Lost and Found

Hello, Sweet Friends!! Today, I am sharing a few projects I created using the Sweet N Sassy Stamps new release The Shepherd's Voice.  This versatile set is perfect for bible journaling, mixed media, card making and more!

I adore the beautiful shepherd and sheep images of this set! Such a beautiful visual to remind us of the way our Heavenly Father cares for us.  I am so thankful for a God who pursues His lost sheep, who has given me opportunity after opportunity to come back to Him.  I am thankful for a God who came for me and took my debit.  I am thankful for a God who now tells me to follow Him, and is patient in my stumblings.  I am thankful for a relentless grace only Christ gives, because I am a relentless vagabond always seeking to jump ship. He is faithful when I am not; He is constant when I am not; He is everything when I am nothing; yet, He says I am His and that is EVERYTHING! (adapted from TB Laberge/She Rises)

My bible journaling (seen above) features The Shepherd's Voice along with Sunshine Girl and Bitty Minnie alphabets.  

My card, also features The Shepherd's Voice and the Stamp of the Month, Sentimental Wordfetti.  Jut a little dry embossing, a colored image and a sentiment--quick, simple and perfect for just about any occasion!

Thanks for stopping today; be blessed!

TTFN, Jane

Please note, this post contains affiliate links that support my design efforts, at no extra charge to you, and I appreciate when you use them to shop!

It's an After Party Hop!!

Happy Day!!  Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps is hosting a blog hop full of inspiration AND a chance to win a fabulous prize!!

This month SNSS has released a wonderful collection of spring and Easter themed sets, perfect to celebrate the season. We love them ALL and wanted to share a little paper crafting inspiration with you. Please be sure to visit all of the blogs below for some fabulous eye candy and then leave a comment at every stop along the way for a chance to win. One reader will be randomly selected to receive a $10 gift voucher to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps shop! What's not to love about free stamps??? We'll announce the winner next week, so let's get hopping!  I recommend starting at the very beginning so, if you are heading back there, I'll see you in a bit!

Sweet 'n Sassy Blog
Julee Tilman
Ceal Pritchett
Diane Zechman
Jane Bosi
Lucinde van Ballegooijen
Lyn Tomlin
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Stephanie Serrano

I have a few projects to share and am so glad that you are here!!  My first project needs no introduction or explanation!

To be truthful, I was just kind of goofing around, at first.  I had just received my stamps and wanted to see how they would stamp, what it would look like, how different colors would look....so, I grabbed a tag that was sitting on my desk and a few distress inks and went to town!  I started by focusing on the words in the All in All set and then added the crown of thorns from He is Risen last.  Because I was loving how things were going, I decided a could use this as a tip-in for my bible (just as soon as I completely figure THAT out!!  LOL!).  I added the vintage photo Oxide distress ink with a stencil.  I added some water splotches (the advantage of using distress oxides over regular distress inks) to look like my shed tears--tears of a sinner; tears of a grateful and redeemed heart!

And, because this is what it is all about.....

This is what it ALL is about. ALL of it.  All of my life, all of my future.  ALL. It is everything.

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Luke 24:1-7

After again reading and underlining, I started by stamping the tomb with the stone rolled away.  I masked that with a post it note version of the same image.  Using a stencil, I added the sunbeams using distress ink (fossilized amber) and then the rest of the stamping was done in black.  Stamp sets used include:  He is Risen, Chunky Alphabet and All in All.

And finally, a quick and simple Easter card featuring He is Risen and Genuine Love.

I do recommend the use of a stamp positioner!  I'd be lost without mine for sure.  The crown of thorns is stamped twice, lining up the ends to create a full circle.  I used various distress inks for the florals--all from Genuine Love.  Hallelujah!!!

That's all for me. Next, you'll be stopping at Lucinde's blog....it's going to be fantastic!!  Don't forget to comment so you are entered to win!  Have a great day and enjoy the rest of the hop!!

TTFN, Jane 

Keep Me Planted...

Hello, Sweet Friends!!

