Faith: Jeremiah 17:8

Yesterday was a special day, one of our grandsons received his First Holy Communion and it was a wonderful celebration. {The card I made for him is one post down}. It is also a great day because you choose to could join us once again for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ! 

This week MariLynn is our challenge hostess and she chose this verse from Jeremiah 17:8. Be sure to read her devotion on our home page.

[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.

This is a great verse isn't it? One of my sons called me the other day with a big life decision that he is struggling with. He wanted my advice. After listening to him list the pros and cons and after I give him some of my thoughts both for and against this job decision I told him to pray about it and the best decision would come to him if he listens to God. He poohood me about that. (yes - I pray for him constantly) I so much want him to KNOW that God will help him, that my prayers will help, he just doesn't trust in that. I really liked this sentiment because I want my loved ones to experience that trust WILL see you through anything!

I made this card using the stamps that I received from DRS Designs - I really like them! I colored the flowers and the butterfly with my Copics. I also used some glittery gel pens to add the sparkle. I took these pictures at the same time but in different parts of my back yard. The greens sure look different in the shade as opposed to the sun. I also used some of my precious BG Patterned Paper and added some ribbon. Simple but effective.

The challenge this week is; to use our green thumbs... either use green on a card/project or use an image of something planted.

Welcome to this week's sponsor, DRS Designs! They very generously donated the stamp for the DT to use for this challenge - thank you so much!

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: DRSDesigns  
Paper: GKD White and Black

Designer Paper: BG - A Walk in the Park

Other: Spellbinder die, Copics, ribbon, a few gems

Challenges:  
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Samuel Taylor's Challenge - Green

Cooking It Up With Katie - green, gorgeous, garden

Stampavie and More - Spring 

More Light

Yesterday was the post for Stampin Sisters in Christ and I had made two cards with the wonderful stamps from Inspired Stamps, this was the second card. So you may wonder why I did not post this card also - easy - I did not follow the challenge to use soft pastel colors. So here is the card.

I was probably still in last week's challenge because I used vellum. I took my bible and scanned a page into my printer. That is what is behind the vellum. The vellum panel was also stamped with some white craft ink. I cut out the candle and put a bow above the wonderful embossed scripture verse that we used yesterday at SSIC - be sure to stop by and join in the challenge.

So thanks for stopping by - 2 days in a row - who knows I may be back again tomorrow! 

Recipe: 

Stamps: Inspired Stamps
Paper: SU - Navy

Designer Paper: None

Other: Spellbinder die, ribbon and pearls

Challenges:

WAW - Used Scripture

Make it Monday - anything goes
Lexi's Creations - Used Die 

Light: Psalm 119;105

Another week has zoomed by, here we are at Sunday again, a great day because you choose to could join us once again for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ! 

This week Lovely Linda is our challenge hostess and she chose this wonderful verse from Psalms 119:105. Be sure to read her devotion on our home page.

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

This has been a busy week with a lot bumps and distractions. The server at work crashed and is still down as of Friday afternoon, it seemed like every night there was something planned. Very little time to regroup and I suppose it seemed harder because the week before was so wonderful. There is a constant in my life though - that constant is reading or listening to God's Word. That is what makes my great weeks even better (singing praises and rejoicing) and the more difficult weeks better (talking to Him through prayer).

I made this card using some of the stamps that I received from Inspired Stamps for this challenge. I love the little girl reading the bible, in fact she looks so prayerful doesn't she? The sketch is from Sketches by Carly - it was a fun one.

The challenge this week is; create a card/project in soft pastel palette - black or white can be used as a neutral.

Welcome to this week's sponsor, Inspired Stamps! They very generously donated the stamp for the DT to use for this challenge - thank you so much!

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: Inspired Stamps
Paper: SU So Saffron and Pretty in Pink

Designer Paper: SU

Other: Spellbinder die, Copics and ribbon

Challenges:
Sketches by Carly: Sketch

Pottery: Colossians 1:27b

It is a beautiful day here. I have had a week off from work and thoroughly enjoyed being home and doing "home" stuff. I am so glad that you could join us once again for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ! 

