When He Comes

Christ came the first time as an infant, born in time and space, small and weak. He will return as the everlasting King, great in strength and glory.
When He came the first time, His glory was shrouded and concealed from human view; when He comes the second time, His glory will shine brightly. His first coming was obscure, witnessed by a few poor shepherds and the like. Few recognized who He was. At His second coming, every eye will see Him and all will know who He is.
He came the first time as the Lamb of God; when He returns , it will be as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. At His first coming, He was judged and condemned to die by sinful men; when He returns , it will be as the Judge, to execute justice and judgment on all who have refused to repent of their sins.
When He came the first time, only a few bowed to pay Him homage; when He returns, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The first time, He washed the feet of the disciples; when He returns, all His enemies will be under His feet.
The first time He came, He wore a crown of thorns; when He returns, He will be crowned with many crowns, the King upon His throne. He came the first time to make peace between God and man; when He returns, it will be to make war on those who have rebelled against Him.
He came the first time as our suffering Savior, He will return as our sovereign, reigning Lord.
Hallelujah! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Excerpt from the book: The Quiet Place. -Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Stockings were hung...

One of the many things I love about this time of year, celebrating Christmas, are the Christmas cards and letters received from family, friends, and many of them stampers, just like you! This stocking was completely CASED by my friend, Dawn Burnworth, who is so ultra talented, especially when it comes to coloring images. I used a stocking card she sent as color inspiration for this card/ornament and as a template!  I have not colored in oh so long with copics...so it always helps to have a guide. I did not post a picture of Dawn's card today...I may wait until I have a few and post them all together. But this one is being mailed out so I thought I'd better take a picture before it goes in the mail. I used white prisma pencil to add a very rudimentary stocking stitch on the toe and heel...and also use it to highlight the stockings a bit. That is a little helpful hint I learned once upon a time.

I will be back before Christmas...may you take time to breathe, enjoy the special sounds, sights, and aromas of this wonderful season where we anticipate celebrating the Lord's birth and soon return!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ~Autumn Wreath

Today's Sunday devotional and stamp challenge is brought to us by our dear and wonderful Kris Breach, the founder of Stampin' Sisters in Christ.
This week's verse:

Galatians 6:9 "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up."

This week's sponsor is: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

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This is personal...and right where I am...so don't read the next part if you don't want to know.

I struggle a lot with discouragement lately.  Losing heart, wanting to give up the fight, wanting to give in to whatever my human nature is telling me to do...straddling the place between what I see in front of me, and what I believe God will bring to pass... as I wait and wonder WHEN is my situation going to change? When am I going to be delivered from this trying person/situation in my life who returns my kindness for coldness, is unresponsive or rude to my advances, who I feel completely deflated and defeated every time I am with them?  And will I survive with my emotionas and mind intact until then? These are the questions I wrestle with.   Sometimes the good deeds we do, the long suffering we endure, the continuing to bless in spite of wrong doing is just plain old hard. As a woman, I long for a relationship...a deep relationship with my own family members. I want to be included in their lives, to know that I am loved as much as I love...but there are times I feel left out, ostracized, and ignored.

So this verse is good for me to be taught by...and fitting for my present circumstances. I love to look up commentaries on verses and the meanings of the words in scripture. I learn so much that way and come away with a much deeper understanding of the meaning and the application of what the Bible is saying.

The NASB version says:

"Let us not lose heart in doing good." 

The meaning of those words, "losing heart"  is to act or behave badly in some circumstance. To turn coward and/or lose one's courage. To grow tired, discouraged, faint or fainthearted.

Well, I am there...on the verge of behaving badly, ready to lose courage, feeling fainthearted...all of the above. But God says to not grow weary...to continue... continue to pray, continue to love, continue to forgive, continue to reach out...and by the way...while we are waiting ...continue to encourage others to do the same. While I am waiting, I am still to be obedient...and to reach out to others with that phone call, or taking that young Mom out to lunch and encouraging her...whatever the Holy Spirit is prompting me to do.

Here's the thing: I don't want to let the feelings of defeat I have in any relationship in my life take away from one single thing God is calling me to do. And I can not afford to allow defeat to rule my life for even one day.

There are so many messages out "there" in cyberland on dealing with difficult relationships in your life and how to get past them. I read them, and they make some sense on a totally humanistic level...they say things like "Move on from the drama, don't waste your time on people who don't appreciate you,"  or "Surround yourself only by those people who lift you up." Admittedly, these are paraphrased... but where in the Bible does it tell me I can dispose of people in my life who are not lifting me up or who cause drama? But God loved us "while we were yet sinners..." And He commands us to love others as He has loved us.  This scripture is telling me to keep on, not to give up. And to trust God with the outcome.

And even though I have yet to experience the promise...I am to keep believing that at THE RIGHT TIME...I will reap a harvest of blessing. So my question of WHEN? earlier is answered by God's answer of "THE RIGHT TIME." His right time...not mine. My dear husband reminded me of that this morning as he listened to me sob ...."You need to trust in God's timing." Is he wise, or what?  So if you're in a situation and waiting and possibly becoming discouraged...I hear you. I understand. Let's encourage each other.

My card: I didn't get the best photo of the true colors on this card...It is one of those that I played with a couple of different dies : the smaller one is SU! and the larger one is PTI. The wreath is from PTI, embossed in bronze embossing powder. The little flowers sprinkled through are in SU! inks more mustard, blue bayou, and poppy parade. The kraft mat is embossed and the bow is hand dyed seam binding. I added blue rhinestones around the wreath and stamped the word, "Home" on the inside of the wreath.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share a little bit of my heart with you. Blessings on your week!

