look at the size of them?!

To give you a little perspective, here's my Frodo Baggins-sized Hobbit hand on top of the leaf. Yep! That's a biggun'!

I was so excited to find this specimen alongside the trail today. Many of you may recognize this beauty as an Osage orange. But the shocking thing is that I found it here in central Indiana! My son, John, had told me last year about finding these on a winter cross country run. As he described this unusual nut/fruit, I knew he had to be talking about an Osage orange, but I couldn't imagine them growing this far north. Apparently they do! I brought this home to show John, who is on fall break from college. Yep! That's what he saw, too!

Many people use Osage oranges to keep bugs and spiders out of their basements. It just so happens that I have a basement that grows some pretty big spiders! I think this Osage orange has found its new home!

Time For A Change

2011-10-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

When I decided to embrace a clean and simple approach to paper crafting, I knew that one thing would have to change. No more flimsy card stock. That may be fine if you are putting a thousand layers and patterned papers aplenty onto a card, but it just doesn't cut the mustard if you are going for the minimalist style.

Today, I received 300 sheets of 11o lb. card stock from Papertrey Ink. 300. Do you think that will be enough? :) I chose a nice neutral palette...white, vintage cream, rustic white, rustic cream, soft stone, and of course, kraft.

For me, having really high quality card stock is the equivalent of building a firm foundation for a house. Here's yesterday's card in better lighting. The firm foundation for this card is Gina K's Pure Luxury Kraft.

And speaking of change...I decided to buy the book "48 Days To The Work You Love" by Dan Miller. Dave Ramsey recommends this book frequently on his radio program. I plan on reading this over the next couple of weeks. I'll continue to do the job that I don't really love until I figure out what it is that I do really love. Makes sense, right?

Thank you for all of your kind thoughts and words, my friends! I wish you were all my neighbors. Wouldn't we have fun together? I'd brew us up the lattes and we would stamp the day away. Of course, the laundry probably wouldn't get done and the dinner wouldn't get cooked, but who cares! That's what the pizza delivery man is for!

Royal Mail

2011-10-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

Par avion. Aren't those lovely words? Especially when you know that this isn't ordinary air mail. No! This is royal mail!

And if the queen is putting her stamp of approval on it, then you know it has to be good!

I received my new stamps from Waltzingmouse Stamps today! woo hoo! Talk about fast delivery! From County Antrim in Ireland to my doorstep in central Indiana in one week! Thank you, Claire!

I have wanted to order from WMS for a long time, and finally got around to it last week. These lovely stamps are definitely worth the wait!

Today's card features stamps from the set Blessed By You. I just love that big primitive willow tree! I've always been enamored with the look of a black image on kraft. It brings to mind all of the very cool primitive shops that I have known and loved over the years, shops like The Homestead in St. Charles, Missouri, and the Ohio Homestead in Findlay, Ohio. A little gingham, some twine, a button, and a nice clean and simple card. I'll try a better photo tomorrow when I can bring this card outside.

A Tough Day At Work

2011-10-11T10:28:00.001-07:00

It's been a tough week on a lot of fronts. Yesterday was no exception. The job that had been the "perfect mom job" last month is quickly becoming the perfect mom life-drainer. I am working as a field merchandiser (read "stock girl"), and it feels as though I'm never catching up. I am on my feet for long hours, and the heavy lifting is causing my tendinitis to flare up again.

As I knelt on the cold concrete floor, sorting and stocking, a thought came to me.

I wonder if this is the career that my college professors had planned for me all along.

And then I burst into tears, right there on the floor of the grocery store.

Life doesn't always turn out the way you planned. You may not have the dream job, or live in the house that you've always longed for in the city you've always loved. Let's face it. Sometimes life takes you from the corner cafe in Paris to the floor of the grocery store.

Today, I am wearing my big girl panties and trying to suck it up. I have a J-O-B, and while I may not love it, it's the only job I could find.

Later on, I began to think of this Demotivational poster from Despair.com. It gave me a good self-deprecating laugh. I don't have a friend who would laugh with me over a cup of coffee. So would you do me a favor? Brew up a cup of coffee, visit Despair.com, and have a good laugh with me today.

Thanks, friend!

Humbled By Your Kindness

2011-10-10T14:59:00.001-07:00

Monday. Back to the daily grind. I am starting out this new week with gratitude in my heart for all of my online friends. I have to be honest here. You are kinder and more thoughtful to me than the people in my own town. You have encouraged me when I needed a boost, energized me when I needed a spark of creativity, and strengthened me on my faith walk in ways that I never could have imagined.

Bless you, all!

To those of you who have given my old and well loved stamps new homes...thank you! Thank you for your beautiful hand made cards and the thoughtful words that you've expressed. I will look for your fabulous creations in future galleries!

Thanks to many of my friends on Splitcoast Stampers, I have come out of my "crise de craft" with a lot of new perspective. Susan Raihala (LateBlossom) showed me that you can purge your craft room just like you purge a clothes closet. Less is more.

Nancy (Phantom) at Shady Tree Studio contacted me one day and told me that she'd like to give me her old Papertrey Ink stamp sets. She was certain that it was just the thing I needed for my new clean and simple approach. Sure, Nancy! What's the price?

{crickets chirping}

And then one day, a box arrived from the Great State of Michigan (my home state) with eight lovely PTI stamp sets. A gift from Nancy. How lovely is that?

Nancy sells her own line of rubber stamps at Shady Tree Studio, but she's also a new consultant for Amuse Studio. Naturally, I had to make her a Clean and Simple Amuse thank you card!

Have you seen the new Amuse Studio catalogs? Wow! Very well done! The holiday mini really has some lovely items, too. I love the woodgrain card stock, and the new maple tags are too sweet!

Thanks A Latte, my friends! You really are the cream in my coffee!

A Week Later...

2011-10-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

Has it really been a week since I last posted? I suppose it's been a little busy here.

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary on Thursday. He gave me a little something to jump start my creativity again:

Oh boy! This is going to be interesting. I'm slowly dipping my toes back in to the pool of paper crafting, but I can see how die cutting machines can be used in lots of other mediums...wool felting, fabric, needle art, and more. There's a bit of a learning curve to these machines, so it's going to take some time.

I did manage to cut out the circle in this little 3 by 3 card. A few papers from October Afternoon, a sentiment and faux ribbon from Papertrey Ink, and somehow I was able to pull off another clean and simple card. I think I'm on a roll!

Mom came to town for a visit with her good friend, Gloria, this weekend! It's always fun to spend time with Mom. We did a little shopping, a little eating, and a lot of talking. Good times! The weather was beautiful and the trees are in full color. It was a spectacular autumn show this weekend.

