Happy Thoughts! Mustard Seed Faith Challenge

Hello Delightful friends and family!

Just a quick post to share a card. I will be entering this at the Mustard Seed Faith Blog - God as Creator is the challenge as well as a sketch (which I didn't follow this time). The ladies shared the lyrics to the song by Big Daddy Weave called Overwhelmed. It talks about how overwhelming God is in His power, His mercy and of course His creation.  You don't have to go far to see His creation (just look in the mirror!).  I think of the saying about stopping and smelling the roses, well this card doesn't have roses but it has flowers and when you stop and look at each flower and realize they had to have a designer and that designer is God, it is overwhelming!  Flowers most definitely shout out about the glory of God!

The flower stamps I've used are a set by Sweet 'n Sassy called Pretty Potted Florals (which were designed by NinaB Designs who incidentally years ago designed my blog signature and I don't want to ever replace it! I love it!)

The sentiment is from the set called Happy by Hampton Arts.

I've colored with Tombow Markers and stamped with Archival Jet Black ink.  The watercolor paper is Strathmore 140lb cold press. The card stock is Neenah bright white 80lb and I've cut it to be a 4.25" square card.  The die is from Spellbinders.

I double stamped two of the flowers and one leaf that hangs over the framed die. The butterfly is from a stamp set called Floral Silhouettes One (JustRite Papercrafts) which I used my Tombow markers to ink up on the watercolor paper. I've popped up the main image with dimensional adhesive as well as the two extra flowers.

Well that's it for me today!  Have a great weekend. Thanks for visiting.

PS Just found out I won a prize at MSF blog for the last challenge!  Thank you!!

Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty.  Psalm 104:1

Pictures of a "Little bit of this and a little bit of that"

Hello Delightful friends and family!  I've been busy with the camera the last couple of weeks (family, flowers & church kids)  but not so fortunate to be able to spend much time at the craft table due to some other responsibilities so I thought I'd share some of my favs.

Princess Tucker Lynn (our youngest granddaughter enjoying a strawberry)

Still smacking her lips over that strawberry! Yum!!

Princess Riley and Princess Addy enjoying birthday cake & ice cream

Princess Addy all smiles as her friend Diaja drives the Ford pick-up at the birthday party.

The next few pics are of my Sunday School class making a mini booklet/folding card for their dad's on Father's day (these pics are for Savannah!) today we made some more for the 5 kids we sponsor at Compassion.  We included pics of the area we live but unfortunately I forgot my camera, today.

3 of the 6 kids I teach (Grace, Ben and Courtney).

One of the pretty potted flowers in my backyard. This might be a Sweet William.  I saw a hummingbird in the yard yesterday so I'm hoping the new flowers will be drawing them in, I would love to get some photos of them!

I made Jakob pose for me so I could get a picture of his cute freckles.

Princess Addy-tude giving me the "mean" look.  Trust me it's just an act, she was all smiles earlier, but likes to be a tease. A big tease!

My new Hydrangea (that I forgot to water for about 3 days, thankfully it has fully recovered!)

Another potted plant (this is for Laurie U.) not the greatest picture but I want Laurie to see the color combination :-)

A ladybug taking care of the aphids.

A potatoe vine blossom that is growing up over the gate.

Some more pretties planted in a barrel. (I have all the names of the flowers on those little plastic stakes that come with them but they are outside and it's dark and I don't want to run into any skunks or the roaming raccoons out there!)

Thanks for looking!!

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will aslo provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  1 Corinthians 10:13

Thanks Card - Key Ingredient Kit

Hello Delightful friends and family!

I'm back with another card showcasing the Key Ingredient kit for May from Taylored Expressions.  I do not use many dimensional flowers on my cards so this has been fun experimenting with some different styles.  Here is a flower made from the paper in the kit.  Very simple technique that I found on the Authentique Paper blog HERE.  The centerpiece of the flower was much easier than I thought it would be and if I can do this so can you!!  The tools you will need to make the flower are a paper trimmer (or ruler for measuring 1/2" width x 6" and 1/2" x 4 ), adhesive and scissors.

Other ingredients: Stamp set - Bugabee (Taylored Expressions) Ink: Memento tuxedo black; royal blue floss (Making Memories)

Thanks for looking and have a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend.

For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.    Psalm 33:4

Pray...Hope...Trust - WAW#29 and Key Ingredient Kit challenge

Hello Delightful Friends and Family!

Here is another card featuring the Key Ingredient Kit from Taylor Expressions (minus the buttons which are from my stash).  When I viewed all of the DT's beautiful cards I really liked the white flower (no altering) on Lea's card and that is the main inspiration for this card and flower.  I will be adding this to the monthly KI challenge

I love the sentiment from Faith in Bloom (Taylored Expressions) it is three simple words of faith.  So often in our walk of faith we can be burdened with wondering if we are truly in God's will.  What I am learning more and more is if I will seek the Lord in His Word, pray and get to know Him, He will reveal His will to me and then confirm it many different ways. So, if we want to hear God's voice clearly, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God and as He begins to speak to us through the Word allow that  transformation to take place. It's a renewing of our minds and as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit we have that assurance we are walking according to His will. We pray, in praying we exhibit hope and in hoping we learn to trust.