Happy Birthday ~Stampin' Sisters in Christ!!

This Sunday is SSiC's 3rd Birthday and we invite You to celebrate with us by way of a Birthday Blog Hop!!
You should have arrived here from Sandie's Blog...and when you leave, please stop by SSiC and leave a comment there letting them know you've completed the Birthday Blog Hop!

Helen is our lovely challenge hostess. The challenge is to make a birthday card and is inspired by this Scripture: John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Please be sure to read Helen's devotional on this Scripture.

Scripture Challenge

Wishing you a blessed Sunday morning!! Today's we celebrate a new week, scripture, and challenge on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog. Our challenge is brought to us by the talented Candace. Please go to the SSiC blog to read Candace's devotional thoughts this week and see what the lovely team has made!
This week's scripture:
Proverbs 30:5 "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."

The challenge: Use a sentiment only: no images.
Our sponsor: Our Daily Bread Designs: 15.00 g.c.

I love featuring scripture on my cards! God's word stands alone. It is beautiful and I don't want to ever forget the simplicity and truth in God's word...alone!! Sometimes we are tempted to "add to" or "embellish" the Bible either because we think adding our own application (experiential)  or what we think it means, (subjecive,) will give more credence to or somehow add to what God has already said.  Some add allegories or mystical experiences to scripture when it is not there (or anywhere for that matter!) Scripture is sometimes taken by others and bended, embellished, added to, taken away, sifted through, watered down, to the point that if you do not know it, you may be very confused just what God says! Rather than letting scripture rule, and context reign...we allow our own finite minds to rule and our own preconceived notions to reign.  But if we were to just take scripture and first, regard it as "true" and "God-breathed," then meditate on it...that is when we are allowing God to speak through it, and that is where the power of the written word to "teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness is!"  (2 Timothy 3:16)
Last night I was having a conversation with a lovely woman and we were discussing the recent devastation of the fires in and near our community. I told her that two days after the outbreak in Colorado Springs, I had attended a Christian conference right in the heart of Colorado Springs. While the fires raged  just west of us,we had a powerful time of prayer for the community and state:  beseeching God for His protection, His mercy, and His provision...but also to please send rain!! And within just a few days, we had downpours all over our state, putting out those fires. The woman I talked to agreed with me that it was prayer, but then she added this, "Well, Mother Nature, God, whatever you want to call it... the power of prayer and community put out those fires." As a believer, I am certain that God is God, and not Mother Nature, that He alone is sovereign over the weather! And we have Him alone to thank for bringing us the rain!! And am I ever thankful for that!
This is a stamp image  I've had a long time and have not yet used...I think it was gifted by a friend. I decided to attempt to match the ink to the d.p...and used a small ink spot to ink up one word. The leaves are a Sizzix die, shaded in a deeper blue ink, tiny prima flowers for added elements, two layered Spellbinder dies, and one pretty designer paper! I had a lot of fun with this challenge, and hope you have the opportunity to join us this week!
Thanks for stopping by...until next time, wishing you a blessed week!

SSiC~Preparing a Place

I am excited to be this week's hostess at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This week the verse and challenge choice are mine, along with the devotional. Please be sure to stop by the SSiC blog and see all the fun and beautiful DT creations!
The Scripture:

John 14:1-6

"Do not let your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going."

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My latest past time has been refurnishing and decorating a bedroom at our mountain “cabin” in Colorado. Due to the basement flooding, we had to throw out all the existing furniture, redo the drywall and replace carpeting. So, buying new beds, shopping for cozy comforters, sniffing mountain scented candles, scouting out a beautiful pine armoire and rustic hand carved shelving…all in the name of comfort and home…have taken a lot of my time and attention. All the while, I am anticipating our two daughters driving over the mountains from their separate homes for family gatherings in our cozy retreat. I am envisioning the welcome they will feel as they lay down their suitcases and plop on the beds, snuggling under blankets and laughing the way they used to as little girls. I have been, without even realizing it, preparing a place for them. Getting this room ready has brought me much delight because each detail and decision was made with my daughters in mind. There is just one more thing to complete the room…a nice soft night light.


When I read this passage of scripture, I can’t help but be amazed. The same God that created the universe in six days has spent the past eons of time preparing a place for his children in heaven. Jesus often refers to heaven as “my Father’s house.” And there are many “dwelling places” in this house. Culturally in Jesus time, families were joined together by adding an additional wing on to a single dwelling as the son would marry and bring a wife into the family. These wings formed a community around a single courtyard or patio. The picture here is of communion with the family of God.

Jesus is preparing a place for us. I can sense the anticipation in this passage, the longing of the Father to be with his children. What a comforting thought! If you are a mom and have children leaving home for the first time to college or moving away for a new career, take comfort! If you are a daughter whose parent or child has gone home before you, take comfort. If you have a prodigal, and like me, are looking down that long road searching for their face, take comfort! If you are weary of this world and its anxieties and cares and feel there is no place to lay your head, take comfort! Jesus is preparing a place for you!! I can almost picture the pillows fluffed, the welcoming glow in the windows. But we won’t need a night light. His light will fill the place, for He will reside with us in all His glory. I can only imagine the homecoming we will have!!

Revelation 22:5 “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun because the Lord will illumine them, and they will reign forever and ever.”
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My Challenge: Create a card or project that depicts something that says "home" to you!

