My New Venture.......Pocket Letter

As I've shared many times before I'm always so inspired by what I see on Instagram and Pinterest and back in June I decided to join the Pocket Letter Pals visit us at www.pocketletterpals.com 

For me this is having a childhood Pen pal but on steroids. Why because you're meeting new people while sharing your love of DIY clips, cards, ribbons, button, tea, coffee, Artist Trading Cards and whatever else you agree on. 

So this is one of my first PL created for my Planner Buddy Shirlene 

This is the start of a PL that I sent to one of my new PL Pals who loves Victorian themed pockets and I found this Free printable on Pinterest 

The next 2 pics are of my 2nd PL sent out to a new Pal and I now realize after you create one and receive one; You become hooked do you hear me?? LOL So proceed with caution!!!

This is the front and back of the very first PL I received and needless to say again I was excited and hooked

This is my 2nd PL from my fellow Ohioan and I loved the theme created for the 4th of July!!! 

Now that I've shared my new Hobby with you I hope to hear that you too find this a fun way to interact with others as a new way to use up scrap stash and other creative items.  

Until next time be blessed and be Creative!!!

Random Thoughts of Appreciation

So I have had the pleasure of having these beautifully made Fawndori Notebooks and unfortunately due to illness they've been around the house, to numerous Dr., & therapy appointments and out in the sun on the front porch!!!

Why would I want to share this? Well, as I was sitting here adding my thoughts and revelations of my current situation in life I thought of how I have gone to Florida and been on the beach or climbing the trails at The Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs or walking the Las Vegas strip!!!!! Our memories are life;  they are new horizons, you know factually, there really is more to life than what you may currently be in.

For me my life now is a place of cultivation for the future!!!  Yes cultivating, I may appear stagnant but in fact it's just like a seed in the process of germination. There's something going on but it can't be seen with the naked eye.  It would be awful to be trapped for the rest of your life just because your body may not allow you to walk a great distance, run, jump and play with your children/ grandchildren.  I am discovering that in fact I truly do have a lot to offer myself and all of  those that I come in contact with and likewise I can gleen so much from those that I'm in contact with. 

I pray that as you read this you find that God has a purpose for everyone and I was just sitting down writing in my journal and was struck to share my thoughts with you. 

Be Blessed and as always Be Creative!!!!

There Could Be a Sizzix Big Shot Plus

Hello Everyone,

I was looking around the web trying to see about the We R Memory Keepers Fuse Tool and went to Scrapbook.com only to discover that they are offering not 1.....not 2.....not 3 but 5 Yes, I said 5 winners to this

 

 

 

Awesome Prize package of the new Sizzix Big Shot Plus!!!!   You will get so many goodies from some of our favorite designers Stephanie Barnard, Eileen Hull and Jen Long!!!!  How exciting is that.  So run don't walk on over to Scrapbook.com and sign up for your chance to win on these fantastic prizes and let's get to Creating!!!!

49 and Thankful

 

Hello Everyone, 

 

I've been blessed to see another birthday and I'm so thankful to be doing as well as I am.  I wish I was able to take my traditional birthday trip and share that with you all.  But as the title says I'm 49 and Thankful!!!!!

 

I will be sharing some of my gifts and a few other items that are my REAL life. 

 

 

 

Yes, this is me on my way to church on my birthday to give thanks unto to God for my life, health and strength.  I have to say that for 49 I'm looking pretty well for my age.

 

 

 

 

Here's my Birthday gift from my daughters some Planner goodies from Planner Chick Designs and as you can see they include a birthday goodie for you.  I love Wendy and her team they create the cutest most daintiest products I've found so far. 

 

 

 

 

 

This necklace came from my Aunt and I was surprised that she remembered that it was even my birthday.  She even asked me to make sure which made me chuckle a bit.  She's my Planner Buddy for real as she is the one back in 1983 that started me on my very first Franklin Covey Planner.

Now I make and share Planner Stickers with her all the time. 

 

 

 

 

I tried my hand at creating some feathers to use in my Bible Journaling and my journal.  I think they came out pretty well since I wasn't using any visual reference.  There are a few more things I need to critique about them but I like them and that's all that really matters when you create something as art is truly up to the interpretation of the artist. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I come home and these 2 packages came.  A card with some goodies from my IG friend Bonita and this package of goodies from my Planner Buddy/friend Shirlene.  They took the time to send me something to make my day a little more special and they definitely succeeded in that!!! 

 

 

 

 

This is so beautiful and everything is wrapped so pretty; so I'm definitely going to be keeping the tags and the card and envelope that she created.  What could possibly be in these envelopes?

