Golden Christmas cards ♥

 Happy Friday!

Oh my, what a week this has been -

and our weekend is jam packed full, too!

 

The Just For Fun Design Team has some exciting news!

We have a cross promotion this month with Altered Pages -

a wonderful company filled with

arts and craft supplies for all your card making needs.

They sent us, the DT, a wonderful package filled with all sorts of goodies

to create with - from tags to gorgeous collage pages, ink,

borders, mat stack pages and more.

Thank you, Altered Pages!

 

I have to cards to share today as it's my turn on the JFF Inspiration blog ♥

First up, I've created a golden holiday card with shimmery cardstock,

an image from the Altered Pages' Cardstock Pages ~ Mid Century Cmas.

Now, I'm going to show it to you - twice!

How on earth do you photograph Gold Shimmery cardstock!!??

 

The gold was very hard to photograph and I wanted to show off the colors

and unique, fun image from Altered Pages so here is the first look:

 

Then again with the gold highlighted :)

 

 

Next up, this is my hybrid card using both the White Christmas stamp from Just For Fun Rubber Stamps and supplies from Altered Pages ~ the burlap, Bazzill half edge strips, white , the gorgeous vintage book pages in which I've made this scalloped flower and the beautiful mat stack background paper.

 

 For this second card, I've embossed the entire stamp in gold embossing powder to highlight the stamp and added accent papers/pieces around.

 

Here is a close up of the beautiful White Christmas image,

which is available in the store and in many options:  Wood, UM, or as a mounted stamp.

 

 

And a flower made with the vintage pages into a scalloped flower ♥

 

Thanks for stopping by to peek at my golden holiday cards!

I wish you a most wonderful weekend ♥

 

 

You can check out Just for Fun Rubber Stamps here -

and if you are lucky enough to be in Florida, there is a free trunk

show going on this weekend!  Woohoo!

And, of course, stop in to Altered Pages and see all the crafting goodies

they have to offer!  It's fabulous!

Big hugs, Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly

DDD - Celebrating 4 years together!

*If you are looking for my Cornish Heritage Farms post, please scroll down!*

 

Good Morning!

Today's the 15th of the month which means the Dueling Darlings

post our cards and this is a special post indeed!

 

It's our 4 year anniversary of posting card kits together!

What an incredible, blessed and fabulous journey it's been!

The day I dreamed up the idea for this group, I could not have imagined

how much it would enrich my life in friendship, crafting, laughing and more!

Thank you, each and every DDD member, for making this journey together

as beautiful as it's been ....

and here's to 4 (or lots!) more! ♥

 

Speaking of 4!!!

It just happens that I am the hostess for the Divas this round

and Jeanette is the hostess for the Dazzlers -- which means we chose a

theme for this month: 

 

 Birds of a Feather, Flock together!

 

In honor of the 4 years together, I chose a "Country Chic" theme and sent images, embellishments and papers to reflect that. 

 We challenged the girls to a little extra this month

(and after this, they are all probably leaving! LOL!)

We wanted them to show 4 things on their cards that are the same to mark our anniversary together.

Not ribbon, brads, flowers, paper = 4.

But 4 of the SAME thing.

Not easy to do!

 

I also chose a stamp set I've had for .... more than 4 years :)

It's a use an image that I’ve had for over 4 years as well for a little twist.
 Taylored Expressions “Branching Out”, which is a set from special release w/ partial profits for the Eden Projects. The Eden’s Project’s Slogan is Plant Trees - Save Lives. They fight against deforestation and their organization recreates healthy forest systems not only through replanting/seeding but they also restore hope, alleviate suffering, empower communities and build local economies in impoverished areas}.

 I sent along  a special stamp set to use:  a sheet of burlap - my newest love :)

If you have seen many of my posts, you'll see I have a slight love affair with it!

I asked them to incorporate it somewhere on their cards.

 

Whew, that was a lot to say!  LOL!
Now how 'bout a card!

 

 

 

I paper pieced my tree top on today's card - easy to do,

including if you don't have the actual stamp!

Just place the image into the copier and run your dsp through the printer

rather than copy paper- tada!

I fussy cut the tree and and the sweet birdies -- adding them to the tree.

