Fun/Humor Series: Love of Chocolate Card---There Still Time to Join our February Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hi there, everyone! We have a brand new Challenge happening this entire month at 613 Avenue Create!  As always, it's Anything Goes with optional theme of  "Hearts and/or Soles."  I made a Hearts Day inspired card here with some humor. 

 

Anyway, I would like to apologize for this delayed post which was delayed even more with a week of first ever Winter Storm in Texas.  You may have heard from the news by now how we had to endure rolling, lengthy or several days without electricity followed by water shortage.  Right now, we still need to boil our water for consumption.  Though many enjoyed snow which is considered rare in the state of Texas,  it was the way below freezing temperatures that made the roads unsafe and impacted the families braving the cold  in their homes with no power to run their heaters.  The icy road conditions disrupted the flow of food and grocery items from coming to the store while the consumers couldn't get to the store to buy supplies for their families.  And when they did, they had to wait for hours and are left with empty shelves.  But in such dire situations, we also heard of the many acts of kindness that make Texans unique. And hey, there's no looting and everyone patiently falls in line.   It was only yesterday when we saw the sun that melted the snow on the ground and today, we'll start to return to the warmer weather we're more used to.  Yet throughout the ordeal, I'm truly grateful to the Lord for providing us with everything we need.  There were things we wished we had like bread, bottled water, camping grill etc, but hey, we've never skipped a meal.  Even when electricity was gone for 6 hours or longer, with a little bit of planning, we were able to keep the refrigerator cold.  We had curtains blocking the chill from the windows and candles which helped light, warm and kept the house smelling great while waiting for the electricity to turn back on.  With our blankets, we huddled/cuddled with each other while we watched news/movies over our phone/tablet.  Throughout the week, in spite of being confined in our home with daily challenges, I can honestly say that we never had a desperate nor boring moment.  We felt/sense the goodness of God in the big and littlest things we encountered and He truly saw us through this first ever lengthy and coldest winter storm In Texas.  Glory to His Name!

But this is not the case all the time.  Sometimes, we truly have to live by faith by patiently waiting till we see the manifestation of God's promises.  My biggest challenge is to keep the faith by battling with myself and against what my natural eyes can see.  Unlike the Apostle Thomas, I don't need to see the wounds of Jesus in order to believe.  God's Word spoke to me the day I allowed Him to work into my heart till that faithful day when I gave my heart to Jesus and made Him my Lord and Savior by faith in His finished work at the Cross. He paid for me by His blood that freed me from the shackles of the enemy.  Though I have not seen Him with my natural eyes, my spiritual eyes attest to the glory and majesty of His presence while my soul continue to experience His matchless love.  Since I first came to the knowledge of Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:3) to this time, there's always a battle that rages inside of me---to follow the path of the Lord or to pursue worldly pleasures.  It's a war between eternity with God or temporary things of this world.  I am grateful to say that through the Spirit of the Lord working and residing within me, I made my choice to trust the Lord Jesus, my Savior and Redeemer no matter what. Apostle Paul told us in Philippians 4:11-13, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  For people who love God, there's always something to be grateful about even in the worst of situations.  But for the discontent and complainers, there's always something negative to criticize about even when things are doing great."  I would like to share these verses to encourage you to keep trusting the Lord...

 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:4-9)

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions called "Love Chocolate Set" which I colored using my The Creative Expert and Prismacolor markers.  The sentiment is from the same set.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from my scraps, and I used a clear stamp from Stampendous  with a red Mememto ink to produce the heart frame.  I added some glitters (Stickes-Crystal) to outline the heart and stitched all over this project.

 

LOVE OF CHOCOLATE CARD

 

LOVE OF CHOCOLATE CARD LAYERS

LOVE OF CHOCOLATE CARD  INSIDE

 

LOVE OF CHOCOLATE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

 

Gem of a Challenge---ATG 

Allsorts---ATG/Number 

Crafter's Castle---ATG

Taylormade---ATG/Love Potion

Colour Crazy---ATG 

Crafty Catz---ATG/In the Garden 

Creative Fingers---ATG

Pattie's Creations---Love, Love, Love 

Simply Create Too---Use Hearts

As You Like It---Digi, Rubber or Clear Stamps and Why?  I love Clear stamps but I can use rubber or

                           digi if I love the image like the rubber stamp I used in this card.

Craft Rocket---Love

Moving Along with the Times---Valentine/Love

A Bit More Time---ATG

A Perfect Time---ATG 

Ching Chou Kuik---All You Need is Love 

Classic Design---ATG

Craft Galore Encore---ATG 

Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper 

Createful Heart---ATG 

Creative Craft---Happy Valentine/Love

Creative Sketchy---Girls Only 

Digi Doodle Studios---Include a Sentiment

DL Art---ATG

Dream Factory---Chocolat

LeAnn's World---ATG

Lets Craft and Create---ATG/Red, Pink and/or White 

Love to Craft---ATG 

Love to Scrap---Love Is

Mix It Up---ATG/Fancy Fold

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Pearly Sparkles---ATG 

QKR---ATG

Scribbles Designs---Heartfelt

Creative Crafters---ATG

World Wide Open DT---ATG

 

 

This is it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge with optional theme, "Hearts and/or Soles."  If you want to be challenged more, take on our Optional Twist.  But there's really no reason for you to miss it. Can't wait to see what you create. In every situation, put your trust in God alone.  In Him you'll find love, peace and joy no matter what.

Ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Find out how on the sidebar...