Live the Virtues

Hi there, friends,

Recently I hosted a swap of pages for a  "Virtues Book."  Each participant chose a virtue and illustrated the chosen virtue on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card stock page - front and back, and then decorated and embellished it.  We each designed our own cover and chose our own binding method.  I used my Paper Drill to drill a hole in the upper left-hand corner, then  fastened it together with a metal binder ring.  Finally, I added several black and colorful yellow ribbons to the metal ring.  This darling little book is  now displayed on my coffee table.  I love doing collaborative projects because they showcase so many styles of personal creativeness -- always a delight to see.  This beautiful little book will be wonderful for times of meditation, to sit and reflect on the meaning of each virtue and how Jesus teaches us to seek them and let them become a part of who we are.  I like, too, that it will be a constant reminder of how God is molding me to be more Christ-like in my character.  Best of all is, and it's no accident I'm sure, that I'm always finding my dear Lord right in the middle of my paper crafts hobby.  Awesome and all to His glory!!!
Hope you enjoy looking at our book. 
Blessings.
Annie

OK, time for the show to start - enjoy.



Title Page

Virtues Poem




Tranquility - Lisa Barber (Front)

 




Tranquility - Lisa Barber (Back)

Carol Cone - Courage (Front)

Carol Cone - Courage (Back)

Joy - Mary Darnell (Back)

Joy - Mary Darnell (Front)

       



Patience - Peg Waldron (Front)

Peg Waldron - Patience (Back)

Kindness - Phyllis Schaffer (Front)

Kindness - Phyllis Schaffer (Back)



Forbearance - Ronnie Lorenz (Front & Back)

Charity - Ann Lancaster (Front)

Charity - Ann Lancaster (Back)

 

Envelopes Galore!

My newest tool purchase was this Envelope Punch
Board by We R Memory Keepers.  Ooooh, I love it!  I'm confessing that a problem I have is to just jump right in and try to use a tool before I've read the directions with understanding.  Well . . . it was only one line that I missed when skimming over the directions; however, it was an important one.  So I only messed up two times before my friend Sharon stepped in to see why I was having difficulty.  In the blink of an eye, she quickly spotted what I was doing wrong and set me on the road to successfully punching out envelopes.  It was so fun that I couldn't stop!  Really! 

To start with, I used some 12x12 scrapbook paper that I had purchased on sale for $.10 a sheet.  Next time I'll delve into some of my special papers.  I used the scraps from the 12x12 sheets to make the matching cards.  Here's a link to a video tutorial (that I found after the fact):   http://store.scrapbook.com/wr-71277-0.html  And for a bit of inspiration, here are a few sets that I've made:

  A variety set of 6 would make a great little gift and you could make and embellish a little box to hold them.  To make boxes I use Aleene's Box Maker, another great little tool.  Wishing you lots of fun with your paper arts and may God bless you,

Annie

Twelve Unlikely Heroes

I was captivated by “Twelve Unlikely Heroes,”  written by John MacArthur.  He painted such vivid portraits of people in “Twelve Ordinary Men” and “Twelve Extraordinary Women,” so I was really looking forward to reading this book.  Once again he has captured the essence of twelve people in the Bible whom God chose to use to accomplish His purposes.  At first glance, they seem anything but heroes, but who today could walk 300 years with God and please Him everyday.  “As a saved man, Enoch’s life was characterized not by harsh legalism but by the joy of intimate communication with his Creator.”  Wow, that is so awesome! 

Looking at Joseph, we see that he grew up in an environment of family tension and strife.  Joseph was spoiled by his mother and was his father’s favorite son.  When his mother passed away Joseph’s brothers began to treat him with hostility and resentment.  And it certainly didn’t help matters when his father Jacob sent Joseph to spy on his brothers to make sure they were doing their work properly.  Joseph was a tattletale.  It’s a familiar story how Joseph was sold to owners of a caravan and carted off to Egypt.  Who knew that this smug, proud, troublemaking little Hebrew boy would be chosen by God to rise up to unheard of power among the Egyptian royalty and free his people from slavery!

The stories of Miriam, Gideon, Samson, Jonathan, Jonah, Esther, John the Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, Mark, and Onesimus are just as amazing.  The message of this book is to show that God can use anyone for His good purposes.  You don’t have to be an exceptional person because God can do the exceptional with plain, ordinary people.  Through our weaknesses and imperfections, God will showcase His power, wisdom, and love.  From the heart, thank you John MacArthur for this lovely, inspiring book.

