Category Archives: Fresh Wind

Things I learn in my walk with Jesus

Top Chef

Posted on February 28, 2013 | 5 comments

The last four or five years, my local YMCA has hosted a trivia night in February with a Top Chef live auction. They ask a few local residents to prepare some yummy locally famous treats (like my good friend Lea Anne, who will take her family banana cake recipe to the grave) and bring them in to be auctioned off. The proceeds of the auction are used for our community Strong Kids campaign that provides YMCA activity and facilities access to kids whose families could not afford the services otherwise. Great cause! Strong healthy kids are the future of our country!

For several years, I have made some cards that identify the donor and the concoction that they’ve created for the table displays. The cards double as thank you notes for the YMCA to use when the event is said and done.

Because I’m mass producing about 2 dozen of these cards, I keep the designs pretty clean. (Sorry for the wonky photo on this one – Hubby was pushing me out the door and not overjoyed with blog photo process by the time I got to this step Friday night!) I create a template in Word for the name and description and run the initial sheets of cardstock through my printer to personalize two cards at a time, cut the cardstock in half to form the base layer and then accent. This one has a few extra blooms because I’m noting the reigning Top Chef with her beautiful decorated sugar cookies.

This year, I used that sweet Pennant Trim (I LOVE THIS DIE!) die from Verve along with Joyful Blooms stamps and dies and a random pack of 6×6 polka dot paper that was in my drawer. Start-to-finish, I had about 2 1/2 hours into these. I love how they turned out.

Today is the last day to enter the Splitcoaststampers LOVE FEST. You have til noon to enter to win dozens of fun prizes!

Still cutting and pasting paper here in the snowy heartland. Back soon with some fun, fun stuff!

5 Comments

Posted in Fresh Wind, Verve Stamps

Practice Hospitality

Posted on August 28, 2009 | 24 comments

Share with God’s people who are in need, practice hospitality. ~ Romans 12:13

Several years ago, I purchased a starter kit for Southern Living at Home because I loved their decor items. The woman who was my ‘upline’ in my oh-so-brief career would send regular emails, and her signature contained this scripture…. ‘Practice hospitality‘. It touched me, not because it was free reign to go wild on home decor, but because practicing hospitality, no matter how small the gesture is a spiritual discipline. I’ve often thought the verse would make a beautiful ‘thank you’ card sentiment, and I melted when I saw Julee Tilman‘s beautiful offering in Verve Stamps latest release.

The sentiment on a circular element worked perfectly with Taylor’s Cupcake Sketch for today. Taylor was so sweet to ask me to be the TECC Cupcake Sampler. I’m always up for cupcake sampling. <wink> I paired my sentiment with shimmery ivory cardstock and a piece of Bloom & Grow from My Mind’s Eye. Because I used the shimmery ivory cardstock, I wanted a ribbon with a soft, romantic feel, but there wasn’t really room for a full bow off to the left. I was pleased with the single loop and dangled tails of the ribbon, anchored with a pink button. I think I’m going to head back to the stamp table while my supplies are tossed about and make a few more of these thank yous.

Speaking of Taylor, here is one of many favorite photos from CHA last month. This is Taylor and her mom, Linda. Mrs. Linda helps Taylor a lot with the store, and when you order, there is a good chance that she has cut and packaged your ribbons or embellishments or possibly even prepped your package for shipping. We got to hang out on this trip, and that was so fun. Taylor and I have been friends for several years, and I just knew that she had a wonderful family, but hanging out with her mom solidified the thought: Taylor had ‘good home training’. Two beautiful women, inside and out…love you, girls.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps: Romans 12:13 & Bountiful Backgrounds from Verve Stamps
Cardstock: Poison Ivory (shimmery ivory) – www.cutcardstock.com, Turquoise Prism, Bloom & Grow patterned paper – My Mind’s Eye
Ink: Stream – Ranger
Accs: Wide silk ribbon, buttons, nestabilities

24 Comments

Posted in Fresh Wind, Splitcoast Challenges, Taylored Expressions, Verve Stamps

Divine Design: grounded, steadfast hope

Posted on July 16, 2009 | 4 comments

But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless and blameless before Him – if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel you heard. ~ Colossians 1:22-23

