Pinterest

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge 7o . . . think small

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ. You can find the main page here where you will find the lovely creations by the other design team sisters. This week I have the good fortune to be the hostess, and Our Daily Bread Designs is our sponsor. They are awarding a $15 gift card to one lucky, randomly selected winner on our blog so although it is a busy week, we hope you can play along.

The verse I selected for this week is from Micah 5:2 {NKJV} "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."

Here are my thoughts on the verse I selected:
My husband loves adventures; he loves to explore. A few years ago at Christmas the kids got him a book entitled, 1,ooo Places to See Before You Die.

Two thousand years ago if there had been such a book, Bethlehem would not have been included on the list. And of all the places included in that thousand, my guess is that very few of us live in one of them. The world is dotted with small towns, villages, out of the way corners and even random streets within large cities where millions live and go about their business every day. We live ordinary lives in ordinary places completing ordinary tasks.

And that very ordinary life might cause you to feel a sense of defeat, of hopelessness, especially at this time of year. What significance do I have, what contribution am I making, in this very ordinary life of mine?

God's message to you from this verse is that there is no insignificant member of his family. He doesn't make mistakes. God has placed you in that ordinary place in your specific situation for a reason, for a purpose that fits into his eternal plan.

Feel the tenderness in that verse . . . 'though you are little among the thousands of Judah'. . . and let that tenderness wash over your soul. God feel the same way about you, He has his loving eyes upon you. Out of the thousands and millions of people on this earth, He notices you from among all of them. And just as God chose the small town of Bethlehem to bring forth the Savior of this world, He can use you for kingdom work, right where you are.

That's why this week's challenge is to use an inchie or inchies in your stamped creation, to remind us that no matter how small we might feel we have great beauty in God's eyes and a purpose in his plan.

There are many ways to incorporate the inchie concept in your creations. Some stamps are specifically designed as inchies, some images are small enough to fit inside an inch sized space, or you can do what I did with my card and punch out an inch worth of image to highlight. And though you can't see it, I stamped white on white on the back panel and then stamped a swirl of snowflakes and embossed them with irridescent ice embossing powder, so there is a lot of depth in the white, it just doesn't photograph well. Thank you for looking, we hope you can play along this week.

Stamps: Gina K, PTI, Inkadinkadoo, Verve

Paper: black and white

Ink: black, white craft

Other: pencils, gamsol, glitter, ribbon, impression plates, crystal effects, silver whatchamacallits, irridescent ice embossing powder, vintage corner die


"

21 comments:

Angela Toucan said...

really pretty, and fabulous use of the spotlighting technique

Diane Jaquay said...

This is so pretty! Love how you've spotlighted the door to the church :)

Miesje said...

Perfect Peggysue! I just love it with the spotlight on the church! It is wonderful. I also really like the way you explained the scripture - so insightful! I hope you and your family have a very Blessed Christmas in your new home!

Aimes said...

Love the spotlighting technique on this, Peggysue! That church is so inviting!
Hugs,
Aimes
x

Gina Lindsay said...

I love this. That inchie technique you used looks great here. I can't tell you how inspiring your posts are for your Stampin' Sisters in Christ are. I always read something here in your posts that I really need at that point in my life. Thanks for all the time you spend on them!

Becky said...

This is gorgeous Peggy. Love how you laid this out, with just an inch of color. :) Wonderful devotional this morning, it really spoke to my heart, I just finished praying this morning about this and then checked to see what you wrote and it was so on target for me.
Love & Huggs :)

Grace said...

Peggysue just want you to know how much I loved this week's Scripture choice, your thoughts on the verse, and this spotlighting with your inchie is just wonderful! LOVE the image and the spotlighting just really pops! I appreciate you and your sweet heart for God's kingdom! I wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a most blessed new year!!!

Rhonda said...

What a pretty card PeggySue. The scripture is appropriate food for thought this week. Thanks. A Blessed Christmas to you and your family.

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

What wonderful words and so appropriate for this time of year. Thanks for choosing this scripture this week. I just love your card with the spotlighted inchie. Gorgeous!! Merry Christmas my dear friend!
hugs,
Chris

Sandee Shanabrough said...

This is gorgeous!

Terri said...

Great use of the spotlight technique. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Courtney Johnston said...

what a beautiful card! I love the spotlighting technique! I think I may have to spotlight soon!!

TFS!

Lovely Linda said...

Hello Peggysue - what a stunning card - I love your take on the challenge this week - thank you for sharing your insight into the scripture this week - it is inspiring! I pray your Christmas will be blessed and you will be surrounded by those you love! {{{hugs}}}

Kathy and Lucky said...

This is beautiful! Love how you did the spotlight in a square. Loved reading about the scripture, that was beautiful as well.

Sharron said...

Beautiful card, Peggysue! Love the texture and the spotlighting on the door! Perfect for giving a feeling of welcome. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year. HUGS!

Amber said...

Lovely card and great use of the technique. Thanks for your insight on the scripture and your encouraging words!

Laura said...

This is breathtaking! I love the spotlighting. WOW!

Imke said...

I really like these spotlight technique and your card is so pretty. Wonderful ! Merry christmas to you and yours !

Mickie said...

Very unique. Great card.

Nerina said...

What a beautiful card Peggysue! Using the inchie idea to spotlight the door to the church is truly inspired. *So* thought provoking! I think a scene like this has it's place on a wall ....

I have been thinking about you so much and hope that this Christmas season will be especially blessed for you in your new home. I pray that you will have many happy memories of your first Christmas there and that this will be the start of a wonderful and blessed New Year for you too. Thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement you have shared! BIG **HUGE** HUGS!!!

Runnergirl Creations said...

Beautiful card & I also like your use of space!