Papertrey Ink December Blog Hop Challenge

Is this thing on?  Honestly, it has been so long since I have created/posted/given a thought to a blog that I wasn't for sure if it was even still here!

A lot seems to have happened since I blogged last, just as with anyone and everyone, life seemed to get in the way of being creative and sharing with others.  I would love to say "I'm back to stay" and say it with confidence, but alas, if life calls for hectic, once more, that's where I'll be!

For now, let's live in the moments and play along with the PaperTreyInk Blog hop for the Month!  I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to see my all time favorite stamp company still kicking it!  Some of my favorite blogs and challenges have gone since I last took a peek years ago, I guess they too are busy just simply living...

Hugs,

YSL Mascara Product Review

In all actuality, the name of this blog post should be YSL mascara *LOVE* but...

Let's start with product presentation - let's be honest, sometimes it is nice to have a super cute product and the shiney gold tube is awesome!  Honestly, it is easy to find in my bag because it is so different from all of the black that most make up comes packaged up in!  So, there's our first plus!

Next, I love the little click when opening/closing - the YSL logo lines up when completely closed!  No worries of the makeup leaking out onto everything else in my bag...

When I first pulled the wand out I was admittedly a little skepticle.  It all looked like a matted up mess on there and I wondered if it would really deliver.
Then I tried it...
And boy did it ever deliver!
The wonder of the wand is that it captures mascara on it allowing there to be enough on the wand to actually make it on to your lashes!  Great plus it that you don't have to constantly "redip"  The brushes are so close  that they allow great detail of your individual lashes rather than a clumping of many lashes together!

There is a great and quick little video on YouTube by Influenster that shows the zigzag application of mascara for your top lashes!



So, for me - 5 star product YSL!  Keep up the great work!

Toodles,
Mary


disclaimer:  I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.  The opinions are solely my own!

Vicks VOXBOX

Hello!  This is not my normal crafty post but I have to share this wonderful product with you!

The Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier is wonderful!  We are having a yucky Winter here full of colds, flu, and dry air due to the heat - VICKS to the rescue.

First, I need to disclose to you that I did receive this product free to test from Vicks and Influenster, however the opinions of the product are solely my own.

We have owned Vicks humidifiers in the past and although worth it, the plastic seemed to be thinner and would break down fast.  Also with the older models, you have to pour the medicine into the water which can sometimes make a mess.  Oh and the amount of "mist" they put out was not consistent...AT ALL!

That is NOT the case with this new model! I love that the product seems to be VERY durable (I knocked it off the nightstand onto hardwood already and it survived!) AND no more pouring the medicine in!  These use wonderful little pads that slide right in and viola - your menthol smell has arrived.  The amount of mist seems like a very consistent rate throughout the duration of use but isn't so much that things are left wet or damp around it.

Most of you already know that I am a nurse by day so this product is completely my "thing" to test!  I am all about keeping my little family as healthy as possible and thanks to Vicks - I feel like we are taking an extra step to healthiness!

Sunday Play Time

It's a bit of a dreary Sunday here - RAIN!  And...that's what's on the forecast all week long :(  Sure doesn't make fun when it's the time of year you want to see snow flurries flying!

First up today is a little cutie for the CAS303 at SCS.  Love the way this little card turned out!  I am such a sucker for little snowflakes and the Snowfall and Snowfall Additions sets from PTI are perfect for me!  The sketch for today's card comes from SC518 at SCS.

Next up is a little card I like to call under the influence of Tamiflu...  The higher my fever went the more crooked my stamping, cutting, and photography got. It's not perfect but then I got to thinking - neither am I! The color combo is from the CC510 challenge at SCS, the layout from Sketch Saturday (ss341), and the Bible verse for the BV14-DEC challenge at SCS.  I really need to work on being still and knowing who God is - and being under the weather kind of forces you to do that a little quicker than planned!!

Have a Happy Sunday! I pray the flu doesn't make a visit to you and yours!

