Retail Therapy for a Bad Evening!

I just can't seem to get rid of this crud!  I've been sick since May 22...my birthday!  Pray that this stupid cough and wheezing goes away!  On the positive side I just learned that I have a beautiful new great nephew, Miles Wayne, born June  6th!

I just entered an order at JoAnne Fabric - for some texture templates; they are on sale.  I also found a coupon on the Retail Me Not site for free shipping and handling...yippee!  I saved almost as much as I spent!! very proud of myself other than I not suppose to spend on craft items at this time.  But it cheered me up from my "off" afternoon...if you know what I mean.  Shopping therapy!!!  I'll regret it terribly when my husband finds out though...LOL!  

For children of God, there is ultimate healing for each of us...

As children of God, our healing prayer can be:

“Heavenly Father, You are intimately aware of the struggle I am experiencing -- the pain and the despair. You know the desire of my heart to be healed of this illness. I ask now for Your healing touch. I know that You are able and that just like in Bible times, You can heal me.

“I also understand that You will chose what is best for me. I pray that through this trial, I will draw close to You -- that You will be my comfort and strength. I pray that ultimately, whatever happens, You will be glorified through me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Read more: http://www.allaboutprayer.org/healing-prayers.htm#ixzz1PWS37IYD

 BLOGS and STORES

I have an account with Gina K Designs/Stamp TV and was going through their card gallery.  Very nice cards in their GALLERIES.  I have just touch the surface of their gallery.  HERE is my site there.  I am posting the cards I like so I can refer to them later.





Darlene is the owner of Dutch Papercrafts.

  

One of the gallery members card led me to this site: Dutch Papercrafts. 

Dutch Papercrafts has some great ideas and some wonderful products.  I am tempted; but not today maybe some other day when I need some retail therapy. They have some very nice "detailed" diecuts that you should check out... The blogsite also has videos so you can lean to use their products.

 

detailed diecut butterfly



  






Lisa M. is the owner of this blog...You Made Me Ink!

 



I also just subscribed to

 "You Made Me Ink!"

There were a couple of cards that I like there. One in particular... Thank You Window which was inspired by Splitcoast Stampers - Tutorial Cards.  The card was entered into two different challenges; something I have never done yet.

One of them was:  Creative Inspirations Paint - Fun Fold Cards.  Their website is www.creativeinspirationspaint.com.  Their members who post to their gallery like to "think out of the box."

Creative Inspirations Paint also has some great ideas...Please check them out.  Have you ever made an explosion box?  There is a very beautiful one on their site.  You can check it out HERE!

It's funny how one blog can lead to several other blogs!  LOL...

I want to mention my friend at Creative Connections, Jeannie Kinney.  She has come so far in creating some wonderful cards.  She is a Stampin Up consultant and holds card classes as well as selling her cards.  Please check out her blogsite for all the projects she sells and can teach!  She is also a seamstress!  Something I could only dream of doing.

Creative Connection CLASS:

Don't forget my friend Jeannie at Creative Connections is having a card class this Saturday. From Facebook... my Facebook Friend also will have the NEW Stampin Up catalog at the class for you to look through! (this class is also mentioned HERE)

Creative Connections:  Saturday's workshop is Easter and Mother's Day cards. RSVP if you want to attend. I have an Easter treat for those who attend. Lunch is included. Next workshop is May 14th, Graduation and Father's Day cards. New stamps set every month!  Keep cheeking back with her blogsite because she is always having a card class.  If you have some friends and you want a class or show at your house; give Jeannie a call...



Vicky's card using one of their wonderful stamps.

I haven't mentioned my other creative friends in awhile and I miss them very much... Vicky and Jon at the Crackerbox Palace Rubber Stamps.  They have a store in 1321 West Court St, Janesville, WI 53548.  The phone number is 608.755.4638.

Crackerbox Palace Rubber Stamps also has an on-line store.  They sell various items including their own stamp designs.  Please take time out and visit their on-line store or drop in...tell them I sent you.  They are very fun and loving people!  Facebook...   

Crackerbox Palace Rubber Stamps have a Blog Spot which showcases their stamps... Both John and Vicky love humor. Their stamps are serious to light hearted and mostly made to make you smile.




Cbick's Ice Cream Card whick you can find on her blogsite!

 

The Crackerbox Palace Rubber Stamps also have a demonstrator and friend "Chick" who also has a blogsite: 

Chick's Crafty Chatter

Vicky and Chick have been together a long time and they BOTH do terrific work.  They are extremely helpful if you have any questions too.

We are

People who need to love, because

Love is the soul's life,

Love is simply creation's greatest joy.

'til next time,

Con

Happy New Year 2010

Rare New Year's Eve Blue Moon to ring in 2010!

