Making a Trade!

It has been a couple of those days… bored, restless, feeling out of sorts! I am thankful for the sunshine! We hadn’t had sunshine since Friday, until yesterday! Even on those days of clouds, gloom, darkness… His light still shines in my heart! Some days it seems so hard, I cannot imagine what it would be like without God with me always!? I am learning very slowly, little by little, not to live by my emotions… I must be a really slow learner, because there are so many times I just don’t get it! Thank God He is so patient with me.  Waiting on answers is a little wearing, but I know what God orchestrates will last, so I will wait for His work to be done!

I really don’t know what to do with myself! Why is it so hard to just be? To just exist? I want to be “normal!” What is normal anyway? I haven’t had normal for months & semi-normal for at least a month! I know some of my friends & especially my sisters would say I have never been “normal!” Ha!

I’m sitting here watching a Hallmark Christmas movie… I am sure I have seen this one at least a half dozen times, but I continue to watch! I absolutely love the Christmas season & all the things that go with it… including sappy movies! There is a store in downtown Ludington that has their front window decorated beautifully for Christmas… when we drove by it the other night it instantly made my heart full! Not sure if you understand what I mean, but that is the only way I can explain how much Christmas means to me.  It is not about the presents… it is about His presence! And the trees, the lights & the music remind me of Him! While I type this, my heart feels the same way & of course my eyes are filled with tears! I am such a crybaby, but that is okay!

I am excited I am doing a "Curly Wreath" class... actually 2 classes... one in Cadillac & one in Ludington. Here is a picture of the one I did last year.

They are fun to make... very relaxing! If you live in either of these areas the Cadillac class in 12/2/13 & the Ludington class is 12/4/13... the deadline for registration is this Friday 11/22 & the cost is $30-$35.

I also wanted to share something I have added to my crafting repertoire... metal stamping! My first attempt was doing necklaces for the Ladies Getaway for our church... of course my first project was to do 20 charms! I know the pic is not so great, but it is really hard to shoot a shiny copper charm with a pink pearl! "GRACE" is what it says & what I need!

 I love this verse & I wanted to share something about it with you: 

"...beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." Isaiah 61:3

Beauty can only come if I am willing to make a trade for my ashes, or joy for mourning, or the garment of praise instead of heaviness... I want to stand strong as a tree of righteousness, that the Lord has planted me where He wants me... all so He will be glorified! Beauty, joy, praise, strength can only be mine if I let the "junk" go!

Thanks for stopping... Have a grateFUL day!

Thinking of You...

A rainy, fall day here in northern Michigan! It is ok, but the gloominess makes me want to sleep! I have been busy today... baked a Wacky cake... made caramel corn... both are for a ladies getaway (retreat) I will be going to tomorrow thru Saturday.

A little update... we moved out of the house we sold on October 25. We are now residing at the home of some friends who are in Arizona for the winter. It has been such a blessing for these people to open their home to us in our transition. God is good! We have an offer on a house in the Ludington are, but we are still waiting on the financing. God has got it under control! He has flooded my heart with peace... that is a good thing!

Almost all of my stamping stuff is packed away, but I do have a little project to share with you... something I did a few weeks ago with the Stampin' Up Envelope Punch Board. My punch board is somewhere in a box... sniff... sniff... I miss it!

Very simple, I like it! What do think of using the SU Envelope Punch Board to make little file folders? Cool idea I saw at Patty's Stamping Spot.

On this 6th day of November, I am grateFUL for God's peace... "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Just Thanks!

What a beautiful Fall day it is here! Yesterday was so gorgeous too! I love Fall days like these... warm & sunny during the day & cool at night!

I know it has been a long while since I have posted on here, but life is still a little crazy! We sold our house & closed on it a week ago. We have to be moved out by October 25! We still have not found a home to buy, but that is ok... we are just trusting God because He knows what He is doing!!! Prayers accepted though!

I had a World Card Making Day Openhouse here last Saturday... only had a few ladies attend, but it was so good! A great time was had by all... I think!? So here is a card I had for them to make:

Thank You, Lord, for this gorgeous Fall, for loving me, & for Your faithfulness that I can step out in faith & trust You to do greater than I can imagine!

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or imagine, according to the power that works in me. (Ephesians 3:20)

I am putting off packing boxes right now so I guess I better get back at it!

Best Things in Life!

