Texas Boys & Arizona Gals

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

 

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

                                                 Psalm 46:10 New Living Translation

May it Be So ~
Peace unto you.  

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Stamp Set (Shoppers) from Art Impressions, Inc.

Excitement ran high in the sleepy hollow of Bucksnort that spring afternoon.   Word down at Porters General was the telephone wires was a buzzin' with news of trouble in the little hamlet of Sweet Lips.  Several friends and upstanding members of the Bucksnort First Baptist Church and Ladies Circle had received news from their long time friends, Cindy Lou and her first cousin, Candy Lou, of a new town ordinance banning tattoo parlors in Sweet Lips - Yes ma'am!

The Sweet Lips Refined Ladies Tattoo Parlor would be no more if help didn't arrive soon.   And poor Cindy Lou would be out of business.  

The electric cackling was so loud from Bertha Mae Bussel (affectionately known as "Busy Bea" in the ladies circle), Agnes Irmagard (a War Goddess of German decent), Della Drew (a kind and considerate woman known for her hospitality), and Lillie Landers (pure as the driven snow) that it sounded the alarm bell at the local fire station.   Bobbie Sue said all Ms. Ernestine, Bucksnort's telephone operator, could make out were the words: "What to do, what to do!?"

Thank goodness Candy Lou, the brains of the bunch, had already thought of a plan.  Why not open a Sweet Tea Shoppe with a little room in the back for a lady-like tat?   Fiddle-e-dee  what a wonderful plan and just in time too.   A Stamping Convention of 42,000 Teapotters was coming into town for the weekend and these ladies were known for fun.  Cindy Lou would need all the help she could enlist.

Folks down at Porters General said spandex was flying into suitcases faster than moon pies and RC colas off the shelves as the ladies packed for the trip.    In their younger days these ladies had been known to take off the white gloves and kick up their Jimmy Choo's; even partake of the recipe once in a while (I believe at Bunco).

Close up of the "discreetly" placed rose tattoo - Click to enlarge

This was going to be fun!  They'd have their hands full serving sweet tea while Cindy Lou inked up the Teapotters in the back room.    With the car loaded, lipstick applied, sunglasses on, it was time to hit the road - help was on the way.    Tea with 42,000 of their closest friends, a little shopping and possibly a tattoo - priceless.

Welcome to Sweet Lips Ladies

Where girls just wanna have fun!

Thanks so much for joining me today and sharing a giggle or two.

Names have been changed to protect the innocent {wink}.

Inside card image - click to enlarge

Y'all come back now

Grace

Grace

That taught my heart to sing

Forgiveness

Unconditional love

Offered to all

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Hat and a Haiku

This card is being entered into the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge #165

Slipping through fingers

Hats swirl and dance upward

Grey on the horizon.

I  thought it might be fun to try writing a haiku today so I did a little research on this topic.   More than I ever wanted to know or can understand I assure you.   If my lovely daughter-in-law were here she would explain this much better than I (she was a Linguistics and English Lit major).  Here is my understanding of the word On as compared to traditional syllables; On means sound (in Japanese).    It is used to mean the phonetic units counted in haiku.   If you grew up thinking about syllables in conjunction with writing haiku like I did you may be confused by now  -- I certainly am {laughing} .  On and syllables are not the same (at least in Japan).  And I believe it has to do with the sound or intonation.   Having worked with people who spoke foreign languages (especially Chinese) I was told one word could mean several different things depending upon the intonation.    Bottom line: traditional haiku has 17 On in three phrases of 5,7,5 On respectively.   Although haiku are often stated to have 17 syllables this is incorrect as syllables and On are not the same.   source: Wikipedia.

After all that are you ready for a giggle?   I told my husband what I was planning to do.  I tried to explain On to him the best I could and then asked if he'd like to give it a go.   "Sure," he said.   "Okay, let's hear it."  The next word out of his mouth was:  Supercalifristic.    "That's it!?" I said.   "I think that may be considered a run-on haiku.    I think it's safe to say we both need to brush up on our haiku writing *giggle* 

My card today is from the Flourishes stamp set, "Feminine Charm".   The challenge was to use your favorite Flourishes set.  Well, that was difficult because there are so many.   I chose this set because I love the era that this hat may have come from.   And I thought it would translate well in grey scale - one of my favorite ways to color with Copics.

