Beautiful Color Combinations

How wonderful are all the beautiful colors God has given us.  I just love to see  inspiration challenges that combine beautiful colors together.  Of course, it always helps when the Design Teams take those lovely colors and inspires you so wonderfully.  Such is the case in the current challenge at The Shabby Team Room where they have inspired you to use beautiful shades of cream/white along with blue, pink and also bring in flowers and fabric.  What a lovely combination, and DO stop by to check out the DT inspiration.  It will surely make you want to play along.  And, to make it even more wonderful (if that's possible), just wait until you see their generous prize this week from the wonderful sponsor, Just Rite Stamps.

Here is the color inspiration photo:

I decided to use some new Crate Paper Pretty Party collection patterned papers, chipboard embellishments and goodies I just got in the mail from an order I placed at Emma's Paperie.  I also used some vintage trims, PTI jute, The Twinery's Bakers Twine, a Kaiser Crafts wooden dress form, a couple of October Afternoon stickers, some machine stitching, and a vintage dress pattern on the base.  This is my card.

And here is the link to the challenge at The Shabby Tea Room.  They would love to have you play along.
http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2012/05/week-116-color-me-pretty.html - Week #116 - Color Me Pretty

http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/simon-says-anything-goes.html - Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

http://youngcraftersunite.com/2012/05/challenge/ - Challenge #10 at Young Crafters Unite - Flowers or a Flower Image - On this one, mine are flower images, and very pretty ones at that.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I hope you have time to check out these challenges as well as our current challenge at Word Art Wednesday - having YOU there makes all the difference.  You are a blessing to me.

Karen

Buttons and Bows

Another day, another new card, and few more new challenges as well.  Sometimes I ask myself why I keep trying.  It's all in fun.  At least I would have to say that if I no longer find it fun, I shouldn't keep crafting.  Since I continue to spend my children's inheritance on scrapbooking supplies (LOL...just kidding), I had better enjoy it.  I do love making cards and scrapbooks.  It's just been a bit more of a chore since I've been "on the mend", and I'm really looking forward to seeing by best friend, Patti Lyn, this summer and crafting with her.  Now, that's FUN.

This is my Design Team card for this week's new challenge over at Word Art Wednesday where I have posted some exciting news about our upcoming challenges and secondary sponsors.  We would be delighted to have you join our weekly challenges there.

I am also going to enter my little card in the following challenges:

http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/simon-says-anything-goes.html - Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes


http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/2012/05/add-ribbon.html - Crafts and Me Challenges #57 - Add a Ribbon

http://youngcraftersunite.com/2012/05/challenge/ - Challenge  #10 at Young Crafters Unite/Flowers - Either Flowers or Flower Images.  I did both.  What a fun challenge - everybody loves flowers.  Here is their challenge image:

Thank you for stopping by today, and for being such a constant source of encouragement to me.  I am so grateful for the friends I've made here in blog land.  I enjoy visiting your blogs as well, and want you to know that I am grateful for each one of you who stops by to visit.  Have a blessed day.

Hugs,
Karen

A Big Congrats 2 U

I made this little card for a friend of mind who just found out she is expecting a baby girl.  She and her husband have been trying for quite some time to have a baby, and she always dreamed of (and prayed for) having a sweet little girl.  She just found out that her prayers have been answered.  So, I thought I'd make this little card for her.  How exciting!  I remember those days in my life.  Now, I'm just enjoying my kids at 12, 19 and 25, and looking forward to grandchildren.

I learned of a wonderful challenge, and really wanted to enter it.  Kimberly has a beautiful blog, and sells the most precious seam binding and other goodies on her lovely blog.  Check it out  by clicking here:  The Craft Spot - You will thoroughly enjoy her blog, her challenges, and her beautiful embellishments for making cards.

