Especially Made: Warmest Birthday Card---Join Our Anything Goes Monthly Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Advance Happy Heart's day, Crafty Peeps!  Last Sunday, we started our February Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create with the optional theme, "My Whimsical Valentine." Go to our Challenge site and you will find many DT inspirations featuring the theme.  However, I decided to make  a very simple Birthday card and like me, you can opt out of the theme for an Anything Goes project.  What's important is to have fun with your creation.

Nowadays, I can't help but watch what's going on with the Freedom Convoy (in its third week now) originated by Truckers in our neighboring country of Canada.  If you are following my Blog post, you know that I am not only sharing Biblical Truths here but most especially in discussing the relevance of God's Word to what's happening to our country and the world as a whole.  Generally, many people don't get themselves involved in current events primarily politics and government unless it directly and personally affect their lives.  Draconian mandates that happen in other states or countries does not worry us much because we don't have to comply as of yet.  But you wake up one day and it's right up your alley. You're threatened with  fines, suspension, subjected to frequent testing to the extent of losing your job and be segregated for something you don't trust to be inserted to your body;  jabs that have proven to offer nothing for your health and protection. But even with that, many end up complying because let's face it, it demands great effort, strength and resources to fight back.  I've known several people who didn't like to take the jab but were afraid to lose their job and benefits.  As a Born-again (John 3:3) believer, God clearly told us that our real fight is not physical in nature. Ephesians 6:12 clearly states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." The Body of Christ (Church, Ekklesia) is here on earth not as bystanders  but to affect and lead the world with the rule of God.  And because Satan is the god of this world, he has in his disposal human beings that are bent to serve him which he placed in leadership to disguise themselves as champion of human rights and representatives of the people.  But in time, they'll show their true colors as they clamor for power and control.  The very people they claim to protect will suffer under their tyrannical rule by abandoning their promises and strangling the rights of the people.

When Adam sinned against God, all of humanity was plunged into Sin and Death under the bloodline of Adam.  We don't have any choice and are destined to suffer the wrath of God's judgment.  There's nothing we can do as human beings to change that until God sent His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ to redeem us from our bondage with Satan and free us from the claws of Sin and Death.  Though the penalty of Sin was paid in full by the sacrifice of Jesus at the Cross, only those who  placed their faith in the Cross of Christ will benefit from it.  Freedom comes from God and in that freedom is the right to choose! To choose to put our faith on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross for our eternal salvation or to reject and mock the Only Way provided by God resulting to eternal death.  As a child of God, we have to keep in mind that our spiritual freedom didn't come cheap.  

So it is under the same principle that we have to fight for our freedom in this world. We cannot allow government dictators to erode our rights under the guise of health and safety.  It is no coincidence that many demonic leaderships have used what they called "pandemic" to slowly condition their citizens to comply and then strip them of their right to choose what's best for them and their families.  They start by buying and recruiting people and trolls to propagate their lies (fake social media) while simultaneously using their power and influence to silence and cancel everyone who speaks the truth.  With the coordinated propagation of lies hour by the hour, many are easily deceived because they just accept whatever is in front of them instead of engaging in research to find out what's the truth behind the headlines.  People are waking up to this kind of suppression not only here in the States but in many countries around the world.  With ninety percent jab rate, Canada would be the last country I would think the Freedom Convoy would originate.  For two years, they took everything that their leaders shoved down their throats.  Aside from a few reports of people crying foul to the mandates, I've never heard or saw a significant outcry by it's citizen.  Many of them were duped to believing that there's a scientific support to the draconian measures passed on to them.  But beginning this year, as many countries have announced an end to their Rona mandates, many Canadians realized how abusive their leader is for it showed no desire to hear their concerns to end the mandates. They declared "enough is enough" and are willing to give everything (through peaceful means) to take back their freedom.  The demonic leaders all over the world are scrambling to do damage control. Canada encouraged many other countries in similar predicament to bond together that no amount of lies and threats could stop them from pursuing their goal which is freedom from Rona mandates.

And what can I say?  When we unite to push back the darkness and enforce the light, nothing is impossible with God.  While the Body of Christ is here, our responsibility is to be Salt and Light of this world.  For there will come a time when God takes us away from this world (Rapture of the Church) and all hell breaks loose (Tribulation Period).  The Bible is clear that it's going to happen because a just God will pour out His judgment to the ungodly who willfully rejected Christ and pledged their souls to serve Satan.  Be wise in your choices.  God's Word reveals to us the difference between righteousness and iniquity.  Spending the time to study the Scripture gives us wisdom to see through the disguise that leads to deception.  Freedom is always worth fighting for!

