Shadow of the Mountain

Not the Caleb of the Bible that I Envision!

I was quite excited to receive “Shadow of the Mountain,” by Cliff Graham, because the summary for it was so favorable.  However, after only a few pages, disappointment set in. The author states right up front that the Bible does not yield very much information about Caleb.  He tells us that he has taken a great deal of liberty in fashioning Caleb’s background, because Caleb didn’t appear in the Bible until Moses called upon him and Joshua to lead the spies into Canaan.  Apparently, the author chose to not delve deeper into historical documents written by other authors of that time period.  Caleb’s character as portrayed by Mr. Graham is one with which I am not comfortable.  I cannot see Caleb as a mercenary for the Pharaoh in Egypt, heartless and cruel.  Nor can I see him as one who rose to the ranks of a special group called Red Scorpions after passing punishing and brutal tests and surviving near-death experiences.  Supposedly, Caleb became the most excellent soldier in the land and won the Gold of Honor, the highest award in the Egyptian army and in the kingdom itself.  “It was reserved only for those who exceeded every understanding of courage and valor in battle.”

If you’re not looking for biblical fiction based on fact and if you like stories about raging battles of war, blood, and guts, then this book might be considered very entertaining.  At least two-thirds of the story is about the grueling military training that Caleb experienced, and his battles, then finally in the last third of the book Moses and Aaron enter the story, and finally Joshua.  I finished reading the book only because I said I would read and review it.  This is only one woman’s opinion – you might find it really entertaining.

Bethany House Publishers provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

Blessings,
Annie

Tulip Window Cards

The tulips in my flower gardens are still blooming, but I can see the end coming.  Working outside has kept me from card making, but it has inspired me to make some tulip cards. Especially since I have a new tulip embossing folder that I haven't yet used!  Finally, I had some time to play.  Here are three very fun cards, two using a technique that is new to me.

1.  Fold an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" white card base in half.
2.  Cut a white panel measuring 5 3/8" x 4 1/8".  Emboss it with the tulip window embossing folder.
3.  Die cut 5 tulips from green card stock and 5 tulips from red card stock.  Match up the green and
     red tulips.
4.  Trim off about half of the green tulip blossoms and trim the stem off of each red tulip.  Glue the
      red tulip blossoms onto the green ones.
5.  On the backside of the embossed panel, in the window opening, layer as follows:
        a. grass die cut
        b. a green 1/2" x 2 1/4" strip (see card for placement; about
            1/8" shows above the bottom of the window)
        c. the tulips and leaves 
6.  Adhere the embossed panel to the card front.
7.  Die cut the watering can from polka dot paper and attach to the lower right bottom of card.
8.  Stamp a small sentiment on red card stock and punch out with 5/8" round punch.  Glue to center of watering can.
9.  Punch 2 small butterflies; place one with the tulips in the window and the other one on inside of card, lower left side.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up:  Fabulous Phrases
Dies:      Impression Obsession:  Grass 06-I, Stems & Leaves 150-D, Tulip Set 147-A, and Watering Can 155-A
              Spellbinders:  Small Deckled Rectangles
Embossing Folder:  Crafts-Too:  Tulip Window

This is the second card using the same Tulip Window embossing folder:

My idea for this card came from this tutorial, however I changed things up a bit by embossing the card and by making a smaller window for the pop-out butterfly:  http://flowerbug.typepad.com/my_weblog/2015/03/pop-out-window-butterfly-basics-card-video.html.  The white folded panel is 3 1/2" x 6", scored at 2" and 4".

These tulips were made by punching the wing of the Stampin' Up Bird Builder punch.  It is one of my favorite punches because so many things can be made with it. The layered panel and the circle were embossed using the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF.  All pieces were edge distressed using Rusty Hinge and Dusty Concord Distress Ink pads.

I hope you found the cards to your liking.  I would love some feedback. Thanks for stopping by and may your day be blessed.
Annie