Well, friends, that header says it all! 😉
It’s been a rough week here, so nothing crafty happened, with the exception of my web cam arriving.
So, I will try for a live tomorrow (Friday, June 7) at 1:30 mst. We can look at the different sizes of the Stampin’ Emboss and Die Cut Machines and maybe peep in the catalog at some stamp and die bundles which are all on sale this month!
Check my Facebook and You Tube channels! 😁
Have a great day!
Till next time, get creative and bless someone!
Barb 🌻
I studied Ezekiel with my small group a while back (in August, ’22!), and in the book is what the authors of our study guide called the Recognition Formula. (We used a study guide from the LifeChange series by Navpress.)
A little background: Ezekiel is a contemporary prophet of Daniel, Jeremiah and 2 of the minor prophets, Habbakuk and Zephania. He was a priest of the Lord, who was called to be a prophet as his ministry was about to begin. His wife died in the first years of his ministry, and he was not allowed to mourn. Prophets did not have a flashy, easy life. Don’t listen to those prosperity preachers! 😉
His ministry was to bring the hearts of Israel, particularly of the leaders, to God. Within this message comes the Recognition Formula. It appears over 50 times in this book, and once you see it, you will find it in various forms, throughout Scripture.
Ezekiel 6:7 ESV
And the slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am God.
Our small group studied through the Psalms when we finished Ezekiel, and we found the formula in many of them. I am doing a Read Through the Bible in a Year plan, and I just spotted this in Exodus. Seven times in only 3 chapters. I’m certain if you search this phrase, hundreds of verses will come up.
“...you shall know that I am God“. God’s purpose for our life events are to point to Him, and to point your hearts to reconcile to Him. Ever so eloquently Ezekiel shows how God will restore the heart who searches for Him.
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.“
Ezekiel 36:26 ESV
Friends, this world is dark; but there is a Light that nothing in this world can extinguish. Look for God, seek Him while He may be found and let Him give you a new heart; a heart of flesh.
You can email me if you’d like a Bible, or have any questions about this post.
barb@stampinopolous.com
God bless 🌻
Study guide for Ezekiel can be found here: https://www.christianbook.com/ezekiel-lifechange-bible-study/9781615217366/
How to Faith a Life Bible Reading Plan can be found here: https://howtofaithalife.samcart.com/courses/course/gracebiblereadingplan/
I am not an affiliate of any links in this post. 😉
Hello Crafting Friends!
Let’s take a look today at the Double Z Fold card.
A Double Z Fold will have the folds on both the left and right sides, and the centers can either overlap or meet in the middle. It stands up nicely for display. I will show you an overlap example and a project sheet with all the measurements will be available to newsletter subscribers.
The Overlapping Double Z Fold: I began with a 12 in x 12 in piece of colored card stock. In my examples, I chose the new 2024-2026 In Colors! They are just so bright and pretty; they feel so summer!
For the Designer Series Papers, I used the 2024-2026 In Color (this paper is available in all the Stampin’ Up! color families!) and Thoughtful Journey. I love the watercolor images on the Thoughtful Journey papers; both sides are beautiful. I used a scene, and cut my paper so that it would stretch across both sides of the card. The colors are soft, and the sentiments from the Heartfelt Hexagon stamp set fit perfectly with the peaceful feel of the card. I used the Heartfelt Hexagon punch and stamp set for the focal image on all the cards shown in this post. It’s such a versatile set! The brass butterflies and Petunia Pop ribbon finished the look off nicely.
On the other card, I used the same Pretty in Pink card stock, and the 2024-2026 In Color Designer Series Paper. I love anything polka dot, and I thought the Pebbled Path ink really gave a nice contrast; who doesn’t love pink and gray? It’s a classic combo! Pebbled Path is a 2022-2024 In Color, so you want to grab it while it’s still around! I punched a hexagon in Pebbled Path card stock to shadow the focal image, stamped a few curly-doodles on the inside, and added a strip of the DSP along the bottom. I added some playful hearts and finished it off with the Basic Gray and Smoky Slate Pearls. The focal image has dimensionals on the back of the right side only, so the left side slides underneath to help it stay closed.
One the second set of cards, I have used some retired Designer Series papers, along with some coordinating new products. For the wedding card, I broke out some of the new 2024-2026 In Color Specialty Glimmer Paper and the Bee Builder punch to add some sparkly hearts! The Pumpkin Pie color worked so well with the colors on the DSP! I also used Pumpkin Pie cardstock on the belly band and some Pumpkin Pie ink blended on the focal point, which made it pop all the more! On the sympathy card (I told you this was a very versatile stamp set!) I added the background hexagon in Pretty Peacock cardstock to offset the Lost Lagoon ink, and kept the embellishments to a minimum. I feel understated is the way to go with a sympathy card.
I hope you enjoyed this look at the Overlapping Double Z Fold card. As you see, there are many occasions to use this card for. Come back next week for another set of cards using the new In Colors and Thoughtful Journey Designer Series Paper. It’ll be SIP cards; Stamps, Ink and Paper! If you shop for any of the products I’ve linked today, please use my Host Code, which is on the sidebar. I appreciate your support!