 

Here is her challenge link:
http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/2012/05/monday-challenge-56-congratulations.html - Challenge #56 - Congratulations

I'm also entering these fun challenges:

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2012/05/make-it-monday-67-step-it-up-mixing-patterned-papers.html - Papertrey Ink Make it Monday #67 - Step it Up: Mixing Patterned Papers

http://www.stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2012/05/challenge-140-ephesians-429.html - Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Build Up Your Card

 

I wanted to share one last thing before I sign off today.  As some of you know, I've been struggling with my foot (recovering from surgery), and I found today that I have an infection in my incision (I think from swimming the other day), and I also fell down the stairs yesterday and hurt my right leg.  With all these aches and troubles with my right leg, I've been feeling "down" lately.  Then, today while at the McDonalds drive-through getting my iced coffee, I saw a man with no right leg.  He was going into the restaurant.  It put things in perspective for me.  I will just guess that the man would love to be in my situation with aches and troubles with his right leg, but instead he has no right leg/foot.  It made me very humbled and very thankful that I have a right leg to even have these troubles.  God really showed me that I cannot take anything for granted, and that He is in control.  Others suffer too, often times more than we do.  We need to count our blessings, and pray for the needs of others.  I know I will get better.  I'm SO thankful.

My Cup Runneth Over,

Karen

Life is Difficult

Oh my, life is certainly difficult.  I hate to complain, because God has been SO good to me in every way.  I'm recovering from my surgery and getting stronger each day, my family has been wonderful, my life is filled with blessings, and I have a happy life.  But it sure is difficult when Satan digs his way in there and tries to get us to doubt God's love and plan for us.  I was coming down the stairs, which is tricky for me anyway because of my foot, and I slipped and fell.  I hurt my knee pretty badly.  I immediately called out to God for help.  I begged for His healing, His hand of comfort, and His love.  He heard me and gave me the ability to walk downstairs to the couch.  I'm laying here with ice on my knee, but I'm in a decent amount of pain.  I am just praying that there is no significant damage.  I KNOW that God is in control.  Life is difficult, and I could never do it with out Him.

I made this Father's Day card for my Dad.  He is a pilot, retired from the Air Force, so I thought it was fitting for him.  I hope he likes it.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/make-it-monday-67-participants.html - PTI Make it Monday #67 - Step it Up/Mixing Patterned Papers.  I used my PTI star border punch.

http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/simon-says-fathers-dayspecial-male.html - Simon Says Stamp - Fathers Day/Special Man

http://www.stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2012/05/challenge-140-ephesians-429.html - Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge #140 - Build Up Your Card

http://www.marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2012/05/blog-hop-winners-speedyfox-and-friends.html - Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge #108 - Father's Day

Thank you for stopping by to take a look.  I greatly appreciate your prayers.  You are all such a tremendous blessing in my life.

Hugs,
Karen

Trust in the Lord

This week at Word Art Wednesday the free scripture/word art is Psalm 62:8 which speaks of TRUST.  God's Word has much to say about trust.  As humans, we tend to want to take comfort in the things we know; such as people, place or memories that make us comfortable.  But God's Word tells us that we need to trust in Him.  God can give us strength when we are weak, a place to hide when we are scared, peace when we are worried, and it pleases Him when we place our trust in Him.  I hope that you will stop by Word Art Wednesday and play along in this week's challenge.

The Sister Site to Word Art Wednesday is Stampin' Sisters in Christ and their challenge this week is being sponsored by Tami Mayberry Stamps. I couldn't resist in playing along. Tami's stamps are absolutely darling. Here is the link to their challenge:

http://www.stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2012/05/challenge-140-ephesians-429.html - Stampin  Sisters in Christ - Challenge #140 - Build Up Your Card

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/make-it-monday-67-participants.html - Papertrey Ink - Make it Monday #67 - Mixing Patterned Papers.  I used my wonderful PTI heart border on this card and used three different patterned papers.

http://www.each-card-tells-a-story.blogspot.com/2012/05/sow-what.html - Scripture Sunday Link-Up #2.  My friend Wendy has a wonderful new scripture link-up and I want to play along in her challenge because she has been such a blessing to us at Word Art Wednesday, and to me personally.

Never fail to trust in Him.  It's the only thing that I can count on 100% of the time.  People with disappoint you, memories will fade, places and situations change, but the love of the Lord is forever. Trust in Him.

Bessings,
Karen

Feeling "Sketchy"

This week, I had the pleasure of discovering Tami Mayberry's Stamps and I absolutely fell in love with them.  I hope you will click on the link and check out all of her adorable stamps.  Tami also founded Card Positioning Systems where you can find all kinds of intriguing and challenging sketches to work with.  I decided to play along in the current challenge there, and really had fun with her sketch.  I'm sure she would love to have you stop by and play along.

http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/2012/05/reader-ideas-week-5202012.html - Card Positioning Systems - Challenge #266

Here is the sketch that got me "Feeling Sketchy":

And here is my card:

http://www.stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2012/05/challenge-140-ephesians-429.html - Challenge #140 - Layering Patterned Papers.  This challenge just happens to also be sponsored by Tami Mayberry Stamps, so I would be so thrilled to win.

