Free E-Books Available Today

If anyone is interested, there are 63 titles of FREE e-books available today on Christianbooks.com ... 14 of them are Beth Moore books! You do not need the CBD Reader to read them .. any kind of tablet or e-book reader will work.  I believe this awesome deal is only for today but not 100% sure about that so I wouldn’t wait to check it out.   Here's the link:

http://www.christianbook.com/page/ebooks/free-ebooks

If you do not have Adobe Digital Editions downloaded you can always opt to open it and read it right from your Christianbooks.com account.

Happy reading :-)

Altered IPad Case

Santa gave my daughter an IPad Air for Christmas but because it’s fairly new on the market, finding a cute case was virtually impossible (unless she purchased one online for $$$ plus shipping).  So, I suggested she get a plain one and I would alter it for her using the Square 1 Printable Inkjet Paper.  For $25.00 and a few cents for a sheet of Square 1 this is what I came up with…

BEFORE (front and back):

 

  

AFTER (front and back):

 

 

I love Square 1 Printable.  You can do so much with it.  And the great thing about using it on this case is that it can be changed out for another pattern any time she gets bored and wants a new pattern.  Cool!

Craft Room Mess!!

Uggh, now that my Christmas card making is over I really need to go down to my craft dungeon and clean, clean, clean!  I managed to create an unorganized mess that definitely needs tending to.  On the bright side (no pun intended), my daughters gave me an Ott light for Christmas so maybe it won’t be quite so “dungeon-ee” anymore.

Just as a reminder, the Friday Freebies will resume on January 10th.  I’m giving myself a little break over the holidays :-)

Stay tuned for some great things to come in the New Year!

Robin Lane’s Birthday Blog Hop

 

Hey friends!  Today we are celebrating Robin Lane’s birthday by having a blog hop.  Happy Birthday, Robin!  If you are following along, you should have arrived here from Janet Royer’s blog.  If you just happened to stop by you will want to go back to the beginning and visit Robin’s blog -- she’s offering some great candy to one luck blog hopper (http://create-a-latte.blogspot.ca/)!

It's a smash book kit that has everything in it that you need to get started, perfect for the new year.

My contribution to this hop is a simple birthday card made with some really pretty designer paper and a few buttons on the side.  I used my square scalloped punch to stamp my sentiment on.

 

 

Robin, I really hope you have a great day celebrating your birthday!  I’m so glad I could be a part of this hop (my first hop ever .. but definitely not my last!) to help you celebrate.

Thanks for visiting my blog.  Just as a sidenote .. I give away digital sentiments every Friday so if you’re interested in following me, you’ll be notified every week once they’ve gone live and if you have this feed set up in your email, you will get them delivered right to your inbox :-)

You’re next stop is Connie Can Crop (http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com).  If you get sidetracked along the way, here's the complete hop line up…

1. Robin Lane - http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com

2. Lori Apgar - http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com

3. Lissa Marie - www.somanycrafts.com

4. Alicia O'Bryant - http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com

5. Janet Royer  - http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com

6. Sharon - A Piece Of Heart - http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com *you are here*

7. Connie Can Crop - http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com

8. Tammy Smith -http://lifeupdownandsideways.blogspot.com/

9.  Kim Ryden - http://rydenkim.blogspot.com/

This is a one day blog hop and we appreciate your leaving a comment for all of the crafty gals sharing their ideas and creations.

Christmas Card…

Well, since Church was cancelled today due to an ice storm, I will take this opportunity to post another Christmas card.

 

The Christmas tree made by threading ribbon through my cardstock to form the tree.  I embossed the cardstock with a cuddlebug folder and added a bow to the top of the tree.   If I were to change one thing,  I would sponge the edges of the sentiment with burgundy ink instead of black.  All in all, it’s not a bad card I suppose.

Going to head back down to my craft dungeon and see what I can create today!

Clear It Out Challenge–Warm Fuzzies

Christmas always gives me the warm fuzzies and it’s so hard to believe that it’s only one week from today.    Yoiks!!   This card was made for the Clear It Out Challenge (details below).  The image is a QKR image that I colored with copics.  I added some washy tape, a snowflake sticker and some pretty, sparkly, ribbon as the texture to complete it.

