Be Held

Happy Tuesday, Sweet Friends!  Today I am sharing a layout I created with my Grandpa on my mind.  Despite the fact that he's been gone for well over twenty years, I still think about my Gramps often.  It seems like yesterday and forever since I've seen him--funny how life is sometimes?

I was thinking about sharing here on what would have been his 100++ birthday and began reflecting on how his passing was really a game changer for me in my walk with Christ.  In this storm, I began to realize that I would find Him, that I could be held, that His promises are all that they say they are....

Acts 27 finds Paul on a boat, in storm, with a bunch of people and more than a boat load of faith in the One who is Mighty to Save.

v.20 "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned".......keep reading......

v.25 "So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told".  READ ON:

v.36  "Then they were all encouraged"....go,  more reading......

v. 44 ..."all were brought safely to land"......

Have you been brought safely?  The storm is a hard place to be.  No doubt about it.  But, my friends, the storm IS where you will find Him.  Keep looking, seeking, searching.  And, allow yourself to just be held.



I used a bunch of goodies from Sweet N Sassy Stamps to complete this layout:  Awesome Thoughts, Note This, Just Be, Outline Alpha, Seek Him, His Wings, and Words of Life 1.

Be Blessed,
Jane

Brakin' For You

Happy Monday, my Friends!!  After a bit of a break, I'm bringing back I Brake For Stamps Mondays!  Today's project features images from Floral Half Sheet 148A and Floral Half Sheet 148B. 

I love the look of contrasting black and white with colors. These awesome florals work perfectly for this easy technique.  Be sure to check them out in the I Brake For Stamps store.  You can say some money while you are there by using my coupon code SAVE10JANE :)

I started by stamping random images in black on white card stock.  Next, I on a second piece of paper, I stamped three images that matched the background piece in style, but contrasted in size.  I trimmed and water colored those images and then adhered them to the background with two way glue.

My sentiment can also be found in the floral sets, so...it's all you need (but there SO much more!) to make your own!

I use both of these sets quite frequently--they are so versatile! I know you'll think so too!

Have a great day and don't forget to be awesome!!  Jane

Don't Forget The Digi....

Happy Friday, Sweet Friends! 

Every once in a while, I'm reminded how fun digital images can be.  Normally, I like old school stamping with ink and a stamp block in my hand.  Printers can be unpredictable and paper choices limited...BUT,

Digital images are great because you can resize them and manipulate them to exactly the right size and look for your project.  Oh, and did I mention, you can have them RIGHT AWAY???  Like life, pros and cons!

Today, I'm using the Doodle Flowers digital image from Sweet N Sassy stamps.  Be sure to check out the new additions to the digital stamps.  Rebecca Rios just designed several that are absolute must haves!

After my printer ink dried completely, I water colored the image and just added a few rhinestones for accents.  The sentiment is from Be Encouraged, also from Sweet N Sassy stamps.  Check 'em out!

TTFN, Jane

The Funnest Birthday Ever!

I'm addicted to dies.  Can't help it.  Even though I love to fussy cut....I find it very therapeutic.  There's just something about the crisp and easy cut that a die can accomplish.

Stampin' Up has this great set called Number of Years that also has matching number dies....the new SU! catalog also has a must have set of letter dies that coordinate.  You can see the catalog here if you aren't lucky enough to have one of your own!  Lots of good stuff in there!

I made this fun little shaker card for my niece.  I sure hope she liked it.  I'm sure it was the highlight of her special day ;) (SO far from the truth!)

I used my ancient astro label punch to create the happy birthday:

I love this thing!  Long ago replaced by the fancy dymo label machines, this bad boy adds a great home made/vintage/arty feel to any project!

That's all for today--Don't forget to be awesome!
Jane

Technicolor...

This is has been a true work of heart!  My kiddos just concluded the Central Wisconsin Children's Theater production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat--it was an amazing production, I'm so proud of them.  As part of our post production depression (it happens with every show), we've been singing the songs and looking at pictures.  I also chose to journal:

I went to each show--I almost feel like I was part of it!  It was my littlest ones first show and I was very curious to see how she would hold up--like a champ.  Mid way through the three day run, I decided I wanted to journal the story.  Partly because the music is so wonderful, partly to honor my kids, but mostly because it's such an amazing story of perseverance and the power of trusting in God. 

The story of Joseph tells the tale of his humiliation and struggle, as well as his exultation and blessing.  I can certainly relate in the sense that I've endured valleys and enjoyed mountains, myself.  The piece of the story that really strikes me, however, is Joseph's faithfulness to the author of his dreams.  The Word tells us we will be given the desires of our hearts.  First, however, I believe God authors those dreams for His purpose.  Sometimes, we are willing to follow His dream for us, sometimes, it takes us awhile....(I know this to be true for me!)

Joseph trusted God.  What his brothers intended as evil, God used for good; and Joseph trusted.  We could all learn from Joe ;)

To create my layout,I used a variety of stamp sets from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps' Creative Worship line.  Specifically, I used Outline Alphabet to spell out "Go, Go, Go, Joseph" and "dreams".  I started with white cardstock that I applied various distress inks, in a rainbow pattern, directly to the paper. I trimmed each letter with scissors and an exact-o blade.

I created my "bookmark" using the Awesome Thoughts stamp set designed by Rebecca Rios.  I love the style of this set and used it quite a bit in the entire layout.  Actually, a number of the sets I used were designed by Rebecca.  I love her style!  You can see Rebecca Rios Designs HERE.

Joseph is from a coloring page I found online.  I simply traced the image and then colored it using various distress inks and an aqua brush.

Other stamp sets used:  Choose Faith, Classy Script Alphabet, His Book, Seek Him and Note This.

That's all--Be Awesome, Jane

Pops Day....

Father's Day came and went with no online mention from me.....I was busy attending to the Fathers in my life.  Well, sorta...I also took a nap and went to the show :)  Anyhoooo......my Father's Day cards though, were just too cute not to share (if'n I do say so m'self)

The Hero card, I made for my Daddy.  He is my hero in so many ways.  Always an encourager, faithful, kind, compassionate.  His road has not always been easy, but he has always been steady and true.  He's a great example and, hands down, THE nicest guy you will ever know.  Oh, and smart.  Did I mention that?  Smart enough, I am sure, that he figured out how to open this out of the box card:

It might be hard to see, but there's a tiny green brad that allows the top portion of the card front to pivot.  My Pops is one of kind....kinda thought his card should be too!  Stamp credits go to Sweet N Sassy stamps for the adorable Super Dad stamp set (there are also dies to match!)

I finally broke out some of my Stampin' Up goodies to complete my second card.  This set, called
Sky is the Limit, was a Sell-A-Bration set from last year.  I combined it with a sentiment I received as part of a paper pumpkin promotion.  Sorry, I don't know how to credit the name of the set it comes from--I like how the two different fonts work together.  This card is a vintage meets new mash up!  I used the new sunburst die from Stampin' Up and also a very old cloud making tool that I've had for about a decade.  The cloud dies are also older from MFT.

I made this one for my father-in-law.  He's been close to my heart for so long, I cannot remember a time he wasn't there.  Over the years, he's been one of my biggest fans, supportive, helpful--always there!  I'm such a lucky girl ;)

That's all I got...Be Awesome!
Jane

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Do you know this guy??  That's the birthday boy!!  Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet, Daddy!  I'm sending him some blogger wishes for a fantastic day and a new year that is healthy and full of all the things that bring joy!

Well, sure there is a card....thanks for asking ;)

A great big shout out to Sweet 'N Sassy stamps for this fun image and sentiments found in the Super Dad clear stamp set.  I added the super dad image to a die cut t-shirt for this fun and easy card. You can find the tshirt die over at MFT.  (They might even be having a sale right now.  You. Are.Welcome.)

Go on...Be Awesome--Jane