Deconstructed Sketch # 85: Perfect for Each Other

Sometimes I feel a bit silly posting and blogging about the cards I’ve made. Although I love to write about my faith and my political beliefs, writing about something I do for fun seems a bit odd, especially since I’m just starting and I’m not entirely sure where my talent/skill level is how good I am at it yet.

Because of that uncertainty, I’ve been trying to challenge myself with sketches, rather than trying to duplicate or be inspired by other cards. So along with Cardabilities, I also decided to follow The Deconstructed Sketch.

Here is sketch no. 85:

Here is my inspiration…somewhat.

Again, my camera just doesn’t do this paper from Lost & Found justice. This glittery pale blue and ivory cardstock with faded handwriting is so gorgeous. It has a wonderful texture to it, and it really pops.

 

This is all one sheet of paper, cut into sections, and the blue strip is the “B” side of the paper. The grey banner is some old wedding paper I had lying around. I was unable to build on this paper, because everything seemed to get drowned out by the silver, glitter dots. So I decided not to put a scalloped edge on it at all. Trust me…I tried. It wasn’t working.

I don’t usually make cards without a sentiment or person in mind. I’m not one of those crafters who stockpiles up on cards and has them lying around ready to go. I make them as needed, and I usually make them according to the person it’s intended for, designed for their interests and style. So this card was a bit difficult for me to make because I had no real thought process about who or what it was for.

Eventually I just decided it would be a wedding card, if anyone I know should happen to get married…anyone?

So this is the inside of the card, which will eventually say, “You two are perfect for each other.”

And that’s that!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! God Bless!!

True Love Valentine’s Dial

So I’m new to this card making phenomena. I don’t pretend to be an expert, or even remotely creative. I think my photos are proof at that aspect.

Last weekend, as I was browsing stalking obsessing over Pineterst, I came across this amazing site, Cardabilities, and I was immediately (p)interested in this concept of challenging myself with their sketches. Since I don’t have a unique or creative idea of my own {yet} when it comes to making cards, this inspired me to think and create on my own, instead of trying to duplicate those gorgeous cards done by professionals that I’ll never live up to.

Apparently there is a contest for each design(er) based on the sketch to be considered a “Featured Designer.” (Can you hear my screeching laughter?!) That’s not why I’m doing this, because I know it’ll never happen in a million years at my novice level. However, I did want to link it up to their site as part of the challenge so I can be wowed and weep at my inexperience and see how mine compares with other ideas of this sketch. So…here it goes.

Here is the sketch (you can click on the image and it will take you to the site).

Now here’s my concept:

Ugh! Have I mentioned how much I hate my camera. Nine hundred photos and this is the best it could come up with…or it could be the user, I’m not entirely sure. But I don’t have those fancy “pricky” card holders, no pretty backdrops. Just the card: True Love Valentine’s Dial.

I don’t think the idea is to duplicate the sketch exactly, as I could figure from the team of designers at Cardabilities. The main point is to let it inspire you, and I won’t lie, although I was incredibly excited to do this, I was not deeply inspired at first. I sometimes get caught up in this idea of how it “should” look, and then realize I’ll never be that good, then I get really frazzled and frustrated. And as I begin, everything soon becomes trial and error (is this normal?).

Anyway, I used a Kraft cardstock pre-scored card and Cupid's Arrow 12X12 Love Struck Paper by We R Memory Keepers, that I purchased at Two Peas in a Bucket (don’t visit this site unless you have an extra 12 hours to browse and drool). Seriously: one of the best craft sites online! I also used True Love Pennants, by Elle's Studio, from Two Peas. The calendar dial is a free download from Simple Stories. It is the Life Documented Circle Punches. And as I’m a huge supporter of Hobby Lobby as they brave our current dictator’s President’s healthcare agenda, most of the other stuff I bought there: Spare Parts by The Paper Studio (Vintage Icons, Brad Assortments, Epoxy stickers), pink vellum (used my Cricut Mini, Elegant Edges cartridge), and various Valentine’s paper used with the epoxy stickers (which I stocked up on when they were half off at Hob Lob because I love them SO!) . I also want to throw in that the tiny heart border on the top is part of cute collection of Studio G Die Cut Shapes that I bought at…wait for it…Wal-Mart for $0.97. Yes, that’s right: ninety-seven cents! They had a nice little variety, too. I also bought the gems at Wal-Mart for $1. Cannot beat it!

So here’s a closer look.

Dial set: February 14.

1 inch circle punch = perfect fit with Spare Part Epoxy Stickers!! I can’t for the life of me remember where I got the heart ribbon…maybe Michael’s for a $1.

The inside is kind of boring, but it’s “love love love” (you get the picture) “you.”

So this was my first Cardabilies challenge, and I really enjoyed working on it. I’m going to try my best to keep up with it as a way to keep venturing on this card making journey.

By the way, if you care to follow me on Facebook or Pinterest, please visit my other site: NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God and click on the appropriate icons!

2012 Christmas Cards

Okay, so the only reason I’m posting these cards is to share them with a friend of mine in Tennessee who refuses to join Facebook, AND my flicker account is taking ages to upload, so I figured this was the best way to share the photos with her. However, if you’re not “my friend from Tennessee,” and landed here anyway from my home site, NOTE TO SELF: Daily Reminders from God, I hope you like the cards I made this year for friends and family.

To start with, after my mother died, I discovered that my mom also loved to make cards. When I was going through all of her colored papers, I found two stamped, embossed Christmas images. I wanted to do something creative with them, and felt that “collaborating” on a Christmas card was a unique idea. It was a way to still share Christmas together and share something we both loved doing—yet never knew about each other. So this card is something I made with the image I found. I cut it out and colored it, and then created a card around it.

Miss you so!

I wrote a letter to my mother in the inside and kept it for myself. The other image was used for another card I gave to my son who was very close to my mom.

The rest of these cards were sent out to friends and family using my new Cricut Mini—which I love! However, I hate my camera. It takes TERRIBLE pictures, so excuse the glares, blurriness and bad lighting.

This is by far my favorite. It’s Tavin’s thumbprints as Christmas lights!

I ADORE this card! So simple and elegant!

The End.

Feminine and Masculine Birthday Cards

I by no means declare that I’m acing this card making thing. I’m trying, though.

I really like the idea of making cards for people. There is a lost art of simply sending anyone an actual card that they can hold in their hands these days. With social networks ruling cyberspace, more often than not, many people are only receiving impersonal, “Happy Birthday” messages on their profile pages.

I’ve always loved sending cards. For a long time, many years ago, I used to stockpile cards for any given occasion. But after trying my hand at scrapbooking, and HATING it, I thought I’d scale it down a bit and try making some beautifully handmade cards.

I have two friends that will be celebrating their birthday this week. One is an old high school friend, and another is a dear new friend I met earlier this year at a very emotional Rachel’s Vineyard retreat.

So for my old friend, who loves to ride his bike, here is a masculine card:

And for my new friend, here is a feminine card:

What’s funny about this photo is that the sentiment seems to be raised above the pink bar, however, it is the pink bar with the window that is raised above the sentiment. (I hate my camera! But I LOVE washi tape!)

God’s Vote for President

You hear the question asked over and over: “Is God a Democrat or Republican?” And then you’ll hear the reply, “God isn’t political.”

I beg to differ.

As Christians, you have more responsibility to vote than anyone else. Why? Because YOU are God’s voice on earth. And if as a Christian you believe God doesn’t want to be involved in politics, you are seriously misguided and uneducated in scriptures.

Let’s start at the beginning…

The ultimate politician before earthly politicians was God Himself. He ruled over the land. He made the rules. He upheld the rules. And He appointed people on earth to maintain them.

And then when Israel demanded a king, God hand picked Saul and then David and then Solomon.
Again, if you are schooled in scriptures, you know of the Judges and the Kings. And then you can see once God was taken out of the picture, starting at the end of Solomon’s reign, everything begins to fall apart and society became an “anything goes” culture.

We Are for the Poor!

I’m often baffled to see “liberal” Christians, because I don’t understand their mindset or reasoning. I often think they believe that Democrats have the backs of the working man and the poor. However, they are sadly mistaken in that logic, because Democrats haven’t done anything to move poor people out of poverty, but instead have kept them oppressed and dependent on government programs. They promise goods that never arrive, much like Obama’s distribution of wealth, and yet they never seem to rise above their circumstances. Instead they are offered free goods so they will be liked and seen as “caring.”

“A man void of good sense gives a pledge and becomes security for another in the presence of his neighbor.” (Proverbs 17:18)

Now don’t get me wrong, because God commands us to take care of the poor, but he expected you and I to do that! The church. The community. And for a very long time we did…until the government got involved during The Great Depression. Churches were pushed to the side and soon people were starving and standing in bread lines. The picture is disturbing.



So if you are a Christian and you’re a liberal because you believe we should be taking care of the poor, you’re 100% correct, but government should play a very small role and the church the bigger role. Once the government got involved, the churches began to fall to the wayside, and no one seemed to “need” the church anymore. And the church seemingly let it all happen.

