Scripture Series: To Every Good Work Card---Join Us for Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello, Crafty Peeps!  Just want to take this opportunity to wish everyone A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!  Anyway, it's Wednesday and time for another bi-weekly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  As always, it's Anything Goes and you can choose to feature our (free) Scripture Word Art or anything inspirational and family friendly. Our featured Scripture for this Challenge comes from 2 Corinthians 9:8 which tells us, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."  The context of 2 Corinthians 9 is about the importance of GIVING not  only of our resources but more than anything---ourselves.   People of the world work daily with the talents and resources given to them by God (though they seldom acknowledge that fact) to better themselves (selfish gain).  I remember watching some Hollywood personalities saying that everything they enjoy are of their own doing and that they don't need to thank God for He has nothing to do with their success during those widely telecast, Awards night.  They made sure they expressed to many their hate and blasphemy for our Creator.  But if we are going to use common sense, it's not difficult to determine the void in their arguments/worldview.  You see, take away everything that God provides them (air to breath, health, strength, soul, life and countless more) and they will cease to exist.  It's so ridiculous that I now have better understanding why Jesus asked God to forgive those who mocked Him while He gave His life to save mankind at the Cross.  In Luke 23:34, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Though I must admit how it makes my blood boil when I hear people mocking Jesus Christ, His Cross and His Church  using their vague fame to influence the weaklings, I have to take the same approach Jesus did.  I need to pray for these people for they have truly been deceived.  If not for the calling of Jesus in my life that one faithful day 26 years ago, I could not imagine what my life would be this very moment.  Who knows, I could have made it big but without the knowledge of God, it would not be worth it.  The Word of God keeps me in His Truth and without the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence, I could be an easy target of the enemy and could be spiritually blind and deceived like any other.

With all these, I implore everyone to recognize every blessing that God has showered you with.  From the smallest to the biggest of gifts (material or spiritual)---be grateful!  Recognize that whatever God gives us is not only to provide for our needs but to to also bless and share with people He's going to place in our path.  We do that with our talents, abilities, time and resources.  Yet those would be incomplete if we don't deliver them with a cheerful heart.  Remember that God always looks at the intent of our heart.  Many of us may struggle with cheerful giving or even giving in itself but if we constantly yield to the Holy Spirit and continue in faithfulness/obedience to His Word, we will find ourselves happily doing it for God's glory.  For to give is to truly trust God---knowing that He will continuously provide to accomplish His work.  I know what I'm talking about as I'm a work in progress in this area.  It's easy to share when you have so much but when you have just enough, it can be a challenge.  But our featured verse said something worthy of understanding.  God supplies us with everything we need and more so that we are able to give something.  There was not a time we only had enough unless I consider all the other things I want (luxury).  I always hold this quote true in all areas of my life----"I cannot give what I don't have."  God supplies me with more than my needs so I can share and do good works for Him.  Note that "good works" does not benefit a believer prior to us knowing the Source of all our blessings.  All the good works that would count towards our rewards in heaven (when we stand in the presence of the Lord at the Bema Seat) is a direct result of our acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior---the Source of everything we have in  this life and beyond.  Each and every believer of the Body of Christ are living the abundant life God has promised and are capable of every good work God prepared and equipped us to do.  And yes, it's not for our own glory but for God and God alone.  The following are some of the verses we should meditate upon that would help us understand the blessings in giving and gratefulness.

"As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)

"One person gives freely, yet gains even more;another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."  (Proverbs 11:24-25)

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."  (I Timothy 6:17-19)

For this Card, I used an image from Sassy Cheryl Stamps called "A Special Girly Gift" that I paper-pieced with DP from Paper Studio and colored using my Touch Five markers.  The base is a pre-cut A7 card from Paper Studio.  I added some some metal gems from Imaginisce, glitters from Stickles (Crystal) and stitching to complete this design.  It may not have many layers like I normally do but it surely is one of my fave cards.  The  wonderful image and colors truly compliment our awesome Scripture in this creation.

 TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD

TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD LAYERS

 TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD SIDE VIEW

 TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD INSIDE

TO EVERY GOOD WORK CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Gals---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Simon Says---Make it Sparkle
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Let It Snow
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
Card Mania---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafting Musketeers---ATG
Crafts Galore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Creatalicious---ATG/Christmas
Digistamps4Joy---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Sunsational Stamps---ATG/Christmas/Winter
World Wide Open DT---ATG
Your Scrapbook Place---ATG


Hope you join the fun at our WAW Challenge.  There's wonderful prize awaiting our winner from our sponsor this week, Simon Says Stamp  ($25 GC).  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 share unto others the hope you have in you.  Hugs!

