Read a Book

So one of the challenge themes at Hero Arts this month is window cards. For some reason I decided I needed to make a literal window so I could use the Winter Town stamp as the outside scene.

"The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,

And all the sweet serenity of books.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The cozy indoor scene (I guess this could have been made for last month's challenge, too bad I didn't think of it then) was constructed using Basic Grey's Oxford papers and stamps from the Wish You Were Here clear set. I made wallpaper with Powder Layering paper and Dots and Flowers background stamp. The wainscoting is simply layered cardstock squares. I computer generated and printed the throw pillow/sentiment. The picture on the wall is from the PTI set On My Couch.

 ~ 2 Timothy 2:15 ~

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval.

Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed

and who correctly explains the Word of Truth."

blessings,

nancy

First time using the Inlinkz Link Manager! Thanks Vicky and Aris!

InLinkz.com

Digital Scrapbooking

I used some older Digital Scrapbook Kits to play with the photos of the new baby. I thought I would create a simple scrapbook for Kellie starting with some photos of Uriah's first day. The kits I used are: Jen Martakis-"April 2010" and Michelle Underwood- "That Was Yesterday". Unfortunately I got these digi kits so long ago I could no longer find them at Two Peas. They have over 5000 digi kits so I'm sure you can find one to fit your theme. Don't worry if you don't have Photoshop or some other expensive photo editing software...I did these in Microsoft Publisher 2003...Word or PowerPoint will also work.

The collection of scrap-booked photos. 

 When I set a transparent background for the photo, it allowed the pattern from the digi paper to show through to the white blanket. Ties it all together.

 

Andy was so excited and so calm at the time...I was very proud of him.

 

I made a photo pocket using the same digi elements to give the photos to Kellie and Andy.

Closeup of the digital elements....papers and scalloped border from the Jen Martakis kit and the colorful banner from the Michelle Underwood kit. I liked that the elements weren't baby themed but they are still cheerful and work together well. I added the captions in WordArt using the font "Pristina".

This photo was taken on Uriah's second day...I'm totally smitten!

 

 

Funny story~ Uriah looks so much like his daddy when he was a baby....I scanned a photo of Andy taken about an hour after he was born and emailed it to Andy for comparison.

When Andy showed this photo to his mother in law she was wondering why the photo of Uriah was so grainy and such a bad photo. She was shocked to learn that it was Andy and not Uriah (and Uriah was in the room with her at time). He does appear to be a clone of his daddy.

Hopefully I'll get back to making some cards again soon. I finally have a good reason to try my hand at scrapbooking though, so I'll be splitting my crafting time.

 ~ Mark 10:13-16 ~

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them.

But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him.

When Jesus saw what was happening, He was angry with His disciples.

He said to them, "Let the children come to Me. Don't stop them!

For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.

I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God 

like a child will never enter it."

Then He took the children in His arms and placed

His hands on their heads and blessed them.

blessings,

nancy

 

You heard it right...I'm a Grandma!

I have fallen head over heels in love....with a tiny little baby boy. My new grandson, Uriah West Krueger.
Vital statistics: Born at 11:27 am on September 2, 2011 (his actual due date).
8 lbs, 4 oz. 21 inches.
He is so sweet and adorable, he even took time out of his busy napping schedule to pose for some photos.

Uriah West Krueger

Meeting my precious little grandson for the first time.

 Three of my favorite men.

The happy new grandparents.

~ Psalm 127:3 ~

"Children are a gift from the Lord;

they are a reward from Him."

blessings,

nancy

Dancing my way to another Lily Pad Cards Color Challenge

 It's time for another Kathy's Lily Pad Palette Challenge:

So here's some randomness about me: I was once a dancer. Started taking ballet lessons at the age of 4 and continued studying various dance styles all the way through to college. I always thought it was so humorous though, that God gave me the ability to dance but He also gave me short stubby legs. I do not have the classic willowy dancer's body and I realized early on that my chances of making it as a professional were slim to none. So I got married and had kids and turned to choreographing school musicals, coaching volleyball and soccer and teaching PE. I still enjoy dance and I love to watch "So You Think You Can Dance".

When the Lily Pad Cards Design Team was given the opportunity to select from the gorgeous illustrations at A Day for Daisies I fell in love with the image of ballet slippers.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it too.

I love the traditional pale pink of ballet slippers. Although I never learned to dance "en pointe" I do still have my battered ballet slippers and I still slip into them to practice barre exercises occasionally.

Since I had a digital image to work with I planned to design my set of cards entirely on the computer, just adding some black mat layers to create my set of cards. I found some dance quotes online and used my favorite fonts. I even added color to my image using Microsoft Paint, it couldn't have been easier.

This quote is especially meaningful to me as I had the chance to see the amazing Judith Jamison dance way back in 1976 with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Quotes: Ballet Quotes ; Fonts: Kevin and Amanda

Please check out the beautiful and inspiring images at "A Day for Daisies" then go to Lily Pad Cards and be further inspired by the gorgeous work by the Design Team. I hope you join us for this color challenge.

Thought for the Day

~ Galatians 5:14-15 ~

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.

But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.

Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

For the whole law can be summed up in this one command:

"Love your neighbor as yourself".

always keep dancing,

nancy

Joining the Fun at CAS-ual Fridays

I'm finally joining in on another CAS-ual Fridays challenge, wouldn't want to overextend myself.

The theme is Stuck on You with the instructions to use stickers on your CAS card design.

I still had the Cosmo Cricket Clementine mini deck on my desk and my SRM stickers in easy reach so why not see what happens. A scalloped die cut square, a punched butterfly (left over from another card) and a bit of baker's twine and there you have it. 

 ~ Psalm 116:1-2 ~

"I love the Lord because He hears my voice

and my prayer for mercy.

Because He bends down to listen,

I will pray as long as I have breath!"

blessings,

nancy

Lovely Yellow

I was checking out the challenge blogs this morning and came across the beautiful yellow inspiration for Challenge #11 at Jay Gee's Nook. I was totally inspired (which hasn't happened in a while) so before I lost it I got to work making a sunshine-y card.

I did some emboss resist with clear embossing powder and Mustard Seed and Antique Linen Distress ink.
Hero Arts Stamps: La Letter, Daisy Label and Flowing Flowers and Leaves. Martha Stewart Butterfly punch.

I was at Stamp Fever on Saturday and picked up a new Cosmo Cricket Clementine Mini Deck. I used it to make another emboss resist card. This card seems perfect for the Play Date Cafe challenge to make a girly card using Mint, Coral and Ivory.

The background is the same Flowing Flowers and Leaves and the sentiment is from Daisy Labels. The butterfly is from the Antique Engravings clear set and the main image is from Unity- my dear from the Provencial Collection. I added a bit of bling...so out of character for me...must be the heat we've been having. Summer finally showed up in the OC.

from Paul's message to the church at Ephesus:

~ Ephesians 1:15-18 ~

"Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus

and your love for God's people everywhere,

I have not stopped thanking God for you.

I pray for you constantly,

asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

to give you spiritual wisdom and insight

so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light 

so that you can understand the confident hope 

He has give to those He called-

His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance."

Thanks for your visit!

blessings,

nancy

Quick Post for a Quick Card

I finally got to play in another 90-minute scramble with the Hero Arts group. These women are the best, they provide me with inspiration and encouragement and friendship, thanks to you all!

Judy was the hostess for this 23rd edition of the 90-minute scramble and her theme was Old/New Hero Arts stamps. Either use our oldest stamps or newest stamps or a combination of both. I took this opportunity to rummage around for a favorite old set from 1996, Let's Have Coffee! I paired it up with a newer stamp, the Harlequin Pattern Block and my favorite Cosmo Cricket papers from the Early Bird collection.

I love how this stamp set works with the fun retro paper and some of my new tools and techniques. I used Labels 20 nesties in 3 sizes, Scattered Straw Distress ink to stamp and add some depth, Jenni Bowlin ink in Cough Syrup, and a Copic marker in Moon White. I finished it with some white stitch lines using a Sakura Jelly Roll pen.

Check out all the wonderful projects from today's scramble HERE and read the discussion HERE.

~ 1John 5:11 ~

"God has given us eternal life,

and this life is in His Son."

blessings,

nancy