PROJECT H.O.P.E.

What is PROJECT H.O.P.E?  I'm sure many of you already probably know from reading Ronda Wade's Facebook or Blog posts that she has established a charity. However, it is worth repeating and passing the information on to everybody; hence, my update today is to spread the word.

Project H.O.P.E. (helping other people experience God's love) is dedicated to "helping others in times of need to experience God’s love through prayers, cards, and donations."  To accomplish this goal we need you as part of our prayer and card warrior team.  The Bible says: 

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” -- Luke 6:38.

After sending out cards the other day, I cannot even put into words how on one hand, I felt pain for those individuals going through difficult times, life-threatening illness, or even death.  On the other hand and at the same time, I felt blessed beyond words because I am able to make just a tiny difference in someone's life by praying for them and sending a card so they can experience God's love in a tangible way.  My gift has returned to me in full and more!!!  Take time today to visit Ronda's Project H.O.P.E. web site (still in the process of being expanded) and join our team.  Let me know if you sign up and/or if you have any feedback/questions or write directly to Ronda.

Here are a couple of the cards I sent last week on behalf of Project H.O.P.E.: 

  

A stamp set I haven't had out in a long time, but perfect for the little guys in the hospital undergoing cancer treatment. Did I mention that this is a good way to use your discontinued SU product?



Another old (but great) stamp set I haven't had out in a long time, using the stamp sanding technique (behind the oak tree).

On a lighter side, I want to share some pictures of what goes on at my place during the summer.  We have so much fun and I'm already missing the picnics and swim days.  And yes, I love to swim and do all of the silly things below when I am swimming.  My plan is to keep on doing this for as long as my body allows me to get around (however, today the bones are really creaking).  So I am now officially announcing the pond is closed for the season.  Let the leaves begin to fall, the pumpkins adorn the house, and the bonfires begin!!!


I accidentally started a bonfire that got a little out of hand.  This picture was taken after it had burned about halfway down).  My granddaughter Holly is helping me with the water buckets.

  

My daughter Tricia (in middle) and some of the grandkids are really enjoying the weather!!

 

Ethan, Tricia, and granddaughter Emily acting like little kids but having a blast. (No, you are not going to see my picture.)

 

The younger grandkids decided the grown-ups were having too much fun so decided to get in on the act with their dad, Ethan.

Have a beautiful weekend!!
Sandi

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." -- Acts 20:35
Lord, thank you for your blessings that enable me to give in your name.  But help me today, Father, to receive in your name as well as give.

TRIPLE EMBOSSED MASKED BACKGROUND

Well how about that for a Title!?!?  Okay, I have wanted to do a "double" embossed card for ages, but the technique just wasn't clicking in my head (no surprise there).  Finally, after my 3rd different video, it clicked in my head.  So yesterday for my RubberQueen meeting swap, I decided, "Hey, now that the light-bulb went off and I understand this technique, why not do a "triple-embossed" swap card.  The card was very simple, it took me a lot longer to figure out the correct depth I needed for my shims (I think all Big Shots have a different pressure when rolling your embossing folders through them).  So after taking about 2 hours making all kinds of shims (for different types of embossing folders), it took about 5 minutes to do the actual card.  You can see Sage Kimble's video HERE on how to do double-embossing.  Thank you so much Sage for your great video and making "double-embossing" understandable for even people with a burned out light bulb!!  Here is my card:


Yes, this card is very, very plain!!!  I knew that and tried to add a ribbon or some other embellishment, but every time I did, it took away from the focus of the card -- which was the embossed flower.  So just use your imagination on what it what look like with an embellishment.  For the triple embossing I used the Tulip, Oval Designer Frame, and Flower Garden Embossing Folders.  I also used the Masking Technique (for a frame around the outside and oval in the middle) before stamping the background with the new Parlor Prints Background Stamp.

 

This was one of our Make'n Takes at Ronda's RubberQueen meeting last night:  a telescope snowman card.  I can't believe this is the first time I have made one -- so very cute!!  This is actually one I made this morning because the one I made last night looked like I was drunk (his mouth and eyes -- LOL).

 

Here it is all opened up.



I just had to show you my yearling buck standing right outside my studio door one morning.  It is not unusual for deer to be out there, but it is the first time I have gotten a good picture of a buck.  The sun was starting to go down for the evening -- usually they are here during the morning.  Click on the picture for a larger view -- he had all this fuzzy stuff on his antlers that I couldn't capture with my camera.


I received some awesome swap cards last night, and will be sharing some of those in my next update.

Until next time,
Sandi

"I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness. . . . -- Joshua 2:12
"Help me make the most of all You've given me, Lord." -- Rick Hamlin