A Christmas Flower

A blessed Third Sunday in Advent to you! Can you believe there are only 12 more days until Christmas? Yikes! I'm telling myself it's okay... nothing dire will happen if I don't get to everything on my list. The most important thing is to concentrate on the Reason for the Season, and that is to ponder on the wondrous birth of Jesus and what that means to each and every one of us.

Today's hostess for the challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ is my BFF and co-founder Kristine Breach. Kris chose as the inspiration scripture Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

What comes to my mind when reading this scripture is the concept of "paying it forward." I think it's imperative for us to give a portion of our treasures to others, but not just the monetary kind. I'm not suggesting that we not tithe or give to charity... of course we should...but I think this verse is reminding us that if we share our treasures (i.e., our time, talents, love and bounty) with others, we experience Heaven on earth. These treasures cannot be stolen from us or destroyed. They are everlasting!

The challenge is to get out your crafting *treasures* and use them on your cards or other projects this week, in other words BLING IT UP (i.e., charms, gems, pearls, dazzling diamonds, flowers, etc). Simon Says Stamp is once again our sponsor and has donated the CUTEST stamp set for a prize. Please do pop by the SSCC blog to check it out and see all the lovely creations by the rest of the SSCC Design Team. I love those girls!

Bling? Did someone say "bling"? You don't need to ask me twice to add bling...I love bling!

I've had this Layers of Color stamp set for awhile and hadn't yet had a chance to ink it up. It came to mind immediately when I read the challenge. Flowering Gems was designed to add gems and pearls...and for layering. I stamped my flowers on Prism Blush Red Dark cardstock (and the leaves on PTI's Spring Moss) and embossed with white. I used Kaisercraft rhinestones and pearls to decorate the flower. Love it!

That gorgeous paper is by Nina Brackett for GinaK Designs... Simple Elegance. It's digital paper, so instant gratification! The green pairs perfectly with Papertrey Ink's Spring Moss (including the ribbon). I used my Bow Easy to make the double bow. I'm entering this card in the Mojo Monday 116 Contest. Wish me luck!

Thanks so much for dropping by today. Today is the last day to enter to win some of my blog candy! I want to thank each of you who have left me such nice comments and birthday wishes. It means the world to me! I wish I could send each of you something for Christmas.

Look to the Lord and His Strength...

...seek His face always. I Chronicles 16:11 (NIV) Amen!

If you are looking for the Thankful for Friends of Faith Blog Hop, please scroll down to the post after this one. And if you haven't yet taken the Hop, I highly recommend that you do. You will be blessed!

Happy Sunday everyone! It's time for another fabulous challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Our hostess this week is Peggysue Turner. Love that girl (and her name!). She and I have lots in common, including a quirky sense of humor. She's not only a talented paper crafter, but a wonderful writer with a Godly spirit.

The scripture Peggysue chose for our challenge is 1 Corinthians 13:12 (King James Version): "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." The challenge is to make a shadow box card. I'd never tried one before, and found that it's fun! Links to two tutorials for making shadow box cards are on the SSCC blog.

In thinking about this scripture, I'm struck by all we do not know about God. Yes, we have the Bible to tell us a great deal, but there is still so much more that we do not know. For example, the notion that God is in control of our lives and has plans for us for good...but does that mean He causes the bad things to happen? I prefer to think not. I cannot imagine a God so cruel. And what about all those who don't know Him? What happens when they die? And does God really forgive people who have done truly vile things while on earth? And do we really see all our loved ones in Heaven? And what is Heaven like? Are we the same age there as we are on earth? And on we go. Questions, questions, questions.

Lots of scholars and lay people opine on these subjects, but none of us really knows for sure. We will have to wait until the day comes that all is revealed to us. That's what I think this scripture is telling us... to trust, have faith and be patient... for just as He knows us intimately, we will someday know Him just as well.

Our sponsor this week is Layers of Color Art Stamps. This is a new company, and let me say I'm loving the unique designs! The owner/designer Laura Campbell so very generously treated me, Kathy and Kristine to one of the newest releases, Butterfly Collector, to sample for this week's challenge. LOVE*LOVE*LOVE! Thank you Laura! One lucky gal who plays in this week's challenge will win a set of her own. So what are you waiting for???

In addition to Butterfly Collector, I used Borders & Corners Circles from Papertrey Ink, Something Within from Unity, and Off Beat Backgrounds from Waltzingmouse Stamps. It's fun to be able to combine stamps for one great look.

The DP is from the Earth Love collection by Cosmo Cricket. I'm sorry the photo quality isn't the best. I had a hard time taking the picture so that the interior wasn't too shadowy. It really is much nicer IRL. I definitely want to try this technique again.

Be sure to stop by the SSCC blog to see what my design team sisters have come up with for your inspiration and viewing pleasure.

As always, I thank you for visiting and sharing with me today. I pray your day will be filled with sunshine and many blessings!