T Stands for Second Valentine Post

  23 Search me, O God, and know my heart:

try me, and know my thoughts:
²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24

Hello Readers! As promised last week, I will show you our Valentine meals. Yes, we actually had two special Valentine meals last week. That is good because we always celebrate Valentines Day, not just because it is a special day, but because my husband proposed to me on Valentine's Day exactly 56 years ago.  My husband always remembers this because it is also happens to be the 56th Super Bowl.  So as long as he knows which Super Bowl it is, he knows how many years ago he proposed and how long we have been married.  Yes, he is a football fan!

 The first one was at our favorite Italian restaurant, where we had wonderful lasagna & manicotti.   I already ate some of my meal before remembering to take a photo.

  The second one was a special event we were invited to at a local Senior Living facility where we attended a Sweetheart dinner & movie.  It was the most wonderful food, and my photos won't do it justice!  

Our wonderful salad with the most scrumptious raspberry dressing.

Filet Oscar:  the tenderest filet, with crab meat on top and served with asparagus & hollandaise sauce.

Chocolate Mouse

The tables before we were seated:  The ones who wanted it were served wine.  We declined.

We even had music while we were eating.

We sat in front of the fire with our drinks, my tea, while waiting to be seated.

 The craft I will share this week is the technique by Crafty Al on you tube. She shares a sketch every month for what she calls Sheetload of Cards.  This week I got a head start on my Christmas cards using one of her sketches. 

It takes three sheets of 12x12 patterned paper and three sheets of colored cardstock, as well as white cardstock cut and folded for bases.  This sketch made 9 cards.  I added sentiments and ornaments that I already had on hand.  So with this 9, I now have 17 completed Christmas cards done, including stamped sentiments on the inside and envelopes with a little decoration stamped on the outside. Not bad for February 20th.  So if I go for same amount I needed last year, I only have 47 more to go.   I might need more next year, to.  So it won't hurt to make extra.  I have set a goal of 5 a month, but I am ahead.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hi to the T Gang.  Be sure and visit Bleubeard and Elizabeth at Altered Book Lover.  That is where we all meet up for T Stands for Tuesday.  We just share a drink related post on our blogs, so if you have a blog and share something related to some kind of drink you can link to our party, too. 

Stay warm.

See you next time.

T Stands for Time Goes So Quickly!

 ¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

Where does the time go!  I had so many plans for today's post, but here it is time again and I don't have any of the things done I had planned. I didn't even post last week, so two weeks of time flew away from me! I have started another Junk Journal Challenge for Dear Julie Julie, but don't really have anything to show for it.  I have just been getting my kit together of junk.  LOL My craft room is a mess because of it!

I will show you a card that I made last week for Challenges on Splitcoast.   The one below was for the SplitcoastStampers Fan Club Christmas Challenge.  I was a guest designer and we were to CASE (Copy and Share Everything) one of the leaders of the forum that was retiring.   We were honoring her in that way.  My card pretty much was the same sketch, just different papers, embossing folder, etc.  Yes, I already have a Christmas card done for 2022!  I used a Fun Stampers Journey Stamp set, "It's Cold outside, and a Cuddlebug Snowflake embossing folder.  I used the following paper & cardstock: Am. Crafts Jack Frost 6x6 paper & Baja Breeze by Stampin' Up, and Recollections 110lb cardstock for the base. I added the Merry Christmas from same stamp set and layered on a punched oval.  I stamped Night of Navy ink and added rhinestone snowflakes stickers by Jolee's

So, at least I am started on Christmas cards for the year.  I was scrambling at the end to get enough cards done, over 60.  I will try to do a few every month and try to use my time wisely. :)

For the tea party TSFT over at Bleubeard & Elizabeth's on Altered Book Lover, I will post a photo of our New Year dinner. 

Spaghetti & Italian Sausage sauce & garlic toast & tossed salad, and hot tea for me, water for him.  You can see we are very casual!  Dressing bottles right on the table. LOL

I think everyone that reads my blog already has their gift calendars so I can show the gift calendars I made for family and some friends for 2022.  They display each month in a 3 1/2x5 acrylic frame.

That is for now!  Happy T Day! :)  Thank you for stopping by.

T Stands for Trail Fun

³³ "And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; ³⁵ (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2:33-35

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas, however you spent it.  We had our daughter and family here for almost a week, so had a lot of family time.  We celebrated Christmas together, went to church services together, played lots and lots of games with each other, and ate lots and lots of meals together.  We also had the privilege of hearing our granddaughter play Christmas music on her violin at our church.

