Monday, October 27, 2014

Happy birthday to my blog!

Today marks 7 years since my first blog post... I love blogging - creating, writing, scheduling, musing, all in my own little space. Thanks for meeting me here, in my colorful little giving space.


Thanks for those of you who have reached out to me, and connected with me personally, through emails and comments and your own giving hearts. I got this email recently, which blew me away...
Dina, 

 I've been following your work on your blog and at Splitcoaststampers for a long time. I almost feel as if you're family! I was there 'with' you as you and your family did missionary work in Indonesia, and made the trip back home to the US with you. I'm a big fan of your work...both your art and ministry work. You are like family to me and I want you to help spread God's perfect love through your art ministry. 

Your art ministry has touched my heart in so many ways. Not only do I feel I can relate to you as a mother, wife and Christian, I also relate to you as an artist. I know that your talent, as well as every person's talent, is a gift from God. I love that you continue to emphasize that. Both my sister and I feel so touched by your selfless sharing of your time and talent that we want to give back, and I felt a hand on my heart to want to help support your ministry. I know it's important to keep current, and tithing to your ministry by donating supplies (or monetary gifts via Paypal) is something I feel called to do. 

 I remember you mentioning several places you have wish lists for art supplies. Would you please share your wish lists and Paypal address? Thank you so much for everything! 


That means so much to me on multiple levels.... thank you! I created a page HERE where I've listed links to my wish lists, along with affiliate sites that reward me with a portion of any purchase you make when you click through from my blog. I'm so humbled by this request - thank you!



It wouldn't be a birthday without some PRESENTS, right?? - I have a couple of envelopes here waiting to be sent out to TWO lucky commenters! 



Leave me a comment below before Thursday Oct. 31 at midnight Eastern Time, and I'll announce the winners in my Friday post!  Each prize package contains a 9" x 12" decorative stencil, a classic set of Spellbinders Nestabilities shape dies, 3 yards of black gingham ribbon, a 4" mini canvas, and a mini Valentine stamp set from Simon Says Stamp! I'll tuck one of the Pooh cards from this post in as well. :)


Thank you again for all you do to encourage me with each new post I write! Have a wonderful, colorful week.
Thanks for stopping by!

48 comments:

  1. Happy birthday! I don't think I've been following for seven years, but close. I have been so inspired by your artistic talent and often wonder where it all comes from! Very grateful that you share it with us, and wishing you another very successful seven (or seventeen) years.

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  2. I don't know how many years I've been a follower of your blog but I do know that I am inspired by your art and your creative talent. Thank you and Congratulations on 7 years.

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  3. Happy anniversary Dina. Hope you have many more years of happy creative joy.
    Love both your images and cards. The image on your first card is colored perfectly. Love the colors and arrangements on the card itself. Wonderfully done.
    Winnie the Pooh has long been one of my favorites. He did an excellent job of coloring on the second card. Love the cordage on the top.

    Jim

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  4. Happy 7th Birthday! That's really something. I'm a newbie here having only recently found your blog via a coloured pencil tutorial on You Tube. I've missed a few this month, but every time I look in I'm inspired by your art. Almost forgot to mention your lovely Winnie the Pooh card. I love the combination of pattern and texture and the colouring is beautiful.

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  5. Congrats on your 7th birthday! I found your blog a few months ago and I read every single one of your post. You are very talented and can't believe my eyes everytime you show us one more of your creation. Thank you!!!

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  6. Congratulations! I echo many of the sentiments in that letter. I so appreciate your beautiful work. Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge and work with us. You are definitely my inspiration!

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  7. Dina, seven years of making people happy, teaching them, introducing them to art-world wonderfulness--your heart must be very full today! I love your techniques and always learn something, whether it is about color combinations or placement of objects on a card.....thank you so much!

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  8. As mentioned before, thank you for your generous sharing of your time and talents. Many a day I have looked up your blog to find some inspiraiton not only for my art and cardmaking, but for my soul as well.

