June 30, 2014 Life

The path I have taken today cannot be retraced since our life path is but one way.

No comment today but a piece from my book of thoughts and inspiration.

Onward

I travel a road of dreams,

Laced with thistle and thorn,

To find a peace filled clearing

Golden sunshine can adorn.

Onward, ever onward it seems,

Finding new scars each turn,

As old ones heal and disappear

Along this path of no return.

It seems such a hopeless way

In a life I did not request,

Trying to fill a mold not mine

Though I've done my very best.

The impossible is not impossible

With my Lord's hand in mine,

Despite my reluctant nature,

In the living love divine.

                    copyright by Irish Cherokee (aka J.T.C)

I have reluctantly agreed to share this post with Cherokee. No card today but a few colored images. Anything to say before we start Cherokee? "Cherokee happy to be back and share on Bugger." That is blogger. " You always call it bugger." That is because it gets all messed up when they try to improve it. " That not make sense. Why they do that?" It is the white man's way, you know that. Can we move on now. "OK."

 Why do I get the feeling this will be a post filled with detours? "What is detour?" When you come to a fork in the road and make a wrong turn that makes the trip longer than the turn you should have made. "Oh! Are we going on trip?" Never mind. I will explain it later. "OK! We go on trip later." Uh....Yeah. Trip later. Me to my shrink. 

 " Irish say we show picture of firewater first then picture he colored with markers. He want you to tell him if you see it looks the same or not." 
You are getting better at this. The Image is by Stamps Happen.  
 "Not Drink Fire water. Makes Cherokee feel funny. Chief says live up to name when I drink fire water."
You mean Crazy Mule?
"Yes. I get crazy and stubborn."
More than you are now? 
"Yes. Not remember much next day and large tom-tom banging in head. Even mouse walking across floor make head hurt."
That is called a hangover. Shall we show the other image. The one I colored? 
"OK. Here is image. Not bad Irish. Your should do cave painting." 
Uh... OK. The Copic colors used are V20, R39-46-59-85, E08-11-40-41-43-44-50-55-79, E81, C1, C2.
Cave painting? Why cave painting?
" Irish paintings look real. Much nicer than cave painting."
Thank you.
"Welcome."
By the way Darnell is not Darn Nell. Darnell is her name and it is not two words. "I think Crazy Mule goof." UhOh! What did you do? "Ask Darnell why people call her Darn Nell." Well I did warn her you might stop by and say hello. I hope she isn't upset with me now. Thanks Cherokee. Lets move on shall we?
The next two images are from Imagine and do. The link is on my sidebar. I just love the playful images and her portrait images are extraordinary. "Are we showing pretty ladies now?" Yes. "I like how you color pretty ladies. Here is colored pictures."

This is a slight variation of the one I shared back in February. These images are some of my all time favorites. The artist who drew these is extremely talented. The Copic colors used are: R00-000-00000-85, BG53, YR30,Y18, G82, RV00-02, B00, E19.

"Looks like she have black eye. How that happen?" 
That is eye shadow. Women use it to make themselves pretty.
" Like war paint?"
Kind of but not for making war. It is just for making themselves feel pretty. The next image is also from Imagine and do. A little more risqué but very well done. "What is risqué?" It means daring, like acceptable but not normally done. "OK! Here is not normally done colored picture." 

"She just wake up?"
No, she is posing for this picture. "If that was me I be Embarrassed." 
If that was you I would be embarrassed.
The copic colors used are: R00-000-0000-85, RV0000, YR30, BG0000
I think it is time to move on.
I think we have bored our followers enough for one day. I hope you enjoyed your visit. 


Darnell you are lucky. Hammy can't talk. If you didn't tell us what was happening we wouldn't know he was there. Life has its ups and downs and I am not sure where Cherokee fits in there but it is never dull around here. Innocence has its perks and surprises. Honesty can be embarrassing and rewarding but never dull. You do the honors Cherokee.
"Cherokee thinks Darnell nice lady. Sorry get name wrong. Get spelling wrong too. Lots of red lines when I type. It is fun to use mouse to let computer fix spelling. Cherokee smiling right now.....OK. Irish says use LOL. Remember to LOVE DETAILS. Ooops. Sorry Princess Judy...Uh....That's interesting."
You forgot 'the' in LOVE THE DETAILS.  

