Thanksgiving Blessings ...

Hello blogging friends,

On this special day I am praying you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving, remembering God's abundant blessings.  I have so much to be thankful for this year.

One of my favorite quotes about thankfulness is from Shakespeare, in the play Henry VI.

"O Lord, that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness."

~ William Shakespeare ~

I also have a card to share with you showing my gratitude.

Tall wheat was stamped in StazOn Timber Brown.  Using a 1 3/4" circle punch and a Post-it note I created a mask for the sun.

The background was sponged using a Kaleidacolor ink pad.  I then removed the Post-it note and lightly sponged Barely Banana on the sun.

The inside sentiment was also stamped in StazOn Timber Brown.

Wishing you abundance, hope, peace and a festive holiday season.  Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Stamps:  Hero Arts Tall Wheat, Serendipity Stamps Gratitude
Paper:  Old Lace, Crumb Cake, Shimmery White, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Image - StazOn Timber Brown; Kaleidacolor Autumn Leaves, Barely Banana
Accessories:  1 3/4" Circle Punch, Post-it Note, Spellbinders Labels Eight #5
Technique:  Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

A Lighthouse

Hi blogging friends,

I haven't shared any of my cards lately so today I have a birthday card.  The top two layers were cut using the Spellbinders Labels 18 dies.  The lighthouse image is from Cornish Heritage Farms.  I used both inks and Prismacolor Pencils to color the scene.

The Manchester Plaid background paper I found in my stash and thought it went really well with the Lost Lagoon and Basic Gray.

Inside was created with the same color scheme.  Happy Birthday was stamped in Baja Breeze ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  The crane and pebbles were stamped in StazOn Stone Gray. To create the water effect I sponged the paper with Bashful Blue and then applied a coat of Crystal Effects.

Thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate all of you who leave comments or email me. 

Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms, SU Perfect Pairing, Stampscapes Gulls, Pebbles, Crane in H20 & Tall Grass Small
Paper:  Lost Lagoon, Manchester Designer Paper, Basic Gray, Shimmery White, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Images - StazOn Stone Gray; Prismacolor Pencils; Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze with Clear EP 
Accessories:  Crystal Effects, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen #4 & #5, Spellbinders Mega Curved Rectangles #5
Technique:  Sponging, Colored Pencils
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

DIY Branch Centerpiece

Hi blogging friends,

As Halloween approaches, I wanted to share with you my Manzanita branch centerpiece.  It's perfect to add height to any tablescape or side table.

I used a Longaberger Halloween basket as the base.  I wanted a neutral color and thought the gray & white basket was perfect.  The Manzanita branch was mounted to a piece of wood and set into the round basket. 

The top was then covered with Spanish moss.  Seed lights were wrapped around the branches to add a mysterious twinkle.  Keeping with my Edgar Allan Poe theme I have a few perched crows.

I also added a "creepy" spiderweb tie-on with a dangling spider.

So simple and cute to make!  You can be creative and use a piece of driftwood or grab a branch from your backyard.  If you like the look of the Manzanita branch, please see my friend Grace and she will create something special for you.  I plan to change mine for the seasons.  Sparkly bulbs for Christmas, little eggs with a nest for spring, butterflies for summer ... you get the idea.

Thank you for stopping by!