Scripture Series: John 3:16 Winter Bird Card---Join Us for Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello there, everyone!  I am posting a day late as I had internet connection problems yesterday that took a while to resolve.  But praise be to God as the enemy is unable to hinder this inspiration project from being published.  As always, we have a brand new Scripture Word Art (you can download for free) at the Word Art Wednesday (WAW) site.  Our bi-weekly Challenge started yesterday with our usual theme, "Anything Goes that is Family Friendly/Inspirational."

Our featured Scripture for our Challenge comes from a very familiar passage in the Bible from John 3:16 and it declares, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  There's important factors we need to understand in order to fully grasp the Truth and Hope that this passage conveys.  First, we must ask why is there a need for God (our Creator) to send His One and Only Son to die at the Cross to redeem us?  To answer this, we must look into what happened to mankind in the beginning (Genesis).  Genesis 1 and 2 revealed God's creation process and how Man came into being.  He's created in God's image and likeness and we became alive (a living soul) when God breathe unto us the "breath of life" ( a portion of Himself).  Man lived in constant fellowship with God and was given by God authority over all His other creation.  But tragedy happened in Genesis 3.  Man betrayed God through disobedience, gave up the dominion (authority) the Lord gave him by handing it over to Satan and plunged the entire human race to Death (spiritual, physical and eternal deaths) ruled by Satan and his Sin Nature. Though Man didn't die physically that day, he did die spiritually and his intimate relationship with his Father was totally severed.  Since then, there's nothing human beings can do to regain that original status of righteousness (declared right) before the presence of God unless the Father intervenes.  As every man is tainted by original Sin, not one human being is qualified to redeem us all from the horrors of our ultimate and eternal separation from God.  We were utterly hopeless until JESUS came!

Now, that we established Man's dilemma after the Fall of mankind, we can now examine the second important factor of John 3:16 that is---the LOVE of GOD!  It is not the will of God to abandon us into hopelessness.  He is committed to fulfilling His purpose for man to rule earth the same way He rules heaven.  Though the enemy tried to delay that, God's Word and His purpose can never be thwarted.  It is through His Son, Jesus Christ, that He would accomplish this.  Jesus, Who is God, willingly clothe Himself in human flesh and became  a man (but without Sin) to redeem humanity from eternal doom.  God's love for us allowed the death of His One and Only Son to bring us all back to Himself.  The sacrifice Jesus did at the Cross destroyed every claim of the enemy over mankind. Through His death, burial and resurrection, we now have a means to fellowship with our Father like Adam did in the beginning.  This bring us to the third factor contained in John 3:16 as revealed by the phrase "Whosoever believed!" Though Jesus died for all of mankind, only those that believe in what He has done at the Cross shall receive His free gift of salvation.  To truly believe is to place you faith, trust, adhere, rely, depend your life on something you know is True though you don't  see it with your physical eyes.  Jesus revealed this kind of faith to Thomas (one of his disciples) who was doubtful of his resurrection in John 20:29, "Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Today, there are many religions and doctrines seeking to further deceive man so that they may never inherit ETERNAL LIFE which can only benefit those who put their complete trust in what Jesus did at the Cross.  Anything that deviate from the Only Way the Father has provided, no matter how religious or good it may be, is undermining what Christ has done for mankind's redemption.  People who embrace such teachings/doctrines are following the ways of man and have allowed themselves to be robbed of the Truth.  Here in America, people will have no excuse!  The Word of God (the Bible) is readily available to anyone who is willing to know the Truth and there are many teachers who teaches the full counsel of God and are willing to lead others to God's perfect will.  Yet many are too busy with mediocre things than what is truly important.  Our life on earth is too short compared to the eternal life that follows right after.  My plea to  each and everyone of you (family, friends and even strangers) that reads this post---please don't take what you read here for granted.  If you don't have an intimate/personal relationship with Jesus Christ nor have a clear understanding of what He has done for you at the Cross, take the necessary step!  Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and be prepared to take the time to study His Word and investigate His claim.  Each of us is very important to Him and He does not want any of us to share the eternal punishment designed for Satan and his followers.  RELIGION DOES NOT SAVE PEOPLE,  JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN! Do it before time runs out.  I did the very same thing 26 years ago and I have absolute confidence on spending eternal life in the arms of Christ based on what He did on my behalf.   If you have questions, please don't hesitate to leave me a comment and I will do my best to accommodate you.  

