Butterfly Puppy

Another Mondaaaaay is here and we're off!!!  This will be a very busy week for me.  I have lots of DT work to catch up on and things to get done for ministry.  But first, I will go to the movies with my DH!  It has been soooooo long since we've had a 'date.'  We are waaaaay past due.  We're going to see Robin Hood.  Maybe not my fav 'chick flick,' but I am very much looking forward to seeing it.  Ya gotta have popcorn and candy and maybe even a soda - no, I think Icee.  Yes, definitely an Icee!  Classic movie munchies : )  Ooooo, I can't wait!!!

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who prayed for me on Saturday.  It was amazing!!!  God did what only He could do.  I've been praying that He would use me to speak to the people, and He showed up Big Time!  I received confirmation that night from several people about how God spoke to them.  Oh blessed be the Name of the LORD!  I am so humbled that the Creator of the Universe knows me and allowed me to be used for His Glory...simply amazing...  Do you know that He knows YOU too?  Even if you don't believe in Him, He knows about that and loves you anyway!

One thing that having cancer did for me, was break my prideful heart.  I realize that I can never be good enough. God loves us 'just because' - not only when we are good, or lovable, but He continues to love us even when we are 'bad.'  He doesn't use us because we are...as my friend would say, 'all that and a bag of chips!'  He chooses to use us even though we are imperfect.  That, my friend, is unconditional love!!!  Won't you receive it today?

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8


"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."  Mark 4:23

...and now for my card.  I am so happy to think that God has given us the ability to create and He delights in blessing us and watching us 'bloom!

I got to use this fab sketch for Karen's Doodles US Challenge this week.  I really, really like it!

Copics

C9 C7 C5 C3

RV34 RV11 RV10 RV00

G28 G24 G21 G20

Y26 Y11

E18 E17 E15 E13

This is Butterfly Puppy. Isn't he adorable?

Now if you enter Karen's Doodles US Challenge, you have three chances to win!  Prizes are:

• 1st Place - 3 Digi stamps of their choice from Karen's Doodles
• 2nd Place - 2 Digi stamps of their choice from Karen's Doodles
• 3rd Place - 1 Digi stamp of their choice from Karen's Doodles

You'll find LOTS of GORGEOUS inspiration from the DT while you're at the US Challenge Blog!  Go take a peek : )

Challenges Entered:
Saturday Challenge - something metal
KL Stampin - show animal friends love
Paper Cutz - #41
Dare You 2 Digi - anything goes
Crafty Ann's - anything goes 
Flutterby Wednesday's
ABC - unused stash (paper)


Lots of love to you all!

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

Lori

New Chicken Girl Designs

If you haven't entered my candy, you can find it Here!

Happy Happy Friday!  I had to think a minute what day it was lol!  I'm off to go workout....and boy do I need it!  I've decided that I need to get serious about not eating so much.  My weakness is chocolate, but I'll certainly settle for other sweets - hee hee!  My 'fat' pants are now getting too tight (sigh).  So...move more and eat less.  What a concept.  Wanna join me on my quest for health?  Tomorrow is Relay For Life on behalf of the American Cancer Society.  I'll be walking laps and then speaking at the Luminaria Ceremony.  It will be emotional, but another step in my journey of healing : )

Well, so much for my very quick post lol!

Today I have a non feminine card.  It was difficult as usual...  But overall, I'm pretty happy with the results.  I still think it's boring though lol!  This is for i {heart} copics Fabulous Friday Challenge:

This week there is a sketch to follow.  I began with the sketch, but it sorta had a mind of it's own - hee hee!  Take a peek below...

Awww... you can't really see the cool ribbon I found.  It looks like a ruler!

Money!!!

Copics

Available from i {heart} papers 

C9 C7 C5 C3

E15 E35 E33 E31

R27 R24 R22 R20

G28 G24 G21 G20

Owl Graduate Digi:  Chicken Girl Design

Scrollwork:  Cricut - Graphically Speaking

Challenge Entered:

Cards For Men - outdoors (owls are outdoors!)
Crafty Ann's - Anything Goes
Dare U 2 Digi  - Anything Goes
Simple Doodles - You're on my mind
Stamp Something - Celebrate
Stampin' for the Weekend - Card for a Male
Fab n Funky - Metal Mania
ABC - Unused stash (paper, charm, metal...)
PaperPlay - Brown (and Black)
Cooking It Up with Katie - recipe #17

Ok... I'm off!  Have a wonderful weekend.  See you next time!

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

Lori

Scruffy Kitty for Di's Digi Downloads

Hello my wonderful friends!  It sure is nice knowing that you are there.  It's funny... we've never met, but I feel that I know many of you.  I do think of you often and hope that you are having a sunshine filled week!  Today in California, it's sunny, but windy and a bit chilly.  I'll take the sunny part any day - gray, rainy days are not my favorite.  Soon enough, it will be H O T - then I'll be wishing for cooler weather.

