Make  Me  New  Again . . .

Hello to you dear friends and visitors!  So happy you could join me~ 

I took a drive in the Rocky Mountains a few week ago and want to share  photo's, yes, but also a small 'epiphany'  I had  as I surveyed  some of the areas that were damaged by fire and flood over the last few years - here in Colorado~

I very much had my husband on my mind as I drove into the higher elevations : ) and of course it was bittersweet; having just had the 1.5 year anniversary of his death : (
As I sped along I began to notice the fire-scared and flood-scared areas.  It was a sad site to see.
These 'pencil and tooth pick' trees standing in patches and looking so forlorn~

 

 

 

And in a melancholy and vulnerable moment;  I felt like part of the scenery~  I'm sure Not uncommon after 35 years of marriage and loosing your guy, your heartbeat, - to maybe feel a little like a dead tree? Wouldn't you agree?
Here I was on a beautiful morning in the Mountains of Colorado, blue sky, warm sun, cruising with the moon roof open -  with "no place to go and all day to get there" - Good music and a yummy coffee,  and me,  feeling like a dead tree.  Wowzer.   But I will say in my defense : J  that I've been here many many times before and with the grace of God have grieved it through and risen above.
It IS a process and it just takes time.  And lots of it.

But as I journeyed on,  I started noticing something else; something more in the background and not so 'pronounced.'  Signs of HOPE.  Little green signs of hope!

Many of the burned and flooded areas were starting to re-build themselves!  In amongst the desolate trees was signs of new life~  New green shoots and saplings were popping up all around!  and replenishing the landscape.

And that got me thinking.  Thinking about MY landscape.  It's burned and it's scarred right now, no doubt,  & reminded me of a line from a song by Twila Paris:
"...she hated to think about the past, almost as much as she hated to think about the future..."
Yea I know those words are a little extreme - but they came to me anyway.  It's just so hard. 

But friends,  - - - those green trees kept flying by my window whispering hope and life.

And I realized that this is the beginning; albeit the 'beginning of what is left for my life,'  it is still the beginning!and that is reason to be thankful, reason to celebrate (amid my grief) and reason to hope for less ache, and more peace.
 I don't think I'm allowed (legally anyway : ) to write out these lyrics; so here is a link to the words of a song by Sara Groves titled "Less Like Scars"  for you to read and listen if you chose.
http://www.metrolyrics.com/less-like-scars-lyrics-sara-groves.html

While I may only see this:

 Or feel like this:

I know my Creator, my Deliverer and the One who cares for me,  sees this:

and this:

and hopefully, eventually,  this : )

There is a scripture passage in the book of Jeremiah that says:

 

Jeremiah 29:11-13

¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected (good) end.
¹² Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
¹³ And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

This reminds me that He has hope for me.  Healing and restoration and plans for my life!  And though my dreams for the future are different than they've ever been; I do still have dreams. : )
So I will watch my 'landscape' change in the coming years : ) 

and where will it lead, stretching out to the unknown?

Well, I shall see : ) LOL!

But I know it will be 'good'  for me~

 

And I will continue to "look to the Hills from where comes my help!

My help comes from the Lord."

 

Here is what I see, when I think of Him!

 

Thanks for listening dear kind friends! 

I just needed to talk~

May you have a wonderful new week ahead.

 

Hugs to you,  Karen

A gift for my niece, and an entry into Simply Neutrals Tuesday!  : )

 Hi there!  and welcome to my blog!
I am sharing today a large "library" bag that I made for a niece of mine.
 (I call them "library bags" because they are strong and large sized.  The first one I made was for my daughter & grandkids to use to carry books back and forth. )
* [I posted about some of the other bags I've made in the past; and I hope I can make this link: --->http://roosterheaddesigns.blogspot.com/2015/09/some-of-my-canvas-bags-creations-over.html#comment-form  take you there! : ]
  I am still so 'green'; such a rookie at understanding the in's and outs of blogging~  But my very 'Blog
Knowledgeable'  friend Wen, @ Apple Apricot (blog) is helping me to "learn the ropes!"
She is the hostess for the By-weekly party  "Simply Neutrals Tuesday"  http://appleapricot.blogspot.com/   where you will always find inspiration and encouragement in the creative field of neutrals~   I will be sharing my bag/shoulder tote  over there today!