For this Card, I used an image from Bugaboo Stamps called "Winter Bird Trio" that I colored using my Touch Five markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  Finally, I'm able to use my Frantage embossing enamels and glitters to create a winter background. I also die-cut the lacy oval  with Nestabilities, some inking around the Oval frame using Distress Ink (Pumice Stone), flowers from Brides and the nail head gems from Imaginisce.  I added some stitching to complete this design.  I love it!

 JOHN 3:16 WINTER BIRD CARD

 JOHN 3:16 WINTER BIRD CARD LAYERS

 JOHN 3:16 WINTER BIRD CARD INSIDE

JOHN 3:16 WINTER BIRD CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Animal Friends---ATG
Create with TLC---ATG
Card Mania---ATG
Ching-Chou Kuik---Bright and Beautiful
Christmas Cards---Christmas/Holiday
Classic DT---ATG
Connie Can Crop---Baby, It's Cold Outside
Country View---Christmas
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG (with Bugaboo Stamp)
Crafty Enjoyments---Christmas
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG with Optional Traditional Christmas Colors
Daisy Chain---Happy Christmas
Die-Cut Divas---Layers/Layer It
Doodle Pantry---Anything Digital Goes
Paper Creator---Christmas
Pearly Sparkles---Merry Christmas
Petal Lu---ATG
Scrap N---Glitter
Scribbles Design---Happy Holidays
12 Months of Christmas---Christmas
YSBP---Sparkles


Time to go, everyone!  Please make sure to visit us at WAW and link up the projects you make out of our free Word Art although not mandatory.  You can link up any inspiring, uplifting, family-friendly projects, up to 5.  Our wonderful sponsors this week Crop Stop (prize package) and All Dressed Up Stamps (2 digi image). So, head over to WAW and show us your wonderful projects.  Enjoy your week.  Always remember that God loves you and has a great plan for your life!  

Awesome and Grateful Card---Join our neighborhood, 613 Avenue Create, for our December Anything Goes with Optional Twist Challenge!

Hello Paper Crafters! I know I haven't posted much the past few months.   I've been so busy---like CRAZY busy.  Aside from Cardmaking, I also love Crocheting and I'm trying to fulfill some orders that my family and friends requested.  Some of my projects takes a lot of time to finish but once I'm done, it truly gives me pleasure.  I'm always grateful to the Lord for the talents He entrusted me (those I'm born with and those acquired) for I know that He has a greater purpose for all of them.   James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  Creative talents along with spiritual gifts are all blessings from our Creator.  Whatever we make of them is certainly the gift we present to our  Father in  heaven when the time comes.   

ARE WE PRAYING?  I certainly hope so!  Despite the hustle and bustle of this season, we ought to be grateful for every blessing we receive each day.  Remembering that there are many enemies (both physically and spiritually) who are furious and angered by the joy and freedom we enjoy and would like to steal, kill and destroy the works of the Lord in this country.  I hope that in the midst of our busyness, we take the time to thank and bless the Lord for His protection, provision and leading in this country.  For the life of every man and women whom He uses to guard this nation from eminent danger.  For the military and law enforcers who honestly and faithfully serve and uphold the law of the land.  To the men and women in the political arena who fight against the demonic agenda of death (Abortion, Sodomy, Pedophilia/Pizza Gate, Racial Division/Tension, Media Lies/Manipulation, Rebellion, Persecution of Christians, Support of Radical Terrorism, Satanism and so much more)  as promoted by the current leadership.  To the voices of Pastors and Preachers who tirelessly speak in behalf of the entire Truth of the Gospel; refusing to conform to political correctness and allowing fame and selfish gain to rule their hearts and deceive their congregation.   For every believer who go outside the four walls of their Church to share the Gospel and represent Christ in their communities either to help those who are in need or to fight for the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves.  And to those who come together to pray---simple men and women--- kneeling, praying and pleading to God for His intervention in our nation.  Every believer has a part in God's kingdom here on earth.  Nobody's more important than the other.  Each one is significant in the eyes of the Lord.  Whatever we are doing and no matter where we are, when we think of the freedom and blessings God set forth upon this country---PRAY!  When we hear alarming news,  PRAY and don't allow fear to dominate your life.  You see, when we call upon the Lord, we are acknowledging the fact that He is Sovereign and therefore have complete control of everything that unfolds.  Christ in us is the evidence of God's love for us!  In Him, we are sure that the Father hears our prayers and has our best interest always.  Leaving you with the following verses to encourage you to trust in the Lord and pray continuously.

