Halloween Pillow Boxes

Hi there! I'm back with another quick and easy project for Halloween treats. This week, we're creating with The Cutting Cafe's pillow boxes. I chose to work with the Halloween Pillow Boxes.

There is also a Witch Hat Pillow Box in this set, but I only needed three :)

I'd like to point out the large white button on each of the pillow boxes. I created them using air dry clay and a mold I won from Becky's Blog. Thank you so much Becky!!! I've been molding away and will have other projects to show using my goodies soon :)

Thank you for stopping by to take a peek! Also check out the awesome projects my teamies have made on The Cutting Cafe's Blog!!!

Ton and tons of love to each and every one of you, my sweet friends ♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul ~

Monster Mash!!!

This week at The Cutting Cafe, we are showcasing Halloween projects! I'm not really into Halloween (although as a kid I could bring in the candy!). I'm also not opposed to purchasing bags of candy and giving them to the kiddos :) I don't mind eating the leftovers either...

I decided that I'd use A Bunch of Monsters Printable Stamp Set to create a few sets of cards. They can be used for various occasions as the sentiments are not Halloween specific!

The first set says, "EYE think you're AWESOME"

The second set says, "Happy Birthday To My Little Monster..."

The third set says, " MONSTER HUGS"

Each set of cards uses The Cutting Cafe's Candy Corn Background Printable Set and the monster is filled in with Glossy Accents and Martha Stewart Glitter.

This set also uses Crazy Candy Corn Printable Set which I used as a banner!

The eyes are filled with Glossy Accents, the mouth and tongue are colored with copic markers, and the white 'stitching' is my new White Uniball Signo Pen which I absolutely LOVE!!!

Thank you for stopping by to say Hi! I've been down lately (still). I'm trying to remain positive as I wait for God to restore and repair my marriage... It's very hard work!!!

Until next time... someone needs to send me some mojo!!!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul ~

Fall Shaped Card with Autumn Leaves Digi

Well... I'm both excited and sad at the same time lol! This time it has nothing to do with my marriage, but about two wonderful design teams :)

Today is a sad farewell to The Paper Shelter. I've had a blast with the amazing and talented design team! Thank you, Veronica and Pedro for your fabulous images... thank you, Marie and Shirley for your awesome leadership ♥ May each of you enjoy and embrace the plans God has for your future!!! Also congratulations to the NEW DT :)

...and here's the reason for my excitement - I get to show you my latest card lol!

I really like how this shaped card turned out. I began with the Fall Word Shaped Card from The Cutting Cafe. Regina's files are so much fun to work with :)

I know these are not traditional Fall colors... but I decided to use the pre-colored image Autumn Leaves from The Paper Shelter and picked out the color of the coat. In my Silhouette software, I chose 'gradient fill' to fill in the letters and did a print and cut. The image was printed on Brochure Paper and cut out with my Silhouette as well. The colors really POP on the Brochure Paper!

*A word of warning on the brochure paper... don't use a cutting mat that is still pretty tacky as it sticks extremely well and will rip in shreds :(

The challenge at The Paper Shelter this week is "Stitching." I took this literally and machine stitched around the letters. Boy do I love the look of stitching :)

The sentiment I used comes with the Fall Shaped Word Card (along with other sentiments). The beautiful butterfly die cut is from Simon Says (LOVE!!!).

******Stay tuned for the WINNER of my Dies and More Giveaway******

Post will be up tomorrow!!!

I'd Like to enter the Following Challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers - Winged Things 

(did you notice the butterfly cradled in one of the leaves???)

Creative Craft - Use Ribbon

Inky Chicks - Pretty in Pink

Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes
Simon Says - Stamptember Use SSS product (DIE)
MarkerPop - Falling for You #31

Thanks so much for dropping by!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul ~

Oh Boy Overalls!!!

Hello lovelies ♥ I've just come home from a quick shopping spree at Michael's. I picked up a few desktop cubes for organizing...60% OFF!!! While I was there, I ran into a beautiful, young woman who I hadn't seen since she was in High School Youth Group. As God would have it, I mentioned my current journey of pain/forgiveness - and just like God does, she began to tell me of her own pain.

Again, God brings forth the truth about why we sometimes go through things... to help others ♥ She could trust what I was saying about the need to forgive because she knew that I could relate to what she was going through. There's nothing like personal experience to speak boldly on a subject...

