More glimpses of South Africa

 Here are more memories - huge termite mounds; ; our first ride in a helicopter; lush landscapes; happy people in colorful dress - with ready smiles for the camera; - and the haunting memory of row after row of small, square tin dwellings.

 (Sorry - blogger does not seem to want me to rearrange the photos!)
This will give a sample of the hundreds of animals we saw - some closer than we wanted!  Zebras, baboons, wildebeast, impalas and many other antelope, warthogs, cape buffalo, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, vultures, giraffes and many more.  Most were at Kruger Park but we also visited other reserves, breeding facilities, animal rehabilitation centers and more.  Most photos were from inside the van - you can see a few photos where animals were right in front of us or beside the road.

More South Africa photos

Here are more photos - this group highlights the mission aspect of our trip.  We have had the privilege of 

 helping to support a small Lutheran seminaro in Pretoria.  Students come from all over Africa, and will return as leaders in their villages.  The couple at the right are leaders in this congregation - her beautiful voice led the a capella singing in Africaans.  Next is a photo of me with Erling.  On the left is Pastor Karl Bohmer, who until recently was pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran in Gunnison, CO.  At the right is Rev. Nathan Mntambo, pastor of this seminary congregation.  They are experienced big game hunting guides who are also extremely active in many mission projects, including support of this seminary.  Rev. Dr. Wilhelm Weber is president of the seminary as well as bishop of the Lutheran Diocese in South Africa.  His wife also teaches at the seminary.

Gathering for the Sunday service.

Inside the church, before our English service.

Our tour group and local members.

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Tour leaders Danielle and Michael Grosse, me, Erling, Pastor and Mrs. Wilhelm.

 As you can probably tell, we have become quite interested in the support of this project.  Most of these students cannot support themselves, and their local congregations find it difficult to give the aid necessary to sustain them at the seminary.  As a result, many have been turned away.  You can learn more at www.LTS.ORG.ZA, or by contacting us.

Trip to South Africa

I have a very good reason for not adding any cards over the past two weeks.  We have just returned from a wonderful trip to South Africa.  We had several goals - to visit a seminary for which we provide some support; to see a lot of animals; and to learn more about the history and the people of this part of the world.  This is not a travel blog, but I want to include a few photos.  Check my other links to see more!  In the photo above, hubby and I are petting a four month old lion cub - not scary at all.

 

There were about 40 elephants in this group.  Each zebra is unique - no two have the same stripes.
That 5 year old elephant challenged our van - came within about 10 feet - was finally persuaded to leave.
Our group leader persuaded me to hold this albino python..  Did I really do that???  The giraffe obviously believes the leaves are better on the far side of the tree!

For Phyllis

This is not quite so shiny IRL!  I neeed a quick card to cheer a friend who is in a lot of pain following surgery.  I have had this ribbon that I do not use on regular Christmas cards, so I thought I would combine seasonal colors with an encouraging message.  Thanks to Hayley at the Sunday Stamps blog for the inspiration.
Sketch:  http://sundaystamps.blogspot.com/
P - for Psalm:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com/
Free and easy - any:  http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/

Holiday Thanks

Our new neighbors brought us a plate of goodies - we have neglected them since they recently moved in - at least I can send a thank you!  This is a digi from Beccy's Place, colored with Prismas and gel pens. IRL the flowers and bow closely match the cs and burgundy of the DP.  I added the die cut from CB's Olivia alpha set - I use the letters often, but neglect the extras.  DP is by Paper Studio.
Sketch:  http://thecraftingcafe.blogspot.co.uk
Any, with Beccy's image:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/
Grateful:  http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.com/
Thank you with die cut:  http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/ 
Any:  http://www.inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com/
Thanks:  http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.com/
P - for posies:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/

Green and white Christmas

For this card I used new hunter green cs and fairly new embossing folders.  The green gems are from a large supply of neglected embellishments!  I also used some gold paper from my stash for the star.
Beccy Muir's 30th challenge of the month is to do something we love.  It is a joy to create Christmas cards - we like to remind our friends and family of the birth of Jesus - the reason for the season.  On another level, I love to use embossing folders.  Though I have LOTS of pattern paper, I really like the clean look of cream or white and a dark color.  Another thing I really like to do is to follow sketches and combine with other challenges - and to create many different looks with the same image.
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
What I love to do: http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html
Any Christmas:  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/

Embossing in cream

From my stash:  tiny half pearls - one of the first prizes I received (Pizzazz Aplenty) several years ago.  The image is from my leftover stack, and I have had the snowflake folder a long time.  The other two embossing folders are fairly new. 
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any sentiment:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/challenge-94-any-sentiment.html
Any Christmas:  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com/2013/10/chnc-challenge-extra-for-october.html?showComment=1381358679049#c2166906042903339106 
Christmas:  http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.com/
Embossing:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/
Any Christmas:  http://www.craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.com/

