Us

This was our family picture from Christmas Eve- it is so rare to get us all in a picture....and, I actually liked this one, lol!


Materials:
Paper: BG Figgy Pudding
Chipboard: BG Periphery, MM, Spare Parts
Ribbon: MM, Archivers
Brads: MM
Stamp: Colorbok
Ink: Versamagic Sepia
Misc: QuickCutz, Felt

Ice Storm

Wanted to share my ice storm experience...


Materials:
Paper: Heidi Grace Designs, DCWV TCS, HL CS
Chipboard: MM
Acetate: Archievers
Stamps: KI Memories, colorbok
Ink: Stayzon, vibrance
Other:Buttons


Journaling:
48 hrs of freezing rain
2 days of falling limbs sounding like a war zone
6 days without electricity
3 days hauling a borrrowed generator back and forth
4 days in a single classroom with space heaters
+ 1 Awesome God


Equals no real harm done....YEAH!

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to take a moment and wish everyone the Merriest of Christmas'. Wherever you are, may you remember the love that caused the Creator of the universe to take on skin, live, breath and die...all for YOU! Merry Christmas!

2007 in Review

This was done for the Year in review challenge over at FaithSisters. I loved this challenge, it was fun to look at the year in a single page, like this.

Paper- K&Co
Chipboard- Spare Parts


Verse: "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven," Ecc 3:1

1 CORINTHIANS 13 - - A CHRISTMAS VERSION

1 CORINTHIANS 13 - - A CHRISTMAS VERSION

By an unknown author

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity,
but do not show love, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata
but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Home Sweet Home

This was hours of cross-stitching on paper, but I loved the home-spun flavor.

Paper: DCWV TCS
Embellies: flowers, primas, dmc floss, spare parts chipboard and brads, mm ribbon, amm ribbon, buttons


Journaling:
It is not easy to find a landlord that will allow a daycare in the house you are renting. When we received a letter from our landlord giving us 30 days to move, because of the business she lied about approving, we knew we were up against a wall. God came to the rescue!! Within hours, God brought us a landlord from the church Carrie worked at. She was a Christian who understood our situation, and was happy to have a daycare on her property. So we moved.


I hated that house, though- HATED IT! Even as I thanked God for His awesome provision, even as I acknowledged His will. God knows our every thought, so I have never seen the point in pretending before Him. I hated that house! I begged God to be allowed to move, from the day we moved in, really. It was 800 sq feet- and 400 were dedicated to the business. There was no central heat or air. It was not in a great neighborhood. It was old, and had the problems age brings. I remember being brought to my knees crying to God about my hatred and despair of this house, only to clearly hear his voice. We were to wait. Waiting upon the Lord has never been my strength...but we waited. And waited. And waited.


Finally, the time arrived. Out of the blue, our landlord- that God had so graciously provided- came to us and said she wanted to buy a house with us. She had a plan that would help us. Would we consider it? Um, yeah! We ended up in the house we are at now. I love this house! It's not a palace- but at 1600 sq feet it is double the size of the old house. It has central heat and air. It has 2 floors, one for the business, one for us. It also has its problems. But, we have our God, and He has taken care of everyone of them.


Sometimes hearing the voice of God does not bring you a message you want to hear. I am so glad we obeyed! God has definitely blessed us beyond measure!

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days

Here's a truly fun video- had to share it with you all. Not only is it fun, these guys have skills! Enjoy!!

I have POWER!!

And, I don't just mean in the blood of Christ, either!! After power went out last Sunday morning, (ice storm in SW MO), we were without power for 6 days. Cold, very cold. But, God has been awesome to watch throughout this whole this- and I truly praise Him for all He has done and provided. If nothing else, the whole thing was worth it for the chance to praise God before others in this situation!

Anyway, picking up Mom at the airport tomorrow- 3 1/2 hour drive, snow predicted....no blogging then, lol! Just wanted to let everyone know where I have been- I did not desert you, lol!!

Thy Word

The challenge last week at Faithsisters was to tell what the Bible means to us. This is the layout I came up with....

Paper: HL Texured Cardstock, Magnolia Stack
Letters: KI Icicles, MSE stamps


Journaling:
There are 34 countries where Human Rights Reports lists known human rights violations because of persecution or severe discrimination against Christians. Two of these are the 2 most populous countries on the planet, and contain 20% of the world's population.
There are 2,251 known languages without ANY of the Bible.
There are 21 ENGLISH versions of the Bible at BibleGateway.com
"For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Heb 4:12


What does the Bible mean to me?
Everything!

***Join us this week, the challenge is up!***

The Bell

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8 )
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God(Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship(Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child(Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
who you are!?

Saw this yesterday on Faithsisters, and really wanted to share it with you. How cool!

Ho Ho Ho

Isn't he cute! I really just loved the way he turned out. This is for my niece's Christmas card, so we will be putting a Toys-R-Us giftcard in there, (the phonecard was what we had handy, lol).

Thanks Challenge

It is probably not suprising that the Challenge at Faithsisterslast week was Thanksgiving. My layout was a no-brainer! I could not be more thankful for my sister, Carrie!

