Show and Tell

He will continue to rescue us...

Today is Friday, August 26. The morning after the first zap of radiation. And the morning after the first chemo pill. And, since I'm getting a late start, by the time you read this I'll also have had my second zap and will take my second chemo pill tonight before bed. Such is my life now, I suppose. Measured by pills and doses and treatment schedules and stuff like that.

I'm a pretty steady sort, but I'd be lying if I said that it is not a bit unnerving trying to keep still on a hard flat table while a machine is hovering over your masked face doing some sort of buzzing stuff. Here's how I've kept calm so far — copy a Bible verse and take it with me, clutch this padded ring they give me, close my eyes, try to be completely and totally still, and pray, sing in my head, and repeat whatever scripture comes into my mind for 10 minutes. So far, that's working. :)

As I sit here eating a luscious whoppie-pie type sandwich cookie that was leftover from the wedding (you know that I made sure those came home with us to freeze for later!), I'm a bit horrified at how my waistline has expanded over the past several weeks. I guess it's a combination of an over-active sweet tooth and lack of self-control (both of which have always been with me), no exercise, and the effects of steroids and stress that have made me go a bit crazy with the food. Anyway, today I tried to put on a skirt that I wore to a shower two weeks before the wedding — and today I probably needed about two more inches to zip it up. Not good at all. But — hey! — maybe I'll be needing a fat store in the coming weeks... so while I say it's horrifying, I don't really mean that. It is what it is. And this afternoon we're going to try to do a bit of elastic-waist skirt shopping. Sound fun? :) 

Now, I'd say it's time to get into something meatier for today (haha — can't seem to get away from the food references). How about some New Testament scripture?

2 Corinthians 1:9b-11

"...we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety."

I know that I write this all the time, but... wow. I think I've always known how important it is to rely on God, but — now — who else is there? I mean, I can do all the medical things that I should, but, really, who else can I rely on but my Lord? We know that He is the only One who can raise the dead. And He's the only One who can rescue me from this mortal danger. 

I sometimes wonder about what that means... rescuing me. I'm not sure that means healing or long life or comfort or lack of pain. I know that, because I've put my faith in Him, in the end He will rescue me from a lifetime of being separated from Him. And for right now? Well, I guess my job is to keep putting one foot in front of the other, to keep growing closer to Him, to keep relying on Him and see where He takes me. Maybe not where he takes me — because I know where He's taking me. Maybe how He takes me there. And what we do along the way. So glad you're on this journey with me! You truly are helping us by praying for us. And we thank you for that — and we thank you for YOU! It's a little weird to say, but this whole experience has turned into quite the blessing. An incredible blessing. You're a big part of that... so... again... thanks!

 

Now I'd like to move on to a card. I'm finding that I need a lot of thank you cards. Well, if I were actually writing very many cards I would need a lot of thank you cards. At least I've found the time and energy to make a few. :)

This one was inspired by this week's Papertrey Ink Make it Monday Challenge (#29)... Freestyle Coloring.

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Basically, I stamped, scribbled, and finished. And, of course, I used my "glitter saves anything" theory. :)

AND TELL: stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Mehndi Medallion, Think Big Favorites #6); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream) and Stampin' Up (Basic Black); ink is PTI (True Black); glitter is Prisma (gold); also used Copics (PTI's Summer Sunrise trio) and 1/8" Scor-tape.

We have kind of a big weekend around here. First of all — it looks like the hurricane will not affect us at all, so that's good. Britt has been here a couple of days and Kenneth is coming tonight — so that's good, too. This little brain tumor has prevented the newlyweds from having as much time together as they should. Then I think Kenneth's parents are coming sometime this weekend for a visit — maybe Sunday — which will be great, too, since we haven't seen them since the wedding. Yep. Lots of good things going on over the next couple of days. :)

Probably time to get this posted. I'm so thankful that you stopped by for a visit. Hope you have a great weekend planned, too! Sending you lots of love! 

 

 

sending you birthday wishes

Today is Ken's sister's birthday. Happy Birthday, Janis!

Since the end of the school year always wipes me out and makes me totally behind, I hadn't made or mailed Jan's card yet. But, the good side is that it gave me the perfect excuse to play along with this week's Papertrey Ink Make It Monday challenge — to use the cracked glass embossing technique on a project.