Divine Design was a project that I felt led to start in January, 2008. I wanted my paper crafting (and my life, too) to be a reflection of who I was in my walk with the LORD. I’m working with Colossians 1:22-23 this month as a reminder that I want to stay grounded, steadfast in faith and not get shifted away from the hope of the gospel. I might share some more on this next week…

The master thread for Divine Design is here at Splitcoast. You can see several other Divine Design projects by stopping by to visit my friends Nancy Morgan, Angel Wilde and the newest little dirty girl on the block, Jami Bova. And, if you’re looking for extra pages to browse, stop by Taylor‘s and leave her some love. She’s been mid-move for a month or so, and just getting back on her design feet. I don’t think she’s sharing a sample today, but I know she’s antsy to get things lined out and into a routine to craft regularly. I’ve missed her projects, so I’m saying a little prayer that it all falls together soon.

Have a wonderful day!

Stamps: none
Paper: October Afternoon – Ducks in a Row, Smooth Natural – Taylored Expressions
Accs: Prima flower and ribbon, Kaiser pearls, buttons, sewing machine

4 Comments

Posted in Divine Design, Fresh Wind

mass production mode

Posted on June 16, 2009 | 11 comments

“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wonderous ways. The dry seasons do not last. The Spring rain will come again.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnatch

I used to make cards in mass production all the time. Somewhere along the way, I got a way from that. I need to get back to it.

I used Faith and Hope to finish up 10 cards last night. I felt oh-so-productive. I stamped the sentiments on Gina K‘s Pure Luxury White (layering weight). That weight is wonderful for the Wizard and other thin dies. Then I used the Pure Luxury White (heavyweight) for the card base. I used some pretty patterned paper from Basic Grey and a simple embellishment to dress them up.

Maybe I’ll really be wild and crazy today and actually send a few of these out. Thanks for looking.

Stamps: Faith & Hope – Taylored Expressions
Cardstock: Pure Luxury White – layering and heavy weights, Wisteria Basic Grey patterned paper & Wizard Dark Prism
Ink: New Grape Memento – Tsukineko
Accs: ribbon – May Arts, Label die – Nestabilities, hydrangea – Prima, button – foo-fa-la, Marvy Paper Trimming Buddy (scalloped blade)

11 Comments

Posted in Fresh Wind, Taylored Expressions

Racing the Clock

Posted on January 20, 2009 | 15 comments

I’m racing the clock to CHA at the end of the week, and trying to balance that mixture of excitement and anxiety! LOL! Really looking forward to seeing so many people who have become dear friends through this whole internet, blogging and sharing at Splitcoast during the last FIVE years. I cannot believe it’s been that long.

I finished my His Holy Name card on Sunday afternoon and posted at Splitcoast, but didn’t take the time to conjur up a blog post. I was pretty busy looking at all of the uploads and sharing by members of Splitcoast for the Featured Stamper Challenge on Sunday afternoon. Beth, who hosts the challenge, selected me as this week’s Featured Stamper. What an honor to be chosen. But, honestly, I was feeling a little ‘exposed‘ to have that many people pilfering through my 4 year old gallery over there. My how the styles have changed! I won’t delete any of the old stuff, I think it’s important to remember your roots and where you’ve been. Thank you to all of my friends and SCS Members who participated. I’m slowly leaving comments on all of the uploads in the gallery and enjoying everyone’s take on my work…beautiful, beautiful projects shared by many this week.

The His Holy Name WORD this month is Sovereign.

sov⋅er⋅eign: supreme rank, power, or authority,

If you enjoy studies by Beth Moore, this is a word you hear frequently…the spirit of the Sovereign Lord. Beth Moore used the scripture used here as a basis for her talk at a Living Proof Live event that I attended in 2006. I love that feeling that I can stand firm and resolute in any situation, if I’m walking with Him. Patter has shared some wonderful insight to Sovereign and what that promise means to each of us on her blog, Triple the Scraps.

Apologies for being brief. There are lots of things to attend to today, but I didn’t want to delay my scripture share any longer.