I'm also entering this card in the challenge at Simon Says Stamp.
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/simon-saysclean-simple.html - Clean & Simple

And, Simon Says Stamp & Show Vintage Challenge Blog:
http://www.simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/2012/05/simon-says-stamp-and-show-summer.html - Summer Holiday - Our family LOVES to bicycle in the summer.

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/make-it-monday-67-participants.html - Papertrey Ink Make it Monday - Combining Patterned Papers

http://www.justjingle.blogspot.com/2012/05/coffee-in-jar-sure.html  - Gift Giving - This card was made for my girlfriend who I love to bicycle with.  Since my foot surgery, I've been unable to bike with her, but I know we will be back out on the road together soon.  I didn't use a Stampendous product on this project, but not because I don't LOVE them.  They truly have amazing products, and I'm sure you could find something lovely if you contact her through her link above.

Yesterday was my first day back in the pool since my surgery, and it felt SO GOOD to swim. I haven't attempted bicycling yet, but I know I'm getting stronger every single day. I guess that being 40 something doesn't lend itself to as quick a recovery as one would like; and especially in the foot. I was encouraged yesterday to know that it's not just me - it's just a slow recovery process.

I thank you for stopping by today, and hope you're all doing well, and that you're counting your blessings.

My Cup Runneth Over,
Karen

My Cup Runneth Over

When I first started my blog, I knew that I wanted to call it "My Cup Runneth Over" because of how gracious the Lord has been to me.  I want to let the world know how incredibly grateful I am to Him for all the blessings in my life.  Little did I know back then just how much He would continue to bless me through this little blog of mine.  I have had the opportunity to meet some of the nicest people through crafting, and God has just continued to show me His goodness and provision.  My cup continues to overflow with blessings.  I SO appreciate the kindness of others who share their God-given talents through various outlets, and I give Him ALL the glory for the good things in my life.  I just can't even begin to tell you how many lovely people I've met.  Praise God for continuing to allow my cup to run over with His goodness.

The challenge at JustRite Challenge Blog calls for the use of a shape other than your typical square, and you also have to use JustRite stamps. I  used their Nature's Nested Sentiments Stamp Set and chose to make this house-shaped project.  It holds a photo on the other side, along with hidden journaling.  In their last challenge, I think I was the only one who entered that didn't win ANYTHING.  Talk about disappointment.  So, I'm trying it again.  Here is the link to their challenge.  http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/05/justrite-friday-challenge-073-anything-but-square.html - JustRite Friday Challenge #073

I also decided to make a second entry at Papertrey Ink's Blog by Nichole Heady where the challenge is to make your own flowers by cutting a border die from felt and rolling them into rosettes.  I used their heart border and their wool felt.  I just love this soft look.  Here is the link to their challenge.  http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/make-it-monday-66-participants.html%20  - PTI Make it Monday Challenge #66

A favorite challenge every week for me is Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog which is another one I've never won, but trying diligently to achieve.  When at first you don't succeed, try - try again.  Here is their link:  http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/simon-saysclean-simple.html - Clean and Simple Challenge

I also love the Vintage Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge Blog.  Here is their link so that you can play along in their challenge.  http://www.simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/2012/05/hello-everybody-thank-you-for-playing.html - Anything Goes

I love the challenges at Pile it On.  Not only do they have awesome sponsors and great inspiration from their Design Team, but you don't have to worry about how many different challenges you enter with your project.  Here is a link to their fun challenge blog:  http://www.pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/pile-it-on-20-clean-and-simple.html - Clean & Simple Challenge

I think that covers it for challenges.  I just really want to express my gratitute to all of you who stop by my little blog each week and leave comments.  It lifts my spirits and encourages me, and I am always happy to do the same for each of you.  I hope you're all enjoying your week, and please let me know if I can pray for you or be of  help to you in any way.  God is SO GOOD for allowing us all to meet and share our art.

My Cup Runneth Over,

Karen