T Stands for Time for a New Year

 ¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

It is already the 12th of January 2026, and this is my first post of the year!

A belated Happy New Year to all my readers! 

I have been doing more reading since the new year rather than crafting.  I finished three books and am on my 4th.  Just seems like I am in a reading mood! The first book I read was by a friend of mine.  My Story: The Life of Donald Bland, by Donald Bland.  She put it together from his telling her his story.  What makes it so interesting to me is that it takes place in Kansas and relates his story as part of the Orphan Train movement from 1854-1929, part of our history.  I read this in two sittings as I couldn't put it down. The next book I read was Designed with Love (The Hope of Cheyenne #2) by Tracie Peterson.  I am now reading the next book in that series.

But the book I absolutely could not put down was The Lost Carousel of Province, by Juliet Blackwell.  This was about a photographer who travels from California to France to photograph carousels current day but gets caught up in the history and restoring of one. But the funny part is I checked this book out by mistake. (I check books out from the library on my Libby app) I was thinking I was getting a book by another author by the last name, Blackstock.  I am so glad I made the error, because there are several more books all taking place in Paris, apparently, by the sound of the titles.  So, mistakenly, I found a new author!

I will share one card that I did make for our grandson's birthday.  I used an image from Lili of the Valley, a company in the UK.  I have collected a lot of their stamps but forget to use them.  I think they are so cute.

The sentiment stamps are from CC Designs.  I used an older SU! embossing folder, and a My Favorite Things Wonky Rectangle die.  I colored the image with Copics.

And lastly here is my ticket (from the archives) to the TSFT party over at Altered Book Lover, hosted by Bleubeard & Elizabeth.  Elizabeth has been showing her photos of mugs at Spice Merchant.  Here is the one I bought there last year for my self as a Valentine gift.  It is still my favorite.  I might go there again this year and get another pretty one. 

Thank you for stopping by!  Happy T Day to the T Gang.  See you next time.

T stands for Terrific Day!

  "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you," Philippians 1:3

I did get outside for a walk after a busy morning.   I was hubby's designated driver for his eye appointment, as he had to have his eyes dilated.  I read my book on my iPad while I waited about an hour and a half for him.  We then did banking and headed to Mardell's Christian Bookstore where we bought items for a church ministry.  Then we headed home, and I took my walk.  I did not wear Elizabeth's hat today as it was very windy! The temperature was really mild, even cool.  Even though I begin my walk wearing a jacket, I soon took it off and tied it around my waist.  But it was definitely an enjoyable walk. 

Now to show you what I did over the weekend.  I attended virtually another card summit and learned lots of new techniques and crafting tips.   One of the speakers was Alicia with www.papercraftsecrets.com.au.  She gave us a free digital to make 6 cards with envelopes. Her digitals are gorgeous!  The theme was Steampunk/ Country Western.  I will show you one that I made.   She made the digitals to be printed and cut with a Silhouette or Circut machine.  I have neither, so all were fussy cut. I added pearls to flowers, butterfly and cowgirl's neck.

Maybe you can see the pearls on this one and the front of the envelope.

Here is more of the kit I printed.  Aren't these adorable images?

I plan on making more cards using these.  I even decorated the inside of the card.

Remember last week when I said I had made 20 cards for challenges on ACOT for World Card Making Day?  I won one of the drawings and here is my prize that I already received on Saturday.  Lots of goodies.  I haven’t even had time to play with any of it yet!

Since I am joining Bleubeard & Elizabeth over at Altered Book Lover for T Stands for Tuesday, I will share the following.  We had a scrumptious lunch at Longhorns, but I forgot until after to take any photos.

Our drink of choice:

Western decor: 

My favorite: 

That is about it this time.  Thank you so much for stopping by. Just like my posted Bible verse says, I am thankful for each one of you.

 Happy T Day to the T Gang!  See you next time.

