Younique Reflections

Be-Attitudes Faith Blog Hop

2011-09-30T02:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the Be-Attitudes Faith Blog Hop! Every month we choose a theme with which to honor Christ and become closer to Him. We then create a project to reflect that theme and boldly post it on our blogs so that the whole world sees that even our talents belong to Him! This month we have chosen the Beatitudes found on Mathew 5:3:12 and we invite you to hop through our blogs to see the Lord’s Glory manifested through the work of our hands and the stories He has written in our lives. If you arrived from www.mypapertreehouse.blogspot.com, you are in the right place. If you just happened to land here, make sure that you hop on over to www.mypapertreehouse.blogspot.com to begin the journey. Know that we have been praying for you and hope that the Lord would bring you just a bit closer to Himself…

In Matthew 5:3-12 we find the well known Beatitudes. This portion of Scripture is very peculiar because every statement begins with “Blessed are those…” and yet the attribute that is mentioned right after is NOT something desirable before the eyes of the world.

Look at the list of attributes along with the blessed reward:
Poor in spirit: Kingdom of Heaven
Mourn: comfort
Meek: inherit the earth
Hunger and thirst for righteousness: will be filled
Merciful: will be shown mercy to
Pure in heart: will see God
Peacemakers: called children of God
Persecuted because of righteousness: kingdom of heaven
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you

If we were to be honest, we would all say that none of us would like to be considered poor in spirit, or be caught in the midst of mourning. Meekness is considered a sign of weakness and in America Hunger and Thirst for righteousness is replaced by hunger and thirst for worldly acceptance. It is very difficult to be merciful and pure in heart for our hearts are always seeking to satisfy our own needs; and we are not willing to make peace if that peace requires that we would submit to someone else’s authority. We do not want to be made fun of, or persecuted, or bad mouthed… Yet all of these things the LORD calls blessed!

The reason why they are Blessed is because only when we have these attitudes can we truly see ourselves for who we are and God for who He is. Only when we see the depravity of our being and the sin that enslaves us, can we be set free by the only ONE that is Pure and Holy! May He grant us the privilege of being called BLESSED by Him because in us are found the Be-Attitudes.

With this in mind I can say that I have spent about three weeks experiencing all of these attitudes, not realizing that the Lord was trying to test to see whether I truly believed that experiencing difficulties on earth means I am blessed. May I say that for a very long time it did not feel like I was blessed! When I stopped and looked back at my life without Christ, and the thoughts and fears that overtook me then - I got to SEE how blessed I have really been since I met Jesus. There is a renewed gratefulness in my heart and a huge appreciation for what the Lord has done. He promises to give a sound mind, and indeed this He gave! I ask the Lord to keep that in the forefront of my life, so that I may never forget that the Hands that made me are truly FAITHFUL!

There is no greater gift than that of finding Christ, but we would like to bless a group of you with some Grand Prizes from the following sponsors:

Paper Tree House Studio: Digital Paper Set
Shabby Vanity: Blog Button and Banner makeover.
Tombow: Adhesive Package
Scrapbooks & Stuff: Cricut Cartridge
Scrapbooks Etc.: 1 year Subscription

To qualify, like Paper Tree House Studio in Facebook, become a follower of their blog, and leave a comment. Those that choose to participate by creating a project that follows the theme will have a greater chance of winning, so make sure that you create something or share your own story in your blog to then come back and share with us your creation and thoughts.

Hop on over to Kari’s blog to continue in this journey… May you be filled with the “Be-Attitudes” this week.

Love in Christ,

Nana

PS: Great things will be coming to this blog very soon, so stay tuned!

God's Promises Faith Blog Hop Winner

2011-08-01T02:44:00.000-04:00

This past hop was really special for me because knowing that God is faithful throughout the entire world really solidfies my faith~! :) Thank you for stopping by and leaving such loving words. I will take my time to digest what you all said and in turn respond back to you.. :)

Our next hop will take place on August 27 and I would love for you to help me promote it. Here is the button for it:

Like I promised, I chose one random winner which I will bless with a little something.. and that blessed someone is: AMANDA JOHNSON! :) Congrats!

Please e-mail me with your information. :)

Thanks again for participating and I sure hope to see you hopping again soon...

Love in Christ,

Nana

God's Promises Faith Blog Hop

2011-07-29T00:41:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the God's Promises Faith Blog Hop. If you arrived here from Paper Tree House Studio you are in the right place. If you just arrived at my blog, you should go to Paper Tree House Studio (www.mypapertreehouse.blogspot.com) in order to start at the beginning.

Every month a group of brave women get together to showcase the Glory of God. This month we want to showcase His faithfulness during trying times, so kick back, relax and let the Lord touch your heart with His Truth!

Did you know that there are 1260 promises in the Bible? I did not count them myself, but am blown away by the fact that each and every promise the Lord gives, He is faithful to fulfill. It is pretty easy to believe this when times are easy and abundance surrounds our lives, but is that the same when trouble hits?

The Bible says that our hearts are deceitful above all things and then it adds WHO CAN TRUST IT? Have you ever considered that maybe the reason why we don't trust God is because we spend more time looking at how big the waves in our lives have become and forget that God created the entire UNIVERSE with just His breath... Think about it, the Lord spoke the ENTIRE World into existence... the only thing created that was made with His hands was man and woman. That is why He says that if He provides for the birds and the plants, how much more to His children? You are precious to the Lord and He will not fail you, even when it feels He might.

In this hop you will read the stories of women like you that have faced trouble and probably even lacked the faith to believe in the miracle the Lord performed at the very end! Our prayer is that you would open your heart to the Truth found in these promises and that you would even share with us what God has done in your life. Your victory may become our hope... :)

During the hop you will find many chances to win prizes! All you have to do to be considered for one of those prizes is leave a comment and become a follower of the blogs you will hop through. For the Grand Prizes , make sure to leave a comment, become a follower, and "LIKE" Paper Tree House on Facebook. This will allow you to find out about future hops we will be having.

Here are the brave women that dared to share their stories:

Paper Tree House - http://mypapertreehouse.blogspot.com/
Nana - www.youniquereflections.blogspot.com
Tammy - http://www.fromme2upapercrafting.blogspot.com/
Susan - http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
Jennifer E. - www.createoften.blogspot.com
Candy - http://www.sweetstamper.com/
Amanda - http://asjmade.blogspot.com/
Wendy - http://wendyscrappings.blogspot.com/
Nicole - http://scrapmethis.blogspot.com
Jessie - www.scrapbookingmiami.blogspot.com
Diane - http://dianemarra.typepad.com/
Vicki - http://mawmawsthoughts.blogspot.com/
Lynne Kirsch - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Phillips - http://messmuddleandfun.blogspot.com/
ScrappyZeni Pradel - www.scrappyzeni.blogspot.com

Grand Prizes:

Stamping Things: The Topper Ink Pad Holder (http://www.stampinthings.com/stamp-pad-holder.html)
Paper Tree House Studio: Exclusive PDF file tutorial for Mini-Book Taught at CHA.
K Andrew Stamps: Stamp Set
Tombow: Grand Adhesive Set

God's Fulfilled Promise in my life:

There are so many Scriptures that speak about how the Lord will protect us, but I have always been intrigued by the fact that the shadow of His Wings is enough to protect Me. If you are anything like me, it is very easy to believe that God can love others, that He wants to answer the prayers of the other faithful women, that He is able to protect and secure others... but not ME! It was not until I experienced a very difficult season in my life, (a season where I disliked someone so much I literally told the Lord I did not want to go to Heaven if this person would be there), that I actually sensed the shadow of His Wings over me.

Just like in the picture of my layout, I felt defenseless, surrounded by water I could not swim and completely vulnerable even before the Lord! I knew what I was feeling was sin and that therefore I deserved to be scorched by my problems, but instead I experienced the loving hand of my Father carrying me and protecting me. Somehow the Lord brought me to realize that His shadow was over me and because of His faithfulness (in spite of my unfaithfulness) I would not burn or drown! Since then I believe the impossible because I experienced it! May you encounter Him in this way this week... :)

I would love to bless you with a special goody bag, so please leave me a comment with your own experiences with the Lord. I will be choosing one blessed winner. :)

To continue hopping go on over to Tammy's Blog http://www.fromme2upapercrafting.blogspot.com/ and make sure you leave her some love! :)

Thanks for hopping through this faith hop. Know that we are praying for you and really hope your eyes are opened to the Truth about the Lord's Faithfulness! :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

Father's Love Faith Blog Hop

2011-06-26T00:30:00.000-04:00

There is only one more day of this beautiful Hop so if you have not had a chance to go visit it, I ask that you would click on the picture and begin hopping... :) It is truly a very inspirational hop! :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

Cricut 360 - Cricut Cartridge Giveaway....

2011-06-24T05:05:00.001-04:00

I want to break the silence with wonderful news.. Over at the Cricut 360 Challenge Blog we are getting ready to kick things into motion, but before we do we want to invite you to come try to become our very first winner! Here is what you need to do:

Click on the banner to be taken over to Cricut 360 and follow the directions that you will find there... :) Once you do you may win the Create a Critter Cartridge from Provo Craft! :) Hope to see you there!

Love in Christ,

Nana

______________________________________________________________________________

Quiero romper el silencio con unas muy buenas noticias... En el blog nuevo de retos, Cricut 360, nos estamos preparando para darle comienzo a la inspiracion, pero antes de que comience la diversión te queremos invitar a que seas nuestra primer ganadora! Esto es lo que debes de hacer:

Presiona el logo de el blog y sigue las direcciones que hayaras... :) Luego de que hagas esto, podrás ganarte el Create a Critter de Provo Craft! :) Espero verte allí! :)

Besitos en Cristo,

Nana

Blog Hop Winner!!

2011-06-15T12:51:00.000-04:00

Hello after what feels like twenty years! :) I finally was able to draw a winner of my surprise RAK! Without further ado the winner is....

Patricia Hurlburt said...Love your card. Thanks for sharing!
Patti

Please send me an email at mypapertreehouse@gmail.com with all of your contact information so that i can send your prize your way... :)

Thanks for playing along!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Proverbs 31 Woman Faith Blog Hop

2011-05-27T01:14:00.000-04:00

Welcome to another special Faith Blog Hop sponsored by Paper Tree House Studio! You should have arrived here from (blogger's name) if you are following the hop. If you just happen to have fallen here go to the beginning of the hop over at paper Tree House Studio.

At the end of every month a group of bold women gather to give Glory to God with the talents He has given us in a very loud way... :) Our prayer is that through the projects we have created you Will be able to see Him in all of His Glory! May He touch you today as we look at the theme of the Proverbs 31 woman, and may you find that you are indeed everything He designed you to be.

This is how the hop works:
Below you will find the list of the beautiful and brave women that are ready to show their weaknesses in order that you may see His strength. :) Follow the line-up and please leave some love throughout the way. Allow yourself to cry, laugh, smile, along with any other emotion the Lord may bring your way. You will find that there are many prizes throughout the hop. In order to qualify to receive them you must be a follower of the blog and you must leave a comment. Know that if you are announced as the winner of a prize you are responsible for contacting us in order for us to make the prize go your way.

Here are our sponsors:

Paper Tree House Studio: Scrapbooking Kit (valued at $45)
Tombow: Amazing Adhesive Pack
Scrapbook News and Review: 1 year subscription to their magazine.
Punky Sprouts: Sweetie Album
Sweet Stamper: Stampin' Up Stamp Set

Now let's get the hop started! :)

The woman described in Proverbs 31 seems to be perfect! She works hard for her family, keeps up with the house, makes sure that the entire family is fed, is respected by others and her husband, and the list goes on... It can be very overwhelming to try to attain her status- which leaves many of us feeling as though we do not amount to God's standards. If you are anything like me, you too have felt as though there is always something that is just not right in your womanhood. Maybe you are not sweet enough, or neat enough, or submissive enough, or clean enough... Whatever label you do not amount to it can leave you feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.

God did not put this part of Scripture in the Bible so that we would draw away from Him filled with shame due to our incapacity to do what He expects of us. On the contrary, I have become every day more certain that He inspired these words because He wants to show us His Grace. The truth is: we all fall short of the Glory of God and there is not even one that is good amongst us. He KNEW this when He made us and when He decided to save us- and in this He loved us.

The proverbs 31 woman is meant to be a reminder of how much we need Christ! God desires that we would be women like the one portrayed there, and He knew that these areas would be our weaknesses, so He gave us this map of virtues so that we would not conform to the world but allow Him to transform us. The Bible teaches that in our weaknesses He is strong! My prayer is that you would allow the Lord to show you those areas where you indeed fail so that in turn you would learn to be mesmerized by His great strength. You will be doing things you never imagined when you fully rely on Him. In Him you already are the Proverbs 31 Woman you so desire to be. May He show you that truth today as He heals you from all insecurities.

Paper Tree House Studio: www.mypapertreehouse.com

Nana www.youniquereflections.blogspot.com

Jessie www.scrapbookingmiami.blogspot.com

Carrie http://carriewimbish.blogspot.com/

Carolyn http://messmuddleandfun.blogspot.com/

Diane http://dianemarra.typepad.com/

Karel www.kareljcreations.com

Jennifer www.createoften.blogspot.com

Kari http://purplefuntastickcreations.com/

Wendy http://wendyscrappings.blogspot.com/

Melin http://www.PaperCraftingWorld.Blogspot.com/

Nicole: www.scrapmethis.blogspot.com

Chalese http://delectabledesigns-chalesek.blogspot.com/

Candy www.sweetstamper.com

Christel: http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/

Lisa Peters: http://www.handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

I have struggled so much this month with accepting the truths the Lord says about who I am as a woman. Being a mom of two children under the age of 4, owning a business, being a teacher, and trying to be an artist can become very overwhelming. I end up feeling worn, torn, and exhausted - not at all like the woman found in Proverbs 31. But as I sat to create my project, the Lord gave me a beautiful image of how He sees me: He whispered tenderly in my ear "you are worth far more than ruby!". It is truly a privilege to be able to be called the daughter of the ultimate King of kings! The One that cares enough about the little things because He knows that we live our lives here - in the little so that in turn He can be seen as He is: HUGE! May you too see how you are made to be worth far more than rubies! :)

Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment and become my follower and I will consider you for a drawing I will have in search of the winner of a surprise RAK! Be blessed!!

Your next stop is Jessie's Blog. Remember to leave a comment on this post if you want to be considered for one of the Grand Prizes. :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop Inspiration...

2011-05-23T09:52:00.000-04:00

As you all know we have been participating on an awesome hop representing two AMAZING companies: Punky Sprouts and TaDa Creative Studios. We had to create a project using product from both of these companies and I truly had a blast!! :)

Here is what I created:

To make this I started off by peeling the awesome Punky Sprouts Playground Corrugated Cardboard.

This is such a versatile surface! You can use it to create your own covers, mini-books, or a typical layout with lots of texture.

After I peeled the Playground, I used gesso and some mists to add some colors to my background.

Using my scissors I cut the blue waves out of the blue TaDA paper. Using a punch I created the scallops of the striped paper to then layer all of it with a curled ribbon to add dimension.

Here is a close up:

TaDa has such beautiful and detailed patterned paper that it was easy to create your own embellishments by cutting the images from the papers. That is how I got my rainbow and clouds.

Finally, I added the pictures and the rest of the embellishments... :)

Thanks for hopping with us!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Dynamic Duo Blog Hop Announcement!

2011-05-16T09:25:00.005-04:00

Don’t miss out on the Dynamic Duo Blog Hop
A TaDa Creative Studios and Punky Sprouts Mini-book Bonanza
May 16th-27th

Rules for a chance to win FREE products
Each day go to the following 2 blogs:
http://tadacreativestudios.wordpress.com/
http://punkysprouts.blogspot.com/
Post comments to show your participation. New inspiration will be posted daily. At the end of the 12 day hop, please go to each manufacture’s blog and post a comment telling them your favorite album style and favorite paper collection used in the samples shown during the hop. Your name will then be entered in a drawing to win both! 3 winners will be picked!

