FROM SERENITEA TO SERENITY

                                    

Hello there!  Thanks for stopping by! 

THE BEGINNINGS OF THIS BLOG AND WHAT IT EVOLVED TO BE

I started this blog "Serenitea-sb" in 2012 to share the tea parties I held, the menus, table settings, linens, decorations - all ways we found serenity.  I've discovered as I look back, that several of these guests have passed away, so having the memory of time spent together with their photo has been comforting to their family as well as to me, a tea party friend.  As time passed, I began to share my journey with weight loss and getting physically fit - something I'd never done in this way.  And from that I have written many personal thoughts about my faith, and the growth I experienced through all of the above.  

FROM SERENITEA TO SERENITY

So now in 2026, I have decided to share my writing again and invite you to be a part of it.  Though my blog is still called "Serenitea" you will find it is not just about tea!  I hope you will follow along as I share my thoughts, writings, and women's fellowship notes on the studies my friends and I are doing. Plus, if doing a bit of artsy projects brings you serenity, I hope you will pull up a chair because there's space around my table for you.  Let's enjoy some fellowship & creativity together!

BLOG POSTS FROM THE PAST

Take a tour through the posts from the past: tea parties, devotions, weight loss journey which includes my thoughts and concerns about making big changes in my lifestyle.  

BLOG POSTS BEGIN AGAIN

Beginning mid-September of 2026, I plan to be posting notes from my Women's Fellowship Group as well as regular thoughts and ideas that will inspire you all!

We'll be diving into the "Aging with Grace" book based on Psalm 92:12, 14.  You can purchase it if you wish through the Revive our Hearts ministry website or from Amazon. 

Revive our Hearts Womens Ministry

Aging With Grace

For my creative side, follow me on Instagram and YouTube where I share my paper crafting and junk journaling ideas, and inspiration from everyday life with nature that brings me serenity. 

Click on the blue lettered words above and below, which will be an active link to those sites.

Instagram

YouTube

                                

Whatever you do today, find a little time for Serenity!  Be Blessed! sb

HOPING AND PRAYING, WISHING AND WANTING

This post was written in 2014, posted on 9/7/14.  I'm sharing this again on September 8, 2026! for two reasons: to remind myself of accomplishments I've made, that at the time seemed insurmountable (is that a word?) and to be an encouragement to you!  SB

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have you been hoping and praying that something would happen or change for you?  "I wish this were so."  "I hope that will happen."  "I am praying about that."

For years, I had hoped that 'someday' I would be able to participate in life a bit more actively.  When I became a grandmother (12 times since), I had a rude awakening that just hoping to be in better shape and more physically active, wasn't going to happen by itself.  I knew that in order to keep up with my little grands, I had to make a serious effort to being physically fit.

I do pray, believing that my request will be answered according to God's will and plan for my life.  Hoping to have will power.  Wishing to be more active.  It seemed that no matter how much I hoped or wished, the will power or incentive to accomplish this was not there.  What complicated the will power or incentive was chronic pain.

I've been writing about my journey to being healthy and physically fit at Motions Fitness. I've come to realize that all the hoping and wishing wasn't going to amount to anything without praying and wanting to change.

Since my last post, I have attended "Body Pump", a weight-lifting class. I must admit that I have always wanted proper instruction on how to lift weights and once had hoped to someday have a chance to do this.  But it had been a long, long time since I thought about really lifting weights.  The chronic pain had gotten in the way.  I'd watched the movements and sets from the back of the room, but now that I was in the class, it was really hard to keep up the pace and keep trying without giving up.  Tearfully, at one point, I wondered how I would ever make it to the end of the class in one piece. But then my trainer got right beside me, and helped me with each move, until I got back on track.

That "coming alongside" me that my trainer, Lisa, has done from the very first time we met at Motions Fitness, is the visible part of our trainer/client relationship.  To me, Lisa's actions were above and beyond the "you can do it, you can do it," support I have received at every stage of my work out plan. But to Lisa, this is her commitment to help her client succeed and realize all that is possible.

