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