Have a love-ly day.
Hey, friends. If you’ve been checking out my blog for any length of time, you may know a few of my hobbies. Gardening. Photography. Books. Reading. Cats. Tote bags. Grands (though they are not this far down the actual list, were I naming things in order of importance). Bible. More books. Art. Chocolate. Travel. Exploring. Seahawks. Oh, wait. I don’t post about the Hawks. But I LOVE watching them. (And it’s a LONG time until football season.) RV living. Hiking. Heart rocks. Beach time. Food. Thrifting. Reading. And books.
Let’s not forget-rubber stamping-the topic of this post.
Last year was an anomaly for rubber stamping. Because of surgeries (2), planning for and enjoying a lovely trip to Europe, taking my grand to the beach when he turned 10 (a Nana tradition for the grands), work, writing, and so many other things, my rubber stamping time was cut to the quick. My stash of handmade greeting cards is in the red. My creative muscles did not get much exercise.
Friends, it’s already the middle of February! This year will probably go as fast as last year, but I hope to exercise those creative muscles much more in 2024. Time to get this hobby in shape!
To kick off the year, I spent a part of last Saturday making a huge mess with my stamping supplies. Those rubber stamping muscles are so rusty! It took me quite a bit to get going. And I have to admit, I create better in the company of fellow creatives-the stamping buddies. Hobbies with friends is best.
But I persevered. I managed to make 8 cards. The struggle was real!
We watched the Super Bowl. I continued my personal Super Bowl of stamping by creating as I watched the game. Ended up with another 20 cards. All one basic design, but I will count each one as a win. My honey uses my cards in his job as chaplain and celebrant. Due to lack of rubber stamping exercise last year, even HIS stash is super low!
I wasn’t going to make valentines. But then I was inspired with one more idea as I was playing with a set of stamps I recently found at a thrift store (see above list of hobbies: thrifting). For one, I’m so proud of myself for actually USING a new/old set! For two, I made 12 more cards!
The mess is real. It’s still spread hither and yon. All worth it.
What hobbies do you enjoy? Let’s hear about it. Maybe I will find a new hobby!
winter rolled out, gone.
spring swept in, bright sun, blue sky-
but tricksy came back
tricksy by Angie Quantrell
Valentine’s Day surprise, Yakima Valley
Tieton River Nature Trail, Central Washington
green snow, you look weird
better than yellow, but what???
slushy algae ice
green snow by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Ready for spring in the Yakima Valley.
melted crayons spill
drip, swirl, splash-silhouettes pause . . .
pathway to the day
melted crayons by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley sunrise
winter! there you are,
dancing in, fancy free . . . wood
is wearing snow clothes
snow clothes by Angie Quantrell
Winter, Yakima Valley
deep freeze encrusted
window seat blocked, but sun! blue
escapes winter’s grasp
winter’s grasp by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley, 2024
Can you believe the beauty of Assisi, Italy? It is FULL of meandering lanes, ancient looking buildings, tiny niches, cats, flowers, tiny gardens, and wonders around every corner. Even though I was sick with what I thought a head cold, it was a joy to wander and discover all to be seen in the short time we had there.
My word for 2023 was JOY. I didn’t think about trying to find Bible verses about joy until part way through the year, and then it became a challenge. And it has been my JOY to share them here.
Today is the last day before I switch to a new word for 2024, but I hope what I thought about as I considered JOY will carry on in my life for the next many years.
Do you choose a word of the year? What was your word for 2023? Do you have a new one for 2024? I’m 99% sure of my word for the new year, but I think it will be much more challenging to stick with it when I choose Bible verses or passages for my Sunday post.
Happy New Year, friends!
