JYC-12: The Beginning...Finally

I signed up for this "class" last year, but never got started, and nothing really became of it, other than stocking supplies. Which, being a craft supply hoarder, I'm fairly good at ;)  (That's totally not a boast, but rather a shameful admission *sigh*)

So this year, I thought, "Yeah! I'm ready to go. Got a "real" camera, got me some supplies, and I'm gonna get it done!"  Game on!

Well, here we are, December 19th, and I've finally just begun. At least with actually crafting. I have a small number of pictures, some journaling done, and my supplies loosely organized (I'll share a pic of that latter) in a beloved vintage wood tray. But, having taken this first step, I feel well on my way.

Christmas, here I come!

Framed by Friendship

I have to smile at how the Lord works things out. I've said it before, but really, I hope that I never cease to be amazed by the Lord. His timing, His plans, His purposes...perfect every time! For example, He led me to just the right church at just right the time, knowing all the while the blessings He had for me there. I just hope that likewise, He is using me to bless them as well.

One example of this is a very sweet, virtuous woman named Lani. What a treasure! When I think of Lani, I think of Psalm 31:
She is everything anyone could ever hope to be as a Christian woman, and humble enough not to know it. ;) She truly has a servant's heart, loves the Lord so deeply, and loves others. She has truly touched my heart and I pray I can be a fraction of the lady she is. Recently, Lani and her teenage daughters (also tremendous blessings & dear friends) set up their 3rd bedroom as a Sewing Room. (The girls had decided that a dedicated sewing room was more important than each of them having their own bedroom.) While they were still laying their plans, the Lord lead me to these adorably cheerful papers & embellies -and on sale! PTL! I knew the instant I saw them that I was meant to make something for Lani & her girls. It's been a few weeks, but here it is finally:

I had so much fun working on this, that I almost missed the other purpose the Lord had for it: to encourage me about working in a 12x12 format! I have been wanting & meaning to get back to the doggie scrapbook I began for my mom when Charlie was a puppy. Well, Charlie's turning 5 tomorrow and we've added another dog (Cyrus) to the mix. I've got work to do! Besides time, the biggest roadblock has been fear. I love how faithful and true God's promises are, even in the little details of our lives. This experience was a great reminder to me that whether we're facing big fears or little insecurities, "...God hath not given us the spirit of fear;" 2Timothy 1:7 So, don't be too surprised if you see a lot more of my canine compadres from now on. But even before I get to that, there are a few more things lined up in the altering/photo-related department. I hope you enjoyed this and stay tuned...

Here's the coordinating card. Being so close to my heart, I'll not share what I wrote, but it conveys my gratitude and joy at having Lani in my life. She is truly a Sister in Christ, and I thank God for her.

((((HUGS)))) & may the Lord's hand be upon you in a mighty & wonderful way. God bless you!

Supplies:
Doodlebug Designs - Nifty Notions (paper, stickers, brads & most buttons)
Maya Road Zipper Trim
Glitz Teeny Alpha stickers
Unity KOM - April 2010
Sentiment by Clear Dollar Stamps (Help For Katie)
Copics - E41, E43, BG70, BG72, BG05, RV000, RV14, RV17, R24, R28, C1, YG13, G14

Club Anya Ho-Ho-Hopping!

December must be my "dare-devil" month! LOL! This is my first time hopping with Club Anya! I'm so nervous and excited - just like a kid hoping to sneak a peek at Santa as he puts the prezzies under the tree! For some totally unacceptable reason (only myself and my scatterbrain to blame, of course), I don't have the Xmas Sweeties set. What the?!? So, I used Angel Anya and made her a Christmas Angel. I love this image!

A little Copic (okay, a lotta copic to get the hair just so), some paper piecing, sanding, stickling and embellishing and we have our Christmas Angel Anya keeping it festive AND keeping it real by reminding us of the Reason for the Season! Just the message I want to send to my sweet little 5-year old pseudo-niece. I envision her putting this frame next to her bed and reading it before she goes to sleep. Later, her mom can always pop out it and put in a picture.

Wishing you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!

TFL and enjoy the rest of the hop!


Image(s): The Greeting Farm - Angel Anya
Pattern Papers: Daisy D's
Cardstock: Local Source

Supplies: Photo Frame (Michael's)
Embellishments: Stickles, God Dew Drops, Chipboard Letters -Darice, Holly Leaves - Inque Boutique
Colored with Copics

Blog Candy, 2 times

Finally, I have finished the altered piece of my Alter Ego blog candy giveaway, won by Chrissy! She told me that she'd prefer something she could hang, and that her fave color combo was Pink & Brown. So, this is what I came up with for her.

