Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Joy of the Lord

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:40




Prepare yourself for plenty of pink and some lovely vintage images because that’s what you’re going to find in the gallery of this week’s Christian Paper Crafts Wednesday CASE Artist Christine. Christine is from Sweden and her love of pink comes from the signature color of the beauty products she uses for her artistic work on the canvas of the female face. .

Christine started scrapping late in 2007 and quickly made the transition to card making. Though she now thinks of herself as a card maker, Christine has recently resumed scrapbook layouts. She also loves coloring images and using vintage images, and doesn’t limit her crafting to cards and scrapbook layouts, but ventures into the world of altered art as well.

Christine is a stay-at-home mom with three children: two young adults and one still in her early teens. She did work, but retired after two car accidents. Christine says, “After struggling 10 years, I finally accepted that I have forever lost my active life. Nowadays I do what I can do and am happy about it. The good thing is that I’ve learned to trust that no matter what happens, God is the one who will never give me up. I’ve learned that instead of stirring at what I can't, what I don't have and what I can't get, to be grateful for all I do have!”

Christine also has a reminder for all of us, “Please give praise to God for the wonders He does every day, every second in our lives. Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide us and help us to see all those small wonders that happen in our daily life and in our surroundings. Pray that our focus not be on our failures but on all the good things and gifts God have given and planned in our lives.”

Christine has a strong faith, which she says, “is not because of me, but because of Him. I find strength in Him, who is my Savior.”




CHALLENGE SPECIFICS
This is your invitation to join me in honoring Christine and to be inspired by her lovely gallery. So take a look through the gallery of Christine and create a card, scrapbook page or project inspired by what you see there. Be sure not to copy exactly: make it your own! When uploading your card or project to the Christian Paper Crafts gallery, please use the keyword WCA110 (no spaces or commas and no commas, only spaces between keywords!). When posting anywhere else online, please use the keyword CPC-WCA110. Have a blessed day!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Grace for the Humble

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

 Crafted for the Christian Paper Craft's Color Monday 114 Challenge. This peacock reminds me of a cartoon where one peacock says to another, "Why should I strut about? What do I have to be proud of; I didn't do anything to get these feathers?"  It's always a humbling reminder to me that everything we do have, every gift, every talent, has been given to us by our gracious heavenly Father. And it has been given to be used for His glory.  He despise the proud but gives grace to the humble. May He give grace that we might walk humbly before Him.


DETAILS
The main image panel on this card was a PAK (Providential Act of Kindness) from a dear CPC sister and after die cutting, I covered it with VersaMark and embossing powder to give texture and dimension.
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs, Peacock PAK
Card Stock: Basic Black, White
Designer Paper: BasicGrey Curio
 Ink: Versa Fine Onyx, Versa Mark, Early Espresso
Accessories: Spellbinders Dies, Cuttlebug Dots embossing folder, porcelain rose, paper rose, homemade ribbon rose, Zva Creative and SU Pearls, White Pearls Embossing Powder
Technique: Stamping, Embossing
Challenges: Christian Paper Crafts Color Monday 114

Blessings!

The Western Way

The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:40

 
The inspiration for this card was from (don't laugh) my new cowgirl boots and socks (yes. . they're pink!).

This is the second version. The first time, I got all the way to stamping the last image and. . .stamped it crooked. And I thought I was doing just fine with my free-hand stamping. Well, the Lord showed me that I needed to be guided and that I couldn't depend on myself. So out came the Stamp-a-ma-jig and the card went together like a dream.

I thought of how much like my own life that is. . .I think I'm doing just fine headed along, all in control of the situation and then the Lord is faithful to remind me that my heart is deceitful and though the way seems right to me, it is not. . .I need Him and the guidance and direction He provides through His unchanging, infallible Word.

The card is called, "The Western Way" because we out west have this rugged individualistic mind set . . . a mindset that can be quite opposed to "The Way" so we must be ever vigilant to conform our ways to His!

As the Lord uses the mistakes in our lives for His glory and our growth, I was able to use the first version for the inside of the card. . .a reminder that the sins of those trusting in Him, are covered! Thank you, Jesus!

Details
Stamps: SU Wanted, Bronco Wheel, Our Daily Bread Designs
Card Stock: Pink Piroutte
Designer Paper: Homemade
Ink: Early Espresso, Bright Blue, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Twine, Sizzix Top Note Die, Cuttlebug Embossing strip, Spellbinders Labels
Technique: Masking, Sponging, Stamping
Challenges: Christian Paper Crafts Clean and Simple Saturday One Layer (CPC-CASS34)
 Split Coast Stampers (Teapot Tuesday, Free for All Friday, Inspiration Challenge, Ways to Use It Thursday)

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Embedded Faithfulness

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, so righteousness looks down from heaven.   Psalm 85:11

 Vintage card to remind us that the Lord is faithful from everlasting to everlasting! Crafted for the Christian Paper Crafts Fun on Friday Challenge FOF111 to use embedded embossing,  and the Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge #66 Anything Goes.