I’ll tell you from my own experience when my family was in financial trouble, the church would only “allow” so much to be given to us within a year’s time. However, we paid 10% tithing each pay period only to find that when we needed some of that money back, we were refused. We couldn’t get help for all of our needs, just the ones they chose. And while we were able to get food from the food bank at church, we were only allowed four grocery bags a month. As anyone knows, four bags of groceries doesn’t go far, especially when one bag is solely for your household goods, like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc.

So again, if you are a liberal Christian what role are YOU playing in supporting the poor and helping them get OUT of poverty? Are you offering them jobs? Are you paying their rent and utilities? Are you providing more than 4 bags of food for a family of four? Or are you relying on the government to do that? The Mormon church got this right with their own welfare program! THIS is what the church should look like.



The above photo is of the Mormon welfare warehouse, called The Bishop’s Central Storehouse. This is how the church should be taking care of the poor. However, it’s not just a “give away” program. They also offer job training, and members who own businesses offer those in need, JOBS!

We Are Humanitarians!

Some other liberal Christians claim they are Democrats because of the “humanitarian” aspect of the political spectrum. Again, I’m not sure where they see this since liberals are 100% pro-abortion. Our current President isn’t merely for abortion, but for partial birth abortion.

Let me ask you how God would view this scene… an innocent baby, helplessly in the womb being delivered up to the point of the neck and then the doctor sticks a knife in the child’s head and sucks out his/her brains. BRAINS! The child had a thinking, active brain that is SUCKED out of them. How humanitarian is that? Is God cheering that on? Is God happy with that “choice”? And if you can’t even VIEW the picture below, then I HIGHLY suggest you reconsider your vote for this President, because he believes this is perfectly fine. And if we think this is okay, let’s also consider how in Canada, they are now allowing AFTER-birth abortions. Meaning, once the child is born full term, if the mother decides she doesn’t want it, she can kill it. No. I’m not making this up.

BEWARE: HIGHLY GRAPHIC PHOTO BELOW!!



This is a drawing of the procedure, but below is REALITY of the procedure.



Was this God’s idea of life and choice? I doubt it.

We Don’t Want to be Seen as Homophobic Anymore!

I’ve said this time and time again, that if it were up to me gays can get married. I see love…as love. But it’s not up to me! However, I know what God says about marriage and how it belongs solely to a “man and woman.” If someone can show me in the Bible where God CLEARLY said a man and a man, or a woman and woman should and could have sex together and “join” as one and reproduce, then SHOW IT TO ME and I’ll be the spokesperson for gay marriage. I will! I have friends who are gay and I’d like nothing more to show my support for them in every way. But first and foremost, I’m a Christian who believes the Bible to be true. My loyalty lies with Christ if push comes to shove.

Not one pastor of any church can scripturally show or verify that abortion is acceptable and not a sin, that homosexuality is right and pleasing in the eyes of God. These may be social issues, and many of us believe politics shouldn’t have any place in these topics, but they are MORAL issues. Right and wrong issues. Value issues. We can see what has happened over the course of time when we’ve allowed sin to become lawful. We open the door…

What the Bible Says

What does scripture say about all of these issues? What does the Bible say about life, babies, and children? What does God say about gay marriage and homosexuality? What did God say about Christians taking care of the poor?

Look, I’m not saying God’s a Republican. However, I do believe God is the Ultimate Politician. The REAL DEAL politician. He gave us direct ideas about how a politician should behave and govern:

“Strong leadership has a moral foundation.” (Proverbs 16:12)

The Foundation and Moral Fiber of America

Moral foundation. Godly foundation. What role does the Bible play in our nation’s foundation, success and laws?

“The fundamental basis of this nation’s laws was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus and Saint Matthew, from Isaiah and Saint Paul…If we don’t have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State!” (Harry Truman, 33rd President)

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” (George Washington, 1st President)

“If you take out of your statutes, your constitution, your family life all that is taken from the Sacred Book, what would there be left to bind society together?” (Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President)

The Answer for Your Presidential Vote is Clearly Stated

But again, I ask you, if you are voting, what are you voting for? Where can you find the answers on who to vote for? Well, our 40th President, Ronald Reagan said it best:

“Inside the Bible’s pages lie all the answers to all of the problems man has ever known…It is my firm belief that the enduring values presented in its pages have a great meaning for each of us and for our nation. The Bible can touch our hearts, order our minds, and refresh our souls.”