For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions called "Birthday Wishes" and colored it using my Prismacolor markers and stamped the sentiments from the same set.  The base is a white, A7 card base with envelope from Paper Studio.  The DP is from my scraps and the fence border was die-cut using an MS Punch.  I added a couple of brads to complete my design.  

 

WARMEST BIRTHDAY CARD 

WARMEST BIRTHDAY CARD  WITH ENVELOPE

 This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A Perfect Time---ATG

Ching-Chou Kuik---ATG/All You Need Is Love

Classic Design---ATG 

Clever Dexter---Fave Technique (CAS Cards)

Crafts Galore---ATG

LeAnn's World---ATG

Let's Craft and Create---ATG/From the Heart

Morgan's Artworld---ATG

Pearly Sparkles---ATG

River of Creativity---ATG

Sognando---ATG/Love

Crafting Challenge---Love

This is it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge with an optional theme.  Can't wait to see what you create. The Lord is with you every step of the way so, don't compromise God's Word nor be afraid of the what the future holds based on your faithfulness to His Word.  Great is our eternal reward in heaven for us whose trust in not of the world but in Christ!

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Especially Made: Enjoy the Ride Birthday Card---Join Us for our July Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello everyone.  So sorry if I'm super late in posting this card here on my Blog as the past weekend was super duper busy for me.  This card is my inspiration card for our monthly Challenge at 613 Avenue Create and we invite you all to link your wonderful projects with us this July.  As always, it's Anything Goes but you can take the optional theme of  "Make Your Own Background" to challenge your creativity.  I chose to make a CAS card and you can do so as well.

Nowadays, I am praying for the country I originally came from---the Philippines.  I was born and raised there before I got married and became an American citizen.  All the time I lived there,  I witnessed how dirty politics has been and how many of the leaders succumb to corruption.  I know that no government is perfect and how Filipinos grew tired of a system that was influenced by voter buying and popularity votes.  Many elected politicians came into power because people saw them in the movies as actors and actresses.  Though some were qualified, many other candidates were voted for because they were famous.  Aside from politics, another influential pillar in the Philippine society is religion.  Majority of the people there are Roman Catholics.  I was part of this religion for 20 years till I accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior and  became Born-again (John 3:3). I learned of God's redemptive plan through the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross through the written  Word of God (Scripture/Bible).  I am grateful for the foundation I got from the Church I served there for many years.  Yet is was  only when I came to America (after working for years in the Cruise ship) that I started truly growing in the knowledge of the Word of God after attending Bible classes offered by our Church Bible school.  I'd been going for nearly 10 years now.  All the foundations I learned from my Church in the Philippines started to make sense and each teaching became meaningful as my new Church connected everything like puzzle pieces that now showed me a clear picture of what Jesus did for me. It's all in the Bible.   Through the Holy Spirit, I learned not to depend on any teaching or opinions of man (no matter who they are) unless it aligns with the infallible Word of God.

It's because of this that my heart is heavy for what is happening in the Philippines.  For the incumbent President (Rodrigo Duterte) mocked and cursed the God of Creation and ridiculed/insulted (with filthy language and cussing) the Word of God in many of his public speeches.  Many of his supporters were saying that he was just attacking the Roman Catholic church---their practices and doctrines.  But personally seeing several videos of his speeches, many of them were a direct attack to the One True God.  Growing up in the Catholic religion, I realized that many of their doctrines contradict the Word of God (which is why I left).  Like any religion (man-made), there's a lot of twisted/perverted teachings that causes people to stumble.  Yet, after seeing several videos of Duterte's mockery of God (supposed to be directed towards Catholic priests and nuns), his attacks truly goes beyond the religion.  In one video,  he questioned the Biblical teaching of Creation calling God "stupid" (a few times) for creating a perfect world yet allowing Adam and Eve to be tempted, therefore destroying his creation.  He also pointed out that mankind should not be condemned as sinners due to the sin of Adam and Eve (to the dismay of some while others were laughing in the audience).  On another video, he told people that if they build a church named after him which he called,  "iglesia ni Duterte" (church of Duterte)," everything is permissible. That if a man would want to marry five women, it's okay.  Another video questions the validity of the Bible as he questioned who published it since there's no printing press in those days.  There's so much more but I can't write it all down here.  All his mockery coupled by filthy language and cussing is truly hard to digest.  It's very obvious that this man doesn't know anything about the Word of God.  Though he claimed to have a God, it's evident he's not talking about the God of the Bible.  Ive heard many people mocking God but not so openly like this President .  He does not only distort the Word of God but invites others to believe his deception---poisoning the minds of those who are easily persuaded. And as their leader, he willfully invites the judgment of God to the entire nation.  Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." You can read more about this Scripture HERE.  To all who worship the One True God in the Philippines and are brokenhearted by the conduct of this leader, I join you in praying for your President---that he comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  I pray that the Truth of God's Word penetrate his heart as God uses people to impart to him the Truth of the Gospel.  Salvation does not come from any man but from God alone.  God listens to the petitions of His people, those whose faith is focused on Him.  Let us believe for the miraculous intervention of God among your leaders.  Nothing is impossible with God!  If you have any questions about Bible teachings/topic, please write it down in the comments.   I would love to share some answers based solely on the infallible Word of God.  God does not want anyone to be ignorant but want  everyone to know of His great plan and purpose.

