Tuesday, November 30, 2010

HIDDEN SURPRISE THANKS TO YOU

Hello again! Don't forget about my BLOG CANDY HERE.

This week, Technique Junkies is sponsoring the Challenge Blog this week called Frosted Designs and the challenge is TO GIVE THANKS! here is my take on the challenge....

This is a SNEAK PEAK from the December 2010 issue of Technique Junkies using the technique called Hidden Surprise. This technique is the on-line bonus!





Here are a few more details: 
Stamp Sets: Thoughts of You available at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps
(they are having a 30% off sale TODAY! WOW)
Cardstock: Rose, White, Yellow
Accessories: Paper Trimmer, Punches, Ribbon, Copic, Brads, Technique Junkie Newsletter

Take some time to check out the challenge today for your chance to win! Thank you for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!
Chrissy D

SPIRITUAL: Thoughts from my heart today...

Hello Friends-
Isn't it interesting how the URGENT from yesterday does not seem nearly as important today? Do you ever think you WANT something SO bad and then you get it and it is just more work than you realized and can even steal your joy some what? How about those feelings that you WANT something really bad and someone says NO and you find yourself seething in anger? ACK! I find myself there some times. I have to continually remind myself how blessed I am and that the things I some times WANT are not what I NEED nor are they always good for me. :) In fact, last night, I approached my husband about something that was on my heart in that "child like fear" knowing he would say no. I felt like my daughter and even jokingly said, "I know you are going to say NO before I even ask." Now mind you, we do not have the type of relationship that I have to ask permission to spend money, etc. But since we are "one" according to the LORD (Genesis 2:24), we discuss larger purchases... plus just as I would go to my best friend to talk about items, I go to him - after all, my husband IS my closest friend. :)


Anyways, I digress... I went to him last night and my husband said no, just as I thought he would and immediately I was angered. Sigh. He is travelling this week, so my conversation ended with him, because deep down, I knew my anger was in the wrong, but needed to step back and get over myself. I knew what I wanted was sheer selfishness and would not bring any good for any one in my family or otherwise but me - the only benefit it would be is to stoke my pride. I even confided in a friend, that I was angry and that it would take me the evening to cool down. I KNEW in my heart I was angry and WHY. 


"In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You & eagerly watch." Psalm 5:3




This month, I have been reading through the book of Acts. This morning as I was reading Acts 8:9-25, the LORD showed me again that the selfish desires of my heart were not necessarily what is good for everyone - only that my desires were for selfish gain - just as Simon's desires were. As some of you read this and the Scripture, you might think, how did she get that out of Simon wanting the gifts of the Holy Spirit? I can not explain it, except that the Holy Spirit spoke to me about the spiritual place that I am in and HE showed me exactly where I am wrong and that it was good that I was angry, yet did not sin. Not to trump my own horn in any way, but had I expressed my anger last night to my husband it would have been sin, whether I thought I was "right"  or not, or that what I wanted was justified for whatever reason I thought it was. 


I know my emotions can toss me back and forth and can not be trusted. My thought life is often wrong, and what I believe is often incorrect, so I have to continually compare my thoughts to what the Scripture says. Even going to those whom I know are more mature in their walk and saying this is what I "think"  and needing them to guide me at times.



James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.


I love what Chuck Swindoll says -The urgent will crowd out the important. These are not the same.... the urgent is tyrannical - the important is quiet, always deep, never popular - not at all the same. 


Friends, this may or not make sense to you - but it is what is on my heart today and I find I can ramble at times! My next post will be paper crafting! Have a blessed day!

Chrissy D

Monday, November 29, 2010

Grace, Hyena, Freddie the Frog and Me

Hello and Happy Monday! OK, let me start by asking... where did the weekend go? Holy Cow! I think every weekend Monday sneaks up on me faster. This week, is actually a quieter one for me. So glad all of the running around is done for awhile. I have a few shops to go to, to pick up gifts but otherwise, much of my Christmas shopping is done for the year. That feels great! Now, to decide what I am going to do for Christmas cards... lol You would think I have plenty with all that I create, but I like to do a family photo card for our family and loved ones...so this week, I will work on that!

Todays cards use I Brake for Digis. This first card was created by my daughter, Grace. We had a lot  of fun stamping together this weekend. Over at The Brakefast Club (a fun forum for I Brake for Stamps!) I host a challenge and this week was to create a project using INCHIES! I would LOVE to have you join the fun, if you like challenges, go HERE to see the challenge forum! 



