Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Graceful Speech

This week's focus at Word Art Wednesday is Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."  This verse is one of those that makes me say, "Ouch!" According to Dictionary.com, some synonyms for grace are: forgiveness, charity, mercifulness, kindness, love, and leniency.  I know my speech is not always full of grace. Many times I'm too quick to be critical or harsh (antonyms of grace).  In Bible times, salt was valuable and sometimes used as currency.  So for something to be seasoned with salt meant it was valuable.  To apply this to our speech, it means what we say should be of value to those that hear us.  Another "Ouch!"  How often is what I say worth hearing?  Not often enough! I don't know about you, but I need this reminder to let my speech be full of grace and to speak things of value.   I should post it where I can see it often.



For my card this week I chose to use this new digi by Deedee's Digis.  I thought this little kitty and his bird and butterfly friends looked like they were very friendly and kind.  After all, in real life, it would take a very kind cat to let a bird perch on its head and smile about it.  :)  Want to know something else very kind about this kitty image?  He's a freebie on the Deedee's Digi Blog!!  You can find him here.



 I really like easel cards and decided to try my hand at making a circle easel card.  I kept it monochromatic by using papers in various shades of green.  The grass, bird and butterfly make me feel like I've just stepped outside on a sunny day and am spending some time enjoying the wonders of nature.



Rows of green gems set off the verse and the top row acts as a stopper for the image panel.  I used faux stitching around the circles to add a finishing touch to the edges.  I added some stickles to the butterfly and bird for a little additional sparkle.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Studio G
Digi Stamps:  WordArt By Karen (Scripture), Deedee's Digis (Cat and Bird)
Copics:  R20, 81, 83, 85; Y11, 13, 17; YG03, 05; N0, 1, 3, 5
Tools/Embellishments:  Staedtler Fineliner (green), Uni-ball Signo (white), Sakura Glaze pen (on kitty's nose), Stickles (Star Dust), gems (Studio G), Spellbinders (Grand Circles, Lacey Circles, Standard Circles Large and Small)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sentimental Sunday #171 - Something Tweet (have a bird or birds on your card)
Digi Darla's Challenge #79 - Anything Goes
Twist of Faith #54 - Monochromatic
Inky Chicks #12 - Stitching (real or faux)
Cuttlebug Mania - Back to nature
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #144 - Anything Goes
Scrapbook Blessings Club Tutorial Challenge #2 - Circle Easel Card

Thanks for stopping by to visit for a few minutes.  I hope you'll go by the Word Art Wednesday blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has to show you and to pick up your free digi.  I also hope you'll be able to link up some projects (up to 5 are allowed) this week.  Our sponsors for this challenge are Digi Darla's and Nice Crane Designs.  They both have a nice prize to be given to random winners.

17 comments:

Carol L said...

What a sweet and thought-provoking card! I'm really liking the round easel card, and no one says it better than Ellen when she closes her show every day with - "Be kind to one another."

Unknown said...

Stephanie,
Your card is simply gorgeous. The butterfly and bird with kitty are adorable. DeeDee is quite an artist and you have done a wonderful job of coloring and putting together the card. All that aside, what you wrote is exactly how I feel and it seems we are not the only ones. I am seriously taking this scripture to heart but your amplification of it has helped immensely.
Thank you and God Bless you.
Carole

Today's Beautiful Moments - Tracey Fehr said...

A beautiful card! The gorgeous green colors you have used are so pleasing to the eye and make me feel happy! The image is so adorable...and thanks for the reminder in the scripture! Very powerful! Thanks for sharing with us at Twist of Faith!
Tracey F., Twist of Faith Card Challenges

vic said...

Wow this is do pretty love the cute cat and your easel card is super :)
Have a great week!
Hugs
Vic

NanaConnie said...

I just adore DeeDee's new cat images and you've showcased this one perfectly, Steph! Love your soft color combo. Fantastic sentiment choice and a wonderful reminder of how gentle and encouraging we can be with our speech. :-D

Decosse's Dynamite Doodles said...

Every aspect of this card is beautiful. I particularly like the frame and gem work you have going on and the DP on the bottom works coordinates perfectly. The faux stitching is the perfect accent.

I also enjoyed reading your post. It is a true reminder that our words have a deep impact on those around us and we need to ensure that they are said with 'grace and seasoned with salt' at all times.

Thanks so much for joining us in our current challenge over at Digi Darla's. Good luck and I hope we see you again in future challenges.

Lisa D., Digi Darla's Challenges, DT

p.s. right now over on the Path of Positivity, the theme this month is about honesty. I believe that your card and post would also be perfect for this challenge. If you want to enter the link is: http://pathofpositivitychallenge.blogspot.ca/

Anonymous said...

This is precious, Steph, in so many ways! Your card is adorable, and I love the softness of the colors and the fun design with the circle shape and the gems. But even more, I appreciate the sincerity and wisdom you've shared in this post. This is definitely something many of us (me!) need to work on, and I appreciate the reminder.

Jannie said...

Love cats and so I love your card! And the image is very funny indeed!

Thank you for joining us at Cuttlebug Mania!

Cuttlebugs & Hugs
Jannie

Kimbo said...

He is super cool with the birdie sitting on him - I can't imagine mine allowing that. I love your easel card. Thanks for playing along at Cuttlebug Mania this week x

Zella said...

Stephanie, your easel card is absolutely adorable! I'm a cat lover so of course I love your card!! I also love your post....so much truth. There's certainly a reason why the tongue is such a big topic in the Bible. Thank you for sharing your art and your heart with us at Twist of Faith this week!
Blessings,
Zella

Sandy Hentzel said...

This is fabulous all around. Thank you for sharing. May your words sit deep without the heart. I would love for you to link up for a chance to win, http://scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com/2013/09/tutorial-challenge-2-circle-easel-card.html

Thanks for sharing and have a blessed day,
Sandy
♥ Scrapbook Blessings ♥
♥ Sandy's Paper FunTime ♥

stefali said...

very sweet kitty card :) thanks for joining penny's challenge this week! Stephanie DT - www.cardmakingpassion.com

Denise Pustelniak said...

Perfect round easel! Your sentiment is perfect also!
Thanks for joining us at Digi Darla’s

L.E. Paper Studio said...

This is gorgeous! I love your use of bling and colors. Thanks for joining us at SBC for this challenge!

; L.E. Paper Studio ;
♥ ScrapBook Blessings Club DT ♥

Marilyn's Cricut Crafts said...

Your card is so beautiful. I love the little green gems throughout. Wonderful sentiment and reminder. Thank you for joining us at Scrapbook Blessings Club! ~ Marilyn

Connie Mercer said...

so gorgeous!! You are truly a gifted card maker!!!!

Teresa said...

What a beautiful and sweet card. Love your sentiment.

Teresa
Scrapbook Blessing Club DT

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...