Love Covereth All Sins

It's Wednesday so that means it's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week our focus verse is Proverbs 10:12, "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but Love covereth all sins."  Last week we talked about how our actions are to be governed by love and how the world would be a different place if we were able to do so.  This week, our verse shows how our heart attitude towards someone changes the outcome.  If we approach someone with ill feelings or hatred, then we are looking for things that make us feel angry and negative towards that person.  It will be hard to find a positive in anything they do.  However, if we feel love in our heart for someone, we're going to be looking for the best in them and be willing to overlook a lot of hurtful and irritating things that they do.  Which attitude do you think will make us happier and which will cause a dark cloud to feel like it is hanging over our heads?  If someone irritates you, the best thing you can do is to pray for them.  It may be the hardest thing to do but it is the most beneficial....to them and to you.  It's hard to be angry with someone for whom you are consistently praying.  A second thing you can do is to LOOK for something positive.  Some days it might be hard to find and it might be something small but gradually, it will help your heart attitude to change.  I'm not suggesting that you have to be "best buddies" with everyone.  But as Romans 12:8 says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."

I have two cards to share with you today.  Word Art Wednesday has some fantastic sponsors and I was able to make a card using images from each of this week's sponsors.  My first card uses a clear stamp from Mark's Finest Papers.  I used the largest single flower from the Amaryllis Definition set for my resist background technique.

I stamped the flower multiple times in Versamark and then embossed it with white embossing powder.  Two colors of Distress Ink were used to create the ombre background.  The verse and background were matted with dark blue cardstock and the sentiment panel was backed with a die cut. I cut the die cut in half horizontally and attached each half behind the sentiment.  A ribbon and blue rhinestones finish off the card front.

I carried the ombre color to the inside but only used one color of distress ink this time.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), dark blue cardstock is from my stash and is an unknown brand
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Proverbs 10:12), Mark's Finest Papers (Amaryllis Definition clear stamp set)
Ink:  Distress Ink (Tumbled Glass, Broken China), Versamark
Tools/Embellishments: ribbon (May Arts), embossing powder (Stampendous opaque white), Spellbinders dies (Fancy Tags 3), rhinestones (Studio G)

I'm entering this card in the following challenge:
Scrapbook Blessings Club February Challenge - Ombre Technique
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #214 - Embossing (heat or dry - on this card I used heat)

My second card using one of the flowers from a printable sheet by Crafty Secrets.  I used Flowers Printable Sheet (DPS-11.  This sheet has 9 beautiful vintage images.  It was easy to crop, re-size and then print just the image I wanted to use in Microsoft Word.  Vintage is not my usual style so it was a step out of my comfort zone.  I used a die to make a frame for the image.  Then the frame was dry embossed, spritzed with shimmer spray and embellished with pearls.  The edges of the frame were lightly inked as was the patterned paper panel. The background layer was also embossed and spritzed with shimmer spray. It was matted on a piece of Bazzill Vanilla cardstock that covers the entire 5"x7" card front.

The sentiment was printed on vellum and accented with more pearls.  If you click on this picture to enlarge it, you can see the shimmer spray a little better.


Supplies:
Cardstock: Stampin' Up (Primrose Petals - I think), Bazzill (Vanilla), Georgia Pacific (for the image), Recollections (cream card base - not visible in the pictures, The Paper Studio (vellum)
Patterned Paper:  My Minds Eye (All Dolled Up 6x6 pad)
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen (Proverbs 10:12), Crafty Secrets (Flowers Printable Sheet DPS-11)
Ink:  Distresss (Antique Linen)
Tools/Embellishments: Spellbinders die (Polka Dot Frame), Cuttlebug embossing Folders (Wicker Weave, Victoria), Tsukineko Shimmer Spray (Frost), Want 2Scrap (Pearl Strips), Prima Say It In Pearl (Siip Center Asst 1)

I'm entering this card in the following challenge:
Papertake Weekly - Hearts and/or Flowers (I just used flowers)
Crafty Secrets Challenge - All You Need Is Love (use Crafty Secrets image)

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you'll have a chance to visit the Word Art Wednesday blog to see the projects the rest of the Design Team made and to pick up your free digi.  I hope the rest of your week goes well.