This card is also participating in Word Art Wednesday #29 and although I'm not using the verse they've shared my post is ultimately about trusting the Lord to guide us daily.

Thanks for visiting! Have an excellent day.

It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:13

Hello May Flowers - Key Ingredient Blog Hop & Challenge

Hello Delightful Friends and Family!

It's time for the Key Ingredients monthly blog hop and subscriber challenge! This month's theme is "May Flowers" and the Taylored Expressions KI Design Team is sharing their bloomin' beautiful projects HERE!

Here is my card for the challenge.  I've used Distress Stains (worn lipstick, fired brick, dried marigold and mustard seed) to color my flower. The yellow (Bazzill) card stock that looks orange has been sponged with Dried Marigold and Spice Marmalade Distress Ink (Ranger) all around the edges (so has the Scallop border - TE Medium Scallop border die)

The stamp set I've used is Bugabee (a TE set), I've stamped the image with Memento tuxedo black on the yellow Bazzill card stock supplied in the Key Ingredient kit.  The ribbon (center of flower) was threaded through all three flowers and a knot tied (faux french knot!). I used a crop-a-dile to punch the hole.  I used Stickles (gunmetal) to color the black on the bee for a little glam! 

For more information about the Key Ingredient Monthly Kit be sure and check out Taylored Expressions!

Thanks for looking!  I'm heading back to the craft room to play with some more flowers!

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? Luke 12:27-28

You Simply Shine - CPS#262 and SSIC #136

Welcome to the Delightful Weekend!!  Hope your day is starting off well.  I'm getting a card in quickly for two challenges, the deadline is today so I'm just getting it in under the wire!

 1. Card Positioning Systems Sketch #262

2. Stampin' Sister's in Christ #136 - Soft pastel colors

 

 I  moved up the middle section just a bit to make room for the sentiment (compare to sketch).  I kept the embellishments at a minimum because I want to mail this without a lot of bulkiness (only a little rhinestone was added to the "i" in shine) and I popped up the image with dimensionals.

Ingredients: Unity Stamp Co (Shine On); Designer Paper: Authentique (Delightful Collection - how appropriate for my blog) Card Stock: DCWV - Pastel Stack, Bazzill (white base); Ink: Memento, rich cocoa:  American Crafts ribbon; Rhinestone (on sentiment); EK Success corner rounder: Marvy Uchida, scallop circle; Prismacolor pencil (Rose Deco);  Finished size: A2

Speaking of "shining" here are some of the little gems that brought some shine into my life this week!

 I babysat last night at my son and daughter-in-love's home for my two little granddaughters.  This pic is of Riley Ann. She is a cutie!  Unfortunately Tucker Lynn was all tuckered out and in bed before I could get the camera out.  They are ages 4 and 1 so I thought it was great I could get one to slow down for a picture!

T-Ball is in full swing (no pun intended!) and here is Jake swinging the bat and hitting off the tee. He had his first game this week!

Ready to "play" the field.

Another little "gem" our little Miss Addy-tude. This is what I got when I said "smile for grammie" Oh my she is full of passion and has quite a sense of humor!! She is going through a real naughty stage right now (almost three years old). Not a lot of fun with the training, but she is learning and she is remorseful and willing to apologize when in the wrong (usually to her brother).  Speaking of learning she just learned to make faces not too long ago from Poppa and big brother.  Nice.   Shall I save this one for when she turns 16?

 Last post I shared some spring pictures from my backyard and here are a few more:

One of the gazillion bees loving my Wisteria.

The mock cherry tree loosing it's blossoms in exchange for the green leaves.

Not snow or hail but blossoms from the above tree.

Well that's it for me today.  Hope you all have a blessed week.  Thank you for visiting!

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold to those who walk uprightly.  O LORD of Hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!"

The Yard's A Bloom!

 Hello Delightful Friends and Family!
Today is thankful Thursday.  Today I'm thanking the Lord for the beautiful colors in my yard.  I took all (but 2 ) of these pictures this morning. 

The ever faithful and hardy Petunias!

I caught this in the morning before they open up completely.  (another Petunia in the background)

(I took this the other day in full sunlight)

A pretty yellow rose that was transplanted years ago from a dear friends yard. 

A Dahlia from the front yard.

A gorgeous Hydrangea! Love the colors.

My pretty and most favorite rose in my yard.

This is a Dahlia with some lillies in the background.  My uncle gave me the bulbs and wasn't sure what was going to show up!! (ha!) 

This is a Rock Rose bush (I personally don't care for it in my yard - it has a tendency to take over but dh likes it so..... It is pretty when it's blooming.

This Wisteria is blooming a second time, I didn't do the planting or any research on this but it always seems to bloom once in the early spring and then again in the summer.  It could be that 2 different species was planted because we also have a white blossomed one that is beautiful with the purple in the spring.

Thanks for taking time out to visit my flower garden, I hope you enjoyed the tour!

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.  (and I'll be thankful, too!)

Take time and smell the roses!