I received this complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishing through their BookSneeze program.  A positive review was not required and the opinion expressed here is my own.

Ms. Maddie Hatter

  Hello blogging friends!  What a beautiful Sunday afternoon we're having here in Wenatchee.  Since I had to come inside to cool off from the heat of the sun, I decided to show you what I've been creating for the past week or so.  My church is having a Mad-Hatter Tea Party and we've been challenged to decorate a hat and wear it to the tea.  Naturally, there will be a prize for the owner of the hat that is voted best hat.  Woo, woo!

I thought it would be fun to go as "Ms. Maddie Hatter" (with name tag also saying AKA Annie).  I plan to wear white pants, a white jacket, a red top, a small red fabric purse with red shoulder strap, and red shoes.  Yep, I think I'm going to have some fun with all of this!

I moulded the hat and brim from chipboard, then covered them with a beautiful white specialty paper.  The tulle rose trim around the brim is from Stampin' Up.  (It's only available until the end of May - it won't be in the new catalog, I'm told.)  The red feather was stamped on red card stock (Stamp A Mania), and the butterflies are from a Martha Stewart punch

The flowers were made using two shades of red, but all from the same die - the Sizzix Quilled Rose/Carnation.  I quilled the dark red roses, but separated the petals and glued them together to make the light red flowers with white center.  For the tea cup, I found a template on line at www.layersofcolor.com called Paper Tea Cup and Saucer.  Actually, it was fairly easy to put together.  I cut out one set using the flowered scrapbook paper and then another set using red scrapbook paper, gluing one cup inside the other; same with the saucer.

Well, that's my tea party hat - I can hardly wait to wear it.  Thanks for letting me share this project with you.  Wishing you a blessed week. 

Annie

Hearts-a-Plenty

The love month is just around the corner -- February, of course!  Chocolate and flowers and chocolate and valentines and chocolate . . . you get the picture . . . all given and shared in the name of "love."  Hummm, what a romantic month.  At church "God's Love" is the theme for my library promotion table this year.  I'll have lots of books, DVD's, CD's and Music CD's on display, and available for check out, on marriage, relationships, loving your neighbor, loving acts of kindness, and especially about the love of God and Jesus, His Son.  I can hardly wait until tomorrow when I can start decorating!  Our library has greeting cards available to purchase by donation, with all funds going toward the purchase of new library media.  So for the past few weeks I've been busily creating greeting cards with a variety of hearts on them.  Each card was made 2 or 3 times so I'm talking about a LOT of cards.  Some people see stars -- I see hearts!  I've posted a lot of them for you to view.  Maybe you'll see a design that you'd like to use. 
Blessings, Annie

        

A Wreath of Snow

“A Wreath of Snow,” by Liz Curtis Higgs.

 On that cold, snowy evening of Christmas Eve when Meg boarded the train, the last thing she expected was to run into a man from the past who, when he was a teenager had caused great pain for her family.   When Gordon Shaw overheard the conductor saying Meg’s name, he realized he knew this young woman.  Unsettled by the chance meeting, stammering and embarrassed, Gordon could only say “Gordon” when introduction could no longer be avoided.  At this point Meg still had not recognized this handsome stranger and believed that Gordon was his last name.  Being a man of faith and moral principal, Gordon was working out in his mind how to set right this misunderstanding.  He also was trying to put the words together to confess that he was the teenager who lost his grip of the curling stone handle that struck her brother and caused his paralysis 12 years ago.  However, before Gordon could speak, the train shuttered and came to a violent stop, throwing the passengers this way and that.  Thoroughly stuck in a snow drift, the train could neither go forward nor back up. 

This is the beginning of a story of lies and secrets – Gordon pressed by Meg to keep his true identity from her parents; Meg wanting to hide her part in deceiving her parents; and the brother Alan deceiving everyone for 12 years.  But it is also a story of love, repentance, and forgiveness.  As Gordon’s heart always sought to follow the leading of the heavenly Father, he must live by his belief that light is better than darkness and the truth is better than lies.  Thus, Gordon took the first step that brought healing to his heart and started a chain reaction of events that eventually led to exposing the darkness and bringing healing to Meg’s family.

“A Wreath of Snow” is the first book I’ve read which was written by Liz Curtis Higgs.  I was captivated by her portrayal of Gordon’s close walk with the Lord.  It was so simple and natural and trusting.  I could “feel” Him in Gordon’s life and how it seemed that He just reached out from the pages of the book into my own heart.  I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Liz Curtis Higgs.

