Scripture Series: Thou Hast Made Heaven Card---Join Us for Another Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello fellow Crafters.  It's time for another Challenge at Word Art Wednesday.  If you haven't joined us before, we feature a free Word Art (by Karen Murray) that you can download  each Challenge.  You can use it in whatever project you desire to make, link it to our Challenge for a chance to win some fabulous prizes or keep it for future use.  Today's Word Art comes from Nehemiah 9:6 which says, "Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee."  Anyone in their right mind would agree that everything has an origin.  Take a good look around you and all of nature reveals this truth. If we see a tree, we know that a seed was planted. If we see a kitten, we know that somewhere in there is a Mommy kitty.  When we see wonderful structures, we know that an architect planned it and an engineer built it.  Everything that is on earth is explorable for as much as God would allow us to discover things in our environment.  But how about things in the heavenlies?  Truthfully, we have very limited knowledge when it comes to our universe/galaxies.  Our telescopes can only go so far in seeing all of what's out there.  But just because we are limited doesn't mean there's nothing beyond what we can see.  Throughout history, we relied on many theories from finite beings with regards to how the heavens and the earth came about.  We allowed them to shape our minds and fill us with their ridiculous, outrageous and bizarre theories as if they were absolute truths.  We were led to believe that we evolved from apes rather than seeking the Truth from the account of an infinite God, who not only gave us his General Revelation (General Truths revealed by God through things that were created---Nature) but also His Special Revelation (Specific Truths revealed by God through supernatural means---includes physical appearances of God, dreams, visions, the written Word of God, and most importantly—Jesus Christ) to prove our origin.  All creation speaks of a Creator Who is intricate, systematic, perfect and all powerful.  He holds everything together in their proper time and space.  Psalm 19:1-3 tells us, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard."  Romans 1:20 also tells us, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."  But God didn't stop there.  He revealed Himself even more through His written revelation (the Bible) and perfected His divine revelation by sending His One and Only Son---Jesus Christ in order to rescue mankind from sure death!  Jesus was the perfect image of the Father in human flesh.  This was made clear to us in John 14:8-11, “Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied. Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do."  

What I am trying to say here is that all the answers to our daily existence are seen through what God has created.  Each one has an expression of their Maker.  We didn't come here by accident.  God made us and equipped us with everything necessary to fulfill the purpose and function He intended us to do while on earth.  Each one is unique and beautiful in their own little way.  We are to work under God's supervision and keep communion with him all the days of our lives.  Yet the Fall of Man changed all of that as it corrupted our spirit and injected us with Satan's nature.  Unless we die from that old sinful nature (in Adam) and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, we are at a lost---detached and oblivious of our full potential.  We often tell people , "You can be anything you want to be!" But I beg to differ...We can try everything to be someone else but the result of it is a sad and empty life.  At the end of the tunnel, we can only be "truly" fulfilled if we walked in the purpose and function God had predestined us to do.  Until we exchanged our finite minds and allow the infinite mind of  God to shape our worldview, we will always have questions and doubts on the world around us--even our own existence.  The Word of God contains all the answers to all of our questions in both the seen (physical) and the unseen (spiritual) world.   If we take off our blinders and see with our spiritual eyes (only possible through new birth in Christ---John 3:3), we'll see a God Whose love for us is boundless and immeasurable---we can only bow down to His magnificent presence.   One day, we will come face to face with the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  As Philippians 2:9-11 tells us, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  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."  Blessed are those who came under His covering for they shall never be apart from Him.  Are you ready to meet your Creator?

Anyway, my inspiration card today is more of a CAS style.  Many of you are familiar with my elaborate cards with lots of layers and bold colors but when I saw the scripture we are featuring, I wanted it to be the focus.  So, I chose a cute image (freebie) from "A Day for Daisies" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers with neutral colors.  The white base is cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I embossed with my Cuttlebug, die cut with my Nestabilities and adhered some white nail head gems from Imaginisce.  I added some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) as well as Liquid Pearls (Petal Pink) to the image and stitched all over this card.  Hope you like it. 

