Hello Friend

Hello.

I'm just popping in quickly to post this CAS card I created for the Moxie Fab World Stamping with Markers Challenge.

I thought the samples Cath posted were so cute and couldn't help but be inspired. I have to admit here that I have not yet ventured whole hearted to coloring with markers (they intimidate me) but I have to tell you when I created this card I can guarantee you it was love at first try. So to say the least this challenge has been nothing but a teaser ;)

Go ahead and give this challenge a try and see how you feel about coloring with markers (if you haven't fallen in love already). Even if you don't color with markers or anything maybe the prize may allure you to give it a try ;)


Have a great weekend!! I'll be looking for your pretty creations over at Moxie Fab :)


Hugs,
Jessica

Love Never Ends

Hello.

I hope you've all had a wonderful week so far. I am enjoying mine quite a bit. 

It wasn't my intention to have such a quiet blog but I have been working on my daughters weekly schedule. She's four and we are just getting ready for some homeschooling. I am so excited. I just received packets of information and have been looking through them and comparing materials... altogether I am enjoying this new stage of my daughters development so much. If you have any ideas/suggestions for a four year old please do not hesitate to share ;) 

As far as crafty stuff goes... well I am still trying to get acquainted with my software but that hasn't kept me from creating. Todays cards however, are some I've been meaning to share for a while now. I made these for valentines. I still have another batch to share with you as soon as I get good shots (taking pictures of red cards is tougher than I thought). 

Anyhow here they are :)

I thought I'd challenge myself using the same colors and focal image. They designs are similar and yet so different. It's amazing how positioning an image can change the look entirely. 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Hugs,

Jessica 

Vintage Cuties

Hi again.

Just wanted to share these super cute cards...

What do you think? I found them at an antique shop. I was so excited I just had to buy them. Only one of them is dedicated and it's from the 50's the rest are "new". 


Thought I's share them with you :) 


Have a sweet day!!
Jessica

Thinking Of You

Hello.


Hope you had a wonderful valentine's day! I certainly had a lovely time. My husband created the most romantic scene in front of our fireplace. We had sushi (vegetarian) for dinner then we had a Q & A session, Table Topics For Couples just he and I  (we also like to make up our own questions). It was a fun evening.


Anyhow, I live somewhat out in the country and internet connection is so slow. It's difficult to blog when you spend most of your time waiting for a single image to upload :( We are still trying to manage our provider. Also I'm still trying to get used to my photo editing software (happy it works). 


I still have last weeks valentine's cards I want to share with you. I might just end up posting them without editing. So keep an eye out for those.


Ok. Now that that's out out of the way here's a bit about this card.


First of all this little fun thing measures 3" x 2"1/2. Great size to stick inside your little ones lunch boxes or hubbies briefcase :) I also love how well the new Hero Arts sentiment stamps go with it (I made 4 different designs). They are so big and bold that you can use them as the focal point or even as an embellishment. 


I adhered a straight panel of pattern paper and then cut out a way piece using the same pattern to create some depth. Placing one heart behind that wave and the other popped over gives this tiny design some pizzaz. Not to mention the scalloped top and faux stitches ;) 




Thanks for coming by. Hope you have a great day!! 


Hugs
Jessica :) 

Butterfly Greetings

Hello.


It's hard to believe that we are approaching mid February. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating New Years!! I tell you now a days we can no longer plan by the weeks but by the months :) All that means is we have to make the best of every minute granted us. 


Anyhow, my creation  for today is not exactly what I intended. But after having my Mother in Law show up by surprise and not having a functioning photo software I thought this would have to do for now. Hopefully I can post some valentine's day cards later today. 


Back to this card... I love the new sentiments from Hero Arts. The best thing is they are so readily available in most scrapbooking stores not to mention they add such lovely finishing touch to almost any project :) 


I'm off to finish some valentine's with my little girl...we're stuffing paper made purses. I can't wait to show you.


Take care,
Jessica

PTI's 2010 Favorite Project

**Just in case you were wondering where I've been all this time you can check this post here**

Papertrey Ink  began their anniversary festivities!! The first teaser prize package is going to a random winner. The question:

What was your favorite PTI project (created by you) last year?

Honestly even though I've been gone for the longest my favorite would have to be one I created with Quilter's Sampler earlier this past year.

I created this as a wedding card for some very patriotic friends. I thought what more can symbolize all american that a quilt with the american flag colors. Needless to say they loved it :) 

Join in the fun and good luck,

Jessica

This Is The Day

**Just in case you were wondering where I've been all this time you can check this post here**

Happy Friday!!

It's a bright, fresh and sunny morning here in my California town. Birds are chirping, squirrels chase each other and I see the neighbors cat a bit random yet none the less nice :) 

The house is tidy and the smell of fresh bread infuses every corner of it. Life is good!!

With a day like this it's tempting to feel completely satisfied but without love it would only be like a vapor a mist that vanishes with the noon day sun. 