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogging for Books book program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

A Christmas Card Making Party!

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of hosting a Christmas card making party at my home for some of my church family gals.  Amid laughter, eating, talking, laughter, eating (get the picture?), we did manage to make a few cards.  What a fun memory-making time we had!  I wish I had a recording to play for you – you’d have to join the laughter just from listening to it.  Anyway . . . here are the 3 card designs we made.  I did the embossing and die cutting ahead of time with my Cuttlebug.  I really like the new Spellbinder Christmas dies.  How did we ever get along without this invention???

Spellbinders Frosty Forms & Spellbinders Labels 18

Spellbinders Lacey Circles

Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia & Cuttlebug EF Disressed Stripes

While shopping for cardstock, I made a great find in the Christmas Stories double sided paper line – Christmas Bingo cards – 12 to a sheet.  Immediately I thought this would make a great ice-breaker game for my party.  I could hardly wait until I got home so I could get started.  After cutting out the Bingo cards I glued them onto a rectangle of heavy weight Christmas paper and added a small embellishment at the top.  Next I went to my stash and pulled out some kids’ white letter tiles, glued a red CS square inside, used stickers to make the Bingo numbers, then covered the inside with Diamond Glaze by Judi-kins, giving them a nice clear, glossy finish.  Next, in that same “stash” I had a white box (like a pencil box or a cigar box) that I had purchased about 6 years ago and now, finally, found something to do with it, so out it came to be decorated which was accomplished by using some wonderful, beautiful Graphic 45 Christmas paper from the "Christmas Past Collection."  The finishing touch to the box was adding the name of the game on the lid using brown wooden letters and a button in each corner.  And finally I rounded up a bunch of small colored buttons (with lots of red and green) and put them in a clear plastic container to use as the game pieces.  Oh, the name of the game you ask, “Button Bingo” of course.  Oh, well, maybe not the greatest choice, but it was all I could spell with the number of wooded letters I had on hand. J  Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of how it turned out.  We had lots of fun with it – too bad we only had time for one game.

 In case I don’t have time to post again before Thanksgiving, please know that I’m thankful for each one of you and pray that our Heavenly Father abundantly blesses your family gatherings on Thanksgiving Day.

Annie

Another Good Book!

From the first page of “Rare Earth,” by Davis Bunn*, I was drawn into the tension and intrigue as Marc Royce begins his assignment in Kenya, where he was sent by his employer, Lodestone Associates. Lodestone was a major provider of armed security services around the world. In Kenya, Lodestone was supplementing UN security details, also providing Medevac helicopters, field hospitals, and personnel. It recently had added a new division that provided emergency relief supplies. The U.S. State Department was receiving information that someone at a very high level of power was providing extremely profitable supply contracts to a corporate ally in return for kickbacks. But now things were heating up. The State Department was receiving rumors that Lodestone was up to something far worse. Marc was undercover in Kenya as a field agent for Lodestone, but in actuality he was a covert op for State Department Intel. Action and danger was expected by Marc when he entered Kenya. What he did not expect was that he would become so personally involved with the people whose land had been stolen and who barely survived in the squalor and chaos of the refugee camps. And he certainly didn’t expect to become involved with the cause of the lovely Messianic Jew, who was an aid worker at the Red Cross camp.  This is a wonderful story of how Marc Royce, a group of displaced Christian tribes in Kenya, and a kibbutz of persecuted Messianic Jews in Israel, work together toward a common goal of bringing justice and finding a place that can be called "home."  


Once again Davis Bunn made his characters jump to life from the pages of the book. He provides just the right amount of detail and description to draw you into the story, all the while building layers of suspense and action. As badly as I wanted to know how the story ended, I was sorry to finally reach the end. I really liked these characters and wanted the story to somehow carry on. It seems that Davis Bunn always has a great story to write. I look forward to his next one.

*This book was received free through Bethany House Book Reviewers in exchange for my unbiased review.

Is there a Jezebel in your Life?

“Confronting Jezebel:  Discerning and Defeating the Spirit of Control,” by Steve Sampson was originally published in 1996. During the following years, he continued to study more about the evil spiritual principality of control and in 2012 he published a revised and expanded edition. The author shows us that more than the name of an evil queen, Jezebel is a spirit of control who works its evil on men and women with passive spirits.