P.S.- Princess Judy said on here blog never use "Ooops. Use Ah....Thats interesting" instead. Guess who picked up on that one.






   

June 23, 2014 An apology and short post.

First I must apologize for not visiting more of you wonderful followers. My reading list has been down for some time. My reading list is back. I visited many of you yesterday [6/25/2014] that were no more than a day old and before the list was fixed. I can now try to visit you as you update. Thank you for your kind comments in advance. Blessings to you all.

Those who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await his holy ones, and he intervenes on behalf of his chosen.

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Wis 3:9). New York: Doubleday.

Much is happening all around us. Many are hurting right now. We were not promised no pain, trials, losses or any of life's downers. We were promised to be tested and those who are faithful will have the best of rewards. Eternal life. We are still in the womb in life. The true birth is yet to come. Be strong. It DOES get better. With Prayer and Trust in Him,  grace and mercy will be yours. Above all else pray for others for your strength is their strength. In this we are one in HIM.

Here is a card I wanted to post yesterday but that didn't happen, obviously. The card is partly precut, namely the window. I can't provide the supplier since neither Jill nor I know who it is.

She said she didn't know what to do with them so she gave them to me. After giving it some thought, which also gave me a headache, I came up with an idea to use one some of the thousands of photos taken over the years. Now you know why the headache. I chose Longwood Gardens in Longwood, PA. This is one of the Dupont estates. It is huge and always fascinating to visit. We have been visiting for close to 50 years now. If you are ever in the area it is worth the visit. Plan on a full day though. You will not regret it.

First, here is the front of the finished card.

 Copics used for the windows are RV10 and RV11. The Wallpaper is Lost & Found floral & stripe. The sentiment was created in Word. Here is a shot of the window open.

Now, it wouldn't be one of my cards unless I did something different and unusual so I did this.

Hey,now! The brick is my design. I will leave the pattern at the end of the post and it is a freebie. The colors used to color the brick (Copics of course) are E08, 09, 37, 89 & 99. Looks cool huh? It was an inspiration to have the inside and outside wall finished as well as show what the view is. Here is just the photo.

The photo is copyrighted so please do not take it. Sorry but the back of the card is not finished. Next time. That is it for the card for now.

Here is the promised brick wall(s). 

This is the aged brick

  This is the new or smooth brick.

Enjoy. That is it for the week. I hope you enjoyed the post and found it interesting. Cherokee will be joining us next post. That should be interesting. I don't know if I will get a card posted but we will see. Until then, remember to Love The Details.

June 10, 2014 Special Edition

Friends are a special gift with a place of honor in the heart of those who receive them.



There have been many definitions for friendship but living up to any of them is something few are able to do. They come in many different flavors but they are always there in time of need and, at times, even give their lives for us. I would not expect the sacrifice of a life for me but it is comforting to know that some are willing to give up time and put forth effort to solve a problem even when not asked to do so. They are there in good and bad times to offer support and to comfort. There is no judgment or finger pointing but advice or a shoulder if needed. All of these things and more are what a friend is.

1792 Best Definition

An English publication offered a prize for the best definition of a friend, and among the thousands of answers received were the following:
“One who multiplies joys, divides grief.”
“One who understands our silence.”
“A volume of sympathy bound in cloth.”
“A watch which beats true for all time and never runs down.”
But here is the definition that won the prize: “A friend—the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”
—Selected

1793 Tribute To Friendship

    I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you;
    I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me;
    I love you not for closing your ears to the discords in me, but for adding to the music in me by worshipful listening;
    You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. You have done it just by being yourself.
    Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.
—Author Unknown

Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (pp. 463–464). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

Now we come down to brass tacks. The post. This a very unusual card for me. No image(s). I recently saw several posts that were dedicated to a parent who had passed and thought it to a be a good idea for a card. So here is the front of the card.

I have often wondered what we are paying for when we buy a card and the back is bare and what did my $8 or more buy? The back of my card.