Grace had a blast creating this card. She added so many fun details too... She used the Laughing Hyena from I Brake for Digis, and I typed up the Birthday Greeting using my Microsoft Word program. She colored the image using water based markers and added SU striped ribbon and some fun embellishments she had lying around.


My card uses this FUN frog. Freddie the frog originally was a male, but I added some eye lashes and some bright pink lips to "girl it up!" This digital image was lots of fun to color too! I added some Stardust Stickles to the crown and lips - avoiding the black lines! For the background, I used the BIRDS SHEET stamp set !


You can use my code SAVE10CHRIS to SAVE 10% too!


I need to get my day started here - we have school, laundry and stamping to do today! Thank you for stopping by! Have a wonderful week!
Chrissy D

Saturday, November 27, 2010

ODBDSLC39 Wishing for Snowflakes...

Hello and Happy Saturday everyone!!! Before I go on to my post, I want to remind you that I have some Blog Candy HERE.


Once you are done reading and hopping through the talented Design Team member blogs, don't forget about the FABULOUS SALE Our Daily Bread Designs is having!

I have to giggle over my title "wishing for snowflakes" because I am quite confident as much as I want snow, my husband does not want snow! :)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and this weekend we are relaxing and enjoying one another. I cleaned off my desk on Thanksgiving night and I get to take some extra time to stamp this weekend. It is wonderful just to take some time to slow down and reflect on the many blessings we have been given.
Well, as you know it is Saturday, it is the day of Our Daily Bread Designs Shining Light Challenge! This week's Challenge is....  December is just around the corner...and in most places of the USA comes the cold and/or snowflakes. So this week's challenge is to add snowflakes to your creation (this can be on the dp, punched, the image, your ribbon, and etc.)

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, $ 15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for thprize must be submitted by Thursday, December 2. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday.

Here is some information on my project... I started with the technique called the Tri-Stair technique and uses the Fancy Fold and Motions Cd from the Technique Junkie Newsletter. You can find information about the cd on my side bar.




Stamp Sets and DiesSnowflake Background,  Peace and Joy and Snowflake Die
Accessories: Glimmer MistScor-Pal, Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch, Glue Dots, Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Nestibilities, Gems and Pearls

From here, you will definitely want to Be sure to check out my SUPER talented design team members blogs here: 





Some challenges I participated in...
A Spoonfull of Sugar - Anything Goes
Artful Inkables - Punches/Diecuts 
Creative Belli - 'R' Embelllies (rhinestones)
Crafty Creations - Christmas
Inktegrity - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Let  it Snow 
FBD - Winter/Christmas 
Daring Cardmakers - 3 of something (3 stairs!)
Hodge Podge Shop - Anything Goes
Fab n Funky - Anything Goes
ABC Christmas - 'X' is for Christmas
Diecut Dreams Christmas - Anything Goes Christmas
Lexis Creations - Holiday Colors
Scrappy Frogs - Christmas
Stamp and Create - 'Tis the Season
Alota Rubberstamps - Christmas
OSAAT - A Season or Event
The Crafty Calender- winter snowflakes

Whew! Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a productive weekend filled with MANY Blessings, laughter and fun. My husband bought me an early Christmas present, so I am going to be trying to figure that out! 
Chrissy D

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Not a Martha Stewart Thanksgiving...

I received this from a friend of mine today and it made me smile, so I thought I would share with you...

To All Our Family and Friends:

Just a note to let you know we are hoping to see you Thanksgiving Day. But….Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. I’m telling you in advance, so don’t act surprised. Since Ms. Stewart won’t be coming, I’ve made a few small changes:

Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.

Once inside, our guests will note that the entry hall is not decorated with the swags of Indian corn and fall foliage I had planned to make. Instead, I’ve gotten the kids involved in the decorating by having them track in colorful autumn leaves from the front yard. The mud was their idea.

The dining table will not be covered with expensive linens, fancy china, or crystal goblets. If possible, we will use dishes that match and everyone will get a fork. Since this IS Thanksgiving, we will refrain from using the plastic Peter Rabbit plate and the Santa napkins from last Christmas.

