Hearty Bird FREEBIE and a CASology Challenge Card

And a 365 Photo of the Day too.

“On the Radio, yea-ah, On the RADIO”

I imagine in the day of this vintage radio it was a very big thing to listen.  When I fire this beautiful thing up I am in awe it still works and receives a station or two.  The writer inside me dying to get out makes up all sorts of bits of an audible crazy quilt of themes where this radio sits and feeds the ears of people in a bygone era in all manner of home situations. 

I think about a farming family on the prairies and the wife kneading bread and looking out the frosty panes of windows in the long winter when the wind blows and keens. I think about the radio as bringing someone inside to visit while she goes about providing food and comfort to her family.  I also imagine the farm Mr looking forward to getting all the chores done on an early Saturday morning and being eager to sit later and listen to news, politics or a sports game.

Oh, how many more scenarios beg to be spoken here, however I’d best stop here as my post may be a tad long.

CASology 133 Challenge Card – “LOVE” theme. 

I chose to make a card in the suggested theme used by Ardyth which asks us to “Choose only one or two large graphics elements to keep your card clean’ 

Well, I’m counting the bird as one large elements and perhaps the teeny hearts don’t really count at all?  No, you don’t see them there at all do you?  At any rate, I thought I’d place my card under that theme and hopefully this fits in. 

Supplies:

Embossing Folder by Darice

Hearty Bird Cutting File and Digital Scrapbook Template – Barb Derksen

In fact, I created this file today to give away to YOU!  Whether you desire to use this file to cut out this sweet bird, or use it as a template for a Digital Scrapbooking Project, I hope you’ll enjoy it.

Personal Use

Zipped file contains:

Fully layered PSD

PNG

SVG

.STUDIO

DOWNLOAD

Please don’t share my files directly, instead send folks here to download, it will always be free here.  If you like my files would you please consider “pinning” this post on Pinterest or Twitter this post.  Many thanks!

Technorati Tags: Free Silhouette Cutting File,FREEBIES,Mrs Miles Freebie,Free Digital Scrapbooking,CASology

I ♥ Cherries sooooo much - I’ve made a Cherry FREEBIE for YOU!

Living in the heart of the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia is living in fruit heaven. 
This year I’m all about the cherries.  I’ve never seen them so BIG! 

A BC cherry is a HAPPY cherry I say!

I’ve been freezing them in batches, so yes, my fingernails look horrible and my kitchen is speckled red and my fingers were getting awfully tired of my regular cherry pitter (though I’m sure it’s a drastic improvement over the ones our grandmother’s must have used) 
And then my sister came to visit and we were at Home Hardware in town - our Home Hardware is AMAZING - truly people come from all over to shop there.  Our Home Hardware is a shop with a heart - they do all sorts of good for our community and we’re really proud of them. 
So, we went and looked at all the gizmos and gadgets that might be new when we came across one of these:

This is a Chef’n quickpit One-Handed cherry and olive pitter. 

And it not only WORKS… it did not take my sister and I to declare a “show down”

That’s right, this hot little “cherry gun” PITTED sister against sister hehe. 
Well, actually we turned on our photographer (my Mr) who clued in at the last moment and just barely avoided being maimed.  He may take my cherry gun away if I’m not careful.
All this “cherry-ing” has inspired me to make a fun .studio cut for YOU!  I also built a card to showcase it for you - I think it turned out perfect!

Sentiment reads:

“One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.”

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Supplies:

Designer Paper - Your Life Beautiful by Brandin O’Neill

Inks - Versafine, Colorbox

Cutting File - Cherry Love by Barb Derksen

Method:

I cut the file on my Silhouette SD.  I inked the cherry pieces and then I heat embossed the cherries. 

I’ve created this file both as a .studio cut but also as separate png’s as well so if you’re a digi-scrapper you can adapt the cherry for your needs as well. I would ♥ to see what you make with my files, send me a jpg and I’ll feature your artwork here!

DOWNLOAD

Personal Use

I Scream, You Scream - Happy National Ice Cream Day & a FREEBIE!

photo: http://www.chicagonow.com/tween-us/2012/07/we-all-scream-for-national-ice-cream-day/

I found out it’s national Ice Cream Day in the USA and well, this Canadian girl likes ice cream way too much not to join in on the celebration. 

