Wise Men Still Seek Him

Merry Christmas, Sweet Friends!!  I want to start my post today with a brief update.  I'm so grateful for the prayers you have covered me with while I have gone through chemo.  Trust me when I say, I have felt them.  My God has heard you and continues to sustain me through your love.  While my battle is not yet over, I am confident of this:  I walk boldly with the covering of my most powerful God who loves me and will bring me, again, into full health.  He is both before me and behind me.  He fights this battle and will always transform that which has been meant to do me harm, for good.  He will take what is meant for evil and bring about good all for His Glory.  He does this for me for I am His child; I am chosen and redeemed.   If you don't have this relationship with Him, He desires to call you child, holy and redeemed.  It is the Gift we celebrate now.  Jesus, our Lord and Savior, was born a baby--God became man to once and for all repair the barrier of sin and reconcile us to the One True God.  The Gift is yours. I pray you will accept it...from the bottom of my heart.

I also appreciate you checking out my art.  It is a great source of joy to me to represent Sweet 'N Sassy stamps and to share my projects. I wanted to share a few projects I created using both older and new releases from one of my favorite things, Sweet N Sassy Stamps!!

I created my happy little snowman wood slice using my favorite snowman image from an older set called Welcome Jesus.  While that set has since retired, the image is still available (lucky you!) as
Smiley Snowman Digital or as part of the Throwback Set:  Crazy About Snowmen.  This was such a fun project--I love finding new ways of using my stamps and this wood slice ornament piece is just perfect for gift giving---all you need is a drill to create a hole at the top and a bit of twine!

Who could get away from this time of year without a few handcrafted packaging ideas?

Thrill of Hope, Wood Backgrounds, Christmas Botanicals

Wood Backgrounds, Winter Birds, Mini Tags and Sentiments

My family and I are praying you experience the true meaning of the Christmas Holiday--the Love and Peace of our Savior.  It is my deepest wish that you are surrounded by love and good memories when those you love are no longer here.

Blessings, Jane 

Faith Moves Mountains

Hello Sweet Friends!  I'm sharing this project today and asking you to please join me in prayer.  Today, I am receiving my last chemotherapy dose. Praise God!  I've been blessed with healing so far, but there are mountains left to climb.  Will you join me in praising our Great Physician and join your prayers to mine for continued, full healing?

"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living"  Psalm 27:13

As I move into the next phase of my treatment--surgery--my faith remains strong--strong enough to move a mountain!!  God's word tell us over and over again about trusting Him.  His promises are clear:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

"Sovereign Lord, you are God!  Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant."  2 Samuel 7:28

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

He's working it out--my straight path, filling me with hope and the power of the Holy Spirit.  I've experienced it first hand--when I am weak, He is strong.  When I call out to Him, He is there.  He is with me wherever I go, strengthening me, resolving my fears, giving me strength.  Praise Him with me, won't you?

One of the best therapies I have is crafting--it's why I always have a project to share along with some of my thoughts.  Both are a good outlet for me.  I'm so grateful that you stop by to see what's going on in my little part of the world!

I'm so in love with this card--it turned out even better than I imagined it.  It's a simple one layer-ish card. I started with the beautiful wood grain image from Sweet 'N Sassy's December Stamp of the Month set, Wood Backgrounds.  I added a blue bird from the Winter Birds set (also from Sweet N Sassy STamps) and a sentiment from Faith.  It makes my heart happy to create with such lovely things.  The only thing better will be having the right reason to share it with someone else.

Be blessed and a blessing this day. Because of Him, Jane

New Mercies

Hello Sweet Friends.  I wanted to share to share some art and some thoughts with you again.  I made this sweet frame for a friend, a prayer warrior; someone I lost touch with years ago who has re-emerged as if not one day has gone by.  As we've rediscovered our friendship, I have been continually struck by her strength and her strong abiding faith in the One who promises us new mercies everyday. 