The last few cards will be mainly "leftovers" - pretty appropriate as out dinner will be leftovers as well - which we are very happy to have!
The DP has been in my stash for a couple of years, as have the gems.  The image is one I stamped a few years ago - I added some sparkly glitter from Studio G - to create garlands on the trees.
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Sparkle: http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://www.craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/chnc-challenge-extra-for-november.html
Any:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Sparkly snowflakes

     

I have almost finished the cards I need to make for this year.  Since I will be taking a couple of weeks off (more on this later - it is a good thing for me!) I am glad I completed what I wanted to do.  I am not sure you can see the glittery, sparkly snowflakes - as well as a bit of glitter to edge the sentiment and to highlight the Basic Grey paper strip (I trimmed the edge as it was too wide for this layout). 
Sketch  #79:   http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/
Glitter/sparkle:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
                          http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/
                          http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html
                          http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/
                          http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
The shepherds are counting down, waiting to visit the Christ child:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

Here are the three cards of my set - see previous posts for individual descriptions.
Set of three:  http://tsgclearstamps.blogspot.com/

Third of three

This is the third card in a collection.  I will post them together soon.  This one is colored with pastel chalk pencils.  Although the layout and image are the same, I varied other elements.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Holiday:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
          http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/

2nd of three

One of the challenges is to do a set of at least 3 cards - thanks to Sketch Sat. I found an easy sketch to use -  pretty important for me right now!  I had pre-stamped and colored several images, and prepared other materials - now my goal is to try to use only what is in that stash - I don't want too many left overs for next year, and it is totally against my nature to discard anything!  The stamps are Stampendous, and dp Paper Studio Faith.  I used Prismas for this one.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.anonymousstamps.blogspot.co.uk/
Any, with uplifting message (any Christmas message is that):  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Countdown for Christmas - the shepherds are certainly doing that:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Any:  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/

Oval window

 I have a lovely Madison window die - but it has decided to go into hiding - or maybe it is in the witness protection program.  So I cut a "window" with the oval nestie, and added a scalloped border on the outside - not really too visible on the screen.  (and the mysterious blotches have reappeared.  I need to do some serious checking on that.)  Coloring is by Pastel chalk pencils, and the sentiment from my computer.  DP is Paper Studio.Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/
Pencils:  http://www.beccysplace.com/
 Holiday:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/

Traditional Vintage Christmas

Today I am back to Christmas cards! 
There is SO much to do - and now we are adding phone shopping to the list - apparently the battery has died as it will not keep a charge.  This is not the time to be without a phone - we only have one!
Back to the card - this is the Stampendous set used for most cards this year.  The DP is from the Paper Studio pad called Faith, and the faux stitched ribbon is by Ribbon Boutique.  I used chalk pencils for coloring, and distressed the edges.
Sketch:  http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.com/
Holiday:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/
Stitching:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
Shabby chic: http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.com/

For Margaret

Here is a little break from Christmas cards...  DH's sister is  having major back surgery so we are sending this a bit in advance.  The image is SU, from my WishRAK stash.  I cut the vase and adhered it over the flowers - I could have left the stems a bit longer...  The coloring is chalk pastel pencils, with a touch of gold gel pen..  I used chalk for a bit of sponging - once again the image looks too blotchy on the screen.  I also chalked the embossing on the circles - all cuttlebug mini folders.  The sentiment is a $ stamp, and the bg is DVine Swirls. 
Sketch: http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/
Inspiration/color:   http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Chalk/circles:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/

White on White Christmas

Another bad scan - I am wondering if there is a printer problem.  Sorry - this is really white and not nearly so distressed!  I did distress the edges, and dry embossed the main image for more texture.  I used the snowflake EF (glittered) for the bg and embossed the banner strips with Textile.  A bit of lace adds to the vintage feel.  The sentiment is computer generated.
Sketch:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Glitter: http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/
Any:  http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/
          http://whimsiedoodles.blogspot.com/
White on white:  http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/?p=1179
           http://www.inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com/           
           http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html

Non-Christmas Christmas card

Yes, I know this is not a cardinal.  As far as I know, I do not have any cardinals in my stash of stamps and images - so this works for a non-Christmas image used as a Christmas card, right?  It is an image from ODB (Sing to the Lord) - the sentiment is by computer.  I colored with Prismas, added a glittery snowflake and a Martha Steward border.  If you adjust your screen just so you can see that the DP (DCWV) is tone on tone green.
CHALLENGES:
Sketch: http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Non-Christmas image:  http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Any (with comment):  http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/

