Is it Mary or Martha?

The challenge this time was to think about this verse & then create something that reflects what God has shown me.

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9

My hidden journaling reads:
My strengths are often my weakness as well.  I'm organized, efficient, creative, a leader and problem solver.  However, those ways that God has gifted me, if used for my own things, rather than God's...just cause me to be busy doing "good things" and not "God things".  Ironically I have already been going through a time of re-evaluation and quiet reflection with the Lord about my life.  I want to 'Be still and know God'. 

What I found is that it's much harder for me to be still than to organize an event with dinner, decorations & a program for 450 women at church.  I know what it's like to be Mary.  And frankly I always thought Mary was really kind of lazy and let Martha carry the load.  Sometimes I still do.  But I also realize that Mary had time well spent.  No regrets.  And what Mary did was much harder for me. 

What I've come to know is that I'm a little bit Mary and a little bit Martha.  I really should never compare myself to them, but only learn the lessons God wants me to know through them.  If my eyes are set on God and His desires for my life, I can never go wrong to walk in that obedience.  God's will becomes clear as I walk in obedience.

The Prayer of My Heart

Another challenge was to create a project with a scripture or prayer that is the desire of my heart.  A sketch was also provided.

I have to say that there is no such thing as the perfect Christian life.  No matter how many things we strive to do correctly, we are still living here on earth.  And that means that while living an abundant Christian life, we can (and will) still face trials of many kinds.

But no matter what, my faith that God is still in control at all times is steady.  Even when it doesn't look like things are going 'right' on the outside.

One of my favorite verses is:

Isaiah 30:21

²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

I have prayed that over and over for my boys.  In our new house it is also hand written on the floors of their bedrooms (along with many other verses) as I prayed for them.  It's under the carpet and they may not know it, but they are walking the Bible every day. :)

I am resting in knowing that God is the Protector, Provider, Abba Father and Voice of Reason to my boys.

Original Sketch by Nuts About Sketches:

Products used can be found at Lucky Girl Crafts--- November Family Traditions Kit.

Who God Is

I'm being challenged with this:
Spend some time thinking about God and who He is.  Create a layout that represents that in your life.

About 10 years ago I heard a teaching that gave me a better grasp on the awesomeness of God.  God of the universe...and beyond.  God before & after all time...the Alpha & the Omega.  God of the Old & New Testament through today.  God who knows all--and still listens to His children all over the world at the very same time.  And cares about a child's pet frog which dies as much as he cares about those we have lost in war.

I am not worthy of such a God.   And yet I am a daughter of the King of Kings.

Here's an exerpt from the teaching:

The world is spinning out of control.  Who can make sense of it all?  Anybody?  I AM

Nothing's real anymore.  I AM

What's the point?  I AM

I'm taking care of everyone else, who's taking care of me?  I AM

I don't think I can make ends meet.  I AM

Who can put all these pieces back together again?  I AM

Who can I trust?  I AM

I need help.  I AM

I need a rush.  I AM

I need a fix.  I AM

I need a drink.  I AM

I need hope.  I AM

Nobody's listening to me.  I AM

I just need a second chance.  I AM

I want security for my family.  I AM

Who's on my team?  I AM

I don't have anything to live for.  I AM

I've done all I can and it seems like it's never enough.  I AM

I can't.  I AM  I'm weary.  I AM  I quit.  I AM

I'm looking for Mr. Right.  I AM

My children need a daddy.  I AM

Somebody hold me.  I AM

I am not, but I know I AM!

I AM the way.  I AM the truth.  I AM the life.

I AM the beginning.  I AM the end.  I AM the first.  I AM the last.

I AM the sustainer.  I AM the life giver.

I AM the rescuer.  I AM the provider.

I AM the hold it together guy.

I AM the Lord and there is no other.  

I AM God and there is none beside me.

I AM the glorious one and it's all about me.

Okay, Ruth here....please know that I AM  is God.  Here's the verse in reference:

Exodus 3:14

 ¹⁴ God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

 

Products used can be found at Lucky Girl Crafts,

the November "Family Traditions" kit.

An Engaging Pre-Holiday

He: 

Gave This:

To Her:

To become THEM:

And we are saving the date:  October 8, 2011! :)  We couldn't be happier!

Dinner with the Ya-Ya's

I'm still working on some trip photos and I'm having a blast doing it.  Yesterday I blogged about using up some kits and this is another layout I did this week with my Scrapbook Sussies February Kit.  I *love* Crate Paper and this line was no exception.  Still love it!  The stitching on those clouds makes me very *happy*!

These ladies I affectionately refer to as my Ya-Ya's.  In fact at one friend's son's wedding last January I met a gal who was dating another one of my friend's son's (wow....that's kind of hard to follow, sorry) and she said "Oh are you one of the Ya-Ya's?  I laughed and said "of course!". :)

After working on these photos for a few weeks I'm thinking we need to make another trip! :)

I'm entering this layout based on this sketch (from the Crate Paper Blog) at Sketches in Thyme as well.

I still have a little secret....you'll have to catch that post in a couple days, but I PROMISE it's a great one! :)

Not a Cloud in the Sky

I've been on a kick lately....a 'use it up kick' with my kits.  I love them to bits.  And when they are down to 'bits' I then break them up and either make a mini card kit or put the embellies away and throw the scraps in the scrap bin.