Mom and I went to Archivers for a little inspiration. I think Mom has been luring me back to card making with her pep talks and enthusiasm. It made her sad to think of me giving up this craft, and well, I'm not in the business of making my mom sad. :)

In the meantime, I am still selling off lots of old, acquiring a little new, and making a mess of my office in the process. This week's project: organization!

Please check out my post (The Great Purge!) for some great deals on vintage Stampin' Up stamps and products!

Blessings!

World Card Making Day!

2011-10-01T09:01:00.001-07:00

Happy World Card Making Day!

Guess what I did for this special occasion? I made a card!

Gasp!

I know. I'm back to the paper crafting. I thought I was done, but God showed me that I was not done paper crafting, I was just done making it complicated.

Today's card is the first card I've made in a month. And I must confess, it wasn't easy! A lot of my supplies have gotten moved around in the process, and I'm arranging and rearranging and purging all unnecessaries.

I thought I'd make it simple. A 3 x 3 card, perfect gift size. I think this card reflects my new style. Simple. Uncluttered. A nice graphic image with a little punch. And yet still in the color palette and style that suits my country primitive tastes. A little kraft card stock, a cute image from PTI (Baby Button Bits), and finally I have achieved something clean and simple!

The Great Purge is doing very well! I am updating the list to reflect pending sales. There are still some nice rare sets to be found, and a lot of great every day sets and sentiments. Get them before they're gone! And like I said, make me an offer! I'll give a discount if you purchase multiple sets!

Once the purge is under way, I plan on replacing a lot of these old sets with some fresh new looks. I'm even thinking of adding a Big Shot die cutting machine to my supply list. What do you think? Do I need one? If you have one, do you love it? I think I'd probably use it with my needle art as well for cutting out felted wool and such. I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Thanks for visiting the cafe today!

The Great Purge!

2011-09-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

Well, it's finally here! Here's part one of the Great Purge! Prices listed are negotiable, so please make me an offer! (If some older sets seem pricey, that's because they are rare finds and currently worth more!)

I will give a discount to anyone who purchases multiple sets. Buyer pays shipping. I will ship only in the US, and will use USPS Priority shipping. Contact me at my email:maryrosek@att.net

Happy Shopping!

Jumbo Wheels $3 each:

Busy Blocks
Sweet Stars
Bold Snowflakes
Bouquet
Wheels $2 each:
Double Line Stitch Plaid
Bella’s Border
Snowflake
Star Spangled
Watercolor Joy
Boho Friend

Background Stamps, $10 each:

Stipple Plaid
Cheesecloth
Print Pattern
Aida Cloth
Tres Chic
Wild Hearts
Dots and Daisies
Baroque
Bella Toile(pending)
Soft Swirls
On The Spot
Polka Dot
Paisley 1 and 2
Checkerboard
By Definition (pending)
French Flair
Just Jeans
Toile
Antique Cracking
Weathered
Big Blossom
From The Garden
Flannel Plaid
Crosshatch
Floral

SU Sets:

A:

Autumn $10
Art of Life $5
Artifacts $10
A Little Birdie Told Me $10
All Year Cheer 1, 2,3 $20 total
Alphahearts rare $40

B:

Best Blossoms $5
Bella’s Bloom $3
Big Deal Alphabet $20
Best of Cluck $20
Beautiful Season $20
Blooming With Happiness $10
Big Blooms $20
Beauty of Life rare $15
Blossoms Abound $10
Bug Builders $10

C:

Carved and Candlelit $10
Congrats $5
Country Pleasures $15
Cheery Chat $10
Close As a Memory $10
Classic Numbers $5
Collage Numbers $5
Classic Alphabet $20
Collage Alphabet $15
Classic Caps $20
Country Morning $5
Country Hutch rare $10(pending)

D:

Doodle This $15
Dreams du Jour $5
Doodle That $3
Doodle Alphabet $20

E:

Edgy Eloquence $10
Espress Yourself $15
Espressoly For You $15
Elegant Beginnings $5
Everyday Flexible Phrases $15
Expressive Flexible Phrases $15
English Cottage rare $30

F:

Fly Fishing rare $50
Friend to Friend $10
Furnished With Love $5
Fresh Fillers $3
Frames w/ A Flourish $20
Fantastic Foliage $10
Fashion Statements $20
Fleur Cart $10
Faith and Hope $10

G:

Garden Collage $5
Great Groupings $5

H:

Happy Blessings $10
Happy Harmony $5
Happy Everything $5
Handbill Headlines $5
Headline Alphabet $20
Holidays and Wishes $5

I:

It’s Snow Time $20
Itty Bitty Backgrounds $3
It’s Your Birthday $10 (pending)

J:

Journalling Fun $10
Just Journalling 1 w/ template $5
Just Journalling 2 w/ template $5

L:

Little By Little $20
Love Bakes rare $50(pending)
Life Cycles $5
Love Matters $10
Like It A Latte $15(pending)
Love Ya Bunches $5
Little Pieces $10

M:

Mixed Bouquet $15
More Petal prints $10
Memory of the Heart $10
Moose You $10
Many Thanks $10
Mon Ami $3

N:

Noteworthy $5

O:
On Angel Wings $10
On The Farm rare $30 (matching jumbo wheel, unmounted on cling foam $3)
Oh So Lovely $5
Office Accoutrements $10
Old Glory $10
Occasionally $10

P:

Pick A Petal $15
Priceless $15
Party Punch $10
Phrase Starters $5
Pun Fun $15

Q:

Quirky Alphabet $20

R:

Reason To Smile $5
Riveting $5
Right At Home $10 (pending)

S:

Simple Wishes $3
Serene Spring $15
Serene Sunflower $15
So Very $5
Spring Fling $3
Stamp of Authenticity $15
So Many Scallops $5
Short Order Alphabet $20
Sweet Spot $3
Shape of Things $10
Snow Flurries $5
Snowflake Spot $10
Sketch An Event $5

T:

Tart and Tangy $3(pending)
True Friend $15
Tags and Tags 2 $15
Tag Alphabet rare $20
Trimtastic $10

U:

Unfrogettable $15

V:

Very Punny $5

W:

Warm Regards $5
DD Wildflowers $20
What’s Brewin’ $15(pending)
Warmest Words $3
Wonderful Words 1 $15
Wonderful Words 2 $15
Whimsical Alphabet $20
World Over $5
Window Dressing $15
Wild About You $15
Wonderful Wishes $5

Z:

Zoorific $10

SU Designer Series Papers, full packs $5:

Pool Party
Petals and Paisleys
Splash

SU Designer Series Papers, partial packs, $3:

Recollections
Fall Flowers
Springtime Vintage
Le Jardin
Parisian Summer
Afternoon Tea
Soft Sky DSP
Paper Notations
Bella Birds
Petal Patch
Uptown
Delicate Dots
Bali Breeze
Ginger Blossom
Spring Flowers
Au Chocolat
Spring Showers
Loves Me
Petals and Paislies
Hodgepodge Hardware, partial packs $5:

Stylized Silver
Antique Brass

SU Rub Ons, $2: Love and happiness, Eastern Elegance, A Perfect Day

A Work In Progress

2011-09-29T12:24:00.001-07:00

Sorry, friends! I know I promised that I'd have my list of items for sale up by now. Never fear! I have not lost courage! (But I may be holding on to just a few more sets than I'd originally planned!)

