sharing the blessings of my day with you / a Baby shower card

 Hi all, Its a cold rainy winter's day here but very warm at heart.   First Ben is safe and well in Nepal we spoke to him on Skype from Kathmandu where they were enjoying a few days rest and look around, they are now back into teaching, He looked and sounded really happy and has not been sick with the change of food etc. Here is a picture he sent us of his grade 3 students. This makes me so happy!! we printed it out and put it on the fridge with Beth's pic from India last year and I say a little prayer every time i look at it. This was our first blessing....

I love reading biblical novels and so dose my brother Darren we get really excited when we get together and talk about these books.... so I get a parcel in the mail today with a book inside for me! "wives of David" trilogy book 3 on Bathsheba and some awesome piano playing music that his son dose and records on disc but the most powerful thing in that parcel was reading his letter. His last line said...Wishing you all the best of happiness and God's grace and blessing be upon you my beautiful sister, sincerely your loving brother Dak.... (which is our childhood nick name for him) this had a huge impact on me as I have not really shared with you the family struggles I have had while growing up, his letter made my heart peaceful and happy. my second blessing ....
It is my goal some day to share my experience of how I came through family struggles, taking these struggles into my marriage which was very damaging, crashing, dealing with panic attacks and fears in my life and coming out the other end knowing that all along I am Gods beloved. Which leads me to my third blessing.... my counselor! if you have not seen his button on the left side bar of my blog and are in need please do so! This man through Gods grace bought me from a very dark place of anger, control and panic. When I was at one of my lowest he simply said "I can help you!" and for me that was one of my truing points. I was so excited as I talked with him today and he shared with me that he is now doing Skype counseling world wide! what an amazing way to help others outside of our small valley area in Australia!  If you feel touched or impressed to find out more don't put it off! God has given this man the very powerful gift of healing our mind, body and spirit ...one text I know Tony encouraged me with many times was from 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. I thank God for each day for what He has done in my life through Tony. This was a key factor in the re-commitment of our wedding vows just this Christmas past and I was very honored to have him and his wife there for that. Click on his button and links below for more info...

This is Tony's approach......  Holistic counseling and life-coaching is a life-changing process that looks at the deeper aspects of your life bringing healing and restoration and new life to the surface. We work on every aspect of your life, body, mind, soul and spirit gaining access to the root of the problem and empowering you to find the freedom and life that you deserve. This powerful proven process brings results for depression, anxiety, panic attacks grief and  loss and a whole range of other emotional difficulties.
Skype counseling and life-coaching available worldwide.

Lastly my beautiful boss is going to be a granny for the first time and here is what I made her for their baby shower....

Isn't it so cute!! I had so much fun making it.... lots of love goes into the things I make. I like to pray blessings for those people as I create and place each part together.
This is not my original design. here is the link for the baby crib pattern  http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=1761142&mpage=1&key=&#1761142
 http://www.artyfartydesign.co.uk/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=9&=SID
If you want this to fit inside a 12 x 12 box you will have to re-size the crib pattern a little smaller, I had to learn this the hard way! enjoy
Blessings to you

 and a last thought

Listen to advice and accept instruction, 

that you may gain wisdom in the future.

 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, 

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. 

Proverbs 19: 20-21

Simple circle flower

Hi all, Introducing new newest punch art  "Simple circle flower" Everyone loves to make things that are quick, simple but elegant. That's why I've come up with this simple circle flower. Most people will already have a mix of circle punches , dies or templates and using my instructions you can make both the flower and the leaves all from the humble circle. Check out my video below and you can purchase the written instructions  Simple Circle Flower  $3.95

We heard from Ben all his flights went well and he said he's having a blast :)
And here is my finished crochet circle throw I made. I bought the pattern here http://hopscotchlane.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/summer-doily-blanket.html
here is the link ti see how i made the criss cross background to this card http://valitasfreshfolds.blogspot.com.au/2008/08/gutter-guard-mesh-embossed-baby-card.html

Blessings to you

 and a last thought

 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, 

for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, 

so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

how to make a card from a picture

HI all, I wanted to post some info on how I make some of my shaped cards. Its basically a paper piecing technique, printing out the picture you want tacking this to your card and cutting around the different shapes. You may have to print multiples of your picture to achieve this for example for Patrick star I printed one copy and cut the main body of him on the fold of my card stock and them cut his pants and eyes from different colored card. The flower on his pants was a punch and I cut small sections from to suit. Add your shading and mark in his feature lines. Here is where i found this picture of Patrick  http://spongefan.wikia.com/wiki/Patrick_Star

Most cartoon shapes etc you can do this with. If its a round shape and you have no where to lay your pattern on the fold do as i did with my death star card and cut a whole new front that will overlap the card fold. I hope this can help you rethink how to make some fun greeting cards that everyone will love to receive. Video below ...enjoy!
Blessings to you

 and a last thought

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

Death Star Birthday Card for all the Star Wars fans

 Hi all, this one is for all you die hard Star Wars fans like my son! We went down to see him on the weekend as he fly's out to Nepal on Friday and he will have his 20th birthday at base camp of Mt Everest soooo exciting for him! So we made him a death star card and cake.... I know not the most popular card to make someone for their birthday but being a Star Wars fan he loved it! We also bought Beth back for her mid semester break and she is in the kitchen right now doing some cooking mmmm so nice! here is a pic of Ben's cake, this is the link to where i found a how to on this cake http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HsfoFX7_Qk

please pray for the safety and God's blessing for Ben's group as the teach and travel.

Now some details on the card as i have fast forwarded the video so I wouldn't bore you all! I used a breakfast bowl to draw my circle, one on the fold for the card base and another full circle for the card front. the three smaller circles in the death star are 1 and 3/4", 1 and 1/4" and 3/4" circle punches. you'll need black ink and sponge, black sharpie maker, ruler, some diamonds and glitter.... watch the video below ....enjoy
I now have a pattern for sale....
Death Star card pattern $3.95

Blessings to you

and a last thought

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8