Don't Worry, Pray

For this card I was playing around with new to me dies and stencils.  I created a frame with the leftover piece from my previous card using Gina K Design's Rose Swirl stencil.  I stamped Philippians 4;6 in the center of a Divinity Designs die-cut, then added fussy-cut roses and leaves.  Nuvo Drops were added to the rose centers, and Wink of Stella was lightly brushed on the roses and leaves.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Phillipians 4:6 from Scripture Collection 4 -Divinity Designs (formerly Our Daily Bread Designs), Old Country Roses - GKD

Paper: Ivory, White, Pretty in Pink, Baja Breeze

Ink: Versafine Onyx, Dusty Rose, Applemint, Grass Green, Bubble Gum, Lucky Clover, Sea Glass - GKD

Accessories:  Circle Scallop Rectangle die - Divinity Designs, Stitched Rectangle Die, Nuvo Drops, Wink of Stella

The Lord is My Helper

I haven't posted a card in several months.  A few events have kept me too busy to make cards.  In fact, I didn't even get to make Christmas cards.  I took an online class in August and September.   Then I was offered what I thought was a new and exciting opportunity at work.  I also started the process to purchase a new home.  The opportunity at work was a disaster and I ended up losing my job.  I have been looking for a new job since but I haven't been hired anywhere yet.  I am supposed to settle on the new home in April but that is dependent on if I can find employment in the next couple of weeks.  In preparation for purchasing a home, I gave the notice to vacate my apartment a couple months before I lost my job.  The leasing office found new renters in less than a month, so I had to leave by the date I had indicated on the intent to vacate notice.  Oh, and I started a relationship with a guy in the fall, but he decided to end it about a week after I lost my job.  

When people ask me how I am dealing with all of this, my response has often been from Job 1:21 "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  I'm not bitter about it, as it is true that everything I have (or had) really belongs to God and is used for His purpose.  Through this time of difficulty, I believe my relationship with God has grown stronger as He is providing for everything that I need.  A very good friend has taken me into her home and is letting me stay for as long as I need to find a new job.  Other friends have treated me to meals and other outings.  I have some money in savings to pay some bills and other needs.  I was able to refill all of my prescriptions for the next few months using my FSA and did not have to pay out of pocket.  The loan officer for the new home is a believer and praying for me to find a new job soon.  She is giving me more time to find a job so I can still get the house. 

I do not understand why all of this is happening to me, but I know that God is carrying me through this.  He is my helper and is always faithful to care for His children.  This card uses verses from Psalm 121.  I wish I had a stamp that had the entire chapter as it is one of the many reminders that God is always with me and never fails to help me.

Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;

He will keep your life.

8 The Lord will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Psalm 121:1-2 - ODBD

Paper:  WW, Bermuda Bay, Raspberry Ripple

Ink:  Tuxedo Black - Memento, Distressed Cracked Pistachio, Distressed Mermaid Lagoon, Distressed Seedless Preserves - TH

Accessories:  Brother Scan n Cut, Butterfly Embossing Folder, Butterfly Embossilits, TH Blending Tool, MISTI, Sequins

The Lord is My Portion - Spring2017CLH

This is another card for the Spring Coffee Lovers Bloghop.  I used a Scripture stamp from Our Daily Bread Designs as the sentiment, along with a MFT flower set, and a Verve coffee stamp.  The frame around the verse was created from a cutting file included in my Brother Scan N Cut II.  

Recipe:

Stamps:  Lamentations 3:24 (Scripture Collection 5) ODBD, Flashy Florals - MFT, Better with You - Verve

Paper:  WW, Early Espresso, Certainly Celery, Crisp Cantaloupe, DP

Ink:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Certainly Celery, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Brother SNC II, Die-namics, MISTI, Ribbon, Chameleon Pens

John 15:7

This card was made for the Splitcoast Stampers Featured Stamper Challenge #527.  Each week a SCS member is chosen and their gallery is featured. The challenge is to create a card that is inspired or CASEd from one in the featured stamper's gallery.  This week bubblstx4 is the Featured Stamper and I chose her With Wild Abandon as the card to CASE.  I love the sponged-look of the background, and of course, the butterfly.  I created my card with an ombre effect inside a die-cut frame.  I used the Bible verse John 15:7 from ODBD as the sentiment and stamped an image from Tim Holtz in a darker blue.  I added a punched butterfly with a pearl accent.

