For today's inspirational Sunday post, I'm sharing a beautiful inspirational Valentine I received from my friend Suzie this week. Not only is the artwork lovely (featuring the triple time stamping technique), it has a message of God's love for ME. Inside the card is the Bible verse, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world..." I'm usually encouraging others to send handmade cards, but lately I've received a few myself. I can tell you that they make my day! And this one was such a special reminder, in the middle of my work week, that God loves me:)
Stampin' Up! supplies:
Stamps: You are Loved rubberstamp set
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pads
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso Cardstocks
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch
As the whole country was celebrating love this week with Valentine's Day, and doing so via a holiday inspired by a godly man expressing God's love, I thought it was so very appropriate and so special to receive an inspirational Valentine card reminding me of His love. The Bible speaks of three types of love:
agape-unconditional love
phileo-brotherly love
eros-romantic love
Although each type of love is significant and even beneficial, agape love is the most important and farthest-reaching. I'm so glad God loves you and me unconditionally...no matter what! And although we want to think we love people unconditionally, it's just not possible in our human nature. Apart from God's love within us being expressed to others, it just won't happen no matter how hard we try.
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God..." I John 3:1 KVJ
So as Valentine's Day has come and gone this year, continue to bask in His love, that is unconditional and knows no end. It strengthens us, builds us, comforts us, and fills us. If you are looking for a church home in the San Antonio area or are visiting our great city, come visit us at Tower City Church where my husband is the pastor and the congregation is great at expressing God's love:)
To wish you a Happy Valentine's Day today, I have a little Stampin' Up! Valentine treat to share with you. Since it's coming to you via the internet, it is calorie free! In real life, there is definitely chocoloate:) And I was totally inspired by one of Angie Juda's projects when I made this one.
This is one of the treats we made in my rubberstamp clubs and is a great example of the fun projects we make in club. At each rubberstamp club meeting, we make 2 different handmade cards and a 3D item. The 3D items are the "little somethings" like this Stampin' Up! Valentine treat but include other fun treat holders, bookmarks, paper flowers, picture holders, and more. The 3D items are one of the "core values" of my rubberstamp clubs:) In addition to showing the incredible versatility of papercrafting, they allow us to use the supplies we have already gathered for card-making and use them in another way...bringing surprise and delight to our friends, co-workers and loved ones.
Another "core value" of my rubberstamp clubs is the Big Shot. We use the Big Shot at every monthly meeting, providing training to all members. If you want to get a Big Shot, you get free training in my rubberstamp clubs. And if you don't want one for yourself, you get to enjoy mine when you come to my rubberstamp club meetings:)
Stampin' Up! Supplies:
Stamps: Delightful Dozen rubberstamp set
Ink: Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper: Real Red, Pretty in Pink cardstocks; Subtles Collection Designer Series Paper Stack
Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Scallop Square Die, Word Window and Decorative Label Punches, Regal Rose 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Stamping Sponges
So, Happy Valentine's Day to you! If you are not already part of a rubberstamping club, I invite you to learn more about mine. It's a fun way to gather papercrafting supplies on a budget, get some free Stampin' Up! products, and enjoy a free rubberstamping class, too. I can't wait to stamp with you!
My daughter Tiffany and usual Friday guest blogger is here today handydandyhelper.blogspot.com). On my blog, Tiffany mostly shares Stampin' Up! fabric projects and other craft projects. She is a very resourceful SAHM and has a great share for us today with a Valentine theme...of course! Here she is:
I'm excited to share this fun Valentine craft with you, perfect to get little ones involved! These Button Valentine hearts are a perfect way to decorate door knobs, swag around a candle or bottle, adorn a Valentines tree etc...and your little ones will have a fabulous time creating them:)
And all you need to get started is: Buttons, Medium Weight Wire, Ribbon...and that's it! No messy glue! Yeah! I used assorted Stampin' Up! buttons as well as some others I had in my stash.