A YouTube Channel Recommendation

I enjoy watching crafting videos on YouTube and like when other crafters share a favorite.  Today I thought I'd return the favor and pop in to share one of my YouTube channels with you: Sandy Allnock. 

Many of you may have heard of Sandy Allnock but I wanted to pass along her channel in case you haven't.  Sandy has some amazing skills with Copic markers.  She was one of the teachers in the Copic Markers for Cardmarkers class I took from Online Card Classes last fall.  Each Monday, she posts a video and just lets us watch her color.  Watching an image "come alive"  as she colors always amazes me.  I mean, I have the same type of markers she does and mine sure don't give me those results!  LOL    She posts other videos and tells us how she's doing what she's doing and makes it look easy.  However, as I mentioned I own Copics and I KNOW it's not as easy as she makes it look.   She is also fantastic with watercolors and other mediums as well.  She's taking her watercolors to Europe soon and I can't wait to see the pictures she paints.  I thought this watercolor pic was very special.

Sandy is the Founder and Executive Director of Operation Write Home.  This is a non-profit organization that send handmade cards to our service personnel overseas for them to send back home to their families.  It's a fantastic and much needed organization.  I've been able to participate some in the past and hope to do more in the future.

But most importantly, Sandy is a Christian.  She's  recently posted a non-crafting video on her channel of a speech she made entitled, "Is God Really Crazy?".  I was greatly challenged by her speech and reminded once again of the benefits of being willing to step out in faith when the Lord asks us to do something.  Apparently she's taken some criticism for posting her speech but I'm so thankful she did.  It was just the reminder I needed to hear today.

I would encourage you to check out her YouTube Channel and her blog for lots of inspiration and how-to tips.  While you're there, why not subscribe both places so that you don't miss out on any of her projects.

Do you have a favorite crafting channel?  If so, leave me a link in the comments.  Thanks!  Periodically I'll pass along info on another of my favorites.

{Charity}

I hope your week is going well.  It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week our focus verse is 1 Corinthians 16:14, "Let All your things be done with charity." Charity is another word for "love."  In this verse we're encouraged to let all our actions be governed by love.  Wow!  What a different world this would be if we all did so! If I wasn't so Me-focused, and based all my actions on love for others, life would be a lot more pleasant...or me and for those around me.

Imagine That! Digis by Kris is one of our generous sponsors this week.  Some of us were provided with images to use this week.  I was able to play with the adorable Honey & Boo Balloons set.  This set is perfect for Valentine's Day but can also be used year round for birthday, friendship, or general encouragement cards.  To start my card, I used the edge of a scalloped oval die cut as a mask and inked up a piece of cardstock to look like clouds.  Then after printing my WORDart  and image over the clouds, I die cut them with a circle die.  I tried printing the WORDart first but the computer ink smeared when I added the clouds.  I probably could have let it dry more and not had a problem but I didn't have time to wait that long.  I printed a second image the same size and fussy cut it.  This let me glue it on top so that it could "float" off the edge of the circle.  This piece was matted several times with various die cuts before being adhered to a circle card base.  Glossy Accents makes the balloons shine and gives them some texture.  Some blue rhinestones add a little sparkle.

The interior of the card has two more die cut circles.  Yes, I went a little circle die cut crazy on this card!  The doily die cut on the front helps the card stand up without rocking over.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (blue)
Stamps:  WORDart by Karen, Imagine That! (Honey & Boo Balloons)
Ink:  Distress Ink (Tumbled Glass)
Tools/Embellishments:  Spellbinders dies (Circle Small, Picot Edge Circle, Grand Circles, Petite Scalloped Circles Large, Petite Scalloped Oval Small), Cheery Lynn die (English Tea Party), Glossy Accents, Copic 100, rhinestones from stash (sorry I lost the packaging)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion Challenge #247 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes
Cuttlebug Mania - I {heart} You (my balloons are hearts)
Digi Chooseday Challenge Week 4 - Cool Blue
Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge - Include a heart (my balloons are hearts)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - All Things Bright and Beautiful
Fab 'n Funky Challenges #245 - Hearts and/or Flowers (my balloons are hearts)
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #213 - Use your favorite fold or technique (Using a die cut to ink in a sky background.  I have a cloud stencil and a cloud embossing folder but using a die cut to ink my clouds is my favorite way to make them.)

