Another venture

I can't tell you all how much I miss stamping. My life has been busy, and stamping has had to take the backseat for awhile...and maybe a while more. But I do not have any reservations about it. I really feel that right now, I have been called to something bigger. What started nearly three years ago has really grown in my heart, and I have caught the vision for a ministry, so I have begun writing for another blog, Moms-in-Touch ~ Nebraska, as well as volunteering my time and efforts to this ministry, Moms-in-Touch.

If any of you have never heard of Moms-in-Touch, it is a world-wide prayer movement where moms pray for their children and their schools. Looking at the world in which we live, my heart aches for the young children (mine in particular) and what they get to grow up with...drugs, alcohol, violence, abuse...the list is endless. Knowing that we serve an Almighty God in Heaven Who hears every single word uttered (or even groaning for that matter) gives me peace that is unexplainable. And, the entirely cool thing is that my relationship with Christ has been strengthen because of it. I know Him like I have NEVER known Him before. It has also been encouraging to see Him move in the hearts of my kids. That maybe would never have happened had I not prayed for them.

Do any of you feel as though you are up against a huge battle and have no where to turn? I really encourage you to get plugged-in to a Moms-in-Touch group. Seeing God move in ways you never thought He could or would will knock your socks off. I guarantee it!!

To all my blogging friends that I have met this past year...I cherish each of you, and will continue to visit. You all are very talented, and I still love looking at your creations. No worries. I will continue to stamp and post whenever it works. (It might just be in 4 month increments. LOL ;> ) Feel free to visit on the other blog. Would love to see your comments there as well.

TTFN,
Debi

Color Challenge #55

I cannot tell you how long it has been since I have done one of these. I think maybe the last one I did was #46. Yikes!! My creative juices are definately in "hyper-sleep" if you will these days. Now that summer is here, there are definately other, more important things on my plate (unfortunately), so stampin has to take the back burner for now.

But today, I was able to spend a little down time on the computer and look around in blog land (Yeah!) and saw this CI at KWerner's Blog. Since Father's Day is just a couple days away, I thought I would take advantage of it and get busy in the stamp room.

This card is more of a heart-felt card than a creative card. Since it is for my 85-year-old Daddy, I know what matters most to him is what's on the inside...not so much all the "hoop-la" that can actually go into a card. I actually will spend way more time writing in it that I did creating it. I'm so glad I have my Dad.

I typed the sentiment and printed it off on the computer. He truly has a great legacy. He was a WWII hero (in my eyes), married my mom, and had us. He was an incredibly hard worker...owned his own business and farmed on the side. He taught his children how to work hard, save for the important things (rather than buy on a whim, but somehow I think I missed that lesson ;>LOL), how to respect those in authority, and most importantly, how to be wise and discerning. Now that I am an adult, I SO enjoy having a cup of coffee with him and just talking. I can still learn so much from him. He is quiet by nature, but when there is an important issue, he can be driven beyond all measure. He is a good man, and he has taught me how to love Christ. How to BE like Christ, simply because he is like Christ. It's amazing how the ripple effects of just one man truly can reach the world...for the good.

So, Dad, Happy Father's Day from the bottom of my heart. I love you dearly!

TTFN,

Debi

My Garden!!

Oh my! I just got my garden in yesterday. My daughter and I worked for about 3 hours working the soil and getting everything ready. Then came the seeds and seedlings to transplant. We were so excited when we were finished. It seemed to go smoothly, too. My awesome hubby went up to the farmstead and got a couple of buckets full (loader buckets) of topsoil and manure. I know...it sounds totally gross, but plants really dig it. It, too, had rained the night before, so the soil was as prime as it was going to be. Nice and fertile and workable. Now, today, it has rained the majority of the day. I couldn't ask for better timing.

The cool thing about gardening is just watching everything sprout. All we do is put the seed in and God totally does the rest. I mean, there is absolutely nothing we can do to MAKE those tiny seeds grow. Sure, we can water and fertilize, but God is the One who actually performs the miracle of growth. So cool!! It was a really neat teaching opportunity as well for my daughter. She, too, has such a tender heart for Jesus.

I know I haven't posted many cards lately, so I thought I'd add this one. It was one I had made a while back, and wanted to get it on the blog. I saw it in a store and wanted to try it. It took for...ever! But it was well worth it when I was finished. I can't tell you how many different stamp sets I actually used...lots, and as usual, many of them were retired. Hope you all like it!

