Flowers in many colors...

Happy Friday! Even though I no longer leave home to work, I still look forward to Friday's. Silly, I know!

Today's post features another quick and easy card. Can't believe I've done another CAS card! It's almost one layer.

I began with a piece of white cardstock. Stamped the floral stamp and sentiment (Hero Arts) with Versamark, and heat embossed with white embossing powder. Then took some various colors of Tim Holtz distress inks and sponged them over the images. Wrapped some ribbon around, tied bow, attached card front to card, then popped up the sentiment. Voila!

I am entering this card here:

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenges: Use a stamped flower on project
Paper Romance Challenges: Use many colors

Thanks for stopping by! Have a good weekend. My thoughts and prayers go out to those that reside in Japan, or have friends and family there. Blessings to all.

Patti J.

Food for thought: The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

Happy Sunday!

I am honored to be your Stampin Sisters in Christ hostess today. I'm not a very good public speaker, and always get so nervous when it is my turn! I chose today's scripture for several reasons. Mainly, because it is one of my favorite verses! I find that I must repeat it to myself quite often!

Head over to the Stampin Sisters in Christ Blog to see some gorgeous inspiration from my stampin sisters! You can visit them at their personal blogs, as well: Chris, Linda, Peggysue, Miesje, Rebekka, Lisa, Grace, Randi (on leave)

The scripture that I've chosen this week is: "Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." ~Hebrews 13:5

As it is Valentine's week, my challenge to you this week is to make a KISS card...Keep It Simple Sisters! Let's make a one-layer card!

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. They are back again with another wonderful prize for one special participant, and we appreciate their support!

My card today is one layer. I sort of cased it from Susan Rahalia (thanks, Susan!).

Supplies used: Nestie tag center for oval shape, Tim Holtz Stormy Sky Distress Ink, Silver Spica Glitter Pen, Prismacolor pencil and LOMS for lampshade, sentiment from The Angel Company

Just before the holidays, I 'met' a lady on one of the crafting community sites. She is a beginning stamper. She has no blog, very limited supplies, and very little knowledge or confidence in what she is doing. She is also very limited financially. She had commented on something that I had posted. After emailing her a time or two, and learning of her limited resources, I immediately mailed her my stamp, acrylic block, and completed sample of the item she wanted to create. She was awed that I would send my supplies to a stranger. As a beginning stamper, she had not yet experienced the 'family' that we all become. At the same time, I was reminded of that day a few years ago, when every single one of my stamping supplies would fit in a single shoebox, and now I am envious of folks with entire craft rooms!



I often wonder why is it that even though we have as much as we do, we never seem to have enough? If we have a little money, we want more. If our car is nice, we want a nicer and newer car. If we have several stamps, we want several more. I believe that this verse is saying that God wants us to be content with what we have, AND to thank him for it. I know that whatever I have, I only have because of God's trust in me to have it.



I know I'm not the only one feeling financially burdened right now. Lately, I have heard fellow crafters speak of selling the stamps that they have in order to buy more stamps or supplies. Some of my good blogging friends are seeking budgeting solutions that might allow them to purchase more craft items. How is it that we can seek 'more', and seek 'contentment' at the same time?



I believe that contentment is that 'thing' we feel in our hearts when we take time to think about God's presence in, and his priorities for our lives. Money and 'things' can't give us the peace, or the satisfaction that God offers. Maybe you are one of the wealthiest people in the world, but if you have no treasure in heaven, then you are indeed, poor. In my humble opinion, those of us who have our treasures in heaven will know true riches.



I once read someplace that we should pray for God's help to look for 'things' above, not below. Sounds like good advice to me!



Since it is Valentine's Week, I hope that you will join us in our KISS Challenge (Keep it Simple, Sisters!), and create a one-layer card, or project. I'm looking forward to seeing your beautiful creations!



Hugs and blessings,
Patti J.

I'm speechless...

Speechless...me? Hardly! lol....

~~~

Happy Sunday, dear friends!

Here we sit with more fresh snow on the ground.

Please remind me why it is that I love living in a place where the seasons change!