I have had a couple “bumpy” days… I have noticed that some days I have a greater need of mercy… not only from God but from others too!  The thing with God’s mercy is that He has given me all the mercy I will ever need forever… given in daily doses! “Through the Lord’s mercy, we are not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited. It is new every morning. His faithfulness is great.” Lamentations 3:22-23

The problem is so many times I don’t “feel” it because I am choosing to do things my own way.  Doing things my own way only helps me to put my trust in me & not Him! What a colossal mistake is that??? Yet I continue to do it over & over again! (if you want to read more about Feelings Over Truth? head to Coffee Cup Corner: HERE) 

We had a beautiful rain here yesterday! The dry ground was so desperate for that sweet liquid from Heaven! So grateFUL for that! 

Labor Day is so early this year! I always use to have anxiety when Labor Day rolled around because that meant... back to school! Yikes! I still feel it a little bit I guess... only because summer went so fast, but beautiful weather is not over yet!

I have been very lax in my Stampin' UP business... I really don't know if I am cut out for this as a business??? I love the products & I love to create, but I find I don't enjoy it so much if I feel like I have to do it!  I know... crazy, but that is just me! And, not to make excuses, but our life is so up in the air right now... it makes it hard for me to plan!

I do have a card to share with you... this is a card I made as a special order for a 73rd Wedding Anniversary! Yes... that is right 73 years!!!  I made one for their 70th & now 3 years later another one! What an honor!

Most everything is Stampin' Up but the framed pieces are cut on my Cricut! So what do you think?

It is bill paying day... YIPPEE!... so I better get at it!  My hubby only gets paid once a month so at least I only have to do this once a month!!! Trying to find the bright side!!! Thanks for stopping!

{no matter what}

Finally got around to finishing a stamping project I have been wanting to do for awhile. I got this printer tray as a bonus when I signed up almost a year ago to be a Stampin' Up Demonstrator... why rush it!?

In case you forgot... I love butterflies! I also saw a tray done by Michelle Zindorf using the big beautiful Swallowtail stamp from Stampin' Up, so I did case some of her ideas here.

I printed out the verse, "For such a time as this..." Esther 4:14. I love the book of Esther! The significance of her story... when God calls do you want to say, "No," and miss out on the God-venture!?

This section I stamped the words, "Love" & "Sweet"... the symbols of the key & heart. Also our anniversary date of August 11!

And the "O" stands for our last name, Orth. I added the little banner that says, {no matter what}... to say we will always be here for each other. Sunday we celebrate 23 years of marriage!

Blessings!

The Best Things in Life...

It is Friday!!! It has been a productive week... I stayed home all week! No road running... that is until today! Going with my hubby to Ludington to the county fair! WooHoo! And then to a concert/outreach some friends of ours are doing at "Friday Night Live" in Ludington!

I just had a small melt-down... when those ghosts from your past try to make you feel less than!  I am thankful I have my best friend, aka my hubby, who will listen to me & help me see the truth!  It was a great reminder that I am called to do my assignment... not envy someone else's assignment!  We all have those things we are called to by God... we are all different, so our assignments are all different too! I just need to soak in the place God has me right now! Patience... Preparation... Perseverance... which all is a part of Purpose!

So I will share a card I was inspired to make by a store bought card I got for my birthday:

I am going to spend my day being grateFUL for the best "things" in life that God has placed before me today!

Treat Yourself...

It is a breezy, cloudy day here in northern Michigan! Can't say I mind it... last week was very hot & humid! I like the weather to be mixed up a little... at least for a day or two!

I have so many things going through my head... do I get at some packing... do I do some book work... do I do more cleaning... read a book... or do I just have some stamping fun??? Hmmm... choices, choices! *Ü*

I did do a little crafting yesterday... I made a paper mug from a video I saw of Traci Cornelius. I had the Stampin' Up Modern Medley DSP in my stash & finally used it!!! Yay!

And there is still time to get in on the Designer Series Paper in July Sale... check it out HERE & then contact me with your order!

I also wanted to share the link to "Coffee Cup Corner"... the other blog I write... please take a moment to check it out... I hope you are blessed!

Good Direction!

It is Friday, July 12th... the end of my birthday week! ;)  I did have a very nice birthday on Monday... my hubby treated me to a wonderful steak dinner that he prepared with his own hands & he gave me a zero gravity lawn chair... very comfy!

