Monday, September 28, 2015

Double Triple Shutter Card

Hello friends!

Today I'm really excited to share with you a card style of which I recently became aware, the Double Triple Shutter Card.  Being such a big card, at first I was hesitant to give it a try.  One of my stamping pals (thank you, Sharon) showed our paper crafting group how to do this, but also I found a wonderful tutorial by Tanya Dawn Richards, with very easy-to-follow instructions. It's not hard at all and assembles much quicker than what I thought it would.  I'm thinking that this is one of those cards that I will make for very special people in my life.

The card opens and keeps unfolding until it is spread out to a couple of feet and it is six inches high.  It's fascinating to watch it unfold!  Here are a series of pictures to see the various stages of unfolding.






Now go have yourself some fun . . . and have a blessed day!
Annie

Monday, September 21, 2015

Bathsheba, Reluctant Beauty


When reading this book, one thing you need to remember is that this story of Bathsheba is from the imaginings of the author, Angela Hunt.  Although it contains actual biblical events, the story surrounding these events is fiction.  With that in mind and understood, Bathsheba, Reluctant Beauty, is a riveting love story about a beautiful young woman named Bathsheba, who is married to and madly in love with her soldier husband, Uriah.  As one of King David’s most faithful and valiant soldiers, Uriah is sent off to fight in a war against the Ammonites.  Thus begins the end of Bathsheba’s joyful and contented married life with Uriah.

As many women did in those days, their baths were taken in the privacy of their sun-filled courtyards, usually in the late afternoon, sometimes in the early evening.  On one such evening, King David stepped out onto his terrace, seeking fresh air and release from a feeling of restlessness.  Once he caught sight of the beautiful Bathsheba, he was struck to the core of his being with desire for this woman and he could not avert his eyes, as decently required.  Not caring who this woman was or her status in the community, not caring whether she was virgin or married, David demand that Bathsheba be brought to him immediately, where upon he forced himself upon her, and all the while Bathsheba was protesting, pleading, and declaring her love for her husband.  As the Bible tells us, Bathsheba became pregnant, which led King David to cover up his evil deed by planning the secret murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband.   He added Bathsheba to his harem under the ruse that he was taking her under his care in honor of the loyal and faithful soldier Uriah. 

Although the first child of David and Bathsheba died as punishment for David’s great sin, eventually another son is born to them, who was named Solomon.  God told David, through the prophet Nathan, that he was to anoint Solomon to succeed him, and that his seed would rule forever as long as Solomon was obedient to God.

As could be expected, contention and strife grew between the older sons of David as to who would one day become king.  There follows deceit, treachery, and murder from Solomon’s half-brothers, and Bathsheba’s constant struggle to protect Solomon until it was time for the prophecy to be made known.


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

I hope you take time to enjoy the blessings of reading a good book.  Thanks for stopping by.
Annie

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Stepping it Up with Fall Cards

As much as I hate to admit it, Indian Summer is here, and autumn is creeping in.  Don't get me wrong, I love the seasons and I'm thankful to be living in an area that definitely has pronounced seasons.  It's just that I'm not yet ready for a change - just need a little more summer time.  By my own hand, I was forced into making a fall card because I joined a fall foliage swap.  You can see two of my creations here:


I sent the brown card for the swap.

Using an Impression Obsession die set, I cut the leaves from patterned paper matching the card base.  It's really a very simple design, but I love the effect of the patterned leaves.  I challenge you to just randomly pull some patterned paper from your stash, choose some coordinating card stock, and make one yourself.  Please leave a link where I can go admire it.

Blessings,
Annie

Saturday, September 5, 2015

A Wonderful Gift!


I just finished reading an absolutely wonderful book called, "So Great Salvation, What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ," by Charles C. Ryrie. It is in our church library and I highly recommend reading it, even if you have been a follower of Jesus for many, many years.

This is what the dust jacket says:

"In an age when there is a tendency either to water down the Gospel or add to it requirements that are not scriptural, people need a clear, concise, and authoritative word on the meaning and evidences of salvation. And that is exactly what Charles Ryrie provides in the pages of this timely book.


Here Dr. Ryrie answers key and practical questions such as :

*What exactly is the Gospel?
*What is spiritual fruit?
*Can a born-again Christian be carnal and, if so, how long?
*Can a person accept Jesus as Savior without acknowledging Him as Lord:
*Can a dedicated Christian take back part or all of his commitment?
*Must repentance precede faith?
*Is believing in Jesus Christ really so easy?
*What is eternal security?


As you read, you will find the Gospel message and its implications for your life clearly delineated. You will receive added insight and confidence to explain the Good News to family members, friends, and others without the Savior. And you will be touched anew by the marvelous grace and sacrificial love of the Author of our great salvation."

Head for the library now. This is a must-read book!

Annie