Mr. Sampson does an excellent job of explaining the Jezebel principality – the characteristics of a Jezebel, the sinister strategies of Jezebel, what it’s like to see a Jezebel in action and the damage it can cause, with one purpose: to work against the move of God’s Spirit. Amazingly, the people who have a Jezebel spirit of control can have a magnetic attraction, especially to believers who have little or no interest in learning about spiritual warfare. Passive believers can be easily manipulated by people with a Jezebel spirit of control. They are dazzled by the strong leadership qualities of a Jezebel, while behind the scene the Jezebel is planting seeds of discontent, mistrust, and doubt. Their lack of knowledge and preparation makes it impossible for them to even recognize the effects of demonic forces. The author goes on to teach us how to confront and battle the Jezebel spirit of control, all based on biblical truths with scripture included. “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].” Eph 6:12.

I definitely would recommend this book as one everyone should read. It will really open your eyes and make you aware of how important it is to put on “the whole armor of God.”

*This book was received free through Bethany House Book Reviewers in exchange for my unbiased review.

Altered CD and Radiant Pearls

Hi friends,
This afternoon I've been busy making a card for a swap so I thought I would share with you what prompted this particular card.   In an online stamp club that I belong to, 2000 Stampers, recent discussion has been about coloring mediums.  Copic markers were mentioned several times.  Most said they loved the Copics but hadn't been able to master the shading technique.  I have to admit that I haven't invested in Copics because most of the time I don't have the patience to spend enough time shading.  I did take a class one time from Ellen Hutson using Copics and the results were fabulous.  Using a less expensive medium, I pretty much can get the same results using a paint brush doing watercolor with Marvy Markers.  If I had a bigger arts & crafts budget, then . . . .  But you know how that goes.  I might be tempted yet.  In the meantime, one of the coloring mediums that I like to use is Radiant Pearls. This CD was altered by stippling it with several colors of Radiant Pearls.  Stippling is a fast way to cover an area and make a background for stamping.  I used Memories dye ink for the stamping.  Stazon might work ok, but I haven't tried it yet.  To embellish this Altered CD, I stamped an image on vellum, roughly tore around the edges, and used a Thermo-o-web vellum adhesive runner to attach it to the CD.  I love this adhesive - it does a super good job of being invisible.  Lastly, 3 flower buttons were added.  To attach the CD to the Card I used Scotch Adhesive Transfer Tape.  This is another tape that I think is wonderful and is absolutely the best to use on pages of altered books.  If you use glue to stick the pages together they become stiff, but with the transfer tape, the pages remain pliable and soft.  If you've made some altered CD's, I love for you to leave me a link where I can see them.  If you haven't tried this technique yet, then I encourage you to give it a try.  If you mess up the first one, toss it in the waste can and grab another CD.  There seems to be a never-ending supply coming through the mail.  Happy stamping and may the Lord cover you with His love.
Annie

Time Out for Romance

“The Fiddler,” by Beverly Lewis is a sweet story about the chance meeting between a young, beautiful Englisher  woman and a handsome, charming Amishman.  Having lost her way in a rain storm, followed by a flat tire, and no cell phone service, Amelia Devries began to feel frantic, thinking she would probably have to spend the night in her car and wait for daylight before she could look for help.  As she sat staring out in the blackness, she caught a small glimmer of light in the distance and thought she saw a faint outline of a cabin in the clearing.  Making up her mind to check out the cabin, she got out of the car and sloshed through the water and mud to the cabin. 

When Michael Hostetler opened the cabin door, he was definitely surprised to find a beautiful, but wet and bedraggled, young woman standing in his door way.  When he found his voice, he invited her in, showing every kindness by providing a towel, some dry clothes, and a hot cup of tea.  Surprisingly, they felt quite at ease with one another and soon were sharing stories about their very different backgrounds.  Interestingly, they found that they had one thing in common – they were both trying to leave a life that was planned by others, definitely not what each personally longed for.  During the months that follow, Michael and Amelia develop a deep friendship with an undercurrent of romantic interest and an unexpected longing to spend time together.  They find that they share many of the same personal troubles.  As they continue to share their problems, trying to help each other find solutions, their budding romance is also challenged by many cultural obstacles.

Actually I prefer to read action and suspense novels, but once in a while it’s very relaxing to read a slow-paced book that’s almost like a fairy tale.   It was very interesting to read about the Amish and learn that living an Amish Plain life is not always as happy and peaceful as it’s made out to be. 

This is the first book I’ve read by Beverly Lewis.  Although I probably won’t have time to read many of her books, I would recommend it to those who like to read love stories.

*This book was received free through Bethany House Book Reviewers in exchange for my unbiased review.