 

 

Are you looking at all of this????   The Bird Stamp set has been on my wishlist for quite some time. She (Shirlene would probably say this is just a little something) but No this was just I can't even say. I can't wait to use all of these wonderful gifts that my friend gifted me.  Exactly what did I get,  I list is here.   The Bird Stamp,  Page flags from Target, JoAnns and the Mini page flags. Paperclips, Gold Foil stamped cards and  that wonderful cupcake picture and Sticker Books from The Happy Planner Create 365 line from MAMBI.  Please know that I truly love EVERYTHING about my BD package.

 

 

Here's my Happy Planner for the first week of May and I think it's okay.  There's stickers from Planner Chick Designs, The Happy Planner,  and stickers from Victoria Thatcher

 

 

 

If you're going to have a birthday weekend with some of my family members and friends,  I will continue to work on this body so that I will be able to welcome in 50 if God says so.  Well, you all have a great day and I see you next week with some lovely items I made.  As always Be Blessed Be Encouraged and always Be Creative.   

Birthday Month and All the Good Things

 

 

 

Hey Y'all how are you doing today?  I pray you can say all is well and you're busy creating wonderful and awesome projects.  So I've been getting small Acts of Kindness for my upcoming birthday so on our way home from my Dr.'s appointment my friend took me to Michaels and blessed me with these little goodies (insert big smile, happy dance and squeal)  

 

from top L - R Cream cardstock, Crayola paper pad for my grandson Kaiden, American Crafts Faith stamp set, The Happy Planner 365 Create Stickers, Washi tape set from The Happy Planner and those cutsie little flowers 

 

 

 Here's my layout for this week #beforethepen I used various printables from Mindful Planner I love her printables because they are so cute and feminine.  I also used stickers from Planner Chick Designs

 

In this picture you can see my TODAY dashboard and my cute Mint green/black Coleto pen.

 

 

Here's the whole week  and as you can see I have my birthday sticker on Sunday.  So far I don't have any plans but I will just be thankful for being alive and doing as well as I am so far in my life. 

 

 

 

Here's me and Toy my best friend since the 5th grade.  I was so happy to be able to see her and spend time celebrating her Moms 70th birthday.

 

 

 

this is us with the Birthday girl and Toy's grandson

 

 

 I had to share this layout from last week because It's all GOLD and I'm so in love with it!!!!  Thanks to MAMBI The Happy Planner Create 365 Sticker Set for thinking of me when they created this.  Honestly, I never really was blingy but since I got back into using a paper Planner layouts such as this one have been necessary for adding some spice to my weeks.  :)  So tell me do you ever just have to Bling OUT???

 

 I posted a few post back about getting the Illustrated Faith Set Created to Create from Daysprings if you're anything like me when you get some new craft products you have to go ahead and give them a try.  So here's my first entry of the Created to Create Kit.  Check out this post for specifics of the kit.

 

 

Well this is it for now I'm laying on the couch keeping my legs elevated Dr.'s orders until we figure out if I have DVT's  deep vein thrombosis.  Please say a prayer for me and I will see you guys soon.  Drop me a line if you have any questions or want to chime in. 

 

 

UPDATE

 

I don't have

DVT's in either leg Thank God!!!! So I did get my first injection in my Lumbar area and within a few days all of my leg swelling and pain has dissipated and some of the other issues I've been struggling with have also started working right.  I feel so blessed right now but I need to find out how to get and keep these results.  Keep praying for me because this has been very trying and physically exhausting.

  

Be Blessed and stay Creative 

This Verse is ever Present in my Heart

This Scripture keeps coming to me 2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

This scripture has been in my heart and mind for nearly a month now and I repeatedly wrote it in my devotional journal until God spoke to my situation what I am supposed to get from it.

I will say that when you're not well in your body it truly affects the way you are on a daily basis; because some days are horrific and others not so bad. I have had moments when I wanted to give up and throw in the towel. But I thank God for His Son Jesus who died that I might have the strength to endure the pain and suffering of my condition and the stress of not working so no regular income and you have to ask for help in nearly every area of life!!!!

 

So when this scripture stayed in my face that first week+ I was like God what???? Then I started writing it out and then I heard God say I have you as I have in the past but I am going to give you my Strength in your times of weakness because it is then that I Am (Jesus dying on the cross) is made perfect then when I read Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, for me I am a praiser and I have continued to praise God no matter the circumstance. And it ends perfectly with, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. That seals the deal for me knowing that because I held on that I trusted God that I sought him in my times of weakness, that I praised his Name and glorified Him that my reward is His Power may rest upon me.

What scripture has God used to encourage you in your tests and trials of life??

Prince Gone to Soon

From the beginning to the present Prince was and always will be a Vocal and Instrumental musician's musician!!!! He brought us so many wonderful songs, stayed true to his craft, gave his knowledge and influence to other musicians, fought to keep performers from giving up their hardwork and have the music industry professionals take credit.

Prince that you for all that you gave me for staying current and branching out to movies the first week of Purple Rain I saw that movie 10 times and Under the Cherry Moon did it for me!!!!

Gone to soon but Never Forgotten it felt so good to talk to my brother about my love for you and bringing a smile to my face that's why I chose a picture of you smiling. I see the joy in your heart for your craft!!!!!!

Yes, I Guess You Can Say I've Been a Bit Busy

 

Tis the season for showers, birthdays and all the other celebrations that this time of the year brings. I'm sharing my contribution to some deserving souls. 

I was able to complete my first C2C pattern as a Baby shower gift to one of the young ladies at my church.  It has been all over my Facebook Crochet groups and it looked so nice in every different type of yarns.

 

So sorry for the lighting this is my completed C2C baby blanket.  I used Lions Brand Homespun 

  

 

then I had to create something to give to a wonderful young lady and her future hubby-to-be I was browsing through her FB page and found this quote it was perfect as the core of this gift.  So I got a canvas and went to work. First I found a font that I liked printed them out, taped and traced onto the canvas

 

Here's the finished project I drew the heart vines

 

  Both events were a hit and my small part was definitely appreciated. Now I'm able to make something for Me which rarely happens. I'm doing the C2C that's Corner to Corner blanket. I'm finding it to be challenging due to severe numbness and pain, but it will get done. Stay tuned I hope to have it done by my birthday on the 24 of this month.

 

I just stated my birthday is this month so why not celebrate and enjoy every act of kindness that comes my way.  So I saw the Stamp by Recollections on IG and I just had to have it!!!! Will after my Dr's appointment we went to Michaels armed with the IG picture in hand well I spotted that roll of Washi that I've been eyeing for months all over Social media. And the MAMBI sticker book just was the icing on the cake.

Oh yeah, l created this card and envelope set for the surprise birthday I attended. 

So yes, I indeed have been putting in some time to be creative and caring to others while gaining a sense of achievement for myself while fighting for my new position in life since my health is failing me no it's challenging me to find other ways to stay creative and sharing my gifts with those around me and those who have yet to meet me!!!

Go and Be Great!!!!!

 

Bible Journaling and More Goodness

Here's just a few of my pages since I last posted about my study of Grace. You can check out this post.

 

here are a few of my different posts in my Journaling Bible I haven't really journaled in the OT portion of my Bible up to this point but now I have my Illustrated Faith Die cuts and I decided go head and jump in so here's my first post Genesis 1

 

 by far on of my most favorite people in the Bible is the story of Job.  If you ever wonder or asked God why me stop and consider that God chose you because like Job God knows that you are living the life that you were called to live and this is just a test.

 

 

 

 

Here is my entry from March 17 Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. No matter what God is able to keep us even in the midst of our worst storm.

 

 

 

Here are my 2 kits from Illustrated Faith from Daysprings the Created to Create kit which I love so far.  What I love about these kits is that they bring so many different ways that you can use the kits in my journaling.

  

 

and then here's the 2nd kit called the Beautiful Kit

 

 

I can't wait to share with you how I have created words of gratitude to God.  I love to know that I can use my talents to express how His Word is speaking to me.  These kits are cool because they include  

Items in kit:

• 1 devotional booklet (14 devotionals)
• 1 stamp pad
• 1 clear stamp collection with 1 sheet of cut outs enclosed
• 1 roll of washi tape
• 1 package of 3 Scripture sharables
• 1 sticker
• 1 bow clip

 

This is a cool way of getting started in the art of Bible Journaling and it doesn't have to be done in your Bible.  You can journal in a notebook or other homemade booklet of your liking and join me along with many other Believers from around the World. 

 

Until next time stay blessed and stay creative. 

 

 

 

Finding Happiness After..........

 

Hey Y'all, so it's been a few weeks and I've been so busy with showers, funerals, church and Dr's. appointments and then getting sick over the end of last weekend.  So in the next few posts I will share all of my fun times with you. 

 

But today, I wanted to share my feelings on a post I saw this morning.  I was scrolling Instagram and THIS

 

 

 

  Angela Simmons had posted this and it struck a chord in me that prompted this post.  So every once in a while I've talked about being ill since 2012.  I finally had a full diagnosis in 2013, surgery in 2014 after a few hospital stays and several attempts at Physical therapy.  Only to learn a few months later that my surgery was only half way successful.  Needless to say, I was really upset because normally you have surgery it takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal and then you're back to normal.

 

So what happens when that's not your case?  Well for me pain, sleepless nights, a cane, no longer able to work in my field or anything else I have skills for is now my reality.  I had a very difficult time trying to process my new "norm".  When you're used to being on-the-go, not having to ask for help, and so many other things a great for instance is typing this post.  I love to post to my blog and keep in touch with the friends in blog land but this post alone has taken me 3 days to post.   So a 20 to 30 minute task is now taking a ridiculously long time.  You're probably saying then why do it; well I will answer that here shortly.