Blessings,
Mary

Long Time no Paper Play

Poor Blog - It tends to have it's seasons and perhaps it turns into more of a paper crafting journal than a "blog"...  My intentions had always been to finish school and then hit the paper crafting wide open every. single. day.  Know what?  That didn't happen...  I have found that being an Oncology Nurse Practitioner takes more out of me than I care to admit on most days...  So my early morning me time - it has been getting filled with running in an attempt to be the healthiest me I can be.  My evenings - they are spent with my loves of course!

On with the papercrafting we go....
Why have I never thought to do snowflakes in purple??  I adore how this turned out with a touch of purple Martha Stewart glitter!  Snowfall and Snowfall Additions by PTI are two of my all time favorite stamp sets EVER!  Such a go to in the Winter for me...  The lovely sketch is CAS304 from Splitcoaststampers - what used to be my home away from home - I sure have missed being there!  I hadn't even uploaded to the gallery in over a year!!!

How about a little MOJO377 just in the nick of time from MOJO Monday??  Another of my favorite places to gain inspiration and lovely sketches!!  I also worked this in to the F4A252 challenge over at SCS - with 5 (yes, 5) full size Christmas trees in our home, it wasn't hard to chose a theme of colors and make a non-Christmas card...even though it is a Winter card!

Thanks for stopping by to visit friend!  I hope to see you again soon!!

Blessings,
Mary

Puppy Dog Blues

*Our little puppy batman passed away yesterday.  My sweet little one is taking it very hard, as he was her first little pet.  Please keep her in your prayers and thoughts.*

How appropriate that today's little card would then be a praying for you card.  It goes along with the Sweet Stop Sketches Challenge this week (SSS213).

This little monkey fits in the color challenge over at The PlayDate Cafe (#184), the card makin momas challenge to use rubber stamps, as well as the sketch challenge at freshly made sketches (missed that deadline in all this chaos)!

And lastly, a little sweet sketch Wednesday (208) to wrap things up.

At this point, I honestly can't remember what challenges these cards even go to - I know, how awful is that...  

Monday Monday

Good Morning and Happy Monday!  I hope today is the beginning of a week filled with nothing but blessings from our Heavenly Father just for you!  Although we are starting the week off on a rainy note here in the little corner of the world we call home, we are so blessed - for God knows just what we need.
First up this week, for CAS(E) this sketch, is this little number.  I also decided to try to make it a little on the masculine side and combine it with the challenge over at Really Reasonable Ribbon to use ribbon on a masculine project.  Isn't this owl ribbon just too cute!  After making it, I couldn't believe I hadn't used any stamps on this card, but I'm still tickled with how it turned out, so I didn't go back and add anything!

Next is my take on the current SCS sketch challenge (438).  I decided to combine it with a little Fab n Funky (173) to throw in the girly side of things and Card Makin Mommas (CMM70) and used a good ole rubber stamp from TE.

Later this week I'll *hopefully*have some scrapbooking uploaded to here!  The weather has just not been too cooperative for nice sunlight pictures!

Have a happy Monday!
Blessings,
Mary

Birthday Girl

That would be me!  And I'm super excited to be!  It's another year that God has given me to enjoy life and my friends and family!  I am soo blessed!

So, let's play with some challenges.  First up is the CAS(E) this sketch #29, even though I missed the deadline to upload this one this week, I really like the simplicity of the card and wanted to share it!  Next is a fun little sketch from another "new to me" site, Retro Sketches (#65).  Followed up with a little pretty inspired from this week's sketch at Sweet Sunday Sketches (#185).

So, how are you going to celebrate my birthday?  Me - a day with my momma and sweet girl since my hubby is working!  No regrets though - he will be off for vacation soon to take us to the happiest place on Earth...DISNEY - to celebrate my graduation!

Blessings, Mary

Four for Thursday

Busy Thursday here at the blog (always busy at the homefront and office)!  Maybe being in my little office at home makes me forget how messy the rest of the house really is!  Similar to the way our lives can become if we forget to keep Christ in the center!

Today I've got a few different challenges going on.  Bear with me!

First up is for MOJO Monday - look at those little owls!  I had forgotten how much I love this little PaperTreyInk set!  Then a little Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (SSSC183), followed by a "new to me challenge" - Sketch Saturday, and winding up with an old favorite of mine, The Sweet Shop Sketches Challenge (SSS212)

 Have a fabulous week!  It's winding down and *shhhh* this girlie has the day off from work tomorrow!!

