Thanks Ever So Much by Unity Stamp Company

Hello, Friends!

I'm sorry this card is coming on Friday instead of Monday.  My back is not cooperating at all.  If I ever promise a card on a certain day and it's not there, it's because of my back- I can guarantee it!

Good news!

Frank went and saw our local vet today.  She was so excited to see how well he was doing after his surgeries that she called him, "Miracle Dog."  His little body has been through a lot here lately and he has made remarkable recoveries from both of his surgeries.  We are so thankful.  Frank is definitely the light in this house that makes everyone happy!

Now for my card!

This card is for all of you that follow my blog.  For those of you that have written me and prayed for Frank and I, encouraged me, and just kept checking to see if I had been able to post again even when I hadn't for weeks, thank you so very much.  Your support means a lot.  My life feels pretty lonely sometimes because my back doesn't allow me to leave the house very often.  Stamping keeps me connected to all of you.  When you take the time to write me, it's even more special.  Thank you ever so much.  You give me joy, hope, peace, and support, whether you realize it or not!

This isn't my usual style, but I tried to step outside the box with super bright colors!  You may need sunglasses to look at it!  I loved the little ladybug on this stamp though, so I had to make a card with it right away.  It comes from Unity Stamp Company's April 2014 Kit of the Month.  The red, pink, orange and black color scheme comes from the background paper.  The pink and white polka dotted strip that looks like regular washi tape is actually made from fabric, which probably means it's not officially washi tape.  It comes in a package of three different designs.  You can't tell very well in the picture, but the ladybug is covered with glitter from a Zig Wink of Stella pen.  I have to admit, when I heard the name "Zig Wink of Stella" I had to have it because, no offense, that was the weirdest named scrapbooking/stamping product I had ever heard of in my 10+ years of paper crafting.  In case you're as curious as I was, it's a pen that you squeeze and it puts a thin layer of glitter in clear, which is what I used, on your project.  It also comes in different colors, too, if you're as intrigued as I was!

I have more cards to share with you.  I just have to get them on the computer so check back with me next week.  See you then!

Happy Stamping!

I used the following products to make this card:

Botanical Bliss April 2014 Kit of the Month by Unity Stamp Company
White Card Stock by Gina K
Real Red and Basic Black Card Stock by Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper by KI Memories
Copic Markers
Wink of Stella Pen by Zig
Fabric Tape by Recollections

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, Friends!

Long time, no blog post!  The good news is Frank is doing great.  He has had surgery on his neck for a disc problem and another surgery on his leg for a torn acl.  He has recovered from both nicely.  In fact, it's getting hard to convince him he needs to rest and let us carry him everywhere because he's feeling so much better.

Unfortunately, my back is the reason I haven't been posting.  It hurts all the time and that stinks!  It is wearing me down.  I'm tired all the time from the pain and the pain medicine.  It's pathetic when you just don't have the energy to put a card on a blog, but that's where I've been.

Since it seems like this won't be changing anytime soon, I've decided to suck it up, buttercup and get back to making cards and sharing them which I love.  I have a stack to show you over the next weeks.

Most importantly, "Happy Easter."  No matter what other religion someone may follow, the leader will die.  When that person dies, they will not or did not come back to life.  The difference about Christianity is that my God died on the cross, but He Lives!  Three days later, he was resurrected, meaning he came back to life from the dead, alive and well!  Death did not keep him in the ground.  It did not stop him, control him, or defeat him.  Because He conquered death by coming back to life, those of us who follow him can conquer death and live with Him forever.  (not bouncing on clouds and playing harps, either).  If you think you're not good enough to go to Heaven, you're right.  (Shocked you, didn't I!  Close your mouth now and keep reading.)  None of us are good enough to go to Heaven based on what we've done, no matter how good we are.  We all still sin and do things that are wrong.  Jesus is perfect, though.  He never sinned, so he took the punishment for us, so that even though we aren't good enough, he cleans away the bad things we've done so we can spend eternity with Him forever.  Does that mean I can go rob a bank and punch someone in the mouth?  Of course not.  We don't want to sin so that God's grace has to increase.  However, we will sin and He will forgive us.  To go to Heaven, you just have to love God and follow him and his commands.  I'd be happy to talk about this more with you if you have questions.  Just email me and we'll go from there.  kebord2@gmail.com.  

There are an awful lot of people I know spending Easter in Heaven this year.  I know they're having a great time, cured from the pain and disease that destroyed their bodies.  That doesn't change the fact that I miss them so much.  Because Jesus is alive, I know that even though my friends died, they are alive and well and someday I will be reunited with them.  I can't wait to see Rich, Mariza, Chuck, Edie, JD and so many more.  It'll be one great reunion!  

You see, Christianity gives me hope.  Even though my back hurts it will be healed, either on earth or in heaven.  Christianity gives me joy.  Even though things aren't they way I want them right now, God has a plain I can put my trust in and so I can have joy in spite of my current circumstances.  Christianity gives me love.  Unmarried at 40 wasn't in the plan either.  Sometimes, I feel unloved because that relationship is missing.  I am not unloved.  I am loved so much that Jesus died and erased my sins so I could be with Him forever!  I have much to be thankful for this Easter.

I know my Redeemer lives!  

Who taught the sun 

Where to stand in the morning?

And who told the ocean

"You can only come this far"?

And who showed the moon

Where to hide till evening

Whose words alone can 

Catch a falling star?

The very same God
That spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak (that's me!)
And the same gentle hands
That hold me when I'm broken
They conquer death to 
Bring me victory

Now I know my redeemer lives
I know my redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my redeemer

He lives to take away my sins
And He lives forever, I proclaim
That the payment for my sins
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive and
There's an empty grave!!!!

Nicolle C Mullen

See you back on Monday with a new card and a picture of Frank if he'll cooperate!