This is the last of my Scrapbook Sussies February kit.  I think I have officially used it up to the point I only have a mini card kit left.  I've made 3 more layouts with it this past week.

This layout I made as a challenge layout using sketch #129 at Creative Scrappers.  Not a Cloud in the Sky is a page about our girls trip to the beach in Texas.  We had clear skies 6 out of 7 days and it was perfect!  Every once in a while you need a break from the sun, right? ;)  I love stitching so I went to town on this layout and added a Jillibean Soup journal spot with an Ali E stamp on it to the layout as well.

Here's the sketch at Creative Scrappers by Aphra Bolyer: 

Kim is hosting an Open Sketch Challenge at Sketches in Thyme this week as well, so this is my entry to that.  You can join in too, there is still time.  Just click the link.

Journaling Class

Have you ever taken an online class?  I have and I love them!  I don't have a local scrapbook store that offers classes and this is my opportunity to take one and to be inspired by the best scrappers around the country.

I took a sketch class last month at Inspired to Scrap and it was fantastic!  Stacey offers Weekend Warrior Card Classes, classes on using your tools and so many others.

December will have 15 Days of Journaling Inspiration and you won't want to miss this class!  Let me share a little more about the class and the special offer for you!


December 8-22 : 15/15 – 15 Days of Journaling Inspiration – $15
“Black Friday Week” Special- Class is only $10!!
Features of the class-
Whether you want to write a little or a lot, this class is for you!! We’ll be inspired by journaling ideas, prompts, challenges, page ideas, samples and more in this class.
Access to a private area of the message board
Daily journaling inspiration
Photo and/or Video tutorials
All new samples and layouts to spark your creativity
Encouragement and support to complete 15+ layouts
Inspiration from fellow classmates
Prizes!!
**Plus an extra two weeks to complete the challenges to be entered into the prize drawing!

I hope you will join us!  

Sketchy Thursdays

I've used S.T. sketches often in my scrapbooks, but haven't entered many.  Why?  Most of the time I just get busy and forget to enter.  But I do LOVE the sketches and I love seeing the different ways everyone interprets them.

So here's my entry for this weeks sketch:

And yes, I changed it up to fit my photos.  Isn't that what it's all about?

Gotta love those papers & embellies from my Scraptacular kit!

Sketches in Thyme

My sweet friend Kim has a challenge blog called Sketches in Thyme.  She's super talented and so are the girls on her team.  Be sure to check out the challenges and then start scrapping.  And enter!

So many people never enter their stuff.  I know it's hard to put your stuff 'out there' sometimes.  And we always tend to compare our stuff to other peoples and feel like we don't measure up.  But that isn't the case.  We always inspire one another, no matter what our style of scrapbooking, no matter what our subject matter is, no matter what paper line we are choosing...no matter what.

So I want to challenge YOU this week.  Step up to a challenge.  Maybe this time you are just going to scrap for yourself using a sketch or an idea prompt.  But maybe next time you will be a little braver and enter it.  Let me know when you do....I'll be cheering you on!

Here's my layout for the Sketches in Thyme weekly challenge:

 

Papers from Dixie Pieces Kit Club 

(wow was that ever a very full kit!  it keeps going and going....)

Sometimes Distress is a Good Thing

It's a good thing when you are distressing a layout.....you know what I mean...giving that layout a less 'clean' look.

For example, I was working with My Mind's Eye papers and embellishments and had a bazzill cardstock that matched colorwise, but it was a 'tad' too bright.  I first used an edge distressing tool to rough up the edges of the cardstock (mine happens to be a pink Heidi Swapp tool....costs about a dollar, but there are many companies that carry these).

Then I used a Tim Holtz foam applicator tool to tone down the color a bit using Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen color.  I just dabbed my foam pad on the ink pad and then rubbed in half circles onto the paper about 1" into the cardstock from the edge.  To give it a bit more definition at the edge I added a little T.H. Distress Ink in Vintage Photo.  This time I dabbed the foam applicator into the ink and then just touched the very edges of the cardstock.

I learned quite a bit about distressing from my teammates at Frosted Designs, so be sure to check out today's post for other fun ideas.  Create your own layout, card or project and enter it in our weekly challenge.  I can't wait to see what you do!

Making a Statement

I love large photos and how the show the details of a moment and make such a 'statement'. :)  Over at Frosted Designs Blog we are showing layouts with larger sized photos.  Be sure to check them all out! 

I chose an 8x12 enlargement to feature on her page of my son doing what he loves best.  If you haven't worked with these large photos, we encourage you to try it.  The detail is fantastic!  Fancy Pants Designs "Like Father, Like Son" line was a fun choice with additional embellies like Take Note Journaling Tag & Philosophy tag and letter stickers from Prima.

Now it's your turn!  Have a photo enlarged, or pull an older 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 out of your stash of photos and create a layout.  Then link it to the November 5 thread at Frosted Designs for your chance to win! :)

And a little note....I was featured again on Practical Scrappers...my layout is "Lake of the Clouds" and is the 8th one down on the Making a Statement with Titles post. :)

I am going to be enjoying  a weekend of lots of fun, food & fellowship with wonderful friends this weekend at Work In Progress Kits weekend retreat.  I hope you are as blessed as I know I will be.  I am so grateful for friendships.