IMAGINE Crafts: Memory Box RECAP

Hello, friends:)


Today I'm sharing a recap of my project over on the Imagine Crafts blog. Click HERE or HERE to check it out:) Click HERE for the video on Vimeo! 

****Be sure to change your settings to HD before watching this video! THANKS:)

I paired several Memory Box images with my Tsukineko products! My fav is that I used my Tsukineko Gold Shimmer Spritz spray as ink! I love the subtle design of this spray on a stamp! I also used StazOn Jet Black and VersaFine Onyx Black inks for this card. LOOOOOOVE how this turned out-- this card could def. be mass produced for the holidays!

See? This is such an easy card--- perfect for mass producing! 

I hope that you will stop over on the Imagine Crafts blog HERE to check out my video or leave some love! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches SPARKS October Picture Perfect challenge

Hello, friends:}

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! This week is a Picture Perfect challenge.  

This week we are inspired by the following picture:

Picture: Credit

I found inspiration in the flowers--- I originally wanted to make a frame with flowers around it... or a letter with flowers (exactly like the photo)... I also wanted to use woodgrain... but I came up with a SUPER SIMPLE card! And get this---- I used ONLY ONE stamp set! 

I used the Paper Smooches Blossoming Buds stamp set. And I guess I should be honest... this is a very simple card, but this was my 8th try! LOL! I seriously was struggling with the design! Well... with the flowers! Flowers are not my favorite- to color, to stamp, to use! LOL! I do love how this card turned out though...so it's a WIN WIN (minus the other 7 cards)!

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs and leave them some love. 

Katie

Larissa

Lori

Lynn

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details. This challenge ends October 18th. I cannot wait to see what you make--I actually can't wait to see what you are inspired by in this photo!!

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:} 

deep{er} #11: reflections

Hello, friends:)


First of all.... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for reading my posts and commenting below or on Facebook! I'm so happy to hear from friends from my hometown, as well as blog friends--- Praise the Lord for the internet which allows me to connect with my friends!!!  

And THANK YOU for all of your responses! I love how accepted my posts are and that I'm lifted up by YOU! I'm so blessed-- THANK YOU! 

UPDATE: Well, Court and I are at the True Women '14 conference--- OH MY! Sooooo much fun! We have 2 more days- FUN FUN FUN! Here are some pics from our trip (and then I will share a quick reflection below):

I have worn a scarf EVERY day! It's SOOOOOOOOOOO cold! I remember why I moved from Indiana to Florida-- I LOVE the sun and warm weather! 

Apple picking- we only found 2 good apples:) 

Walking to the first session- SUPER excited! *Sorry this is blurry!

Girls Night Out + AWESOME dinner! 

This is Erin Davis- I won the tickets to this conference on her blog, Lies Young Women Believe. LOVE! THANKS, Erin!

Trav's been texting me to keep me updated on what he's been doing and because we miss each other so much. He spent Friday with Court's husband, Jarred, and kids. I love this photo of Court's youngest and Uncle Trav. 

Reflection: Let me just say (ONE more time)... I LOOOOOOOOOVE this True Women '14 conference!!! I highly recommend you check it out and attend next year! Ok, back to my reflection:)

It's kind of funny how God reveals or connects things sometimes. This week I did a devotion on the story of Mary Magdalene and how she was the first to see the risen Lord. No joke- that same day (not more than an 2 hours after), Janet Parshall spoke about the same story and Mary Magdalene! Plus, my Confirmation name (I was raised in the Catholic church) is Mary Magdalene *I don't go by this name, but I love that I picked her name. And really, it's not part of this connection, but I thought I would throw this little Savannah Fact into the story! This has got to be more than just a coincidence... and I think what God wanted me to think about Mary Magdalene and her story is:

• Jesus changed Mary's life (and mine)- For Mary, he cast out 7 demons! Uh....I think I've got it bad with migraines and trials! 7 demons is a bit worse! Either way, Jesus changed her forever. This changed caused her to support Jesus' ministry and serve him even after his death. I think I need to stop complaining and see the change. I know the exact moment I asked Jesus into my life and how that changed me... but what about all the little changes? God wants me to not forget those! He can change me in little and big ways... but I need to remember both!
• Every story of salvation is powerful and needs to be told- I think that Mary's story of being healed from 7 demons is powerful! So are stories of how someone was freed from the chains of addictions. But what about my story? I don't think it's that exciting or that it would help anyone understand anything about Jesus. God obviously thinks differently; otherwise, He wouldn't have had me read this devotion! LOL! So after some thought... I realized that my story, my Salvation story, is important and definitely needs to be shared with others! *I'm thinking I might share this story someday:) Plus, I found out this past week that I'm not alone in my trials and suffering--- and what if my story will help someone else!?!?! Honestly, this recent trial hasn't been my first... I actually was abused in many ways growing up. When God revealed this abuse to me a couple of years back, I went through a small trial... that story could help someone else! I've got LOTS of stories! So my thoughts are that I need to start working on a testimony story to share! My story is powerful because Jesus changed me!