Thanks for your visit today and sharing a giggle with me.

次回まで、
すべての祝福
(Until next time, blessings to all)

Apple of My Eye - Hello Friend!

 Hello Friends!
This week I read a wonderful post on Heart to Heart with Holly.   I've asked Holly's permission to share her words with you today.   Without knowing Holly personally I feel safe to say she is the kind of woman we all desire to be and have as a friend.   Her words speak so eloquently; they uplift, encourage and challenge us to move forward in our spiritual lives as well as our creative endeavors ~

Holley's words are like an "Apple a Day" and this card is dedicated to her.  Thank you Holley!

This card is entered into the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge #164

❦  Heart to Heart with Holly Gerth:  Get Your Creativity On
I sit at a table in a circle of women. We hold paintbrushes and mine might just be trembling the slightest bit. Why does this blank canvas feel so much more intimidating than a blank page?

I'm at Stephanie's house and she has invited us to simply make art.
Not a masterpiece. Not something to be hung in a gallery. Just strokes and lines and colors.
It's not about the result at all. It's about taking time to be creative in the middle of our busy lives.

I paint a cupcake (anyone surprised?). It's vibrant with color and texture. I don't think anyone will want to display it but I like it anyway. I like it because it wakes up a part of me that has been asleep. A part of me I've missed.

Creativity literally changes us. Scientists used to think after a certain age our brains were set. But being creative actually makes new neurological pathways in our minds. It's never too late to grow.

And creativity isn't just picking up a paintbrush. It's essentially anything we do that gets us outside of our comfort zones. Anything we do that brings life into this world.

What is that for you? For me it's writing, baking, a long conversation over coffee with a friend that takes us to unexpected places.

And why is creativity so hard? Because it's always tied to fear.

The essence of creativity is essentially risk, believing enough to leap into the yet unseen. The theological terms for this is faith.--Ann Voskamp

Creativity invites us outside the familiar. It opens us up, changes us, challenges us, requires effort and intention and attention too. You will not be the same when you finish as when you started.

Because literally and symbolically, creativity is so much of what keeps us alive. We have two choices: growth or decline. There is no standing still. When we choose creativity, we reach for life...and the Giver of it.

The God who spun stars into space, who can spread His fingers across the ocean, who knows every sparrow that falls...this is the God who calls you to create with Him.

Has there ever been a more beautiful invitation?

He's not asking you to make something perfect. He's simply asking you to be His partner. You pour out creativity and He fills you up in return.

Make art.

In your own wonderful way.

--Holley Gerth

Wonderful encouraging words aren't they?   I hope they spoke to your heart today.
Blessings,

Happy Birthday Mom

This card has been entered into both the Flourishes Motherly Love and Timeless Tuesday #163 Challenges

My mother-in-law turns 81 years old this month.    Mom doesn't use a computer but would love to know she was thought of in this manner.   And I think if my husband were to write this he would say these very words.   Happy Birthday, mom, we love you!

How did you find the energy, Mom
To do all the things you did,
To be teacher, nurse and counselor
To me, when I was a kid. How did you do it all, Mom,
Be a chauffeur, cook and friend,
Yet find time to be a playmate,
I just can’t comprehend. I see now it was love, Mom
That made you come whenever I'd call,
Your inexhaustible love, Mom
And I thank you for it all. By Joanna Fuchs  Her children rise up and bless her
                     Proverbs 31:28 New American Standard

Springtime and Easter Images

Hi everyone!

This morning I finished coloring up some stamped images I had.   My mother-in-law turns 81 soon and I want to make her a birthday and Easter card this afternoon.   So I thought it would be fun to show you the "before" photo's.   I keep stamped images for practice purposes.  Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't *laughing*   Like this morning - while I was coloring one of the nibs on my pen filled up with ink and as I touched the paper it left a big droplet!  Grrr.   I was almost done too.  But...since these were practice panels I decided that's part of the process -- see if you can recover.  I used the dreaded blending pen *laughing*   I think I recovered and I'll certainly be watching next time.

