1.03.2012

Happy New Year, 2012!

Hello there!!  We are home again from such an amazing trip, one that I know God shined upon in many ways :)   And I send to you wishes for a beautiful, blessed and bountiful new year ahead! I am still so amazed at how fast time always seems to go, and I welcome - and embrace - this new year.  For me, I always start out the new year with a scripture that I keep close to heart and chose a word for the year that I try to incorporate into what I'd like the year to include.  On New Year's Eve, I knew exactly what it would be because I know how much He is at work in our lives, even when we might not see or feel it - that's when He is there the most :)   I hope to take this year as time to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses in my faith-filled journey, one of those is learning not be discouraged when faced with things that are out of my control.  

 So for me this year, my word to carry me along is grace.  I know that as I journey through this new year, I want to conquer all things with grace in my heart and the strength to do all things he asks of me, even in moments of despair, humility, discouragement. "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need." Hebrews 4:16  I look forward to sharing many joyous, grace-filled moments with you this year!

Now how about a card to go with?  Hee hee!  I am so late in posting the Calendar Girls 28th of the month card due to our travels :) This month, our hostess was none other than the founder, creator and owner of the Calendar Girls idea - Miss January, Jeanette!  Her theme for this month's card creation was secrets! In other words, she asked each Calendar Girl t0 send a card creation word to the assigned person and create with that idea!  Here is her idea:  December - Who loves a secret? I know I do! Let's have a secret ONE-WORD challenge. This is how it will work. Each Calendar Girl will come up with a one-word challenge for the Calendar Girl who follows her on the list. It can only be ONE WORD, but it can be any word (glitter, three, apple, blue, holiday, sponging, friendship.... whatever word you choose!) Then secretly email or PM that ONE WORD challenge to the next person on the list and she will create a card that in some way represents that word. And guess what word Jeanette sent to me?  Hospitality!  Oh the possibilities!!  I actually had to google the word to come up with some ideas ad my mind only drifted to Pineapples, lol! :)~ I have an old SU stamp set with a pineapple in it but it wasn't working for me, so I regrouped and remembered my neglected Penny Black Teddy Bear set which I just LOVE!!  I inked it up and knew I wanted to go with a floral sentiment to match  - get it? Thanks a bunch?  LOL!!
But the original card prototype had the sentiment on the front in the corner and just didn't look right either ....... regrouping again, I finally managed to make my idea sort of come to life on paper!  And here we go - Teddy Bear flowers being ever so thankful :)





So sorry for the blurry pictures, but I'm in desperate need of camera repairs!
I have many pictures to share from our trip, which I'll be doing soon. I quickly realized that most of them were coming out not so clear and switched to my phone and wow, it was one less thing to juggle ;)  Be sure to stop in and see what the other Calendar Girls created!

I'm entering this card into: StampsRUs Challenge - Anything Goes

Big hugs,
Bigger Blessings :)
~Kelly

15 comments:

  1. So cute! Glad your trip was wonderful.

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  2. Glad your trip was wonderful!! I'm sure you'll have so many memories.
    Such a precious card. Love the bright colors and all those fabulous buttons!!!
    Lynn

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  3. Awwwwe Kelly, that is one cute card! I love it both inside and out! That teddy bear is adorable!

    Have a happy, and healty 2012!! Glad you're a part of this wonderful group!

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  4. Adorable card and the paper matches your bear perfectly!
    Your post today was beautiful! Too often our lives get so busy that we forget who is guiding and walking with us! Your scripture is perfect for your 'goal' for the year.
    Can't wait to hear about your trip!

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  5. Adorable card! Love it and the scripture, so wonderful. Glad y'all had a great time on your trip, can't wait to see your pictures. Missed your blog while you were gone.

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  6. I think it is so funny, it always seems like while I am reading your post you are commenting on mine lol! We are having great weather here, I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt! 79

    This is a super sweet card and matches your word perfect! Happy New Year!

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  7. Such a pretty card! I always love to see all the detail you put on the insides of you cards. Glad you had a great trip

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  8. This is just precious! Love the bright colors! So happy you got to see snow! Did the kids build a snowman?

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  9. KEL!!!! oh, how I've missed your sweet and cheery cards. I am having a hectic morning and seeing this card is exactly what the doctor ordered. I just wanna reach out to the computer screen and pet that adorable bear and his daisies!!! :)

    Happy New Year to you and yours. Wishing you the best of everything because you deserve it, my sweet friend!!

    I am so happy to hear you had such a fabulous getaway. wooo hooo for snow and 20 degree weather!! Please cross your fingers so that we will see the same thing when we visit Korea later one this month.

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  10. Super sweet card, Kelly. Sound like you had a super wonderful trip to Disneyworld.
    Wishing you a very happy and blessed New Year! I'm always happy when I find friends from SCS in blogland.

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  11. WOW Kelly--this card is so darn cute. I love the image and it fits the word perfect! I love all of the colors that you used and this card just makes me smile!

    Thanks for sharing and I am glad you had a wonderful trip!

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  12. Yeahhh,glad to know U had a great unique winter holiday and wow...look at this cool card U came up with afterward...
    LOVEE the image (I must take time to ink my PB Teddy set too!)
    Of course I absolutly love all the cheerful colors used here and your trademark of buttons and flowers combo....too cute!!*TFS* ♥

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  13. Anonymous1/05/2012

    You have showed great perseverance behind the blog. It's been enriched since the beginning. I love to share to with my friends. Carry on.

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  14. Oh my goodness....... Kelly, this card is so sweet, so pretty, so adorable........ and the perfect concept of HOSPITALITY, too! I love it!!!

    You are such a wonderful friend, a good sport, and oh so crafty, too. Pure genius! I wish for you a marvelous 2012!!!

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  15. This card is so YOU!! Cute, bright, bubbly and full of cheer and good wishes. Love everything about it! Thanks for sharing your talents!

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