Good luck!

TaDa Creative Studios & Punky Sprouts

Winner and Cricut 360 DT Call!

2011-05-03T01:00:00.000-04:00

Thank you ladies for leaving me such sweet comments! You are all so sweet and I am so grateful that you stopped by to say hi. My prayer is that the Lord would encourage you to be a part of this ministry in some way...

i have chosen a random winner so i wanted to share her with you:

Theresa said...Oh my gosh I love love love this little mini album! So beautiful!
TFS
Theresa

Please e-mail me Theresa at mypapertreehouse@gmail.com with your mailing address so that I can send you the prize.

Next month's blog hop will be on May 27-29 with Proverbs 31 as its theme.

I am recruiting ladies that want to be blog participants, as well as sponsor, and women that are willing to help me spread the Lord's Word. :) If you think this is something you are interested in doing, you can ask to be a part of our facebook group and you can get more information there. :) If you cannot be part of the hop, at least help by posting the banner on your blog so that others would know... :)

Once again, thanks for being part of this amazing journey!

On another note:

My friend and I are starting a Cricut Challenge Blog that will launch on July 1st. We are looking for 12 designers that are willing to show off their creativity... :)

Go check it out... it is going to be great! Click HERE

Love in Christ,

Nana

Fruit of the Spirit Faith Blog Hop

2011-04-29T06:43:00.000-04:00

Welcome to another Faith Blog Hop presented to you by Paper Tree House Studio! If you have been following the hop then you should be arriving here from the Paper Tree House blog. If you just came across this hop, then go to Paper Tree House to catch the beginning of the hop.

Every month a group of bold women gather to make the Name of the Lord famous and to share the talents we have been given by Him. We also like to share a little bit of Truth that we have learned from the Bible and/or a bit about how He has impacted our lives. This month the theme is “The Fruit of the Spirit”.

As Christians we are expected to demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit because the Spirit of God abides in us. In Galatians 5:22-23 we find the following definition: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” There are many misconceptions about this fruit. People look at the list of attributes and they are convinced that God has not given them one of the “fruits”, and so they live with remaining sin and a sense of defeat in certain areas of their lives.

If you look at the passage again you will notice that the word FRUIT is NOT plural. It is only ONE fruit, so if the Spirit of the Lord abides in you, then the attributes that characterize the Spirit live there as well. If you are not experiencing one of the characteristic of His Spirit in your life, pray that the Lord would cleanse you and purify you. He is into the business of completing those He saves. My prayer is that you would draw near to the Lord and that He in turn will draw near to you…

The same way that the Lord blesses those He loves we want to bless you. We have found an amazing line-up of sponsors and we want to share with you what you could win by hopping around with us:

Paper Tree House Studio: Cricut Create

Scrapbook News & Review Magazine: One year subscription to their online magazine.

Zutter: Distrezz-it-All

Scrapbooks & Stuff: Seasonal Cartridge

Papperie: Yummy Goody Bag

Bonita Rose: One spot to her AMAZING Color Your World Class.

Shimmerz: Yummy Goody Bag (Go to their page and tell them that Nana sent you and you might get an even bigger prize)

Now in order to win one of these Grand Prizes you will have like us on Facebook, leave a comment on this post, and become a follower on our blog. Then you have to follow the hop order as you follow and leave messages in the posts of all the amazing and talented women that are part of the lineup. All throughout the hop you will find RAK’s and special giveaways, so make sure that you complete the entire hop!

Here is the list of brave and beautiful women that are stepping out in FAITH:

Nana – http://www.youniquereflections.blogspot.com/
Lynn - http://www.pensandneedles-lynn.blogspot.com/
Kristal - http://www.gettingcricky.com/
Kari - http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/
Karel - http://www.kareljcreations.com/
Zeni - www.scrappyzeni.blogspot.com
Jessie - http://www.scrapbookingmiami.blogspot.com/
Robin - http://www.robinscrapnest.blogspot.com/
Carolyn- http://www.messmuddleandfun.blogspot.com/
Melin- http://www.cookingwithcricut.com/
Monique F. - http://living-in-the-positive.blogspot.com/
Carol - http://huffandpuffscrap.blogspot.com/
Chalese - http://delectabledesigns-chalesek.blogspot.com/
Monique B. - http://uniquemonique01.blogspot.com/
Christel - http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/

For this hop I created this mini-book:

I have decided that my books are to reflect the Truth. :) On the last page of this book, my intentions are to write a prayer for my daughter. In it I will express that because she was hand-made with love by God, it is my prayer that one day she too will be able to experience the Lord's Spirit in action in her life. That she too, one day, can do something that apart from Christ she would have not been able to do.. and when that happens may she remember why she was able to accomplish this!

I have a little something to share with you:

If you become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment, I will be choosing the winner of the punch you need to make this flower.

To continue with some fun, hop on over to Lynn's blog at http://www.pensandneedles-lynn.blogspot.com!

Love in Christ,

Nana

I Invite you to the BEST SCRAPBOOKING EVENT EVER!!

2011-04-19T03:00:00.000-04:00

I am ECSTATIC!! I will be teaching in Puerto Rico and I want you to join me and the other AMAZING teachers! Here is the line-up:

We are going to have a BLAST in Puerto Rico from June 11-13; the BEST SCRAPBOOKING EVENT you will ever attend! Check out the website for more info: http://site.puertoricoscrapbookevent.com/

Love in Christ,

Nana

Happy Birthday...

2011-04-08T06:00:00.006-04:00

I recently received my box of goodies from Punky Sprouts and it had some really AMAZING yumminess: My Little Shoebox Paper, Shimmerz, For the Luv of Art Stamps, and of course the Punky Sprouts product which is ALL to die for!

Here is the first project I create using For the Luv of Art stamps and Punky Sprouts corrugated cardboard:

I colored in the image using distress inks and truly had a blast. I am starting to get a bit addicted to that technique... :) The distressed edges were created using my favorite tool ever created, the Distrezz-it-All, which makes distressing easy and quick with guaranteed results.

I created this card with the following challenges in mind:
Birthday Sundaes - Anything goes
Card Makin Mamas - Embellish It
Digi's With Attitude! Challenges Challenge #20 - Anything Goes
Catered Crops: Distressing, Stripes
Prairie Fairy Fridays: Oh So Spring
Craft Us Crazy: Easter or Spring
Dutch Dare Card Challenges: Spring Has Sprung

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

I won over at the Catered Crop!

2011-04-03T14:16:00.000-04:00

Hello again! I am so excited to announce that my alligator layout won the challenge over at Catered Crops and this week they are featuring my recipe.. :)

Look at the cute little award I received:

Go on over to their blog and play along with us in the challenge! It is such a neat concept and you will have tons of ideas to work from...

Thanks for choosing me ladies at Catered Crop! It was truly fun!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Beach Pail Tutorial PDF Files/ Tutorial de Mini-album

2011-03-30T21:44:00.000-04:00

Hello! I have been very busy with some great things that will be coming very shortly!! In the meantime, I wanted to share this album i created using My Mind's Eye.
Hola! He estado muy ocupada con unas puertas muy grandes que El Señor me ha abierto. Les podré contar muy pronto! Mientras tanto, les quería enseñar el álbum que creé usando My Mind's Eye.

As I promised at the Tree House's Studio, here is the PDF file to make my Beach Pail Mini-Album.
English Tutorial: http://www.scribd.com/doc/51945522/Best-Buddies-Beach-Pail-Album-Tutorial-English
Como le prometí en el blog de Paper Tree House, aquí está el archivo para que puedan imprimir el tutorial.

Tutorial en Español: http://www.scribd.com/doc/51946530/Best-Buddies-Beach-Pail-Tutorial-Spanish

Enjoy!!
Que lo disfrutes!!

Love in Christ,

Besitos en Cristo,

Nana

Blog Hop Winner!!

2011-03-29T01:50:00.000-04:00

Ladies, I have been so blessed by this hop. the Lord has encouraged me, challenged me, taught me, loved me, kissed me, among many other things - and ALL thanks to you. I am beyond humbled to know that there are such amazing women that love the Lord and are willing to be transparent for His sake. I am convinced that He indeed will heal all of us in His time, and while we wait may we hide in the shadow of His wings where we can find refuge!

The winners for the Grand Prizes have already been posted, so if you have not checked those out, you need to go do that now. You can look at that post here.

I am happy to announce the winner of my RAK... Random.org gave me my favorite number and also one of my favorite artists!! BONITA ROSE! Congratulations Bonita for playing along with us even with how busy your schedule can be. You are an inspiration and a real blessing to me. Please e-mail me your contact info so that I can have the prize shipped out to you. :) (By the way, please check out her blog. It is filled with yumminess that you do not want to miss.)

Next month's blog hop's theme is Fruit of the Spirit. Please help me get the word out there by rocking this button on your blog with a link back to the following post:

Please e-mail me if you want to be a part of it so that I can add your name to the list of participants.

Thank you so much again for those of you that left me a comment. If I did not respond to your comment, I promise I will get to it very soon so come back and check.

Love you more than I can say!

Hugs

Nana

Heartache No One Sees Faith blog Hop

2011-03-25T02:15:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the Heartache No One Sees Faith Blog Hop!! If you are hopping with us you should have come from Bonita's blog here: http://alifeunrehearsed2.blogspot.com/. If you just happened to find this post, please go to http://www.mypapertreehouse.com/ so that you can start the hop from the very beginning. :) Now to the hop:

Women have a very unique way of being strong, yet gentle. through this process we find ourselves many times hiding heartaches that truly affect us, but somehow we cannot bring ourselves to talk about. Sometimes it is because of "what would people say" or because we want to keep a certain image, or even because we are trying to keep our loved ones from becoming worried: we hold on to the heartache and even come to believe that "this is as good as it will ever get". Today we are out in the internet laying our hearts bare before the world. We have come to understand that God IS who He says He is and indeed He will complete the work He has begun, and so we lay our heartache before Him in hopes that He will meet us here. As you go through this hop, take the time to think about your own hidden heartache, and if any of our blogs motivate you to speak about it, leave us a comment or even send us an email. As sisters we should remain together and encourage each other to continue the walk towards His arms: the only place we will find rest and comfort.

Here's how the hop works:
Like last time we have some GRAND Prizes to share with you, plus most of the blog owners are willing to share some RAK with you. In order to qualify for the GRAND Prizes you ought to leave a comment under this thread and become a follower of this blog (if you are not one yet). We are asking that you would also become a follower of paper Tree House Studio on Facebook so that you can stay updated with our challenges and contests. In order to qualify for the RAKS i ask that you would also become a follower of those blogs and leave them a comment with your thoughts about the project they might have created or the story they were willing to share (if any). It can be very humbling to share our hearts with the world, yet the Bible says that our troubles come so that we can console another going through the same thing. My prayer is that the Lord would use this for His Glory as He heals all of our hearts.
Now for the GRAND Prizes:

Paper Tree House Studio: Cuttlebug V2 Machine

Scrapbook News and Review Magazine: One Year Subscription

Bella Blvd.: $45 retail value worth of their yummy product

Echo Park: Be Mine Collection

Scrapbooks & Stuff: Cricut Your Story

Punky Sprouts: Sweetie Mini-Book

The Paper Blossom Shop: $25 gift certificate to their shop.

Bonita Rose LIfe.Love.Color.Art: 1 spot to her new self-paced Color Your World 2.0 workshop. Read more about it in her blog: http://alifeunrehearsed2.blogspot.com//.

Remember that in order to be considered a winner, you should leave a comment here and become a follower. :) It is that simple.

As you hop through the blogs you will see some very open lives, and others that are not as much. We are all being molded everyday more into His liking. Know that I have been praying for each of the participants, and as you begin to open your heart, I will be praying for you as well. It is my desire that the Lord would begin to build a community of bold women that would be willing to show their weaknesses so that in turn He can be their strength. Maybe next month we can hop through your blog as well.. This will happen every month on the very last weekend of the month, so please plan to be here learning about Him and about His love for YOU and His commitment to make you His!

(If you get lost, make sure to go check out the list of participant's over at http://www.mypapertreehouse.com/)

Here is my hidden heartache:

I am filled with insecurities... Insecurities about being a woman, about being a mom, about being a wife, etc... It does not matter how hard I try, no matter what I do I always end up feeling guilty. If I scrapbook because it is what i want to do, i feel guilty because I am not with my children. If I am with my children, I feel guilty because I am not cleaning my house. If I am tired and i want to go take a nap, I feel guilty because i always have 20,000,000 things pending... (you get the picture). Feelings of inadequacy consume me at times and I am left with no other option than to crumble at Jesus' feet and once again ask Him to become my everything.

There is also a sense of unsatisfaction and almost like a hunger that needs to be satiated in my soul and has not yet. When it is intense i notice that I tend to withdraw from the Lord because I see such glimpses of who i used to be that it makes me wonder whether or not He will ever be able to heal me...

I have come to learn that the Lord does not always heal you the way we would like for Him to do so, but for sure it is the PERFECT WAY and He WILL INDEED HEAL!! :) That is a promise I hold on tight, especially during my rockiest times. To remind myself of that I created my first offcial art journal to record His Truth...

i want to know your story and I want to pray for you. Please leave me a comment... I really want to pray for you!

Here is my first offcial art journal:

Here is my RAK:

Remember that to qualify for the GRAND Prizes you must leave a comment over at http://www.mypapertreehouse.com/ and become a follower. If you want my RAK you need to leave a comment and become followers here as well... :)
Thanks for participating with us... Now hop on over to my sweet and talented Rebecca's blog: http://www.polkadotdoordesign.blogspot.com/

Love in Christ,

Nana

See You Later Alligator

2011-03-22T01:11:00.001-04:00

One of my close friends is an alligator wrestler and a couple of months ago my family and I went to see her show. It was an unbelievable show, especially because she weighs close to nothing ans was up against a 7 foot gator. Here are some pics of her in action:

At the end of the show, she gave my son a tiny gator so that he could play with it. He, being the boy he is, thought is was the coolest thing! I was blessed to capture some awesome pictures of his reaction. Here is my favorite:

What better line to scrap my little boys reactions with than Echo Park's Little Boy line! Here is the layout I created:

and then some close-ups:

the bling

Boys will be boys

star with bling

Distress-it-All effect

Paper ribbon

I have created a tutorial for this layout, but it will be a surprise the way you will receive it. stay tuned!

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Challenges for this layout:

Pile-it-On: Bling
PaperCutz: anything goes
MyGrafico: anything goes
Amber's Crafts: anything goes
Catered Crop: Stripes and mini print, blue, green & brown
Scrappy Saturdays with the Bug: Spring with a twist of Green

Jillibean Soup DT Call Submission Projects

2011-03-14T14:11:00.001-04:00

I just finished sending my submission over to Jillibean Soup and am so nervous about the outcome! : / There are so many talented women out there, but I had to give it a try! :) Here are the projects I sent out their way (some you have seen before, others you have not):
Acabo de terminar de envíar mis proyectos a Jillibean Soup y estoy sumamente nerviosa por los resultados. Me encantaría estar en su equipo de diseño pero reconozco que hay muchas mujeres talentosas. No pierdo nada con tratar verdad? :) Aquí están los proyectos que les envié (algunos los conocen, otros no):

They are still having their DT call, so go check them out if you want to be one of the blessed to be in their team. :)
Aún están teniendo su llamado de diseñadoras, así que ve a ver los detalles si te interesa ser parte de el equipo.

Come visit me tomorrow. I will be posting a little tutorial on how to create the cute little owl card. :)
Visítame mañana. Estaré poniendo el tutorial de cómo crear la tarjeta bonita con la pequeña búho. :)

Love in Christ,
Besitos en Cristo,

Nana

Just Want to Show you a little Something...

2011-03-10T23:00:00.001-05:00

The Lord has been opening SOOO many doors, and every time one opens I become more and more humbled. I am very much aware of the fact that apart from Christ, I cannot do ANYTHING! :) So, I created a mini-book to worship Him and acknowledge Him as King...
El Señor me ha estado abriendo TANTAS puertas, y cada vez que abre otra puerta me doy cuenta de lo "chiquita" que soy a SU lado. Yo estoy bien clara con el hecho de que aprate de El yo no sé hacer NADA! :) Por eso decidí crear este libro, para alabarlo y reconocerlo como rey...