 THOU HAST MADE HEAVEN CARD:

 THOU HAST MADE HEAVEN CARD LAYERS:

 THOU HAST MADE HEAVEN CARD INSIDE:

THOU HAST MADE HEAVEN CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Pile It On---Metal
Craft Hoarders Anonymous---Glass or Metal
TTCRD---ATG
Paper Crafting Challenges---My Faves  (I love Scripture Word Arts)
Sister Act---ATG
Card Mania---CAS
Artistic Inspirations---ATG/Things with Wings
Creative Moments---ATG/Use Twine
Inkspirational---Bloom
Crafty Creations---It's All About "S" (Spots/Sentiment)
Inky Impressions---ATG
Crafting Cafe---Creatures
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Little Miss Muffet---ATG
Dazzling Diva---ATG/Color
Rhedd and Rosie---No Flowers/Nothing Floral
Sweet Stamps---No Designer Paper
Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Dream Valley---Things with Wings
Whimsy Stamps---Two or More Die-cuts
Sweet Stampin'---Sparkle and Shine
Digistamps4Joy---Girly/Feminine
CCC Digi Creations---Digi/ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Simon Says---ATG
A Random Fan---ATG
Craft-room---Things with Wings
Deep Ocean---Wings
Everybody-Art---Bling Bling
Fan-Tastic Tuesday---ATG
Inky Chicks---Use Metal Embellishment (The white nail head gems are metal)
Paperminutes---Animals
Created with Love---Lots of Layers
Creating in Faith Hope and Love---Scripture
The Kraft Journal---CAS
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Whoopsi Daisy---Lots of Layers
OSAAT---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Sentimental Sundays---Things with Wings
Corrosive Challenge---ATG

I hope you'd take the time to join us at our WAW Challenge.  It's Anything Goes as long as it's family friendly with uplifting and inspirational messages, you can link up to 5 projects.  Our sponsors this week are Cheery Lynn Designs (giving a Fall Harvest 2 Die), Frantic Stamper (Cheesy Card Panel Die cut) and Diane's Daydream Designs (three sets of digis).  I can't wait to see your projects this week and leave you some lovin' on your Blogs.  Have a blessed day and I pray that you acknowledge the glory of the Lord in yourself and in everything around you.  His Name be praised forever!

The "Zing" in Amazing Card---Join us at my Neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create, for Another Anything Goes with Optional Twist Challenge...

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

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!

Scripture Series: Blessed Be My Rock Card---It's time for Another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, friends!  It's Wednesday once again and time for another inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  I missed posting a card last week due to some much needed family time.  But I am so grateful to the DT's of "The Flying Unicorn" for they created some wonderful projects as our Guest designers last week.  They did such a marvelous job!  Something special happens when we create projects that features the Scripture.  I believe the Lord blesses our crafty hands and our projects always turn out more beautiful than expected.   Know that nothing we do for the Lord is unrecognized by our Father in heaven.  The Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."  You see, many times I wanted to cut corners and take the easy route in serving God.  It's easy to get involved in some religious activities, make it a routine and call it serving.  We visit the Church each a week, clean and dress up really fancy, sit in the congregation and listen a little.  After a couple of hours, it's time to go home and dive into another week of mundane existence.  But have we really taken the time to stop for a moment and listen to what God would like to say?  Have we allowed Him to interrupt our day for things/direction He would want to show us?  Would we be willing to pause and smell the roses?  Each day is moving in such a fast forward phase and if I don't keep myself in check, I will be overwhelmed with the piles of things to do in all aspects of life.  There are times I am at Church several days of the week and at some point, I have to ask myself "Am I busy with the kingdom but not with the King?" In our earthly existence, friends we consider close to us are those whom we communicate with more often.  Any relationship requires time, effort, genuine concern for each other with respect, trust and love as main ingredients and secured by the willingness of each person to make things work.  If we have to give time to listen to what our friend have to say or be a shoulder to cry on when times are tough, how much more our Heavenly Father  need us to spend time with Him?  John 15:15 tells us, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."  As a Born-Again believer (John 3:3),  I have Jesus Christ living inside of me 24/7.  He is never apart from me and I can communicate with Him at any given moment.  While I am gathering my materials to create a new project (which most of the time, I don't have a clear idea what it would be), I acknowledge that apart from Him, I can do nothing (John 15:5).  I always invite Him to create with me and to completely take charge in order to accomplish what He has purposed for me to do that day.  There were days I would like to scrap-lift some inspiration from other Cardmakers (to save some time) but the Lord took me a different route---completely unique!.  What I am trying to say is that Jesus is always there for you! Whether you are performing a simple of difficult task, in your triumphs and trials, in your joy and your weeping---He's with you!  He is not a God of our feelings! Whether we feel Him or not---He is there!  His Word clearly tells us in Hebrews 13:5, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  Whether the need is big or small, He's got our best interest and He'd see us through.  When the whole world abandons you, He's there to stay!  A perfect and faithful Friend, indeed!  I pray that you acknowledge God's presence in us through the indwelling of the Holy Holy Spirit every moment of your life.  I talk to Him the way I talk to my family and friends.  It all begins with a decision to stop what I am doing and listen to what He has to say when He impresses something in my heart.   He lives inside of us for we are His temple! Just want to encourage you with the Word  of God as you go about your day...

