Believe in miracles

Until a month ago I was an endoscopy nurse. Working in interventional endoscopy I cared for a great number of patients being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I shared my experiences in my holistic nursing class. I told the teacher that it could be very sad and draining at times. My instructor, Gail said, "Instead of thinking the worst will happen for these patients, why not believe in a miracle." This has stuck with me and I try to live each day, to believe in miracles.

I am having lunch this week with Gail. I wanted to create a gift for her that will let her know the impact she has had on me. I made a set of note cards with that inspiring saying "believe in miracles".The saying is from My Favorite Things- the have hope set. Gail loves anything with hearts ( you might remember seeing the canvas I made for her) and since we are lunching on Valentine's Day, the Penny Black stamp- Pash 2823K provided the perfect focal point. As many of you know white space scares me (sorry Susan, I try really I do!), so I added a subtle background with the Hero Arts stamp S5637. I even made matching envelopes to complete the gift.

I don't know if I am allowed to enter twice, but I am entering this card in both the Just Add Ink, heart Challenge and the "have a heart" challenge at Simon Says Stamp.

Take care all,

Valentine three ways

Only 4 days to go till Valentine's. Between 2 school papers and Netflix, I am finding hard to finish my cards. I decided to use similar stamps to make different cards.

I just love this little mouse from Penny Black. Layered on top of Hero Arts friend definition, it makes a great Valentine card. I am entering this in the challenge over at Just Add Ink. Naturally they are looking for cards with hearts. I am also entering it in the challenge at CASE Study.

I started out with this card, but wanted to simplify it. I am entering this card at Simon Says Stamp.

Lastly, I tried the circular saying but found cutting out the circle strip for multiple cads was going to be just a bit time consuming. It is cute though, huh? Bending an acrylic stamp saying is a fun way to jazz up a straight saying.

Which one do you all like?

Smitten

Yet another Valentine. I saw this blueprint, maybe on Pininterest. It was done with snow flakes for Christmas. I decided to make it for Valentine's day.

I used the new set from Papertreyink called Framed out#11. The saying is from Paper Smooches- Good Gab. Add some pearly heart bling and that's a wrap.

Not sure when I will post again, hubby just set up Apple TV and Netflix, so a lot of TV watching is going on  everything from Downton Abbey to the The Walking Dead.

Later,

tape my heart together

Have I mentioned lately how much I love washi tape? oh just about a million times huh? :) With some gift money from Christmas, I bought about $50.00 of Valentine washi tape, so of course I had to use it.

Over at Simon Says Stamps's challenge blog they are having a challenge using washi tape. What a great chance to crank out the tape.

The fun thing about this card is I have the heart that I cut out still to use. It is hard to tell but the heart in the middle is made with glitter paper.

George is proof reading my paper on Art Therapy so I am off for a little therapy myself.

Happy  Creating!

Forever Love

I just love Valentine's cards. George ends up getting about 10- I mean it is kinda hard to send just anyone a card that says "you are my forever love"!! I think I am getting better at the clean and simple cards. I love how this card opens. I am going to try it with a different theme, maybe stars for a birthday card. Here is the inside of the card....

I am entering in this in the challenge over at Just Add Ink. The challenge was to use your Big Shot, not hard for me since I use it for practically every card I make!

Today I was asked to speak to a group of senior nursing students at Immaculata University about art journaling. I had a great time talking about my passion for art and how it heals my soul and keeps me grounded. One student asked me how I fit it into my busy schedule. I told her that my art time is planned for at least once a week and I horde that time like a miser with gold. 

Just speaking with them has energized me. Sooooo when I am done here it is back to my desk for more creating time.

Happy Creating Everyone,

Putting Christmas behind me

George came into the studio a few days after Christmas and commented on how clean it was. I told him it was time to put the holiday stamps and papers away and to get out the Valentine stamps and papers. I am sure he thinks I am worse then the stores!

I always have a creative breakdown after the holidays and thank goodness Valentine's falls quickly, because it is just the thing to get me out of my slump.

This card is lifted from my good friend Pat. She made a similar card for Christmas. I just loved it and turned it into a Valentine card. She would have left the tape off, but I just had to add another element. the whole Simplicity thing is just so hard for me!

Remember it is time to get your love on. Stay tune.

2012 Year in Review

Happy New Year Everyone!  I hope that 2013 will bring you everything you need and wish for. 2012 flew by for me and 2013 will bring many new changes. I am hoping that my new job responsibilities allow me even more creative time.

Looking back over the past year's postings, I am surprised I blogged as much as I did, there fore I think it is appropriate I do a review of 2012. Here is a sampling of what I thought were my best postings each month. let me know what you think and which were your favorites.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

I hope you all enjoyed the creative highlights of my past year. I looking forward to everything 2013 will bring.