My goals for this week (hopefully I can get back on a regular schedule when we return! LOL!):

1. To slow down and have some silent time before prayer (more on this later)
2. Go through all my new books from the conference and pick a new study to start:) 
3. Continue to pray/read my devotions daily  

I pray that this post has blessed you ❤️. Remember, if you need prayer, please contact me {savannahland2 at comcast dot net}. 

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}

IMAGINE Crafts: Memory Box feature

Hello, friends:)

I'm super excited today to share another Imagine Crafts video! Click HERE or HERE to check it out:) 

I paired several Memory Box images with my Tsukineko products! My fav is that I used my Tsukineko Gold Shimmer Spritz spray as ink! I love the subtle design of this spray on a stamp! I also used StazOn Jet Black and VersaFine Onyx Black inks for this card. LOOOOOOVE how this turned out-- this card could def. be mass produced for the holidays!

Here's a sneak:

I hope that you will stop over on the Imagine Crafts blog to check out my video and leave some love!!! Or click HERE to watch the video on YouTube or HERE on Vimeo.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Virtual Smooches: Custom Stencil (continued)

Hello, friends:}

Today is my day to share a video over on the  Paper Smooches video blog- Virtual Smooches! 

This week, I'm sharing a continued design using my custom stencil! 

It's another project for my trainer and his new bride.... so of course I had to use my heart stencil! I LOVE how this little gift card holder turned out! 

Here's a sneak peek of my video:

THANKS so much for stopping by--- be sure to go HERE for my video! Be blessed:}

Whisker Graphics: Container Decorations

Hello, friends:}

Today I'm sharing my Whisker Graphics creation that is featured on the WG blog-- you can also read about this creation over on the WG blog HERE.

I'm sharing a super easy way to decorate your treat containers/jars for Halloween. **NOTE: this would be super easy to do for Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day... pretty much for ANY holiday! Just switch out the colors of your bitty bags (and twine or tags) and BAM! An easy decorated treat container:) 

Here's a step-by-step photo tutorial: 

1. Measure your container/jar
   
2. Draw lines on bitty bag and cut (leave enough room at the top for a decorative design)
   
3. Draw line and cut a zigzag at the top of your bitty bag
   
4. Place bitty bag over container
   
5. Decorate container with WG tag and Halloween divine twine- and fill container with candies:) 

That's it for me today! And be sure to stop by the WG blog for more inspiration. Also-- did you know about Whisker Graphics's new products??? Like bitty bags with GOLD designs! ACK! LOOOOOOVE! Check it out HERE! 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

Paper Smooches SPARKS October Anything Goes (wk1) challenge

Hello, friends:}

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! Another Anything Goes challenge starts today!   

That's right--you get to create ANYTHING you want (as long as you use Paper Smooches stamps)!! This is the BEST challenge ever!!!

Today I created a SUPER simple masculine birthday card! I love how it turned out-- I think this will be my Brother-in-Law's birthday card this year! 

I used some Becky Higgins Project Life Coral edition journaling cards along with my Paper Smooches Woofers & Tweeters and Birthday Buddies stamp sets and the Woofers, Bookmarks, and Hexalongs dies. I should enter this card into the "Inspired by Virtual Smooches" challenge because I was inspired to make my own chevron pieces using THIS video as my inspiration! LOVE it! 

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs, get inspired, and leave them some love. 

Alice
Angeline
Erin
Jenny

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details!!!! This challenge ends October 11. I cannot wait to see what you make!!! 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

deep{er} #10: reflections

Hello, friends:)


Welcome back to my Saturday/deep{er} reflections!! I know I was a day late last week (HERE) and that throws EVERYONE off! But I just had too much going on with my new car!!! Which I am in LOOOOOOOOVE with, by the way:) 

UPDATE: I've been working on getting my prayer journal just the way I wanted it the past month... and I think I finally have it in one book that works for me! I originally wanted a mini binder, but I just had too many papers in it to fit! 

While working on this journal (transferring some prayers to my new notebook), Olsen decided to bother me... he wanted to play catch with his Chick-fil-A cow toy! LOL! I snapped some shots of him bringing me his toy and then those sad eyes of his that said, "Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease, Mom!!!!!!! Please play with me!"

Sorry for the blurry pic- when Olsen wants to play, he doesn't stop moving! LOL! 

How could I pass up playtime with this super cute face!?!?! 

***NOTE: while writing this post, Olsen growled at me... NOT CUTE! But I still took him outside. LOL! Guess he knows how to get my attention.

You can see that some of my prayer journal in those photos--- I am hoping to share a video after I return from my trip!  

