Simon Says Stamp’s DieCember and letting God

Hi all!

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted anything here…I appreciate your patience as I navigate the changes in our lives which I’ll update you on at the end if you’ve been following along with the Goddaughter saga.

In the meantime, it’s DieCember once again at Simon Says Stamp! If you’re new to all the wonders of Simon Says Stamp,this is a yearly celebration of all things crafty, but with lots of focus on dies and things to use with your die machine. For this post, I’m focusing on all things non-card related.

First up is the Radiant Burst die, which I used to make an ornament. This isn’t a new concept, but this is an ideal die for creating this type of project.

The symetricial cuts really made this easy to perfect and line up with each fold. This ornament has only 6 die cuts…3 of each color…but you can do up to 12 with this die. All the same color or ombre’ or rainbow…ooo the ideas are a brewing’!

For more decor ideas, the Stitching Holly and Berries are so fun for making a garland!

Using Spellbinders Holiday felt collection, the leaves were cut from both light and dark green felts, then stitched together with a light tan embroidery floss. Since there are 3 different leaf dies in different sizes, it offers lots of variety when assembling.

The berries were die cut from red felt and a glitter fun foam. I love adding sparkle, so it was a given for me.

I found this pretty light teal blue ribbon with stitching details on it in my stash and proceeded to adhere the leaves and berries on the ribbon with hot glue. It’s so sweet!

Finally, using some of the left over pieces cut from the Stitching Holly and Berries die set, I made some adorable hair clips!

Use these in your hair or even as little embellishments on your shoes! I’d add more sparkle if it was for my shoes…I’m a sparkle queen after all!

So that’s some fun things made with some of Simon Says Stamps DieCember goodies, what non-card things will you make? Be sure to head over and get your products you love asap!

As promised, here is an update on our beloved Goddaughter. It’s been hard to put into words the pain of the last 2 months, but here it goes…

As many of you know, we have been Genny’s care givers since she was born, and her sole care givers for 19 months. On October 8th, The governmental powers that be, chose to return Genny back to her mother’s care.  A mother that endured horrible traumas in her youth and suffers major mental health issues due to those traumas.  Her mother historically makes choices that puts herself and most importantly Genny, in harm’s way.  Genny is in a space that is unpredictable and unstable. John and I have been I her life for her entire 3 years, and over half of those years exclusively raising Genny.  She is our daughter…we have raised her no differently than our own children, and we have ZERO control over the choices being made for her.  We are grieving our loss and Genny’s loss.  We have very strong feelings and opinions about the governmental choices being made, but ZERO control.

I believe letting Jesus take the reins in my life has prepared me for this loss.  I cannot protect Genny anymore, I no longer have control over what happens to her.  As a parent this is soul crushing, but I as a child of God, I know I must give the reins to Jesus.  Knowing I am not privy to the plan he has for Genny but must have faith in His plan. This is the ultimate test for me…and for John…letting go of the control.  

In the meantime, I pray.  I pray for her mother, that she lets go of her traumas and heals from them.  I pray she chooses to take her medications so she can be stable.  I pray she makes choices that have Genny’s security and wellbeing a priority. I also pray for Genny.  I pray she knows how much we love her.  I pray we gave her a strong foundation of love and security that will serve her well as she faces this new reality.  I pray God’s plan is one that has her happy and healthy in life.  Then I pray for our family.  I thank God for the time we had with our little girl and for the blessing of being able to raise a child from birth with John. I pray for the healing of our grief.   I pray for trust and faith in His plan.  

We will never let go of Genny in our hearts, but it is now time for us to let go of the control and let God take the reins.