The Great Purge is still on! But it takes an immense amount of cataloging of the inventory. I'm nearly there! Last time I counted, I think there were close to two hundred SU stamp sets alone. Yikes!

In my pursuit to streamline the craft, I have decided to go totally unmounted to save space. I will unmount the few stamp sets that I plan on keeping, and will only purchase unmounted stamps in the future.

My plan is to purchase a lot of empty DVD cases from SU and get to work.I've tried a few systems, but after asking for a lot of opinions, it seems that most prefer the DVD system over everything else. (And can I just say how much I hated the CD case system? THOSE stamp sets will be the first to go into the DVD cases!)

If I'm really ambitious, I'll have the list up tonight. I think this calls for a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, don't you?

(In the meantime, if there's a certain retired stamp set you are looking for, ask me! I have a few of those rare pricey sets, too!)

The Scent of Autumn

2011-09-27T15:24:00.001-07:00

I talk to my dear friend, Beth, every week. Even though we live hours away from each other now, we can still talk on the phone as if we're sitting across from each other at Starbucks. Aren't those the best kind of friends?

Whenever one of us gets in a mood and begins to feel down, the other will invariably ask "What candle are you burning?" Beth and I are big believers in the power of aromatherapy. Candles just seem to bring light to the dark days, and a good smelling candle can change a mood in no time.

This month, I am burning a candle from Febreeze called Falling Leaves and Spice. It also matches the fragrance of the plug-ins that I keep near the entryway and in the basement. It smells soooo good!

My college son, John, came home one weekend recently and said "The house smells so good!"

And then my son, Sam, had friends playing in the house and they all said "Sam, your house smells so good!"

When it gets the seal of approval from that many boys, you know it has to be a winner!

I love Febreeze scents! They have a long burn time, and a good scent throw that mingles through the entire house. I also love the fact that I can buy a matching plug-in fragrance. Of course, the cheap price with coupons is also a big incentive.

The Great Purge!

Stop by the cafe tomorrow to see a BIG list of stamp sets, wheels, papers, and accessories that I am selling! I am wiping the slate clean so that I can start crafting again with a fresh new attitude.

Sweater Day

2011-09-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

After a few days of steady rain, we are finally seeing some blue skies and sunshine. Sunny and breezy. The perfect weather for drying the winter woolens!

Last week, I was shopping at TJ Maxx with no real purpose in mind. I thought I'd browse through the shoe aisle (you can get some great deals on good shoes there) and then check out the clothing.

After browsing through racks of trendy items and the latest "must have" fashion statements, I decided to go home empty handed and go shopping in my closet instead.

I started by washing a few dresses that had not been worn since last year. I've noticed in the catalogs that dresses are making a big comeback. I figure if they are clean, I'm more likely to grab them. Pair it with a jean jacket and some boots for a funky look, and I've spent nothing. Yea!

Then I moved on to my sweaters. I did a load of gentle wash sweaters and put them in the sun to dry. They are now ready to be worn for the chillier days of autumn.

Today, I washed my "hand wash" sweaters in the big soaking tub in my bathroom. My soaking tub gets more use as a washing machine than it does as a spa tub. (Does anyone use those super huge tubs? If so, do they clean them? Such a pain!)

I have to say, I love my woolen sweaters from LL Bean! I have had these two turtlenecks and two cardigans for over five years now, and they still look as good as the day I bought them. There are some companies that make really nice quality clothing. I also love the organic Oeko-Tex knits from Hanna Andersson. Sometimes you pay a little more for good quality, but over time, you realize that you don't have to replace the items as often. When you buy classics over trendy, you can wear them season after season, too.

I've moved the summer items to the back of my closet, and pulled the fall and winter to the front. One closet, one wardrobe...simplicity at its finest!

The Good News, and The Good News

2011-09-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Hello, friends! I hope you are having a good weekend! I know I am!

Yesterday was free museum day, thanks to the Smithsonian. Their website was issuing free tickets to museums around the country, and lucky for us, one of those museums happens to be in our neighborhood.

Conner Prairie is an interactive historical museum, with working farms and interpreters that will help you get a feeling for life in the early to mid 1800s.

We love to tour the barns and pet all the animals!

The gardens are lovely, too! Simple plots are found at every homestead.

You can even shop in the general store for necessary items like slate and chalk, homespuns, candles, or a really rockin' hat!

I love the simple life!

But of course, simple does not mean easy. Simple takes a lot of work!

And that's when I had my revelation.

I had allowed paper crafting to become complicated and cluttered. I had become a stamp collector, not a stamp user. My hoarding and need to have it all had contributed to my dissatisfaction with the craft.

God has given me this month to take a step back and look at they ways I can complicate things when left to my own devices.

I can be a simple crafter. I can embrace a less is more philosophy and take my craft in an entirely new direction. But in order to do this, I have to unclench my fists and let go.

Ready for the good news?

It means that I am beginning the great purge! I will be selling down, paring off, and pruning my collection to make room for my new less is more crafting philosophy.

I am so excited!

Keep visiting this blog in the days ahead! You will find some great deals on stamp sets ( many of them hard to find vintage/rare sets), paper packs, and accessories!

And in the very near future, you will see a new style emerge here on my blog. That's good news, too!

"Tis the gift to be simple, 'Tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be."

Simple blessings, friends! (And thank you for sticking with me on this journey of discovery!)

The Myth of the Hand Made Card

2011-09-24T05:34:00.001-07:00

Do you remember the first time you were introduced to card making? I bet you do! And do you remember when the thought first came into your head "This could save me a lot of money!"

Bwa ha ha ha ha!

Of course, the demonstrator at that home party would be the last person to tell you any differently! After all, she, too, was once the person with that same thought. That was before she'd invested hundreds and thousands of dollars in this money saving enterprise!

I am attending a bible study called "Freed Up Financial Living" this month. This week, we'd learned a very important philosophy. Saving is not money you've lost or given up the use of- it's future spending. In other words, saving is money you keep!

