Incredibly.....

Happy Friday, Sweet Friends!  Today, I have a simple water colored card to share.  It features images from the Sweet N Sassy Stamps SOTM, Give Thanks.  Today is the last day your order will qualify for this free set (with $75 purchase).

In addition to Give Thanks, I've also used images and sentiments from Happy Scarecrow and Incredibly Blessed.

Stay grateful; be blessed--Jane

Grateful....

I've been pretty reflective lately as things in our world have changed.  I have often been led to wonder how others surf through the trials of life?  It constantly amazes me that I continue to experience profound gratitude for all of the many ways in which I've been blessed, and continue to be blessed.

This happy little scarecrow is the perfect picture of grateful!  He's a bunch of fun to color and such a versatile image:

You can find all the goodies I used to make these two cards over in the Sweet N Sassy store:  Happy Scarecrow, Incredibly Blessed, God Is Bigger and the August SOTM, Give Thanks--yours free with a purchase of $75 or more!

Have a great day!  Jane

God Is Bigger

This is a blog post I never thought I'd be writing.....not in a million years.  But, life is funny that way---always handing out what we least expect.  In just a few short weeks (2 1/2 to be certain), I've gone from being a relatively carefree 50 year old momma walking through the first pangs of college age kids to a cancer patient.  It's moved so rapidly, I have to keep reminding myself of my new reality.

A little something not right.  A call to my provider.  A visit.  Follow up mammogram and then an ultrasound launched me right smack in the middle of more tests and procedures than I've had in all of my life up to this point.  By the grace of God, I have an amazing doctor who pushed through barriers, and nurses who fought for tests to be done--I had my first chemo treatment less than two weeks from receiving my diagnosis.

I discount none of it and know beyond a shadow of doubt that this has been the work of my Heavenly Father, who is able and who will heal me.  I'm so grateful for the hands and feet of Jesus that I have come to know in this short little time.  I build my testimony to the great and steadfast love of my Father daily. 

My girl and I decided to start bullet journaling.  I wanted to use mine to chronicle this journey.  I want a place of accountability--when I say I will pray for you, I will and I wanted a place to keep it all organized.  I also want to be very intentional about noticing the hand of God on my life:

 

 Art has always been a great source of joy and comfort for me.  I'm blessed to be part of the Sweet N Sassy Stamps team in ways that go far beyond cute stamps and coloring tools.  I used some of those cute stamps to create this layout:  Awesome Thoughts (retired) and Note This. More than that, though, I've found peace and calm in this storm--pray with me......

Jane

Thankful...



Do you ever find yourself WOWED by God??  I'm feelin' it right now.   Wanting to celebrate the new release at Sweet N Sassy Stamps of some super fabulous sets, I created this card.  Little did I know the reflection He was creating in my heart at the same time!!

It's not been easy in my little neck of the woods--I know this to be true for so many others, so I don't really want to get into the details too much.  So much sickness and struggle.  It would be so easy for my own little self to be bogged down with worry and overwhelmed with sadness and yet, today, I'm reflecting on how thankful I am.  THAT is directly from and for my God.  Without Him, despair would be the go to.  With Him, I have peace.  I have hope.  I am loved and that makes all the difference. 

I used three new sets to make this simple, sweet card of thanks: 

 

The Stamp of the Month set, Give Thanks will automatically be added to your purchase of $75 or more all this month!!!  How fabulous!

Other sets used include Happy Scarecrow and Incredibly Blessed.  Thank you, Father for using my sweet little creative time and goodies to remind me of your Truth.

Be Blessed, Jane

Where Thou Art.....

THAT is home.  More and more I see that home is in my heart.  Don't get me wrong, I love where I live and am grateful for the way the Lord has blessed me.  As my children get older and are starting to leave.....as my parents and I age, leaving them after each visit gets harder and harder.  It's the people we love that create home---until I get to Heaven.  Can I get an amen?

My little family recently spent some time in Milwaukee (missing my oldest).  A drive by the house my mom grew up in was both bitter and sweet.  I loved that house.  More, I love the people who lived there.  Miss them every day.

The house looks different.  The people who live there are different.  My feelings, still there.  Such good memories of the best times of my childhood.

I'm busy filling my 8 x 8 scrapbook album.  This little page turned out exactly how I saw it in my head!  Using Love Your Neighbor stamp set from Sweet N Sassy Stamps, I created a tone on tone background for my layout.  I also created the cute little elements that add a splash of color to the page.  The quote is from a retired Sweet 'N Sassy set called Happy Home.  The last element, "Look" and arrow are from the SNSS Summer blow out sale set, What's Up? Edited:  What's Up? has completely sold out--they are going fast-- Check out the blow out sales for some great deals before it's too late!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Stay awesome--Jane

God Is For You....

Words of truth and wisdom right here, folks--coming straight at you from me and Sweet 'N Sassy stamps.  In this big world full of stress and strain the only thing, in my fifty--YES, you read that correctly--years that I hold to be true without a doubt is that God is for you.  He's for me, too.  I get lost and stressed and overwhelmed and sometimes forget where to put my eyes, but He's always there.  Patient, waiting, there.  It works like that for you too--a week, a year, ten years....a life time of looking away, He is still there.  Waiting, wanting, loving. 

This super cute and colorful card features Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps new July release, Go God's Way.  I literally gasped out loud when I first saw this set designed by Diane Noble:

 

So much fun to be had with these great images!!  It also pairs great with the God is for You set--which I used for the sentiment.  Endless possibilities.

Have a great day being awesome!  Jane

Teacups and Roses....

Hello, Sweet Friends and Happy Monday!  It's been a busy few weeks over in my little neck of the woods, graduating and celebrating my girl!  Now that the party is over (thanks to all who came!), I'm taking a "me" day and trying to get caught up on other things I love....Like this beautiful new release from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps called Teacup Roses. This is such a fun image to color and makes the sweetest cards of encouragement, thanks, birthday and so much more!

My first card features a bible page in addition to the beautiful teacup image.  I love to pick up aged bibles at thrift stores to use in my art.  They make great backgrounds as well as come in quite handy for mixed media canvas art.

For my second card, I used a piece of fabric for my color inspiration and background.  I even pulled out my sewing machine for this one!  This set is just so versatile!!  The color combos are endless; a must have set it you ask me!  I love it!

Have a great day being awesome!  Jane