Recipe:

Stamps:  John 15:7 (Scripture Collection 4) - ODBD, Flights of Fancy - TH

Paper:  WW, Island Indigo, Not Quite Navy

Ink:  Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Lost Lagoon, Not Quite Navy, Versafine Onyx Black

Accessories:  Nestabilities, MISTI, MS Butterfly Punch, Sponges, Stick on Pearl

Love Each Other

I'm back after a long, unintended hiatus from card making.  Don't you hate it when life gets in the way of your hobbies?  This card was inspired from a sermon I heard at my church recently.  The sermon was based on Romans 12:18 which is about being a peace with everyone as much as possible.  The pastor mentioned that it is not always possible to agree with everyone on everything but to treat everyone with love and respect as Christ would.  It is particularly important that believers try to be at peace with others in the body of Christ, even if it means agreeing to disagree. I don't have a stamp with Romans 12:18 so I used my stamp with John 15:12.  I think this verse correlates to the sermon well.

To make this card an autumn feel, I used rich earthy colors and leaves.  It was fun to pull out my old Cuttlebug leaf dies.  I used a little bit of gold Smooch paint to add a little shimmer to the leaves.  The sketch is from the Viva la Verve February 2012 challenge.  Even though I missed the challenge by a couple of months I still like the sketches.

Recipe:
Stamps:  John 15:12 from Scripture Collection 6 - ODBD
Paper:  VV, Confetti Cream, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, DP - SU
Ink:  Rich Cocoa - Memento
Accessories:  Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Dies, Smooch paint, Brads

Isaiah 26:3

I am so thankful for God and His promises that never fail.  This is one verse of many that I meditate on when I am troubled.  Trusting in God is the only way to find peace in all situations.  Often I get distracted by what is going on around me and forget that I am not alone and don't have to handle it myself.  God didn't just create the world then set it spinning and leave us to figure out life on our own.  He has always called out to us, wanting us to acknowledge Him.  He even gave us His very own Son, Jesus Christ, as the one and only perfect sacrifice to reconcile us to Himself.  If I didn't know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior I know I would be totally lost today.

This card was made using Flower Shop stamp set from SU and Scripture Collection 7 from Our Daily Bread Designs.  The sketch is from Split Coast Stampers SC 469 and the color combo I just came up with on my own.  It has been a while since I participated in a card challenge.  I hope to get back to making more cards more often.

Recipe:
Stamps: Flower Shop - SU, Isaiah 26:3 Scripture Collection 7 - ODBD
Paper:  WW, River Rock, Garden Green, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantelope
Ink:  Strawberry Slush
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder, Flower Punch, Nestabilities, Shapeabilities, Stick on Gems, Silver Beads

Psalm 130:5

This is a card I made as a sample for my card-making class last month.  I am just now getting to post it because much of my free time has been taken up by online BSN classes.  I apologize for the poor photo quality.  I used a different lighting and placement in my home and it doesn't work as well as my bathroom.  This card uses a really neat (and easy) layering technique that I know I will be using again.  This technique is known by a few names but I think Seamless Tiers describes it best.  SCS Technique Lover's Challenge 388 showcased this style a couple months ago.

Recipe:
Stamps:  New Mercies - Verve, Psalm 130:5 from Scripture Collection 7- ODBD
Paper:  Old Olive, WW
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, Old Olive

Perfect Peace Comes From Above

I have been reading Isaiah 26:3-4  a lot lately and was happily surprised that I have this verse in my stash of stamps.  The lesson for me is that God is my steadfast rock no matter what circumstances I am in.  I will be starting school again to advance my nursing career and I am nervous about it.  I have prayed about it much and I believe the Lord is leading me in this direction to take my classes online.  With my learning style I would rather go to an actual classroom to hear lectures but my work schedule would make it difficult to attend every class.  I believe that by focusing on the Lord and His goodness first I can have peace in all the other situations in life.  This doesn't mean that life will be always rosy but that even in the tough trials of life I am deeply loved and cared for by my Heavenly Father.  The challenge for me is remembering to keep the Lord first and avoid distractions.

The colors for this card came from SCS Color Challenge 389 and also qualifies for SCS Clean and Simple Challenge 185.  I used the retired SU Triple Treat Flower and the verse is from ODBD.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Triple Treat Flower - SU, Isaiah 26:3 from Scripture Collection 7 - ODBD
Paper:  WW, Summer Starfruit
Ink:  Bravo Burgundy, Summer Starfruit, Regal Rose
Accessories:  SU Flower Punches, Twine, Cuttlebug, Stick on Pearls