 

Theme: Warm Fuzzies

Stash: Use something textured on your card

The sponsors for this challenge are:

Digi Darla (5 digital images)

QKR Stampede (5 digital images)

Stitchy Bear Outlet

This challenge will run until Jan 6th at which time we will become a weekly challenge blog.

I’ve truly enjoyed my time as a Clear It Out Challenge Blog DT member.  I want to thank Laura, blog and challenge owner, for allowing me to be a part of her terrific team.  I wish her and all the other team members the best as they continue to share their talent.  I will miss you all!

Don’t forget to check the blog on Friday Freebie day.  This will be the last one until the new year!  Don’t miss it!!

Who Wants To Win A Cameo??!!

I’ll be back in a little while to share some more of my Christmas cards but, in the meantime, check out this AWESOME GIVEAWAY!! 

You’ve seen some of the cards I’ve made with my Cameo and you know how much I love it!  Well, this year during the Twelve Days of Christmas celebration, SVG Cuts is giving away FIVE Silhouette CAMEO personal electronic cutting machines! Click the picture for your chance to win one.   You really do not want to miss out on this!

Chevron Christmas Card

Just stopping by to share another one of my Christmas cards with you tonight.  I love the Chevron pattern so I decided to use it on some of my Christmas cards this year.  Here’s one of them.

I really like how this one turned out.  See you again tomorrow when I share another Christmas card with you.

Clear It Out Challenge–Put A Snowflake On It

It’s time for the mid-challenge inspiration over at Clear It Out and I’ve done something a little different for this challenge.  Can you tell what it is?

 

My card for this challenge is not your traditional type of card .. it’s digital.  I created this card using my graphic software (Paint Shop Pro). 

 

 

I colored the little girl in with my PSP as well.  She’s a cutie and she was so much fun to color.

The bow, circular frame, and brads were all digital elements purchased online in a kit by Aleah’s Mommy.  I don’t think she’s on the interwebz any longer so I can’t point you in her direction, sorry.

And, of course, I added some snowflakes to keep with the theme. 

Head on over to the Clear It Out Challenge blog to see more inspiration from the DT and, as an added bonus this round if you play along, Laura is giving away a $10 Gift certificate to one lucky person. This is in addition to our 3 fabulous sponsors this challenge. The G.C. will be your choice from one of our many challenge sponsors :)

See you next week for our last challenge of the year and my last challenge as a DT member for the Clear It Out Challenge Blog!

A Little Joy For You

Today’s card is made with a new product that I’ve just recently come across.   It’s called Square 1 Inkjet Printable with adhesive backing.  These sheets are awesome.  They come in 8.5 x 11-inch sheets and they are made from a woven fabric that does not contain any PVC.  Why does that matter?

• PVC is Polyvinylchloride, a type of plastic. There are more and more reports about plastics being harmful to children in toys, baby bottles, "tupperware" type containers, and furniture. Chemicals are leaked out and babies put everything in their mouths.
• If you can, it is best to avoid exposure to these toxins by using natural materials like cotton, wool, and wood on toys and wood, metal or glass or ceramic for dishes.
• PVC is (polyvinyl chloride) plastic, commonly referred to as vinyl. "When produced or burned, PVC plastic releases dioxins, a group of the most potent synthetic chemicals ever tested, which can cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive systems."  PVC is often used in conjunction with metals, including lead.
• It’s environmentally friendly!

The little girl and the Joy wordart are graphics that I purchased from Whimsey a few years ago. I printed them both on the Square 1 Inkjet Printable and just adhered them to the front of this card.  I added a little washy tape as well.

Here is a closer look at the Square 1 product.  If you look closely (especially at her face) you can see the texture of the Square 1 fabric.

 

 

 

 

The Square 1 inkjet printable can be used in so many different ways.  I used it to make a new light box decoration for Christmas.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s beautiful at night when the lights are twinkling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So that’s it for me, tonight.  If you want to know more about the Square 1 Inkjet Printable, please send me an email. 