I plan to do two live demonstrations in June; if you are signed up for my newsletter, you can get all these details right in your inbox!
Thanks for spending some time with me today. Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!
Till next time, Barbara
Hello, hello!
I’m coming to the end of my devotional book, Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler. Last week, there were several names I learned about, all having to do with God being our Dwelling Place (Moan (ma-OHN)), our Refuge (Machseh (mach-SEH)), our Shield (Magen (ma-GAIN)), our Fortress (Metsuda (me-tsu-DAH)) and our Strong Tower (Migdal-Oz (mig-dahl OHZ).
This week, I’m focusing on the verses that discuss God as my Dwelling Place. I’m still continuing on through the book (this week is Judge, but I really want to keep my focus on what God is to me. To really make it personal. I looked up the verses and copied them into a document in several different versions/translations. The collection of verses are all in Psalms (my all time favorite book in the Bible!) All are linked in the English Standard Version, but you can search them in the version you prefer on Bible Gateway.
Psalm 90:1-2 I am partial to this verse, in particular, in the King James Version
I’d like to share the document with you. I hope that it blesses you as you read all the things that God Is.
Thanks for coming by! Have a wonderful week!
BIG NEWS!!!
June 5 – 30, Stampin’ Up! is having a HUGE “Bundle” promotion! There are so many great bundles in the new catalog!
Get an additional 10% discount on stamp and die bundles only. Not applicable on suites or stamp and punch bundles. Stamp and die bundles are normally 10% off, and in June you get even MORE off!
Save 10% on BOTH the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (White or Boho Blue)!!! THIS is a great deal! The machine comes with all plates and is ready to go! You only need to attach the crank handle and you can die cut and emboss to your heart’s delight!
The 10% discount will automatically apply. There’s no special codes needed for the promo! Please, though, do use my June Host Code, which will be available on June 1!
Get your shopping list ready for June 5! Shop early, as products go FAST, FAST, FAST!
Please note: Close To My Heart products are not included in this sale
#creating #createandblessothers #stampinopolous #stampinup #cards #cardmaking #papercrafts #salesalesale
Hello everyone!
In you missed it, here’s the link to my livestream from Monday afternoon!
Well, friends, it has been a hot minute.
We both had some minor health things to deal with, and all is well. It was a trying few weeks, and I am ready to get back on track with my cards and creating 👏
I’m working on some fun folds, and my May Paper Pumpkin kit arrived. What a great kit! I will do a live unbox and card creation tomorrow. (May 20, 2024) I hope Streamyard has gotten the bugs worked out so it can be on both Facebook and You Tube. Please check both to find me! If you Subscribe to either, you’ll get a notification when I am on.
Here’s a peek at my fun folds. Video coming soon! I hope to see you there!
Hello, hello and Happy New Catalog Day! I hope you’ve had a chance to look at one in person! It is decidedly different! It’s getting a LOT of internet buzz, and if you have seen it, please drop a comment and tell me what you think. If you don’t already have a demonstrator, and you’d like a copy of your own, please email me! You can use the Contact Me tab. There’s also an absolutely amazing offer during the month of May to join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator; I will post those details at the end.
To CELEBRATE the new catalog, new In Colors, and the best Join Offer yet, today’s post features the Happy Little Things stamp set. I loved this set when I first saw it, it has a great number of sentiments to use at this time of year: graduations, weddings, baby showers, you name it. This set has it all! The four larger images have the background and outline stamps that you can use together or not. Then there are several smaller sentiments to mix and match with them: Celebrate a peaceful season, Wishing You a speedy recovery, etc. There’s a nice mix of fonts, also.
I used a white base with a black mat to make the new In Colors really pop on the card. (All measurements and supply list available in my May newsletter.) The new colors are so soft and pretty in person. I haven’t quite decided my favorite, yet, but I am leaning towards Petunia Pop. Or, maybe, Peach Pie. They all look so wonderful together, who can choose just one?
I stamped CELEBRATE on the card stock strips in the coordinating colors, then used the Momento Black to outline. The clear stamp blocks with the photopolymer stamps make it fairly easy to line up; don’t be discouraged if it’s not perfect! That adds a little pizzazz! 🙂 The outline made the sentiment stand against the tone-on-tone stamping. I attached the black mat to the white base after I had some fun stamping the inside sentiments…yes, I used the “you did it!” stamp to make a party on the inside of the card! the set also includes a little sparkle stamp to really get the fun going!
What card is really complete without dimensionals and bling? I set the Peach Pie sentiment in the middle, then added the pinks and green in a somewhat gradient pattern, with the lighter colors on top, and the darker ones on the bottom. I popped the Peach Pie up on dimensionals, then added a few shimmer gems to complete the card. I also created an alternate card using a different set of 5 coordinating colors and the new Basic Gray and Smoky Slate Pearls. I’m happy with the result, and I’m sure anyone who receives it will be happy, too! In fact, I have 3 graduates and a cousin who is retiring this week who will be receiving their versions soon!