Anyone who knows me, knows that it doesn't matter where I am when there's a Divine Appointment... I pray :) So in the middle of Michael's, I lifted up this sweet woman, asking Jesus to bring peace to her heart as she chooses to forgive!

I reminded her that forgiveness is for HER, not for the one she's forgiving. When we harbor unforgiveness, our relationship with God is broken. How do we restore that relationship? Make the choice to forgive... If you're like me, you won't FEEL like forgiving, but do it anyway. God will handle your emotions, bringing healing to your heart just like He did (and is doing) for me.

...the journey of healing continues ♥

This week at The Cutting Cafe, the amazing DT has a variety of projects to inspire your creativity! Here's my contribution... an adorable li'l Overalls Shaped Card!!!

I just adore the cute li'l football and stars! They make me happy lol! I was also overjoyed when I discovered these 'just the right color' button brads in my stash. How cool is that?

Papers are from an old stack I had waiting for this project (The Guy Stack by
DCWV). They are distressed with Brushed Corduroy DI.

Card base is Ivory Cardstock by Recollections 110 lb weight. It's my new 'go to' paper I also discovered at Michael's. Yay Michael's!!! Thank you :)

Tag punch is Martha Stewart with an old Stampin' Up! sentiment...tied with Doodlebug Twine. The card front is machine stitched - I must stitch more... I love the extra detail! Maybe I should have used a different color thread though. What do you think?

The countdown begins for my current Dies and More Giveaway...  

ends September 22. You can find it at THIS POST!

Thank you, again, for all your thoughts and prayers you've been sending my way! Prayer makes such a HUGE difference!!! I KNOW that God is indeed hearing and answering ♥ He is a faithful God who heals!!!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul ~

School Bus Shaped Card

Welcome back friends ♥ I pray you are having a wonderful day! The LORD is good... all the time; and all the time, the LORD is good :)

Today a small group of women met for Bible Study in a beautiful, warm and comfy home. We viewed the 1st session of "Believing God" by Beth Moore. This is not a new study, and a few of us had already gone through it, but we also knew that God's timing is always perfect...indeed right on time!!!

My faith has once again been challenged. Since going through my cancer journey almost 6 1/2 years ago, I've felt like I was struggling to get out of the darkness...the wilderness...a place that was just dry and felt so far away from God. It felt like once I was up, I was knocked back down with something else...my physical health, my mental health, my emotional health, and certainly my spiritual health!

So today, here's what I'm beginning to BELIEVE once again. I challenge you to do the same :)

1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God's Word is alive and active in me.

Update on counseling... I've decided to change counselors! Things just weren't quite right, so I've decided, "Off with her head!!!" hee hee. Hubby and I are now on a waiting list to see someone who has been highly recommended as a Christian counselor. I'm choosing to BELIEVE that God is in all of this and He certainly CAN DO what He says He can do!

God is faithful. Period. He continues to work out forgiveness in my heart ♥ It simply doesn't have the control and intensity it had 6 weeks ago. Am I 'done'? Noooo... remember, it's a process. I can choose to hold on to unforgiveness and remain bitter and angry, but I'm choosing to BELIEVE GOD is setting me free from my pain - and He is :)

Thank you for praying for me!!! He hears and is answering your prayers on my behalf. I'm incredibly grateful for YOU ♥

...and finally...

I'd like to share my latest project I created using Regina's adorable Bus Shaped Card which is available at The Cutting Cafe HERE.

I've altered the file a little bit by taking the window shapes and cutting out 'see through' windows on each layer using my Silhouette Designer's Edition Software. I substituted apples from the School Borders Printable Stamp Set for the center of the wheels, and spelled out S C H O O L from the same set.

The tag is a MS punch; stamped tag background and sentiment from PTI.

The Bus Shaped Card file also comes with an envelope which fits perfectly with this adorable card :) I used a 12 x 12 sheet of Yellow Pin Dots by Recollections to cut out the envelope.

So cute!

Time for me to celebrate my firstborn's birthday now... he's 27!!!

♥♥♥ I love you, Matthew ♥♥♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul ~

Boy and Girl Onesie Shaped Cards

Hello lovelies! Just a quick post from me today... lots on my heart and mind lately. It was a very emotional and draining weekend - and to top it off - it's my 31st Anniversary today... enough said about that!