Paper: MME Stack, Old World Stack- DCWV
Extra: HOTP Swirl stamp, Making Memories brads, Spare Parts Rhinestones, Creating Keepsakes rhinestone brad, silk flower

Paul had Barnabus, Peter had Mark. I am never really sure which of us is Peter or Paul- but I am sure of this: I thank my God daily for you!


Scripture: I thank my God in all rememberence of you, always offering prayer with joy," Phil 1:3-4a

Some of you may be new to my blog. If so, I want to take the chance to invite you over to Faithsisters. this is an awesome site- great group of encouraging, Godly women on the Message Boards, excellent Faithbooking resources- and the challenges are so fun! Come, take a look!

Tree Topper

Well, here we are at Friday, and the end of my tree. Thanks to everyone who had commented- your words have truly been appreciated. It has been wonderful to hear about your trees and traditions, as well!

OK, every tree needs a topper, and here is mine. This was a simple rusty star topper from Joann's...but, of course, I needed to play with it! So, I decopauged it with my BG papers, making sure to leave a bit of the wonderful rusty metal showing for a border. Cutting out for all those holes wasn't easy- but well worth the look! Then, I added glitter towards the end. Just a little to catch the light. Tree's gotta bling, right?

My Garland, and your Present

My favorite part of my tree is definitely my garland. Truly, this was an act of praise making it- and makes me smile just to look at it. It was labor intensive, though! My garland is the 'word art' that says Jesus loves me, and between each word is a bead, cutout, bead sequence. (I do love my Craft Robo, lol!)

For you, I have bundled up a few of the cutout gsd's for you to use. Most of these are from fonts, just converted for you. These look great on the front of cards, would make wonderful ornaments- or add to your tags. Many uses, I hope you enjoy them!!

Christmas files

Other Ornaments

I also included on the tree our family photo ornaments. these are pictures from Christmas days since we were born- and are very special to us! We have pictures of precious grandparents who have passed, childhood visiting Santa pictures, our first Christmas' together, even kitty Christmas'! These are done very simply on rectangles and circles- mated a few times and embellished just a touch. (And these are photo copies of the original pictures used for each ornament!) Again- the BG fruitcake line is the common thread.

The other ornaments on the tree include the paper strip balls- in 2 colors, scarlet and green:


The Glass ball ornaments:


And, the Scalloped Square Ornaments:


Be sure and visit me tomorrow, when I will share my garland- which is my favorite part- and a few small gifts....

Advent Ornaments

Wow, guys. I am blown away at te interest and feedback surrounding my tree!! I am so glad that everyone is enjoying it! I always have a hard time getting pictures of my tree that I like...either the lighting isn't right, or they end up grainy...or they just don't look the way it does in real life- know what I mean?

Today, I want to show you my Advent Ornaments. These are simple pocket cards, the inner slides out. There are 25 scattered over the tree. On the inside, you could divide out the story of Christmas, put holiday memories, put prayer starters, things you are thankful for...so many things. Carrie and I have chosen to use these for our favorite scriptures- some about the coming of Christ, some praise scriptures...just our favorite scriptures. The outsides are easy to decorate- and all mine use the BG Fruitcake collection as a common thread. I actually used one of these packages for the entire tree- plus a few sheets of texured cardstock. Not expensive at all.

Be sure to keep checking back all week, as I will continue to show you different parts of my tree!

A Handmade Tree

Every year, I love to decorate the tree for Christmas. Everyone in my family knows, the day after Thanksgiving is 'Tree Day'...I love Christmas!! And, I have different sets of Christmas decorations- one year might be the snowman tree, while another year would be another tree. This year, I really wanted a tree that would celebrate Christ. I wanted a tree that would put Christ front and center as the true reason for the season. I truly prayed for a tree- and a season- that would glorify Him. I can't wait to show you the ideas He gave me. I am hoping, that you will share your ideas too. But, oh for that day, when we can share a great Family Christmas together, eh?

Keep watch...today is a teaser. In the days to come, I will share more of the tree, its parts and purposes. Tomorrow are Advent Ornaments. I can't wait.

Christmas Gatefold

Here's a gatefold card for Christmas. It's really pretty small- I was thinking an accompaniment to a gift. The paper is BG, the buckle is from Making Memories- as is the ribbon. I loved the Flourish stamps on the inside, thought it added an elegant touch.

Scalloped Tree

Can you have too many trees at Christmas? I loved this one! I used my square scallop punch, and just layered. Inking the edges was important to define them- also added silver brads for bling. And stamped the corners with Autumn Leaves Flourishes. Have a great week!

Why Weight?

So, here's my layout from last week's challenge over at FaithSister's. The Theme for the week was a Journey of Faith. I've lost 109lbs over the last 16 months, and even though I am not finished...I wanted to chronicle the journey.

These weeks challenge is about Home- come join us!!

Paper: MME stack
Brad and Chipboard: Spare parts
Flower: silk
Question Brads: Around the Block


Journaling:
I never considered that a diet would or could be a journey of faith. But, when you place your hand in Jesus' and search for the reason why you need to diet; when you learn to trust and rely on Jesus to be your strength- your Portion; and when you realize that if Jesus can do this for and through you, He can do anything...a journey of faith is what you have!!