Encouragement

This past week I received two cards in the mail.  Both on the same day and from two sisters who do not even live close to each other.  It sure was a surprise and made for a nice encourgement in the middle of a hectic and trying week.  This first one is from Theresa.  Loved the bling and the way the butterfly was cut out of the sheet music.  Too cute!

This second one is from her sister Pam.  Pam and I both love fall stuff so this card is perfect.  Love how she used the leaves at the top and cut them out and the fun watercoloring.

Thanks ladies for the cards.  They are beautiful!  Hope you all are enjoying your Fall Sunday!

Blessings,

Renee

Saturday......

Did you ever have a picture in your head of how your Saturday should go or what you'd like it to be and then in the end it just didn't happen that way and you wonder why?  Well I don't really wonder why for the most part.  My Saturdays go like they do for the most part because I don't plan well enough, ask from others what I need and then don't put feet to that idea that I have rolling around in my head.  I let all kinds of obstacles get in my way.  I really need to be more assertive in what I want and what I need my Saturdays to be.  I'm gonna work on that. ;)  On to stamping........................Here is the ornament I made the other day.

This is very similar to the one on the front of the new Stampin'Up! Holiday catalog.  I have to say that pictures do not do this ornament justice.  You really need to see one of these in person.  They are beautiful and with so many possibilities for colors and designs.  It's hard to see in the picture, but the ornament has lots of glitter on it around the edges of the stamped pieces.  It really is stunning.  I would love to teach these as a class so if you are interested in learning how to make these, please leave me a comment here with the best way to contact you or you can drop me an email or give me a phone call.  I want to see how much interest there is in this.

Thanks for stopping by and many blessings to you on this day!

Renee 

What a Rollercoaster!

That's how my life feels these days.  It has it's ups and it's downs.  Seems to be so busy, but yet not with the things I necessarily would choose, but life is what it is and it's the path I'm on right now and I'm doing my best to accept it.  Some days are easier than others.  Daddy is done with his treatments and now to wait for his stomach to heal from the radiation before they do another scope to see if the cancer is gone.  We are hopeful that it is.  Mom is not doing the best most days, but we are trying to do all we can to help her and trust that the Lord can bring her some peace and comfort to get through this difficult time.  Going to several doctor appointments a week with family members is my life right now and even though it is trying, I am thankful that I can be there for those who need me.

I had a Stampin'Up! party last week with some very good friends and it was wonderful.  A great night out and very relaxing.  Thanks Pam for hosting a workshop and I'm happy you received some awesome FREE stampin' supplies.  Here are the cards that we made at Pam's party.

This first one uses a couple of the new bundles featured in the Holiday Catalog.   The Scentsational Season Bundle and the Perfectly Perserved Bundle.  Everyone wants to know why "Gingie" is in the jar.  Well he's a cookie in the cookie jar, silly!!!  :)

This next card uses the From My Heart stamp set and the Window Frames Framelits.  The paper is Raspberry Ripple, the new Core'dinations card stock and Champagne Glimmer Paper.  We embossed it with the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder and used the Stampin' Standing System to make the design pop.  This card stock has a lighter core to it so when sanded it shows through.  The card stock comes in Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, and Gumball Green.

All products can be purchase through my online store at www.reneeond.stampinup.net and by clicking on the SHOP NOW button.  You can contact me direct as well to order if you prefer.

Like to have you and your friends make some fun cards like these?  Contact me and we can set a date for your party.   They are lots of fun!

I thought I'd share as well today, a cake I made a couple of weekends ago.  I was so happy with the way this cake turned out.  The bride's style and mine were very similar so that really helped to make this a fun cake to make.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Renee



Just Stuff...........

It feels like forever since I've blogged and I know my faithful blog followers probably feel that way too.  All I can say is I'm sorry and I would have much rather been blogging than going through all the stuff that our family has been going through lately.  I won't go into a lot of detail, but as you know my dad has been having radiation treatments for stomach cancer and those are finally done.   He still has testing to go through to see if it's completly gone, but we are hoping and praying that this has taken care of it.   He if feeling pretty good for the most part.  Daddy is a strong man and lives and loves life so that I believe has been a help to him.  My mom has been ill and even had a short stay in the hospital and that is all I'm going to really say.  It's been a tough battle for her and for our entire family and we covet your prayers to get her back to feeling like herself again.  My aunt has also been sick with her usual problems as well so the last few weeks are not ones that I want to relive again.

Today I finally got into my stamp room and tried to put a card out.  It's hard when you have so much on your mind and feel drained emotionally and mentally it's hard to get at even stuff you enjoy.  Anyway here is the card I have for you today.

I used the new Snowflurry bigz die and the piece of light weight cardboard that comes with the die to make this snowflake.  I sponged on some of the new Illuminate Glimmer Watermark Stampin' Pad and then some Silver Foil Smooch Spritz to the die.  The stamp set I used is Joyous Celebrations and the embossing came from the Holiday Frame embossing folder.

Another thing that a lot of you know I do is cake decorating and two weeks ago I had a wedding cake to make.  Things starte our well and I was actually ahead of schedule with it, but for the first time in my 23 yrs. of making wedding cakes this is my first accident.  Here is how the cake looked at my house when it was done.

Then we delivered it about 45 minutes away from here and this is what it looked like.

I didn't get a picture of it in the van where the layers had slid forward, but this was basically what I had to fix.  I was absolutely sick to my stomach when I saw it and Frank (who may have been driving a little too fast and may have been told several times to slow down) looked like he did on our wedding day as he stood in front of the church.  Yes, I thought he was going to throw up.  I was good though and didn't holler or anything.  I just wanted to fix it and with the help of our daughter Brooke and my sister Michele who brought me stuff for a major repair we got it done.  I had only taken things for minor repairs with me.  It's all I've ever needed.

Here is what it looked like after the repairs and with the cake topper.  This topper was a little different than I'm used to and I hadn't seen it beforehand so that left me with a little challenge as well.  Probably doesn't look too bad to the average person, but definitely not my usual work.

So that's a little of my life for the past few weeks.

Blessings,

Renee

Missing in Action

 

 

 

 

 

Hey there!  Sorry I've been missing in action lately.  My mom has been sick and our lives have sort of been turned upside down the last week.  My dad is still taking his radiation treatments and is doing well, but right now we just can't leave my mom alone so I have been spending lots of time with her.  It certainly is hard to see those you love and especially your parents going through so many struggles, but I am resting in the fact that I know that God has got this covered and will give us all the strength to get through this trying time.  Not sure why this is all happening right now.  Our family has really had about enough the last couple of years, but we really don't get to decide that so we keep plugging along.  The Lord will give us the strength as we need it day by day.

 

I'm sorry I don't have any new stamping to share with you, but I do have the new September special special to share.  I think it's a good one.  For every $40 you spend before tax and shipping you get a spool of the beautiful 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon.  This ribbon comes in the new In Colors and is so pretty.  You can place your orders through my stampin' store HERE or by contacting me direct.

 

 

 

I am hoping to spend some time in the stamp room yet this weekend since it is the holiday.  I would love nothing better than some down time with my stamps.  Thanks for sticking with me and I'll be back soon with things to share.

 

Want to book your Stampin'Up! party?  I have lots of fall dates available so contact me soon.  I would love nothing better than to stamp with you and your friends.

 

Blessings,

Renee