Friday, January 2, 2015

Just Because....New Beginnings

It's exciting to start a fresh new year because it's filled with possibility; and the hopes of having a new beginning.  We had our share of sorrows in 2014.  I lost my Dad in June, and my sister Audra in October.  I can't say that I've "gotten over it", ad quite honestly, I don't think you ever really just "get over it" when it comes to a loss that deep.  It impacts SO much of our daily lives, and things are not the same without them.  But a new year is a time for new beginnings; and I'm very excited to see what God has in store for our family in the coming year.  For one thing, we will be having a wedding in July when our middle daughter, Alicia (who we call Lily), marries the love of her life, Nathan.  They have been called to the mission field to tell people about the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  But for the next five years, they will be living in California since Nathan was offered a five-year commitment from the Bible College they attend.  He will be teaching for them.  Yes, he is THAT smart, and that good of a guy.  So, how blessed are we?  I simply CANNOT and WILL NOT complain.  God is SO good.  We know that Daddy and Audra are in Heaven.  We don't need to worry about them.  It's just the fact that we miss them OH, SO much!  We can only look forward to all that God has planned for each of us in the new year.
OK.....so after all that rambling, my goal for this post was really to share a card that I whipped up this morning.  I got some sweet new Pebbles Floral Lane Dimensional Stickers for Christmas, and wanted to create a couple of cards with them.  This one uses some older patterned papers I had on hand, the Pebbles sticker that I used to attach a (Just Because) Pebbles rub-on, some gems, machine stitching, painted and glittered bells, baker's twine, leaves, and Vintage Street Market's vintage scotch tape.  Here is a close-up of the painted and glitter-frosted bells.  You can clearly see that they're NOT perfect!
I'm going to enter my card in a few challenges where it fits the theme, as follows:

Classy Cards 'N Such Blog - Challenge #65 - Time For A New Year - As explained above, the new year is about new beginnings.  This card is going to a friend who also had a difficult year in 2014, and I'm trying to encourage her that 2015 is filled with new possibilities.  I used a couple of great products carried at CCNS including their ultra-fine Crystal Ice Glitter, Colored Rhinestones and sweet Baker's Twine.  I also included "bling" by using gems and glitter.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes" - This is my 5th and final entry this week.
 
Thanks SO much for stopping by today.
 
God bless you,
Karen

11 comments:

  1. This is so beautiful. Happy New Year. So sorry for all your loss this last year but it looks like this year things will be looking up.

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  2. superbe! très joli ces grelots rose...biz

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  3. Love, love this card. The pink and the little bells are perfect. Thanks for joining us in the Classy Cards 'n Such Challenge.

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  4. Hi Karen. I was thinking of you over the holidays and how you lost two loved ones this year. I knew your holidays would be difficult at times and my heart went out to you and your family. On New Years I thought of you again and wished for you a good 2015.
    Funny how we make blogging buddies that we think of over the holidays. You were one of my first followers and you have always encouraged me. I hope you realize how much your sweet comments mean to so many people.
    Thank you for all you do.
    Big hugs and happiness in 2015!

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  5. Hi Karen, your card is wonderful. I love all the text and the stitching. Wishing you a joyful 2015 x

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  6. Pretty colors and I love those little bells. Thanks for playing with us at the Classy Cards 'n Such Challenge this week! -Jenny, CCNS DT

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  7. Karen, your card is so cute, I love the pink jingle bells. Thank you for playing the Classy Cards N Such challenge.

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  8. Karen this is beautiful - I love those cards we make when we are just having fun!
    Hugs and prayers
    Maxine

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  9. What a great card to ring in the New Year! The bells add the perfect touch to your card! Thank you so much for joining us at Classy Cards 'n Such!

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  10. Love this so much. How cute! Love the painted and sparkly bells! Such a different and creative design! Once again, I'm glad to see you share your beautiful work with us at Classy Cards 'n Such! Thank you! Hugs.

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  11. Gorgeous card Karen! So pretty and feminine, and beautifully embellished.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    hugs
    Mandy xx

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Thanks for your comments. They mean so much to me.