Thursday, July 25, 2013

I Am So Blessed

I can't even begin to tell you how VERY blessed I am, and I thank all of you for your birthday wishes as I celebrated my 48th Birthday on Tuesday, July 23.  This is the birthday card I received from my best friend of 40+ years, Patti Lyn.  I just received her box today filled with all kinds of darling scrapbooking goodies.  She is so talented, and I always love her cards.  But better yet, I am SO blessed by her amazing friendship and the love we share.  We had such an amazing visit this summer, and we're already looking forward to the next time we can get together and enjoy one another's company.  It's always worth the wait, and I thank God for her dear friendship.
The patterned papers are some that we picked up at one of our favorite scrapbook stores in Pine City, Minnesota.  It's called the Pine City Scrapbooking Company, and not only do they have an AMAZING store, but they also have a fabulous retreat where you can stay in log cabins (with all modern luxuries) to scrapbook and vacation in Minnesota.  If you ever want to go, COUNT ME IN!  They always have the latest and greatest scrapbook supplies and a great retreat center.  We bought these papers while we were there in July.  She also used a small glassine bag from The Kraft Outlet, a Papertrey Ink die-cut (happy), some paper flowers, some silk ribbon, a Tim Holtz safety pin ring that I LOVE (and can't find ANYWHERE, so if anyone knows where I can purchase them, please let me know), and a tiny tags heart also from Papertrey Ink.   She's as crazy about machine stitching as I am.
 
I'm sharing this card in the following challenges:
 
The Shabby Tea Room - Challenge #176 - Fresh Summer Breeze
 
The Ribbon Reel Challenge Blog - Challenge #58 - Rose Cottage
 
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge Blog - Challenge #76 - Sizzlin' Summer Colors
 
Paper Crafting Journey - Challenge:  Punches and/or Die-Cuts - The small hanging heart is a die-cut as well as the word "happy"
 
Simon Says Stamp & Show Vintage Challenges - Challenge #58 - Celebrate - This card was made to celebrate my birthday, and I am SO VERY grateful for my BFF and all those who sent me birthday wishes to help me celebrate!
 
Have a blessed week, and please remember that above all else, GOD IS SO GOOD and He loves you unconditionally (enough to die for you), and it is my sincere hope that you will draw close to Him and call on Him now to be your savior, and your friend, and your God.  Your life will be SO BLESSED when you do.  I wish that for you all more than anything else.
 
Hugs,
Karen

20 comments:

  1. Happy Belated Birthday, Karen! What a gorgeous card from Patti Lynn - but as you say the true gift is the friendship you share over so many years. That itself is a blessing. I am so grateful to be able to participate in your inspiring challenge. It's a joy to read your posts in which God in glorified in art. Thank you for visiting me, for leaving such kind heartfelt comments and for your prayers. May you always be blessed by our Saviour's presence in everything you do.
    hugs, Asha
    Sunny Summer Crafts

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  2. Just so beautiful Karen. Loving the mix of design papers and the wonderful shabby chic feel.
    Hugs
    DesĂ­re
    {Doing Life – my personal blog}

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  3. Hi there, friend and sister in the Lord? What did I miss your Birthday? So sorry but wanted to greet you---A BLESSED BELATED BIRTHDAY! You are such a blessing to me and the rest of the WAW team that we could have gotten together if we only live close by...LOL Anyway, I know that you enjoyed your vacation and God's blessings will continue to flow in your life. Hugs, always!

    JO ANN

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  4. Hi Karen,

    First, I would like to wish you a happy Belated Birthday. I hope it was a fun one.

    Thank you so very much for all your kind words on my Birdie Bear Hug card. I can't tell you what that meant to me. You were also my 100th follower, so I was very excited about that. I took your advice and I entered my card in both the challenges you suggested. I also became a follower of those two blogs, as well as yours. I'm looking forward to browsing through yours, but wanted to leave you a comment first.

    Thank you again...you are a very sweet person.

    Susan

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  5. Happy Belated Birthday. God bless you always. Super sweet card your friend made for you.

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  6. Belated happy birthday Karen - that is one sweet card :-) Your friend is very talented.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  7. Happy belated bday mine was the 25th, but our anniversary was on Tuesday. The card is gorgeous - keep the friend.

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  8. Wow I just knew that was your card. You and your BFF have the same style, how sweet is that! Happy Belated birthday Karen. Do like I do celebrate the entire month. Miracles and Blessings for another year

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  9. Well now Miss Karen, I missed your birthday and I am saddened, I will however, recover. I have to think about what to do. Happy Birthday Woman of God, it may be late but it's heartfelt and sent with His Love on a prayer.
    Carole

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  10. Happy belated birthday, Karen! You are so blessed to have an awesome friend like Patti Lyn! Her card is super gorgeous!

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  11. Stunning card, you have a very talented BFF. Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing it with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Hugs, Sandra

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  12. Gorgeous!! Hi Karen, and Happy Belated Birthday!! I'm so glad you stopped by my blog today, such sweet comments! I'm a new follower here, and look forward to seeing more of your creations. xoxo~Cheryl

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  13. A beautiful card Karen. A very Happy Belated Birthday to you,I'm sure you had a gorgeous day filled with all the blessings that you truly deserve....Hugs

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  14. Gorgeous shabby card......Thank you so much for sharing this with us in the Tea Room !

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  15. This is a lovely card and that loveliness must be a reflection of your friendship! What a blessing! Happy birthday!

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  16. Happy Birthday Karen! You are blessed to be so loved! Your card is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing it with us at The ribbon Reel!

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  17. Happy belated birthday. We share July birthdays, but mine is earlier in the month. :-) OK, I have no idea what a Tim Holtz Safety Pin Ring is. I'd love to see a picture!! This card is just beautiful!! Thanks for joining our Sizzlin’ Summer Colors with Ribbon Challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon!! ~ Blessings, Tracey

    http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/

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  18. Nice! I love the stitching and the papers.
    Thanks for joining the Paper Crafting Journey Challenge!
    Hugs, Jacqueline

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  19. Happy Belated birthday, Karen! Hope you enjoy your year! I just love the pattern papers you chose and your beautiful layout!! Thanks for joining TRR!

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  20. Totally, utterly gorgeous Karen and a very happy belated birthday to you. Thank you so much for joining us at The Ribbon Reel!

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