Pink Iris

This week's Shining the Light challenge is a Color Challenge using pink, ivory, and tan. 

What beautifully soft colors for this week's challenge. I "googled" the word iris and found that God grows them in many different colors. I normally think of them as purple, but I used pink for this week's challenge. I colored my Iris and used the label die from Vintage Flourish Pattern dies, sponged it, and hand-cut a pink matted border. Then I used one of the the sentiments from All Occasion Sentiments and hand-cut my own fishtail ends and sponged it as well. I used one of the Beautiful Borders dies, sponged it with pink, added some embroidery floss, matted several layers of designer paper that I sponged, and paper-pierced the outer layer. The final touches are a ribbon and pearls. I think it has a vintage feel to it.

This sentiment reminds me of the passage from Numbers 6:24-26:

The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you
and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Oh, this is a very special hymn that I remember singing in choir! It is by Peter C. Lutkin (1858-1931), and it is sung here by the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, near where we used to live. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

To see all the projects designed for ODBDSLC205 or to join the challenge, please visit Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. You have until June 15, 2014, at 8 p.m. EDT, to join us. 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 projects!

For more beautiful inspiration ideas for this challenge, please visit my sweet 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:  Iris, All Occasion Sentiments (ODBD)

Paper: Classic White (Neenah), Vintage Cream (PTI), Primrose Red (SU), First Edition DP (SU), Basics Kraft (BasicGrey)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pretty in Pink (SU), Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap distress ink (Ranger)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Beautiful Borders dies (ODBD), Vintage Flourish Pattern dies (ODBD), Perfect Layers tool, seam binding dyed with Copic marker R83, DMC Floss 957, Chino pearls (Kaiser) 3M dimensional tape, red tape
Techniques: Sponging, fussy cutting, paper-piercing
Card Size:  5 1/4" square

Grow in Grace and Knowledge

This week's Shining the Light challenge is to use White on White. Once again, it's out of my "comfort zone," but that's what challenges are for, right? It was fun to work with the beautiful dies that ODBD continues to design!

I started with this wonderful verse from one of the new June release sets called Iris and used the label die from Vintage Flourish Pattern dies and stamped a coordinating border using Flourish Label Borders. Next I used the larger die from Vintage Flourish Pattern dies and die-cut two and glued them together to give them more dimension on my card base. I used the leaves from Fancy Foliage dies and the small flower from Ornamental Crosses dies and added pearls for the centers and in the corners.

This verse reminds me of what God has done for me through Christ and how I can be more like Him:

Grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now
and to the day of eternity.

2 Peter 3:18

Growing in grace does not mean we need more grace but that we grow in our understanding and appreciation of His grace. God's grace is all-sufficient. And growing in our knowledge of Christ by reading God's Word draws us into a closer relationship with the Lord and is one of the means by which we are being transformed into the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

To see all the projects designed for ODBDSLC205 or to join the challenge, please visit Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. You have until June 8, 2014, at 8 p.m. EDT, to join us. 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 projects!

For more beautiful inspiration ideas for this challenge, please visit my wonderful 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:  Iris, Flourish Label Borders (ODBD)

Paper: Solar White (Neenah)

Ink: Smoky Slate (SU)
Tools/Accessories: Fancy Foliage Dies (ODBD), Ornamental Crosses Dies (ODBD), Vintage Flourish Pattern Dies (ODBD), pearls (Recollections), Glue n' Seal adhesive, Zots glue dots
Card Size:  A-2

For the Glory of God

This week's Shining the Light challenge is an Inspiration Challenge. You can tell which inspiration photo I chose. Aren't they beautiful rooms?

 

While these are not my "go to" colors, I rather enjoyed the neutral tones with the touch of lavender and green. It's good to stretch a bit creatively, don't you think? The beautiful antique fireplace fender inspired me to use the Quatrefoil Pattern die, which I sponged with Antique Linen distress ink and then placed on a darker tan card stock. I used one of the Scripture verses from Glory using Elegant Oval dies and sponged it and added the fussy-cut Lilac that I gave some dimension and popped. Using a Copic marker, I colored the edge of white card stock and used it as matting with my Perfect Layers tool. With the same Copic marker, I dyed seam binding to match. So no problems with color matching (a big help!).

This is a very special verse for me, and I hope it strikes a chord in your heart as well. We love to stamp and make beautiful things, but from time to time, I need to remind myself that everything I do (including stamping...and evening ironing) is to glorify God...to honor Him. 

It's not by accident that God tells us to call Him our Father. Just as a human father delights in seeing his children play and enjoy themselves, so our Heavenly Father is delighted and praised. In exercising our creativity, we are honoring God by imitating in a small way His act of creation. We use the materials and skills He so graciously provides, and we enjoy designing in hopes that they reflect His glory...not just our own...to others. 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,

do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, please visit Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. You have until June 1 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. If you participate, you have an opportunity to win a $15 certificate toward ODBD stamps or to be "spotlighted" for the Shining the Light Award (the SLC award is only for those who use ODBD stamps). We would love to see your creations!

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

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

If you've ever noticed the QR code in the bottom left of my blog, you might check it out (you need a QR reader on your mobile device). It relates to this Scripture verse, and it means Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be glory). 

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

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

For His glory,

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Glory, Lilac (ODBD)

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), Vintage Cream (PTI)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink (ColorBox), Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Quatrefoil Pattern die (ODBD), Elegant Ovals dies (ODBD), Perfect Layers tool, stylus, seam binding dyed with Copic marker V25, Glue Dots, red tape
Techniques: Sponging, fussy cutting, and adding dimension
Card Size:  A-2

Trust in God

This week's Shining the Light challenge is a Sketch Challenge. 

