FWF...sugar rush

It’s a Basic Grey kinda day…I have been itching to use my Basic Grey “Nook and Pantry” and “Sugar Rush” papers and these Unity stamps from June and September 2009 gave me the perfect excuse on this friends with flair Friday.

I just love these sherbert colors...

I don’t know if it’s the weather here or just wishful thinking but something’s been making me think about the ice cream truck’s ring-a-ling…

I just love a good ice cream cone...

What about you…in a cone or in a bowl?

Sugar Rush Wishes,

Patty

hello sweetie...

Boy, what a week it's been...but I've finally had a good nights sleep and God's faithfulness is more evident in my thoughts today.  I have been trying to orchestrate a solution to a major issue without Him.  I have played out every conversation...doing the dialogue for both parties...in my head.  Do you ever do that?  Thankfully, this morning in my quiet time with Him,  I was gently reminded not to force what I want, but to ask Him what is right.  Hmmmm...such a sweet peace is over me right now.  Thank you, Jesus.

This adorable little guy was made for the Crafty Secret challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers.  Our challenge was to make a masculine card...well, this is as masculine as I could muster.

Isn't he adorable?  Both the cute little image and the sweet sentiment are from Crafty Secrets.  The paper is Basic Grey Marrakech, the buttons and brad are from my stash.

Looks like we're in for a couple more days of rain...but oh, what a beautiful, green Spring is promised.  That's the thing about rainy days, they make the sunny ones even more special.

His peace and blessings on all of you,

Patty

wishing...

One of my most favorite ways to spend a lazy afternoon is perusing Melissa Phillips beautiful blog.  She issued an inspirational challenge this weekend that I couldn't resist giving a whirl...She offered this beautiful photo from A Creative Mint as the starting point in creating a card to share.

What a breathtaking, dreamlike photo.  The beautiful slippers seem to be floating on a cloud of dainty flowers.

Here is my take...I was inspired by the lavenderish tones and the open white spaces and of course, the beautiful hydrangeas.

The sweet birthday sentiment is a new one for me from Crafty Secrets that I picked up on Friday along with the Prima flowers and the pearl flourish.  The paper is Basic Grey's Wisteria...it's one I've had in my stash for a while...so you see, I am still using what I already have on hand, too.

Wishing you blessings,

Patty

the gift... {D}

We do not remember the days, we remember the moments...

The next generation...

The latest edition, baby Noah Grace and great gramma...

Our sweet baby girl, Emily Jean and great grandpa...

Dog pile...Summer...Childhood...Memories...

We spent yesterday at my mom and dad's house for a BBQ. I went over early and was able to enjoy a couple of hours with just my parents and oh, how I enjoy that time. Nothing important needs to be said, it's just the time together, just being with them, that does my heart good. Their home is like that, not just to me but to everyone in the family. There is rarely a day through the week, that one of us is not there to eat dinner and watch a little TV or take a quick nap.

This book was a gift of love to them. It represents what they mean, what they provide for our family. It represents their legacy of love to us. It is what I want to provide for my children and grandchildren. It is part of what they will leave with us, in our hearts.

My scripture reading today was John 14. "...I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Sprit, who leads into all truth...When the Father sends the Advocate as my represnetative- that is, the Holy Spirit- he will teach you everthing and will remind you of everthing I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift -peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give, is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:16-17, 25

I can't think of any greater gift than that of peace of mind and heart. It is what we are all searching for -- safety, security, peace, comfort... What the scripture is saying is that we have all that in the form of the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, our Counselor, our Comforter. He resides within us, he cannot be taken away. He can however be crowded out, confined to a little corner deep within us, when we allow the outside world to take over what he was sent to do. When we allow our bank account to replace him for our security, when we allow our alarm systems to replace him for our safety, when we allow whatever we do in excess to replace him for our comfort. Not that these are all bad things, we are called on to be good stewards of our finances, to watch over the safety and security of our families, but these are worldly forms of peace of mind and each is not fool proof.

True peace of mind comes from resting on God's promises. In knowing him as our Protector, Provider, Sovereign Lord, our Faithful Companion. The Holy Spirit within us is there to remind us of why Jesus came, of what he has already done for us and of what he promises to do for us in the future. This is the true gift. "So don't be troubled or afraid."

