It's Monday and Happy Memorial Day, everyone! So thankful for the men and women who gave up their lives for us to enjoy the freedom we have and those that are still fighting to maintain that freedom. The Bible tells us in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." Out in the battlefield, we are faced with possibility of death or victory fighting for many different reasons. Yet to fight for a cause that is greater than one's own agenda, the kind that forsakes personal gain so that others may keep theirs is what we consider "true heroes" are made of. Such kind of love does not originate from a man's heart. It stems directly from the heart of a God whose love is Agape, selfless not selfish, perfectly demonstrated by our Father in heaven Who gave us His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, so that mankind can enjoy freedom from the bondage we would otherwise not escape. A God Who continues to give when He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and remind us of the victories we have in Christ---our Helper in our everyday existence as we continue to live the life the Father has purposed for us in this world. As we accept the gift of salvation through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit living inside of us allow us to see the heart of God and His love for those who are perishing. Our military men and women fought and are still fighting so hard to keep our country free from the forces that have no value for life and wants to enslave people by force. But I tell you that all of us are in a battle far more than what our physical eyes can see. Since the Fall of Man, each of us were enslaved by Satan and out of that slavery, we were subjected to three-fold nature of Death---spiritual, physical and eternal deaths. Jesus' finished work on the Cross broke the yoke of Satan and the Death he has inflicted us with more than 2000 years ago. Christ is our Only hope and cure. To be Born-again (John 3:3) is to die from the old nature in Adam and to come to life IN CHRIST. We may be physically living in a free country but are we truly spiritually free? People in prison have their physical freedom stripped away from them but if they have come to know Jesus Christ while there, they are more free than anyone who is out of the prison doors. True freedom comes from acknowledging that we must become free of the spiritual bondage first and everything else will follow. After all, physical existence will come to an end and only that of the spirit (unseen) will continue on for eternity. There is a way to secure that spiritual freedom while here on earth. Consider what Jesus Christ has done for us. Accept His sacrifice---His finished work on the Cross and allow Him to be the Commander of your heart. He will carry us to safety, freedom and victory both here and the life beyond. Here are God's Word that will help us appreciate the freedom we have in Christ:
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do
not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use
your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in
love." (Galatians 5:13)
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in
fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption
to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15)
"These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." (1 Corinthians 2:10-14)
Anyway, I created a card for your inspiration in this week's Challenge in my neighborhood---613 Avenue Create! It's Anything Goes with an optional theme of "Add Metal." I used a wonderful image provided by one of our sponsors, Lacy Sunshine Stamps called "Daisy Delite Sunshine Girl Pin-up" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Bic markers. The card measures approximately 5.5 inches square using Kraft CS as base. I die cut a Lacy Circle and Swirls using my Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sizzix die and Tag-Along and adhered a vellum. I layered some Prima and Recollections flowers and added some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) for sparkles. I incorporated a brad and lots of metal gems from Imaginisce. I also used a touched of Liquid Pearls (Silver Pearl) to the image. I incorporated a wonderful sentiment I got free from Create with TLC (thanks, Paulette!) that sure made this card come alive held together by two clothes pin. Lastly, I stitched all over this card. I say, pretty cute!
