Artful Ramblings: April 2009

SALT - Perseverance

It was Hazel's turn to set the theme, and like so often happens, the theme strikes a chord with the person setting it and the rest of the design team. God has a funny way of working like that! Please have a read of what Hazel says here.

Not had much crafting time as I have been busy these past few weeks doing a bit of `graphic designing' for my church. Something I'm not trained in, but over the years have enjoyed dabbling with my Corel Draw and Photo Paint programs. I considered a real privledge to be able to use the skills I had picked up to honour God. I'll share some of the things I worked on at a later date.

Anyway, here is my card. I was drawn to this verse, as it deals with perseverance in context of the ongoing work God does in our lives when we live for him.

Ingredients:
Text art designed on Corel Draw by me.
Flowers - Prima and other
Leaf punch - The Punch Bunch
Stamens and Pebeo Pearl touch from stash.

Freebie alert! If you would like to use the word art to make your own card please feel free to save the below image to your computer and resize as you need. Please note that this is my own work and I am happy for you to use it on your own cards to give or sell, please do not redistribute it as your own, but feel free to tell others that it's here and they can come and pick it up too! :)

SALT - Sheep!

This week it was Gina's turn to set the theme, she says...

The Lord has really been impressing on my heart my need to trust His guidance with everything, just as a sheep follows his shepherd. Trusting is not always easy though, which is why Psalm 23 is so encouraging to so many people! That Psalm seems to show up everywhere--a card, a key chain, cross-stitched and framed in your living room--but how often do we actually take it word by word and read it as a promise from our Savior? The Lord is your shepherd. He will lead you by the still waters. He does guide and protect you! Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life!

Do check out our fabulous team's work! We have also started posting every week, the 'in between' posts at the moment are 'getting to know you' ones. Please check out the blog here.

Here is my piece

Ingredients:
Tag - Melissa Frances
Ribbon, pin, ricrac, lace and sheep from stash.

Easter thoughts...

Poised on the brink of Easter day, I'm just taking a moment to reflect.

I've had a busy few weeks with the end of the school term and now the holidays. Sadly I've been neglecting my daily time with God's word, although I seem to be turning to him in prayer throughout the day. Prayers have been answered and needs have been met for which I am grateful.

Time spent with friends and church family has been precious.

Although I am not a huge follower of the calander of events set out by the established church, it is good to reflect on certain events that are so important to me as a Christian. Easter for me is much more of a celebration than Christmas.

The death of Christ although unjust, tragic and horrific is at the same time life giving and destination of God's plan to rescue man, for which I am most grateful. Without the death of Christ I could not live in the freedom of life that I have today. A freedom to do right and to bring Glory to my maker in whom I live and will live forever.

So, although I'll enjoy the crumbs from my children's Easter eggs tomorrow (maybe some big chunks will fall my way too) I'll be trying to reflect and certainly rejoice in what Jesus did on that cross all those years ago.

May your Easter be filled with the knowledge of the Peace Jesus brings.

Salt - The real meaning of Easter

It was my sister Esther's turn to se the theme this week.

She wanted us to explore the 'real' meaning of the Easter season.

There are lots of pretty Easter decorations in the shops at this time of year. I feel a bit left out as I love decorating the house for special occasions, but have never been inclined to go with the fluffy rabbits and chicks too much as I don't feel it is a true reflection of the way I celebrate Easter. So I thought I'd make some bunting (youknow how I love it!) that was spring like yet was more my style.

As we live in Wales and Luke goes to a bilingual school I get to hear the Welsh variation on celebrations.

I didn't have time to do 'Pasg Hapus', was busy last night with school 'Easter' fundraiser (lots of chocolate eggs), so I've done 'Pasg' (Easter) and have written quotations of Jesus, from the days leading up to his death.

Anyway, here it is...