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowlerʼs snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.  If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.  “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:1-16)

So, I'm here to highlight the project I made for our Challenge this month at 613 Avenue Create.  As always, it's Anything Goes with an optional twist of "Holiday Happiness."  For this Card, I used an image from Saturated Canary called "Country Mama" that I colored using my Touch Five markers.  Though the store is now closed, I have a collection of wonderful images that I can still use for my future projects.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card including the butterflies I die-cut using Sizzix On the Edge Die.  The DP's are from my scraps, the leaves were punched with Fiskars, the flowers I layered from Prisma and the doily from Martha Stewart.  I also added some white nail head gems from Imaginisce, the brads from Recollections, glitters by Stickles (Crystal) and the awesome sentiment was a freebie I got from Create with TLC.  This card was a request done for a dear friend.   

 AWESOME AND GRATEFUL CARD

 AWESOME AND GRATEFUL CARD SIDE VIEW

 AWESOME AND GRATEFUL CARD LAYERS

 AWESOME AND GRATEFUL CARD INSIDE

AWESOME AND GRATEFUL CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Card Mania---ATG
Ching-Chou Kuik---Bright and Beautiful
Classic DT---ATG
Crafting Musketeers---ATG
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Creatalicious---ATG with Optional Traditional Christmas Colors
Die-Cut Divas---Layers/Layer It
Digistamps4Joy---Make it Sparkle
Doodle Pantry---Anything Digital Goes
Petal Lu---ATG
Scrap N---Glitter 
YSBP---Sparkles 


There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge with an optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from our lovely sponsors for this week---Bugaboo Stamps,  Di's Digi Stamps and Rick St. Dennis.  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week. Have a blessed day, everybody!

Scripture Series: Unspeakable Gift Card---New Anything Goes/Inspirational Challenge Happening at Word Art Wednesday!

Hello, everyone!  Just want to take the opportunity to greet y'all a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Though we see a lot of destructive forces that tries to discourage us, those who love the Lord have many things to be thankful about despite the chaos of everyday living.  Our Scripture Word Art, you can download for free at the Word Art Wednesday (WAW) site for this bi-weekly Challenge,  comes from 2 Corinthians 9:15 which tells us, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

Many times, we wait for extraordinary things to happen before we feel grateful.  You see, one obvious characteristic of a disgruntled/discontent person is ungratefulness.  One way or another, we could have harbored such an attitude of have met people who are not satisfied with anything.  You could have given your best to these people, yet they have no appreciation.  They talk negatively about many/all things and even go to the extent of  rubbing others of their attitude.  It would make sense for people that deny God and His Word to act that way for they utterly dismiss the Author/Source of their blessings. But while it is clear as daylight that they are not in control of their existence (even the very air they breathe that is essential for their survival comes from the Lord)---they make a fool of themselves by dismissing God's existence.  Psalm 14:1 clearly states, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good."  So, when I encounter such people (personally or online), I honestly feel concerned!  Though their physical and spiritual blindness upsets me,  it also brings within me a compassion for their souls which moves me to pray that they may know Jesus before it's too late.  True, it's hard to pray for these people especially  when they speak despicable things just because we choose to believe in a Sovereign God. But in reality, they have no idea how blind they truly are! When I accepted God's Truth (reality in God's perspective) and His gift of life, God placed His Holy Spirit inside of me and revealed my desperate need for Christ.  Humbled by what the Lord has done,  I'm able to set aside hatred and allow the Lord to use me as I forgive and pray for them.

Yet lately, I am seeing more believers showing ungratefulness.  They sit with you in the Church and listens to the same message yet live in negativity daily.  I consider them "Yo-yo" Christians.  They are happy for a moment and with the slightest trial, they completely forget their blessings.  They keep on living in the past and would dwell on their old baggage, way of thinking and fails to listen.  I can say that today, I have a better understanding why many of God's people, rescued from their bondage in Egypt, didn't make it to the Promise Land.  Ungrateful people who says they abide by God's Word yet fails to live it are harder to deal with than those who know nothing about the ways of God.  One thing that is true---no one who has truly seen and experienced God in his/her life could dwell in constant negativity/ungratefulness.  My past attest to God's goodness.  My present speaks of His love and faithfulness. My future declares of His glory.   I am grateful for the air I breathe, my beating heart, a functioning mind and body, a warm bed to sleep on, waking up every morning, food on our table, a family that cares and so much more.   I am thankful for every seen and unseen things like the spiritual gifts, talents and abilities He blessed me with.  And yes, I'm also grateful for the trials as in those times when  I am able to see the power,  presence and glory of the Lord at work in my life.  One day, my life will be over and my gratitude will meet its ultimate and unspeakable reward---ETERNAL LIFE in the presence of my Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST!  As my Pastor always remind us students in our Bible class, "The worst day in a believer's life is far better than the very best day in the life of an unbeliever."   Let that sink deep into our spirits that we may never dwell in negativity again.  Leaving you with the following verses to be grateful about...

