Fall is in the Air, Beautiful leaves everywhere!

Blazing color right outside my window, brilliant sunshine everywhere, and here I sit by the fireplace, thanking God for His beautiful artistry and blessings.  Uhmmm, what a life!  Speaking of artistry, I have a whole array of fall leaves cards to show you.  I recently hosted a swap with 8 stamp artists and they have created some really wonderful cards.  God places a talent within each of us and it's always exciting to see how that talent expresses itself.  So enjoy and hopefully get some inspiration.

Ann - Washington

Claudette - Illinois

Dawn - Georgia

Gloria - South Dakota

Helen - Georgia

Monica - Ohio

Teresa - California

Tracy - Oregon

The Grace of God

Andy Stanley is one of my very favorite speakers and he writes just the way he speaks – powerfully! Consequently his book, “The Grace of God,” is a powerful lesson on how much God loves us and freely gives us His grace with no strings attached. Grace is unmerited favor – we don’t deserve it and we can’t earn it. Andy is gifted with the ability to explain, describe, and peel back layers until he brings you to the point of a full and deep understanding of the scripture he’s teaching on. He did just that for me as he explained that the grace of God began even before the Garden of Eden. He led me on a journey through the Old Testament, highlighting many acts of God’s grace given to biblical figures – Adam and Eve, Abraham, Jonah, Rahab, and even the thief on the cross – to name a few. And then we come to the New Testament where Andy teaches on the parables of Jesus. But this is not a brief explanation after a quick read of the scripture. As Andy helps you to come to a deeper understanding of grace, you are rewarded with background information of the customs and practices of the Jewish people which sheds a more bright and wonderful light on the meaning of the parables and how grace is intertwined throughout them.

The book is written in a conversational style that is smooth flowing, uses plain language, and is easy to understand. It is one that I would highly recommend to others. I am very happy to have this book on my bookshelf for future reference and inspiration. As of now, it is the very favorite of my library.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for providing a complimentary copy to me through their BookSneeze program. A positive review was not required and the opinion expressed here is my own.

A New Card Folding Technique

A while ago I saw some really gorgeous patterned card stock from My Mind's Eye and I thought to myself, it's just too pretty to cut up into pieces, and what could I do to use the whole sheet.  I must have spent a half hour or 45 minutes  looking at the different patterns and trying to figure this out.  Finally, the light bulb clicked on (pardon the cliche), and this is what I came up with.  It's really fun to experiment with the different patterns.  If you decide to try it, I'd  love it if you emailed a picture to me. 

Front of card (card closed with flaps folded in).  The finished card measures 6x6.



Start with a 12x12 patterned piece of card stock, best when the pattern looks right side up when you also turn the card stock completely around.  Fold in half in both directions.  Cut and remove the top left portion.  Cut 1/3 rounded slice from the top right portion - on the inside (left).  Stamp a variety of leaves and glue around the cut out.   I used Stampin' Up set 106346 called Gently Falling.



Card with the top flap folded up.  When you stamp a sentiment on the inside flap, be sure to have the top flap closed so that you will have the right placement for when the card is closed up.  Here  I used Autumn Blessings from Rubbermoon.



Inside of card with right flap open.  I used the cut out portion on the inside and glued on a few stamped leaves to finish it off.

 Well, that it, friends.  Hope my directions make sense.  Shoot me an email if you have a question.

Autumn blessings to everyone, Annie

A River to Cross

Yvonne Harris is a new author to me.  I haven’t read a book like this since I was the age of being bright-eyed and believing that there was a good looking, hunk of a man who was both tough on the outside and tender on the inside just waiting to sweep me off my feet, and we would live in sweet wedded bliss ever after. However, if you’re wanting a bit of time to let your mind waltz you away from the ordinary things of life, then this book will take you dancing through a dream-come-true romance.

Set in the Texas frontier of the late 1800’s, Texas Ranger Jake Nelson begins a two-fold secret mission into Mexico to rescue Elizabeth Evans, the daughter of a U.S. Senior Senator from Texas, and to apprehend and bring to justice the rogue general, Manuel Diego. Once Elizabeth is snatched from captivity, Jake, his men, and Elizabeth begin the long run for their lives back to the border at the Rio Grande River. Adding to the difficulty, Elizabeth had never ridden a horse, having only recently moved from city life in Washington D.C. to the frontier town of El Paso. Amid the danger and turmoil encountered along the way, Jake and Elizabeth find that they are extremely attracted to each other - not good.  Romance and attachments are not what either of them wanted in their future.  Elizabeth was recovering from the death of her husband and Jake was still trying to overcome his bitterness at finding his intended fiance with another man.