I’ve taken the summer off from all commitments and I’m using the time to catch up on things and to create and enjoy the things I love to do most.   Lucky for me I am able to combine doing what I love with some of the things that need to be done, like build graphics for websites my Mr. has taken on.  It’s not going to get us rich but it is something we can do together and together is where we want to be. 

Speaking of getting rich, haha, my Mr. added a DONATE button onto my blog because he’s loving me being home and he also supports my making nice things to give away to you.  I spend quite a bit of time and effort in making my elements top-notch, (this Ice Cream elements set took me two full days!) so if you’re able to help out, a buck or two here and there would be oh so welcome!  If you absolutely can’t - no worries, I’ve been there before and been very blessed with the best designer friends in the world who gave me a helping hand when I started.  All the money I earn generally goes right back into supplies and well … I want a Cameo in the worst way!  I’d bet totally chuffed to “earn” it here through your generosity!  Cameo for me = more freebies for you.


If you’re a designer - I DO allow some commercial use if you’ve contacted me and I’ve given permission, details are included in my TOU.

Little note:

I won a Playing in Paradise Card Challenge - (hopping up and down!)  More to come when my looty arrives in the mail!  If you have not joined in the challenge before you should consider it, the prizes are fabulous!  Thank you to the PPC design team for hosting.

Apricots are Ready!

here in the beautiful, sunny Okanagan, Canada

I enjoyed making last week’s popsicle file so much that when I heard about Ice Cream Day I decided to create an ice cream cone… and it turned into two versions. 

Card

DOWNLOAD

Personal Use

Includes fully layered PSD, PNG layers

and .studio files and full cut-sheet.

As always, I’ll pop these files in some of my other “pages” tabs up top of the blog so you can ALWAYS find these files if you lose them.

Another Little note - KELLY over at Finding Time to Create has a wonderful tutorial on how to make this sweet summer fan cut.  GO VISIT!

In case you might wonder how I create the “texture” on my elements I’ll tell you how I achieved the look for the ice cream and then the cones.



I start with the plain shape of the scoop of ice cream png (it has a transparent background, imporant for this tutorial).  Then I went on the internet and found a free texture of cement.  I saved it then brought it into Photoshop and placed it on a layer above the scoop of ice cream.



Next I hold down the Ctrl key on my computer and click in the layer which has the shape of the ice cream blob.  This turns the shape of the ice cream blob into a “selection” 



A selection contains everything inside the shape. 



I want to get rid of everything that is outside the shape so I click into the layer that has the cement and then I go to the toolbar and choose SELECT and then INVERSE.  Now everything outside the shape is selected.  At this point I hit the delete key on my keyboard and voila!  Next I use the Ctrl + d keyboard shortcut to remove the selection.

One thing I always do now is to remove the color from the texture - I don’t want it to color tint whatever is on the layer below.



I do this by going up to IMAGE then ADJUSTMENTS then choosing BLACK & WHITE. When the instruction window pops up hit OK.

Now we are ready to blend this texture over our blob of ice cream. 



Next we go to our Layers panel, click the arrow for the drop down menu and choose OVERLAY.  Magic, huh? 

Ok, so now we have our ice cream the right color but its sort of “flat” looking, right?  Here’s how we will fix that.



Before we begin to alter the look of the Ice Cream, we need to merge the two layers together.  As in my illustration above, click the teensy tiny triangle and when the drop down menu is presented choose MERGE VISIBLE. 



See?  Now we have just one layer with a texture to it.  Lets go shade it a bit.



On the far left of your screen are your brushes and the tools.  Find the hand (about 1/2 way down) and click onto it.  You will get three choices, the DODGE TOOL, the BURN TOOL and the SPONGE TOOL.  We will be using the dodge tool and burn tool in this project.  Lets grab the burn tool first.
I have my brush size set to a fuzzy brush and it’s sized  at 78.  Now we just start “painting” onto the Ice Cream in the areas we want to darken.  These would be areas which fall into shadow. 