Nice idea card companies. Now I got my monies worth. Front and back together.

The left side was not done to match the front edge. After all the front is the focal point. The inside is finished this time as well.

Jill asked me, "who the card was for since I am sitting right here." Now you have your answer. In remembrance of those who have gone before us.

My list of supplies:
Stampendous peel and stick gold leaves
Unknown peel and stick hearts
Sizzix Vitaj embossing folder (Never Used)
Spellbinders - Heartfelt Creations "Decorative Lace Border" (trimmed to my needs)(Never Used)
Spellbinders - Shapeabilities "Nested Hearts" (Never Used)
DCWV Inc. - Glitzy Glitter Card Stack
 Sentiments were computer generated in WORD.

I will not be entering in any challenges unless they are for very special reasons. Darnell at http://www.djkardkreations.com/ is celebrating her 500+ follower. I can't think of  a more special reason. This one is for you Darnell. No one will be happier if you hit 1000 followers than me. 

June 5, 2014 Proclamed

“I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight. And as we fly, we still may not know where we are going to. But the miracle is in the unfolding of the wings. You may not know where you're going, but you know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you.”
― C. JoyBell C.

No comment per se today. Instead I offer Psalm 34. The blue underlined words are the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.



PSALM 34

In Praise of God’s Justice

Of David, when he had feigned insanity before Abimelech, and Abimelech sent him away
Aleph
1. I will bless Yahweh at all times, his praise continually on my lips.
Bet
2. I will praise Yahweh from my heart; let the humble hear and rejoice.
Gimel
3. Proclaim with me the greatness of Yahweh, let us acclaim his name together.
Dalet
4. I seek Yahweh and he answers me, frees me from all my fears.
He
5. Fix your gaze on Yahweh and your face will grow bright, you will never hang your head in shame.
Zain
6. A pauper calls out and Yahweh hears, saves him from all his troubles.
Het
7. The angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and rescues them.
Tet
8. Taste and see that Yahweh is good. How blessed are those who take refuge in him.
Yod
9. Fear Yahweh, you his holy ones; those who fear him lack for nothing.
Kaph
10. Young lions may go needy and hungry, but those who seek Yahweh lack nothing good.
Lamed
11. Come, my children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
Mem
12. Who among you delights in life, longs for time to enjoy prosperity?
Nun
13. Guard your tongue from evil, your lips from any breath of deceit.
Samek
14. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
Ain
15. The eyes of Yahweh are on the upright, his ear turned to their cry.
Pe
16. But Yahweh’s face is set against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
Zade
17. They cry in anguish and Yahweh hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
Qoph
18. Yahweh is near to the broken-hearted, he helps those whose spirit is crushed.
Resh
19. Though hardships without number beset the upright, Yahweh brings rescue from them all.
Shin
20. Yahweh takes care of all their bones, not one of them will be broken.
Taw
21. But to the wicked evil brings death, those who hate the upright will pay the penalty. 
22. Yahweh ransoms the lives of those who serve him, and there will be no penalty for those who take refuge in him.


The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Ps 34). New York: Doubleday.

This will be a short post today. I have created a note card today. The image is from Our Daily Bread called "The Grunge Cross". The image itself is deceptively difficult if you decide to color it completely. If you like a challenge, and I do, this will be fun.

Copic colors: R27, E41, BV13, BV11

Vision Elite Gold Gel Impact Pen

The gold was not very impressive when done with the Copics so it was colored over with the gel impact gold pen. Still unimpressive I know but it will serve as a background for an overlay. I stamped the image again and fussy cut the gold cross part to use as a stencil. I laid it over top of the image to be sure it would cover the parts I wanted and then I flipped it face down on the back of a sheet of AC Cardtock Gold glitter Paper, temporarily taped it down and fussy cut it out. I laid the new cross over the image to make sure it would work.

I took a piece of gray card stock and cut it to 3 3/16" X 4 13/16" and folded it in half. (I know it is precise but that is just the way it turned out) I cut white card stock 3.25" X 4.625" And folded it. I used Scor-Tape to fasten the gray cardstock to the white card stock. The same tape was used to fasten the image to the gray card stock. The glitter cross was glued to the image with Tombow Liquid glue. This is the result.