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"  (Colossians 3:15-17)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory"  (Ephesians 1:3-14)

For this Card, I used an image from Saturated Canary (store closed) called "The King" and colored it using my Touch Five markers.  The base is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I kept it simple to focus on the Scripture Word Art and how it relates to the image and I am pretty happy with the results.  Aside from fancy and regular stitching, I also added a few nail head gems from Imaginisce and some glitters (Stickles-Crystal). 

 UNSPEAKABLE GIFT CARD

 UNSPEAKABLE GIFT CARD LAYERS

 UNSPEAKABLE GIFT CARD INSIDE

UNSPEAKABLE GIFT CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Creative Craft Cottage---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Love to Scrap---ATG
Penny's Paper Crafty---ATG
Polkadoodle---ATG
Crazy Challenge---Christmas
Creative Fingers---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Christmas Paper
Crafting Musketeers---Christmas Wishes
Crafty Creations---Christmas
Sweet Stampin--- ATG Christmas
Crafting by Designs---Christmas
Little Red Wagon---Sparkle and Shine
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
Crafter's Cafe---Christmas
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Crafty Purple Frog---Magic of Christmas
Creatalicious---ATG with optional Sentiment
Digistamps4Joy---ATG with optional Christmas
Petal Lu---ATG
Sunsational Stamps---ATG
Sweet Stampers---Christmas


Make sure you join us at WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Word Art in your creation and link it to our Challenge but is not a requirement.  As long as it's family-friendly, uplifting and inspirational, you can enter up to 5 times this week.  A wonderful prize awaits our winner from our lovely sponsor for this Challenge---Simon Says Stamp ($25 GC).  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, meditate on the goodness of the Lord and rely on His promises.  Expect only wonderful things from Him each day.  Be thankful always!

Scripture Series: Come Before His Presence Card---Join us for Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!ing

Hello everyone.  I apologize for the the delayed post as there's just so many things in my plate this week.  But I am grateful I was able to whip up a card for our new Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) which features a Scripture Word Art that you can download for free at the WAW site.  It comes from Psalm 95:2-3 which says, "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."  What a timely scripture considering the hand of God in the affairs of our nation these days.

We all witness the Presidential election from the gruesome eighteen months of campaigning to the final results last Tuesday.  If we are not seeing the mighty hand of God in the results night (Wednesday morn), then I don't know what other signs are we looking for...I came home at about 9:30 Tuesday night not wanting to turn the TV on and hear media reports to avoid emotional stress.  My heart was heavy and I decided to sit on the couch, pray silently and even began dozing.  My son woke me up and asked whether I wanted to watch news on TV.  Reluctantly,  I said okay.   It didn't take that long for me to realize that something miraculous was happening with the results.  All week-long, all I heard was that Hillary Clinton was ahead in the polls (though I seriously doubted the polls due to media bias) but  that was not a reality in the actual election results that night.  Seeing/sensing the hand of God, I continued watching till I heard the official announcement that Trump was the next President of the United States.  And I exclaimed, "Thank you Lord, Glory to Your Name."  

Well, you may think I was a great supporter of Trump.  Uh-oh, not at all!  Senator Ted Cruz left his Republican primary election campaign and my heart sunk.  I mourned---for I knew how difficult it would be to choose when there's really no choice between Clinton nor Trump.  It was emotionally hard but I picked myself up  and  I asked for God's leading all the way to Election Day.  I knew I could not give my vote to Clinton in support of her demonic worldview which directly contradicts the Biblical worldview I hold dear to my heart.  Of all the satanic agenda she 's involved with, she sealed the deal when she declared that "an unborn child has no constitutional right at any time and that she supports Roe vs. Wade to its core and held its position for many years." Video HERE.   Wow, anyone who advocates the murder of the most vulnerable members or our society and disguises the killings of these helpless babies for women's rights will  in no way have any regard for mine and other lives.  If we don't serve her purpose, we are disposable to her.  God is the Life-Giver and He is the Only One who can take that away!  There is no excuse for that barbaric practice in this country as there are many families that would want to care for that baby if the mother only give him/her a chance.  But the Truth is, all their (pro-choice) arguments are just a facade to a demonic agenda of eliminating what they consider "undesirables."  God commanded me to fight for the unborn and I will be a voice for them no matter what.  On the other hand, my greatest issue with Trump is that I couldn't rely on his word.  I am not sure what position he would take from day to day.  But then, I had to look at their Vice Presidential candidates and I am in total support of Mike Pence who is true brother in Christ and a man of God.  So, after much prayer and inquiring of the Lord, I cast my vote! I am grateful that God heard the prayer of His people not only from this nation but from all other countries that showed their concern for America.  He showed His mercy and faithfulness to them that love Him in this country and fulfilled 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  