I am having a hard time to keep moving today... I will let you in on a little secret... my hubby & I put an offer in on a beautiful 121 year old house in Ludington, MI!  Now, the waiting for this starts... will she except... will she counter???  I know it is out of our hands, so I am trying to keep myself calmly laid back & not too hyper... I know that if I get too excited for a prolonged wait... I will be exhausted! So instead I have very little motivation today!  We are just praying for the situation & for the seller's heart... no matter the outcome we only want to show God's love to her... our testimony is way more important than any house deal! Believing God will be glorified whether this becomes our home or not! Prayers would be appreciated too, please!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." 

Proverbs 3:5-6

We still have some graduation parties to go to so I am sharing a Grad Card with you today...

Also... luv the Designer Paper special Stampin' Up has going right now... buy 3 packs get 1 pack free! (Paper Stacks & Specialty paper not included). Now thru July 31! Check it out on Stampin' Up & let me know if you would like to place an order!

Thanks for spending a little time with me! Blessings!

Two are Better Than One...

June is slipping away quicker than I hoped, but then after June comes my birthday month!  We get to celebrate the USA's birthday & then 4 days later my birthday!!! But until then I have a busy last 5 days of June!

I am a bridesmaid in a wedding on Sunday... at almost 48 years old it seems strange to me to be a "bridesmaid"... I don't know maybe we should be called a bride's madam... ok maybe that doesn't sound quite right either!!! *Ü*  My hubby is a groomsman too so I will share some pics next week!

Just like me the bride loves butterflies so she is having butterflies on her cake... I agreed to help make some fluttering lil' creatures for that purpose. So yesterday I created the sparkly butterflies out of vellum cardstock on my Cricut... diamond-like sparkles!

I also wanted to share the card I created for the little get together the bridesmaids had for the bride...

I printed the verse off my computer... "Two are better than One" one the inside it said, "for if they fall one will  lift up the other." from Ecclesiastes 4:9-10  The card was cased from Kay Kalthoff with different colors/paper/embossing folder.

With the busyness of our life right now... running "to & fro" my Stampin' Up business has suffered, which makes me sad, but I also know that I can do only what I can do!  I love the Stampin' Up products & the new catalog is amazing, so if you would like to see a catalog or if I can help you with any of your Stampin' needs please call on me for that.  And if you haven't heard of or taken a look at SU's My Paper Pumpkin here is a video that shows you what it is all about!

Thanks for stopping... our little chats mean so much to me! Have a blessed day!

Fabulous Friday!

Friday! Yay! A beautiful, sunny day again today! So grateFUL for that!  I have lots to get done today & I have not accomplished much so far!!!

So I just wanted to share about a book signing I went to in Grand Rapids last night.  I am not a reader of books so much, but my friend, Ruth, asked me to go with her.  Obviously, I had never been to a book signing... bookstores give me a stomach ache!  But I wanted to spend time with Ruth & I know I need to be open to more experiences in my life... besides the name of the this authors newest book was, "You're Made for a God-Sized Dream, Opening the Door to All God Has for You."  The title alone intrigued me! The author's name is Holley Gerth & she seems like a fun, sweet person.  It was an incredible experience! When she got on stage to speak, she spoke right to my HEART!  And of course God had us sitting in the very front row so no distractions!  Anyway... I did buy her book & had her sign it too!

I will praise You, Lord, with all my HEART; I will tell of all the wonderful things You have done. Psalms 9:1

Blessings!

Smile!

It is Monday!!! How is your Monday going? It has been a little gloomy outside around here today... maybe the sun will come out tomorrow! *Ü*

It was a great weekend... very busy, but really good! And it is looking like it will be a fairly busy week also!

Sometimes it is so easy to let circumstances overwhelm, but then I remind myself that God is right here with me every step of the way!  There is nothing new that we can go through that He doesn't know about & is already there!  He is my past, presence and future!

"When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path where I walk..." Psalms 142:3

So I do have a new In-Color card... I really love these colors! And of course I used butterflies on it! They can always make me smile!

Also, right now Stampin' Up has "Grab Your Greetings" (Here) special going... 3 word sets are 25% off until June 30, 2013.  Here is one of the sets in this special:

Blessings to you!

Eula's Dessert...

Happy Saturday! It is a beautiful, sunny day here in northern Michigan! Not too warm yet, but we will wait & see!  Just a quick post this morning before I am gone for the day!