This card, besides being inspired by my love and admiration for my seminary-student-pastor-sister-in-law, was also inspired by the stained glass window at the church where I work. Pretty isn't it?

 

 

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There are a few things that I would try differently next time, but not bad for a first go-round. :)

AND TELL:  all supplies are Papertrey Ink unless noted -- stamps (Sending You); cardstock (Summer Sunrise, Stampers Select White, Kraft, Orange Zest, Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet); ink (Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest, Berry Sorbet, Terra Cotta Tile, Hawaiian Shores, Enchanted Evening, True Black); ribbon (Berry Sorbet grosgrain); impression plates (Background Basics: Diamonds, Background Basics: Woodgrain); dies (Sending You, Button Card, Banner Borders, Little Bitty Bird); also used Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamel by Ranger.

Some days I'm chatty. Some days I'm not. This must be a "not" day. Maybe tomorrow I'll have more to say. I'll definitely have more pictures... because tomorrow I think I'll finally blog about going to Britt & Kenneth's engagement party a couple weekends ago. I think it's about time, don't you? :) Oh, I'll also show you the tag I made for the gift that I took along with us, too.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I really appreciate your visits and hope to see you again soon!

wedding memories

I wanted to get the digital files of the photos I took at my friends' son's wedding rehearsal dinner to them as soon as possible. I mean, if they were photos for me, I would want them right away. I'm not a big fan of delayed gratification. :)

But, you may know by now that I'm not usually satisfied to just hand someone a zip drive, a CD, or whatever. I've gotta fancy it up a bit.

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So I copied the wedding photos on both a CD and a zip drive (covering all bases here), packaged them in glassine bags (openings trimmed with the Edgers #1 die), punched holes, tied on the tag, and walked them down to Margie & Andy's house.

Since I used colors that were similar to the colors used for the wedding, I was thinking that the tag may make a good scrapbook page embellishment at some point in time... should the scrapbooking itch strike.

I'm also going to link this post up with this week's Papertrey Ink Make It Monday challenge to try selective inking. Since I pulled the word "wedding" from the sentiment "On Your Wedding Day" in Year of Flowers: Roses, it should qualify.

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Journaling Lines, Year of Flowers: Roses, Heart Prints, Tag-its #3); cardstock is PTI (Enchanted Evening, Spring Rain, Melon Berry, Stampers Select White); ink is PTI (Fresh Snow, Simply Chartreuse, Melon Berry); embossing powder is Stamp 'n Stuff (Detail White); ribbon is PTI (Simply Chartreuse grosgrain, 1/4" silk); doily is Martha Stewart; also used a Stampin' p punch (double rectangle), several PTI dies (Tag Sale #3, 1-3/4" Limitless Layers circle, Heart Prints, Edgers #1), and PTI glassine bags (large and small).

And, that is all for tonight. Now I'm going to devote my attention to the Survivor finale. Go Boston Rob! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by tonight. Your visit means a lot to me! Have a great evening.

Love Blooms

With our daughter getting married this summer, I know that I'm going to be invited to several showers in the coming months and, for once, I thought I'd get ahead of the game. When she and her fiance finally registered at Crate & Barrel, I went right out and bought a few things. I've even already wrapped one. And since I was making a tag for it, decided that this was the perfect opportunity to complete this week's Papertrey Ink Make It Monday challenge — using an impression plate to partially emboss your project.

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For this tag, I actually partially embossed with two different plates. First I laid down a strip of 1/4" Scor-tape, keeping the backing on, and then ran the tag through my Cuttlebug twice — first with the woodgrain plate butted up to the top of the Scor-tape and then again with the diamonds plate butted up against the bottom. I suppose if you are very talented (and use a lot of tape), you could do them both at the same time, but I tried that... and apparently I'm not that talented (or I didn't use enough tape). :) After embossing both the top and bottom of the tag, I scored a line right along both edges of the adhesive... then I removed the tape's backing and applied the glitter.

You would think that making a tag would be quick and easy... not so for me. At least not for this one. I had the basic idea, but then needed to embellish and spent the better part of the morning agonizing over it and trying a variety of things. And, of course, when nothing was working for me, I remembered the Little Bitty Birds — my go-to item when a project needs just a little something more. And, I must say, I'm pretty delighted with the way the little love birds look on the tag.