It just did not seem finished so I to a die cut from Memory Box and and used it to embellish the back of the card.

There you have it. A little note card from me to you. Except for the coloring it took about 2.5 to 3 hours to do. For me that is FAST. hope you like it. For now I will say thank you for visiting and please leave a comment. Remember to LOVE THE DETAILS. 

May 25, 2014 I Am

I exist and therefore I Am.

 

 Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life is or where you are going? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself "who am I?" Have you ever stopped and said "I want to go here" when here is somewhere clouded in mystery or unclear? Is it a destination that someone else has achieved or is striving for? Have you set your sights on something invisible or undefined? We all have our dreams and expectations in life. Some are realistic some are not. Some will achieve what they perceive as their "goal" and are not happy there. Some have gotten there at "all cost" and have found the prize wanting. Actually most of it is empty. What we expect in life is constantly changing and our goals will never be fully realized. That may be an uneasy or even defeating realization and feeling. I have looked at many things and said that would be nice or that would be great. Is that where you are happiest, in the world of dreams? My word study brought me to a surprising place. In scripture Moses asks God to tell him His name. Depending on what scripture you read it appears in different forms but they all stem from the same place. "I AM WHO IS." What God is telling Moses is I Am and therefore Who I Am. The past, the  present and the future. The happiest people I know are those who just know that they just are. The past, present and future will take care of itself and they are here in this moment. They are those who would tell you if asked, "I just am." I Am, are you?

Moses then said to God, ‘Look, if I go to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,” and they say to me, “What is his name?” what am I to tell them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am he who is.’ And he said, ‘This is what you are to say to the Israelites, “I am has sent me to you.” ’ God further said to Moses, ‘You are to tell the Israelites, “Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” This is my name for all time, and thus I am to be invoked for all generations to come.

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Ex 3:13–15). New York: Doubleday.

This past week has been a struggle in some ways. Through all of it we all must endure. Today is the here and now that is to be lived. The card I am sharing tonight has been one that most of you can relate to. It started out easy and turned into mistakes, mis-queues, errors, cover ups and just about everything that can go wrong with a card. I am not going to tell you what they are since I have jabbered enough already. Here is the card. 

The Image was colored several months ago. It is from Inky Impressions. Meet Nickie. This is a fairly new company and has some of the nicest images around. Give the a look. This image is a sweetie don't you think?

  I am fairly happy with this card. I did this over several days when there was time. There is  a lot going on here as you can see. I have to confess it is nothing like what I wanted to do but if it could go wrong it did. 

The list of materials is rather long so here it is.

Image "Shy Little Nickie" by Inky Impressions
Copic colors: G02, R43, B24, B91, E0000, E000, E00, E25, E33, E57, E95, E97, E99, R000, RV000, RV11, RV13, RV95, T3, T5, T8, 100
Copic Multiliner Maroon 0.03 & Black 0.05
Verifine Black Onyx stamp ink
Glitzy Glitter Cardstock Stack
Tim Holtz Doily Stencil THS018
IO Die  172-1
Gary M. Burlin & Co Clear Embossable Window Plastic
Spellbinder Oval Nestabilities Die

Well that is it for today. I will post again toward the end of this week or the beginning of next week God willing. Until then the LOVE THE DETAILS.

May 18, 2014 Ageing

Aging is that time in life where everything is wrinkled.

