Winter's Beauty

Thought I would share a photo my daughter took of one of my horses with a snowy background! What a peaceful and breathtaking scene!!

NEW 2011 PSDT

PricillasStyles has announced the new design team today! I am thrilled to be able to serve a second term with all these wonderful designers. Please take a moment to visit the blogs of my team mates to get an idea of the awesome talent you will be exposed to this coming term.  Be sure to go over to Priscilla's store and look at her beautiful designs that we will be working with!!

 

Team A
AGNIESZKA
DIANA
LINDA
MARCY
MARSHA
PEGGY
VALERIE
Team B
ALETHA
CLARE
DARLENE
DENISE
DONNA
LINDA S
PAT

Prophecy Fulfilled

Prophecy Fulfilled

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- December 24, 2010

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23

Prophecy predicted Christ’s birth, His life and His second coming. Hundreds of years before His entrance onto earth, heaven directed men of God to describe His declaration of salvation for mankind. Christmas celebrates God being with us in the person of Jesus Christ. He is Immanuel and He invites the human race to learn of His everlasting love.

The purpose of prophecy is not to chart out every intricate detail of how and when Christ will return the second time. Jesus said only His Heavenly Father is privy to these predictions, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). The purpose of prophecy is to validate what Jesus had done and will do in the future. The unknown of His exact return gives us a sense of urgency to prepare for His second coming, by doing His will while we wait.

Prophecy predicted Jesus would be born in Bethlehem and He was. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2). He was to be born of a virgin and called Immanuel, and He was. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Prophecy affirms your faith in Christ.

Christmas is your opportunity to celebrate the accuracy of Almighty God’s words spoken through His humble and obedient servants. Use this merry moment to bring joy to the hearts of those yet to believe and experience their Heavenly Father’s grace and forgiveness. Be there for your family and friends, especially those who struggle to see themselves as precious in the Lord’s eyes. Christmas reminds us that His best is yet to come!

“[Jesus Predicts His Death] He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31).

Do I understand the significance of what prophecies Christ has and will fulfill? Who can I extend joy to others in the name of Jesus during this celebration of His birthday?

Related Readings: Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4; Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12

May you have a very  Blessed Christmas

Angels from CDAC

Ladies, if you haven't ventured over to CDAC you are missing a load of free images, challenges, great groups, loads of fun and a beaucoup of inspiration! There are all kinds of tutorials there,  from making your own digitals, photographing your cards and projects, to making these adorable angels!!

I made mine to pass out to very special friends or to very special folks who are fighting an illness or disease. What better way to let someone know that you have them in your heart and in your prayers. Carol Hurlock does the tutorial for the angels, both written and in video! You will definitely want to visit the gallery set up just for the angels....be prepared for lots of ohhhhh's and ahhhhh's!!  Click here to visit the hottest and fastest growing area for digital images!!

Many blessings!
donna


 

A Warm Sensational Saturday to YOU!

Good Morning,
Today I want to share with you a collage of images I have used this season, brought together as one image and placed as the focal point as today's card.  Confused, don't be, it's not hard, it very colorful and makes up nicely.

As you can see there are images of cards that I made throughout this season using SCH's images. I have been playing with this off and on, mostly as a holiday background for my desktop, as it came together it looked like it could be used as card on it's own. With digital there is just so much freedom, sizing, rotating, blurring, decorating......  well, the photo tells you the rest. It became my card for this week!! I hope you like it and will give this idea a try.

Don't forget to go to SCH for all of the images in this card and many, many others! Seriously, I haven't touched the iceberg of Christmas and holiday images that are right there waiting for you to find as well as images for every single reason to send a card. Go, go now!!!

While you are in the store you will see a link to the Blog where you will find all the amazing cards and projects for this week. Or you can click here to get to the Blog where you can also join us in showing off your very special Christmas and Holiday cards. Blessings to each of you, may the rest of this Christmas season fill  you with Love, Joy and Peace!