This week our wonderful Kris is our challenge hostess and she chose Colossians 1:27b. Be sure to read her devotion on our home page.

"...Christ in you, the hope of glory" 

I have had a good week to reflect on the many ways that God is present in my life. Counting my blessings has been my mantra this past week. I did not realize how much I was in need of some daytime "alone" time to think and pray and listen to my music (Christian) and to craft. There are so many wonderful ways to talk to God. I can do it through songs in my IPod while doing yard work, cleaning my windows, or painting a wall. I also spent some time watching the cardinals in my backyard. All of God's beauty and I was able to stop...and appreciate. See the cardinal?

I made 2 cards with this wonderful stamp called "pottery" from Serendipity Stamps. The first card was stamped with distress ink then only the flower was colored in. I sponged around the image so that it would stand out. I added the flower (GKD) (colored, cut, and popped up) and used some cut up fibers for the centers. The sentiment (ODBD) was stamped on vellum. I used a Cuttlebug folder for the pink background and the border was cut from BG - Porcelain Paper Pad.

This second card was a quick card I made to send to a friend of my husband's who lost his father this week. I stamped the image on Vellum with black Staz-On and lightly colored on the reverse side with Copics. The check paper is from GKD specialty papers, the sentiment is a rub on from SU, 4 brads and it is done and in the mail yesterday.

The challenge this week is; Use something transparent like vellum, acetate, transparency sheets etc.

Welcome to this week's sponsor, Serendipity Stamps with a $25.00 gift card! They very generously donated a stamp for the DT to use for this challenge - thank you again.

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: Serendipity - Pottery, ODBD - sentiment, GKD - flower
Paper: GinaK - Ivory, white, black, tan leather

Designer Paper: BG - Porcelain

Other: Spellbinder die, Cuttlebug folder, fibers, brads, beads

Challenges:
Card Patterns - sketch for the second card 
Simon Says Stamp - Flowers
BasicGrey Challenges - Spring colors (1st card) 
365 Cards - just a touch of color - 2nd card

Happy Easter: Hebrews 12:2-3

He is risen, what a Joyful day!  I am so glad that you  could join us for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week it is Traci who is our challenge hostess and she chose Hebrews 12:2-3 . Be sure to read her devotion on our home page.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

I do believe that this card says it all - and I know that Traci has a wonderful message on our home page to share with all of you.

This was a quick card using a stamp set that I have had for a while called Christ is Risen. I did try a new technique for this card - I used a distressing embossing powder on the cross, it created a very different look. I used a sketch from JUGS.

The challenge this week is; Make a joy-ful card; something celebratory! I wanted to make 2 cards - the one I did make and another fun card but time just got away from me.

This week's sponsor is Paper Pretties with 6, yes I said 6, digital images. 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GinaK - Christ is Risen
Paper: GinaK - Ivory

Designer Paper: Kaiser Craft - Up, Up & Away

Other: Spellbinder circle die, Cuttlebug folder, Lace with gold, some gold buttons

Challenges:

JUGS - Sketch

Simon Says Stamp - Favorite Tool - Cuttlebug and Grand Calibur
Craft Your Days Away  -Easter

Card Patterns - Sketch
WAW - Art with a message - Joy

Under the Sea: Luke 15:20

Today is Palm Sunday - I probably should have made a Palm Sunday card but instead made a fun card with fun bright colors. I am so glad that you  could join us for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week Peggysue is our challenge hostess and she chose Luke 15:20. Be sure to read her devotion on our home page.

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.

There is nothing quite as powerful as the love that a parent has for their children. Right now one of my sons is hurting and my heart hurts for him. I can only imagine how every time I hurt or am lost or floundering how much our Father loves us! No matter what we do - His love is ever present! Thank you God.

My card this week was just fun! Fun to make and fun to color and fun to look at. She does look like she is swimming doesn't she? The tutorial for this technique can be found here.

The challenge this week is; Make a card with motion; spinner, viewmaster, pop up, slider, I chose to make a gel filled card.