I stamped onto the card instead of the inside (shocker!!)

to keep the weight of this card down - it will be mailed today :)

 

Did you see my burlap? It's there!

Peeking out as part of the ground - Tami would be so proud of me,

it's cut straight!  I've had lots of practice, lol!

And hopefully my "4" are visible - I just layer dew drops around the card.

 

And be sure to stop off and see what all the DDD

members have created for you today ~

you can find their blogs in my sidebar.

 

Big hugs, Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly

COF "For the Men" meets Riley & Co "Texture!"

Howdy, Friends!

How's that for a catchy title?

LOL!

 

If you are here for the Riley and Company's Challenge,

or the

Carriers of Faith monthly post,

you're in the luck - they are one in the same!

Yes, my card is pulling double duty this time around --

sometimes we just get lucky that way ;)

 

For my Riley and Company post, I am the hostess this challenge -

HI! ♥

I chose the challenge to be one in which you can create a card/project

using 'Terrific Textures!'

 Mine is pretty obvious ~ I went with one of my FAVES of all time - burlap.

I love to work with this stuff!

I love feel, the smell, the memories it brings

of grand-dad's farm ~ counless burlap bags filled to the brim with peaches.

They lived on the property where the owners had huge orchards just

filled with acres and acres of peaches ... I can still visualize it.

I used the Riley and Company stamps "God's Got This"

which I LOVE!  Simple and to the point!

Indeed He does ♥

 

We'd be thrilled if you could play along with our challenge -

you can link up your cards in the challenge area

right here starting 6/10 :)

Also, for the Carriers of Faith, our hostess this month is Paula!

Her theme is this one:

Celebrate the Men in your life...
 

Challenge: I want you to create a card or gift for your father or a male figure who has been influential in your Christian life. Create multiple projects if you wish for more than one of those special men.
2. Give the project to that man or men that you hold dear to you. Celebrate these people on or before Father's Day!
3. Use any scripture you like on your project. Just make sure the scripture has a prominent place somewhere on your project and share a pic where you used the scripture.
4. Tell us why you chose this person or persons and how they played a part in your walk with Christ.
5. Explain why you chose a particular scripture on your project.

 

 

For me, Father's Day is one of the hardest days of the year.

I lost dad 7 years ago and not a day goes by that I don't think of him

and he's not with me. 

My father and I were very close, as close as a parent and child could be

and his passing left a void in my heart.

I have so many wonderful memories of him and the man he was

before cancer riddled him of his mind and body

and hold fast to that to guide me through this journey of life ♥

 

Yes, I have a WONDERFUL and most incredible husband ~

and a fabulously crazy brother as well :)

But mostly, Father's Day tends to be raw, emotional ...

so this card was a reminder to myself that above all things,

we are never forsaken.

Truly .... GOD'S GOT THIS,

as with many things if we just seek him in refuge!

 

For my card inside, I added a sentiment that was computer

generated ~ one that brings me comfort over and over

and was fitting with the stamp .... Psalm 46:1.

 

Be sure to stop in and see what the rest of the COF sisters

have created this month - you can find them  listed

in my sidebar!

 

As Always,

Big Hugs, Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly

I'd like to enter this to:  Word Art Wednesday - AG
Sunday Stamps - Color Palette
 



Simple Sundays/Carriers of Faith!

Blessings to you this Sunday!
If you are here to read my Simple Sundays or Carriers of Faith,
please scroll down - this post is one in the same! :)

First, thank you all for the wonderful 'virtual' hugs on my hand which

has started to heal - yay!  The dryer (company) is definitely going to be in trouble as dh simply is not going to stand for this, he says ;)

 

I actually LOVE LOVE LOVE line dried clothes!

I mentioned I'd be just as pleased to hang the clothes outdoors,

much to an eyebrow raising and a kiss on my hand to tell me

"Oh no, that just won't do."

I'm married to a most wonderful man, indeed :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this Simple Sunday installment on my blog,
 I created another CAS card literally using all scraps from my desk
 from recent card makings. 
Each piece, small andl large, are all part of something else!
I love creating for Simple Sundays because it gives me a serenity and calmness knowing that this post is never rushed, purposeful other than to be thankful in the blessings in my life.