For this Card, I used an image from Art impressions called "Got Style" that I colored using my Prismacolor markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make an A2 size card.  I also stamped and colored the banner image from Stampabilities.  I included a bit of washi tape from Tape Works and some glitters from Stickles (Crystal).  I made this for the mother of my friend as she is always so sweet to me and my family every time we come and visit them.  For something I put together at the last minute, this came out really well. 

ENJOY THE RIDE BIRTHDAY CARD

 ENJOY THE RIDE BIRTHDAY CARD LAYERS

ENJOY THE RIDE BIRTHDAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Creative Fingers---ATG
Simply Papercraft---ATG
Little Miss Muffet---ATG


This it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge.  Can't wait to see what you create. The Lord is with you every step of the way so, don't be afraid of the what the future holds---we are safe in the arms of Christ always.  Remember to pray for our leaders and put into office those who fear and acknowledge God.    

Especially Made: Happiness Coming Your Way Card and Crochet Blanket and Toy Set for a Special Friend...

Hi there, guys.  We have a brand new Challenge happening at 613 Avenue Create so feel free to link your Anything Goes with optional theme (Mainly Blue) projects for the fun of sharing your craft.  I'm so sorry this post is coming a couple days late as many things came up that kept me occupied.

Today, I would like to share with you God's Word in 1 John 3:7-9 which says, "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God."  My Life Application Bible did a wonderful job explaining these verses so I would like to share it here.  It says, "We all have areas where temptation is strong and habits are hard to conquer.  These weaknesses give the devil a foothold, so we must deal with our areas of vulnerability.   If we are struggling with a particular sin, however, these verses are not directed at us, even if for the time we seem to keep on sinning.  John is not talking about people whose victories are still incomplete; he is talking about people who make a practice of sinning and look for ways to justify it.  Three steps are necessary to find victory over prevailing sin: (1) seek the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word; (2) stay away from tempting situations; and (3) seek the help of the Body of Christ---be open to their willingness to hold you accountable and to pray for you.  "No one who is born of God will continue to sin" means that true believers do not make a practice of sinning, nor do they become indifferent to God's moral law.  All believer's still sin, but they are working to gain victory over sin.  "God's seed remains in him" means that true believers do not make practice of sinning because God's new life has been born into them.  We are "born of God" when the Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us Jesus' new life.  Being born again is more than a fresh start; it is a rebirth, receiving a new family name based on Christ's death for us.  When this happens, God forgives us and totally accepts us; the Holy Spirit gives us new minds and hearts, lives in us, and begins helping us to become like Christ.  Our  perspective changes too because we have a mind that is renewed day by day by the Holy Spirit (See Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24).  So we must begin to think and act differently.  See John 3:1-21 for more on being born again. "

You see, I planned to share something in the line of what I'm dealing with these days (physical condition) but as I seek God's Word, He took me to a different direction.  I believe it is of utmost importance that I share this message considering the moral and social dilemma prevalent in our society these days.  There is a continuous attack on the Word of God that's determined to move us and our children away from the knowledge of God and towards Moral Relativism.  Moral Relativism (or Ethical Relativism) is the position that moral or ethical propositions do not reflect objective and/or universal moral truths, but instead make claims relative to social, cultural, historical or personal circumstances.  No matter how good one presents this, it is utterly dangerous and demonic in its core.  See more about Moral Relativism HERE.   In case you are unaware of it, our schools are the best place to start this evil indoctrination.  We hear of school board (closed door) meetings that takes away our rights as parents and citizens to have a say in our children's education.  In California, there's an ongoing fight by concerned parents that are opposed to school district's subjecting their kids to controversial sex education courses and gender bending propaganda.  Satan knows the importance of the next generation to secure the decay of our society.  His demonic agenda has saturated all pillars of our society using media, entertainment and politics in the forefront.  It gained access towards many churches as well whose teachers and preachers became traitors to the teachings of Christ and have placed their own understanding above God's Word.  In essence, these people have sold their souls to the devil for fame, power and money.   Them and their congregation had been deceived by the enemy for they refused to check the teachings handed down to them against the infallible Word of God.  Teaching about God's love without stating God's justice and wrath is an incomplete teaching that will send people to eternal damnation (eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire).  Outside of faith in what Jesus Christ accomplished at the Cross (His death, burial and resurrection), there is no other way for man to be saved.  Jesus' death justified us (legally) and made us righteous before God followed by sanctification by faith (where He sets us apart solely for His purpose).  This sanctification is an ongoing process of being Christ-like and requires our trust, cooperation and dying from ourselves (not us but Christ in charge of our lives).  By the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, we learn to battle with our selfish ambitions, emotions and proclivities in submission to the will of God.  Unlike those of the world (unbelievers), we no longer act based on our own advancement/satisfaction but taking into consideration the fulfillment of God's plan as a whole.  And when we make mistakes (acts of sin), we don't justify it but confesses it unto the Lord for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).  

A person that's been truly born of God does not delight in lies but seeks the Truth that can only be found in the Word of God.  Anyone who places their own understanding, feelings, experiences, culture, tradition, skin color, political affiliation, education, talents, and many more above the Word of God is not of God.  All human beings were born sinners (being in Adam) but those who placed their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ died in Adam and are born-again in Christ.  Therefore, the curse (Sin and Death) that humans carry by being in Adam have already been severed (no longer have power over us) and we possess in us the newness of life (Spirit life) in Christ Jesus.  Though we have to unlearn all the rebellious acts we were used to doing (process of sanctification), we no longer have to do it on our own.  The Holy Spirit (God's seed in us) helps us every step of the way as we yield our lives to Him.  There are many others out there who needs to hear this Truth. While there is time, we have to tell them about salvation by faith in Christ while we battle to destroy the works of the enemy in the lives of our children and the society as a whole.  This is not the time to sit down and relax.  We have a lot of work to do as God grants us a window of opportunity.  If we have to fight against unjust laws to follow the just laws of God in our society, let us do that!  For no man-made laws are above God's laws.  I would like to encourage you with the following verses to inspire you to live for the Lord daily:

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s Law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet the Spirit gives you life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells within you."  (Romans 8:1-11)

  
For this Card, I used this wonderful image from Stamping Bella called "Baby Carriage Abella" that I water colored using my Stabilo 68 markers.  The sentiment came from the same set.  I added some glitters to the image using Stickles (Crystal).  I made this for a friend who had her Baby Shower last month along with a wonderful Crochet Baby Blanket and Piggy Buddy Set (pictures below) that I worked with for close to two weeks .  Nothing is worth more than a gift you spent plenty of time to make in order to express how important that friend is to you.  That's how I see handmade gifts.  It's really more than a gift----it's a gift of LOVE!  Anyway, I followed the pattern from a book from Annie's Crochet called "Baby Blankets and Toys."  My friend loves green so, I had to incorporate green with pink for a baby girl (well, with some yellow) to complete this design.   She's very happy with it...

 HAPPINESS COMING YOUR WAY CARD

HAPPINESS COMING YOUR WAY CARD CLOSE-UP

HAPPINESS COMING YOUR WAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE

 CROCHET RIPPLES BLANKET AND PIGGY BUDDY FOLDED

CROCHET RIPPLES BLANKET AND PIGGY BUDDY

The Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Crafting with an Attitude---ATG
Little Miss Muffet---ATG
Creative Fingers---ATG
Simply Create Too---Anything but a Card
Simply Papercraft---ATG
Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Card Mania---Anything but a Card (Crochet Gift Combo)
Classic DT---ATG
Color Sisters---Color Palette
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Createful Heart---ATG/Spring/Mother's Day
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/For Mum
LeAnns World---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG/Lace. Ribbon or Twine


There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the opportunity to join our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to link with us.  I hope you have a great week and know that through faith in what Jesus accomplished at the Cross, we have complete victory over the works and schemes of the enemy!  Let us share this hope to countless others in the world. 

Especially Made: Happy Birthday, Monkey Card---Join Us for our April Challenge at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello there, friends!  I'm back with my featured card for our Anything Goes Challenge with Optional Twist (use vellum) at 613 Avenue Create.  I made a card for a boy who celebrated his first birthday. Anyway. wishing you A VERY BLESSED AND HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!  Just want to share a post I wrote in my Facebook page on Good Friday regarding what the Cross of Christ means for all of us.  Here it is:

OH, IF ONLY ALL OF MANKIND KNEW WHAT THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST AT THE CROSS HAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR THEM NOW AND FOREVER...

The finished work of Jesus Christ (His death, burial and resurrection) not only freed us from bondage of SIN (Death and Sin Nature) but has given us the RIGHT STANDING (righteousness) with God. JESUS did it all and all we need to do is BELIEVE (faith). When we declare that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, our confession shows our agreement with God's redemptive plan. HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IN US puts us in the position of POWER and AUTHORITY over the works and schemes of the enemy (satan). So when a CONDITION (situations) arise, we must act from our POSITION IN CHRIST (our right standing in Him). We must never allow our “condition” to dictate or rule over our “position.” As JESUS JUSTIFIED US (Justification by Faith) by the shedding of His blood on the Cross, HE ALSO SET US APART (Sanctification by Faith) for His purpose by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. This is how we MUST live our lives daily! 

I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for revealing what He’s done for me and how in His love and mercy, pursued me. Nothing and no one else can equal what He’s done and who He is in my life. I love you, Lord!  Just want to encourage you with God's Word today as we rejoice in remembering His Resurrection.

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." (Romans 5:1-11)

For this Card, I used an image from Paper Studio that I watercolored  using my  Stabilo 68 pens.  The base is an A2 size pre-cut card that comes with an envelope from Paper Studio.  The sentiment is a clear stamp from Printworks and I took the time to stitch the front panel of this creation. 

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONKEY CARD

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONKEY CARD LAYERS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONKEY CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

2 Crafty Critters---ATG
A Bit More Time---ATG
A Perfect Time---ATG
Always Happy Birthday---Anything Birthday
Craft Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Animals---Anything with Animals
Crafty Girls Creations---ATG
Creatalicious---ATG/Friends/Friendship
Create and Inspire---ATG/All About Mums
Createful Heart---ATG/Add Lace
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/Bright Colors
HLS---Watercolour
Love to Craft---ATG
Papercraft---ATG
Worldwide Open DT---ATG
YSP---ATG
Crafty Creations---ATG
Crafty Gals---ATG
Inspiration Destination---ATG


This is it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge.  If you want to be challenged more, take on our Optional Twist (use vellum).  But there's really no reason for you to miss it. Can't wait to see what you create. The Cross of Christ is more than the just a story passed on from generation to generation.  It's a story of love, grace and hope that is good for today and all of eternity. 

Sweet Girl Birthday Card---Join our Backporch Gang at 613 Avenue Create for another Monthly Challenge!

Hi there, friends!  A BLESSED AND GLORIOUS NEW YEAR TO Y'ALL!  We are starting the first day of the New Year with an Anything Goes Challenge with Optional Twist "Favorite Technique" at 613 Avenue Create.  We had a wonderful run the past year and we thank all of you  for sharing your wonderful projects with us in 2016.

Before anything else, I am very grateful for another year the Lord blessed us with...Our country had been through so much for nearly eight years now.  It was strategically and purposely harmed by people who would like to remove it from the position it was originally established as a Godly nation.  This work had been going on much longer than that but the attack on our religious freedom and constitutional rights had been non-stop the past eight years and still going.  Yet I have seen the hand of the Lord and believed that He heard our prayers (His people) when we prayed/called for His help (2 Chronicles 7:14) especially during the course of our latest Presidential election. He saved us from the destruction that the forces of darkness was prepared to unleash in order to demonize this nation.  God stepped in and destroyed the plans of the enemy.  They were in complete shocked and didn't know what hit them.  But God's people knew!  IT WAS THE POWER OF GOD! (I say, "Thank you, Jesus!")

However, it is important to understand that our hope does not come from any man.  No person can do anything unless the God of heaven and earth enables him/her to do so.  No one is capable of saving this country---but GOD!  Last November, the final two presidential candidates gave me very little to no hope in man's leadership until I saw the power of God broke through the darkness.  What people taught would be an easy win for someone (whose satanic and abominable acts and affiliation is beyond words) miraculously turned into an upsetting defeat.  (Praise the Lord!) Because of that, I have every reason to rejoice and expect great and mighty things happening in this country despite the efforts of the outgoing leaders to wreak havoc to this nation, our allies and the world as a whole using every bit of power they have left.  What they don't realize is that they don't have power on their own.  Like their father (Satan), they are defeated and no weapon they wage against God's people shall prosper.  Isaiah 54:16-17 tells us, “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD."  Unless the Lord allows it, they're powerless against them whose faith is in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the Cross.  

So as we welcome the New Year, let us thank God for every blessing as well as the the physical and spiritual victory He has prepared for us.  Let us lift up in prayer the upcoming leadership in our national, local and state levels.  Let us go outside the four walls of our Churches and be involved in all pillars of our society and saturate them with the fear (reverential) and knowledge of God.  Use every social media opportunities to tell the Truth (God's Word) and stand against political correctness and worldly tolerance.  If you are a child of God (Born-again, John 3:3), BE BOLD, BE STRONG and REFUSE TO BE SILENT!  It is time to take our country back and stand with God's chosen nation, Israel!  I would like to share some of these wonderful verses to empower us to live and proclaim God's Truth in this day and time.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7)

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you (John 16:13-15)

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is Godʼs will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." (1 Peter 3:12-17)

For this Card, I used an image from Recollections (Label Me Sweet) and Stampers Anonymous (Crazy Things).  I colored some parts with my Touch Five Markers and the rest were done with one of my fave techniques---Paper-piecing (Learn it HERE).  I also incorporated another technique I love which is Fussy Cutting (Shown HERE).  If you are familiar with my style/creations, these two wonderful crafting techniques are commonly seen in my projects.  This is a simple Birthday card but I love how the colors and patterns gave it the "Wow" factor... I think it's wonderful!

 SWEET GIRL BIRTHDAY CARD

 SWEET GIRL BIRTHDAY CARD LAYERS

 SWEET GIRL BIRTHDAY CARD INSIDE

SWEET GIRL BIRTHDAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Artistic Stamper---ATG
Card Mania---Layer It
Classic DT---ATG
Connie Can Crop---ATG
Country View---ATG
Craft Galore---ATG
Crafty Awesomeness---ATG
Craftyhazelnut's---Patterned Paper
Creatalicious---ATG
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/Love
Not Just Cards---ATG
Paper Creator's---ATG
Paradise of Stamps---ATG
Petal Lu---ATG
Worldwide Open DT---ATG 
YSBP---ATG 


There you have it, folks!  Don't miss the fun by joining our Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.   Can't wait to see what fabulous projects you're going to highlight this week. I hope you have a great start of the year and know that through faith in what Jesus accomplished through the Cross, we have complete victory that we can effectively share with others!   

Today is Your Day Card---Join the Anything Goes Challenge with Optional Twist at 613 Avenue Create!

Hello, everyone!  Wow, it's been a hectic couple of weeks for me.  My fave past time aside from making cards is to crochet so, I spent most of my time creating shawls and similar projects.  I will feature some of them in this Blog in another post pretty soon.  A few days ago, I also designed 5 Scripture inspired T-shirts for my 10-year old son using my Cricut machine.  I know you'd agree with me that kids clothing are often more expensive than adult clothing and our kids are growing so fast that after a few months, those cute pants and shirts no longer fit them.  So in order to make the most of my money, I decided to buy shirts and decorate them myself using T-shirt vinyl.  This way, I can also incorporate the Biblical Truths we live by.  Honestly,  I am tired of commercial graphic designs on kid's clothing that are inappropriate for kids to wear yet left us parents very little to no choice. 

Today, I would like to exhort God's Word delivered by Apostle Paul to the believers in the Church of Galatia (consisting of both Jews and Gentile believers) in Galatians 6:7-10.  It says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."  As we observe what is happening in our country nowadays, we can sense demonic agenda being pushed through the pillars of our society seeking to pervert God's Truth (reality in God's perspective) and exchange it with disgusting and filthy lies. Many puppets of Satan have positioned themselves strategically in every pillar of influence in our society that tirelessly seek to erode our faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.  It also aims to destroy the minds of our children by withholding the Truth of God in our school system promoting moral decay and lasciviousness to harm our children, our country and our world. For those who can still discern, it's hard to rationalize the mental state of our governing leaders along with the many people that supports their "agenda of destruction" when their lies are as clear as daylight.  Common sense are no longer common to them and every evil agenda is characterized by gross stupidity.  I truly believe that selfish people whose purpose is to be their own gods, and refusing to acknowledge there is a God who created them,  have positioned themselves to no longer perceive Truth from lies.  Therefore, it's becoming more difficult to understand the level of stupidity many have demonstrated nowadays.  Many times, I've read reactions like this in social media---"Are they out of their minds?"   Sadly, the answer is "YES!"  And that is because they refused to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3).  The worst part of this is that many of these people don't even know how totally deceived they are!  I've encountered quite a few of them in social media whose words have tried to mock me for sharing God's Truth.  I had to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in dealing with them.  Their conduct are consistent with those who have no real relationship with Jesus Christ and are oblivious of the Scripture.  Didn't Jesus  prayed to the Father while at the Cross in behalf of the people who wanted Him dead?  Luke 23:34 tells us, "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."  We will surely encounter many of them these days as we seek to proclaim God's Truth.