This week at The Cutting Cafe, we were able to choose any file to work with. I chose this adorable Onesie Shaped Card which I transformed into a card for a baby boy and one for a baby girl ♥

The file comes with different shapes for the front. I obviously chose the heart for both... In Silhouette Designer's Edition, I created the blue trim on the boy Onesie. Not perfect by any means, but I think it adds a little bit more since I decided to have the main shape white!

Cute li'l lace trim for the girl is simply glued and folded over like pleats. Both cards are embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder with a dotted chevron pattern. I really like the texture :)

The Onesie Shaped Card comes with a variety of inserts... check these out!

I'd like to enter into the following Challenges:

Crafty Catz - Ribbon Pleating (I hope my lace counts!)

Sister Act - Anything Goes
Natalie and Amy's - Embossing

Stampin with the Dragon - Buttons n Bows

Crazy 4 Challenges - Buttons and Bows
Bearly Mine - Anything Goes

Hiding in My Craft Room - Freestyle
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
Incy Wincy - Hey Baby

Thanks so much for popping in my sweet friends ♥ If you think of me, please say a prayer... Hubby and I have LOTS to work out!

I love you dearly ♥

*** My current Giveaway can be found HERE! ***


 *** DT CALL ***

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul ~

Shabby Chic Purse Card (Set)

Oh my goodness... if you are needing a quick and adorable purse card, this is the one to have. I threw this together in minutes!!! I even decorated the back lol! There are so many options and looks you can create just by changing up the paper and embellishments...

Over at The Cafe, my teamies and I are showcasing Regina's Purse Shaped Card and Treat Box Set and Assorted Purse Box. If you want a more detailed and substantial look, go for the Assorted Purse Box. Check out all the fabulous samples at The Cafe!!!

Papers are from Pink Petticoat... ♥ them!

As I was writing up this post, I realized that I forgot to create the Treat Box that goes along with this card :( I've been having some trouble lately and my heart has been very heavy. Please forgive me for not being my usual self... I'm waiting upon the LORD for His healing hand to restore my soul ♥

Until then, I'll try my best to bring my best :)

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Thank you to everyone who emailed me an answer to my question on the Winner's Post. Every single one of you were correct :) However, the FIRST one to reply was Kelly Lloyd. Yay Kelly! Your prize will be on it's way shortly.
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Lots and lots of love to you, dear friends ♥

See you soon...

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

It's ALL About the Shoes!

LOL... Guess what's on my feet right now? I'm giggling because of the title of my post :) Anyone who really knows me, knows that my favorite footwear is actually NO footwear. Yup...barefoot but not pregnant!!! That really would be a miracle lol.

I had SO MUCH FUN with this High Heel Shoe Shaped Card Template - cutting file by The Cutting Cafe! I really, really like how it turned out :)

There are a number of optional pieces that come with this set. I've used the strap and bow pieces here...

The sentiment (one of many included in this file) was printed on white cardstock and cut using a Silhouette shape (as were the hearts). In case it's too small to read, the sentiments says, Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world - Marilyn Monroe.

Even though I only used two papers, I think this turned out quite elegant! The pink polka dot paper is from a digital download by Pink Petticoat; cream cardstock is from Papertrey Ink.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe - Bingo (die cuts, sparkle, stitching)

ABC - Stitching (faux)

Whoopsi Daisy - Stitching (faux)

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Charisma - Stitching (faux)
Allsorts - Stitching

Cute Card Thursday - Die-ing to Punch

Southern Girls - Things beginning with F (Footwear!)

...and now let's welcome and congratulate my new teamies on The Cutting Cafe DT:

Laura Love  

Debbie Fisher

Sean Covert

Cathryn Holzschuher

Julie Odil

Mitra Pratt

New Video Designers

Katryce Townsend

Shanta Newby

Can't wait to see the fabulous creations they will make! Sooooo inspiring :)


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Only THREE more days until my $30 Saturated Canary Giveaway ends!!! Don't miss out... You can find the post HERE.
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May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

My Little Princess

Still having some very difficult days...I know that my current situation is going to be a long road filled with hard work. Not exactly my idea of fun - and I didn't even sign up for it LOL!  Oh well... God is creating in me a clean heart drawn to worship Him alone :) I will yet Praise Him!!!

Just wondering if anybody else is walking through the desert with me... It can be a very lonely and exhausting place... Do you have at least one person you can confide in? God has blessed me with a couple of people like that. I am very thankful!