Let's take, for example, this lovely store bought card. It has a cute image and a sweet sentiment... two stamps. Many different colors...ink pads. Differently colored images...markers, pencils, brushes, or other coloring mediums. Different patterns...patterned papers. It is, in fact, dry embossed...an embossing machine and embossing dies or plates. It has a glittered image...glitter glue or embossing powder.

Just like that, this card that cost me less than fifty cents to purchase has now cost me well over one hundred dollars to recreate. To recoup my loss, I'd have to make hundreds of variations of this same card over time.

"But it's therapy!" I hear this time and time again. It makes me wonder how many of the mentally ill are truly using paper crafting as a therapy medium in their asylums. :)

I recently went to Hobby Lobby and spent an hour in the Dayspring card aisle. I found so many beautiful cards! And can we just be honest here...the sentiments in rubber stamp form rarely match the quality produced by good writers at the card companies.

I purchased some lovely cards, I did not have to break the bank to do it, and I managed to fill up a lot of slots in my card organizer.

Why is this so important to me?

When I was a card maker, I would make a card for a challenge, just to have something to put in my gallery or post on my blog. Two or three challenges a week, and that adds up to over one hundred cards a week. The cards were rarely for an occasion that I truly needed, and so they would sit in a big pile in my craft room, just adding to the piles of paper clutter.

I can't begin to tell you how freeing it was to know that I could buy a card, stick a stamp on the envelope (no cards too bulky for postage from the card aisle!), and mail it. Actually, I've already mailed out three, and it feels good!

I am not ready to give away all of my paper crafting supplies just yet. I may use them for some totally different crafty purpose in the future. But for now, I feel freed from the need to constantly spend and craft in this one narrow medium.

Have you spent any time in the card aisle lately? You will be inspired!

Blessings on your crafty Saturday, friends!

Gooseberry Patch Goodness

2011-09-22T08:49:00.001-07:00

Nothing says "autumn goodness" like a yummy baked apple!

Years ago, when Gooseberry Patch was still operating their catalog business, I purchased this apple baker and thought I'd give it a try. It works great! The spongeware pottery is sweet, and the center cone (think mini Bundt cake pan) helps the apple bake evenly in the microwave.

A little brown sugar, some cinnamon and nutmeg, a few walnuts and a golden delicious apple baked for three minutes. Yummy!

Top it all with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you have a delicious dessert made for one!

I do miss the Gooseberry Patch catalogs. But thankfully, their cookbook production is growing every day!

I love my Gooseberry Patch cookbooks! So many wonderful recipes! Here's a photo of my kitchen hen guarding three favorites.

I received some exciting news from Gooseberry Patch yesterday! One of my recipes will be featured in a new cookbook, and I will be receiving a free copy when it is published. Yea! The cookbook will be called "Simple Shortcut Recipes", and it should be released in March 2012.

Vickie and JoAnn (the founders of Gooseberry Patch) are featured in this month's issue of Mary Jane's Farm. And if you are luck enough to be attending the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio, you can meet them in person! Every year, I say I am going, and every year, something gets in the way. Drat! It does look like a lot of fun, though. Maybe next year!

Primitive Pumpkins

2011-09-20T14:59:00.001-07:00

Did you think I was going to stop being crafty just because I've stopped making cards?

Au contraire, mes amis!

I'm just channeling my craftiness into new venues!

This week, I am making a felted wool table runner from Primitive Gatherings.

For the record, I am not a quilter. And when it comes to my sewing abilities, well, let's just say that I will never win a straight seam contest anytime in the near future. But thanks to twelve years of paper crafting, I have become a darn good cutter. And with Heat 'n Bond, all things are possible!

This project is not done just yet. I still have to do the stitching, attach a piece of homespun to the back, and blanket stitch all around. Piece of cake!

I bought the kit for this project last fall, when my mom and sister, Tina, were in town. We had great aspirations to knock this project out one night during their visit. But I think we got distracted by movies on the Hallmark channel and put this project off for another day.

This runner will look so cute on my kitchen table. I think I will put my milk glass Longaberger pumpkin dish and candle in the middle. Time to put on my cheater glasses, see what's on the Hallmark channel, and sit down for a night of stitching.

A New Wreath, A New Door, A New Perspective

2011-09-19T05:23:00.001-07:00

Autumn is in the air...can you feel it?

I wanted to give my front door an autumn makeover, so I went out looking for a wreath this weekend. Logan's Antique Mall had plenty of options to choose from, and so many lovely things to feast the eyes upon as well!

I finally found a wreath that was not too big and not too fancy.

It has a nice, natural quality with its wispy tree branches and bittersweet.

I found this price tag attached to the wreath, and it stopped me in my tracks! No, not because of the price (this was the cheapest wreath in the store, so I was most pleased!). It was the simplicity of the stamped image and the overall design.

I will admit it. I am enamored with this little tag. Roughly stamped and tea stained, I felt as if this tag was cuter than anything I've stamped in ages. No designer paper. No fancy ribbon. No buttons or brads or bows. One layer, not one hundred layers. Just two letters and a couple of birds hanging out on a branch together. A tag that serves a purpose.

Sometimes, I have a tendency to complicate my life with clutter, and then I need to take a step back and discard some of the layers to reveal some simple truths. Needs versus wants. Health versus happiness. Stuff versus serenity. Priorities, plain and simple.

I'm going to keep this little tag as a reminder to keep it simple.

"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17

Old Mill Festival

2011-09-17T14:10:00.001-07:00

I am so lucky to live in Stars Hollow.

{grin}

Okay, I don't really live in Stars Hollow. Stars Hollow is, in fact, a fictional town that is the setting for the television series "The Gilmore Girls". But in many ways, my little town here in Indiana is just like Stars Hollow. Both towns are charming. Both towns love their cafes and diners. And both towns love their festivals.

Today was a perfect fall day for the Old Mill Festival. Vendors sold their antiques, primitives, and vintage collectibles on the historic courthouse square. There were historic home tours, vintage train tours, and even carriage and trolley rides featuring a beautiful pair of Clydesdale horses.

I thought I'd post a few photos to inspire all of you today!

I loved the name of this booth. It made me think of my sister, Jenny, at Old Maid New.

I LOVED this typewriter...and the best part? It worked!

Go Rose Hulman Institute of Technology! (My son's college...founded by the owners of Clabber Girl Baking Powder!)

This train car is owned by the Indiana Train Museum, and it is amazing! The interior was impeccably designed by craftsmen with every attention to detail!

