Glory to God....

The more I study God's word, the deeper the call I feel on my life to see His glory in all that is around me...in my opportunities and my struggles; in what is working out and in what is falling apart; when my expectations are met and when I am disappointed.  I used to think that following Jesus meant a stress free, trouble free life.  The danger in that thinking has been two fold for me--it has always left me wondering "what is wrong with me?" and has led to seasons of great doubt as my reality remained in conflict with my expectations.  Since my life was engulfed with stress and troubles, surely, I must be doing something wrong; clearly my faith was for naught---was there even really a God??

He's not wasted even those struggles in my life, but rather, has brought me to greater understanding of faith and, more importantly, who He is.  He is a good, good Father.  His goodness is seen in all things, but not necessarily at all times.  I am grateful for the struggles that help me to grow.  My struggle shows me His goodness.  Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."  Without my struggle, how could I possibly recognize my need for Him?

"My soul makes its boast in the Lord....oh, magnify the Lord with me!" Psalm 34:2-3

My praise is often ink on paper!  Today, I'm sharing another card made using the Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps March release.  This card started as an experiment and then continued to evolve...kinda like me :)

 After stamping the crown of thorns from He is Risen (piecing a full crown together as the stamp is designed) in versa mark, I embossed using white WOW embossing powder.  I added the sentiment from All in All, also embossing the black ink with clear powder. The embossing created a resist of sorts and allowed me to play around with a variety of distress inks.  I both dipped into inks and sponged inks to achieve this distressed look.  I added a few other elements to create depth and interest, including Typerwriter Text Background, sequins and staples.  The mat behind my art piece is an old bible page--I'm always checking at thrift stores for old bibles and hymnals just for this purpose!

"Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire..." Deuteronomy 5:24

In Him, Jane

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All in All 

He Is Risen 

Typewriter Text Background

You Are Loved

Happy Thursday! Today, I have more to share from the Sweet 'N Sassy Stamp's March release!!  My cards feature the set Genuine Love--such a fun and affordable little set that is so very versatile!

Both cards are sweet and simple--easy to replicate with just a few supplies.  I used distress inks, some sponging, stitching and a few sequins!  The top card also uses All About You--another versatile set that can be just the right thing for many occasions.

The good news for the day is always the Good News!!  You are loved. 

TTFN, Jane

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 

These Things I Have Spoken....

"....that in me ye might have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

As we prepare for the celebration of Easter, let us learn to focus on the One who offers of peace.  Peace in the tribulation.  Peace for our weary souls.  Peace beyond understanding.  We are never promised trouble free lives and yet, we all have an expectancy for exactly that.  We blame God for our troubles, cry out to Him to save us from them.  What if we focused on Him in the storm?  What if all we looked for was His outstretched hand to just grab on to?  It's there.  This is truth.  I can say with complete honesty, that the storms of my life have (and will continue to) been the times when my faith has grown, my lessons learned, my discipline received.  I want a perfect life too.  My assurance is in the One who will welcome me home.

Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps is all kinds of ready for the upcoming celebration of Easter.  I created today's card using Scripture Crosses:

My background was created using a gelli plate and various stencils and do dads.  It was the final pressing and, I wasn't impressed.  But, I saved it.  I think it is a perfect back drop for this powerful statement!  I added a die cut frame with some distress ink to soften the edges and give it a shabby look.  The set contains two scripture crosses and some doodles:

I made a second card with the same paper and the other cross. I used stitching for my frame and a bible page as the mat beneath:

You can preorder your copy right now (be sure to check out the whole release) and SAVE by using my code JANE10.

Each time I've created with this one sheet of paper (more to share!), I've been reminded that I had defined this paper as garbage, waste, useless......I've said the same about myself.  I know I'm not alone.  Beauty from ashes, my friends.  Let his peace work in your life today!

TTFN, Jane

Powerful Words...

Happy Monday, Sweet Friends!  I'm returning to work today and I don't mind telling you that I'm full of all kinds of different thoughts and feelings.  Praise God that I am able to return to work!!  I've missed my coworkers and the children we serve.  I've missed the daily contact with the outside world and all it's normalcy.  But, I'm different now and change/transitions can be hard.  My body is different and, by the grace of God, so are my mind and heart.  I am grateful that I am allowed the opportunity to resume my daily activities; to get back to my life and begin, again, to focus on something more than cancer.

Our pastor preached this week on the power of the Word and the power of words.  It was a great message.  We are inundated with words.  The words we speak to others as well as the words we give ourselves.  Words can give life; build up and encourage.  And, words can destroy; tear down and damage. 

Our culture gives a lot of time and attention to the words we speak to others.  The stand we take on this issue or that, how we show kindness, freedom of speech, etc.  How often, however, do we consider the words we speak over ourselves? What is filling your mind?

At a time such as this, I think we must start to pay attention to our internal chatter and we must learn to speak words of life to ourselves; to heal old wounds, to live according to His purpose for our lives.  How often are we holding ourselves back from the life He would give us because of our insecurities, our past wounds?

I started making these scripture cards--flashcards, if you will.  The first time I shared them, I believe I said I didn't know what I would do with them.  I read them.  Often.  I memorize them and bury God's promises in my heart.  The set of seven I am sharing today belong to a dear friend of mine. 

Each card is crafted with stamps from Sweet N Sassy Stamps, distress inks, gelli plate inkings, stitching, prayer and lots of love.  I've listed the specific stamp(s) set under each card.

His Wings

Nature Silhouettes

Teacup Roses

My Friend, retired

Thrill of Hope, Scene Silhouettes:  Wetlands

Scene Silhouettes: Wetlands, Serene Silhouettes

Grunge Elements 2; A Mother's Love

You don't have to have fancy cards to bury His Word in your heart.  Just some time, prayer and His Word is all you need.  

Blessings, 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