Sugar Creek Nugget:

For to us a child is born,to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:5-7

It's Saturday, You Know What that Means!!! *SCH*

The count down is on, we should be getting ready to "go over the hills and through the woods"! This week we were asked to make a card or project using RED and WHITE! Now, just how easy is that for this time of year! :) Funny, I was looking at my team mates "beauties" last night and I am astounded at the many variations of red. If you start naming all the varieties you will start to sound like a Crayola Crayon Box. You know, red, red- orange, orange red, scarlet, violet red, ultra red, wine red, red wine (oops!), don't think that one is in the box.  Anyway, just for fun you can go to the Crayola Creativity site and see how the colors have evolved since being first introduced in 1903.

I chose to use the gorgeous stamp, Christmas Joy. This is such a lovely and graceful image, I really loved working with it!  I opened it in PSP and changed the black to a very deep red and then mounted it with red and white throughout.  Instead of me trying to explain, let's take a look:

I used some nestie dies and a couple of MS punches, some uber gorgeous red ribbon and a packaged leaf sticker/die cut, a cuttlebug corner die, berries. and finally white grosgrain ribbon. I apologize for my yukky bow, I am the most bow challenged card maker I know! *sigh* So now that you have seen my take on the red and white challenge, why not grab an image and play along! You can share your card here. You can also get this image over at Tracy's shop, along with many more beautiful images. You do realize that SCH has freebies, if you haven't taken a look and grabbed them, you need to do that. Now then, be sure to take a look at all the rest of the red and white beauties out there for you to drool and gasp over.

• CW Card Creations
• Dawn
• Gunn
• Heide
• Joni
• Joseline-DT Coordinator
• Julie
• Marsha
• Mary
• Nancy
• Renee
• Sharon
• Stephanie
• Tracy, Owner

Thank you for dropping in today, you are the reason I am here!

Sugar Creek Nugget:  Romans 8:37-39

³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

challenges:  
MMSC84
Little Red Wagon-Die Cut
Creative Belli - Christmas themed embellishments

This Morning's Sunrise

When I left the barn this morning the sunrise was just breathtaking! By the time I got to the house, grabbed the camera and got into an area where I could get a good shot I was almost too late. Believe me when I tell you this photo doesn't even come close to the ethereal beauty!

Family Daily Devotion

I found this comforting, thought you might as well:

Happiness in Grief

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Life is a series of gains and losses. We gain friends and we lose friends. We gain confidence and we lose confidence. We gain money and we lose money. We gain a position and we lose a position. We gain weight and we lose weight. We gain perspective and we lose perspective. Many times during the transition between our loss and our gain, we grieve. Grief follows loss. But it’s in our grieving that God gets our attention.

Who or what do you miss? A loved one who graduated to heaven, a career that you enjoyed or a child who has left the nest and started their own family. Perhaps your heart still aches from time to time. Anger may well up occasionally or your mind plays tricks on you with “what if” scenarios, causing you to doubt your decisions. However, it’s in this conte mplative process that we learn to listen to the Lord—trust Him—and be loved by Him.

There can be comfort from Christ during your grief from a loss. We all live in a house that contains rooms of mourning. We avoid these areas, but eventually we have to visit them. And we learn—the greater the grief—the greater the potential for gladness. God’s goodness becomes the glue for our fractured faith. Job experienced the Lord in his loss, “The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety” (Job 5:11).

Spiritual grief comes when we are separated from God by our sin, and we mourn over our broken fellowship. There is a godly sorrow that is sensitive to sin and quick to repent. Spiritual mourners lament when their sin isolates them from intimacy with Christ. So, do not linger long in grief over letting down the Lord—freely receive His forgiveness.

“Have mercy on me, O G od, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2).

Lastly, look for those around you who silently suffer or who may be grieving unknowingly. Followers of Jesus sympathize by mourning with those who mourn. Take the time to come alongside them and offer care, comfort and Christ. Weep with those who weep, while the Lord’s love wipes away their tears. Jesus ministered to the grieving while on earth and He still comforts and makes hearts happy through the Holy Spirit.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26, KJV).

Is Christ my comfort during times of grief? Who can I comfort who is grieving a loss?

Related Readings : Nehemiah 1:1-10; Ecclesiastes 3:4; Acts 8:2; Romans 12:15

Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God

Faux Barn Board - Sensational Sugar Creek Saturday!