~~~

It's time for a new challenge at Stampin Sisters in Christ!

~~~

Our challenge hostess this week is our precious Miesje!

She has chosen the following scripture:

Dear Children, let us not love with works or tongue but with actions and in truth.

~1 John 3:18

~~~

Our sponsor this week is Clear Dollar Stamps. Their stamps and digi's are so much fun, and they carry a great line of Christian images and sentiments, as well.

Clear Dollar Stamps is providing one lucky winner with a $15 credit for their store!

We thank Lori and Clear Dollar Stamps for their continued support!

Miesje's challenge this week, is to create a card/project that uses no words on the front, yet signifies love.

~~~

My card features a darling digi image from Clear Dollar Stamps, found here! The treat containers are clear bookmark sleeves, and I've filled them with Hershey's Miniatures that are wrapped in Valentine's DP from my scrap bin.

The matching card is A2 size.

All coloring is done with Copics. Ribbon from Hobby Lobby. Sponging is done with Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Tumbled Glass.

~~~

To see more inspirational projects, or to read the devotional, and see more details on the challenge, please visit the Stampin Sisters in Christ Blog! Be sure to visit my DT sisters this week, to see what beautiful projects they have to share with you!

Chris, Linda, Peggysue, Miesje, Rebekka, Lisa, Grace, Randi (on leave)

~~~

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings,

Patti J.

Still Waters and Green Pastures...

Good morning!

This will be a short post, as we are grand-daughter-dog sitting! Our Rosie is a sweetie, but she's still all pup, and needs our attention! I wish you could see her walking on this computer...lol!!!

It is Sunday morning, and you know what that means - a new challenge at Stampin Sisters in Christ!

Lisa, our amazing leader, is our hostess this week.

The scripture that Lisa has chosen for this challenge is one of my favorites.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of riteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presense of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

~Psalm 23

We had fun with this week's challenge, and I think that you will all have fun with it, as well!

Lisa asks that we use blue (still waters) and green (green pastures) in your cards/projects.

Our sponsor this week is Taylored Expressions.

One lucky winner will receive the Rest and Renewal set from Taylored Expressions!

For my card, I used a piece of the CS that comes free in the Take Ten magazines for my background. It was perfect, in that it was already blue and green.

I stamped the butterfly from The Angel Company's "Happily Grateful" set, and the sentiment from the Our Daily Bread "Still Waters" set with Palette Noir Ink, covered them with Transdescent Embossing Powder, and Heat Embossed. The border is done with an E.K. Success border punch.

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs and blessings,

Patti J.

Look ma...I did vintage!

Good morning!

Hope that you are having a good Sunday morning!

We're expecting another 3-4" of snow today.

Happy, happy, joy, joy...

have I really and truly said that I enjoy living someplace where the seasons change? lol...

I would, however, LOVE to see the sun now and then!

Today's challenge hostess at Stampin Sisters in Christ is Lovely Linda!

Linda has chosen the following scripture for her challenge this week:

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.

~Jeremiah 31:3

Linda's challenge to us today, is to create a vintage style card!

Our very generous sponsor is Designed2Delight.

One lucky winner will receive two free digital images from her store!

Those of you who know me well, know that I have three styles that make my knees knock in fear; clean and simple, masculine cards, and yes, vintage! Well, with this beautiful image, called Love Collage, from Designed2Delight, this card was a snap! Yay me!

Supplies: DP is Basic Grey Curio Collection, Lace from my scraps, Glossy Accents, Copic Markers, White Pearls from Kaiser Crafts (painted brown with Copic markers), Pop dots, Making Memories Distress Tool, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink

Be sure to hurry over to the Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge Blog to see Linda's thoughts on today's scripture, and to see the beautiful creations of my DT sisters.

We hope to see your Vintage style creations this week!

Come back to Stampin Sisters in Christ, and link up your entry for a chance to win some beautiful images from Designed2Delight!

Hugs and Blessings,

Patti J.

P.S. Don't forget to stop back by my blog on the 25th for the March of the Snowmen Blog Hop! Get your cup of coffee or cocoa, and settle in for some beautiful eye candy, and a whole lotta blog candy as well!

Home Sweet LilyPad!!!

Happy Sunday!

Good morning!

I hope that you have had a great weekend.

