Re-Creations: 2014

Monday, December 15, 2014

A child is born. . .

For unto us a child is born. . .and His name shall be called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9.6

CHACB Challenge #22:

It's time for our final challenge of 2014 at Craft Hoarders Anonymous. Many of us travel around the holidays, so let's celebrate our adventures! So dig into your hoard and find some items that are vacation or travel themed. Do you have a hoard of cruise ship ephemera? Do you have a box of transportation stamps? Do you have a stash of camping themed papers? Or piles of Disney embellishments? Show them off! Create a vacation or travel themed project for us!

We will again be selecting favorites and one talented participant will receive a fantastic prize for their work from our fabulous sponsor for this last challenge of 2014, Spellbinders Paper Arts! You have until Sunday, Dec. 28 at midnight PST to prepare, submit and link up your project to the CHAC Blog. Please visit the blog for complete rules and the prize package AND information on our wonderful sponsors!
This is also my final challenge as a member of the most wonderful design team in the world! (Thank you, Gloria for the opportunity. This past year has been so amazing, but other adventures await a little closer to home.)

Project description

When I saw the challenge and looked through my hoard, I noticed the Layers of Color postcard stamp and knew I had to use it. At this time of year, we celebrate the incarnation of our Savior, Jesus, fully God and fully man. Jesus traveled further (and most likely farther, as well) than anyone has or ever will. That is something that I'll never fully comprehend, but for which I am eternally grateful.

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:1-13

I used one of my favorite hymns that so clearly expresses in the previous post but here is another dating from the fourth century. And, if you'll click on the hymn title, it will take you to one of my favorite versions.

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Liturgy of St. James, 4th Century

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

This card uses dies from our sponsor, Spellbinders and Layers of Colors Vintage Postcard and Christmas Verses stamps. The paper is Prima Printery. Ink is Versafine Onyx and Ranger Distress in Antique Linen and Vintage Photo. The black twine is from Really Reasonable Ribbon, the tan from the hardward store and the gold thread, a thrift store find. The key is Graphic 45. I love that the key and the paper both have a crown on them as Jesus is our king, risen victorious from the grave, and even now ruling and reigning at the right hand of the Father.

If you really want to see some really AMAZING projects, follow the links below. . .

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

Monday, December 1, 2014

Glory to God. . .

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

CHACB Challenge #21: Celebrate the Season

Raise your hands if you hoard Christmas or other winter holiday items! Who has a drawer full of "retired" holiday papers and embellishments? Who goes crazy over the candy cane ribbons or the sparkly embellishments? Share a winter or seasonal holiday project with us. We would love to see your Christmas projects, but you may also enter Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year's, other holiday celebration projects, or any winter-themed projects. Celebrate the season with us!

We will again be selecting favorites and one talented participant will receive a fantastic prize for their work from our fabulous sponsor for December, Spellbinders Paper Arts! P You have until Sunday, Dec. 14 at midnight PST to prepare, submit and link up your project to the CHAC Blog. Please visit the blog for complete rules and the prize package AND information on our wonderful sponsors!

Christmas Blessings

Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor
by Frank Houghton

     Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
    All for love’s sake becamest poor;
    Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
    Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
    Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
    All for love’s sake becamest poor.

    Thou who art God beyond all praising,
    All for love’s sake becamest man;
    Stooping so low, but sinners raising
    Heavenward by thine eternal plan.
    Thou who art God beyond all praising,
    All for love’s sake becamest man.

    Thou who art love beyond all telling,
    Saviour and King, we worship thee.
    Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
    Make us what thou wouldst have us be.
    Thou who art love beyond all telling,
    Saviour and King, we worship thee.
Click here or here for a beautiful rendition of this hymn and here for its rich history and back story.

Project Description

The base of this altered frame is from the Dollar Store. I've had it forever (a hoarded treasure!). I thought it would be perfect for a Christmas wall hanging. Also from my hoard, I pulled these lovely Layers of Color Stamps which I colored using Prismacolor markers and then topped with some Stickles. I also used gold glitter glass from Stampendous to edge the center panel which I mounted atop the frame. The poinsettia and leaves are from my hoard and the brads (whose wings have been snipped) are Graphic45. The background paper came in a thank you packet after a project I made was published a couple of years ago.