Glittery shadow

http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/

Once again, the glitter has caused a huge shadow - I just have a bit of it in that corner  The glitter on the path did not cast a shadow.  This is a new Nellie Snellen embossing folder (Snowy Stairs) - a prize from Joan's Garden.  It is a larger size, so the final card is 5.75x7.5.  (If any  one has card samples of this, please let me know!).  I made a frame from a Martha Stewart edging punch - did a little surgery on the corners.    The sentiment is by computer.
CHALLENGES:
 http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/ - #20 - punches
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/11/this-weeks-challenge-card_13.html - B&W Christmas, with a frame
http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/ - sparkle
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ - any, with comments
http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/ - glitter

Glittery wreath/frame

As soon as I saw a challenge for a wreath I thought of creating one with the Cheery Lynn leafy die (from Joan's Gardens).  I think it works - and serves as a frame for the Stampabilities sentiment as well.  I hope the Lifestyle EF is not too busy as the bg.  I added glitter to the wreath and snowflakes - the sparkle does not appear to show here.
CHALLENGES:
Black and white Christmas, with frame: http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/11/this-weeks-challenge-card_13.html
Glitter:  http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/
Wreath: http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html
Sparkle:  http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/
Mystery - the mystery of Christ's birth (as well as the "mystery" glitter you cannot see on the screen!):  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Snowflake - using glitter and snowflake punch  I have had for a LONG time:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/

Thinking of a friend

A cyber friend (through SCS) is going through a rough time and I want to write her a note.  I thought I would use this Thanksgiving scene - but the greeting needs to be simple.  This EF is from Sizzix, and I colored with chalk.   My friend, be well and strong.
Fall:  http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/
Chalk:  http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://createdwithlovechallenges.blogspot.com/
Any (with a comment for Pinky): http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/
By the way - something happened between the card and the computer screen - I lightly sponged the sky, but IRL it does not have a dark cloud LOL!!!

Praise God this Thanksgiving

We should of course be thankful at all times, but it is worthwhile having a special day to remind us - and to remember this holiday is more than a turkey dinner and shopping for bargains. This image is in my stash from Wish RAK - colored with Prismas.  The word strip is DCWV Thanksgiving Words and the lattice DP is DCWV Fall stack. 
http://ynschallenges.blogspot.ca/:  Inspired by the sketch, the food, and the lattice pie crust.
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/  Thanksgiving
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/  Thanksgiving
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/  Thanksgiving
http://pattiescreationschallenge.blogspot.com/  Giving thanks
http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/  Thanksgiving

Thankful

Time for a couple of Thanksgiving cards - it will be here soon.  We have SO MUCH to be thankful for - we have been richly blessed by God and want to show our thankfulness.  This is a set by SU, colored with Prismas.  The dp is a fall stack by DCWV, and I used a bit of mesh I have had for a long time, as well as some time.  The image is cut with a new Lifestyle Crafts die (Hello, Goodbye).  I improvised for the sentiment - it is a small Labels 4 die - it seemed too wide, so I turned the die the other direction and cut off about 1/8 inch on top and bottom - I am ok with the result.  All the cards I see seem to be made with just the right materials and tools - I often don't seem to have the right size or color - in spite of having tons of supplies.
http://www.mftstamps.com/blog/stamp-and-win-with-this-weeks-card-sketch-150/:  sketch
http://pattiescreationschallenge.blogspot.com/:  Giving thanks
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/:  Thanksgiving
http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/#comment-4305:  Thanksgiving
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/:  With thanks
http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/ - Thanksgiving

I'm back!

Whew!  It has been a long time - a month, in fact...  I have almost forgotten how to do this.  I will not bore you with all the details - if I get ambitious I will do another travel blog or place photos somewhere.  DH and I just returned from a fabulous 28 day cruise.  We were on the beautiful Sapphire Princess, and cruised round trip out of San Pedro, CA.  We had 4 stops in Hawaii and 5 in the South Pacific, including Samoa and Tahiti - and we had about 18 sea days.   The ports were beautiful, and the sea days were wonderful - food, entertainment, and speakers were all great.  Now it is time to get back to somewhat of a routine - for a while, at least.
Needless to say - Christmas will be here soon and I have a lot to do!  This card features the Stampendous stamp, and misc. papers and ribbon.
Here are the challenges:
http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/:  Sketch
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/11/this-weeks-challenge-card_13.html:  Black and white Christmas, with a frame; the Cuttlebug frame folder is available at her store.
http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.com/:  Christmas theme
http://blog.ribboncarousel.com/:  Holidays, with ribbon.
http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html:  #7, non traditional colors