Hand Stamped By Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday DT - Scrap someone who inspires you

Yay!! It's the weekend!! My VERY busy week is now over :-) 5 releases and 4 blog hops was a lot to keep up with! But I made it through. Next week there will be a new Wags 'n Whiskers digi release AND the new Whiff of Joy City Girls 2 releases on friday, June 25th!! I have the new WOJ stamps already in stock :-)

But now it's time for another Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge!! This week's challenge is a special one...

Scrap someone who inspires you!

There are so many people who inspire me. There are stamping and scrapping inspirations, there are world leaders, Jesus (of course), and lots of friends. Then they are 3 very special people: My mom, my father, and my husband.

It was too hard to choose which one to do, so I went with the first one that I had a picture of!! That took out the stress of picking one :-)

This is my mom and I on my wedding day (obvious...I don't always wear a tiara...although I would like to think I am entitled to one!! ROFL)!

I inked up the Kraft background with SU En Francais background stamp, added a SU whisper White CS punched with one of the Martha Stewart punches, then some MME DP.

I stamped the bird from the Sing to the Lord set from Our Daily Bread Designs in chocolate chip ink onto Kraft CS then cut it out...

I added a die cut circle from Websters Pages, Prima swirls, Primas and ribbon.

For the title, I used some Thickers glitter chipboard stickers...

The rest of the journaling was created on the computer is says "...to be the best Mom, Wife, Friend, and Person I can be!"

Thanks, mom for all that you do for me and for all that you taught me!!

Now it's your turn! Let's see your layout created about someone who inspires you!! Make sure to link it ot the challenge blog for your chance to win the prize from our sponsor Crafty Sentiments.

And make sure to check out the rest of the DT's awesome layouts!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey
   

May Make n Take

A few ladies in my neighborhood asked if I was going to host another Make n Take again before Mother's Day. I've been quite busy, but wanted to be able to do it for them. So, tuesday night I will have another party. Of course, this set could be used for any occassion...it makes a great gift!

The kit will include the supplies to make 8 cards, the purse, and envlopes. Of course, the party will also include dinner!

The cards use 3 different focal images, 3 color schemes, and some coordinating Designer Paper or stamped backgrounds. All of the cards use Papertrey Ink Stampers Select White for the card base, a SU Chocolate Chip mat, either DP or stamped background, and the SU Eyelet Border Punch. They all also follow the same layout.

Here are some close ups...

The Yellow cards use SU Wonderful Watercolors. The idea of these cards came from the example card for this set in the SU catalog (only simplified).

This one uses Bella Toile background stamp in So Saffron onto SU Whisper White CS. The image is stamped with More Mustard ink for the flower and both Kiwi Kiss and Old Olive ink for the stem. The script in the back is SU En Francais stamped in So Saffron.

This one uses some DP from SU Parisian Summer (retired) for the background. Very similar look, but a little different.

This also used some Parisian Summer DP.

For the pink cards, the image is SU Close as a Memory. The flowers were inked with SU Regal Rose marker and the stem is SU Old Olive Marker. Behind the image, each one is stamped with SU Sanded Background stamp in Pink Pirouette...

This one has a stamped background using Cornish Heritage Farms Gingham stamp. To get an even image on this background stamp (for some reason), I had to brayer the ink on to the stamp to get consistant coverage.

This one uses some more Parisian Summer DP for the background. I am really sorry this pack retired!

This one also uses Parisian Summer DP for the background.

For the green cards, the image is Our Daily Bread Designs Flourished Christian Symbols for the image stamped in Kiwi Kiss...

Both Kiwi cards use Bella Rose DP for the background.

If any guest does not want to use the cross on their Kiwi cards, they can use one of the other images since the stems will coordinate with the DP. However, I did want to make this an option since I know I can always use more "Praying for you" or encouragement type cards.

To hold the cards, we are making a purse using Julie's tutorial. I modified it a little to make it more simple for my non-stamping friends...

I used Chocolate Chip CS for the base and added some Whisper White CS stamped with Bella Toile Background stamp on both the front and back. I added some ribbon (from Michaels) for handles.

I think we will have a lot of fun.

In the mean time, this week is CRAZY busy for me...so I have to make this short!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

Sing a new song

Personal ramblings at the end of this post. But first...

I liked the sketch I made for my last card, so I used it again! Since I already had the set out to use the flowers around the Willow image in the last card, I decided to use Sing to the Lord from Our Daily Bread Designs for this card.

It also happens to fall into the color combo CC208 at SCS this week...Rose Red, Always Artichoke, and Basic Black...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

I embossed the bird in black onto Whisper White CS then watercolored using Twinkling H2Os and I highlighted some areas with my SU markers. Then I spritzed the image with one of my SU markers and spritzer tool. This really only took a few minutes to color. The papers are some Basic Grey Bittersweet that I picked up at a local store.

The crochet flower is from SU along with the crystal brad. The other flower is from a prima set. I honestly can't remember where I got the crystal swirls from.