Since I love flowers (and coloring them), I used one of the new May release sets, Glory, and added a verse from Scripture Collection 6. I rotated the sketch 90 degrees, keeping it simple by adding one of the Beautiful Borders dies, along with a bow (some seam binding dyed with a Copic marker) and a rose card stock matting to coordinate. 

This verse is a very special one for me. I read John 14:1-3 at my mom's funeral from her Bible, which is the version I memorized from as a young girl (and it still is hard to memorize in other versions!). This passage remains a great comfort to me, and it also comforts me in knowing that whatever God brings into my life (whatever it is), He is with me through it all. He will guide me, give me peace and comfort, and help me through all of life's trials. 

Let not your heart be troubled: 

Ye believe in God, believe also in Me. 

In my Father's house are many mansions: 

If it were not so, I would have told you. 

I go to prepare a place for you. 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, 

And receive you until myself; 

That where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:1-3

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, please visit Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. You have until May 25 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. If you participate, you have an opportunity to win a $15 certificate toward ODBD stamps or to be "spotlighted" for the Shining the Light Award (the SLC award is only for those who use ODBD stamps). We would love to see your creations!

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

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 leaving a comment or sharing a thought. 

I thank my parents, Sunday School teachers, and many others for encouraging me to memorize portions of God's Word when I was young and am thankful that God often brings these verses to mind when I need them most. I trust you too will hide God's Word in your heart!

For His glory,

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Glory, Scripture Collection 6 (ODBD)

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), White and Autumn Rose (PTI)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento),
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Beautiful Borders dies (ODBD), seam binding dyed with R83, red tape
Card Size:  A-2

Key To My Heart

This week's Shining the Light challenge is our F-L-O-W-E-R Recipe. We want to see you create a card or project that uses any four of the letters in the word "flower" for a recipe.  My recipe is L (label/layer), W (words/white), E (embossing, both wet and dry), and R (red and rectangle).

Red means true love, so I started with the Vintage Flourish Pattern die, sponged it, and layered it on red card stock.  Then I stamped a frame from Flourish Label Borders, stamped the sweet sentiment from Key to Heaven, and die cut it using one of the matching Vintage Label dies. I just love the little key from Angel Wings and embossed it in gold, and then I used Ornate Hearts dies to make my hearts with the sentiment inside from Bless Your Heart. I had fun with the key, since I had to use a tweezer (and pin) to hold it when I heat embossed it (it wanted to fly away...LOL!). It was definitely fun to make.

I chose to make a special card for this week, since my husband and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, and he certainly holds the key to my heart! God has blessed our marriage by showering us with His overwhelming love and how He continues to draw us closer to Himself. Picture a triangle where God is at the top and we are at each corner; the closer we draw to God, the closer we get to each other. So remember that God is the real "Key" to a good marriage - and for all our relationships.

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, please visit Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. You have until May 18 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. If you participate, you have an opportunity to win a $15 certificate toward ODBD stamps or to be "spotlighted" for the Shining the Light Award (the SLC award is only for those who use ODBD stamps). We would love to see your creations!

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 leaving a comment or sharing a thought. Have a wonderful week, and remember to use the triangle analogy the next time someone asks you about marriage!

For His glory,

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Key to Heaven, Flourish Label Borders, Bless Your Heart (ODBD)

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), White and Poppy Red (PTI)

Ink: Black (Versafine), Barn Red Distress Ink (Ranger)
Tools/Accessories: Vintage Flourish Pattern dies (ODBD), Vintage Label dies (ODBD), Angel Wings dies (ODBD), Ornate Hearts dies (ODBD), Perfect Layers tool, gold embossing powder, Glue n' Seal adhesive, stylus, Glue Dots, red tape
Techniques: Sponging and embossing (wet and dry)
Card Size:  A-2

God's Great Love

This week's Shining the Light challenge is called "Wing It." We want you to wings on your card or project. 

I have seen so many beautiful butterflies lately and decided to use the 2 Step Butterfly with the Grunge Butterfly die to accent my focal sentiment from God's Love using the Elegant Oval dies. I used Chalkboard Vine Background for my designer paper, paper-pierced, and added one of the Beautiful Borders dies that I once again threaded with some DMC pearl cotton and added some pearls. I just had to paper-pierce around the edges and added a few more pearls in the upper corner for balance.

I love this sentiment by one of my favorite Christian recording artists, Michael Card. My husband and I had the privilege of meeting him when he was at our church for a concert, and he is a humble and godly man, whose songs are rich in theology (and he always reviews the lyrics with his pastor).

Michael's quote reminds me of the depth of God's love for us. He cannot love us more and will not love us less. It brings to mind an old hymn that you may remember. Here's the chorus:

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure––

The saints' and angels' song.

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, please visit Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. You have until May 11 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. If you participate, you have an opportunity to win a $15 certificate toward ODBD stamps or to be "spotlighted" for the Shining the Light Award (the SLC award is only for those who use ODBD stamps). We would love to see your creations!

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 leaving a comment or sharing a thought. 

May we always remember God's great love for us and the great price He paid for us (with no regret) because of that love. 

For His glory,

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  God's Love, 2 Step Butterfly, Chalkboard Vine Background (ODBD)

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), White (PTI), Brocade Blue (SU)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Brocade Blue (SU)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Grunge Butterfly Die (ODBD), Elegant Oval Dies (ODBD), Beautiful Borders dies (ODBD), Pearl Cotton #799 (DMC), Pearls (Kaiser), Gold glitter pen (Spica), Perfect Layers tool, stylus, 3M dimensional tape, red tape
Techniques: Paper-piercing and sponging
Card Size:  A-6