Hello, an update...

 Just wanted to give you all an update, I'm not sure if I remember mentioning that my husband will be going in for surgery on his knee this Wednesday morning.   If you see this post please be in prayer for him that all goes well.   Thankfully the ex-rays showed only arthritis on the one knee, but his right knee has a cist that must be removed as well.   So, what we know now is his recovery time will be until later part of August or early part of September.   He is already been approved to be off of work for that time, and I will be his "coach" to make sure he does his exercises and help when its needed.    I will be taking care of necessary things like household duties and yard work.    I have taken one week off, as I cannot afford to be off too long a time.    Our time has been taken up with what do we need to make his rest and recovery more comfortable.   We have installed grab bars at all places that needed it, like bathtub.  Which is a major improvement seeing that the tub can be rather slick depending on the soap used.    Anyway, we have shopped to get needed supplies of food and snacks, so we don't have to be rushed to go out anytime soon, as my main concern will to make sure he doesn't have to be alone too much.    I will be driving him to all his appointments that will be coming up.   We learned through a class (Joint), that some folks don't have anyone to care for them when they get home as they are alone with no family.   I cannot wrap my head around that at all... and some can't afford to be off of work too long and must learn to use that new knee in order to get to work.  Wow.   My heart goes out to those with no family or help of any kind.   Bless your heart for having to go it alone.    When I get updates on how he is doing after surgery I will make another post.     Earlier this evening I was finally able to set down at my craft desk and do a crafting video, its still being uploaded as I type this out.   

Thank you for coming by, and taking the time to read this rather long post.  I hope you all have a blessed day, and one day when the dust settles I will be working on crafts to show.

Hugs, Mary

Guest Check ~ Wednesday Freebies!

 Hello!   I have created these cute vintage Guest Check Freebies for all of my Subbies on my YouTube Channel & followers of this blog.

These are for your personal use only, in your junk journals.   I hope you'll like them, please be kind and leave a comment.   Thank you.   Mary :) 

Wednesday Freebies ~ Vintage Guest Checks!

I hope you'll check out my newest video! 

Vintage Guest Checks - Video

Bear Hugs - Challenge

Hi everyone!   We have a new April Challenge going on now at Once Upon A Time!   This card was designed by me,  & I named it: Fuzz E. Bear - Bear Hugs   He is a super cute bear, sending off a card.   There's even a little teeny spider with a web underneath the mailbox.   :)    I asked my hubby if he thought this looked too much like a valentines design, and he assured me that it would work anytime of the year, which I happen to agree.    Here it is.  

I guess I should open an Etsy Shop at some point to offer my designs.  ;)  What do you think?    Okay, thank you so much for coming by today, leave a comment if you wish, I love to hear from my followers.  :)   If I didn't mention this earlier the theme is Bears.   From a book Corduroy.   Come check out the challenge!    Big crafty hugs, Mary

Best Friends Christmas - CCAYR Challenge

Hi everyone,  There is a new Challenge going on now at CCAYR!    Here is my card, keeping with the theme 4 of something or a bird.   This design is by Darcie's heart & home collection.   I thought it was super cute, found this in a local flea market.

My original stamping job left the words upside down so I had to cut everything out to turn it right side up.  :)  Wanted to keep with a CAS card but thought it wouldn't hurt to add a little bling.   I just used my prisma pencils to color it all in.    Thank you so much for dropping by, and hope to see you over at Christmas Crafts All Year Round.   

Hugs, Mary

Freebie! Hettie Hedgehog digital image

Hello Crafters & YouTube Subbies,  Here is the free digital image to use in your cards.  Just click on the image and save it to your computer, this will print on a regular copy paper or card stock.   This is a pre-colored image.

Happy Crafting, Mary

 

Butterfly Kisses!

There is a new Challenge going on over at Once Upon A Time,  and I am on the design team!  :)

The Theme for March is: Based on the book  Harold and the Purple Crayon

For my image I am using Butterfly Kisses by BoBunny

I couldn't decide on which image to use so I thought butterflies remind me of Spring, and why not a purple butterfly!

Ingredients to create my card:

Distress Crayons by Tim Holtz in colors of Festive Berries, Chipped Sapphire, Seedless Preserves, Rusty Hinge 

I used the crayons as a base for water coloring my butterflies, it worked perfectly, using water brushes.   When it was dry, I brushed on a light coating of Stickles Glitter Gel - Moon Dust, (which is difficult to see in the photo) take my word for it, the moon dust looks so pretty! 