I've officially began the countdown.  Well, it's really been in the back of my mind for awhile now.  This Saturday, May 15, is Relay For Life.  If you are not familiar with Relay, it's about honoring those who have lost their battle with cancer, and celebrating those who have survived and/or are currently surviving.  Money is raised for the American Cancer Society to end cancer.  If you know me, you know that I am a two-time cancer survivor.  All by the grace of God!!!  Anyway, on Saturday night, they have a Luminaria Ceremony where they light the luminaries, survivors walk the 'victory lap' and names are read in honor of those whose battle has ended.  This year,  I've been asked to speak at the Luminaria Ceremony.  Speaking in front of crowds is not one of my strongest gifts, but I know that God has brought this to me, so I know that He will equip me to speak for Him.  Are you a person of prayer?  I would appreciate it if you would pray for me!

Do you know someone whose life has been touched with cancer?  If you would like to acknowledge that person, I will bring the names with me on Saturday and a group will pray over them.  You can either leave me a comment, or you can find my email in my sidebar.  My heart truly is for those who are hurting, so if I can pray for you, please don't hesitate to ask : )

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."  - Ephesians 4:32

And now, finally to my PROJECT!  I've had this tin for awhile - I think it was just waiting for Scruffy Kitty to arrive.  She fits perfectly on the lid.  Isn't she the cutest little kitty?  If you want her, you can find her at Di's Digi Downloads Here.

Copics

RV34 RV32 RV11 RV10 RV00

Y26 Y15 Y13 Y11

G28 G24 G20

C00 C0

Stardust Stickles

Nesties Circle/Scallop

MS Punches and Pearls

Mini Roses:  Prima

Ribbon:  Michael's

I love this image sooooo much!  I think I'm going to make a card with it next - hee hee!!  I'm sure you will be seeing it again (and maybe again...).

Challenges Entered:
Prairie Fairy - recycle
Crafts and Me - anything but a card

Don't forget to enter my candy if you are interested!  The link is in my sidebar...

I'll talk to you soon.

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

Lori

More Candy!!!

Look what Spesch Designer Stamps is offering!

Ends May 15

Blog Candy

Don't forget MY CANDY also - see link on sidebar : )

See you back here tomorrow!

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

Lori

For a Special Girl

Can you believe another week has gone by?  It's Monday and I'm off to go workout.  Grunt!  My poor body just doesn't want to do what it used to...  I used to make fun of my DH when he would get up and make that sound (if you are over 40, you probably know what I'm talking about!).  Well, to my horror, I found myself making that same noise last week.  Eeeeeek! Ha ha!!

My dinner at Olive Garden on Saturday was delish!  I saved some calories by having a 'low cal' dish, Apricot Chicken.  It really was very tasty.  You know that I was going for the full calorie version of Black Tie Mousse Cake though.  I almost didn't share it... I gave my DH a bite - hee hee!  It was soooo yummy!!!  I felt loved and appreciated as we celebrated an early Mother's Day, so all is well : )

Have you visited Karen's Doodles US Challenge Blog lately?  Karen has some waaaay cuuuuute images!  This week's challenge is:  Birthday/Celebrate.  You can win 1, 2 or 3 digi images of your choice!  Go ahead and enter : )  Today I'm using "I Love You THIS Much, Girl."

 

 For Simon Says Stamp Challenge #5 on Paper Craft Planet,

here's some...

BLING! BLING! BLING!

Stardust Stickles/Glamour Dust

Diamond Glaze

Copics

Skin: E11 E21 E00 E000 R20

Hair: E18 E17 E15 E13

Outfit: V04 V01 V000 V0000

Flower stem/leaves: G28 G24 G21 G20

Oval Nesties

CB Embossing Folder

MS Corner and Border Punches

Mini Roses:  Prima

Ribbon and chain:  Michael's

Charms:  Create and Stamp

Challenges Entered:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Bling

Create4fun - sketch 
Crafts and Me - Sparkle
Crafty Angels - One for the Girls

Thanks for stopping by!  If you are interested, I'm offering a little bit of candy... See my sidebar!

See ya tomorrow!

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

Lori

Followers Candy Time!

***CANDY NOW CLOSED***

Hello my friends!  Happy Mother's Day in the USA!!!  Are you surprised that I actually remembered to post today?  If you read yesterday's ramblings, you already know that I promised some candy, so here we go...

First, I have to tell you that I have so much to be thankful for!  Even with my DH out of work, God continues to provide for our daily needs.  I am reminded of Scripture which says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Matthew 6:25-27, 33

So, my friends... let us put our trust in God alone through Whom ALL blessings flow!

Today, I am celebrating WOMEN!  Whether or not you are a mom...  I think you are quite special!  Here's some candy and flowers just for you : )  I'm also celebrating being chosen for two design teams:  Chelsea at CLP and Di at Di's Digi Downloads!  Thank you so much, ladies, for having the confidence in me and my work to promote your sites.  You are both amazing artists!!!

As a follower, here is what you can win:

• stamping bella - Coco has a Cuppycake (w/sentiment)
• stamping bella - Wrapped in Love (w/sentiment)
• 2 Clear Stamps
• Prima Mini Roses
• Glossy Accents
• Glamour Dust
• ADDED:  Magnolia - Sweetheart Tilda  (gently used)

I appreciate all the love and support you've given me over the past 8 months!  Your comments truly make my day!!  So to give back a little love, this is for you...

Please enter using Mr. Linky - once is enough.  Multiple entries will be deleted.

If you fancy putting a photo on your blog, that would be OK too.

I will choose a winner using Random.org on June 10 at 8:00 pm (PST).

That's it.  Very simple.  Oh, if you don't have a blog, but would like to enter, you may put my URL in Mr. Linky:  http://mycomfortcottage.blogspot.com.  Please leave a comment letting me know your name, entry number and how I can contact you if you win.

Thanks for visiting!

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

Lori

Just For You

It's Saturday and my 'guys' are taking me out to dinner - yay!!!  My hubby, and two sons are simply the BEST : )  We plan to go to Olive Garden... yum!  I'm pretty sure the last time the four of us went there, it was ON Mother's Day.  We had to wait a zillion hours before we were seated, so I hesitated about suggesting Olive Garden when my DH asked where I'd like to go tonight.  Ya know what?  I think one of the blessings of his being out of work is that he has more time.  Duh!  But really, he was completely OK with the thought of waiting (shock!).  Blessings are all around us.  Are we gonna look for them?  I want to be one who sees the bright side of things.  You know what they say... when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!  See?  I bet you feel better already! Hee hee...

This is another little cutie from Paper Romance.  

Her name is Little Missy and you can find her Here.

She's sending you her best bouquet of flowers... just in time for Mother's Day!  Or for those of you who've already celebrated Mother's Day, this is 'Just For You' because you are special and I love you :)

Copics

Available at i {heart} papers

Hair:  E13 Y21 Y11

Skin:  E11 E21 E00 E000 R20

Dress/Bow/Shoes:  RV34 RV32 RV11 RV10

 Socks:  C3 C1

Flowers:  B05 B02 B01 B00 B000; G28G24 G21 G20

Stardust Stickles
Diamond Glaze (shoes)

Mini Roses:  Prima

Dew Drops:  The Robin's Nest

MS Punch

Sentiment:  Stampin Up!

Ribbon:  Michael's

This fab sketch is from i {heart} copics Fabulous Friday Challenge #12

This week's challenge is about Moms!  Remember to use copics somewhere on your project.  

See all the deets at i {heart} copics on Paper Craft Planet!!  You'll find great inspiration there : )

Challenges Entered:
KL Stampin N Scrappin - 2 dp, 3 embellies, 1 ribbon
Saturday Challenge - 3 embellies, 2 dp, 1 image
Creative Card Crew - April Showers/May Flowers
The Pink Elephant - #65
PaperPlay - Stamp & Bling
Stamptacular - Moms
Simon Says Stamp on PCP - Bling Bling Bling


If you've read all the way down here, I'll let you in on a little surprise...  I finally was able to gather up a few things AND take a photo for you to see.  I've been wanting to celebrate so many things lately, but due to my DH out of work, I couldn't just go shopping, so I've raided my own craft stash!  I'm hoping that someone will enjoy my little candy.  So, I'm posting it tomorrow.  Really - lol!  Come back and enter to win a few of my very favorite things!

Next Up:  Karen's Doodles is Celebrating!  (note:  perfect timing, huh?)

Thanks for stopping by, my friends!

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

Lori

My Very First Basket

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late for a very important date!!!  Oh me oh my...  I just couldn't stay up any longer last night to post this.  I was even late for my "date" with a friend to workout this morning.  Sometimes, life just gets in the way - lol!

Better late than never... here is my very FIRST basket!  I feel like I did when I finally made and posted my first easel card - ha ha ha...  I'm probably the last person to make one of these beauties : )  Here's the tutorial I used.

Here's one side, hee hee!

... and here's the other side : )

I do give thanks to the Fussy & Fancy Girls for having this challenge!  Without them, I still would not have conquered this intimidating looking project!!!  Thanks girlies : )  Hey, if I can do this, anyone can!!!  You'll want to check out the other waaaay cool baskets the DT have come up with.  Get your thinking caps on and join us in the basket challenge!