The CareNet LifeWalk was a great experience last night... we were blessed to have the opportunity to help such a good cause!  And thanks again to all of you who sponsored us... it means the world to us to have your support for something that is so important to us!

My hubby & I are heading off to Ludington today... we have a get together tonight & then staying over for church tomorrow.  We have been attending & serving in Ludington for over a year now! Wow, how time flies!  It hasn't happened in the way we thought it would... we didn't think a year later we would still be driving back & forth, but we believe what God said... and we are trusting Him because He has the plan!

So I did a little baking for our gathering tonight... I made what my family calls "Eula's Dessert".  Eula was the sweetest lady from Alabama... she has been in Heaven for quite a few years now.  When we would go to Eula & Ed's for anything, they would not let you leave until you sat down & had a "little bite of something!" It was never little, nor was it just a bite!  Ahhh, good memories! Anyway, she made this dessert & that was the first time I ever had it, so that is how it got its name!

Flour, nuts, butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, cool whip, pudding!!! What could be better?!

Ok, must go get ready & pack an overnite bag! Have a blessed day!

"I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace & not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Keep seeking... keep hoping!

She Believed...

Yes, it is me... I know posting 2 days in a row!!! I am on a roll! Speaking of rolls... it is national doughnut day!!! I have been withholding from such things, but how unpatriotic of me not to celebrate!!! *Ü*

I am excited... my hubby and I are walking in Life Walk for CareNet of Cadillac tonight! CareNet is a pregnancy resource center. They do some incredible work to help ladies with unplanned pregnancies and also reach out to the daddies too!  It is about choosing life!

I am not trying to be controversial, but it is my blog and it is my point of view... I came across a post on facebook the other day about people posting things on their facebook page against abortion.  This person said that when people post that stuff it is hurtful to women that have had abortions in their past. Another person commented that it is so judgmental of people to post those things.  I got a little upset by the whole conversation... isn't it my right to post on my facebook page what I believe???  I really had to take a step back and think about it... my flesh wanted to post a comment right then and there, but thank God I didn't.  So I prayed about it instead... I asked God if my motives were wrong in the things I post against abortion.  I was shown my motives were innocent... anything I post against abortion is not about condemnation for someone's past... it is about saving someone's future!  I have never been in the position of an unplanned pregnancy so I cannot judge them!  On the other hand, I believe life is so precious... I will stand up for life and I am sorry if it hurts someone's feelings, but I would rather hurt someone's feelings than keep quiet about the life of a living breathing child!

Ok, on to something a little lighter... I have another card to share with you today:

I love this stamp set from Stampin' UP... yes I realized some of these items are retired, but that is ok... I like them!!! *Ü* A fond farewell to Pretty in Pink!

"Good Feelings" - Wood-mount $25.95 and Clear-mount $18.95

***

"We love Him because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Blessings to you!

Refreshed...

Oh my... oh my... it has been 2 months since I posted on grateFUL HEART! Where has the time gone?! I am really gonna do better!  I have posted some on my other blog, Coffee Cup Corner, but not here... I have not taken the time to do much crafting and my Stampin' Up hobby/business shows it too!  I love to be creative... it is good therapy for me, but I put it last on my list... that has got to stop!!!

I have really been thinking a lot about the word, "refreshing"... what does that word mean to you?  When things get stale you know you have to refresh or just toss it... from bread to your marriage and everything in between can get stale sometimes!

So I have taken the opportunity to refresh my blog! What do you think? New look... new attitude... new things to share from my HEART!

"A twinkle in the eye delights the heart.

    Good news refreshes the body." Proverbs 15:30

And the good news??? Well, for this post it is the new Stampin' Up catalog is out!!!  So many great new things... love... love... love!  And the new In Colors... so sweet!  You have got to see them in person! Hmmm, maybe you would like to host a workshop with me?!

Aren't they so pretty! And the names make them good enough to eat... well, except for Coastal Cabana! *Ü*  You just got to get yourself some... and I can help you with that!

I do have a card to share too...

This designer paper if called Two for Tea... it is no longer available, but there is a DSP in the new caddy that is just as pretty called Afternoon Picnic!

Guess that is it for today! Hope this leaves you refreshed and a little inspired!

HELLO, baby!

Snow is starting to melt... finally! The calendar might say it is Spring, but in northern Michigan it is not too spring-like yet! But I am grateFUL for the sun!