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him."  Lamentations 3:22-24

Each day, it seems I'm given a new perspective from which to ponder this truth.  Yesterday, for example, I went to a funeral.  It was so very sad. So many parts of that precious time simply broke my heart.  For my friend who lost her husband; for their children.....But, honestly I'd be lying if I said I didn't walk away refreshed in my hope.  My friend's husband--he understood hope.  But not the hope we have in this world.  That everything will work out the way we want it to.  That we are happy and have enough and live a long life.  No, that was not his hope.  His hope was in the Lord, deeply, profoundly, despite his physical pain and the completion of his life here--he remained steadfast in his hope and the promises made to him by his God.  He had so many earthly reasons to be angry, to refute the God who heals, for bitterness, but that was not part of his story.   Each moment of the service spoke of the hope that he relied on; the hope he entered into when his life here was done. It was inspiring and life giving.

Is the Lord your portion?  Do you hope in Him?  When you fully surrender to Him, your whole world shifts.  You are a new creation enjoying his steadfast love that never ceases.  Not here, not ever.  Can you imagine what it is like to be loved like that?  I can.  I pray the same for you--

I wanted to thank my warrior friend for HER steadfast love and the many ways in which she has sustained me during some of my darkest times.  Each Friday, she wears pink in support of me and breast cancer awareness.  She sends me the most adorable pictures!  So, using my favorite floral image from Sweet N Sassy Stamps, Mason Jar Bouquet, I water colored this home decor piece being sure to color the focal roses in the same beautiful pink she always wears.  I used distress inks for all of the water coloring and then added a sentiment from Be Encouraged.  I hope you are--encouraged :)

In Truth, Jane

I got crafty with: 

Coffee Lover's Hop!

Hello, Sweet Friends!  It's the Coffee Lover's Fall/Winter Hop and of course, I wanted to play along!

Mine is a simple one layer card that uses masking and a bunch of goodies from Sweet N Sassy Stamps.

I started by stamping the layered cups from Special Blend and then masked them off to add a few more layers of texturing stamps from:  Texture Tiles 1, Texture Tiles 3 and Women of Praise (hearts).

I created a few embellished hearts using Bottom of My Heart and stapled them on to the base for just a little more texture.  The cute little xoxo sentiment is also from Bottom of My Heart.  Now is the time to get this set!  It's on super sale and will only be around for a little while longer. I adore it and use so often! 

Using distress inks, I shaded the kraft card stock for an overall shabby look, and boom!  All finished.

Enjoy!  Jane

I got crafty with: 

Warm Hearts and Cocoa Joy

Happy Monday!  I'm both recovering and preparing--recovering from my last treatment and preparing for my next.  It's an interesting place to be.  I'm both full of hope and forward facing while being frustrated at times with how limited I've become.  It's times like these that I need to spend time focusing on all that I can be grateful for as well as others.  I am thankful for a great group of others--my Sweet 'N Sassy Sisters and the leadership that is Christ focused and encourages us all.  This month, we've been celebrating 11 years in business--such a great accomplishment for my friend (and owner) Korin.  I'm so blessed to be a part of her team!

Both of my cards feature Cocoa the Mouse found in this wonderful Sweet N Sassy throwback set, Cocoa's Cups.  The top card is a shaker card which are always so much fun to make.  I imagine they are pretty fun to receive too!  

The second card saw my little sewing machine get into action!  Love the little added detail of the stitching.  I also used some elements from Christmas Botanicals and Winter Birds to finish things off.  There's still some month left so be sure to get in on the birthday celebration fun over at Sweet N Sassy Stamps!  

Be well--Jane

Oh Happy Day!

I could use some "oh happy day!"  While my body takes the slow road on recovery and the weather is over cast and grey--I need a little sunshine--how about you?

I created these two sunny cards using an older set from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps, appropriately called Happy Happy!  Just looking at the whimsical images makes me happy happy!

This card makes me think "kiddie art"--a look I achieved by water coloring distress inks.  Looks like crayon coloring!  I also added a few vellum clouds after stamping and embossing the images with white ink.  I have lots of "sunshines" in my life--I love that saying. I also adore the art of children and frame and hang it whenever and where ever I can.  My office is full of it!!

Don't forget that Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps is still celebrating and running some awesome deals!  SAVE 25% AND pick your own Stamp of the Month!!  See the website for details!

Keep the faith and find your sunshine today!  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.