Challenges Entered:
Crafty Ann's - #14 Anything Goes
Crafty Calendar - The Great Outdoor
Fairy Fun Fridays - Recycle (dp into basket) 

Just Magnolia - It Takes Two
Stamp Something - Gift Basket
Daisy Doodles - Anything But a Card
Die Cut Dreams - Tilda in Pink
Creative Card Crew - #49
Flutter By Wednesdays

Next up - A Paper Romance and i {heart} copics duet!

Thanks for stopping by, my friends.

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

Lori

Karen's Doodles - Anything But a Card

Happy Monday!  Whether or not we're ready... here it comes!  Maybe it's because I just attended a Baby Shower, but I'm reminded of having a baby.  Ready or not, here it comes!!!  Yikes!  That's been 22 and a half years ago for me.  Now I have a little furbaby, and just like the stork, he arrived at my home : )

Do you struggle with 'other than a card' challenges?  I love the beautiful projects I see on other blogs, but when it comes to deciding what to do for myself... I'm like a kid in a candy shop - I want it all lol!  I finally decided on this cute lil purse.  I love purses and I will usually revert back to this if not directed somewhere else.

This image is called Butterfly and Bee which is a 700 follower FREEBIE from Karen's Doodles on Paper Craft Planet.  Grab it while you can!!!  This is one image, but I've cut out the butterfly and glued it on the flap.

The purse template is from D.A.I.S.E. Company.  I don't think I followed the directions because it wasn't coming out right... duh!!!  I'll have to go back and actually read the directions.  It seemed simple enough.  Anyway, this is my version lol!  The DP is from DCWV, "Dancing Polka Dot"

Copics:  B02 B01 B00 B000 B0000; G28 G24 G21 G20; Y15 Y11 E13 E17; C9 C7 C5 R20

Wow, that's a lot of copics for such a little image hee hee!

I've generously coated a lot of this image with Glamour Dust which I see that Susana's Custom Art and Card Design now carries!  Oh Susana, where were you when I was searching high and low? lol!

Lace is from Stamp and Create.  I love this lace!!!  Half pearls and black velvet ribbon are from Michael's.  Oh... the pearl pin is from Wild Orchid Crafts!

So now that you've seen my project, you'll want to get all the deets at  

Karen's Doodles US Challenge 

and create your own "Anything But a Card."

Here are the awesome prizes you could win:

• 1st Place - 3 Digi stamps of their choice from Karen's Doodles 
• 2nd Place - 2 Digi stamps of their choice from Karen's Doodles 
• 3rd Place - 1 Digi stamp of their choice from Karen's Doodles

While you're at the Challenge Blog, you'll see some amazing eye candy from the DT - loads of inspiration!

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Your comments really do make my day : )  I'll try and visit more of you very soon!  Mwah!!!

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

Lori

Welcome Baby

One more day... then it's another Monday!!!  For some of you, it's already Monday : )  So you get a head start on me!  Do you like Mondays?  I don't mind them so much anymore.

Today after church, we are having a baby shower!  Thanks to my friend, I have my shopping done...  Then it hit me.  I need a card!  Hmmm... ya think I could make one? LOL!  That's the beauty of it!  I'll never need to go shopping for one!  In case you had the tiniest thought that it might be my baby shower, you just get that right out of your head!  It is now impossible - whew!  That really would be a miracle - lol!  I don't have any 'parts' left - ha ha ha ha...

I think this is the first card I've made that wasn't for one of my dts.  It feels a little funny.  I think I'd like to get used to it though : )

I've used I Love You THIS Much - Boy by Karen's Doodles.  I know that the mommy this card is going to is having a boy, so it made it a lot easier to design.  Although I miss having bows and flowers, lace and sparkles... : (   I think overall, it turned out ok.

Here's a close up so you can see that I cut around the image where it extends beyond the oval.

Cute rattle charm... hee hee

I pulled the arms out for more dimension.

Copics

Overalls: B26 B23 B21 C1

Dinosaur: G24 G21 G20

Skin: E11 E21 E00 E000 ?R20

Hair: Y26 Y23 Y21

Buttons on Overalls: Y26 Y11

Dew Drops: Y11

Thread: B23

Digital Stamp: I Love You THIS Much - Boy

I am really enjoying coloring embellies to match my card!  I was about to search through my embroidery thread to use for the buttons when the thought came to me - aha!  I can just color the white thread with my copics!!!  That was a wonderful feeling : )   I know... it doesn't take much to amuse me!

Challenges Entered:
PaperPlay - Pastels
SophistiCat - For a Child
A Spoon Full of Sugar - 3D
Crafty Catz - Spots

Tomorrow I'll have another Karen's Doodles project for ya.  This time, it can't be a card.  What to do... guess you're in for a surprise : )

See you tomorrow my friends!

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

Lori