    The wife and I were discussing life and getting old the other day and generally agreed it sucks like sour grapes. Getting old means standing together in front of the bathroom mirror and comparing medications to see who takes the most or who has the most wrinkles. My mother had an index finger with arthur's ritus that caused her finger to point slightly downward. If she pointed at you and didn't say anything you would check to see if your fly was open. Lot's of fun at parties I'm sure. Getting old sucks!
    I used to make fun of age spots and didn't understand what they were. One day I notice a spot that was in a place where it was clear skin but now is occupied by a brown spot. Each day it seems to be more prominent. Bleach doesn't remove it so it isn't a stain. The doctor says its an age spot. Getting old sucks.
    Have you ever noticed that you have some hair on your shoulder but it was the wrong color so it wasn't yours. When you look next to you there is a gent wearing a rug that does not match the hair around the sides but does match the hair on your shoulder. A shedding hair piece? Uh, OK! Getting old Sucks!
    Have you ever sneezed and realized your partial has departed. After a VERY discrete search you spot it leaving the premices stuck to someone's heavy cleated shoe. Now what? Getting old sucks.
    We all have gotten up and left a room only to forget what you were going to do. Upon returning through that very same doorway you suddenly remember what it was you were going to do. Now you go through that door way and halfway to where you were going, YEP, forgot again. You go back thinking you are going crazy and, Yep, now you remember. THE DOORWAY DUMMY. IT'S THE DOORWAYS FAULT. Solution? Write it down so the doorway can't make you forget what the heck you wanted in the first place. Grip that little piece of paper like it was your last ten bucks until you make it to the next room and if you still remember keep it until you get to where your going and drop to your knees and hold it to heaven and say "THANK YOU LORD, I REMEMBER, I WROTE IT DOWN."  Getting old sucks!
    My dear wife is always asking me if we are having fun yet. I always tell her that no one has explained to me what fun is. Some times I laugh just because everyone else is laughing. To this day I still wonder what the punch line was. Punch line? What was the joke? Fun huh? Hope my fly isn't open! Getting old sucks. 

       "This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

The Revised Standard Version. (1971). (Ps 118:24). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

 Now that we have that out of the way I need a nap. Old age you know. LOL. That brass plate that I mangled. It is now a mangled card. I should take my nap and make you wait but that wouldn't be Kosher...er...Christian. TADA. What were we talking about? OH yeah. Its on my little sheet of paper. Lets see......" show them the card DUMMY." Here it is......
 

 This was the foil image before attempting to make a card. It was surprisingly easy to do a card using this image. 

I used paper from The Mariposa Matstack for the cover. Used an oval Spellbinder die to provide the window for the image. Scor-tape was used to attach the image to the rear of the opening temporarily. A 9"X6.5" piece of card stock was scored and folded to make a top fold card measuring 4.5" high X 6.5" wide. Scor_tape was used to firmly attach the card face to the card. The tape was run across the back of the foil several times to insure a firm hold and attached to the card body.
A second designer paper from Lost & Found #2 was used to create the inside of the card. 

  Peel and stick silver chain and strips were used to finish the inside of the card and to create a highlight frame for the front image. The two spellbinder die cut feathers were colored with Copics and added as embellishments. T colors are E35, E37, E50. There is a bit of detail that I figured out how to bring out by positioning the two lights used for photographing the the card.

 As you can see there is some detail visible that is not visible on the other photos. That is it for now. As long as I don't have to go through any doorways or forget to write down what I want to remember I will share more next time. Remember to LOVE THE DETAILS.

May 14, 2014 Hidden Treasures

Our days are filled with hidden treasures if we dare to look for them.

When we speak of treasures the first thing that comes to mind are treasure chests filled with gold or finding a long lost major art piece at a yard sale or in the trash. Really? Those odds are not in the millions to one, they are are in the billions to one. That is not long odds, that is to the moon without a space ship. There are better treasures than that and at a cost anyone can afford. The COST? Yepper! There is a cost. Time and an open heart. I have decided not to join in on challenges or get myself tied up in clubs or clicks. If that makes me different, GOOD. It is more important to realize our treasure is in each other and that we share that specialness through what we share. Have you ever heard anyone say, "But, but they get on my nerves, and, and I don't like what they create!" or "That isn't my taste in creating things." or "They never stop by and comment." REALLY?? As you judge so you shall be judged. If you say there is nothing positive to be found you haven't looked hard enough. I admit there are times I feel that way, at which point I must pause, back up and take another look. If I see nothing, I move on. Be sure that I will return because nothing is without merit. Only evil is without merit. Where do your hidden treasures lie? Psalms 119:11-12 "In my heart I treasure your promises, to avoid sinning against you. Blessed are you, Yahweh, teach me your will!"

