Pizza Me...

Happy Monday, ya'll...

I've been working on a few fun Valentine's Day cards, and thought I'd share them with you, a few at a time. This first card was made using a delightful 'Favorite Puperoni' stamp set that Simon Says Stamps sent me free with an order last year. I used the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board to create the cute envelope.

I'm entering this in the Wednesday challenge at Simon Says Stamp. Wish me luck! 

I totally 'NEED' some new crafty supplies!

Thanks for stopping by today -

Hugs and smiles,

Patti J.

Flowers for You...

Happy Wednesday!

It's been a while since I've taken part in a challenge, and I love challenges!

Decided to participate in the "Flowers for You" challenge at Impression Obsession today.

When I checked my I-O drawer, it had very little in the way of flowers, so I improvised with embossed flowers, and the gorgeous bird complete with flower.

Impression Obsession Bird Collage 4 (#E13046), Impression Obsession Joyful Spring (#B5428), Spellbinder's Labels 28 Dies, Cuttlebug Embossing Border, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Copic Markers, Pearls, Glossy Accents

I stamped the flower several times, and just kept adding layers until it was popped up enough to suit me, and then generously applied some Glossy Accents for a bit of happy shine.  Wow, my pinks match very well here in real life - not so much, on the big screen!

I'll be entering this card here:

Impression Obsession Challenge - 'Flowers for You'

Through the Craftroom Door - 'Anything Goes'

Creative Belli Challenge - 'Spring'

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - 'Anything Goes'

Thanks for stopping by!

Patti J.

Happy Sunday!

I am honored to be your Stampin Sisters in Christ hostess today. I'm not a very good public speaker, and always get so nervous when it is my turn! I chose today's scripture for several reasons. Mainly, because it is one of my favorite verses! I find that I must repeat it to myself quite often!

Head over to the Stampin Sisters in Christ Blog to see some gorgeous inspiration from my stampin sisters! You can visit them at their personal blogs, as well: Chris, Linda, Peggysue, Miesje, Rebekka, Lisa, Grace, Randi (on leave)

The scripture that I've chosen this week is: "Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." ~Hebrews 13:5

As it is Valentine's week, my challenge to you this week is to make a KISS card...Keep It Simple Sisters! Let's make a one-layer card!

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. They are back again with another wonderful prize for one special participant, and we appreciate their support!

My card today is one layer. I sort of cased it from Susan Rahalia (thanks, Susan!).

Supplies used: Nestie tag center for oval shape, Tim Holtz Stormy Sky Distress Ink, Silver Spica Glitter Pen, Prismacolor pencil and LOMS for lampshade, sentiment from The Angel Company

Just before the holidays, I 'met' a lady on one of the crafting community sites. She is a beginning stamper. She has no blog, very limited supplies, and very little knowledge or confidence in what she is doing. She is also very limited financially. She had commented on something that I had posted. After emailing her a time or two, and learning of her limited resources, I immediately mailed her my stamp, acrylic block, and completed sample of the item she wanted to create. She was awed that I would send my supplies to a stranger. As a beginning stamper, she had not yet experienced the 'family' that we all become. At the same time, I was reminded of that day a few years ago, when every single one of my stamping supplies would fit in a single shoebox, and now I am envious of folks with entire craft rooms!



I often wonder why is it that even though we have as much as we do, we never seem to have enough? If we have a little money, we want more. If our car is nice, we want a nicer and newer car. If we have several stamps, we want several more. I believe that this verse is saying that God wants us to be content with what we have, AND to thank him for it. I know that whatever I have, I only have because of God's trust in me to have it.



I know I'm not the only one feeling financially burdened right now. Lately, I have heard fellow crafters speak of selling the stamps that they have in order to buy more stamps or supplies. Some of my good blogging friends are seeking budgeting solutions that might allow them to purchase more craft items. How is it that we can seek 'more', and seek 'contentment' at the same time?



I believe that contentment is that 'thing' we feel in our hearts when we take time to think about God's presence in, and his priorities for our lives. Money and 'things' can't give us the peace, or the satisfaction that God offers. Maybe you are one of the wealthiest people in the world, but if you have no treasure in heaven, then you are indeed, poor. In my humble opinion, those of us who have our treasures in heaven will know true riches.



I once read someplace that we should pray for God's help to look for 'things' above, not below. Sounds like good advice to me!



Since it is Valentine's Week, I hope that you will join us in our KISS Challenge (Keep it Simple, Sisters!), and create a one-layer card, or project. I'm looking forward to seeing your beautiful creations!



Hugs and blessings,
Patti J.

A Way with Words...

Good morning!

As it is Sunday, I'd like to welcome you to a new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

I am your hostess for the challenge this week!

* * *
For my scripture, I have chosen Ephesians 4:20 NLT: "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

* * *
Your challenge this week is: "A Way with Words".

Create a card or project that will compliment, encourage, or cheer someone in need of uplifting.

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. We appreciate their support!

Here is my card. It features a darling Anya image, that you can find at Simon Says Stamp, here.

How often have you left your house in a wonderful frame of mind, singing or whistling on your way to run errands, only to have your mood shattered by a grumpy sales clerk or bank teller?

We make such an impact on others, not only by what we say, but by our body language and attitude, as well. We can be a blessing to someone that is having a bad day, or we can ruin someone's good day with one simple exchange of words. "Let everything you say be good and helpful". Speak uplifting words, give your undivided attention to, and fully listen to someone in need. If you work at a bank, your job may be to make monetary transcations, but you have the power to change the momentum of someone's day by simply telling them how pretty their hair looks, or just smiling and wishing them well. "So that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them". You might be the reason that someone holds their head a little higher, and feels a little more special the rest of the day.

So, this week, make that extra effort to be compassionate. Remember that the holidays can be a time of stress, and often a lonely and difficult time for many. Reach out to others in Jesus' name, listen to their needs, and let everything you say be good, helpful, and encouraging.

We would LOVE to see your cards this week! Please see the work of my wonderful DT sisters, and enter your beautiful creations, at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge Blog. You could become a Shining Star, and might even win the generous prize from Simon Says Stamp!

Hugs and blessings to you - have a wonderful week!

Patti J.

Less...

Hello!

Happy Sunday!

Welcome to a new challenge at Stampin Sisters in Christ!

Grace, our talented and sweet design team sister, is our hostess this week.

Grace has chosen John 3:30 as her scripture:

"He must increase, but I must decrease".

Grace gives us a choice of challenges this week:

1. Make a CAS card, (representing "you" needing to decrease); or

2. Make a More is More card, (representing that He must INCREASE) or

3. Show us a simple version of a card and then show us the "More is More" version.

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. We appreciate their continued support!

Since a CAS card is such a huge challenge for me, that's what I chose to make.

You can find my Happy Thanksgiving sentiment at Simon Says Stamp, here.

The straight line was drawn with a brown Sharpie marker,

and all coloring was done with Copic markers.

Please head over to the Stampin' Sister's in Christ blog, to read Grace's thoughts

on today's scripture.

We look forward to seeing your beautiful creations!

Have a wonderful week,

Hugs and Blessings,

Patti J.

Abundant Blessings...

Happy Sunday!

The challenge this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is brought to us by our own PeggySue, who has chosen John 10:10 as our scripture for the week.

"I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly."

PeggySue's challenge to us this week is to:

"Use real or faux stitching, etc., somewhere on our card or project."

I love faux stitching, and as you can see, I've added it everywhere!

(Faux stitching, very abundantly!)

As our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp, I've chosen to use an image that can be found at their fabulous on-line store. You can find C.C. Designs, Nora on a Swing, here. I thought this image was perfect for depicting an abundant life. What could be better than spending an afternoon in all of God's beauty swinging in the breeze, with beautiful butterflies, leaves, and blue skies all around you?

I like to think that when the scripture above refers to having life more abundantly, it's almost like a life 'upgrade'.

For example, we can go to the car dealer on the corner, and purchase a 1970 pickup truck for $100. It will probably get us to our location. However, if we could buy a 2011 Lincoln MKZ for that same $100, it would still get us to our location, but we'd have a bit comfier, and probably much more enjoyable and reliable ride to our destination!

When we are born, we are given life, but when we accept Christ into our lives, our life becomes much more abundant.

Thanks, PeggySue, for really giving me some food for thought this week. This was a very interesting verse when studied from beginning to end.

For this week's full devotional by PeggySue, and for all of the challenge details, please visit the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge.

Hugs and Blessings,

Patti J.

Supplies Used: Bazzill Cardstock, EK Success Border Punch, C.C. Designs Image, Ribbon and Flowers from Michael's, Koh-I-Noor Colored Pencils and LOMS, Zig Millenium Pen for 'stitching'.