So, mainly around the edges, at the “waist” and under the ruffles at the bottom.  We could almost just leave it as is now, but just for this lesson lets change our tool to dodge and add a nice highlight or two.



There you have it!  If you have Photoshop you might want to try this yourself using the PNG in my Ice Cream Day Elements!

Note - for the cones, believe it or not, I used a fine, smooth cement texture.  The possibilities are endless.

Buhahahhahahahaa!

IT IS TODAY!!!! hahahhaha! Ok, I'm going for a looonnnng walk here, to clear my mind... I'll still leave the post I'd put up this a.m. (to show you WHY I need to go clear my head.) I shall repeat 100 times in my head ... IT IS the 28th it IS the 28th It is the 28th...


I messed up big-time everyone... haha, its ALL MY FAULT! Cicero, you needn't worry that your dear OLD Mither might not recall a happening from 50 years ago, for I'm so scatter-brained at my age (only 1/2 of hers!) that her memory seems BRILLIANT compared to mine these days. I'm talking about... being a certain little "bird" who hopped about letting folks know that its our dear friend Valinda's birthday ... TODAY.

Well, its actually TOMORROW. Ayeah.... (ducking at the shoes being thrown from South Africa and USA...) Well hay, folks, there's two GOOD things about this, perhaps three...

1. We did not forget Valinda's special day
2. We DEFINATELY surprised her
3. We can breath a sigh of satisfaction that its DONE!

You know what's funny? I chatted with my SIL Judy last night and we were TALKING about this and it did not "click" in my mind that the 28th was not TODAY till about 4 a.m. when I woke up with a big "OOPS" going on in my brain.

So... without further ado, I'm going to Join my dear friends to celebrate not only Valinda's birthday, but my daughter's and friend Bonnie's too! Happy Birthday TOMORROW to all of you!

credits:
All KimB Stuffs

Happy Birthday Dezrae!

It's your birthday, but we got the gift...
a gentle, sweet, beautiful daughter
who is always a pleasure to be with.
You glow with sensitivity and compassion
generated from the depths
of your warm heart and and kind soul.
A loving mom, a peacemaker,
a woman full of the joy of life,
that's you.
Anyone who spends time with you
is privileged to know
such an extraordinary person.
You are a great joy in our lives.
We love you and cherish you and treasure you
and wish that every one of your birthdays
will be the happiest yet.

By Joanna Fuchs

Dezrae, we wish you lived closer so we could celebrate with you, but you will be thought of. Hope you get royally spoiled (not Royale-ly cause if you read my last post you'll know what I mean) Have a fabulous day!

credits:
Kristin CB - flowers
sorry, can't remember the other kit?

Birthday Blessings

Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Contemplate your blessings,
As your birthday nears. Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there. Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are. Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"

By Joanna Fuchs

Bonnie, this is a wonderful opportunity to tell you how dear you are to me. I hope this year is one of being creative and discovering new talents and realizing your hopes and dreams. I'm so glad we DO live close enough that I can actually give you a real Birthday Hug ... tomorrow!

credits:
KristinCB - Beauty kit
(may be a mix of your other kits too)

Bright Joy

On your birthday,
I’m thinking about how much light and sparkle
you freely dispense wherever you go,
how your sunny smile lights up any gathering.
Every birthday marks another year
of you radiating positive, happy energy,
contagious happiness
that infects all who come in contact with you.
May your next birthday find you the same--
glowing from within,
beaming bright joy on everyone you meet.
I feel blessed to know you.

By Joanna Fuchs

Valinda... YOU are the first person to visit and leave love at so many of our blogs. You ALWAYS have an encouraging word, you bring sunshine into all our lives. Its been a rare day when I would find myself AHEAD of you in a strip of comments on a blog. I count on you and have come to cherish and value each one! I'm looking forward to getting to know you more this year, to fellowship with you too.

I KNOW your family and Jim will spoil you, girl!

SOOOOOO.....

Even though I've been 'retired' from designing for a while now, I set aside a day to create a kit to give away to honour each of you. I hope you enjoy!

