With Sympathy

Hello crafty friends, hope you are having a relaxing Sunday. I made a little resolution to myself to make more than one card when I am making cards. So my challenge is to make at least 2 cards, but would prefer to make 4, assembly line style to place in my stash. I didn't make 4 of these cards, but did make 2. So I'm pretty happy about that, but unfortunately I will be using one of them. But that's ok, cause I made two and the other one can go into my stash. Since the passing of my beloved husband, I have found this saying and I just love it because one night early after his passing, my husband's cousins came over and we got in the hot tub. While sitting and talking, I see a shooting star. No one seen it but me. Then I switched seats and saw another shooting star! No one but me saw it again. Next thing I knew there went another shooting star for the 3rd time. You guess it, I was the only one who saw it. I believe my beloved was sending me a message, then I found this saying and fell in love with it as it seem to have meaning to me. They have angels with this saying on the angel and I plan on getting one for my bedroom because it just reminds me of this time when I saw the 3 shooting stars. You might be asking why I saw 3 shooting stars. Well, Dwayne always gave me 3 kisses before leaving the house, whether he was going up to the farm, off to work or where ever. It was always 3 kisses, so I think he sent me the 3 shooting stars! Yes, that was my amazing husband....

Again I used Mojo Monday Sketch 431 for this card as well. Thanks so much for taking time out of  your day to visit me. I truly appreciate you visit and your comments as well. You certainly make my day brighter for me!! Crafty hugs, Brenda

Recipe:
Cricut Create a Critter Cartridge-"stars", the cloud I hide and didn't cut
Cricut Wild Card Cartridge-"with sympathy"
CardzTV Stamps "Basic Borders" for the inside star border
My Creative Time-"3 Stars" Stitched Dies
Stampin' Up-"Love and Sympathy" stamps-I believe that this set has been discontinued
Cricut Explore Write feature "Baby Steps" font for the saying

Snowflakes, lots and lots of Snowflakes-BBTB2 Challenge

Hello my crafty friends, I hope if you were in the path of this storm you made it through it safe and sound. I had originally had this scheduled to post because I was afraid we would lose our power with this snow storm. But we didn't. We did however get 28 inches of snow dumped on us! I was so happy to have my youngest and his friend get home from college on Friday before the snow storm hit. It started around 5/6pm on Friday. Woke up to lots and lots of snow on Saturday. Still coming down like crazy, but my son and friend went out to shovel the back porch and walk open. Then they "waded" through the snow drifts on the tractor path to get to the farm. Once there they got the doors open to the big shed and got the loader tractor out and pushed snow at the farm and home. Then helped a neighbor, all the while the snow continued to fall at 2 to 3 inches per minute. Finally called it done for the day. Woke up this morning to a beautiful, sunny day. My son got the tractor again and pushed more snow and snow drifts at the farm and home. Then he went up the road and plowed a another neighbor out. In the mean time, I shoveled the front porch, couldn't open the door, and shoveled to the driveway from the front porch as well as opened up a path to the pipes that they oil man uses to deliver my heating oil. My neighbor came by and finished helping me get this done. Then my son and friend came home and we had supper. After supper they dug open the mail box so the mail could be delivered. It was his 20th birthday, so celebrated that and then off they left to go back to college. These boys worked hard this weekend! Thank God, because I don't know when I would have gotten dug out since my other son was still snowed in at his house. He lives about 25 minutes from me and thought he would be able to get to me on Saturday to dig me out. Nope, didn't happen. He was still snowed in late this afternoon! I would rather mow grass than shovel snow. lol So I'm done, where's spring?! And yes, youngest son and friend got back to college safe and sound. a 2 1/2 hour drive and I can watch them drive all the way home on my phone, it even tells me how fast they are driving. Such a piece of mind to watch them get there. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. Feeling frosty??

My back porch/patio after the guys shoveled Sunday.

 My youngest clearing the driveway on Saturday.

 This was our visibility, sometimes worse than this on Saturday.

 This is my front yard on Sunday.

 My backyard on Sun., there is a picnic table between the two trees, buried.

 Out my back door, with the door open on Saturday, it was piling up against the door.

Ok, enough of my rambling. We were challenged over at BBTB2 to use a snowflake on our project by the talented Susan. Well, I should have did a snowflake layout since it is snowing like crazy and I will be taking pictures. But at the time I did my project I didn't know we were going to have a huge storm, so I have a card instead. It was Pinterest inspired and you can find that inspiration here. Ok, it was more like a down right copy, I admit. I couldn't help it, I feel in love with it. I was going to make my snowflake white and for some reason, I made it silver glitter. Don't ask me what I was thinking, but I forgot I was going to make it white like the Pinterest one. Yea, still not on my game I'm sorry to say and don't think I will be for a while yet. Anyway I used a lot of snippets on this one. The only thing that isn't a snippet is my card base, which is 4 1/4 X 4 1/4. So this card will still fit in an A2 envelope. Ok, it's your turn to create some dazzling snowflake projects to link up with us. 