REFLECTION: Two things really struck me when I was studying this week. I'm going to focus on those today: 

1. Suffering- it's kind of weird. I feel like I'm in a state of wandering and wondering from this trial. I wonder when it will end, and I'm wandering around like I don't know where to go. I know that I've been hurt from this trial... but this week, I heard a couple of points about suffering that really struck me.
• Jesus SUFFERED- I need to remember that his suffering was way more than I have had to endure. And for that, I need to thank Jesus! I couldn't imagine being perfect and having to live through the torture, mockery, whipping, spitting, betrayal, and so much more. So....Thank you, Jesus, for suffering for me- for replacing me and covering me with your blood. My suffering hurts and is painful, but I'm comforted knowing that you know this pain since you've suffered as well. THANK YOU x10000000 for your love for me!
• What is suffering? I heard from a speaker on Today in the Word briefly describe suffering as the following: when someone or something we love is taken away. So what was taken away from me? I believe realizing this list (below) has made me see that my pain is real and that it will take some time to recover (I kind of wanted this trial and suffering to end as soon as possible but I guess that's not how this works!)... These things/places were taken from me: 
• the only place I had worshiped and led worship
• a "safe" place and sense of security
• my "church"
• my friends- which were really my family because I moved to Florida knowing no one... 2 weeks after moving and attending that church several times, a hurricane destroyed my new hometown... I had no one but those in the church. 800+ people that I called my family were gone once we decided to move on.
• my heart for worship- I've questioned if I can worship ever since March of this year
• Why suffer? So there were more things I could have placed in that list, but you get the point! This week I heard Beth Moore talking about suffering and the reason behind it (which I know because I've read When Life is Hard). I suffer because suffering produces fruit. It says in James 1:3, 4 that I should consider it pure joy when facing trials/suffering because this produces perseverance and that I will be mature and complete (lacking nothing) if I let perseverance finish it's work. Then it says in James 1:12 that blessed is the one who perseveres...they will receive the crown of Life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. I need to stop being sad (which is ok for awhile- and honestly, I was doing well... but then I got in the dumps... and I couldn't get out... you know how it is!), but I need to literally live James 1: 3,4,12 ... I need to count this as a blessing and do the next bullet point....
2. Praise God- so this entire Prayer study has mentioned several times that I need to praise the Lord. I've done that... or so I thought. It wasn't until this week that I realized I really hadn't praised the Lord for my situation and what came from the 10 years of being involved on the worship team at our former church. I've stated a couple of things here and there... but I need to list them out and PRAISE Him...
• Oh Father, thank you for guiding me to the exact church you wanted me at to develop friendships, a passion, and my worship/leading skills. Thank you for leading me to this church... where I started on the worship team in 2005... met Trav on the team... married Trav...and continued to serve for 8 more years with my husband. Thank you that you brought me out of my shell and stretched me with leading/singing. Thank you that I was able to play piano a couple of times for worship-- and I pray that I would continue to practice and work on those skills. Thank you that Trav and I know what our calling is and that we are passionate about worship/singing for You. Thank you for the opportunity to use my voice to serve you for 10 years. Thank you, Father, for covering me each week that I was on stage--- I know my attitude wasn't always the greatest...and that sometimes I messed up the notes or made it all about me...I'm thankful that You were able to cover that and use me for Your glory! Lord, I'm thankful that there is more for Trav and I. Thank you for bringing us out of a place when we needed to grow and find You. Thank you that we are able to worship at other churches and fill in for their team from time to time. Thank you for what You have in store for us... I pray that Trav and I wouldn't lose sight of what's eternal as we suffer in pain and loss during this trial. I pray that we would ALWAYS serve you and that we would be able to worship You on an even deep{er} level as we seek/find You in this trial. Father, thank you for Your love. Thank you for this gift of growth. I praise You for Your plan... and for Jesus- THANK YOU, Jesus! Amen ❤️

My goals for this week (I leave for the conference, so this week my goals are short):

1. Take notes and report back on the True Women '14 conference
2. Take pics of Courtney and I at the conference;) 
3. Continue to pray/read my devotions daily  

I pray that this post has blessed you ❤️. Remember, if you need prayer, please contact me {savannahland2 at comcast dot net}. 

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}

Virtual Smooches: Custom Stencil

Hello, friends:}

Today is my day to share a video over on the  Paper Smooches video blog- Virtual Smooches! 

So this week's card... was a TAKE 2! I cannot believe I messed up two weeks in a row!

This time... I was recording and literally smeared my ink! 

In my video, I share a super easy way to create your own stencil using PS dies. It really is simple... it just takes a bit of time! TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!!!!!

Here's a sneak peek of my video:

THANKS so much for stopping by--- be sure to go HERE for my video! Be blessed:}

ps... I also share a couple of pictures of myself... working out... I hate sharing that I "workout" because then people will expect me to lose weight or look better right away! My trainer has been kicking my butt lately, and I'm losing a small amount of weight... but I've got a LONG way to go before I'm at my ideal weight and goal. This photo was from July of this year... oh my! I sweat sooooooooo much when I work out! LOL! You would think I've lost a hundred pounds! LOL!