Friday, August 16, 2019

Sweet N Sassy Stamps + My Sweet Petunia Hop



It's a fabulous day today because Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is joining forces with My Sweet Petunia for an awesome blog hop and giveaway! There's a chance to win a $50 gift code to each shop, so we hope you'll join the fun and hop along with us! To be eligible for the drawing, leave a little shout out in the comments at each stop along the hop.

I own both the original Misti and the Creative Corners--you guys!!!!! Fabulous! As soon as I got my Creative Corners, I just had to play! I grabbed a piece of cardstock with an interesting gelli plate pattern, an alphabet (In Stitches Alphabet), a sentiment (Faith Wordfetti) some cute bird stamps (SOTM, Singing Praises--all from Sweet N Sassy Stamps!) and my Creative Corners. Yikes!! This is just the beginning of a whole new world of stamping potential.


I cannot even begin to tell you how much paper I have messed up and wasted over the years!  My Misti allows me to line things up and practice before adding ink.  It also allows me multiple inkings for the perfect additions to cards, bible journaling and scrapbook pages.


A year ago, at this exact time, I was meeting my oncologist for the first time and hearing the plan that would remove cancer from my body.  There were tests after tests and, what felt like, endless appointments.  I started chemotherapy on the day my mother-in-law passed away.  To say it was a hard year for my family is the biggest understatement.  But God.

He carried me in a way I have never allowed myself to be carried before.  I understand surrender in a different way; a life giving way.  I purposed to be obedient, to be held, and, if it were His will, to be healed.  Shortly after my first chemo treatment, I shaved my head.  Losing my hair was truly the least of my worries, but when it started coming out in handfuls, it was overwhelming.  Shaving my head--it was empowering.

The new Faith Wordfetti set from Sweet N Sassy Stamps, contains almost every thought I had at that time.  "Not today Satan"--I would literally speak it out loud--"get behind me in the name of Jesus" every time my mind was threatened with despair.  I remember sobbing and saying those words in my car on the way to work.  My mantra became "be still and know."  "God is bigger!"  I "live for Him" and "choose joy."

My 8x8 scrap page started with a picture and bible page from a vintage bible I keep on hand for such a purpose.  Behind my big ol' bald head is the scriptures found in Psalm 62:
 
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken."

Book ends, Friends!!  My second scrap page features me just weeks ago, July 11th, and my final dose of chemotherapy.  My hair started growing back after December 6th which was when the BIG chemo ended.  After that, it was what they refer to as adjunct treatment--6 months of Herceptin; now, over also!  My med bag came with a little cocktail umbrella which made me laugh.  My younger son came with me that day--I was so glad to have him there.  It was a surprise to me how emotional I became when that last med went in and I realized it was finally over--that part any way.  I now live in a different kind of reality.
It's changed me.  Today, reflecting on the last year, I can honestly say it  has been  more blessing than curse.  What is meant for evil, GOD does transform for His good and perfect purposes.  Glory be to the Great Physician!  May each of my days be given to honor Him.  I adore Sweet N Sassy Stamps for so many reasons, but mostly because of the God honoring product that allows me a platform to share His good news and kindness with others.

I created all of my projects using the MISTI, Creative Corners and Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps.  Alphabets featured are:  Sunshine Girl Alpha, Typewriter Block Alpha, Sweet N Simple Alpha and Bitty Mini Alpha.  It's  the time to load up on alphabet stamps with the Sweet Sale happening now.

It is my hope that you enjoy our collaborative hop and are inspired by the projects and the hearts that share them.  Be sure to share YOUR heart with the teams and you'll have a chance to win a great prize!!

For your convenience, here is the hop line up!

34 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your story with us - God is so good! Love your scrapbook pages

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  2. What a beautiful story -- and proof that like the moon, you don't have to be whole to shine!

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  3. I love blog hops because they inspire me to create--thank you.

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  4. What a wonderful outlook. My mom had to undergo chemo and raditation, and had a good outlook, too. She looked great without hair, and with a wig. After her hair came back, she let her hair go natural--grey, and it looks great!! It has been freeing. Anyway, I liked seeing your wonderful pages.

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  5. Thabks for sharing your story. Great layouts!

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  6. God is good! Wishing you continued blessings!

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  7. Thank you for sharing. You are inspiring.

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  8. Great layouts. thanks for
    sharing. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. Thank you for sharing your art and your story!

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  10. What a powerful post and thank you for sharing! Love your card, well, because I am a birdie addict! lol And your layouts are just awesome and fun and that umbrella really is hysterical. :-)

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  11. What a beautiful story of grace, and I love your card!

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  12. Wow! These pages and your blogpost speak volumes about the power of God. So very thankful for the way He carried you through this last year and for the faith that kept you going!! Also thankful for the beautiful way you've shared your journey through the artwork you created with the SNS products! God bless you as you continue to grow stronger physically and spiritually!!

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  13. Thank you for sharing! Your layouts are AMAZING! And sooooo inspiring! You got this!

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  14. Thank you for sharing your story and journey. God is good!! I haven't used my stamps for a layout yet. You have inspired me!

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  15. Wow.


    I am in awe. Your story and your glorious pages are fabulous! Thank you for sharing. I will be thinking of you often.💜🌵

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  16. Loved reading the heart behind your art. Praise God for the healing he is doing.

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  17. Thanks for sharing the hope we have with our savior!

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  18. Thank You, Jesus! Rejoicing with you even as I grieve the journey of a friend who's nearing the end of her life in her battle with cancer. So grateful that your tears are being recycled for the joy of many in this season.

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  19. Your pages give me chills, Jane. God is so good! And you are truly a shining light of inspiration. Beautiful projects to match your beautiful soul.

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  20. God bless you my sweet (new) friend! God is so much bigger than anything and to hear your story is wonderful and uplifting. Praise God! I loved what you said, "I understood surrender in a different way" and that is really "life giving" when we each realize that! Great pages and such a powerful message!

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  21. Beautiful card and layouts! Thanks for sharing them with us. Your strength is an inspiration!

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  22. Thank you for sharing your story. My mother also went through chemo for her cancer. God truly does carry us through difficult times.

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  23. I came to see a pretty project. I am leaving having seen one but far more blessed for reading your story. Thanks for sharing how God has delivered you and worked in your heart. Prayers for your continued strength and opportunities to bless others with the encouragement your have received.

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  24. Fantastic pages Jane! I love the words you told yourself, the big smiles even thought you were hurting! I have a friend and she wanted to smile for every pictures of her as she was going through chemo! Thank you for the inspiration and sharing your journey with us! What a great testimony!

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  25. thanks for sharing your story through these wonderful pages and how you used the Misti.

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  26. So special on so many levels, Jane. Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring!

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  27. This is beautiful! Both the projects and the story - most of all your sweet heart! Thanks for sharing!

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  28. Beautiful card, scrapbook page, and story!

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  29. Love, love, love the I will Not be shaken!!!!

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  30. Lovely pages, God's grace is sufficient for every situation. Glad that you are on the road to recovery.

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  31. Beautiful- both projects and journey! Best wishes for many healthy and happy days ahead.

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