This beautiful bird is from the Winter image releases from Sugar Creek Hollow.  It is officially named Eastern Bluebird but it is close enough in body shape to be colored like the Eastern Towbee which is what my card is showing. Our challenge this week was to make a card using the faux barn board technique. The tutorial for this technique can be found at SCS, here.  I didn't have "slick" paint so I used glossy white acrylic, nor did I have a dark brown re-inker so I used an antiquing gel and dark brown acrylic mixed with the white.

I hope you will join in the challenge and share your cards with us! You need to go over to SCH blog and follow the steps listed, link your card for us to all enjoy!! All the design teams cards are there for you to look at and hopefully they will inspire you to participate this week!

Remember, to go to Tracy's shoppe, there are loads of great holiday and Christmas images there for you to get. If you haven't seen the magnificent baby Jesus you will not want to miss it!  All my team mates are listed on the side bar for your convenience, each one has a wonderful card or project to share using this awesome technique!

Thanks for taking time out of this very special weekend to come by, your comments are always greatly appreciated. I hope you are having a blessed and restful Thanksgiving weekend!!

donna

challenges:
SCH-Faux Barn Board
Totally PaperCrafts - Untraditional Christmas Colors
StampInsanity-Try Something New
Fussy and Fancy-Christmas without Red or Green
SCS-Inspiration IC260
Top Tip Tuesday -Layer on Layer

Tuesday is Midnight Madness Day!

A very good Tuesday morning to you all! I hope you are ready to feast your eyes on some original, unique and gorgeous creations as you visit all the MMSC81 entries!!

Here is mine for today using the Ornament set by priscillastyles. You can find this amazing set right HERE.
Are you ready...........................................ta da!!!

I found this ice cream parlor design and thought it would be fun to put the ornaments in a shoppe window looking out over a little village. (the directions for making this card are here)  I have an old Americana calendar so I punched out four squares and glued them behind vellum to "act as a window" and then hung the ornaments in the "window". I love the colors and the brilliance, it is just so cheerful and Christmas magical! I used glitter pens to make it really glisten!

here is a close up:

Be sure to check out all the cards made for this challenge by visiting Priscilla's site, be sure to play along so we can visit your eye candy!! Many blessings!!
Hugs,
donna

challenges:
MMSC81
Paper Cutz Challenge #68-Christmas
Digi Doodle Shop's Best-Anything Goes
Creative Inspirations Challenge #87-Winter Woodland
Meljen's Design-Sparkle and Shine

Sensational Saturday - SCH

Good Morning!
I have the most gorgeous image to show you today! This is a special image just released by Sugar Creek Hollow, it's a drawing of the Christ Child. This stamp was designed by a dear, young lady in Poland--exclusively for Sugar Creek Hollow.  She is a fabulous artist, and really out did herself with this image. You have a chance to win this set, the Baby Jesus along with the scroll by entering the Winter Digi Challenge.

The image comes in black and white which I changed to sepia to better fit the mood I was trying for. The background paper is from a free online digital kit, I masked the paper then deleted a center area for use later. I made another layer on the baby image and copied a section of the background paper into that layer and sent it to the bottom. I then had the baby on the same paper as the background, I merged the baby and background and then copied it into the area that I had deleted in the original background. This made a second layer on the background paper which I also masked, the result was I could line up the pattern and it looked as though the baby had been painted directed INTO the background. I love the feathered edges around the baby and how it blends into the designer paper without losing any of it's detail. I think this is the most beautiful image I have ever seen in digital!

Be sure to enter the challenge and follow all the directions carefully.  We look forward to your entries and also to your comments! I hope you like what I have done with this piece of art from this young artist, it was a labor of love which I delight in sharing with you!

 Many Blessings!
donna

 Sugar Creek Nugget:  For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;  And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   Isaiah 9:6 NKJ
         

Challenges:
Charisma Cardz-Babies
Hodge Podge-Anything Goes
FBC #23-Show us your style
Meljen's-Anything that Blings
Flourishes Timeless Challenge -Just Do It

Card for Bible Study Facilitator

A quick post this morning to share a card I made for the leader of a small group that just finished studying Crazy Love, a book by Francis Chan.  This study delves into the radical love God has for His children and challenges us to love Him back radically. Meaning, are we really willing to give up everything for Him, quite a thought provoking study! If you are interested in looking into this study you can go here: Crazy Love.

