Bear Hugs - TESC151

Hello Delightful Friends and Family!

Bear hugs to you!!  I had fun making this card for Valentines Day (for my grandson Jakob age: almost 5!!)The sketch from Taylor at Taylored Expressions is fun and easy, I can see myself using it many times. 

 

I tried a new technique (for me) with my Copic coloring to get a bit of texture (kind of) on sweet Buddy Bear.  After coloring all the brown fur (E13, E15, E18), I soaked a small section of a dish towel with the Colorless Blender, then I dabbed around the brown.  The texture of the towel had a weave rather than being terry cloth. It looks somewhat like the basket weave that shows in the background of the photo.  The picture turned out pretty dark but the other one I took was washed out! Drats! This one was truer to the color and since it's getting dark out and it's almost time for our Evening Service at church, I decided this was going to have to be good enough!

I think he is just the cutest.  Perhaps we will be seeing more of him...

Here are the rest of the ingredients to my card:

Designer Paper: Basic Grey - Kissing Booth (stripes and the brown); Card Stock: Bazzill (base)and Neenah bright white; Ink: Memento, Tuxedo Black; Spellbinder Nestabilities: Standard Circles Large and Classic Scallop Circles Large; Buttons (my stash); Anchor Floss 1204;  Copic Markers: E0000, E13, E15, E18, W1, W5, RV25, R01, R81, R83, R85, YG03 and Colorless Blender.  Finished card is 5.5 x 5.5

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a delightful comment, it's so thoughtful of you when you do!  I love the following verse what a boost to those of us who are facing the work week!

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.   Isaiah 40:28-29

God bless....

 

John 14:15 He Who Loves Me (part 2)

Hello!  Welcome back to this weeks Bible Study in John (we are still experiencing difficulties at ODBD so I'll be posting here, too.)

John 14:15  He Who Loves Me (Part 2)

Last time in our study we looked at verses 12-14 and the thought of “He Who Believes in Me”.  Today we will take a look at verse 15 and “He Who Loves Me” although I suppose, most of the readers are female, so I should rename it “She Who Love Me” ;-)

If you are new to the study (and even if you are not!) please read from verse 1.  It’s important not to lose the continuity or context of what is being said.  John did not write one sentence and then two weeks later add a couple more!  We can get misguided by taking things out of context and that is how false doctrines get started.  Please take a moment to pray and prepare your hearts to receive the Word today and that the Holy Spirit will teach us His truths.

John 14:1 
If you love Me, keep My commandments. (NKJV)
If ye love me, keep my commandments. (KJV)
If you love me, obey my commandments. (NLT)
If you love me, you will obey what I command. (NIV)
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (ESV)
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. ( NASB)
If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.  (ASV)
If ye love me, my commands keep, (YLT)

I love looking at all the different versions and translations to get a better understanding of a verse or word. You cannot question what is being said here. If you love Jesus, obey His Word. This is simple truth and very compelling.

The Greek transliteration for “keep” is tereo - the meaning is to: attend to carefully, take care of, take heed to, observe.  (Strongs #5083 / Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words)

This verse is huge (spiritually speaking) and the theme of “keeping” His commandments will be repeated three times in this chapter, one in the negative sense.  (verses: 21, 23, 24)

Evidence of our love for the Lord is obedience to His Word.  I do not think we should take this lightly or make excuses for not obeying.  Notice the word “if” in the verse.  That word denotes a condition.  If we love Jesus... we will keep/obey His commands.  Now this is impossible without Christ in us and the Holy Spirit to guide us, which leads us to the next verse but I do not want to skim over the importance of our loving obedience to Christ. So, I will save that until next time.
Jesus has set the example for us in His love and obedience to the Father.  We are called to follow Him (Read: John 10:27; 12:26; 1 Peter 2:21 ).

Here are some other verses to reflect on and hopefully memorize especially when we are tempted to disobey.

 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”1 John 2:3-4

  And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22

 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24

 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:2-3

 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:3

 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Revelation 3:8

 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12
"Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."  Revelation 22:7

 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."  Revelation 22:9

Next time we will be looking at how the Holy Spirit helps us live this Christian life as God would have us live it.  What a gift we have in the Holy Spirit who helps us live obedient lives to glorify the Father through our obedience and love of Jesus. 

Thanks for studying with me and I hope that you are growing in your love and knowledge of God's Word and in your relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ.  Please keep me lifted up in prayer as we continue this study.  I covet your prayers!

Affectionately,

Natalie

Thinking of You - FS260 WANNABCRE8TIVE

Good Evening Delightful Friends and Family,

Just a quick post to share a card I did for the Featured Stamper Challenge at SCS.  This weeks featured stamper is Shirley Quarry aka WANNABCR8TIVE.  Here is the card I CASE'd called Razzleberry Sympathy.  The changes I've made are 1. image and ink color 2. Embossing folder 3. ribbon 4 sentiment. I really liked the layout so I didn't change much except add a layer of designer paper under the image layer.

 

Here are the ingredients:  Stamps - Gina K Design, Botanicals and Taylored Expressions - Love Grows Here (sentiment) Inks: Memento, Tuxedo black and Ranger Distress Inks, Worn Lipstick and Frayed Burlap. Designer Paper: Basic Grey - Kissing Booth collection; Copics YG97 (stems).  American Crafts, ribbon; Embossing Folder and Cuttlebug from ProvoCraft. The card stocks I've used are from my stash and I'm not sure of their manufacturer.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful Lord's Day. 