 Thanks so much for visiting today.  I hope you'll also have time to visit the Word Art Wednesday blog for more inspiration and your free digi.  I hope the rest of your week goes well.

Choosing Him All Over Again Blog Tour

Today I'm stepping away from my normal crafty posts to share a very special post. I'm very happy to be part of the Choosing Him Blog Tour.  I'm joining nearly 100 other bloggers.  To learn more and to join us click HERE.

Juana Mikels seemingly had it all...a handsome husband, a new home, a high-paying dream job, plenty of "things" and yet she wasn't happy.  She felt like something was missing.  She decided that the fault lay in her husband.  So in her desperate search for happiness and fulfillment, she left him.  As she began her search for the perfect Mr. Right, much to her surprise, she discovered that true happiness was ONLY found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Choosing Him All Over Again is an honest, transparent story of Juana's marital struggles and how the Lord not only put her marriage back together but how He saved both she and her husband.  As Juana says, "It is my delight to share my history with you because my story is a story of God's grace." The book is good for those who are married and struggling, has helps for those who are married to unbelievers, and is an encouragement to those in solid marriages as well.  My husband and I have been married for 30 years and have a solid, loving marriage.  However, I was still challenged by several of the ideas and tips she shared in the book.  All marriages can improve because they are made up of two imperfect people.  If we are not growing closer together, we are drifting apart.

One of the things that she said that really challenged me was when she talked about how we read in Proverbs that the man that finds a wife finds a good thing (Proverbs 18:22).  She says that "wives are intended to be a gift.  Gifts are things we like."  She then says when she's tempted to nag her husband about something she tries to pause and ask herself, "will saying this again contribute to my acting like a gift to my husband?"  Hmmmm.....do I always act like a gift to my husband.  No, I don't.  Now hopefully before I open my mouth, I can ask myself the same question Juana does.

Juana shares various lists of helps such as Nine Areas to Focus on During Separation and Reconciliation (some of these very practical tips will help all marriages), Eleven Checkpoints for Refreshing Your Marriage, and Prayers You Can Prayer For Your Husband.  There is even a free downloadable companion Bible Study guide.  While Juana and I disagree on various areas of separation, I found her book very helpful, practical, and definitely worth the time I spent reading it.

Every marriage has its own story.  Juana Mikels wrote her story of how God saved her marriage along with practical teaching on faith and marriage that she learned as a results of her own failure.  Most of all, she points us all to Jesus Christ who has the power to change lives and marriages. You can your own copy of this helpful book HERE or on Kindle HERE.

Special Wedding Project

A couple months ago, a couple in our church asked me to help them with a special project for their wedding.  The groom's mother had passed away and they wanted the ringbearer to carry her Bible instead of a pillow.  The problem with this is that her Bible had seen a lot of wear and was going to be carried by a 2 year old.  Their main requests were that I do something that would help the Bible look better, be more practical for a little guy to carry, and that the rings be tied onto it somehow.  They decided not to have their actual wedding rings attached to the Bible so we used their purity rings instead.

Here is a before look at the Bible:

Here is the after:

I didn't want to attach anything permanent to such a treasure.  I went back to my childhood days and made a book cover like we used to do in grade school. Because the edges of the Bible curled down over the pages, I made the cover bigger to allow for them to be flattened out and reinforced the front and back covers with chipboard.    His mom, like many of us, kept some special items between the pages of her Bible.  I didn't want them to get lost during the wedding so I made little vellum envelopes and slipped them in the flaps of the front and back covers.  The ribbon was tied package-style around the Bible to help hold everything together and to give it more stability.

