Scripture Series: A Virtuous Woman Card---Join us for an Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hey there!  What a beautiful Wednesday morning again.  Time is way too fast nowadays and I must say, I have a hard time keeping up. While at a Hobby store a few days ago, I was drawn to buying some tools that could have started another hobby. As I was trying to decide whether to buy the new tools, I was confronted with the reality that I really don't have the time to add more hobbies in my list.  There's this side of me that is tirelessly wanting to create more but I know that my body as well as my time will not be able to support it.  I would occasionally hear people saying "I am bored!" and honestly, if I can only take their time and add it on mine, I would gladly do so.  But no, we are all given the same amount of time each day, no more, no less. TIME is such an important aspect of our lives that we constantly check it from the moment we wake up till we go to sleep.  For how long is "TIME" going to dictate my life?  Pretty much while I am still living here on earth.  Oh well!  But then, God told us about ETERNAL LIFE.  In the scriptures, it is clear that our life here on earth is temporal and as we live this physical body, our soul and spirit continues the journey to the realm where time is non-existent.  The decisions we made here on earth would impact that which is eternal.  There are 2 places to go----Eternal Life with God or Eternal Separation from Him.  There are some verses that every living soul here on earth should ponder on for apart from Jesus, there is no other way to be saved...

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) 

"Jesus said to her (Martha), I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  (John 11:25-26)

"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

These verses are promises that every Born-Again believer can rely on.  We serve a God who is Alpha and Omega (the Beginning and the End).  Like a comic book, we live our lives frame by frame yet God has already seen the entire book.  We can be confident that  He knows everything and He has our best interest no matter what.  He has shown His utmost love for me by paying the price of my freedom---death on the Cross!  I now have complete victory from the bondage of the enemy and the sin nature he casted upon me...I am free, I am free!  The good news is that Jesus did the same thing  to every human being that existed, existing and will ever exist in this planet.  Yet, do you believe in what He's done for you?  That is the question that needs to be answered while we are still physically alive.

Anyway, I would like to share with you today my inspiration card for this week's Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Mother's Day is here in a few days and the free Word Art this week is about a Godly and virtuous woman.  Proverbs 31 explains the wonderful qualities we possess as daughters of the Almighty God.  On our own abilities, we would fail to come close to what a virtuous woman's description is.  But through the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us, we are a work in progress.  Everyday, we are changed unto the image of our Lord Jesus Christ till we come face to face with Him.  What a truly glorious day it will be.  You can download our free Word Art at the WAW Blog.  For my main image, I used a line-art image that I got from Cutie Pie Wonderland (JadeDragonne) and I colored with my Promarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  I used a Kraft 5.5-inch base card and the DP's are from DCWV.  I used an MS punch to shape the sides and Nestabilities for the Hexagon.  I layered several Prima flowers and added white brads and glitters (Stickles-Diamond) to their centers.  I changed the color of the Word Art using Paint to coordinate with the colors in my card, adhered several pearl gems from I-Rock and finally, stitched all over this card.  I am not used to using dark colors in my projects but love how this came out. 

A VIRTUOUS WOMAN CARD:

A VIRTUOUS WOMAN CARD LAYERS:

A VIRTUOUS WOMAN CARD INSIDE:

 

A VIRTUOUS WOMAN CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Pile It On---For a Mother
Everybody-Art---Pearls
LEJ Designs---Summer is Coming
TTCRD---Anything Goes
Inky Impressions---Mother's Day/For A Lady
Brown Sugar---Mother's Day
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards---Mother's Day/For Mum
Crafting By Designs---Remembering Our Childhood
Crafty Calendar---Blooms and Blossoms
Crafter's Cafe---Mom and/or For a Woman
Creative Card Crew---Bling
One Stop Craft---Flower Power
Our Creative Corner---Anything Goes
Sister Act---Anything Goes
My Sheri Crafts---Mother's Day
Corrosive Challenge---Mother's Day
Southern Girlz---You Can Say That Again
Fussy and Fancy---Anything Goes
Catch the Bug---Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments---Use a Sentiment
Cut It Up---Mother's Day
All Sorts---Add Some Sparkle
Divas by Design---Anything Goes
Ecclectic Ellapu---Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly---Anything Goes
One Crazy Stamper---Flowers
ABC Challenge---M for Make It Sparkle
V's Sweet Ideas---Mother's Day
Deep Ocean---Let's Sparkle
Loves Rubberstamps---Anything Goes