You Are Offensive to Society

Lastly, I think as Christians we truly need to consider our religious rights and freedoms that are now being taken away. In-home bible studies are being shut down by police, we can no longer offend people by saying, “Merry Christmas,” and students praying at school can and will be suspended. We did this to accommodate another religious group who found Christ to be offensive. And it was done through a liberal, political correct mindset: Christians are offensive. YOU, as a Christian, should be offended by that. But you’re not. You’ve become complacent. You’ve justified sin. You’ve made excuses. You’ve created your own god.

And then on the other hand we have people who hide behind religion because they are so misinformed and uneducated. They don’t KNOW the Word so they follow the crowd of hate mongers. Do not HIDE behind God, instead reside in God and “the truth will set you free.”

You Recognize Him by His Fruit

I think in this election we as Christians have a very clear choice. We do have a man of God running for President. You will recognize him by his fruits.

The Me I Wish I Could Be

I wish I could be that person who joyfully wakes up at 5 AM and enjoys a cup of joe in the solitude of God’s Presence. As gleefully as that seems in my mind, reality bites me hard at 5 AM and the last thing I want to do is get out of bed for anything or anyone, even God. That may sound terrible and selfish, but I’m nothing if not honest about the real me and not the me I wish I could be.

I tried this lifestyle once, and it was wonderful…if it worked. See, my house is chaos. When I get up, the whole world seems to follow suit. The cats beg for love and food, the dog aches to be let out and given a treat, and Tavin realizes that mommy’s up and there’s no logical reason to be sleeping any longer if that is true.

No matter how quiet I am, tip toeing, stepping over  known creaks in the floorboards, and stirring my iced coffee without the spoon touching the glass,  my solitude ends up becoming the beginnings of a very frustrating and irritating day. But it’s a nice thought that I relish.

I wish I could also be that person who never yells at her children, graciously and tenderly disciplining with love and mercy. No. That’s not me, either. Everything in my life is like sandpaper to my delicate soul. Scratch, scratch, SCRATCH! My emotions are raw and so is my throat by 6 PM.

I used to be a multi-tasker, but then I got tired of doing everything all at once, so now I try to focus on one thing at a time. However, I am continually pulled away from anything I try to do every 2 minutes. (I swear to you, I’m not exaggerating!) It takes me hours to write a 200 word blog thanks to constant interruptions. So sometimes I don’t even bother trying to do anything I want to do anymore. What’s the point?

I wish I could be one of those mothers who talks on the phone most of the day, or sits and reads a good novel while their adorable little one plays quietly. But instead, I numb myself with facebook and Pinterest so I won’t get so disappointed when I’m pulled away—although I am.

The me I wish I could be has a quiet soul, a tamed tongue, and energy to go around for everyone.

But I’m not that person. No matter how hard I try to be something I’m not (anymore), I just can’t get this thing called life right.

I’m a bigger mess than I should probably admit. I pray God can do something spectacular with it all.

Life is Good When I’m With You

I’m experiencing separation anxiety from my husband.

For the past five years, we’ve had the luxury of very flexible work schedules and winters off together. Although times were tough, financially, Jared and I cherished our time together. We are not the kind of couple who seeks “time away.” We truly relish quiet nights together and chaotic days with Tavin.

But now he started a new, permanent, full time job. No more random hours or winter breaks. He leaves at 2:30 PM and gets home around 2:30 AM. He sleeps until Noon, puts Tavin down for a nap and then takes one himself until 1:30 PM when he wakes up to shower and then leaves again for work.

Tomorrow will be our first anniversary that we haven’t spent together in five years. And while my life is quite frustrating because Jared’s no longer around as my sounding board with Tavin, I miss just having him around. I miss our nights of nothingness that meant so much, more than anything, though.

And that inspired me to create this art journal page. So far, this is my favorite one I’ve done. I’ve only made a handful of art journal pages, and I’m truly trying to find my niche. I think heartache does my art good.

Then a few days ago I received the bad news that my friend’s mother had finally “won” her battle with recurring breast cancer. Her passing brought back the horrible memories of losing my mom just a mere five months ago, and I was capsized under a sea of tears. So I tried my hand at making my first sympathy card. Not sure how good it turned out, but my heart is truly in it.

I also sent a very good friend of mine an awesome care package, however, she has yet to receive it, which is upsetting since I sent it over a week ago now.

Then I made a thank you card for a friend who sent me some books on “the strong willed child.” Apparently she’s under the assumption that Tavin gets that from me.

Oh, and I made a fabulous paprika bird in the oven last week. Just thought I’d end on a high note.

Blogger Tags: paprika chicken, art journal, thank you card, sympathy card