As it turned out, the ringbearer got sick and wasn't able to participate in the wedding.  So, a Plan B was arranged.  The Bible, a candle and a picture of the groom's mom were displayed on the top of the piano.  This was such a great way to include her memory in such a special day.  What was of the utmost importance to me...the bridal couple was pleased with how the project turned out.  :)

Supplies:
Papers:  The Paper Studio
Ribbons/Trims:  Offray
Pearl button and pearl strips:  The Paper Studio
Chipboard from my stash
Rings:  The bride and groom's purity rings

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #111:  Anything But a Card
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #212 - Anything Goes
Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge - Optional Twist - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations Challenges #281 - Something Old/Something New (the Bible and ribbons are old, and the papers and lace trim are new)

I appreciate you taking time out of your day to visit.  Thanks!  I hope the rest of your week goes well.  The weekend is in sight!! Yay!!!

Praise Thee More and More

Here we are at the last Wednesday for January 2015.  It's hard to believe that we're already this far into the new year.  It's time for another challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week we're focusing on Psalm 71:14, "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more."   As we go thru life, there are many things that will try to pull our thoughts away from the Lord.  However, we must make it a matter of the will to trust in Him continually and praise Him more and more all the time.  No one can make us sin, it's a choice we make.  In the same way, no one can make us turn away from the Lord.  It's a choice we make.  Let's choose to trust and praise the Lord.

I chose to use this week's Mojo Monday (MOJO382) sketch for my card design.  It's tall and skinny week at Mojo Monday so my card this week is 4" x 8.5".  An unusual size to be sure, but it will easily fit in a regular business size envelope.  I also kept it fairly flat for easier mailing.  With increasing postage costs, that's something I'm thinking about more and more as I made cards.  One of our sponsor's this week is All Dressed Up Stamps.  They generously provided some of the DT with some images and papers to use.  I was able to play with Love Spring Time and Autumn Papers 1. I printed the image and digi papers on Georgia Pacific white cardstock.  I cropped them close to the finished size before printing in order to save ink.  What you can't see is that the horizontal strip covers a gap in the background floral paper.  Another ink saver when using digi papers.  It pays to take time to think about how you might want to use the papers before you print.

I colored the girl with Copic markers and then decorated her dress and bow with Enamel Accents polka dots.  The verse panel is also accented with Enamel Accents.  The background behind the girl was stamped with white pigment ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.

I used foam tape to pop up a the background panel, the girl and the verse panel.  I'm really liking foam tape over pop dots.  Things just feel so much more solid.  The above picture also gives a peek of the interior decorating. 

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (image), Recollections (kraft), Cor'dinations (Scarlet)
Patterned Paper: All Dressed Up Stamps Digi Paper (Autumn Papers 1)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Psalm 71:14), All Dressed Up Stamps (Love Spring Time), Stampin' Up wood mounted (Itty Bitty Backgrounds)
Ink: ColorBox pigment ink (Frost White)
Copics: R20; Y21; E00, 01, 07, 08, 09, 11, 33, 35, 37, 50; N3, 5; 100
Tools/Embellishments: Sakura Micron .01 marker (black), Sew-Ology seam binding, My Favorite Things die-namics (Mini Scallop Edge), Spellbinders dies (Petite Ovals Large and Small, Petite Scalloped Ovals Small), Stampin' Up embossing powder (Crystal Clear), Enamel Accents (white)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Mojo Monday (MOJO382) - sketch
Sentimental Sunday Challenge #243 - Anything Goes
PDE Linky Party - Kids
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #212 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you are having a good week and will have time to spend in your craft space.  The Word Art Wednesday blog is sure to have some inspiration for you and there's a free digi for you there as well.

Get Well Soon {Mended Heart}

Today I have a get well card to share with you.  The recipient had a heart procedure done so I thought the band-aid over the heart was appropriate.  :)  I've had the Lawn Fawn Get Well Soon stamp set and coordinating dies for a couple months and have been wanting a chance to play with them.  This is the first time I was able to get them inky.  I colored the images with Copics and then cut them out with the dies. They were also given a coat of Wink of Stella.  I also used the Lawn Fawn Heart Lawn Cuts for the heart.  It is cut out of white cardstock and also colored with Copics.  The heart and bandaid are popped up on a heart embossed panel that is matted with a couple Spellbinders die cuts. I used my recent "go-to" sketch from Dawn.  A few rhinestones finish it off.