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Favor It Weddings, Background Basics: Hearts); cardstock is PTI (Stampers Select white, Hawaiian Shores, Lemon Tart); patterned paper is PTI (Bitty Dot Basics in Lemon Tart and Bitty Box Basics in Ripe Avocado); ink is Stampin' Up (Basic Gray, So Saffron); button is PTI (Hawaiian Shores); twine is PTI (Rustic Jute); ribbon is from Michaels; glitter is Prisma Ultra (gold); also used PTI dies (Tag Sale #1, Beautiful Blooms II #2, Beautiful Blooms II #3, Little Bitty Birds), PTI impression plates (Woodgrain, Background Basics: Diamonds), a Tiny Tags die for the Cuttlebug, a 3/4" circle punch from SU, and a Scor-Pal.

It's a beautiful sunny day here in NC. Thought I should take a photo of some of our blooming flowers before they fade away.

 
The pansies have been around the mailbox all winter, but the daffodils are new. We've lived in this house for over 20 years and just finally planted a few bulbs last fall. In both houses that we owned previously, we moved after the first time our bulbs bloomed and never got to see how they did over the years. I'm hoping that this doesn't mean we'll be moving soon. Surely after 23 years and a recent remodel, we're staying until we go to the old folks home!

Well, that's all for today. Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your time here with me! See you again soon. :)

 

Make it Monday #4

Well, I made it. This week's Make it Monday contest expires tomorrow morning, but I finally got a card finished. I had the idea earlier in the week, but this afternoon is the first chance I got to try it out. The challenge this week has been to create with Fun Foam. Fortunately I rarely throw things away, so I happend to have a small stash of the stuff to play around with at home. Here's my card.

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I'm not sure why, but this card looks so much better in real life. Maybe it's the cloudy, rainy day we're having. Anyway, I started out by die cutting Fun Foam using the Beautiful Blooms II #2 dies and inking them like stamps to make the background paper. A picture's worth a thousand words...

 
I must say, that was pretty fun. :) The other Fun Foam touch is the white flower. That one was cut with the new Flower Fusion #1 die. I then snipped the petals to give a little extra dimension and sewed the button on using baker's twine.

The color scheme? It came about as I was looking for two PTI inks that were the newer old formula with the spongy pad. I thought it might work better (although I didn't try any others) — and, while I would probably never have thought of using these two colors together on my own, I really, really like it. And that's one of the fun things about challenges. They encourage you to try things that you might not try left to your own devices. So — thanks PTI for another nudge to try something different!

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Boxes, Bags, and Tags, Blooming Button Bits, Polka Dot Basics, Everyday Classics, Fillable Frames #9); cardstock is PTI (white, Terra Cotta Tile, True Black); ink is PTI (Aqua Mist, Terra Cotta Tile, True Black); ribbon is PTI (Aqua Mist Swiss Dot satin); button is PTI (Terra Cotta Tile); also used PTI dies (Beautiful Blooms II #2, Fillable Frames #9, Edgers #1, Flower Fusion #1), The Twinery baker's twine (Caribbean), and fun foam.

I have a very busy week coming up, so I'm not sure I'll get back here to post anything — although I have plenty of cards photographed and waiting in the wings. Plus, I'll probably try to sneak into the craft room and make one or two new things as the week goes on, just to keep my sanity. But, the good news is, the next week I'm on Spring Break, and then I should have time to come back and visit with you. So, don't worry if I'm quiet for a few days. Sometimes real life just has to take over, you know? 

Have a great rest of your Sunday and a fabulous week ahead! Thanks for spending a bit of time here with me. :) 

Glitter Strips

This tag is for Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday #3:  adding glitter strips to your project. I'm squeaking it in before tomorrow morning's deadline. They randomly select someone each week to win a free stamp set, so it wouldn't make sense not to participate, would it? 

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I'm not sure you can see the glitter strips very well in the photo above — they seem more noticeable below. I used 1/4" Scor-tape and later wished I had used the 1/8" tape to keep things more in balance, but... live and learn. Other than that, I'm pretty pleased with the results. (Did you notice the glitter that I added to the button? Love that. Having a third glittery point is much more pleasing to the eye.)

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Turning a New Leaf, Background Basics: Text Style, Background Basics: Petall Power, Floral Fusion, Fillable Frames #2, Banner Builders); cardstock is PTI (Stampers Select White) and Stampin' Up (Tangerine Tango); ink is SU (Pear Pizzazz, Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango) and PTI (Tea Dye Chamomile); glitter is some very old Tulip Treasures; rhinestones are from Kaiser (clear); ribbon is from Michael's; button is from my stash; baker's twine is from The Twinery (Mandarin); also used a SU punch (Boho Blossoms) and PTI dies (Fillable Frames #2, Tag Sale #2, Double-Ended Banners).  