I heard of a savvy way of creating with canvas (on a blog I read somewhere ; )  using canvas (painters) drop cloths for your projects!  I purchased this one at Home Depot in the paint department.
They are much less expensive than purchasing canvas by the yard (like I used to do) at the fabric store,  and they come with hemmed edges; which make finishing a breeze.
One drop cloth will give you several bags. 

Here's the one I made last week:
  It is about 16"X18"
The straps are 'ripped' and then triple zig-zag stitched along the long edges to prevent fraying.
I forgot to take a picture, but there are 2 pockets (1-Lg. & 1-Sm.)  inside the tote bag as well.
Most of the laces and trim are new; purchased from Prima Marketing or Maya Road.

I did make the  'pleated strip' under the Prima rosette's,  and  the flower is a piece of doily and a hand made flower center. 

Different lighting below, but neither photo is very true!!  It is a cool shade of greyish tan, IRL ; )

That is about all I have today.  Thank you for stopping in!  I am so thankful for this blessed warm weather

 and I am busy these days with backyard projects~

I will be having several weeks of out-of-town family coming to stay; in June and July! Hurray : ) !!

Wishing you many blessings yourself, for a great summer ahead~

Hugs,   Karen

Cards, cards, cards!

Hello to all who visit~  Thank you for taking time to stop in!
We are truly in the midst of Spring weather in Colorado.  Rain, (whew! : )  Hail : (
and cloudy and cool; with some warmer temps dotting the state as well.

I just wanted to share some cards I made this week-end; and may I say - 'just in the nick of time!'
 I found I needed 2 birthday cards and a graduation card . . . NOW!     (that's what I get for procrastinating : /
 So I got to work and was able to create some quick cards, and  thought I would post them today.

This is a tag card I made for my mothers birthday package~

I used papers from -->  Bo Bunny Co. and -->  49 & Market from Scrapbook Diaries online store~

 

The birds, flowers and cage were "fussy cut" from Bo Bunny papers (which are so pretty!)  and the film strip is also a BB product~
The vintage look white papers on the tag and base are from 49 & Market.  I just recently found these papers and I love love them!
 There's also some seam binding and silk ribbon.
 I used 'pop dots' sticky adhesive squares to make the bird cut-out stand out.













And here is a graduation card I kind of  quickly put together! but I like how it turned out.  I have a harder time with "guy" cards ; J  and I'm so glad I had  the Top Hat embellishment from my dear friend Marylou; as it was a big help in giving me a jump off point! She created that using black embossing powder on kraft cardstock~

 And below is a birthday card that needs to be mailed!  The white papers (tags) are from the above named 49 & Market (thru Scrapbook Diaries.)  The vintage looking paper on the main body is some very old K & Company papers. Long ago discontinued; but still remain my favorites~  I stamped all over this card! Getting a bit carried away but was still happy with the end results.  A bit of cheese cloth and soft silky ribbon for a double bow~
I am NOT a fast crafter,  but managed to get 3 cards done in (almost:) one day!       So waaahooo : ) 

The white trim edging is punched, the teeny flowers hand made, and the birds are a rub-on.  [Yes! rub ons are still around! LOL  But if they get old, are often unusable - - so get going with those rub-ons friend: ]

Thank you for stopping in!

I hope you know it means so much to me~

Wishing you God's blessings throughout the week : )

Karen

Grama Kate~

Hello to you dear friends!
Much thanks for stopping in to visit : )

We are experiencing true Spring weather here in Colorado Springs and I must say it is warming more than the air!  it is warming my heart as well.  <3

I don't have a lot to share today, but I like to post and just "keep in touch" with you, so here is a
quick post about Grama Kate.
My late husbands grandmother on his mom's side; Grandma Kate was a kindergarten teacher until she retired - 26 years I believe~
She grew up with a military  father (Navy) & mother (in the Cleveland, OH area) and both her parents were descendants of Czechoslovakian immigrants.