Our centerpiece will not be the tower of fresh fruit and flowers that I promised. Instead we will be displaying a hedgehog-like decoration hand-crafted from the finest construction paper.  The artist assures me it is a turkey.

We will be dining fashionably late. The children will entertain you while you wait. I’m sure they will be happy to share every choice comment I have made regarding Thanksgiving, pilgrims and the turkey hotline. Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 a.m. upon discovering that the turkey was still hard enough to cut diamonds.

As accompaniment to the children’s recital, I will play a recording of tribal drumming. If the children should mention that I don’t own a recording of tribal drumming, or that tribal drumming sounds suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them. They are lying.

We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty silver bell to announce the start of our feast. In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method. We’ve also decided against a formal seating arrangement. When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you like. In the spirit of harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table. In a separate room. Next door.

Now, I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving a turkey in front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers. This will not be happening at our dinner.  For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony. I stress “private” meaning: Do not, under any circumstances, enter the kitchen to laugh at me. Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress. I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed. It stands to reason that I will eventually win. When I do, we will eat.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind my young diners that “passing the rolls” is not a football play. Nor is it a request to bean your sister in the head with warm tasty bread.

Oh, and one reminder for the adults: For the duration of the meal, and especially while in the presence of young diners, we will refer to the giblet gravy by its lesser-known name: Cheese Sauce.  If a young diner questions you regarding the origins or type of Cheese Sauce, plead ignorance. Cheese Sauce stains.

Before I forget, there is one last change. Instead of offering a choice between 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will be serving the traditional pumpkin pie, garnished with whipped cream and small fingerprints. You will still have a choice; take it or leave it.

I hope you aren’t too disappointed that Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. She probably won’t come next year either.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Chrissy D

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving Everyone- (Please scroll down for more 2 more posts today!) I do not have a project to share with you, just a few comments. I have TONS to be thankful to the LORD for and I am so blessed. Today, we are spending time with my family at home with all of the Thanksgiving goodies.


1 Chronicles 16:8-12

Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! 10 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! 11 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!  12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth...



Thanksgiving proclamation from President George Washington in 1789...


By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.


I pray you enjoy your day with your family as you reflect on what the LORD has done for you this year!


Many Blessings,

Chrissy D

I BRAKE FOR STAMPS SALE!

I BRAKE FOR STAMPS has a SALE!!! You can use my code SAVE10CHRIS to SAVE an additional 10% too!


Scroll down for another sale too!


Our Black Friday sale starts now and ends on Sunday.

We have new releases from artist Rick St. Dennis. You can view those
here: http://ibrakeforstamps.com/rickstdennisexclusives.aspx

We have 25% off of the following:
Sizzix Dies (In Stock)
Merry Stamper Stamps
Impressions of Faith Stamps
All Full Sheets of Rubber Stamps
All Half Sheets of Rubber Stamps
All Quarter Sheets of Rubber Stamps

We have 20% off IN STOCK storage panels and all IN STOCK Embossing Arts stamps

We have 15% off all ink (In Stock)

We have 10% off all in stock craft tools, accessories and embossing folders.

If something is out of stock, you will receive a credit through Paypal or through your credit card.

Sale ends Sunday!!!


Chrissy D

OUR DAILY BREAD THANKSGIVING SPECIAL!

OUR DAILY BREAD DESIGNS is offering a FREE SHIPPING special this Thanksgiving weekend for all US orders placed from Thursday-Sunday.  Please use the code in the shopping cart to receive this special!
Kelley is also giving away a free December Bread Basket Bundle to one lucky winner! All you need to do is go to the Our Daily Bread Designs Blog post HERE and leave a comment to be eligible to win.  Kelley would love to hear what you are most thankful for! While you are at the blog, remember to enter your email address to receive updates on all the fun blog events!

We are offering for the first time ever a PRE-ORDER for the new December stamp sets!  There are 3 new stamps set, including an ornament set that was made to coordinate with the Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament Dies.

Our Daily Bread designs is so proud and pleased to be chosen by the Spellbinders company as a Preferred Stamp Partner.  Our partnership with Spellbinders will be a blessing to the stamping community as well, as we expand our line to include  perfect match sentiments, Scriptures and images to Spellbinders products.  We look forward to a long and blessed partnership with such a fine product as Spellbinders.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! 

