The Simple Woman's Daybook for March 26, 2020

For Today, March 26th, 2020

Here's where it all began.

Looking out my window we saw turkeys again walking through the backyard.  I think they were heading to the bird feeders. Something scared them and they started running.  Tim said, "Fly turkeys, you know how!"




I am thinking that I'm thankful to be able to sit outside in this warmer weather. It makes such a difference to be able to sit on the patio now that we're home so much.

I am thankful that I have plenty to do here. Not bored at all.

One of my favorite things trying new techniques while card making.

I am creating a baby blanket. I love to crochet while watching TV with Tim. It makes me feel like I'm not wasting time just watching TV. It also helps me to not eat while watching TV.

I am wearing jeans, short sleeves, shoes and socks.

I just finished reading an Amish fiction book called, A cousin's Prayer.  I found that during this stressful time with the worries of Corona Virus, this was a great way to escape for a while each day. 

I am hoping that people will continue to stay home unless essentials are needed.

I am learning that it all depends on how you look at this time. It can be the worst time of 2020 to be stuck at home. Or it can be a true blessing to be able to stay home and do the things you've wanted to do but didn't have the time to do them.  I'm treating it like a staycation and doing what I'd like each day.

In my kitchen, the smell of sausage lingers in the air.  Tim cooked ground sausage and had it with tacos. I had it in my salad. It was a nice change from ground turkey.


In the school room, we're getting to see more and more parents beginning to see how difficult the life of a teacher is. They have one advantage, they are their kids.  Though that may be a big disadvantage.


In my garden, hyacinths and onions are coming up along with daffodils.

 The onions are behind the yellow hyacinths. Our development was farmland at one time. Our house is on what used to be the onion field. We have onions from Spring through Summer in lots of different places in the yard.

Here is the inspiration for my card. 

I changed the colors to blue and yellow. I liked the three bunnies horizontal. to follow the vertical strip on the card I changed it to 3 animals vertical. I changed the sharp, square shapes to rounded shapes for dsp. I kept it an Easter card, I kept the layered circles and colored dot.

I just had to share the paper towels that we got at Heinens, Tuesday. How far back in the warehouse do you think they had to go to find these?

Post Script: I saw this on FB and had to share. I hope you get a chuckle from it.
 


A moment from my day. Phoebe loves being out on the back porch, especially in the sun.

 We had a wonderful time today with temps almost at 60. We watched the cats and birds. We had a beautiful, male cardinal nearby but he didn't stay to have his picture taken.

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 52:7


Here's another song by Lauren Daigle. Give it a listen.


Blessings of the Day: Tim and I are still healthy. Tim got more work done on the master bath. I finished a book. We both got to sit outside and enjoy God's creations.

Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Bensarmom

Special Little Moment

As I sit here in my studio, I can see many people walking or jogging by. The cutest vision today was a little one holding balloons as she walked with mama and nana down the street. What is it  about little ones that makes you smile and feel such joy?  Thank you God for that special, little moment.


I had many cute images from my friend, Jan. These little birds come from a set called, Tweet Friends by My Favorite Things.
The cut piggy come from a set called, Bad Influence by Honey Bee Stamps.
 With pretty paper given to me by my friend, Emily, I made a 12 card, One Sheet Wonder.  I had some silver ribbon, given to me by a friend named, Donna.  I guess the only thing that's mine is the background papers.
I made these Thinking of You cards. I thought with everyone staying home a card might bring some sunshine into some lives. What do you think?

Do you know someone who would love a card? Let me know who and I'll send a card to them. 

 The next three cards are Stampin' Up sets. The bunny and squirrel are from the set, Fable Friends. The mugs are from the new stamp set called, Rise & Shine.  The lily card is from the set called, Lovely Lily Pad.
The lily and lily pad were stamped with versamark then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Then I colored the images with my aqua painter and ink pads.

Check out the old lady here. This is another stamp that I borrowed from Jan. She is from a set called, Never Too Old, by Art Impressions.

Jan and I both had the idea to add false teeth to our cards. Here's the second one I made. This lady comes holding a balloon on a string, and wearing a party hat. I didn't want a birthday card, so I cut off her hat and balloon. I found a hat image online and added it to her head so it covered the odd shaped head left when her hat was removed. 

I played around with making some quilt cards to use dsp scraps. I like how these turned out. I have about a half dozen more that need to have images or sentiments added to them.