 I realize the actual photo of Grama is a poor copy, and so sorry 'bout that! I believe this was her Collage Graduation picture, though I am not sure.
She was born in The Philadelphia area but they moved to Cleveland when she was very young.
She was married to Poppy, the grandpa I have blogged about a few times~


I want to take a minute to share a blog link - ->  http://appleapricot.blogspot.com/ where Wendy
hosts a by-weekly "Simply Neutrals Tuesday Party!
I will be sharing Grama's photo there; and if you have the time, I hope you will stop in and see
the array of Neutral things to see!  Something for every one - so please join us!

***********************************************************************************
Here is the link to an earlier blog post which included this photo of Poppy and Grama Kate below- ->  Generations Wedding Album 9-14-15

**********************************************************************************
If she looks just a bit 'tough' in the graduation photo, - - she was! : ) LOL  She had a great sense of humor and Grama Kate loved to laugh! but - she had a tough exterior.  Sometimes it's just necessary . . .
Please know she had a very kind and compassionate heart as well, and worked for many years within her church and community; providing blessings to others.

This lay out is about 8"X5" and quite simple.  I used black textured Bazzill cardstock for the base. 
I had bought some 'French' look pencils from the $ bin @ Michaels and the paper package is what I used on the left side of the l/o.
  For the postal stamp (a gift from my dear friend Marylou) and the stamp below that (clocks, text and Bflies:) I used while embossing powder.  I did this on a separate piece of black cardstock, then fussy cut it out, and added it to the lay out.

I also added some pieces/strips  of Washi tape (butterflies, French words and clocks) here & there.

No other embellishments; so there is no real  "dimension" to the page.  Simple was my goal, but I realize this is Great for mailing! but  'not so much'  for displaying! : ' ) - so perhaps I will find some flowers or a nice resin piece to add.

I'm sad to say we lost Grama early; just 80 years old I believe, maybe 82? (in 2002)  But she was truly the 'matriarch' and full of character and fun, love, and lots of 'salt' too : )  ILU Grama Kate.

I'm hoping my friends that you had a blessed week-end?  I really did.  It was a busy Friday cleaning out the shed and getting things ready for the Summer ahead.  And Saturday was so pretty I took a drive in the Rocky Mountains! 
I hope to post my photo's soon.
Wishing you God's very best for this week ahead~
Karen

Matchbook Style Needle Cards~

Hello and welcome!  I thank you  for stopping in today : )

I was visiting at ---> Shabby Art Boutique, where Kerryanne  was sharing a style of  'needle keeper'  I had not seen before -  Matchbook style!
I felt inspired and had to try!!
(yea for inspiration;  It doesn't always flow for me; I was so happy to receive it! Thank you God! : )  And Thank you Kerryanne for encouraging us to try.  She is an amazing blogger and creator.
This needle book WAS soo easy and fun!
Here's the small pile I made : )   (5)

 

These are simple and fast to make!

No sewing required ; )

I 'tweaked'  Kerryanne's instructions just a bit - you can visit her blog to see what she did,

 but I'll tell you my steps:

*Cut the paper (matchbook) sleeve 3" wide  X  8.25" tall.

(perhaps practice on some plain paper)

*The bottom fold is about 5/8",  crease & fold up.  (I did decorative punch on some edges.)

*Take the top flap and fit it into the bottom fold, and crease - like a matchbook.

(you can do 2 creases there- about 1/16th" apart so it will lay better-

again, practice on plain paper first)

*I tucked a piece of felt (cut with pinking shears - slightly smaller than the inside) into the bottom flap and stapled. DON'T staple too high up! or the top flap won't 'fit' in~

[Kerryanne suggested covering the staple with something decorative]

*I added needles, buttons,  pins and a paper spool covered in thread.

