LOC Blessed are the Children

Friday comes around so quickly, which is 'skeery' in one way, as time is flying - but it is also great, as it is one of my favourite days on Layers of Color - Faith Art Friday!!! I love it that we can combine our faith and our art !!

I have used the new Layers of Color Bella Brocade Art Stencils along with the Creative Flourishes and Flutterescent clear art stamps to create this layout! 

The past couple of weeks I have created layouts - they just seem to fit so well with scripture - this week I have been pondering on the scriptures about children....

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him.  But Jesus said, "Let the children come to Me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."  And He placed His hands on their heads and blessed them before He left.

Mat 19:13-15

These photos of my children when they were younger got me thinking about children and they are referred to in the Word.  What is it about children that we need to attain to - surely it is their trust and innocence, as adults we tend to complicate things and look for deeper meaning - anyone who has been around children at all would know that they see things as they are, call a 'spade' a 'spade!' 

There is a purity that we have as children that gets lost along the way.  As adults we tend to want to see our children grow up quickly, but sometimes in doing that they miss out of the innocence and carefree lives that children are entitled to....

Jesus clearly says that unless we return to the state of being like a child, NOT to be confused with being childish (and there is a difference) that we will never see the Kingdom of Heaven.  Does this mean there are no adults in Heaven - no! LOL!  He is talking about in our hearts and minds - to trust Him as a child trusts a parent, a 'no questions asked' kind of trust....as a parent I can clearly remember the feeling of having my child look at me and leap off the wall or piece of furniture without any doubt that we will catch them before they hit the ground!!

I was a Nanny before we had out own children and I used to say about some of the children I looked after, that I loved them like they were my own - at that time I had no understanding of the bond that is so amazingly there and  when you have your own child - it is so strong and defies any logic or reason....can you imagine the bond we have as Children of God....indescribable!!!

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!!

 

I do want to say thank you to those of you who have sent email and being praying for us.  My DH lost his Grandmother yesterday and these times are never easy. Olwen lived a full life and would have turned  90 next month - she passed away in her sleep after having a stroke a week earlier, which is  a peaceful way to go, but it doesn't make the loss any the less - your kind words and prayers mean so much - thank you!

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!

MMSC23 Sunset Shimmer

Yay it is Tuesday and hasn't it come around fast!!  You know that means - it is the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge - you can check it out here, for all the fun happenings that are going on this month. You won't want to miss it!!! At this time, I would like to thank our sponsor for the month of October, Gurlee Girls - how adorable and these girls, the DT just keeps bringing the gorgeous cards and inspiration with them!!  Here is what you have been ' hanging' for - this week's Challenge!!

The Monthly Sponsor for October is:

Gurlee Girl Designs images Our Monthly sponsor that has donated a huge prize to our month end winner. Be sure to click on them to find out all the details of each one.

THE WEEKLY BONUS SPONSOR THIS WEEK IS.....

http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/

ISC is a one woman business http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ They offer realistic-unique deeply etched rubber stamp sheets. With a focus on nature elements and faces of women. ISC carries various products from Ranger to Spellbinders and more. They offer a flat $5.95 shipping fee for any size order. We also ship to International countries. ISC has an amazing talented group of Creative Architects, be sure to visit their blog as well. We would like to thank Betsy for her most generous prize for this week’s Bonus Winner (MMSC23) $50 worth of Stamp sheets of your choice…WOW!!!

Want an extra entry to win this

                                                                     $50 voucher ???

For an extra entry to win this $50 voucher cick here and find out how!

This week I have done something so completely different for me,  using a Kaiser Set..I have coloured the image wuth SU Chalks (my favourite technique) and cut it out with an Oval Nestibilitie, also cutting a Large Scalloped Nestie from a paint chip (I love these!)

I was inspired by the fabulous DCWV 'The Endless Summer' Stack of Papers - which is bold and bright, normally I steer away from these BUT in this case I could not resist.  The DP I chose for my card is shimmery and embossed - irresistible, it went perfectly with this tropical image.  I cut the palm trees out and layered them onto the side of the oval on dimensionals.  I then added a strip of lace trim, having inked it with distressing inks and then added the pink nail bling along it - this added so much to the card - another one of those small touches that just brings it alive!

