1 Peter Bible Study - John MacArthur

Hello friends, 

I just finished a great study on 1 Peter. Along with the bible I used the John MacArthur New Testament Commentary on 1 Peter, and my pastor's recent sermons. I didn't realize how much I was missing in 1 Peter until I did this study. The last paragraph at the end of the book says, 

"There is no shortcut to a Christian mind possessing those godly attitudes and motives Peter outlined. They will be perfected only as believers regularly and faithfully place themselves under the preaching, teaching, and study of God's truth and obediently allow His Word to change their hearts and shape their characters."

This is a very truthful reminder that we will never be in a closer relationship with God unless we study the bible, pray for understanding, listen to sermons, worship with other believers, and be active in developing our spiritual life. Just sitting at home and saying that, "Oh sure, I believe in God," isn't enough. "Even the demons believe—and tremble!" James 2:19  

I highly recommend reading this commentary.

Blessings, 

Annie

Christmas Nativity Bridge Card

Hi there, card makers,

Just finished with my card class for today.  I've already shared two of the cards we made.  Today I am sharing the third card.  The Bridge Card fold was one I just learned this past fall.  I thought it would make a wonderful fold to showcase my nativity die.  Also, I love the way that the decorative paper on the panels is glued in order keeping the pattern on the paper flowing in its design.  Making some more of these cards for my Christmas mailings is next on my agenda.

BRIDGE CARD DIRECTIONS

Card Base: 

            1.         With the 8” x 4 ½” piece, score at 1¼”, 2½”, 5½” & 6¾”.  Fold using your bone folder to burnish the score lines.

             2.         Cut a 4” x 7¼” piece of DP.  As up cut the piece, keep the strips in order) at 1⅛”, 1⅛”,  2¾”, 1⅛” & 1⅛”.  I numbered them on the back starting with the left piece as number one.  

Adhere the DP pieces onto each of the 5 panels of your card from left to right. 

 Back Side of Card: 

            3.         With the cream CS panel (2 ½” x 3 1/2”), use a corner rounder on all corners.  Using

the Distress Ink pad and a sponge distress the edges of the cream CS panel.  Adhere to the backside

of the center section of the card.  This is for signing and dating or another sentiment.

Sentiments:

            4.         With black ink, stamp the two sentiments onto cream CS.  Closely trim the extra CS

from the sentiments.  Make sure that it will fit on the Bridge piece.

             5.         On the larger sentiment piece, us a corner rounder.  On the small piece, round the

corners with  scissors.

            6.         Distress the edges of both pieces using the Walnut Stain Distress Ink pad and sponge.

Lightly distress the rest of the paper to match the DP background.

            7.         Adhere the small sentiment to the top of the center panel of the card. 

Bridge:

            8.         For the Bridge, layer the DP strip (1½” x 5½”) onto the green CS strip (1⅜” x 5⅜”).

             9.         Place a strong adhesive on the back of this front panel, no more than 1” from each

end.  Adhere it to the base card, lining up the bottom corners.

            10.       Adhere the larger sentiment to the front of the Bridge piece.

 Die Cut Nativity:

            11.       With the nativity die cut, add glue to just along the front bottom of it.  Slide it between the bridge and the two side panels.

That's it for today.  The card is fairly quick and simple, but looks lovely.

Blessings,
Annie

Staircase Christmas Card

A happy good morning to you! The card I'm sharing with you today may look challenging, but actually the only thing challenging about it is all the die cutting.  I cut out enough pieces for 10 cards for one of my card classes.  I have to admit that that was a lot of die cutting and I was very happy to get done.  But once done, the assembly goes easily and quickly, especially if you follow my step-by-step directions.  I think the directions are easy to follow, but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

Finished card size 4 ½” x 6 ¼”

1.         Top fold a 4 ½” x 12 ½ “ red card base.

2.         For inside of card, cut a 4” x 5 ½” piece of white card stock and attach. 

3.         From white CS die cut the largest die from Spellbinders Card Creator Heirloom Legacy 

            (S6-010).  Attach it to the card front.

4.         From red CS die cut the small center die from the same set.  Trim off the piece along one end

            to make it straight.  This will be the bottom when attached to the wall.  Lay aside for now.

5.         From black CS cut a 4 1/8” x 4 15/16” piece.  Attach it to the front of the card over the white

            die piece.

6.         Die cut the Memory Box Classic Staircase (98665) from a piece of white CS which 

            measures 3” x 4 ¾”.  Attach to card front on the left-hand side over the black.

7.         From green CS die cut the Impression Obsession Cut Out Christmas Tree die 

            (DIE111-U).  Trace just the Christmas Tree part on red CS.  Trim the red tree inside the 

            tracing line and attach to back of green tree.  Also, die cut just the flourish part of the tree, 

            trim off the bit of the tree trunk, and glue inside the card at the bottom of the white mat.

8.         To decorate the banister, die cut at least 5 sprigs from green CS using Memory Box Small 

            Garden Sprig (931) and glue banister.

9.         I also die cut the Memory Box Mini Holly Leaves (98658) two times to use as filler on the

            banister.

10.       Punch 5 to 7 small stars from red CS and add to sprigs on the banister.

11.       Punch one larger star for the top of the Christmas Tree and glue in place.  Add Wink of 

            Stella to the Christmas tree star (GL.Clear 999).

12.       For the wall hanging, stamp a very small sentiment on white CS, punch it out with a 1” 

            scalloped oval punch, glue it to the red die cut element, attach a tiny green brad to the top, and

            then glue it to the wall. 

I hope the card inspires you.  Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Annie

Long Ago on a Starry Night . . .

Hello and Christmas greetings,

Not that I'm crazy about snow, but it seems like we should have a little bit at least on Christmas day, so I would be okay with that.  Then melt, please.  Looking out the window I see dark cloudy skies and a cold-looking landscape that has gone to sleep for the winter.  However, inside it's a different story - warm and cozy, and making Christmas cards while listening to Christmas music, decorations, and drinking hot cocoa.  So delightful!  And that is how I feel about the card I'm sharing today.  I love the blues of the several layers and it has such a peaceful scene.  I can't help but think of that special birth long ago on a starry night.

Materials:

Spellbinders Nestabilities Decorative Elements 4
Die-namics Stitch Mini Scallop
Cottage Cutz Holiday Floral Spray
Stamp from Tim Holtz Collection HL-M2-052
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Walnut Stain
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Pine Needles
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Salty Ocean
PrismaColor Pencils
Green Jewel
Star Punch
Aleene's True Snow

Hope you are enjoying your days of decorating and shopping . . . and stamping, of course.
Blessings,
Annie