Seasonal Ambivalence

It is officially autumn! Nooooooo!!!!! I am so going to miss my weekly trips to the Farmer's Market. I'm going to have to adjust my taste buds to accept grocery market veggies. Here are a few pics of the bounty we are about to leave behind: freshness purchased at the Sioux City Farmer's Market!

But don't get me wrong! I love autumn and I enjoy winter (and I LOVE snow).

The last of cherry tomatoes and two kinds of squash!

Carrots, sweet corn, taters...oh and my button bouquet (not from the Farmer's Market).

So....THESE are fun! "Pumpkin Sticks" AKA "Ornamental Eggplant". 

And.....of course I had to buy a "stick"! Here it is on the "seasonal niche".

And finally....Farmer's Market flowers!!!! I never buy flowers for myself at the grocery store. Yet - I can't seem to deny myself while strolling through the Farmer's Market. In my defense...Zinnias are my FAVORITE flowers!

Zinnias are my favorite flowers...but last Saturday I opted for a "Basil Bouquet".

Running errands I spotted this tree. I call it the "Me Tree" - ambivalent about this current change of seasons.

Anyway...on to the card! The sentiment on this card - I should mass produce cards with it - buy dozens of stamps - and start mailing. I am overwhelmed by the emotional and spiritual support, not to mention the kindness of so many individuals. So much difficulty! So many kind people!

You!

~Base card pre-embossed and die cut - "Transfer of Crap" from my sister (the original intent was for cross stitch

~Pink oval shaped pink bling

~Pink floral inset of My Mind's Eye Lost and Found II

~Used Sizzix Word Labels for: Vanilla card stock (seriously - it is NOT white as it appears here!) (oval scallop); pink card stock (oval); and sentiment stamped using black ink; pink gingham banner; and pink star

~Pink star bling

Challenges | Inspirations

Just Us Girls - color inspiration

Fusion - color/shine/sketch

Come and Get It - use 3 of something (three die cuts / three pieces of bling)

Glitter N' Sparkle - must use pink

Cuttlebug Mania - die cut

Thanks for clicking by!

Here's to friends of friends (who I will probably never have the privilege of meeting - but I know they keep my loved ones in faithful prayer), friends who I may forget to thank enough, and the comfort of knowing all these layers of friends provide the comfort of a warm embrace or favorite quilt. OH! And to the final days of summer harvests.

Nancy in Iowa

Shimmering Moments of Goodness

At first I wasn't sure if I agree with the "life is good sentiment" below. Then I realized what life we have the privilege of living...it can be good. Life can actually be very harsh. It is how we handle the harshness that matters. It matters who we travel the harsh paths with. Life is manageable with the right support people. Harshness can be made bearable with prayer and faith.

I have found through the harshness of life that it is so important to rely on others. A very wise nun told me that "we need to belong to a Christian community...so that others can pray for us when we are unable to". I think the message should be "belong to a prayerful community" as I rely on my Jewish friends as well for prayers! Mind you these were not requests for prayer for me - but for my daughter and my sissy in Atlanta.

So enmeshed in the harshness are these shimmering moments of kindness, caring, laughter, reliability, solitude, and companionship. I may have to rethink my disagreement with the "life is good" sentiment...

Enough of feeling maudlin! On to the purpose of this post - THE CARD! What is it with colors and cameras!? The inset is actually rust - which is why the sentiment on the banner is in rust! I promise it is all really color coordinated.

Better with You In It 
~Base card - pre-die cut and pre-embossed (This is a Transfer of Crap item from my sissy Gail - it was to be used for cross-stitch. Lucky for me I 'inherited' all her cast off supplies!)
~Inset "Life is Good" 'fussy cut' using Lille by 7 Gypsies
~Sentiment stamped using PaperTrey Ink (I masked away the "is so" from the stamp so I could include the word "And"), stamped using Distress Ink Rusty Hinge
~American Craft Thickers "And" chip board
~Spellbinders Ribbon Banners cut and embossed using Kraft card stock and Cuttlebug
Inspiration | Challenges
Fusion Card - sketch and color
Cuttlebug Mania - anything embossed
Crafting from the Heart - anything goes

Here's to masking tape, fussy cuts, and relying on the goodness of people around us.

Nancy in Iowa

Believe in Belief

Well, it has been awhile since I've posted and longer since I've been around to my fav blogs to chime in. As I'm sure as you are all well aware...life can be difficult at times. I will just leave it as this: Faith, Family, Friends. In that order. And while I am a sucker for alteration you will notice FAIR is not included in my list.

I found this sheer leaf when going through piles of STUFF! (I have been experiencing a 'cleaning/de-cluttering/purging binge' and hoping there is no known cure!) This is one of only two. I think it was probably a ToC (Transfer of Crap) from my mother. Weirdly I nearly always remember who transferred me which crap!

Believe
~Base card Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores
~Layer of Papertrey Kraft card stock
~Hero Arts Dandelion Frame stamp inked with Distress Stains
~Stampabilites Le London Script stamp inked with Versamark and embossed with bronze powder
~Metal "Believe"
~Sheer leaf
Challenges | Inspirations
Just Us Girls - leaves
Addicted to Stamps - soft colors
Inkspirational - photo
A Creative Romance - a touch of Kraft
Daring Cardmakers - color

Here's to transfer of crap, accepting that life is not fair, and making the best of what life throws at us,

Nancy in Iowa