Embrace the gift,

Patty

The paper is from Basic Grey-June Bug line, the cardstock book was from Michael's dollar bin, Stamps are Unity, the doo dads are from my stash.

andrew's antics... {D}

This picture is just a sneak peak at a project I will be posting next week...

I guess it's no secret that I am crazy in love with my grandbabies...honestly, when people say you should just skip right to them, I get it. Your children just come with so much more of the day to day responsibility and routine of life. But by the next generation you have relaxed a little bit and what's truly important is much more clear.

I just love to watch my grandson Andrew do life. From the time he wakes up until he is tucked into bed, he is constantly searching and learning. Right now at 16 months old he has discovered where gramma's pan lids are and will go grab his favorite two, along with a wooden spoon and have himself a parade. When he's done, or gramma's deaf, he will return the lids and spoon to the cupboard, shut the door and look up at me with those eyes that say "aren't you proud of me?" Of course I will indulge him and clap like he just won the pulitzer prize. He has now taken to covering his ears and shaking his head no when he is corrected...He figured out the hand motions to twinkle, twinkle little star...he runs to the door when the choo choo train goes by, yelling choo choo...he loves story time and snuggles just as close as can be to hear his favorite book, and will say "again" when it's over...he loves to help grandma water with the hose and practically drowns himself drinking from it. Such joy in the every day!

I know this phase is fleeting and he will very soon be a teenager with all that comes with it. What I also understand as a grandparent that I didn't get as a parent is that part of life is searching out your personal beliefs.

My devotional today was from Luke 15: 1-7 "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent." This is the parable of the lost sheep, where Jesus says that a shepard with 100 sheep will leave 99 of the sheep alone for a bit to search for the one that is lost. When it is found he will joyfully carry it back to the fold.

I have had rebellious children, (I was a rebellious child) I know first hand how heart wrenching it can be. What the Word of God has shown me is that we should never give up on those who rebel...God doesn't. He waits patiently for any sign of our return to the fold. We should to. He rejoices and celebrates the victories, instead waiting for the defeats. The celebration of victory not only encourages the wayward child but it also does our heart good. It gives us hope. If they fall again, so be it. Then we begin the wait again, until one day, the rejoicing in heaven begins.

Even if the situation seems impossible, like there is no coming back...keep praying...wait patiently..for nothing is impossible with God.

Blessings,
Patty

The paper is Basic Grey, Lemonade. More details later.

Girlfriends

I had lunch with my friend Monique yesterday for her birthday and we started talking about how long we've know eachother (over 20 years!). She is one of those friends that no matter how much time goes by, it is always easy to start up a conversation like no time has passed. That's the wonderful thing about old girlfriends, you share such history. There is not a good or bad time in my life that she has not been there for me. As we laughed and talked I realized again how blessed we are that God brought us together so many years ago. Happy Birthday, Monique.

I made this card set and gift bag for her birthday (no I won't say which birthday). The bag is just a regular lunch sack that I added a little bling to. The cards were made with Basic Grey's porcelin paper line.

Proverbs 17 "A friend loves at all times..."

Cherish your friends!

Emily Jean {D}

I want to introduce you to Emily Jean Dominguez. This little angel is my grandaughter. She is extra special for a lot of reasons, one of them being that she is a baby born after a previous miscarriage. Every ultrasoound was nerve wracking and special. I was blessed to be in the doctor's office when we first saw the heartbeat and we knew for sure that this little miracle would be with us here on earth and also when we saw that she would be a little girl. Her name is special also, as she was born less than a year after my beloved mother in law Jean, went home to be with Jesus.

The scripture reference on the page is Mark 10:16, "Then He took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them." That is one of my favorite snap shots of Jesus. Him gathering the children on his lap as they giggle and squirm, totally secure in his comfort and love. No fear of chastisement, only security and approval. This is the same portion of scripture that says, we are to love him as the little children, with total faith and assurance that he loves us back.

The paper is Basic Grey, Porcelin line. The doo dads are from my stash. (Which for some reason keeps growing and growing! Hee Hee...