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Friday, October 21, 2011

On turning 40, a Challenge and a Birthday Giveaway

Thank you all for your birthday greetings for my daughter yesterday. I didn't mention that I also celebrated my birthday this week. And I hit the big 40! I used to dread turning 40. When I was a child, I always thought 40's is my mom's age forever. And now I'm 40 and I'm the mom. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Every year on my birthday, I have a tradition to stop, reflect on my life and ask myself some important questions:  Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year or On Your Birthday

Actually, it starts as 10, but the author adds 21 more. All the questions in this article are worth checking out, but I picked some here that I want to share with you. I hope you will find these helpful as you reflect on your own life as well.
  • What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
  • What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
  • What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what’s one way you could simplify in that area?
  • What’s one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?
  • What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?
  • In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?
  • What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?
I want to emphasize the last one, which covers pretty much all the other questions. I strive every day to do everything with eternity in mind. Card making or stamp designing may not quickly bring eternity to our minds, but every little thing we do to honor God and to bless others has eternal significance! I have much room for improvement, but by God's grace, my life has been a testimony of His goodness. I love getting older because the more years I have, the more I can speak of God's faithfulness in my life.
Life is good because God is good. 
 (I just love this and I think I may make this into a stamp someday).

Now on to my card for today. I am the proud sponsor of the Lily Pad sketch Challenge. I am giving away several stamp sets as a prize. I hope you will play along. Here is my take on the sketch using The Craft's Meow's Simply Delightful and Fly Free sets.
TCM Lily Pad2
Some of my dear friends have joined me on this challenge and here are their beautiful cards.
Now, we can't have a birthday without a giveaway. Please leave me a comment on this post and I will pick a winner to win one of my new Spellbinders die designs, Classic Scalloped Edgeabilities. The contest ends on Friday night, Oct. 28th and the winner announced soon after.
Photobucket

72 comments:

  1. Happy 40th Birthday to you!!As usual a beautiful card and a great giveaway.thanks for the chance to win!!

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  2. Happy Birthday Day Nina - what great questions to stop and think about - several hit home! :) You are an inspiration, not just in papercrafting but what a way to mission!

    I love your card too...love all things birds and birdcages!! :)

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  3. Happy Birthday! Stunning card, fab details and great color combo. Thanks for the giveaway. Hugs,moni

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  4. Great projects. Happy Birthday.

    craftymom205 at yahoo dot com

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  5. I had a birthday recently too and it was a day filled with wonderful blessings -- how yours was the same! My mom passed away when she was only 53; it was really rough when I reached that age 5 years ago and I am thankful for each additional year that I have!

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  6. Happy Birthday Nina!
    and here is to many more!
    Love your questions.
    Sandra ltb

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  7. happy happy happy birthday...40 isn't so bad...really, it's the new 30 which makes me 35:)

    Love all the cards....hope you gals have a very fantastic birthday weekend!!

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  8. Happy Birthday :) love the cards and will surely try and play along the sketch :)

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  9. Happy birthday. Gorgeous card. Love the trio of ribbon, beutitul colored bird and birdcase. You rock.

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  10. Belated Happy Birthday Nina! I hope you had a wonderful day. I really loved the 10 questions we need to reflect upon. I have bookmarked this page I need to reflect upon these more than once a year. God bless you abundantly.

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  11. gorgeous shabby and vintage colour card....love the bird and the cage!

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  12. Nina, you're only as old as you feel . . . I'm sure you had a terrific Birthday! You are BLESSED with so many things . . . and your creations are always absolutely beautiful! Happy Birthday again Nina! :)

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  13. Happy Birthday my dear friend! 40 years of being a gift to the world!

    Thank you for giving all of us the gifts of your God given talents! We are blessed by who you are, how you live and love God and what you do for others!

    Beautiful cards, wonderful sketch! Thank you for inviting us to join you!

    Birthday Hugs!

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  14. happy birthday, i hope your day is fabulous

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  15. Happy Birthday. The card you made with the bird is absolutely beautiful. Hope I have time to take the challenge.

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  16. Happy Birthday, Nina! I love your list of questions and the quote - I would stamp with it! The card is absolutely lovely.

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  17. Happy b-day!!! :) Your card is beautiful--and I love the sketch! Plan on playing along as soon as I get back from a weekend getaway...

