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!

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.

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!

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!

SSIC 113~Christmas Tree

Another week has flown by so quickly...and it's time for a new Stampin' Sisters in Christ card challenge!

This week our hostess is the wonderfully talented Lisa from The Craft's Meow.  You can view the devotional on the SSIC blog and read along with the rest of the design team. It's always exciting to see each week's thoughts  and applications.

Well, we had a "sneak peek" of winter here a couple of days ago as overnight the snow caught us by surprise, leaving a scene of winter wonderland along with many damaged trees in our town and neighborhoods. The beauty of the fist snowfall of the year sparked the creativity in today's card. This week's challenge was to use "fall colors like crimson, orange or golds."

Crimson it is...and this Christmas striped ribbon reminds me of today's verse:

Isaiah 1:18" Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

I stamped the tree and gave it a gold halo with Tim Holtz antique linen and tea dye inks...(my touch of gold) and added a bit more gold with stickles along the branches. The crimson was added with the back panel and the red and white striped ribbon tied in a big fat bow. These oversized bows seem to be my trademark!

I see this verse as such a "gift" from God...the one we as Christians can celebrate any day...and that is the complete wiping out of our sins by a completely Holy God. Some may ask, "What is sin? " Sin as used in scripture means to "miss the mark." God has set a perfect and holy standard in the Bible. Just reading the Ten Commandments, none of us has to go far to realize that we don't meet any of them perfectly. God is holy, which means he is completely without sin. In order to enter in to his presence and enjoy fellowship with him...we also need to have that holiness imparted to us. Thankfully, we don't have to wait until some distant day far off into the future. God provided a way...and that is by believing in His son, Jesus Christ and repenting (turning away from) our sin. If any of this is confusing or you would like to know more about how to have your sins completely removed (past , present, and future) now and forever...please leave me a comment and we can reason together through the scriptures.

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This week's prize sponsors are a 10 pound gift card from Lily of the Valley. I just received an order from them yesterday, and can't wait to make a card with one of these adorable images!

 I hope you can join in our challenge this week...and be reminded of the weight that has been lifted as we rejoice over the promise of this scripture when we confess our sins and turn away from them...putting our trust in God's son as the perfect sacrifice for all of our sins.

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Today's card is also being submitted for this week's Flourishes

card challenge to use a tree or leaves on your card!

And one more submission for this month's Flourishes Christmas Card Challenge FLLCNOEL18!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge

Isaiah 40:8
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever."

We have a lovely spring day outside, so I took a chance with the wind and quickly snapped this photograph of my card for this week's SSIC challenge. You can see the challenge by clicking on the blinkie in my sidebar. This week we were to use flowers in our card...and they needed to be stamped.  I used a Verve stamp for the verse and some Rubber Stamp Tapestry stamps ( a gift from a friend)...to frame the verse in a wreath. These were so fun to work with the different colors of inks and florals to adorn this verse.
I hope you enjoy this card today and your spirits are lifted as you trust in God's word.
Thank you so much for stopping by!

Less is More and Becoming Unglued

Good Saturday afternoon!
I am in need of a few sympathy cards, and wanted to include this in this week's Sisters In Christ challenge: Less is More
here. My apologies for the darkness of these photos. I had a couple of mishaps with my camera and as of now, am surprised it is even working, as I dumped an entire glass of water on the camera and dock just prior to taking these.
Grace Nywening chose the scripture and has a really good and thought-provoking devotional this week. The scripture is John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." I would ask that you would visit the link and read it, rather than my comments as I could not add anything to what she has alreay said so wonderfully!!
Anyway, the first card is showing the less, the second, with just the addition of the ribbon around the center panel, pearls on the main image and the added border along the bottom, is my more version. This card is one of my favorite color combinations, so soothing and peaceful. Please, since the photo is not well-lit, click on the picture for a larger view. The background is a paper that I love with aqua tones called "Soft Stone" by Papertrey Ink. I have not found any other color that works as well, in my opinion.
So what to do when you want to become unglued?! Every once in awhile, I need to take a card apart, even if it is just a panel that I forgot to add a ribbon to (as is the case with my second card...) do you risk ripping it apart and ruining the entire card? Heavens, no!! I use this product, Un-Du, and have for many years, it removes adhesive without damaging your inks in any way. I took a picture to share, it has saved many a card and scrapbook page for me! I have had a difficult time finding this in stores, but I know it is also available online. I hope this tidbit of information is helpful for someone reading this.
The stamps used for these cards is Waltzingmouse "Victorian Frippery" and SU!"Thoughts adn Prayers" for the sentiment. The center panel is SU!'s paper, "Presto Patterns;" you just add ink and have an immediate relief pattern.
Thanks for stopping by today and enjoy your weekend!

Emerging Leaves

It's been a beautiful fall here...but the thing about this wonderful season in Colorado is it can all be over too soon! If we have a drenching rain, or a couple of very windy days...poof...it is over! So while I am thankful for the beauty inherent in this season, my gratitude is not based on the changing weather patterns, or the seasons, but on those things which do not shift with the changing winds, but are anchored deep in my soul. My faith, my love for family, my trust in a good God that sometimes allows bad things to happen for the purpose of growing me up and establishing my deeper in His word and His promises.
This card is for two challenges, the Flourishes October sketch challenge here, and Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge this week to make a thank you card. You can click on the SSC blog on my sidebar to view the entire challenge!
The stamped background in my oval is Flourishes "Thank You" set, the Leaf swag is SU! Country Blessings...and the technique is "emerging color" found on this week's Gina K's Stamp TV. I used Tim Holtz distress inks for the colors.
Thanks for stopping by, and wishing you a day full of blessings!

The balm of Friendship

It is Sunday, and that means a new Stamping Sisters in Christ challenge! This week the Lovely Linda encouraged us with her words on friendship and the accompanying scripture. You can visit their blog here. Linda's verse was
Proverbs 27:17
"As iron sharpens iron, so a friends sharpens a friend."

I just recently received my first ever WaltzingMouse stamps order...these are "nestability friendly" stamps meaning they are designed to fit into the nestabilities perfectly. Using Webster's Pages paper and this wonderful pink silk wide ribbon, this card was very easy to fashion! This ribbon reminds me of first proms and white gazebos with pink roses, and all things pure and innocent! The sentiment is one that drew me to this stamp...friendship is indeed a balm to the soul!~! The challenge was to add metal to your card, this ribbon slider is from the Flourishes store.
Thanks for stopping in and I wish you a blessed Sunday!

Two Challenge Cards

Today's cards are two that are combined challenges. Why do I do this? I want to "play along," but with the time it takes me to decide on a layout, stamps, colors, accessories...the only way to participate is to combine!!

So the first one here is this pretty little SnowLady whom I love, this time with gold buttons and white puffy sleeves...she is for this week's Stamping Sisters in Christ challenge. This week is hosted by the gracious Grace, and her devotional regarding the verse along with the challenge can be found on the SSIC blog here. The challenge was to use a stamp as your focal point that requires some thought to construction. I thought of quilts, cabins, houses...etc...then decided what I really needed was an early start to Christmas cards. And this lil lady, just like me, needs some work everyday to look good!! Which reminds me I need to go find my blush...

And both cards are submissions for "Dare to Get Dirty" challenges hosted by the Dirty dozen design team on SCS...which I am not allowed to share specific challenges here, but you can look them up on the home page of SCS if you're a Fan Club member!!

The challenges were:

DTGD10CraftyCaro

DTGD10notimetostamp

DTGD10flowergal36

DTGD10sketch '

and one more I forget...

And last, but not least by any means....Mothermark's Teapot Tuesday challenge this week was to bring hearts to a little girl in need of a bit of cheer. The little girl has one heart to add to the collection this week~~You can see this week's Teapot Tuesday challenge by clicking on the button on my sidebar!! Such a wonderful group of teapotters and lots of fun too!

Whew, I think I did it...

Bless you for reading through this!! I so enjoy your comments and hope you are having a great day!!

A Place of Rest

First off I just want to thank you who visited my blog and left such encouraging comments last week!! I do not like to "complain" on my blog, but I have to be my authentic self, even if that means at times sharing the burdens of my heart...so thanks for understanding and the uplifting comments.
I value my friends so much!!
An update on our daughter's surgery and a little bit of "history" which might explain my anxiety over it. Our youngest daughter had a ruptured appendix about 7 years ago that due to the displacement of the appendix and her symptoms which came and went for SEVERAL weeks...was left undiagnosed and treated as an ulcer by our doctor even after repeated visits. By the time I took her to the emergency room, she had an infection raging in her system that was affecting all her organs. The surgeon informed us she had only hours left to live had we not brought her in when we did, she would not have survived. The result was a 10 day hospital stay and another 3 months of very slow recovery.
Now, I am so grateful to say, our daughter is the picture of health. She takes good care of herself, exercises, watches her diet...but she was left with a very unsightly scar that she had wanted to have "revised." While I am not a fan of her going in for another surgery, I could understand her desire to have a cleaner scar and hopefully little reminder of what was left from this difficult time in her life. She went in Friday and even though it was a more traumatic surgery than she had thought it would be, the scar looks clean and it should heal very well. She is recovering very nicely and I've enjoyed the past 4 days of taking care of her.

This card was made for the Stamping Sisters in Chirst challenge this week. The verse is from Matthew 11:28: "Come to me you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."

For me this week, the ease of my burdens, the rest in my soul, has come primarily through seeing my daughter's invigorated health and seeing her rest easily inspite of the pain. I have much comfort in just seeing her, having her here on this Earth, as in not losing her at an early age...I am grateful to God for giving her life and extending her days, and thus my joy!
This image reminds me of her in our garden. One year she planted sunflowers and they grew taller than her. And the sunflowers remind me of the sunshine she brings to my life!!

Hope you are enjoying your summer, and thanks again for your friendship!

Hello "Tweet" Friend!!

Hi, and hope you all are having a wonderful Sunday!

Yesterday was my anniversary to my fairly wonderful husband of 28 years. It is odd even to see that in writing, as it doesn't seem possible it has been that long. I sometimes think the longer you stay married, the more interesting your bond becomes, as two people are always evolving. So ther person you are married to after 28 years may not seem like the person you married, but if we let God enter in, then what we are both becoming is more of what we were created to be...and my husband means even more to me now than when we were first wed. I don't think God could have chosen a better mate and lifelong partner for me!! We had a nice day and it felt good to have some time together to celebrate our marriage. We went to see the movie, Knight and Day, and out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants here, Carrabba's. Our youngest daughter works there, so she was able to be our server and as always, it did my heart good to see her on our special day!!

Today my card is a CASE for SCS's featured stamper on Sundays, Debbie. (debbiemom23cs).

I used her basic layout for this card, and changed pretty much everything else. Congratulations Debbie!

And on my favorite blog, Stamping Sisters in Christ, Randi challenged us to use stripes on our cards. This paper is a scrap piece and was just the one I was looking for, and of course, all that is left of this design, but it had stripes, and it had the exact colors I wanted for this sweet mailbox image. The lil bluebird perched on the top of the mailbox is a brad, I just colored the wing with a copic marker to blend it in to the papers.

I may be back to comment on this verse, but for now, just wanted to get this card posted.

Have a blessed Sunday!!