Gifting

I can't believe it's been THAT long since I last blogged!  Having the time has been a real issue - hubby and I are spending way less time on the net these days plus I have been hampered by the fact I just couldn't upload photos.  I upgraded something and then lost all ability to put photos on my blog.  Now I know I have a few loyal followers out there somewhere but even you don't want to tune in just for a whole bunch of blah, blah, blah if there aren't at least a few pictures to look at huh? I sure wouldn't!

Well let me just say that I am about to make up for that.  I've had to figure out a whole different route but for the time being I can get some pictures uploaded so I'm gonna enjoy it whilst I can.

 

I made up a little something over the weekend for one of the gals at church.  I don't actually know her and I think she must be fairly new but there was a round robin email from the ladies at church asking us to make her feel welcome and show her some love.  I'm not exactly sure when baby's due but my guess is it's pretty soon.

 

I recycled a pretty pastel blue box somebody gave a gift to me in, deliberately knowing I would love the box (just like a kid).

 

And these are the handmade goodies that fit perfectly inside.  Since I don't know what gender baby is gonna be I had to keep the colour scheme kinda neutral.  I picked up a half metre of baby design fabric on the market last Wednesday and took my inspiration for everything else from there.

 

Burp cloths are super easy to make and one of the most practical gifts I can think of.  Trust me - you don't go anywhere without something for those 'ikky' moments that are just one of the joys of babies.

 

 

I had to refold them slightly differently to how I like to in order to get them in the box nice and neat but that's no biggie.

 

I lined the box with tisue paper so I could cover the contents and tuck them neatly inside.  Then I grabbed some cream satin ribbon and set to work creating a quick couple of tags.  I have several of the PTI button cards hanging around and whilst I would've liked one that said 'cute as a button' I didn't have one and was in too much of a hurry to get the stamp set out to make one up.

 

I always have a few PTI chipboard buttons on hand too.  I love making my own embellishments and to save time I'll sit one evening and make a whole bunch up so they're grab and go when I need them.  The mini Waltzingmouse baby set is so cute and at only £3.99 it can't be beat.  I ADORE these Mary-Jane shoes!  I kept the colours similar to my fabric which made these tags really sweet.  Since the machine was still out on the table I added some real stitching to the 'sweet baby' tag.

 

Sadly I won't be there to give these to her in person so I sure hope she likes them.  Maybe when she's had baby I can go ooooh and aaaah over it.

 

I've made several nice things during the time I've been AWOL but they're on my new mobile phone - haven't quite got the hang of emailing those just yet.  I got pinterest down pat tho' LOL!  Some of em are on my boards, the rest might make it on here - we'll just have to see.

 

It feels pretty good to be back - I kinda got used to not blogging there for a while so we'll just see how it goes I guess.  There are so amny things demanding my time, so many things I have to do plus things I want to do.  Right now I keep picking up my WMS funky floral stamps and matching dies but haven't had time for a serious play just yet.  Will post a wee something later on.  If you haven't seen the stunning felt floral brooches Claire made then go check out the dies in my link and see her samples.

 

Enjoy!

 

Suezie

WMS Bookmarks & A Bible Study

I needed a way to remember a verse that is part of a Bible study I've embarked on recently and came up with a bookmark idea.

The study is from a book by Kay Arthur and is called 'Lord, Where Are You When Bad Things Happen?'.  I can't go into details but I know I am meant to be doing this study and incredibly it's as though God has given me the time I need to do it and even enabled me to have to 'sit still' long enough to get into His Word.  Hopefully this afternoon I can cosy up and read some more.

All I can say is that whilst Kay's methods take a bit of getting used to at first (inductive study) she opens up the scriptures in a whole new way and I have been able to read my Bible with an understanding like never before.  God has really spoken into my heart whilst I've been home recovering.  This makes this time not only one of revelation and discovery but I have not had even the slightest touch of depression this time around - something that has plagued me with previous boughts of Labyrinthitis.  Let's just say I can really feel for those who are 'shut in' all day long and unable to get themselves out and about.  Who wouldn't be depressed!