Last night we had company for dinner, our "adopted" daughter (Brittany), the maid of honor (Ruth), and our 4-year old next door neighbor (Nora). Nora happened to be hanging out with me in the house while I was trying to get dinner together and was so excited about the macaroni & cheese and biscuits and the strawberries in the salad that it seemed rude to send her home when it was time to eat — especially since she kept taking breaks from playing with our dog to observe me for a few minutes and say something like, "Janelle, you're doing a really good job!" or "Janelle, you're beautiful like a princess!" (Flattery gets her everywhere!) No pictures, so you'll just have to imagine this... table filled with comfort food — meat loaf, mac & cheese, cheesy garlic biscuits, and a green salad — 4 year old who has pretty well finished eating, prancing around the table, suddenly pauses and says, "On the count of three, everyone shout, 'Hooray, for dinner!'" Yes, I think she'll be invited back. haha!

The weather has turned nice and some neighbors down the street sent out an all-call e-mail this morning inviting everyone to get together for grilling at their house this evening. Such a social neighborhood we live in! So — tonight we'll be hanging out in the street eating burgers and whatever everyone brings to share. The first of many impromptu parties that will take place throughout 2011, I'm sure.

Hope your weekend is ending on a high note, too. Thanks so much for dropping by here — hope to see you again soon!

A Two-fer

So, today I'm doing something that I rarely do... I'm posting one card that was made for two challenges. There's only so much time in the day, so combining Stacey's Curtain Call Color Challenge {Act 69} with Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday: Vellum Sentiment Strip, just seemed to make sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fun colors. But, go figure... it's close to 80 degrees outside today and I'm posting a winter card. Doesn't make a lot of sense, but that's just the way it is.

To make my vellum sentiment strip, I scalloped both long edges and then scored lines just inside the scallop. I was originally planning to put my adhesive under the scored lines (as Nichole did on her example card), but ended up cutting slits to thread ribbon through and tying it securely around the card. It's so tight that it doesn't need adhesive at all. I was pretty excited about that! (Would've been more excited if I hadn't accidentally slipped with my scoring tool on one end and later stamped my sentiment crooked, but... no do-overs around here....)

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (On Ice); cardstock is Stampin' Up (Cherry Cobbler, Vellum) and Papertrey Ink (Stampers Select White, Vintage Cream); ink is Stampin' Up (Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Early Espresso); ribbon is PTI (Scarlet Jewel satin); baker's twine is from The Twinery (Maraschino); also used PTI dies (Large Scallop border, On Ice skates), a Cuttlebug embossing folder (Snowflakes), a gray SU watercolor pencil and blender pen for the ice skate blades, and a Scor-Pal.

So what are you doing this weekend? The Maid of Honor and I are driving to Raleigh tomorrow to shop for Bridesmaid dresses, do some wedding-related paper crafting, eat at some of the Bride's favorite places, and attend a concert featuring the band that has been hired for the reception. It'll be a girls' weekend and lots of fun. I feel pretty honored that they would invite an "old lady" like me to hang out with them. Hope I don't slow them down any! :)

Thanks for stopping by for a little visit. I hope to be back early next week with something new and exciting. (I have no idea what that would be — just thought I'd let the anticipation build a little.... haha!) Have a great weekend!

Taking Time for Tea

I like a nice cup or two of hot tea in the evening. I know that I'm not alone. My mom's "secret" enjoys tea now and then, too. If you've hung around here much, you may remember my post for the January PTI Blog Hop where I showed this set of teacup thank you cards. 
I said that I would be making a folder or something to contain them so that my mom could give them to her "secret sister" as a thank you for all the nice things she's done for her over the past year.

Instead of a folder, I ended up making a box — adapting Papertrey's Captured Card Case template — and decorating it by drawing inspiration (again) from the past week's Make It Monday challenge.

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For the top of the box, I used the PTI Calendar Page die — and threaded the baker's twine through the slits. I was originally going to use satin ribbon, but decided to go with the baker's twine since the that is what I used on the cards... and since it wouldn't detract quite so much from all the sentiments. I also decided not to attach the decorative panel so the whole thing can be slid on and off without messing with the bow.