 

A White Christmas

Christmas is only just over two weeks away (:O) and so I’ve been busy making cards to give out to family and friends.  Over the next few days I will be sharing what I’ve made.

Today’s card is made up of triangular Christmas trees cut from patterned cardstock and popped up on white cardstock that I embossed with a cuddlebug folder.  I added a black and white ribbon to the bottom.

I’ll be sharing another card tomorrow.  Enjoy your evening.

CIO Challenge–Anything Goes … with a present

Theme:  Anything goes (we know you're busy!)

Stash:  Anything goes (gotta make room for your Christmas presents!)

Our fabulous sponsors

 

For this challenge I used a Bugaboo Stamp.  It’s fairly simple, really.

I printed the tree and the Merry Christmas directly onto the cardstock.  I cut the Bugaboo stamp out as well as a bench for her to sit on (bench is a miscellaneous freebie).  I cut around them with my Cameo leaving a small white border and popped them up with some pop dots.  

I colored the tree and the Bugaboo stamp in using my digital software (Paint Shop Pro) and I used a Bic Mark-It to color in the bench).  And that’s all there was to it.  Fast, easy, and fun!

So now it’s your turn.  Go grab your stash and join us, the challenge runs until Dec 16th!  We look forward to seeing your 'Anything Goes' creations.

Happy Holidays :)

Giveaway Winners!!

Wooohoooo, my first ever colossal giveaway is over and the winners have been chosen!! The 4 lucky people who will receive one of the prizes from our fabulous donors are:

 

 

Congratulations to Laura W., Beth F., Erin S., & Susan M!!  I will be in touch with you shortly to let you know how to claim your prize.

Thank you to all of you who entered this giveaway.  Don’t worry, it won’t be my last. Stick around and see what the new year brings!!

Giveaway Coming To An End…

Well, I’m at 208 followers which means that  I didn’t reach my goal of 300 but that’s okay.  I’m still so very grateful for each and every one of you who have made the decision to hit the button and follow my blog.  Hopefully, you will stick around and enjoy my weekly freebies.

The giveaway will end tonight at 11:59pm.  I hope you are all as excited as I am to find out who the lucky winners are.  Maybe it’s you!!

Don’t forget, you still have time get in on the extra chances to win if you follow through with any of the bonus entries.   I’ll be back tomorrow evening with the names of the lucky winners so please make sure you check back to see if your name is announced so you can collect your prize.  Good luck!!!

Mid-Challenge @ CIO

It's Tuesday and mid-inspiration challenge time at Clear It Out Challenges!  It's an "Anything Goes" kind of theme, but we ask that you put a snowflake on it.  Easy!

I chose this trio of snowflakes created by Digi Darla Designs.  I kept my card clean and simple and very snowy :-)

I used my Cameo to cut out some snowflakes and brushed the edges with some Stampin’ Up ink (Real Red).  I attached them together with a star brad. 

Have a super day and don't forget to play along here!

Clear It Out Challenge–Anything Goes With Snowflakes

Time for another Clear It Out Challenge.  I admit it – I’m not looking forward to winter AT ALL! It’s cold, grey, slushy, did I mention COLD … but there is one thing about winter that I do love and that’s SNOWFLAKES!  There’s nothing prettier than a dusting of fresh snow falling from the sky.   With that being said … 

The Challenge this week is

Theme: anything goes

Stash: put a snowflake anywhere on your card 

We have 2 fabulous sponsors this week

Digi Darla Designs

and QKR Stampede

 

Here is the card I created using a QKR Stampede stamp called Catching Snowflakes:

I embossed the card top with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder & Border - Anna Griffin – Foulard.  It’s not the snowflake one I have been looking for in all the stores near hear but it’s a close second.  I also cut a snowflake out with my Cameo and attached it to the front of my card with a brad.

