Fight the good fight. . .

Fight the good fight of the faith. . 1 Timothy 6:12   

ODBD Shining the Light Challenge #98

This week the Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge team is challenging you to think outside of the box…. Create any card or project that is not an A2, A6, or A7 rectangular or square card. It can be a different fold (diamond fold, joy fold, easel, accordion, step, sidestep etc.) or a different shape.

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Friday, March 2 at 8 a.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday. If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on or will they qualify for prizes.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them. As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing one to two creations to spotlight for our Shining the Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Friday, March 2 at 8 a.m. EST.  If you upload your creations to ODBD, Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC98. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

For some great "out of the box" ideas, please visit the blogs of my "sister sticks:"

Sabrina Jackson

Debi Southard

Lori Ulrich

Rosemary Dennis

Jan Keen

Kathy Roney

Project Details

My "out of the box" project is a flower pot card. . .out of the box and into the pot! I've always wanted to craft one of these, but kept chickening out. Until this week, and this week's challenge provided the motivation. It wasn't difficult. . .if you haven't made one, give it a try. 
ODBD Stamps:  Brocade Background; Not Forgotten; ODBD Mini Tags 3
Ink: Memento Black, SU Crumb Cake
Paper: SU Crumb Cake
Designer Paper: Prima Printery
Accessories: Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Petal; Spellbinders Donna Salazar Rose Creations. Sizzix Leaves die, buttons, linen thread, tulle.
Pattern/Tutorial: Flower Pot Pocket Card (ODBD Blog)
Challenges:

• Our Daily Bread Designs ~ Shining the Light Challenge 98
• Stampin Sisters in Christ ~ Sweet Fragrance (Add a flower)

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

He has made everything beautiful!

 "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11a

Just as a dress does not spontaneously generate into a wearable form, neither has anything which is or ever will be . . .there is a Creator and He has revealed Himself to us in His Word and through His Son. He also tells us, in the Psalms, that we were "knit together in our mother's womb," "we are fearfully and wonderfully made," and "He knows our frame" (and we are but dust!). In Ephesians 2:10, we are told, "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." The point of all my random ramblings is that we are not here by accident or by a collision of particles, but by design.We each have a purpose for which we were created. . .and that purpose is eternal as well as temporal. All that happens in our lives is under His sovereign control and is working out according to the counsel of His will. . .He is making all things beautiful, in His time. . .

If I ended there, it would be terribly cruel and misleading: this wonderful promise does not apply to everyone:  it only applies to those who are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. . .in whom ALL of God's promises are yes and Amen! We have all turned away, none has done good, no not one, Scripture says. We come into this world, condemned and then continue to add to our debt against the Lord. . .a debt that can only be paid through 1) an eternity in Hell or 2) perfect obedience and we've already blown that one! The Good News is that there is one who did live a perfect life doing all that was right and refraining from all that was wrong: the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only did He live that perfect life of obedience that a holy and just God requires, He was put to death and bore the Father's wrath in place of those for whom He died. . .all of those who would place their trust in Him, all of those that would hear His voice. That He is the spotless Lamb of God, that His sacrifice was acceptable, that the sin debt of His people has been paid in full, was demonstrated by His resurrection on the third day. He has been vindicated and even now sits at the right of the Father, ruling and reigning. Will you receive the gift He offers, the gift of eternal life, the gift of freedom from the guilt and power of your sin? Turn to Jesus. He is able to save to the uttermost, and He is willing!!

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This card is for my mother. . .once it is returned to me, that is! It's been away at Create Magazine for a photo shoot. . .and now I can say that one of my cards has been published: and on page 24 of Northridge Publishing's: Create Vintage Idea Book 2012 . A special thank you to Cindy Coutts, the founder of Christian Paper Crafts, who encouraged me to submit this card. . .and it's just a few pages away from one of her signature beauties.

The main image panels on the front of the card are from the Hero Arts Simply Handmade Set. The inside scripture is from Sweet and Sassy Stamps and is just one of their beautiful scripture selections.

The thimbles are also stamped images. I used multiple layers of silver embossing powder and while still warm, gently imprinted the stamp image. The button is from my grandmother's stash, the mini spool is a thrift store find that I wrapped in metallic thread and the doily is from the cake decorating section. 

Card Interior

Project Details

Stamps: Hero Arts Simply Handmade, Sweet and Sassy New Creature

Card Stock: Kraft, Basic Black, Aged Cardstock

Designer Paper: Creative Imaginations Iron Orchid

Ink: VersaFine Onyx, Ranger Distress Antique Linen, Vintage Photo

Accessories: Blue Moon Beads Fairy Tale Scissors, wooden spool, doily, DMC gold thread, embossing powder, vintage button, twine,EL Abstract Flower border Punch, ribbon

Technique: Stamping, Embossed stamping, distressing

Challenges:

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

Abound in the work of the Lord. .