For more pics and directions, click here. Once they are made, you can give them away and spread a little love:) You can make a little box with Stampin' Up! products. Here's mine: This quick and easy project Valentine project is affordable and fun. Thanks for letting me share! Tiffany (handydandyhelper.blogspot.com)
We had such fun stamping in my Stampin' Up! Valentine class last night! Gathering with other ladies that love doing the same thing...well, it's just great. The projects are the icing on the cake! (We made 4 cards and 2 treats--I'll get a pic of the other treat and show you later in the week.)
One of the things I love best about stamping is the social aspect. I meet people I never would have if not for stamping. Many of us become friends, others become special aquaintances.
I often say that you get a double blessing when you stamp:
You are so blessed when you create something--it's a great feeling and really feeds your soul in a special way. If you are in the doldrums, rubberstamping has a unique way of lifting you out of them. And if you are already doing, well, you will be even happier when you finish stamping! I believe it's because we tap into our creativity--part of the unique gifting imparted to us by our Creator God.
You are blessed again when you give your project away (and we do give away most of what we create:). People are grateful for your heartfelt, handmade expression of love/friendship/caring. It makes their day!
But I would like to add a third blessing to my list of rubberstamping blessings:
Social gathering. Although we do stamp alone, we also stamp in groups. Whether in clubs, classes, charity events, or other gatherings, we stamp together...often. And when women gather together, doing something they all enjoy, great things happen! Conversation flows, help is given, new interests are piqued, and frienships are born.
Such is the wonderful world of stamping! If you haven't yet tried rubberstamping, don't delay. Jump in now! I have plenty of events you can try out. Please check out my calendar here.Contact me today, and I'll help you find an event that will connect you to triple blessings! (210-355-5729, or candy@sweetstamper.com) I can't wait to stamp with you!
For today's Sunday inspirational post, I'm sharing the Valentine Make & Take we made at my recent Spring Catalog Open House. I love little favors/treats like this as they are simple and affordable to make, enabling us to spread a lot of love and goodwill. I mean, who doesn't love Pixie sticks?! For those of us "mature" folks, they bring us right back to childhood. For the young, they are just a super fun treat. I created another version of this same Make & Take, featuring Dr. Who, on this blog post. Check it out! Scroll down for a supply list, but first, a word about the real reason for Valentine's Day.
Would you like a little history lesson on the real St. Valentine, the one who brings us to a day when all the world celebrates love? This excerpt is from just4kidsmagazine.com, an online resource for Christian families. I often find that historical information written for children is a great way to get history basics without more information that I'm looking for!
"St. Valentine was a priest near Rome in about the year 270
A.D. At that time the Roman Emperor was imprisoning Christians for not
worshipping the Roman gods. During this persecution Valentine was arrested.
Some write that he was arrested because he was performing Christian marriages,
but others say it was for helping Christians escape prison.
During the trial they asked Valentine what he thought of the
Roman gods Jupiter and Mercury. Valentine said they were false gods and that
the God that Jesus called Father was the only true God. So the Romans threw him
in prison for insulting the gods.
While in prison, Valentine continued to minister. He witnessed to the guards. One of the guards
was a good man who had adopted a blind girl. He asked Valentine if his God
could help his daughter. Valentine prayed and the girl was given her sight. The
guard and his whole family, 46 people, believed in Jesus and were baptized.
Because these people had come to know Jesus, Valentine praised God right there
in his prison cell. When the emperor heard about this he was furious that
Valentine was still making converts even in prison, so he had Valentine
beheaded.
Valentine knew that he might get caught in his Christian
activities. He knew that if he told the court the truth about the Roman gods
that he would be thrown in prison. And he knew that if he continued to witness
to Christ in the prison he would make his captors angry. But he continued,
because he loved the Lord and his fellow humans. He was willing to risk his
life to free the prisoners and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to those
who needed to hear it.
The Bible Says: "No one has greater love than this, to
lay down one's life for one's friends."(John 15:13) God showed us this
love by coming in Christ to die for our sins. And St. Valentine demonstrated
this love when he died for his friends. This is the kind of love that
Valentine's Day is really about."