The first card uses an image that best reflects my devotional.
Here is my cozy cabin, all decked out with snow and a hint of Christmas in the air! I used Flourishes stamps and the Tuesday Challenge sketch featured this week on the Flourishes blog.  This card uses Flourishes "Snow Fun" set, Flourishes keyhole dies,  and colored in copics (light beige for trees and fence shading,  blues for snow and sky, and reds for the cabin.)  The background is a Sizzix folder with the edges inked in Tim Holtz Antique Linen ink. A Webster's "sparkler" is the final touch to my card, along with some glitter for snow. I combined two ribbons, a cream crochet and layered a deep red cream-edged over it using a 1/8 inch scor-tape.

My second card uses this week's sponsor's digital image! DRS Designs has generously sponsored this week with a 10.00 voucher to their store! I love this coffee image, it is cool and hip. And guess what, I learned something new! Paper piecing with digital! Home means a cup of coffee, and of course, hospitality. I used a lace doily for the side panel, a bright blue ribbon topped with a corduroy brown button and a brown pearl.
I do not usually dabble in digital, but wanted to give it a go. I used a tutorial from my friend and fellow SSiC DT member, Diane Noble.You can find the tutorial on her blog, Diane's Designs, with an exciting announcement. Diane has followed her dreams and has started her own store, Daydream Designs. This weekend she has lots of samples, tutorials, and free images to boot! I think I may have to learn digital to utilize some of her beautiful and unique designs. I won't spoil it for you, just go and take a look...you will be blessed!
 I hope you enjoy my creations this week...
And more importantly, I pray you are comforted by today's scripture.
Thanks so much for your visit. I hope you can play along in my challenge this week...and have fun creating your own homey creation!!

Tear it Up!

Welcome to my blog today and today's Stampin' Sisters in Christ stamping challenge! This week's hostess is Peggysue!
The verse:

Matthew 27:51

"The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom."

The challenge: Use torn paper technique (just tear your paper with your fingers and use it somehow on your card, but it must be torn, not cut.)

This week's sponsor is a 15.00 g.c. for Inspired Stamps. They have a great selection of stamps!

My card: I haven't torn paper in so long...it felt kind of strange...but once I added some antiquing with ink, I liked the overall effect much better. I used SU! designer paper, Pool party paper, pool party ribbon, Spellbinders Nestabilities, CD embossing folder, ODBD stamp, and tiny blue rhinestones along with TH Ink, a bit of lace and my bow maker.

I always enjoy the Sundaydevotions and look forward on Sunday mornings to reading them along with you. Please visit the SSiC blog and play along with us for the chance to win stamps from Inspired Stamps and even more so, the opportunity to lift up Christ with your beautiful art!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Home is Where your Story Begins

Good morning friends! This card is for this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ to make a Clean and Simple (CAS) card. Today's challenge hostess is Michelle. The verse she chose is:

Matthew 11:30

"For my yoke is easy and My burden is light."

This week's challenge sponsor is "A Day for Daisies" gift certificate

Card details:

Stamp: Market Street Stamps

SU! Edgelits embossing folder

Nestability dies

Green button and bakers twine

copics for coloring

Spica glitter pen for the windows

Notice how the die is in the shape of a book? This detail really made me happy...it fits the sentiment so well. This is a housewarming card for a friend...non-traditional colors because I know she likes them.

Hope you get to join in this fun challenge this week, and please visit the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to read Michelle's devotional and see all the wonderful DT cards!!

Thanks as always for stopping in!

Pawprints on your Heart

Today's stamp challenge and devotions is brought to us by my friend, and Stampin' Sister in Christ, MariLynn.

The verse:

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The Challenge:  Make a project that follows this PLAN: (at least) 1 circle or oval element, at least two different papers, and at least 1 embellishment.
Our Sponsors this week: 3 digitals of your choice from Doodle Pantry!

I chose this sweet puppy and girl image from Stampavie. The sentiment is from There She Goes, and the paper is My Mind's Eye. I have not had a lot of opportunity to practice with my copic markers lately, so this was one of those images that I've had awhile and not used. I love to color, but it is one of those things I like to do when I have "all the time in the world." So this was my lazy Saturday card.
My parents recently had to give up one of their dogs due to a biting issue when health care workers came to the house. It is sadly one of those situations where they would either have to be dropped from home health or give up their dog. Thankfully, this was not my mom's "favorite" dog, but still I know they felt badly and it was a difficult choice to have to make. So this card is for my mom...God indeed has taken care of them and given them a new hope and future in their own home. We are all so grateful. I hope this little card will cheer her up and let her know how much I care!
Thanks for visiting, and have a wonderfully blessed week~
Hope you join Stampin' Sisters in Christ this week for our challenge! This was a really fun one!

Thoughts and Prayers

Good Sunday morning, friends! Today we have a new day and a new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ! Our challenge hostess thsi week is my friend, Linda Lucas. Linda chose this Bible verse for this week's challenge.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35

The challenge this week is to use something new on your card/project creation. For my card, I chose this big ol' shabby bloom flower from Flourishes Store. See the little rosette inside the larger one? That is part of another bloom strip/lace that I cut off just one rosette and glued it to the center. After looking at this card, I decided I may add an entire strip of the smaller rosette down the side over the taupe ribbon, but I left for a Christian conference  this weekend, so it will have to wait till tomorrow, I suppose.

This card uses Flourishes stamps, "Thinking of You," and a corresponding background stamp along with Labels Four, pearls, twine, and taupe ribbon. And of course my new ribbon that I have not used till now.