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (John 10:27-30)

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17)

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."  (Psalm 139:7-10) 

Anyway, I made a card that shows the "free" Scripture Word Art (by Karen Murray) at our Challenge at WAW.  It highlights the Word of God in Psalm 18:46 which says, "The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted."  Anyone who placed their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ (His death, burial and resurrection) were set free from the power of Satan and are now able to freely praise and thank the One who wholeheartedly gave His life as a ransom for all of humanity.  He was buried but then, rose again from the dead to once and for all, defeat the power of death.  He is that Solid Rock, in Whom we can stand! Our salvation is secured in Jesus Christ---now and forever!  Blessed be His Holy Name!  This scripture among many others is only real to those who have taken the step of faith.  They  have tasted and seen the goodness of our God.  With a heart of thankfulness, a sweet aroma of praise comes forth.  I personally experienced the unconditional love of God in my life that no one can convince me He's not real.  I have nothing to offer the King of kings and the Lord of lords but to use what He has given me to honor and praise His Holy Name.  For this Card, I use an image from A Day for Daisies called "Hello Fairy" and colored it with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Bic markers with some paper-piecing.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from DCWV and some scraps.  I use my Cricut to produce a couple of die-cut elements using cartridges, Elegant Edges and Doodlecharms.  I stamped a sentiment from Studio G at the sun and applied glitters (Stickles-Diamond) for added dimension.  I also applied some glitters (Strickles-Crystal)  at the center of the flowers.  I printed the Word Art and cut them into strips and matted them with a pink CS.  I added some white nail head gems and stitched all over this card.  Love the result.  

 BLESSED BE MY ROCK CARD:

 BLESSED BE MY ROCK CARD LAYERS:

 BLESSED BE MY ROCK CARD INSIDE:

BLESSED BE MY ROCK CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Dazzling Diva---Father's Day/ATG
ColourQ---Color Challenge
Crafter's Cafe---Girly
Creative Moments---ATG/Use Twine
Digistamps4Joy---ATG
Divas by Design---ATG
Hobbybook---Mom/Special Lady
I Love ProMarkers---ATG
Inky Impressions---Bingo (Die-Cut/Stamp/Flowers)
Whimsy Stamps---Two or More Die-cuts
Cutie Pie---Bring on the Bling but Make it Cute
Sweet Stamps---ATG
QKR Stampede---Punch and or Dies
Crafty Girls---ATG
Ladybug Crafts---Favorite Embellishment (White Nail Head Gems)
Feeling Crafty---One for the Girls/Ladies
DL.ART---ATG
Sister Act---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Sparkles---Celebrate Mom/Special Lady
Crafts 4 Eternity---To Die For ( I Used my Cricut)
Craftitude---That's Die-licious
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Die Cut Divas---Use Embellishment together with Die-cut or Embossing Folder
Digi Choosday---Holiday Fun/A Day Out
TTCRD---ATG
Just B Creative Crazy---Just Because
My Craft Creations---ATG
Crafting at the Weekend---ATG
Digi Designs---Use those Markers