 With the unseasonal temperatures, we were also able to get out and walk the trails.  Christmas Eve, we even went letterboxing at Great Plains Nature Center. It was in the 70s, in December! We found two letterboxes.  If you want to know what letterboxing is, just click on the link to AtlasQuest under my favorite places on my sidebar.  We even carved our own stamp and planted a letterbox of our own on another trail.  It made for a good family project & outing.

 Above is our daughter and grandchildren walking ahead of me on the trail Great Plains Nature Center.

Above is the sunrise this morning as our family left.

I wanted to show all the lovely Christmas cards we received.

And there is the one I received from Elizabeth!  Thank you.  I can't believe you are making cards!  I was so surprised to get your wonderful card.

We apparently have a problem with snail mail and even email!  So, we have found a way to communicate when we can't get together.  I hang my bag on her door,and pick up a bag! LOL

What I found was this gorgeous bag on the door with my Christmas card in it and some Original Elizabeth handmade paper!  My photo did no justice to her beautiful paper.  I look forward to using for mats in my scrap albums, among other things.

I am having a lot of problems with Blogger today.  So, will just go ahead and show my photo for the T party held every week over at Altered Book Lover. T Stands for Tuesday is hosted by Bleubeard & Elizaberh.

Sorry, Elizabeth, but we are not vegetarians.  We ate out Monday before our family arrived on Tuesday.  We love their special: hamburger, fries, and shake- chocolate.  So good!

Happy T Day to all of the TSFT gang.  Thank you to all of you for stopping by.  I guess I should wish you Happy New Year, too.  How can it be?  Take care and be safe.

T Stands For Time For VSN!

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

Welcome to my blog today!  I had a crafty week-end, Zooming with craft buddies and participating in SplitcoastStampers' Virtual Stamp Night, or VSN for short!  We Zoomed while we were making our cards for the challenges.  I will show you a few I completed.  I tried to do Christmas cards because I still needed them.  As of today, I hopefully sent out my last three!

Our theme was Let The TV Be Your Guide.  Each challenge was tied into remembering something about a tv show or just tv.  For example the cardingal card to use a bird, was remembering Barretta.  remember, he had a cockatoo on his shoulder sometimes and the theme song was "Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow".  Do you remember that?  I had forgotten about that show!  "McGuyver It" was the one to use the Washi tape.  Fun ideas for challenges.  Check out VSN on SplitcoastStamers if you are interestted in doing the challenges.  You have until December 29th to do them and post them.

Our challenge here was to use Washi tape.

Our challenge here was to use snow.  This was inspired by Gilmore Girls- "I smell snow."

Our challenge here was to have a scarf, or hat, or mittens on our card.  I had them all. We were inspired by the iconic opening scene of The Mary Tyler Moore Show where she tosses her hat up in the air. 

Our challenge was to have a bird on our card.

We were to use houses for the Mr. Rogers Neighborhood  Challenge,

This card was inspired by the TV show, "The Golden Girls"

This was inspired by the fact that the first TVs were black and white. I plan on using this for an anniversary card for some friends the last of this month.

That is what I have been doing.  Now for my beverage tie in for the T party or TSFT over at Altered Book Lover.  Elizabeth and Bleubeard hosts it every Tuesday, or late Monday, because it is already Tuesday for some of our bloggers.  So, sit down and have a sip of your favorite beverage and join us.

Wewent to Copper Oven again recently, one of our favorite local Mom & Pop places.  I forgot to take photos of the food but got one of our waters and a couple of their decor. 

I like this little man on their wall.

Thank you for stopping by.  I want to wish you a Happy T Day.  Also, I will wish you a Merry Christmas!

T Stands For Tis The Season

 ^" Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving,

and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms." Psalms 95:2

That is right Tis the season for making Christmas cards, for drinking out of a snowman cup with a snowflake lid, and for decorations on the trail!  So, I am still making Christmas cards!  I have mailed out about 40 and still need about 20 more.  I rarely make them the same.  Everyone gets one of a kind card.  But,  I think next year I will try to make them all the same. So here is my photo for the TSFT:

The Away in the Manger paper has been in my stash for at least four years, so am trying to use it this year.  The tea I am drinking tonight in my snowman mug is Stash Premium Green tea.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Christmas decorations on my trail shortly after Thanksgiving.  Also, it is a pleasant surprise that it is 60s and 70s in December which is great walking weather.

Here are a few photos of my trail. 

