Thank you for your service!

This is Week One of our Shining the Light challenge to make a card or project that is Patriotic or Red, White and Blue. 

I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend. Fourth of July is one of my favorite national holidays. Not only do I love fireworks and parades, but I am proud to be an American and especially proud of all those who serve in the military. I decided to make a card thanking a female member of our military for her service.

I used Patriotic Pennants with the matching Pennants dies and stamped the sentiment along with the tiny flag that I colored with markers. To make it more feminine, I colored and fussy cut the small flowers from Sing to the Lord. I embossed the white background and added some dyed pearl cotton (finally got the blue ink off my fingers - LOL!).

Reflecting on Independence Day, I'm reminded that it's the day we celebrate when the 13 American colonies declared their independence. But as believers, every day is a day to depend on Christ...alone.

I am the vine, you are the branches.
He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; 
for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

To see all the designs in one place or join the challenge, please visit Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. You have until July 20 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 talented 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:  Patriotic Pennants, Sing to the Lord (ODBD)

Paper: Solar White (Neenah), White (PTI), Pacific Point (SU)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pacific Point (SU), Lipstick Red chalk ink (ColorBox)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Pennants dies (ODBD), Circles and Lacey Circles dies (Spellbinders), Baby's Breath embossing folder (Sizzix), Night of Navy and Riding Hood Red markers (SU), pearl cotton (DMC), stylus, Glossy Accents (Ranger), red tape
Techniques: Fussy cutting
Card Size:  A-2

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"

His Love Endures Forever

This week's Shining the Light challenge is to make a One-Layer Card. Cards for this challenge can have one layer on top of the base or just one layer including the base. This has to be the easiest card I've made in a long time, and it was fun!

One a single card base, I used the large sprig of lavender from the Lavender stamp set, repeatedly stamped it along the bottom, and colored it. Then I stamped the verse from Scripture Collection 11 (using my Stamp-a-ma-jig for precise placement) and added a coordinating satin ribbon...and it was done!

This is such a beautiful verse that reminds me of God's enduring love. When we worry about future generations, it's comforting to know that our sovereign and loving Father has it all in control and will bring about His plan for us all!

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever!
His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5

To see all the creations in one place or join the challenge, please visit Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. You have until June 22 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 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!

One last thing, ODBD is having a "Free-Shipping Special" through Friday, June 20. Find more details here. 

For His glory,

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Lavender, Scripture Collection 11 (ODBD)

Paper: White (PTI)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Black (Versafine)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Perfect Plum satin ribbon (PTI), Stamp-a-ma-jig
Card Size:  A-2

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