The sentiment is from the same stamp set and is stamped on a banner die cut and popped up with foam tape.  The card stays pretty flat so it was easy to mail.

Tip:  Have a go-to sketch so that when you need a card in a hurry you don't have to put a lot of thought into the card design.  Changing up the papers, stamps and embellishments will be enough to keep them from all looking the same. Keep a note in your craft area of the sizes you need to cut your various layers and making a card will be quick and easy.  This is also a great way to use up scraps.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Paper Reflections (Denim Classic Laid)
Patterned Paper: Pebbles (Family Ties 6x6 pad)
Stamps: Lawn Fawn (Get Well Soon clear stamp set)
Ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Copics: E31, 33, 35; Y11, 13, 15; N0,1, 3, 5; R22, 24, 27, 29; BG 10, 15; YR07; Y13, 15, 17; 100
Tools/Embellishments: Zig Wink of Stella Glitter Marker (clear), Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts (Hearts, Get Well Soon), Spellbinders dies (Picot Edge Circles, Standard Circles Large and Small), My Favorite Things die-namics (Fish Tail Stax); Gelly Roll Pen (black); Want2Scrap Baby Bling (silver), The Paper Studio embossing folder (Tiny Hearts)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sentimental Sunday Challenge #243 - Anything Goes
Pile It On Challenge #53 - Hearts and/or Flowers
Tuesday Throwdown #229 - Facets for Crafting (rhinestones)
Top Tip Challenge - Something New (Lawn Fawn Get Well Soon stamps and dies are new to me)
Cuttlebug Mania Challenge - Wildlife
Crafty Creations Challenge #281 - Something Old, Something New (the stamp set and dies are new, the circle dies and embossing folder are old)

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll come back tomorrow when I'll have a new Word Art Wednesday card to show you.

I Wish Above All Things

It's time for a new challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  This week our focus verse is 3 John 2, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."  When we have those we love that struggle with their health, we so often pray for the Lord to heal them.  And, that is as it should be....as long as we're praying for the Lord's will to be done.  This verse gives a great perspective on health and prosperity.  Those two things come in line AFTER the condition of our soul.  Our relationship is what is most important.  It's much more important than how much money we have in the bank, how "easy" our life is or how healthy we are.  I don't mean to sound uncaring.  This hits home with me - we have children with chronic illnesses.  My heart aches to know they deal with pain and illness on an everyday basis. But, even more than I want the Lord to heal them, I want them to have a close relationship with Him.  Yes, even if that means that on this earth they will remain chronically ill.  You see, this life is temporary.  In Heaven, they will be perfectly and forever healed. So yes, wish for good health and prosperity for your loved ones but in direct proportion to their relationship with the Lord. 

My card this week uses the current Mojo Monday sketch for its design. The background panel was embossed with a woodgrain embossing folder and then lightly inked.  I really liked the birdhouse paper and did not want to totally cover it up.  So, I pulled out that vellum paper I've been hoarding, printed the Scripture on it and framed it with a Lacey Circle diecut.  A ribbon, button, and twine bow finish it off.

The interior decorating was kept simple as well.  Just a strip of the birdhouse paper matted with the navy cardstock.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (kraft, navy), WorldWin Vellum
Patterned Paper:  Pebbles (Family Ties 6x6 paper pad)
Stamp:  WORDart by Karen (3 John 2)
Ink: Distress Ink (Tea Dye)
Tools/Embellishments: ribbon (The Ribbon Boutique), button (LaMode), Spellbinders dies (Circles Large and Small, Lacey Circle), Darice embossing folder (Woodgrain)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
MOJO Monday (MOJO381) - Sketch
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #228 - Embossing

Thanks so much for taking time to visit with me today.  I hope your week is going well.  Please be sure to stop by the Word Art Wednesday blog and see what the rest of the Desgin Team have made.  You may also pick up your free digi while you are there.