This week's sponsor is Pizzazz with a $10 surprise package - oh - I love surprises. 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GinaK - Quite a catch
Paper: GinaK - White, Sweet Mango, Blue Raspberry

Designer Paper: None

Other: Spellbinder circle dies, ribbon, glitter gel pen, ribbon, hair gel, and a ziplock bag

Challenges:
2 Sisters -Birthday Fun

Inspire Me Fridays - Anything goes 

Crop Stop - Oh So Bright - bright and summery projects

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Many Thanks: Romans 8:31b-32

Another Sunday and another opportunity to thank God for His many gifts! We were blessed with a new grandson this week! WooHoo! Thank you once again for joining us for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week I am bringing you the challenge based on Romans 8:31b-32 - to read my full devotion please stop by our home page.

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?”

I really had a hard time with my own challenge! LOL I find it is difficult for most people to go outside of their "comfort zone" although I am not even sure what my comfort zone is! I did use several layers and more bling then I usually do. I also made my own flower from a punch and dug out some of the silver brads I still had from SU. I think that this is about as much as I could fit on this card. Some people (Grace, Chris, Linda) have a knack for using lots on a card and it not look cluttered or sloppy. I do not have that knack.

The challenge this week is; to create a card or project that uses everything! The opposite of a CAS - toss on the embellishments and/or different papers, textures.

This week's sponsor is our very own MariLynn with this wonderful flower embellishment! I love it and you would too! 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GinaK - Petals and Wings
Paper: GinaK - White, Vibrant Violet, Fresh Asparagus

Designer Paper: GKD -wisteria lane

Other: SU - metal tags and brads, Cuttlebug folders, Stickles, ribbon, paper flower, crystal bling

Challenges:

Hotshot Crafts - 3W - Week 3, Ribbon

Simon Says Challenges - Bingo - flowers - glitter - brads

C.R.A.F.T. - 5E - Handmade flowers
Stamp TV - Begin Again with Spring   

Hello Spring: Psalm 104:19

Spring already! Here in Florida we never even had anything resembling winter! That is fine though, Spring is still a welcome season - it is more than jsut the weather. I am so glad you are joining us for another challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week our inspiration comes from the dear and talented MariLynn with her scripture choice being Psalm 104:19. Be sure to read her devotion on our home page at SSIC.

"He made the moon to mark the seasons"

This card was a bit of a change up for me. I am not a vintage person yet I do think that this looks rather vintage. This week is the 1st birthday of TCM and I wanted to use one of the stamps that I had purchased there. This stamp is a LaBlanche stamp and I really do like working with them. I stamped the image on special paper that is extremely smooth. Then I colored using distress inks. I sponged on some ink and then spritzed some water on it. I dried off the water and repeated the process a couple of times. I finished it off with some clear heat embossing over the entire panel. Distressing the edges was an afterthought. I just realized that Lisa does not carry the LaBlanche stamps any longer. Sorry about that.

The challenge this week is; "with the change of seasons this week, make a card/project showing something related to the new season".

This week's sponsor is a fantastic stamp set called Faith in Bloom by Taylored Expressions. 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: LaBlanche "Wandering around the meadow" stamp from TCM
Paper: SU- YoYo yellow and Black

Designer Paper: None

Other: Flowers, brads, embossing folder - distress inks

Challenges:

Simply Create Too - Spring

Let`s Ink It Up - Show Us Your Flowers

Fashionable Stamping Challenges -  BINGO - flowers, distressing, words 

Friends: Ephesians 5: 8-9

Good morning - I hope you Sunday is starting off wonderfully. I really love weekends, so many great moments to treasure. Thank you for joining us for another challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week I am bringing you the challenge based on Ephesians 5: 8-9 - to read my full devotion please stop by our home page.

“You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.”

On the main page I spoke of darkness that sometimes invades our lives and the light of Jesus that can bring us out of that darkness. Right now there is a family in our school that needs prayers to help them out of the darkness. Their 9 year old daughter (a friend of my granddaughters') has had her leukemia come back. She had it when she was in Kindergarten and now it is back. Please keep Laura and her family in your prayers. This really is shaking their faith right now. Thank you!