TTFN,

Debi

Nothing in Particular

Oh my goodness!! I cannot believe it has been over a month since my last post. Life has been busy here. I shared with a good friend that I have felt as though I put my family on hold while I was "playing" on my blog, and have felt very, VERY convicted by it. It seems difficult being on the computer at times. In other words, I like it too, TOO much. I can totally fritter away an entire day looking at cool things on everyone's blogs, and I have not limited my time like I should. So, I have had to do with myself what I do with my own kids. Set the timer. They get 30 minutes, so I get 30 minutes. Not much can be accomplished in 30 minutes, let me tell ya!

We have also been busy planting. Actually, I guess I should rephrase that. My husband has been busy planting this spring. I'm just here for support. LOL Yesterday, though, we had some very exciting news come our way during church. Not the kind of exciting news a person would want to hear. My DH received a text during church that one our fields was on fire. Yes, FIRE! The wind was blowing like crazy, and I could only imagine what kind of damage we were going to find. He left, and when he arrived at his field, another young farmer (bless his heart) was already there discing trying to prevent it from spreading. The rural fire department was there also spraying water near the buildings on that quarter section as well. It was mere torment that he had to disc up some of his beans, but it had to be done.

It makes me think of how the Lord allows difficult times in our lives to bring us closer to Him. He allows pain and suffering, sometimes I say, "God is turning up the heat." Have you ever heard of "the refiner's fire"? Whenever refiners melt precious metals, they turn up the heat so that it will melt. All the impurities within that metal will rise to the top so that the refiner can skim it off, leaving the metal as pure as pure can be...no more impurities. The Lord does the same with His children. He will allow pain and suffering (turning up the heat) because He wants to "skim off" all the impurities in our lives, leaving us pure, too. He wants our hearts. Our WHOLE heart.

It makes me wonder what kind of yields we will have in the fall in that little area that was burned...

TTFN,
Debi

P.S. Sorry, I couldn't get a good picture of what burned. I almost needed a plane for that. LOL

Workshop samples

Can you believe it's been about 5 or 6 years since I have done an actual workshop? They are definately few and far between out here. But I am grateful nonetheless. I did my first one in years this past weekend. I was super nervous, but it really was a good time, and I am thankful for the ladies that came. I hope you all enjoy your stuff!!

Here are just a few of the samples I did for her workshop...

The card was really fun. When it was finished, it looked so boring, so I added a couple of rhinestone brads. Holy Cow, that made a huge difference. I did, also, stamp a couple extra cherries and cut them out to add with a pop-dot to add dimension. I was really pleased with this one.

The Ghirardelli box was an idea I found on Splitcoaststampers.com. You can click here for the directions. Supposedly, a person can fit four little Ghirardelli quares just perfectly inside. I couldn't find any and was really disappointed because I SO wanted to show that. Oh well.

The scrapbook layout was one I thought of myself. It, too, is very plain. If anyone has any ideas on how to jazz it up a bit, I'd gladly hear your ideas. It's hard to see, but I traced around each lighter green piece with the black journaler. That did help. I do just love this pages and have been wanting to get this afternoon scrapbooked.

I really wanted to get these posted yesterday since I had all kinds of time, but I was really getting frustrated with my new camera. I think I need to take a class of some kind, because I just couldn't get it to take photos the way I wanted (I guess it is only as smart as the person using it. LOL) I think I took about 10 pictures of each before I just gave up and went outside for the natural sunlight. I SO want to learn how to take awesome pictures, but I just don't understand most of the features on my camera. Maybe that can be something I can do this summer. LOL ;>

TTFN,

Debi

Fifth Avenue Floral Class

Add a touch of elegance and class to your Mother’s Day gift this year with this gorgeous Fifth Avenue Floral card set! The card set includes four trendy card designs packaged in a unique window box. Give as a gift, or simply use it for yourself.

Date: Thursday, April 9 (3:30 - 6:30) and Saturday, April 11 (1:00-4:00)

Time: see above coordinating times

Cost: $25.00

Location: My house, call for directions (308-876-2226)

Please email me or call to sign up for this class. I'd love for you to come.

TTFN,

Debi

Color Inspiration #46

When I got on last night, I just had to go visit Kristina's blog and see if there was a new Color Challenge. It's been very busy at home, haven't had much time to stamp lately, and I needed some inspiration. I was very glad, too, that she picked some colors that I felt were very "do-able", ya know? And BTW, those bibs are adorable. Loved the brown ones, too.

Anyway, my mind went crazy, and I couldn't sleep because I had an idea. I'm glad I remembered it when I woke up this morning. Actually, I was insprired from a gift sack. Who Knew?

Here it is...

I glittered the little dots at the bottom of the card as well as the frosting. I also "highlighted" the watercoloring with additional lines using the markers. You can see that best on the candle. I also cut out two more cupcakes to add dimension (I'm really loving the whole dimension thing) and make the center focal point "pop".

Hope you all have an AWESOME day filled with all kinds of blessings!

TTFN,

Debi