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

This scripture seemed fitting for the three young boys who are hard at work, or rather two are hard at work and one is watching from a comfortable spot. 1 Corinthians 15 is a marvelously encouraging chapter. . .reminding us of the eternal hope that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. . .who is victorious over all of our enemies including the last enemy: death!  And it contains a reminder of the sweet promises of the Lord of the resurrection of our physical bodies. . .what is sown is perishable, but what is raised is incorruptible!! If you have not read this chapter (recently or at all) then consider it your reading assignment! You won't be disappointed: 1 Corinthians 15

 ODBD Shining the Light Challenge #97

This week the Our Daily Bread Designs' Challenge Team would like to see you use or craft a scene on your card.  The scene does not have to be a stamp, it could also be on your designer paper (the option I selected for this clean and simple card.

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Friday, February 24 at 8 a.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday. If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on or will they qualify for prizes.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them. As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing one to two creations to spotlight for our Shining the Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Friday, Feb. 24 at 8 a.m. EST.  If you upload your creations to ODBD, Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC97. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

For some really beautiful work, please take a bit of time to visit  my fellow challenge team members blogs. . .and be sure to make a scene when you visit!

Sabrina Jackson

Debi Southard

Lori Ulrich

Chris Olsen

Rosemary Dennis

Jan Keen

Kathy Roney

Project Details

ODBD Stamps: Mini Tags 3 and Serve the Lord

Ink: Versa Mark, Bashful Blue

Cardstock: SU Whisper White, Bazill, Metallic Silver

Designer Paper: Anna Griffin

Accessories: Spellbinders Ribbon Tags Trio, Labels 18 dies, EK Success lattice punch, pearl brads, SU pearls and framed tulip embossing folder, Stampendous Pearl Sapphire Embossing Powder, ribbon.
Challenges: 

• Our Daily Bread Designs ~ Shining the Light Challenge #97 Make a Scene

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

Grander Still: God's Love

If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me. Psalm 139:9-10

What a rich, comforting reminder we have from the psalmist, that no matter where we go, if we are the Lord's, He is with us. . . So then, what's up with a dreary, somewhat dark, neutrals card when all about us is vibrant, red, white, pink and lacy; and when the theme for the Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge #96 is HEART?

This verse prompted me to think of how the Lord is with His children, guiding not only from a geographical perspective (the far side of the sea), but more importantly, spiritually when we are immersed in the dark times with the sea of life raging about.

God's love isn't just a sunny day love, it is an eternal love and as the psalmist reminds us, there is nowhere that we can go that we are out of sight, out of the tender guiding care of the Lord. Psalm 23 reminds us that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us. But these promises are only for His children, those who are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are, however, available to all who will call upon the His name. . Jesus says, " Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30

In researching the hymn used for the background of this card (a photo copy of a page from a vintage hymnal), I came across another hymn, entitled, "The Love of God," and thought it worth sharing a little about the hymn and the third verse, in particular:

 Could we with ink the ocean fill,
  And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
  And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
  Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
  Though stretched from sky to sky.

Frederick M. Lehman wrote this song in 1917 in Pasadena, California, and it was published in Songs That Are Different, Volume 2, 1919. The lyrics are based on the Jewish poem Haddamut, written in Aramaic in 1050 by Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai, a cantor in Worms, Germany; they have been translated into at least 18 languages.

Lehman in his book,  “History of the Song, The Love of God,” 1948, said: "One day, during short intervals of inattention to our work, we picked up a scrap of paper and, seated upon an empty lemon box pushed against the wall, with a stub pencil, added the (first) two stanzas and chorus of the song…Since the lines (3rd stanza from the Jewish poem) had been found penciled on the wall of a patient’s room in an insane asylum after he had been carried to his grave, the general opinion was that this inmate had written the epic in moments of sanity." 

The love of God is far grander than the ocean's story and far grander than anything which this world, our flesh and the devil could fabricate to divert our affections! It breaks through the very darkness of our souls with the marvelous light and love of the Lord Jesus Christ!

ODBD Shining the Light Challenge #96

This week the Our Daily Bread Designs' Challenge Team would like to see your creations using three items, materials, or techniques beginning with three different letters in the word “HEART”. For my sample, I've used:

ODBD Stamps Used: The Mighty Sea  

H = Hymn * E=Embossing (Heat and Dry) *  A = Antique Artifact (button) * R= Ripping *  T=Twine 

Don't forget to write out the three letters you've used and the items or techniques used for each letter.