Stamps: Fiery Floral (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Cardstock: Kraft, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Black (Stampin’ Up!)
Ink: Baja Breeze (Stampin’ Up!)
Accs: ribbon (Stampin’ Up!), flowers (Prima), stick pin (Darice), buttons (fo0f-a-la), dew drops (Robin’s Nest), label one dies (Spellbinders)

15 Comments

Posted in Cornish Heritage Farms, Divine Design, Fresh Wind

I Call Him Friend

Posted on January 13, 2009 | 28 comments

I’ve had this card on my mind since Patter Cross sent me this beautiful image that she designed, Almighty God from Unity. I also needed to use my nested birds. I was glad that the color challenge worked for the concept that was rolling around in my head.

As I’m typing this post, I had a phone visit with a good friend who was suddenly widowed far to young five years ago. Death is never easy, and by nature of our relationship being a small couples group that met twice a month for dinner and a Bible Study, this was especially difficult for both my husband and I. There were so many issues, feelings, hurts to be prayed over relating to the loss, and because we are in our thirties, I began praying almost immediately for God to prepare a strong man who would one day marry my friend and take her precious children as his own, all five of them. It would be in His time, I was sure of that. But I wanted God to be preparing the heart of this man then. In that time we had to rely on the names of Jesus: Master, Comforter, Saviour, Redeemer, All Mighty, All Knowing.

The phone call this morning was to share the news that God has answered my prayer. I kind of chuckle when I say ‘my’ because I know that it has been the prayer of many. I don’t want to in anyway claim it as ‘mine’. It was a wonderful phone call, full of joy and I’m so very excited for her. Wes and I both are. However, if I’m honest, I felt some sadness. I shed a tear. I was swept back to that awful day, that dark time and it hit me as I stared at this card – the same same Saviour that has watched over her and her life, the same Saviour that brought her through a dark storm is the same Saviour that will carry her on with grace and beauty. He does that for those who know Him, those who love Him and those who call Him, Friend.

The bird is from Spellbinders – their nested birds – I get my Spellbinders products from Ms. Ellen. I cut the bird body from the middle die and then 2 ‘wings’ from the smallest die. (I learned that trick from Ms. Sharon.) If you look really carefully at the top wing die-cut, you might see where I clipped his beak and rounded it out to form the wing shape. Of course, you don’t have to clip the back wing because the beak doesn’t show. I used the Scalloped Squares and the Nested Squares to create a ‘frame’. I love how that turned out. The ‘I call Him Friend’ was generated on the computer.

I’m 2 for 2 on the Splitcoast Challenges this week? Will you find some time to play this week?

Stamps: Almight God – Unity Stamp Company
Cardstock: Kraft and Baja Breeze (Stampin’ Up!) & Mystic Medium (Prism) Crygen White (Arjo Wiggins)
Ink: Ocean Depth – VersaMagic Chalk (Tsukineko)
Accs: Nested Birds, Scalloped Squares and Nested Squares Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic Airbrush & B00 Copic Marker, lace border punch (Martha Stewart), ZipDry Adhesive (Beacon), embroidery floss (DMC), velvet ribbon (May Arts),pearls (KaiserCraft) and white gel pen (Ranger)

28 Comments

Posted in Copics, Fresh Wind, Splitcoast Challenges, Unity Stamp Company

I Corinthians 13 – A Christmas Version

Posted on December 9, 2008 | 23 comments

Love never fails ~ I Corinthians 13:8

Several weeks ago, I was looking through some Christmas reading selections, and I stumbled across this one called I Corinthians 13 – A Christmas Version, from ‘an ordinary Christian woman’ named Barbara. Like her, I felt a few twinges of guilt here and there while reading, and I knew I had found my Divine Design project for December. Make sure to check out other samples this month from Angel, Jami, Nancy and Taylor. Leave them some love if you are inclined. I’ve babbled a little bit on the previous post about the challenge and what these gals mean to me. 🙂

This month, I made a hanging ornament that will be displayed in my kitchen this month. I’m praying the reminder will keep me focused on Christ this Christmas.