Tomorrow I will be posting the John Bible Study first thing in the morning so be on the look out.  They are still having technical difficulties at Our Daily Bread Designs so I'm posting it here and on the forum at ODBD (private forum).

We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10

Miss You - STV12FRI1

Hello Delightful friends and family!

Happy Saturday morning to you! (actually it's technically still Friday night here on the west coast but getting closer to the midnight hour!) I spent all morning at the church preparing for the online Gospel of John Bible study which will post this weekend and got the other church responsibilites finished early since the little kiddos are with their momma and daddy today.  Kelly is doing much better but still not well enough to go to work and they are staying home with her.   So I was able to get a lot done today and will be able to relax and not be so rushed during the weekend. 

I've been playing (experimenting) at my craft table with Distress Stains and watercolor paper.  Trying to go outside the box and do something different.  I think I achieved "different"!  But I managed to squeeze in a challenge along with it.  My friend and neighbor (actually Brenda lives in  the town over from me, but in blogland it would definitely qualify as neighbor!) is sponsoring the Friday Free For All challenge at Stamp TV this week.  Yay, Brenda!!!  Her challenge, should we accept the assignment is to make a card using a flower PLUS use at least two different shapes.  So, I've accepted the challenge and I've used a circle and a square (easy peasy!) and I've used the Botanical Stamp Set from Gina K Designs. Mission Accomplished!

Here are the deets:  Inks: Memento, Tuxedo black; Distress Ink, Frayed Burlap; Distress Stains: Tea Dye, Weathered Wood, Mustard Seed, Tumbled Glass, Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters;  Bazzill card stock; American Crafts, ribbon; Queen & Co rhinestone; EK Success Scallop Circle border punch.  The finished card size is 4.25 x 5.5

"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

Thanks for looking and leaving a delightful comment!  Enjoy the weekend!

Rejoice in the Lord - ODBDCAS40

Hello Delightful friends and family!  It's Friday night and it looks like I get to spend a little time in the craft room after I post this! Fun!  Here is a card I did for a challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs Forum for a CAS card using the colors yellow and white (ink: black or blue).  Molly had a nice write up over there concerning the challenge and I was excited to be able to play. 

(Sorry about the shadows)

Details:

Stamps: Christmas Verses set (ODBD); Ink: Memento, Tuxedo black and Distress Ink, Mustard Seed; Designer Paper: Jillibean Soup - Homemade 6 Bean collection; Bazzill card stock; Spellbinder Nestabilities Petite Scallop Ovals, Large; Marvy Uchida butterfly punch; Ribbon (my stash); Scissors, CM Borderlines ruler.  Finished size 4.25 x 5.5 

Thanks for looking and remember to "Rejoice in the Lord always again I say rejoice!"

Hello my delight friends and family!

I made this card a couple of weeks ago and keep forgetting to post it.  This is a watercolor technique I've used with Distress Inks and Distress Stains.  Both are waterbase so after applying the ink directly onto the craft sheet, (Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed - Distress inks;  Fired Brick and Peeled Paint Distress Stains); I've sprayed them with water then loaded my stamp with the mixture and then stamped onto watercolor paper.

  

Easy peasy and I know I'm not proficient at it but for my first attempt in a long time, I thought it turned out okay!  I love this stamp which is probably retired by now (Hero Arts) called Showy Blossoms.  My base is Bazzill card stock and then I've matted the focal piece with a smooth cream colored card stock (Taylored Expressions).  The sentiment is also from Taylored Expressions and I've used the Spellbinders Tag Trio die (cut from watercolor paper leftovers!)  I've stamped the Je t'aime with Stazon black ink (Moka Collection - Cherie stamp)  The little heart was also stamped with Stazon, then stickles added for a little bling. The heart is also from TE - Buddy Bear set. The red ribbon is American Crafts.  I've sponged around the edges with the Distress ink, Worn Lipstick.  Finished card is 4.25 x 5.5

(inside "You have my heart" from Buddy Bear set - TE)

Thanks for looking!  Hope you are having an excellent day!  God bless.

The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.  Psalms 145:13

Introducing Ivy - Hugs and Kisses

Hello Delightful Friends and Family! 

It's almost Friday, yay!!  Hope you are looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend ahead.  Not sure what's in the works for me other than going to Jake's Kindersport basketball on Saturday and church on Sunday.  I'm hoping to get a lot of the preliminary "stuff" done for Sunday, Friday a.m., so that I can actually enjoy a Saturday rather than always feeling pressed for time.  Enough about me...

Here is an adorable new image from the Bug and Roo Collection created by 15 year old Hannah Boyd (daughter of Lori of  BY LORI Designs) she is one talented young lady!  This is Ivy one of six new images.  This one reminds me so much of our little Addy (2-1/2 yr old granddaughter) who has beautiful curly brown hair.  I made this card to give her for Valentines Day. 

I'm participating in two challenges with this card. 

1. Card Positioning Systems Sketch challenge (CPS252)

2.  Photo Inspiration Challenge (BLD 23) at By LORI Designs

Finished card is 5.5 x 5.5

Here are the details:

Designer Paper: Queen & Co. "Cute Kids" Collection; Card stock: Bazzill (Taylored Expressions); Ribbon (my stash); Ric Rac (Taylored Expressions - Key Ingredient Kit Aug 2010); Spellbinders Nestabilities Scallop Circle, large; Kenmore sewing machine; Sentiment: By Lori Designs (digi); Copics: R01, R20, R81, R85; E0000, E000, E00, E09, E11, E13, E15; G82.

Inspiration photo and sketch:

 






"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do"  Ephesians 2:10

Have a super excellent day and thank you for visiting!