...All flowers keep the light

This card was sent to smARTworks for the contest that used to be held quarterly for free stamps. However, due to lack of participation, the contest is no longer. Susan Trask, the owner, kindly gave gift certificates the one other participant and me - just in time for her new release of stamps, here.

I used opalite inks (I just love those), and when the light hits the card, the shimmer is wonderful ... pictures just don't capture it. The flower in the center is covered with tiny, no-hole glass beads.

A Partridge (???) in a Pear Tree

I wasn't really happy with the colors I chose ... or the quality of the markers I had on hand ... but this card really does look better than the picture shows it; that clashing red is actually a dark pink.

BUT ... at least I did not take forever to color the card. Normally I take ridiculously long choosing the colors for a project like this. But this time, I decided to just use whatever color seemed right without over-analysing. So, in a sense, it was a good card for me, even though I won't be selling it or giving it to anyone. It also made me realize that it's time to get some decent markers, lol!

This stamp comes from Eureka, and shipping is free this month!

Our light has come!

A camera without batteries is rather useless! Our rechargeable batteries seem to have died, so although I have a couple of cards, I can't photograph them, and they don't scan well. So, I thought I would post this card, my favorite from last year. With time being short before the Houghton Christmas craft fair, I need cards that are either simple, or in this case, duplicates of ones I've made before. I really don't like to make the same card more than once, and when I do, I try to alter it at least a little bit. But I was really pleased with this card, and fortunately, I made an extra circle image last year, so I won't bother altering the design!

The gold embossed circle is colored with opalite inks. When using these on embossed image, apply sparingly; the opalite ink will cause the embossed portion to break down. :-(

Watoto Children's Choir

We're having company stay the night tonight: Three teen/pre-teen boys and their "uncle" (chaperone), part of an exhuberant and inspiring group of orphaned children from Africa. Watoto came to our church two years ago, and it was a wonderful time! We had three little girls and their "auntie" for that visit, and the auntie was incredibly inspiring to my three teen children who were home. She spent the evening after the concert encouraging them in their faith to choose a deep walk with God instead of a shallow one. They still remember it...

The Watoto Children’s Choir’s have toured internationally since 1994. These choirs bring a message of hope to many parts of the world which include countries such as Uganda, Australia, Canada, UK, USA, South Africa, Brazil, Israel, Germany and France. The choir is made up of children who are part of Watoto’s program.

Accompanied by adult choir leaders from KPC, Watoto’s performances are a soulful blend of African rhythm, contemporary gospel and ethnic dance. Through their music the choir share their unique stories and express their new found hope. The children’s energy and sincerity continue to inspire audiences all around the world.

The choir performs to present Watoto’s vision and to give audiences the opportunity to respond to Africa’s HIV/AIDS and war crisis.

‘Concerts of Hope’ are a lively demonstration of the life changing love of God experienced by the children of Watoto.
This experience, gives the children exposure to other cultures broadening their world view. It gives the children confidence and boldness and helps them to rise up out of their own situations of sadness and despair.

Last of the quilt cards!

This one is probably my favorite, even though it's one of the simplest I did. I had a really, really hard time choosing a text for it, until I happily remembered this stamp from smARTworks. Perfect!

Time does not erase...

Surprise visit tonight from one of my college children, oh happy day! Off to visit with her some more...

Well with your soul

I was thinking of the hymn, "It is well with my soul" when I created this stamp. If you don't know the hymn and the story behind it, I hope you'll click on the link and read about it. Knowing the tragedy of the writer of those words, would remind anyone receiving a card like this that even in the worst of the worst circumstances in our lives, we can have that "peace like a river," that assurance that God is in control, and has not forgotten us...