The full text and supplies are printed at the bottom of this post. I kept the details of the project to a minimum, because truthfully, I could not put hours and hours into this project and then tell you that I was really keeping the commitment, now could I?

I’m not suggesting that I am throwing out all of our time-honored Christmas traditions and festivities, but I want this to be a Christmas filled with love and laughter, not stress and headaches. I don’t want my girls to grow up remembering that I was so stressed out about classroom parties or hectic shopping or unreasonable (self-imposed) expectations of platter after platter of pretty cookies (THAT WE END UP THROWING AWAY!). And, I don’t want to snap at my husband all month long and then put a smile on my face on the way out the door to a joyful Christmas get-together.

I’m letting go of some my favorite, time-consuming cookie recipes in favor of boxed brownies and quality time with the girls. You’ll see tomorrow, that I’ve let go of has-to-be-perfect packaging. I’ve decided on more store-bought gifts with a quick tag accents and thoughtful notes. I’m having the girls wrap things for me. We have limited the social engagements that require fancy-schmancy finger foods or gift exchanges. In cases where I do need to take a finger food, I’ve purchased some different types of cheeses, and I’ll be putting those on a simple Christmas platter. It will be about the joy of getting together, not the grueling party prep. My brother’s family and Wes & I have agreed to not exchange gifts, and we are contributing what we would have spent on each other to a woman’s shelter in his community. It’s not too late for you to re-group and re-organize!

I’m ~~sure~~ KNOW I’ll need the reminder daily until December 25th, but so long as I can remember to make it about showing love, I won’t fail. His Word is truth: Love never fails.

Here is the reading:

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights

and shiny balls, but do not show love, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing

gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but

do not show love, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have

to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend

a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus

on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. 
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. 
Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china

and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in

giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Stamps: JustRite Stampers (top tag), Beautiful (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Cardstock: Smooth Vanilla, Suede Light & Dark Brown & Razzleberry Dark (Prism)
Ink: Rhubarb Stalk (Tsukineko)
Accs: Dew Drops, fern punch (Martha Stewart), chipboard (Maya Road), ribbon (Stampin’ Up!), displayed on a pine cone tree from Target (purchased several years ago)

23 Comments

Posted in Cornish Heritage Farms, Divine Design, Fresh Wind, JustRite, Rummage Bin

Christmas Priori*tea

Posted on November 23, 2008 | 26 comments

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christthe Lord ~ Luke 2:11

Several years ago, a friend gave me a baby food jar with a spiced tea mix and a sentiment about making Jesus my Priority. The idea was that we would make time for Him in our busy daily lives. I kept the empty jar, label facing out on my spice shelf long after the tea was gone. I was thinking about all of the special gifts that I need around Christmas, and thought this tea would be perfect for a few. Isn’t this the time of year that we get most lost in the shuffle and bustle and forget a few of our priorities?

I used the recipe that Sharon shared last year HERE, but if you google ‘spiced orange tea recipe’ – you’re sure to find a recipe that suits your fancy. There are many. I put my tea mix in cello bags and then inside new kraft coffee bags. The coffee bags were stamped with the Fiery Floral Scrapblock from Cornish Heritage Farms. I used a Cranberry Pigment Ink Pad from Ranger. It gave such a rich, deep look.

Next, I stamped the sentiment with my JustRite Stampers, C41 Stamper and mini alphabet. Pssst, they are having a ‘buy one, get one free’ sale thru 11/30/08. Check it out HERE. The ‘Believe’ is a Rummage Bin sentiment that I love, created by the beautiful Lesley Langdon for Cornish Heritage Farms. It took a few minutes, so stamp several when you get it all set up! 😉 Don’t forget your Stamp-a-ma-jig.

I used Cranberry and Pesto Adirondack Dye Ink on the labels. It’s great that Ranger offers the colors in both dye and pigment ink. Make coordination a breeze with the proper ink for different mediums. Speaking of coordinating, the brads were colored with Copic Marker R59, it matches perfectly.

I cut the labels and the matted frames with Nestabilities. The tags are MayaRoad chipboard covered with Basic Grey Wassail patterned paper. I used Mod Podge to adhere the paper and dimensional dots to pop up the die-cut labels. Various ribbons from Webster’s Pages, Beaux Regards and May Arts (all available from the fabulous Cindy Lyles at StarLitStudio) finish it off.

