Missing Things

My husband has recently taken a new job. He is now the Director of Missions for the Greater Wabash Baptist Association, an association of 25 churches. Up until now he has served as a pastor our entire married life. We are excited about this, but as with any change, there are some things that will be missed.

This morning we encountered one of those “I miss it” moments. We were at one of the churches in our association where Brent would be preaching today. Sunday School had ended and our son Brock left to find a seat in the sanctuary. (Our Brock is an autistic young man who brings us great joy and who sometimes helps us to see things more clearly.) I wasn’t concerned about Brock going to the sanctuary before me since we’d been in this church 2 weeks ago. I felt certain he’d know where to sit. Imagine my surprise when I entered the sanctuary moments later and discovered Brock beginning to sit in the folding chair by the sound system at the back of the church. (Yes, Brittney, I’m sure I gasped.)

I quickly told Brock he couldn’t sit there and redirected him to the pew where he’d left his Bible/books prior to moving to the sound system.

As Brock began to sit in the pew, he looked at me and said, “I’m looking for the candlestick.” Immediately I understood why Brock had planned to sit by the sound system. After all, that’s where he’s sat the Sunday before Christmas for a number of years now. Every year since Brock was about 7-8 years old his pastor/dad has allowed him to light the advent candles the last service before Christmas, first helping his brother and sister and then doing it by himself. The candlelighter sits by the sound system until time to walk down the aisle proudly carrying “the candlestick” that is used to light the advent candles. Brock is missing that task this year.

As I pondered this on our drive home, I thought about the Light of Christmas. Jesus! It is so easy to get so busy with the activities of Christmas – the twinkling lights, shopping, presents, Christmas programs, etc. – that we don’t focus on the Light, on the One we are celebrating this season.

Brock doesn’t want to miss the light (the candlestick) this Christmas and I don’t want to miss the Light either. Thank you, Brock, for reminding me to focus on the Light of Christmas.

 * * * * *

There’s something I’ve missed this year, too. Every year I’ve made a little Christmas gift for every church family – usually it’s been a Christmas ornament (angel). I’ve missed doing that this year. Instead, I chose to make a Christmas card for each pastor/wife in our association. *gasp! I don’t normally make/send Christmas cards to anyone, so this was quite the undertaking.

These cards needed to be CAS without any extra bulk that would cause additional postage.

Here’s the card I made:

Here’s the inside:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! 

Have a Light-filled Merry Christmas!!!

Image/Scripture/Sentiment: Stampin' UP! Every Blessing

Ink: Brilliance Dew Drop (Sunflower Yellow), Memento (Tuxedo Black), and Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers (2 shades of Green)

Cardstock: Recollections (Black, Green, and White)

Embellishment: Viva Pearl Pen (Cream)

Let It Snow...

 ... somewhere else?!?!?!?

I spoke with my daughter on the phone yesterday - she lives in the bush of Alaska. She told me they were having a blizzard. The teacher housing is up on the hill, near the school. She said she couldn't see the village that is nestled in a little valley just down the hill. The snow was blocking the view. That is quite some snow!

I can almost hear her singing... "Do you want to build a snowman?"

I kind of prefer our 60+ degree temperatures here in the midwest... and our rain showers. LOL!

That being said, I do like making snowmen cards! So I was delighted to make cards with the adorable snowman image that Janet chose for the "Unidentified Image" card swap group this round - Whipper Snapper "Sanchez" is such a cutie.

Here is my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
And whatever your weather is, try to enjoy your day!

Image: Whipper Snapper "Sanchez" colored with Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Confetti Tan (I love it - and sure wish they hadn't retired it!)
Designer Paper: Paper Studio All Seasons Three Paper Pad
Embellishments: Michael's Pearls and Rhinestones and Stickles Glitter Glue

Red is the Color of the Season

It's time to re-enter the blogging world. ;) And I can think of no better way to do so than with a new challenge at One Stitch At a Time.

(In case you've wondered where I've been, we recently moved... and it's taken me a while to get things in order at our home - not to mention, to find my needed toys.)

Challenge #252

Theme: Anything Goes with the Color RED

This is the last OSAAT Challenge this year - I hope you'll play along!

Here's my card:

 Digital Papers and Image:

StitchyBear Digi Outlet  

Panda Bear Designs Christmas Papers Pack 2

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Papers: StitchyBear Digi Outlet
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Garden Green
Embellishment: Washi Tape (from an unknown vendor)

Snowman Fun

It's time for a new challenge at One Stitch at a Time...

 

Challenge #251

Theme: Anything Goes with Winter

Here's my card:

I used the Cartoon Snowman Pointing image 

from StitchyBear Digi Outlet (Designer: Ken Benner).

Here's the inside of my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
I hope you'll play along in the One Stitch at a Time "Anything Goes with Winter" Challenge.

Image:StitchyBear Digi Outlet "Cartoon Snowman Pointing"
Ink: Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections Black and White
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments Rhinestones/Gems from an unknown vendor

Life's Sweet

Melina is the current hostess of the Mystery Image card swap and she sent us three  small images with instructions to use all three on our card. She also sent a sentiment that we could use if we chose to do so. Well of course... I chose to do so. ;)

Here's my card:

I sure hope Melina likes it... and the other swappers, too!

Here's the inside:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Images/Sentiment: (from Melina) Fiskars "Latte love' and "The Sweet Life" colored with my Copics and Zig Wink of Stella Markers
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Pixie Pink
Designer Paper: Paper Studio I Love Baking Paper Pad
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Thanksgiving Challenge

It's time for a new challenge at One Stitch at a Time...