Best Fishes for Birthday Wishes

During our church stamping get-togethers, I've had several gals ask how I figure out how I'm going to make a card.  So I decided to share with you my thought process when setting about to make a card -- it's actually probably fairly similar to what you do yourself.  I'd be interested in knowing how you work it out.  Needing a masculine birthday card, I started browsing through all my stash to see what I could pull together.  One of the things I love to do is pull out the possible stamps that I could use and then start the process of coordinating the matching scrapbook papers, card stock colors, and embellishments.  But not too many options or I'll feel overwhelmed.  Once I get everything laid out and look it over, most of the time a design just pops out at me.  On this particular card, I selected 3 or 4 fish stamps and 3 or 4 sentiments, then found several patterns of scrapbook paper that would coordinate with the fish stamps.  Next I pulled out several colored sheets of card stock that would coordinate with the card stock.  Having it all spread out before me, I find it really easy to decide which combination to use.  This card was perfect for my pastor as he loves to fish.

Card Front

Card Inside

This next card is one I made for some friends who just bought and moved into a different house after spending about 35 years in their first home.  The house stamp is one of the first Denami stamps I bought in 2000.  It's one of those stamps that I can't let go of but rarely use.  Funny how we can get so sentimental about our stamps. 

Now that I've had a break, rested and cooled off, I'm ready to go back to the flower beds and work another hour in some shaded areas.  The temp is in the 90's, but it's just too beautiful to stay inside.  Hope you're having a great weekend.  May the Lord bless you all with His quiet presence.

Annie

FEARLESS, by Eric Blehm

Saying that this book deeply impacted me seems like hardly enough to cover the range of emotions I experienced while reading it. This is the true life story of Adam Brown, who was a Navy SEAL operator serving in Afghanistan with the elite DEVGRU team, otherwise known as SEAL Team Six - the group that took out Osama bin Laden. He was an extraordinary man of faith, love, kindness, courage, compassion, and bravery. He was a man who gave his all for God, family, his SEAL Team brotherhood, friends, and country. Although I knew how the story would end, I really couldn't bring myself to believe it. Adam was shot down while on his last team mission in Afghanistan.

As he was growing up, Adam wanted nothing more than to be the best that he could be at whatever he did. When he became a teenager, his goal was to wear his high school’s football jersey, even though he was undersized. With gritty determination, Adam accomplished everything he set his mind to. After his high school years, Adam fell in with the wrong crowd and soon found himself in a downward spiral of destruction. His recovery began when he gave his life to Jesus. He stayed on the road to recovery because of his unshakable faith in God, the love of his wife Kelly, his family, and his newly determined goal – to become the best of the best – a U.S. Navy SEAL.

This was my first look into the world of Navy Seals. I was absolutely fascinated. The applicants are well screened to even get a foot in the door. The men who do get accepted begin a strenuous, dangerous program of training. Only a small percentage reaches the next tier. Adam's goal was to reach the top tier – DEVGRU – Naval Special Warfare Development Group. The DEVGRU SEALs are “one of the United States’ premier Special Missions Units, capable of executing top-secret missions anywhere in the world.” Adam pushed on with great courage and determination. With his unflagging faith in God, he overcame every obstacle - a crushed leg, almost losing all the fingers on one hand, blinded in his right eye which eventually had to be removed, arthritis, back problems, constant pain. The training never stops. Once a Seal begins missions, most of his time between missions is spent in more training. That's why they are the best of the best.

The author Eric Blehm interviewed ten of the men from SEAL Team SIX. Seven of those men “. . . were locked and loaded on a CH-47 helicopter that was approaching a landing zone in Wardak Province when an insurgent-fired rocket-propelled grenade struck the aft rotor blade, causing the CH-47 to crash into a dry creek bed and explode. Everyone on board was killed: thirty U.S. forces and seven Afghan soldiers.”

In disbelief the author said, “Never could I have imagined that nearly every SEAL I’d visited with and spoken to about Adam Brown would perish in the single worst loss-of-life incident in Naval Special Warfare history.”

As he did everything in life, Adam Brown carried out his last mission fearlessly. He is truly an American Hero. He is truly an American to be proud of. My heart is broken for what he and so many others have sacrificed for me. My heart weeps for the families left behind who also sacrificed for me.

May the Lord bless and protect all our soldiers.