Personal Use Only

download

illustration credit:
KimB's HeartyTarty Craft Paper & Staple

There is not always a 'thaw' in January, nor do all spring-like days come in winter come in January. As the old-fashioned almanacs would put it, scattering the words down the page for January:

About - this – time – expect – several – warm – days.

Even if the 'about this time' were the last of February, the country people would regard it as 'our January that, only about a month late this year!'

The first of these warm days is often cloudy, and so misty and cloudy that the ground seems to steam. The snow that may have fallen two or three weeks ago is nearly melted. Then how slushy it is! - how 'disagreeable getting about' the older folks would say.

From St. Nicholas magazine, January 1904

Ohhh SO gray, gray - GRAY! I'm trying so hard to not let it get to me, but two weeks of THIS. Its bordering on ridiculous. I've always loved having SEASONS but I'm beginning to feel like a mushroom, I swear my skin is turning into paste! I still make myself get outside. I heard a broadcaster on CBC radio the other day and he was saying (not that I entirely agree with him) that great art is only made in anything other than happiness... so this depression SHOULD make me really artistically inclined. Well, it DID inspire me to write the following poem after yesterday's dreary walk:

grungey, brackish dirt exposed from beneath white scabs of retreating snow -

the soil giving off a sharp acrid reek, like a complaint

dull gray clouds pressing down petulantly into the valley

to meet the cold steely gray of ice on the lake

cold, scratching fingers of bare tree limbs standing forlorn

the air, sluggish and stubborn pushes to keep one indoors

outside, small birds feast furiously on whatever they might forage

hawks wait, there's a bird-eat-bird meaness in these half-dark days

a lone plane growls through the duskiness – like an insect trying to migrate to sunshine

day morphs into evening and then to night with very little discernment

dawn and dusk a mere shade darker than the day

longing for sunshine

This is what the weathermen/women say. But I know who's REALLY in control, so I'm taking it to the Lord in prayer...

God is mighty! He is able to deliver;

Faith can victor be in every trying hour;

Fear and care and sin and sorrow defeated

By our faith in God's almighty, conquering power.

Have faith in God, the sun will shine,

Though dark the clouds may be today;

His heart has planned your path and mine,

Have faith in God, have faith alway.

~ Author Unknown

♥♥♥♥♥

And so, to brighten up YOUR day, I've created a second version of the Wreath Frame - Enjoy!

(and send SUN, please *wink*)

Personal Use

download

“They” said, yesterday on the news, that yesterday is considered the 'most depressing' day of the year. I hear ya! The sun has not graced us with it's presence for several weeks now. I'm sure I'll need sunglasses the first time it chooses to shine on us. I keep begging my sister, Nina to send me some – from Victoria, no less. Now that seems so strange, as they are on the coast where its usually rainy. To date, nothings arrived.

I woke this morning from a dream that Mr. Miles and I were at some social gathering, very casual, and that Michelle Obama gave me a hug. We were talking about her children. Weird. Very strange – we don't even live in the USA. Perhaps it had something to do with my plan to watch the inauguration today. The inauguration was a moving thing to hear – I say hear because I only watched the swearing in on tv, but heard the rest of the ceremonies on CBC radio while I worked out.

Our Melanie ♥

Layout Credits: KimB's HeartyTarty Kit
Barb Derksen's WreathFrame - white

Our daughter came home for a visit this past weekend and it was a wonderful time together. I'm sure you're hoping for a photo, but I left it late and she made me promise NO photos – she was not feeling photogenic. Oh, I've had those days too, so respected her wishes. I did though, ask her to send me some of her own cell phone photos, and thats the one I used in this layout which I made mostly with KimB's HeartyTarty Kit. What a FABULOUS kit!

Next time Melanie visits I'll have to take care of that taking pictures thing, first thing. She brought her boyfriend with her – our first time to meet him. He's very nice!

Our weekend was all about baking. I promised to show her the Artisan Bread recipe. Melanie has always loved to bake. We mixed up batches of dough and made buns, flatbreads and pizza. On Saturday night, the kids made us dessert, rich fattening dessert. Flakey fruit and chocolate filled puff-pastry turnovers served with ice cream. Of COURSE she went home with a bucket of dough which was nicely risen by the time they got there.