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily BreadDesigns store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Friday, February 3rd at 8 a.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday. If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on or will they qualify for prizes.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them. As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing one to two creations to spotlight for our Shining the Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Friday, Feb. 17 at 8 a.m. EST.  If you upload your creations to ODBD, Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC96. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

For some really beautiful work, please take a bit of time to visit  my fellow challenge team members blogs. . .I know you’ll ♥ {HEART} what you see!

Sabrina Jackson

Debi Southard

Lori Ulrich

Chris Olsen

Rosemary Dennis

Jan Keen

Kathy Roney

Project Details

ODBD Stamps: Mighty Sea

Ink: VersaFine Onxy; Ranger Distress Antique Linen, Tea Stain, Frayed Burlap

Cardstock: SU Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Designer Paper: Homemade: photo copy of hymn from an old hymn book (I don't yet have then new "It is Well" ODBD Stamp!

Accessories: Twine, button (antique artifact :D ); Spellbinders Nestabilities, Zva Creative Gems, Canvas Arts Burlap ATC, Stampin Up Lattice Embossing Folder, Sizzix Tim Holz Distressed Embossing Folder.
Challenges:

• Our Daily Bread Designs ~ Shining the Light Challenge #96 HEART
• Stampin Sisters in Christ ~ Card or Project that Shows Love
• Sugar Creek Hollow ~ Masculine Valentine

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

Anchor for the Soul

The hope we have is an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast. Hebrews 6:19

Of this passage, esteemed Bible commentator Matthew Henry says, "We are in this world as a ship at sea, liable to be tossed up and down, and in danger of being cast away. Our souls are the vessels. The comforts, expectations, graces, and happiness of our souls are the precious cargo with which these vessels are loaded. Heaven is the harbor to which we sail. The temptations, persecutions, and afflictions that we encounter, are the winds and waves that threaten our shipwreck.


We have need of an anchor to keep us sure and steady, or we are in continual danger.

Gospel hope is our anchor; as in our day of battle it is our helmet, so in our stormy passage through this world it is our anchor.

It is sure and steadfast, or else it could not keep us so. First, It is sure in its own nature; for it is the special work of God in the soul. It is a good hope through grace; it is not a flattering hope made out of the spider’s web, but it is a true work of God, it is a strong and substantial thing. Secondly, It is steadfast as to its object; it is an anchor that has taken good hold, it enters that which is within the veil; it is an anchor that is cast upon the rock, the Rock of ages. It does not seek to fasten in the sands, but enters within the veil, and fixes there upon Christ; he is the object, he is the anchor-hold of the believer’s hope. As an unseen glory within the veil is what the believer is hoping for, so an unseen Jesus within the veil is the foundation of his hope; the free grace of God, the merits and mediation of Christ, and the powerful influences of his Spirit, are the grounds of his hope, and so it is a steadfast hope. Jesus Christ is the object and ground of the believer’s hope, and so it is a steadfast hope. "

To quote from one of my favorite hymns, My Hope Is Built, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.righteousness!" What about your hope? If it is not in Christ, then, as the hymn and God's Word say, " all other ground is sinking sand." He will turn away none: if you have not, call upon Him today!

Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge #95

So what is this week’s Shining the Light Challenge? Since it is February and we are acknowledging national heroes (President’s Day) or people who are special to us (Valentine’s Day) in the U.S. , the challenge team is challenging you to acknowledge and case a crafter you admire or a project you admire, changing just two elements to make it our own.

Please let us know who you cased and leave a link to their creation as well as tell us what you changed.

To make the challenge even more fun, we will be giving out a prize, a $15 gift certificate to be used toward stamps at the Our Daily Bread Designs store!! Entries for the prize must be submitted by Friday, February 3rd at 8 a.m. EST. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Saturday. If you are not using ODBD stamps, please do not enter more than once. Additional entries without using ODBD stamps will not be commented on or will they qualify for prizes.

While it is not required to use Our Daily Bread Designs images and sentiments on your creations, we would love to see them if you have them. As a way of recognizing those who do use Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we will again be choosing one to two creations to spotlight for our Shining the Light Award. In order to qualify for this award, however, you must use Our Daily Bread stamps and have your submission added to Mr. Linky by Friday, Feb. 10 at 8 a.m. EST.  If you upload your creations to ODBD, Splitcoast Stampers or any other online gallery, please use the keyword ODBDSLC95. When creating your posts on blogs please include a link to the challenge.

For some really beautiful work, please take a bit of time to visit  my fellow challenge team members blogs. . .I know you’ll love what you see!