Here is the front of it:
Aquí la parte de alfrente:

I titled the book: "The Good News". The Lord indeed is GOOD GOOD NEWS. As I look back in my life I realize HOW REAL He has been- and with that realness I have experienced more love than all the love i have felt from everyone i know put together. He is The King of kings and the Lord of lords, and my desire is to serve Him ALL of my days...

Yo titulé este libro: "Las Buenas Noticias". El Señor realmente es MY BUENAS NOTICIAS. Mientras pienso en lo que fue mi vida hace varios años me dí cuenta de lo REAL que es EL- y con ésto he logrado sentir más amor de lo que yo he sentido en mi vida. El es el Rey de reyes y Señor de señores; y mi deseo es poder servirle el resto de la eternidad.

Hope you have a blessed day!

Que tengan un día lleno de bendiciones!

Love in Christ,

Besitos en Cristo,

Nana

Materials Used:
Echo Park Paper- For the REcors
Maya Road Chips
Maya road Mists
Maya Road Album

You've Grown Sweet & Cuddly Layout- Best Creation Tutorial (English/Spanish)

2011-03-07T22:43:00.000-05:00

Hello once again! This past couple of weeks have been a bit hectic, but spring break is right around the corner so there is light at the other side of the tunnel. :) Today I want to share a little tutorial on how to create a very easy layout using the stunning new boy collection by Best Creation. This line is FULL of cute elements and amazing glittered paper- just what I wanted to complete the layout.
Hola nuevamente! Estas últimas semanas han sido como de locos, pero por ahí vienen las vacaciones, así que veo la luz al final de el túnel. :) Hoy quiero compartir con ustedes un pequeño tutorial de cómo crear el layout que creé para Best Creation usando su nueva línea Safari Boy. Esta colección está llena de elementos preciosos y papeles llenos de escarcha-justo lo que necesité para completar mi página.

Here is the layout:
Aquí está el layout:

Publish Post

To make it you will need the following:
Para crear este proyecto vas a necesitar lo siguiente:

1. Best Creation Safari Boy Line
2. Bazzill Cardstock
3. Palm Tree Stamp (Tattered Angels) with green and brown ink
4. Chipboard letter (Ranger) and Mist (Maya Road)
5. Pop-Dots
6. Sewing Machine
7. Basic Scrapbooking Supplies

Here is what you do:
Aquí los pasos a seguir:

I began by drawing a light rectangle using the patterned paper as my mask. I did this so that i would have a reference to work with when stamping the top of the palm tree unto my cardstock.
Comenzé por dibujar un rectágulo con un lápiz usando los papeles decorativos como mi guía. Hize esto para poder tener un punto de referencia mientras usaba la estampilla en forma de una palma por todo el borde de abajo.

Once I finished with the stamping, I sewed a random pattern all around the edge of the cardstock. I used a straight stitch all around and a decorative stitch on just one of the corners.
Cuando terminé de estampar, cocí un patrón alrededor de la página utilizando dos tipos de puntadas.

I took my patterned papers (including the glittered cardstock which is delish) and distressed them using the Distrezz-it-All. I then used Distress ink to ink the edges and put them together by sewing the sheets together using a decorative stitch. I love the distressed look so much that I took the liberty to use the Distrezz-it-All on my picture as well.

Tomé los papeles decorativos (inluyendo el "cardstock" con escarcha que está delicioso) y usando la máquina de Distrezz-it-All rompí el paple de todas las esquinas. Luego usé la tinta Distress para darle el color adecuado a los bordes y con la máquina de cocer junté las tres usando puntadas decorativas. Me fascina tanto el look que deja la máquina Distrezz-it-All, que decidí hacerle lo mismo a la foto.

Now, creating the grass was one of the funnest experiences I have had with cardstock. I am a Bazzill Junkie and as many of you already know I am in love with creating things from scratch. I use cardstock to create my paper piecings and I enjoy how the little animals come alive from the paper. Creating this grass was no different. I took seven 1 1/2 x 4" strips of Bazzill cardstock in two different tones of green. Using my favorite pair of scissors (Tim Holtz) I cut staright lines with very little distance from one another until about a bit more than half of the strip.
Crear la grama fue una de las experiencias más divertidas que he tenido con el cardstock, Yo estoy un poco adicta al Bazzill y como muchas de ustedes saben me fascina crear cosas desde "scratch". Utilizo el cardstock para crear mis figuritas y animalitos y siempre disfruto el ver cómo las mismas nacen y toman vida. Cuando creé la grama me sentí igual. Tomé siete pedazos de tamaño 1 1/2x4" de cardstock Bazzill en dos tonos verdes y corté líneas rectas desde el borde de la hoja hasta la mitad de la misma usando mis tijeras favoritas.

I then took green chalk ink and I inked the edges of the strips in order to give the strips some dimension. Here is the way it looks with ink:
Luego tomé tinta verde para darle color al borde de las hojas, pues pienso que esto le da dimensión. Aquí puedes ver cómo luce:

I then aligned the grasses with various heights and alternating colors. To adhere them I just applied adhesive on the bottom of the one of the strips and attached it to the strip in front.
Alinié los pedazos de papel alternando la altura de cada hoja y los colores, Para pegarlos, le añadí un poco de pegamento a la parte de abajo y los uní.

Once done, I took one of the borders from the Safari Boy line and used it to cover the bottom the strips. Here is how the end result looks:
Al teminar de pegarlos tomé uno de los bordes decorativos de la colección Safari Boy y la utilizé para cubri la parte de abajo de la hoja. Aquí pueden ver cómo luce:

Once I had all of these elements in place and ready, I began to put my layout together:
Cuando terminé de crear los elementos que quería usar, construí mi página con mucho detalle.

As you can see I used elements that I cut out from the patterned papers as well as some stickers and some chipboard accents.
Como pueden notar usé detalles que yo creé al igual que algunas calcomanías y otros elementos.

To create the title, I used Ranger Chipboard letters and some delish Maya Mist. I sprayed the letters and with the leftover ink on my pad I inked the edges of the entire page.
Para crear el título pinté unas letras de Ranger con la tinta verde de Maya Road. Cuando teminé de rociar las letras usé la pintura que sobró para darle color al borde de la página.

I finished the layout by adding elements and small details, like polka-dots on the letters as well as some Distress Stickles. Here are some close-ups of these details:

Completé el layout añadiendole elementos y pequeños detalles, como puntitos bonitos en mis letras, y un poco de Distress Stickles. Aquí tienen una foto dónde muestro mejor los detalles de la página.

If you have any questions about this project please e-mail me. You will find a neat challenge where I used this layout as a sample over at www.mypapertreehouse.com.
Si tienes alguna pregunta en referencia a este proyecto, o si te gustaría que prepare algún tutorial en específico por favor envíame un correo electrónico. También visita www.mypapertreehouse.com para que leas un poco mas sobre esta página y lo que significa para mí.

Thanks for visiting! :)
Gracias por visitarme! :)

Love in Christ,
Besitos en Cristo,

Nana

Winner and Tutorial/ Ganadora y Tutorial

2011-03-02T03:12:00.000-05:00

Congratulations ANNA!! Here is the comment she left me:
Felicitaciones ANNA!! Aquí está el comentario que ella me dejó:

Anna said...Beautiful card. Just lovely.
God bless all with a healing
hand for the loss of your friend.
I am a follower. Thanks for the chance to win.

Once again, thanks to all that participated! :) Have a wonderful day, and enjoy the tutorial:
Nuevamente gracias a todas por haber participado! :) Que tengan lindo día y que disfruten de el tutorial:

To begin with, I took a 6x6 canvas and I stained it using the new Distress Stains from Ranger. If you have not tried those yet, you are truly missing out. It is spectacular to get a distressed look on a large surface without all the arm work. :) I also used some Glimmer Mist to create the droplet effect that I wanted. To set the color I used a heat gun.

Para comenzar mi proyecto tomé un canvas de tamaño 6x6 y lo pinté usando la nueve tinta de Ranger llamada Distress Stains. Si aú no has tenido el privilegio de usar esta tinta- te lo estas perdiendo. Es realmente espectacular para lograr el efecto "distressed" en superficies grandes, sin tener que cansar el brazo. :) También usé un poco de Glimmer mist para lograr el efecto de las gotas cayedo. Para hacer que el color permaneciera, adelanté el proceso de secar la tinta usando una pistola de calor.

After that I pretty much used the patterned paper from Nikki Sivils new line "We Are Family" to complete the decoration of the canvas. I meant for this project to be very simple, so if you follow the pictures you will be able to create the same canvas in no time! :)

Luego de que se secó la tinta lo único que hice fue cortar los papeles decorativos de Nikki Sivils para decorar el canvas. Quise que este proyecto fuera bastante sencillo, asi que si sigues el orden de las fotos podrás crear el proyecto sin ningún problema! :)

I have some project kits available for this canvas. :) If you liked it and are interested in getting one, they are only $8. This kit will include all the papers and the canvas you need in order to complete the project. To buy this kit all you have to do is click on the Buy Now button.

Tengo una cantidad bien limitada de kits para completar este proyecto. El kit incluye el canvas y los papeles que necesitas para poder crear el proyecto. Lo único que tienes que hacer para comprar el kit por sólo $8 es darle al botón de Buy Now.

Thanks for passing by!

Gracias por su tiempo!

Love in Christ,

Besitos en Cristo,

Nana

The Hop is Officially Over

2011-03-01T00:48:00.000-05:00

Hello ladies! Just wanted to thank all of you that participated in the hop. I read the comments and really appreciate the sentiments you all left. :) I will be choosing a winner for my RAK tomorrow and will not announce it until Wednesday. Remember that you were to leave a comment and become a follower. :) Stay tuned today for the tutorial on how to create the canvas I showcased during the hop... :)
Hola Señoritas! Sólo le quería dar las gracias por su participación en la rayuela. Leí los comentarios y realmente estoy muy agradecida por los sentimientos de simpatía que todas me dejaron. :) Mañana estaré eligiendo la ganadora de mi RAK y la anunciaré el miércoles. Recuerda que para poder ganar tenías que haber dejado un comentario y tenías que ser seguidora de mi blog. :) Asegúrate de que regreses para el anuncio y para el tutorial de cómo crear el canvas que enseñé durante la rayuela... :)

Love in Christ,
Besito en Cristo,

nana

Friends, Love, Faith Blog Hop

2011-02-25T01:41:00.020-05:00

Welcome to the very first Friends, Love, Faith Blog Hop! I am honored to be a part of a group of women that are willing to put their love of God out there so that others can see Him and what He can do through their hands. I have been beyond blessed by Him and have no other option than to give Him back the very things He has given me... :)
Bienvenida a la primera Rayuela de Paper Tree house Studio: Amigos, amor, y Fe. Estoy muy honrada de ser parte del grupo de mujeres que están dispuestas a demostrar su amor por Dios delante de otros y con la intención de que otros vean lo que El crea a través de nuestras manos. El me ha bendecido tanto que no me queda de otra que el devolverle lo que ya me ha otorgado... :)

Find a notebook and jot this down, you will need it:
1. My name is Nana Campana
2. My blessed words are: "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart...
Busca una hoja de papel para que copies esto, lo vas a necesitar:
1. Mi nombre es nana Campana
2.Mis "Blessed words" son: Confía en el Señor con todo tu corazón.

Now, here is how it works:
Así es cómo funciona:

Welcome to Paper Tree House Studio's Friends, Love, and Faith Blog Hop. Today, we're out in force on the internet -- showing our faith and giving the glory to God. United, we stand as Christian paper crafters and blog owners to make a presence on the internet for all to see. If you are hopping with us, you should have hopped over from Paper Tree House Studio. If you happened to just come across this post and you want to join in on the fun, make sure you jump over to the beginning so that you do not miss out: Paper Tree House Studio.
Bienvenidos a la Rayuela Amigos, Amor, y Fe de Paper Tree House Studio. Hoy estamos unidas con fuerza en el internet--demostrando nuestra fe y dándole gloria a Dios. Unidas estamos como diseñadoras Cristianas y dueñas de blogs para dar a reluccir nuestra fé a todos los que nos visiten. Si estás saltando con nosotras hoy, debes estar llegando aquí de el blog de Paper Tree House Studio. Si apenas acabas de encontrar esta página y deseas saltar con nosotras debes ir al principio de la rayuela que se encuentra en Paper Tree House Studio.

We're celebrating the theme of faith and we're happy to share our projects with you based on the verse:
"...those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
Estamos celebrando el tema de la fé y estamos feliz de poder compartir contigo nuestros proyectos basados en este verso:
"...pero los que confían en el Señor, renovarán sus fuerzas; volarán como las águilas: correrán y no se fatigarán, caminarán y no se cansarán." (Isaías 40:31)

First, we would like to take a moment to thank our generous co-sponsors: Zutter, Paper Trunk, Create 365, Memorable Seasons, Scrapbook News and Review, as well as Papperie. Together with Paper Tree House Studio, these companies have donated some wonderful prizes for today's blog hop.
Prizes? Oh, yeah! There will be three lucky grand prize winners for today's event.
Primero, le queremos dar las gracias a nuestros co-auspiciadores generosos: Zutter, Paper Trunk, Create 365, Memorable Seasons, Scrapbook News and Review, al igual que Papperie. Junto a Paper Tree House Studio, estas compañías han donado unos premios fantásticos para la rayuela de este fin de semana.

Premios? Oh, Sí! Van a ver 7 ganadoras bendecidas por varios grandes premios al finalizarse el evento.
To enter, simply hop through the blogs and take note of all of the participating DT members of Paper Tree House Studio, and make sure to jot down the "blessed words" they will have in their post, and leave a comment on their posts. Once you gather all of the words, you will have another special Scripture to inspire you to create while leaving His legacy. Then send us an email at mypapertreehousedt@gmail.com listing each of the staff members who participated in today's hop and the completed Scripture. It's that easy. All entries must be received by Monday, February 28, 2011 at 12 noon, EST and seven winners will be randomly chosen to win.
Para poder calificar, simplemente sigue el ritmo de la rayuela saltando de blog en blog siguiendo el orden descrito en cada blog. Mientras salta toma nota de las muchachas del equipo de diseño y escribe las "blessed words" que te van a dar conjunto a su nombre. Debes dejar un comentario en su blog y luego envíar un e-mail a mypapertreehousedt@gmail.com con todas las "blessed words" que recogiste. Entonces notarás que vas a tener otro versículo que te inspirará. Realmente es fácil. Todos los e-mails deben ser recibidos para el Lunes, 28 de febrero de 2011 a las 12 del mediodía EST. De estos e-mail se escogerán 7 ganadores.

What are the prizes?
One Cricut Gypsy from Paper Tree House Studio
One Bind-it-All from Zutter
One baggy of goodies from Create 365
One baggy of goodies from Papperie
One baggy of goodies from Paper Trunk
One year subscription to Scrapbook News and Review
One $15 gift card to Memorable Seasons so that you can purchase your favorite goodies!!
Estos son los premios:

Un Cricut Gypsy de Paper Tree House Studio
Un Bind-it-All de Zutter
Una regalo de Create 365
Un regalo de Papperie
Un regalo de Paper Trunk
Una subscripción de un año para la revista Scrapbook News and Review
Una tarjeta de regalos valorizada en $15 de Memorable Seasons para que compres tus cositas favoritas!!
In addition, many of our participating bloggers will have amazing blog candy and RAKS available for one of their blessed visitors by simply leaving a comment and becoming a follower on their blog. That's a lot of chances to win, so let's get to the Hop!
En adición, muchos de nuestras participantes van a tener RAKS y regalitos disponibles para bendecir a las que participen en la Rayuela. Para calificar para esos regalitos, lo único que tienes que hacer es dejárles un mensaje y ser seguidoras de sus blogs. Tienes mas de 20 oportunidades de ganar en esta Rayuela!