The You Make me Smile, card was an experiment with a new ink from Wendy Vecchi and Ranger that when stamped and dried should pick up the metallic colors when put through a laminator.  I guess there's a learning curve here. I didn't get very good results.

I will try again. You're told to put 15 ml on the ink pad then wait 15 minutes or so until it gets a bit sticky. Then you stamp with it and let it dry.  I found there was way too much ink on the stamp pad. Each time I stamped, I got a whole lot of ink even when I barely set the stamp on the ink pad.

I tried to dry with a heat tool, and that didn't work. I left stamped images and sentiments overnight thinking they'd be dry. Not so, they still weren't dry.

                            

We got to talk to Ben today. What a bright spot in my day! He asked how it was staying here 24/7.  I asked him, "How do you think it is being with your father 24/7?" "Bring me drugs, alcohol and lots of chocolate!"  Both he and Tim liked that.

With these crazy times, even the simple things like seeing your kids and hugging them is so missed. It's especially important to keep our distance from Ben and Rachel since they have to continue to go to work.  Rachel is a pharmacy tech and Ben is a psychology tech in a hospital. He said right now they are full with high maintenance patients.  My kids come in contact with many people in a day. Tim and I being over 60 must stay at home and keep busy.

I'm trying to figure out some things I can do to keep my Stampin' Up business going. I am going to try to make a video making a card or project. Maybe I can have virtual classes for my ladies.
We'll see what the next week brings.

This past week, we had three turkeys wandering around in the woods behind our house.  We don't see turkeys very often. We might see them once or twice a year. We were trying to figure out where they had come from and where they were going.
 
I've been listening to Lauren Daigle songs today and this one spoke to me. I have a peace about all that is going on around us. That peace comes from God. He's the only one to depend on each and every day whether there is an emergency or not. He remains constant, and loves us all very, very, much.


Blessings of the Day: Tim got the bathtub broken up and carried out to the garage. We are healthy and maintaining a cheerful spirit.  Why? I've never had such an easy schedule. I can stamp, read, nap, watch tv, stay in my PJ's and just about anything else I want to do. This is looking more and more like a staycation! I'm thankful for the peace and quiet time it gives me. How about you?

Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Bensarmom

A New Reality

What a difference a day makes. As a world, we've gone from independence to home quarantine. Those who are on the front lines, we are grateful for all you do. I'm not talking just hospital workers, but those who deliver food to stores, those who work in stores that need to stay open. Workers who pick up garbage and those who fill your prescriptions are also on the front line.
Lord, Jesus I pray that you continue to be with us each and every day. I pray for a peace that only you can give. I know you love us and care for each of us. Thank you for all you've done to keep us safe.
Lord, we look to you for guidance through these unprecedented times.

With all the time at home, I've been busy making cards. Some will be sent to others, so will be sent to a nursing home ministry that will make sure residents receive a card to know they haven't been forgotten. I can't imagine not being able to have visitors there.

Here is the birthday card I'm making for my daughter-in-law. It's based on Bruno Bertucci's scrappy strip card in the video below.


This is a long video because there's a lot of chatting. The card making begins about 20 minutes in. You may want to fast forward through some of the other parts to finish your card. As I said, it's chatty.

This card is the result of taking the strip card made above, and cutting it into strips the opposite way. I alternated the strips, purple at the top then the bottom. I see I used the same colors in some of the same places at the top and bottom. That's something I'll have to remember not to do next time.

This is a card I made with stamps from my friend, Jan. We both have the same kind of humor. So this Art Impressions lady, made a fun card.  Both Jan and I thought that she'd be funny if we colored her mouth in and gave her dentures. This card will go to Jan for her birthday. LOL

I saw this on FB and wanted to share. It had some great ideas for how to spend your time during this extended time at home. There's really lots to do at home if you just look. Give it a try.

Whether you are a card maker or not, how about sending a note to some people you know could use it? We have plenty of time, why not encourage family and friends? You'll be surprised how happy you'll feel when you do this for others.

How many days now have we been without sports to watch? Well here at our house we've taken to bird watching and cat watching!  This is a picture of Phoebe watching the birds.  She is sitting on the back of the chair I'm sitting in.  What you don't see is her tail flicking me in the face and the surprise on my face, each time she swats me with her tail.

Tim certainly was entertained. I was amused. Phoebe was clueless of the fun she made for us.

One thing that brings a smile to me is flowers blooming. I came across this picture and wanted to share it. Spring is showing many signs of its arrival here. Trees are budding, flowers are blooming and plants in the garden are growing.

