The Bard of Avon...and Health

I love this Shakespeare quote and use it frequently to create get well cards. Today's Ways to Use It challenge on SCS was to 'Frame' it. This large sentiment makes a dynamic statement, don't you think? I used I Brake for Stamps bamboo frame inked and embossed with Tim Holtz distressing products. The quote was stamped on PTI vintage cream paper with VersaFine Sephia ink. I managed to cut into the yummy Amy Butler paper for the background, cutting an extra peony to use on the frame. It was UTEE'ed for dimension.

This card is also for Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge #62 in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Scripture: Psalm 73:26, "My health may fail, My spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever." And that has me thankful for the wealth of my health. You can't buy well-being, it is something that is given to you from above. And our attitudes can be sweet content if we remember that.

My prayer today is that you would feel the peace that good health brings.

Delicious Autumn

I've forgotten which Challenge Blog I saw this sentiment last week, but I couldn't resist ordering George Eliot's quote from Prickley Pear. Autumn is my very favorite season and I am holding out for a few more weeks of glorious leaves. The Memory Box Twiggy paper group was perfect for my card. I added a bird and globe to carry the theme of flying the world over to chase successive autumns. Almost like modern day storm chasers.

George Eliot was Mary Ann Evans' pen name. She is said to taken the name of a male to garner more respect for her work. She is the author of MiddleMarch, Silas Marner, and The Mill on the Floss. The quote I used, in case it is hard to read:

Delicious

Autumn!

My very soul is

wedded to it.

and if I were

bird I would

fly about the

earth seeking

the successive

autumns.

I hope today you will be able to enjoy another lovely autumn day!

I am praying for you...Momento Mori

I couldn't resist creating a card for this weeks Tuesday Trigger Challenge over on Moxie Fab World. The inspiration photo was of an old gravestone. I loved the slightly out of focus image and the shape of the focal. I also wondered about the person whose final resting home was under that stone marker.

I used a fabulous paper from Memory Box 'Twilight' collection which really set the scene! Stampington's Triptych Arch with it's spires seemed just the right home for my praying angel. I added bits of vintage lace trim in the arches. The angel (Diva Impressions unmounted) was stamped three times. Once for the base, again to pop her out of the frame and lastly for another set of wings (this time stamped on vellum). She is colored with Copics. I added copper staples at the bottom, another set of three. Don't you think the sentiment, from Wordsworth belonged in my cemetery?

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by. Have a blessed week.

Inspired Prayer

I've wanted to do a Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge for quite awhile. And this was the week. The scripture was Matthew 6:9-13, which contains the Lord's prayer. This prayer is considered a model of how we should approach God. There are many types of prayer just as there is times for prayer. I truly carry everything to HIM in prayer.

the reward...

Yeah, I love to combine challenges! And the Inspiration Challenge on SCS and the 365 Card Day 237 Stamp on a Card and Envelope matched up perfectly tonight. When I saw Leah Giberson's series of travel trailer posters, I knew I had to give it a go using stamps and paper to recreate her wonderful work.

I used the Inkadinkadoo clear Travel Trailer set for my envelope flap, a border stamp of 5 different trailers and the largest trailer for the card. The lawn lounge is a Stampa Barbara image that I cut down from the chaise I used in my 'As the leaves turn'... card to make a chair. It is always nice when a stamp can serve double duty. If you are interested in the specifics of products used on

this card, please go here.

There is a wonderful blog that has showcased the Sisters on the Fly. They are a group of women who have restored travel trailers and have joined together to celebrate a love of fishing. Check out this blog posting, you won't be sorry! Or how about the 'We Can Do It, Ladies'. These gals have me thinking...maybe we could start a group of stampin' artists pulling up trailers all 'round the country. I can think of only one real limitation.....space for all the stuff we need to create!

Happy Weekend, dear readers.

Finding my first blogged Christmas Card

for Amy's Flashback Friday Challenge 4.0!

Other fun around the blog~o~sphere, is Amy's Flashback Friday Challenge. This week is 4.0. You should find your first blogged Christmas card and re post it to your blog (not make a link).

I found mine back in November 2008. It was for a Sketch Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers

I find sketches are the my bugaboo. Think that comes from when I was young and you always heard, "STAY in the LINES"! I climbed outta the box back then and still find that's where I want to play. You either get my art or not. I am not one for the trends. Oh, don't get me wrong, I like to see where colors, patterns, design might be heading...I'll use it as a chance to turn and go the other way! Does that make sense? Perhaps it is I've arrived at an age where I am well satisfied with what I have and I see ways to make the old things fresh. That gives me an idea to dig out this stamp and create something new....back later...

And to my 'old' friend, Amy....thanks girl!

Susan's Letter

I love collage. I love all the little fiddly bits, that lying on your table seem like a mess waiting to be put away. But with a practiced eye can become so much more when joined together. I don't really know how well I 'do' collage, but I do know when it 'feels' I've gotten it right. And some- times it means sleeping on a project and coming back to it with fresh eyes. Today's' card for the Friday challenge on SplitCoast is such an example. You were to create a flap card. I thought an envelope was just the ticket.

The romantic image is from a retired Stampin Up set called Friendship's Journey. My Dear Susan letter stamp was a gift from my BFF before there was all these abbreviations for best friends forever! Of course a letter writer much have a fountain pen and a bottle of India Ink, part of a wonderful collection of writing accessories from Invoke Arts, Pens and Nibs. Other details, if you are interested are in my gallery on SCS.

Happy Fall and Friday, all. May you have lots of time for creating this weekend.