THE ZING IN AMAZING CARD:
THE ZING IN AMAZING CARD LAYERS:
THE ZING IN AMAZING CARD INSIDE:
THE ZING IN AMAZING CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:
This Card is entered into the following Challenges:
Pile It On---Metal
Craft Hoarders Anonymous---Glass or Metal
Paper Crafting Challenges---My Faves (I Love Imaginisce Metal Gems)
Sister Act---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Things with Wings
Ladybug Crafts---Fave Embellishment (I Love Imaginisce Metal Gems)
Creative Moments---ATG/Use Twine
Inkspirational---Bloom
Stampin' for the Weekend---For the Girls
Stampin with the Dragon---Flowers
Emerald Faeries---Flowers/Ribbon/Lace
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Digi Makeover---Flowers
Love to Scrap---ATG
Little Miss Muffet---ATG
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Whimsy Stamps---Two or More Die-cuts
Sweet Stampin'---Sparkle and Shine
Craftyhazelnut---Patterned Papers
CCC Digi Creations---Digi/ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Whoopsi Daisy---Lots of Layers
Craft Your Passion---Frame It
Crafty Cardmakers---One or More Flourishes(there's 3 flourishes under the flower)
Crazy Challenge---Bingo (Pearls (liquid pearls)/Flower/Die-Cut)
Paper Nest Dolls Norway---Sparkle/Glitter/Bling
Pink Elephant---ATG
Use Your Stuff---Bling
Come and Get It---Lots of Layers
Fairytale Stampers---Flowers
Glitter n Sparkle---Add Some Metal
Lacy Sunshine---Dies and/or Punches
OSAAT---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Corrosive Challenge---ATG
Squirrel and the Fox---Let's Hear It for the Girls
Pile It On---Metal
Craft Hoarders Anonymous---Glass or Metal
Paper Crafting Challenges---My Faves (I Love Imaginisce Metal Gems)
Sister Act---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Things with Wings
Ladybug Crafts---Fave Embellishment (I Love Imaginisce Metal Gems)
Creative Moments---ATG/Use Twine
Inkspirational---Bloom
Stampin' for the Weekend---For the Girls
Stampin with the Dragon---Flowers
Emerald Faeries---Flowers/Ribbon/Lace
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Digi Makeover---Flowers
Love to Scrap---ATG
Little Miss Muffet---ATG
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Whimsy Stamps---Two or More Die-cuts
Sweet Stampin'---Sparkle and Shine
Craftyhazelnut---Patterned Papers
CCC Digi Creations---Digi/ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Whoopsi Daisy---Lots of Layers
Craft Your Passion---Frame It
Crafty Cardmakers---One or More Flourishes(there's 3 flourishes under the flower)
Crazy Challenge---Bingo (Pearls (liquid pearls)/Flower/Die-Cut)
Paper Nest Dolls Norway---Sparkle/Glitter/Bling
Pink Elephant---ATG
Use Your Stuff---Bling
Come and Get It---Lots of Layers
Fairytale Stampers---Flowers
Glitter n Sparkle---Add Some Metal
Lacy Sunshine---Dies and/or Punches
OSAAT---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Corrosive Challenge---ATG
Squirrel and the Fox---Let's Hear It for the Girls
There you have it, everyone. I hope you were inspired to make a wonderful project to link for our Challenge at 613 Avenue Create. It's always "Anything Goes"
so you can have some fun yet we created an optional "Twist" for those
who want a bit of Challenge. Whether your artwork is simple or elaborate, we invite you to link up. There's a wonderful prize
awaiting our winner from our sponsors, Lacy Sunshine Stamps and Creative Bug Digital Snapshots . Can't wait to
see your creation soon. Hope you have a wonderful time giving honor the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom and the highest glory and praise to Jesus Christ who paid the ultimate sacrifice and our only hope for Freedom of freedoms!
Oh, Jo Ann, what a beautiful post about Memorial Day! So many confuse it with Veterans Day, but today is a day of remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice like Christ did for us - once for all! Thanks for sharing another beautiful card too! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteAma-ZING-ly dahlink! You do cute so well my friend! The brads in the purse design work out really well!
ReplyDelete~ginny
RubberMAD
Beautiful card. . love all of the details and the stitching. . your coloring and the clothespins. Most of all, I love your post! May the Lord grant many might read and believe upon the only One who can grant them peace with God for all eternity! Thanks so much for your faithfulness in sharing! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thanks so much for sharing your style with us at Craft Hoarders' Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteSuper BRIGHT, super colorful and WONDERFULLY FUN!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining us at Paper Crafters Challenges, we adore to see your creations here in the gallery, and wish you all the luck at the prize this week. I surely hope you are inspired by our upcoming challenge to join us again!!! Thanks so very much!!!
- Kimberly
Lovely card. Great image and embellishments. Thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anon :)
ReplyDeleteVery cute. Love the image and the little clothes pins. And the mini Bible lesson was awesome! Keep your light shining! Thanks for joining us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!
ReplyDeletelovely image and fantastic sentiment! Thanks for joining us this week at the Sister Act Card Challenge! Hope to see you again next week! Sheena B
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous card and I love lthe layout. : Thanks for sharing it with us over at CCC Digi Creations.
