Little Love Animals

Today I wanted to join up with Unity's Friends With Flair (FWF) and share these cards that I created with the new Meow. Purr. Baa. kit:

I am so excited about this new kit (and the Roar. Grr. Eek. kit, too!) and can't wait to see what others create with them!

{See more cards I created with these new kits on my blog post from yesterday.}

PS - They are both available for only $6 each with this weekend's fantastic sale - be sure to add them to your cart!

Baa. Card Supplies: 
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 130#);
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Miss Caroline - Fiddlesticks);
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (Meow. Purr. Baa.); 
Colored Pencils: Prang (17, 18);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

Meow. Card Supplies: 
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 130#);
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Follow Your Heart - Be Happy);
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (Meow. Purr. Baa.);
Twine: The Twinery (Solid Natural);
Colored Pencils: Prang (14);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors, Circle Punches); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

All Kinds of Happy {Unity Stamp Company}

Today is a busy blogging day for me! 

Looking for my SEI Guest Designer post? 

Click here.

I'm squeezing in again today to Unity's hop to share a couple cards I created with a new kit I designed, "All Kinds of Happy".

During this weekend's sale, you can get the new "All Kinds of Happy" stamp kit FREE with a $60 purchase...not to mention the free sentiment stamps you will get with every $10 you spend.

("All Kinds of Happy" will be available for purchase after the sale is over.)

For both of these cards, I did a bit of paper piecing. I designed this kit (and last week's new kit, "Hello Birdie") specifically with big, open areas and clean lines that are easy to paper piece and/or to color.

I hope you will have as much fun with these new kits as I am having!

Here is a look at the Hello Birdie Kit that was released last week:

And here are two new kits that I created (only $6 each this weekend!):

This one is called Roar. Grr. Eek.:

And this one is called Meow. Purr. Baa.:

And if you like the new kits, you may also enjoy "Flowers for a Friend" - a former Stamp of the Week that is now available to purchase for non-SOTW members:

Don't forget: for today's blog hop, Unity is giving away two great prize packages! Be sure to leave a comment on each blog in the hop (including the Unity blog) to be entered to win. (The winners will be announced Monday night on the Unity blog.)

Continue hopping on through to the Unity blog, and then go shopping!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Oh Happy Day & Happy For You Cards Supplies: 
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 130#); Papertrey Ink (Rustic Cream);
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Lime Twist - Life of the Party 6x6);
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (All Kinds of Happy);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

Go Wild. Card Supplies: 
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 130#);
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Stella & Rose - Mabel 6x6);
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (Roar. Grr. Eek.);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors, Circle Punch); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

Squeak. From All Of Us. Card Supplies: 
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 130#); Papertrey Ink (Rustic Cream);
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Cut & Paste - Adorbs 6x6);
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (Meow. Purr. Baa.); 
Twine: The Twinery (Solid Blossom);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors, Circle Punch); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

Two Cards and a Tag {SEI Guest Designer - Day 2}

Hi again! I am excited to be back again today to share a few more SEI projects with you!
(I hope you stopped in yesterday to check out my mini album.)

Today I've got two cards and a tag to share - again using products from the Club SEI March 2015 Paper Crafting Kit. For each of today's projects I used a 3x3 journaling card (or two) from the perforated sheet along with some solid and patterned papers from the kit.

For my first card, I started by layering a solid and a patterned paper that I had previously cut to 4x6 (I thought I might use them in the mini album that I shared yesterday). I simply added a few leaves from the Kraft Chips package and two 3x3 cards from the perforated sheet (included with the kit) to finish off my card.
(Note: White cardstock base not included with the kit.)

For my next card, I went with a simple approach - just a solid paper, a piece of patterned paper, and the "lovely day" 3x3 card from the perforated sheet (all included in the kit). Sometimes you just need a quick card...and this card was certainly quick to assemble.
(Note: White cardstock base not included with the kit.)

I had some small scraps left over from the mini album and cards I had created, so I decided to give them new life on a tag. I layered a couple patterned papers to create the background and trimmed a 3x3 card to fit the top of the tag. Then, I used another 3x3 card (which I trimmed to accentuate the flag look) for a sentiment. I threaded the hole with brown grosgrain ribbon (from the sundries package) and then tied a little twine bow through the button to hold it all in place.
(Note: Tag base and twine not included with the kit.)