Todays card is the celebration of love. The marking of milestones in individuals lives joined together in well, love. Though we know words cannot truly define such emotions, such principle. I thought it very appropriate for the season especially since I have a couple of friends celebrating anniversaries this month. 

I'm off to check on that bread of mine... my first attempt at gluten free :) If notice the word "IF" it turns out I'll share it with you.

Have a lovely and safe weekend,

Jessica

Love Is In The Air

**Just in case you were wondering where I've been all this time you can check yesterdays post here**

With Valentine's Day fast approaching all windows in down town are decked with hues of pink, red and fuchsias. Not to mention the symbol of love itself. Don't you just {heart} valentines?!

 Candies of all sorts also are filling up the store isle rather quickly. I'm hoping for some "vintage" lollipops. I don't know if any of you remember the charm pops not the ones with the gum but the flat ones with the heart shape. I hope to find them and pair them up with tiny cards. I think it will be cute. I'll be sure to post it here :)

Cupids ah cupids, every time I see them it makes me think of that old song "Cupid draw back your bow and let your arrow go straight to my lovers heart for me..." by Sam Cooke  one of my favorites for the season.

Another valentine's icon of course is chocolate. I wonder why? I mean this is a year round treat and somehow it still gets the number one vote during this time. Am I complaining? Absolutely not. I love chocolate only if it's 73% and up. The darker the better :) 

So with all that inspiration around us. I think I'm ready to go get some ink on paper and work on my valentine's. Here's one simple card I created using Bannerific. Just to give you an idea of what's to come. I'll be posting projects through out the rest of this and the beginning of next week :) 

Some sets I'll be using:

Bannerific by Lawn Fawn

Key to My Heart by Practicing Creativity

Little Lady by Papertrey Ink

That was just to name a few. I'm off to create pretties. Have an awesome day and if your anywhere near the storm and crazy weather be safe and stay cozy.

Thanks for stopping by!!! See you soon.

Hearts and kisses,

Jessica 

I'm Back!!!!

Well hello there!!

It's been 7 months since my  fingers have navigated these technology waters. I can't believe time has gone by that quickly {sigh}. But no matter.., let me tell you it is good to be back!

I have been through some rough waters in the last few months. My health declined, my marriage nearly crumbled, and my relationships with family and friends were nearly none existent. I felt defeated, guilty, bitter, helpless and hopeless. Yet through it all I held on strongly to the Almighty (truly HE held me).

If there was ever a time to recapture the wonder in my life, then that time was definitely this past summer.

 Ever since I was a teenager I struggled with depression. This condition runs in my family and was somewhat under control. I say somewhat because during that same time I was introduced to the Christian faith and whenever I struggled with any feelings of despondency I would immediately brush it off as if it were a sin. Time went on and I didn't receive any treatment. Fast forward a few years I get married and my depression begins to immerse. My husband suggests that I get treatment and I shoo him off and am quite offended at the thought of him suggesting that I have no control over my emotions. So I continue this roller coaster ride. Six years later I am nearly drained. My mood swings got so intense that I began to fear for my very life. I experienced hallucinations and voices. I did the most ridicules, irrational things and yet through it all I found myself completely in denial of my condition. 

It was embarrassing....

After  2 months of confusion I decided that for the well being of my husband and myself we needed to separate. My intention was divorce I have a 4 year old who was really a victim in all this chaos... that was the hardest part (At that time I decided to leave Lawn Fawn as well. I should mention here that Kelly was so supportive through the entire process. I love that girl even though I have yet to meet her in person :) 

I was away in Michigan in a lonely apartment close to my mom. There in the solitude of those four empty walls something began to change. I accepted the fact that I was in desperate need of help. Though ashamed I knew I needed to take action not for me but for my little girl... and there true healing began.

Depression is a disease that needs medical assistance... never neglect it!

Three months later my husband and I reconcile and we decide to seek treatment together. Everything at this point is at a halt. This man, my husband dropped absolutely everything to go with me through this entire process. Yes, I love this man!!! Because of this finances were tight... we were leaning on the Arm of faith. We go from Michigan to San Diego to seek medical help. There an awesome doctor greets us and the treatment begins. Two weeks into it he suggests me going on a gluten free diet. I kid you not 36 hrs. later I felt great and I begin journaling my food intake. Little did I know that my bi polar disorder was due to gluten sensitivity. It's been 6 months since that visit and I can truly say that I have been healed!! God is Awesome!!

Now Recapturing Wonders is more than my blog's name it's my life's motto. It's finding beauty in all the simple things that I have here; right next to me every day.

It's good to be back with a clean page sort of speak. I've missed you all and thanks those of you who sent email of encouragement and prayers. They meant the world to me. Can't wait to see what you all have been up to :)

The new blog look is only temporary (we'll see how it goes). I just thought it was fitting to change everything as a symbol of a new start. 

Oh before I forget I found that pink little flower peaking out my window yesterday. I can't believe they are already blooming :) I know it's cold in other places even snow storm but rest assured that even though the winter chill may still be holding strong the warmth that comes from family and friends will always keep you warm :)


Blessings,

Jessica