Hope...

Happy Monday, Sweet Friends!  I had a chance to spend some creative time in my Bible this weekend and wanted to share with you.

I completely adore the Holy Family image from Sweet 'N Sassy's Receive The Savior stamp set--for so many reasons!  A little more than 18 years ago, my own little family (it was little then!) played the holy family in a church nativity play.  My wee one was just weeks old.  As a new mom, I was so nervous that he would need me during the show or that all the people would be overwhelming to him.  I thought a lot about Mary at that time.....wondering if she also thought similarly---but then, what must her thoughts been knowing she was charged with raising the Son of God?  How overwhelmed SHE must have been.......it's mind boggling!

But, hope did come......today, I'm focused on Matthew's account at the very beginning of the New Testament.  It's a story I've read multiple times, in all the gospels--each with their own set of details.  It never gets old.  It always reminds me.....there IS hope! 

To complete my page, I also used these stamps from Sweet 'N Sassy stamps:  Seek Him, Classy Script Alpha and All Your Heart.

 Where is your hope?

TTFN, Jane

Merry Christmouse!

I'm still working on those Christmas cards!!  I am totally in love with this sweet little mouse set from the Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog, Merry Mice.  Merry Mice, indeed!

These are just a few samples I've been working on:

All pretty simple water color washes designed to feature each cute little image and accompanying sentiment!  Feel free to contact me about getting your own Merry Mice :)

TTFN, Jane

Panda Thanks....

Middle of the week!!!  We made it this far, we can keep on until the end of the week--right?

Even if you've been joining me here for awhile, one thing you may not know about me is that my favorite animal is the panda bear.  In fact, my very first stuffie was a panda I got from my Grandma.....clearly, I loved him fierce:

Naturally, anything Panda continues to catch my eye....especially that facebook video of the Panda snuggling--how great of a job would that be?....And, especially cute Panda stamps like the one, from Unity Stamp Co, I used for my project today called, Birdie and a Bear.  I'm warning you....Unity Stamp Company has some seriously cute Panda images...I'd go ahead and get the whole set, if I were you :)

Just sayin'--

Be Awesome!  Jane

His name is Jesus....

Happy Tuesday, Sweet Friends!  It's not too soon to start working on your Christmas cards!!  I have a sweet and simple share today featuring Scripture Tree from Sweet N Sassy Stamps.

It's a quick little water color and embossed creation that will be easy to mass produce.....although, I rarely do that for my cards.  I know I probably should, but.....I lose interest too fast ;)

After embossing with gold powder and applying a color wash using distress inks, just a few sequins and twine was all that was needed.

She DID bear a son....His name is Jesus ;)  Be Blessed,

Be Awesome, Jane

I got crafty with:

Lion King

Happy Monday!  Not that long ago, my 12 year old daughter, Three (if you are counting),  was part of a middle school production of the Lion King.  We've been doing theatre since Two was in first grade--she's a junior now...that's a lot of shows!!  And, believe me, when I say, I've seen a lot of good youth drama!  Sometimes on the stage and sometimes, right in my own home.....LOL!

The Lion King Jr. production by the DC Everest youth last spring was definitely a memorable show!  I'm still thinking about it...two more productions later!  It's THE reason I was instantly attracted to Lion Face  by I Brake For Stamps.  So many good memories and an amazing image to boot!

I started with a piece of water color paper and some white embossing powder.  After heat embossing the image, I used various distress crayons to lay some color down on the whole piece.  I used every color from the Distress Crayons #2 set (rusty hinge, fossilized amber, peeled paint, seedless preserves and festive berries), creating a diagonal block of color.  Next, I spritz the card stock with water and blended the colors slightly.  I layered more fossilized amber and rusty hinge on the lion face to accentuate it and make it pop. 

Again on the card base, I used the main image to create some texture along the left hand side.   To add to the shabby chic feel of the whole card, I distressed the edges of the black mat and added some sponged black soot to the card base.

Enjoy!!
Be Awesome, Jane

Forgiveness.....

Hello, Sweet Friends!  I have some bible journaling to share today.  I'm working in Colossians 3 and finally had the chance to use my gorgeous Scribble Flowers set from Sweet and Sassy Stamps for the perfect compliment to my reflections on forgiveness.  Didn't someone once say that forgiveness is like a sweet, sweet flower?

I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately because I made a gigantic mistake that ended up bringing pain into the life of someone I love beyond measure.  The long and the short of it is--my mistake left my loved one feeling....forgotten, unloved and looked over.

Gosh, but those are feelings I know all too well.  To realize I was the cause of someone else feeling this way, really made me think. 

1.  I did seek forgiveness from the one I had wronged.  I was dismayed that the response didn't match the depth of my sadness over the event.  My apology was not instantly accepted!  I struggled to understand why the truth of my heart wasn't enough to change things.  I imagine this is often how Jesus has felt in reverse.  He is offering all that He is and, yet, so many of His beloved ignore the gift, or fail to understand how precious of a gift it is and simply turn it down remaining comfortable in their anger or grief.

2.  I really had to give some thought to all of the people and situations that had left me feeling forgotten or unloved.  I KNOW my recent situation and the truth is, my mistake had nothing to do with the other person--who I love more than my own life--it had everything to do with my own selfishness, my own weakness.  How often does our own brokenness affect others?  It really made me think with more compassion about those who I've felt had wronged me.  Again, in my selfishness, I've only considered my feelings.  Bearing with one another means, I must consider their story--I don't have to know it to consider that it is powerful; to offer compassion and understanding rather than jumping to the conclusion that "they're so mean, they hurt me......me, me, me!!"

Colossians 3:12-13:  "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you forgive."  Oh, what a world it would be if only we could master this!

I'll keep trying--will you join me?

Be Awesome, Jane

I got crafty with:  Scribble Flowers and Words of Life, Collection 2

 Oh, and PS--don't forget about the matching Scribble Flower dies:

Fall...The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It's true! I love fall.  It's my favorite time of the year.  Crisp, fresh air, crunchy leaves, sweatshirts, football, turkey, squash and big Sunday family dinners!  It's the best!  I couldn't let the season pass without bringing out my favorite I Brake For Stamps leafy image, Fall Foliage.

Single image stamps can sometimes lure us into a slump....I mean, how many times can you color the same picture?  Right?  I wanted to challenge myself to use this image in a new way....step out of the box, so to speak.

I started with a kraft piece of card stock and repeatedly stamped the image, at an angle, across the card stock piece.  I used some scrap paper to insure that the images would not layer on top of each other.  It created an interesting background and is just one more way to use that single image!!

I added some extra texture by double stamping the image and layering the two smaller leaves.  While it's hard to tell in my photo, the leaves, in real life, are popping right off the page!

When you head over to the I Brake For Stamps store, don't forget to take my coupon code with you!   You'll save a few dollars and get yourself a bunch of new goodies!  Feeling inspired yet?

Be inspired, be awesome!
TTFN, Jane

A Little Something Special...

Happy Monday, Sweet Friends!  I've got a sweet little treat to share today that makes me just a little hungry!

After creating a multi water colored background with distress inks, I combined two Sweet N Sassy Stamp Sets--one old, one new, for this fresh fun card.  You'll find that yummy looking cupcake in the Birthday Bash Set--it's such a versatile set and a breeze to create with!

I added a new set from the 2016 Christmas release, Christmas Tag Sentiments.  Another super versatile set, and not just for Christmas, as you can see!

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope to see you again soon!

Be Awesome!  Jane