Fall is in the Air

It has been too long since I posted anything on my blog, but for a very good reason.  We've been busy since the beginning of August with house buying and selling.  Soon we'll be moving to a new home in Omaha and my parents, who currently live in Oregon, will be joining us.  We're excited that the Lord has provided a multi-generational home for us to share and that our house sold in one day!  WOW!  It's just like God to knock our socks off.  What a blessing! Now we are waiting on the Lord's timing for the sale of my parent's home.

So... all of that craziness equals no time for card making or blogging.  On Saturday, I did take a break from packing to attend a card making class with my friend Sheri. This is one of the cards that we created.  It was fun to use different dies and come away with four unique seasonal cards.

Joyfully...Stephanye

Weekly Encouragement

In May I posted a card I sent to a gal at church, Christy, who had recently been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.  A few weeks ago I decided that I would send her a card each week, hoping to bring a bit of encouragement.  Don't know why I didn't think of that sooner. :-{ Anyway...,













I haven't had the opportunity to visit with Christy but I did see her at church on Sunday and I thought she looked great.   

I'm sure that the road she is traveling each week... chemotherapy, radiation, etc. is very difficult. However, I know that her strong faith in God's sovereign plan for her life, along with the love and prayers of hundreds, is what's carrying her through. I am thankful that the Lord redeems all things in our lives for good and His glory!  Christy and her family are a glowing testimony of what it is to glorify Jesus in all things.          

                  

Friends

This morning I shared a wonderful breakfast with my friend Tracy!  She made a delicious fresh veggie quiche, a beautiful fruit salad and yummy muffins.  We spent a lovely time on her patio visiting, laughing and praying.  What a blessing to have such a special friend. Love you Tracy! 

This card I took to Tracy was so fun to make.  I cut the die during one of my crafting times with Sheri. The die has so many looks depending on the paper used.  In this case,  the cheery sunshine yellow under the bright white overlay created such a clean and crisp result.  Makes me smile!

Joyfully...Stephanye 

Happy Birthday

Today's weather was AMAZING!  It felt like April as the temperature didn't rise above 70 degrees and it was down right cold in the morning!  I'm sure we'll still have plenty of hot and humid days in the weeks ahead but I enjoyed today's special gift of a gorgeous day!    

It was a great day to be outside.  Eli and I worked in the garden; I did weeding and he explored, rearranged rocks, dug in the dirt, and talked to the chickens. And of course we took a trip to the park. Today's park trip was after dinner so Papa was able to join us.  :) 

This birthday card was for Norman's co-worker Katie.  The stamp set is a recent purchase and was a lot of fun to use.  I love the little jean pocket. 

I also used this stamp set on a card I sent to a special friend who has been going through some big life changes.  I love the "pocket full of posies" sentiment. 

Joyfully....Stephanye 

Time Flies

WOW!!! It has been over one month since my last post; where does the time go? Hmmm, let me think...

In May I went to California for 10 days.  My sister's youngest, Victoria, graduated from high school.  It was an awesome time of laughing, celebrating, visiting with family and shopping.   I also spent time with my mother and father in-love; this was a special time as well as I enjoyed a little slower pace before returning home to my hubby who missed me a lot!

Tori

Upon returning to Nebraska my daughter in-love and youngest grandson, Micah, who live in Ogallala, NE came for a five day visit.  We had so much fun together.

Micah picking a strawberry
from Grammy's garden

Micah is a precious gem and brings me so much joy.

I also started to watch my oldest grandson Eli, again, about 25 hours weekly.  Being a Grammy is keeping me super busy but I am having a blast.  Spending time with my grand boys infuses me with so much life and energy even though I am tired, a satisfied feeling, at the end of the day.  :)

Eli at the park
  

Eli is three now and his loves Legos.  He really likes taking apart what I build, usually before I finish the item.  We go to the park everyday the weather allows.  For our trips to the park Eli rides to the park in style.

Our new wheels!

Eli and Grammy

Eli also loves the chickens, gathers their eggs and talks to them when he's playing in the backyard.  What little boys doesn't love to be outside?

The Girls 

Oh my, I just remembered this blog is for sharing my love of card making!  At least now you know why I've not posted anything for more than a month.  Life has been so full and I am so very thankful that my heavenly Father has blessed me with precious grand boys and family to love and cherish.

Now on to posting a card or two.  :)


This birthday card was for my most awesome mother in-love.  I learned how to be a good mother in-law from this precious lady. I love you mom Cameron!   I loved the bright colors of this card.  They remind me of Hawaii and the wonderful trip the Cameron family took in December of 2010.  It was an amazing trip; a once in a lifetime family celebration.

This card was for my sister Rachael, to thank her for such a fun and memorable time with her and my niece.  I wouldn't have wanted to return home if my wonderful husband wasn't longingly waiting for my to fall into his arms (and cook him meals). :)   I love you Norman.  Thanks for letting me get away.  You're an amazing husband and my best friend. 