 From the leftover burlap to the small daisys using a punch and the small wooden tag which I stamped with Archival ink, I came up with this.
This card was designed after seeing a similar one on Pinterest
(unable to find the link now )
 where she used prima flowers and yellow brads and a paper banner.
  I wanted to keep an earthy feel and went with a wooden banner which I stamped onto the wood.
My first attempt with Momento had the worst bleeding - the ink ran into the wood and just spread outward.
I tried it again with Archival and it wasn't as bad - not perfect - just okay.
If anyone has any tips on how to stamp into the wood without bleeding,
please share it with me!  I have many more of these wooden tags
and would love to stamp on them again :)

Today is also the day the Carriers of Faith post to our blogs

with a chosen topic and photo.

This month, our hostess is Zella - who gave us this theme to reflect on:

March Challenge: Thankfullness

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you ~   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I've been thinking a lot about prayer lately. Then last night I was talking with a friend at church and she said "don't you sometimes feel like our prayers are list a list of requests?". That really challenged me. Yes, we are supposed to take our needs and requests to Him. But our prayers should also be about praise and worship - about thanking Him for ALL He has done for us. These verses are short - but the are packed with power! "Rejoice evermore". It's a choice you know? I chose to rejoice because He has made me exceedingly glad! I chose to rejoice even when things are difficult because He will bring me through and He is right by my side!

So what am I asking for with regards to your posts and pictures? Two things:
1. Share about something that you are thankful for....not the big things that everyone is always thankful for - but those little things that we seem to overlook...that we take for granted.
2. Share about why you rejoice and why you worship Him.
(And of course share photos!)

Thank you, Zella!  What a beautiful scripture and prayerful words to think about.
Being thankful is something I strive for every day and try to incorporate it
in the smallest of ways.
There are days where I do just that, grateful to the heavens and back
for all the joy and wonderful things I have.
And then there are so days where I fail miserably.
But to pray without ceasing is a gift you not only give to yourself,
and back again to our Savior, but to those around you who you touch by witnessing. 

It's hard to narrow down one thing I am thankful for!
So I will share one of the things that touched my heart this past week.
I lost my dad on March 3 when he passed away, 8 years ago.
This is always a difficult time of the year for me
and I'd had a particularly bad week (everything that could go wrong, did!)
I love to sit in my backyard and enjoy the beauty that it offers -
either a leisure dip in the pool and floating around on a lounge chair,
or reading a book at the table, sipping coffee ...
even swinging on the kids swing set, even when they aren't home :)
Thing is, I feel closest to my dad out there, too.
He loved piddling around in the backyard, picking at the weeds,
watering plants, feeding the bird and talking to our dogs we had at the time.
When he passed away, we planted a memorial tree in his honor.
The girls were little at the time (and my son just an infant)
and they picked a 'pretty tree!' at the plant nursery - turns out it was a hibiscus.
This tree has not grown a single blossom ALL YEAR.
Could be this crazy cooky weather we've been having down South -
blazing hot one minute and then freezing the next.
Our citrus trees have gone overboard and we've learned don't stand under
it unless you want to get hit in the head with oranges!
They are literally DROPPING - just like that, no warning!

But dad's tree?
Nothing.
Bare.

Until the first of March.
I saw the first bud sprouting and smiled.
This flowering tree finally heard my prayer and so did Dad ...
I just know it.
Would you believe, on March 3rd - I came outside and there was not just
one beautiful bud open to a gorgeous bloom ...
but 5!!!
It's like I tell my kids -
believe in your heart and it will be so.

I was very thankful indeed :)
Here is one of the gorgeous blooms ...

Wow, what a long post!

Thank you if you made it this far :)

 

This is my 73 card of the year in the 100/100 challenge

 

 

This is a hop and from here you will be off to visit Barb.

Hopefully you arrived from April's blog.

The COF blogs are not always linked

up in blog hop fashion so I merely invite you to stop in and visit

all the COF girls if you can and see what they have to share with you this day.

 

As always, I'm thankful for each of you!

Big hugs, Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly

 

Card entered into:  HIMCR - Super Scraps

 Word Play Satruday - AG

Lisa's Blogger Challenge - Flowers