This book was tagged as Christian Fiction and Historical Fiction. I found little evidence of it being Christian fiction other than a quick reference to prayer here and there. However, I was extremely pleased to find no swearing or immoral behavior. Historical information was a little more plentiful.

All in all, there was a good story line. My disappointment was that the characters and the story were not more fully developed. But with only 275 pages, how deep could it get? Definitely a quick read.

*This book was received free in exchange for my unbiased review through Bethany House Book Reviewers.

Star Book of Christian Symbols

Hey there, handmade book enthusiasts, I need some help!  I've been busy making a star book and have reached the point of adding a cover and tying ribbon.  But guess, what?  I can't think of a name to put on the cover.  All the while I was making the sections, I was racking my brain for a perfect title.  It seems all of my creative juice went into the pages, as my mind keeps coming up blank.  If you have a suggestion or two, I'd sure like to hear them.

I've made several star books, but this is the first one I've done in monochromatic colors for each section.  To add continuity to the sections, I used the format of using the same embossing folder background, Iris Folding, diecuts, and punches.  Also, the symbols are in order so that they portray biblical events in a chronological order according to the Bible.  Just can't tell you how much I loved working on this book.  So . . . why does a book title elude me?  The dimensions are listed at the bottom of this post in case you'd like to make one this size.  To see a larger view, just click on the picture.  Hope you like it.

Numbers 21:8, John 3:14-15

Matthew 3:16-17

Matthew 4:19

Luke 9:22

Matthew 28:18-20

James 1:12, Revelation 2:10 

Inside layer - 4 x 7 1/2; second layer - 4 x 8 1/2; third layer - 4 x 9 1/2; fourth layer - 4 x 11; the black inset between 3rd & 4th layers - 4 x 3. Most star books are made with only 3 layers, but I've been wanting to do this style for a long time.  Finally!

Wishing you a blessed week.  Until next time . . .

Annie

God's Promises

Hi there!  I'm back with another book review, plus a few Independence Day celebration greeting cards.  I realize it's not the 4th of July, but they are so perfect to go along with this book.

“God’s Promises for the American Patriot,” by Dr. Richard G. Lee and Jack Countryman, is the book I’m reviewing today. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed when I unwrapped the package and opened the book. I expected the book to be larger and to be a regular non-fiction book. What I found is that it is laid out in two-page sections: the first page of the section contains American history in the way of an incident, speech, excerpts of essays, or quotes from the lives of great American, patriotic believers; and the opposite page lists corresponding scripture.
However, my disappointment quickly turned to absolute delight once I began to read. The more I read, the more my patriotic pride and love for my country was lifted to a new height. Not to say that I didn’t already have a sufficient amount, but reading about these great men who contributed so much to the founding and building of a God-fearing nation was very inspiring. And, it clearly shows how important God and the Bible were to these men. Unfortunately in this age, there are those who constantly chip away at what made, and makes, our nation great. After reading this book, you will have no doubt that our country was founded on Godly principles.  Besides being uplifted by the contents, I also learned some important history.  The following is a portion of George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, "Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God' . . . Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficient Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.'"  How wonderful is that!  The pilgrims and the Indians may have had the first Thanksgiving dinner, but George Washington initiated Thanksgiving Day.

Although this book could be used as a daily devotional, I find it to be more of a book for meditation and inspiration. It is a book that could be read in one sitting or one you could pick up for a short read.  Beautifully bound and designed, with a different picture on each page, it is one you will want on your bookshelf. It would also make a great gift for someone who loves history.

(I received this complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishing through their BookSneeze program. A positive review was not required and the opinion expressed here is my own.)

Does red, white and blue make your heart flutter like it does mine!  So my cards are pretty traditional.

Stamps by Stampin' Up

Background made from postage stamps.

Hero Arts Stamps.
Background made using Shaving Cream technique

Wishing you a wonderful week.  Check back soon, or sign up for automatic updates.  Many blessings, Annie


My First Book Review

Oh, wow!  What am I doing anyway?  Well, just to add a new dimension to my life, I decided to give book reviewing a try.  I love to read . . . and since I'm our church librarian . . . and since the books that I review are free . . . and since I will donate the books to the church library . . . it seems the perfect fit.  So please bear with me.  Hopefully I'll get better at this with time.  Soon preferably.  Well, here goes.

The Blessing by John Trent, Ph.D., and Gary Smalley.


What is the blessing and why does it matter?