I carried the theme on the inside...

And on the inside of the cover...

Here is a close up of the image...

Now, at the time I made this card (yesterday morning), I didn't really have a use for the card but I thought it made a nice birthday card. However, the set has some wonderful scriptures that come in the set. If I had time to add one of the scriptures and still edit the pictures and post this card today, I would...but I don't. So, instead I will add the scripture here...

Oh Sing to the Lord a new song; for He has done marvelous things! Psalms 98:1

Why do I want to use this verse today? Because my husband was offered a position in South Florida. I original posted here that I was sad about this idea because I really don't want to loose my friends and church and schools that we have here!

However, my husband's job in Jacksonville is going away whether we like it or not! Over the past few weeks I have been praying that God leads us to where He wants us to be. I prayed that He closed the doors to the places He didn't want for us, and open the only door that is right for us for His plan. Scott applied for 2 other positions within the company (one in NC and the other in Memphis, TN). He was not offered an interview for the NC and didn't have a good feeling about the Memphis interview.

Yesterday his boss offered him a "promotion" in South Florida. Of course we have to move to get that job. But in an economy with extremely high unemployment...we are lucky we have a job...and even more blessed to be receiving a promotion.

So today, I sing a new song to the Lord...He is doing marvelous things in our lives! I will no longer look at this move as a burden to us...but will look forward to starting a new life in our new home!

I can look back and see the blessings He gave us here in North Florida so I eagerly follow his lead to South Florida with excitement and joy...looking forward to the plans He has for us in South Florida.

I was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale (we moved away 7 years ago) but I am very familiar with the area. We still have family down there who are excited that we will be closer.

Thank you all to those who prayed for us! And a special thanks to the Creatively Cute group for all of your encouragement! You gals are so sweet!!

Thanks for stopping by today! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Awesome news!

I am so excited! I grabbed a cup of coffee this morning. Sat at my computer to check emails. And started getting all of these emails congratulating me!!

I couldn't believe it...I was chosen to be one of the guest designers forWhiff of Joy!!! OMG!! I am estatic!! There were so many awesome entries that Katharina ended up choosing 10 guests over the next 6 months instead of her original plan of only 3 guests for 2 months!! My turn is in May and June!!

I can't wait to see what the design team comes up with! You can check out Katharina's post with the list of the newly appointed Guest DT here. But don't leave yet...

Whiff of Joy has 2 amazing stamp designers (Elizabeth Bell and Alison Action)! Their attention to detail is amazing. Each and every character they draw has such emotion...you can almost "see" what they are thinking! Yet their styles are so different and unique!

And Katharina is such a sweet and kind person! I got to work with her while I was a guest for High Hopes. Her cards are so elegant and her coloring is amazing! I am looking forward to working with her again!

Of course, I had to create a card to celebrate this wonderful news...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

I went threw my stash of sketch printouts for inspiration. I kind of combined a few different ones for my layout. The card base is SU Chocolate Chip. The DP are MME. I roughed up and inked up the edges.

The image is Whiff of Joy (of course) Willow with Sunhat embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. The sentiment is a retired SU hostess set. The blue flowers that I stamped around the image and sentiment is from Our Daily Bread designs (it's part of the Sing to the Lord). I originally tried stamping a swirl around the edges, but it didn't work out...I actually had to cut out the image and attach it to another piece...so word of advice, don't try something new after you have already spent time coloring an image!!

I carried the design on the inside...

I left it blank on the inside so I can write a personal note thanking Katharina for the chance to be a Guest DT.

Here's Willow...

I will leave you with this wonderful image in your mind...I am just so excited...I feel like a little kid!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Hope

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and all week at Split Coast Stampers is "Pink Week".

This card falls under two SCS Challanges...the Color Challenge CC189 (Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, and Kiwi Kiss) and the Sketch Challenge SC 199.

What better stamp set to use on a Breast Cancer awareness card than Hope from Our Daily Bread Designs. I embossed the ribbon and sentiment in Black and watercolored the ribbon with Pretty in Pink (I thought Pink Pirouette was too light for watercoloring).

The DP is Bella Rose from Stampin' Up! The pack is full of beautiful papers with Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, and Riding Hood Red...perfect for this color challenge.

I sewed some curvy zig zag stiches on the papers and added some Pink Pirouette Stripped Ribbon, some "Ice" rhinestone green brads, and some primas that a friend of mine gave me.

Here is the sketch that I used...

SCS is asking for cards that are made for the challanges this week to be donated to Chemo Angels, this month's "Cards for a Cause". If you would like to donate your cards, see this thread on SCS.

On to some Blog Candy...

There is still some time to enter the High Hopes Blog Candy Hop from Monday with another scheduled Thursday. So check out this post for the link to the High Hopes Divas to see who has the candy.

To honor Breast Cancer Awareness (and to celebrate 30,000 hits on her blog), Nikki is hosting a blog candy on her blog Bunny-Zoes.

And Rach has some awesome Whiff of Joy Blog Candy as well!!

