When Life Gives Lemons Card---Join Us for Another Fun Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hi there, Crafty Peeps!  Just a quick post today highlighting my card for our Challenge this week at 613 Avenue Create.  I had a busy weekend so, this is coming out a day late.  Our optional twist is to Create Your Own Challenge by selecting elements from 3 groups of options to include in our projects.  I selected the A2 card size, Encouragement for the occasion and to use stencils and sequins.  I've been wanting to utilize the sentiment I got from Studio G since I bought it a few years ago but could not find the opportunity.  Having an image that captures its message from one of sponsors, Scrapper's Delights, made this possible.  It says, "When life gives you lemons, make a lemonade and drink up." Lemons are bitter, sour and somewhat painful to eat.  Each of us can attest that our lives are not full of just sweet and happy moments/memories.   Many times, we go through trials that are very difficult to bear---when there's nothing we can do but feel so helpless with our situation.  Let's face it, there's just many things that are simply out of our control!  Take for example, mo matter how healthy we think we are, sickness can just hit us without warning.  When our mortality is at stake, we realize that we are powerless to save ourselves from possible death.  We may have all the money to pay for doctors and experts but the bottom line is---there's no guarantee!  The truth is, we don't have all the answers to many things in life because we are to turn and entrust our every moment to the One Who created us and knows everything about us.  Philippians 4:5-7 tells us, "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  I submit to you that without faith anchored to the One True God, it would be painful for any of us to face the trials of life. After the Fall of Man, mankind have no power in ourselves to face the arrows aimed at us by the enemy.  Many people thought that the passage in 1 Corinthians 10:13 applies to every human being.  It says, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."  While it is such an encouraging Truth in the scripture, this passage only applies to those who have fully surrendered their lives to Christ.  Having Jesus living inside of us makes a lot of difference!  We are weak in our flesh but the the Holy Spirit that lives inside every believer is mighty to overcome.  If one truly accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior, he hold God's Word in Galatians 2:20 to be a reality in his life.  It says "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  What part of "therefore, I no longer live" is not clear in this passage?  When we repented of our sins and made Jesus our Lord and Savior, we have died from our old nature in Adam and been born-again in Christ.  We are a new creation (new birth)---the past is gone, behold all things are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Right after that moment, we are never alone!  Jesus fights our battles for us and through us.  And because He overcame the world, we also are victorious in all circumstances.  In times of trials and pain, we are confident that all things are going to work together for the good (Romans 8:28).  Who does not desire to live a trial-free life?   Yet as long as we are living in this fallen world, trials are sure to come in every shape and form.  But us that have the Lord can change our attitude towards our circumstances.  We can face them head on and turn it to something positive by completely trusting and relying upon the faithfulness of Christ to see us through.  Sharing these verses with you:

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."  (Psalm 55:22)

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  (1 Peter 5:6-7)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

For this Card, I used the image called "Fruity Babies Citrus" which I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  The base is white pre-cut, A2 size.  The stencils are from Scotch and Recollections and inked with Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass and Worn Lipstick),  The stamped border is from Hot off the Press and the Washi tapes are from Tapeworks.  I added three sequins for the big finish.  Stenciling is truly out of my comfort zone but I am really impressed with the many possibilities it can add depth to a project.  Needless to say, I dusted my old stencils because I know I will use them again in the future.  Hope you like it.

 WHEN LIFE GIVES LEMONS CARD:

WHEN LIFE GIVES LEMONS CARD WITH ENVELOPE:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Addicted to Stamps---CAS
I Love ProMarkers---Ink It Up
Inky Impressions---Spring is in the Air
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Little Red Wagon---Spring is in the Air
Moo-Mania---Feelings of Spring
Penny's Paper Crafty---ATG
Wonderful Wednesdays---ATG
As You Like It---Favorite Alcohol Inks (ProMarker and Prismacolor---great blend and affordable)
Crafting with Attitude---Freestyle/Fantasy
Little Miss Muffet---ATG
ScrapbookerPHD---Focus on Sentiment
Crafty Calendar---Add a Sentiment
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
One Crazy Stamper---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG with a Twist: Spring
Sisters of Craft---ATG
A Gem of a Challenge---Spring is in the Air
Art by Miran---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG
Creative Fingers---ATG
Deep Ocean---Things with Wings
Not Just Cards---ATG
One Sweet Challenge---Spring Has Sprung
Pile It On---Fancy Frames and/or Beautiful Borders

There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create with an optional twist.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from our lovely sponsors for this week---Scrapper's Delights, Melonheadz and Di's Digi Stamps .  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week.  I hope you have a wonderful week and know that through faith in what Jesus accomplished through the Cross, we have complete victory over whatever life may throw at us!  Thank you Lord...