The Club SEI March 2015 Paper Crafting Kit has been so fun to work with and I still have a lot left to create with!

Thank you for joining me again today! Have a wonderful day!

Supplies: 
Patterned Papers and Embellishments: SEI (Club SEI March 2015 Paper Crafting Kit);
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 130#);
Twine: The Twinery (Buttercream);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

Hello My Love Mini Album {SEI Guest Designer - Day 1}

Hello there! I am excited to share that I was asked to be a Guest Designer for SEI!

It was so exciting to open my Club SEI March 2015 Paper Crafting Kit - it was packed with a fun selection of papers and embellishments!

It was great to have some project instructions included...but I must admit - I'm not often accused of following directions. ;o)

Today I would like to share with you a mini album I created using products from the Club SEI March 2015 Paper Crafting Kit.
(Please be sure to stop back tomorrow as well - I've got more projects to share!)

I started by choosing a theme and color scheme for my album. I laid out some papers and embellishments that I planned to use with the 4x6 album that was included in the kit.

This 4x6 album is where I will be keeping ultrasound pictures and photos of my pregnancy progress, and I thought the title "Hello My Love" (created with Kraft Chips) was fitting.

The stickers and embellishments included in the Club SEI March 2015 Paper Crafting Kit made it so easy to decorate and fill the pages of this mini album. I used a variety of patterned papers from the kit to fill each photo sleeve and I can easily slide in pictures and add journaling as my pregnancy progresses. With three kids already at home and another on the way, this 4x6 album sure does make memory keeping easy!

Thank you for stopping in today - see you back here again tomorrow!
Supplies: 
Album, Papers, and Embellishments: SEI (Club SEI March 2015 Paper Crafting Kit);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); 

Book Review :: Only God Can Make A Kitten by Rhonda Gowler Greene, illustrations by Laura J. Bryant

Only God Can Make A Kitten is a new book written by Rhonda Gowler Greene and illustrated by Laura J. Bryant. (I have reviewed other books by Rhonda Gowler Greene in the past, and this one is by far my favorite of hers that I have read.)

The story is written in rhyme and follows a mother and her children as they discover a variety of things that remind them that God is the creator. (This is not a story about kittens, but is more generally about what "only God can make".)

The illustrations are nicely done and in a soft color palette - a good accompaniment to the story. (I personally prefer the interior illustrations over the cover image.) 

I love the concept of this story and think this is a fantastic reminder for all of us to look around at all the amazing things that God has created. I look forward to reading Only God Can Make A Kitten with my children many more times. 

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Book Review :: Princess Faith Sticker & Activity Book - inspired by Jeanna Young and Jacqueline Johnson, pictures by Omar Aranda

The Princess Faith Sticker & Activity Book contains 16 full-color pages with a variety of activities and 50 reusable stickers that any 4-8 year old girl is sure to enjoy. 

The activity book also has a small story that runs through it about Princess Faith. (Princess Faith is one of five princesses in The Princess Parables series. The others are: Joy, Grace, Hope, and Charity.)

The activities in the Princess Faith Sticker & Activity Book are simple and a range of levels - some may be too difficult for a 4-year old to do on her own, some may be too easy for an 8-year old to hold her interest, but altogether there is a good range. Here are some of the types of activities included:

• Finish the picture with stickers
• Finish a drawing
• Color the picture
• Word Search
• Decode the message
• Count the items
• Find items in a picture
• Compare two pictures to find the differences

At under $4 retail, the Princess Faith Sticker & Activity Book is a great value and would be a fun gift for a little girl in your life. 

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Book Review :: Patriots, Redcoats, & Spies by Robert J. Skead and Robert A. Skead

Patriots, Redcoats, & Spies is a juvenile fiction novel written by father/son team Robert J. Skead and Robert A. Skead. The Skeads have family ties to the Revolutionary War, so this book seemed to be particularly special for them. 

Patriots, Redcoats, & Spies is a 19-chapter, 192-page novel (the actual text of the story covers from page 9 through page 174). There is also some additional bonus material:

• Note from the Storytellers
• Acknowledgements
• Discussion Questions
• Historical Characters
• Glossary
• Letters by General George Washington
• Excerpt from the sequel: Submarines, Secrets, & A Daring Rescue

There are a few black and white/line art illustrations included, as well. (There are 7 total illustrations spread throughout the story.)