If you really want to see some really AMAZING projects, follow the links below. . .

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

Monday, November 3, 2014

Give thanks in everything!

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18.

CHACB Challenge: #19

Our first November challenge at Craft Hoarders Anonymous is: For all that You do, Thank You!
The challenge is create a "thank you" gift for this challenge. It can be a Thanksgiving hostess gift or a simple thank you card. It can be a "thanks for helping me out of a jam" present, or a "thanks for being you" scrapbook layout. As long as your project says, "THANKS," enter the challenge! We want to see you de-hoard some of your stash and say thanks to someone! (Your project does not have to be Thanksgiving-themed!)

We will again be selecting favorites and one talented participant will receive a fantastic prize for their work from our fabulous sponsor for this challenge, Artistic Adventures, owned by Heather Hudson. We are also having a blog hop with the Artistic Adventures Design Team for this challenge, so please check them out!

Heather lives in Michigan with her two teenage sons, hubby, and kitties. She works full time as a RN with ventilated young adults, and enjoys volunteering with her two son's Boy Scout Troop and Tennis Team. She loves to create digital collage sheets in the Vintage, Victorian, and Shabby Chic Style.

You have until Sunday, Nov. 16 at midnight PST to prepare, submit and link up your project to the CHAC Blog. Please visit the blog for complete rules and the prize package AND information on our wonderful sponsor!

Project description

The images for this card are from Artistic Adventures and the set is "Vintage Thanksgiving Autumn Thankful Tags and Card Digital Collage sheet~printables." The scripture is WORDart by Karen, and she has some lovely, free scripture files for your use at Papercraft Memories. It is topped with a couple of brads and a piece of cheesecloth sprayed with Tattered Angels Suede Glimmer Mist. The base is embossed with a Stamping Up embossing folder from ages past.

If you really want to see some really AMAZING projects, follow the links below. . .

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

Monday, October 20, 2014

Full of His Glory. . .

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Isaiah 6:3

CHACB Challenge #18: Layer It!

One good way to use your hoard is to use lots of it all at once! So, let's see those layers! We need to see at least THREE layers on your project! (Ink, paint, embossing, and mixed media products do count as layers!) Drag out all of that hoarded paper or those embossing folders that are in the back of the drawer. Use those stamps, dies, and punches! Show us the layers!

We will again be selecting favorites and one talented participant will receive a fantastic gift certificate for their work from our fabulous sponsor for Lindy's Stamp Gang. You have until Sunday, Nov. 2 at midnight PDT to prepare, submit and link up your project to the CHAC Blog. Please visit the blog for complete rules and the prize package AND information on our wonderful sponsors!

Woe is Me. . .

"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah 6:1-7

This is such an incredible passage and one that engenders awe and yet is so encouraging. When the Lord revealed Himself to this lost sheep, I was overwhelmed and overcome; stricken by His infinite holiness and goodness and undone, as Isaiah says, over my sinful rebellion. Like a bright ray of sunshine streaming through the window revealing all of the dust, spots and stains where it the darkness it seemed cleaned only moments before, His holiness revealed my own lack thereof, and just as I was about to crumble, my eyes were opened to the beauty of my Savior. MY Savior. . .the burning coal who touched not my lips, but changed my heart: "your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for." Praise God for His mercies in Christ Jesus!

Project description

This card is layer upon layer of hoarded stuff. It starts off with some silver cardstock, upon which is placed a metal layer using Add a Little Dazzle's white metal sheet embossed with a Stampin' Up! folder. Then I used a Spellbinder's Shapeabilities die (S5-186) on ice blue card stock inked on the backside with silver pigment ink from ColorBox. These were sprinkled around the sentiment panel, which is die cut with a Spellbinders die and stamped with an Our Daily Bread Designs stamp from Earth Verses, overstamped with ODBD Sparkling Snowflakes. I added a few pearls (which have since been straightened) a snowflake brad and the final layer is a coating of Tattered Angels glimmer mist. . so depending on how you count, there's anywhere from 4 to 7 layers. But if this one leaves you cold and

If you really want to see some really AMAZING projects, follow the links below. . .