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Tea for Two, Tea for Two Additions, Warm Happiness Too); cardstock is PTI (Kraft, Stampers Select White) and Stampin' Up (Real Red); ink is SU (Early Espresso, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise, Orchid Opulence), baker's twine is from The Twinery (Maraschino); also used PTI dies (Calendar Page, Tea Cup, Teapot) and PTI's template for the Captured Card Case.

So, I'll pack the cards and maybe some teabags and candies in with them and get this in the mail to my mom. Their secret sister banquet is coming up soon and I'm just squeaking this in to her under the deadline — in typical Janelle fashion. :)

One picture from today. We go out to breakfast every Sunday morning before church. Always to Bojangles. And I always order sweet biscuits — usually Boberry (blueberry). So, imagine my surprise today when my biscuits came shaped like hearts.

Well, I wasn't so stunned that I couldn't eat, but I was definitely surprised. We've been doing this for years and this is the first time I remember getting heart-shaped biscuits. Gotta love that sweet touch — and from a fast food restaurant, too. Crazy.

That's it for now. Thanks so much for stopping by... I love spending time here with you! Let's do it again soon. :)

 

Sunshiny Day

It is a sunshiny Saturday here. And I'm in a sunshiny mood. And I had already pulled out some sunshiny sentiments earlier in the week, so I thought... "Why not make another 'Go-To Sentiment' card for Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday?"

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This card started out as a regular A2 size and ended up as a smallish 4" square. There was just too much sky blue color for me and I wanted to keep it simple. This is much better. Trust me. :)

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Fillable Frames #3, Signature Series: Flower, Fillable Frames #5, Blooming Button Bits, Giga Guide Lines); cardstock is PTI (Spring Rain, Stampers Select White); ink is PTI (Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, Berry Sorbet, Fresh Snow); rhinestones are from Kaiser purchased through PTI (Orange); twine is PTI (Rustic Jute); also used PTI's Fillable Frames #7 die.

As usual, there is much to do. If I get a chance to do today's PTI anniversary challenge, I may post again. But, I should really get to the grocery store. Ken would probably like to have something to eat at some point in time this weekend. And I should really do some dusting. I'm not sure that love notes written in the dust are really love notes... what do you think?

Hope you're having a great Valentine's weekend... full of hearts, chocolate, and maybe even a little sunshine! Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon!

Go-To Sentiment Card

I must say... I am so excited about the whole Make It Monday concept that Papertrey Ink has come up with; I loved watching Erin's video. And I also must say that I am quite infatuated with the card I made. It's not all that often that what is in my head actually translates to the cardstock in the exact way that I hoped it would.

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I wanted my word collage to be in a heart-shape, so I cut a heart from a piece of computer paper and used the frame as a mask. After deciding to make a "hello" sort of card, I pulled out all of that type of sentiment that I could find and started filling in my heart (practicing on scrap paper first). So, so fun. I used three different ink colors for my sentiments. All the "hey there, hi there" type of sentiments were stamped in one color, the longer phrases used another color, and the simple "hello"s were stamped in the third. Love how it came out.

Since I seem to have a thing for that cute little bird, he made another appearance... again colored in "Maile-style". Then I repeated the heart motif by having him hold a little one in his beak.

The baker's twine was a last minute inspiration... kind of like the lush ribbon wrapped around those big boxes of decadent chocolates that you see in the stores around this time of year. Except skinny. And twine-y. Couldn't hide all those greetings with a big old satin bow now, could we?

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Big & Bold Wishes, Vintage Picnic Sentiments, Everyday Classics, Everyday Button Bits, Daily Designs Sentiments, Little Bitty Bird, Mixed Messages, Mega Mixed Messages, Communique Curves Sentiments, Fillable Frames #1, Fillable Frames #6); cardstock is PTI (white, Dark Chocolate); ink is Stampin' Up (Melon Mambo, Real Red) and PTI (Dark Chocolate, Hawaiian Shores); baker's twine is from The Twinery (Cappuccino); also used a SU marker (Tempting Turquoise), a Copic marker, Creative Memories corner rounder, and a 1/16" hole punch.

I don't look at other entries in challenges before I participate, so I'm excited to see what everyone else has done. That'll be on the agenda for tonight.

Thanks so much for stopping by — hope you've had a great day! See you again soon...