I've just started reading in the Psalms.  Right out of the gate, we are encouraged and instructed!  Oh, that I should be like a tree.....

Blessed is the man....

...but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

Anticipating that I would be in the Psalms soon (I'm reading cover to cover), I ordered this Scripture Journal.  I'm not sure why, but it was a little daunting to get going in it!  It's such a beautiful book!

I hemmed and hawed for a few days and then finally just dove in!  To complete this layout, I used stamps from Sweet N Sassy Stamps and distress inks.  I used Scene Silhouettes: Trees--I was so nervous to stamp that tree, but it turned out great!!  I inked the whole image with a green colored distress ink and then used a dark brown distress marker to go over the trunk and branches.  I also used Skinny Caps Alphabet, Skinny Lowercase Alphabet and Typewriter Blocks Alphabet.

The month has come to a close--can you believe it, already!!  That means......it's the last day to qualify for the beautiful stamp of the month, Made New. 

It also means....it's just about release time!!  Stay tuned! 

TTFN
Jane
If you're placing an order, use promo code JANE10 for 10% off your order of $10 or more. 👍

Love Others

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.....God is love....In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 7-11

Beloved.  If God loved us so much, we ought to love one another.

My kids' schools sponsor a kindness initiative every year.  My son is currently sporting an armful of kindness bracelets he has earned.  At school, there are positive statements on their walls and their lips. They are doing a great job!!  I have great faith in my God that his purposes will be realized both through the direct speaking of His Word in a variety of places and in less obvious ways.  I believe the initiatives of the world, in the pubic schools and other secular places, will also point to Him whether it is realized or not :)  His plans are perfect; he purposes it all.

I was inspired by a bible journaled page created by Haley Tyron on one of my facebook groups.  She had created a lovely page with a rainbow of watercolored hearts.  I immediately thought of Forever & Always from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps--the perfect stamp set for this page for those of us who are drawing impaired!  I added the side sentiments using Send Me.  It took me longer to catalog my distress inks (a long overdue project) than it did to finish this page.  If you are looking to add to your stamp collection and shopping SNSS, you can also SAVE by using my code JANE10. 

More than anything, I wish you a day of love.  And one anothers.  :)
TTFN, Jane

After A Little While.....

Hello, Sweet Friends!  It's that time again....chemo eve.  Would you join in praying for me today?  I'm scheduled for treatment number five (out of six!) tomorrow.  Because of where I am in my treatment and the cumulative effects of the chemo, my doctor already was coming up with plan B if my levels were not ready for a treatment on the 15th.  He prepared me for the possibility of delaying treatment another week.  I'll do what my body needs, obviously, but I sure am praying for readiness as I am mentally ready to tackle this beast yet again and move closer to the finish line.

I've been studying and contemplating surrender recently.  I've been the diligent Sunday morning Christian for years.  I love praise and worship time.  Music speaks into my soul where mere words seem to not be enough.  I've felt the presence of the Holy Spirit; raised my hands in complete worship.  I always mean the words "I surrender all."   And, yet, I've lived in the gap for a long time.

There's been a gap for me, if I'm honest.  Between Sunday morning worship and the rest of my week.  Little by little, like a petulant child, I take it back..."I do it my way!"  By the end of the week, there I am exhausted, disappointed and completely hanging on to everything as if I have any answers.

So, what does surrender really mean or look like?  The best example I've found is located in Matthew 26:39:

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I  will, but as you will."

Jesus, our Lord.  He knew what was in front of him.  Can you feel it?  He went on a little farther until he fell face down to the ground in his despair.  Take this cup from me, he says.  BUT, your will not mine.  And, he meant that exactly.

We are called to surrender our will for His. To trust Him completely--completely in this big scary world full of struggle and strife--a world full of too many bills and not enough funds, disease, loss and pain, heart ache and heart break.  But, God.  He covers us--1 Peter 5: 6-10

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.  Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

That's a lot of promise right there!  He makes good on it every time.  He doesn't promise a struggle free life; He promises eternal life. He promises to never let you walk alone.  He is in front of you and behind you.  Surrender means to seek His will and to trust Him no matter what.