I have felt very overwhelmed lately... I feel like I am trying to juggle so many things and I am not doing a very good job at any of them!  My hubby and I are on the go so much with half our life in Lake City and half our life in Ludington, not to mention visiting family in the Thumb (140 miles away)!  I really am not complaining... I am just searching for an answer to find some balance.  I know this will not last forever... our house will be sold! Do you ever feel like you are not living up to your potential?  I know I am doing all I can right now... I have got to let go of that perfectionism thing, again! Sorry Lord!

I said all that to say that I am trying to rejuvenate my Stampin' Up business... it has been on the back-burner and I really need to start sharing more of it again! It really is not about the money for me... it is the love of sharing my creativity God has given me... so here goes!

I am heading to the Thumb this weekend for my cousin's baby shower, so I had this idea in my head to use a doily for the bib... and of course because it is a girl I could make it all lacy and flowery with a lil' sparkle from the Dazzling Details!  I used SU Pretty in Pink and Pool Party for the color combo! I really am loving Pool Party! Glad to see it will be around for awhile!

So many exciting things going on with Stampin' Up right now! They just keep topping themselves! The new "This and That" line, the photopolymer stamps... and now this:

Stampin' Up! is offering  

free shipping on all product April 6 - 8, 2013.

Better get my buns moving! Thanks for stopping! Have a fantastic weekend and don't forget to take advantage of the FREE shipping!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Make a Wish...

It is a very foggy day here in northern Michigan... guess that is due after a week of sunshine!

I just want to remind you all that Stampin' Up Sale-a-bration... one of the funnest times of the year is still going until March 22!  Don't let Sale-a-bration 2013 slip by without you getting your share of the free stuff!!!  It is so simple... order $50 of products (before shipping and tax) and select a free product from the Stampin' Up Sale-a-bration flyer! And if you live near me and order directly from me, by phone or email, you will SAVE on your shipping too!  And as if that isn't great enough... I have a goal to reach before March 22, so if you are going to order, please order before March 22nd to help me out... if you are so inclined! *Ü*

On Saturday our family gave my older sister, Renee, a surprise 50th birthday party... we did it 2 weeks before her real birthday, so she wouldn't be expecting it! It turned out so good! She was very surprised!  Here is the gift I made for her:

 

The frame was bought at a local merchandise outlet store, the upper left corner is stamped with Stampin' Up ink on the canvas from the SU Spring Catalog. The birthday girl is in the center, me on the left and our baby sister on the right.  And this is the card I created using the stain glass technique (at least I think that is what you call it). The stamp set is Secret Garden, along with the framelits... also available in the Spring Catalog.

 

 





with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Valentine Smooches!

I just had to get a short post done today to wish you all a Happy Valentines Day! Hope your day is filled with love... whether you have a hubby/boyfriend wife/girlfriend or not! 

I just have to brag on my sweet, lovable hubby for a minute... so bear with me!  I have been not feeling well for a few days... okay, "not feeling well," maybe an understatement... a little like a train wreck would be closer to the truth.  He is so loving and caring... he takes such good care of me!  God blessed me with the best when He gave me him! So even though our Valentines Day is not what I wished it would be for him... I did make him this funny, smoochy card... with a BIG smooch!

I love glitter and sparkle and I think Valentines Day is one of the only days you can actually use all that's glitzy on a "manly" card!  The upside is that after going to the doctor today and finding out I have influenza... this smooch is not contagious!!! *Ü*

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

So Many Smiles...

I have been delinquent in my blogging on here lately... so sorry! Life is a little crazy and on the run!

I got the Stampin' Up special... the Simply Sent Sealed with Love and the free set My Little Valentine, but I hadn't had the chance to do anything with it... until now! So here is what I came up with:

I saw the punch owl on Stamp and Scrap with Frenchie... I thought he was so cute! So I had to make my own smaller version... I used the 1 3/8 circle punch for the body.

So what do you think? Isn't that lil' owl a hoot??? Sorry I couldn't resist... anyone would be happy to get this sweet little note for Valentines Day, plus there is extra room to slip in a yummy treat too!

Don't forget Stampin' Up's Sale-a-Bration is going on now... the best time of the year! You can go to my website to check it out by clicking HERE!

One more thing... the February Birthday Set has also been released... Best of Love... $14.95... such a cute set!

Sorry I had to pack so much in to this one post, but now I am done!!! For today anyway!
with a grateFUL HEART, carin