Back and Ready to Create!

Well hello everyone! I hope 2016 is treating you well so far.

I've been MIA since December 16th! It's hard to believe that it has been that long. Below is an explanation for my absence and some photos. I'll try to make it short. :0)

I did get involved with finishing up Christmas Holiday cards and mailing extra packages before I was off for Boise on the 24th. We had a wonderful time visiting my oldest son and his family, but boy was Boise, ID COLD!!! I don't think it got above 18 degrees while we there.  My hubby and I headed out on December 30th. (insert sad face) and celebrated a quiet New Year in San Marcos at home.

But, the major reason for the absence was that I participated in fast. For the past 10 years I have started my New Year with 21 days of prayer and fasting. I was introduced to this at our church in North Carolina and have continued every year since. Our church here in S California also starts the new year the same way.  As I was seeking the Lord on how I would approach the fast this year, I felt I was to forgo my card making and Blog entries.( although, I made several cards to send to family members which I'll post here.) This would allow me more time to seek the Lord for His direction and wisdom for certain decisions I needed to make. I also included a Jewish Fast, which only included breakfast, dinner and skipping certain foods. I must say, it was a refreshing time and I have definitely have seen a difference in my walk with the Lord and answered prayer.

Birthday Cards

Here are the two Birthday cards I recently made. The one below was for my good friend and the other for one of my daughters.

On both cards I used SU's new DSP, Birthday Bouquet.  The cards were CASEd from  Stampin' Up. The one above from the new Occasions catalog and the tag card from an older Stampin Success.

Below are few photos taken during our Christmas holiday in Idaho

Snow for Christmas morning

My beautiful DIL, Susan and GD Esther

Amelia decided to make herself comfortable in the trunk

My son, Ross playing his fiddle for us

Esther testing out her new skates at the local rink

Well, that's about it for today's post.  I hope to be back "up and running" tomorrow playing along with some sketch and color challenge blogs.

Crafty Hugs,

BernieB

*Stamps: Flower Patch, Bloom with Hope, Butterfly Basics, Flower Fair Framelits Dies