Hope you join the fun at our WAW Challenge.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting our blessed winners from two of our sponsors this week, V's Sweet Ideas ($10 GC) and Nice Crane Designs (Digi Images).  You can choose to incorporate the free Word Art (sentiment) you see in my card for projects you wish to make and link with us though it's not mandatory.  You can submit up to 5 projects (Anything Goes) as long as it's family friendly, inspirational or uplifting.  Can't wait to see what you come up with. Have a blessed week and always remember to take the time to talk to our Heavenly Father every chance we are given. Hugs!

At Your Own Pace Center Step Card---Join our Neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create, for another "Anything Goes" Challenge with an Optional Twist....

Hey there Crafty friends---It's Mother's Day! Hope you are enjoying a wonderful time with your mothers.  For Moms like me, I am certain you are enjoying being pampered for a day by your hubbies and kiddos.  My 8-year old son is such a wonderful blessing and so grateful to the Lord for bringing him into my life.  Many years ago, I thought my life would be great without a kid.  Working in a Cruise ship industry allowed me and my hubby to travel together and we had fun moments exploring every place we went to.  But soon, that lifestyle came to an end upon realization that we had to start a real life off the ship.  Few more years passed and little man (Jared) came and boy, was I pleasantly surprised!  When I first held him in my arms (shortly after he was born), I stared at him for few minutes as I marveled at the awesome miracle I held so gently in my arms...I fell head over heels in love to the most gorgeous baby I've laid my eyes on that very moment!  He  never ceased to amaze me with the knowledge and wisdom he was gifted with from the Lord. The desire to document his growth was what got me started with Scrapbooking which then lead to Cardmaking.  He grew up seeing me create all kinds of things using very basic materials to sophisticated gadgets.  He always visit me in the Craft room as he investigates and observe every thing I do---asking many questions about what am I making.  Next to my husband, he's truly my biggest fan!  He wanted me to show him my finished product every time I'm done.  My heart melts when he says,  "Mommy, you made the best card ever!" 

As a Mom, I am unable to put into words the love I have for my little man.  The Bible declares in Psalm 127:3, "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him."  I've done so many mistakes in my life that sure grieved the heart of God.  For the Lord to reward me with a wonderful blessing such as my son purely speaks of the love, grace and goodness in the heart of our Father in heaven that is never based on our merits but our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  He gave His best, His One and Only begotten Son, so that we can enjoy a life filled with great rewards and blessings in His presence forever.  If you are like me, whose been blessed with a child/children, lift up a praise and thanksgiving to our Almighty God---teaching our kids what the Lord has done for them through the finished work of  Jesus Christ!  One day, our children will grow up and will be eternally grateful for all the love, sacrifices and teachings we've shared with them.  They will realize that Mom's are  "rewards" to them as well---straight from the heart of a God who always love and  care for them.  Here are some verses I want to share with all mothers out there  as we celebrate the gift God has showered us with through the lives of our children:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates."  (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created." (James 1:17-18)

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations"

So, we have another wonderful Challenge starting today at my neighborhood---613 Avenue Create.  One of our sponsors, All Dressed Up Stamps,  graciously provided me this digi called "Love to Shop Girl 03".  I love the whimsical style of the images and always get good results when I used their digis.  The image was colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor markers.  A part of the image was   paper-pieced.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches center step card.  All the DP's are from Recollections, die cut oval and lacy oval done with Nestabilities and Cuttlebug and border punch using MS Punch.  I layered a few Prima flowers and added a brad in the center and some glitters (Stickles-Diamond) on the petals.  Lastly, I adhered several white nail head gems, stitched the card  and attached a sentiment I got for free from Create with TLC (Thanks, Paulette!).  I am very happy with the turn-out.   So, what do you think?