This is the project I have created for this hop:
Este es el proyecto que creé para esta rayuela:

I was inspired by the Scripture: "...those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
Fui inspirada por el verso de la rayuela: "...pero los que confían en el Señor, renovarán sus fuerzas; volarán como las águilas: correrán y no se fatigarán, caminarán y no se cansarán." (Isaías 40:31)

I just had the terrible experience of losing a co-worker to the battle of cancer. She was a very sweet woman and left a hole in many people's lives (including her 3 and 5 year olds.) I created this canvas for my friend Michelle who was really struggling to come to terms with the death of her best friend Kareema. After I finished creating it I painted over everything except the word "God" using the white Glimmer Glam. I did this on purpose since I wanted to remind Michelle that even though our lives become foggy, God is ALWAYS there and visible if we are willing to see Him. :) May this be a reminder in all of our lives too...
Apenas hace una semana tuve la muy mala experiencia de que muriera una compañera del trabajo. Ella luchó contra el cáncer por varios años y falleció dejándo atrás dos niños pequeños. Yo creé este canvas para su mejor amiga Michelle, quién quedó muy desconsolada con la muerte de Kareema. Depués de que terminé con el diseño lo pinté todo (menos el corazón y la palabra Dios) con el Glimmer Glam blanco de Tattered Angels. Hice esto pues quería recordarle a Michelle que aún cuando nuestro mundo se vuelve oscuro y nublado, Dios siempre está presente y es visible si miramos hacia El. Ojalá y El siempre mantenga esto en nuestras mentes..

Now, I have a little surprise for you: if you become a follower of my blog and you leave me a message you could win the following:
Ahora les tengo una sorpresita: si decides seguir mi blog y me dejas un mensaje te podrías ganar lo siguiente:

AND THIS/ Y ESTO:

The next stop on this blog hop is Wendy Sween.
Ahora pasa por la otra parada en la rayuela: Wendy Sween.

Thanks for playing along...
Gracias por jugar...

Love in Christ,
Besitos en Cristo,

Nana

Sweet Times at the Park

2011-02-07T15:04:00.001-05:00

Giancarlo threw up last night and i was concerned for him, so I decided to stay home with him and monitor him. Once he woke up, and we spent time with the Lord as a family I realized he was feeling much better- so I took them to the park.

It is amazing to me how my children have grown. I remember the first time I took them to the park. Noleani was about 11 months old and Giancarlo was barely two weeks old. I feared the worst all the time as I followed Noelani (with Giancarlo in a sling). Slowly but surely I have been able to let go, to trust in their own abilities and it has become my favorite thing to do.

I notice their little personalities... how Noelani is such a Girly Girl and would wait for any moment where she thought I was not looking to run to my purse and take the make-up out. Then she would hide so that i could not take pictures of her...

On the other hand, you have Mr. Adventurer that never gives up until he get what he wants. He noticed that going down the steps was not as simple as going up, so he decided to spend the rest of the afternoon trying to go down without having to sit on each step. Can you believe he practiced until he accomplished it... :)

As I think back on the moment, I am filled with such emotions. The same way that I look at and admire my children, God looks at us. He must chuckle when we run and hide to make ourselves look prettier for Him, or when He sees us trying over and over what He has created us to do. I know that I have caused TONS of pain to many people, especially God. I am grateful that today He reminded me of how I am the apple of His eye in spite of all of that..

Love in Christ,

nana

Paper Tree House Challenge of the Week

2011-02-07T08:55:00.000-05:00

Layout por Nana Campana

This week we tackle everything that has to do with being loved. The inspiration has already been sent out in our newsletter, so make sure to check it out here, and subscribe to it if you do not receive it. Without further ado, here's the challenge:

What does it mean to be loved? February is known as the month of love. Do you feel loved? How do you know you are loved? Create a layout to show you you feel loved.

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Esta semana estamos estudiando el significado de ser amado. La inspiración la puedes encontrar en el newsletter que fue envíado hoy y que puedes encontrar aquí. Si aún no recibes el mismo no olvides de subscribirte. Sin más preámbulos, aquí el reto de la semana:

Qué significa el ser amado? Febrero se conoce como el mes de el amor. Acaso te sientes amada? Cómo sabes que eres amada? Crea un proyecto que demuestre cómo te sientes amada.

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We have a pretty amazing prize this week: You could win a Donna Downey's Lucky Page Kit!
Tenemos un premio fantástico esta semana: Puedes ganar el kit Lucky de Donna Downey!

In order to participate you have the following options:
1. Create a project using this To be Loved Challenge and the Sketch of the week.
2. Create a project just using the To be Loved Challenge
3. Create a project with just the sketch of the week.

You can choose to participate in any of these ways and you will be considered for this awesome prize. :) Just link your project to the link below and we will do the rest...

Para poder participar tienes varias opciones:

1. Crea un proyecto utilizando el reto To Be Loved y el Bosquejo de la semana.

2. Crea un proyecto sólo con el reto To Be Loved

3. Crea un proyecto sólo utilizando el bosquejo de la semana.

Puedes elegir el participar usando cualquiera de estas maneras para ser considerada para este gran premio. :) Sólo anade el enlace de tu proyecto y nosotros haremos el resto...

Love in Christ,
Besitos en Cristo,

Nana

(to participate, go on over to www.mypapertreehouse.com)

I think I am Growing Up...

2011-02-06T00:12:00.001-05:00

It is 11:49 pm on February 5, 2011, and I am just a couple of months away from turning 30. I don't know about you, but I do not tend to realize that time has flown by and I actually have to GROW UP... :) I am still very much a child, and in many ways I want to remain that way. On the other hand I would like to think that the Lord has indeed continued with the work He began over ten years ago.

In the past two years I must say that the Lord has been pulling, and shredding, and cutting, and pruning; all while I very reluctantly resisted all of it. It wasn't until I was set aside and by myself (away from my husband and my children)

that I allowed the Lord to open my eyes in order that I could see His plan over my own. This is what I encountered in His word: "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy they." (Proverbs 1:32)

This was me after reading and understanding the meaning of this:

God had been disciplining me and yet I would not budge because I was complacent with where I was. I felt comfortable in who I had become and did not really care whether or not it was what God wanted. Now don't get me wrong, if you would have asked me, I would have never admitted that (mainly because I did not see it). Nonetheless, the truth is clear, I was heading towards destruction---but GOD had mercy on me and turned things around!

Not only was I given a chance to repent, but He appointed a timely conference where they taught me a glimpse of what it means to be a woman. Women have the misconception that because they have a determined gender, they automatically will act like a woman should, think like a woman should, treat others like a woman should and live like a woman should... That is a LIE! More women that I would like to admit feel lost and wished they knew what is expected of them. The Church has thrown a to-do list in order that they can become Women of God, without taking into consideration that the changes that are expected of them are impossible without Christ. I have decided that I will begin a journey towards actively being God's Woman... I pray that through this, other women too would awaken to the fact that they have a Royal calling to fulfill, and it is WAY BETTER than LIFE!

Here is the project I will continue to develop as I find myself in the middle of this journey...

To create this book I shredded pieces of paper and then glued them randomly across the cover. I did this to show remind myself of how I presented my broken life to the Lord and He made something beautiful with it. I then decorated the rest of the cover with my favorite things. The butterfly is covered in crackle paint, because I wanted to show how I am still cracked - a work in progress.

May you too encounter the Truth of God and allow yourself to be moved and transformed by Him this week.

Love in Christ,

Nana

Splash into Him... with your eyes closed.

2011-01-04T00:39:00.000-05:00

This week at Nuts About Sketches we had another awesome sketch! Here is my take on it:

Although I am not fully done with the layout, I had a blast doing it. I will be posting a little tutorial tomorrow on how to make use of your letters even when you do not have the right ones... :)

Thanks for looking...

Love in Christ,

Nana
PS: I will also post the story behind this layout and the link to the Paper Tree House Challenge and newsletter... :)

Blog Hop Fun

2010-12-15T05:45:00.008-05:00

We are celebrating that God has blessed My Paper Treehouse with an awesome design team. Please hop along with us and visit each of the DT members. If you get lost or just found the hop start here. Each of the DT members have a wonderful story to share with you about what God has done and is doing in their lives... these are God's fingerprints. Not only do we have a ton to share with you but there are RAKs along the way, a Great Blog Hop Challenge with a prize and a wonderful Grand Prize from Artful Delight.

Here is my God story:

I came to know the Lord at the age of 19 after a very long depression. I had come to the end of my rope and figured it would be better for the world and I that I did not exist. I had decided then to attempt to commit suicide and the Lord intervened in such a marvelous way that even the depression was removed from my life. Since then I have tried to live solely for Him, and I must admit that the closer I get to Him the more I see how much of a failure I am apart from Him.

Recently the Lord has really been teaching me about the importance of living boldly before Him and an unbelieving world. I have chosen to step out in faith and trust that living fully for Him is the right way to do things. I have let go of anything that does not help me accomplish this and have seen the Hand of the Lord perform miracles I never imagined.. I can't wait to see what He will be doing through me as He works with me..

Here is the line up:
1. My Paper Tree House Blog
2. Maritha Frolid
3. Jeannie DeGruccucio
4. Wendy Morris
5. Ruth Tacoma
6. Nicole Brenna
7. Elizabeth Carney
8. Tabitha Jones
9. Arlene Camacho
10. Dolores Cancel
11. Damaris Rios
12. Nana Campana

We have a blog hop challenge for you.... as you stop at each of the Design Members they will have another item that you will need to add to your layout. All layouts need to be linked up on the My Paper Treehouse Blog by Sunday the 19th 11:59pm PST. One layout will be randomly chosen to win a prize and make sure check back on Monday because we have a special surprise for you.

Not only do we have RAKS from the DT members, a prize for creating layout, but we have a Grand Prize too!!! All you have to do is comment on all the blogs along the hop!

Our Grand Prize is sponsored by Artful Delight! They have the most wonderful kits each month for a great price. You wouldnt believe everything you get in the kit..... it is full of the newest and greatest scrappy items. Artful Delight will also custom order you any scrappy item you would like to get your hands on for no additional charge. Please stop by and see Artful Delight and dont forget to tell them that we sent you....

Here is the item you need to add to your project: butterfly

This is the last stop in the blog hop. Make sure that you go back to Paper Tree House to post your project once you complete the challenge. Don't forget you need to leave a comment on each of the blogs and collect the different items for the Blog Hop Challenge Layout. All layouts and comments are due by

Sunday the 19th 11:59pm PST.

I have a special RAK for a random winner, plus a prize for the winning project during the challenge. Don't forget to stop by on Monday to see our special surprise....

Love in Christ,

Nana

God's Fingerprints Blog Hop

2010-12-12T15:30:00.001-05:00

Hello again! I am thrilled to say that I will be announcing the new DT for Paper Tree House Studio very soon. To do so, we will be having a yummy blog hop full of love, faith, hope and blog candy! :) Here is the info:

God's Fingerprints Blog Hop

Dec. 15th-19th

Keep your eyes open because it will be great! :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

and the winners are....

2010-12-09T22:06:00.000-05:00

I am soo sorry that I had not been able to post the winners! Here are the winners in no specific order:

2 Chicks on a Limb said...
Your layout and cards are soooo cute! I really like how you 'cut-out' the pine trees in your layout. Happy to be a follower. TFS!

Vickie

Lillian Child said...
I am now a follower of your blog! I adore your creative style - such lovely layouts and cards! Thanks for sharing with us!

Denise said...
Your layout is absolutely gorgeous!!! Your children are adorable :)

I would love to follow you here and on facebook :)

terriennz said...
Love your projects. I especially love that elf, he's too cute! I also love that 'winter greetings' stamp. I'm a follower. Thank you for a chance to win your awesome candy!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

and because I took so long posting the winners, here is another winner:

Celeste B. said...
Beautiful LO's and card! You are so talented! TFS! :)

Please email me at mypapertreehouse@gmail.com with your information so that I can send you the packets... :)

Thanks for playing!

Love in Christ,

Nana

ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE BLOG HOP

2010-12-03T23:20:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Nana's (my) blog and the Rockin' around the Christmas tree Blog Hop! If you've come from visiting Bonnie at http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com/ you're in the right place!

If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our fun hop, you can go to Totally-Stamps and start at the beginning. Go http://www.totally-stamps.blogspot.com/.

The theme of this blog hop is ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE. Each blog has created a project. Be sure to visit each blog for inspiration and fun BLOG CANDY.

Michelle- http://totally-stamps.blogspot.com/
Susan - http://itsmesusanp.blogspot.com/
Carol - http://cardstockscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/
Jenny - http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
kATHY - http://kathy-thebeautifullife.blogspot.com/
Debbie - http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/
Misty - http://abusyplace.blogspot.com/
Iva - http://ivarai.com/
Bonnie - http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com/
Nana - http://youniquereflections.blogspot.com/
Laura - http://lauraleesdream.blogspot.com/
Marianne- http://paperorfabric.blogspot.com/
Christel- http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/
Rebecca - http://rebeccasaylor.com/
Carol N - http://stampincarol.blogspot.com/
Kee Kee - http://life-is-scrap.blogspot.com/
Amy - http://amychomas.blogspot.com/
JD - http://jdscricuteering.blogspot.com/

And here are my projects:

Materials used:
Patterned Paper: Bo bunny Noel Collection
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics
Punch: Fiskars
Stickles
Sketch: Nuts About Sketches
Photo Sizes: 2x3 (5) and 5x7 (1)
Distress Ink

Materials used for cards:
Patterned Paper: Reminisce
Stamps: Stampendous
Color: Prismacolors & Gamsol
Ribbon: May Arts
Bling: Kaisercraft
Black Pen: Uniball
White Gel Pen: Uniball
Stickers: Reminisce

Measurements for card 1:
Green: 4 x 5 1/2
Red: 3 1/2 x 3 1/2
White: 3 1/4 x 3 1/4
Ho Ho: 3 x 3
White (with rounded corners): 2 3/4 x 2 3/4

Measurements for Card 2:
Red: 4 x 5 1/2
White: 3 x 3

Now for the BLOG CANDY!! I am giving away 4 kits from Paper Tree House Studio!!

In order to win you have to do the following:

1. Leave me a comment on this thread.
2. Follow my blog... only if you like it. :)
3. Go check out my facebook...
4. Have fun during the hop... :)

Continue hoppin around! Your next destination is Laura's blog over at http://lauraleesdream.blogspot.com/.

Love in Christ,

Nana

What I have been up to...

2010-11-23T01:19:00.000-05:00

I am very tired, so this post will be mainly pictures... :) These are some of the layout I have been working on for classes and kits... The Paper Piecing ones were created using patterns from www.myscrapchick.com. Thanks for looking!

I have been busy with the challenges at My Paper Tree House. You can check the newsletter of the week here.

Love in Christ,

Nana

He will give us rest!

2010-11-15T00:54:00.003-05:00

Have you ever had a terrible week right after you thought to yourself, "My life cannot get any better..." LOL I need to learn and continually remind myself that the Lord only fills me in order to pour me out again. When He Chooses to pour me out, I find great comfort in knowing that He (Himself) will give me rest! :) May you find rest in Him this week...

I created this layout using one of Shawn's wonderful sketches:

Go over to Nuts about Sketches and play with us!

Love in Christ,

Nana

PS: This layout is also used for the following challenges:

My Paper Tree House

Fantabulous Cricut

Color Combos Galore

Swing Your Heart Out

2010-11-07T23:18:00.002-05:00

I am absolutely in love with language. I love the fact that through it I acquire knowledge, I am able to communicate with those I love, I am able to discover what I fear and don't enjoy. I have had the privilege this year to work with an outstanding group of students that also are falling in love with language. :) They think it is so much fun to insert an "and" instead of a "but" and see how the entire sentence acquires a new meaning. I think it is the same in our daily lives with many things... It takes but a second to change the definition of many "well-known" concepts, yet there is one that has always remained the same since I came to know the Lord: NOTHING ELSE MATTERS BUT HIM!