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  9. Happy 7th Birthday. Wishing you many more years.
    Adorable cards and such a wonderful inspiration that you give. Thank you

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  10. happy birthday! and thanks for sharing all the lovely things you do and inspire us all! :)

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  11. Holly Saveur10/28/2014 3:56 AM

    Congratulations..wow seven years!
    I love to get updates from your blog..so keep up the good work!

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  12. I am blessed by that letter you posted!!! Thank you for sharing it as a testimony to the love, grace, and provision of our Lord Jesus!

    So happy to congratulate you on this blogoversary! You have touched so many lives with your art on the internet and so many more on the mission field.

    Many blessings to you and your family!! We will meet up together one day!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  13. What a touching letter. Thank you for sharing it with us. How special you must feel.

    Your card is gorgeous, as always.

    Happy blog anniversary.

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  14. Happy 7th Anniversary Dina! I always enjoy looking at your art and appreciate all your tutorials and ideas! I hope many years will follow to make this world more beautiful! That is my motto too, warm greets from Holland, Mirandax

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  15. Happy birthday to your blog! I follow you since only 1 or 2 years and you are an inspiration for me. I love everything you do. Greetings from France

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  16. Happy 7th! Thank you for sharing your creative mind! In this stressed-out world your blog is a little piece of my sanity!

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  17. WHAT AN AWESOME IDEA!!!! Look, chica....I've actually PAID for art classes that didn't teach me an iota of what you have taught me for FREE! AND, you answer my questions!!!!! I love it! Consider your site bookmarked so I can bounce to amazon and blick's. And the wish lists/paypal is brilliant...it's about time to return a little 'thanks' for all you've given freely, without any expectation from us. PS: Take this comment out before you draw for the winners. Congrats and ty for giving US the presents for 7 years! Love ya!!!

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  18. Happy blog birthday Dina, the words on your first card say it all for me, "You,(Dina) brighten my day!" Long may you continue to share and bless us with your wonderful work and inspiration!

    Best wishes
    Brenda

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  19. Happy Birthday!!! Love your blog and all your wonderful talent that you share. Love the card and I absolutely adore Pooh!!!

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  20. Congratulations! I've enjoyed following your posts for several of those years. I've especially enjoyed your hymnal art! On your blog posts I love seeing all the different techniques!

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  21. You are a good inspiration to all of us.
    Nanarama4

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  22. Dina,

    I, too, feel touched by you, your God-given talents, and your heart for ministry. I have prayed for you and Russ and will continue to do so.

    Congratulations on another year of sharing your art and heart!

    Hugs,
    Beth

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  23. Dina, Your talent in all things paper is amazing! And your teaching style- through comments and tutorials- is helpful for both beginners and more advanced stampers. Thank you! (PS Almost forgot to mention that I appreciate the way you often share new and trendy mediums... but mix them with adorable and timely images, like our beloved Pooh, so very beautifully!)

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  24. Congrats Dina - I have followed your blog for a long time. I just love the art you share with all of us. You are such a big inspiration and are so blessed with talent. Thank you for sharing.

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  25. Congratulations, Dina. I have read your blogs and looked at your works of art for many years, and I get an inspiration from each episode. I know you worked under difficult circumstances because I have a brother who was a long time missionary in Korea, and now he still has a ministry at age 79, training young Koreans on the west coast of the US to go out into the world as missionaries. I especially want to thank you for all the instructions and how-tos over the years. They have meant much to all of us,

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  26. Congrats on 7 years! I can hardly wait to see what you have to share with us everyweek. You are such an inspiration. Thankyou for sharing your talents with us!

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  27. Happy Birthday.
    I love Pooh and would very much like that card. Hope I win.
    Donna

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  28. Congrats Dina!

    I love all your artistic work, especially today with Pooh Bear, my favorite!