I always try to achieve balance in my cards, that is probably the priority for me when stamping, and when I received this ribbon and saw how large the rosettes are, I was befuddled as to how to use them without totally overwhelming a card.  I hope I accomplished balance on this card. It reminds me of one of those big floppy baby head bands with those huge rosettes that dwarf a baby's head. Kinda makes me laugh.

On a personal note: The conference I just returned from was in Colorado Springs, the city near the Waldo Canyon area engulfed in fire on Tuesday and over 300 homes have been destroyed so far. I was able to view the  fires from the highway, the helicopters flying in and out...and some areas that looked destroyed, while others were preserved. It was a bit surreal, but also a relief that the fire was going away from the city and as of last report was 30% contained. So praise the Lord for that. It has been very scary, tiring, overwhelming to live in an area where the fires seem to be a constant threat and new ones break out every day. My heart goes out to those that are still under evacuation, those that know their homes are gone, those that are waiting, firefighters and military all working together. I hope to write more when I have had time to process the conference and things we learned, as well as get some rest.

Thanks so much for visiting and your prayers always!

Congrats!

I'm back again with a card for this week's Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge! It has been such a long time since I picked up a stamp or paper...over a month I believe. I have been doing a lot of traveling this month and think I spent more days away than home. After I got home, I had about a week of trying to get my "land legs" back after being on a cruise ship for 7 days, along with ferries in Seattle!  I'm finally able to walk in a straight line and stand without holding on to the wall for support. You would think I had been on a tiny sea-tossed boat rather than a big ocean line cruiser.
Our family (husband, youngest daughter, and her friend and myself) went on an Alaskan Inside Passage cruise and had such a wonderful time. I have a few pictures I am going to share on Monday, so please come back for a visit then.
This week's hostess for our stamping challenge is my friend and blog founder, Kristine Breach. You can visit the SSiC blog here and read her thoughts for today's devotional.

The Scripture:

Psalm 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

This week's challenge: Use flags/banners in your card creation!
Our sponsor this week is a friend of SSiC's and a generous donor: (anonymous)  donating a grab bag of stamps!! How fun is that?
I have had these banner dies from Spellbinders and had yet to break them out of their packaging...so thanks, Kris, for the fun challenge! This paper is so pretty, I used just a snippet of the floral and it adds something to my card...the button is aqua and has a Daisy pattern embossed on it. (hard to see!)
I love this scripture and am looking forward to reading this week's devotionals and seeing all the banner ideas!
Wishing you a week of blessings and trusting in the Lord!

Purple Posies

Good Sunday morning! Today we have another challenge on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog by Candace.
This week's scripture challenge:

Psalm 118:6

"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

The challenge: Do something on your card that you are afraid of. For example: Clean and Simple style, stitching, a vintage look, etc...Just do something you would not normally do!

Two fears I faced with my card today: First, using this Fleur de Lis Rectangle die. I have had it for quite awhile, but usually have a very difficult time getting it to pop out of the die without tearing it somewhere...so I used a magnetic plate this time and it helped. Also, I used purple, which I actually love, but am a little intimidated by. Purple has a tendency to look cheap if it isn't done right...so I went with an elegant look with just a bit of bling!
I did not take this challenge too seriously, meaning I just had fun with it, and thought, what have I not done in a long time that I would like to try? This was such a fun challenge!
For my card:
Flourishes stamps: From the Garden
Ink: Memento Black, versafine black
Copics for Coloring, C1, C3, C5, C7, V000, V04, V17, G20, G40, G82
Nestabilities, Fleur de Lis Rectangles, Fancy Tags
Pretty wrinkled ribbon from Flourishes
**I am also entering this card in this week's Flourishes challenge to use a flower on your card! You can view this challenge here.http://flourishes.org/2012/05/timeless-tuesday-170/

My Daughters on Graduation!

My youngest daughter, Erin, right on top, center on bottom...graduated this May from Colorado State University.  I realize she is missing her graduation cap...these were taken afterwards, and she took her cap off. I am so proud of Erin...she graduated with "high honors" with a degree in Business and an emphasis in International Business and Marketing. She also accomplished this in four years, including a semester abroad in Barcelona, Spain last Spring. Her older sister, Caitlyn, came from Denver and we spent the day together. Our daughters have always been close, and the first photo is one of them being slightly silly doing what they call the "prom pose."
I love these pictures, it reminds me how blessed I am and how very proud I am to be the Mom of my two girls...well, I guess young women would be a better term!! And of course, my sweet husband was the one taking the pictures. He does not like to be in them, though, so I will spare him that.
This is our back deck with the neighborhood pond in the back...this Spring has been so lovely with all the green buds and some fresh rain.
So just wanted to share this happy moment...and praising God for it!! Thanks for stopping by!

Build up Your Card!

Today is my day to share this week's devotional at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!!

Ephesians 4:29

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

There is a fire raging near my town of Fort Collins, Colorado, in the mountains of the Poudre Canyon. It began earlier this week, with a spark that got out of control. Firefighters have been working around the clock, trying to form a barrier to stop the flames and save the homes in the canyon. Residents in eighty of the homes were called to evacuate the area this afternoon. The first night I opened our front door to the distinct scent of a bonfire; the smoke swirled around the street lamp giving off an eerie red light. I stepped outside, my eyes stinging from the smoke, and quickly closed it and said a prayer. That was three nights ago. The fire that has burned and destroyed over 7,000 acres of forest as of tonight…was intentionally started.


