LOC Faith Art Friday - At the Cross

How has your week been - doesn't it fly by!  It is already Friday and time for Faith Art Friday over at Layers of Color.  I usually work ahead and find it so easy to create a card, especially a Faith Art card, but this week I have been working on it in the last hours before the post!

I don't know about you, but when the week has been busy and had it's challenges, I am not as focused on things as I should be, especially when it comes to faith - ironically, it is the very thing I should be focused on

As I sat down with my Layers of Color Clear Art Stamps, I waited for 'inspiration to hit me - which is not so easy when you have over 30 stamp sets sitting before you and you love them all - I just wasn't getting any inspiration - so I decided to go back to basics and start with the cross - how symbolic is that!

I stamped this fabulous cross from the Gothic Crosses Clear Art Stamps and sponged it with Vintage Photo Distressing Ink, popping it up with foam tape onto the smaller wings from the Beloved Wings Clear Art Stamps.  I added a butterfly from the Butterfly Collector Clear Art Stamps to the front of the cross popped up its wings!  This seemed so fitting as the butterfly symbolises new life!

Using the Vintage Photo Distressing Ink, I sponged the Bella Brocade Art Stencil, just using one row of the Art Stencil as a lacy effect!  Now, you know how I love a bit of shimmer with my Layers of Color work, so I have added Kindy Glitz to the wings, cross and butterfly, along with a drop as a gem to the stencilling!

I then added some beautiful sheer ribbon, that has been recycled from a gift.  It has been knotted in the middle and attached it using double sided tape, adding three gold brads either side of the knot.  As a final touch a took a leftover strip from a page in an old Hymnal I was given and roughly pleated it, adding sponging to age it even more and attached it adding a double row of paper piercing - now, I have to say, I am loving the effect this has.

Once I finished this card, I realised that as I created I was inspired, without even realising it - so often we think that inspiration hits and a  'light goes on' but for me  it doesn't happen that way - although I wouldn't be opposed to it - LOL!  But as I worked through the creative process and used symbolism with this Faith Art, I was brought back to the cross and all that it holds.

A very dear family friend of ours, Nana Helen, shared in Church one day and something she said has stayed with me for many years - 'inspite of how we feel, God is worthy to be praised!'  That is the truth and the inspiration I am leaving with you today - back to the basis of our faith, and that alone is enough for me to shift my focus - from me to HIM!!

I am linking this to the following Challenges:

Quirky Crafts - Ribbons

Challenge Up Your Life - Vintage

Lexi's Creations - 3D Decoupage

You can see more of my projects in my Layers of Color Gallery, while you are there make sure you check out the other Design Team galleries there is so much inspiration waiting to be discovered.  You are invited to join us on our SNR Group where there is lots of fun and chatter (No surprises there I know! LOL)  There are also discounts and previews that are exclusive for the Group Members - come and join us!!

Before I finish I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our Guest Deigner for July

 - the lovely Melisa Waldorf.

  I am thrilled that Melisa is joining us this month, I have been a follower of Melisa's Blog for sometime now and love her work.  Mnay of you will know Melisa for the sweet stampin sister that she is.  Each Wednesday her work will be featured at Layers of Color and you can see it on her Blog - Art from my Heart!
 
Thank you for visiting with me today, and for the lovely comments you leave me - I love knowing you have been - you make my day!  God bless you!

{{{hugs}}}