Whaalaa~

They are simple, with only a bit of embellishment at best - but if you use beautiful paper . . . : )

I had just the right color of seam binding to accent the pretty butterfly paper (by Kaisercraft; their Rustic Harmony collection)

I also used some Prima paper; their Butterfly Garden collection~

 

 

 

Prima paper on this one below!   "Sew Sweet!"

 

 

 I thought I'd also share a photo of one of the wonderful French treasures I purchased through Liz's http://lululizinlalaland.blogspot.com/2015/12/auction-no-30-vintage-french-enamel.html

Auction last year~

A gorgeous French Lunch Pail!!  (lid not showing)

 

This pail use to grace Liz's craft room; and now it graces mine : )  Thanks ever-so-much Liz!  I treasure it.

 

Well I better say Good-Bye for today.  I need to get back to work~  I am hoping to visit you very soon : )

Wishing each of you  God's very best!  Love and hugs to YOU~

Karen

 

GREETING  Cards~
I'm so happy to have you visit today!
The weather in Colorado is slowly warming up; and we seem (I say seem : ) to be heading into Spring!
 
I just have a few cards to share.  I needed some of everything (birthday, Mothers Day, Anniversary...) and was blessed with some inspiration (from YOU! : ) and a bit of my own) to get these done in time.
                  Though I do enjoy many paper-crafting styles, my cardmaking
has almost always followed the 'grungier' vintage style.  I am not sure what it is, but as I work I am forever trying to make it look like it came out of an old deteriorated box in the attic!
Water-stained and edges crumbling as I unwrap it from Grandma's 1934 newspaper.  *sigh*

The papers were a gift~ from a dear and talented scrapbook friend named Marylou. We are sisters in the Lord~  You can see her gorgeous gallery @ Scrapbook.com --> Meggies Nana
This will be a MOTHER'S DAY card for my sweet mom.
 I added a branch die-cut, (from Memory Box)  resin bird (Prima brand) and the postal stamp was also a gift from my friend.  I made the nest : ) from excelsor (?sp) and the eggs I made with a bit of 'Homemade'  texture paste - the recipe is found here @ Gabrielle's beautiful blog: >  Such A Pretty Mess   She is found on several Design Teams (scrapbooking) and posts Youtube video's for "How-To's" and more.  I love her blog because  she often shows her processes - and I find that so helpful!
I like to "see" what you did!  Hers is one of the very first blogs I ever discovered, and she is magnificently talented! : )
Along the right side of her blog is a long list of tutorials she offers~
  The eggs did need a few hours to dry.  Then I lightly dotted them with colored felt markers~

I used a honeycomb stencil, and some blue Prills , bit of paint, ink and glitters.

Here's a second card created from the collection of papers sent from my scrapbook friend~

This is for a precious sister-in-law and her hubby.

I was inspired by a card I saw at a blog I follow sometimes;--> The Key To A Dream

 I liked the shapes and so adapted a card from Hama's inspiration.
 I have wanted to use the pressed flowers I made quite a while back  for a Springtime card!  So here it is.
Alan made a flower press for me many years ago and would help me press (these) Jonny-Jump-Up's, and Pansies.  I like the look of a real flower; don't you?  Color's still vibrant after 2 years.

My layers are: cardstock, tan tissue, bits of laces & cloth, scrapbook papers, chipboard, pressed flowers and some stamping, embellishments and distressed & inked edges.

 The beautiful butterfly is from an Etsy shop: -->  Renea's Bouquet

And here is just a close up of my grungy corner.

 Next (below) is a birthday card I made for another beloved sister-in-law.
(They are the kindest and best of people! to quote an old movie : )

This card was created with Prima brand papers.  I believe it is their "Almanac" & "Printery" collections; unfortunately both are discontinued : /
That postal stamp from Marylou had been so much fun to use!  I like to add 'postage' to my stuff~  There are bits of white & tan burlap and corrugated board - along with some cut-outs from the collection.  The black scalloped edging is a punch.

My thanks to you!! for taking time to stop in and visit.  I hope for you  a beautiful day and week ahead~

BLESSINGS!  Karen