T Stands for Tea

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,"  Philippians 1:3

Happy Tuesday!  I am a little late to our tea party!  I wanted to finish a journal layout for Art  Journal Journey for Chris's August Hot Summer (Nights and Days) challenge.  I am still working in my Smash book and using leftover photos from my scrapbooking.  These are Summertime photos from different years. Besides leftover photos, I used leftovers from a Simple Stories kit that I got at a scrap retreat in K.C. Mo. in 2018!  The journaling was printed off with my label maker.  After everything was down, I covered the photos, and spattered with Mango Lemonade Memories Mists.  I kid you not, that is the name!  That could be my ticket to the TSFT, couldn't it?  It is a drink related reference....  but, see below, as I have a more normal ticket.

This is also for a Splitcoaststampers "Summer Fun" Clean and Simple Challenge and for the Art Journal Art Journal Sketch Challenge on A Cherry on Top, (ACOT)

Here is my ticket to TSFT over at Altered Book Lover:  This card is for the Alpha Challenge on Splitcoststampers. The letter this week is F for furniture.  These were gifted dies, so I am excited that I could actually use them!  I layered the scene on a heart embossed panel, another gifted item.  I stamped and punched Just for You from Tea Shoppe, an old retired Stampin' Up! set. This is also for a challenge on A Cherry on Top (ACOT) to use some shiny paper and to use at least 5 sequins.  I inked the edges and over the raised hearts with TH faded jeans Distress Ink.

Thanks for stopping by.  I will see you next time.

T Stands for Technique Re-visited

 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

⁵ Commit thy way unto the LORD;
trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalms 37:4-5

 How are you all doing on this hot afternoon?  I am composing this post Monday afternoon, and it is 95degrees F out, with heat advisories for 105 degrees heat index!  Great day to spend inside with the A/C.  Although, I did go to Michaels earlier, went in and used their 5.00 reward coupon and only spent $1.06!  I got some mini-ink blending foams, 20 of them in a package.  I am happy with that.  I have no idea why they emailed me this reward, not because I have spent any money there.  In fact, I haven't spent any money since the last $5.00 reward they sent me!  I only spent $2.00 then, the difference between the coupon and some snail adhesive.  Thank you, Michaels!  All that to say, that I then walked the whole parking lot of the very large shopping center, even walking another block to Dollar Tree to get some double-sided tape, then back to my car, near Michaels.  I now have 6000 steps!  But the heat was brutal as it was around noon.

Down to business!  As the title says, I revisited a technique this week.  It is called Cling Wrap Background.  Here is a tutorial on Splitcoaststampers.

I did a few of the backgrounds in different colors using oxide inks on Watercolor cardstock but didn't take a photo of the one I used before I made the card.  Below shows the process:  Swipe the oxide inks onto the cling wrap, spritz with water, scrunch up, then lay on the cardstock, and leave until dry.  When you lift it there will be a pretty pattern on the paper.  You can do this with inks, or watercolors, either one.

Below is the finished card using TH stamps, Archival black ink, and twine.  This particular card is going to one of our church ladies who will me 102 or 103, can't remember which.  A couple of years ago I made her a special card for 100. 

Lastly, here is a photo of freebie digitals from Scrapbooking With Me on YouTube, Edith Wray

I can't wait to make a journal with these pages.  Don't those drinks look scrumptious?  I think these would work especially for a coffee drinker who likes music.  Of course I have someone in mind.

Happy T Day, as celebrated every Tuesday over on Altered Book Lover where our host and hostess are Bleubeard and Elizabeth.  Thanks for stopping by.  I will see you next time.

T Stands for Time for Warmer Weather

 ¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit within me. 
¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence;
and take not thy holy spirit from me. 
¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit. 
¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;
and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Psalms 51:10-13

The above is a prayer I try to pray every day.

Hello!  Happy Day!   76 degrees F outside today!  I am so ready for warmer weather.  I didn’t go outside though because I have crafted all day.  I have made 16 cards using Crafty Al’s March sketch.  But I am personalizing each one.  I am trying to get my birthday cards made for April.  These are mostly masculine, as I never have enough.  I make mostly flowery feminine cards, so have some of them on hand.  I also am still doing CalvinBall as it is for the whole month of March.