Joyfully...Stephanye 

Sympathy Cards

Sharing in Your Sorrow 

It has been too long since I posted a new card as it was my goal to post something weekly.  I've been creating new cards but haven't taken time to post them. It must be because I am outside more now that the weather is warmer. 

A while back my mom asked me to make her some sympathy cards to have on hand.  Here are two of the cards that I made for her.  Of course she liked them all; because she's my mom :) and one of the biggest supporters of my creative ministry outlet... card making (my husband is equally supportive).   Thanks Mom. I love you!

For Sharing in Your Sorrow I used my friend Sheri's dies and a button for the flower center. I don't know that these are really flower dies but I thought it was a fun way to use them.  A simple card with some fun elements and subtle colors appropriate for a sympathy card.

With Love and Remembrance              

For With Love and Remembrance I used a die cut butterfly that I colored with my alcohol markers and embossed with clear embossing powder. I love the floral paper from the Crate Paper, Inc., Farmhouse 6x6 pad, as I think it ties all of the colors together so well. Again, a simple yet apropos card for the loss of a loved one.       

Thanks for looking!  

Joyfully...Stephanye     

You are in my Thoughts

This card was for a friend at church who was recently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. Her husband is the director of Youth for Christ in Omaha and they have three elementary aged children.  She is having surgery on April 30th.

She and her family love the Lord and are resting in His sovereign plan for their lives. I am so thankful that God is our Rock and that His ways are higher than our ways and that we can completely trust Him even when we don't understand the why behind what He allows.

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:4

Joyfully...Stephanye

Scatter Joy & Remembering

This is a card I created for the  Stamping Queens "spring" swap.  The cut flowers were from a die that my friend Sheri has in her collection. I colored the flowers with my Spectrum Noir markers. The scatter joy stamp is a new one that I really like.  The card is really quite simple but I was pleased with the results.

Presently I am working on some sympathy cards my mom requested that I make for her to have on hand.  I am pleased with how they are turning out and look forward to posting them soon.

This next card was for a dear lady and my special friend Sheri.  I have been remembering her in prayer each day as it has been one year since her husband and love of her life passed from this earth.  I pray that the Lord strengthens her each day and that the peace and comfort only the Savior can give will be hers. What a privilege it is to pray for her.

Joyfully...Stephanye

Happy Birthday Eli

Our oldest grandson, Elijah will be three years old on April 14th.  The time has gone so quickly and he is growing so fast.  This is the birthday card that I made for him.  Happy Birthday Eli!  Papa and Grammy love you so very much!  You're a precious little boy! 

Joyfully...Stephanye

Remembering You in Prayer

"Remembering you in Prayer" is a new stamp that I purchased while in Kansas City a few weekends ago.   It's a stamp that I am using a lot. This card was for a friend who went to London, England to visit her first grandchild, "baby George".  She and her husband will return from their trip tomorrow and I am excited hear about all of their adventures and their precious little grandson.  

Joyfully...Stephanye

Share Joy

I recently learned of the Share Joy campaign from my friend Sheri. This is the 3rd year for the campaign, which provides thinking of you cards for families who have recently lost loved ones.  Too many families become entrenched in anger and despair following their loss, which has a lasting negative impact on the entire family.

In search of ways to help grieving families the Spiritual Care team at a hospital in Iowa came up with the idea to communicate with the family regarding the impact their loved one had on someone.  The team started to send handwritten notes to families for an entire year following the loss of their family member.  The notes, which are sent by chaplains, nurses, and even other patients, describe how  their loved one made someone else's life better.

The design team at  Taylored Expressions is again organizing this year's Share Joy campaign in which they hope to have more 600 handmade cards donated.  This is one of the cards I am going to contribute.

For My Husband

Norman and I just returned from a Family Life, Weekend to Remember conference in Kansas City. We choose to leave town and really make it a special weekend to remember. We are both very thankful for the gift that made this long desired weekend a reality for us.  

We had a very special time together.  I am so fortunate to have such an amazing husband who loves me so unconditionally.  The Lord's hand of protection and blessing has been on our marriage of 30 years and this was made even more evident to us over the weekend.

As part of the weekend we were asked to write a love letter to our spouse.  This is the card I made for my love letter to Norman.

Joyfully...Stephanye

Happy Birthday

Today is my daughter in-law Christy's 27th birthday.  She lives in Ogallala, Nebraska so I don't get to see her as often as I would like but I am thankful that she is thriving in the place that God has her.  I thank Jesus that she's growing in her walk with Him and being used in others' lives in Ogallala. Love you and miss you, Christy!

Also thankful for the beautiful weather we've been having.  Such a nice change.

Joyfully...Stephanye  

Happy for You

It is hard to believe that it's been a week since my last post.  I've had a busy week - watching my precious grandson Eli, cooking, helping a friend, and crafting with another. I am thankful for the opportunity to spend my days doing what I love.

This card is for my daughter-in-law Mandy who recently received a promotion at work.  I am so proud of how well she's doing in her position.