Several weeks ago I took my Intermediate Copic certification course.  I was so fortunate to have Marianne Walker from Copic International as my instructor.   What a gifted and talented woman.   One thing Marianne pointed out - I wasn't using enough contrast while coloring.   I think photographing the image or card sometimes gives you a better perspective as well (before you create the end result).   It was a fun exercise and I am going to use these panels for two cards today.   I hope you'll check back later and see what I come up with.

Ta for now.  Hope to see you later.

Shout to the Lord!

The wonder and majesty of creation through the eyes of a child.   When I look at this scene I can envision our little grandson at an older age.   Arms lifted high in complete abandonment.  Happy and joy-filled to be outside - free to run and play.     We've been praying that even now the Lord will draw his little heart unto Himself.   That Buddy will grow to love, serve and fulfill God's purpose.   I see our son in this scene as well.   I remember when he was little how much he loved to walk the highlands and glens with his father.   They started calling it their "adventures."  With his little red cardigan, wellingtons and cowboy hat on; off he would go with his dad -  our dog, Britta, following close behind.   I'm so glad he still remembers some of those "adventures" and hope he will do the same with his "Buddy."

But this verse has more meaning for me as well.   In 2003 I was diagnosed with colon cancer.   A diagnosis that proved to be incorrect during surgery thankfully.   However, the weeks leading up to surgery were ones of uncertainty.  So many times God had reassured me through the prayers of church family and friends of His faithfulness - this time would be no different.   "I will be the Aron to your Moses" when you cannot lift your head or pray one more time I will be there to lift it up for you.  The tears well as I write these words today.   How I love my dear friend!    Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times..." a verse I've shared with another navy wife for many years.  One that has encouraged me in the darkest of times.  You don't realize how powerful these verses are and the impact they have until adversity strikes.  But when it does, "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

One month after 9/11, my husband and I took a road trip west.  We stopped in Sedona for our anniversary and spent a few days to rest.   Early one morning we took a hike around Bell Rock and climbed up as far as our bodies would allow.   As we sat there looking at the beauty of the Red Rocks before us, turquoise blue skies above, that same peace washed over us.   There we found solace for our hearts.   I lift my eyes to the hills ~ Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord  Psalms 121: 1-2

As we approach Easter may we deeply appreciate what God has done for us through his son, Jesus - Redemption!  

Shout to the Lord

All the earth, let us sing

Power and majesty

Praise to the King

Mountains bow down

And the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name

                         Lyrics by Hillsong

He has Risen, He has Risen Indeed!

Buddy's Baby Shower Invitation

April showers bring May flowers - and baby showers too!  I couldn't wait to share this "Sweet Baby" shower invitation with you.   Our daughter-in-laws baby shower prompted me to look for some clean and simple designs.  With so many wonderful designers out there I knew I could find a design template to launch from.    I chose to use this design created by Ashley Newell, Papertrey, Ink designer.   I also loved the Clear and Simple Stamp Set, Sweet Dreams, especially after I saw these sweet invitations by Amber Daigre, designer for Clear and Simple Stamps.   Both sets of invitations are "simply" beautiful.   Both gave me just enough inspiration to create Buddy's Baby Shower Invitation.  I used two different embossing folders for the front and bottom flap of the invitation.  I think it gave a nice contrast.

 Insert close up of stripes

The inside uses the same template layout but instead of directions I included a little envelope containing the RSVP and on-line registries.  A small red heart with a micro dot is used for a closure.   And of course I changed the information on the top strip but kept a flourish on both sides for a more tailored look.   The sentiment is from Clear and Simple.  The text was computer generated.   And, like Ashley, I used magnets for the invitation closure.

 

Repeating a design or color is a great way to keep things flowing so I continued the dotted embossing on the inside pocket.   For me however, the best part was being able to put my little mark on the backside of this invitation.  I stamped the sleepy moon from Sweet Dreams and colored it with Prisma Colored pencil and added just a touch of Stickles Stardust glitter on each star.   It's not even enough to see in the photo.  But when you see it in person it just catches your eye.  Just enough stardust to put any little-little to sleep {insert smile}.

Handmade from the heart for our daughter-in-law and sweet grandson.   A keepsake in later years - worn and maybe a little yellowed, tucked in a box with bits of childhood treasures.   A memory for both of my endearing love.

For the inheritance of Lord Jehovah is children, the reward of the fruit of the womb.

Psalm 127:3  Aramaic Bible

Blessings to all,