A sweet lady at this booth was selling vintage Christmas decorations. Santas, angels, Christmas trees and shiny glass ornaments still in their original boxes. I was so excited to find this treasure:

I have been looking for a creche for quite some time. I even went to Bronner's in Frankenmuth, Michigan (a gigantic Christmas store!) in the hopes of finding just the right creche, with no luck. I finally decided that what I really wanted was a vintage creche, not something new and shiny and made in China. This little lovely was made in Italy.

Isn't that the sweetest Holy Family? I just love the patina of the figures.

A beautiful angel to proclaim the Good News!

And what was the price tag for this vintage Nativity? Ten dollars! SOLD!

I love Saturdays in Stars Hollow!

For The Love Of Joe (and Sammy Joe)

2011-09-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

I love Joe. And what’s not to love? Joe wakes me up each morning with a kiss of cinnamon and a whiff of vanilla. Joe wraps me in creamy-sweet caffeinated goodness. Joe makes me a happier person, and let’s face it, a better mother, too.

Ah, coffee! My divine friendship with the cuppa began as a young girl, when my pastor (unorthodox, I know) first introduced me to coffee. My parents were good friends with our pastor and his wife, having spent a lot of hours around kitchen tables together, discussing life and spirituality between cups of joe. I, too, wanted to belong to this holy and mysterious fellowship. Pastor poured out equal measures of coffee and cream, with a few teaspoons of sugar for good measure. It was warm and sweet and smelled like heaven. Instant friends.

During my years as a young wife and java mama, coffee was the life coach that stood by my side each day, quietly whispering in my ear “You can do it!” Coffee was the fuel that kept the mommy machine operating each day. Laundry, sip. Cooking, sip. Cleaning, sip. Staying up all night with a feverish child, gulp!

Cappuccino and I became friends a few years later. My boss, Carol, often came to work each morning with a pep in her step, carrying a Styrofoam cup of frothy, heavenly scented cappuccino. English Toffee. She brought me a cup one morning, and I swear, I was the most productive worker she’d ever seen that day. She could’ve skipped the paychecks from that day on and just paid me in cappuccinos, and I would have been a happy worker bee.

But one morning the cappuccino tasted a little off. As a matter of fact, a lot of things began to taste a little off. And a few weeks later I found out why. In addition to being the mother of a teenager and an adolescent, I was about to become the mother of son number three.

My husband took the shock pretty well. We tried not to do the math too often. (How old will we be when this baby starts kindergarten? High School? College?) I took it all in stride. God had a plan for our family. This new baby would just add to our blessings.

My positive attitude lasted until the first official visit with the obstetrician She told me a new list of foods to avoid. Tuna? Not a problem. Feta cheese and bagged salad? A small sacrifice for the health of my baby. Alcohol? Completely understandable. But wait. Did you just say coffee? Coffee? My best friend, coffee?

The little blessing suddenly became the alien that took over my body, robbing me of my warm liquid joy. Nine months without coffee. I pictured my boss firing me, my husband leaving me, and my children abandoning me after the first week of caffeine withdrawl.

It wasn’t always pretty, but I did survive.

One lovely day on the cusp of autumn, baby Samuel Joseph was born. He had coffee colored hair, creamy skin, and the sweetest smell known to woman. Naturally, I fell in love. On the day we brought him home from the hospital, my husband told me he had an errand to run, and he returned a few minutes later with a steaming cup of English Toffee cappuccino.

What a husband! God has blessed me with all of these wonderful men in my life. They love me, with or without Joe. And though they’ve never confessed it, I’m sure they prefer the fully caffeinated mom to the decaff variety. Who can blame them? I prefer the Java Mama, too.

Happy Birthday to my Sammy Joe. You are sweeter than a cinnamon dolce latte, and you make my life grande!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

A Birthday and A Remembrance

2011-09-11T18:06:00.001-07:00

On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, I thought you might enjoy a touching article about some of the four-legged heroes of that event. Here is the link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2033628/Surviving-9-11-rescue-dogs-scoured-Ground-Zero-bodies-commemorated-decade-difficult-mission.html

Our own four-legged girl turned eleven today. Yes, Maggie is a 9/11 baby. Ten years ago today, we were excited to celebrate our puppy's first birthday. Celebration quickly turned to sorrow that day.

Everyone remembers where they were that tragic day. But I also remember the hope in the days that followed.

That Christmas, George and Laura Bush had tears in their eyes when they told the nation the following verse that they had chosen for the official White House Christmas card:

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:13-14(NIV)

That is the confidence that I want today and every day.

I heard a great quote this weekend (from Beth Moore at the Living Proof simulcast). She said that someone had told her "God is good all the time, and when it appears He is not good, that is because He is great."

We have a great God, my friends!

(And I am blessed to have a great dog. Happy Birthday, Maggie Girl!)

Walking with God

2011-09-09T10:58:00.001-07:00

A few weeks back, when the boys started going off to school, I realized that my mornings were in a rut. It started the same way...coffee, the newspaper, the computer, the craft room. It never felt productive.

I just wished there was something more.

And then God whispered to me "You know, there is a beautiful paved walking trail right in your backyard. Why don't you go walking with me?"

Ugh. Exercise? Must I? Okay God, but just this once. I don't want to make this sweaty thing a regular part of my day, so don't get your hopes up.

I strapped on my tennis shoes and went for a walk. And the truth is, I haven't been the same since. I can't miss my morning walks with God for more than a day now. I am hooked.

So, would you like to go walking with God and me today? Great! Get your tennis shoes and we'll get started!

As we head to the trail, we're greeted by this amazing row of sunflowers on the hill. Did I mention the hills? Yes, this walk won't be easy. But God promises us that with him, all things are possible, not easy.

At the trail head, the fragrance of fields of flowers is so powerful! It reminds me of 2 Corinthians 2:15 that says "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

And then I remembered something. Didn't I make a resolution back in January to spend the year walking with Jesus? Finally, I am making that happen! Doesn't it feel good?

Lots of goldenrod. I hope you took your seasonal allergy medicine!

So many beautiful varieties of flowers. God, I wish my garden looked this nice! And God says "You can work on that next year. This year, let's concentrate on growing you instead." :)

This is the part where the trail curves and follows the creek. You can hear the birds singing now. And if you look closely through the trees, you might even spot a blue heron at the water's edge.

Somewhere beyond those trees is my house. I can't see it now, but in about six weeks, after the leaves have fallen, I will see the house on top of the hill.

Speaking of leaves, God shows me a colorful carpet of fallen leaves. He reminds me that seasons change, and we change, but He never changes. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His promises are eternal. I can try to fight the change, or I can look around and see something new and amazing!

We've reached the bridge now. Time to take a peek into the waters.

I look down at the churning waters, and I am reminded of how life can sometimes be like that...rocky and swiftly moving and mercurial. God tells me not to look down, but look up! There are still waters just ahead.