I colored the clear cling stamped image with Spectrum Noir markers and then added ribbon and card stock.  Nothing fancy, but I am pleased with the pretty simplicity of this card.

Joyfully...Stephanye

Bouquet of Thanks

This pretty purple bouquet sent thanks to my parents.  Thanks for their gift of a kitchen and bathroom remodel for our home.  I colored the digi-print (compliments of Sheri) with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. My mom loves purple, just like her mom, my grandmother Miller did; well maybe not quite as much as grandma Miller but her bedroom is purple just like grandma's.

Joyfully...Stephanye

Just a Note

Here's another card I created with a stamp I used while at Sheri's.  At Sheri's suggestion I used a piece of glossy card stock for the stamp. This was my first time using a glossy paper to make a card.  It is a little tricky to work with as it marks up and scratches fairly easily. However, overall I am pleased with how it looks, even close-up.

I'm learning something new each day I spend time creating.   I really love learning new techniques and Sheri is so sweet to share her tricks with me.  Thanks friend! 

Joyfully...Stephanye 

Smile

My  friend and neighbor Sheri received a few new stamps and dies in the mail and so I stopped by her place to see them Saturday.   Ended up spending a couple of hours at her house playing in her craft space.  Not sure how that happened; haha.  Such fun!  Sheri sent me home with the "smile" circles and here's what I created from the gift. Could be a "just because"  or "Smile, it's your birthday" card.   Looking forward to a full day of stamping, coloring and creating with Sheri.  Hopefully it will be soon!

Joyfully...Stephanye

ROAR

This card is for my grandson Micah who will be 2 years old at the end of February.  Where does the time go?  I'm still having a great time learning to use my Spectrum Noir markers. The lion stamp is one I've owned for some time but never used.  For me the markers have opened up a whole new way to use stamps and create vibrant images!  So much fun!

Joyfully... Stephanye

Happy Valentine's Day

I thought I would post one more Valentine's Day card since it is Valentine's Day.  I am not so big on the commercialism of the various holidays but having special occasions and making cards for those I love is a lot of fun!

This card is a little different in that I used a calendar page as the template. So, it is not really my own unique creation but it was fun to copy, cut, paste and recreate the picture into a card and since I'm not selling the card, that's okay! :)  My husband, the card's recipient, thought it was really awesome, which is all that counts! His love for me is just like the love in I Corinthians 13:7.  I am wonderfully blessed that he chose me.  He makes me happy!  

Joyfully...Stephanye 

Personalized Signature Stamp

I am so excited!  My first personalized signature stamp came in the mail today.  For the ten plus years I have been making cards I have always used a store bought stamp and signed my name on the line.  I thought is was time to create a personalized stamp.  I created the stamp through Vista Print's website. It was pretty straight forward to create and a more importantly a lot of fun!  So excited to use it. Hmmmm,  I wonder who will receive the first card with my new signature?  

Joyfully...Stephanye 

Celebrating Love & Friendship

Valentine's Day is a great time to celebrate love.  Whether its the love of a spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or dear friend it's all very special and something I never want to take for granted. To be loved is a priceless gift.

My sister Rachael is one of my best friends and I created this card for her.  I was really pleased with how it turned out. The heart flower is a single image that I stamped multiple times and then colored with Spectrum Noir markers. The sentiment is from a Hero Arts clear stamp set.  And one of the best things about showing love through card making is the recipient's response of, "pretty and sweet".   Love you Rachael!

Joyfully...Stephanye

Showing Love

What I really enjoy about card making is the love that is shows the recipient. My husband's co-worker just lost her father in-law and right now she is really grieving.  Giving her a special card with a heartfelt note written on the inside shows how much we care.  While the occasion for this card is because of a death, there is joy in its making as it brings some comfort to a hurting friend.

Joyfully...Stephanye

Exciting...

I know it is not Christmas, but today I am posting for the first time on my "just for fun blog",

Pocket Paper Garden.  

My new friend Sheri has a blog for recording all of the beautiful cards that she makes and it is because of her I decided I should blog too! I have enjoyed creating unique, one-of-a-kind cards for many years and I have done such a poor job, until recently, remembering to take pictures of them before they are whisked away by the mail person. It will be fun to share all of my creations with my friends and family, not just the card recipient.

My joy for card making comes from the encouragement and pleasure of the recipient as well as the creativity of making each card different.  While I sometimes make several of the same card that is not my usual style.  I deeply enjoy the process of making each card unique and suited towards the individual receiving the card.  

For the past three years my mom, Dorotheann, has paid me make 20 Christmas cards which she gives as a gift to each of her Bible study ladies. My mom enjoys the gifting of the special cards and each lady receives much pleasure from her handmade gift that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. 

While I know that Christmas is a month behind us, I am sharing a Christmas card today.   Since I make upwards of 35 unique Christmas cards each year I decided to make several each month so my creativity would be fresh for each card.  Speaking of which, I haven't made any Christmas cards for 2015 yet so maybe I will be inspired by my own post.  

Joyfully...Stephanye