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  18. Happy Birthday Nina!!! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  19. Oh Nina, your card is Gorgeous! Happy Birthday! And thank you for the list of questions that will help us all to draw closer to God & align our lives to His will! & thanks for the chance to win a Spellbinders die!

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  20. Happy Birthday Nina!!!!
    Your card is gorgeous. Thank you for the opportunity to win the spellbinder die.

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  21. oh, my, this card is so precious, nina!

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  22. Happy Birthday to you and your lovely daughter. I think your idea of 10 statements to reflect upon each birthday is something I might try next year! Many happy returns!

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  23. Beautifully said and lots of good things to think about...

    And, of course, the cards are amazing! I especially love yours... the embellishments next to that perfect image are wonderful!

    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  24. Happy Birthday!!!! Thanks for sharing the questions.
    Wow, what fabulous cards.
    Thanks for a chance to win your candy.

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  25. Happy Birthday, Nina!! The questions you listed had me thinking too, because my birthday is coming up soon. 40 is the new 30 some say, but the truth is as we age, we see more of God's goodness and value everyday much more than before, I believe. Your card is beautiful, as always. Have a wonderful year and God bless!!

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  26. Happy Birthday for the big 40. Just discovered your blog and products from Lily Pad. Love them! And I so appreciate you sharing your faith - those are thought provoking questions - I may use them. Thanks

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  27. A very, very happy birthday to you , Nina! I hope you had a wonderful celebration!

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  28. Happy Birthday! Hope you had a fabulous day. Love the card and your designs. Aren't you sweet to give us a chance at a birthday gift! Thank you!

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  29. Hi Nina, a blessed birthday! I think the questions are really great! Food for thought for some journal pages! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  30. Happy birthday Nina! You never cease to amaze me. That card is absolutely stunning! Love the sketch and colors you have chosen. Your dies are amazing as well....

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  31. Happy Birthday Nina - thank you for sharing those questions - they certainly are thought provoking!! I would love to see those words made into a stamp - they are soooo true!!
    Love your card and the others you have showcased.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  32. Happy Birthday to you, Nina! Your list of questions is fantastic! We all need to ask those questions! I also love the quote and it is definitely worth a stamp! "Life is good because God is good"...Amen! Thank you Nina! Oh...Your card is fabulous too! lol...Nancy :o)

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  33. Happiest birthday to you, my friend! You are so lovely, I hope your day is as awesome as you are!

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  34. Happy birthday from a new follower! Looking forward to seeing more of your creations.

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  35. Happy Birthday Nina! Your card is simply gorgeous! Love that lace and the papers (and everything else as well lol). Now I have to hop over and check out the challenge :) TFS!

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  36. 40 and beautiful- inside and out! Happy Birthday, Nina! Your card and all the samples are fantastic! TFS

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  37. ♪♫•*¨*•.¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy birthday Happy Birthday ♪♫•*¨*•.¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸.•*¨*•♫♪.♪♫•*¨*•.¸.•*¨*•♫♪...and many more!! To you and your daughter
    40 OMG that is still so young hahaha, I turned 50 last year and thought I would never get here or didnt want to.
    Blessings

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  38. Happy 40 Birthday Nina!!!Love your questions!!
    Of course I love your card too! You always inspire me!
    Hugs!!!

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  39. Happy birthday Nina!!! 40 is such a lovely age: your body is still young, and your children are still young too, but at least not in diapers:-) I hope you had a wonderful day!!! Love your card too: you always create beautiful things:-)
    That last question is what I ask myself at times to help me figure out what is important to do: it helps!!

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  40. Dear Nina,
    Happy Birthday! I 'm glad I checked your blog today and read your comments on getting older. This is an area of my life that I struggle with (I turned 50 this year). But your comments help me put aging into a proper perspective as a Christian. Thank so much for sharing your heart and your beautiful card!

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  41. Happy birthday Nina!! Love the post, love your card and sketch.

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  42. Happy Birthday Nina! I love your card and thanks for the chance to win!

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  43. Congratulations on your birthday! I understand so well what you mean with: I wouldn't want it any other way. I love being a mom and I love my life and my work so much :-) The card you made is so stunning. I'm going to hop over to the lily pad sketch challange to check it out.

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  44. Sretan ročkas! :) Baš super da sponzoriraš Lily Pad. Morat ću napraviti kartu. Sketch mi je baš zanimljiv.