As for the story itself, the year is 1777 and 14-year old twin boys (John & Ambrose Clark) are tasked with getting a top secret message to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. The boys' father (Lamberton Clark) is part of the Culper Spy Ring, and must pass his mission on to his boys after being injured.

Patriots, Redcoats, & Spies keeps a steady pace right from the start. The book is interesting, start-to-finish.   

I enjoyed reading Patriots, Redcoats, & Spies and have passed it on to my 9-year old son to read. We will also be keeping our eyes out for the sequel, Submarines, Secrets, & A Daring Rescue, scheduled to be released in August of 2015.

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Hello Birdie {Unity Stamp Company}

I am thrilled to be able to sneak into this week's Unity blog hop!
Although I am not technically a part of the Unity Design Team, I am one of Unity's Artistas...so I was able to squeeze my way in. :o)

I am so excited to share my cards with you today. To create them, I used a new stamp kit that I created (Hello Birdie) - available from Unity Stamp Company.

During this weekend's sale, you can get the new "Hello Birdie" stamp kit FREE with a $60 purchase...not to mention the free sentiment stamps you will get with every $10 you spend.

("Hello Birdie" will be available for purchase after the sale is over.)

Don't forget: for today's blog hop, Unity is giving away two great prize packages! Be sure to leave a comment on each blog in the hop (including the Unity blog) to be entered to win. (The winners will be announced Monday night on the Unity blog.)

Continue hopping on through to the Unity blog, and then go shopping!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies: 
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 130#);
Patterned Paper: American Crafts (Dear Lizzy - 5th & Frolic 6x6);
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (Hello Birdie);
Twine: The Twinery (Solid Honeydew); 
Colored Pencils: Prang;
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

Adventures in Bible art & journaling :: Week 7

Here are the pages from week 7 of my Bible art & journaling adventure:

I have been thinking about Easter lately, and this was a quote (adapted from the Exultet) that my husband and I printed up and gave out at Easter last year:

This one was inspired by a Psalm that was referenced in a lesson at church:

Obviously, this was a pretty sparse week as far as Bible journaling goes...but that's how life is sometimes. 

Now, to get back to it...

Thanks for dropping by today!

Find all my posts pertaining to Bible art or journaling here.

Supplies: Bible: Zondervan (NASB Note-taker's Bible);
Colored Pencils: Prang (various colors); Pens: ZIG (Millennium); Sakura (Pigma Micron); Sharpie (Pen.);

Book Review :: Easter Stories and Prayers (Little Blessings) by Kathleen Long Bostrom, illustrated by Elena Kucharik

Easter Stories and Prayers (Little Blessings) is a padded hardcover book containing 4 stories regarding topics surrounding the Easter season. It is written by Kathleen Long Bostrom and includes illustrations by Elena Kucharik. 

Easter Stories and Prayers is a compilation of 4 (previously separately released) Little Blessings books: 

• Why is There a Cross?
• Who is Jesus?
• What is Prayer?
• What About Heaven?

Each of the 4 books included in Easter Stories and Prayers is written in rhyme. The stories are very sweet, and can lead to some great discussion with young children. Quite a few of the pages in each story have Scripture references in the upper corner of the page, so you can read the referenced verses and take these topics a bit farther. The books are each about 25-35 pages long (including illustrations). I have seen some of the illustrations from these books in other Little Blessings books that we own, but that didn't make this compilation any less special.

With four sweet books in one for under $8 retail, Easter Stories and Prayers is a great value. A perfect addition to any Easter basket!

FTC Declaration: Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Just Believe Card

For this card I stuck with some of the supplies I had used in other recent cards, but used a different card design and also added that wood veneer piece (colored with two colors of Color Shine):

I just can't get enough of that Flea Market collection! Love the colors and style.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies: 
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink (Harvest Gold); 
Vellum: Papertrey Ink (Vellum);
Patterned Paper: American Crafts - Crate Paper (Maggie Holmes - Flea Market);
Other: (Wood Veneer - Bird);
Mists: Heidi Swapp (Color Shine);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board); Tim Holtz (Tiny Attacher);