Chrissy D

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

BELLI CHALLENGE #105 'R' -

Hello Friends - Welcome! Today is Belli Challenge Day and our "theme" for the day is anything you choose that starts with an R! Whatever you choose though, has to be something "old and forgotten." I chose some old "Red papers" the "ribbon" starts with R too, but I have had it for 2 months, so I do not qualify that as "old and forgotten."


I love this fruit bowl from Our Daily Bread Designs! The image was so fun to color with my Copic Markers, too...

Here are a few more details...
Stamp Sets: Our Daily Bread Designs, Fruit of the Spirit
Cardstock: Basic Grey Bittersweet, Chocolate, Kraft, White
Accessories: Cherry Ribbon, Dew Drops, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Piercing Tool, Dimensionals, Mat Pack


A few challenges I participated in are:
Monday Mojo Sketch
Stampin' Sisters in Christ
Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge

A Spoonfull of Sugar - Anything Goes
Creative Belli - 'R' Embelllies (ribbon, red)
Inktegrity - Anything Goes
Cardmakers - 3 of something (3 patterned papers) 
Hodge Podge Shop - Anything Goes
Fab n Funky - Anything Goes
Lexis Creations - Holiday Colors
Stamp and Create - 'Tis the Season
Lots to do - Fave Technique (coloring with copics, Stitching)
OSAAT - A Season or Event
Charisma Cardz- for a girl
Papertake weekly-Cut it out




Take some time to enjoy perusing the very talented Belli Challenge participants blogs! They are sure to inspire you! Jessica StockmeyerJoy HaddenChris OlsenShelly SchmidtJoan Ervin,  Darsie BrunoRobin ParkerCeal PritchettMaria Matter, Mary Marsh

Before I go, I want to wish you each a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING. I pray that your blessings are abundant and you are filled with the joy of the LORD. Have a great day and thank you for stopping by!




Chrissy D

Saturday, November 20, 2010

ODBDSLC38 Holiday and a little Magic...

HELLO and HAPPY Saturday! Are busy bustling around for the Thanksgiving Season? Today will be a day of grocery shopping and cleaning as we will be having company this evening.

I need to remember to take a few moments today and really reflect on what I am thankful for! One thing I am thankful for is that I can share my creations and that I have time to create. It has really become an outlet for me, since I do stay home a lot and spend A LOT of time with my children. Which leads me to my children... I am SO thankful I can stay home and spend that time with them. I often think of so many parents who WANT to stay home with their children but can't... single moms or dads who HAVE to work to provide for their families.  As I type this, I am challenged to go out and shop to buy some food for those who are in need...

Well, as you know it is Saturday, it is the day of Our Daily Bread Designs Shining Light Challenge! This week's Challenge is.... 
Thanksgiving is just around the corner but since some of our viewers are from Canada or elsewhere and do not celebrate at this time of year, we are challenging you to create any holiday card (Thanksgiving, Christmas or etc.)




To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, $ 15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for thprize must be submitted by Thursday, November 25. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday.


Now for my creation...I decided this week to try my hand at a Magic Card. It has been AGES since I have created one and thought it would be fun to see how it would turn out. I often find lately that my "ideas" take a little longer than I planned, but I am almost always happy with the results...





Here are the details to my card...

Stamp SetsHis Gift and Amazing Grace Hymns
Cardstock: Basic Grey, Artichoke, Burgundy, White, Acetate
Accessories: Gold Ink, Watercolor Crayons, Aquapainter, Prismacolor Pencils, Rounded Tab Punch, Gold Brad, Gold Ribbon, Stampamajig and positioning sheets, Stamping Sponge, Gold Pen



I hope you enjoy your weekend and are VERY BLESSED!!! Take some time to reflect on your MANY, MANY blessings too!

Psalm 100:4-5 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.


Here are a few challenges I participated in...
Freshly Brewed - show off your style
Stampin' Royalty - patterned paper

Daring Cardmakers - 3 of something (colors - gold, burgundy and green)
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - anything goes
Hodge Podge Shop - anything goes
Paper Romance - your favorite things (techniques!)

Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle

Meljens Designs = #34 Sparkle & Shine
C4C64- Circles- (brads and gems)
 Pixie cottage- sketch OR ribbons and bows 

Be sure to check out my SUPER talented design team members blogs here: 



Thank you for stopping by! Have a great day!
Chrissy D