James 3:5 reminds us, “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

Who of us has not been singed by fire? Words flung in carelessness by another… a spark that ignites and encircles us with a heaviness of spirit that is hard to quench. We may spend a lifetime putting up barriers, man made boundaries to keep the toxic words from causing further damage…the fire from eventually destroying us. If you were a child that grew up with a verbally abusive parent, you know what I am speaking of. A long time child advocate, nothing breaks my heart more than overhearing a parent degrade a child verbally. And unfortunately, this abuse does not stop with children. It touches all stages of life, including the elderly. Not one of us escapes the smoke getting in our eyes!

In contrast, this verse in Ephesians tells us not to let any unwholesome talk proceed from our mouths. The word “unwholesome,” is the same word used to describe fruit that is rotting…decayed, putrid. It refers to obscenities, foolish talk, or coarse joking. Rotten, wormy apples protruding from our lips is anything but a pretty picture! Instead, our speech is to be marked by edification…that is the building up of others. These are words that minister grace to the hearers. They are not frivolous or false flattery. The Proverbs 31 woman is an example of this. “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” This woman’s tongue is governed by a higher authority…the “Law of kindness.” Her speech is kind and tender, exhorting others using Christ’s kindness as her example. These words build us up…they draw us close and encourage us out of love to love others better. What a blessing to have someone like this in our childhoods! Or adulthood's for that matter! My Nana was this kind of loving person in my life who set a Godly example with her tongue. What a blessing this beautiful woman was in my life. I never felt more safe, loved, happy and delighted in than when I was with her. I am sure her influence in my early childhood years shielded me from many of the damaging words spoken so casually and carelessly to my brothers and I growing up.

Proverbs 18:21” The tongue has the power of life and death…and those that love it will eat its fruit.” I hope by the time this is read I may report the fires contained, the damage minimal, and no casualties! Oh, may we say the same thing about our own tongues. “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. “ Proverbs 21:23

This week's sponsor is featured on the SSiC blog: Traci Mayberry!

So for my card, and the reason it is not posted at the top of the page, I CASED this card from Lynn Putt, that I had saved on Pinterest. I wanted to make a card using these stacked flowers, buttons, pearls, ever since I saw this sweet beauty a few weeks ago. I changed the background paper and added buttons and pearls, other than that the flower dies and layout, colors, are pretty much the same. You can visit her blog here.

My challenge: "Build" up your card using paper piecing, paper tole technique, layers, stacked elements...you name it!!

This is for our daughter's  college graduation...she is off celebrating (she doesn't need any help with that part,) so I have not given it to her yet. I will be posting a few pictures this week from that day on my blog.
Thanks so much for stopping in...I hope you have a blessed week!

Organic it Is!

Good Sunday morning!
Before I get to today's challenge, I wanted to let you know that we have six new design team "sisters' on our blog debuting today. We have already been busy getting to know each other, and this is such a blessing to have us all on a team together. So I hope you will visit the blog this week and give them a nice welcome! All of the Design team blogs are featured on my sidebar also!
Today our wonderful  Stampin' Sisters in Christ sister, Miesje, is challenging us to make a card using natural materials. (Twine, seashells, sand, burlap, sticks...etc...). I had bought a large burlap spool of ribbon last Christmas, so decided to use it as the backdrop of this image. This was the third or fourth attempt at a card, and after a mishap involving a dozen or more "flying ink pads," this is what you get. That is what I get for trying to keep it simple!
Our verse this week is:

1 John 2:4-6

"Whoever says, 'I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him."

I don't have a lot to add to this already packed scripture. It speaks for itself. I know some people say they believe in God, yet they do not read their bible or make it a priority to learn his commands. How can you "know" someone that you don't have time for? How can you say you love God, and yet continue to live your life as though you are your own God? God's word is so amazing...as many years as I have been privileged to sit in a bible study...it is always fresh, new, and the applications are there for me in my situation in my life today!! No one likes to be called a "liar," that is such a strong word...but John is saying that is what we are if we say we know him, yet don't obey him. Love and obedience always go hand in hand. An authentic Christian follower will always be evidenced by their love for God and his word, and their desire to obey him. It does not mean we do not disobey at times, but the pattern of our life is one of wanting to know God and follow Him above all else!

The challenge sponsor this week is : Our Daily Bread Designs~a 15.00 gift credit.

My sentiment on this card is from ODBD, I love their fonts and beautiful scripture selections!

Thanks so much  for stopping in...I can't say I love this card, but it uses natural elements, and looks like it will be a good fit for a male sympathy card.

Daffodils for Mom!



Today is our Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge...this week MariLynn is our lovely hostess!
The scripture reference is:

Jeremiah 17:8

"Those who trust in the Lord shall be like a tree planted by water sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green. In the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit."

The challenge: Use our green thumbs, either use green on a card/project or use an image of something planted.

This week's sponsor: DRS Designs gave each of the DT a choice of stamp for our cards today.
A $10.00 gift certificate is this week's prize for one fortunate winner!

For my card, I chose this DRS framed Daffodil stamp ...it is a growing thing and my Mom likes them as much as I do! I paired it with some pretty green solid paper and designer paper, Flourishes custom die (keyhole), Basic Grey designer rhinestones, PTI mixed messages for the sentiment, and two embossing folders.
Make a trip over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to read this week's devotional and be inspired and encouraged by the DT cards!
This is not a verse I am familiar with...but isn't it amazing how God's word comes alive when we meditate on it? I feel I have been in a bit of a spiritual drought in the last year or so...in a period of feeling dry, a little out of my element as a mother and wife, unsure of my place in this world as my daughter is graduating college and moving on to a career in the big corporate world.... will I be able to impart anything of value to her, and if I do, will she listen?) I admit to feeling a little anxiety with a lot of unknowns...and yet this verse says to not cease to bear fruit. I think I need a bit of fertilizer if I'm going to keep producing...maybe sinking my roots a little deeper ...soaking up some of that fresh rain of His word, and looking upward to the sun of His face illuminating my days.  The "empty nest" is a transition for me...although our daughters have not lived at home for four years, they have been nearby...and now another stretch for me as my arms grow ever longer to reach across the threshold of change and find new ways to "bear fruit" as I am called to do! Lord, help me to be willing and please equip me for what is ahead and not be anxious.
Thanks so much for coming by...wishing you a blessed week!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge

Today's verse for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge is chosen by the Lovely Linda!
The scripture:

Psalm 119:105

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

The challenge: Make a card/project using a soft color palette.
The sponsor: Inspired Stamps~thank you!

The verse on my card is actually a digital image from Inspired Stamps...along with that pretty vine border~! I don't dabble in digital at all; so needed some help from my husband with this...it isn't exactly what I had planned in my head! How often does that happen? The silhouettes are from another stamp company, I embossed those to dress up the other panel. These colors are Pool Party and Wisteria Wonder from SU!, and three silver pearls and some silver swirls were added.
I know Linda will have a wonderful devotions to accompany this week's challenge, so I encourage you to visit the SSiC blog to read and view the rest of teh DT's creations!
Thanks so much for stopping in and wishing you a wonderful, restful, worship-ful Sunday!!

Country Charm

It's another beautiful Sunday here, and another stamping challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! This week's scripture and challenge is hosted by the talented and lovely Kristine Breach. Why don't you visit the blog and see all she has to share in her devotional today as well as visit the DT's cards? You won't be disappointed, I'm sure!
So today's scripture is:

Colossians 1:27b "...Christ in you, the hope of glory"

The challenge: Create a card using vellum or acetate

Today's generous sponsor: Serendipity Stamps $25.00 gift certificate (Love their stamps!)

Thanks to Serendipity stamps, each of the DT members were given a choice of stamps and I chose this Adirondak Chair. The detail is quite amazing, and I knew this would make up into a cute country card with the embossed vellum and red gingham, a red button tied with twine to adorn one corner.
I love the look of vellum on kraft paper with gingham, don't you?
We hope you will take the time to play along with this week's challenge and also make a stop to Serendipity Stamps to thank them for their sponsorship this week.Can't wait to see what you will create!
Thanks so much for popping in today...I wish you a day of relaxation in your favorite chair!! :)

Jonquil Bookmark! FLLCAPRRW2

So today I told a friend that I did not own any daffodil stamps. Then I decided to enter this challenge at Flourishes for making a "bookworm" card or project, and the closest stamp I could find to fit in this embossing oval from SU! was called "jonquils." I think they must be the same as daffodils, but not sure. Either way, I used two embosslits and thought it jazzed up this bookmark, then added a green satin ribbon at the top. Thanks again for stopping in, we have lots of these yellow flowers poppin' up all over our neighborhood right now!!

Motherly Love Challenge FLLCAPR12

There is a new Flourishes release at the Flourishes Blog this week! That means a new challenge and opportunity to win all of the release sets! The challenge was to make a birthday or Mother's day or any kind of card honoring  your Mother. Yesterday was my Mom's birthday and this is one of the cards I made.  I hope to make a Mother's Day card later this week also!
I used my Designer paper and had some fun pairing up two different kind of ribbons for this challenge. The sentiment is from Flourishes and I just used the box already on the beautiful paper. The ribbon is Flourishes' pink silk by May Arts and also some pink striped ticking I found here locally. The two shades of pink pair well with the two-tone pink flowers found on the paper also. I used three prima flowers and some twine treatment on top of the ribbon for added embellishment.

My mom is such a special woman in my life and I am happy to report that she is home from the nursing home now. As some of you may remember, it was very traumatic for all of us when she admitted herself after the home health care dropped her suddenly last May. After seven months, she is home again and of course, our hope and prayer is she will be able to stay as long as they can arrange to have daily help. I can only attribute my Mom being home to my Dad's diligent persistence and even more so, every one's prayers to this effect. God has been so very gracious to allow her this time home once again. I am in awe of all He has done for them! Living so far away; the stress of her and my Dad's well-being has been overwhelming at times this past year or so...so I am so thankful for this respite for all of us!

Spring Bunnies Shaker Card

My first shaker card!


Good morning! Today is Sunday and the beginning of a new week and new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ! You may visit our blog to read today's devotional written by my friend, Peggysue, and view the wonderful and creative DT submissions for this week's challenge.
Today's verse is:

Luke 15:20 

 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Today's challenge: Make a card with motion, or an interactive card; spinner, viewmaster, pop up, slider, gel, etc.

This week's prize sponsors is a  10.00 valued gift package from Pizzazz Aplenty!!

Can you believe I have never made a shaker card? Since it is spring, and I have had this adorable stamp for a long time and not used it, I decided this might be the best time to try it out. The oval frame was an aha! moment when I realized it made into the shape of an egg, so this is great for an Easter card as well. I added pink seed beads because that is what I had, and I didn't want to go buy anything. They look so pretty in real life, all springy and remind me of that pink Easter grass found in Easter baskets now.
I still like to give our daughters an Easter card and some type of Easter basket, even though they are grown up. Sometimes I think they are embarrassed because they are too "old" for that, and it is always a challenge due to the forever dieting. But some friends have recently encouraged me not to stop...so I need to get to making one soon!!
Do any of you do Easter baskets and if so, what do you like to put in them?
I have a little project that I finished up today of something I am going to add to their baskets...so stay tuned!
I am looking forward to reading today's devotional and worship at church tomorrow.
This week is very full in anticipation and celebration of Easter Sunday! I wish all of you a blessed week as you consider the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf on the cross. It is the pivotal point of history that separates Christianity from every other religion.

Stampin' Sisters in Christ~Romans 8:31

It's a beautiful weekend here in my hometown...Spring is springing up, birds are chirping, geese are a layin', (wait, isn't that another season? Seven geese a layin')...and another Sunday is here with a beautiful challenge befitting this time of year approaching  Easter! Our hostess this week is our friend, Miesje. Please visit the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to read this week's devotional and see the DT challenge cards for all the details. We are always so blessed to have the opportunity to stamp a card using scripture as our inspiration!
This week's scripture:

Romans 8:31b-32: "If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

The Challenge:
Create a card or project that uses everything! The opposite of CAS - toss on the embellishments and/or different papers, textures.
The Prize: Our Stampin' sister, MariLynn, has a prize offer for this week's winner...it is a surprise package that is sure to delight!! Thanks, MariLynn, for being so generous!

My card uses one of the Our Daily Bread Designs scripture collection! I love the fonts of these stamps, and the biggest challenge was choosing which one to use, as all of them are my favorite scriptures! I added as many "extras" as I could...but my favorite is probably the embossing folder which gives such a nice texture to the already beautiful paper. And then topped it off with a beautiful color of silk, somewhere between rose and a deep coral...and added one of the Prima fairytale french rose to the center.
Hope you will join in on the challenge this week...and thanks for your visits, friendship, and such encouraging and fun comments!
An update:  My husband is on the mend from his hip replacement surgery. I am so thankful for all of your prayers and support...this was one of those worries that loomed large in my mind as he has had some extreme discomfort for many months now. He is relieved to have it done, and is learning not to swagger like John Wayne when he walks (he likes it when I call him John, now...) and is being very diligent about rehab and doing all the exercises. He's back at work, and I've taken a week off "recovering" myself this past week. Nobody told me how tired I would be from my husband's surgery! God has been so good to provide this avenue of healing for him, a surgeon that does this type of surgery in Boulder (one of the few in the nation that know how to perform it). Once again, the Lord shows me what this verse in my card says, "Do not be anxious, but with prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God," and I am slowly learning to heed this verse. So very thankful for your support and prayers!!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 4
Paper:  PTI Vanilla, SU! Pool Party, Poppy parade, Certainly Celery, DSP Everyday Enchantment
Accessories:  Labels 18 Dies, Square Lattice EF, Cherry Lynn Die, May Arts Silk, Crochet lace, Blue Rhinestone, Blue Pearls, Scallop Punch, Prima Rose

Fragrant Rose

Today's Sunday challenge on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog is brought to us by my friend, Peggysue. You can visit our blog following the link above to read this week's wonderful scripture and devotional!!
The challenge this week is to use a flower on your card creation. This is a Flourishes set given to me by a friend. The verse is highlighted by a SU! embossing frame and the beautiful Lenten Roses are colored in with copic markers. One of the flowers is cut out and popped up. (That was done to hide a flower...this is a "new" technique...hide a flower...and it worked really well for me!! :) 
We have a prize sponsor as well...so please hop on over and join in the challenge this week!! The card challenge was a good one for me as I am really out of practice coloring and need much more practice.
I look forward to seeing your creations, and will join along with you reading this week's devotional. I am sure we will be blessed. Have a wonderful week, and thanks so much for stopping by!

Intentional Card Giving~Dayspring Cards!!

I've been thinking about my intentions with hand stamped cards for some time now. As with many of you, I love the act of creating cards, especially with a special person and occasion in mind. But sometimes, in the art of card making, the intention of card sending becomes secondary. Not that I don't have good intentions...but I become behind and then the timing seems off (especially in the case of an encouragement card, or a recent hardship, sympathy, or even congratulations on your new baby! ) All of these are occasions that need a quick response and timing is everything!
So, when I saw this offer from Dayspring to receive a free pack of cards (of my choosing)...I was so excited! And when my box arrived in the mail, I practically squealed, as my package of cards also came with this organizer that fits right into my goal of not only being intentional, but organized. This organizer is brightly colored with a fun print, has a pretty latch, and inside are removable Monthly lined pages for recording birthdays and special dates.

I love sending out encouragement cards. These cards, a collection from Holley Gerth, are contemporary, fun die cut shapes, and feminine with words that speak to the heart of the issue. Sometimes while writing the inside of a card, I am at a loss for words. Each of these cards contain words that are so heartfelt and true to scripture.
Here is one of the special sentiments titled, "Never Alone."
"You're never alone.
God is with you.
He knows your name.
He numbers the hairs on your head.
He understands the cares in your heart.
Every morning,
He's by your side.
Every night, He watches over you as you sleep.
There's never a moment
you're not in His thoughts...
never a day you're not in His care.
You're never on your own.
He whispers to your heart,
'You're forever My own.'"
And the inside scripture, "God is love, Whoever lives in love lives in God." 1John 4:16

I am part of a life group at church. We are a group of couples, widows, divorced,  a mixed group; all of us with our faults and frailties and yet God has brought us together to do "life." One woman in our group became widowed suddenly last year. I barely knew her at the time, yet my heart went out to her. In the past two weeks, she has been undergoing a trial  watching a son slowly suffer from a long term illness. She has been doing bedside vigils at the nursing home as she waits for him to leave this life and enter his eternal one. I am sending her this card to let her know she is in my thoughts, but more importantly, she is in God's thoughts.
I know this may seem like such a small thing, sending a card, but to the receiver it can mean the difference between feeling alone, or feeling loved. Feeling isolated, or feeling a part of. Feeling no one cares, to knowing someone is intentionally reaching out to you.