Annie

The Truth about the Lordship of Christ

 

“The Truth about the Lordship of Christ,” by John MacArthur is one of three books in the Truth Series.  After reading this one, I am inspired to also read the other two, “The Truth about Grace,” and The Truth about Forgiveness.”  These books are teachings of the core aspects of the Christian faith.  Whether you are a newbie or a well-seasoned Christian, learning for the first time or just being reminded and refreshed in your convictions, “The Truth about the Lordship of Christ,” is a book that will definitely speak to your inner spirit.

John MacArthur is a skillful writer and teacher who draws you right into comparing the life you are living with what God is willing for your personal relationship with Him.  The book has only six chapters, but they are wonderful chapters full of knowledge, assurance, biblical references, encouragement to believers, and explaining the consequences to unbelievers who deny Christ.  The chapter titles are:  Lord of the Universe; Lord in Our Lives; Daily Submission; Holy Living: Confession and Restoration; and Ultimate Destination.  Mr. MacArthur delves deeply into God’s character and purpose and how it applies to our daily walk of faith – things like the sovereignty of God, that only God can declare us righteous, the importance of repentance and of receiving a renewed mind, salvation. God wants us to have a Christ-like character, to become sanctified.  John MacArthur explains, “Sanctification is the continuous operation of the Holy Spirit in believers, making us holy by conforming our character, affections, and behavior to the image of Christ.”  What a loving and merciful God we have, who wants to make each of us like His own Son!  How grateful I am for that privilege.  I absolutely loved this book and recommend it be put at the top of your book reading list.

I received this complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishing through their BookSneeze program.  A positive review was not required and the opinion expressed here is my own.

Robins & Birdhouses

Hi friends!  Are you stuck inside the house this afternoon like I am.  I just couldn't brave that wind today.  Although our spring time has seen a lot of rain showers and cloudy weather, there still have been enough days of sunshine to get outside and work in my flower gardens.  There's just something special about digging in the dirt and planting flowers.  And a special treat is watching the birds and listening to their sweet music.  I have a special little corner in the garden where I can sit very quietly and watch them dance and hop around in the branches overhead and listen to them sing to each other.  And I often think of Matthew 6:26 where Jesus says, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?"  What assurance it is to know that God will provide for my every need just as He does for the sparrows.  Wow!

My card, today, is not of sparrows but of robins.  I always get so excited when I see the first robin -- and the first ladybug, too!  I'm participating in a swap where the challenge is thinking outside the box when it comes to the shape of the card.  We're to make any shape except square or rectangle.  So as I was searching the web for some ideas, I found this adorable birdhouse card on a blog called "Create! With Dee."  Dee has a great video tutorial on her blog that you can check out here: 
http://createwithdee.typepad.com/my-blog/2011/05/video-template-for-birdhouse-card-.html

So here's my take on it, and now I only have to make about (gasp) 13 more (a few extra than what the swap calls for).  This is just an adorable little card and the paper combinations are endless.

Dee doesn't give written instructions, but she does list all the supplies and tools she used.  In case you want to make one of these sweet little things, I've listed a few measurements and tips:
1.  The birdhouse is cut on the fold of a 4 1/4" x
     11" piece of CS, folded in half.
2.  For the roof, cut two 1" x 4 1/2" pieces of CS.
     Dee ran them through a crimper but I used a
     Cuttlebug EF called Distressed Stripes.
3.  Since I don't have a 1 3/8' round punch, I used a 1 1/2" round punch and it worked just fine.

Hope you give it a try!
Annie

When I Was a New Mama . . .

Boy, does this bring back memories!  Being a book lover, I began to read to my son when he was only months old, and then carried on with my granddaughters as they were born.  This story is exactly the kind that I liked to share with them.

“God Gave Us You,” is a very sweet little board book written by Lisa Tawn Bergren and beautifully illustrated.  It is about a Papa and Mama polar bear and their Little Cub.  One night as Mama was tucking Little Cub into bed, she asked, “Mama, where did I come from?”  There follows a delightful and loving conversation where Mama answers questions from Little Cub and explains that Little Cub was a truly treasured gift from God.  Papa and Mama were so excited and even the angels in heaven were celebrating because Little Cub was growing inside Mama.  As Mama’s tummy got bigger and bigger, Papa talked to Little Cub and sang to her because he wanted Little Cub to be born knowing his voice.  They prayed every night to God that Little Club would have straight bones and a strong heart, but most of all that someday Little Club would love God.  Mama continued with the story and when she came to the end, Little Cub went happily to sleep because she knew that God had given her to parents who wanted her and loved her very much.  The story is so touching that I believe if you read it to your child, he or she will truly feel like a gift from the Lord.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review and really enjoyed it.