With this in mind I created this layout for my children. I want them to know that everything they do must be done wholeheartedly.. even swinging from a swing at the park. :) In the journaling I have included the following:
"Oh, that you may know Him and the power of His resurrection-that you may press on toward the upward call of God in Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:10, 13-14)"

My desire is that the Lord would be everything to my children and that they would discover that if they swing their hearts out for anything other than Christ, then it will be purposeless. May you too find yourself "swinging" through life with a clear understanding that it is through God that we are able to reach peace.

You can read a bit more about the creation of this layout by clicking on this newsletter link.

Love in Christ,

Nana

PS: This layout was created using Nuts About Sketches Weekly Sketch. It is being used also for the following challenges:
1. My Paper Tree house (Bible Challenge)
2. Fantabulous Cricut
3. Triple the Scraps

Cartridges used: All Mixed Up and Don Juan

Faith Art Journal

2010-10-26T00:17:00.000-04:00

I decided to begin a Faith Art journal in order to portray things I cannot say to the Lord with words. Not that I am any good at drawing, there is just a sense of completeness once i finish interpreting what i read in the Word through drawing. Here is one of the recent creations... Although it is not finished, I love the way it is coming along. I think that it is a reflection of how I am still a work in progress... :)

Thanks for visiting!

Love in Christ,

Nana

If I were to be honest...

2010-10-16T23:47:00.000-04:00

In the past couple of weeks, the Lord has been doing some pretty AMAZING things in my heart. When I say AMAZING I am not necessarily referring to the type of AMAZING that makes you smile, but definitely the kind that makes you more like Him! It is hard though to sit at the King's feet with absolutely nothing to show but your sin and the wickedness of who you really are!!

Last weekend I had the blessing of being one of the guest speakers at Faith 365. I must say that the Lord magnifies Himself in my life and through others every time I am at that event. He always purges me and shows me what I shall show others, not without it becoming real in my own life. And so, the same was true this time around! I was so blessed by the many BEAUTIFUL women that attended, and the messages that were shared. But impressively enough the biggest thing that God did for me while there was to open my eyes to something i believe He was trying to point towards a long time ago.

Have you ever gotten in soooo deep into something you don't know how to get out, even if you know you had to? Well, that is what the Lord has shown me... He intended for me to create for HIM and HIM ALONE. To do events for Him and Him ALONE... and yet somewhere down the line I have made Him part of what I have wanted... I have a heavy heart....

While in Louisiana, Mrs. Lynnette told me that I need to take things slow because later in life I would regret having missed out on my children without a purpose. Somehow when she said that i understood what God had been trying to tell me... I need to stop for HIM or I will not enjoy Him and the gifts He has given me.

So, If I were to be truly HONEST, I must say that I hate every second I spend away from my children.... I hate how tired I am of not being able to kiss them goodnight every night because I have to be at a store... I hate when my daughter sees me pacing back and forth in the house and automatically she tells me "Mami no va" (which means Mommy don't go")... I hate that I can barely understand the things my son says because I don't spend enough time to know what it is he is trying to say... I hate that the conversations I have with my husband are short and to the point and that the time I spend with him has been narrowed to one night a week... I hate that i have no time to fulfill the duties I believe I should be fulfilling in my house... I hate the fact that I have debt to pay and I have to work daily in order to pay it and have something to offer our children...

Is it worth it? If i were to be honest... No! Only the things that count in eternity are worth it... Therefore I have made a very bold decision... I am NOT going to continue living the life I have led so far. If anything needs to be sacrificed it will be that which does not have the Lord as the center of it! I will continue with the Faith crops and will begin to have Faith events every 3 months. I have realized that if I just teach women to scrapbook without adding the hope that exists in Christ, I am doing them a disservice...

And so, starting in November, the Studio will only be open every other Friday and on Saturdays from 10am-10pm. All the classes of the month will be offered on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. The 1st Saturday will be set apart for a regular All Day Crop and the 3rd will be for the Faith crops.

The monthly kit club will also change. I am not going to offer a kit for the month of October because i am going to reconsider the purpose and spend some time creating kits that help me accomplish my mission. I will be offering kits that include product that will enable women to create layouts and projects with the purpose of leaving a legacy of what God has done and is doing in their lives. The new kit will be released in December and the price will go down although the amount of product will remain the same. There will be Bible challenges and lots of inspiration for just about anybody available in the blog.

I know that this decision is probably going to cost me many many customers... but IF I WERE TO BE HONEST... what matters to me is that Christ is being glorified and honored and that my children will get to see Him through even the hard decisions I make for His sake. The Lord has given me His life... the least I can do is give Him mine - UNASHAMEDLY!

Thanks to those of you that might not come back... may the Lord bless you greatly. :) Thanks to those that will stick around... may the Lord continue to show us His face!!

Love in Christ,

Nana

NUTS ABOUT SKETCHES...

2010-10-06T00:14:00.000-04:00

Ever since I found out about sketches, I have been in love. Anyone that knows me can tell you that I am a "natural" with mini-books, but I tend to struggle a bit with creating layouts I fall in love with. That was until I discovered sketches. I feel freed up once I have a map to follow, and some sketches get the best out of me.

I love sketches that have many pictures because I take many pictures... :) But the reality is that there are not that many sketches out there with many pictures that can still inspire me to create beautiful pages. I came across the Nuts About Sketches blog and fell in love. There has yet to be a sketch that i do not like, or that does not push me towards my very best... :) Recently i tried out for their design team and am very honored to say that I was chosen as one of the designers!!! WOOHOO!!

It is a bit sad that it took me so long to announce it here, but I have been beyond overwhelmed with work. Finally today I decided I could not let any more time go by without me sharing the news... :) This week they are featuring a double page spread with TONS of pictures. Although the layout is not fully done, I am loving the direction it is heading towards and so I decided to share it...

Here is the sketch:

And here my interpretation of that sketch:

I have created these other layouts using Shawn's sketches:

Make sure you go by the Nuts About Sketches blog for more amazing sketches.

Love in Christ,

Nana

CHA ROCKED!

2010-08-03T01:50:00.008-04:00

I just got back from CHA and may I say WOW! The new lines are awesome and I cannot wait to get my hands on them! :) Needless to say, I had a blast with Kiki, Felipe, Nan, and other wonderful ladies at the Zutter booth while we created the cutest make-n-takes. :)
I got to come across a group of wonderful people... Here are some pictures to prove it:

Tim Holtz
Melody Ross
Donna & Bill Downey
Theresa Collins
Claudinne Helmuth

I also wanted to show you a bit of what I have been working on...

(It is not clear in this picture, but I think it is funny how my son does not look excited in the top picture, yet there is a bubble next to him as if he was saying: "This is Awesome!" LOL)

Thanks for visiting!

Love in Christ,

Nana

My Rising Star

2010-07-21T21:51:00.006-04:00

Sketchy Thursdays is an awesome Sketch challenge blog. Even though I do not always have time to play there, I HAD to be part of their GDT challenge. The challenge was to include the color yellow in the layout made using their sketch, and to add a hand made embellishment. This is the sketch they posted:
and this is the layout I created:

My son is notorious for two things: for throwing things to the floor just to say "Oh Oh!', and for playing Peek a Boo. When I saw the pictures my husband was able to capture I could not resist but to scrap them and call him "Momma's Peek A Boy".

I cut the star out of chipboard and used Glossy Accents and Alcohol Inks to give it its color and texture. All of the patterned paper is from Momenta, an AMAZING and versatile scrapbooking company. Make sure to check out their blog so that you can see their product and what other designers are creating with it! :)

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

FCCB 3 Flower Challenge

2010-05-25T02:11:00.002-04:00

I have been more busy than what I like to admit, but when I saw the challenge for this week over at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog I had to participate! We had to create a project using at least three flowers. I am a flower junkie, so I HAD to use more than three.. :) Here is the layout I created using the Gypsy Wanderings cartridge:

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Drum roll please....

2010-05-23T00:03:00.003-04:00

for the WINNER of the Let's Scrap blog Hop: HRH!!!!

This is what she had to say:
HRH said...

I love the look of stitching on LOs but I am not good at it. I followed your suggestion of using rub-ons. Why didn't I think of this earlier? I love the way it turned out! Thanks for choosing a great sketch and technique!

Your layout is absolutely stunning! :) The official release of the kits is June 1st so I will ship your prize then. :) In the meantime come and play with us over at the My Paper Tree House page so that you can have many other chances to win...

Please e-mail me your information over to mypapertreehouse@gmail.com..

Thanks to all of you that participated with us in this Hop. It was tons of fun!

Love in Christ,

Nana

FCCB Crawl Winner!!!

2010-05-17T15:26:00.002-04:00

I am sorry for posting this so late, but I truly had a blast reading your comments and seeing what you all created! I used random.org to generate a winner and came up with Kate as the blessed winner. Here is what Kate had to say:

Kate said...

Thanks for the challenge! I don't have a Gypsy but did pretty much everything for the Cricut Crawl challenge using my DS. I don't cut without it! I did add some swirls to my layout though. You can find details on my blog (http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/2010/05/lady-lenore-layout-fantabulous-cricut.html). I posted at Fantabulous Cricut as well. Thanks for letting me play!

Please send me your information so that I can mail the caddy to you... :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

Let's Scrap New Sketch

2010-05-12T13:14:00.005-04:00

Hello! :) Let's Scrap just released the sketch of the month and it is Outstanding!!! :)

It is meant to be a double layout, but I fell in love with the first page and came up with this layout...

I will attempt to create a double-page layout that also features the challenge that we are playing with over at Let's Scrap.

Hope to see you over there... :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

Fantabulous Cricut Crawl...

2010-05-10T02:01:00.004-04:00

Welcome to my blog and the "Fantabulous Cricut Crawl"...our version of a progressive blog hop!

If you've come from visiting Lori at Organized Chaos, you're in the right place! If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our Fantabulous Cricut Crawl, start here.For our Fantabulous Cricut Crawl, each Design Team member will be featuring a specific element related to using your Cricut. There will be a wide variety of techniques and elements that will be featured so make sure to check out each DT member's blog! There will be prizes along the way AND there will be a grand prize for the participant that incorporates the most featured elements on ONE project!!! How fun is that?
The element I've chose to feature for the crawl is...

the FAMOUS Gypsy!
Many of you own the gypsy and use it mainly to cut your images. Although this is a great idea, (and truly its' purpose) I like to use the Cricut to come up with designs. I love the fact that in one sitting I have access to all of my cartridges and that I can design in one page using ALL the cartridges I own. I must admit that what I design might not always end up being my actual creation (like in this example), but I can start to formulate some ideas.
As many of you know, my grandmother passed away on the 19th of April. I wanted to create a project where my mother could keep a picture of her mother and her father (who also passed away). So this is what I designed while laying in bed chatting with my hubby... :)
In this design I have elements from 4 different cartridges: StoryBook, Potpourri Basket, Straight From the Nest, and Pink Journey. Even though the cartridges are all different I can combine them and design with all at the same time because I was using the Gypsy!!!

When I started designing, this is the frame I had in mind. It has sentimental value but I no longer find it attractive so I wanted to change it. I painted the frame with Acrylic Black and yellow paints and used a heat gun to dry it.

I then covered the frame with a White Wash....
and finished the look of the frame by Glimmer Misting! :)

Finally I added all of the elements that worked well with the picture I chose to use .

I understand that not all of you have the Gypsy, but if you do please leave me a comment telling me how you incorporated your Gypsy into your project. I will be giving a Cricut Cartridge Caddy from Scrapcessories to a random participant. In order to qualify you must become a follower of my blog, post your project over at FCCB, and leave me a message telling me you have done all of the above. If you do not have a Gypsy your challenge is to incorporate some type of swirl from any Cricut cartridge you may own into your project. :)

Now it's your turn! See if you can use your Gypsy to create your own project. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Next stop...Penny's blog, Light Whimsy. Go see what Penny has in store for you today... And when you're done, make sure to link up your project to FCCB's Fantabulous Cricut Crawl post to be entered into the contest! Try to see how many elements you can add to your project!!!

Happy Crawling!

Let's Scrap Blog Hop begins now!!! :)

2010-05-07T04:17:00.008-04:00

Hello and WELCOME to the Let's Scrap Blog Hop! Thanks for hopping over to my blog. If you arrived here first, you need to visit Susan's Blog so that you can take advantage of ALL the fun things we have in store for you! You are almost done hopping in the Let's Scrap Design Team Blog Hop, but I can assure you that there is still lots of FUN to be had ! Below you will find a challenge based on one of the great Let's Scrap sketches. All you have to do is complete this challenge, upload it to the Let's Scrap gallery with the tag "bloghop9", become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment letting me know you are participating. At the end of the Blog Hop on May 21, 2010, I will randomly select one person to receive a small prize package. But that's not IT!! Keep hopping through the blogs....there are 10 of us playing along. Complete the challenges at EVERY stop on the blog within the next two weeks and you're name will be entered into a random drawing for a $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE to A Cherry On Top Scrapbook Store. And the best part....you have TWO FULL WEEKS to complete your challenges and when all is said and done you will have 10 projects completed and a chance at some great prizes!!

Below you will find a list of those DT's who are joining us in the blog hop.

1. Susan

2. Cori

3. Deb

4. Jean

5. Sally

6. Rosalie

7. Scarlett

8. Carolina

9. Nana

10. Kristie

And now for my challenge to you--- I have a new obsession! I am in love with sewing on paper... Every layout or project I make looks incomplete without sewing! :) My challenge for you is that you complete a layout using this awesome sketch from Let's Scrap using any sweing technique you want... It can be hand sewing, machine sewing, even drawn sewing... LOL The "LOOK" is what matters... :)

Here is a sample I created using the sketch and the technique:

Remember, in order to be in the drawing for a prize, please become a follower of my blog so I can see what neat things you are doing as well, upload your layout to Let's Scrap using the tag bloghop9, and return here to leave me a comment that you have uploaded a layout. I can't wait to see what you will be creating!! :) And finally, before you hop off to Kristie's blog, I wanted to let you know that what is up for grabs is a Kit from My Paper Tree House! This kit will ship in June, but I guarantee you it will be well worth the wait! Here is a pic so that you too can play along trying to decipher what is in it:

Join me and the rest of the amazing designers over on Facebook so that you can get hints of what we will include in the kit. You can find us here! :)

Be blessed ....see you on the other end of the hop! Next stop.....Kristie!!

Love in Christ,

Nana

It is OFFICIAL... My Paper Tree House is Born!

2010-05-05T23:56:00.004-04:00

If you have been hanging around me for a while you would know that I had a vision to start up a kit club... not just any kit club, but one filled with talented women that would showcase the best product along with other women that are totally in love with the Lord and have also been blessed with lots of talent... and so I prayed and the Lord has responded!

What was once just a dream has become a reality that floored me! I created a group yesterday and it already has 285 followers... Praise you Jesus!! Only you can make something out of nothing... :)

And so, I wanted to bring you guys into the fun as well... I have a tiny picture where most of the product is featured and it is your job to try to guess what product will be included in the kit... Here is the picture:

Go to our Facebook page and leave your guess, or leave me a comment with your guess... You never know if you will be the blessed winner of the amazing prize I have yet to reveal.. LOL

Here are the Designers the Lord has brought together:

1. Amy Muffoletto
2. Diana Fisher
3. Iris Babao Uy
4. Laura Achilles
5. Noel Rusk Culbertson
6. Sarah de Guzman
7. Suzy West
8. Tricia Wilson
9. Veronica Johnson
10. Nana Campana (LOL)

Guest Designer for June: Irene Tan

Hope to see you in our Facebook page...

Love in Christ,

Nana

La Ganadora de el Blog Rayuela de Kiki-Art es....

2010-05-05T00:33:00.003-04:00

Adriana! Aquí está el comentario que ella dejó (Here is the comment she left me):

dreams_sueños said...