 

Challenge #250

Anything Goes with Thanks/Thanksgiving

Sponsor: StitchyBear Digi Outlet

Someone will win this prize:

Here's my card:

Here's the inside:

 Drats! I meant to put a "Happy Thanksgiving" sentiment 

inside the card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image: StitchyBear Digi Outlet "Celebrating the Autumn"
Ink: Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Ruby Red
Designer Paper: DCWV Year Round Paper Stack
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Autumn Friendship

Have I mentioned we're moving? We are! My husband has a new job, beginning December 1st. In the ministry, often times positions/jobs include housing, and that's the case with both his current position (Pastor of a local church) and his new position (Director of Missions for an Association of 25 churches). Sooooooo... I've been packing, packing, PACKING. It's okay though, I'm one of those rare individuals who loves to move! This move will be unique for us, since we're only moving 3-4 blocks away.

The bad thing about this moving thing is.... in the midst of packing, packing, PACKING, the 9th slipped up on me and I forgot to create/post my Three Musketeer card yesterday. So I'm doing it today, a day late.

I was the hostess this month, which means I chose the image and sent it to both Barb and Kelly. This stamp set is called "Autumn Friendship" (Mark's Finest Papers). I've had it quite some time but had never used it. I especially loved the sentiments, since these two ladies are two of my dearest friends! We may live far apart geographically, but we are close in our hearts.

Well, that's to say we were close... before I sent this image. EEK! They may both hate me after this. That image was a stinker to color/use. I'm sorry for such a challenge, Barb and Kelly!

Here's the inside of my card:

I'm anxious to see what my partners did with this image so let's head over and see...

Barb

 Kelly

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiments: Mark's Finest Papers "Autumn Friendship" stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections
Designer Paper: DCWV Basic Paper Pad
Embellishments: Cloud 9 Rain Dots

Hairspray

Gael is the hostess of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Cards swap group this round and her theme was to choose a musical and then create cards that portray some part (or all) of that title.

I knew immediately what musical I wanted...

HAIRSPRAY

Hairspray is the 21st longest running Broadway musical (August 16, 2002  - January 4, 2009).

Here's the card I made:

Here's the inside:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image and Inside Sentiment: A Muse Studio Glamour Girl 
Sentiment on Front: Great Impressions
Ink: Memento Desert Sand and Rich Cocoa
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Creamy Caramel
Designer Paper: My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Paper Pad
Embellishments: American Crafts Glitter Brads

Baker's Dozen

The Baker's Dozen girls make cards each month using kit items sent by one of the members. Maggie sent us a bunch of goodies in October.... so many that I made 3 cards. THANK YOU, Maggie!

Card #1

Card #2

Card #3

While all three have a little something inside, the only one that really has much at all is the third one.

Here is the inside of it:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Fa La La La

Yesterday's blog post featured the October image for the Mystery image group - a cute witch

Today's blog post catches me up-to-date with that group - it's the November image sent by Heather.

Here's the card I made:

Here's the inside:

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!

Image provided by Heather - THANK YOU, Heather!

Ink: Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Tempting Turquoise
Designer Paper: Recollections FaLaLa Paper Pad
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Bewitching... a Bit Late

Where did October go??? Dea sent the Mystery Image group a fun image to use for our October cards... and I had good intentions.... then life happened. So I'm late, but here it is...

Here's the inside:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image provided by Dea - THANK YOU, Dea!

Ink: Copic Markers for coloring
Cardstock: Recollections Black and White
Designer Paper: Recollections Black and White Paper Pad
Embellishment: Ribbon from an unknown vendor

Had a Bad Day?

It happens to the best of us, you know. But that doesn't mean we have to be happy about it, right? Hopefully today is going to be a fantastic day for all of you!


It's a great day because it's the day that there's a new challenge at One Stitch at a Time...

Challenge #249

 November 1 - 14

Theme: Anything Goes with Dead

Here's the Prize that's being given to a lucky participant:

Now, just so you know... this is supposed to be a very touching/sweet kind of remembrance of the dead sort of challenge........ or Not!

Here's my card:

Road Kill!

What can I say? I'm not feeling very sentimental today. Sorry!

Here's the inside of my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
I hope you'll play along with the Anything Goes with the Dead Challenge at OSAAT!

Image: StitchyBear Digi Outlet IkeSart Bad Day
Ink: Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections
Designer Paper: DCWV Boyhood Paper Pad
Embellishments: Foof-a-La Buttons and Stampin' UP! Grosgrain Ribbon

Lobster Fun

NOTE: I have two blog posts today, so keep scrolling if you're interested in seeing what the new challenge is at Sweet Stampin'... it's the post right after this one.



Jessica (of JessicaLynnOriginal) is so creative. I would have never EVER (not in a million years) thought to make an owl in a lobster suit image, yet that's exactly what she did and he is adorable!

Today the JessicaLynnOriginal design team is featuring the new " Brentwood Owl Lobster Beach Under the Sea" stamp set on our blogs... and Jessica herself is venturing out into the world of periscope to show him off. (I'll admit I know absolutely nothing about periscope, but I'm glad Jessica does.)

I've made two cards with this set...

Card #1

Card #2

Thanks for stopping  by my blog today! Be sure to stop by the other JLO design team members' blogs and see what they've made with Rock Lobster Brentwood, too. You'll find the links to their blogs in my right sidebar.

Images/Sentiment: JessicaLynnOriginal Brentwood Owl Lobster Beach Under the Se
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! True Thyme
Designer Paper: Paper Studio Beach House Paper Pad
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Images/Sentiment: JessicaLynnOriginal Brentwood Owl Lobster Beach Under the Sea
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Dusty Durango
Designer Paper: Paper Studio Day at the Beach Paper Pad
Embellishments: Fiskars Candy Dots