Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Blessings

Hi kids. It's been quite a while since I've had time to write a post. But I've been busy with some blessings! Earlier in October, I had the opportunity to spend a week with some of the most wonderful cardmakers at (what we've come to call it), the Lake House right smack dab on the shores of Prior Lake, Minnesota. Anita, Ardyth, Darnell, Geri, and Kim are just amazing. It was relaxing, productive, and oh so much fun! What a blessing!! I'll have some photos in just a minute... Through the kindness of our daughter, Cathy (and her family), and our next-door neighbor (and as I like to call him, my third best girlfriend), Michael, I had 'round the clock care for my sweet little DH for the ten days I was away. Another wonderful blessing! I left home on the 6th of October and drove to my son Tad's house to visit with them and spend the night. He's that amazing young man you've been praying for. While I have you for a minute, I'll let you know that even the Mayo Clinic could not put a diagnosis to his neck/shoulder/back/arm issues; oh pooh!! He has made some improvements, but continues to have pain pretty much every minute of every day. His attitude, however, is one of Christian grace; he recognizes his daily blessings and is doing his level best to concentrate on them rather than the constant pain. (If you could, I know we'd appreciate more prayers for him....) The next day after a lovely breakfast and some shopping with Marsha and the kidlets for early birthday presents, I headed to the airport, picked up Anita and headed off to the Lake House where Darnell awaited our arrival! Saturday, the rest of the crafty crew arrived! A whole week of craftiness. Ahhhhhhhhh...... Yep, more blessings. We ate at several fun places with good food, including meeting up with Tad and family at Punch Pizza. Oh. My. Goodness!!! If you live anywhere near, or are headed to the Twin Cities, you absolutely must go to Punch for pizza. Delicious. How about a photo or two? These were taken by Kaylin, who is four years old....


It's a little fuzzy, but not a bad photo for a four year old! Meet my super fantastic daughter in law, Marsha. She is an incredible woman, and we love her very much. That's Tad photobombing...silly boy! And the little face belongs to my granddaughter Samantha.


Sorry. Can't identify the fellows in the background, but that's Ardyth waving to Kaylin, with Geri peeking out from behind Anita.


Darnell and Kim. Folks were packed into this place, and they kept coming and coming and coming. It's almost worth the drive from here just to get one of their pizzas...


And here's our "official" photographer giving 'bunny ears' to Grammy. Isn't she just precious?? Our haircolor nearly matches, too.....hahahaha

Since this post is already waaaay too long, I'll cut to the chase with my cards; the first two were made at the Lake House:


Becca Cruger is sponsoring a hop to raise awareness for victims of domestic violence. Please head over to her blog, The Damsel of Distressed, and read. Then make a card and hop along. Much more than a worthy cause. Seriously. Look around you. At the women and children you know. We can help.

Hop_to_Stop_2016



Masculine card for AAA Cards






And one last card for SSS Wednesday Challenge with the theme pink.



After returning from the Lake House, I jumped back into my cooking/cleaning mode. We'd been blessed with company from Phoenix, so have had ZERO time in the craft room. Until this morning. But I'll shut up for today. Will post again soon. Happy dances everyone!




30 comments:

Leigh Penner said...

So happy to hear your life has been full of blessings!

Barb said...

Three beautiful cards Bev. I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time with family and friends. I really enjoyed looking at your photos and you have a lovely family. Hugs, Barbxx

lostinpaper said...

Oh what a wonderful post, and it looks like you had the most amazing time... although I was going to ask if much card making was done lol.

I Card Everyone said...

I know we all share the same thought, Bev ... you well deserved that wonderful time away with friends! God bless, my friend, and such splendid cards! [LOve the dots!!!]
=]

Susanne Vargas said...

So glad that you were all able to get together again and especially that it was made possible for you to get away! Thank you for sharing these fun pictures! And your cards are wonderful: The purple polka dotted sky is so sweet, the second card perfect for the men in our lives, and the delicate flowers on the third are feminine and pretty!

Darnell said...

A great recap, photos, and cards, Bevie! You have been going nonstop for weeks now, so I'm glad you finally got some quiet time to craft and post. I'm especially glad that you had good help for DH so we could all be together! I miss you already!! Hugs, Darnell (PS I think you should make your photo with Kaylin your new blog profile photo!!) xxoo

Anita in France said...

What a lovely post, Bev ... all those happy, happy times ... they were indeed blessings ... as are you! Wasn't it just wonderful?! Love those pics ... especially the one with you and Kaylin, she's such a sweetie! Goodness, you've been even busier than busy ... hope you're still taking care of yourself as well as everyone else! Your cards ... you know I loved the purple polka dots already ... and that cool, masculine stags head ... those spolighted delicate pink scandinavian flowers are just a delight ... gorgeous, gorgeous ... just so you! Miss you, mon amie! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)

shirley-bee said...

How wonderful that family and friends enabled you to have your crafty break with the Babes, Bev - a double blessing indeed :) Gorgeous cards - love the dotty sky, great male card (they're always so difficult!), and lovely delicate pink florals.