 

Happiness was found when I became grateful for life. I may have disabilities but I'm still alive.  I may not be able to complete tasks as quickly as before but with patience I can still get the job done.  Although, I don't drive anymore I have wonderful family and friends that do what they can to help me get out the house. 

 

Happiness is in knowing and appreciating that it would've been worse BUT God saw fit to spare you from that.  I'm so glad for all of his love, grace and mercy.  It's knowing that I have my family and friends, that I have cultivated new hobbies that allow me to be creative, I've learned that God has a purpose for everything that has happened in my life. 

 

Happiness is embracing change knowing that there's goodness to come out of it.  That there is wonderful opportunities that will come because you have an expectation of happiness.  Here's my tip, word of encouragement or my drop of knowledge;  never allow change to change your outlook on life, you always have the chance to shine even if the masses don't witness it. 

 

You can't move forward looking back!!!  So You can't find Happiness while being Angry.  Learn that it's YOU not them; that YOUR power doesn't belong to anyone else but YOU.  So stop and take a honest look at self and work on being Happy.  Yes, life may be handing you Lemons but you can turn around and make one heck of a batch of Lemonade that will have everyone wanting to have some of yours while trying to figure out How did you manage that.  

Happiness is a Choice that only YOU are capable of making and sustaining. I pray that you will choose Happiness. Be Blessed and Be Encouraged

Review 18 Scriptures on Grace

 

 

Hey Everyone so happy we're back together and I'm finally done with the Study of Grace. 

I have to confess that I have become even more humbled by what I was introduced to by the Word of God. I now understand that God desires us to have the Gift of Grace but we must desire to and work for it!!!

 

Here are more of my Bible Journaling entries and I walk away from this feeling so humbled in the Love of God towards me.  As I studied these scriptures I thought what if God only sought out the Israelites ONLY?   How would we be in the way of Faith, Salvation, Spiritual relationship and so much more.  Would I be a Muslim, Buddhist or whatever else?   

 

 

 

 

 

In my review of the 18 Scriptures regarding Grace here are the points that stood out to me

• Grace is a gift through the Redemption that is Christ Jesus
• I asked myself this question after reading Acts 6:8 How can I serve in the Grace that God granted me?  Stephen was willing to do whatever it takes to please God.  So should I have that same desire as Stephen to do whatever, however and for whomever I have the chance to serve.
• It's important not to become caught up in the hype of church instead we should follow good teaching and suffering for the Kingdom is how you grow in GRACE
• Praying to God the Father needs to include Our Faith so that we can walk away knowing that God is Going to answer our prayers
• We must remain humble in order to obtain the Gift of Grace. Don't allow ourselves to become high and mighty as God loves a Pure heart.
• God gave us talents and gifts with great knowledge and power But we must make sure that we take all of that and give it back to God in our service of others.

There's so much more to this but what I do want you to know is that it's up to each of us as Believers to serve others with a pure heart and an open mind because at the end of the day we owe God everything. 

If you find my posts on the Study of Grace and would like to study the scriptures I used please let me know.  May you be blessed and stay creative. 

Starting the New Year with GRACE

I never choose a word for the Year but this year God put the word GRACE in my heart.  I made mention of this in a previous post but I wanted to share the 18 scriptures that I found about Grace.  In sharing these verses with you please know that God purposely places messages in our hearts for the growth, peace and renewing of our strength. 

I pray that you may pick up your Bible rather it be on your Mobile Device, Tablet or Laptop!!! Here are the 18 scriptures I've been studying and Journaling about in my Journaling Bible.  If you are moved please take time to read these scriptures so that it will bless your life as it is blessing mine. 

Esther 2;16-20                2 Corinthians 12:8-10                Romans 3:20-24
John 1:14                        Romans 1:1-5                            Acts 6:8
Ephesians 4:7                 Hebrews 13:9                             Ephesians 2:8-10
2 Peter 1:2                      Hebrews 4:16                             1 Peter 4:10
James  4:6                      2 Corinthians 8:7                        Titus 2:11
Romans 6:14                  Romans 11:6                               Acts 15:11

Here are a few of my entries so far, I hope they will inspire you to grab your Bible and a notebook and get right into the Word of God.  Tip:::  Pray asking God to give you understanding of the scriptures that you're reading and how can you apply them to your life. 

This isn't every entry but I just wanted to share some of my journaling with you.  There are times that I actually Journal what God places on my heart after I study the Word but I mostly put that on paper or as you see the Chosen card has the thoughts that God gave me. 

Be Blessed and Stay Creative.