From where we have fallen from God in this country to the miraculous salvation of the Lord from the horrors of what could have been a Clinton presidency, I have all the more reason to rejoice and to come before the Lord with thanksgiving, rejoicing and singing.  He is indeed King over all kings and nobody can stop His reign.  I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I am destined to reign with Him.  There are no words to express how I appreciate my God.  To the Church, our battle is not over---it's just beginning!  We have to come in full force with faith, prayer and action to fulfill the Great Commission, to pray for our leaders and be productive citizens of our country.  It's not the time to relax but to engage ourselves as fruitful members of our society.  We are to bring the Lord Jesus in all pillars of our society and saturate them with God's power and love. We can do this, in Jesus Name! 

For this Card, I used an image from Mo Manning called "Mummu and Me"  and colored it with my Prismacolor markers.  The base is a pre-cut A7 Kraft card from Paper Studio.  The DP's are from Paper Studio as well.  The scallop oval was die cut using Nestabilities, the leaves were punched out using Fiskars, the layered flowers from Prisma, the bras from Recollections and the glitters are from Stickles (Crystal). Lastly, I stitched all over this card.

 COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE CARD

 COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE CARD SIDE VIEW

 COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE CARD LAYERS

 COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE CARD INSIDE

COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Angie's Digi Stamps---ATG
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
Lil Patch---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Crafty Gals---Use a Sentiment
Crafty Friends---ATG
Digi Choosday---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Simon Says---Thanksgiving
Sunny Day Crafting---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Aud Sentiments---ATG with Sentiment
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Southern Girls---ATG
TTCRD---ATG
Just Keep On Creating---ATG
Create with TLC---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts and Me---ATG
Crafts Galore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---ATG with Patterned Paper
Die Cut Divas---Thanks
Digistamps4Joy---ATG
Oddball---ATG
Paper Creator's---ATG
Paradise of Stamps---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Pink and Main---Thankful/Gratitude
Worldwide Open DT---ATG
DP2---Anything Mo Goes


Hope you join the fun at our WAW Challenge.  There's wonderful prize awaiting our blessed winner from our awesome sponsor this week, Shoppe 3130 (Prize Package).  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 share unto others the hope you have in Christ.  Hugs! 

With Great Love Card---Join Us for Another Monthly Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello there, Crafty Friends!  I have a couple of cards to show you for our Monthly Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  As always, it's Anything Goes so, there's no excuse for any of you not to join us.  If you want to see the second card I made, you can find it HERE.

Anyway, many of you have already cast your votes on the early voting days of the Presidential election.  If you love this country and the freedom (like no other) our Creator gifted this land, I encourage every God-fearing citizen to continue to pray for our nation.  Let us ask the Lord to establish a Godly leadership in our midst.  Truthfully, unless God intervenes, I don't see any success in all human effort.  The Scripture declares in Proverbs 21:1, "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will."  With all the ungodly laws and policies we adapted for many years now when we allowed ungodly men and women to control our government, schools, media and the other segments of our society while limiting ourselves within the walls  of our Churches, we have neglected to bring the voice of God into all these pillars.  Therefore, we are reaping the fruits of our collective tolerance and passivity.  I pray that it's not too late for America---I really do!  Let us come together and call upon the Lord...Psalm 34:17 says, "When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."  Everyone whose trust is in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross is  declared by God righteous before Him.   Romans 3:21-26 tells us, "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 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— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."  Our Father in heaven hears every prayer of His children.  From the deepest groaning of our hearts to the prayers we could not even find the words for, He hears all of them!  We may not be in a position of power or influence in the government, politics or even media and entertainment but we have the power given to us by Jesus Christ to summon the power of heaven and change this world through prayer and spirit-led action in accordance to His Word.  Whoever takes office, always remember that our God is still in control!  However, our actions today will determine our fulfillment of God's Great Commission either in freedom or in peril.  I pray the no matter what we end up facing, that we continue to be Ambassadors of Christ to this dying world as we take the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) to those who are meant to be saved---in all boldness, casting out every fear, and faithfully executing everything God prepared for us to do from before time.  You can count on me...Can I count on you?