Thank you for joining me today. There are so many things in life to celebrate; choose to celebrate life and joy in Jesus today! I hope you create a version of this card! If you do, share it with me on my Facebook page under the post about this blog post.
Becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator has been a wonderful decision for me, and I know it can be for you, also. There’s no pressure to “sell,” and many of the demonstrators are happy crafters who are enjoying terrific discounts on quality products. If you are interested, during May 2024, you can not only purchase your Starter Kit ($125 in product of your choice for $99), but…Stampin’ Up! will ALSO be giving you $82 more in FREE product! You’ll receive all 5 of the new In Color ink pads, a set of Stampin’ Write markers, an assortment pack of In Color card stock and the new In Color Designer Series Paper. If you are interested or would like more information, use the Contact Me form.
* Any links provided are to my online store and I earn a commission on sales through those links.
*If you order, please use the Host Code for April 2024 in the sidebar. This helps me earn new products to demonstrate! If your order is over $150 in product, don’t use the code, as you will earn your own Stampin’ Rewards!
I’m not sure how to start this off. It can be a touchy topic.
Recently I’ve been a little “not myself,” and in talking about it with my small group, one of them said to me, “It’s really okay not to be okay. You know that, right?”
I know that friends have said that to me numerous times since my daughter went to heaven in 2018, but I think that’s the first time I HEARD it. I shared in a post here about all of the happenings since then. In another, similar conversation with a few other wonderful women in my circle, one of them mentioned that it sounded like I was dealing with some mild depression.
Um. YA THINK? *imagine me slapping my forehead*
It’s really amazing when you can see something for the first time and say, “Wow, yeah. That is the issue.” It’s not a first for me, either. I had very bad Post Partum Depression after one of my kids. This is different, though. Lingering, stealing my energy, like a malaise over everything. In all of this new enlightenment I was having, a few questions came to mind.
“Why have I, and I think many Godly, believing, Jesus-loving women, reject and fight the possibility that depression will touch me? My world has been severely rocked since October of 2018. Why wouldn’t I be depressed, and why is it not okay to see and admit it?”
Our mental and emotional health is as vital as our spiritual and physical health. As always, I look to the Bible to get answers, and here are a few verses about the heart and mind:
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life, Proverbs 4:23 (Here’s a geeky fact about this verse: it’s written on the sundial in the garden at Ashley Wilke’s plantation in the movie Gone With The Wind.)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your heart and mind… Romans 12:2a
Cast your anxieties on Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
We need to keep our hearts focused on God, His good works in our lives and the hope of heaven. This is a terribly fallen world, and it’s hard sometimes to manage it, even with faith. Having good friends and a solid church should help with that. However, there is a stigma that goes along with saying, “Hey, I’m felling depressed.” Even as those verses, and many others, are familiar, when you’re in a state of emotional fatigue, they can feel foreign.
So, we pray. Even when we don’t feel like it.
We talk to others, even if it’s uncomfortable.
We seek professional help. Pastoral counsel, physicians, etc.
This article on gotquestions is a good source. I have also begun to read this book, Breath as Prayer, and it has been very good. You can get it free on Kindle Unlimited. (I am not an affiliate)
Friends, I pray that this touches someone today. If you know someone who is struggling, reach out. Even if you have before, do so again. It may be the time that they really hear it.
God Bless
Barbara
Companion video on You Tube
Hello, hello!
I filmed a live unboxing on Friday of the April 2024 Paper Pumpkin kit, Delicate Wings, which as you can imagine, if full of glittering, gold foiled butterflies! It was so much fun to open up the kit live with everyone!
When you purchase a Paper Pumpkin subscription ($25 per month) your kit arrives in a sturdy orange box that is shrink wrapped. When you open it up, everything you need to create the three card projects inside is all included. You can make three of each design, which gives you nine total cards. You cannot purchase nine cards of this quality from the store!
The kits are a great option for someone who is new to paper crafting and card making, who would like to dip their toes in. They are terrific for those of you who are on a limited budget or have limited space to store crafting supplies. They are also fun for the kids or grandkids to create cards with! You can pause your subscription at any time with no penalty and pick up whenever you would like to.
The first kit you purchase will include a clear acrylic block for your stamp set…don’t lose it! 😉 All the Paper Pumpkin stamp sets will use this sized block. You can purchase extras from Stampin’ Up! or purchase a sized D block. The size difference between the blocks is about 1/4 inch in the thickness, and the Stampin’ Up! block has the rounded comfort edges. (SU block shown is a different size) I have extra Paper Pumpkin blocks to use at my in-person card classes.
This kit didn’t include any embellishments because the cards themselves are so amazing! The foiled backgrounds on the card bases are amazing and really stand out with the Basic Grey and Lost Lagoon backgrounds. Here are the 3 samples I put together in the video. I added the gold dots to the butterfly with embellishments that I had.
I hope you enjoy the video! Please subscribe if you’d like to see more.
Till next time, God Bless and happy crafting!
Barbara
Stampinopolous 