Blessings, Mary

Woot Woot It's Wednesday!

I realize for my family that it is "already" Wednesday - since Abby didn't have school and my hubby had the holiday off from work, but for me - it is FINALLY Wednesday since I did work!  Wednesday's get me excited because it is the night of our mid-week church services where we attend, however tonight, my sweet hubby will be the guest minister at a revival!  Even more exciting for us!  Who knows, my little camera have to go to snap some pictures for the scrapbook - it's been neglected for quiet a while!  Seems when we get busy, so much gets neglected - what a wonderful feeling to know that our Heavenly Father never forgets us!

Today's little creations are playing along with two different challenges.
First up is Sketchbook Saturday (#97), followed by a little MOJO Monday for my Wednesday (#295).

Hope your week is going as fabulous as can be!

Blessings, Mary

Back to Work

Good morning!  I hope that you are successfully recovering from your holiday weekend - if you had one!  Myself, I spent the majority of the day being a nurse, but was blessed enough to spend time with family at a BBQ as well!  I think of Memorial Day and why we celebrate, all the men and women who have fought for our freedom - and for me personally, our Holy Father who has given us the ultimate freedom, by sending His Son to take our place!

Today I decided to jump back in the swing of things and play along with Sweet Sunday Sketch SSSC185 ontwo of my creations creations, as well as The Play Date Cafe (183) color challenge on the top card!  The last card is playing along with the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday #207).

All of my supplies came from either Taylored Expression's or PaperTrey Ink with some CTMH ink, miscellaneous copics, ribbon, and bling tossed in!

Thank you for stopping by and letting me be part of your day!  Your kind words and comments bless me immensely!

Mary   

Happy Memorial Day! && Look Who's Back!!

Happy Kick off to Summer!  After much, MUCH, thought and prayers - the Softangelkisses blog will be back up and running!  It'll be a hodgepodge though - that's just advanced warning!  The majority will be paper-crafting and gift giving (I LOVE to give), but you will also see some sewing and general "home-ec." tossed in, and - scripture, prayers, praises, devotionals - yup, that's the sole purpose!  Glorify the Lord in all you do!!  

Between school and life in general, some things had to be put on the back burner temporarily in order to merely survive!  I continued to teach at and coordinate our church's Sunday School program along side my husband, all the while working 40+ hours a week, doing approximately 20-35 hours of clinicals a week, going to school, studying for comps, boards, and that's not including the normal day to day being a wife, momma, and all the house and family roles that fall into place there!  I am blessed to say that I have graduated school and am now prayerfully seeking a new position as a Nurse Practitioner - keep me in your prayers as I embark this new journey, please.

One Direction

For quite some time, my prayers concerning this blog have been about which direction it should take. Should I stop it all together, no longer do the scrappiness and card making but switch over to the other hobbies that I have ventured to, family blog, or dare I say it... Should I follow my heart and tell you, the only answer I know is that this blog is for Him! It always has been, but perhaps by just laying it out there, the flow will seem more natural to you. It's real, it's life. It's what's happening at the moment faith, family, and crafty wise! It's also got to be me acctijg the realization that I am human. Many irons are in various fires at the moment, but God, well He's always been first and always will be. So, I just had to share that. Maybe you needed to hear it, or maybe I did, but whether you we're a reader in the past or just stopping in, stick around, enjoy the ride :o)

JOY

Happy Wednesday!  I am thrilled to share this little project with you today!  The sstamps are from the ippity collection and you can find them over at I heart {ippity}.  The rest of the project was created with scraps by my precious little girls hands - with some help from momma of course ;o)

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We started off with a regular picture frame and left the mat in.  I trimmed the scrap of cardstock to fit perfectly and used some other scraps for the squares and rectangle.  The angel on the end is actually made from Abby's thumb print and the J-O-Y are all in her precious little 4 year old handwriting!  I am sure this will continue to be a treasure in our holiday decor!

God Bless You,
Mary

Halloween Hop!