Anyway, I would like to share with you what my Life Application Bible shared regarding Galatians 6:7-10.  It totally blessed me so, here it is:  "It would certainly be a surprise if you planted corn and pumpkins came up.  It's a natural law to reap what we sow.  It's true in other areas too.  If you gossip about your friends, you will lose their friendship.  Every action has results.  If you plant to please your own desires, you'll reap a crop of sorrow and evil.  If you plant to please God, you'll reap joy and everlasting life.  What kind of seeds are you sowing?   It is discouraging to continue to do right and receive no word of thanks or see no tangible results.  But Paul challenged the Galatians and he challenges us to keep on doing good and to trust God for the results.  In due time, we will reap a harvest of blessing. "  We serve a God Who will reward His people!  Though we may not see them in our lifetime, we shall come face to face with Jesus Christ in a heavenly gathering (Judgment Seat of Christ/Bema Seat of Christ)  designed solely for everyone that placed their trust upon the finished work of Jesus Christ while on earth.  How amazing and how glorious that gathering is going to be!  So when you are discouraged by the craziness around you, hold on to the promises of God in His Word.  One day, we shall enjoy the full benefit of our labor. 
 
For this Card, I used an image from Art Impressions from the set "SC0650" that I watercolored using my Marvy Uchida markers.  I used the masking technique on the flower pots. The base is Kraft,  cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP,  washi tapes (for banner) and brad are from Recollections.  The outside sentiment is from TLC Creations.  Lastly, I did some fancy and regular stitching on this creation. 

                                                     TODAY IS YOUR DAY CARD

                                                TODAY IS YOUR DAY CARD LAYERS

                                               TODAY IS YOUR DAY CARD INSIDE

                                      TODAY IS YOUR DAY CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX


This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Stamping Sensations---ATG
Crafting with Friends---ATG
Not Just Cards---ATG
Cards Galore---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Creative Card Crew---Masculine
One Crazy Stamper---ATG
Penny Black---ATG
Simply Papercraft---ATG
Crafting with Attitude---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Lacy Sunshine---ATG
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Glitter n Sparkle---ATG
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends---ATG
OSAAT---ATG with Hot Colors
Quirky Crafts---April Showers Bring May Flowers
Corrosive---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Crafting Desert Divas---Create a Scene
Love to Scrap---ATG
Our Crafty Corner---ATG 
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG


This it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge.  If you want to be challenged (like I was), take on the Optional Twist.  But there's really no reason for you to miss it.  Our sponsor---SLS Lines, is giving away a fabulous prize.  Can't wait to see what you create. Remember to study God's Word so you will not be deceived by them who perverts the Truth.

You Really Are Amazing Card---Especially Requested/Made for a Friend's Birthday!

Good Monday morning, everyone!  Just want to share today's project for our Anything Goes Challenge happening at 613 Avenue Create.  I created this for a friend who wanted to surprise his wife (who happens to be a very good friend of mine) of a birthday card that would describe how special she is in his life.  I am very  pleased to say that she liked it very much and was very appreciative of his thoughtfulness. I'm thanking God for the inspiration to create always.

Anyway, I have learned something very valuable from the Guest speaker (Bro. Bud Garner) at our Church yesterday.  He is the founder of our congregation and would occasionally visit to bless us with wonderful teachings from the Lord.  Many valuable things were spoken but one thing that stood out for me  and spoke volumes in my heart was this---WE ARE TO "ZOOM  OUT" (like the lenses of our cameras) OF OUR EVERYDAY CHALLENGES IN ORDER TO VIEW THINGS IN GOD'S (wide angle) PERSPECTIVE.  This may be a simple illustration for somebody yet for me, it has profound meaning!  Nowadays, it's so easy to be trapped in the everyday challenges we are facing.  From family, relationships, work, finances, goals and the list goes on, we can easily be frustrated when things aren't happening the way we planned.  We tell ourselves, how can we even look into the problems of our community, our state, our nation and the world when we can't even find solutions to the challenges we face daily?  More often than not, we are so drowned with failure and self-pity, swallowed up by hopelessness that we are not a help to ourselves nor to anyone else. 