Let's keep walking. There's more to see!

One lone red tree in this golden field. It really stands out. I recall the verse from Romans 12:2: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." I want to stand out, just like this red tree.

More lovely flowers and grasses on the trail ahead. So many different colors and textures and patterns! I am blown away by the tiny microcosms of nature, each so unique and perfectly planted.

You are feeling the burn now, aren't you? Yep, me too. I'm even getting a little winded. But get ready. We are at the two mile mark, and there are two killer hills up ahead. Remember Philippians 4:13 says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We're getting stronger with every step!

At the top of the hill is a grove of trees. It's dark in there, and you can't always see where the trail leads. But you can trust that there will be a clearing, and you will see the plan. In the meantime, we will enjoy this cool shade for a moment as we catch our breaths.

We've made it through the hardest parts! Congratulations! The rest of the walk is smooth and even. And if we follow God's leading, He always leads us home.

Thanks for walking with me and with God today!

Being Still

2011-09-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

So, in a conversation on the telephone with my mom, she told me that my blog posts about giving up paper crafting sounded "militant". I'm not certain, but that may be mom-speak for "preachy". :)

Boy, I hope not! If I was being preachy, then I sincerely apologize!

I am just excited about this new thing that God is doing in my life. I hope that no one infers that this new thing for me should be their new thing, too. Not at all! My decisions are personal, based on a lot of thought and conversations with God as I hit the trail for my morning walks.

Here are just ten personal reasons for my departure from the world of card making:

* It took up way too much valuable real estate in my house.

*It interfered with my ability to pursue creative writing.

*It took up much needed office space.

*Card making did not equate to card giving. And when card giving did actually take place, it had more to do with "look at what I did" than "I was thinking of you".

*Card making for every challenge and gallery took on a showy-offy quality.

*Card making took way too much time out of my day, way too much money out of my wallet.

*I missed the beauty and sentiments that can be found in really nice store-bought cards.

*I always coveted the next purchase and the next shiny new "had to have it" thing.

*Card making did not equate to therapy or ministry for me.

*Card making was an isolating event that did not bring about fellowship.

With that many valid reasons to give it up, then I hope it is understandable why I made the break. I guess I am an all or nothing girl.

For me, out of sight is out of mind. And that is why I had to remove all things paper crafty from my reclaimed office. I'll keep it in storage for a while. If time goes by and I come to the realization that I miss it, then fine. It will be there waiting for me. But if I don't miss it, then I will gladly bless it on to others.

This has freed up a lot of space for other things that had been shoved out of sight. For example, I was able to get my cook books out of a kitchen cabinet and put them on this bookshelf in the office. Now they are so much more easily accessible! I also have nice baskets on my shelf to store the postage stamps and envelopes and (gasp!) store bought cards. This has simplified my life immensely!

There's a praise and worship song that has been on my lips this week. It says this:

I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord!
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord!

Happy, happy! Joy, joy! Find your joy today, friends!

Paper Hoarding

2011-09-07T11:49:00.001-07:00

This is my desk on what was typically one of my neater days. Yeah, not very neat, I know.

Paper crafting is synonymous with paper hoarding.

Piles and piles of papers. Paper stacks. Card stock. Cards in progress. This pile beside my printer was a constant nuisance. I'd clean it up, only to have a new pile take its place the next time I started crafting.

And can we talk about the scraps?

I never had a very good system for scraps. I'd put them in these hanging files in my desk, and there they'd stay, never to be seen again.

Yesterday was my paper liberation day. I emptied those files and dumped a ton of little scraps of precious paper. Old card stock. For those of you who speak in the language of Stampin' Up, I should confess that I saw some pretty old colors in there...mint melody, orchid opulence, and more. It was like an archaeological dig, sorting through all of those years of scraps.

Why did I save so many scraps of paper? Because that is what this craft requires. I would think about throwing them away, but then there was that famous hoarder's statement that would come so easily from my lips.

You know the one.

"I better save that. I might need it some day."

:)

Well, some day never came. I threw away my "some days", and found a few pretty pieces of mulberry paper to donate to Sam's art teacher.

After a lot of work and a lot of digging, I reclaimed my desk for its intended purpose!

A nice place to jot down a few thoughts or sort some important papers.

Nothing to keep the printer from doing its job.

Hanging file folders are now home to all of the piles of paper that accumulated on my kitchen island because they didn't have a proper home. I have a file for each boy and each school or college. Nice, neat, and organized.

When my husband came home after work, I told him "Honey, there is something you have to see in the office."

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's a desk! It was hidden under all of those piles of card stock and paper scraps!"

I can't begin to tell you the joy I feel. It feels like opening a window and letting a fresh breeze blow into the room. Space. Glorious space.

I unearthed a page-a-day calendar under all of those piles of paper. And here is what it had to say:

I can feel myself growing and changing in this process. My thoughts are shifting. I feel such a sense of calm and peace and clarity. Maybe that is exactly the person that the Lord desires me to be.

Blessings on your day!

Laying Down My Idols

2011-09-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

Has God ever called you to lay down an idol? Maybe it was something that took up too much prominence in your life. Perhaps it was an addiction, or something as seemingly benign as a hobby. Whatever it was, it took up too much mental clutter in your life and gave you, in essence, a divided heart.

God has been strongly calling me to lay down an idol. He planted this seed more than nine months ago. This week, God showed me that if I didn't merely toy with the idea but gave it all up for Him, He would bless this sacrifice in ways that I cannot yet imagine.

I am laying down my idols today. I am giving up paper crafting.

Twelve years of paper crafting, to be precise.

Shocking, I know. And here's the kicker. He doesn't just want me to give it up. He wants me to write about giving it up, too. I know, too well, that there are people out there just like me. People who have been craft hoarding for years. People who are buried under mountains of impulsive purchases. People who feel burdened by the weight of their craft or hobby who don't know how to let go of the burden and just live free.

That is what I will be doing here at the cafe. I will be showing how God is working in me and through me during this purging process. I want to document my progress so that you, too, can lay down the idols in your life. Maybe it isn't paper crafting at all. Maybe your idol is computer surfing, or television, or scrapbooking, or some hobby that has taken up way too much prominence in your home.

I want my home to be a place of peace and comfort. I want my work to reflect my love of God and what he has done for me. I know that it won't be easy. But that's okay. I know that with God all things are possible, not easy.

I have a lovely new piece of artwork in my home to serve as an inspiration. Here it is:

Need a close up? Here is what the painting says:

That is a promise for me and for you.

Blessings!

Made To Crave

2011-09-03T05:50:00.000-07:00

Did you read the article this week?

Scientists have estimated that by the year 2030 (that's less than twenty years from now), half of the population of the United States will be obese.

We know what obesity will do to health and life expectancies. But have we ever considered the effects that fifty percent obesity rates will have on our national security? What kind of a fighting force will this country be able to muster when more than half of the population would not make the cut for military service, police academies, and fire academies?

Our nation's health has really worried me in recent years. Not only have we collectively gorged on every kind of junk food out there, but we've been gorging on other things, too. We've spent ourselves into debt because we had to have it, whatever the "it" of the moment was. If we want it, then we should be allowed to have it. Me, me, me.

I hate to point it out, but every society that opens its doors to let all things be permissible has gone the way of the Roman Empire.

I've had this theory rumbling around in my head for a while now that we are a nation that is starving. We are starving for God. We are starving for God, but we refuse to acknowledge it, so instead we fill up our empty places with food, drugs, alcohol, toys, pornography, entertainment. The list goes on and on.

Anyone who has visited Europe recently can attest to this sad fact. Countries filled with some of the most amazing churches and cathedrals that are virtually empty on Sunday morning. And the most frightening part? It happened in one generation.

I read a quote from John Wesley recently that has shaken me to the core. Here it is:

"What one generation tolerates, the next generation embraces."

Wow.

I can think of so many things that this applies to, beginning with the children of Israel and going all the way into 2011.

This week, I read this fantastic book called "Made To Crave" by Lysa Teukeurst. Lysa points out that we are a people craving God. Like a child, we need discipline in our lives from our heavenly Father. This discipline is necessary whenever and wherever we have put something of greater importance in our lives than God. Is it food? Is it stuff? It doesn't really matter.

Lysa points out Paul's words when he says "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial."

Let's face it. We can eat fast food 24 hours a day. We can make unhealthy choices at every turn. And while no one is stopping us, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't stop ourselves. We can sit in front of televisions and computer screens instead of walking our neighborhoods or biking on the trail. We can do it. But should we? Do we?

When I was a child, we rarely ate out at restaurants. We were a family of nine, and eating out at restaurants was just not cost effective. We didn't take many vacations, either. But you know what? Mom always fed us, Dad made sure we got out once in a while and had some fun. We were not deprived.

Look at how that has changed in one generation! My son told me that he participated in a poll in health class one day. The teacher asked students how often they ate out. More than half the class said every day. Most said two or three times a week. My son was the only one who said "Maybe once a month." We have given the power of our kitchens over to nameless, faceless restaurant chains who don't care about our health. Too often, we want to sit back and be fed and entertained.

If you are struggling with your weight (and let's face it, who isn't?), please understand that I am not condemning you. I have struggled, too. But God does not want us to live a half-life filled with struggle. He wants us to give our struggles over to Him. Jesus said "I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full."

I am encouraging all of you to read this book. It will open your eyes to the power and benefits of a disciplined life that is lived to the full.

Blessings!

(p.s.Don't forget to enter the blog candy giveaway on Friday's post!)

Cafe Candy!

2011-09-02T12:09:00.001-07:00

Hello, friends! It's time for a little cafe candy giveaway! woo hoo!

Apparently, I have a problem with designer papers. I have more than I really need. So I plan on thinning out my collection in the days ahead. Hoarding, NO! Generosity? YES! Time for some Random Acts of Kindness!

This weekend, I am giving away a complete Stampin' Up package that includes:

* a package of Linen Prints designer series papers (cut into a handy six by six pack)

* Long Notes and matching envelopes

* Three yards of some scrumptious apricot grosgrain ribbon

Leave me a comment in this post about an experience you've had with a random act of kindness. I love to hear these positive stories. Those little acts of light do so much to banish the darkness of this world, don't they? Like Mother Teresa once said " We can do no great things, only little things with great love."

I'll leave the contest open until Monday (9/5) at midnight.

Sweet Autumn and A Confession

2011-09-01T14:38:00.001-07:00

My Sweet Autumn clematis paniculata is in full bloom, and it smells just as beautiful as it looks. I went out this morning to take some photos.

Maggie managed to get in the shot..she's such a ham. When you look as fancy as she does wearing a pink and black leopard print bandanna, then I guess you deserve to get your photo taken.

I tried to get the vines to climb the fishing line and grow over the arbor, but they were not cooperating this year. The vines decided to grow along the fence instead. I think they did it just to vex my husband.

Speaking of flowers, I found these adorable notepads and note cards at the dollar spot at Michael's. My mom told me about these, and she gave me a notepad in red...super cute! Thanks, Mom! (And Happy Belated Birthday, you sweet thing!) I try to avoid the craft stores because they always tempt me into buying stuff I don't need. I do like their cheap note pads, though! I bought these for my s.m.i.l. (step mom-in-law) Shirley Ann, who is recovering from an accident. She loves hollyhocks, so I know she will likes these, too.

I decided to make a card to send with this little gift. I took my color inspiration from those note pads.

{recipe: all products from SU!, Nature Walk stamp set, basic black ink and card stock, more mustard ink/card stock/ designer paper, always artichoke ink and ribbon, First Edition designer paper}

So here's my confession: I have spent an entire month of paper crafting using only Stampin' Up products. I decided to give it a try after a discussion on the forums at Splitcoast Stampers. I thought it might be difficult, but it was actually very easy! After being an SU demo for more than seven years and stamping for more than twelve years, I've accumulated quite a lot of product. I would say that more than 75 % of my craft supplies come from SU. Here are a few things I learned:

* Coordinating is easy when you use products from one company line.
* Single stamps may be cheaper, but stamp sets give a lot more flexibility. This card used three stamps from one set!
* Setting limitations can actually be quite freeing!
* Setting limitations can force you to be more creative.
* There may be a lot of companies out there, but SU was my first love, and I still get excited about their products.

After the August experiment, I've even been considering becoming an SU demo again. I'm not really sure if the world needs another SU demo, and I'm not certain that I can be a demo and be frugal at the same time. It is something to think about. But I do enjoy creating with their products, and I'm super excited about a few items in that Holiday mini!

I think I may put together a little SU giveaway this weekend! Stop back for some blog candy!

Full Nesting Mode

2011-08-31T17:04:00.001-07:00

I have been in full nesting mode this week. You know, fluffing up the house, changing out the decor, cleaning and straightening things up just a bit. I think it must have something to do with the change in seasons (bring on Autumn!) and the change in the season of my life (sons off to college, new school years, new jobs, etc.). Whatever the reason, it is out with the old and in with the new!

I bought some funky new lamp shades on clearance at target this week. I love the burlap and the plaid design. It just looks cozy.

I've been pulling the pumpkins out of storage and putting away all things summer. I swapped out the summer flowers and sampler in my hanging wall basket for something a little more autumnal.