Welcome

Here is the Whole Hop list:

Cyndi Bundy

Pam Hornschu

Suzi McKenzie

Jingle

Krissy Fossmeyer

Alison Heikkila

Wendy Price

Wendy Jordan

Berenice Rendon

Lynn Mercurio

Maria Levine

Lee Kellogg

Stampendous! Blog

Sandie Dunn

Tanya Johnson

Beth Raney-Thomas

Mary Collins

Lea Kimmel

Angelique Nederpel

Betty Roberts

Taylor Usry

and here are the sponsors:

Stampendous! ( 5 winners... 1 Halloween bg cling stamp each winner..Crowscape, Graveyard, Beware Gate, Castle Gate, Pumpkin Fence)

Karber Digital Designs...2 digis to one winner

Skipping Stones Design...Halloweenie set

Smeared Ink  (5 single digis...1 each to 5 winners? or 5 to 1 winner?)

Strange Skin...1 set of choice (except Zombies)

Jens Digi Stamp...(5 images to one winner)

Simply Betty Stamps...($10 Gift Certificate)

La-La Land Crafts ($10 Gift Certificate)

Dreamweavers Stencils: 3 prizes: each is 4 stencils, 2 brushes,  with 3 technique sheets each!

Happy Wednesday!

WOW!  What a busy Wednesday this is!  Thankfully it is the middle of the work week and there are 3 - yes 3 different themes on my blog today!  First up - Fab 'n Funky's challenge this week - distressing - you'll find this in both my cards...  Next up, check out the new ippity thankful set that can be purchased from Heather at i heart {ippity}, and last, but most certainly not least, this is a stop on the Taylored Expressions Blast from the Past October Hop!

Have a great day!

God Bless You,
Mary

Happy Wednesday!

I am so excited to share today's little card with you! This little awareness ribbon butterfly if from ippity and has so many limitless opportunities!
My card today uses this set which you can find from Heather over at I heart {ippity} and is also showing off the new hallenge over at Fab n Funky this week which is to use fall colors!

Now if you look closely, you will notice that my card does nit have the traditional pink awareness ribbon, but rather a gray one. Do you know what that ribbon is for? It is brain cancer awareness. I lost a dear uncle to brain cancer and we miss him oh so much. It's nice think that his love is still with all those whose lives he touches, as gentle as the wings of a butterfly!

Have a great day and God Bless You,
Mary

Welcome to October

Good morning!  Welcome to my first post of October and my first post with my fixed computer!  I am so excited to share my absolute favorite new ippity set with you!  This Christmas themed set is just my style and you can find it right at the I heart {ippity} site!  Along with that, the Fab n Funky challenge this week is to use dies or punches...  I forget about my scalloped square all the time, but sure do love the results when I remember it, along with the much loved scalloped circle, and small label!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

God Bless You,

Mary

Not Playing Nicely....

That would be my computer!  It has decided that it is no longer going to be a team player lol, so packaged up in a box and off to the factory it goes to get an "attitude adjustment"!
Today is a great day to play along with a couple of challenges and join in on a super fun blog hop though!  Fab 'n Funky has a challenge sure to pull you out of your normal stamping funk of making the same old thing over and over, here is a Sympathy card I made for there today!  Sooo not my style of card, but I did it!

(Paper: PaperTreyInk, misc pp, Stamp: PI: Botanical Silhouettes)

Now, if you are here looking for the Taylored Expressions Blog Hop, you have the right place as well!  Here is my card for the hop:

(Paper: PTI, misc dp, Stamps: TE Sew Happy)

Thanks for stopping in today and God Bless You,
Mary

Welcome Wednesday!

In some ways, it seems like Wednesday has taken forever to get here - in other ways - how did it get to be Wednesday so fast?

Here is a three in one card.  I'm not one to normally do this, but with a busy week both work, family, and school wise - it just had to happen!
Without further adue, I present to you my "Christian Paper Crafts Design Delight/I heaert {ippity}/Fab 'n Funky" Card!

At Christian Paper Crafts, we're only one day away from the opening of the September Design Delights gallery and trust me - you will be delighted!
At I heart {ippity}, Heather has some new rubbah on the way!  And I've already placed my order!  LOVE IT!
At Fab 'n' Funky, where I'm new to the crew, we're playing BINGO! 

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

God Bless You,
Mary