Make some Valentine favors to pass out to friends, family, co-workers, schoolmates, neighbors, and more. As you give them away, share the love of God, and watch the smiles:)
Stampin' Up! supplies:
Stamps: Happy Valentine Heart single stamp (part of the Stampin' Up!Valentine treat bundle (132771)--single stamp plus 1 pkg (50 count) of the 1" x 8" cello bags
Ink: Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper: Whisper White Cardstock; Red Glimmer Paper; More Amore Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Full Heart Punch, Small Heart Punch, Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Staples
Please be aware: theValentine Treat Bundle is only available through Monday, January 21st. It's an incredible deal: single stamp plus 50 treat bags for $5.95.
I have a share for you today featuring the single stamp, Candy Conversations, in the Occasions Mini Catalog. There is no pun intended that we are having a candy conversation ourselves right here online since my name is Candy and we are "chatting"! But never mind. Although this is my Saturday Sample, I'm really off my regular blogging schedule.
I normally post daily but got significantly detoured with the holidays and then Stampin' Up! Leadership and then my own vacation with my hubby. Although I can't make up for time missed, I can deliver some great new posts, and that is my aim! Lots of great creative inspiration...for stamping and life!
The lovely sample above is one of many I photographed at Leadership a couple weeks ago. One of the fun things they did for us is set up clotheslines and allow us to peg our card samples that we entered for a card contest. It was super fun and a great way to display all those entries.
I do love classics, and the classic red and white color combination for the handmade Valentine above is perfect. It hits all the right notes and is a perfect Valentine to give a man, woman, or child. That is incredible versatility, and it comes with those classic colors and images. Plus, it's an easy card to make!
Here's the recipe. * denotes Occasions Mini Catalog items.
To purchase any of these supplies, hop over to my online store: candystamps.stampinup.net. Click on Products and Shop Now and then browse and shop to your heart's content. It's easy, it's fun, and it's creative:)
Send Me Soaring is just one of the many great new stamp sets in the Occasions Mini Catalog. This is one of the great swaps I received over the past few weeks, and I love the use of the somewhat non-traditional colors in this handmade Valentine.
The hearts on the Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper, also from the Occasions Mini Catalog, bring the Valentine theme into focus. They are also textured, adding another layer of interest to this handmade Valentine. With punched shapes, a little dry embossing with the Big Shot (another mini catalog item, Adorning Accents Embossing Folders), a little Pinking Hearts Border Punch along an edge, a touch of ribbon (a free Sale-a-Bration item), trendy colors, and a fabulous stamp set (Send Me Soaring), this handmade Valentine is full of special details and personality.
Learn to make great handmade cards like this by joining one of my stamp clubs in San Antonio. It's monthly creative fun! Contact me today at 210-355-5729 or email me by clicking on the Email Candy button to your left. Click here to learn more about my clubs. There is room for you, and you will love it!
Bordering on Romance is one of the fabulous new stamp sets in the Occasions Mini Catalog and is available beginning today. This lovely stamp set has images that are great for watercoloring and/or just coloring. Here's a sweet handmade Valentine card I created using Bordering on Romance (125480 wood mount, 125482 clear mount) and the new Twitterpated Designer Series Paper. I like the use of non-traditional colors in this handmade Valentine. The red is still there, the signature Valentine's Day color, but the other more muted tones give this handmade card a soft, sweet, old-fashioned look that isn't fussy.
Notice also the Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details (125585), super shiny and colorful glitter glue. It's so easy to use, and the color is vibrant. Most red glitter glues are clear with red glitter--and look really tacky. Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details is red all the way through! I also used 2 of the 5 hearts in the new Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die (125596)-shown below. Another fabulous Stampin' Up! exclusive Big Shot die!
Check out the new Occasions Mini Cataloghere. And if you don't have your own copy and would like one, email me by clicking on the Email Candy button to your left. I'll get one into your hands for your own enjoyment and inspiration.