I did not mention that last week I went 'across the line' at the invitation from my friend Angie to do some grocery shopping. We live RIGHT on the USA/Canada border and so have the luxury to hop over whenever the urge hits. With our dollar down, its not so much of a deal as it has been at past times, but there is always something different to buy. Cheese always works out less, for sure. My favorite place to stop is a little gas station/grocery which is supplied by deli's which are only stateside so I always find some unique things. These are some of the items I bought to play with this trip:

This spaghetti, which is sold in the USA at a Trader Joes store, is looooong! I'm hankering to go to one of those stores, now. Have any of you been to one?

These noodles are hollow - like very long kraft dinner noodles, though I am sure they are better quality, being made from hard durum seminola!

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos - my camera does not do well in low light. This orzo should be a colorful addition to soups - organic to boot!


And some buckwheat. I've never really cooked with it before. Any suggestions?

This Sap Sago cheese is VERY interesting. It's produced only one place in the world. I love the story, the shape and the very bold and distinctive flavor. I've already found several ways to use it. You can read an article about it HERE at Wikipedia.

Then, as I was surfing around on the internet to find more recipes for it, I came across this incredible recipe site. I think you will agree that the photography is just stunning – and the recipes extremely innovative and interesting! My friend Gina and I spent an afternoon drooling over our screens together. And I did make the Scandinavian Sour Cream Apple Pie, only I did not put a crust on it at all, and I substituted vanilla yogurt for the sour cream. Mr. Miles gave it thumbs up.

Layout by Judy

Credits: KimB and Bunny Cates items!

Did you see this lovely LOVELY poem and layout my sister-in-law Judy posted for me on her blog over the weekend? Well, in case you didn't, here's her layout with it in. I was so moved! Judy has a post up today of the thoughtful and sweet parcel she recieved from KimB in South Africa. That Kim, she's got it all tied up in the giving department. I do believe her middle name is generosity! Judy also has some pretty photos of dragonflies she took this past summer. Oh * groan * don't say summer, please, unless you send sunshine.

Layout by Victoria
Credits:
Barb Derksen - Photo of Osoyoos Lake
Kris Myers Frosty Days Digital Kit

And here's a pretty layout made by my friend Victoria, who lives in Florida. She asked if she might use one of my frosty photos for a layout, seeing as she does not have such a thing down there. I think your layout is lovely and thanks for sharing!

Treasure Box fit for a queen

I recieved a gift at Church this past Sunday – a beeeee-youuuuu-teeee-ful treasure. I'd no more seated myself when I was approached by my little 6 year old friend Asia who was bearing a wrapped gift for me. She insisted I open it right then and there – to reveal this hand-decorated treasure box. Ohhh, so pretty! I've got some special things which shall be stored in here! Don't you just love little presents crafted by little hands? Priceless, I say!

♥♥♥♥♥

A few posts ago I bragged on my friend Penny Buhr Johnson, on the release of her second CD. Unfortunately her CD was not quite set up at CD baby for sale just yet, but it is now. You can visit Penny's website by clicking HERE and follow the links which will allow you to hear cuts of her new album as well as purchase it too!

Our good blogger friend Valinda is home after a week away - and she's got a gift for you on her website I won't spoil the surprize, but go on over and welcome her home, won't you? Just click HERE.

Here's an entertaining time-waster of a website for you. Don't blame me if you don't get your housework done today, ok? Its called Drawminos!

And finally, I decided to make a 'little sumfing' for YOU. I had this small wreath thing laying about. It used to be around the base of a candle, but the candle got used up. Before sending this to the thrift shop or trash... I decided it would make a neat photo frame. I think it worked quite well. I'll post another version in a day or two. I'd love to see how you use this – just send me a jpg of your layout and I'll post it.

Ohhhh and as I'm wrapping this up - this loooong long post, I recall Shirley emailing me to say she's awarded me .... I'll have to slip on over to her place and see whats in store for me. THANK YOU Shirley, in advance.

Personal Use

download

Happy New Years, Everyone!

I'm back and refreshed from the holidays. Not caught up, but back and refreshed.

Before I launch into my first post of the year I want to thank each of you who blessed me this Christmas - you know who you are. I am a bit overwhelmed and it will take me a bit to properly thank everyone.

I feel so blessed, and at the same time, I'm hyper-aware of those who 'don't have'... of the economy and how so many are losing their jobs and my heart is moved. I'm going to really work hard in 2009 to find ways to minister to the needs I see. I'm not into 'resolutions' as such, rather into filling the needs I am able to. Instead of a resolution, I'm working towards filling this scripture - making it come to reality in my life and the lives I'm in contact with:

His divine power has given us everything we need
for life and godliness
through our knowledge of Him
who called us by his own glory and godliness.

Through these He has given us
His very great and precious promises,
so that through them you may participate
in the divine nature
and escape the corruption in the world
caused by evil desires.

For this very reason,
make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge;
and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness;
and to godliness, brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness, love.

For if you possess these qualities
in increasing measure,
they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive
in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But if anyone does not have them,
he is nearsighted and blind,
and has forgotten
that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers,
be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.
For if you do these things
you will never fail,
and you will receive a rich welcome
into the eternal kingdom of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:3-11

In other words - in clear language that applies to my own life, my desire is to simply LOVE - love my friends, my neighbors, the world. To open my eyes, to open my heart, to get my hands dirty, to waste less time on judging people and their actions and to spend more time helping.

I long to become more 'real', to be prayerfully bold and open when I need to, and to 'shut up' in other instances. That is a real hard one for me, when to speak out and when to hold back. Both things can really be a problem at times.

One thing I must say, I learned so much about love from my unsaved friends, who selflessly gave to me - teaching me some very Christian values. So many of you have impressed me and moved my heart!

So, on to the New Year.

A quick recap to the holidays - We went to the coast to be with our family. We left on a bitterly cold day, cold even for here (could have EASILY froze you a huge iceberg, Kim *wink*) We made it to a Princeton, thats a 1.5 hour drive from here - and at that point we considered turning back. It was SO cold and our van's inside heater was not putting out any heat. We had to keep what little heat there was on the engine so the gas lines would not freeze. Our toes and fingers were frozen and Jack Frost was painting up the INSIDE of our van windows. I heated some warmers in the microwave of a service station and Mr. Miles fired up our portable propane camp heater, enough we could stare moving around again.

We eventually did make it to the coast, and a good thing too, for it was the only day we would have been able to drive in the conditions.

The rest of the time there we were pretty much snowed in. With Mom and her fantastic and generous cooking and our sister in law and daughters, and our daugther Dez (who braved the drive all the way from Calgary in the bad conditions *spank* then hugs) It was a wonderful time of family. We came home the day before yesterday, after having to spend one extra day because our van Sabastian acted up on the freeway, but got him looked after with an oil change and checkup.

Good to go, good to be home. Its snowing here and looks like we're staying put here too.

I'm going to keep this brief but will return in the next few days. In honour of the new year I've created this New Growth Alpha for you - it symbolizes the new growth I'll be striving for this year. I hope you enjoy - and be looking for some coordinating add-ons in the coming days.

Personal Use
(I've used this alpha in my new blog header!)

download

Its so easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle this time of the year. Emotions run high and we're all in a rush to get it all done, yet for all our frenzy, it will somehow come together in the end. We're so busy running to and fro that we think we lose connection with God, for we've not managed to set time aside to seek Him. What we sometimes forget is that He is ALWAYS with us. He's not just there when we make some quiet time - He's here ALWAYS.

If you don't have time to get away from all the distractions, yet you need to know that He is with you, lift your prayers wherever you are. His love is ALWAYS with you. Every moment, every second of the day. He's waiting to share your every joy and sorrow. He can meet you the second you invite him to.

Be happy today - have cheer, knowing that God is with you.

The following song by Michael W. Smith is not your traditional Christmas song, but I hope it will speak to you the way it has me. I feel so joyous and hopeful through the words. 'specially the part about being in the crowd... for I feel 'crowded' this time of the year and long to know that God has time just for ME (and you) anytime we need it. I also am comforted to think of God's amazing love this way - that I can't 'escape' it - I might lose track, wander at times, neglect it or try running the other way to rebel ... but He's here.

ESCAPE YOUR LOVE
Michael W. Smith - Stand album

It's like starin at the sky above
When I look in your eyes
Now where in the world did you come from?
You're so beautiful
And I know

I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love

Everytime I turn around you're there
I get a feelin' that won't go away
Nothing else in this whole world compares
You're surrounding me
And I know

That I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love

And in the righteous crowd
Your face is all I see
I hope you know by now
That I just can't escape
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
Oh yeah
Yeah yeah yeah

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.

Psalm 145:18 NAS

My sister Nina needed to make a tag for a gift for a music teacher and so I whipped up this graphic for you, too, in case you have someone musical you'd like to bless! I'm going to make this one so you need only to click on it to download in PNG format. Please credit me if you use it by linking back to my blog. I'd love to see how you use this - why not send me a jpg of your project and I'll publish it here on my blog?

You can check out Nina's blog (lets pester her till we see how she uses the tag, right? by clicking HERE. She's been doing almost a card a day - whew!

You may also enjoy a visit to JanMary's blog - from Ireland. JanMary is into day 13 of blogging the 25 days of Christmas. Just click HERE to be transported.

click on graphic - then right click and 'save as' and choose PNG

PERSONAL use only

Soccer/Coach Card created by Me and My Sister, Nina
credits: Image and card design by Mrs. Miles,
Digital paper background by Louise (LouCee Creations)
You can find LouCee's kit at her blog by clicking HERE.
Burgundy and sage from Nature Preserve Recycled cardstock,
DCWV- Clear Glitter paper.

Isn't this just the NEATEST?

My sister asked me to help her design a card for my nephew's soccer coach who has a dog like this who amuses everyone with his ball playing antics. I love how she 'kicked it up a notch' by cutting out the soccer ball elements and then pasting them ABOVE the layout to give it a 3d look. Why not visit Nina today and check out her latest AMAZING creation. Just click HERE!

Umm... did someone say CHOCOLATE?

Well if that caught your attention you must head over to my dear friend Gina's blog, for she's got a link to a contest that could net you some HAND MADE ALMOND (or any nut) ROCA... plus, you'll want to check out some of Gina's handmade ETSY creations - there's still time to order for Christmas I'm betting! Just click HERE to be transported.

As I sit here blogging, we are getting a BIG snowfall. As I've been writing the world outside is quietly turning white with giant fluffy flakes. How appropriate for today.

Thanks for stopping by to see my show and tell items today. If you're visiting for the first time today and would like to find out more about the show and tell, or even sign up to join in the fun, just click HERE to be taken to Kelli's blog where you can find out all the details or add your name to the links list.

I'm showing off a special book I found two years ago at the local thrift store. Its so beautifully written and illustrated. I believe if you click on each image you can see them a BIT bigger than what you see here.








It has been such a busy week - its all a happy blur. I have been putting a bit of time aside each morning to pray and ask for my days to be ordered the way they are supposed to go, and though I've not marked all that I have on my own list, I've accomplished not only some of the bigger items, I've also been blessed to be able to do extra for others. I've found that when I 'make time' for a need that crops up unexpectedly, then somehow I wind up doing MORE than what I thought I had time for.

I want to thank each of you who come to visit me and leave comments. Especially now at this oh so busy time I know how it can be - and it touches me that you would choose to hover at my blog for a few minutes. You all make my blog something more than just a journal.

I created and sent a snowflake element set to some of my digi/blogger/friends and family this morning. Its not a set you will ever see here or for sale, its for each of the friends that I have who design. I have so many more who I could have made for, who do not design, but I just did not have time to do everyone. I'll find some way to thank anyone who's not a designer sometime in the new year.

The following is MADE from the snowflakes I sent to my friends, its an overlay and a few coordinating papers as well. I hope you enjoy! (so I guess I DID find a way to bless you all too *wink*)

Like snowflakes
floating gently,
unexpectedly
to earth,
small kindnesses
touch our lives.
First one, and then another
and another,
until at last the world is
bright and shining
with goodwill.
And once again...
its Christmas

~ author unknown

Barb's Flake Flake Friends Add-on
personal use only

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