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Sunday, September 19, 2010

SSIC Seasons

This weeks Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge has been brought to us by our very own Chris Olsen



who has brought us the well known scripture:

 'To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven' Ecclesiastes 3:1

Chris has challenged us to use fall colors or leaves on your creation, you can read Chris' message over at  SSIC - I used the SU Set Lovely as a Tree - I just had to get this set and this is only the second time I have inked it up - so it was a nice feeling to be using it!


I used Distressing Inks in Peeled Pain and Walnut Stain - I think the technique I did was called 'Rock'n Roll'   I like the effect it has in this lightly textured card stock.


The larger tree image has been stamped on the outside of the card - all images have been coloured with SU Chalks and had some Kindy Glitz added for a touch of shimmer - you can see it more in the photo below!


Here in Australia we are changing from Winter to Spring and what a welcome relief that has been for us!  Seasons are inevitable and one thing we know is that every season is followed by another, it has a beginning and an end, so will not go on forever!  There is always a progression with each season preparing us for what the next brings - each with it's own purpose.

If we look at our lives we can see this to be true - so often we sail through life without noticing the changes that are slowly happening around us and then all of a sudden we are hit with the cold stark reality that winter has arrived.  Along the way we often fail to see the signs and are prepared for the cold days ahead, or the hard times that we experience.

'there is a time for everything as Ecclesiastes tells us so clearly:

 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. 
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
 A time to keep and a time to throw away. 
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecc3:1-8

The chapter goes on to tell us that we cannot see all of God's work from beginning to end, we cant see the big picture we just see what is immediately before us -  we know that whatever God does is final - nothing can be added to it or taken from it.  God is in control of the seasons and He will make it all beautiful in it's time!  Each season will come and bring with it a beginning and an end - we  need to go through each season and glean the beauty that lies within it, for your lives, building and preparing for the next!   Our journey is not a matter of standing still and seeing what life brings, but to walk with God in and out of season!

Thank you to our sponsor





This card is for the following challenges:
The Secret Crafter - Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge - U for Unused  Stash - Stamps
Creative Card Crew - Autumn or Fall
IncyWincy Designs - Fall Colours
Aly Sunday Challenge - Sparkle and Glitter
The Stamp Man - Distressing ( I used Ink to distress)
ABC Challenge - D is for Distressing
The Shabby Tea Room - Inspired by Nature and/or the colour Green
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Autumn Colours
Pollycraft Challenge - Autumn Colours 
For more inspiration make sure you visit each of the Design Team:


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!!

Thank you for your comments and all of the encouragement you leave me here, it is appreciated!!!  I love seeing that you have visited - it makes my day!  God bless you!
{{{hugs}}}

25 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous Linda, beautiful design and lovely trees. This was a good devotional this morning, for God is in control. :)

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  2. This is gorgeous Linda!! Love the use of the trees, the glitter and your beautiful layout and distressing!! Your words on the verse are so well written and it explains it all perfectly!! It explains so much for us all but especially for our team as so much seems to be happening right now.

    HUGS,
    Chris

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  3. Absolutely beautiful - just love it! Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Stamp Man and good luck! :)

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  4. Oh this is so beautiful Linda! WOW! I love it!
    Hugs
    Gunn

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  5. This is so beautiful, Linda! This is one of my favorite stamp sets and I love how you used it. Thanks for the inspiring words also. Have a Blessed Sunday!

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  6. What a beautiful card! It looks just like a Beatrix Potter design!!

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  7. Very Very Lovely Thanks for playing at Aly's.

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  8. Oh how beautiful! I have that stamp set also and it has been missing me - think it is time to ink it up again! Love how you used it. You are so right when you said not standing still - enjoying each season is so important! Have a great week!

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  9. What a beautiful card, thanks for sharing with us in TSTR.

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  10. Beautiful card,i love tree's and you have created a beautiful scene with them :)
    xx

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  11. What a beautiful card! I love all those trees. Love your stamping and coloring, too. They look fabulous with the soft colors and the small touches of sparkle. Wonderful sentiment, too. Thanks for sharing with us at TSTR.

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  12. Linda, this is just beautiful! I love your technique and what a perfect verse. That would be great for a sympathy card!
    Hugs, Marsha

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  13. This is beautiful Linda! I love this set and rarely pull it out myself! I love how you put the bigger trees on the outside with a window looking in.... loved the words you shared today as well! Thanks for sharing your heart as well as your art my friend!
    Hugs,
    Grace

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  14. Hi Linda~

    What a beautiful card you have made to demonstrate the change of seasons. I love the colors, and the shimmer you added! Just wonderful!

    Here in Florida, USA it feels as if we have one season...Summer and maybe a month of Winter!

    Your words xplaining that wonderful chapter is just beautiful and clear to understand. I love this Verse, and was so happy to see that you shared the whole thing with us! Thank you, my dear!

    He IS Able,
    Traci S.

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  15. Beautiful card and wonderful thoughts - thanks for sharing both:-)
    blessings
    M

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  16. Oh my dear ... this is absolutely stunning! Thanks for inspiration once again! Fabulous!!

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  17. OH linda this is a beautiful!!!! Your card and your post! I love that verse, and lately in life lets just say I needed to read this post =) I miss playing along in the midnight madness challenges , and commenting on you lovely ladies cards and postings.

    btw check out my blog im having my first candy =)

    Hugz
    Ashley

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  18. Pretty card! Love all of those beautiful trees! Thanks for playing along with us at TSTR! :)

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  19. Linda this is just so pretty and delicate Thanks for Playing Incy Wincy this Week
    Hugs Nikki and the rest of the DT
    Win some free Digi's Here till the 30th

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  20. What a wonderful creation. Love the colours.

    Thanks for joining us this week at the Secret Crafter and good luck in the draw.

    Mel X

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  21. Breath taking! This is my favorite SU, 'go to' stamp set. You've done a fabulous job with it. Love the oval cut out and the 2 large pines framing it. The fall colors are perfect.

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  22. fabulous card with a cool window-look with the spellis...great idea!

    love the colours of the trees and the wonderful colouring!

    hugs and kisses from germany,
    silvi xoxo

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  23. Very lovely and pretty card. Great image.
    Thank you for joining the alphabet challenge

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  24. Fab card. Thank you for joining in the ABC challenge this time.

    Cathy x

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  25. That is one piece of art you have made. Swell card.

    Thanks for joining in the Secret Crafter challenge.

    Hugs Renate

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Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog and by providing the comment, they have published their own personal details on this blog.{{hugs}}}