I finally finished this cute little pillow ornament from Sandra Sullivan's Homespun Elegance. It's a little primitive, a little rustic and a little imperfect, but I like it!

Goodbye August and long hot summer. Hello Autumn!

A Few New Things

2011-08-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

I decided to mix it up a little and add some new blog links on the right. New faces, new places, and new sources of inspiration. It's all good.

Last week, I discovered the awesome blog {in}courage by visiting the Dayspring website. Dayspring is the christian subsidiary of Hallmark, and I love their products. The blog will not disappoint! It's filled with some lovely women who share their inspirational thoughts and talents.

Today, the {in}courage Facebook page quoted Isaiah 43:19: "See, I am doing a new thing!" And the question was "What new thing is God doing in your life?"

Wow. God has done a LOT of new things in my life recently.

It was just a few weeks ago that I was waiting on the Lord. And waiting. And waiting. But the wait was so worth it.

For starters, I have two sons happily settling in to college life. I have a second grader who loves school. I have a husband who got a prestigious position with his company. Family is good.

I'm beginning a new ministry at my church next month. I'll be serving as a shepherd to families in our congregation. I look forward to making connections and forging new relationships with these brothers and sisters in Christ.

I joined a group of moms who will be meeting weekly to pray for our children and our school with Moms in Touch International.

And last week, just before I was to take my son to college, I was offered a new job. I begin next week. I'll be working part time, mornings and afternoons only, weekdays only, during the hours when Sam is in school. How perfect is that?

Is God great or what?

It's a new season in my life, and it is filled with blessings.

Today's Splitcoast challenge was to use the colors cherry cobbler, more mustard, and calypso coral to make your own background. I do not have the new SU In Colors yet (shocking, I know!), so I substituted with groovy guava.

{recipe: all products from SU, Refuge and Strength stamp set, Canvas BG stamp, cherry cobbler ink and card stock, more mustard ink, groovy guava ink and stitched ribbon, confetti cream card stock}

It is so easy to make your own background papers. I like to use a small repeating image, and then stamp over everything with a background stamp, as I did here:

"I am not who I was, I'm being remade, I am new! I'm chosen and holy and I'm dearly loved, I am new!" (from the song "I am new" by Jason Gray)

Tell me, what new thing is God doing in your life today?

Sunflower Season

2011-08-29T14:42:00.001-07:00

Don't you love sunflower season? I love to see their golden faces turned to the sun. I snapped these beauties at the Toledo Zoo this month. Amazing!

Sunflowers always make me think of my Johnny. When he was just a boy, he used to plant them in our garden and watch the giants grow until they were taller than he was. That was before he was nearly six feet tall. Before he packed up his belongings and moved to college...

I had a few mild panic attacks as we loaded up the family van. But strangely, once we were at his college, God gave me the peace that passes all understanding. I knew he was right where God meant for him to be.

I forgot to give him some of his necessary papers for work study on campus, so I'll be sending him a big envelope of documents in the mail tomorrow. I'll be including this little card:

{recipe: all products from SU!, Serene Sunflower stamp set, Well Scripted stamp set, rich razzleberry ink, tangerine tango ink, old olive ink, black ink, confetti white card stock, kraft card stock, black fine point marker}

I made this 3 1/2 inch square card and added the squiggly frame using a fine point marker.

Just a little clean and simple card to say I Love You.

Coffee Break

2011-08-26T12:07:00.001-07:00

Hello, friends!

I'm taking a little coffee break for the next few days. I wish it were as relaxing as drinking a nice vanilla latte with a good book. Alas, I am taking my son, John, to college to begin his freshman year. I should be back in my fully caffeinated and crafty form on Monday.

Blessings on your weekend. And will you say a little pray for me that I don't get too weepy this weekend? Thank you!

Belated Thank You

2011-08-24T14:14:00.001-07:00

So college son number two is preparing to start his freshman year at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology this week. Go fighting engineers! (And yes, that is their mascot! bwa ha ha!) Do you think that it is about time John sent out his thank you cards for those graduation gifts?

I do such a bad job of making my boys send thank you notes. I usually make them thank the gift givers in person. But a thank you note is a really nice thing to do, and we need to do more nice things in this culture, don't you think?

For today's card, I used up some old Stampin' Up product. I made the base cards out of my stash of the retired sage shadow card stock. I also used the retired really rust card stock. For the papers, I chose the Autumn Vine designer papers from the 2009 Holiday mini catalog. I figure if I start using up some of these old fall papers, then that will give me an excuse to buy the new Spice Cake designer papers from the 2011 SU Holiday mini!

{recipe: all products from SU!, Engraved Greetings stamp set, Falling Leaves stamp set, Autumn Vine designer papers, sage shadow card stock, really rust card stock, white card stock, more mustard and chocolate chip inks, square lattice embossing folder, linen thread}

Whenever I start crafting autumn projects, I always wish that Stampin' Up would make some little felt leaves, similar to those felt snowflakes from the past. That would have made this project so much easier! Instead, I had to stamp and carefully cut out six of those leaves. Maybe one day I will break down and actually buy a Big Shot die cutting machine. Perhaps in four years, when my oldest sons are finally out of college. ha ha ha!

Thank you for visiting the cafe today!

The One That Got Away

2011-08-22T11:28:00.001-07:00

Here it is! The One That Got Away!

Last year, during the 2010 Occasions mini from Stampin Up!, I passed up the chance to buy the stamp set "Well Scripted". I really liked it, though. And every time I saw a sample with it, I'd kick myself for not getting it.

Well, you know how those rare sets from SU can be. Extortionist prices at ebay and on the buy/sell/trade forums.

A few weeks ago, I checked the B/S/T forum at SCS, and guess what? Cindy was selling her clear mount Well Scripted set, and for a reasonable price, too. Yippee! I jumped at the chance this time, and now the One That Got Away is the One That I Got...Finally!

Thank you, Cindy!

I made this card for my mother-in-law, who is celebrating a personal milestone this week.

{recipe: all products from SU!, Well Scripted stamp set, Wonderful Favorites stamp set, white card stock, soft sky card stock, old olive ink and card stock, Fall Flowers designer paper, tag punches, kraft taffeta ribbon, olive felt flower, baja breeze corduroy brad}

This tent topper card is made by cutting a piece of 8 1/2 X 11 card stock lengthwise, and scoring at 4 1/2 inches and again at 4 1/2 inches. This will make a nice two inch by 4 1/2 inch pocket inside, perfect for tucking in a little gift card.

When assembling a ten topper card, I always try to have a standard envelope handy to make sure that the card will fit in the envelope after assembly.

Blessings on your Monday, friends!