Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge

A blessed Second Sunday in Advent to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Yes, it's true... I finally sat down and made a card! I'm terribly rusty, especially in the coloring department. It took me ages to color this image, but, come to think of it, it nearly always does. I have to practice on a spare image first before I commit to the real one. So please don't look too carefully... squinting is probably best! LOL

I'm privileged to be the hostess of this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. I chose as my inspiration scripture Matthew 1:20-22, "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' which means, 'God with us.'" My challenge is to use an angel in your card/project... be it in the designer paper, stamped image, charm, etc. 

The devotion I shared is actually one written by the lovely Laura Campbell of Layers of Color called The 5 Best Christmas Gifts.

I hope you'll jump over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to read her devotional and to see the wonderful cards created by the rest of the design team. I promise you will be blessed!

I hope you'll also join us for this week's challenge. Our sponsor is Clear Dollar Stamps, offering a $15 gift card to spend in their store. :)

A note about my card... the adorable angel is Angel Marci from La-La Land Crafts paired with patterned paper by Memory Box's Brioche collection. The border punch is by Martha Stewart (love!) as is the holly punch. I used red Candy Dots for the berries. I also sponged around the edges of all the patterned paper and punched border with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Marci is colored with Copic markers. I also followed this week's sketch at Sketch Saturday. Hi girls! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hopefully I'll find more time to craft and post soon. In the meantime, don't forget to visit me over at my store blog. We're in the middle of our December release festivities!!!

Have a blessed day!

A Pair of Pears

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is the very dear Miesje Flach. She chose as her inspiration scripture Matthew 11: 28-30 "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Her challenge is to use 2 of everything in your card/project; i.e., 2 designer papers, 2 flowers, 2 stamps...whatever you use must be doubled.

My card features images from Fruity for You by Nina B Designs for The Craft's Meow.  I used two patterned papers from the Lost & Found Two Rosy collection by My Mind's Eye, two stamped pears and two stamped leaves. I wrapped the twine around the card twice (I hope that counts!).

I urge you to click over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to read Miesje's devotional and to see the cards created by the rest of our wonderful design team. You will be blessed! And I believe you will be inspired to play along with us this week. ;) Our challenge sponsor is Designed2Delight!

God's peace.

Celebrate Autumn!

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

You might have noticed that I took a bit of a break from Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenges... three months to be exact. I didn't really mean to be gone that long. It was just a crazy summer for me. But I'm back now, and I'm glad to be back!!!

Our challenge hostess this week is Kris Breach and she chose as her inspiration scripture Galatians 5:22-23a "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Her challenge is to include FRUIT in your creation (be it a stamp, digi image, paper, charms, etc.). *By definition, a pumpkin is a fruit, and so are other “harvest” produce such as gourds.* I encourage you to visit the SSIC blog to read Kris's devotional and see the rest of the design team cards. You will be blessed!

I hope an acorn is considered a fruit... okay, maybe that's stretching it, but I had a specific reason for wanting to use this particular digi image called Fall Frolic Betty, and I couldn't figure out how to work fruit into the design. My friend Betty of Simply Betty Stamps has lowered prices on various stamps and digis in her store to help raise funds to cover medical expenses for her 17-year old son who was just diagnosed with Stage 1 throat cancer. I want to help spread the word... for both sales and PRAYERS for Christian. Cancer is a very scary thing, especially for a mother and her young son, even though the prognosis is good.

I paired Fall Frolic Betty (colored with Copic markers) with patterned paper from the Farmhouse collection by Crate Paper, greeting by SRM, and acorn embellishment by Jolee's (tied with a bit of twine).

When I reflect on today's inspiration scripture I think about how hard it can be to stick with the promises of the Lord when times are tough, especially when they seem to be unrelenting, and our faith is sorely tested. But that's when it's the most important time to seek and praise God in all things. It is only by doing this that we will feel love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control even in the darkest of times. Seek first the kingdom of God and these things will come to you.

God's blessings to you!

You've Got Star Quality!

A blessed Pentecost Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

I am the challenge hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ.  I chose as my inspiration scripture Ephesians 6:2-4 (NRSV) "Honor your father and mother"--this is the first commandment with a promise: {3} "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." {4} And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." My challenge is to make a Father's Day card or a card praising our Father in Heaven.