AT YOUR OWN PACE CENTER STEP CARD:

  AT YOUR OWN PACE CENTER STEP CARD LAYERS:

 AT YOUR OWN PACE CENTER STEP CARD SIDE VIEW:

 AT YOUR OWN PACE CENTER STEP CARD INSIDE:

AT YOUR OWN PACE CENTER STEP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered to the following Challenges:

Challenges 4 Everybody---ATG
Dragonfly Dreams---How Does Your Garden Grow
Fairy tale Stampers---At Least 2 Punches
Glitter n Sparkle---Female
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
Scribble and Scrap---ATG
Stamping Sensations---ATG
A Little Bit Crafty---Flower Power
Emerald Faeries---Flowers/Ribbon/Lace
Bearly-Mine---Flowers
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Doodle Pantry---Any Digi Goes
Feeling Crafty---One for the Girls/Ladies
Flat Friends---Dies and/or Punches
Just B Creative Crazy---ATG
Ladybug Crafts---Favorite Embellishment (White Nail Head Gems)
Mema's Crafts---May Flowers/Celebrate Mom
One Sweet Challenge---Flowers
Words 2 Scrap By---Bloom Where You are Planted
Crafting at the Weekend---ATG
Digidesigns---Use those Markers
My Sheri Crafts---April Showers Bring May Flowers
Stampin with the Dragon---Flowers
STAMPlorations---Stamps and Flowers

I better get going but let me remind you to visit our Blog at 613 Avenue Create and join our Anything Goes with Optional Twist Challenge.  Lots of great prices to be won from our  two great sponsors this week---All Dressed Up Stamps and Sassy Studio Designs!  Have an awesome day praising the Lord and would appreciate any comment you will leave me here.  If you enjoyed visiting my Blog or found some wonderful inspiration, please consider being a Follower.  Leaving you with this, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.." (Proverbs 22:6)  God bless!

Scripture Series: Lord, A Light Unto Me Surprise Pop-Up Card---Join Us for Another Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, Crafty Peeps!  It's been a week and I am back with another card to highlight for today's Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Today is a wonderful day to praise the Lord!  The weather is nice although it can get too hot here in Texas.  But other than any external factors, I am grateful to be alive and to be a part of God's work here on earth.  Each time I open my eyes in the morning is a proof that God is still going to use me mightily for His glory.  It can be in my household, my neighborhood, fellow believers or even with strangers.  I have a friend whom I've only known for months although we've been going to the same fitness class for quite sometime.  One day, she asked me which Church I go to and before long, we became the best of friends.  God allowed me to share God's Word in this friend's life.  There are many traditions and beliefs that needed to come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and as new friends, we dealt with some of that.  There's no such thing as a perfect friend and despite the differences between us, I know that the Lord purposely allowed us to come together to fulfill His plan so, each day is a chance for us to grow in the knowledge of God as we continue to seek Him.  One day, we were in a restaurant for some breakfast after our fitness class.  God led me to share His Word to this same friend who at that time was overwhelmed with hopelessness.  To my surprise, a lady (with her friend) from another table approached us after they ate.  Neither me nor my friend were familiar with them so I wondered what she would have to say.  After all, we were talking about God in a restaurant and was not sure if it was a problem for them.  Yet, this lady told me how she overheard us talking about God and was so blessed to see believers who are not afraid to speak the truth of God's Word in a public area.  Her, approaching us---bringing  words of encouragement---blessed my life that morning as we exchanged numbers for future get-together.  Little did I know that that brief meeting would give birth to another friendship between me and that wonderful lady.  We started messaging each other and before long, God gave me another friend in faith.  You see, I don't believe that there's such a thing as accident in a life of a believer.  I may not know the extent of the work the Lord is going to allow me to spend with this new found friends but I am sure that we were brought together for a purpose.  Whether we are to lift up somebody or be encouraged by someone, we are to be sensitive to the leading of God each and everyday.  We must allow God to control our daily schedules and commit our time and effort to whoever/whatever He may lead us to.  Life gets too busy and had I just ran off each fitness class, I could have missed the opportunity to get to know a friend.  Oh yeah, I have a gazillion things to do at home but spending a bit of time to listen to what a friend will have to say and be able to encourage someone to continue trusting in the Lord and see their attitudes change in the light of God's Word is priceless.  The Lord wants us to go and  make disciples of all nations.  We don't have to go to another country or region for God to use us (unless He says so, of course!).  He can use us at home, at work, our neighborhood or even the people we meet in the gym, restaurants or the street.  The question is, are we sensitive enough to listen and obey the Lord's leading?  Are we willing to spend some of our precious time to show the love of Jesus to others?   Here are some Bible verses to encourage every believer to share the hope God has given us:

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." (Romans 12:4-14)

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:1-5)

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:11)

Our free Word Art Art today is courtesy of one of our DT members at WAW---Diane Noble.  She is sharing with us both the B/W  version as well as the colored version which you can find at our WAW Blog.  It comes from Micah 7:8 which says, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me."  This tells us that when we placed our trust in the Lord Jesus, we are safe and secure in Him.  The Lord knows our in and out---our past, present and future.  Though we may experience trials in this life, we are never alone.  We have the Mighty Warrior, Victorious One, the Lion of the tribe of Judah empowering us and providing protection for us everyday.  Through Him, though  we fall, we'll rise up!  His Word will be our light in the darkest paths.  His strength will be our strength.  No darkness will ever prevail against His radiant light.  Therefore, let us fix our eyes on Him---Jesus, the very Source of our Victory!  For this Card, I used a freebie image I got from Saturated Canary called "Pups and Me."  I colored it with my ProMarker and Prismacolor markers.  I've been wanting to make this "Surprise Pop-Up Card" for many months now and finally, I was able to give it a try.  The white base card is cute and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are all from Recollections.  I die-cut the circle and the lacy circle using my Nestabilities and Cuttlebug.  The fence border is cut using an MS Punch.  The flowers are from Recollections and I added some glitters (Stickles-Diamond) on them.  I incorporated several white nail head gems from Imaginisce and stamped additional border (Stampabilities) and  a couple of sentiments from Cloud 9 Design.  Lastly, I stitched all over this card.  It took me a while to make, mainly figuring out where I need to place the adhesive before sewing.  Those that were not completely attached needed to be secured but over-all, I am very happy with the results.  Enjoy the pics...

LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME SURPRISE POP-UP CARD FRONT:

 LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME  SURPRISE POP-UP CARD WHEN CLOSE:

 LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME  SURPRISE POP-UP CARD SIDE VIEW:

 LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME  SURPRISE POP-UP CARD TOP VIEW:

 LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME  SURPRISE POP-UP CARD INSIDE:

LORD, A LIGHT UNTO ME  SURPRISE POP-UP CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Dazzling Diva---Hexagons/ATG
Bombshell Stamps---Hip to be Square
Crafter's Cafe---Mom or Special Lady
Crafting by Designs---ATG
Crafting for all Seasons---Lots of Layers
Creative Moments---ATG/Bingo
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Ladybug Crafts---Favorite Embellishment (White Nail Head Gems)
Mema's Crafts---May Flowers/Celebrate Mom
One Sweet Challenge---Flowers
Words 2 Scrap By---Bloom Where You are Planted
Crafting at the Weekend---ATG
Stampin with the Dragon---Flowers 
STAMPlorations---Stamps and Flowers 

There you have it friends!  Hope you enjoyed browsing at the pics and reading this post.  Please don't forget to join us at this week's WAW Challenge by linking your "Anything Goes" projects.  You can use the free Word Art in your entry but it's not mandatory.  As long as your creation is family-friendly, inspirational and uplifting, you can enter up to 5 projects to have more chances of winning.  Our sponsors for this week are Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More (3 Digi Images) and Heart and Soul Rubber Stamp (Stamp set of winner's choice). You don't want to miss out on these wonderful prizes so, make sure to join our Challenge.   Have a blessed day, everyone!