ReplyDeleteAwsome card, love your colouring and sentiment is perfect, :). Thank you for joining Crafting from the hearth, good luck.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful design with gorgeous details! That is a fabulous image!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us at the Ladybug Crafts Challenge. Jane xx
Beautiful card with lovely design and gorgeous colors. Thanks for joining us at the Come and Get It challenge this week. Barb DT
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute card. Love the purse and that clothes pin really catches my eye! thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteVery cute card!!! I like that gigantic purse--I need a purse that big when I go stamp shopping---to hold enough cash for all the stamps I want. LOL Thank you for sharing your project and joining us at the Love to Scrap Challenge Blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us at OSAAT challenge. Your card is just wonderful. Great sentiment and coloring on your image. :D
ReplyDeleteDeborah OSAAT DT
Fabulous card inside and out - love the envelope box you have made to go with it. Thanks for joining us at Paper Makeup Stamps.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute card! Thanks for joining us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab card! I love the cute image (I need a bag that big, mine is always full to bursting!!) The sentiment is great, too, I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining in at The Squirrel and the Fox.
love Mags B x
Thank you so much for playing along over at The Paper Nest Dolls - Norway "Sparkle, Glitter or Bling”!
ReplyDeleteJust loved your creation, and hope to see you back here next time!
Keeley Ainsworth x x x
Paper Nest Dolls DT- Norway
Cute card! Thanks for joining us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge #8: Metal or Glass.
ReplyDeleteVery cute card design. Love the sentiment and the little clothespins...so fun. Lovely bright colours and a great fold to show off this image. Thanks for playing along with our Frame It challenge at Craft Your Passion. I hope we see you again soon.
ReplyDeletewow your card is beautiful.
ReplyDeletebeautiful coloration.
thank you for your participation in the Fairytale Stampers
Just gorgeous! Love your colors and all the layers! Thanks for playing along with us at Come and Get It this week!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Oh WOW!!! Your certainly put the zing into this card!! Fabulous. Thank you so much for joining us at OSAAT this week and good luck. Hugs
ReplyDeleteNikki DT
Such a pretty creation. Thank you for joining us at Pile It On this time and we hope to see you again soon. Tracy DT
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely entry for my Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge for May - hope to see you again soon. x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous image, beautifully coloured. Sadly we have a 15 challenge limit at Crafty Cardmakers and you have entered a good few more than that. I do wish you luck in your other challenges though and hope to see you back again, but with fewer challenges if you want to win one of our prizes or a Top 5 spot.
ReplyDeleteLin
Crafty Cardmakers and More
Lovely, your card puts the zing in amazing. :) Thank you for playing along this week at OSAAT. I sure hope to see you back again very soon. Good Luck in the challenge!!!
ReplyDeleteTTFN,
CraftyGirl OSAAT DT
craftygirlcardsandcrafts.blogspot.com
I love that sentiment! This is a really cute card! Thanks for playing along with us this week at Use Your Stuff!
ReplyDeleteA great card! Your coloring is fantastic! Thanks for joining us at Pile it On!
ReplyDeleteTracey, DT
was für eine niedliche karte ist dir da gelungen.
ReplyDeletedanke für deine TN. bei den fairytale stampers.
glg meggi
Too cute and I love the sentiment!! Thanks for playing along with us at Love To Scrap!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Cathy DT
Fab card with AmaZING colouring! love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with is at Stamping with the Dragon.
Wonderful card! Your coloring is AMA-ZING! :-). Thanks for playing along with us at Inkspirational! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat card, so many beautiful details. Thanks for joining us at Inkspirational!
ReplyDeleteNice and colourful card! Thanks for joining us at The Crazy Challenges.
ReplyDeletelovely project. Thank you for joining us over on Stamping Dragon.
ReplyDeleteMarleen DTL xx
Great take on the Metal of Glass Challenge. Thanks for playing along with us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog. Hugs from Ginny at Polly's Paper : )
ReplyDeleteYou card is beautiful! I love your stitching and colouring! Thank you for sharing at Paper Nest Dolls Norway! Hugs Julie Dt x
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful. Thanks for joining us at Lacy Sunshine. Hugs, DT Lene
ReplyDeleteFab card love the "zingy" colors
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us over at Scribble and Scrap
Sharon (DT)
Wow! Fabulous! I love your card! Thanks for playing along on our 200th blog challenge at The Corrosive Challenge Blog! Good luck! Hugs!
ReplyDelete