I hope you come and join us at WAW Challenge.  There are many prizes to be won from 2 wonderful sponsors---Fred She Said and My Creative Classroom (free class).  You can create a project and link it using this week's free Word Art (not mandatory) or link up to 5 projects (family friendly, uplifting, inspiring) to our Challenge.  I can't wait to see what you come up with.  Have a blessed day and always remember that Jesus loves and cares for you a lot!

You Rock Clean and Simple Card---I'm May, 2013's GDT at The Outlawz!

Hi there, friends!  It's been a glorious and wonderful day and thanking the Lord for the great weather.  If you lived in Texas, you know how the weather changes so drastically in a span of hours.  I woke up this morning and found myself praising God for His faithfulness.  No matter what kind of weather I wake up with, one thing is for sure as Lamentations 3:22-24 stated: 

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

It is great to know that no matter what reports we hear on things going on around us---good, bad and worst---God's faithfulness is our firm ground.  Even in our unfaithfulness, He is constantly loving us and guiding us to the right path like a shepherd who tends to His sheep.  His favor is not based on our own merits (or the lack thereof) for there is nothing in ourselves we can offer Him.  His love to us is based on the one and only sacrifice that Jesus accomplished on the Cross and because Jesus prevailed unto death, all of us who believe in Him and has made Him our Lord and Savior, possessed His victory!  That alone, my friends, is the source of our victory---nothing of our own accomplishments or good deeds, nothing at all!  So, I rejoice and glory at what Jesus Christ did for me.  I boast of His victory in my life which is sealed now and forevermore.  

Today, I want to share with you my very first GDT creation and it's for The Outlawz Challenges.  I am so honored to be invited to create among a wonderful team of Crafters.  Every Monday this whole month of May, you will see my creations in their Greeting Cards Challenges.  Anyway, this featured card was for a very special friend in the Lord.  It's not as elaborate as most of my other cards but it's one that are pretty straight forward and simple.  I used an A2 cream card base and a couple of DCWV DP's.  I highlighted a wonderful digi image from our sponsor, Bugaboo Digi Stamps called "Girlz-Jeans" which I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  I added a crochet flower that I made (Check My Etsy Store if you want to purchase some) and added a brad.  The sentiment is from Stampendous and to finish it all up, I stitched all over this card. 

 YOU ROCK CLEAN AND SIMPLE CARD:

  YOU ROCK CLEAN AND SIMPLE CARD LAYERS:

  YOU ROCK CLEAN AND SIMPLE CARD INSIDE:

 YOU ROCK CLEAN AND SIMPLE CARD WITH ENVELOPE:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

LEJ Designs---Summer is Coming
TTCRD---Anything Goes
Inky Impressions---Mother's Day/For A Lady
Crafty Calendar---Blooms and Blossoms
Creative Card Crew---Bling
One Stop Craft---Flower Power
Our Creative Corner---Anything Goes
Sister Act---Anything Goes
Fussy and Fancy---Anything Goes
Catch the Bug---Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments---Use a Sentiment
By The Cute and Girly---Flowers
Ecclectic Ellapu---Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly---Anything Goes
One Crazy Stamper---Flowers
Card Mania---Flower Power
Loves Rubberstamps---Anything Goes

Okay friends, this is all for this post.  If you haven't joined the fun at The Outlawz Challenges, you are missing on a lot of fun.  All you have to do is to sign-up (create an account) for free and experience the fun.  Have an awesome day in the Lord and I'll see you back tomorrow to highlight my card for Word Art Wednesday.  Hugs!

Scripture Series: Children are a Heritage Doily Card---Join Us for an Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

It's a wonderful Wednesday morning and although the sun is not up (yet), I know it's going to be a beautiful day.  The beauty of every morning does not depend on the circumstance, climate, blessings or any other things that pleases the eyes or the soul.  The beauty I see is based on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.  I trust in His Word therefore, no matter what my circumstance is, I apply what the Gospel had to say to every situation that comes my way and put my faith in the One who is always True to His Word.  Now, I will be in denial if I say that I am not affected by negative reports but in a brief moment of hopelessness upon receiving bad news, God's Word arise from the very core of my heart and assures me that the Lord is with me---no matter what, no matter where!  He is living inside of me so whether I'm asleep or wide awake, I have my Father taking care of me.  The Bible declares in Philippians 4:6-8, "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."

But then, there's a wonderful boy that truly makes my every morning excellent.  I call him "My Little Sunshine" for he truly is such a beam of sunlight that warms my heart.  No other than my 7-year old son, Jared!  He is one, great blessing from the Lord.  He wakes me up with lots of hugs and kisses and tells me, "Mommy, wake up!  It's a sunny day!"  Oh my, I just love him to pieces!  That is why today's free scripture Word Art from Word Art Wednesday (WAW) is so special to me.  It's taken from Psalm 127:3 which tells us that "Children are inheritance from the Lord."  The Lord talks about their trusting spirits and tells us that we should be like children with child-like faith.  This does not mean that we be childish in our ways but that we learn from the ways our child trust and depend on us for every little thing.  In a child's mind, Mom and Dad takes care, loves and protects them.  They are not asking for a load of proof, they just simply trust!  No wonder God told us this verse in Luke 18:17:  "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”And as our children continues to grow, we are to guide them to the path of righteousness in Christ Jesus.  Proverbs 22:6 is a command from God for us parents:  "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."  I am honored to be the Mommy of my little boy and I thank the Lord for allowing me to experience the great and wonderful feeling of being a Mom. I wouldn't trade it for the world."

So, here's my inspiration card for this week's WAW Challenge.  We have 2 sponsors this week and one of them is Robyn's Fetish who graciously allowed me to highlight one of their wonderful images.  It is called "Birdie Nest" and I colored it with my Promarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers and  added some glitters (Stickles---Silver and Diamond) to make the image pop.  I decided to include a google eyes, lace and white gems to this creation.  The base card is a red CS that I cut at 5.5-inches with my Cricut Wildcard cartridge. I stamped a "love" border stamp several times to the DP from K & Company and layered it with another DP from Recollections.  To finish it off, I stitched all over this card.  Hope you hop over the WAW Blog and link your projects (upto 5 creations per participant on an Anything Goes with uplifting sentiment Challenge).  How about using our free Word Art in your entries?  That would be cool but not a requirement.  Hope you enjoy my card and leave me some comments.

 CHILDREN ARE A HERITAGE DOILY CARD:

  CHILDREN ARE A HERITAGE DOILY CARD LAYERS:

 

  CHILDREN ARE A HERITAGE DOILY CARD INSIDE:

 CHILDREN ARE A HERITAGE DOILY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Make It Monday---Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody---Anything Goes
Pin and Tack---Anything Goes
Scrappy Frogs---Think Spring
TTCRD---Anything Goes
Sister Act---Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion---Well Read
Crafty Sentiments Designs---Letter B (Bird, Bling, Branch, Beak, Bible Verse)
Party Time Tuesday---Anything Goes
Stamps & Fun---Bingo (Lace/Free/Flowers)
LEJ Designs---Anything Goes
Bearly-Mine---Anything Goes
Celebrate the Occasion---Anything Goes (Celebrating Motherhood)
Stamp n Doodle---Mother's Day or For a Female
Perfect Sentiments---Make it Feminine with Sentiment in front
Eclectic Ellapu---Anything Goes
Natalie and Amy---Things with Wings
Simon Says Stamp---Happy Mail
Rubber Buggy---Make It with Lace
ODBD---Needle It!

There you have it, folks!  If you have children that you care for, give them lots of hugs and tell them how much you love them.  But more important than that, tell them how much the LORD JESUS loves them.  Jesus is the ultimate example of what "LOVE" truly means.  It's far from feelings but is selfless, pure and lasting.  The kind of love that looks from within rather than the exterior.  Perfect and sacrificial.  As believers of Jesus Christ, we are all a work in progress till that day where we are completely conformed to the image and likeness of our Savior, Jesus Christ!  Oh, what a wonderful day it will be. 

Treat Yourself-Wonderful Day Card---Join Us for an Anything Goes Challenge at MayzyArt!

Hi guys!  This is the promised 2nd post this Sunday.  My family and I had a wonderful time in fellowship with the Body of Christ at our Church. I am so blessed at the revelation of God as shared by our Pastor today.   It's an eye opener to learn that all of us pass through these following stages of our lives and cannot escape them...That is BIRTH, DEATH, RESURRECTION, REWARDS (for believers...JUDGMENT for those that didn't believe) and ETERNITY.  All of us are born into this world carrying the sin nature that was deposited in Adam by the enemy (Satan) at the Fall of man, Unless that is extinguished by a new birth (Born-Again experience as mentioned in John 3:3) by faith in Jesus Christ in our time here on earth, we face Death with a horrifying truth---  the reality of facing our Creator without taking advantage of the saving grace found in Christ!  It does not matter whether we are a good person, how many people we helped, how rich or poor, famous or powerful we are because the issue is not base on what we accomplished or not accomplished here on earth...People are going to miss eternal life in Christ not by what they've done but by WHO THEY ARE!  Let me explain that---When something is broken at home like a pipe leakage, most of the time, we'll find something to temporarily patch the leak and though it may work for a while, it does not last because we have to literally remove the part that is broken, get into the core of the issue and replace the broken part.  The reason why any good works that we do, outside of faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, does not merit us in the sight of God is that it only covers what is broken in our lives but it does not solve the problem which is in our core---our spirits which lost it's relationship with our Creator since the Fall of Man.  The scripture states in Isaiah 64:6, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."  God knowing that man was bound hopelessly without any means of escape from eternal damnation, sent His One and Only Son, JESUS CHRIST, to solve the core of the problem---that is our SPIRITUAL SEPARATION from God.  The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Also in Romans 3:25, "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood--to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished."  Notice in these couple of verses, no human effort was mentioned for there is no way we can get ourselves out of our situation except that we allow Jesus through faith (trust, believing) in what He has done (death, burial and resurrection) to pay the price to release us from the hands of the enemy.  If we reject the Only Way God has provided for us, we pay for our own sins by the law.  This brings us to either Rewards for Believer or sure judgment for those that rejected Christ.  For them that believe, we shall rule and reign with Christ---ETERNALLY!  For those that hardened their hearts and took the punishment of their sins on their own---ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD in the Lake of Fire---FOREVER!  This may sound cruel to some of you but outside of the sacrifice and selfless LOVE that God demonstrated to us through His Son that He made available for us---God has given  HIS VERY BEST!  And for anyone to reject that FREE GIFT of SALVATION is outright rebellion and cruelty and insult to our Maker.  This statement stayed with me when quoted by my Bible teacher in class, "People will go to hell not because of what they've done but for who they are."  This means that just by being born naturally (In Adam), we are already destined to eternal damnation till we decide (free-will) to allow Jesus to take our place as ransom for our sins by faith in what He has already accomplished. Romans 1:17 states, "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed--a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Hence, the first problem to deal with is our CORE (Spiritual separation from God brought by the Fall) and Jesus addressed that in John 14:6:  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  We are just a breath away from our Eternal future, with whom do you want to spend it with and which place is it going to be?  Jesus is knocking at the door of your hearts right now?  It is best to let Him in...

Anyway, we have a New Challenge at MayzyArt this week.  It's Anything Goes with an optional theme---"Rainbow."  It was not easy for me to make a card with this theme as I am not  big fan or placing all the colors of the rainbow at least in one card...LOL  So, I colored this MayzyArt image called "Shapaholic" with all the colors of the rainbow (I actually had to call my 7-year old son to find out what the colors are and he was brilliant enough to tell me in order...LOL) using my Promarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  I laid all my panels to a Kraft 5.5-inch CS for my base card.  The DP's are from Recollections and K & Company.  I cut a couple of circles with my MS Circle Cutter, added some ribbon (from Ribbon Boutique) and layered some Prima flowers placing a brad in the center to hold it.  I stamped some flourishes from Inkadinkado to eliminate a lot of the blank space and incorporated a wonderful sentiment I got free from MMDesigns.  For the final touch, I got some of my Hotfix gems attached and stitched all over this card.  By the way, that fancy shape/border was just cut-out from one of my DP's.  I love it!  I love to hear your feedbacks about this creation.

 TREAT YOURSELF-WONDERFUL DAY CARD:

  TREAT YOURSELF-WONDERFUL DAY CARD LAYERS:

  TREAT YOURSELF-WONDERFUL DAY CARD INSIDE:

 TREAT YOURSELF-WONDERFUL DAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Pile It On---April Showers Bring May Flowers
Simon Says Stamp---Anything Goes
Sisterhood of Crafters---Free for All
Penny's Paper-Crafty---Anything Goes
Creative Belli---Spring
Creative Moments---Spring
Craft-room--- So Sentimental
Paper Crafting Journey---Use a Sentiment
QKR Stampede---Favorite Things (Love Prima Flowers and Ribbons)
Forever Friends---Lots of Flowers
Crafting By Designs---Anything Goes
Crafty Calendar---Sunshine and Showers
Die Cuttin Divas---Flowers
Crafty Ribbons---Anything Goes with Ribbon
Shelly's Images---Flowers
Crafts 4 Eternity---Perfect Papers
Make It Monday---Anything Goes
Wags 'n Whiskers---May Flowers
My Time to Craft---Kraft
Sandy's Crafty Creations---Anything Goes with Stitching
Ecclectic Ellapu---Anything Goes
Sparkle N Sprinkle---Use a Digital Image
Inspire Me Fridays---Anything Goes
Sister Act---Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody---Anything Goes

So, what are waiting for?  Hop on over the MayzyArt Blog and join our Challenge. A couple of winners will be selected by Mayzy, herself.  You have nearly a couple of weeks to link your projects and we can't wait to see them.  Have a blessed day and let me know if you have any questions.  God bless!

Life is a Beach Center Step Card---It's Another Challenge Week at our Neighborhood---613 Avenue Create!

Hi there!  It's another Sunday morning and I would like to highlight the first of the 2 cards I'm set to post today Watch out for the other one later on today).  But before that, just want to thank the Lord for the rain (lots and lots of it!) that came pouring down here a few hours ago.  Growing up, rain usually makes me sad.  I remember as a kid, we would occasionally asked my parents if we could all head out and have some family fun.  My Dad usually tells me, "Let's see, if it does not rain, we'll head out and have some fun." My brother and I would be so excited but after a few hours, the sky would go dark and the cold wind blew and we would end up sitting in front of the window just hoping that rain would not come, but it did!  We were so upset as that rain meant a cancelled plan.  In case you're wondering, I was born in the Philippines and rain is very common there.  We only enjoy 2 seasons---wet or dry!  It comes usually in the form of typhoon for most of the time and I remember praying to the Lord (As a believer) to spare our home from flooding.  It happened quite often (my last experience was many years ago---it was waist deep inside our home) that rain just gave me some "not so wonderful" memories.  That childhood experience shaped my life in a way that I became so determined to not allow any rain or calamity (even the earthquake I experienced which registered  over 7  in the Richter scale when I was 19) to hinder me from fulfilling a plan or a promise.  I remember going to the university on different occasions and had to go against my Mom's advise not to proceed due to flooding.  I told her that until I hear of any news suspending classes, I would have to find a way to go especially during final exams and such.   You see, the way we were brought up affects our character, decisions, passions and personalities.   My experience in life taught me that if I give my word to somebody, that I fulfill my word no matter what.  If I couldn't, that I'd have the courtesy to inform that someone before any trust is broken.  Everything that we encounter in life has a purpose and if we come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and have established a personal relationship with Him by trusting His finished work on the Cross, we will view every experience that comes our way to work towards the fulfillment of His purpose.  A wonderful Pastor told me once, "God is not just concerned about your salvation but He's more interested in developing your character."   That was awesome!  Just want to share with you the following scriptures which tells us that  as we trust God with out lives, both the good and bad things we encounter along the way has a purpose---to bring glory to Jesus in whom all blessings flow.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28)

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,  in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory."  (Ephesians 1:11-14)

Anyway, speaking of going somewhere, this is what I want to share with you through this card I created.  It's all about vacation and having fun at the Beach.  We have an "Anything Goes with Picture Inspiration Challenge" at 613 Avenue Create and our sponsor for this week is Shelly's Images.  I was able to use this wonderful "Beach Signs" image from them (love it!).  To add fun to the card, I included another favorite image from Mo Manning's Digi Stamps called "Summer Girl" (Isn't she cute?!).  I colored both images with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir and Sharpie markers.  I used a Kraft base card cut at 5.5-inches center step card design.  All the DP's are from my scraps (Recollections/K & Company/Heidi Grace).  The perfect sentiment is a freebie from Create with TLC (thanks, Paulette).  I added glossy accents to the glasses of the girl image, applied some glitters (Stickles-Orange Peel) to the image's Popsicle and my favorite white gems from Imaginisce.  I also used Distress Ink (Tim Holtz-Tumbled Glass) to the Beach Image's horizon and it worked out great.  Lastly, I went ahead and stitched all over this card.  I just love the fun vacation conveyed by this card and makes me want to head over to the nearest beach...LOL  Hope you like it too. 

 LIFE IS A BEACH CENTER STEP CARD:

 LIFE IS A BEACH CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

 LIFE IS A BEACH CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

 LIFE IS A BEACH CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

LIFE IS A BEACH CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp---Anything Goes
Sisterhood of Crafters---Free for All
Penny's Paper-Crafty---Anything Goes
Creative Belli---Spring
Craft-room---So Sentimental
Paper Crafting Journey---Use a Sentiment
Bearly-Mine---Digi Days
QKR Stampede---Favorite Things (I love this card design and the white gems)
TTCRD---Anything Goes
Crafting By Designs---Anything Goes
Pumpkin Spice---Nature
Art Impressions---Layer it Up
Crafty Calendar---Sunshine and Showers
Crafts for Eternity---Perfect Papers
Make It Monday---Anything Goes
My Time to Craft---Kraft
Paper Pretties---Fabulous Folds
Sandy's Crafty Creations---Anything Goes with Stitching
Ecclectic Ellapu---Anything Goes
Sparkle N Sprinkle---Use a Digital Image
Inspire Me Fridays---Anything Goes
Sister Act---Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody---Anything Goes

Have an awesome day, everyone and praying that the blessings of our Almighty God in Christ shower your lives this week.  It is good to be in the presence of the Lord and to rely upon Him every moment of my life here where it's temporary and the eternal future.  I thank the Lord Jesus---for my everyday is certain in Him!  Don't spend another day without Him.  He is calling you to His arms of love---I pray you respond...

Scripture Series: Bless the Lord, My Soul Card---Join us for Another Uplifting Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Good morning, everyone!  I'm back with the first of the 3 cards I am set to do for this week.  I can tell you right now that I would have to camp at my Craft Room at least till the weekend is over...LOL But like I mentioned before, I love making cards so, this is truly my kind of fun till I'm at a race with the deadlines for each creation.  But the amazing thing is God always gets me through.  Oh the faithfulness of my Father in Heaven! 

Today, we have a very famous Word Art to highlight at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  It's found in  Psalm 103:2 which talks about blessing the Lord.  In the same verse, it commands our soul to give glory to our  Source, the Lord God Almighty, and to remember all the wonderful things He has done for us.  As human beings, we were created with a spirit, a soul and a body (we are tripartite beings).  The spirit part of us communes with God because based on the scriptures in John 4:24: "God is a Spirit.  And those that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."  When Adam sinned against God, that spirit in us was darkened and our fellowship with God was severed and humanity was left in the hands of Satan in whom we were bound hopelessly.  But God had a plan!  In due time, He sent His One and Only Begotten Son, JESUS CHRIST (the Only One qualified to save humanity---conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, perfect and not tainted by Adam's sin as He didn't come from the line of Adam),  to pay for the punishment intended for humanity. He paid for everything by means of His Blood shed on the Cross of Calvary.  It was a one-time, once and for all  sacrifice that paid for man's past, present and future iniquities hence, His final words at the Cross were, "IT IS FINISHED!"  (John 19:30).  By His resurrection, He sealed the victory over Satan and took back everything the devil stole and delegated that power and authority to His Church (believers of Jesus Christ). He told His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Having this in mind,  the Only way we can avail of what Jesus Christ has done for us is by being Born-Again (Read John 3:3) which means "Born from Above."  We are to die from the old sinful nature of being in Adam in order to be born-again with Jesus.  Take for example in marriage, we are in covenant with our spouse till one dies, then the survivor is free to marry again.  Romans 10:9 said:  "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  When we become Born-Again, our spirit once darkened literally comes back to life and can commune with the Father again but our soul and body needs to be renewed each day.  Our soul is made up of our mind, will and emotions. In order for that part of us to be conformed with God, we got to take in new thoughts by filling our mind with God's Word and allow the Spirit of God in us to lead our souls.  Our whole life here on earth will be spent on putting our soul man unto submission to the will of God.  Let's face it, we are always affected by what we think, feel and see and most of it are determined by the dictates of our physical bodies.  Yet as we are empowered by the Spirit of God, believers are given the assurance that we are not alone in this fight. Take heart in what God has promised with the following Scriptures:

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,  in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires"  (Romans 8:1-5) 

So here is my inspiration card for you.  I used a very cool image called "A day with Mom" from Sassy Cheryl Digi Stamps  which I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  I used a pre-cut A7 Kraft base card, the DP's from K & Company and Paper Studio which I matted with some Kraft CS.  I die-cut the circles with Nestabilities and MS Small Circle Cutter.  I used an MS Border Punch for the fence as well as the leaves.  I layered several Prima flowers and incorporated matching brads at the center of the flowers.  I added some glitters (Stickles-Diamond) to the stems, leaves and flowers and stitched all over this card.  I think it came out great.

 BLESS THE LORD, MY SOUL CARD:

 BLESS THE LORD, MY SOUL CARD LAYERS:

 BLESS THE LORD, MY SOUL CARD INSIDE:

BLESS THE LORD, MY SOUL CARD WITH ENVELOPE:


*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp---Anything Goes
Sisterhood of Crafters---Free for All
Penny's Paper-Crafty---Anything Goes
Creative Belli---Spring
Creative Moments---Spring
Craft-room---So Sentimental
Paper Crafting Journey---Use a Sentiment
Bearly-Mine---Digi Days
TTCRD---Anything Goes
Forever Friends---Lots of Flowers
Craftign By Designs---Anything Goes
Art Impressions---Layer It Up
Crafty Calendar---Sunshine and Showers
Die-Cuttin Divas---Flowers
Shelly's Images---Flowers
Make It Monday---Anything Goes
Nutcrafters---Anything Goes
Wags 'n Whiskers---May Flowers
Sparkle N Sprinkle---Use a Digital Image
Inspire Me Fridays---Anything Goes

I surely hope you will come and join us at the WAW Blog.  You can download the Word Art for free and incorporate it in your project and link to our Challenge.  But this is not a requirement.  You can upload up to 5 entries as long as it has an uplifting/inspirational message.  We will be awarding 12 prizes to 12 blessed entries courtesy or our sponsors this week---Shabby Cottage Studio (1 winner), Close my Heart (1 winner) and Scripture by Design (10 winners).  Our Challenge is "Anything Goes" so you can be as creative as you want to be.  I can't wait to see what you come up with.  So, this is it for me today and will highlight a couple more cards this weekend.  Have a blessed day and remember, Jesus is just a breath away and He's waiting for you to call on Him. 

Scripture Series: Making Mention of Thee Card---It's Time for Another Inspiring Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