For my first card for this month's Challenge,  I used an image from one of our sponsors, All Dressed Up Stamps called "Perfect Day."  I used mostly Distress Inks for the background but for the girl in the image, I used my Touch Five markers. I used Liquid Frisket to mask the image after I colored it so I can freely ink the scene.  The base of the card is white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The border sentiment comes from Art Warehouse and the smaller sentiments are from Fiskars.  I layered some flowers from Prima and Recollections, the brads from Recollections and the glitters are Stickles (Crystal).  Lastly, I added a bit of stitching to this project.  Now, this is not really how I pictured this card originally.  I did some powder embossing on the image but didn't like the result.  Just as I thought of all the hard work (hours of coloring) that would be put to waste and how I didn't have the time to make another project, God gave me an idea before disposing the image! I cut the part with unwanted embossing, shorten the image, added some stitching and add the flower and sentiments instead.  And I couldn't believe how beautiful it turned out.  And with that, God reminded me again that things we may consider trash can still transform into something very beautiful.  I thought of sharing this with you as I know you also have your share of stories like that in your crafting world.

WITH GREAT LOVE CARD

 WITH GREAT LOVE CARD LAYERS

 WITH GREAT LOVE CARD SIDE VIEW

 WITH GREAT LOVE CARD INSIDE

WITH GREAT LOVE CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Angie's Digi Stamps---ATG
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
Great Impressions---ATG
Lil Patch---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Crafty Friends---ATG
Digi Choosday---ATG
Just Keep On Creating---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts Galore---ATG
Digistamps4Joy---ATG
Oddball---ATG
Paper Creator's---ATG
Paradise of Stamps---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Worldwide Open DT---ATG 


There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge with an optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create.  There's wonderful prizes awaiting the winners from all our  lovely sponsors.  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight.  I hope you have a wonderful week filled with the divine inspiration of God's Word and be able to share the Hope you have in you to bring light to the dark places in your sphere of influence.  Would love to hear your comments too.   Hugs, always!  

Cheer Yourself Up Card---My Second Card for our Monthly Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hi everyone!  I'm back with my second inspiration card for our Monthly Challenge at 613 Avenue Create. For this Card, I used an image (Cute Critters) and sentiment (Twain Quips) from Doodle Pantry---one of our Challenge sponsors for this month.  I did some paper piecing on the body and feet of the image and colored the rest with my Touch Five markers.  The base is an A7 white card from Paper Studio, the flower stamp is from Martha Stewart that I enjoyed stamping with different inks and fussy-cut and the white brads are from Recollections.  I embossed the background with Cuttlebug folder and machine and lastly, I incorporated some glitters (Stickles-Crystal) to add  sparkle to this project.  I was inspired by a card design I saw from Art Impressions.  It was from Sherry Eckblad.  It was simple but so beautifully balance.  I adapted the design and concept and left the image, the sentiment and the flowers to my preference.  I look at it and it just makes me happy.   If you want to see my other card with Scripture and message I shared with every post, you'll find it HERE.   Anyway, hope you enjoy this card as much as I had fun making it. God bless!

 CHEER YOURSELF UP CARD

 CHEER YOURSELF UP CARD LAYERS

 CHEER YOURSELF UP CARD INSIDE

CHEER YOURSELF UP CARD WITH ENVELOPE BOX

This Card is  entered into the following Challenges:

Angie's Digi Stamps---ATG
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
Lil Patch---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Crafty Friends---ATG
Digi Choosday---ATG
Just Keep On Creating---ATG
Classic DT---ATG
Crafts Galore---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---ATG with Patterned Paper
Digistamps4Joy---ATG
Digitally Sweet---Animal or Pet
Doodle Pantry---Use a Digi
Oddball---ATG
Paper Creator's---ATG
Paradise of Stamps---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Worldwide Open DT---ATG 


This it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge. There's really no reason for you to miss it.  Lots of lovely prizes awaiting our winners from our generous sponsors.  Can't wait to see what you create. The Lord is with His children every step of the way so, be at peace knowing that we have placed our trust in the Rock of all ages---Jesus Christ! 

Scripture Series: Depth of the Riches Easel Card---Join Us for Anything Goes/Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday!

Hi there, Craft peeps!  It's been a while but I'm here to bring you another inspirational card for our Anything Goes/Family Friendly Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW) featuring a Scripture Word Art you can download for free at the WAW site.  Days are passing by so quickly and we see events and biblical prophecies simply unfolding before our eyes.  If we don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Born-again, John 3:3) and have not been familiar with the Scripture, we may look at things like they are normal or coincidental.  In our country today, we are in the process of appointing someone who is equip to lead us and rest our confidence in what that person can do to advance our cause and for others, their agenda.  The Bible teaches us to be selfless but the sad thing is---without genuine love and relationship with God, it is the nature of human beings (after the Fall of man) to be selfish.  It's me first before others...