As you can see, this has a masculine feel to it, our leader is a guy so I didn't think he would want bow and flowers! :) I was sort of pushing my luck with the lacy side but I just couldn't resist!! Thanks for your visit!!

challenges:
Artful Inkables - Think Ink
Fresh Brewed Coffee - Two of more patterned papers
Papertime Challenge - About Love

Sensational Saturday - Color Challenge with SCH!!

It's Saturday and that means it's Sugar Creek Hollow day! This week we were challenged to make a card or project using one of the new Winter/Christmas images with these colors:

The first thing you might notice is that these colors do not in any way resemble traditional Christmas or Winter colors!  OK, for me this was hard, I will admit it right up front!  I had already decided that I wanted to do a side step card, so I pulled out my paper and got busy! I am NOT a pink person for the most part but looked for paper with a touch of pink and found it almost immediately (imagine that).  It is actually from K&Company; not only did it have pink, but khaki and blue, now all I needed was chocolate brown. No problem, I am such a brown person this was a cinch!  :)

The images I wanted to work with were Joy to the World and the Scruffy Manger.   Here is my card, I hope you like it! Using non traditional Christmas colors turned out to be such a delight and made such a strong statement I will be doing it again! and again!

this is a close up of the manger scene I found in a second hand store, it was once a pin, it is now an embellishment!

side view of the card

Thank you so much for stopping by today, please join us in our challenge and post your link on the blog. We would love to see your amazing talent at work. You can also check out all the other design team members creations there or you can use the links on the side bar. We all love your comments and encouragement as you go from site to site!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy what we have made for you this week!

Sugar Creek Nugget:
  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.   Luke 2:10 NIV

Challenges entered:
The ABC Challenge - H is for the Holidays
FBC- #22, Use two or more patterned papers
Digital Tuesday - Challenge #84- Use something you have never used before
Crafty Ann's Challenge - Christmas card with non-traditional colors
No Time to Stamp? - Christmas in Non-traditional colors
Stamp Something - November Digi Day

MMSC79- Woohoo! Midnight Madness!!

A happy good morning to each of you! Today we are working with a fabulous sketch from Priscilla. I hope you have all decided to participate and are showing off your gorgeous art!!

Here is the fancy sketch which is the one I used for this week. There is also a sketch without all the embellies which may be more to your liking, either way it is a great sketch and makes up beautifully.

Some time ago I found this bird digital set from Prisicilla. The card that she had made with these beautiful images just blew me away. I finally got brave enough to put my imagination to work and this sketch was perfect for using these birds. I do hope you like it!

If you haven't been to Priscilla's store, it is a must!! There are some absolutely wonderful digi's to choose from!

NOW......Here is one of the new Christmas Releases!
I just had to do a card with one (or two) of the new releases, this sketch was perfect!!!
I am using the darling Christmas bear and one of the Christmas trees that come in the Christmas Tree set.
I hope you enjoy my take on the sketch for this card!!

 
now for a close up of the bear!

What a sweet little face!! 

Thanks for dropping by, I hope you have enjoyed my cards for today! If you have a minute I would love to hear your thoughts.

I have entered these challenges:
MMSC79
Craft your Passion - #31 Two of anything
Lexi's Creation Challenge - Anything Goes 
Pile it On - Challenge -Furry Animals (Christmas Bear)

Saturday with Sugar Creek!

This week we had an awesome sketch to work with and gorgeous winter and Christmas images to chose from! I chose the beautiful street lamp for this card! Check out the Shoppe for all the new images!! Here is the sketch:
 

You are invited to play along with us, we would love to have you join us and show off your art! This sketch is such fun and easy to work with!  Here is a close up of the image I used:

In fact, this sketch was so much fun I decided to make two cards this week. This next card is using a gorgeous tea / coffee cup. I did some paper piecing on this one, what do you think?

The designer paper on this card was computer generated from some Christmas images I have collected. I think it made an interesting background! Both the beautiful cup and the sentiment are SCH images. The sentiment is a FREEBIE, just go to the Shoppe and click on Freebies.

You will definitely want to visit all the other design team members sites for more inspiration and eye candy! You can find them listed on the side bar or you can click below! Thanks for visiting, I hope you will take the time to leave a comment before leaving!