I Thought of You Today...

In November, I "discovered" a new (to me) challenge blog, The Path of Positivity.  In a world of negativity, this challenge blog seeks to actively look for and promote positive things.  Each month there is a theme and participants are encouraged to make a project or write a post inspired by that theme.  This month the theme is Unique.  According to the dictionary, unique can mean something that is one of a kind (an antique manuscript), something found only in a certain place (an animal species found only in one country), or something that is different or unusual.

In our world, we sometimes do not look kindly on those that are "different."  Sometimes, your values are different.  In that case, just remember the saying, "What's right is not always popular, and what's popular is not always right." If your difference is a visible medical problem, our society may have more concern for you.  However, if you are one of the many who suffer with an invisible illness, all too often, part of the suffering is from the insensitivity of others.  Just about every person with an invisible chronic illness has heard more times than they can count, "but you don't look sick."  Ugh!  Chronic illness is not a bid for attention or because the person is "dramatic." If you have someone in your life with a chronic illness, no doubt, you want to do something to lighten their load.  The #1 way you can be a help to them is to BELIEVE them. 

A young woman I know was diagnosed a few months ago with a chronic illness that requires a complete change of diet.  Our daughter has some of the same dietary restrictions so they have been able to exchange ideas.  As this young lady is learning to navigate these new waters, she's also having to deal with the insensitivity of others.  I'm so proud of her because instead of becoming bitter towards those who have hurt her, she is instead going out of her way to do something extra nice for them.  I made this card to not only let her know that I love her just the way she is, but that I'm so proud of her for her unique response.

 
I chose an unusual (for me) card design and made a shaker card. This was also the first time I added sequins to the front of my card. The sentiment was heat embossed on vellum and then backed with flamingo patterned paper.  Inside are iridescent sequins, floral sequins and clear bangle beads. Plenty of glitter, bling and flowers complete the front.  I really like how the card turned out.  Very girly and sparkly....perfect for this extra special young lady.

Tip:  When making a shaker card, using your anti-static bag or tool on the acetate before adding the sequins will help your sequins and beads move around more freely.

The inside uses a die I recently purchased.  The wavy edge made a perfect border for the flamingos.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (pink)
Patterned Paper:  Blitz Design (Felicity 6x6 pad)
Specialty Papers:  WorldWin Vellum, Crystal Clear acetate
Stamp: Studio G wood mounted stamp
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Staedtler fine tip marker (black), Stickles (Crystal), Prima Flowers (blue), Michael's Flowers (pink), Mike's Crafts Inc. (white tipped with blue), iridescent sequins (unknown - I misplaced the packaging), V's Sweet Ideas Sequins (Peony Floral 5mm), Cousin Corp glass bugle beads, Spellbinders dies (Circle Small, Picot Edge Circle), My Favorite Things die-namics (Wavy Edge), Stampin' Up! embossing powder (Crystal Clear), Want2Scrap Baby Bling rhintestones, Prima Say It In Crystal (blue flourish)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Path of Positivity Challenge #22 - Uniqueness
Craft Your Passion Challenge #245 - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #185- Not Your Normal Paper (I tend to hoard my vellum and acetate)
Papertake Weekly - Get in Shape (I used square card base and layers, circle window and frame, and floral shape sequins)
Tuesday Throwdown #228 - Embossing (I used heat embossing)
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge - Something New (My wavy edge die is new and so is adding sequins to the card front)
Cuttlebug Mania - Wildlife (flamingos)
4 Crafty Chicks #229 - Flowers

I truly do appreciate you taking the time to stop by today.  I hope you'll come back again soon.

Let Your Light Shine

Today, I have the honor of writing the guest devotional writer at Word Art Wednesday.  Our focus verse is,Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Our son, daughter and I are among the estimated 13 percent of adults in the US that have migraines.  While the three of us have different triggers that don’t affect the other two, the one trigger we have in common is a sensitivity to light.  Flickering, flashing, extra bright or a poorly diffused direct light beam can cause almost instantaneous pain.  It’s such a consistent trigger that it’s not uncommon to hear one of our spouses say, “Look away or you’ll get a headache.”