Then I got out my Distress Oxide Sprays in Saltwater Taffy & Salvaged Patina  and held my breath as I spritzed little dots onto my card... with a bits of washi tape to mask off my butterflies I think it came together beautifully.  

Thank you so much for dropping by my blog today, and I hope to see you at the Challenge!!

Mary

Beary Merry Christmas - March Challenge

 Hello Crafters!  Welcome to a new Challenge at CCAYR  the theme for  March is:  Three French Hens-THREE of something OR French sentiment

I decided to use the Beary Merry Christmas stamp by Penny Black

If you look closely to the words it looks smeared but its only showing up in the photo, not on the actual card.   I used Prisma pencils to do the coloring.  And just a hint of moon dust on the star which does not show up,  (frowny face).    I like the clean and simple look to this card.  

Thank you so much for coming by to visit, leave a comment if you wish.

Hugs, Mary 

"stressed out" and Update

Hello everyone,  just a quick update from my side of the world.  Last weekend I worked on making videos for my YouTube channel, and finally this evening just uploaded 3 more!   So if you haven't check those out, you are more than welcome.  I worked on a decoupage project, and a fabric flip to be used in junk journals using wedding dress appliques.   Such fun, and a little bit country too.  <------ Fabric pieces.

 :)    https://www.youtube.com/@marysmith4501 

  The weather here has turned on the cold side again, after experiencing temps in upper 50's!   Wow, that really made it feel like it was the early days of Spring. 

  I'm getting an idea of what sort of flowers I would like to keep in hanging pots, I do love vinca flowers or may be known as periwinkle, they come in shades ranging from pinks to dark red and purple.   While much of my other flowers withered from the hot dry temps we experienced last Summer, as a desperate attempt to bring a little color back into my garden, I went to my local hardware center and picked out some lovely periwinkles... they surprised me with their lovely bright green leaves and beautiful flowers, their sturdy frame stood up to the hot dry days, I kept them watered.. they outlasted the petunias, and other various plants.   And to much of my surprise little butterflies loved their nectar.  Even saw a couple of hummingbirds flit in and out of the delicate blooms.   What more could I ask of a flower, it must be able to withstand harsh hot weather, and windy days.... those will be my go to flower.  

And on another note, there was a position going to open in my job, but now with cut backs and such, that won't be happening.... and I am glad.  As I thought I wanted to go into that direction, but something else has come up and could possibly be an alternative.   So, that is now on the horizon.   

The other day, I was so stressed out as I had to wait at the hospital, while my hubby had a routine exam.  Well, all I could think of was when my mother was at the hospital when she experienced a massive stroke.  It's like all I could think of was seeing her in the final moments of life.  Back then, family was in and out of the room, walking past me, or just waiting around talking quietly.   It wasn't as if I was alone, and my hubby was there as well.   But, at my husband's appointment it was just me sitting there getting caught up in my thoughts, I brought a book to read but mainly just browsed through the first few pages - a nervous read, as I had referred to it.    The following day, every part of me ached.  I didn't feel like doing much of anything.   The last time hubby had to go through that, my mother was still around and I called her, she then listened to me go on how I felt, and how nervous I was.  She knew what I was going through, and even said, "Remember, I told you he would be fine".    Well, that's what I wanted to hear again, "All will be fine"    My thoughts got all tangled up like a big ball of yarn, straggled strings and rubber bands.   And I forgot to keep my focus on the Lord.  Even though I felt alone, I should have remembered he was right there beside me.   And after all was said and done... those words that my mother gave me, came back in mind.  

Well, I do thank you all for coming to my blog and visiting... sometimes it helps me to write things down.  Usually its in my journal but today thought you might like an update.

Have a blessed day,  hugs, Mary

Poppies & Peonies

 Hello crafters,  There are new digitals added to the Freebie Round-Up page.   Backgrounds (8x8) to use in your scrapbooking or junk journals.  Featuring my photography & artwork.   You'll need to scroll down to where it begins Uploaded February 7th - featuring poppies & peonies!  

I have noticed that my You Tube Channel has 62 subscribers.. this is awesome.    I have decided it would not work out to maintain two separate channels, so I will be only keeping the main channel.  

Well I have some good news!  No, I didn't get a promotion, but I was able to get a bonus, my first one!   It certainly came at a good time since my hours have been down due to sales being slow.   Things should pick up about March I would say.   Today's weather makes it feel as if Spring is around the corner, but I know it's only a tease.  

I plan on working on a crafting video.   Need to decide on what to make! :)

Okay, I will go for now..  have a good day.   Hugs, Mary