Details
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection #6
Card Stock: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso
Designer Paper: SU Parisian Summer
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: Spellbinders Borderabilities Lattice, Shapeabilities Lattice Pendant, Scallop Circles, SU Pearls, handmade twill tape flower, paper rose colored with RD faded lipstick ink, crochet ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Tattered Angels Shimmer Mist
Technique: Embedded Embossing
Challenges:
 Have a blessed day!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sweet Summertime Blog Hop

Looking for a bit of respite from the summer heat? Then take a meander along Christian Paper Crafts Sweet Summertime Blog Hop.

Each month Christian Paper Crafts offers several prizes for blog hop participants.  For members of Christian Paper Crafts, that includes a crafty prize generously donated by a fabulous company.  This month, Pink Persimmon has donated the versatile set Hello Vintage Girl for our member prize. There are also prizes for non-members! In order to be eligible for your prizes, you must have the Christian Paper Craft Blog Hop Badge on your sidebar.

To join in on our blog hop, you just need to make a NEW card or project that goes along with our theme ("Sweet Summertime") and add the direct link to your blog post about it to the link collection at the Christian Paper Crafts Blog (where you'll find all of the rules and the cool prizes).  The collection is only open from Wednesday, June 22 at 8:00 AM EST through Friday, May 24 at 11:59 PM EST. You may add your link at any time during that time.

The hop has some amazing summertime inspiration. . .head on over to the CPC Blog and see for yourself! The inspiration for my card came from a picture of a wedding cake in a CD album from Angela Coles that is in the June Sweet Summertime Design Team Delights Gallery.




DETAILS
Stamps:
Verve (Inside)
Card Stock & Designer Paper:
SU Very Vanilla
Ink:
Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories:
Sizzix Flowers #5 Die; Brad, Cuttlebug Flowers Embossing Folder, Raffia
Technique:
Embossing, Die Cutting, Distressing

P is for Patter

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5


P is for. . .
  • Perseverance
  • Pink
  • Pretty Girls x 3
  • Parrots
  • Precious
  • Pearls
  • Paisleys
  • Papillions
  • Paper
  • Passionate, and. . .
 Patter, this week’s Christian Paper Crafts, Wednesday Case Artist!  Patter is known throughout the Christian paper-crafting world for her beautiful work, her devotion to her Savior, her ABC Scripture Challenge and her Faith Journaling prompts which you can also find posted at Christian Paper Crafts. She is also on the design team for CPC partner company, Our Daily Bread Designs, and she is an organizer extraordinaire, freely sharing her tips and techniques.

Patter loves the Lord and seeks to serve and honor Him in all that she does. She came to know Christ as her Lord and Savior through Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), so it is a ministry that is near and dear to her heart and one in which she serves in a leadership capacity helping others know and apply God’s Word. She and her husband have identical triplets, now in their teens and homeschooled by mom.  The household also include two Caiques parrots, Kiwi and Sugar--Patter’s “girls”-- and three Papillion pups.

Patter says, “Besides having a passion for the Lord and sharing Him with others, I am also passionate about paper crafting, and I love to help and share with other paper crafters.”

As to what she likes to do, Patter says, “I enjoy doing layouts of all sizes, cards, tags, ATCs, altered art, etc. And you will find that I stamp on almost all of my work. I love it all!”

 And if you think that’s a stretch, take a look through Patter’s gallery! It’s not a stretch. This is your invitation to join me in honoring Patter and to be inspired by her diverse and amazing gallery. Create a card, page or project inspired by what you see there. Be sure not to copy exactly: make it your own!  When uploading your card or project to the Christian Paper Crafts gallery, please use the keyword WCA109 (no spaces or commas).  When posting anywhere else online, please use the keyword CPC-WCA109. Have a blessed day!