In my garden the mini daffodils are blooming. What a gorgeous sight. Tulips are beginning to break through the ground. Poppies are above the ground in green islands among the brown of the garden. No matter what's going on in the world, nature proceeds in it's cycle of life. Praising God for this.

Check out this video of pastors around the world reading the 23rd Psalm. It's amazing. I pray that it calms your fears during this unpredictable time.

I thought this was a great song for this time in our lives. Jeremy Camp has been a long-time Christian singer with so many uplifting songs. Give this a listen.


Blessing of The Day: Tim and I remain healthy and are able to work here at home. He is working on the master bathroom and I'm working on cards and running my Stampin' Up business. I'm also working on card ministry things to encourage others.
Family and friends continue to be healthy. Tim's Dad at 92 is doing well also.

Thanks for stopping by.
If you need prayer for anything, please let me know.
Blessings,
Bensarmom

For Today, Sunday, March 15, 2020

For Today, Sunday, March 15, 2020
It all began here.

Looking out my window, it is dark, cold with a clear sky. I can see lots of stars and lots of constellations.

I am thinking, I'm glad God has given me a peace about this new virus going around. 

I am thankful that Tim and I are being smart and only going out if we have to.

One of my favorite things is spending time with my foster granddaughter. I watched her this week while Ben went to some meetings. We spent time outside with chalk, jump ropes, a kick ball, and of course bubbles.

  When she comes here she asks several things: Grandma, Can we make cards? Can we make muffins? Can we take a walk?  Can we read a book?

I love making memories with her. Soon she will return to her family home. I'm sure going to miss her!

I am creating lots of cards that look like quilting.

I am wearing PJ's.  Today was that kind of day.  

I am reading, Blue Ridge Sunrise, by Denise Hunter. I have a feeling I'm going to get a lot more reading done while being at home more.

I am praying that Tim and I stay healthy.

I am learning that staying at home is difficult when someone else tells us to do it. If I decided I didn't want to go anywhere, it would be okay. When you are told to stay home, it makes it harder to do. Why is that?  It pushes buttons in us?

In my kitchen we made a recipe that Ben fed us a few weeks ago when we visited. It was a rice, bean, sausage mix. There were other things too which made it yummy. 

In the school room I continue to learn about the Coronavirus. Here in Ohio schools are closed for three weeks. So far 26 confirmed cases in Ohio.

 

In my garden tulips, hyacinths and poppies are green and growing!

A moment from my day-Here is the inspiration for my card.

I kept the designer series paper and the basic colors. I changed the oval to rectangles for the sentiment, I used squares of different colors instead of all dsp. I added dry embossing then added gold pearls instead of sequins. I stamped my sentiment with Minc ink, then ran it through my laminator with gold reactive foil so it would match my ribbon.

Verse of the Day:

This is a beautiful song by Lauren Daigle. Give it a listen. I pray it calms the storm you might have inside of you.


Blessing of the Day:
Today was a chill out day since yesterday was so busy. Tomorrow church is cancelled, so we will watch Alistair Begg's sermon online. 

Thank you for stopping by.
Blessings,
Bensarmom

March 2020 Card Classes

Here is one of the latest puzzles Tim and I put together. This is one Tim got from Ben that was 1,000 pieces. I liked doing this puzzle as it was easy to look at the box and figure out where pieces could go.  This is the type of puzzle I enjoy working on.

This is the shaker card that we made this week in my card class. This is one that was made with 2 pieces of acetate or window sheets. It's a game changer when making shaker cards.

This is the 3D item we made this month in my class. It's a great container for Easter or Mother's Day.

I love this set with the cute bunny, the baby ducklings and the sailor squirrel. We made a fun fold card with this.

This card was also another card we made in class. I love the new Rise and Shine stamp set that is available for the second Sale-a-Bration offering. We talked about how to soften the paper with water when using 3D embossing folders. We also talked about dry embossing and not having to cover the full card base.

I saw this on FB today and wanted to share it. Living with fear, anxiety and discouragement is very difficult.

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 17:10


Here's a song by Big Daddy Weave called, My Story. Give it a listen.


Blessing of the Day: Today I got most of my Stampin' Up work finished. Tim and I got time to have a late dinner then watch a little bit of TV.
Tim seems to be feeling much better lately. It seems his anxiety is much better which makes living life a whole lot easier.

Thanks for taking time to stop and visit.
Blessings,
Bensarmom