Friday, my friend Shirley and I went to Archiver's for the 9 mini Valentine Cards Class. I will share them with you on Tuesday. The class was okay, but could have been better. Projects were cute, would mass produce easily, and were very CASEable.

My weekend has been good. Have been working on 1099's, etc., so it's been busy, but the highlight of the weekend is that gram and gramps are pup-sitting this weekend for Rosie the wonder-granddaughter-dog! DD flew to Phoenix this weekend to meet up with a friend, and run the Rock and Roll Half Marathon. You know, this pup sitting is a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.... (insert ginormous smile here!).

Well, as it is Sunday, it's time for a new challenge at Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge Blog. Our hostess this week is the lovely and talented Grace. Grace is one of the sweetest bloggers I've met! Her scripture this morning is:

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new". ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

Grace challenges us to use the theme of "NEW" and interpret it as you want: new year, new life, new birth, new supplies, new house, etc.

When you enter the challenge, please tell us what you used to fit our challenge!

Our sponsor this week is Clear Dollar Stamps.

We appreciate CDS, and thank them for being such a faithful and generous sponsor!

For my card today, I have used a darling digital set from Clear Dollar Stamps.

My card is for a dear friend who is moving into a new home very soon! She has been crafting out of boxes, (and doing a better job than I do!), and has moved from one state to another! So, my card is for a new home!

Clear Dollar Stamps Digital Image and Sentiment, Basic Grey Curio Collection, Ribbon from my stash, Coloring done with Copic Markers, Flower from Hobby Lobby.

Be sure to head over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog, to see Grace's gorgeous creation, and read her thoughts on the scripture she chose.

Without a doubt, you will be uplifted, and given much food for thought for the upcoming week! Can't wait to see your challenge entry!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope that you have a wonderful week...

My Itty-Bitty Blog Candy Winner will be announced on Wednesday!

Thanks to all who have left comments, and shared their cutting secrets with us all!

Hugs and Blessings,

Patti J.

Merry Christmas!

As we prepare our hearts once more, to hear the Christmas story,

May we always be inspired, by its wonder and by its glory!

We wish for you, love that warms your heart,

hope, that lights your way,

And joy that fills your home today and every day!

Wishing you a glorious Christmas!

Patti J. and Family

Inch by Inch...

Welcome to another Sunday Challenge for Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

I am certain that you all have your cleaning, baking, shopping, and gift wrapping finished, and are only waiting now for the arrival of, or to the homes of, your loved ones! Good for you - great job!

Peggysue is our wonderful hostess for today's challenge!

She brings us a scripture from Micah to carry with us and think about this week:

"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." ~Micah 5:2 NKJV

Be sure to read Peggysue's thoughts on this verse on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog, as well as on Peggysue's blog.

Peggysue's challenge for us this week is to create a card using inchies.

What a perfect and fitting challenge for this scripture!

Our sponsor this week is Our Daily Bread Designs. Some lucky participant will win a $15.00 gift card to shop at Our Daily Bread Designs. We appreciate their continued support, and can't wait to see your beautiful creations!

Here is my card:

This stamp set is called Snowman Nativity, and is a set that is carried by The Angel Company. I took the liberty of making a slightly larger card, with 1.5 size squares so that I could work with the sentiments in this set. The three sentiment pieces, and the main image are all popped up with dimensional dots, while the other squares are adhered directly to the card.

I am going to enter this card here:

Paper Playtime: Use a snowman

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please check out the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog, where you can read Peggysue's beautiful words of wisdom, and see the gorgeous creations of my DT sisters! I've been 'peeking' this week as they post to our group site, and I can guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Have a great week - stay safe, and stay warm!

Hugs and blessings...Patti J.

A Way with Words...

Good morning!

As it is Sunday, I'd like to welcome you to a new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

I am your hostess for the challenge this week!

* * *
For my scripture, I have chosen Ephesians 4:20 NLT: "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

* * *
Your challenge this week is: "A Way with Words".