Anyhow I highly recommend getting one of her many books from Precept Ministries and giving it a go.  On a personal level I'd really like to do the 'Lord, Teach Me To Study Your Bible' study next.

 

One of the things Kay does is point you back to scripture and is big on 'memory verses' so I needed a way to learn to remember them.  The book is broken down into chapters which are then broken down by days of the week.  The idea is to do a bit of study each day with simple exercises along the way.  At the end of each chapter are discussion questions to see what you've learnt and also a verse of scripture to memorise - the idea being you'll have a whole handful of useful verses by the end of the book.

 

I cannot stress the importance for Christians to know and understand God's Word and also to have scripture to hand to recall when situations arise.  God's Word is a sword; one that enables us to go on the attack when the enemy comes against us; therefore the more of God's Word we know and understand, the stronger our sword - so to speak.  If you've ever read Ephesians 6:10-20 (or remember it from your Sunday school days) where the armour of God is described you'll know what I mean.

 

Anyhow the first memory verse was 'Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law' Psalm 119:18.  And since I start my study session praying through this verse I can see just how important this one is.  I must be getting it because I just typed it without looking (Yay me!) so the first one's memorised - only another 9 to go LOL!  There are 10 chapters in the book so there'll be at least 10 verses and probably a few more here and there.

 

I didn't have a stamp for this verse so I used the computer to quickly print up a couple of sheets of card stock and then trimmed each sheet into 5 strips, stamped up something simple to pretty them up and gave one to each of the other girls who are also studying this book.  For the next verse (which is a bit longer) I'm hoping to do a fridge magnet.  And since these would be cool laminated I think I might just have to do some for Caring For Life for the next package.  I guess I'd best get me a laminator then huh?

Well that's enough computer for today I think - the rest of my posts will have to wait until tomorrow.

Hugs & Blessings

Suezie

More Waltzing Mouse Stamp Play

I can finally sit at the computer long enough to post a couple of posts without falling off my chair!  With that said I have a backlog of items I have been meaning to share so here goes with post number one.

 

To cheer myself up a bit I ordered some new stamps from Verve whilst I've been off sick and with the help of a friend I was able to mass produce some super simple and super quick 'CAS' cards to send off to Debs for Caring For Life.  I am already over the amount I sent last year and it would be so cool if I could double (or even triple) that amount next year.

 

I decided this time it would be fun to stamp up the padded envelope and even stamped one of the scripture verses up in the upper left hand corner - I love packages and can't see why it can't be a pretty one huh?

 

I am so glad I decided to go ahead and get this 'Grace' stamp. I love that the word 'grace' is in a much larger font and that it's a quote rather than a verse, making it ideal for any use.

 

These cards come together in a matter of minutes and I am determined to do a workshop with this mini set at some point.

 

I love that they're single layer cards too meaning much less fuss and bother which is how I can make up 20 or 30 at a time and I love mixing up the colour combos too.

 

This Tim Holtz blue/grey distress ink on the left is a gorgeous colour and has to be one of my favourites so far along with the red.

 

Well I'm keeping my posts short since I'm not taking any chances.  I can feel the pressure building up in my ears so I'm gonna take it gently and slowly this week and hopefully should be able to get back to work some time next week.

 

This time it's only lasted 6 weeks which is the shortest time ever!  That gives me hope that I will either no longer suffer with it or it will be so super mild at the next attack I can probably work through it.  I have suffered with Labyrinthitis for 3 years now and 3 episodes lasting 6 months, 4 months and now 6 weeks.  Since it can be caused by an inner ear virus (which is what my doc thinks caused mine) I'm still not convinced I didn't pick it up on the aeroplane when we went back for Mom's funeral.  I guess 'how I got it' doesn't really matter - what does is that my body seems to be gradually dealing with it and should eventually eradicate it altogether at some point. 

 

Let's just say there's finally a light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel!

 

Next up on the card making front will have to be Christmas cards I think but one step at a time :-)

 

Enjoy

 

Blessings

 

Suezie