Here are some of the cards I have made today.  All the little details added up to a lot of points for me today.

Can you see they are all one sketch?  Which one is your favorite?

I already know who some of these go to, and one has already been sent.  I also am busting a Graphic 45 6x6 pad of paper I have had in my stash for a couple of years!  By using all these bits and pieces, I am really using stash.  It hardly makes a dent in my “Craft collection “. LOLNow for my ticket to the TSFT party over at Altered Book Lover with Bleubeard & Elizabeth!

From the archives, here is a photo from a dinner on our last cruise.

This was taken on February 14, 2019.  It was a Hawaiian cruise.  It was fabulous!

 Happy T Day to the t-gang!  Thank you all for stopping by. See you next time.

T Stands for How Can it be Time for TSFT Already?

  ⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

That is exactly what I feel like!  It can't be time already! It seems like I should have more time since it is too hot and humid here to even walk at 6:30 in the morning.  I have a lot more time. It still sneaks up on me.  I missed last week because I didn't even remember till late Tuesday night!

 Most of June and all of July as a hostess for Dare to Get Dirty on SplitcoastStampers, I have been making samples for the 46 challenges and some with multiples of cards.  There were lots of technique challenges, too.  So fun.  So, now that we are done, I can share some cards but not the details because you have to be a Fan Club member to see the challenge details.  It seemed I sent the cards out almost as quick as I made them, but luckily, I did take photos! Apparently, I haven't sent the Christmas cards yet though. But there will be no group photo this year.  Here is just a few:

My personal favorite!  Which card is your favorite?

I guess I better show my ticket to the party over at Bleubeard's and Elizabeth's at Altered Book Lover.  They all kinds of abstract pictures on the wall of the food they serve, and I took all kinds of photos, but just sharing a couple.  We ate lunch there.  They open early in the morning and close at two, so we can get there and eat lunch before they close.  We liked it, and will be going again.  Good food, good service, and atmosphere was a diner. :)  And we found one closer to us!

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great week!  See you next time!

T Stands for Trail Time

 "Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul; thank you Lord for making me whole.  Thank you, Lord, for giving to me your great salvation so rich and free."

" When peace like a river attendeth my way; when sorrows like sea billows roll.  Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say it is well, it is well with my soul.  It is well, it is well; it is well with my soul"

I got my time on the trail early this morning. I started out at 6:30 a.m.  It is a good thing too, because it is in the 90s this afternoon.  We are in for temps in the 3 digits later this week.  I will try to get started even earlier tomorrow, because I usually walk about an hour and a half, walking 4 and 1/2 miles and I have Bible study at ten and need time for a shower before I go.  But I love my time on the trail.  Besides, praying, singing praises, and working on my Bible verse memorization, (a couple of the songs I sing are above.) I also, meet dogs. :)

Today I met this trio of doggies.

The small dog is Stell and she is a Shih-a-poo.  The middle size dog is Henry and he is a cavapoo.

The largest dog is Lucy and she is an Airedale Terrier.

On the web it says that the Cavapoo is a designer breed dog consisting of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. 

Also, the on the web info says Shis-a-poo is a Poodle and a Shih Tzu, described again as a designer breed.  The shih tzu is a toy dog breed originating from Tibet and believed to be bred from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso.

The Airedale Terrier is said to be the king of the terriers, and also the largest. 

I see these dog trio most days that I walk.  Everytime I see them coming, I just have to smile.  I think the little one would have come home with me this morning.  They are just all three so cute! Elizabeth has her Friday smiles; these are my morning smiles!

Speaking of Elizabeth, she is our hostess over at Altered Book Lover for our TSFT party.  What is my ticket this week?  Here is a card I made several years ago.  I don't even have this stamp set anymore.  But I do still have that embossing folder which is very versatile!