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Ps 119:11–12). New York: Doubleday.

I am off on that "which way did he go George" path again. Yeah, I jumped off the horse and climbed onto the jackass and am headed off to who knows where. OH, I KNOW! Lets do something different. HEY! Stop groaning. WE are going to burnish some 3" armor plate. UUUHHH! Belay that. We are going to take a piece of 36 gage brass foil and create an image on it. What are I goin' to done with it. I dunno. But we gonna' done it any who.

(WARNING: DO NOT USE SHARP OR POINTED TOOLS. YOU WILL RUIN YOUR WORK) and I don't have enough band-aides to go around.  
It has been years since trying this. Don't ask how many, cuz I ain't tellin'. This was about 4 1/2 hours from start to finish. I thought it was fun myself. Here is the list of things you will need. There are pictures for those that don't like to read and explanations for those that don't know what they are looking at. (That would be me) If that doesn't help stop back on the next post. I'll understand.

36 gage tooling foil (comes in Brass, Copper and Aluminum. Brass shown)

Tape for the edge to prevent cuts (not Shown)

Band-aides if you don't tape the edges (Too graphic to show)

3/8" stiff foam pad (mouse pad or even a stack of old magazine will do)

Tape to hold the work to the pad (packing tape will do since metal will try to lift)

A pair of old shears or small tin snips

A burnishing set (if you have a paper craft burnishing set it will work)

Hardwood clay molding tools (some sets have the metal ball end tools)

Sharpie or other pointy marker

Tracing paper

An image that fits the foil size you will use.
(the image should not be the same size as the foil but 2/3  to 3/4 the size of the foil.)

You will also need a pencil and an eraser. If you are like me the eraser will be needed even thought it will only be used for tracing.
A ruler.

I cut my foil to a 4"X4" square. I then took Heavy Post It tape, cut four 4 1/2" strips and covered all four edges of the foil. I will not need the Band-Aides, will you? Next I laid the foil on the mouse pad and taped it down securely with 3M packing tape. Set the pad and foil aside and cut a piece of the tracing paper and tape it to the image with minimum tack tape. Trace your image. Trim the tracing paper with the image on it so it will fit the foil . My image is roughly 2 1/2" on a side so I made sure it fit in the center of the foil. Tape it fast to the foil and packing tape making sure no tape is on the image. (If you were to have tape on the image it will be difficult to impossible to trace through.

Now the fun begins. Take the smallest metal ball ended burnishing tool, Mine is 1mm, and, pressing down firmly, trace the outlines on the tracing paper. Don't miss any. It will make it harder later if you do. Make multiple passes if need be to assure a good outline. When you are sure your out line has been transfered to the foil, remove the tracing paper. Looks pretty good, huh?

From this point on it is a matter of using the other tools to press the metal inside the image to form the features desired. I used the metal ball ends to "fill" in between the outline by gently but firmly rubbing until the different areas produced the desired features. Once that is achieved I used the wood burnishing tool to smooth out the rough spots and to give a finished look. The finished product is not bad. Very much and amateur job but a good start. Have a look.

It doesn't show up well in a photo but then again neither does any shiny object. The lines are much more defined than you see here. The lines you see faintly around the image were left when I used one of the wooden tools that looks like a serrated knife to flatten the brass foil. Notice the tape is still on the edges. The 4.5 hours was needed. You need to be patient in this process. It is worth it.

This project was inspired by a very special lady and friend, Bibiana who is a very talented and extraordinary artist. Please be sure to visit her. She also does wonderful tutorials.

I am sure you will let me know how dumb and inadequate my little tutorial was. Cherokee likes it. The image that is. I will trim it and ruin it by trying to make a card with it or something. Oh well, if it gets ruined I can use it for target practice or something.

Next time the card or a chunk of metal with holes in it. SMILE. Remember LOVE THE DETAILS.

May 7, 2014 Life's Details

The details of life are only for those that live life moment by moment.