DETAILS
P is for: Perseverance, perch, petals, pink, pearls, paper, pretty, packing shreds and Patter! (The three pearls in the corner of the card represent Patter's three daughters. . . pearls in a pod: triplets and yet unique!) Patter also loves journaling and handwriting on cards, so I added her name in the lower right hand corner along with some faux stitching around the edge of the card!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 5
Card Stock: Cool Caribbean, Naturals Ivory
Designer Paper: Prima Madeline
Ink: Rose Red, VersaFine Onyx
Accessories: Twigs, twine, porcelain rose, chipboard P, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 20 #3, Zva Creative Pearls, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Knittig Ribbon, Recollections Flower, Cork, Spellbinders Labels Something;Sizzix Weave Embossing Plate, Doodling
Technique: Assorted
Challenges: 

Monday, June 20, 2011

Transformed. . .

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

For those in Christ, the image of God effaced at the fall is being restored and renewed by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit made possible by the redemptive work of Christ according to the perfect plan of the Father. . .Praise God!

This card represents that image that is being restored or better, re-created. . as we are transformed through our sanctification that image, the likeness of God in his communicable attributes, becomes clearer and clearer. . .being perfected only when we reach our eternal home!

And the sanding of the card, like the trials of our lives, brings forth that image! (And that is why we are to rejoice in trials and consider them joy, though they are difficult and can be perplexing!)

If you look closely or click on the picture, you can see that one of the buttons has an anchor. . .that anchor is the Lord Jesus, the steadfast hope of our souls!

This was crafted for this week’s Christian Paper Crafts Clean and Simple Saturday Challenge CASS33 to “transform” a piece of designer or patterned paper any way you choose. It also meets the Color Monday CM113 (Nautical Living Room) and the Fun on Friday FOF109 (make your own designer paper) challenge.  Blessings!

Stamps: Verve
Card Stock: Naturals Ivory, Navy
Designer Paper: Core'dinations Whitewash Collection
 Ink: Navy
Accessories: Cuttlebug Shell Collage Embossing Folder, Sanding lock, Mother of Pearl buttons, twine, pearl, assorted buttons, tag
Technique: Stamping, Embossing, Sanding
Challenges:
  • Christian Paper Crafts
    • Clean and Simple Saturday CPC-CASS33
    • Fun on Friday CPC-FOF109
    • Color Monday CPC-CM113

My light and my salvation

 The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1 

Crafted for the Color Monday Challenge at Christian Paper Crafts and the Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge (ODBDSLC65 Thank You).

Inside
Details
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Light of the World
Card Stock: Early Espresso, Navy, Recycled Banana
Designer Paper: Anna Griffin Hannah Collection
Ink: Bright Blue, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Spellbinders Nestabilities 17 #5,6, Star buttons, twine, star ribbon, Sizzix Texturz Distressed Embossing Plate, SU Square Lattice E
Technique: Stamping, Embossing, Die Cutting
Challenges:

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Howdy

Howdy! Stayed with the western theme to making a card for my brother. . . .



Crafted for the Christian Paper Crafts Sprinkled and Sparkling Fun on Friday Challenge 110 and for Wombat Soup WS02 Recipe Challenge to use heat embossing, repurposing, shapes. The stars are punched from a piece of cardboard that was once a box bottom, then a stamping base. Stars were punched, covered with ColorBox metallic silver craft ink, sprinkled with SU Glassy Glaze and heated for an aged metal effect.

DETAILS
Stamps: Michaels $1 Bin, Hampton Arts Celebrate Ribbons
Card Stock: SU Basic Black, SU Crumb Cake, SU Silver Metallic, SUVVanilla
Designer Paper: Wrapping Paper
Ink: VersaFine Onyx, Crumb Cake, Colorbox Silver
Accessories: SU Glassy Glaze, Twine, Star Punch, Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circles and Scallop Circles, Vanilla and Silver Smooch Spritz
Technique: Stamping, Die Cutting, Sponging
Challenges: 
Christian Paper Crafts Fun on Friday 110 and Wombat Soup WS02

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Be Still and Know: He is God


"Be Still and Know that I am God." Psalm 46:10


When I saw this week's Christian Paper Craft's Bible Verse Thursday Challenge the image that came to mind was this gorgeous silhouette image from Angela at Toucan Scraps.

This card was crafted with Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio using elements from Toucan Scraps' Well Worn kit and is based on this week Christian Paper Craft's Sketch Tuesday Challenge 113 with a sketch from Gloria. A change in background papers produced a different look.

Stamps: Toucan Scraps Horse Silhouette
Designer Paper: Toucan Scraps Vintage and Worn Well series
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Toucan Scraps Worn Well Elements
Technique: Digital Crafting (Stampin' Up My Digital Studio)
Challenges: 
    • Bible Verse Thursday 111 (CPC-BVT111)
    • Sketch Tuesday (113 (CPC-ST113)

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

He is Able

He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

It only makes sense to quote a passage from Hebrews as the introduction to this week’s Christian Paper Crafts Wednesday Case Artist Traci S. Traci was raised Jewish, taught in the Jewish schools and at one point even wanted to be a Rabbi. The Lord had other plans, however; and opened Traci’s eyes to the see the glory of His Son and that indeed; Jesus is the promised seed, the Messiah, the son of David, the Deliver, and the Chosen One. And now her hope of heaven and the life to come rests solely in Him.