The blessing is meant to convey unconditional love and acceptance. John Trent digs into the biblical ideas behind the blessing and shares how its principles can be used in any intimate relationship – children, spouses, church family, extended family, friends. Trent found that the blessing as used in Scripture always contained five elements – meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and an active commitment. I like that Trent included lots of scripture references. After reading this book, you will know how to give the gift of the blessing. It will be life changing for both you and for someone in your life.

I love that the authors included the Bible story of the brothers Esau and Jacob. Esau had reached the age to receive the blessing from his father, Isaac. According to custom, only the oldest son received the blessing. The father, old and nearly blind, was tricked by Jacob, the younger, into giving him the blessing that should have been given to Esau. Every time I read this story I can feel the anguish in Esau’s cry, “Do you only have one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.” It was sad to read the personal stories of ruined lives caused by parents who were so demanding and impossible to please, parents who constantly criticized or cut down. However, the book also provided many examples of those who were blessed by someone important in their life. It greatly encouraged me to make sure I’m not missing any opportunities to bless my family or those around me.

*This book was received free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

The Greatest is Love

Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean you have to put away your heart rubber stamps and scrapbooking supplies. Love should be active in our lives all year round. The Bible tells us, from 1 Corinthians13:3, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (NKJV)

What makes love so amazing? For starters, it is what motivated the

Father to send His only Son to die for us. Without love, there would have been no redemption for mankind. Not only would we be without love, but without the redemption that was brought on by love, there would also be no faith, and no hope. You see, nothing else matters, without love. It is the basis for every other good thing in our lives.

Making and sending cards is one way I like to show love, so my heart stamps and supplies are going to be used throughout the year. Here’s a few that I made today.

A Very Special Book

Wow, how did so much time pass since I last posted! As with many of you, life is just plain busy. One of the fun and rewarding things I’ve been doing is being involved in a Care Cards Ministry at my church. We have a group of women who come together once a month to make greeting cards to send to those in need in our church family. The need may be for illness, hospital stay, cheering up, encouragement, sympathy, thank you, or maybe just a thinking of you card. I’ve been busy designing the cards and making up packets of the materials needed to make the cards. How thankful I am that God gifted me with a bit of artistic talent and a love for card making. And then on top of that, He blessed me with a way for me to use this talent in a ministry for His glory. My God is truly an awesome God!

Our group is taking a break through the summer, so we made our last meeting a really special event by doing a take-home project, followed by a great time over lunch -- lots of fun and laughter. Our project was a 4”x6” Prayer Book which has7 sections, one for each day of the week, with suggestions for who to pray for on each day. It also has a section called Stones (short for Jordan River Stones) where we can write down the spiritual markers in our lives. We used pretty scrapbook paper to cover the chipboard covers, ribbons and lots of bling for decoration, and the Zutter Bind-It-All to hold it all together. I’ve posted several pictures below so you can see what it looks like outside and in. But first, I’d like to share with you why prayer is so important.

God speaks to us through His Word, and He asks us to speak to Him through prayer. Prayer gives us access to our heavenly Father who knows what we need even before we express that need to Him. Jesus said, "Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him, " (Matthew 6:8). Prayer communication is a two way street. We talk to God and He talks to us. We don’t just bring our cares, worries, and frustrations to Him. We also offer our praise and worship to Him, the One True God who deserves all praise. In order to keep your relationship with God unbroken and fresh, it is important to put aside time for both prayer and active listening for His answer. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will learn about Him, and the deeper your relationship with Him will grow. God wants each of us to be His special friend. If you haven’t already done so, my prayer for you is that you will reach out to our Heavenly Father today, trust Him, and ask Him to be your special friend. Annie



This is the prayer book cover and the first page.


Here is what each of the divider pages looks like. The borders are made with a Martha Stewart border punch.

I've put pictures of my son and daughter-in-law, granddaughters, great-grandkids, and sisters on this page, for Thursday prayers. On other pages, I've added small pictures of ones I pray for, including my hubby, friends, church elders and leaders, missionaries from our church. I use Post-It Notes to list names and special prayer requests; then when the prayer is answered or the situation is resolved, I can just remove them. These little books would make great gifts, also.

Wait . . . I'm Not Ready for 2010!

Out with the old and in with the new, as the saying goes. But I'm not quite ready to put away my Christmas stamps. I still have some ideas for Christmas cards that I might forget if I wait until next year. So I'm just going to continue making a few samples using those ideas.

One project that I want to make more of is this 25 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar which is shown here. You can see both the front and back sides.