My card features image and greeting from the wee Star Quality stamp set designed by Claire Brennan for The Craft's Meow. I've paired it with patterned paper from the Curtain Call collection and an envelope by Graphic 45. The car is cut from black felt using a Tim Holtz Old Jalopy die. I think this is kind of a cool Father's Day card for my dad, who happens to love old cars. ;)

As I wrote in my devotional on the SSIC blog:

Since next Sunday is Father's Day, I picked making a Father's Day card (or, alternatively, a card praising our Father in Heaven) as this week's challenge... you don't want to wait until the day of to make your cards do you? (*wink*) I asked one of the pastors at my church for a "good" scripture for Father's Day. He kindly provided me with a few. I chose this one because it embodies the two sides of fatherhood... both parent and child.

Children are commanded by God to honor their father and mother. (As a side note, we are taught that this commandment extends to all those in authority over us.) In this scripture, Paul reminds us of this first commandment and then exhorts fathers to "not provoke [their children] to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." In the NIV version, the words are "do not exasperate your children." The footnote explains this means that "fathers must surrender any right they may feel they have to act unreasonably toward their children." Very good advice, don't you agree? And, of course, most importantly, fathers are told to raise their children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Unfortunately, no one is blessed with a father who never acts (or has acted) unreasonably toward his children and/or who has brought up their children perfectly in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. No one but our Lord is perfect and without sin. Nor have we, as children, always honored our earthly fathers. But the good news, my friends, is that our Heavenly Father will never act unreasonably towards us, and His commandments and the teachings of the Bible are filled with instruction on how to live Godly lives here on earth as we wait for the day when we claim everlasting life in His kingdom.

If you're lucky enough to have your earthly father around, be sure to show him some love for father's day... and at every opportunity you can. And since you're blessed with a Heavenly Father, be sure to show Him your love every day. He wants to hear from you... right now... I promise. ;)

Be sure to join us for our challenge this week. Our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp, offering a cute exclusive stamp set as a prize for one lucky player. I hope you'll also visit the SSIC blog to see the beautiful Father's Day cards created by our very talented and devoted design team.  You will be blessed!

Have a wonderful day, my friends!

With Gratitude

A blessed Sixth Sunday of Easter to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is Kris Breach. She chose as her inspiration scripture Ecclesiastes 3:14 "I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him." Her challenge is a sketch, and we must follow it to a "T" - not adding anything to it, or taking anything away from it (although shapes of elements can be changed as long as there is something there in accordance with the sketch).


My card features a brand new stamp set being released in my store The Craft's Meow on June 1st called Timeless Tags. Nina Brackett has designed another fabulous Spellbinders(TM) compatible stamp set... this one coordinating with Grommet Tags. The TCM Design Team is showcasing this stamp set on the TCM blog today, so be sure to pop by... there are also three chances to win a set of Timeless Tags of your very own!

I paired one of the tags and sentiments with patterned paper and a button from the Portrait Collection by Crate Paper, adding a few tiny rhinestones to the punched scallop and black Candy Dots in place of brads on the tag.

Our sponsor this week at SSIC is the wonderful Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (thanks Korin!). We hope you'll come along and play in our challenge... it's a fantastic sketch, don't you think? And be sure to stop by the SSIC blog to read Kris's fantastic devotional on her inspiration scripture. You will be blessed.

God's blessings to you.

Got Lemons?

You know what to do when you've got lemons, right? Make lemonade!

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our challenge hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is someone who has become a very dear friend to me, Grace Nywening. Grace never ceases to be a source of inspiration and encourager to me. She chose as her inspiration scripture Proverbs 10:20-21 "The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of understanding." Her challenge to us is to make a card/project of encouragement with just a touch of silver.

Our challenge sponsor this week is My Favorite Things, and Kim (the owner) very kindly and generously provided stamps for us girls to play with. So fun! My card features Pure Innocence - Pucker Up, which vaguely reminds me of Lucy from Charlie Brown fame and her 5-cents advice. :) I paired her with patterned paper and sticker embellies from the Summer Days collection by Echo Park. The wee silver cat charm is from Whiff of Joy.


I hope you'll stop by and visit us at Stampin' Sisters in Christ, read Grace's devotional on her inspiration scripture and join us in the challenge. There's a chance you could win a $25 gift certificate to spend at My Favorite Things. But more importantly, I do believe you'll be blessed by your fellowship with us as we are blessed by yours.

I can't add much more to what Grace has already said about this scripture in her devotional. I think we all, in varying degrees, are guilty of saying wicked things to and about people. I try to remind myself time and again of Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."