People who don't have a personal relationship with Christ (John 3:3, Born-Again) can only see things from around them.  Their happiness is limited to the things they can see, taste and feel.  But a person who has seen God and live by His Word has a "BLUEPRINT" of God's plan for his life, for this world and for eternity.  We have to exchange our short distance lenses to God's powerful lenses (see things the way He sees things).  In the battlefield, we can see ourselves surrounded by many enemies, their numbers seem to never end...But if we have an "AERIAL VIEW" of what's going on, we can see where the enemy's army ends and can better plan, come up with strategies to best defeat our foes.  Like everyone else, I have many concerns from personal to family life, who doesn't?  But those who have been following my Blog and take the time to read the messages I share through God's grace could see that the direction of our nation with its demonic policies and rulings and persecution of the Church remains the biggest concern in my heart.  Seeing the many people who follow others blindly---teachers that have perverted the Word of God for their own gain are sending people to their eternal destruction.  So many of their followers don't even care to validate their teacher's heretic teachings for they are lazy to do the work and therefore, get's deceived.  Not everyone who comes to the Church and sanctioned by the pastors and elders of the community are trustworthy.  There, I said it!  I don't care whether they're the biggest names, have many followers and sold millions of books.  A teacher of the Word of God needs to speak solely the Truth of God's Word, not adding nor subtracting to water down or contaminate God's message.  If we make it a habit to read the Scripture and subject the ministers of the Gospel to the written Word of God, we could have prevented many of them that drank the Kool-Aid to their death.  It is idolatrous to consider someone as authority in God's Word other than the Written Word of God alone. GOD'S BLUEPRINT FOR US IS IN EVERY PAGES OF THE SCRIPTURE.  We are to subject every preacher/teacher to the high standard of God's Word, making sure that they are delivering nothing but the Truth. As a believer, we are to  fill government positions with people who love God and hold themselves accountable to Him.  For what does ungodly man know about what is Just and True?  Anyone who does not acknowledge God is either serving themselves, the Devil or both!  Everything that is not of and for God is for the enemy.  There's no other way around this. 

Having this burden inside my heart could easily weigh me down but yesterday's message from a man of God reminded me of one of God's greatest Truth.  It is the fact that I have seen the BLUEPRINT (God's eternal design for all His creation and the victory that awaits the redeemed)!  I can walk with complete confidence and peace that all the things I'm going through and will be going through are just part of God's divine plan and are meant for my good.  Horrible things have happened throughout history to those who profess the name of Christ and many of our brothers and sisters in the Lord paid for it by their blood to this day.  But if we choose to see beyond the physical (temporary) and put on our spiritual lenses (eternity driven), we will find out that all the pain and suffering we are/will be going through in this present life is lightweight compared to the glory that awaits us who are faithful to our Master.  I would like to share the following verses to inspire us to always view life according to God's eternal blueprint.  

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."(1 John 5:1-5)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:3-15)

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 22:1-5)

 

For this Card, I used an image from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps called "You are Beautiful" which I colored with my ProMarker/Prismacolor/Spectrum Noir markers.  The base is dark grey CS from Core'dinations that I cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  I used some Kraft Paper for matting, the DP's are all from Recollections and the die-cuts were achieved using Nestabilities (shapesand swirls).  I layered some flowers from Prima and placed a button in its center from my stash.  The sentiment I got for free at Create with TLC (Thanks, Paulette!).  I added some glitters to the flowers (Stickles-Crystal), some white nail head gems and finally, lots of stitching.  I truly love the result.

YOU REALLY ARE AMAZING CARD:

 YOU REALLY ARE AMAZING CARD LAYERS:

YOU REALLY ARE AMAZING CARD SIDE VIEW:

 YOU REALLY ARE AMAZING CARD INSIDE:

YOU REALLY ARE AMAZING CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX:

This Card is entered into the following Challenges:

Not Just Cards---ATG
Crafting with Friends---ATG
Our Crafty Corner---ATG
Whoopsi Daisy---Hand-colored Image
Kraftin' Kimmie---ATG
Artistic Inspirations---ATG
Aurora Wings---ATG
Crafting from the Heart---ATG
Craft Your Passion---ATG
Stamp and Create---Brown or Kraft
Paper Nest Dolls---ATG
Where the Heart Is---ATG/Use Stencils
Color my World---ATG  

This it for now, guys.  Make sure to join us at our neighborhood---613 Avenue Create---for an Anything Goes Challenge.  If you want to be challenged, take on the Optional Twist and use the free Word Art, created by our amazing Coordinator, Kathi Sylvia, inspired by the quotes of Eleanor Roosevelt.  Having the freedom to create any project, there's really no reason for you to miss it.  Our  brand new sponsor---Kitty Bee Designs is giving away fabulous prizes.  Can't wait to see what you create. The Lord is with you every step of the way so, don't be afraid of the what the future holds---we are safe in the arms of Christ always.