Gayatri said...

All your cards are wonderful! Love the pink card. Very delicate and elegant. Thanks for playing along Simon Says Stamp Think Pink Challenge. Gayatri xx

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous cards Bev, both are fabulous but i do love the 'pink' one! the inlaid banner looks awesome and I love the delicate pink flowers, so beautifully coloured :-)

Love your photos too, how lovely to be able to get together with some friends for some crafting fun, I am sure you had a great time :-)

thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and congratulations! YOU have won the $50 voucher! Woo Hoo! :-)
luv
Lols x x x

Jane said...

Love that stag tag, definitely a great idea for a masculine card. Thanks for playing at AAA Cards.

TK said...

Woo hoo! Looky there, Bev! You won SSS Pink!!! Such a gorgeous card!

Joyce said...

Thanks for the newsy post. I enjoyed catching up with you, seeing all those fun photos, and then getting to your cards, which are all fantastic.

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Congrats on your win at SSS - I am sure you are going to do a happy dance, now ! :)

Becca Cruger said...

Hello Miss Bev,
I'm so sorry it's been a little while since I've been by your blog. Slaps own wrist* I have picked up a few community projects lately and consequently have just barely kept my head above water when it comes to blogging. I do hope you'll forgive me!
I'm very jealous of your time spent hanging with the girls! But I'm also happy for you. It looks like you had a blast.
I love the purple polka dots you used for the background of your quaint village. It creates a snowy scene! Thanks for creating a card for the Hop to Stop and helping to raise awareness for victims of domestic violence!

Bobby said...

I'm so glad you got that little respite and had someone to help care for John, Bev. You needed that to re-energize yourself and your lovely cards show it. Purple polka dots with the little scene is darling and so is the little pink number. What could be more masculine that a deer head. Great card.

Janeen said...

Congrats on winning at SSS. This card is gorgeous. I had to stop by and tell you after seeing it on the blog.

Martha said...

OH, Bev, what a fun and heart-warming post & lovely photos. So glad you were able to spend some time with friends.

All your cards are simply lovely. But, the last one really caught my eye. Love the stamping, colors, stripes, and techniques you used on the last card. Beautifully done!

Take care!
HUGS and prayers! ♥

Becca Yahrling said...

Beautiful cards. I especially love the last, so delicate & feminine.

~amy~ said...

YAY you for some much needed girl/crafty time. I love all the photos you shared!

Awesome cards, all of them.

KT Fit Kitty said...

Oh it looks like you had such a fun time with your friends! I recognize some of these crafty bloggers! All of your cards are lovely, but my eye is drawn to the purple one, such a beautiful CAS design. Thank you for supporting this important hop - not an easy subject for anyone but we are bringing it out of the darkness.

Jeanne H said...

I just love your polka dot card in purple and white. Striking. Great seeing more pics of the group meeting at the lake. I met you briefly with them and am so honored to do so. I am still thrilled!

Jacquie Southas said...

Love the pink card with the embossed flag!! So awesome that you were able to get away for another Lake House retreat, Bev!

Kim Heggins said...

Simply sweet cards and what an amazing and wonderful family your have. What an honor it was to hang out with them while enjoying incredible pizza!

Jen W. said...

Yay! So glad you had such a wonderful trip, Bev! So many happy smiles in the pictures I've seen around Blogland of you gals. :) And how cute are those grandkids? So sweet. :)

Loving all three of your cards but especially the third one with those gorgeous flowers. And did I see that you won over at SSS this week? More big hugs!

Monika Skinner said...

Great selection of cards! Each one fabulous in its own way. Have a lovely day. 😃

Darnell said...

Popping back to congratulate you on winning the $50 GC from Simon, Bevie!!!!!! I'm SO happy dancing with you!!! Lots of love, Darnell

cm said...

Blessings, indeed, my friend, in spending precious time with people you love and who love you, deeply, in return! BABES Reunited sounds like a second round of marvelous in every way; the amount of crafting accomplished (such as Darnell's 'over a hunnert' Christmas cards) is impressive! I'm sure all of you are excited about the next gathering! Tad's family: what sweethearts they are, each with a smile that lights up a room! Grandma sporting bunny ears, courtesy of Kaitlin, is awesome! I think she's inherited Grandma's spunk-and-sparkle! Of course I'll continue sending prayers for Tad, that he may experience relief from the perpetual, mysterious pain! As for your cards: awesome, all! I'm especially smitten with the first; the purple polka-dot sky is wonderful!
Hugs, love and misses~c

Kim S said...

What a wonderful post - full of joy and blessings!! I am so glad you got a chance to visit with family and friends. And I will definitely continue sending up prayers. Such a fun mix of cards - love the purple polka-dotted sky, the woodgrain tag and the beautiful pink flower border!

Rose said...

I know I'm very behind with commenting but I just want to say how very glad I am that you were able to get away for awhile. So wonderful for you to be able to catch up with your son & what an amazing week you must have had with all your crafty BABES!
Love your cards!The pink & white is my favourite. So very pretty!