Glory Art Scripture Challenge #2

Today I'm sharing more art for Patter Cross' Glory Art Scripture Challenge.  Challenge #2 is "Representative".  In Patter's study, she poses the questions, "What kind of representative are you for the Lord?  Does your life honor Him?  Do you represent Him well?"  You can read Patter's entire study here.

We don't have to walk around toting a bible and quoting scripture to represent the Lord.  We represent the Lord by living a life that is pleasing to Him.  By studying His word so we will know how to walk in righteousness.  By asking for His forgiveness when we mess up and being thankful for His grace and mercy when He gives us opportunity after opportunity to get it right and to grow in Him. As I was meditating on this, one of my favorite passages of scripture came to mind...

You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.
                                                                                                         Matthew 5:15-16 NIV

I decided to create a 4x6 scripture card using these verses.   I started with a plain manila card and used Dylusions sprays to create my colored background.  I added some sun rays with Distress Ink and a Tim Holtz stencil.  I created a border with a couple of stamps and a Signo pen, distressed the card edges, and spritzed the whole thing with gold Heidi Swapp Color Shine.  After adding some Stickles to the light bulbs on the border, I added my embellishments.  Here's my finished project...

I have to give a shout out to my blogging friend Shelley Chavis who is a very talented mixed media artist and scrapbooker.  Being a mixed media newbie, I've learned a lot from the wonderful artwork and tutorials she posts on her blog, Shelley R Chavis, Living the Creative Life!

So, who do you represent???  If it's the Most High God, let your light shine!!!!

I'm linking this post to Word Art Wednesday Challenge # 168.

Thanks for stopping by.  Blessings!

Glory Art Scripture Challenge #1

This year I'm participating in Patter Cross' Glory Art Scripture Challenge.  Every other week Patter posts a scripture study and then "challenges" us to create art based on our personal reflections on the study.  If you'd like more info about the scripture challenge just  click on the Glory Art button on my side bar. For this year's challenge, I initially decided that my format was going to be scripture art cards, then I came to my senses and decided that my format would be an 8x8 album with assorted page protectors so that I could do scrapbook pages along with other art formats.  Truth be told,  I'm a newbie when it comes to mixed media and altered art.  I love the look and have the supplies, but it's way out of my comfort zone.

Challenge #1 is all about Trust.  Fully trusting in the only One in whom you can ALWAYS trust...Jesus.  You can read Patter's study on trust here.

For my challenge art, I trusted that I could create a mixed media scripture card even though I'd never done one before. I used a Project Life 4x6 journal card for my base.  I colored the card with gelatos, used a water brush to blend the colors and added hearts with distress ink and a stencil.  After my background was done, I added a bunch of other elements.  Here's the finished card.

I really enjoyed this challenge.  Mixed media art is so different from my scrapbooking style but it's really fun to try something new.

I'm linking this post to Word Art Wednesday Challenge # 167  Anything Goes.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be blessed!

Then and Now

It's 2015 and we're in the home stretch now.  TJ graduates in a few months.  I know the time will go by so quickly, just like the past 12 years of school have.  Tim and I often reflect back on TJ's earlier years. He has changed and grown so much...some changes we like a lot and some not so much LOL.

Today's layout is what I call a mommy layout... a layout done just for me.  It doesn't chronicle any big milestone or important event, just a memory of moments that are special to me.

The journaling reads....

TJ's 1st year in school, Sept 2002, he attended PM kindergarten and the bus picked him up at our house. We sat in the garage while we waited for the bus to arrive.  Fast forward 12 years to Sept 2014, TJ's last year in high school.  No more bus, now he rides to school with his friends.  But once again, we sit in the garage and wait for his ride to arrive.

I'm sharing this post on the Scraps of Color Blogger Challenge #1.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Blessings!

Happy Birthday Dad and Happy New Year!!

Today is my Dad's birthday so I have to start my post with a shout out to him...

HAPPY 86th BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

Here's a photo of TJ, my Dad and I on Christmas morning.   Doesn't he look great! He definitely doesn't look his age.

Happy New Year to you all!!  The Christmas holiday season is over and most of us return to work and our normal day to day routines tomorrow.  This is also the time that a lot of us make resolutions or plans for the new year.  A few days ago,  I read a great article by a local pastor, Rev. Kevin Swann, titled, "Be resolute - and don't make resolutions".  The article was rather lengthy to post here, so I'll just leave you with a little food for thought taken from the article.

   The term resolute means to be "admirably purposeful, determined and unwavering".  It means there is a singular focus of achieving a goal.  It suggests that I am willing to sacrifice, work and fully commit myself to a cause.  I make no excuses, and I don't blame others for my shortcomings or mistakes.

   Based on this we can see clearly why people make resolutions but don't complete them...because real and lasting change requires discipline, breaking bad habits and doing things that are uncomfortable in order to achieve success.

   ...To grow as a Christian we must be resolute rather than make spiritual resolutions.  

Resolutions sound good but don't happen unless you are resolute as well.

Wishing you all God's abundant blessings in 2015.