As always thank you for stopping by and visiting with me a spell. You comments always make my day and leave me with a smile on my face. Crafty  hugs, Brenda

Edited: Joining in with the challenges:
Rudolph Day
Snippets Playground

Recipe:

Cuttlebug embossing folder on the 1 1/2 inch squares

Winter Wonderland Cricut cartridge for the snowflake

Some random shear white ribbon from my stash

Random clear gem

Sentiment from a SU set, sorry I don't remember which one

Penguin Cold-BBTB2 Challenge

Hello my crafty friends, I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was so, so. Hard to know what to do with yourself when you don't have your mate around anymore. I helped our cousin take down Christmas trees at her house and her dad's house on Friday and then on Sat. I went to mass in the evening. 

Since it is Monday, you know that means it is a brand new challenge over at BBTB2. This weeks challenge is hosted by our talented Kelly. She wants us to use penguins on our project. So I made a little card. Well, it isn't the standard A2 card. Instead it is a 4 1/4 x 6 1/4 card. Kept it pretty simple by doing a print and cut on the Explore. I stamped my houndstooth pattern on some snippets of white cardstock. I also curved my sentiment on my block to match the curve of the penguin's head.  Recipe will be at the bottom. 

As always thanks for stopping by. It's always great to get visitors. You always  make my day a happy one. I will be by to visit you real soon too. Crafty hugs, Brenda

Thanks to a blog buddy, Lisa, I can enter this into the the Thankful Thursday challenge over at DLART. It is to use the colors yellow, black and white. Thanks Lisa!

I also want to enter into the Snippets Playground challenge of using snippets. 

Recipe:

Penguin-Create A Critter, print and cut on Explore

Hounds-tooth pattern-My Creative Time Build A Banner Kit

Snowflakes-My Creative Time Winter Flake Dies

Sentiment-Cardz TV Snow Day stamp set

Glittery Paper-Die Cuts With A View glitter paper

Brrrr, Baby It's Cold Outside! BBTB2 Challenge

Hello my crafty friends, I am trying to find my new normal since my beloved husband's passing. So it is back to creating for my DT's. Not sure how it will go, but it can only help me to create some again. 

Today is a new challenge over at BBTB2. Our sweet Melanie has chosen our theme of hats, mittens and scarves because baby, it's cold outside! At least it is cold here in Central PA. Although yesterday was 55 and today it is only in the low 30's. How does that work?! We have been very fortunate that we haven't had hardly any cold weather or snow so far. I think this is my kind of winter! So for this challenge I made some pocket cards by printing my cards on my Explore. The cartridges I used will be under my pictures. For now, I just have some filler cards in the spaces instead of pictures. I will put pictures in later, I have tons of snow pictures to scrap. 

Thanks for joining me today, I always love when you come and sit a spell and enjoy a hot drink with me. Your comments always, always make my day and I will be back to visit you too very soon. Crafty hugs, Brenda

Cartridges Used:

Holiday Cakes - mittens Colors were changed on the Explore

Mr. Frosty for the patterns on the card shapes

Snow Angel - brown/blue hat

Winter Woodland - blue/pink hat

Snow Friends - snowman

Wise Men....and a little Update

Hello all my crafty friends, it is my turn to post at Cardz TV Gallery. It's been a rough few months with Christmas not being much easier since the loss of my sweet husband, but with all the grands and our sons, I will get through it.  I have to say, it will be painful all the same and by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

I'm really not on top of my game yet, so I will apologize ahead of time. My card for today is a traditional one, one that shows us what the Christmas season is really all about. I stamped my wise men and the city of Bethlehem in black ink and then embossed it in clear embossing ink. That way I could sponge my night sky without messing up my stamping. And no, your eyes aren't crooked...I stamped my stamp crooked. Told you I wasn't on my game. Anyway I proceeded to sponge my skyline with distress inks. I then dribble water on to the distress inks for the "starry sky". Cut out my scene and layered it onto my card base. I did the same thing on the inside as I did on the outside. Mary's sentiments were perfect for this image. Her stamp sets always have the perfect sentiment on them. You can buy this stamp set here as well as many other fabulous Cardz TV stamps sets!  