Though raised in a home where art abounded and an avid scrap booker for some 20 years, Traci has only been stamping about a year. She loves the color purple as it reflects royalty and majesty:  she is a daughter of the King, after all! She also loves butterflies as they symbolize the new creature, freed from the bondage of sin and raised to newness of life. Traci has a blog and has just celebrated her one year blog-a-versary, the name of her blog also corresponds to the Scripture: He is Able.

Traci and her husband have a blended family with four children and four grand-children. As part of her heritage, her dogs have all had Jewish holidays as part of their names because that is when they were rescued and came home to live with Traci.

Traci struggles with severe migraines that impair her vision and she has physical limitations as a result of debilitating injuries, nonetheless, she is joyful, enthusiastic and continues to craft cards to encourage others, serving the Lord with the gifts and talents He has given.

Or, as Traci says, “I have found my JOY in the Lord!  And, it fills me more than anything else could! Hallelujah!”

Challenge Specifics
This is your invitation to join me in honoring Traci S.. and to be inspired by her lovely gallery. So take a look through the gallery of Traci S. and create a card or project inspired by what you see there. Be sure not to copy exactly: make it your own!  When uploading your card or project to the Christian Paper Crafts gallery, please use the keyword WCA108 (no spaces or commas).  When posting anywhere else online, please use the keyword CPC-WCA108. Have a blessed day!

DETAILS
Birds, flowers and joy were what stood out when I looked through the gallery of this week's Christian Paper Crafts Wednesday CASE Artist, Traci S. This card was crafted with birds, flowers and a digital image from Sweet 'n Sassy to convey the joy of the Lord!
.
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Sing Unto the Lord digital
Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Old Olive, White
Designer Paper: None
 Ink: Computer, Bashful Blue, Old Olive
Accessories: Prismacolor markers, Zva Creative Pearls, Tattered Angels Rose Glimmer Mist, Pink Seam Binding, MS Ribbon, Sizzix Flowers embossing folder, Spellbinders Scallop Rectangles
Technique: Digi Image, Coloring, Embossing
Special Notes: The card base is embossed and the image panel in Old Olive is debossed ( I flipped it over) to give added dimension
Challenges:

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Make A Joyful Noise!

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands. Psalm 66:1a

Step right up and get your ticket! The Christian Paper Crafts June Design Team Delights Gallery is about to open! Walter the Elephant is issuing a special invitation just for you! Come on over and visit our Sweet Summertime Design Team Delights gallery! Walter's pulling pack the curtain so you can have a sneak peek. . .




Walter's Invitation
Stamps: Sweet ‘n Sassy Sing Unto the Lord
Card Stock: Bazzill, SU Cranberry Crisp, Basic Grey, Sahara Sand, Ivory
Designer Paper: Circus, Circus by Masterpiece Studios
Ink: Cranberry Crisp, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: Walter the Elephant Cuttlekids die, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Twenty #4, Sizzix Dots Embossing Folder, Fiskars Wave Cutting Blade, Xyron,
Technique: Fussy Cutting, Embossing, Stamping, Sponging
Challenge
  • Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge 93
    May be a strange way to honor the Lord, but all of creation rejoices and will one day be made new through the redeeming work of our Lord Jesus! (besides. . when I saw the elephant stamps, Walter the Elephant asked me to submit his card! :D )
 

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

God is Our Refuge

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

Christian Paper Crafts WCA107 {06-08-11} Maxine D

This scripture seemed so fitting for this week’s Christian Paper Crafts Wednesday CASE Artist Maxine D, she knows that God is her refuge and the only One who can hear and answer prayer. The love of Christ is apparent in the way she reaches out to her friends, neighbors and acquaintances that are enduring trials, and in the way she intercedes in prayer. In fact, Maxine D is a relentless prayer warrior, and does not hesitate to enlist the aid of her sisters in petitioning our heavenly Father that He might hear and answer according to His perfect will.

She lives in New Zealand, has been married nearly 40 years to her wonderful husband. She is a full-time homemaker and helpmeet. Her adult children are happily married and have blessed Maxine D with two beautiful grandbabies (and you can know with certainty that they have plenty of sweaters and even a new pair of dungarees, thanks to her ability to sew and knit.)