It's another blessed Wednesday morning, everyone!  In spite of the past stressful day, we can always look forward for another day that God has given us.  In my case, I am looking forward for a bit of rest after I post this project.  There are many things that needs attention at home that has been push aside the past few days.  Anyway, I am thankful to the Lord for every opportunity to exalt His name wherever I go.  You know, believing and trusting in Jesus Christ is not a matter of words but it's a lifestyle that every true Born-Again believer (John 3:3) walk daily.  Everyday, we are bombarded by situations that would test our faith and if we truly understand what and Who we believe in.  At this day and time, people can take offense just by mention of the name of Jesus!  In our everyday conversation with unbelievers, do we find ourselves choosing our words so as not to offend them?  I must admit that when challenges like that comes to me, a decision inside my heart has to be made.  And with the help of the Holy Spirit, I just say what comes naturally to me as a believer of Jesus Christ and that is to give Him praise and glory for everything.  Wherever I go, I tell people how good God is through my experiences that day.  It could be when they ask me, "Hey, how are you doing this morning? "  I would respond by saying,  " I am doing great, God is good!" When people share some difficult situations in life, I hear myself sharing with them some verses and doing what the Holy Spirit leads me to do.  You see, I don't practice things I needed to say.  I realized that the more I spend in fellowship with God by prayer and studying His Word,  I am able to listen to the voice of my Father and be sensitive to His leading.  Things that I thought were difficult to give up before were not as difficult anymore.  Take for example, listening to worldly music and Christian music.  Before, I have to make a conscious decision which music to listen to but now, I can't wait to listen to songs that honor my God.  I have a couple of Christian music stations in my truck and it's my only choice for listening.  As we walk with Jesus faithfully, our life changes!  It's exciting and challenging at the same time.  I do acknowledge that I walk in His strength and not mine.  Here are verses that reminds me of the life I have in Christ:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Today, I am featuring an inspiration Card for the Word Art Wednesday (WAW) Challenge.  The message today is from Philemon 1:4 which describes the relationship believers of Jesus Christ share with one another.  Philemon is a Christian brother who helped the Apostle Paul in caring for the brethren in the Church of Colosse.  His love and loyalty were his strong traits and to be given a personal mention in the Bible through Paul's letter as part of the 66 books of the Bible, tells us how this person served to the fullest.  As part of the Body of Christ, we are to carry each others burden and pray for one another.  The Bible declares in John 13:35:  "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." This love sets us apart from the world. 

You are free to download the Word Art at WAW Blog and use it in your project although it's not a requirement.  You can link upto 5 projects provided that they contain inspirational/uplifting messages.  Here, I featured a freebie image from Melonheadz Illustrating called "Preshus" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Sharpie markers.  I used a 5.5-inches square Kraft card base, the DP's are mostly from K & Company and DCWV.  I gathered some CS that matches my DP's by using my scraps.  I die-cut that fancy shape from Nestabilities and cut a circle with my MS Small Circle Cutter.  I added a silk ribbon and a crochet flower which I made and also sell (See My Etsy if you wish to buy).  I added a brad and some gems from Imaginisce too.  Lastly, I stitched this card inside and out.  Very happy with the results. 

 MAKING MENTION OF THEE CARD:

  MAKING MENTION OF THEE CARD LAYERS:

  MAKING MENTION OF THEE CARD INSIDE:

 MAKING MENTION OF THEE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:


*** WANT THIS CARD?  AVAILABLE AT MY ETSY---HERE! *** 

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Delightful Challenges---Color My World/Anything Colorful
Pink Elephant---Paper Piecing
Challenges 4 Everybody---Anything Goes
Digi Makeover---Girly
Make It Monday---Anything Goes
Sparkle N Sprinkle---Use a Digital Image
V's Sweet Ideas---Anything Goes
Pin and Tack---Anything Goes
TTCRD---Anything Goes
Glitter n Sparkle---Stitching: Real or Not
Melonheadz Friends---Fancy Folds/(Anything Goes for those using Melonheadz digis)
Sandy's Crafty Creations---Anything Goes with Stitching
Creative Card Crew---Handmade Flowers
Everybody Art---Bling
Penny's Paper Crafty---Use a Sentiment
Stamp n Doodle---Anything Goes
Our Daily Bread Designs---Scripture or Hymns
Crafty Emblies---Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons---Color (Pink and Green)
Deep Ocean---Flowers and Fantasy
Bunny Zoe Crafts---Favorite Color Combo (Pink and Green and Aqua)

Have an awesome day, everyone and remember to join us at Anything Goes at WAW this week.  Lots of prices to be won from our awesome sponsor, Freckled Fawn.  Thanks for all who sent me some encouraging message about my projects and the Blog postings.  I pray for the love  of Jesus to continue to dwell in your hearts and in your household.  Let us do everything for the glory of God!