Recipe:
sentiment stamps: Cardz TV stamps Glad Tidings
Wise Men stamp set: SU Come to Bethlehem
My Creative Time: More Stitched Rectangle dies
distress ink colors: Broken China, Faded Jeans, Stormy Sky, and Chipped Sapphire
ink: Versafine Black Onyx
embossing powder: Ranger clear
paper: Neenah Bright White and SU Heavy weight whisper white

I want to take a moment and thank all my wonderful blogging friends who have left me such sweet and loving comments since the passing of my husband. It warms my heart to know how much you all care about me! I also want to say a huge thank you for all the beautiful sympathy cards I received, between my blogging friends, friends, family and the community the pile of cards was over a 1 foot high. Unbelievable! It was a long viewing, with people standing in line for an hour and 45 minutes. Our son's knew their dad was well respected in our community and had lots of friends, but even they were amazed at the amount of people that showed up for his viewing. I wasn't and knew that it was going to be like that. My husband was an amazing man, a man that so many respected and loved. Just before he passed, I saw grown men coming to our home to see him and leaving weeping their eyes out. Very heartbreaking for everyone. I still can't write or talk about him without the tears streaming down my face. The amount of food that came into this house was amazing as well. Everyone has been so amazing to me!! Family and friends have kept me busy by whisking me off on trips, evening trips, out to eat or just keeping me company in the evenings. So much love offered to me by everyone and that it just melts my heart! I have always know how blessed I've been, but it was really hammered home to me after the passing of my husband just how blessed I still am!  I want to thank everyone as well for their wonderful Christmas cards that have been sent to me. I didn't get any cards out myself. I just got through sending out over 60 thank you cards from the funeral stuff. That doesn't even include the people that donated to Hospice in my husbands memory! So as you can see what amazing people I have in my life and that includes all my sweet and amazing blogging friends!! I just can't even imagine you all not being a part of my life! So I'm sending all my love to you all this Christmas, wishing you the best life has to offer you because you all truly deserve only the best life has to offer. 

Here is my sweet husband's obit, I hope you don't think ill of me for sharing it. He just was my world and I loved him so and was so proud of him. If you have stuck with me through this long post, thank you and bless you. 

I will be back in the new year to resume my DT duties and hopefully to share some scrapbooking pages/pocket scrapping. Crafty hugs and love to you all! Brenda

Dwayne T. Lawrence 01/03/1963 - 10/10/2015 Dwayne T. Lawrence, 52, of Hanover, entered into God’s eternal care Saturday, October 10, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Brenda S. (Squires) Lawrence to whom he was married 22 years.  Born January 3, 1963 in Hanover, he was the son of Barbara A. (Hampton) Lawrence of Hanover and the late Mark D. Lawrence.  Dwayne was employed at Hanover Prest Paving, Hanover and was a lifelong farmer. He was a 1980 graduate of New Oxford High School and a member of Sacred Heart Basilica and SAVES. His passion was farming and he enjoyed sharing the farming experience with his sons and grandchildren. He also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family and friends.  Surviving in addition to his wife and mother are six sons; Lance Shamer and his wife Kristin of Fort Drum, NY, Josh Lawrence and his wife Jill of Abbottstown, Corey Shamer and his fiancé Rebecca of Taneytown, MD, Evan Lawrence and his wife Brittany of New Oxford, Brian Lawrence and his wife Amie of Spencer, Iowa and Bret Lawrence of Hanover, 8 grandchildren and two siblings; Keith Lawrence of Hanover and Belinda Arnold of McSherrystown.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at Sacred Heart Basilica, Edgegrove, with Rev. Joseph R. Howard as celebrant. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery, Hanover. Friends and relatives will be received Tuesday 6 to 8 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home, 501 Ridge Ave., McSherrystown, with a prayer service at 8 pm.  Contributions in memory of Dwayne may be made to VNA/Hospice, 440 N. Madison Street, Hanover, PA 17331. Guestbook Click here to sign the guestbook

Jingle On

Hello Cardz TV Gallery fans, Brenda here from Friends Craftin' with Friends and it's my turn to share a project with you. Right now my projects are simple and all done in advance, scheduled to post as I am taking time off since the passing of my husband. So please pardon my quickie cards. Crafty hugs, Brenda

Recipe:

Paper: Scrap piece from the Paper Studio-Hobby Lobby

Greenery:  Martha Steward branch punch

Jingle Bell: My Creative Time Warm Holiday Fun Stamp and Die set

Sentiments: Cardz TV Naughty or Nice stamp set

Thankful Heart

Hello Cardz TV Gallery fans, Brenda here from Friends Craftin' with Friends and it's my turn to share a project with you. Right now my projects are simple and all done in advance, scheduled to post as I am still mourning my husband's passing. So please pardon my quickie cards. Crafty hugs, Brenda

Recipe:

Pattern Paper - DCWV I think it is a stack from last year

Dies: My Creative Time - A Thankful Heart Stamp & Die set, Stitched Squares Inside & Out, Stitched Rectangular Frames Dies & More

Sentiment - Cardz TV - Heartfelt Wishes Stamp set