I Will Go Before Thee

I'm quite tardy with this post since the new Word Art Wednesday challenge started yesterday. I've been under the weather and haven't been able to be on the computer. I'm still in the "no energy" phase of recovery but definitely better. Anyway, this week the challenge focus verse is Isaiah 45:2, "I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron." This is a wonderful promise from the Lord that He will go before us to straighten out the path. That means that He knows what lies before us and will help us with our journey. The rest of this verse indicates that this not only involves preparing the pathway before us but also breaking through the obstacles that would hinder our progress. So, when it seems like the Lord has asked us to do a difficult or even impossible task, just remember this verse. If He has asked you to do something, He'll prepare the way for you and help you get through those hindrances to accomplishing the task. This doesn't mean there will be no problems along the way, but it does mean He's there, He knows the best way through/around/over the obstacles and He will help you navigate the journey.

For my card design this week, I used an old Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO406). I kept to a masculine theme this week with the colors and designs on my patterned papers. The background cardstock was embossed with an embossing folder and then, using a direct to paper technique, inked with distress ink to bring out the embossed pattern. The edges of all the other papers were inked as well.

I went back to a technique I used a lot in my scrapbooking days: covering chipboard with patterned paper. After adhering the stars to the back of the patterned paper, I used my new fingertip craft knife to cut them out. It works so much better for me than a traditional straight craft knife. The edges of the stars were inked with distress ink. After adhering the stars to the card front, they were given a coat of Glossy Accents.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections (cream, kraft)
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Remarkable 6x6 pad)
Stamp: WORDart by Karen (Isaiah 45:2)
Ink: Distress Ink (Tea Dye)
Tools/Embellishments: Heidi Swapp Chipboard Stars, The Paper Studio embossing folder (Caning), Nicole 5mm Adhesive Nail Heads, Glossy Accents, The Paper Studio Burlap Ribbon

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #409 - Just Boys (use a masculine theme)
Aud Sentiments Challenge #147 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge #295 - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #235 - 3, 2, 1 (3 stars, 2 patterned papers, 2 cardstocks, 1 ribbon, 1 embossing folder)
Crop Stop Linky Party #12 - Anything Goes using something from Crop Stop Store (I used Glossy Accents & Tea Dye Distress Ink)
Pile It On Challenge #99 - Use Something with your first initial (I used "S" for Stars)
Eureka Stamps Challenge #176 - Pile It On
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #234 - Embossing

I hope you'll visit the Word Art Wednesday blog for lots of inspiration using this week's FREE digi WORDart. We'd love to have you play along with us. Remember you have 2 weeks to link up your projects.