Come on over to the Clear It Out Challenge Blog and play along with us.  While you are there check out the awesome inspiration from the rest of the DT.  Speaking of DT, CIO is having a Design Team call.  If you are interested in applying, send Laura an email at ciochallenge@outlook.com

Thanks for stopping by :-)

Clear It Out Challenge–S’more Cards

It’s been a rough week but I took a little time to do some crafting to help lift my spirits a little.  This week’s theme is S’more cards – use brown and white.  I made 2 cards with images from our sponsors.  The first one is using an image from one of our newest sponsors, StampArt Design By Kathryne.  You can find it HERE.  If you’ve have never visited Kathryne’s store, you should.  She has some really cute images.

 

 

The second image is from our sponsor, Bugaboo Digital Stamps.  You can find it HERE.  This one made my mouth water the whole time I was coloring it, lol. 

 

I encourage you to pop on over to the Clear It Out Challenge blog and share s’more cards with us for a chance to win some really great prizes.

 

 

 

is offering the winner 5 digital images of your choice to her shop! Thanks Kathryne :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

is offering 7 free digi stamps.  WOW!

 

 

 

 

You have 2 weeks to play along. Please remember to use brown/white on your card to be eligible to win a prize.

No Friday Freebie This Week & Sad News...

My Uncle passed away tonight.  We were very close.  A month ago he fell at home and ended up in the hospital (which is why I haven't been around much lately).  A couple of years ago he was diagnosed with a pulmonary lung disease which hardens the lungs over time.  The fact that he wasn't able to be mobile this past month significantly increased the rate at which his lungs hardened and he deteriorated rapidly.  He's been on 100% oxygen since last week. This past week has been very difficult and we knew it was just a matter of days before we lost him.  After a couple of really bad nights, this morning he told the doctors he was tired of fighting and just wanted to go.   They decreased the oxygen this afternoon and gradually over the last few hours of his life.

As hard as it was to see him go, and as much as we will miss him now, we know that we will see him again one day and that brings us comfort. Please pray for my family as we make preparations for his funeral, but most especially pray for my Aunt. They were together for over 60 years and it's going to be very hard for her to not have him by her side anymore. Thanks for the prayers!

It’s Good To Be Back…

Hi all, I missed you so much while I was away! I wanted to check-in a couple of times while I was away but the hotel had horrible internet and I had to sit on the toilet just to connect, lol. The bathroom was the ONLY place we could connect and even then it wasn’t the best so I didn’t bother to take the time.

I’m glad to be home .. unfortunately, I started to get sick on the last night with a sore throat which has turned into a horrible cold.  I didn’t sleep much last night at all for all the coughing I was doing.  I felt bad for my poor hubby but he said it was okay because he’s still on vacation and didn’t have to get up for work this morning, lol.  I guess the long days and exhausting trekking all around NYC was enough to do me in. But I had fun anyhow. I was glad to be able to veg out in the car yesterday for the ride home, though.

My husband did really well on the trip. If you remember, he had injured the tendons in his knee before we left and we weren't sure how he was going to be with all the walking we were going to be doing. We took it slow and allowed him to rest as needed. The knee brace I bought him helped a lot. We also let him have the day off to rest at the hotel on Wednesday while my girls and I did some girly stuff like shopping and seeing a musical! We had a blast but he was missed .. and when we got back to the hotel at night and asked him if he missed us, too, he said he was getting a little lonely without us. What a sweetheart !

I'm hoping to get downstairs to my craft dungeon later today to make some cards so I’ll come back and post them when they are finished.

Have a great day, everyone, and I’ll “talk” to you all later.

Sorry About The Mix-Up

Since I was away in NYC this past week, I had set the freebie up before I left so you could grab it this morning because I didn’t know exactly when I’d be returning.  I had everything under control, uploaded, and scheduled to post today BUT I forgot to change the links! Silly me…so sorry about that!!!!   I just got home and saw all your posts regarding my mistake.  It’s fixed now for anyone who wants to grab today’s Friday Freebie :-)

News & More…

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to pop in and apologize for not being online much this past week.  My husband was diagnosed with arthritis in the knee a couple of weeks ago .. which may not sound like a big deal but .. this past week he was at work and when he was walking up the stairs to the break room something happened to his knee that caused him severe pain and he almost wasn’t able to complete the upward journey.  He basically had to go up the rest of the stairs on his behind because the pain was that bad.  He called me at work and told me I needed to take him to the hospital because he wasn’t sure what was going on – just that he was in agony.  I thought maybe the knee popped out if its joint or something.  Well, after 4 hours of waiting at the hospital he was told that he had torn some ligaments in the knee (due to the weakness from the arthritis) and nothing much could be done except to RICE (rest, ice, compress and elevate) it.  He was given Tylenol 2’s for pain.  So we came home and he has been on complete bed rest since Tuesday.