The ongoing United States election is one great example of this reality.  The two leading candidates we are supposed to choose from are so far away from the Biblical foundation this country was built upon.  What comes out of their mouth and what they have done/are doing are the very proof of the danger we are going to face in the coming days.  The hardest thing for every God-fearing citizen like myself is to absolutely have no choice.  I can't help but think of the situation that happened between Abraham and Sarah as they waited for the fulfillment of the promise (a child) which would make him "father of all nations," as promised by God (Genesis 17:5).  How in Sarah's barrenness and both their old age could could that be possible?   To make matters worst, many more years came by without a tangible evidence from the promise God made.  And so they did what they taught was necessary to make God's promise a reality.  They took matters in their own hands and saw Hagar (their servant girl) as a means to bear Abraham's child (Ishmael).  This child was born out of man's impatience and a mindset that God is incapable to fulfill His promise without man's effort.  To this day, we are seeing the horrible consequences that the descendants of Ishmael are doing to the people of God (descendant of Isaac---the true promise) in the conflict in the Middle East . It never seem to end.

I can't help but think that our need to choose from any of our two leading candidates (Clinton or Trump) is man's way of doing things.  Many believe that a vote for any of them can change the nation for better or for worst.  But I tell you the Truth, no man (unless led by God Almighty) can save this nation from destruction.  Personally, I call upon the Lord and repent if at any point---I trusted in man's ability.  I don't want another King Saul for our nation---I want God Himself to rule our nation!  At this point, it may look like an impossibility but I am willing to wait till the deadline (the final day of voting) for what the Lord can do!  I don't want to make a hasty decision.  I believe I have to deal with the consequences of my actions after things are said and done.  The Lord's timing is perfect and if He allows any of these two leading candidates to take the driver's seat of this nation, my trust will continue to rest upon the Lord!  So I will vote and encourage every God-fearing citizen to do the same not only for the highest seat of this country but for every governing positions.  My choice is God first and whoever He compels me (with great conviction) to vote for.  I'm praying and believing for His intervention that I will not have to make such a difficult choice among two undeserving presidential candidates.  God help us!

Anyway, our Scripture Word Art featured in my project today comes from Romans 11:33 which says, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"  Yes, God's wisdom and knowledge is so far out there that we cannot confine it within the box of our understanding.  It is because of this Truth that I am able to see things clearly even when everything surrounding us is hazy.  There is a great deception that are embraced by many and it's mind-boggling why these people willingly subject themselves and their future into such evil.  They seem to have lose control of their minds and are hypnotized by another power (Satanic).  If you only believe in things you see, then, you may not understand what I'm talking about.  Yet, the Bible tell us in 1 Corinthians 15:2-14, "The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." Jesus Himself said in John 6:63, "It's the Spirit who gives life; the flesh accomplishes nothing. The words that I've spoken to you are spirit and life."  Though God's Truth are far beyond our understanding, He gave us His Word that we may have understanding of His ways and He gave us Jesus to show us how to live the life that pleases Him.  The time will come when we will see Jesus in His fullness and glory and we'll be glad we placed our trust in Him alone.


For this Card, I used an image from Stamping Bella called "Tiny Townie Amanda is Awesome" that I watercolored using my Stabilo markers and Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The base is Kraft, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from DCWV and the brad top from Heidi Grace.  The short sentiment beside the image comes with the Stamping Bella set and the sentiment located in the message space is from Fiskars.  Lastly, I sttiched all over this project and I am very happy with the result.

 DEPTH OF THE RICHES EASEL CARD

 DEPTH OF THE RICHES EASEL CARD WHEN CLOSE

 DEPTH OF THE RICHES EASEL CARD WITH MESSAGE SPACE

DEPTH OF THE RICHES EASEL CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafty Creations---Watercolor
Crafty Gals---ATG
Creative Moments---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG
Little Red Wagon---Stencil It (Clouds)
Simon Says---ATG
Crafty Addicts---ATG/Autumnal Colors
Wonderful Wednesday---ATG
Lemon Shortbread---ATG
Artistic Inspiration---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Crafty Friends---ATG
Digi Choosday---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
World Wide Open DT---ATG


Make sure you join us at WAW Challenge.  You can use the free Word Art in your creation and link it to our Challenge but is not a requirement.  As long as it's family-friendly, uplifting and inspirational, you can enter up to 5 times this week.  An awesome GC of  $25 worth will be awarded to our Challenge winner by our awesome sponsor---Simon Says Stamp.  So excited to see what you come up with.  Anyway, cheer up as we meditate on the name of Jesus today.  There is power in His Name and it's available to everyone that believes.