    You are so talented, you should have your own art gallery, oh but wait, you do, your blog, ha, ha.

    Hugs,
    Gina

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  29. Happy 7th Blog Anniversary, Dina. Although I have only been following your blog for a few months now, I have learned so much from you. I enjoy reading your blog everyday and look forward to what new inspiration you will give all of us. You are truly blessed with a gift and I and thankful you are a part of our world. Thank you for everything!

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  30. After a 1+ year hiatus from crafting, I started feeling crafty again. My first stop for some inspiration? Your blog! I LOVE seeing the things you post on Facebook, but it's been way too long since I've stopped by here. Thank you - I feel inspired :) Happy Blog Birthday!

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  31. Happy Anniversary on your blog!! not sure how long I have followed it, but I really like looking at your posts. and I have even tried to do some of them, lol. thanks for a chance to win some awesome eye candy!!

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  32. Laurel Gross10/28/2014 3:29 PM

    Dina,
    Your star shines so brightly on all of us, bringing endless inspiring pieces of art. Thank you for many joy filled mornings spent reading and re-reading your blog postings.
    Laurel Gross

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  33. Congratulations! Happy Birthday! I too have been very inspired by your artwork. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us. I haven't been with you all seven years but I sure have enjoyed the time I have spent learning from you. I also wasn't aware of your mission work. Thanks so much to the reader who wrote the lovely letter. Maybe we can share in your work in some small way!

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  34. Happy Blog Birthday to you! You do share lots of Encouragement! Love those Pooh cards! They are so sweet! Keep up the great work and know that you do have a pool of loyal blog readers!

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  35. happy birthday to your blog. I keep saying i'll blog and maybe someday I will. for now i'm enjoying yours. love that it has touched so many others. I really enjoy your tutorials. sometimes I almost think "i can do that" alas sometimes I just think. please continue to blog on.

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  36. Hi Dina, Congratulations on your years of blogging. I know that some days it is difficult, but know how much happiness and inspiration you bring to your readers. Thank you.

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  37. Happy Birthday! That was such a touching email! Very sweet! I too have learned so much from you! I've definitely put together several cards with your help:) Nothing quite as lovely as yours but I'm trying. What matters is I'm enjoying myself.Crafting brings me an inner peace, which some days I need more than others. So thank you!

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  38. Hi Dina! What a wonderful blessing from this special lady and her sister. You are so sweet with your give aways. We should all be gifting you, for your wonderful art in many different mediums. Thanks so much for all that you do.

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  39. Happy blog birthday! What a powerful and beautiful email and testimony to you and how you touch us all. Your cards are gorgeous in their soft colors abs sweet images. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  40. Your Pooh cards are the cutest!
    Happy Birthday to your blog!
    You are a very talented artist, in deed.
    Blessings.

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  41. Happy birthday to your blog, Dina! So thankful to see how God has been using you to bless others in this way.

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  42. Happy Happy Birthday! I've been stopping by your blog maybe for a year now since I seen your work on, I think Impression Obsession. thanks for the chance to be included in your drawing.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  43. Congratulations on 7 years, Dina!!!!! Wow, where does the time go? Thank you for sharing the email you received....so touching. I agree with everything she said. You are very talented and you give so much inspiration to us all. What I love about what you share are ideas that are fresh and new. Thank you for taking the time to share your talent on your blog.

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  44. Happy blog birthday Dina!! I'm a new follower to your blog from IO. Thank you for your inspiration and your ministry! You are a blessing, sharing your talent and crafty inspiration. God bless you!

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  45. Dina, happy 7th year blogging Birthday. just love your blog and all the great art that comes from you. Noticed you are in Bakersfield, grew up in Lancaster. small world. :)
    Caroline

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  46. I have had these Pooh stamps for years and hardly ever use them. You have inspired me to began using them. Thank you.

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  47. Congrats on your 7th birthday; I have been following you for over three years now. I love your blog; you are so creative.

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