Happy T Day everyone!  Thank you for stopping by.  See you next time.

Second on the 2nd for Elizabeth

I thought I would post for Second on the 2nd to cheer up Elizabeth who is operating with a patch over one eye for a while.  So, I looked back and chose one from 2013.  That is what we do; we join in with Elizabeth over at Altered Book Lover, and we take a second look at one of our past posts.

But first I wanted to show you some projects  I have been doing while "at home"

 I have been watching lots of you tube videos and I watched one by Lisa Curcio on how to make accordion card.  It is my new fun fold card that I like to make.

 

I think it makes a card special.  Measurements:  Base 4 1/4 x 5 1/2  white embossed panel 4"x5 1/4"
The long piece is 4 1/4" x 11" and scored at 3", 5 1/2", 8", 9 1/2"  Fold with largest to go on the embossed piece.  DSP 1 1/4"x 4" (2), 2 1/4"x4" (2), white for sentiment 2 3/4"x4"
Belly Band : 1 1/2"X9 1/2"
All measurements as given by Lisa.

Another new fold to me is the bridge fold I saw on you tube by Kelly Acheson.  I found this with all different measurements.  This one is larger than I like. It needed a larger envelope.  There are several versions and I am sure you can find one that fits in a regular A-2 envelope.  This folds flat, but is just a little more  special than a regular card.

My last card is using a technique from SplitcoastStampers.  It is the rubber band technqiue.  I have a brayer that I can click off the handle.  I put rubber bands around it and then put it back on the handle.

I then inked up the rubber bands with Bermuda Bay ink.  I rolled the brayer going one way over some card stock. Then I cleaned the rubber bands.  Then I inked up with my second color, Gumball Green.  This time I rolled the opposite way.  I did it on a whole sheet of paper , so actually got four panels.
For this card I layered a 3 3/4x5" panel of the rubber band background on a 4"x5 1/4" panel of Bermuda Bay card stock, then put the whole thing on a Recollections white 110lb base.  I used the strip I cut off the Bermuda Bay on the card, and die cut hello out of the center of the Bermuda Bay panel, because no one will see the middle of that piece.  I added sequins.

So, now for my Second on the 2nd:  ( origianlly posted August 27th, 2013)

Vintage Ladies Card and Ex 33:14

Oh, my goodness!  It is Tuesday again!  Where did the past week go to?  I am trying to get into a schedule for these posts.  I do better with a schedule.  So, Tuesdays might be it! :)
    I thought I would post a few more of my favorite cards from DTGD .

 I made this card using some favorite lady stamps from Mrs. O'Leary's Artful Illusions.  They are really detailed images and show up best when stamped with VersaFine ink; I used Vintage Sepia.  The printed paper is Stampington, an insert  from a Take Ten magazine. :)  I have several sheets of really neat paper from when I used to get that magazine.  A couple of years ago, I picked up these little frames that are just right to frame an inchie, from a garage sale.  My Mona Lisa inchie is also from Mrs. O'Leary's Artful Illusions.  I stamped it and punched it out and put it on that cute little frame and then there is the clear top to stick over it. The ribbon is Chocolate Chip from SU!  I added a copper brad, ( I love copper hardware best.) and the pearls. I really enjoy making vintage cards.

I did this for the following challenges:

DTGD13UnderstandBlueB

DTGD13CassieT

Vintage Ladies

This next card is a mixed media card.  I used acrylic paint with a stencil.  I had fun doing this card, and might use acrylic paint again.  The stencil is one that I picked up at a stamp show a couple of years ago and had never used!  I added the stick on gems from my stash.  The Bible verse is from Words of Wisdom by SU!  And this  verse gives me such comfort!

This card was for the following challenges:

DTGD13Beate

DTGD13bfinlay

DTGDsummerthyme64

MIX26

BVC13

Exodos 33:14

Thank you for stopping buy!  Have a great holiday week-end, For the ones in the states.  I guess I should have posted something patriotic!