I've been especially mindful of this lately. It seems that my personal trials over the past couple of years have turned me into an embattled and embittered person, which too often means I'm not very nice. I'm ashamed to admit that. But the first step, as they say, is admitting I have a problem. Now I need to pray about it and be mindful that my words should always be positive and uplifting.

I'll start by saying thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog and leaving me such nice comments. You have no idea how much this means to me, especially these days, when I don't have time to do much visiting in return. This new business venture of mine is keeping me hopping, that's for sure! But it's a blessing to be busy, and I thank you for your understanding and patience with me.

Have a blessed day!

Time to Follow Your Dreams

A blessed Palm Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our challenge hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is Peggysue Turner. Peggysue chose as her inspiration scripture Matthew 16:23 "Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Her challenge is to use Versamark or the same color ink on the same color of paper (e.g., purple ink on purple paper) for a tone on tone effect somewhere on your card.

Peggysue put just the first part of Matthew 16:23 (i.e., "Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me Satan!'") in the database for her challenge and I had no idea where she was going with this until I prepared the SSIC post and read her devotional. And then, of course, I pulled out my Bible and read the entire scripture... actually the entirety of Matthew 16:21-28.

As I write this, it's midnight and I'm not feeling well... I've been a bit under the weather the past couple of days... so I don't feel capable of writing a devotional of my own. However, I don't need to... I agree with what Peggysue has said in her devotional, which you'll find on the SSIC blog. I encourage you to jump over there and read it and see the beautiful cards created by my design sisters. You will be blessed!

My card features sweet Anya, greeting and background stamp from the Spotlight Collection by The Greeting Farm. Did you know I'm lucky enough to be the April Guest Designer at TGF? Big smiles from me! I LOVE TGF!!! I used the background stamps from the Spotlight Collection to meet the challenge by stamping in Tim Holtz Peeled Paint Distress Ink (which is green) on green cardstock and then I cut out the banners with Spellbinders Nested Pennants dies. The background paper and chipboard piece are from the Origins collection by Basic Grey.

TGF is sponsoring the current challenge at The Play Date Cafe, so I decided to combine challenges! A $25 Gift Certificate to spend at The Greeting Farm is up for grabs! There's still time to play, but you must hurry... the challenge ends on Tuesday at 11:59 pm Eastern!

Oh, and you'll definitely want to HOP over to the TGF blog and grab the adorable FREE digi images... Easter Ian and Easter Anya! Cute!!!

And I hope you'll come play with us at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenges this week. We are delighted to welcome back Designed2Delight as our sponsor. There's a $10 gift certificate up for grabs! Have you visited their store lately? Lots and lots of wonderful digi images to be had!

Thanks for stopping by my friends! Have a blessed day!

How God Showed His Love

A blessed Fifth Sunday in Lent to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our challenge hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is my dear friend and co-founder of SSIC, Kris Breach! Kris chose as her inspiration scripture Mark 15:17 "They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him." Her challenge is to use shades of purple as your main color and/or use wood paper or elements on your card/project.

This description of Jesus being mocked and tortured before crucifixion found in Mark 15:17 is well-known to Christians...really to everyone since it has been the subject of many artists' portrayal of the life and death of Christ.  But what many of us may not truly grasp is the horror of what was done to him. "Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees they paid homage to him, and when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him." Mark 15:18-20

I've never seen Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of the Christ, mainly because I heard that the depiction of Jesus's scourging and crucifixion are extremely gory and graphic and I cannot bear to watch that sort of thing. But I believe it's important that we think about this... the brutality of what Jesus endured... so that we can better understand the sacrifice Christ made for you and me. Think on this my friends.

My card features image and scripture from the beautiful Easter Blessings stamp set by Taylored Expressions, paired with patterned paper by Websters Pages.

I hope you'll join us for our challenge this week. Simon Says Stamp is our sponsor and has offered an adorable stamp set as a prize to one lucky player. I encourage you to visit the SSIC blog to read Kris's devotional and see all the lovely cards made by the design team this week. You will be blessed!

Cupcake and Kitten

A blessed Fourth Sunday in Lent to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!


The wonderful Miesje Flach is our challenge hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenges. She chose as her inspiration scripture Luke 18:17 "Amen I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Her challenge is to make a card/project for a child. How fun!

My card features an adorable image called Cupcake and Kittens by Carmen Medlin for SCACD. I'm in LOVE with the entire Reflections #2 Collection! I paired this sweet image with patterned paper and chipboard from the DeLovely collection by Cosmo Cricket, and a scrap of ribbon I found in my "scrap of ribbon box." lol


The first thing I thought of when reading the inspiration scripture is pretty much along the same lines as Miesje's devotional (which you'll find on the SSIC blog). We know that faith in Jesus Christ is required to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."), but if we're honest, we all lose or question our faith at one time or another. We experience lingering doubt that maybe we're believing in something that doesn't really exist. After all, there are lots of people around us who think we're nuts, right? They believe this is all there is... life here on earth...or they believe in God but not Jesus, or they believe in Allah, or Buddah, or some higher but undefined being, or... well, you get the picture. Who's right? Who's wrong?

We as Christians look to the Bible for the answer to those questions...the eyewitness accounts of Jesus' time on earth, the miracles, the teachings... those who actually saw him die on the cross and then rise again. However, we are also human and have many influences around us, and it's not shameful to admit that occasionally we wonder.

Children don't have that problem, do they? They hear things and see things and they believe without one shred of doubt, especially if it comes from their parents. Mine were convinced there was a Santa Claus for years, without moment of doubt! And they experienced much joy as a result!

That is what I believe Jesus is trying to tell us... if we hold back our faith, if we allow doubt to enter our thoughts, if we allow our faith to falter, we won't truly enter the kingdom of God. We need to be as trusting as children. After all, we are God's children. And, yes, Virginia, there is a God.

Have a blessed day!

you are my sunshine

A blessed Third Sunday in Lent to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

It's my turn to host the challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. I chose as my inspiration scripture Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." My challenge is a different kind of peace... piece... as in paper piecing...use paper piecing in the main image of your card/project.

My card features Little Frieda's Flowers, exclusive to my very own little store The Craft's Meow. From now through Tuesday March 29th, if you buy all three Little Frieda stamps you can save 20%! Just enter the code 3LittleFriedas at checkout. I'm also co-sponsoring this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ, offering a set of the three Little Friedas as a prize. Technique Junkie Newsletter is also sponsoring our challenge with a free one-year subscription! What better time to play in our challenge?!

I paper-pieced Little Frieda's dress with patterned paper from the Emma's Shoppe collection by Crate Paper. I'm just in love with this paper set. The flowers and patterns and colors sing to my heart! I've sort of cobbled together a scene with the paper, making it appear that Little Frieda is basking in the sunshine in a field of flowers. :)

As I sit down to write my devotional for this week's challenge, it's just after midnight. I have to admit that I sorta forgot it was my turn to host the challenge this week. I've been preoccupied for the past few weeks, mainly focused on getting my store opened, but I've had quite a few things on my mind lately. So I'm sitting here wondering how I can possibly... at this late hour and with a distracted mind... write a meaningful devotional? I'm not sure I can. So I'm going to cheat a little... I've pulled out my notes from the sermon preached by our pastor on February 27th...

It was during that service that I chose my inspiration scripture. I think there's a theme lately where my devotionals are concerned. Have you noticed? They all seem to be about worry... or should I say trust and faith? I suppose there's a reason for that. I find myself being tested these days.

The title of the sermon was "Is Today the Tomorrow You Worried About Yesterday." That gives you some food for thought right there, doesn't it?  Our pastor offered Philippians 4:6-8 as "A Practical Guide for Worriers." This scripture exhorts us to PRAY... to BE THANKFUL for what we have both here on earth and eternally...to RECEIVE THE GIFT OF PEACE... and to OCCUPY OUR MINDS WITH GODLY THINGS. In other words, the way to deal with worry is to seek first the kingdom of God. Shift your focus away from worldly affairs to your eternal life, because when you seek God, everything else takes its rightful place.

I keep reminding myself of this... not to worry... to "let go, let God." I always feel the peace on some level, for my faith in God hasn't waned. It's just my weaker human self that allows the gloom to set in, the self-doubts, the questions, the regrets, the indecision. But I keep coming back to center...to God...and that, my friends, is the peace that passes all understanding.

Please be sure to stop by the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to see the wonderful cards created by our design team. I encourage you to also visit each of their blogs... you will be blessed!

Thanks for stopping by today. God's blessings to you!

Little Sweetie

A blessed Second Sunday in Lent to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our challenge hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is the wonderful Grace Nywening. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... when Grace speaks, I listen! She chose as her inspiration scripture Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." Her challenge is to create a card or project that has something hidden from first view. It could be many things... an envelope, a pull out, doors that open to reveal something, a Joy Fold, Flip Flop, Magic Slider...anything that you don't see at first glance.

Today's scripture is part of The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1 - 7:29). In Matthew 6:5, Jesus is giving instruction on prayer. In fact, this is the chapter where you find the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). The message I'm getting from this passage is that God wants us to understand the simplicity of how to communicate with him. Nothing showy, no wild declarations, no fancy words are necessary. Just come as you are before your Father in Heaven and pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

God already knows your needs and knows your genuine heart. I encourage you to make time every day to shut away the world and communicate with your Father in Heaven... deeply and genuinely. He will hear you and He will answer your prayers.

For my challenge card, I went with an envelope to conceal my card. And guess who's inside? None other than Little Frieda herself!

If you've been following my blog and/or my store blog, then you know that the first three stamps in the "Little Frieda and Friends" line will be released tomorrow (Monday March 21st) during the Grand Opening of my store The Craft's Meow. You can read all about it on my store blog!

I paired Little Frieda's Daisy with paper and embellishments that are included in one of the kits being released on Monday as well. They are from the Emma's Shoppe collection by Crate Paper (although the envelope is by Maya Road). Love love love this collection!!!

Please join us in our challenge this week! Our sponsor is Our Daily Bread Designs, offering a $15 Gift Certificate to spend on stamps in their store. Be sure to stop by the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to see the rest of the wonderful cards created by our design sisters and to read Grace's devotional on her scripture. You will be blessed!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Wishing You a Wonderful Day

A blessed Transfiguration Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our challenge hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is our very dear Chris Olsen. Chris chose as her inspiration scripture Isaiah 40:7 "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever."  Her challenge is to use a stamped flower image on your card/project (note that patterned paper, embossing or paper flowers do no count as a stamped flower.)

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our Lord will stand forever. Everything here on earth is temporal my friends...the good and the bad. Which is why we should count our blessings when things are good... and count them again when they are bad... because all these things shall pass. But God's love for us is eternal. His word never falters. He always keeps his promises. Once we leave this world and enter into His kingdom, we'll have eternal life and be reunited with those who have passed before us. What joy that will be!

A brief word about my card... the image and greeting are from Hero Arts. After stamping the floral image in Deep Lagoon chalk ink (Colorbox), I covered it in Tim Holtz Distress Clear Crackle Paint. I think goofed it up because I got some bubbles and the crackle didn't break the way I thought it should. I'll have to try again. (Tip: don't wait until the last minute to make your challenge card so that you're too tired for a do-over if you mess up. lol) I made the flower using a running stitch on wide ribbon and pulling it tight.

I hope you'll join is this week at SSIC. Our sponsor is Clear Dollar Stamps, who is offering a $15 GC to spend on clear stamps. But the greatest reward is the fellowship. I urge you to visit the SSIC blog to see what the rest of our amazing design team has created with stamped flowers AND to visit each of their blogs. I truly believe you will be blessed.

I really do wish you a wonderful day!

Get Well Soon

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our hostess for this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is our very dear Rebekka Reed.

Rebekka chose as her inspiration scripture Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Her challenge is "things that secure" - use buttons, no less than three, on your card/project.

I confess, I struggled with this card... things kept going wrong, but the thought of starting over was daunting... I just didn't feel like it. I sat and stared at it for hours (okay, I was also watching TV). I tried to figure out what was missing, how I could make it look better, felt frustrated that her hair didn't turn out with enough highlights, fiddled with the shading which is the wrong color, tried various embellishments and tossed them aside. And then I smudged it. And then I forgot that I was supposed to use three buttons. Something that should have been fun turned into stress. Worry worry worry.

I'm not telling you this to fish for compliments, but rather to draw a parallel to today's scripture. How often do we struggle with something, worry over it, pick it apart, examine it too closely, drive ourselves crazy with self-doubt? I'm ashamed to raise my hand. I do this far too often. My excessive worry makes me sick at heart and soul.

This past week, I was reminded of Matthew 8:25-34, which begins, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life..." So why do we worry? We're human, of course. Don't add to your burdens by feeling badly about worrying. Instead, when you find yourself worrying too much, to the point of distraction... or even of indecision and inaction... remember David's words and rest in the knowledge that the Lord will never forsake those who seek Him.  He is with you. He cares for you. He will carry your burdens if you let him. Read Matthew 8:25-34 and Psalm 9 and take comfort. The Lord your God is with you in all things.

A quick note about my card... that sweet image is Willow's Hot Chicken Soup by Whiff of Joy, our challenge sponsor this week. The vertical greeting is from So Random Sentiments by Claudia & Company. I followed the fun color challenge at The Play Date Cafe, pairing Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango cardstock from SU with patterned paper by October Afternoon and a flower embellie by Basic Grey (Max & Whiskers). Notice I had to tuck two buttons into the flower so that my card would meet the SSIC challenge. Hopefully they sort of look like leaves. (*grin*)

I hope you'll come along and play with us this week. Be sure to stop by the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to read Rebekka's devotional on her inspiration scripture and see the wonderful cards created by our design team featuring buttons. You will be blessed!

Oh, and don't forget to vote in my survey... just a quick click in the right-hand column of my blog. Thanks! Have a blessed day!

Cameo Rose

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our challenge hostess this week at Stampin Sisters in Christ is my good friend Peggysue Turner. She chose as her inspiration scripture Exodus 8:9-11 "Moses said to Pharaoh, 'I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile.' 'Tomorrow," Pharaoh said. Moses replied, 'It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God, The frogs will leave you and your houses, your officials and your people; they will remain only in the Nile." Her challenge is to use the color green in your card/project.

I had never heard this verse before. Taken on its own, it doesn't make much sense. You need to read Exodus 8:1-15, called The Plague of Frogs for the whole story. I'm not enough of a Bible scholar to even begin to put this passage in context for you, much less write a devotional on it. This does, however, reinforce my pledge to read the entire Bible. I've had that goal for a long time, but I just can't seem to get started. Isn't that always the case? We all have good intentions, don't we? My mom always said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. If so, then I'm well on my way!

Here's something that has occurred to me, though... don't let the Lord have to clobber you over the head with plague after plague to get your attention and make a believer of you. It doesn't need to be that hard. And here's another... when the going gets tough, that's when you really have to put your faith where your mouth is. I'm struggling with that very thing right now. It's easy to praise God when things are going well, isn't it? But not so much when the tides are turned. But it's then that we need to cling to God's promises and the Lord's teachings more than ever. 

A quick word about my card. I played in this month's Sketch for You to Try. It seemed the perfect layout for this sweet image called Cameo Rose from the Spring Sampler 2011 stamp set by Elisabeth Bell for Susana's Custom Art and Card Design. I've fallen for these sweet images hook, line and sinker! The patterned paper is from the Springtime Vintage collection by Stampin' Up.


I hope you'll join us in this week's challenge. Doodle Pantry is our sponsor. I think you'll be blessed by your fellowship with us. Be sure to stop by the SSIC blog to read Peggysue's devotional on her inspiration scripture and to behold what the rest of the design team ladies have created. I encourage you to also visit their blogs for lots more inspiration and blessings. 

I'll end this post with a shameless plug... don't forget to check my eBay auctions and help me with my spring cleaning! If you're a fan of Stampin' Up, there are some good bargains... but they're going fast. About half are already sold. They need some love in new homes!


Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Sending Butterfly Kisses

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

My dear friend Patti J Gilliam is our challenge hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Patti chose as her inspiration scripture Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'" Since it's Valentine's Week, Patti's challenge is to make a KISS Card (Keep it simple, Sisters!) - a one-layer card.

I took the challenge literally, thinking it a great opportunity for me to practice my coloring skills while trying to emulate the beautiful work done by Sherrie Siemens. I saw Sherrie at the Copic booth at CHA once again this year and never cease to marvel over her coloring skills, especially with the cute Pure Innocence images. Plus, she is the SWEETEST person.

I CASEd Sherrie's coloring of Butterfly Kisses shown on her blog here. Obviously I still need some practice, especially with shadowing and feathering, but it's a start. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Thank you Sherrie!

Tip: if you want to use your Copics on a single layer card like mine then you need Gina K's Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight cardstock. The Copics don't bleed through.

Today's scripture resonates with me. I used to envy the gorgeous homes and fine cars some of my wealthier friends have until I nearly lost my own home. They say you never know what you have until you lose it, but I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to go that far for you to take a step back. If you find yourself constantly wishing you had what someone else does, or more than what you do have, then stop to consider what you'd do if you didn't have what you have. Other folks probably envy you! And most importantly, when you aren't satisfied with what you have and are always longing for something more, you're missing out on enjoying the many blessings you do have. Right there is probably the key to many people's unhappiness... always wishing they had something else besides what they do have, thinking the grass is greener somewhere else.

Please please don't go on a guilt trip about what you have or what you wish you had. There's nothing wrong with striving for more in your life. But I'm pretty sure you'll be happier if you were to count your blessings... truly revel in them. And if you find yourself obsessing over what you don't have, then you've created an impossibly unhappy situation for yourself.

What God is telling us in this scripture is that his love for us, his presence in our lives, his promises to us are greater than anything money can buy.

I encourage you to come and play with us this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Be sure to stop by our blog to see what the rest of the design team have created for your inspiration... and visit their blogs. I promise you will be blessed!

Have a wonderful day!

Tilda's Heart

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our challenge this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is being hosted by our dear Miesje Flach. Miesje chose as her inspiration scripture 1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." Her challenge is to make a card/project that uses no words on the front yet signifies love.

I hope you'll pop by the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to read Miesje's devotional and see the rest of the design team ladies' lovely cards. In fact, making the rounds to visit each blog will be a special blessing to you, I promise!

I'd like to expand a bit on what Miesje said. This past week I heard someone (yet again) complain of the hypocrisy of Christians. Although she didn't, too often folks like her will use that as a reason to turn away from Christianity and/or not attend church. This not only frustrates me, but makes me sad. It seems simple enough to explain that Christians... like everyone...are sinners. But that doesn't seem to be enough to change their minds. Usually the response is something to the effect that they have their own personal relationship with Christ and don't need to go to church or fellowship with Christians who are nothing but hypocrites anyway. Little do they know what spiritual nourishment they are missing because they've let the actions of others influence their feelings about what it means to be a Christian.

Folks, this is yet another reason it is so important that we not only profess ourselves as Christians by words, but also by deeds. It isn't to say we won't slip up... we are human, we are sinners by nature...but we need to try our best, not just for the sake of our own souls and relationship with Christ (after all, if you are a Christian, why would you not want to shine your light for Christ?), but also so that others will be drawn towards Him (and church). Don't be the example of the so-called hypocrisy that drives folks away! Reap the joys of keeping the laws of God. It truly makes life on earth so much easier. :) 

For my card, I decided to play with this week's sketch at Unscripted Sketches. I'm also finally entering the monthly Magnolia Challenge at All That Scraps. The theme is "Queen of Hearts," so it goes perfectly with our SSIC challenge. Yes, I've finally succumbed to the allure of Magnolia stamps! lol

My card features Tilda With Heart paired with patterned paper from the Springtime Vintage collection by Stampin' Up. The flower in the middle is by Prima, but the two on either side are from the Vintage Flower Adornments collection by Stampin' Up. Very simple.

I hope you'll come along and play in this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Our sponsor is Clear Dollar Stamps. Show us your LOVE cards!

I also want to encourage you to pop on over to my friend Kris Breach's blog and purchase a Crafting Grab Bag for $10 (postage included!). Kris is helping her sweet daughter with a fundraiser to attend The Revolve Tour with her Middle School Girl's Christian Youth Group... a very worthy cause for a very worthy young lady! And you'll get some awesome goodies in exchange. It's all good! I can't wait to receive mine!

Have a blessed day!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

It's my turn to host the challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. I chose the well-known Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." My challenge is to predominately use the colors blue (still waters) and green (green pastures) in your card/project. 

I ran out of time before leaving for CHA to make a card for my own challenge. Can you believe it? I'm so ashamed. But the rest of my design team have lots of beautiful cards to share with you, so be sure to stop by the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to see their creative inspiration.

So, why did I pick this particular scripture? Isn't it kind of a downer? I mean, don't we usually only hear Psalm 23 read at funerals? What was I thinking?

I was thinking this... that this scripture embodies just about everything wonderful that is yours if you accept Christ as your savior. He is your shepherd... caring for you, leading you, protecting you, comforting you. He restores your soul... trusting in him is the peace that passes all understanding. Because you know him, because he leads you, you desire to travel the paths of righteousness for his sake.

I don't believe "the valley of the shadow of death" necessarily means actual death (although it surely can be), but maybe also the death of something else... the loss of a job, the loss of a friendship, the end of a marriage, a turning point in life that scares you... anything unsettling. But with the Lord by your side, you need not fear! The Lord is with you as you stand against your enemies! In all things you are blessed... your cup overflows! Goodness and mercy (from the Lord) will follow you all the days of your life... and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! This is the promise made by God in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Ultimately, that is the greatest comfort of all.

So don't be sad when you hear or read Psalm 23. Instead, be assured, be comforted, be fearless!

Our sponsor is Taylored Expressions, who is offering the beautiful new Rest & Renewel stamp set as a prize for one lucky player in this week's challenge. So why not join us? I believe you will be blessed. For more inspiration, be sure to stop by the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to see what the rest of the design sisters have created for you. I also highly recommend visiting each of their blogs... folks often say that reading all the individual devotionals is spiritually refreshing. I have to agree!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day! 

Just Saying Hi

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Our challenge hostess this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is Lovely Linda Lucas! She has chosen as her inspiration scripture Jeremiah 31:3, "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Her challenge is to make a vintage style card/project.

God's love is everlasting and unconditional. That's hard for many of us to understand, especially those who have never really experienced unconditional love. Most children are raised to think they need to behave a certain way in order to be loved, and oftentimes parents don't even realize that this is the message they are sending. Many of us have become estranged from someone who was "supposed" to love us unconditionally. And we all know that if we don't behave a certain way... or should I say, we go too far... we will likely lose the love of friends, spouses and family members. No wonder it's hard for our human minds to grasp this concept of everlasting and unconditional love.

But God's everlasting and unconditional love IS there for each of us, my friends. Most assuredly. All sin which separated us from God was washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ. This doesn't give us a free ticket to sin with abandon, but it does give us salvation and assurance of life everlasting if we only reach out and accept God's love and have faith in his promises. It's when the going gets tough that it's the most important for us to remember this.

God loves you and he isn't the one doing bad things to you, but he very much wants to help you get through whatever it is that you are experiencing. Trust in this. Believe in this. Reach out for the peace that passes all understanding. It really does make a difference. I promise.

I hope you'll join us for this week's challenge! Designed 2 Delight is our sponsor. Be sure to pop over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to see all the lovely creations by the rest of the design team and to read Linda's devotional on her scripture choice. You will be blessed!

My card features images from one of the new Hero Arts stamp sets, Just Saying Hi. I love the old-fashioned telephones. It's hard to see in the picture, but I used Ranger's Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy over the image. The patterned paper is by Echo Park (love it!), which I distressed with an edge tool and sanding block. The flower is by Prima.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed day my friends!

Expect to have hope rekindled...

A blessed Sunday to you! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Chris Olsen is our challenge hostess for this week's scripture-inspired challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Chris chose as her scripture Ruth 2:12, "May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." Her challenge is to make a card/project featuring wings.

It's a bit hard to read, but the greeting on my card (which comes from the Faith & Hope stamp set by Taylored Expressions) says, "Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons do not last. The Spring rain will come again. -Sarah Ban Breathnach."

Folks, I have to confess... I'm completely drained at the moment. As I write, I'm still in Arizona at my MIL's, dealing with the move of her MIL into assisted living. My mind is drawing blanks. I'm exhausted. I don't like my card (except for the greeting) and came "this close" to scrapping it and giving the challenge a miss. But I want to make sure YOU know about this week's challenge at SSIC. And I do believe your visit there will be a blessing to you. I also think the greeting on my card is self-explanatory. Let's just say I'm living this very thing at the moment. It IS wondrous the way God answers prayer. Truly. I've felt His presence every step of the way on the journey we're on now and as it relates to my own life.

My friends, EXPECT your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways, and don't be surprised when they are! God is with you in everything!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

Congrats!

Hello my friends! Have you missed me? Paul and the boys and I spent the Thanksgiving holidays with my family in Mississippi. It had been 7 years since our last visit; much too long. We had the BEST time. I will write more about that later and share a few pictures. For now, it's time for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge.

I am honored to be the challenge hostess this week. I chose the scripture Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The challenge is to make a card/project of encouragement or congratulations.

I've noticed that lately there are a lot of people facing extreme challenges in their lives; health problems, the passing of loved ones, loss of employment, family crisis. Actually, it's not just lately, but always. We are regularly asked for prayers, and are more than willing to oblige, but it can become a bit overwhelming, can't it? We feel empathy and heartache. We realize that "but for the grace of God, there go I." In the most extreme cases, we re-examine our own lives and pledge to be more grateful and treasure every moment.

And, of course, we have lots of prayers of our own.

But here's what Paul said to the Phillipians: "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:11-13

This is the peace that passes all understanding. By the grace of God we are saved. By the blood of Christ we are redeemed. By believing in Him we will have everlasting life (John 3:16). By clinging to God's promises -- having faith in His word -- we can get through anything that life throws our way.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26 That is my prayer for each of you!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

About my card: cardstock and greeting by Papertrey Ink; background paper and chipboard from the Curio collection by Basic Grey; brown Candy Dots.