She loves card making, embroidery, lacemaking and gardening. She also loves using different techniques on her cards and the more intricate the better, like paper quilling and stitching. Maxine says, “I am first and foremost a child of God. My whole life and testimony can be summed up in three words: God is Faithful!”

CHALLENGE SPECIFICS

This is your invitation to join me in honoring Maxine D, and to be inspired by her lovely gallery. So take a look through the gallery of Maxine D and create a card or project inspired by what you see there. Be sure not to copy exactly: make it your own! When uploading your card or project to the Christian Paper Crafts gallery, please use the keyword WCA107 (no spaces or commas). When posting anywhere else online, please use the keyword CPC-WCA107. Have a blessed day!

WCA 107 Gallery (http://www.cpcmag.com/gallery/search.php?keywords=WCA107)

SAMPLE DESCRIPTION
I'm always cheered up after looking through the gallery of this week's Christian Paper Crafts Wednesday CASE Artist. . .it's so full of encouraging projects, lots of flowers and very detailed techniques. I didn't use any detailed technique. . .but made a bright and cheery card based on what I saw in Maxine's gallery.

Pour Out Your Heart Before Him
Pour Out Your Heart Before Him CU

DETAILS
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy God is Our Refuge, Stamp Cabana Music 12
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Naturals Ivory
Designer Paper: The Paper Company Color Connect Strip, SU Botanical Gazette
Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: MS Sunflowers, Spellbinders Nestabilities Scallop Ovals, Michael $1 Embellishments, Twine Technique: Stamping, Die Cutting
Challenges:

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Bless His Holy Name!

Christian Paper Crafts Wednesday Case Artist WCA106 {6-1-11} Mom3

Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me. Bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1

If you’re looking for this week’s Christian Paper Crafts Wednesday Case Artist, you’re going to need to get up early. . .many mornings you’ll find her in her favorite chair, with a cup of coffee and her Bible as she basks in the glow of the rising sun (and the Risen Son!). When she’s not there, it’s because she’s headed off for an early shift ministering as a nurse to those incarcerated at the county jail.

Our Wednesday CASE Artist, Mom3, is talented and resourceful, loves to re-purpose and to use innovative items in her projects. She is also very fond of textures and textiles. . .which is fitting for someone who has a loom in one room of her home. Not only is Robyn, as we all know her, a member of the Christian Paper Crafts Design Team, she is co-hostess of the Fun on Friday Challenge and hostess of the Scrap Your Heritage Scrapbook Challenge.

She also loves the textures of life. Robyn is an encourager and a nurturer and a true blessing from the Lord. Her gifts of mercy and encouragement shine brightly from frequent use. She says that her favorite areas of nursing “are the beginning and ending, while caring for people.” She and her devoted husband have grown children and grandchildren, and a newly-turned teenager, who is home-schooled--more easily some days than others, or so says his mom and teacher.

Robyn says, "I have no list of accomplishments in the paper crafting world, but am blessed beyond words to be able to participate here for this season in my life. God reveals some profound thoughts to me through Bible study and searching for just the right challenge. So with His wisdom in mind, I pray over each challenge offered for our membership at Christian Paper Crafts.”
CHALLENGE SPECIFICS
You can join us in honoring our dear sister by taking a look through the gallery of Mom3 and crafting a card or project inspired by what you see there. Be sure not to copy exactly: make it your own! When uploading your card or project to the Christian Paper Crafts gallery, please use the keyword WCA106 (no spaces or commas and no commas between keywords, either!). When posting anywhere else online, please use the keyword CPC-WCA106. Have a blessed day!

SAMPLE DESCRIPTION
Our Wednesday CASE Artist is talented and resourceful, loves to re-purpose and to use innovative items in her projects. When I saw what she did recently, I knew what I was going to CASE! The base of this card is a paper bag and it's designed to be a gift card holder and mini-photo album.

It's very easy. Take a lunch size paper bag, fold in half. The bag bottom will be the inside cover. and can be converted to a gift card holder. 

DETAILS
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 7, Fancy Labels SU Nature Walk and Four Frames
Card Stock: Brocade Blue
Designer Paper: SU Botanical Gazette
Ink: Ranger Distress Faded Denim, Frayed Burlap, Tea Stain, Antique Linen, SU Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 17 #3, paper rose, Tattered Angels Shimmer Spray, lace, buttons, pearls, rolodex punch, shimmer paint, paper lunch bag, corrugated piece
Technique: Repurposing, Altered Art
Challenges: 
  • CPC-WCA106 Mom3
  • Our Daily Bread Designs Stampin' in Time SNTODBD 37