Easter Blessings

Hello to all!

I hope that you had a lovely Palm Sunday, such a Blessed Sunday that opens a whole week of reflections and many opportunities to reflect and bless God for sending His only Son to save us; and showing us what Love is.







Today I would like to share with you an Easter card I have done with CRAFT challenge, and a Challenge Eileen launched on her blog, and the Easter themed ODBD challenge. There are some other Easter related challenges, so I'll make the list at the end of this post.

Eileen wanted an Easter card with no "cute images", and she asked for a stamped and coloured image. Mine is a "Whiff of Joy" image, part of the set released this year called "Birdie Love". The sentiment is ODBD, part of "The Cross of Christ" set.







I coloured the image with Copics, and distressed around the image with Dried Marigold and Spiced Marmalade Distressed inks. Then I cut the image with labels one dies and matted on a piece od DP from my left overs folder. After that I matted on a piece of orange CS and pieces of white CS punched with MS Doily lace punch. Finally I filled the corners with Magnolia flowers and half pearls around the frame.









This is how I decorated the insides. Flowers from my stash, and the letters spelling Grace as well. Finally I added a cross charm (cutting off the loop on top) Basic Grey Rhinestones and some faux stitching for added interest.






Copics:

G0000, 21, 82, 99
Y0000, 06, 23, YR24, YR16, YR18


Take care, and I hope each and every one of you has a Holy week and that you are receptive to God's graces upon you and your familes.

He is waiting .. Something to ponder

This is an excerpt of a Max Lucado book : The Applause of Heaven. Max is one of my favourite authors, and I wanted to share it with you. Max's desciptions are amazing, you feel like you are participating in Jesus's life yourself.


Enjoy!

He is waiting in the Midst of the Storm

Peter knows he is in trouble.

The wind roars down onto the Sea of Galilee like a hawk on a rat.

Lightning zigzags across the black sky. The clouds vibrate with thunder.

The rain taps, then pops, then slaps against the deck of the boat until everyone aboard is soaked and shaking. Ten-foot waves pick them up and slam them down again with bone-jarring force.

These drenched men don't look like a team of apostles who are only a decade away from changing the world, and you can be sure of one thing. The one with the widest eyes is the one with the biggest biceps- Peter. He has seen these storms before. He has seen the wreckage and bloated bodies float to shore. He knows what the fury of wind and wave can do. And he knows that times like this are not times to make a name for yourself; they're times to get some help.

That is why, when he sees Jesus walking on the water toward the boat, he is the first one to say, "Lord, if it's you... tell me to come to you on water" (Matthew 14:28)

He is aware of two facts: He's going down, and Jesus is staying up. And it doesn't take him too long to decide where he would rather be.

Perhaps a better interpretation of his request would be, "Jesus... If that's you, then get me out of here!"

"Come on" is the invitation.

And Peter doesn't have to be told twice.

It's not everyday that you walk on water through waves that are taller than you are. But when faced with the alternative of sure death or possible life, Peter knows which one he wants.

The first few steps go well.






But a few strides out onto the water, and he forgets to look to the One who got him there in the first place, and down he plunges.

Peter's response may lack class- but it gets him out of some deep water: "Help me!"

And since Peter would rather swallow pride then water, a hand comes through the rain and pulls him up.

The message is clear.

As long as Jesus is one of many options, he is no option. As long as you can carry your burdens alone, you don't need a burden bearer. As long as your situation brings you no grief, you will receive no comfort. And as long as you can take him or leave him, you might as well leave him; because he won't be taken half- heartedly.

But when you mourn, when you get to the point of sorrow for your sins, when you admit that you have no other option but to cast all your cares on him, and when there is truly no other name that you can call, then cast your cares on Him, for He is waiting in the midst of the storm.

The Applause of Heaven (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999)

Mojo Monday & Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge 28- Col.3: 17

This is my first time participating in this SSC wonderful challenge. This week I decided to use a sentiment from " Ask,Seek and Knock" ODBD set. As for my sketch, I used this week Mojo Monday's 128 Challenge sketch; I really lked it, and could see the card in my mind.







First I distressed the main DP with Broken China Distress Ink, and also the sentiment, which I cut with Large Circle nesties. Then I die cut the second sentiment matt with Labels 1; and used a piercing tool around the sentiment for some interest. I also decorated the edges with Crystal Stickles for some shine. I used my sewing machine to sew around the main DP.

The DP I used was a generous gift from a friend, and I forgot the name. The large flourish is a rub on I had for quite a long time, and I could see it fitted with the sketch. Finally I embellishd with a gorgeous flower, ribbon and a blue pearly brad, and some dewdrops.


Thank you for the lovely challenge. I prayed and thanked God for all the gifts He bestowed on me, and on those who make and take part in these challenges. I do so hope that anyone who visits my blog, glorifies God with me, for He is worthy of Glory, Power and Praise.






Blessings and Smiles!

A Dangling Card - Something "out of the Box"

Hello my lovely friends and sisters (or brothers) in Jesus Christ. Last week I participated for the first time in ODBD challenges, I've been wanting to do so for about two years, but I didn't have stamps to do so. Now that my Community bought me some with so much Love, I participated immediately :) I loved the challenge, and was utterly surprised and overjoyed last Sunday, when I found out I had won the "Shining the Light Award". It was amazing! Thank you girls :) You put a Biiig Smile on my Face.






Now for some weeks I've been wanting to do something that is not the usual square card.. and now I've found the opportunity bcause there are some challenges this week that want to see "not square/rectangle cards".



Of course, first of all is the challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs. And what lovely new releases there are this month! Awesome stamps girls!!







Then there is Cupcake Crafts with the theme: Round and Round.. and last, but not least the lovely Daring Cardmakers challenge with the lovely challenge: Here comes the sun. These want to see creations with orange/ red/ yellows... anything that says sunshine to us :)







So with all this in mind, I decided to do a dangling round Easter card, using again The Cross of Christ stamp set. I want to be prepared for Easter :) It will soon be here.


I used my Spellbinders Lrge Circle and Lrge Scalloped sets, and Basic Grey Marrakech papers. After I mounted the circles, I embelllished with green half pearls, some Prima orange roses, a small silver coloured cross charm (after which I cut the loop from where it is usually hooked), and some rhinestone stickers. Last, I added some faux stitches.







The small cross on the inside is stamped with Peeled Paint Distress Inks, and while it was still wet, I sweeped out the colour outwards to look as if the cross is giving out that peaceful green light. I also sweeped some peeled paint on the "Blessings" sentiment. Do you like it?







I would like to know what you think of it.. I'd love to discover some lovely new friends that glorify our God through their creations...and as for today, God bless you for taking the time to visit.. I'll leave you with this lovely video to help you think of Him, and what He did for you and me.. at this Holy time.


Blessed be God.