Tonight is a blue moon - the second full moon in a calendar month. The last time a blue moon fell on New Year's Eve was December 31, 1990. (Alas, it might prove difficult since the skies might be cloudy.) The next time will be in 2028.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied: Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.  - Minnie L. Haskins

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day.  - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Then sing, young hearts that are full of cheer,
With never a thought of sorrow;
The old goes out, but the glad young year
Comes merrily in tomorrow
- Emily Miller




Every new year people make resolutions to change aspects of themselves they believe are negative. A majority of people revert back to how they were before and feel like failures. This year I challenge you to a new resolution. I challenge you to just be yourself.  - Aisha Elderwyn

 
 
Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth
- Martin Luther
 
 
 

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.  - Benjamin Franklin

 
This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!
- William Arthur Ward



It is difficult not to believe that the next year will be better than the old one! And this illusion is not wrong. Future is always good, no matter what happens. It will always give us what we need and what we want in secret. It will always bless us with right gifts. Thus in a deeper sense our belief in the New Year cannot deceive us.  - Kersti Bergroth

 
'til next time,

Con

Faithbooking

Hope everyone had a memorable EASTER!!!

Jim and I celebrated Easter on Saturday in Elizabeth, IL with his dad, Miles. Jim's sister, Janice and her husband, Ted were there too. It was really nice. Ted made our Easter dinner - Ham - just the way Mom Kahl use to make it!

On Sunday I relaxed and made scalloped potatoes with the "left over" ham. I decided to dedicate part of my day to studying scripture...I opened my Bible to 2 Peter 2. It was just what I needed to read. I also promised myself - NO INTERNET for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There was a lot of email to read today.

Today's blog topic word is: INSPIRATION!

I recently read this inspirational project idea...an article by Dawn Stegall:

What is faithbooking? While there are different definitions of what faithbooking means, it is simply incorporating your faith throughout your scrapbooks. A few common meanings may include:

A means to express our faith.
A journey of faith.
The ability to capture life's lessons that God teaches us.
An eternal legacy for our children.
A witnessing tool.
An incredible, permanent reminder of our God Moment and His hand in our lives.

Scripture, thoughts, prayers, blessings, memories, letters, and stories combines with our photographs to always remember our personal and spiritual journey with the Lord.

Why should you start faithbooking? Because we are commanded to. Throughout the Bible, we are commanded to remember. Remember the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. Psalm 78:4 We are also told to teach. Teach them to your children...Dt. 4:9 Teach them the right way to live...1 Kings 8:36 There are many more scripture verses that tell us to remember and teach. What better way to remember and to teach then with faithbooking! Remember and teach through your journaling and scripture verses then enhance with photos and embellishments.

If you currently scrapbook, don't wait to finish your current scrapbook album to start faithbooking. For me, they are one in the same. I like to incorporate my faith throughout my scrapbooks as one. They are not two separate projects. Always start your faithbook in prayer. Then you can start simply by adding scripture and verses to capture the theme of the layout and then progress into journaling more thought provoking faith questions.

If scrapbooking is not your thing, then consider keeping a journal. Express your feelings on paper and then share the portions you want with others as you feel led. Remember there is not a right or wrong way to faithbook-just get started today!

For more about faithbooking and to claim a free quick-start guide to faithbooking, please visit http://www.FaithfullyYours.net

Two other Faithbooking sites I found inspirational were Faith Sisters Gallery and Keep It Simple Scrapbooking.




While searching some "cool" sites I stumbled across this lyric by Steven Curtis Chapman

I Believe in You

Aren't you the little one
That hid in my arms afraid of the thunder
Are these the little hands
That held so tight to mine

Didn't we both agree you'd never grow up
And now here we are, and here you go
Of all the things I want to say
The thing you really need to know is...

I believe in you
I believe in you
Everything you are
Everything you are becoming

And I believe in you
I believe in you
So spread your wings and fly
On the winds of knowing
I always believe in you

So many prayers we've prayed
So many dreams to get to this moment
Now this is where we stay
While you go change the world

But I'll be where I have always been
Up in the stands cheering you on and singing this song
A song the very God who made you
Has been singing all along

I believe in you
Yeah, I believe in you
So spread your wings and fly
On the winds of knowing
I will always believe in you

And when you rise and when you fall
I'll still believe in you
Just close your eyes and hear me calling
I believe in You

All I can say is WOW...

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting ''I'm clean livin'' I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain... I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I was just a sinner who received God's good grace by faith!

Pretty is as Pretty does... but Beautiful is just plain Beautiful!

by Carol Wimmer Copyright 1988

Now that you've been "inspired" by two awesome poems...here is a gallery I just discovered - Cococats Cardmaking Gallery! I saw this penguin card. I wonder how many other "fun" ideas I'll find there.

Well I hope I have "inspired" you to keep on doing what feeds your soul! The only way to True Happiness is through our Lord, Jesus Christ!

til next time,

Con