Create a card or project that will compliment, encourage, or cheer someone in need of uplifting.

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. We appreciate their support!

Here is my card. It features a darling Anya image, that you can find at Simon Says Stamp, here.

How often have you left your house in a wonderful frame of mind, singing or whistling on your way to run errands, only to have your mood shattered by a grumpy sales clerk or bank teller?

We make such an impact on others, not only by what we say, but by our body language and attitude, as well. We can be a blessing to someone that is having a bad day, or we can ruin someone's good day with one simple exchange of words. "Let everything you say be good and helpful". Speak uplifting words, give your undivided attention to, and fully listen to someone in need. If you work at a bank, your job may be to make monetary transcations, but you have the power to change the momentum of someone's day by simply telling them how pretty their hair looks, or just smiling and wishing them well. "So that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them". You might be the reason that someone holds their head a little higher, and feels a little more special the rest of the day.

So, this week, make that extra effort to be compassionate. Remember that the holidays can be a time of stress, and often a lonely and difficult time for many. Reach out to others in Jesus' name, listen to their needs, and let everything you say be good, helpful, and encouraging.

We would LOVE to see your cards this week! Please see the work of my wonderful DT sisters, and enter your beautiful creations, at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge Blog. You could become a Shining Star, and might even win the generous prize from Simon Says Stamp!

Hugs and blessings to you - have a wonderful week!

Patti J.

A Touch of Red...

Happy Sunday!

Welcome to another Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge! The fabulous Rebekka is our hostess this week. Rebekka has chosen this scripture for us: "Come now, and let us reason together", says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool". ~Isaiah 1:18

Clear Dollar Stamps is our sponsor this week, and we thank them for their support!

Rebekka's challenge is a color challenge: white with a splash of red.

For my card, I have used an image from Clear Dollar Stamps, created by Kim Teasdale. Coloring is done with Copics and Starburst Clear Glitter Pen. I used some Glossy Accents for the dripping wax, and the candle holder base, and a Stampin' Up embossing folder for the background, embellised with a few Kaiser Craft Pearls.

So happy that you stopped by! Be sure to head over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to see what the other DT sisters have created - there are some beautiful projects to behold! Rebekka has some wonderful words to share about this weeks scripture as well!

We'd love to see your creations! Someone will win a $15 gift certificate to spend at Clear Dollar Stamps! It could be you!!!

Hugs and blessings...
Patti J.

Congratulations!

Good morning...

I'm so glad that you stopped by today!

As it is Sunday, it's a new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge Blog.

Our wonderful, and creatively amazing, Lisa Hjulberg is today's hostess.

Lisa has chosen the following scripture for her challenge today:

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

~Phillipians 4:13

Lisa's challenge to us is to create a card or project showing encouragement, or congratulations.

Our sponsor this week is Scor-Pal. One lucky winner will receive a sample of their Scor-Tape! It could be you! We can't wait to see your encouragement or contratulations projects!

My card today features stamps from The Angel Company.

I used my Scor-Pal to create a Faux Tile card.

I stamped and colored my image with Copic markers,

then scored lines every 1/2", turned the card, and scored again at every 1/2".

Next, the image and sentiment were distressed with Antique Linen distress ink.

The entire piece and the sentiment were covered with Versamark Dazzle,

then with Ultra Thick Embossing Powder (UTEE).

After heat embossing, the Versamark/UTEE step was repeated once more.

Both pieces were attached to some hunter green CS,

and a ribbon added for simple embellishing.

Found some gold gemstones for a bit of bling in the center of the poinsettia.

- - -

I hope that your week has been as delightful as ours has.

Our DS got here from California on Tuesday afternoon, and our DD got here Tuesday night. DS left this morning very early to go home, and we are blessed to have DD still home with us.

Thanksgiving Day brought friends to dinner - my dear friend Shirley, and her DH joined us for an abundance of yummies, and brought a wonderful homemade coconut creme pie!

- - -

Thanks again for stopping by!

Have a great week -

Patti J.

Be Thankful...

Good morning!

As it is Sunday, it's time for another new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