• CW Card Creations
• Dawn
• Gunn
• Heide
• Joni
• Joseline-DT Coordinator
• Julie
• Kelly
• Marsha
• Mary
• Nancy
• Renee
• Sharon
• Stephanie
• Tracy, Owner

challenges:
City Crafter Challenge - Get Your Digi On
Everybody Art Challenge 115 - Un-traditional Christmas
Truly scrumptious - Petals, Pearls and Pins
Fairy Tale Challenge - Everything Goes
Paper Play Challenges - Circles
Digital Tuesday Challenge - You've Been Framed

Sugar Creek Nugget:  He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.  John 5:35 ESV

Just a thought and a share

I get devotionals delivered to my email as many of you do. Sometimes one will speak to me louder than others. This one seemed appropriate for all the trials and hard bumps we hit as we travel though our lives. I wanted to share this with you:

Share this on:

Comfort and Joy  “Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into  song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people  and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”  Isaiah 49:13 God is aware of our suffering and He wants His children to discover relief in Him.Our affliction may be  self-inflicted or from outside sources. Regardless,  His compassion is more than empathy, but it is  active and far reaching. No matter how deep  and severe our wounds, He cares. He comforts the afflicted and afflicts those who are too comfortable. He understands your hurt. He understands your rejection. He understands your  humiliation.  He understands your fears. Jesus walked through the hurt of humanity on His way to the halleluiahs of  heaven. He will never leave you or forsake you.  It is for you and others that He lived and died.  His mercies, love and grace are new every morning.  “Because of  the LORD’s great love we are not  consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are  new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Christ is a catalyst for community, as He invites  you to join Him and His church. The compassion of Christ and others is a healing balm; so seek out the comfort and compassion of God’s people. The Body of Christ is there to administer  healing and support. A wounded body part will eventually die if left unattended, but will recover  and thrive with the support of other members.  Christians are interdependent on one another. Pride resists receiving help, but humility seeks help.  Pride and humility cannot coexist. Pride says I can  buck up and go at this alone. Humility says alone  I will fail, but with others I will succeed. Our  perception becomes skewed under the onslaught of affliction. We lose sight of the spiritual battle that is  raging. Humility battles on its knees in prayer. But your brothers and sisters in Christ help you fight  the enemy, like loyal comrades in a crisis. So, let  God’s comfort and the comfort of others administer  grace to your wounded heart. Trust Him to fight the  good fight on your behalf. Let Jesus love on you. Let people encourage you and hold you accountable.  One day you will be able to comfort others with  the same comfort you have received.  Indeed, your  compassion will be much deeper, broader and  Christ-like. Therefore, rejoice because of His  great comfort and compassion! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord  Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the  God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our  troubles, so that we can comfort those in any  trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Do I rejoice in the comfort of Christ? Am I extending His comfort to the uncomfortable? Related Readings: Psalm 119:50-52; Isaiah 12:1;   2 Corinthians 7:7; Philippians 2:1-3

Cardinal and Lace- SCH Saturday!!!

A SCH Good Morning!
That's right it is time for another challenge from SCH, this one is to make a card, layout or project using lace.
If you go here, you can view the challenge, the cards the design team has made and join in the fun. We would love to have you join in and play along with us!! Just use any SCH image and make something that uses lace and post it on the blog linking to your creation! Yep, just that easy! Show us some of your very own eye candy!!

This week I used the Cardinal image which I really love, I have been wanting to do something with this and this was the perfect opportunity! Here is the card I made for this weeks "lace" challenge.

I really love the way this bird just dresses up any card but don't you think he looks particularly handsome surrounded by lace, braid and berries. The background he is perched on is another of Tracy's images, Christmas Joy.... I just took the wording off and used the beautiful flourishes as a frame. This is what makes digitals so perfect to use, you can manipulate the size and the content 'til your little heart desires. Here are a couple more shots for you to see a closer view.

My teammates are listed on the side bar or you can go to Sugar Creek's blog to view their spectacular creations. Thanks for your visit, and for any comments you might leave. I love hearing from you!!


This card was entered in the following challenges:
Digi Doodle Challenge #31-Anything Goes
Sassy Studio Thursday - Inspired by Autumn
Meljen's Design Challenge #31-It's a 2-fer

A Sugar Creek nugget:

     for you have been my help,and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

                                              Psalm 53:7