Debi Southard

Lori Ulrich

Chris Olsen

Rosemary Dennis

Jan Keen

Kathy Roney

Project Details

Angie's Card

Although there are so many lovely, gifted designers across papercrafting land, my hero is Angella Crockett. Her beautiful work, which always included a scripture, helped to transform not only my card making, but my purpose. I am so thankful for her faithfulness in proclaiming God's precious and life imparting Word (through the power of His Spirit!). It is an honor and privilege to CASE Angie. . .though I will have to say, I almost retreated after realizing there would be some intricate paper piercing involved! 

Angie's CASED Card  (pictured at right)

Changed: Shape of card, twine, dies, and colors

ODBD Stamps Used: Anchor and The Mighty Sea

Ink: Stampin Up!  Riding Hood Red, Creamy Caramel and Early Espresso;  Memento Black

Designer Paper: SU Western Sky

Cardstock: Navy, White, Brown

Accessories: Spellbinders Labels 18, SU Ticket Corner punch, brads, piercing tool, vintage button, SU bakers twine.
Challenges: 

• Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge 95
• Sugar Creek Hollow ~ Vacation at the Beach

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

Light of the World. . .ODBDFA03

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

 It’s time once again for Our Daily Bread Design Forum’s February Featured Artist Challenge, also known to us as the CASE challenge! What is the CASE Challenge? The first Tuesday of every month, we pick a different member to honor by crafting cards, scrapbook items, altered art and such, influenced by items in her gallery. We share a bit about our featured artist, provide a sample. . .and then open it up to you to join in by "Copying And Sharing Everything" CASE! Because we're motivated and influenced by what we see in the gallery and not just copying something, there's always something for everyone!

Our featured artist for February loves the color purple, lighthouses, birds, serving her Lord, and serving others by providing lovely scripture and Christian themed stamps and products. If you’ve guessed that Kelley Holland, founder of Our Daily Bread Designs, is our February Featured Artist, you’ve guessed correctly! Kelley, lives in Ohio with her husband, Rick, daughter Summer, son Ricky and grand-dog, Murphy, a Golden Retriever.

Kelley is energetic, determined and perseveres. She is always looking for the silver lining and the Lord’s smiling face behind every dark cloud and frowning Providence.

Four years ago, those dark clouds gathered as Kelley sought a promotion while working as a school secretary. All that stood between Kelley and the promotion was a typing test, and Kelley knew that her typing skills were, well. . .not her strong suit. But the Lord was guiding and directing her steps and three months later, after being passed over for the promotion, she started Our Daily Bread Designs and the rest is, as they say, history.

Kelley says “God is so good, leading where I needed to go! I started ODBD after many years of stamping, scrapbooking and crafting I have been frustrated by the lack of religious and spiritual choices in the crafting world.”

Kelley has opened up ministry opportunities for Christian paper-crafters around the world, enabling the light of the Lord to shine as His Word goes forth. This month we thank the Lord for His gift of Kelley.

ODBD Forum Challenge Detail ~ ODBDFA03

Please join with us in honoring Kelley with a card or project of your choice inspired by her favorite colors (just check out the forum theme, the website or the blog), lighthouses, birds, Scripture and anything else that reminds you of Kelley. She has a gallery at ODBD, but many of the projects are those that she has graciously loaded up for others, so you’ll need to sort through carefully to find one of her beautiful originals. If you do find something, be sure not to copy exactly: make it your own!

If you’re using Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps, please upload to the ODBD Gallery using the link above. If you aren't yet registered, sign up only takes a couple of minutes. If you do not use ODBD stamps, then post to your blog or another publicly viewable online gallery. When uploading your card or project to the ODBD gallery, or posting anywhere else online (your blog or another public gallery) please use the keyword ODBDFA03 (no spaces or commas).

 And don't forget there are challenges every Saturday, every other Thursday plus a monthly scrapbook challenge on the ODBD blog!

Project Details

I found a card of Kelley’s on the ODBD blog from way back in 2008 and CASED it, changing the colors, the designer paper and the embellishments. In addition to the signature purple, included is a bit of black matting to illustrate the darkness that the Lord often brings before breaking through with His marvelous light, as Kelley experienced four years ago. The set used, Light of the World, is the first stamp set released by Our Daily Bread Designs back in March of 2008.

Kelley’s CASED Card: Light of the World

ODBD Stamps Used: Light of the World

Ink: Memento Black, SU River Rock, Encore Purple Metallic

Designer Paper: SU To the Nines

Card Stock: Bazzil, SU Basic Black and River Rock

Accessories: Prima flourishes, ribbon, Spellbinders Scallop Rectangles, Bic and Prismacolor markers, Tim Holtz Sizzix distressed flourishes embossing folder

Blessings! jme ~ SDG