Hola Nana!! la rayuela me trajo nuevamente a visitar tu blog, te felicito por tu causa,¡ hay tantos niños y personas en cada rincón del mundo pasando por lo mismo, sin techo y sin comida!! tantas personas anónimas, tantas organizaciones o fundaciones ayudándolos!! buenísima tu causa.
Gracias por compartirla... seguiré adelante y saltando. Un beso desde Córdoba, Argentina
Adriana

April 30, 2010 2:20 PM

Gracias a todos por su participación y por los muchos comentarios bonitos que me dejaron! De verás que fue un placer el conocerlas y sus mundos... Muchos besitos y espero poderles ver por aquí de nuevo!

Thank you ladies for your participation and for all the beautiful comments and sentiments you all left! It was truly my pleasure to get to know you and your little worlds... I send many kisses your way and I hope to see you around here again soon! :)

Que El Señor los colme de bendiciones y de Su presencia...

May the Lord fill your life with many blessings and with His presence...

Mucho Amor en Cristo,

Lots of Love in Christ,

Nana

PS: Adriana, porfavor envíame tu información para hacerte llegar tu regalito! :) FELICIDADES!
Adriana, please send me your information so that I can send you your prize! :) Congratulations!

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge #8

2010-05-03T12:09:00.003-04:00

I FINALLY got my Gypsy back and can design with it!!! It took Provo Craft three months to get the Gypsy back into my hands, and to make up for the lost time they gave me the Straight From the Nest cartridge for FREE!!!! WAHOO!!

Anyhow, the challenge for this week over at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog was to create a Teacher Appreciation project using an apple. I have a dear friend who loves coffee and is a teacher. Her birthday just passed and I thought it would be perfect to give her a mug she can take to school. :)

Using the Locker Talk cartridge I created this insert for a coffee mug:

All the shapes were cut at 2 inches and were then decorated using Stickles! :) Here is the picture of the insert inside the mug:

I had such fun playing with my Gypsy again... Come join us at the FCCB and let us see your Teacher Appreciation projects...

Love in Christ,

Nana

PS: Do not forget that you can win a Stickles Caddy by becoming a follower of my blog and leaving a comment on my Kiki-Art Blog Rayuela Post. :)

Momenta Here I come! LOL

2010-05-03T01:05:00.003-04:00

I am soooo excited to announce that I have been chosen to be part of the Momenta Design Team!!!

They have beautiful papers and embellishments and the rest of the team is FANTASTIC so I could not be happier! :) To make this announcement even better I must share this coupon with you...
For the entire month of May, Momenta is having a sale in honor of National Scrapbooking Day. Make sure that you pass by the store and that you get lots of their goodies! You will not regret it! (Soon you will see lots of their product featured here... :)

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Blog Rayuela se pone interesante...

2010-05-01T23:32:00.004-04:00

Como les conté, les tengo una sorpresita adicional a aquellos que me hayan dejado comentarios y hayan decido seguirme... He añadido lo siguiente como regalito para dar:

Just as I promised, I have a little surpirse for those that have been leaving comments and have chosen to follow my blog.... I have added the following to the prize I will be giving away:

Los botones y las cintas de Kiki-Art!! :) Si no los han visto, no saben de lo que se pierden! :) Además también estaré regalando un caddy para cargar los Stickles! :)

Kiki-Art's Buttons and Trims!!!! :) If you have yet to see them, you have no idea what you are missing out on! :) Besides that I am ALSO adding the Stickles Bottle Caddy :)

Espero que sigan disfrutando de la Rayuela...

Hope you are enjoying our Blog Hopscotch...

Besitos en Cristo!

Lots of Kisses in Christ,

Nana

Blog Rayuela de Kiki-Art

2010-04-28T18:46:00.004-04:00

Si llegaste aquí primero, tienes que ir a EL BLOG LATINO DE KIKI ART ahi comienza toda la diversión. Luego cada miembro del Equipo de diseño te irá enlazando al blog que sigue!
Aqui te espero ok???

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bienvenidos a nuestro primer BLOG HOP de KIKI ART... Nosotros quisimos llamarlo ¡BLOG RAYUELA!

Ya abras leído las instrucciones del juego, como sabes, cada miembro del equipo de diseño ha elegido una organización que se compromete a ayudar a los demás.

Welcome to our very first Kiki Art’s blog hop We wanted to call it BLOG HOPSCOTCH. The fun starts HERE!

At this point, you’ve read the instructions of the game. As you know, each member of the DTs, have selected an organization they like.

Yo escogí: Miami Rescue Mission

Desde pequeña siempre he tenido un amor especial por los deambulantes que viven en la calle sin nada que comer ni un lugar para dormir. He tenido familiares que se han visto en esta circumstancia y es sumamente dificil ver a alguien que tu amas pasar por esto.

Trabajé para la organización Miami Rescue Mission y sentí que al fin hice más que dar un pedazo de pan a alguien padeciendo hambre. Me dí cuenta que puedo hacer la diferencia ofreciendo amor y aceptación a un grupo de hombres, mujeres y niños que diariamente son ignorados. Tuve la oprotunidad de crear un currículo de aprendizaje para el programa de tutorías que ofrecen a los niños y ver la mano de Jesús sanando corazones heridos.

My choice: Miami Rescue Mission

As a child I always had a special kind of love toward the homeless men and women I would see on the streets. I have even had family members experience homelessness and it totally broke my heart to see someone that I love go through such horrid experiences.

I got to work for the Miami Rescue Mission and I was able to realize that I can do much more than provide food to someone that is hungry. I realized that smiles, and hugs can go a long way when the recipients are always being rejected. I was blessed with the opportunity of creating their after-school tutoring program and through it witnessed the Lord's hand healing broken hearts.

Para éste Blog Rayuela, decidí regalar mucho producto de Kiki-Art y algunas de mis creaciones de Paper Piecing... Aqui están sólo algunas cositas que te puedes ganar si me dejas un comentario y decides seguir mi blog: (Regresa nuevamente para que puedas ver las otras sorpresitas)

For the Blog Hoscotch; I decided to give out lots of Kiki-Art goodies along with some of my Paper Piecing Creations. Above you will see some of the things you may win if you leave me your comment and decide to follow my blog (come back again so that you can see the rest of the surprises you may win).

Y este es el regalo que te puedes ganar, ofrecido por KIKI ART

This is the prize you could win, offered by KIKI ART

¡¡¡No olvides de dejarme un mensajito antes de saguir saltando ok? El 4 de Mayo… anunciaré una sorpresita que te va a gustar!!!!

Ya terminaste de saltar por el mundo Hispano de Kiki-Art. Si quieres comienza a saltar en el grupo de Inglés. Puedes comenzar aquí.

Don’t forget to leave me a message before your next hop, on May 4th… I’ll announce a surprise you are going to like!!!

You are now officially done hopping through the Hispanic Blogs... Hop on over to the English crowd now... You can begin here.

Kiki Art tiene 3 blogs en diferentes idiomas. Cada uno de los equipos creativos esta participando en este blog hop, puedes ir a visitarlos tambien:

Kiki Art has three different blogs in three different lenguages. Each DT is participating in the blog hop, you can go and visit them.

Kiki Art English

Kiki Art le français

Kiki Art Español

Muchos besitos en Cristo,

Lots of Kisses in Christ,

Nana

This Little Piggy went to the mud...

2010-04-16T03:36:00.004-04:00

I am THRILLED to come back to share with you a little bit about what has been happening in my life.... As you all know, I left on a Scrapbooking Cruise and had a TOTAL blast! Giancarlo got sick, and sleeping was a luxury, but what else is new? (lol)

After we got back we spent some time with dear friends (Henri and Bill) that happen to be missionaries over at the Appalachian Trail. It was such a sweet time of fellowship, worship, prayer, and just great conversations! (Check out their ministry here.)

After that time I have been NON Stop. Kick off week is next week and I have been a busy bee. I have been trying to catch up with twenty million things and have not been able to take pictures of anything, until now... :)

This little Piggy made me stop dead on my tracks, so I had to show her to you...

I was chosen to be a Guest Designer for Meljen's Designs for the month of April. The digi stamps you will find there are BEYOND gorgeous! They all have that aaawww effect to them... lol

Last week's challenge at their DT challenge blog was to use Girly colors in your project, so I made this card. :) This week's challenge is to use a 3D elements, so make sure you stop by to participate.

Love in Christ,

Nana

Bling it ON!! :)

2010-03-29T03:19:00.003-04:00

I HAD to use that title!! LOL Over at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog we are having a fun and shiny challenge: Create a project using some shine, jewels, glitter etc... I could not resist to include some pearls, and some Stickles on this layout that was inspired by Iris Babao Uy. I made it to give to my mom for Mother's Day, and I am loving it!

My Gypsy has been giving me a lot of problems lately, so I had a hard time cutting the letters using the StoryBook cartridge. What should have taken me two minutes took 30... LOL

The fun part about this layout was to create the lace type effect with paper. In order to accomplish this, I cut the paper in strips of approximately 3-4 inches and I scored it every .5 inches. Then I folded the paper accordiaon style and used a mister to wet the paper. Once it was wet it became moldable so that I could glue it down in a circle.

I used some pearls and lots of Stickles for the letters. I know you cannot see it clearly, but it looks very yummy in person!

Well, I will be leaving on a cruise so I will probably not be able to get on here much (if at all), so I will get back in touch with you guys probably on Friday! I will miss you!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Couture Cardstock Daily Challenge

2010-03-26T14:30:00.002-04:00

Today's challenge over at the Coutoure Cardstock Blog is to create something using a medium... To make this layout I used Glimmer Mist and Glossy accents! :) All the little elements are my own paper pieced creations using the original artwork from www.digikits.com. :)

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Free Fabric Flower Tutorial!!

2010-03-25T13:54:00.006-04:00

I just purchased this book and cannot wait to get started with the techniques that are in it!! :) If you go here, you too can get a Free tutorial!

Thanks for coming by!

Love in Christ,

Nana

My FIRST BLOG AWARD!!

2010-03-24T14:38:00.004-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I received this awesome award from a very dear friend: Veronica. :)

Veronica is the MOST TALENTED WOMAN I KNOW and you NEED to check her Blog and her work! She is outstandingly talented and on top of that has the sweetest spirit I have known. :) Thanks Veronica for this awesome gift, and forgive me for taking sooo long to post it here.

Now in order to accept this award there are some rules I need to follow, and they are as follow:

1) Add a link and note of thanks to the person giving the award.

2) Pass the award on to 15 bloggers whose blogs you have recently discovered that you love.

3) Share 7 things about yourself.

So here we go:

7 Things about me:

1. I am MADLY in love with Jesus Christ! I met Him commiting suicide and am grateful that He was faithful to give me life abundant like He promised He would... :)
2. I am married to the most wonderful man (Freddy) and have two beautiful little ones that are 11 months apart.
3. I currently own a Local Scrapbook Store where I teach classes and provide Custom Made projects.
4. I am about to open a small online store to sell my paper-piecing patterns and embellishments, along with my pre-made pages and books.
5. I have been published before (by God's mercy) and just got an e-mail from SNR asking if they could publish one of my Kiki-Art layouts! YIPEEE!! :)
6. I desire to be able to stay home with my children to be able to raise them up in the ways of the Lord and point them always to HIS GREAT Faithfulness!
7. I desire to inspire other women to scrapbook so that through their talent they can leave a Legacy of what God has done in their lives and future generations may come to know Him through their books.

15 Bloggers that inspire me (Most of these women have no idea who I am and how much of an impact they have in my life! LOL)

1. Gabrielle Pollacco
2. Stacy Cohen
3. Delaina Burns (I would love to reconnect with you.)
4. Damaris Rios
5. Addy Abreu
6. Robin Wade
7. Stacy McDonald
8. Sarah de Guzman
9. Suzy West
10. Sonia Kertznus
11. Iris Babao Uy
12. Irene Tan
13. Ruby Claire
14.Cynthia Stevens
15. Danielle Flanders

I have soooo many more I can think of, but I had to choose 15. These are all STUNNING women that prove to have a wonderful heart, and I am grateful to the Lord for the talents He has bestowed upon them. My prayer is that He would continue to help them to create beautiful things that reflect HIS Glory!

Love in Christ,

Nana

SomeBunny is Having FUN!!!

2010-03-24T14:17:00.004-04:00

I now looove looking at pictures of when my kids where younger (not that they are old now lol). I came across this picture of Noelani and knew immediately it needed to be part of a fun layout:

You have probably noticed by now that I absolutely LOVE working with sketches, so I used a sketch from Sketch Inspiration. This is the sketch I used:

This is the layout I made:

I know that it is not my best work, but I sure had a BLAST making it!! I got to play with some glimmer mist and a circle mask... got my hands dirty with some ink... lots of hands-on (MY FAVORITE!!)

The title was cut using the Cricut Cartridge All Mixed Up. To write out the rest of the title, I must have erased the same words 20 different times, and at the end resorted to using stencils. LOL Everyone tells me that my children would like to see my handwriting on their pages. I really believe, though, that after I spend so much time creating a layout I should not take away all of its beauty by drawing attention to my HORRID handwriting! LOL

The stamps are from Technique Tuesday and I though they really complimented the page well...

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Be Loved

2010-03-23T22:38:00.004-04:00

I have had so much fun playing with paper while scrappin' some old pictures. I cannot believe that Noelani is going to turn 2 years in May and I have yet to finish her first year... :( Here is a layout I recently created using some prima paper and a sketch:from Let's Scrap.

I really enjoyed looking back at this picture. I remember that during this time Noelani was going through a very serious season of what everyone thought was reflux. She would vomit way more than what she would eat, and as a new Mommy I felt I would never make it past another day...

It is truly amazing how God gives us the strength that we need when we need it. He is our strength in our weakness and truly our Provider!! I can honestly say that I was sure I would never make it past those days, and yet she will turn 2 in May. Oh if I could stop time!!! If I could turn back the clock, how different I would prioritize things!!!

My prayer is that one day she would look at this page and she would know that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HER AND WILL ALWAYS LOVE HER!! I now wish I would have spent so much more time doing just this... Praying while I held her close to me...

Love in Christ,

Nana

Easter Altered Album Box FCCB

2010-03-23T12:46:00.003-04:00

Without further ado... Here it is:

I created this box to house a mini-album I am in the process of making for Giancarlo's First Easter. The challenge over at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog was to create an Easter project using pastel colors. I had come across this BEAUTIFUL Chickie over at Meljen's Designs and I HAD to buy it.

Is he not the most gorgeous chick you have ever seen??!?!?!

I normally use Prismacolors with Odorless Mineral Spirits to color in my stamped images, but this was my first experience with a Digi Stamp and the technique could not be used. So, I improvised and used dry chalk... :) If you have never used a Digi Stamp, make sure to check out Meljen's Designs. They offer Freebies that you can play with!!! :)

To make this project I used the following:

Box: Creative Imaginations
Cartridges:

Jubilee (letters)
Disney Pooh and Friends (Fence)
Gypsy Wanderings (Sun)

Flowers: Prima
Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers
Misc.: Stickles, Liquid Pearls

Thanks for looking!! :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

Sneak Peek into the next Fantabulous Cricut Challenge...

2010-03-21T02:21:00.003-04:00

I am so excited with the outcome of the project I created for the next FCCB challenge that I HAVE to show you a little piece of it... :)

Can you guess what this is?

Intrigued yet?

Is he not cute??!?!?!

Make sure you come on back here on Monday to get the Full Picture... and do not forget to go by the FCCB blog to participate...

Love in Christ,

Nana

Sassy...

2010-03-18T14:47:00.005-04:00

I cannot believe that it is already Thursday! :) I have been extremely busy creating tons of layouts and projects, and I will hopefully add them to my blog so that you can see them... I want to share a layout that is still missing some stitching (and journaling), but I cannot get my sewing machine to work, so I have to submit it without the stitching... :(

My Mind's Eye is having a challenge and I decided to participate in it... :) I had to use the following sketch to create a layout. The theme was supposed to be a "Blast from the Past", and the picture I used really reminds me of my younger years...