Today is a day of great celebration at The Way Christian Fellowship. We have the awesome privilege of baptizing 11 people - yes, I said eleven!!! To God be the Glory...great things He has done!

Speaking of our Great King... today's card reflects who we are as children of God. I hadn't thought about it as I was creating, but how amazing God's timing is once again! He knew I would talk about the baptisms today and prompted me to make My Little Princess ♥

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
One Stop Craft - Keep it Simple
Frosted Designs - Embossing
Paper Crafting Journey - Punches/Die Cuts
Delicious Doodles - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes with Sentiment
Hannah and Friends - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

I started by opening up the file, All About Girls Printable Stamp Set by The Cutting Cafe. I created a print and cut with both the crown and the sentiment.

The crown is filled with Carta Bella True Friendship digi paper, offset and filled with green using the color picker in my Silhouette software Designer's Edition.

Regina created the crown and sentiment as one image. I separated them in my photo editing software and created this print and cut in Silhouette software. As you can see, there are two offsets which I colored again picking colors from the patterned paper in the crown.

The crown is rounded and glued on the outside edges only. The sweet little banner was made from a punch by The Paper Studio and tied with Doodle Twine in cupcake :)

Just so you know...there are a TON of adorable images in this All About Girls Printable Stamp Set. I'd like to make another card soon!!!

Be sure to check out The Cutting Cafe's Cyber Monday Sale! Regina always has awesome deals!!! Wednesday is Inspiration Day...please take a peek at my teamie's great makes too. They always inspire and amaze me!

Thank you, dear sweet friends ♥ I am soooo honored to have you in my life. I love you much more than you know...

Oh...and if you haven't entered yet, and you'd like to be a part of my Saturated Canary $30 Gift Voucher Giveaway, you can find all the info HERE.

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Nail Polish Shaped Card with Faery Emma!

Hiya! It seems the topic of conversation around the world lately is the weather... Here in California, it's just plain HOT. I call it ugly hot lol. Thank goodness for air conditioning :) Are you melting like I am? Even some of my favorite craft supplies are objecting to the weather! The pearl pen I was using the other day decided to get all goopy :( I used it anyway... you'll see in my next post!

Today I'm sharing the oh-so-darling Nail Polish Shaped Card Invite Set cut file from The Cutting Cafe. I really enjoyed putting this card together! There's nothing like girlie and sparkles :)

The sparkly heart is cut out from the top pink layer which is filled with Diamond Stickles. When that was dry, I gave it a coat of Glossy Accents so it would be puffy :)

You'll want to see the Inspiration post on Wednesday at The Cutting Cafe blog as the girls always have such amazing projects. You'll see a variety of either the Nail Polish Shaped Card Invite Set, or Nail Polish Box Holder. So cool!!!

I thought Faery Emma was perfect to adorn the nail polish. Doesn't she look fab as she's admiring her nails? hee hee. She's 'die cut' using my Silhouette...

Over at The Paper Shelter, we have a new challenge beginning Wednesday which is Anything Goes! Come join the fun as there are wonderful prizes to be won. If you use a TPS image, you could win $30 to spend any way you wish at The Paper Shelter store. If you use another company's image, you could still win 3 images of your choice!

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me today. I truly appreciate your friendship :) Big hugs to each and every one of you, my sweet friends ♥

If you are interested, I have some Saturated Canary candy going on right now HERE.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
ALBC - Die-ing for it!
Papertake Weekly - Die-ing for a Punch!
Creative Creations - Anything Goes
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Creative Fingers - Anything Goes
Brown Sugar - Anything Goes

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

Now THIS is a Large Size Gift Bag!

Hiya! So glad you've decided to pop in today :) I should actually be exercising, but I've hurt my shoulder, so no kettlebells for me today. I'm hoping it's not going to be a constant thing because I really do feel a whole lot stronger, and I'd hate to give it up. But... as I've read in this morning's devotional, "Do Not Worry About Tomorrow!" I'm trying :)

Over at The Cutting Cafe, we've been challenged to create a gift bag using Regina's Large Gift Bag cutting file. I'm pleased to tell you that this bag is actually large enough to fit a decent sized gift. The completed bag measures 8.5" x 5.75" and is 3.75" deep.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
The Pink Elephant - Feminine Birthday
MIM #150 - Anything Goes

I've used coordinating papers from my fave Scrap Girls Digital Scrapbooking: Cottage Rose Paper Biggie and Cottage Rose Paper 2. LOVE LOVE LOVE these!!!