We ended up back at the hospital last night because he discovered a huge lump behind the knee which was really painful.  After another 5.5 hours of waiting, the doctor told him that he’d developed a baker’s cyst from fluid build up due to the ligament damage.  Again, nothing can really be done and he was told to continue RICE’ing it and take some Advil (anti-inflammatory) every 4 to 6 hours along with the Tylenol 2’s as necessary.  He hasn’t wanted to use the Tylenol much because it upsets the tummy and causes bowel difficulties (makes it hard to poop, lol).

Having said ALL of THAT, I wanted to let you know that we are supposed to be leaving for New York City tomorrow for a 5 day visit.  The doctor said we shouldn’t cancel our trip but that he should try to limit walking.  Well, we all know that NYC & walking go hand-in-hand so I’ve been researching scooter (motorized wheelchair thingy’s) rentals.  We’ll see how it goes.

Because of our trip, I won’t be online at all for the next week.  I hope to create a Friday Freebie today and schedule it to post on Fri (Oct 25th) so please check for it.  I’ll be posting some cards after I return as well.  Haven’t had a lot of time to create lately, lol.

Wish us luck in NYC.  I’ll see you when I get back.

Don’t forget to go enter my giveaway!!

And The Winner Is...

Congratulations to Nikki C for being chosen as the Birthday Candy winner!  Nikki, contact me by email within the next 7 days with the name & contact information of the person you referred to collect your prize.  My email address can be found on the top of the left-hand sidebar under the "About Me" information.

1.	Pumpy	4.	caroline w	7.	Sidelle Menon
2.	Kathryn	5.	Suman	8.	Rosalie Young
3.	Melissa Deuss KaDoodle Bug	6.	Sidelle Menon	9.	Nikki C

Hurry!! Last Day To Get In On Birthday Candy!!

You only have until tomorrow at midnight to get in on the fabulous Birthday Candy giveaway so if you haven't entered yet, click on the link below and add your linky.  If you refer someone and they become a follower you'll get an extra entry in the draw.  Good luck!

http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/birthday-time-giveaway.html

Clear It Out Mid Post Challenge Card–Thank You

 

 

It’s mid-post time and I’m sharing what I made using this adorable image from Bugaboo Digital Stamps.  I colored her with my copics and Bic Mark-Its. 

Skin/Cheeks – E0000/00/11, R20/22

Dress/Hair Bow  – V12/15/17

Pumpkins – Harvest Orange

Shoes - E37

 

 

I embossed my white cardstock with a folder from Cuttlebug.  I sponged over it with some rose ink by Tim Holtz.  Love me some Tim Holtz, lol.

 

The required item for this challenge was to use an old sentiment.  I chose to use the velum statement from a package that I purchased years ago but have never used.  I chose the word rejoice because I have many reasons to rejoice and be thankful for so many things in my life.  I embossed the “thank you” below it with black embossing powder.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by.  For more challenge details, hop on over to the Clear It Out Blog.  Hopefully I will see your entry there soon.   Enjoy and don’t forget to go enter my giveaways!!

Clear It Out Challenge–Thanksgiving

It's October and here in Canada the leaves are starting to change. Not only do we have Halloween on the 31st and get to see all the little cuties dressed up but, we also celebrate Thanksgiving mid month! 

Theme: Thanksgiving/Thankful

Stash item: A left over sentiment from another project (could be a partial rub on for example).

You have 2 weeks to play along (until October 16th).