Here is the layout:

Noelani absolutely loves being a Girly Girl and wastes no time to grab a nice purse when she sees one. She normally hangs it from her little arm and blows a kiss at you, turns around and says "bye"... (I am going to miss that!!)

I used My Mind's Eye Colorful Christmas Paper and brads. It is one of my FAVORITE collections to date, and the colors were perfect for this layout. To create the ruffled look I used a technique I learned from the very talented Gabrielle Pollacco. If you have never seen her work, make sure you go by her blog... I know you will be inspired. :)

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Sweet Cupcake Tutorial

2010-03-15T12:17:00.006-04:00

I am so excited to share this card with you ladies!! As you already know the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge began today and the challenge was to include the word birthday and the image of a balloon. You have to use your Cricut in your project but it does NOT have to be to cut out the word Birthday nor the balloon... so with this in mind this is what I created:

I used the Doodlecharms cartridge to create the shaped card (see tutorial at the end of the post) and the Tear Drop cartridge to cut out the sentiment that is inside the card.

The flowers I made using punches, but they can be created using the flowers that are in the Plantin SchoolBook cartridge... :)

Here is the tutorial: (If you do not have a Cricut, please leave me a comment and I will e-mail you the PDF template for you to be able to cut the card by hand. I am still trying to figure out how I add the file to the post. Please leave me a comment with instructions if you know how to do it... LOL)

1. Cut the Cupcake image at 7" using the Doodlecharms cartridge on scrap of paper.

2. Cut the candle off

3. Fold a sheet of cardstock in half and trace the cupcake. Make sure that you leave a portion of the cupcake off the folded edge so that it can truly be a card. (Notice the flat portion at the top of the cupcake. This will allow for it to be a card.)
3. Cut out the cupcake making sure that you do not cut the flat portion at the top.

4. Cut the cupcake again using the layers feature and adhere to the cupcake.

5. Once I did that I cut out the words (1.5") and added them to the inside of the card. Finally I mounted the card on a 6.5' white cardstock and I proceeded to decorate with Glitter Domes, Flowers, Kiki-Art's Fun Tape, and Bling.

To make the flowers follow these instructions:

1. Punch out (or cut with the Plantin SchoolBook) three flowers of the same size:
2. Curl each petal using a Bone Folder. (Try not to tear the petals)
3. Ink and layer all the petals together and finish with a button or whatever makes you happy... :)I know that these pics are not the best, so if you need other pics, please let me know. :) Remember to come on by to play with us over at the Fantabulous Blog!

Love in Christ,

Nana

PS: If you do not have the Cricut cartridge to complete this card, please comment here and I can e-mail you the PDF file so that you can cut it by hand... :)

Fantabulous Cricut Challenge One Sneak Peek...

2010-03-14T21:59:00.003-04:00

I am excited to announce that tomorrow morning we will have our first challenge over at the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog!!! :) The DT has created many AMAZING projects, so make sure to check them out tomorrow and join us in the fun. Every week you will be challenged to use your cricut and you will be able to win some yummy goodies!!

Here is a sneek peak of the project I made:

Tomorrow I will be posting the step-by-step picture tutorial on how to create the project and I will even have a PDF file available for those of you that do not own the cartridge I used... :)

Make sure you visit the Fantabulous Blog tomorrow, and then come on by to get the tutorial!

Love in Christ,

Nana

FANTABULOUS CRICUT CHALLENGE BLOG!!!

2010-03-10T23:46:00.002-05:00

I am sooo excited! I received an email from Robin, the sweet owner of the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog, telling me that I was CHOSEN as part of their first design team!!! WOOHOO!!! :)

Here are the rest of the ladies that will be working alongside me:

Christine
Joyce
Lori
Sammye Jo
Tammy
Valerie

I am going to get busy right now and will be creating the first sample for the first cricut challenge! :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

Home is Love...

2010-03-10T15:55:00.005-05:00

I just received four of the new My Little Shoebox lines at the store and fell in LOVE! There are all adorable, but the Flying High has me Flying High!!! (LOL) So I created a layout featuring lots of Doodling using one of the awesome sketches from Nuts About Sketches. Here is the sketch I used:

and here is the Layout I made:
I know that I flipped the sketch a bit, but I just made it work for what I needed it. The sketches at Nuts About Sketches are unbelievable!!! They really inspire me to think out of the box as I create my layouts... Make sure you check them out here.

The theme for my layout I got from a challenge over at Paper Popscicles: the house of the cutest digital stamps and creative cut-out card templates! Check them out here.

Here are some close ups of the layout:
I also had to show you a close up of my favorite picture in the layout:
Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

PS: I will try to get better pictures of the layout...

Papin, Papin...

2010-03-09T14:06:00.005-05:00

I got married about 2 1/2 years ago and I still remember clearly the entire day. I once had a friend tell me that it all passed by too quickly, so he suggested to absorb EVERYTHING so that I would not forget. When he told me that I remember thinking, "He doesn't know what he is talking about!" , but he was right!! I am so glad I listened to him... I am able to remember details that might not be important for anybody else, but me... and I love it! :)

Well, all that time has gone by and my wedding pictures are STILL sitting in my computer waiting to be scrapped. I do not have a decent wedding album, nor the time to make it... :( So, when I saw this sketch from Sketchy Thursdays, I immediately envisioned a layout I wanted to create ( not for my album, but for my Daddy!)
Before I show you the layout, let me tell you a bit about my relationship with my father. He has always been a wonderful provider and caregiver. When I hit the teenage years I had all sorts of rebellion issues and he endured them. When I turned 21 I got married in pure disobedience and my father told me the following words: "I just resent the fact that you did not let me walk you down the aisle..." As you can imagine, I was CRUSHED!! I could not believe that I had done that to my father...

Well, the years passed ( 2 to be exact) and I ended up divorcing the man I was married to. I then met my current husband and knew he was the man I would spend the rest of my life with. Freddy actually asked to speak to my dad or my brother before he even was willing to DATE me, so I knew my dad would approve. One year after that, on 7-7-07 I was with my father sitting right in front of the church waiting together, and I felt redeemed...

I am still missing the journaling on this page, but I absolutely love it. I want to give it to my dad so that he would know how much I appreciate everything he has done for me and how I am thrilled that he walked me to the man I truly love! :) I guess it is a bit like the prodigal son, who came back and his father reinstated him into the family with a feast... The same way, my dad was willing to (in spite of my original disobedience) walk me to my husband-to-be... What a great picture of the Lord and His faithfulness!! Praise you Jesus!

Here are some more pictures of the layout..

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Payasos Kiki -Art

2010-03-06T19:31:00.004-05:00

I received these pictures from my mom and have been dying to scrap them, (YES that IS Me and my brother!) . Today I came across a layout from Kimberly Garofolo Neddo and was very inspired to create my own version of the layout. Here is what I came up with:

I decided to create my own roses using the Kiki-Art paper from the Antología China.

The hearts and the heart paper are from the Antología Amor.

I used a paper piercer to create the sewing pattern and embroidery yarn to sew all throughout. :) Today's Couture Cardstock challenge involved stitching, so I will be submitting it... I WON yesterday's challenge, so now I am hooked!!! LOL

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Couture Cardstock Challenge

2010-03-05T23:35:00.004-05:00

I have been finding great sites, and I do not have lots of time tonight to post new projects, so here goes another repeat... :) Couture Cardstock is having a daily challenge to celebrate National Craft Month and I am loving it! Today's challenge is as follows:

Alter a piece of cardstock and use it on your project (this could mean stamping, distressing, painting, misting, etc.)

Well, I recently completed my butterfly journal, and that is distressed ALL over the place... So here are the pictures of that project, since I only have a couple of minutes in order to submit it... LOL

If you are interested on how to create this project, make sure you check out the entire post for a step-by-step tutorial.

Love in Christ,

Nana

Scrapmaster's Paradise Color Combo Challenge

2010-03-05T23:19:00.004-05:00

I know that this might be a bit repetitive, but I just saw that the layout I made for the Just Buggin' Challenge works well with this color combo, so I HAVE to try it out...
Here is the layout again... (sorry for those of you that already saw it...)

I had never really seen a challenge using color schemes. I really like that idea. If you want to check them out, click on the color scheme picture and it will take you to their blog.

Thanks for looking, and thanks for your patience....

Love in Christ,

Nana

I won!!

2010-03-05T23:09:00.004-05:00

As I was roaming around the different blogs I have recently discovered, I came across my layout over at Just Buggin'! LOL As I read the post, I was chosen as the winner of one of their challenges! It is fun to be surprised in such a pleasant way! Thanks for the awesome award I get to wear on my blog now:

If you have not visited their blog, make sure you check them out. They have really fun challenges... :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

Just Buggin' Challenge and Flower Tutorial

2010-02-28T22:07:00.009-05:00

I came across the Just Buggin' Cricut challenge blog and was thrilled to see that Robin is one of their designers... That made me want to create something for the challenge! So, since I got my Gypsy yesterday (which by the way is not working properly :() I decided to use it to complete the challenge. Here is the layout I created using the Doodlecharms cartridge:I was supposed to create a project that was springy, but I really did not have any springy pictures. So I decided to create the flower that does look springy to add to my layout... :) Here is a close-up of the flower and a tutorial to create it:

I cut out 12 scalloped hearts: 6 at 2 inches and 6 at 1 inch. I also cut out 1 circle at 2 inches.

I took each heart and folded it in half.

Then I folded each half towards the original fold.
Each heart should look like this when you unfold them:

I glued down the hearts to the circle, starting with two opposing hearts to then fill the empty spaces with the rest.

I repeated the process with the smaller hearts and adhered those on top of the original flower. (This is an optional step.)

To finish off the flower I created a center by quilling a piece of the same patterned paper I used for the base of the flower. To do this I attached the end of my paper to a quilling tool.

Then I began to wrap the paper around the tool until I had no more paper left.

I took the roll out of the quilling tool.I released the roll so that it would open up a bit. Once it did that, I glued the corner to the roll to ensure it would not continue to open up.

Finally I adhered the center unto the flower.

If you have any questions, make sure you leave me a comment...

Love in Christ,

Nana

My Butterfly Journal... a tutorial

2010-02-26T20:41:00.010-05:00

It has been a while since I get to scrap just for the sake of creating my way, in my style. I have had to alter my work to meet the needs of many of my customers, but yesterday I got to REALLY enjoy creating a journal. I took pictures along the way, so that if you get inspired, you too would be able to create one just like it. Here is the finished product:The quote on the cover says: Like the Butterfly I Will Awaken in HIS Time. I fell in love with the Botanica paper from Graphic 45 and had no other option than to give in to the temptation of creating a journal that I can add pages to. So the final outcome of the entire album is this:

Page 1 and 2:
These pages have some of my favorite elements in them: butterflies, starfish, seashells... My favorite detail in this page is this one:I love the texture and the dimension that the starfish adds here... :)

Pages 3 and 4:Out of these pages it is a no brainer that the butterfly is my FAVORITE!! I truly believe that I experienced a metamorphosis when I met Christ as my Savior, so I tend to really identify myself with them.

I tried to make it seem as if it was ready to take off... (That is how I usually feel LOL)

Pages 5 and 6:

Once again, the starfish takes my heart away... :)

And now for the Tutorial:

To make the actual album I cut out the shape of the butterfly using the cricut and used the cutout to trace the image onto chipboard.Once I cut out the Butterfly, I drew with a pencil where I wanted the division of colors:
I did not want the butterfly to look traditional so I decided that instead of using entire sheets of paper to cover the chipboard, I should tear paper into tiny pieces and cover it that way.

I began close to the edges and then proceeded to fill in each area according to the color and the pattern I chose for that area. Notice that I left an area without covering... To cover that I used the Graphic 45 number/letter sheet that is double sided. I really liked the polka-dot pattern that was on the back of the sheet, so it turned out to be perfect to cover this area.Once I did that, I inked the butterfly with different Distress Inks and I drew the "veins" with a black pen following the design the Graphic 45 paper butterflies had. These steps you follow twice: to create the front and back cover of the album. (This is what the finished back cover looks like. Since it is meant to be a journal, I did not want the back of the album to be too bulky.) This is the finished cover and a close up of the starfish:

To cover each page, I used the cricut to cut the shape of the butterfly and Glossy accents to adhere it. Because it is a journal, and I am completely inept when it comes to writing neatly, I decided to take some pages from my other journal and tear them in order to add them to the chipboard.
I then proceeded to add the journaling page along with other embellishments and gave each page a distressed look using Distress Inks.I hope you lied my little album and the picture tutorial. I am going to try to create a slideshow with closeups of all the pages so that you can recreate the album (if interested.) Please leave me your comments telling me what you think... (they mean the world to me :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there.The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed!” (Job 1:21)

Kiki-Art is looking for Design Team Members for their Spanish blog...

2010-02-24T15:48:00.003-05:00

As many of you know, I design for an AWESOME company called Kiki-Art. They have beautiful paper and just released wonderful embellishments to go with their lines! Many of their papers are double sided, but the wonderful thing is that A LOT of their paper is glittered, or flocked!!! I love adding texture to my pages, so this is a "treat" for me because it takes a load off of me having to come up with ways to add texture.

Well, they are looking for some Hispanic designers that would help us with the creation of projects as well as keeping up with the blog. Kiki, the very talented owner, loves ALL cultures and is very curious about how scrapbooking differes from country to country. Therefore, she has made it a point to look for talented designers from ALL over the world that would be willing to contibute their talent as well as their knowledge about the scrapbooking world from their countr's point of view.

If you are interested in being part of our WONDERFUL team, please follow the instructions on this post:

Kiki Art está feliz de que poco a poco nuestro hobby sigue invadiendo la cultura de habla hispana! bien!!!!

Y como nuestra empresa sigue creciendo tambien… el blog en Español te necesita!!!

Buscamos chicas (jovenes en espiritu o en edad, todo vale) con ganas de crear, inspirar y demostrar al mundo todas las cosas hermosas que podemos hacer con papel. Ser parte de nuestro equipo es muy divertido! veni! proba!!

o ¿Cuándo?: A partir de hoy … Fecha límite para presentar sus creaciones es 26 de Febrero 2010

o ¿Dónde?: desde cualquier lugar del mundo! Queremos que nuestro equipo de diseñadoras sea tan diverso y colorido como nuestras colecciones.

o ¿Cómo?: Envíanos fotos de tres proyectos originales hechas por ti (ver abajo) y un e-mail respondiendo las siguientes preguntas, a kikiteam@kiki-art.com:

• ¿Por qué quieres ser parte del equipo de KIKI Art?

• ¿Cómo es el Scrapbooking parte de tu vida?

• ¿Tienes un blog? Por favor, envíanos la dirección. Si no tienes un blog? ¿Por qué no? ¿Te gustaría iniciar uno?

• ¿Eres parte de un equipo de diseño en la actualidad? Cual?

• ¿Eres parte de un foro de artesanías/Scrapbooking o grupo online? ¿Cuál?

• ¿Qué piensas acerca de ver tu trabajo publicado? ¿Has sido publicada alguna vez?

• ¿Cuál es tu cita favorita y por qué?

• ¿Cuál es tu lugar favorito en el mundo y por qué?

• ¿Cuál es tu color preferido?

Estos son ejemplos de proyectos que nos pueden mostrar (por favor, asegúrarse de que el tamaño de la imagen no sea más de 600 pxl):

Tarjetas (una o dos)

Diseño de una página grande 12 “x12″ (23 cm x 23 cm)

Diseño de una página pequeña 8 “x8″

Minialbum

Objeto alterado

IMPORTANTE: los proyectos realizados con productos de Kiki Art recibirán puntos extra! y sabemos que ya hay unos cuanto dando vueltas por ahi.

O ¿Cuales son las obligaciones?: una vez que hayas sido elegida como parte del equipo creativo de Kiki Art 2010 y acordado con el contrato correspondiente. Tendrás que cumplir las siguientes tareas durante 6 meses, a partir del 1ro de marzo 2010 hasta el 30 de septiembre de 2010, con opción de volver a concursar el próximo año .

• Información básica: vamos a necesitar tu biografia en Español y una foto de cuando eras niña y otra como adulto para poner en el blog/website.