Trust Him.
Praise Him.

I'm praying for you and remain grateful for your prayers that strengthen me in this current struggle.  But, after a little while, the God of all grace.....He will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish me.  He'll do the same for you!!

In Him, Jane

My bible journaling in 1 Peter 5 features a beautiful stamp set (or three) from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps:  Thankful Blooms, Words of Life: Collection 1 (retired), and Seek Him.

Me and My House....

 

We will serve Him.....Me and Mine.  #thatisall

The Future Is Bright--Jeremiah 29:11

There's just a lot going on in this crazy world of ours.  I choose to spend the majority of my time and energy focused on my small little sphere of influence....in my home, my community, with in the walls of a place I call work. I choose to bypass the news, most of the time.  I've stayed far from the political commentary and societal buzz.  This doesn't mean that I am void of opinion, beliefs or thoughts.  Far from it.  I often choose silence, but not today....so, buckle up.  I'm about to share:

God's Word says:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

I get it.  The presidential race-it matters in this earthly realm.  Clearly, it matters to a great deal of people who have seemingly lost all hope in anything else.  There is devastation and divisiveness all over our great land.  When all of your hope and belief is placed into a fallible human being and it doesn't work out? What are you left with? I think we are seeing it first hand.

I didn't like my choices, but neither outcome could have devastated me.  You see, my hope is that which is promised in Jeremiah 29:11.  The King of Kings sits upon the throne--yesterday, today and tomorrow.  My tomorrow is secure.  He has a plan for me.  A plan to prosper me and bring me out of exile and I cannot wait!

Exile, you say?  Exile is defined as "separation from one's country or home."  Yes, indeed, I am in exile.  This is not my home.  This is not where I belong.  

You're not home either.  His plan covers your future too.  He loves you.  Seek Him; He promises to be found.  He's not exclusive or elusive, like some of this world would have you believe.  He waits for you.  No matter what it is, you belong to Him.  He will be found; He will bring you back.

Be Blessed....
Jane

I got crafty with:

See them at Sweet N Sassy Stamps.

Bible Journaling: Ruth 2:12

This process.  It's a good one!  I started Bible Journaling after lots of encouragement and inspiration.  For me, it is about drawing closer--which is not something I can necessarily articulate, but something that permeates my soul.  I'm a sinner stuck in a sinful world just looking for a way to function as the hands and feet of goodness.  Drawing closer to the One who made me, is the only way anything good will ever come of me--not mine, but His.  Art and music resonate for me on a wordless plane and help me to connect to my Lord in a real way.  Today, I'm sharing my journaling from the book of Ruth.



When I first began, my mind was still full of the previous week--kids and work and work and kids.  I had just been offered a new position at the agency I work for and was feeling grateful and a bit overwhelmed.

Then, I happened upon Ruth 1-3.  Such a good story.  It was not a new story for me.  I've read it many a time before, parts of it I even wove into my wedding vows over 19 years ago.  This reading and dwelling opened up new pieces (I love how He does that!):

My first underline was the the verse above, Ruth 2:12.  I was focused on the reward and single mindedly thinking about my upcoming new position.  As I continued to read and reflect, this story really spoke to me and not just about a single reward. It spoke of abiding in His love and a willingness to follow---oh, so many lessons!!

During trials and dark days, I would have succumbed, BUT GOD---safe under His wings I have been time and time again.  I could see my story and how He continues to teach me to trust---from right where I am :)

This was a really fun layout to complete--I started by using some feather dies to create a stencil template and then sponged feathers in a random pattern.  I used distress inks because they blend so well without having to add any additional water.  My stamped images, from Sweet N Sassy Stamps, come from the following sets:  Words of Life Collection 1, Words of Life Collection 2, His Wings, and Note This.

It always feels a bit risky to share my thoughts and faith, but at the end of the day, this is the real me.  I determine to be authentic and truthful on this crazy journey called life--be blessed.

Be Awesome, Jane