I find that if I do not take an interest in the details of life there is always something that seems to be missing. That is not to say that I sit in judgment of life but that a part of what is my life is incomplete. Often there are moments when I pause and realize I have been dreaming and not living. Even the mundane is a lesson in living. There is a spiritual side to all of this that must be seen as well. After all, our journey is one that has a definite start and finish. Our life is the classroom. If I pay attention in class I can graduate with eternal life. Think about that for a second. Does that not mean paying attention to the details of living my life? In class were you taught to pay attention if you wish to graduate? It is up to us to live our lives and allow others to live theirs. My life can only be lived by me and your life can only be experience by you.

How He Lived

    Not, how did he die?
      But, how did he live?
    Not, what did he gain?
      But, what did he give?

    These are the merits
      To measure the worth
    Of a man as man,
      Regardless of birth.

    Not, what was his station?
      But, had he a heart?
    And how did he play
      His God-given part?

    Was he ever ready
      With word of good cheer
    To bring a smile,
      To banish a tear?

    Not what was his church?
      Nor, what was his creed?
    But had he befriended
      Those really in need?

    Not, what did the sketch
      In the newspaper say?
    But, how many were sorry
      When he passed away?


Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 735). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

Today is an example, as I would hope all of my posts would be, of loving the details. I have another image from Technique Junkie called "Young Girl." The stamp was very difficult to get a good clear image. It took 7 sheets of card stock, 2 images per sheet, before I had a good image to use. I do not know if it was me, the stamp or what but here is the image.

The card is nothing more than the image on card stock. It was a case of not wanting to ruin anything and have to try again. Here is the card

Copics were used to color the image. They are as follows:

Skin: R00, Rooo, R0000, RV0000

Eyes: E42, RV000

Lips: RV23

Hair: T1,T2, T4

Shawl: Y04 and faded with the 0 blender

Blouse: E42, G40

Background: BG000

There is not sentiment in it but I had made up one that reads "Love You & Miss You" but if the card is given as a gift I want none on the inside.

I tried to use two of the bad images and they were total disasters. I thought about posting one of them but decided not to. This one was a two day project as it is. I hope you like it.  That's it for this edition. Keep well and remember to always Love The Details.

May 1, 2014 Heavens Gate

Since this is a rather long post I will dispense with my usual Bible word study and comment and get down to business. This is an off-cycle post for me and I wanted to finish this card to enter it into a Cornish Heritage Farm challenge for Thomas Kinkade. So here we go.

I posted the image some time ago in a segmented post so you could see the progress of the image as it was done. For the sake of saving time here are the colors I used.

Remember? 66 of them. Whew! Well for the card we can add one. Y28 was used on the front of the card. I created a window or aperture card. A bunch of pieces had to come together to make this work. It is a top folding card. It didn't photograph well but here it is. I got tired of pushing the shutter button.

The Gold frame and gate are fastened to the acetate with Scor-tape cut into tiny squares to keep it from showing. This is the only place the acetate is fastened to the card. The gold frame was fussy cut since I have no suitable die for the purpose. The acetate flexing makes it look like a terrible job but I assure you it isn't. The embossing frame is from Marianne Design. I altered it for my purposes. The strip across the top is to hide the tape that is holding the acetate to the card. It is an embossing background from Cuttle Bug that I found in a bargain drawer. The gate die is Spellbinders "Gilded Gate." Both the frame and the gate are fastened directly to the acetate.

The sentiment on the front and inside the card are actually from an song by Fred Blom (1867-1927) called " He the Pearly Gates Will Open", Tr. by Nathaniel Carlson (1879-1957).  I changed the wording slightly to fit the theme.

On the inside of the card the die cuts in the top corners are salvaged from scraps destined for the trash. I know, not quite a dumpster diver but I can't see throwing something out that is usable. No idea what they are from. The seemingly black background is actually deep purple. Of course it would not be complete without this on the back of the card.

I entered this into the Cornish Heritage Farms Challenge. The link is here.

 Whewee! I feel like I just ran a marathon. I hope you enjoyed this venture. Probably will be my only challenge for awhile. I hope you like what you see. Until next Wednesday at the earliest remember to LOVE THE DETAILS.