Stampin' Sisters in Christ chalenge 103 . . . something new!

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ! This week's hostess is the delightful MariLynn, who has selected this verse from 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

For her challenge, she is asking that we try something new; and beyond that, something that you might have been afraid to try, such as a new technique, color combo, a new style, etc.

For me, I decided to try etched glass because I admire it so and was afraid to try it. Afraid I'd mess up and waste the money I spent on the supplies, afraid it wouldn't turn out quite right, afraid of getting that caustic stuff on my hands.

Well, I did have to restamp the image several times to get it to adhere properly to the glass, even when it looks like the surface is flat, it isn't really. Took several tries, but I got a clear image and it worked.

This verse MariLynn selected is particularly appropriate for me now as once again our family possibly stands at the crossroads of making a major decision that will affect where we live and what we do. Also, all of my kids are scattered in different states . . . just how far do those heart strings stretch? Pretty far, I'm finding, as we are traveling on a trip to take my son to the Moody Bible Institute branch in Spokane, Washington, about as far from where we live as a body can get while still residing in the continental U.S. I am fearful about a lot of things and work every day on conquering those fears.

I am preposting and as you read these words we pray we will be on our return trip. It isn't easy trying new things, seeing your kids leave the nest and set off on adventures that !gasp! don't involve Mom at all!!! They're growing into adults and it is a fearful thing to let go and let God . . . . in any circumstance when we want to hang on and keep control to ourselves. How futile an exercise and what precious time we waste being fearful. God is in control even in the worst of times, His love is there like a shining beacon. We can rest in His arms and He doesn't want us to be fearful but to trust in Him; that's when we truly experience His power, when we relinquish control and let Him guide, let Him lead.

Praying you will find yourself trusting him in all areas, but particularly those that are hard to relinquish control. I will not be able to comment or respond as we are still traveling, hope to be back in the saddle by the end of this coming week. Hugs to all, hope you can play along. We love seeing your creations in the gallery!

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement

Other: glass block from Hobby Lobby, etching cream, versamark, clear embossing powder, heat gun, light string

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 102 . . . music!

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ and this week's hostess is one of our guest designers, the ultra talented Teresa Kline, who has selected this verse from Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Her challenge is to use music in some form on your creation, sheet music, music notes, instruments, or singing.

I know she has some great thoughts to share in her devotional on our home page and you don't want to miss the beautiful creations by the rest of the design team.

I am guessing that I will be the only one to have a card with a sheep playing the bagpipes. :) I bought a set of stamps a few years ago that played off of the 12 Days of Christmas theme and that sheep just tickles my funny bone. I used a sideways sketch for this card that involved cutting off a portion of the top layer to show a segment on the bottom layer, in this case the sentiment, from Waltzing Mouse . . .and do you want to know why???? Because I goofed up the top layer and had to cut a piece off. In this case even an extra embellishment wouldn't work. Lucky for me that's a legitimate card sketch.

We will be enjoying conversation, music and sermons as we drive on a long trek west to get my son to Moody Bible Institute in Spokane, Washington. I have preposted this and will not be visiting blogs or available until late August, early September, but look forward to coming back to see everyone's creations upon my return. Happy stamping and we hope you can join Stampin' Sisters in Christ this week for our challenge!

Visit the other design team sisters for some fabulous inspiration, including:

Becky

Miesje

Linda

Kris

MariLynn

Teresa

Traci

Mark's Finest Papers August Introduction . . . Fun on the Farm

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Fun On The Farm? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Fun On The Farm. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Markie
Mark’s Finest Papers


Also, I am going to be out of town for a few weeks and unable to comment or visit other blogs during that time. I will miss it! I have a few blog posts prescheduled and look forward to getting back to stamping and visiting in September.

Mark's Finest Papers August introduction . . . Forest Gifts

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Forest Gifts? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Forest Gifts. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.
Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Markie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Please note that I am not part of today's blog hop.

Also, I am going to be out of town for a few weeks and unable to comment or visit other blogs during that time. I will miss it! I have a few blog posts prescheduled and look forward to getting back to stamping and visiting in September.

Mark's Finest Papers August Blog Hop . . . Butterflies and Wisteria

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Butterflies and Wisteria? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Butterflies and Wisteria. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois

Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Mark’s Finest Papers

(sentiment on second card is not MFP)

Please note that I will be out of town for almost three weeks. I have preposts scheduled but will be unable to visit other blogs or comment during this time. I won't be stamping either, so I'll be in withdrawal, both from missing my ink and paper and missing all of your lovely creations. Happy stamping!

Mark's Finest Papers August Blog Hop . . . Black Eyed Susans

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois

Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Mark’s Finest Papers

For the first card, I used prismacolor pencils in a wide variety of yellows and oranges. The second card shows below it the copics I used on the flower alone, on the butterfly I used a variety of blues and purples, then overlaid the butterfly with a bit of twinkling H20s for some shimmer. The butterfly actually is from a set being introduced tomorrow, Butterflies and Wisteria. I used the butterfly from that set on a post on Sunday as well.

Please note that I will be out of town for almost three weeks. I have preposts scheduled but will be unable to visit other blogs or comment during this time. I won't be stamping either, so I'll be in withdrawal, both from missing my ink and paper and missing all of your lovely creations. Happy stamping!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge 101 . . .de-stashing

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ and this week's hostess the lovely inside-and-out Linda, who selected this verse from Lam 3:22 -23 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

Her challenge is to Dig deep into your craft cupboard and use something from your stash that you 'just had to have' cause you would use it everyday....but have forgotten about...and our sponsor this week is Clear Dollar Stamps! They have a great selection of art and sentiments including many scripture verses, one of which I used on my card today.

I'll be interested to read Linda's devotional because I don't know where she is going with this verse and the challenge but I do find it comforting that so many encouraging verses come out of a book called Lamentations. :) This is one of my favorites. The fact that God's mercies are fresh and new every morning, the past is wiped away and we have a new start! His mercies never cease . . . that word 'never' encompasses all of eternity. He is faithful, even when we are faithless. . . that part of the verse I keep in mind in particular when I pray for friends and family who don't yet know Jesus Christ as their personal savior, God is faithful to answer our prayers and to call lovingly to those who don't yet recognize His voice. And then who can read this verse without hearing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" in their heads? God's love for you is new every morning, just grab hold of it and hang on through the storms of life!

This challenge was actually a bit difficult for me . . .the main objects that I 'had to have' and haven't used are all those 3-D alterable items that never seem to get made! And I wasn't going to try my hand at them this week either! But I did use one new product I had to have and I love it! I used a vintage medallion art stencil from Layers of Color, sponging a bit of spun sugar distress ink around the stencil on top of Prima Fairy Flora paper. I buy stamps and then find myself without time to use them . . . and then buy more stamps and let them sit . . . a dangerous pattern so I think I will stop buying stamps for a while! But I liked this verse in Philippians from Clear Dollar Stamps and it seemed to suit the paper and a need I have for some encouraging cards for friends who are having troubles right now. Two products I seldom use are Smooch gold lame--I used a bit on the butterfly body and the wings--and twinkling H20s which I also used to give the butterfly wings a bit of shimmer.

The butterfly I colored using the cup o'markers you see pictured, then overlaid the wings with some twinkling H20s for a bit of shimmer and dotted a bit of smooch on the wings for a touch of gold to match the gold embossed verse. I did a closeup so you could see the gold a bit better, I don't usually do that. The butterfly also is a sneak peek of a new set being introduced this coming week from Mark's Finest Papers, Butterflies and Wisteria.

Thanks for looking and happy stamping, we hope you can play along!