Before the class ended, the instructor reminded us that every set we do in every class must be a challenge to us or what good would it be? It was as if he was telling me personally that the hoping and praying, and wishing must turn to wanting to be healthy so bad that you keep challenging yourself, again and again and again.

So the tears keep coming, the tears of leaving behind the "I can't" and "am I going to make it" ....  as I move from wishing to wanting.  Nothing I have tried previously ever got me to the stage of wanting such a challenge like this, until now......at Motions Fitness.

I am praying for strength to keep meeting the challenge.

Until next time, keep striving.

Tone on Tone Cards - No Ink or One Color

Card Idea #1: Tone on Tone with Paper - No Ink

 

Are you new to card making?  Here's some basic measurements and folds to create the card base. Start with Basic White cardstock for the card. With one 8 1/2" x 11" piece, cut it in half at the 5 1/2 " measurement.  You will have two pieces.  For this card, we'll use one for the card base and one to cut in two for layers.

Scoring is done by making an indentation in the paper with a "scoring blade" as shown here on the paper trimmer, or with a scoring tool. Both tools put an even line, an indentation, to be used for a fold. 

 

Now that you've scored your card, and folded it in half, you have the standard card size used in the United States and is referred to an an A2.  Here it is shown with the fold on the top and below, it is shown with the fold on the left.  You'll use the measurements of 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (convert to metric here) over and over.  Its good to know them, as you add layers, since the layers can be cut 1/16th of an inch or 1/8 of an inch smaller, which leaves a small frame around the edge.  Look at the first card on the top of this post. You can see the small Cinnamon Cider color frame around the white.

All white cards - cardstock and embellishments - are beautiful for any occasion or holiday. Beginner card makers can design and assemble cards without purchasing many cardstock colors or inks. This card uses a white layer with the Timeworn Type 3D embossing folder on Basic White Cardstock, cut a fraction smaller than the A2 card size.

The Timeworn Type 3D embossing folder and Detailed Pumpkin Dies are available August 3, 2021, in the July-December 2021 Mini Catalog. (If purchased during August or September 2021, a $50 purchase before tax and shipping will qualify for free stamp sets or Designer Series Paper, Sale A Bration.)

Cut a vine, leaf or flower to build the design on the front.   Here I added a pumpkin.

Or put a bird in the vine,

Or move the vine to the right side and add a dragonfly.

By trimming the embossed white layer by 1/16 or 1/8 inch, you could add a black layer, although it would look beautiful without. You're the artist!

Card Idea #2: Tone on Tone with ink.

Using the same cardstock and ink colors, here Highland Heather Cardstock as the layer, and Highland Heather Ink, I stamped with the August/September 2021 Sale A Bration stamp set "Delicate Dahlias."

To add dimension to this card I stamped the Dahlia on vellum. Taking the stylus end on the Take a Pick Tool, I traced each petal on the reverse side.  The stamped image is visible through the vellum. This technique works best when outlining on the vellum that is placed on a soft or cushioned mat. 

The vellum Dahlia could be added as another layer of the flower to the design.

As another option for tone on tone with ink, you could stamp with Versa Mark ink.  This is a watermark, clear ink, and will dry clear, so it will look the same color as the cardstock.

As noted on the photo, I used Stampin' Blends Alcohol Makers for the centers of the flowers including the vellum Dahlia, and Wink of Stella glitter brush, to highlight the centers.

 As shown below, I also used clear embossing powder and heat embossed the leaves. With the 2021-2023 Stampin' Write (water based) markers, light green, and the Stampin' Blends, Old Olive, I shaded the leaves.  Using the clear embossing powder adds dimension to the leave. See its shine.

Add the vellum Dahlia to the card with adhesive glue only in the center so the edges pop up. You can also curl the edges up or down with your bone folder.

After using both the ink on the same color cardstock, and the Versamark on colored cardstock, I think I prefer the look of the Versamark.

Make sure to click on the green highlighted words - they are the direct links to the Stampin' Products! I used for these cards.

Post your questions or photos of your versions of the cards in the comments or send me a message. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed!  sb