Birthday Roses

This week's Shining the Light challenge is Birthday with ODBD. Make a card or project to celebrate a birthday using ODBD products. (And you have two weeks to work on your card.)

I love this cluster of roses from the Rose stamp set and decided to color and fussy cut it. Yes, it took patience, but it's something we all need to work on, right? I used Ornate Hearts dies to add under my roses (sponging and popping the filigree heart die), used some of the beautiful Blushing Rose Collection paper pad (my favorite), and added the edge of one of the Beautiful Borders dies. I added the sponged "happy birthday" sentiment from Rose Bouquet, paper-pierced around the border and bottom corner, and I think it has a vintage feel to it. 

Roses are so beautiful, and yet, their thorns can pierce our skin. In life's journey, "thorns" can and do hurt us. Yet, we know that God is in complete control and allows the hurts and hard times to make us more and more into the image of Christ. He alone provides the comfort and encouragement we need in our trials. I'm reminded of an old hymn, "O To Be Like Him." But to be more like Him, we must endure trials and hardship. James 1:2-4 is a great passage that reminds me that all suffering I endure will continue to draw me closer to Him and prayerfully make me realize that I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me. Here are some thoughts about our suffering and trials from John Piper: They are not a surprise but a plan, they give evidence of our union with Christ, and God is glorified when we rejoice in our sufferings. Trust God alone.

Count it all joy, my brothers [and sisters], 
when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that testing of your faith
produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect,
that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4

To see all the designs in one place or join the challenge, please visit Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. You have until July 6 to join us. You may use any stamps to enter, but if you have any Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, we would love to see you use them. By participating in the challenge, you have an opportunity to win a $15 ODBD gift certificate good towards the purchase of stamps in the "stamps column" on the ODBD website or to be "spotlighted" for the Shining the Light Award. We would love to see your designs!

For more beautiful inspiration ideas for this challenge, please visit my precious design team sisters:

Chris Olsen * Diana Nguyen * DJ Rants
Elizabeth Whisson * Linda Carson * Robin Clendenning

I have also entered this card for this week's Word Art Wednesday challenge.  

Thanks so much for "stopping by" and sharing a comment, thought, or prayer request, and I hope you have a wonderful week!

For His glory,

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Rose, Rose Bouquet (ODBD)

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), Vintage Cream (PTI), Primrose Petals (SU), Blushing Rose Collection paper pad (ODBD)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Black (Versafine), Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Ornate Hearts dies (ODBD), Beautiful Borders dies (ODBD), Petite Ovals dies (Spellbinders), piercing tool, 3M dimensional tape, red tape
Techniques: Fussy cutting, sponging, and paper-piercing
Card Size:  5 1/4"