The gorgeous corners are from Susana's Dies by SCACD: Key Corners (which 1. I cut the end of the key off; 2. This die comes in a set with Fancy Flower). I love the versatility of dies don't you?

This cutting file also comes with Tags and Sentiments! Regina is so generous with her files :) You get a lot for a little $... ♥ you Regina!!!

I hope you've been inspired to give this a try. The Cutting Cafe has tons of really cool cutting files as well as printable stamps. Tell Regina I sent ya :)

Interested in a little SATURATED CANARY Giveaway??? Check it out HERE.

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

An Elegant Butterfly Card!

Hi sweet friends! I'm so glad you chose to pop over and take a peek at what I've been up to :) I don't know about where you are, but here in California...it's ugly HOT!!! Yes, I said ugly...and I mean really ugly lol! Hot and me don't mix well I tell ya. Give me Spring Spring Springtime :) all year long!!!

Today's card project has already flown from my craftroom to a sweet young lady who was in a terrible automobile accident :( Thank God I remembered to take a photo before I gave it to her!

Here's my Butterfly Shaped Card from Regina's awesome files at The Cutting Cafe.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Simon Says - Anything Goes

Don't you just love butterflies? You can use this file to create loads of butterflies in various styles and colors...it's unlimited! I added an extra top layer so I could lift up the wings and have the same pattern underneath.

I also created a matching envelope which comes with the file :) I'm tellin' ya, Regina's the BEST!

Every week, The Cutting Cafe has Cyber-Monday Specials. I've been purchasing them for a few years now. They are amazing deals... Don't forget to hop on over and check it out!

This is the day the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Happy Sunday, everyone ♥

I love and appreciate YOU!!!

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

It's Strawberry Season and a Treat Box!

Hello sweet blog friends! Do you like strawberries as much as I do? I not only love the taste, but I love the way they look : )  I have a huge container of strawberries right now in my fridge. We buy them from Costco... where everything is BIG lol.

Today's project is for not one, but two design teams. I've used Regina's Strawberry Treat Box from The Cutting Cafe to hold my sweet strawberries. It actually is very sturdy!

I'd like to enter into the following challenges:
Simon Says - Summer Fruit

The bottom portion is covered in burlap ribbon, with several layers for the strawberry front. I've coated the chocolate with Glossy Accents which looks totally yummy! The butterfly is an MS punch and coated with Glamour Dust (I know you can't see it here...).

Darn! I just realized that I forgot the tag I was going to put on it :( Above are the fabulous tags that come with this set!

This li'l cutie is called Let's Make a Picnic! She definitely has strawberries in her basket!!! I've used her for The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog - "Buttons and/or Brads" challenge.

Please join us for this easy and fun challenge! If you use a TPS image you could win $30 to spend any way you wish at The Paper Shelter. If you use another company's image, you could still win 3 images of your choice!

Thank you for taking the time to pop in and say hello! I hope that you've enjoyed my dual project today :)

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~

School Bus Party Invitation and Free Cut Files

Yay it's Friday and I'm ready for the weekend! It's been a busy week in many ways... Today my sister and mom are heading up to Nevada to see my other sister and her family. My nephew is having his 7th Birthday Party - yikes! It seems he was just born a few years ago. His little brother will be 5 - Wow Wow Wow! Kids these days sure grow up fast LOL.

Today I have an invitation to show you that I put together for someone I met through The Cutting Cafe. In fact, I made 30 of them! They are for a little girl's 2nd Birthday Party. Her mom is going to mail them in lunch bags. Isn't that a cute idea?

I take no credit for this design. It is pretty much the same as Regina's card HERE.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes with Ribbon
Charisma Cardz - Digis Only
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
Bearly Mine - Anything Goes
Simon Says - Transport

I've used School Bus Driver Printable Stamp Set and Thanks Teacher ABC 123 Background Printable Stamp from The Cutting Cafe. The other pieces I created in my Silhouette Software.

If anyone is interested in the Silhouette files for the Print and Cut Lined Paper or Arrow as well as the black or bottom yellow scalloped pieces, send me an email and I'll get them to you! This card is 5.5"x4.25"

It's the last day for my FREE CUT FILES from this post. Since I've posted the bus invitation today, I thought giving you the road and train track cut files would be appropriate!

Download Road and Train Track HERE

Have a great weekend! I'm hoping to visit some of you very soon :)

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~