So Very Thankful....For Everything

Hi there, creative friends!  Welcome by my blog on this new day that the Lord has made.  I guess that I'm just feeling very grateful and aware right now.  We were blessed to have the opportunity to spend last Thursday - Tuesday in Colorado with our (very) pregnant middle daughter and her husband.  It was a lot of fun!  Sunday was a great day at church, lunch with friends, and evening services at our daughter and son-in-law's home/sending church (morning service was at a nearby church where they presented their mission, as they are currently on deputation).  We did some shopping, visited Starbucks a few times, and had fun playing games, cooking, talking, and spending time together.  Anyway...it was a really special visit for all of us.  In just a short time, we will meet our first grandson (second grandchild).  One baby for each of our married children now.  How exciting!  God is SO good, and I'm just feeling so very grateful for so many things in my life.  Life has its struggles for certain, but the blessings always outweigh the burdens by far.  Well, needless to say.....when we got back home, there was so much work to do with the unpacking, laundry, etc.  But, I simply had to get back in my craft room to get creative again.  You know.....to use a few of the new things I bought while we were away....LOL.

There are several challenges taking place right now that I noticed yesterday.  So...with those in mind, I created a couple different cards so that I could play along.  I don't often get time to make cards that aren't for a design team assignment, so this is fun.  For the first card, I used a Bazzill base in a light tan color, then I used some patterned papers from a new patterned paper pad by Maggie Holmes that's called Willow Creek.  The butterflies and stickers are also from this same line.  I used a Frantic Stamper Large Scallop Edger Die Set and wrapped some Gold Metallic String around my card.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  This card is very simple.

My second card uses a mish-mash of patterned papers (mostly Crate Paper or Maggie Holmes lines, of course) that I pieced together.  My "CLEAR" elements include the metal-rimmed vellum tag, the vellum/glassine bag and the vintage scotch tape.  The chipboard umbrella is from the Crate Paper line Poolside.  The sentiment (Hello) is from the same Papertrey Ink set I used on the first card.  I love all these soft, sweet elements together.

Thanks for stopping by today, everyone!  I'm so grateful also for each of you.  Your comments, friendship and support mean so much to me, and I do thank God for y'all as well.  My cup runneth over!

I'm playing along in these FUN challenges:

Moving Along With The Times - Things With Wings - I'm entering my first card in this challenge because of the butterflies.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Stamp It - I stamped the sentiment (Hello Friend) on my first card, and I also stamped the sentiment (Hello) on the second card by using the same stamp set on both.

Simon Says Stamp  Monday Challenge - Something Clear - I'm entering my second card in this challenge because I used some clear vintage scotch tape here and there, a small metal-rimmed vellum/clear tag, as well as a semi-clear vellum/glassine bag that allows you to see that patterned papers beneath it.  Clear elements are cool for that reason.  You can also see the tiny tag that I tucked in the clear bag.

Dar and Diane's Double D Challenge Blog - Featured Challenge With Photo Inspiration - I was drawn to the umbrellas in this photo.

Dare2BArtzy - September Challenge:  Your Favorite Color - As you can probably see in this post...I like to use a lot of teal.  I also like to combine teal and pink together.   Favorite color...probably teal/turquoise or shades thereof.  Favorite color combo...probably have to say teal and pink.