Don't Forget to Smile!

A quick post to show you my entry in this week's Word Art Wednesday card challenge.  I think the quote speaks for itself!

supplies:
green card stock - Bazzill Basics
yellow card stock - Stampin' Up (Summer Starfruit)
patterned paper - Teresa Collins Everyday Moments Collection
embossing folders: Stampin' Up Sizzix Textured Impressions (Framed Tulips and Adorning Accents)
green gingham ribbon - my stash

Rejoice in the Lord Always.......

It's easy to talk about rejoicing and praise on Sunday since I spent the morning in church participating in corporate worship.  But what about the rest of the week?  It's easy to talk about rejoicing and praise when "life is good".  But what about when trials come my way.  Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS......" 

The Psalms are good devotional readings for preparing our hearts for praise and rejoicing.  Many of the Psalms start out with worries and concerns by the Psalm writer; however, we are brought to see that even in times of fear, worries, and trials (Psalm 28), we can rejoice for God is always there with us.  And in our times of sorrow for sins that we have committed against God (Psalm 51), He is ever faithful to forgive.  That should definitely cause our hearts to rejoice.........ALWAYS!  I encourage you to read through the Psalms and rejoice!

The Bible verse for the Word Art Wednesday challenge is Psalm 33:1 - "Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright."

Supplies:

floral paper - My Minds Eye Indie Chic Nutmeg "History" collection
blue print paper - Graphic45 papers - Old Curiosity Shoppe collection, Exquisite Motif
yellow cardstock - Stampin Up (summer starfruit)
yellow tulle - Webster's Pages

(I folded up the piece of yellow tulle and secured it with a brad.....making a cute little bow!)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge

Last week I was entering the Word Art Wednesday Challenge at the last minute and this week I'm getting it done (almost) first thing!  First of all, here is a picture of the card.............

The card I made turned out to be a very simple design. Since the Bible verse talked about peace, I considered using a tree pattern paper or stamp. Many things in nature (trees, clouds, flowers, etc.) often stop me in my tracks and cause me to think of the greatness of God who created these very things. I had some paper with trees on it but could not come up with a good card layout using it. Then I spotted the dragonfly paper and knew that I had found a winner. I not only love the design but also the blues and browns in the paper. I also love the plaid backside of the dragonfly paper which I used for the cross-pieces. The gingham flower embellishment has been in my "stash" for many years......just waiting to be used on this card!

I considered adding something (maybe a grosgrain ribbon bow) to the top right corner but talked myself out of it. I like the simplicity of the end product. The Bible verse was added to a tag embellishment which I "distressed".

The Bible verse is Colossians 3:15, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."

We should let the peace of God *RULE* in our hearts.  I don't know about you but this is something I have a hard time accomplishing.  Is the peace of God ruling in my heart when I am in a hurry but behind a slow driver?  Is the peace of God ruling in my heart when I am preoccupied (or should I say worried) with some stressful situation?  Is the peace of God ruling in my heart when someone says or does something against me?  I could.go on and on.  I think you get the picture.

Letting the peace of God rule in our hearts is something that can only be done by humbling ourselves and recognizing that we are not the important person that we often think ourselves to be.  We must see our sinful self and recognize the great grace and mercy of God.  We must also come to truly believe in the sovereignty of God.  He is in control of all things....we are NOT!

When we do let the peace of God rule in our hearts, we will experience the peace that is described in Philippians 4:7......."And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

supplies used:

Dragonfly/plaid paper - The Paper Loft (Huckleberry Pond collection)

Blue card - Bazzill Basics Papers

Distress ink - Tim Holtz Distress Ink in tea dye

gingham flower - personal stash

Word Art Wednesday Card Challenge

Last week was a very busy week for me and this week is shaping up to be fairly busy.  I thought about skipping the Word Art Wednesday Card Challenge this week BUT I knew that if I skipped it this week, then it would be easy to skip it again, and again, and again.................you know the rest! 

I have been participating in the challenge for about a month and do enjoy coming up a card design each week.  So, I finally found a few spare minutes last night and started the card design.  I put the finishing touches on it just a few minutes ago.  I am deviating from the sentiment that was suggested and instead have used "Count Your Many Blessings".  Any uplifting sentiment qualifies for the challenge. 

While working on this card, I was reminded of all the blessings in my life.  I'm so thankful for Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made for sinful me.  I'm also blessed with a sweet husband (25 years!), a wonderful church family, precious friends and family, and good health.

Supplies used:
printed background paper and green paper for tag - 7gypsies (Conservatory collection)
butterfly stamp (Papaya Collage stamp set), ribbon, dahlia embellishment - Stampin' Up
Count Your Many Blessings stamp - Stampabilities
forever friend stamps (Framed stamp set) - Papertrey Ink
all other supples are from my endless "stash"!!!

Glue Dots Pinterest Contest

I have entered 3 of my cards in a contest sponsored by Glue Dots. My entry is on the Glue Dots Pinterest board entitled "Glue Dots Contest". Please visit Pinterest and "like" my entry (the pin of 3 cards....one has a butterfly on the front).

Voting ends at noon on Wednesday. Here is the link to the Pinterest page  http://pinterest.com/gluedots/glue-dots-contest/

Stamp It! Cards Congratulations Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

To promote PaperCrafts Stamp It Cards special edition magazine, Moxie Fab World is having a "Congratulations" card challenge where stamping is the primary technique.  I decided to go with a monochromatic "theme" also.  Here is a picture of the card that I created for the Stamp It! Cards Congratulations Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

Supplies used:

Summer Starfruit card stock, ink and ribbon - Stampin' Up

bird stamp - Natural Beauty stamp set (retired) - Stampin' Up

JOY stamp - Framed stamp set - Papertrey Ink

frame stamp - Papaya Collage stamp set - Stampin' Up

Let's Celebrate stamp - Stampendous

Get your craft on and enter this challenge too!



His Eye is on the Sparrow.......

Here is my entry for this week's Word Art Wednesday card challenge.

A Bible verse is not being used this week but words from a song, "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The basic theme of the song is taken from scripture - how we should not worry or be discouraged.....God takes care of the sparrows and He will take care of His children.

I encourage you to read Luke 12 which talks about how we are not to worry nor be totally consumed with the things of this world. Instead, we should be seeking first the kingdom of God and those things eternal or spiritual. Luke 12:29-31 states:

     "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you." (NKJV)

In our fallen nature, the above commandment is not easy to accomplish. We are to prone to worry about this, that, and the other. That is why daily Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship with other Christian's are so important.  It helps us stay focused on what is truly important.

Supplies used for card making:
Summer Starburst card stock, ink and ribbon (Stampin' Up)
Frame stamp - Papaya Collage stamp set (Stampin' Up)
Bird rubber stamp - Natural Beauty stamp set (Stampin Up)  ***Retired***
Joy stamp - Framed stamp set (Papertrey Ink)
Background paper - Olde Curiosity Shoppe collection (Graphic 45)