Hebrews 13:8

It seems like forever since I last participated in Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday sketch challenges.  It has also been a long time since I created a scripture based card.  The sketch is the current Mojo Monday 248 and is also a contest.  The image is Hebrews 13:8 from ODBD Scripture Collection 4.  I love this verse because it reminds me that even though circumstances in life may change Jesus' love, grace and mercy always remain the same and He can always be trusted.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Scripture Collection 4 - ODBD, Punch Potpourri - SU
Paper:  WW, Early Espresso, So Saffron, DP
Ink:  Pacific Point
Accessories:  Nestabilities, Boho Blossoms Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Cuttlebug, Ribbon, Stick on Gems

Our Help, Psalm 124:8

Psalm 124:8 is one of the Bible verses I turn to when I face trials or discouragements. It reminds me that God is the Creator and He is always available to help me.  Since God created the heavens and the earth, my problems are very small tasks for Him.  I was reminded of this in my weekly Waterlilyz table recently as we read Genesis 1.  The verse that spoke to me most and a few other ladies was Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  I'm so amazed that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross and be resurrected to redeem us from sin and death.  Because of God's great love, He wants to be invited into every aspect of our lives and wants us to know that we are never alone as He is always with us!

This card was made using the sketch from ODBDSLC83 Sketch Challenge and the colors are from Color Throwdown 166.  I don't have Baja Breeze ink or paper at the moment so I substituted with my stash of Soft Sky.   I distressed the edges of the DP and sponged it with Crumb Cake ink.  The flower is made using SU's Triple Treat Flower, Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware, and punches.  The bow came out quite puffy so when it comes time to mail this card off to someone I'm going to have to use a larger padded envelope and extra postage.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Psalm 124:8 from Scripture Collection 3 - ODBD, Triple Treat Flower - SU
Paper:  Crumb Cake, VV, Soft Sky, Old Olive, DP
Ink:  Old Olive, Soft Sky, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Distressing Tool, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Flower Punches, Hodge Podge Hardware, Brads, Ribbon

Be Strong & Courageous

I made this card using the sketch from Mojo Monday 211.  The colors came from the ribbon I chose.

Recently I saw the movie Courageous and I found it to be very inspiring.  Even though I don't have a husband or sons, I feel that I am called to pray for the men that I come in contact with at church, work, friends and even internet acquaintances to be courageous in God and rely on His strength.  I made this card for one young man who has been struggling with discouragement and loneliness recently.  To keep his identity private I will refer to him as Jay.  For those of you that know the Lord Jesus Christ, I would ask that you keep Jay and the other men that God may lay on your heart in prayer.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Joshua 1:9 from Scripture Collection 3 - ODBD
Paper:  Taken with Teal, Barely Banana, DSP
Ink:  Taken with Teal - SU, Walnut Stain Distress Ink - Tim Holtz
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Dies, Button

Be Still

This card was made for SCS Sketch Challenge 353 and Color Challenge 343.  I have been so busy lately that I feel like I rarely get a moment to take a breath.  In the busyness I get frustrated when things do not go my way and think all my time and effort have been wasted.  Psalm 46:10 reminds me that God is God and in control of everything and I am not.  The trials of this life are not wasted time but lessons and building blocks to prepare us for even greater challenges that God has prepared for us.  I believe that through these challenges, He is teaching me to rely on Him and His power and not on my own.

Recipe:
Stamps: Psalm 46:10 from Scripture Collection 3 - ODBD
Paper:  Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Soft Suede, VV, DP
Ink:  Soft Suede
Accessories:  Nestabililties, Paper Piercer, Ribbon, Mulberry Paper Flower

Proverbs 30:5



Last week I had a happy mail day!  I received my first stamp order from Our Daily Bread Designs with this nice purple totebag.  I was so excited as I had been looking for more stamps with Bible verses and I was very pleased with what I found at ODB.

I just found time to play a little with one of my new sets and made this card.  The verse is Proverbs 30:5.  One of my goals for this year is to spend more time in God's word to grow in my relationship with Him.  I have been making it a priority to read or listen to at least one chapter of the Bible each day.  At first it was a little difficult but as I kept doing it each day it got easier and sometimes I read two or three chapters in a day. 

There is a weekly Bible Study group I attend called the Waterlilyz.  I have met some wonderful ladies through this group and have been encouraged to get study God's word more even outside of our meetings.  I am looking forward to making more cards with Bible verses and sending them out to people to encourage them to have a relationship or closer walk with Jesus Christ.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Serenity - Verve, Proverbs 30:5 from Scripture Collection 7 - ODB

Paper:  WW, Chocolate Chip, Peach Parafait - SU, Aqua Mist - Papertrey Ink

Ink:  Chocolate Chip Craft, Cool Caribean

Accessories:  Border Punch, Butterfly Punch, Twine, Clear EP

This card qualifies for the following challenges:

Flutter By Wednesday #170

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge #105