Freedom is not free!

**Scroll down for my M5D post**

Monday is Memorial Day in the US.  A day to remember those who gave their lives fighting for our freedom.  This poem is more often heard in Canada on Remembrance Day, but we all need to remember the thoughts it expresses...

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

                           ~John McCrae

 It is important to remember those who fought and died, but we also need to honor veterans.   I was recently asked about making some cards for the mail call of the local Honor Flight.   Of course, I said yes!  

At our church we have a Romans 12:15 ministry.  That verse says, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."   We make cards (sympathy, thinking of you, baby, birthday, etc.), pray for the person, then write a personal note.  We were all excited to make cards for the veterans who will be taking the honor flight.   

Cuttlebug 'Stars' embossing folder was perfect for these!!

The image and sentiment are from Patriotic Eagle COLOR Plus from Doodle Pantry.  I thought this set PERFECT for these cards!!   We made several all similar to these two.  I made them a more simple design for two reasons:  it is not about our 'beautiful cards' -- it is about honoring them for their service, and also, we have different levels of creative skills in our group.  (Am I right, ladies?   ☺)

Have a great weekend!  Please do remember that Monday is Memorial Day... it isn't just a long weekend nor is it "National Barbecue Day"!

Challenges...

Celebrate the Occasion # 113 - Memorial Day

Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday - red, white, and blue

The Perfect Sentiment PSC80 - anything goes

Fab n Funky #172 - ribbon and/or lace (DP is sponsoring and I'm on the DT so I'm not entering to win)

Here is a pic of the full set...

This weekend, Laurie is having a sale... 35% off any purchase now through Monday.  Visit the Specials page for details.    Also, now through Monday, School Bus is also FREE w/ purchase!!                                               

On Monday, USA Freedom is available for download FREE!!  It will be for sale in the store after that.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

Thinking of you

All 4 of my kids were sick last week, so I didn't accomplish much other than keeping them hydrated, vapor-ized, and well supplied with tissues and cough drops!   On the weekend, I did get a few hours in my craft room and made up some cards with images I had printed a long time awhile ago.  

Here is a note card.  I was inspired by and CASEd this card I saw on Pinterest.  Unfortunately, I didn't check when I first re-pinned it, and it does not go directly to the actual post of the original card. :/  But if you want to try to find it, have fun!  :)  

Challenges...
Perfect Sentiment PSC73 - sympathy/thinking of you
Paper Pretties  PWC252 - April showers bring May flowers
Clear It Out - Spring is Coming (use flowers)
Word Art Wednesday #74 - anything goes (Scripture or uplifting sentiment)
Playing in Paradise #111 - embossing **Can you hear the angels singing "Hallelujah!"?  Embossing is the most wonderful technique ever!!!!   My Cuttlebug will be buried with me!**

Supplies...
~pre-colored image from Doodle Pantry Poppies
~MME Dolled Up DP
~TPC Studios sentiment
~Perfect Paisley embossing folder
~Offray ribbon

Thanks for stopping by!!  Now go emboss something!!!  :)

A note for you...

Sorry, it's not really for YOU, my dear readers, but you understand.   

I love this phonograph set from Doodle Pantry this month!    If you play along with Doodle Pantry Challenge DPDC31 by 9 PM EST Feb 24, you will receive this set FREE!!  

~Doodle Pantry pre-colored Phonograph  
~sentiment from Phonograph set
~MS border punch
~Flora Doodles
~AC ribbon
~Heidi Swapp edge distresser
~Prima "Madeline" DP 
~DCWV Chalkboard cardstock

Challenges...
Fab n Funky #159 - "Flower Power" 
Perfect sentiments PSC67: Floral Fantasia
Paper Playtime ch#4 - sentiment stamp (I hope digi sentiment counts!)

I used this week's sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches.  You have until 8 PM EST Sunday to play there, too! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

"Let not your heart be troubled"

I don't think any of us would argue about the fact that we live in troubled times!!!   But the wonder of it all is that we don't need to be troubled about it!  God's promises are true in good times and bad!  He is faithful and He will (if we let Him) give peace in the midst of our storms!

With that in mind, this digi from Doodle Pantry was perfect!!  This is so beautiful and encouraging!!   The image is from Cattail Pond Color Plus.   This is an older digi that Laurie colored this month.

This took me several days to get finished because life kept interrupting me!!

My supplies...
~Doodle Pantry Cattial Pond colored digi and sentiment
~Spellbinders Circles and Lacey Circles
~Impressabilities circles (see close up below)
~TH tea dye distress ink
~CM corner rounder
~K&Co paper scrap
~ribbon from my short pieces container

Challenges...
Clear it Out -circle + anything goes from stash (ribbon and paper)
Cuttlebug Spot - round and round it goes (circles)
Shopping Our Stash #85 - Suits me to a T (Two ribbons, tea dye ink)
Paper Pretties PWC 241 - ribbon
Card Crafter's Circle #58 - layers
Perfect Sentiment PSC62 - encourage me w/ ribbon
Word Art Wednesday #63 - anything goes

better view of embossing

Thanks for stopping by!!!  Have a great day!!
I'm off to get my kids moving in school so we can go skiing later! :)

Penquin wishes

Card #2 for today...

I'm not really ready to start thinking about Christmas 2013 yet, but even with emailing and FBing some greetings for 2012, I still had to give some cards from the store!!!!!  :-O
My goal for 2013 is to have ALL my cards be handmade this year.  So I'd better get started now!!

My first Christmas card of 2013...

~Bugaboo's Little Penguin Winter - Skate digi
~Spectrum Noir markers
~Spellbinders Circles and Lacey Circles
~Paper Studio "Jolly Holiday" DP
~sentiment from My Craft Spot "Joy to the World" set
~snowflake brad

Challenges...
{PIN}spirational Challenge #39 - penguins
Merry Monday #45 - sketch
My Craft Spot Monday Challenge #82 - anything goes
The Perfect Sentiment PSC61 - winter wonderland (outdoor skating is the PREFECT winter activity!!!)
Paper Pretties PWC240 - brads

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Christmas Bluejay

We are down to only  74 days until Christmas!!  :-O  So I made a Christmas card today.  :-)  I've been trying to get back into my craft room but have had company ever since I got back from my trip, so that took precedence!   I've had several digis printed for quite awhile and decided to make a card from this Doodle Pantry image...

Challenges...
Technique Tuesday October Challenge - Bargello *really cool technique*
Simon Says Stamp - Dies or Punches
The Stamp Man October Challenge - butterflies, birds, and bees
The Perfect Sentiment PSC53C - Christmas Critters (is a bird a critter??)
The Cuttlebug Spot - "What's on your desk?" (this image has been printed for quite awhile and was sitting patiently waiting for me!!)
Shopping Our Stash Challenge 72 - tic, tac, toe
      *I used the left side-brad, black, sparkle (does Glossy Accents count as sparkle?)

Glossy Accents on the branch

~Spellbinders Large and Small Labels, Doodle Parts
~Doodle Pantry Bluejay pre-colored image
~sentiment from Doodle Pantry Mini Bethlehem set
~fancy pants DP
~Glossy Accents
~ribbon and brad from my stash

Thanks for stopping by!!!!