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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Stampin' Sisters in Christ . . . layers

Happy Sunday stampers! It is time for another challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ, where all of our challenges relate to scripture. This week's hostess is my dear friend Traci, who has selected this verse from Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."


Her challenge is to build up your card by adding layers; paper tole, paper piecing, stacking flowers, you name it! And I was able to use a lovely gift she gave me a while back for part of my 'lifting' in the patterned paper in the background. Thank you Traci!


And we have a new sponsor this week, Tami Mayberry, who is donating one of the amazing stamp sets she has designed to one lucky, randomly selected winner who plays along with our challenge this week. You can find more details and see the rest of the beautiful creations by our design team by clicking on the home page here.  


I used this little Frieda image from the Craft's Meow and lifted up sections of her dress, hat, face, hair and shoes with paper tole, although its hard to tell in the photo. You can sort of tell from the shadows on the paper if you care to strain your eyes that much! 


I like the verse Traci has selected for this week and it is a good one to meditate upon because the tongue is so hard to control, isn't it? Words come 'flying' out before we even know it . . . or do they? The thought has to come into our heads first. And notice the verse doesn't say you can prevent unwholesome thoughts from coming into your head, although if they do we're supposed to chase them away, I believe. But it says, do not let it 'come out of your mouths' acknowledging that there is a thought process that precedes the verbalization.


My daughter right now is going through a phase of saying insulting or disrespectful things and then following it up with the phrase "no offense." She knows she is giving offense and disrespecting her parents or that phrase wouldn't be tacked onto the end, and we are working to explain to her that if you have to add the phrase "no offense" then the words are probably better left unspoken or if you have something to say, say it in a kind manner. She is only ten still testing the boundaries of our parental authority. We understand she is in a learning process. 


What is truly sad is adults who engage in similar practices. I have had 'friends' and relatives in the past who would wound with their words; teasing and needling to the point where my temper was about to go beyond a simmer and boil over and then back off instantly with the phrase "just kidding" or "just teasing" or "can't you take a joke?"


We all know when we're on the receiving end of such treatment, the trick is to take a lesson from those times and make sure we're not the ones dishing it out. And we need to make sure that we press our lips firmly together if someone is dishing it out to us, and not retaliate! Let's all try to watch the words before they fly out of our mouths this week and use words and phrases that will build up the person to whom we're speaking. 


Stamps: The Craft's Meow Frieda, assortment of Rubber Stamp Tapestry
Ink: black Stazon, PTI aqua mist and spring moss, Ranger distress ink spun sugar, SU soft sky
Paper: Papertrey Ink kraft, vanilla, white, blue, patterned paper
Other: nestabilities, fiskars corner punch/embosser, prismacolor pencils, flowers, MS border punch, pearl



8 comments:

Becky said...

What a beautiful soft card Peggysue.

I grew up in a different generation, if any unwholesome words came out of our mouths we were knocked OUT. :) to this day we still say "yes mame, no mame," and show total respect.

Kristine said...

Okay, first of all, LOVE that li'l tulip corner piece you added. That drew my eye right away. i know... such a li'l thing, but I always forget to round a corner or two and I just LOVE how that looks!! Super cute card with li'l Frieda on there. I'm glad you enjoyed the birthday card. I know how that goes these last few weeks of school. Maddy's working on her "cell" project right now (a mold of a plant cell - out of rice crispy treats and candies of course) and Carly has a big Oregon History Day research project board to finish up this week. Hope you have a less hectic week :) Hugs, Kris

Diane Noble said...

Peggysue...you are always such an inspiration, both with your words and your art. Today is no exception...another amazing work of art. Love all your detail and agree with Kris about the corner treatment. I should think of doing that more. Sweet card. Have a sweet week.

ScrappySandie said...

Hi Peggysuez! Amazing job on this card! Love the sweet image and the soft colors! Your paper tole is very nice...delicate and understated, perfect for a soft look. That image is adorable too. I had to appreciate your reminder of how powerful and damaging our words can be...how important it is to be gentle and loving...Christ-like! Thanks, PS, for your inspiration!
Have a blessed week!
Sandie

Traci M said...

Love your sweet Frieda girl, and am so happy to see the gifted paper on there!! I do see some tole, and didn't have to squint.
I agree with your words, also...it is always in the head first and how not to let it fly out of our mouths...only God can accomplish that! I am just as guilty as anyone. Thanks for participating in this week's challenge with such a darling card!

Lovely Linda said...

Love this card and 'Little Frieda'- you have layered her beautifully.Well done with the challenge! Your words are always so'spot on'Peggysue, thank you for sharing from the heart! {{{hugs}}}

MariLynn said...

Loved reading your thoughts this week. When you wrote"... press our lips firmly together..." Made me think of an episode this last week where, I was so tempted to say something, so I physically covered my mouth with my hand and then covered that hand with my other hand. It may have looked funny, but I kept from saying what I was thinking. I love the little blue flowers on your card. Have a blessed day.

Helen said...

Little Frieda is adorable and your card is lovely! You've given much to think about with your post, too. We do have to think thoughts before they just come out of our mouths, they don't just fly out, do they? It seems like that would be a heart issue and when our heart has issues we need to turn to Christ and get them taken care of. Thanks for sharing! :)~H