You can make any paper crafting project you like just make sure to follow the theme and stash item. Only entries using a 'thankful' theme, a leftover sentiment, and have a  link back to us will be qualified to win. Don't miss out because you forgot ;) 

We are so 'thankful' to have our sponsors. Please visit their stores -- there is always something new to see :)

 

Our Sponsors This Week:

Bugaboo Digi Stamps

The Stamping Chef

and Lacy Sunshine

---

 

Thanksgiving is a time where I reflect on the things I am thankful for so I chose to make a card for a friend who has always been there for me through the good times and the bad times.  The sentiment is made from a stamped image that I put aside for another card but decided to use it here instead.  I sponged around the edges in brown ink and colored the letter in with my brown copics.

 

 

I colored the image using copic markers.

• Skin/Cheeks – E0000/00/11, R20/22
• Eyes – B06
• Hair -- E29/37
• Hat/Dress/Boots – E13/29/37/
• Corn & Stalks – Y17, YG01/05
• Fence – E74/77/79

 

You can find out more about this challenge on the Clear It Out Challenge Blog.  I’d love for you to join us.

Don’t forget to enter my GIVEAWAYS to win some awesome prizes.

Happy Blogiversary!

A Piece Of Heart Blog is 2-years old today!!  To celebrate the occasion, I’m offering 6 digital Halloween grunge papers.  Each paper is 12x12-inches at 300 DPI.  Click on the link below the preview to download.

DOWNLOAD HERE
(File Size: 28.4 mb)

IMPORTANT: UPDATE TO BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!

I've changed the rules slightly to make things more simple. Add your linky to the blog each time you refer someone here. Please put the name of the person you referred in the linky box (see example in original post) and if that person becomes a follower, you will be eligible to win the candy! Once I verify that you were the referrer of the new follower, you will both win some awesome candy!

You can add a linky with the name of each person you refer here (so if you refer 3 people, add your linky 3 times with the name of the person you referred). Hopefully this helps to simplify things a little.

Good luck!

Birthday Time Giveaway!

Guess what?! It's my birthday today and to celebrate, I have some blog candy to offer!! There is only one catch. I need to get my "300 Follower Giveaway" moving along a little faster so that I can give away those great prizes as well. So, from now until October 16th at 11:55pm., refer your friends to this blog and, if they become a follower, both you and your friend have a chance to win some great blog candy. (Candy will be split equally between both winners).  And don't forget to mention the 300 Follower Giveaway to them so they can enter for a chance to win even more great stuff!

The winner will be chosen on the evening of October 17th so that gives you 3-weeks to refer as many friends as you can.  The more friends you get to become a follower, the more chances you have to win (and the faster I get to 300 which means more prizes to give away). Your friend must be a new follower in order for you both to win.

I will also post the name of the winner(s) on this blog so make sure to check back on the 17th of October for the results! *Please note that winners have seven (7) days to contact us, otherwise prizes are returned to the prize bucket for another giveaway.

How To Enter:

1. Make sure you are a follower of my blog using Google Friend Connect.

2. Refer your friends to this blog post (http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/birthday-time-giveaway_21.html).

3. Link up using the Linky Button below.  Please make sure to put the name of the person you referred in the "name" box so that it shows your name/friends'name. (see example below).  You can add a linky with the name of each person you refer here (so if you refer 3 people, add your linky 3 times with the name of the person you referred).

Clear It Out Challenge Week 2–For The Boys

It’s week two of the Clear It Out Challenge – For The Boys – and this week I used an adorable image from QKR Stampede which can be found here.

 

 

 

This little fella was colored with copic markers.

• Skin - E0000/00/01
• Balloons - B04/06
• Shorts - BG00/01
• Shoes/Socks – E37 (with colorless blender to soften)

 

 

I sponged some pink ink around the sentiment and the digi image to give it a soft glow but it’s hard to see in this picture. I used my Fiskars punch to cut the circle out where the sentiment is stamped.  My cameo die-cutting machine was used to cut the rounded rectangle that the boy was stamped on as well as the rounded rectangle found on the inside of the card. And speaking of the inside of the card, take a peek…

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t forget, our two challenge sponsors this round are Digi Darla and QKR Stampede.  You can find more details about the challenge here.  Hope to see you there!