A layered flower was then added on top of a Nestibilitie from 'Doodle Parts' and a pearl brad attached to the centre.....finishing off with Nail Bling on some of the corners!

 I had actually sent the card to Priscilla before I added the Nail Bling and the Scalloped Nestie, but wasn't 100 percent happy with it SO I played around with it and added thoses extra touches and am much happier with it - you have gotta stay true to yourself with your cards - near enough is NOT good enough...a good lesson for me!!

There is so much happening over the the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge this week - it is the BLOG HOP that starts on October 16. Click on the Logo to find out all about it!

http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/

COMING THIS FRIDAY!!!

Prowling at the 1st Midnight Madness Blog Hop!!

The count down Is on!!! Just a few more days till the Prowling at the 1st Midnight Madness Blog Hop!! We hope you are getting excited about our blog hop. As a special way to thank our players and welcome new ones, we will be hosting our very 1st Halloween/Fall themed Midnight Madness Blog Hop.....Beginning October 16th at 8 a.m. EST and ending October 20th at 12 a.m. Midnight. AND OH WILL THERE BE PRIZES.....

One "Grand Prize Crafters Care Package" random drawing
(WORTH WELL OVER $100)
350th Brand New Sketch Player SPECIAL Prize
(WORTH OVER $70)
"Cards from the Crypt" (picked by our very own DT members from the MMSC archives)
Plus a number of Random Package winners

The Midnight Madness DT has been working on making this blog hop extra special for everyone. We are hoping you will join us for all the fun, exciting projects with tons of inspiration and prizes. So mark your calendar and join us for MM's first ever blog hop.

Thank you for stopping by and for all of your encouraging comments - you make my day and I appreciate it so-o-o much!! Now, what are you waiting for...check out the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge for this week - we would love to see you play along!! God bless you!

LOC Bird Song

Here is another card for my first Workshop....what do you think!?!? I have used the Layers of Color set Polka Dot Love and Dotted Delights to create this card. Having done a Christmas card (which you can see in the posts below this one!) and a birthday card that I am yet to post, I thought this one would be a general one, I do try and do that with some of my cards, especially when they are for the boutiques that buy my cards, it doesn't limit them to one occasion.

I stamped the bird image on the Nestibilities 1 Label, which belongs to the neighbour - I am happy to say that I have some Nesties winging their way to me now, thanks to Laura of Layers of Color organising them for me - thank you Laura, I can hardly wait to use them...look out Postman! LOL! Ooops, back to business...I sponged around the edges and layered it onto a bigger Nestie.

I have used a double sided DP, cutting it two thirds of the way down and using both side - don't you just love that - the colours match perfectly. I have decided on a monochromatic card with this one and I L-O-V-E this green DP. I adhered some green ribbon which is part of my gorgeous RAK from Sabrina (aka okimom2girlz) to a strip of CS and taped this across the join of the DPs. The Nestie is attached into the CS then I have added some 'Polka Dot' flowers, which I have stamped and cut out layering and pinching the petals to make them 3D. The middle of the flowers are also stamped, punched and added with a dimensional....now you may have noticed that the flower in the middle is not stamped...LOL...I have added a butterfly embellishment and finished off with those gorgeous swirls from the EL punch.

So there you have it - thank you for looking and I would really appreciate your feedback on these cards for the Workshop...be honest with me now!!

I nearly forgot to mention that this card is for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge - with no colouring , I have found this easier than I first thought I would!

Thank you for stopping by and for the sweet comments you leave me - you know I love knowing when you have been (I am that kinda gal!) It is Saturday night here and tomorrow is Father's Day here- so I have a bit of preparation to do - gotta make the man his favourite Lemon Meringue Pie - YUMBLY as he would say! LOL! God bless you!

On Angels Wings

Who doesn't love a baby...especially one as sweet as this one....and it is sleeping!!! I can't resist this gorgeous image from the Layers of Color set called Flower Child, here I have layered it onto one of the sets of wings from the Beloved Wings Set, which has in turn been layered into a Scalloped circle which has kindly been cut from a Nesitie for me, along with many others from the lovely Kathy (aka Wattle on SCS)

I don't normally gravitate towards yellow, so that was a challenge in itself but it all came together well and I am happy with the end result. I added crotchet lace across the centre yellow panel and added flowers and pearls instead of a sentiment. Below this I have added some yellow ribbon with a heart embellishment, which qualifies this for the Die Cuts Dreams Challenge, which is all about flowers and hearts!