This 'C' immediately said "shabby chic" to me, so I combined warm white paint and Timer Brown Staz-On for the base. Then turned to my trusty Basic Grey stash for the paper. The ribbon just popped out from my immense stash and begged to be part of the show. I love the tapestry feel of it. A simple prima flower stack with a brown button and twine bow finish it off. And to add just a bit more of the "chic" the start and end of the letter sport some pearl bling.

This is my 2nd 'C', and it is definitely one of the more difficult alpha shapes to work with, but I hope Christine will like it.

And speaking of Blog Candy, if you haven't checked out Carolyn's blog - not only are you just crazy and depriving yourself of some of the most droolworthy papercrafting on the planet, but you are also missing out on an amazing blog candy giveaway! Why are you depriving yourself like that???? Hop over for a visit already! LOL!

TFL,

Good Eats

I made this for a gal-pal that is in our "Mmmm....Skinny Bop Bop" on SCS. It's a little group where we encourage and support each other as we try to lose weight. I recently took on some leadership responsibilities, and to give a little jump start, I issued the "3-lb. Challenge" with a prize going to the next person to lose 3 or more pounds. Kat put us all to shame (go Kat!) by losing 8-lbs. in a single week, using a detox diet. You go girl! The prize was an altered journal & pen for recording what you're eating - a simple trick that helps keep you on track and make sure you're eating the right amount from each food group.
For the journal, I used a small Mead notebook, altered with Making Memories paint and Basic Grey DP (from the Recess collection). I made the faux button closure using some webbing and velcro. The orange gel pen has beads in shades of green, yellow and orange, adhered with super-sticky tape (aka "red tape") and then coated with Crystal Effects to make sure the beads stay put.

TFL!

Belated #3

This one I came close on....only 1 week (and maybe some days) late! (*I'm blogging from the corner*)


Miss Kelly's birthday was in late March. Kelly is a vibrant, fun-loving gal living with her almost too good to be true DH and 4 adorable kiddos is sunny Miami! And she *hearts* Elzy's. So when I came across this image in my stash, I just had to do her up Kelly-style with lovely golden tresses and vibrant colors!


If you've visited Kelly's blog, you know she loves sandcastles. So again to my trusty stash for this Amuse image. Kelly recently endured some remodeling at her casa, and is now settling into her new creative area. I don't know how often she'll secret herself away in there, but thought a little doorhanger would set the tone for any little visitors who come a knockin'. The exact tones of aqua were a complete guess on my part (who knew there were so many shades!), so I went for 2 shades and some shimmer! The sandy background was the real labor of love: 2 layers of pigment and another of Tim Holtz's Distress Ink, some heavy-duty sponging and a lot of heat setting later, but I was so pleased with the result!

It is much belated, my dear friend, but I am wishing you the best of everything and an abundance of blessing on your birthday and everyday. {{{hugs}}}

Give me a "C"!

I know I have at least one other card on the PC at home, but of course, I'm at work. But I don't know if it's the sunshine, near 60 temp, or what, but I wanted to share something with you today. So I took a quick trip through my pics folder, and found that I never posted this! It's not for me, but was something I made for Secret Sister back in December! *gasp* for dear Christine, whom I haven't heard from for awhile. I hope she knows I think of her often. She's going through a difficult time, and unfortunately lives on the other side of the country. Maybe posting this will put some good vibes out into the universe, and God willing, they will find their way to her and help brighten her day. {{{{Hugs for Christine}}}}

I used 3 different Basic Grey papers, picking these because at the time Christine was doing her craft room update in similar colors. I think I over distressed the seams, and I never realized how difficult piecing square paper over a circular shape was, but all in all, I was fairly happy with the result, and Christine liked it - what more does a girl want?

Hope you have good weather where you are and a few minutes at least to enjoy it today!

TFL & Hugs,

Finally...

Thanks for your patience! Finally, I've had time to transfer pictures from my camera, so I can share them here.

This was a Christmas present for my dear friend Katie. We met at Michigan State and have been friends since. She lives in Ann Arbor (home of our mortal intra-state enemy, U of M), which aside from that dastardly institution (okay, I know, it's probably _because_ of said institution) is a pretty happening place. Katie is the epitome of artsy cool, and she cracks me up, which is why she is one of my oldest friends. We have become great pen-pals, and try to visit each other a few times a year. This year, I vow to make it the Ann Arbor Art Festival in the summer. What better way to see such an esteemed show than in the company of a dear friend and local artisan?

Also a Christmas gift, this one is the key hook I made for my sister, Jennifer. She wants to be/thinks she is a princess, her husband treats her like one, and the rest of us don't have the heart (or stamina) to tell her otherwise (although I think her day job tips her off now and then). She is forever forgetting where she has put her keys when she comes over to visit, so this is now the appointed place.

And this is Charlie in his holiday attire. Gotta love him!