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

Monday, October 6, 2014

He changeth not. . .

We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

CHACB Challenge #17:

Our first October challenge at Craft Hoarders Anonymous is titled, "Happy Fall, Y'all! Many of us like to purchase NEW seasonal products EVERY season. What happens to last year's fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving products? We HOARD them! Drag out those hoarded fall-themed items and make a project to share with us! You can make something for fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any other fall or harvest celebration!

We will again be selecting favorites and one talented participant will receive a fantastic prize for their work from our fabulous sponsor for this first challenge, Polly's Paper Studio. Polly's is owned by our own Ginny Nemchak and features beautiful digi images.

You have until Sunday, Oct. 19 at midnight PDT to prepare, submit and link up your project to the CHAC Blog. Please visit the blog for complete rules and the prize package AND information on our wonderful sponsors!

And, welcome to our newest design team member, Wendi Robinson to our team. . you will love her style!

Project description

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
But of all Thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.

All laud we would render; O help us to see
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee,
And so let Thy glory, Almighty, impart,
Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.

Walter Smith 1876

The focal point of this card (which is a bit hard to see) are lyrics taken from the beautiful hymn, Immortal, Invisible, Got Only Wise. The stamp is from one of my favorite Sweet and Sassy sets. Seasons of Change. It is stamped on a digi image from Polly's Paper Studio, which is layered atop a gold frame and another digi from Polly's. I used some crinkled seam binding, buttons and Spellbinders and Memory Box dies. The ivory background was embossed with a folder from Stampin up to provde a bit more texture. It is finished off with three brads.

If you really want to see some really AMAZING projects, follow the links below. . .

Blessings! jme ~ SDG

Monday, September 15, 2014

Salty? A timely reminder. . .

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Matthew 5:13-16

CHACB Challenge #16:

Who Loves School and Office Supplies? This week at Craft Hoarders Anonymous, we all do!! Actually most paper crafters also love school and office supplies. We love crayons, markers, shaped paperclips, notepads, folders, and more! If you hoard school and office products, get them out! Use them up! Use at least one item that is really a school or office supply on your project.

We will again be selecting favorites and one talented participant will receive a fantastic prize for their work from our fabulous prize sponsor, Lindy's Stamp Gang!

Design Team sponsors for September (and the first September prize package are Heartfelt Creations and Crafty Secrets!

You have until Sunday, Sept. 28 at midnight PDT to prepare, submit and link up your project to the CHAC Blog. Please visit the blog for complete rules and the prize package AND information on our wonderful sponsors!

Project description

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16 English Standard Version (ESV)

What a great reminder from our Lord Jesus particularly as many young people have headed back to school. But this is an exhortation to all who are His: all who are set apart and holy. Unlike food, a Christian can never be too salty. . .the Lord tells us to not be conformed to this world (lose that saltiness) but rather to "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 12:2

PROJECT ~ This is a combination project, with a toilet paper roll re-purposed to become a stylus and screen cleaner holder. TP is a school staple isn't it? [grin] I like the contrast between the vintage image with a chalkboard to the modern method. The darling image is from Crafty Secrets' Childhood Images and Journal Notes. I thought it was perfect for the school and office supplies challenge. The paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Upcycle line (which is perfect for the TP roll!). The stamp is from Our Daily Bread Designs, Earth Verses set and is atop a Spellbinders Distressed Edges die cut panel. Really Reasonable Ribbon adds a bit of texture, and a couple of paper clips and a binder clip top it all off. The inside combines a couple more Craft Secrets images, topped with a scripture verse from ODBD's Birthday Blessings Collection.

If you really want to see some really AMAZING projects, follow the links below. . .