Virginia's Vew Challenge #1

Virginia has started a new Challenge Blog which can be found here with the first challenge which is to use Watercolors.

And talking about color - I just witnessed this beautiful rainbow! God is the Master of COLOR as He shows us in His Creation! This rainbow was touching the ground and covered a vast area of the Mountain range.

It's true that I so miss Cath Edvalson who had weekly challenges on the Moxie Fab blog, so it will be nice to have a monthly challenge again. Thank you, Virginia.

So I thought I would gather all my watercolor squares from previous projects and fit them altogether for a grid participation. Most of the stamps, except the bird are Hero Arts.

Less is more - color scheme

This is the color inspiration photo for this week's challenge over at the blog Less is More, which can be found here.

And this is my very simple CAS card which I made with three distress markers; Tea dye, spun sugar and antique linen.

Flower stamp is Darkroom doors, sentiment is Crafty Individuals.
A CAS card is not easy for me to do and it took me several times to stamp it to my liking. Here is what I did with the panels I wasn't happy with:

I just make a grid and have two cards.

Have a lovely weekend.
Jacqueline

Inspiration from a Tea Cup

Happy Monday!
I have been wanting to make a card, inspired by my Tea cup and this afternoon I did it. The cup has two big birds on it, pink flowers, brown swirls (I used leaves), script, a butterfly and some post marks.

I layered the stamps using distress markers. The Carte Postale stamp is from Stampendous, very useful in collages (used walnut stain). The bird is one of my all-time favorites, from Artistic Outpost. I started with a blue distress marker (weathered wood) which I colored the top half of the bird with, then I colored the middle part with light brown and then the underside with dark brown. I then sprayed the stamp with a light spray of water before I stamped. The pink flowers are from a Spring collage stamp from Hero Arts, just used part of the stamp. The brown leaves are from a stamp I found in the sales here on a French Website, called Florilèges, only half price. The little dragonfly is a tiny stamp from an acrylic stamp set.

I had made two - but this one didn't turn out how I liked it, so I punched it out into squares and made a grid. Nothing goes to waste.

And this is my tea cup... I'm planning on making another one, probably much more similar when I can find a big bird stamp to my liking.


Jacqueline

Easter Share and Grid

As its Easter Time I thought I would share something encouraging! As you know I am a Christian - that means that God sought me in His Love and I answered His Call to give Him my heart and trust Him to make my life a witness to His. I have gone through lots of trials, had disappointments and haven't understood a lot of His Ways and still I find myself learning something every day. I'm sure you experience the same. Sometimes we have to wait sooooo long before God shows up that we can get weary and faint. I know that can give me problems too! But Easter time is the time when we realize that Jesus took upon Himself everything that separated us from God and defeated death for us before He rose again! He has the key!
What does it mean daily to us... other than to abide in Him. I found a little devotional which I think is very encouraging for those of us who can be 'prestation' orientated. Always thinking we have to be more than we are or those who are perfectionists, always thinking it has to look and be better. Let's learn to let go and just be!

Quote:
"I am the Vine, ye are the branches..." John 15:5
If we don't really understand these words we will keep trying to do the things only God can do. Things like, blessing yourself, solving your own problems, answering your own prayers and promoting yourself. Or worse, you will try to 'cover up' for God because He's not doing it quickly enough, so you're standing there like a substitute teacher trying to make Him look good through your human efforts. (A note from me here - can you imagine I felt like this when I was ill and being one of only two families who know the Lord in our village, that I thought - what will they think of the God I serve?)
Give it up, it can't be done. Jesus said 'I am the Vine, you are the branches... all you need to do is stay connected. (Another note from me: I see this principle at work, being surrounded by vineyards - the branches receive the life-giving sap from the vine and all it has to do is produce fruit with it.)
You've got to know where your help comes from! We say that without Him we can do nothing and then act as if it all depended on us. Our success is in the Vine and our future is in the Vine! All we need to do is stay connected!
Unquote
I hope you enjoyed this little meditation as much as I enjoyed refreshing myself with the Word of God.

I thought I would share a little card nonetheless before I wish you all a very peaceful Easter. It's not a new card, its a card that I shared on my other blog and on the Flickr gallery so please don't feel you have to comment. I'm just lowering my standard to have to post a new card today and just being me. This reminded me of the beautiful Spring we are having at the moment! The little verse in French on the side is 'Ne crains pas, crois seulement' which is Do not fear, only believe'!

And this little capture of my Rosemary bush, I thought the colors matched the card. Nothing spectacular just a little look into my world.
Many blessings!
Jacqueline

Summer!

Sharing a couple of Summer cards. I 'rediscovered' the little Birdcage stamp from Hero Arts... have made so many cards with it, sharing this one with a piece of a doily that Wilmi from Holland sent me. PP is from Sue.

Well amidst the difficult times there are really nice days! I was thrilled to have random org pick my number twice to win a new set of stamps this week and Thursday I was a fab five winner on the Hero Arts blog with the card below - such a pick-me-up!
I cannot say enough how much all your blogs inspire me and the Hero Arts flickr gallery every day.

When I was making this card I was thinking of the holidays we have in Callela, Spain every year, next to the sea and was feeling a bit sad not to be able to go this year. I love the Sea!

Now I have a little share which I hope will be an encouragement for you as it was for me. I was laying in bed the other night thinking - what shall I do if my precious boys leave home and I don't have to care for anybody but DH anymore. Of course we have our Missionary work here but I am still a Mum, wife and like to keep the home a place of rest and peace. And just this morning I read this devotional which I thought was very timely and very practical:

Your Best Days Are Still Ahead '...Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara...' Ruth 1:20 NKJV

Learn to build your life around your person, not your role, otherwise when your role changes you'll lose your sense of worth. Being a good mother is a noble calling. It's also a self-sacrificing job. But when your children leave home and those demands are over, it's easy to feel like Naomi did. Her name meant Pleasant. But after her two sons died she asked to be called Mara, which means bitterness. Don't allow changing times to change who you are, or to make you stop dreaming and give up hope. God still had a lot for Naomi to do. In the future she would mentor Ruth, who would give birth to a son who was destined to grow up and become part of the lineage of King David and our blessed Lord. What an honour! When your role changes, remember that your life's not over. See your own worth as a person, discover your next assignment, gather up your assets and keep on living and giving. Don't develop a 'Mara mentality'. She allowed herself to become cynical when her circumstances changed; don't let that happen to you! Discouragement often comes when we feel like we've seen it all, heard it all, done it all, and most of it was bad. No matter how old you are, you can never say you've seen it all. God can do 'exceeding abundantly above all that [you] ask or think...' (Ephesians 3:20) You don't know what God will do with your life before it's over. He has a way of saving the best for last.

Food for thought.
Have a great weekend!
Jacqueline

Botanical #3

Just have too many stamps for this theme over at the Moxie Fab blog not to have another try!
This grid is made up of two stamps from Crafty Individuals, stamped twice on a distressed background. The panels have been distressed with bundled sage and chipped sapphire.

And a little lavender sachet:

It all of a sudden dawned on me how botanical this Bird Collage stamp was from Hero Arts.

I am in the process of making these square little lavender sachets. I have harvested and hung up the lavender bunches in the garage, just waiting for them to dry.

These are so easy to make and when done, you just throw them in a drawer or cupboard and you keep your clothes smelling clean and fresh. I usually have one next to my pillow in bed. Lavender keeps away moths and insects and apparently helps you to sleep!


This last card uses old Anne Griffin stamps, it might look more vintage than botanical. Distressed all the panels and then stamped. I colored the roses in with watercolor pencils.

 Hope you have a lovely weekend.

Update

Dear friends, although I have been crafting, I haven't been my usual self after the last operation. I needed a lot of rest and didn't always take it. I have lost a lot of hair, it is very thin now, but I still have a light cover :)
I am quite apprehensive to wear my wig because I get these hot flushes and can't stand wearing anything that  is too warm. I must say that I am very impressed with how my DH is holding out - I can get grumpy and irritated. Yesterday he came and sat in my craft room and told me how he had prepared himself for this time and that he would stand by me because he loved me, even now that makes me cry. God is like that too - He doesn't ever give up on us!

Tomorrow I have my second chemo session using the VAP which is still quite sore. I think I will take my scissors with me again and cut out butterflies, that is if I don't get to chat to anybody.

I will leave you today with this little grid which was inspired by this card from Petra. It was another card using the PDCC colors of blueberry, dusty pink and beige. Stamps are Pink Paislee.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts, your kindness and sunshine you bring into my life. Crafting is real therapy and it has brought so much into my life via the blogging world. Thank you and God bless!

Jacqueline

Making my own sunshine :)

I won't be here tomorrow. I have to go to the hospital for a catheter which will be fitted under my skin for at least two years. It is where the infuse will be fitted when I have my chemo treatment, which will start again the 14th of June. I have been feeling very well this last week!

So I am posting a little card today. Crafting is such therapy for me. Using up rests of projects instead of throwing them away is one of my little pleasures. As we are having a grey, wet and rainy June I thought I would make my own sunshine by choosing blue and yellow for this grid. Most of the stamps are Hero Arts.

Thank you for standing by me with your support and prayers!
See you soon.

Update and share

My little share for today

Just to give you a little update - I went to the Oncologist yesterday and will start the first Chemo treatment on the 23rd of May. I have six sessions, once every three weeks. I must say the doctor put me right at ease and was very laid back about the whole process. Tomorrow I have an appointment with a nurse who will explain all the details to me for the preparation. He said that 90 percent of patients loose their hair... so praying that I may be in the 10 percent that doesn't, but will look at hair pieces as soon as I can. They are very forward here with wigs, and can make them look so natural. He also told me that the form of cancer I had could possibly react positively to a new drug that was discovered in 2005. They are checking it out in the laboratory in Montpeillier. If so, I will be receiving injections after the Radio therapy for even more protection for the future.

Its a whole new world actually. It's like having a Down Syndrome child - until you enter into that world, you are closed to it and have your preconceptions and opinions. When you have to enter into it - it opens you up to new blessings and a changed mindset - gives you compassion for handicapped people and prayer! Many forms of  suffering can be blessings in disguise! So too, with cancer - it is a world I would avoid, having a negative mindset about it, now I have to enter into this frame - it has softened me and opened my horizon to understand cancer in a new way. God is a good God, He doesn't send sickness but I have seen He can use it. On the other hand, God is the Healer, He can heal it too!  It fills me with so much love for the One who created us!!

May I ask your special prayers for the first three days after the 23rd May - I need the courage to not expect the worst and to get through it. I have been getting so much positive input from so many survivors that has relaxed me. Also the psychological effects, which I am quite sensitive in. Once again thank you for sharing this journey with me.

Ending with a little tag;

Bless you!
Jacqueline

Going romantic...

Today I was back at work for a couple of hours and as my boss is my hubby, he was very kind to me :)

Using some of my go-to colors in a romantic card today. The Frame is a Penny Black stamp and the velvet pink and mahogany colored flowers are Pink Paislee stamps. Image is from Graphics Fairy.

Hope you all have a very nice weekend and thank you all once again for your support in many ways!

Tuesday Trigger - Porch Play

Here is the lovely inspiration photo for this week over on the Moxie Fab blog here.

And here is my card, be it very simple. I stamped the Hero Arts Lace frame on Vellum with white ink and turned it over to fasten it loosely to the card before adding some squares.

Thanks for popping round!

A couple of Challenges - A Burst of Blooms!

Thought I would give some challenges a go. It's this week's Tuesday Trigger on the Moxie Fab blog, which can be found here.

This is the inspiration photo, and underneath is my card. I used the design block Flower Silhouette from Hero Arts to create a Burst of Blooms and the sentiment is also from HA.  So pleased that they do French sentiments too!

This one could be for the challenge 'A touch of red' but it isn't really CAS, so it will go for the challenge of stamp layering over on the Hero Arts blog.

I placed nine of the mix and match stamps of Hero Arts on the acrylic block and stamped in one go. Then I layered some of the stamps with patterned paper that were in the 'grid' basket.
We are having beautiful weather, temperatures are high, like a summers day!
Have a nice weekend!
Jacqueline

Revisiting on Monday - June 2009

Hello! Yesterday I clicked on the wrong link and got a virus which took DH the whole evening to get rid of! But he did it!

Today I'm going back to the first card (see below) I made using alcohol inks and embossing. Due to the fact that the project went wrong, I put my punch into it and loved the result it gave! Ever since, I love experimenting with this technique when I get a new stamp. The above card uses three stamps of Hero Arts, mixed together after punching out the squares.

This is the stamp I used for the above card, which was stamped twice on an alcohol ink background, once with white EP and once with brass EP, and then just mixed together with the 3/4" square punch.
 I also punched out a couple of circles and a butterfly.

Still thinking Spring

I found some coordinating scrap papers and thought the colors and images would give a Spring effect so I am continuing in the Spring theme. Also entering this in the CARDS challenge this week which is to create a grid.

Le parfum des fleurs means The perfume of flowers, but you knew that I'm sure! I also used Hero Arts Envelope pattern stamp for a subtle effect and I used my second 'Brenda' butterfly which I distressed in vintage photo to coordinate with the colors. I still have one 'Brenda' butterfly remaining. The first comment on this post will receive the tag!

 And this is a little project I made for Sunday school this weekend. Together with Marilène we have a class of about twenty children from the age of 4-7. They will all be making a little lantern like this, which I have to prepare this afternoon (yes, 20 of them!) but they have to decorate their own.
Our theme is 'The Word of God' and I wanted to illustrate how the Word of God is like a Light, as it spreads light wherever it goes, whenever it is read and proclaimed! I have used vellum behind the verse and will light up a candle behind it so that it lights up.

Your Word is a Lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

Have a lovely weekend!

Jacqueline

Sunday - Revisiting...June 2010

rrI have just got back from Holland. I couldn't tell you beforehand because my MIL visits my blog now and again. It was a surprise visit as she was 80 years old on Saturday. She started to cry when she saw that all her children and grandchildren had gathered to surprise her. We had a lovely celebration time and enjoyed our stay. Joël stayed home with David, bless his heart, so that we would have our hands free to move around a bit.



Today I am going to revisit a grid card I made in June 2010. This is my case of it, which is probably a winter version of the summer version below.



Tonight I will be making quiche with fresh green asparagus.. It is the time of year to collect them fresh from the wooded areas where they grow wild and we have a little patch near to where we live where they can be found. I took a picture of our find this afternoon. They are delicious.

They are a little delicacy here in France.

Hope you are all well!!

Tag Tuesday - Circles

I want to thank everybody for the heart-warming comments I received on my last post about David. I felt so blessed! Thank you!

For this week's Tag Tuesday challenge I was thinking of a round tag but I should of thought of a normal shape tag and round shapes. After popping over to Sue's blog, I get the necessary inspiration and finally got something together! Thanks Sue - I'm also using the lovely brown twine you sent.

This was my first effort - a bit simple but the butterfly is under an acetate circle, which Sue also sent me and I have given it dimension with some tape.

This will be my last post until next week as I am going to Holland on Friday with DH and Joël to see our two other sons who are at Bible School and to attend the baptism of our eldest son Rodney. His father will baptize him, as he has all of his sons.

Will see you all very soon! Take care.

Grids and inspiration

If there is one thing that I love the most that is mixing and matching with papers and colors, thats why I love these type of cards!

 

Just recently I got hold of some papers from Eline Pellinkhof who has a Dutch line of stamps and patterned papers. The colors are quite bold but I was drawn to them nonetheless. But I'm finding it difficult to cut into the papers, so I thought I would use the packaging in which the papers came.... I'm all for recycling anyway.

I want to share two other cards which two of my blogging friends made showing a unique way of using inchies that I am definately going to try myself. The first one is a grid which has been placed inside a stamped frame which has been white embossed on black paper. I think it is stunning! Look how the black and white brings out the vibrant colors of the inchies which have been punched out of stamping projects. Excellent!

This card is made by Nancy Krueger.

Secondly, feast your eyes on this beauty from Patty. Patty does not have a blog but can be found on the Hero Arts flickr gallery here.

This is so BEAUTIFUL! The inchies have been molded into a heart - I am definitely going to have to try this. I also love the color choice.

Have a fine day!
Jacqueline

Happy Christmas my blogging friends!

May you all enjoy the festive season!

Jesus came into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Him should stay in darkness.

                                                           John 12:46 NIV

Wishing you an abundance of this Light in your lifes!

Jacqueline

Just playing

I have been so busy that it was nice just to sit down and play this afternoon with some grid patterns. I really wanted to use the snowflake and the robin squares I had, so I added some other little stamped squares and made these two cards.

It's always handy to have a couple of extra cards for Christmas!

Have a great week!
Jacqueline

Grid card and a little give-away

When I just want to sit down and play I usually make these sort of cards as I have lots of papers with unfinished projects or projects that didn't land on a card and then I pull them all together to make a puzzle.

I usually use a punch but these squares are slightly bigger than my punch as I cut them out from a template. I then add whatever I find in my scrap basket. The top right square is a scrap from Sue.. they all come in handy!

Secondly a little give-away. I never use this stamp from Hero Arts and that is a shame. It should be used, so I'm offering it to somebody who leaves a comment.  It's as good as new too. I will also include a little bag of my scraps. I'll ask my son to choose a number sunday morning. And I will send this card with it.


Have a nice weekend!
Jacqueline