I've been CASEing

My absence has probably been noticed by few but for those who were wondering where I've disappeared to ... I've been overwhelmed by the talent and creativity that I've witnessed over the past month that I just couldn't help case'ing some of the cards that have wow'd me as I searched the internet for inspiration.  Please know that I do not know the origin of the cards and hope those who inspired me will come forward and say "hey you case'd me" so I can give credit where credit is due.  One of my favorite cards that I have made tons of is the Ornament Punch dangling from pine leaves.  I actually found this card on Ebay and contacted the member who didn't hesitate to offer the names of the stamps used ... and voila I pulled them from a dusty shelf and set to work.  I have to say this crafting time was long overdue.  My stress level took a nose dive!  Thank you my dear Internet friends for lifting my spirits!

Greeting Card Kids and Music to lift the spirit!

It rarely happens but today was one of those days ... all of the daycare children fell asleep at the same time.  Almost too awed to no know what to do withself, I almost didn't take advantage of the quiet time.  There was no way I could accomplish anything before they all woke up ... or so I thought.  I whipped out the new Candy Cane DSP and the Greeting Card Kids stamp set and whipped up this adorable holiday card.  I remember seeing the color combination on another demonstrators website.  I believe the color combo came from Debbie Keane and can be viewed on her blog: (http://www.pungostamper.blogspot.com/). 

Real Red Cardstock

Candy Cane DSP

Greeting Card Kids stamp set

Four the Holidays stamp set

Whisper White Cardstock

2 3/8 scallop punch

2 1/2 circle punch

1/8 Real red taffeta ribbon

Now both of my sisters have commented on their blogs that is my turn to share a bit of my musical library.  (isomcre8tions@blogspot.com and pyropassion@blogspot.com).  I have shared with my siblings the struggles I have finding myself and my relationship with the Lord.  I began to follow Casting Crowns and their hit song from 2009 touched me beyond belief.

"Until The Whole World Hears"

Lord, I want to feel your heart

And see the world through your eyes

I want to be your hands and feet

I want to live a life that leads


Ready yourselves, ready yourselves

Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night

Ready yourselves, ready yourselves

May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise


Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out

Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound

Like voices in the wilderness, we're crying out

And as the day draws near

We'll sing until the whole world hears

 

Thanks for visiting.  I love hearing from you! 

Blessings,

Samie in VT

Stampin' Up Santa Sunday

I certainly made up for my lazy day yesterday!  Though I cherish the time hubby and I shared without the kids, I always am thinking of the many things on my 'to do' list!  I managed to get it all done with time to spare so I pulled out my crafting supplies and an old card that we made at my uplines (Michelle Deslandes)Holiday Stamp-a-Stack last year.  This has to be one of my all time favorite cards and was a popular card to get in a few sales!  I saved my Blush Blossom card stock from my retired stack knowing that I would need it for this very card!  (Wish I had more). 

Supplies:

Blush Blossom Cardstock

Real Red Cardstock

Whisper White Cardstock

Real Red Ink

2-way Glue Pen

Dazzling Diamonds

So ... what do you think?  I would love ideas to alter it up a bit since I've used it for the last couple of years!!

Stampin' Up always on my mind ...

Finally Friday and I managed to survive a crazy week.  The weather was so hot ... and we were teased with the July heat that never found its way during the summer months.  The kids were cranky from spending their days inside hot classrooms and it seemed quite the challenge to maintain any structure.  As soon as the work day ended, I packed up some supplies and headed over to my Stampin' sisters house to play for a couple of hours.  I was surprised that through all of our ahhhing and oohhhing over the Holiday mini and the catty, I managed to make some gift card holders. I also worked on some Santa cards that I will post soon!

   Here is a true Vermont sunset.  Relaxing!


Thanks for stopping by!

Win a $400 shopping Spree!!! Visit my blog and play along!

Win a $400 Shopping Spree

I am part of a fabulous online stamping group called Late Night Stampers. It is a yahoo group where each day you get emails from different members of the group showing off their latest samples, project ideas, or business tips. It really is a great group of gals.


Well today, Sherrill Graff – the woman who started it all – is launching a fun shopping spree game. Hop around the following blogs for clues. When you’ve collected the clues, send in your answers to Sherrill Graff at istmpnv@aol.com.


My clue is truly unBELIEVEable and found on page 109 of the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog!!
She’ll be picking a winner for a $400 Stampin’ Up! shopping spree soon. So, enter today!
Here are some of the blogs to get you started!
http://www.nwstamper.com/
http://latenightstamper1.blogspot.com/
http://latenitestampinwithsherill.blogspot.com/
http://latenightstamper-stampandscrap.blogspot.com/
http://parttimepapercraft.blogspot.com/
http://yourhiredscrapbooksupplies.blogspot.com/
http://inkabella.com/
http://myinkrediblespot.blogspot.com/
http://www.cynthiascreativecuts.blogspot.com/
http://scrappinalong.blogspot.com/

Stampin' Up Jolly Old Saint Nick and I accept the challenge!

Where does the time go?  It's already September.  The kids are back in school and the days feel shorter!  Though we are being spoiled in Vermont with the summer weather we never got it is still important to keep sight of the upcoming Holidays!  Yes .. the countdown to Christmas has begun.  To kick off the MoJo, I joined a Holiday card swap on Sudsol.  I just couldn't get a good picture of the card.  This was my first card swap with other demonstrators and I was a bit nervous thought I was pleased with how it turned out!

CS and Ink:  Whisper White and Bashful Blue

Stamp Set:  Jolly Old Saint Nick (Holiday mini) and sentiment from Christmas Punch

Accessories: Two way glue, dazzling diamonds and Bashful Blue grosgrain ribbon

On a personal note:  30 Days of Excellent in Every Way.

The challenge that originated with Dana Young-Bailey looks like this:

As a mom, I know that I focus too much on all the wrong things my kids do and miss out on all the right things they do. I get frustrated with chores not done or with their disobediance. When I only see their sin, I miss out on the blessing that my children really are.

Genesis 1:31 says, "Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way." (NLT)

I love how that is worded, "excellent in every way". Our children are excellent in every way, in spite of how they act at times. They were made in Gods' image and he said his creation is excellent.
Do you think your kids are excellent? I know that there are many times that I don't see them as excellent.
I want you to join me in 30 Days of Excellent in Every Way in September.

1. Pray & ask God to show you ways in which your kids are excellent. If you are like me, you may have a child that is more difficult than others. This is the child that you need really need to focus on. Pray for that child & ask God to show you how that child is excellent.
2. Keep a journal if you like of what the Lord shows you about your kids. If you have a blog, blog about it & send me your link!

3. At least once a day, post an status on face book about how one of your children was excellent. Don't use their name if you don't want to, especially if they are on face book.

4. Invite your friends. Ask your mom friends to join us.

5. Use excellent words with your children. Tell them when you catch them doing something wonderful. Compliment them. Build them up with your positive, encouraging words!

So what do you think?  Up for the challenge??