This is the label on the back with a few suggested Christmas readings for a few stolen moments of quiet time. By the time I got here, I was getting lazy, so these are just printed on a clear label from the ole computer. 🙂

I’ve had a wonderful weekend full of crafting and getting ready for Christmas. More tea packaging, gift and Christmas ideas to follow this week. What’s up tomorrow? A challenge issued by Jami. She’s the bossy one! <wink> So, I wouldn’t dream of not following orders. See you in the morning.

26 Comments

Posted in Altered & 3D Items, Cornish Heritage Farms, Fresh Wind, JustRite, Ranger Products, Rummage Bin

Nativity Story

Posted on September 15, 2008 | 16 comments

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” ~ Luke 2:10

I posted last week that I had a special Christmas project to share. This is one of three projects that I have featured in the newest Paper Crafts special publication, Holiday Crafts & More. You can pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble, Michaels or probably you local scrapbook store that carries periodicals. It is filled with wonderful holiday sentiments and gift ideas.

Last year around Thanksgiving, I picked up this tiny little nativity scene at Hobby Lobby. It was the best $2.99 I spent last year. I say ‘little nativity’ because all of the pieces fit in this band aid tin from Provo Craft. I altered my tin and typed up a few verses to explain the Christmas story. I love how it all tucks away so nice and neat. This would be a wonderful gift for a Sunday School teacher, and I see many, many uses in children’s ministry areas. I know that our set will see a lot of action this Christmas season, and it’s one of those things I’ll treasure always.

See you tomorrow with a color challenge creation! Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Story Book – Cornish Heritage Farms
Cardstock: Poison Ivory (Arjo Wiggins), Suede Dark Brown (Prism) and Winter Wonderland (Terri Conrad Designs)
Ink: Chocolate Brilliance Pearlescent (Tsukineko)
Accs: Rub Ons (Cosmo Cricket), Ribbon (Stampin’ Up!) and Brad (Paper Studio)

16 Comments

Posted in Cornish Heritage Farms, Fresh Wind, Rummage Bin

WSC57: New Stampin’ Up!

Posted on September 12, 2008 | 18 comments

About every 2 weeks for the last few months, Wes goes out to check his trail camera and deer stand. The season doesn’t open until November, but it’s somewhat of a big deal around here, similar to dove season in Texas. So, Wes will bring in the memory card from the motion sensitive camera, and the girls and I gather around the computer to see what has happened out there over the last few weeks. We ‘ooh and aah’ for Wes when we see a nice buck flash on the screen. Pop the popcorn, friends, we’re big time excitement here in Missouri!

This set, Nature’s Silhouette, was the first thing I chose from the new Stampin’ Up! fall catalog. I normally don’t purchase stamps because they make me think of Wes, but he often says something similar to this when he’s begging off to go hunting. I don’t know to many church going women who don’t swoon when their man starts talking about worship and God and stuff. 😉

My first SU! catalog order arrived this week. I wish a little sunshine (for a cleaner picture) would have come along with it. The tree and the grass on the main image were colored with Tombow makers. The sky is airbrushed with my Copic Marker system. The deer is stamped in Close to Cocoa. The sentiment is stamped in Chocolate Chip Craft ink. I always switch to pigment or craft ink when I’m working with non-neutral cardstock. Felt ribbon and hardware are from the new SU! catty, as well.

I’ve got another card to write up for sweet Taylor, so I’ll leave you with links for more sketch-spiration, sign off here and be back in a few.

More takes on Beate’s sketch: Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Laurie, MaryJo and sweet Sharon.

Stamps: Nature Silhouette (Stampin’ Up!)
Cardstock: Suede Dark Brown, Willow Medium (Prism) & Soft Sky
Ink: Cocoa & Chocolate Chip (Stampin’ Up!)
Accs: Tombow Markers, Copic Airbrush for sky, hardware & felt ribbon (Stampin’ Up!)

18 Comments

Posted in Fresh Wind, Splitcoast Challenges, Stampin' UP! Designs