Winner!

The winner of my giveaway....a $10 Gift Certificate to Memorable Seasons is.....

*TREEFROG* ....congratulations! 

And thanks to ALL of you for participating in our first BLOG HOP at FROSTED DESIGNS!

This week we have another fun challenge, which you can check out here:  FABULOUS FRIDAY CHALLENGE

And don't forget the sketch challenge:  SKETCH CHALLENGE INFO, which is due Monday, the 13th at noon.  A new sketch will be posted on Tuesday, December 14.

Frosted Designs Blog Hop & GiveawayS!!!

Welcome!  I'm so glad you stopped by.  You should be arriving from Debbie's Blog.  If you are just finding the Blog Hop you will want to go and start here:  FROSTED DESIGNS BLOG so that you can start at the right spot and see the 4 ways you have to win.

I'm so excited to share with you some quick and easy ideas for adding a little sparkle to your holidays....and every day. :)  A girl needs a little sparkle in her life (I think I am quoting my friend Carin on that....).

If you are new to Frosted Designs, I hope you will stop by our blog and participate in our challenges often...we love it when people join in!  And did you see what is being given away?  Let's take a peek:

So what do you have to do to win?    You have all week to hop, beginning on December 5 and going through December 9 at noon Central Time Zone.    Visit each of the design team blogs and gather a word at each one.  When you have completed the Frosted Designs Blog Hop you will have a phrase that you will email to this address:   danica4us@yahoo.com

Here's the order of the hop:

1. Barb - www.barbcraft.blogspot.com
2. Diana - www.itsmylifeandimscrappingit.blogspot.com
3. Debbie - www.lovelifeslittlepleasures.blogspot.com
4. Ruth - www.inreallifefaith.blogspot.com  <-----YOU ARE HERE
5. Esther - www.esthrmend.blogspot.com
6. Joni - www.joniparkerstuff.blogspot.com
7. Angela - www.angemuir.blogspot.com
8. Cassie - www.casbacreations.blogspot.com
9. Fern - www.texasstampinmamaw.blogspot.com
10. Libeeti - www.creationswithlove-li-bee-ti.blogspot.com
11. Jessica - www.mtnmommyscrapper.blogspot.com
12. Lori - www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com
13. Kim - www.memoriesinthyme.blogspot.com

I have a giveaway of my own too.....check it out at the end of this post.  It's everything you've always wanted it to be...because it's a Gift Certificate to Memorable Seasons Online Store!  *LOVE*

Here's a photo of my Gift Box Project:

This is just an ordinary kraft box that I am using for a gift box this year.  I wanted it to have a snowy feel to it and I had some Mica Glitter tucked away to use for it.  To be honest I have a few bits of the mica (from kits) and had never used it.

But it was so easy and not too messy either, so I can't wait to use it again and again.  I just punched a strip of white cardstock with my Martha Stewert loopy border punch, put a little glue on the tips of the loops and dipped the tips in a pile of the mica glitter.  LOVE IT!

Here's a close up:

Oh how I wish the camera would capture that diamond-like sparkle from that mica.  I love that it has the same look as freshly fallen snow.  Items used: ribbon is American Crafts (that also has a little glitter in it), a Pink Paislee tag, with two Label One Nestabilities dies for the little to and from tag.

Let's get a close up on the to and from tag....there is glitter there too!

Can you see it?  I traced the label die with my Clear Spica Glitter Pen...it's very subtle, but adds a really nice touch.  If you've never tried this brand, I highly recommend it!  I also wrote the names with my Red Spica Glitter Pen.  Love!

Next up....Diamond Stickles....a girl can definitely never have too many Diamond Stickles (no wait, maybe that was the quote)!  I added a row of Diamond Stickles along the white scallop on this tag.  The layers from bottom to top are:  Labels One Nestabilities Die, Scallops Nestabilities for both the green and the white layer, the white layer is stamped with a circle stamp in a matching green color, then a Poinsettia from Prima.

Glitter Products used:  

 

And my very own giveaway (yep in addition to the one above) is a $10 Gift Certificate to get some scrappy goodness from Memorable Seasons!

This online store is the BEST!  If you have never shopped there, you are in for a real treat.   If you already frequent this store, well then you know what I mean! :)  This giveaway is for those in the United States as Jill only has the ability to ship to the U.S. at this time.

This is what you would need to do to get your name in my drawing. You don't have to do them all, but the more you do, the more times your name will be added in order to win.

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you are already just let me know).
2. Leave me a comment.
3. Do the challenge at Frosted Designs (Let me know when you link it up & I will add your name one more time).

4. Mention our Frosted Designs Blog Hop on your blog (Let me know that you did).

5.  If you use the Frosted Designs latest sketch to do your weekly challenge (just let me know that you did).

So that's FIVE chances to win! :)    You have until next thursday, December 9 to enter and do the challenges for extra chances to win.  I will announce the winner on friday, December 10.

My word is:  CELEBRATING

  Your next stop is Esther!

Need Some Christmas Inspiration?

Here is December's Lucky Girl Crafts Kit!  I *heart* LGC!!!  Every month I think they get better and better....is that even possible?

The details in this kit are fantastic...especially those rub-ons!  And the Alphabets (you know I'm a huge fan of alphas!!!).  And the trims.  And did you see the bling?  Not to mention the papers.....oh my!

Check out the Lucky Girl Crafts blog hop and see if you can win a little sumpin' sumpin' too!  Be sure to put Jessica's great specials on the top of your 'wish list'....I know it's on mine!

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!