• Mínimo 2 entradas de blog por mes con tu o tus obras de arte (pero no hay máximo, puedes enviar tantas como desees) … cada mes habra un tema/s para despertar la inspiración.

• Mínimo 2 proyectos de productos para pre-lanzamiento (que es sólo dos veces al año en enero y julio)

• Todos los trabajos de Kiki Art a ser publicados en los blogs,website o elementos de promocion deben ser del 75 al 100% Kiki Art en contenido de material (Kiki Art te proveera de ellos).

O ¿Qué beneficios se obtienen?

• Productos gratis e información inedita sobre los lanzamientos de cada nueva colecciónn! – Cada vez que se publique un nuevo producto podrás conocer todos los “detrás de escena” de la información y también tendras acceso a experimentar con los productos antes que nadie!

• Tu nombre, tu historia o lo que quieras compartir con el mundo se mostrara en tres idiomas diferentes (o el idioma de tu elección) para que lo disfrute todo el planeta! Las creaciones serán publicadas en Facebook, NING, nuestro sitio web, el blog y tambien puede ser objeto de talleres y clases!

• Un “blinkie” diciendo que eres miembro del equipo de Kiki Art 2010

• Si te gusta el “Scrapbooking”, el “multiculturalismo”, “las acciones sin fines de lucro” y amigos por el mundo … esta posición es para vos!

• Sorpresas … si, habrá lindas sorpresas para las personas que pertenezcan a este pequeño club muy especial!

o Los resultados:

• Se anunciarán las ganadoras el 28 de Febrero 2010!

Can't wait to see what you gals create...

Love in Christ,

Nana

A Change in Style

2010-02-19T13:37:00.004-05:00

As I look at the picture of all of my work I am staring to realize that I have evolved as a scrapbooker. I still like making layouts, but I also LOVE mini-albums. I used to be pretty simple with my work, and now I find myself embellishing more, and using a lot more technique in my projects. Here is an album I loved making:

I had created this album for Genuinely Jane Studios and had not yet posted it anywhere. I used their cross album and intended to make more of a "multiple use" album. I think it can be used for pictures or as a journal. Here are all the pictures of the inside pages:
If you have never used one of Genuinely Jane Studios albums, you NEED to check them out! They are made out of wood and they are unbelievably fun and easy to decorate. Check their info here.

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

March Classes

2010-02-19T13:18:00.005-05:00

I still cannot believe that it has been almost a month since my last post... I have been very busy and sleep has been a costly luxury, but I finally got around to getting back into the blogging world. Here is what I have been creating:
This layout was created using my own paper piecing patterns. :) The original artwork I got from www.digiscrapkits.com, but I made my own patterns and designed the layout. To distress the cardstock I used Distress Inks along with dome Glimmer Mist. I also used lots of Distress Stickles along with some sand from Mudd Puddles.

With this layout I had lots of fun!! I absolutely LOVE being able to create my own embellishments and elements in the page. This allows me to have unique project, so I used the Technique Tuesday Tiles, some Prima Flowers, Mark Richards Glitter Domes, May Arts Ribbon, Kaisercraft Bling, and gorgeous GCD paper.

These clowns were fun to create as well. I loved making the ballons and balls with the quilling technique. The patterns for these clowns I made as well and I used Crate Paper Patterned paper. I am happy to announce that this class sold out yesterday! :)

These pictures were too precious to hide in an album, so I had to create this canvas to display in my scrapbooking room. I love the colors of the GCD and the My Little Shoebox patterned papers I used. The Flowers and other elements are from Prima.

Last, but definitely NOT least, I made these cards for the monthly card club. I wanted to feature Kiki-Art product this month at the store and the Jardin collection was just the RIGHT match for the stamps I was working with. The stamps are from Hero Arts and the ribbon is from May Arts and Prima. Every patterned paper seen is from Kiki-Art. I will be creating a tutorial on how to replicate the techniques I used and I will post it in the Spanish Kiki-Art Blog. Make sure you go there and check it out!

Well, I will be back to post some more later today... I have lots to share!

Love in christ,

Nana

It has been a while....

2010-01-29T13:53:00.004-05:00

I know that it has been a very long time since I get on here... I have been busier than I would like to admit and it caught up to me and now I am sick. :( Even with that I felt the urge of getting on and showing all of you what I have been up to... I would have like to feeature each project in a different post, but I am not sure I will have time to do that, so instead here are ALL my projects...To create the Strawberry Shortcake I used a technique I learned a long time ago called Decoupage. I had a TOTAL BLAST making this layout.To make this layout I used Adorn-It paper and lots of stickles... I can't wait for Giancarlo to turn one so that I can add the pictures of his first birthday onto this layout.I created this layout inspired by a picture my cousin took of Noleani. The ducks were created using patterns from Lisa at preciouspiecings.com.

Here is the picture that inspired the layout... LOL
This is my rendition of a LOVE layout. I think Donald and Daisy make such an interesting couple... I could not help but to portray them flirting and in loooove.
LAst, but definitely not least, I have this hybrid page. This page is very dear to me because I created ALL the digital elements and paper using KIKI-Art's new digital project. I will probably be offering the pre-made version of this page here soon, so make sure you come on by later to check that out.

I hope you guys enjoy them... :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

Got Published again!!

2010-01-06T16:50:00.004-05:00

I am excited to say that I have been published for the third time!! Check out the article here. Here is a picture of what was published:

Thanks for looking!

Love in Christ,

Nana

YaYa Kiki Art

2009-12-22T15:24:00.008-05:00

If you have spent any time around me as of recent, you probably have already heard the story about how Giancarlo got his nickname. When he was born, he spent a significant amount of time crying. In turn, I spent a significant amount of time telling him to be quiet... lol In Spanish, when you want someone to stop you say "Ya". So, the way I continually tried to calm my baby was by saying, "Ya Ya, SHH". And so, a nickname was born... LOL

Nonina began to refer to her brother as Yaya and at the beginning I though she was shortening Giancarlo's name. It was not until I saw her trying to soothe him that I realized where she got the nickname from. She gently went up to him and said: "Ya. Ya. Yaya". LOL Since then, when you ask Noelani to say the name of her brother, her response is always "Yaya".

The verse on this page is my daily prayer for both my children. It is my desire that they would lean on the Lord so that He could make their paths straight; especially when I am the one leading them wrongly...

The paper I used is absolutely AMAZING!! Kiki Art's Antología Familia is great and very versatile. It has papers that coordinate with both boys and girls. The chipboard elements are great as well as the Fun Tape. All of these I used on my page. Make sure you check out their website to see the rest of their product line.

Love in Christ,

Nana

CARDS, CARDS, and a BAG!!

2009-12-17T12:56:00.009-05:00

I am convinced that adding new addictions to my life only makes me a better scrapper... LOL Here are the cards I made for the store's stamping club:
This card has lots going on. I used Coredinations cardstock and embossed it to them reveal the red core by distressing the paper. I stamped the numbers on white cardstock and cut the edges with a designs scissors. I inked the edges with yellow chalk ink and colored in the stamp with Prismacolors. Finally I added Stickles, Glaze, and the Mark Richards Glitter Domes.
This was extremely easy but the outcome was great. I used ribbon as candles and just stamped the flame on top of the ribbon. I colored the falmes with Prisma Colors and added Stickles.

This card has the watermark effect on the blue cardstock and just regular coloring on the yellow cardstock. I stamped a cupcake on blue cardstock and on yellow cardstock. I cut the top of the cupcake from the yellow cardstock and I popped it. I then added the sprinkles and glazed it. Finally I added the candle.

This card was an interesting experiment. I used chalk ink to give a yellow tone to the white cardstock and then I stamped all of the cupcakes. To color in the cupcakes I used Prismacolors. Once I colored them, I used Marshmallow Glimmer Mist to give it a shimmery finish. Finally I stamped a cupcake onto a blue piece of cardstock, cut the top and popped it on top of the middle cupcake, along witht he candle.

Here is the matching bag using the same technique:

The technique for this month was learning how to make your own patterned paper using the stamps. I must admit that I was a bit skeptic about being able to accomplish the task, but once again the Lord helped me out... Praise HIM! :)

Hope you liked!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Conquering Sassafras Lass

2009-12-14T16:16:00.010-05:00

WOW! My life took a sharp turn and I felt as though I was inside a whirlpool... :( I took on more classes at the store not really knowing how much time it takes to create kits and I have been EXTREMELY busy... I just finished teaching the last class I have for the month of December (I think LOL) and am excited to be completing the layouts for January.

I must say that the outcome of the work I have been putting in has slowly paid off! I took Sassafras paper home about two months ago to create a layout for a class and had not been able to get anything together. I must admit that I was very intimidated to work with such busy paper, but I was able to get it done! Here is the outcome:

I used all sorts of fun techniques and wonderful product. I got to play with Perfect Pearls in a way I never thought possible before and created the butterflies.

The roses and red flower were originally white and I used Glimmer Mist to color them and I absolutely love the way they came out.

I also got to glaze the numbers so that they would look like epoxy stickers...

Overall, I am very satisfied with the layout... :)

Love in Christ,

Nana

My New Addiction

2009-11-19T13:19:00.006-05:00

I decided to take on a challenge that only the Lord could bring forth victory... LOL I have always been very intimidated by stamping, and I decided that we should offer card classes with stamping techniques at the store. Since there was no one willing to do it, I prayerfully volunteered myself for the task. I had to depend on the Lord the entire time, and you can tell because the cards are beyond what I imagined they would be.

I took upon myself the challenge of learning how to use Prismacolors (colored pencils) with the odorless mineral spirits (which by the way are NOT odorless). I practiced a bit on scraps, and due to the time I dived straight into my cards... Here is the result:

I really like the outcome, and I MUST say: I have a new addiction (not like I needed another one!)

Love in Christ,

Nana

"And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You" (Psalm 9:10)

Thank you Jesus, for ALWAYS proving to be faithful! I worship you!

and the Faith Blog Candy Winner is...

2009-11-16T12:15:00.001-05:00

KRISTINE!!!! Check out her blog here.

Thank you all for stopping by. This was a true blessing. I pray that the Lord would continue to bathe you with love and passion for Him & His word. May you never be tossed to and fro, but may you continue to stand in the Rock that is Christ.

Love in Christ,

Nana

Friend of Faith Blog Hop

2009-11-13T17:18:00.007-05:00

I am so blessed to be part of this blog hop. I was floored when I saw how many bloggers are not ashamed to stand up for the Lord Jesus Christ. May He be glorified through this, and may the Lord use this hop to bring other to Himself! :) Since I am so excited, I decided that I will be sharing a little something myself with those that leave a comment on this post AND become followers of my blog. Have fun hopping!

Here is how it works:
Welcome to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine's A Faith Perspective Thankful for Friends Faith Blog Hop. Today, we're out in force on the internet -- showing our faith and giving the glory to God. United, we stand as Christian paper crafters and blog owners to make a presence on the internet for all to see. We're celebrating the theme of friends and we're happy to share our projects with you based on the verse:

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. " Ecc4:9-10a

If you're just joining in on the fun, you can find the start of the train here: http://www.scrapbooknewsandreview.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=100783. First, we would like to take a moment to thank our generous co-sponsors: Layers of Color Stamps, Gina K Designs Stamps and Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. Together with Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, these companies have donated some wonderful prizes for today's blog hop.

Prizes? Oh, yeah! There will be three lucky grand prize winners for today's event.

To enter, simply hop to the blogs of all of the participating staff members of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, take note of the staff member's name, and leave a comment on their posts. Then send us an email at
games@scrapbooknewsandreview.com listing each of the staff members who participated in today's hop. It's that easy. All entries must be received by Monday, November 16, 2009 at 12 noon, EST and three winners will be randomly chosen to win.

What are the prizes?

One $100 gift certificate from Layers of Color Stamps AND a 6 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

One basket of goodies -- four stamp sets from Gina K Designs and a 6 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

One set of digital stamps from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and a 3 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

In addition, every participating staff member of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine will offer a free one-month subscription to the magazine to one of their lucky visitors by simply leaving a comment on their blog. That's a lot of chances to win, so let's get to the Hop!

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. " Ecc4:9-10a

The next stop on this blog hop is Candace Mitchell's blog.

A Tin, a Mini-Album, and Two Flowers

2009-11-08T14:13:00.023-05:00

As part of Kiki-Art's team, I am sometimes responsible of coming up with scrappy recycling projects. For this past week, I altered a tin I was about to throw away. I had already used all of the flowers that came inside of it, so I truly did not think of a reason to keep it until I was faced with this challenge. I am very excited about the outcome, so I decided to create a mini tutorial. (Keep in mind that I am not including measurements because I do not expect you to have the same alterable item as I do. )

Here is what I created:

Supplies needed:
1. Empty tin
2. Patterned Paper
3. Adhesive
4. Recycled Straw
5. Left over chipboard (not shown, but used to create the mini-album)
6. Bling Swirls

Steps to follow:

1. I covered the bottom of the tin with Kiki-Art's patterned paper. Notice that the 12x12 strip did not cover all of my tin. To fix this, I cut a smaller strip of Kiki-Art's paper and adhered it to the tin first.

2. I then took some straw I found amongst my scraps and used it to cover the place where both patterned papers met.

3. I created a blossom (see bottom for tutorial) and adhered it on top of the straw towards the bottom of the tin.

4. I cut Kiki-Art's heart bling in half. I used the left side of the heart a swirl to decorate the center of the tin.

5. In order to cover the tin's lid, I traced the circumference of the lid on Kiki-Art's paper and then cut around it. I then adhered the small strips of Kiki-Art's paper to the border.

6. I used acrylic paint to cover the separation between the circle and the border.

7. I used the straw to add detail to the border of the lid.

8. In order to create the flower I used to decorate the lid, I cut two small circles and tore all around the edges. Then I created a daisy (see bottom for tutorial) and added a brown brad to adhere them together.

Simple as that!! The tin is now done!

To make the mini-album, all you have to do is cut circles out of chipboard in order to decorate them with patterned paper. ( I used a variety of Kiki-Art's Awesome paper) Once you are done decorating the mini-album, you have to punch a hole through all of the pieces you created and attach together with ribbon, a book ring, or whatever other way you want. (I chose to use some of the straw.)

It is important that the circles you create fit inside of the tin you decide to decorate. Here is the finished product with the mini-album inside: :)

Instructions for Blossom:
1. Draw a swirl on a square sheet of paper. (I used a 2'x2' piece of Kiki-Art paper).

2. Cut the swirl out of the square and all around the lines you drew.

3. Start rolling the swirl from the outside in as seen in the picture below:

4. Roll until you can't anymore.

5. Let go of the swirl, and "VOILA!" your blossom is done! (you may have to arrange the "petals" a bit to make it look the way you want it to.)

Instructions for Daisy on top of the lid:
1. Cut 7-8 slits into TWO circles.

2. Take each petal individually and fold in half.

3. Place each "circle" on top of the other, alingning the petals until you like the way they look together. Place a button or a brad in the center of the flower.

I hope you have enjoyed these tutorials! I know I still owe you the flower tutorial... Stay tuned for that!

Love in Christ,

Nana

Younique Reflections

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My friend and I are starting a Cricut Challenge Blog that will launch on July 1st. We are looking for 12 designers that are willing to show off their creativity... :)

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and the winners are....

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CHA ROCKED!

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Drum roll please....

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Momenta Here I come! LOL

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Blog Rayuela de Kiki-Art

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Bling it ON!! :)

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SomeBunny is Having FUN!!!

Be Loved

Easter Altered Album Box FCCB

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Sassy...

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Papin, Papin...

Payasos *Kiki -Art*

Couture Cardstock Challenge

Alter a piece of cardstock and use it on your project (this could mean stamping, distressing, painting, misting, etc.)

Scrapmaster's Paradise Color Combo Challenge

I won!!

Just Buggin' Challenge and Flower Tutorial

My Butterfly Journal... a tutorial

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A Change in Style

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It has been a while....

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YaYa Kiki Art