Today's hostess, our sweet design sister, Miesje, has chosen Psalm 107:1 for her scripture this week: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever."

Miesje challenges us this week to create a card or project that shows your thankfulness to God. This was an easy challenge for me - I have so much to be thankful for, and the older I get, I find that it takes very little to make me smile, and to make me thank Him for His goodness.

Our challenge this week is sponsored by Serendipity Stamps. If you have never been to their store, please find a few minutes to check out their beautiful stamps.

My card features a Serendipity Stamps image that you can find here, and one of their gorgeous sentiments that you can see here. The image and sentiment were stamped with Versafine Brown Ink, and distressed with Tim Holtz Distress Ink. The only coloring was done with a water based blender pen and distress ink. I wanted a 'barely there' color.

Please head over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge Blog, and see what wonderful words and thoughts that Miesje has to share with us today. While you are there, you can check out the beautiful work of my very talented DT Sisters!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful Sunday, and a week full of Thanksgiving!

Hugs and blessings,
Patti J.

Less...

Hello!

Happy Sunday!

Welcome to a new challenge at Stampin Sisters in Christ!

Grace, our talented and sweet design team sister, is our hostess this week.

Grace has chosen John 3:30 as her scripture:

"He must increase, but I must decrease".

Grace gives us a choice of challenges this week:

1. Make a CAS card, (representing "you" needing to decrease); or

2. Make a More is More card, (representing that He must INCREASE) or

3. Show us a simple version of a card and then show us the "More is More" version.

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. We appreciate their continued support!

Since a CAS card is such a huge challenge for me, that's what I chose to make.

You can find my Happy Thanksgiving sentiment at Simon Says Stamp, here.

The straight line was drawn with a brown Sharpie marker,

and all coloring was done with Copic markers.

Please head over to the Stampin' Sister's in Christ blog, to read Grace's thoughts

on today's scripture.

We look forward to seeing your beautiful creations!

Have a wonderful week,

Hugs and Blessings,

Patti J.

Oh Holy Night...

Good morning!

Welcome to a brand new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

Randi Barrett is our wonderful hostess today. She has chosen the following scripture for this week's challenge:

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (New American Standard Bible)

Be sure to head over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog, and read Randi's wonderful thoughts on today's scripture.

Randi's challenge is to create a card or project that has some kind of weather displayed on it, such as rain, snow, ice, sunshine, wind... Anything that demonstrates weather.

Our sponsor this week is Heartfelt Creations. If you've never been to their store, you need to pour yourself a cup of coffee, and be prepared for a lot of oohing and aahing! You'll love what you find there!

My card today, features a beautiful image and sentimet from Heartfelt Creations. It's definitely a clean and simple card. I stamped, sponged with a bit of blue, and added some diamond dust glitter for sparke. The DP is some Debbie Mumm from my stash.

Hope you like it!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please dig out your weather stuff, and come on over to Stampin' Sisters in Christ. You could be our weekly winner!

Hugs and blessings,

Patti J.

Thoughts in Ivory...

Happy Sunday!

Welcome to a new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

Our challenge this week is brought to us by the lovely Linda!

Linda has chosen Phillipians 4:8 as her scripture:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Linda's challenge this week is to make either an all white or all cream card or project, a monochrome in pure tones.

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp. The beautiful doily on my card is a stamp that is carried at Simon Says Stamp. You can find it here. The sentiment is also Hero Arts. The cardstock is TAC, both the doily and the sentiment were stamped with Adirondack Sandal Ink, and embossed with Transdescent Embossing Powder. The ribbon is from my 'stash'.

Be sure to head over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog, and read Linda's wonderful words about today's scripture.

I hope that you all have a wonderful week with many blessings.

We are very blessed today - DD ended up under a moving hay wagon Friday night, and sustained only minor injuries. DS turned 35 today, and DH is feeling better today.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Patti J.

Good Morning!

Happy Sunday!