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  45. Happy 40th Birthday to you! Your card is beautiful! Classic Scalloped Edgeabilities are on my shopping list! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  46. A belated Happy 40th Birthday to you Nina! I loved your list of questions and your idea for a new stamp sentiment "Life is good because God is good". God is indeed merciful and good.
    Love your card and that bird cage! Thanks for taking the time to share your life and talents with us.

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  47. Happy Birthday, and many blessings to you! Great cards and so generous of you to have a giveaway!

    Sue Bridges
    Moosegirl02@yahoo.com

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  48. Happy Birthday! Mine is next month and your questions have given me a lot to think about.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

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  49. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Turning 40 was hard for me but turning 45 was even harder. I'm now 47... do you think it'll get any easier? haha!

    You look far too young to be 40. Your children are also young... but watch out, they are growing up fast! hehe

    I hope you have a FABULOUS birthday WEEK! How about a birthday MONTH? I think that mother's deserve more than just one day to celebrate their birthdays because we do so much for our children and husbands. Don't you think? Hope you had a great day and have a great weekend.

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  50. Happy Birthday Nina! You'll enjoy your 40's!! We should be giving you gifts as much inspiration as you give us! Your card is divine!

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  51. Happy birthday, Nina! You have had a busy month with birthdays! I hope you enjoyed your special day and celebrated YOU! Psalm 118:24

    LOOOOOVE this card---this is GORGEOUS! Great colors and the papers are perfect! OH LUSH:)

    As for the book--I'm getting it! I love the idea of reflecting on your birthday:) FAB!

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  52. Happy 40th Nina! Isn't fun to think about how old we used to think 40 was? I just turned 46 last month and I don't feel old. I hope you had a fabulous day on Friday. I love this post - such a wonderful way to think about a birthday! I could not agree more. Your card is absolutely stunning as always :) Sweet of you to give us a chance at winning this lovely gift.

    rebeccadunham at hotmail dot com

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  53. Happy Birthday, Nina! Your creative inspiration is such a gift to us all~thank you so much for the chance to win even more gifts!
    These are wonderful reflective questions, truly thought provoking.
    Love this gorgeous card too :)

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  54. Happy Birthday, Nina! You're not getting older, you've just gotten one step closer to Heaven! :D Praying for the Lord's continued blessing as He fits you for eternity with Him! Love your beautiful card and those questions. Thanks for sharing! Blessings!

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  55. Hope your special day was filled with family, friends, fun ... and CAKE! LOVE your birthday bucket list tradition!

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  56. HAPPY HAPPY Birthday, Nina! Wish you all the best!
    Love your very beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing all your nice ideas.

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  57. Happy Birthday! One day is just too short to celebrate- take a week, it's more fun!

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  58. Happy Birthday Nina! I never would of thought you were 40! :> Wishing you a wonderful year of God's blessing and joy! :> Thanks for the chance to win your prize, this is the die I am using in my classes at my LSS next month! :>

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  59. Happy Birthday - I turned 40 last year and did a little thinking about where I was and where I want to be in a year. Your questions are great to get you thinking and possibly doing things.

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  60. Happy belated birthday to you and your sweetie! The cards are beautiful! Have a great year, and thanks for the chance to win!

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  61. A belated Happy Birthday, Nina! I saw your post in my email but forgot to comment on your blog. I hope you had a wonderful day. How nice it would be to be 40 again! LOL! I hope you have a fabulous year and I'm looking forward to seeing all of your new designs.

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  62. Can't believe I missed your post!! Pray you have a blessed year! Hubby is turning 40 nxt month and me next year. Guess we're getting all grownup.

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  63. Happy birthday to you........ loving your cards!

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  64. Gosh, I almost missed this beautiful creation! I love this card, Nina - it's one of my favorites! Happy Belated Birthday, dear friend! I'd LOVE to see your quote made into a stamp - it's wonderful! Hugs...

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  65. HAppy 40th! It was so fun to read you interview on Lily Pad Cards today!

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  66. Happy 40th, Nina! Wish you a wonderful year! xoxo

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  67. Great cards and thanks for the chance to win!

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  68. I like your blog re-design. Have a great day! Really enjoying the cards!

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  69. Love the cage and the bird. This is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  70. Happy belated Birthday to you and your daughter!!! I love everything that you do - you bring me so much inspiration every single day! Thank you for the chance to win :)

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Thank you for your kind comments.