For the first card I stamped a couple of butterflies on white card stock and then cut them out. I used some of GKD wonderful patterned paper packs for the back panes. The half circle and tag were stamped lightly with a leafy branch and I heat embossed the sentiment.

For the second card I found the challenge over at JUGS to create a faux embossing card - well, I had not even heard of that before so I decided to try it and since I have another granddaughter birthday this week I chose to make her a card. Cool background isn't it? 

The challenge this week is; "to use both dark and light. Opposite colors; black/white, brown/ivory, deep blue/baby blue, red/pink etc."

This week's sponsor is Pizzazz Aplenty  with a $10 surprise package. 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GinaK - Whimsical Spring, Hope Grows, and Friends for the sentiment, Sweetest Blessings (2nd card)
Paper: GinaK - White and black - SU Pink Pirouette and Rose Red for 2nd card

Designer Paper: GKD -

Other: Spellbinder Dies,  pearls, lace, doily, flower, brad

Challenges:

1st Card
Mojo Monday - Sketch

ATCs & Cards With Attitude – Anything

Crafts and Me - Things with wings  

2nd Card

JUGS - Faux embossing
StampTV - sketch
Simon Says Stamp - for a girl 

Refuge: Psalm 91:4a

Happy Sunday - this has been a horrible week for many people in the USA with weather tragedies and violence. Please say a prayer that they may find refuge both physically and emotionally. Thank you for joining us for another challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week Kris brought us our challenge based on Psalm 91:4a - to read her devotion please stop by our home page, you will not be disappointed! 

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge."

Such a wonderful verse for which I chose an image of a swan. Swans seem so graceful and seem to exude peace and serenity. That is what God wants for us - to feel His arms (wings) around us so we feel engulfed totally in His love.

I stamped the swan on white, then masked it so I could sponge in the water and the sky. I used the same color blue just sponged more layers on the water. I used a Copic gray color to highlight the wings a bit on the swan and some around the shadow in the water. The weeds were an afterthought - stamped and cut them out. The background was done with the sponge and a smaller rectangle to use as a mask to make it look layered. Works well when you do not have a shade of cardstock that coordinates well.

The challenge this week is; "Things with Wings (Images of birds if you have one, otherwise... angels, b-flies, other things with wings)"

This week's sponsor is Digi Doodle Shop. 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GinaK - Warm with Love and Whimsical Wishes for the sentiment
Paper: GinaK - White

Designer Paper: BG - marjolaine

Other: Spellbinder Dies,  pearls

Challenges:

Simon Says Challenge - Anything Goes 

Crafty Catz - Punches and Dies

Do You Stack Up? - Things with wings
Amusing Challenges -Die Cuts

Crafting When We Can - Animals

That Craft Place - Anything Goes

Change: James 1:2-3

Lent has begun and it is a time for reflection and change. I made this card with that in mind - how I need to make some changes in my life. I am so glad you could join us for another challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week Traci brought us our challenge based on James 1: 2-3 - to read her devotion please stop by our home page, you will not be disappointed! 

"Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

On Ash Wednesday this past week the mass at the school where I teach had a wonderful sermon. Father talked about baseball. Spring training is beginning and for those of us who are baseball fans we eagerly await the games to begin. Then Father tied it into how the players are practicing and preparing for those games. Lent is the season where we Christians are to be preparing our hearts for Easter. We need to look at how we can be better - how we can change. I think the students got the message, I know I did.

The challenge this week is to create a card with variegated colors. This can mean a monochromatic card with various shades of one color, or a card that shows variegated as in a variety of colors, or a pop of bright colors in unison as in a bouquet of flowers. Be creative!!

This week's sponsor is -La-La Land Crafts. 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments!

Recipe: 

Stamps: GinaK - Mehndi Wishes
Paper: GinaK - Red Hot

Designer Paper: BG - Jun Bug

Other: Spellbinder Dies, gems and pearls

Challenges: