October 29, 2010

Halloween Treat bags

Thanks to Gayle, I got some cute little treat bags made this year for class party and the soccer team.  Gayle gave a friend of mine this adorable idea and I made into a bag topper.  Super simple and very quick.  I made 13 of these in two hours!  No stamps are involved and only punches and the Sizzix (how did I ever live without these things! :D )

Cardstock: Crumbcake, Whisper White, Basic Black, Only Orange
Accessories: Scallop circle punch, 1/2 inch circle punch, 1 1/4 inch circle punch, 5 petal flower punch, Sizzix machine and top note Sizzix Die.

More scenes from the country

the cattle--six new calves have been born while we have been here.

dew from fog on a dandelion head

Morning fog

green garden snake climbing a tree--he was about 2ft long.

baby praying mantis

dramatic sunset

October 26, 2010

scenes from the country life

today, I thought I'd share some photos with you.  these were taken this summer and fall while we are staying in the country.  My camera has never had such a workout.

 Mississippi Kite pair nested nearby.

 Wooly Worm covered in dew from morning fog.

 Morning sunlight through the trees and fog.
 Bullfrog waiting for dinner.
Terrapin enjoying his breakfast of a grasshopper.

October 25, 2010

Birthday card

Can you believe it?! I made yet another card.  I'm finally getting some time to relax and release some creative energy.  It's awesome and I've missed it so much!

Here's another card for you.

This was made using the set Cute by the Inch (or something along those lines) and an old sale a bration set.  The cardstock colors and the ink colors are blushing bride and concord crush.  Rhinestones added a little sparkle toe the flowers, and a flower from the pretties kit was added for a focal point. The main image on the front was done on Blushing Bride cardstock and was scored every 1 1/4 inch to leave a frame for the 1 inch stamped image.  Then I folded the score marks and sponged in concord crush inks to make them stand out.

October 24, 2010

New cards. Woo Hoo!

I made a couple of cards recently!  Lookee... (I'm so happy to be back to stamping again)

 This card uses the beautiful French Foliage set. I love this one, but I also love anything that is very natural looking.  I used daffodil delight, cherry cobbler, pear pizazz, and peach parfait inks and card stocks. The brad on the front is a vintage brad. I love those new brads!
This card uses Artistic Etchings and more of those vintage brads. The ribbon is some of SU's new vintage ribbons.  So pretty.  The embossing was done with an embossing folder called vintage wallpaper.  I used cherry cobbler, very vanilla, and black card stocks.  For the Eiffel tower, I stamped in black and then colored over the whole thing with a versamarker and embossed with clear powder.  I used some crumb cake ink to give it the aged look.
well, it appears I can't upload cards now for some reason.  It's probably my current internet connection.  So I'll continue to ramble for you...

 It's hard to believe how dramatically life can change in such a short time.  Last spring was a beginning on a new journey in life. When we put our house on the market, we never dreamed it would sell as fast as it did.  The whirlwind that followed felt at times like being caught up in a tornado--swirled, pushed and pulled in every direction imaginable while trying to maintain our bearings as well. This journey has been one of blind faith and complete trust in God.  Though I fear I fail the test daily, I still feel his pull, push or occasional shove down a path that lead to an unknown destination.  Fortunately for us God knows where this journey is taking us. We've had a lot of questions, doubts, fears as well as some tears and sleepless nights of wonder and worry.  Those things were a lack of faith.  So when we trusted and believed that God has a plan, we found a whole lot of peace and comfort in knowing that an all powerful and mighty God is in control of every situation of life and this one is no exception. The path we are following has taken us away from our home and comfort zone to a temporary dwelling and an unknown future.  We know, however, that the future is not ours to know, but to follow and trust that the situations of life will bring us blessings, and a closeness to God and each other. 

Living a life of limbo makes it a bit difficult when you are a person who likes to plan and predict and work towards an event.  I took a photo recently that really expresses what we are feeling right now.  It was a very foggy morning.  When I went out, I could make out a tree in the near distance, and only the tops of trees just behind it.  Everything else beyond that was in a totally blind cloud of fog.  That so describes the way I'm feeling right now.  The good news is that eventually the sun came out and burned away the fog so the distance was revealed.  Quite a lesson there.

October 19, 2010

Autumn

This is a beautiful time of year for the artist in me, but I also see so much other beauty in spiritual ways as well. You know, our lives are like the changing leaves and seasons.  So many things come and go in our lives and bring beauty with them.  Some of the beauty remains like the evergreens that look so alive in the winter time.  Some of it is only here for a season and leaves behind memories of the beauty they gave to us while they were here. As an artist, I like to think of God as the artist, and the autumn trees remind me of a painter's pallette.  One day I would love to go to the New England states to see the autumn there.  Just to visit for a time in the fall, and long enough to give my camera a workout.

I'm also reminded of the cycles of life when autumn comes.  Everything only lasts for a season.  As the scripture says, "To everything there is a season...a time to be born and a time to die."  It occurs to me as I type this that the seasons of the year are very much like seasons of life.  Spring is all about new beginnings.  Like newborn babies everything is fresh and new and so full of beauty and color. As spring fades into summer, some of the newness of things wears off and we just try to endure the heat of life and all the things that come with it. For some, it's a drought, for others fires, and still more floods.  As summer comes to a close, we just try to endure the final heat and the storms that come along bringing back some of the moisture lost in the drought of summer.  We probably feel a bit like the grass at the end of summer--a bit browned and crispy and lacking enthusiasm for life.  Then comes autumn.  A time of renewed faith and enthusiasm for the beauty of life.  A time when maturity comes along and we can look back on those storms and droughts and see the beauty that was really there all along and we missed because of the suffering.  Autumn can be a time of revival and seeing things through new eyes. As the leaves begin to fall we realize we are nearing the winter where it's cold and dreary.  yet at the same time it's so very peaceful. Have you ever listened to the snow fall?  Sounds odd, but next time it snows really listen.  It's the most calm and peaceful quiet feeling I have ever know.  I love that time of winter.

Well, I'm babbling now, but those are my thoughts on the seasons.  Each one is remarkable and beautiful for what they are.  Embrace each one and enjoy the life God has given each of us.

October 18, 2010

Life is all about changes

Wow what a summer and fall it has been for us here.  Life is so unpredictable sometimes and takes corners and turns we never expect.  I haven't been stamping much at all all summer and fall because of life changes.  We took a huge step out on faith and sold our house this summer.  What's so odd about that?  We did not have another to move into right away. My ever so wonderful and gracious in-laws have given us some space in their house until we can close on a house. This whole change has been a very difficult and rewarding change in our lives.  Never before in my life have I had to rely totally and completely on faith in God to see us through. This is a first, and for someone who doesn't like change and unpredictability, well, you can imagine how it's been. We are in the process of trying to buy a house, but it's been a very frustrating and trying time to buy this particular house. So we are still unsure of the future at this point, but trusting in God to see us through and show us the way.

I believe every circumstance in life has something to learn from it.  In this one we have found a level of patience and trust in God we never knew we are capable of having.  We have had to work harder at making special times for our family and have been rewarded in doing so. And this city girl has found a newfound love for the country. The country has always been something I love--nature, animals, trees, plants, ponds, all of it.  However, it was not something I thought I could handle living in day after day.  Well, that is certainly something that has changed. I love life here in the country--the ever changing scenery, the unpredictability of what animals and things you will see. Until now, many things I have only read about or seen in zoos.  I have witnessed first hand the birth of a calf, and all I can say is completely amazing.  For those used to country living the sight of an owl or a skunk is probably old-hash, but was really awesome to me.  Until the last couple of months, the only owl I've ever seen was in a zoo, and the only skunk was a dead one on the side of the road.

Yes, I have found a truly amazing and inspiring life here.  My camera has never had so many things to take pictures of (hehe)!

I will certainly try to post more often to my blog even if it's only a blog entry and not a creative endeavor.  Stamping is something I remain passionate about, but space is very limited as well as time these days. I will post what I can when I am able, though. When I am able to do so, you will also be seeing more of my photos and thoughts inspired by them.

Who knows if anyone really reads this blog, but it's just fun and therapeutic to post these things for those who might be inspired by them.  Thanks to all who follow and read along.