Didn't have time to make more of them for gifts this year, so I figure starting now is my best bet in order to have them ready before December 2010. The holder is a 12x12" picture frame with a sheet of black card stock covering the glass. I marked off the sections using strips of black chipboard. The picture and the back side are from a scrapbook collection from Graphic 45, Christmas Past. I trimmed the picture down to 10x10" and then cut it into 5 across and 5 down 2x2" sections. Each section of the picture was adhered to a 2x2" piece of chipboard, with the edges painted black with a black Marvy Marker. The dates on the back side of the pieces are diecuts from my Cuttlebug. Since all the pieces are totally removable, I'm going to make another set of calendar pieces using the angel page from the Christmas Past collection (pictured here).

Then, I can alternate the sets over the years. Oooh, fun!

Speaking of the future, I wonder what God has in store for me in the coming new year. In what ways will He reveal Himself to me? How will He involve me in His work? Who will He bring across my path and ask me to minister to them? Well, it's okay that I don't know the answers to these questions, for I shall be living in faith and joyful anticipation for whatever comes my way. As Paul said in Philipians 4:11, ". . . for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content . . ."

The light of God surrounds me,

The love of God enfolds me,

The power of God protects me,

And the presence of God watches over me;

Wherever I am, God is.

Wishing you many blessings in the coming New Year.

Annie

How I Love Christmas!

I know, I know -- it's only Dec. 15, but I've been in the Christmas spirit for over a month now. So sorry I haven't been able to post sooner, but I've been having such a good time doing all these Christmasy things. Read a wonderful book called "The Magi," watched a spiritually moving DVD called "The Bethlehem Star," did my annual reading of another book called "The Twelve Cats of Christmas," have a couple of Christmas movies to watch this weekend, attended the Holiday Spice Variety Show earlier this month, plus my stamp club's annual Christmas Breakfast, and my Bible Study class Christmas Party. And will attend the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Show on Thursday evening. Whoo-eee, too much fun!!! And I'm so looking forward to Christmas Eve for our Christmas Candlelight Service, and Christmas morning, when we do our Bible reading of the birth of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Oh I do love this time of year!

Started making my Christmas cards in November and have had a wonderful time of ideas and creativity. So I've posted just a few of the designs to share with you and some money holders made from Stampin' Up treat cups. There's a hundred things you can do with these little treat cups. In fact, one of my dear friends sent me a huge list of ways to use them -- let me know if you're interested in a copy. If your muse has left you and you're stuck for ideas, maybe these will get you going.

These little treat cup ornaments are filled with money with only the face on the bill showing. They look really cute hanging on the tree. Well, back to the workbench -- I still have some ideas and stamps I want to play with.

My prayer for you is that you experience the true meaning of Christmas this year. May you love and obey our Heavenly Father, believe that Jesus is the son of God, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases and a joyful celebration of His birth.

Annie

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Everywhere

There's another way to tell that autumn is coming on besides the leaves turning the beautiful fall colors and the crispness of the morning air. Pumpkins suddenly come to life -- appearing on front porches and steps, nestled among a dining room table decoration, and stacked in front of grocery stores displayed in their blazing coats of orange. Autumn also means that I get to play with my pumpkin stamps. So yesterday I browsed through the drawer where they had been hibernating until their season came around again. And that reminded me how blessed I am to live in a place in God's world where the seasons are uniquely and distinctly different from each other -- each with a glory of its own. What a gift!

So I set about, pulling out stamps, papers, inks and got busy. Here's a couple of cards that resulted from the flowing creative juices yesterday. Sometimes I like to do something special on the inside of the card also.

Sizzix Big Kick dies and Stampin' Up punches were used for all the different shapes.

These teeny pumpkins are set out every autumn. They're made using little clay pots and are only a bit over one inch tall. A sparkly cord comes out at the top and they have tiny punched leaves on their head. I never fail to chuckle when they once again make their appearance.
For those of you who love carving pumpkins, here's a PUMPKIN PRAYER for you to use for yourself, or with children or grandchildren.
(Remove the top of the pumpkin and pray:) "Lord, open my mind so I can learn new things about you."
(Pull out the seeds and pray:) "Remove the things in my life that don't please you. Forgive the wrong things I do and help me to forgive others."
(Remove the eyes and pray:) "Open my eyes to see the beauty you've made in the world around me."
(Take out the nose and pray:) "I'm sorry for the times I've turned up my nose for the good food that you have provided."
(Remove the mouth and pray:) "Let everything I say please you."
(Place a candle inside, light it, and pray:) "Lord, help me show your light to others through the things I do."
One final thought, we can be close to God in whatever we do -- even when carving pumpkins. May you be blessed in a special way this autumn season.
Annie