Just because....

I love using black, white and red together.  I'm getting some good mileage out of the dies I've gotten recently.  I love using die cuts.  I think a little texture to the card makes it much nicer.  Which reminds me.  From now on I'm going to put a little sticker on the back saying: "If Hallmark made it,  it wouldn't look this good".  Pretty funny, huh?  Someone told me they saw a stamp that said that a long time ago. This person has a stamp that says, "Hallmark, eat  your heart out".  LOL

Tomorrow I'm going to my dad's doctor appointment with him.  I want to stop at the Christian bookstore on the way home and see if they sell journaling Bibles.  Now, I am no artist, by any stretch of the imagination, and some of the journaling Bibles people have put on pinterest are astounding.  But there's also no right or wrong way to do it and I think that it would help me meditate on the Scriptures more.  So if I DO get one and make something noteworthy, I will share it here.  Sometimes I feel like I'm just reading the Bible, but not really getting much out of it and I am bothered by that.  I mean, after all, when we read God's word we are supposed to get something out of it!

Give your problems to God

Wow, I had trouble photographing this for some reason!  I made this this morning (When my muse is most active) for a friend who is going through a difficult time.  I was pretty happy with how it came out. Thank you to my friend, Karen, for giving me this die set!

I'm starting to have problems with my rotator cuff tendonitis again.  After the last cortisone shot in May,  I was pain free until about a week ago.  I thought maybe the doctor was right and I would be one of the 95% that were completely healed.  Oh, well.  It's not too bad yet.  Interesting that God has called me to learn signing when I have this, but I trust fully that He's got a reason and a plan and that's good enough for me!

Older card

Outside and inside of a card I made several years ago.  When you open the card the butterflies kind of flutter out on a piece of acetate strip.  it's kind of cool.

I love going to church because it's like a mini signing class!  I knew the chorus to one of the songs, so was able to sign that.  Now to work on the verses!  Another song,  "Blessed be Your name"  I was able to follow Sam with some success on the chorus.  Choruses are easier because they are repeated.  Slowly but surely.  I have to remind myself that I've only been at this for 6 months and you don't learn ANY language in 6 months!  I'm not very good at being patient with myself!!

A cute new stamp and a wonderful story

OK, now this is not a great card because I wasn't in the mood.  But I wanted to use this stamp that I got on clearance for 1.98!  usually an 8.00-10.00 stamp.

isn't it cute?  I have several like this.

I did finish a set, though.  

I could not get a clear sharp picture for some reason,

but you get the idea.  these are stitched.

Yesterday I ran into the bank. (It hurt quite a lot! )  A  lady who helped John and I get our financial affairs in order when he got sick was there so I stopped in to say hello.  She asked how I was and said, "You're smiling!"  I am smiling these days.  You can't mourn all the time and it wouldn't honour John if I did.  After all, Paul said:  

13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.… (I Thessalonians 4: 13-14)

So that brings me to the story I spoke of a couple days ago.  Friends of ours, a doctor and his wife, came to visit John probably about once a week when he got sick.  Of course, one of the main reasons was to tell him of God's love and Salvation.  John wasn't saved.  One day (August 14, 2013 to be exact) They came to visit and when Greg opened his Bible, John got a mischievous smile on his face and said, "I decided to put my hand in His."  Greg just looked at him.  Ruth looked at me and I looked at her.  She said, "Did he say what I think he did?"  What an amazing and blessed surprise!  I praised God more than I ever have that day.  After his first chemo, John nearly died.  I literally BEGGED God not to let him die.  I couldn't bear the thought that he would die before he was saved.  God honoured that request and when John said that, I was  beyond grateful to a merciful God.  It still brings tears to my eyes.  So do I miss him?  Yes!  Do I  mourn him?  Yes!  Do I mourn like there is no hope?  NO!  Because I know where he is, who he is with and that I will see him again some day!

Hearing God

Isn't it astounding when God not only lays someone on your heart but also tells you exactly what card to make?!  Someone in my  family is going through a hard time.  I was driving home and I just felt that I should send her a card.  And then...I see the card perfectly in my mind!  That has never happened before!  That I remember of, at least.  Isn't God amazing?! 

Time goes by so quickly.

I made this card a long time ago. There are times when I look at cards I have made in the past and wonder if I really made them.  Some are terrible.  Some, like this one, I like a lot.  The diamond pattern in the center is using a template called diamond folds.  You trace, then cut it and fold.  It's really quite easy.  Made on vellum paper then backed with mirror cardstock.  I need to use that more often.  I think it creates a striking card.  makes it look much more than it really is, LOL.

Tonight is the Hospice memorial service.  I went last year, but the Chaplain called and said if I wanted to go this year they would say John's name again and I could light a candle.  I can't believe he's been gone a year and a half.  My life has changed so much.  Not just because he died, but because of the whole experience and how God has brought me through to now.  I have met so many new and wonderful people; made some amazing friends.  God uses everything for good.  His good.  I can't say enough about Hospice.  The nurses are so kind and gentle.  They provide people to stay with your loved one if you want to get out for a little while.  They provide a social worker to help you get through it.  Grief group, Chaplains, you name it.  They are not  just there for the person who is at the end of their life, but also for the family for the next year if you want to avail yourself of their services.  It's a hard thing to go through, no doubt.  But Hospice makes it just a little easier to bear.  They help you understand the "process" ( how I hate that word.  It's used for everything involved, but there's no other word that conveys the meaning quite the same).  It's just an awesome  program.  I miss John.  But I choose to be grateful for the time we had together, not resentful of the time we've lost.  And the best thing of all was that he was Saved.  I'll talk about that another time because it was a very special experience.

Using the negatives

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I usually end up throwing away a lot of the negatives after the main image has been cut out.  so I thought maybe I should try to stop doing that!  the card on the left has the negative image of the flourish that is shown underneath.  I think it turned out pretty well.  It's hard for me to just make a card front without a sentiment, but they don't always need one, do they?  I need to learn that, lol.

I woke up this morning feeling very grateful.  There is one person in my life that makes me so sad because they don't seem to appreciate life.  It makes me angry because other people, like my husband John, fight for life.  So today, don't forget that our lives are a gift and we should be grateful for every day the Lord lets us wake up in the morning!!!

Very first blog!

Bear with me as I have no clue what I'm doing!  But I decided to start a blog so I wouldn't flood facebook with tons of my cards.  this set is a recent one that I made for my friend, Sam.  My cousin, Nancy, got a second set.  These are stitched cards.   I also make collaged cards.  I enjoy making and sending cards to friends and just about anyone else I can get addresses for.  It's relaxing and I feel it's what God has called me to do.