I was reminded of this recently as I sat in a dim room waiting for my turn to see the doctor.  There was one light in the room and the angle of its under-diffused beam was so direct I felt it right away.  As I lay there shielding my eyes, my mind began to think of how light is such a good thing and yet it can cause such pain. Those who don’t suffer from migraines, or other health issues triggered by a light sensitivity, may not realize the effects of flashing lights, flickering fires, candles or computer screens or why we look away when a child runs by with those cute light-up shoes that flash as they move.

As I continued my contemplations, I began to think about Jesus’ command to us to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). The best lights have steady, constant beams.  They provide warmth and because they make things easier to see, they provide security.  If we are to be a light for the Lord, our witness before others should be constant as well.  How much pain has been caused and how much damage has been done to the cause of Christ by Christians who live an on-again/off-again lifestyle?  Such a Christian can not be trusted nor do they inspire confidence that God’s way is the best way.  If we are going to say we are a Christian, we need to be a steady light so that we don’t hurt others by our inconsistency.  Ephesians 4:15 tells us that we are to “speak the truth in love.”  When we see something in someone’s life that doesn’t line up with God’s Word, we need to remember to not be arrogant, brash, or holier-than-thou.  Our words need to be diffused with love or else we are going to cause unnecessary pain.  Just as the under-diffused light in the that waiting room at the doctor’s office makes me want to avoid using that room in the future, so will speaking the truth without love cause others to avoid us.  It also may turn them off to anyone else who tries to share the truth of God’s Word.  No matter the topic of conversation, speaking the truth with a filter of love will help the conversation go better.

It takes a lot of work to be a consistent witness.  Why are we to go to all this effort?  Our focus verse this week answers this question for us.  Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  As with everything we do, we are to be a consistent steady light to the world so that we will bring glory to the Lord.  Let’s do a self-check up and make sure that we are not causing pain to others by the way we live our lives so that we will bring glory and not dishonor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

One of our sponsors this week is Robyn's Fetish.  Robyn generously provided some of the DT with images to use this week.  I was able to play with the Lighthouse image. I thought it was so appropriate for our focus on being a light to the world.  After coloring the lighthouse with Copics, I accented the yellow lights with a clear Wink of Stella glitter brush marker. To help keep the focus on the "light" emphasis, the rest of the card is gray, white and cream. 

I used one of my favorite fancy folds and made an easel card this week.  It's a great way to add some emphasis to your sentiment (or in this case Scripture) when you are using a larger image.  I stacked several button die cuts on the banner die cut and topped them with a rhinestone.

The design of the front panel was my take on this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #251.  For the circle element in the sketch, I used one of the sentiments from the Shining Lights clear stamp set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (white), Creativity (Dark Grey Felt)
Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye (Quilting Bee 6x6 pad)
Stamps: WORDart by Karen (Matthew 5:16 digi), Robyn's Fetish (Lighthouse digi stamp), Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Shining Light clear stamp set)
Ink:  VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments:  rhinestones (Nicole Crafts), Stampin' Up embosslits (Sweet Buttons (retired)), My Favorite Things Die-namics (Fishtail Flag Stax, Notched Border (retired)), Spellbinders dies (Circle Large and Small, Decorative Photo Corners, Classic Rectangle Large), Wink of Stella clear glitter brush marker

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
{NOTE: for the purposes of several of these challenges, the two My Favorite Things dies and the lighthouse image are new items for me.}
Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #251- sketch
Papertake Weekly - It's All New
Going Grey with Scrap Creations Challenge #193 - New
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Release Day Challenge - Use Something New
Inky Chicks Challenge #45 - Anything Goes
V's Sweet Ideas Challenge #30 - Something New
Fab 'n Funky Challenge #242 - Something New


If you've read all the way to the end of this extra long post, thanks so much for hanging in there with me.  I hope you will have time this week to visit the Word Art Wednesday blog to see the projects by the rest of the DT and to pick up your free digi.