Please visit the {In}-Courage page to read more about the beautiful card selections and be encouraged to begin your own card ministry.
I was so blessed by this gift of cards and am resolved to hand pick a card from this beautiful assortment and mail it off...just because I care.

SSIC 122~ Making All Things New

Good Sunday morning! I am your hostess this week for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge blog. Thanks so much for joining us! You can see the gorgeous Design Team entries for this challenge and this week's devotional on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog.
My verse was taken from the book of Revelation. With a new year already almost two weeks underway, I wonder, if you, like me, are floundering a bit on your "resolutions," or still deciding what you want the new year to look like? This verse seemed so appropriate and inspired my thoughts on God making all things new. Thank goodness, it is not up to me, or my current mood or the day I am having. If I have given my life to Christ, then I also need to trust Him and His resurrection power to bring newness to my life.

Revelation 21:5

“And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘write for these words are faithful and true.’”

Who of us doesn’t like new beginnings? Since the beginning of a New Year, I have also begun a new Bible study, and just this week, celebrated a new birthday! All of these bring a bit of excitement, challenge, and fresh hope. I recently read this poem in a daily devotional, and my heart ached with the words the author conveyed.

Starting Over

I wish there were some wonderful place

Called the “Land of Beginning Again,”

Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches and all our selfish grief

Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door,

And never be put on again. (Louise Fletcher)

Ached, because I can empathize with her longings to be free from the past. Because, as with any new beginning, something old has to be discarded. I can’t expect to start out each day fresh and new if I am still entangled by the mistakes of my yesterday. Wrong thoughts, impure motives, selfish desires…all of these the Bible warns about. Yet, are you, like me, eager for something new? We want the blessings that the Lord has to offer; but we are not as willing to do what He requires of us. With the promise of a New Year, we are often so willing to boot the old one out the door like company that has overstayed their welcome, without ever pondering why some things went so awry. We had good intentions, after all. We prayed good prayers, we fought the good fight…and yet sometimes the trials remain. Trials: like The People that do not cooperate with our plans. Yes, I said it. How many times have I been disappointed because of someone else’s behavior? (Underline else.) Most of last year’s trials were of this variety. Don’t you love how the book of James refers to a “variety of trials?” I see the unrepentant child who rushes headlong into one long series of bad choices, and I shake my head and wonder. And yet, before Christ intervened in my life, isn’t that what I was, an unrepentant child?
So before I ask God to do anything new in my life this year, I want to first ask Him to make me new. Give me a renewed desire to please him, a renewed willingness to obey him. Give me new eyes to see my present circumstances…a new heart to praise Him for the simple joys of living. God has promised to renew my thinking, as I immerse myself in His word daily. So that is where I am starting. I want, more than anything, to see God’s newness of life as He pleasures to reveal it to me. But I know that to do that, He will also have to make some changes in me. And we all know change can be painful. I can entrust this process to Him. So I am letting go of some of the “to do’s” on my New Year’s list of goals, resolutions, or whatever you call them. And replacing them with, “ God, Please do…” Do a new work in me, create in me something, someone, worthy of you.

The challenge:
Let's use something new on our card/project this week. It can be a new stamp, paper, or embellishment...or even a new technique or an idea that is new to you! Just have fun with your creation!!
The Prize:
Nina Brackett Designs (2 stamps," Gleefully Yours, " and "Christ is Risen."

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Flourishes Snow Wonderful
Paper:  PTI Vanilla, SU! Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey Origins DP
Access: Classic Keyhold Die (Flourishes), Ribbon, Copic Markers: E53, E42, E25, E29, E39, YG95. twig and twine glued with Allene's Tacky Glue, Chalk ink for Background

Thanks so much for taking part of your day by visitng here, and I would love to hear your thoughts, whatever they may be! Blessings on your day!

Surprise Blog Candy!!

This is just a reminder that entries for my surprise blog candy will end this Sunday evening!! After that, I will choose a name to win from the entries on my initial post on blog candy (scroll down 2.)
I would really like it if you would tell me your New Year's Goal, plan, or dream...for this year!! If you have a "Word" for the Year, and want to share it, please do.
Just wanted to let anyone who might want to enter have the opportunity! I will customize the blog candy to the winner, so it will be a surprise to you and to me!!
Blessings on your day~

Stampin' Sisters in Christ~Wonderful Friend!

Hi there, friends!! Today is Sunday, and the beginning of a new year of challenges at Stampin' Sisters in Christ! It feels like so long since we have had our time together, I have missed the challenges and am ready to get back to them and to you, our stamping friends!
So today's scripture challenge is by my friend and talented stamper, Peggysue from "Roses by my Window." This week's scripture choice is:
Phillippians 2:3-4

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

You can view the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to view Peggysue's devotional and the Design Team cards for today's challenge.

The sponsor this week is The Cat's Meow!!

The challenge for your card is to make a "Thinking of You" card!

I used the Rosey Posey set for my card today, and decided on this friendship sentiment.I really liked the bold florals with this font.  If you would like any card details, just leave me a comment and I will gladly get back to you.

So, I hope you join us in this week's challenges and have a wonderful, blessed week!! ~