Hope the morning is going well for you, and that your day is full of blessings! As it's Sunday, it's a new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

Our hostess is the fabulous Lisa Hjulberg!

She has chosen: "This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

~Matthew 6:9-13

The challenge this week is to make a card/project that features prayer; either someone praying, or a verse about prayer, or a greeting that lets someone know you are praying for them.

Lisa's scripture was Jesus' response to the disciples when they asked Jesus to teach them to pray. There is no right or wrong way to pray - the best way for me is simply and quietly.

Our sponsor today is Layers of Color, who is generously donating a Flutterescent Clear Art Stamp Set! Be sure to join in the challenge this week - you could be the lucky winner!

My card today features an Art Stencil, and a free digi image, both from Layers of Color. I used Versamark Ink on the stencil (over cream cardstock), then embossed with clear UTEE. After heat embossing, I sponged on Bashful Blue Ink, from Stampin' Up. The sentiment is from TAC, and I used Glossy Accents on the Nestie Frame, and also over the entire bird to give them the same glossy appearance as the stencil pattern. I tried to keep it very simple so that the stencil was visible.

I hope that you like it! Hop over and look around at Layers of Color, and be sure to join in the challenge this week at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!!!

Hugs and blessings,

Patti J.

Thank You

Good morning, and welcome to a glorious Sunday at Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge. I am today's challenge hostess - what a privilege!

---

The scripture that I chose for our challenge today is: For everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. ~1 Timothy 4:4.

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Our challenge this week is "Thank You". Our sponsor is Doodle Pantry. Thank you, Laurie Wilson, for your generosity!

---

My card today features a wonderful sentiment, and a beautiful pre-colored image from Doodle Pantry. I can't wait to see your beautiful Thank You cards this week! You could win some goodies from Doodle Pantry!

Supplies: Image and sentiment from Doodle Pantry, CS:Bazzill, Embossing Folder: Stampin'Up, DP:DCWV Mat Stack, button and ribbon from stash, Scrapper's Floss from The Angel Company, Distressing with Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress Ink.

---

In the above scripture, I think that Paul was speaking to Timothy, who was a young man, probably going into the ministry. Paul was preparing Timothy for some of the challenges he would soon face as a young preacher. I think, in verse 4, Paul was telling Timothy that everything God has made is good, that we are to look upon our food and many other blessings as that which God has created, that we have it from Him, and must use it for Him, and that these blessings are double sweet when received with thanksgiving, and sanctified by the word of God, and by prayer to God.

---

Having a gift from God is not good enough. To ignore an opportunity to thank God for these gifts is to neglect them. Sometimes, in our hectic and crazy lifes, 'life' gets in the way, and we forget to thank Him.

---

My dear husband is usually cheerful and wide awake within seconds of waking up each morning, and within minutes, he is singing, humming, and has the news playing on the TV. I need just a wee bit more quiet time prior to being quite that cheerful, but over the years, we have both found that being cheerful and thankful is the best and only way to start our day.

---

Today, dear friends, I woke up thankful. I have counted my blessings, and have given thanks for them. I am thankful for family and friends - they know me so well, and choose to love me anyway! I am thankful for the chance to laugh, talk, pray, and eat together. I know that I have many blessings that I have forgotten to count, and pray that God will help me see these missed blessings.

---

I dug out some old dictionaries, and was saddened to see the definition of thanksgiving change over the years. In 1959, it included 'praising God for his mercies'. Over the years, "God" has changed to a small reference of 'divine goodness'.

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I hope that all of you have woken up thankful today. Maybe your life is not perfect, maybe you have needs and wants that have not yet been fulfilled, but my prayer for you today is that you wake up counting your many blessings, with an attitude of gratitude!

---

Again, our challenge is: Thank You. It is amazing to see the talent that you bring to our challenges each week, and we are eager to see what visions of beauty that you create this week!

---

Hugs, and blessings!

Patti J.

Nature...

Happy Sunday!

With Sunday, comes another Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge. Our challenge hostess today is the wonderful Rebekka. Rebekka has chosen Genesis 1:1 as her scripture:

~~~~~

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth".

~~~~~

Rebekka's challenge is to create a card or project using anything pertaining to nature. Feel free to use birds, trees, flowers, mountains...the sky is the limit!

~~~~~

Please head over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog, and read Rebekka's beautiful words, and see the work of our talented design team!

~~~~~

Our sponsor today is the lovely and talented Nina Brackett!

One lucky challenge participant will win a set of Nina's stamps!

~~~~~

Here is my card. I chose to make a peaceful reflecting scene.

I apologize, but I don't have anything more for you.

Hopefully, Blogger will cooperate and this will post on Sunday morning!

And... hopefully, by the time you get up and read this post, we will be having Sunday breakfast with our son, who I have not seen since last Christmas. He's in Colorado on business, and we have driven out to see him.

We'll start home after breakfast. It's about a 15-16 hour drive, so send up some extra prayers!

Have a great day!

Patti J.

Peace...

Happy Sunday, and welcome to another challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

Our hostes this week, is Miesje. She has chosen John 14:27, as her scripture: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid".

Miesje's challenge for the week, is to use a Christian symbol of peace, or to make a card or project that shows or shares peace.

Our sponsor this week is Designed 2 Delight Digital Stamps. One lucky challenge participant will receive a $10 gift certificate to shop at Designed 2 Delight!

For my card, I chose Heartfelt Wishes. This is just about the cutest snowfolk ever!

You can find it here!

Supplies: Snowman Image: Designed 2 Delight, Dove Image: There's Magic in the Air, Coloring Medium: Koh-I-Noor Pencils and LOMS, Polar White Flower Soft, Red and Green Stickles

In 1980, the love of my life, my DH received 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burns over

nearly 80% of his body when our house burned.

As you can imagine, this was a very intense situation for us all.

We were told to expect the worst - he would probably not survive, and should he live,

he would be horribly disfigured.

This week's verse is special to me, as it helped to carry me through the days of his healing. There were the skin graft operations, the emotional strain, and once we got him home, the daily wound debridment, all while I was several months pregnant. Many years later, this same verse continues to carry me through difficult times in my life - the two military deployments of DS, watching DD struggle through, and triumph over an abusive marriage, then move away to Asia for over a year, the loss of our parents and grandparents, etc. The glorious peace of the Lord, and the peace that this verse has given me over the years has kept me calm and sane for my family.

I wish for all of you peace in this new week!

Smiles and blessings,

Patti J.

There is a season...

Happy Sunday, and welcome to another new challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ.

***

Chris is our hostess today, and she offers this scripture:

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.

~Ecclesiastes 3:1

***

Chris' challenge this week is to use fall colors OR leaves on your creation.

Our challenge this week is Sponsored by Our Daily Bread Designs.

A lucky winner will receive a $15 gift card to shop in the Our Daily Bread store!

***

My favorite season has to be fall.

We live in an area with many hills, trees, valleys, etc., and it's almost overwhelming how beautiful it is when the leaves all begin to change colors.

God is visible every direction you look, in every shade of red, orange, and brown.

***

Here is my card. This set is from Our Daily Bread Designs, and is called Quiet Waters. You can find it here.

The two deer were colored, then stamped and colored again. I fussy cut the second set, and layered them over the stamped images using dimensional dots. The sentiment is computer generated, DP is DCWV, and all coloring is done with Koh-I-Noor Pencils and LOMS. Nesties scalloped square dies were used on corners.

I hope that you all have a day full of blessings.

I also hope that Blogger cooperated and did the pre-post thing!

We left at 5:30 a.m. to go watch DD participate in a half-marathon!

Happy Sunday,

Patti J.