So, what are you waiting for...go make a Pink Card for Breast Cancer Awarenss Month and go blog hopping for some yummy candy!!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

Nothing is Impossible with God

"Nothing is Impossible with God" is my verse of the day today...for many reasons. 

First, I wanted to play along with a few challenges today and decided to use this verse for the SCS"Ways to Use it" challenge from last week (WT186)...the challenge was to use a quote. What is a better vote than one that was inspired by God.

Second, to go with a Bible Verse as the quote for the challenge, I also wanted to make a card for October being the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month so this set was perfect.

Third, I decided to use the SCS Sketch Challenge (SC196) as well which worked well with the image.

But there is still one more reason that I will get to in a moment...

This set is from Our Daily Bread Designs and is called "Hope". Unfortunately, this set is something that almost everyone can use. Too many people are affected by Cancer in some way.

I embossed the ribbon in black then watercolored it. The DP is from SU Parisian Summer. The scalloped edge is Pretty in Pink, but the image mat and the card base is Pink Pirouette. I added a little sewing and a prima and a few half circle pearls (from SU Pretties Kit).

I was having a hard time getting a clear picture of the verse. The battery on my camera is low.

Anyway, I made this card today with the intention of saving it to post for another day. However, when I received my email "daily devotional" from Proverbs 31 Ministries, I HAD to post this today. The "Power Verse" at the end of the devotional is the same verse from Matthew "...but with God all things are possible". Therefore, SOMEONE needs to hear this TODAY.

If you are suffering right now and think that your situation is hopeless, please know that....NOTHING is impossible with GOD!! NOTHING....NOTHING...God CAN heal you (physically, emotionally, or Spiritually). God is there for you if you are struggling in your marriage or with a child. God is there for you if you are suffering from depression. God CAN and WILL pull you out of the pit you may be in...just ask him.

Lord God, I pray for the person who needs this today. I pray that she hears you whisper to her that You Love her and are waiting for her to turn to You. Lord God, we claim this verse today...NOTHING is impossible with You!! Thank you, Lord for speaking to us when we need to hear you to most. And thank you for the reasurance that you are in control...and you can handle ANYTHING!! In Your Son's precious name, Amen.

Thank you for stopping by! Please know that I am praying for you today.

~Lacey

Brought you up to me...on Eagles' wings

Today (September 30th) would have been my father birthday. I posted here before that my father passed away last summer from a massive heart attack. Today would have been his 67th birthday.

Today would have also been my friend Theresa Brandenburg-Fleetwood's 37th birthday. Theresa died in April after fighting cancer for 2 years. Theresa was my best friend from 6 years old until about 18 years old where are busy lives and families took away our time together.

I made this card today in honor of both my father and my friend who have gone home to Jesus.

The verse says "I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself" Exodus 19:4.

The stamp set is from Our Daily Bread. I used a brayer on the background with More Mustard on the top, So Saffron in the middle and Baja Breeze on the bottom. Then I inked up around the edges of the top with Real Rust and the bottom with Pacific Blue. I used a scrap piece of CS as a mask and created the sun rays with Craft White one "ray" at a time.

The eagle was embossed in black then watercolored, cut out, and attached with dimensionals. I stamped the swirl in black.

When I realized what day it was this morning, it of put me in a funk. Although Theresa and I had not seen each other for years before she died, she left behind two beautiful girls (I think they were 10 and 13 years old). My heart and prayers go out to her husband Kenny and her daughters. How hard it must be without your mother at such a young age. I pray that God lead them and protect them all the days of their lives. I pray that God surround them with loving, caring Christian friends as they journey into their teens; a time when young girls are easily influenced.

Here is a picture of Theresa with one of her girls right after she was born. I honestly can not tell you which one this is...(this is a picture of a photo since I didn't have a digital camera back then). I will also say that this is not the most flattering picture of Theresa. Keep in mind that "big hair" was still "in" and she just had a baby!! However, this is the most recent picture of I have her.

In Loving Memory: Theresa Ann Brandenburg-Fleetwood September 30, 1971 - April 12, 2008

And although I am so happy that my father is no longer in the pain of this world, I still miss him. I praise God for taking him home to His kingdom. And I praise Him for giving my father to me...I would not have wanted another father in the world.

Here is a picture of me and my father at my wedding (when I was 7 years younger and 35 pounds lighter)...

And this is a picture that appeared on my desk about a month ago. I have no idea how it ended up in my home office, but it is a picture of my dad and I taken with I was 20 months old. It was taken in one of those photo booths (it's only about 2" tall).

  

I miss you, Daddy!

I don't know how to include a "Utube" video. Click on the link to watch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S70gwFcSK9k

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

Spiritual Stamps comming...

I found a link to this blog on another blog and had to visit. She has quit her job and is starting a stamp company with spiritual stamp sets. Check it out...

http://kellrick.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/03/our-daily-bread.html?cid=106277130#comment-106277130

I think this is a wonderful and needed idea.