It also qualifies for the ABC Challenge where circles are the order of the day! PLUS the Ways to Use it Challenge on SCS which is all about vintage - and you know how I love VINTAGE!!!

Paper piercing was added to the corners of the square DP panel! I think that paper piercing can often add such a lovely touch to a card, rather than adding bling it anything that would take away from the look of the card, paper piercing can often help 'draw the eye' to the images and special touches!

Well, that is it for me - thank you for stopping in and for all of your encouragement you make my day! You know I love knowing when you have been! God bless you!

EDIT: Where is my head, I forgot to mention that is is also for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge where pearls are the feature this week - who doesn't love pearls!!! Bye again!!

AND Stamping for the Weekend where anything BABY is the go!

Raspberry Delight

I am just loving this set called Flower Child from Layers of Color and am enjoying using it in different ways - don't you just love it when you can use a stamp in more than one style! These colours are YUMBLY (as my DH says) I am 'stretching the boundaries' of the Stampin'B. Challenge where we are to make a baby card but not use the traditional pink or blue - this is not pink, technically it is raspberry....so I am in 'by the skin of my teeth' (isn't that a horrid saying!)

It is also for the Creative Inspirations Challenge where the pearls qualify as 'Bling'...I love to try and get a card to qualify for a few challenges and this one is no exception - My Time to Craft is all about a Floral Frenzy ...and these glorgeous flowers are layered onto pink flowers...so that makes 6 flowers in all...not to mention the ones on the DP!

This card is definitely a combined effort when it comes to product...the gorgeous paper is from A blog Candy I won from Abby's Candy, the those gorgeous flowers are from another Blog Candy from Sharon, the Nestie is run off from my friend Melinda (aka melinda80) and the vintage corner is from Jocelyn (aka Jobear2) I salvaged the crotcheted lace from an old doily...one eclectic card in many ways! The image is coloured with both chalks and water colour pens...I needed to get the right tones in the leaves and just couldn't quite get there with chalks - I quite like the combo! The layered Nestie and cut out baby are popped up on dimensionals to give more depth.

Thank you for stopping by - I would love you to leave a comment if you have time - I love to know when you have been!! It is Friday evening here and I am looking forward to a quiet weekend...nest week is buy as there is the Craft Fair and I am helping on a stall for the 4 days...so 'chilling out' is the go!! Have a great weekend, whatever you do! God bless you!

Edit: I have just found another challenge to link this card to -No Time to stamp which is all abotu LOVELY LACE....I am loving the sound of this!!

and the Pile it On Challenge where watercolouring on your card is required, plus at least one other challenge - so this quallifies - YAY!!!

My Shepherd

I have had the picture I used on this card for many years, I remember buying it in Sydney when I first came to Australia - I just love the simplicity of it with the paraphrase of John 10 'And the Shepherd will lead us home.' So when this weeks word for the His Holy Name Challenge was SHEPHERD I just had to use it! It is also for the Bible Verses Challenge and the Inspiration Challenge on SCS.

I have chosen John 10 which speaks of the Good Shepherd...how I love this attribute...it automatically brings to me mind the concept of someone who cares, who is interested in our wellbeing. The Good Shepherd leaves the 99 and goes after the one - what love and commitment - not a common quality these days.

Sheep may not be known for their intelligence but one thing that they do get right is that they follow the Shepherd, infact the only time they are driven from behind is when they are going to be slaughtered - how much we can learn from them - when we feel like we are being driven from behind, that is the time we know that we have to stop and see who is driving us...and where to!!!

I stamped the leafy branches and cut them out forming a frame and layered the work Shepherd across the bottom layer.....with the verse layered below! I have chalked the leaves to give them more depth! Really there was not anything else I felt I could add to this card, this image is so beautiful and illustrates the scipture so well....sheep being led -may we always pray 'Lead me Lord...and I will follow!'

Thank you for stopping by, please leave me a comment so I know you have been!