Every 25 feet or so there was a decoration on both sides of the trail.  I visited with the people who live by one of the bridges, and they said they just got together with neighbors and put up decorations.  I noticed lots of people taking photos of the decorations.  I got tired of taking photos after a while.  I just decided to walk and enjoy looking. :)

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy T Day!  Please stop over at Elizabeth & Bleubeard's Altered Book Lover to see what the rest of the T Stands For Tuesday group is up to.

Have a great week!

T Stands For Time For Fall!

 Overcome Power of Fear study: Mathew 10:31 "Fear ye not therefore, ya are of more value than many sparrows.

Hello blog readers!  This has been a wonderful Fall day, and I had a wonderful walk this morning.  I really love these Fall days so far. Last week for the first day of Fall my husband and I decided to enjoy the outside as it wasn't quite as hot. We drove down to the river walk. You remember he recently had a hip replacement so he isn't doing long distance walking.  But , I sat him on a bench and I took a short walk along the river.  There were others enjoying the lovely day, too, including a jogging father with a baby buggy and a dog.  We saw lots of interesting walkers, but I didn't photograph them.  Here are just a few photos.

Keeper of the Plains standing at the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join together in downtown Wichita.  The sculpture is by renowned Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin 

looking the opposite direction

My husband's view while waiting for me: Exploration Place, a Science and discovery center.

And after our or my walk, we went to our favorite burger joint, where we split a chili burger and a half order of fries.  But of course we got our root beers, and took refills with us. 

I am joining up with Elizabeth & Bleubeard over at Altered Book Lover for TSFT.  Come on over and join us.  Every we week we just include a beverage reference on our post and link up with her for a lovely tea party .

Here is the craft I worked on today.  The technique challenge on SplitcoastStampers today was super fun!  I didn't take photos of the process, only the resulting cards.  But, basically, you use your die cut for a stencil.  So I die cut the lantern.  Then I sponged through the die cut negative my colors.  Then I put the actual die cut, the lantern in the negative and stenciled through it,  then removed it.   I used different oxide colors.  Then that was my card; I just added a sentiment and added three stickers, and added it to a panel, then to the base.  Meanwhile, I used the die itself on a card. How cool is that?  One technique= two cards.  

Thank you for stopping by today.  I appreciate it.  I wish you a great week!

T Stands For The Temperature is Hot!

 One of my favorite Bible verses KJV Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 Oh, my goodness!  It is hot!  Next three days will be in the 3 digits! That is in  Fahrenheit degrees.

So, I have tried to walk early, but really am not motivated.  Thankfully, our home is cool and we can just stay inside!  So, it is a good thing that I like to paper craft!  I have plenty to do inside!

 I have been busy with Dare to Get Dirty on SplitcoastStampers. I will show you some cards I have made so far for the challenges.  But to find out what the challenges are you have to be a Fan Club member, because these special challenges are for the Fan Club members, their treat for being Fan Club members.

This card was for a challenge by Julee Tilman.  I am doing Christmas cards for as many of the challenges as I can.  I used paper from  a retired   Stampin' Up 6x6 pad. The houses were cut out one sheet of the paper.  I layered on Cherry Cobbler card stock by Stampin' Up.  The Merry Christmas is stamped and die cut using a Fun Stampers Journey stamp set.  Fun Stampers Journey is out of business now, but I loved their items.

This card was made with vellum and alcohol inks, and then embossed.  The die cut was a gift.

I added lacey trim on the edge.

  I love working with stencils. I used a TCW mini Daisy Cluster Stencil, and a mixture of molding paste, radient pearls & metalic acrylic to make the background.  Then added the gifted die cut label and the Happy Birthday  die cut and some sequins.

I enjoy all the challenges because they make you use supplies you have and also to use techniques you have bought those supplies for!  I don't know about you , but sometimes I just get in a rut and use the same stamp sets all the time, same colors all the time, and forget about doing special folds and techniques.  That is what I love about the DTGD Challenges, they get you out of your box!  I invite you to come play Dare To Get Dirty with us!

Last week it was a little cooler so we went out to eat and went to PF Changs for the first time ever.  Great food, service and atmosphere. I forgot to take photos of the food or drink, but remembered once outside to get some photos.

Nice fountain out back.  It would have been nice to walk around the little lake or pond, but hubby can't walk much yet. Still using his cane and just goes where he has to go.

I took  photo of my tea once I got home and of our fortunes.  Apparently the happiest years are ahead of us.  We have had some pretty happy ones already. :).

Hi to the T Gang.  I am linking to  TSFT  party at Altered Book Lover, where Elizabeth hosts all of our blogs. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Thank you for all who take time to comment. Love knowing who has stopped by.