Never Ever Give Up Hope

Happy Monday, friends!!  I hope you had a super wonderful weekend, and that the start of your week has been a good one so far.  So, we had a bit of a crazy mishap in our house late last night.  We were watching a movie together, and all of a sudden it sounded like a bomb went off in the other room.  Two growlers full of home brewed beer that Josh made with a friend had completely exploded (something about too much sugar, yada yada....).  Folks- there was glass shrapnel embedded in our walls.  There still is one piece that Josh couldn't get out with his fingers...needless to say, the walls in the guest bedroom are going to need some patching and painting done.  We are still doing laundry from the aftermath, letting the room air out, and will be getting the carpet cleaners in this week. The very tops of some of my scrapbooks were affected.  :(  But, what can you do.  They weren't completely ruined, and mishaps happen in life...  Although...I am pretty sure I am over beer being brewed & stored at my house.  Tee hee!  :)

As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Pink is everywhere right now, and now it is going to be on my blog too!  While I have never been personally affected by the disease so far in this life, I am not naive enough to think that I will never be affected by it.  So, I created a card of encouragement that could be given to any woman going through this disease, or any type of hardship.  I used the Glitz Design "Hello Friend" collection for my card, and let me just say....it couldn't have been more perfect.  This line is all about friendship & encouragement & love, and just full of pink.  Here is what I created!

Instructions:
1. Make A2 card from oatmeal cardstock.
2. Adhere heart bokeh transparency to the front, then trim off the excess.
3. Layer two bits of washi tape underneath a chevron frame sticker to the front.
4. Adhere the banner & heart sticker across the bottom of the frame, then accent above it with another sentiment sticker & rhinestone.
5. Cut banner edges to the teeny alpha stickers, and adhere below the banner.
6. Add the "you & me" sticker over the other strip of washi tape, then adhere the women stickers to the middle of the frame using foam adhesive.
7. Accent with clear jewels to finish.

Challenges:
-Raise the Bar #114 - Sketch
-CAS-ual Fridays #73 - For The Girls
-Flourishes October challenge - Think Pink
-Charisma Cardz #39 - Bling

I have to share a super cute photo that I took on Instagram while I was getting this card created.  My little pup really wanted to be right in my lap, instead of laying next to me on the floor like he normally does.

Isn't he just darling?!!  He did finally get tired of my moving all around and squishing him when I would lean over...but he stayed there for quite awhile.

James 3: 1-5
I'm sure you've heard the saying, "You are what you eat."?  So, how do you feel about, "You are what you say."?  Matthew 12:34 says, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."  James 3:5 says, "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts."  What we say can really, really affect others.  As kids we used to sing, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!!!"  That, my friends, is CRAP.  Words do hurt.  Words damage.  Words leave wounds.  I know I've hurt people with my words.  And people have hurt me with theirs.  I am making a much more conscious effort these days to really watch what comes out of my mouth.  To be more loving & encouraging, and to find healthier ways to voice my anger & frustrations.  It truthfully is a daily prayer for me, and something I have to be mindful of. 

Until later,
~L.