Sunday, April 17, 2011

Friends of the Heart

Sister-Friend-full-2

Hello and happy Sunday everyone! With Sunday comes another Stampin Sisters in Christ challenge, and this week's hostess is the sweet and talented Peggysue. She has chosen Matthew 16:23 for today's Scripture. " Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan!" Peggysue's challenge is to use versamark or same color ink on the same color of paper (e.g., purple ink on purple paper) for a tone on tone background somewhere on your card.

I hope you can see the pattern I created on my background with VersaMark. I stamped the flourish from Layers of Color Nature Walk clear art stamp set in VersaMark in the lower left corner of my aqua background. In the upper left corner I stamped the same little flowers that are colored in the foreground, from Our Daily Bread designs Sing to the Lord set. All along the right side I stamped a pattern from Touch of Elegance art stamp set by Layers of Color. I added a torn postcard dp from K&Co, sponging all the edges of all the layers. I stamped several of the small flowers from Sing to the Lord with Memento Rich Cocoa Ink, colored with Copics and cut out. Some are popped up with dimensionals.

Sister-Friend-nosegay

I have been wanting to do a sort of shabby chic collage wall hanging for some time now. I have been a lover of Chickadees for years, but recently my sister has started collecting them too. So I decided to make this project into a framed art piece for her. The Chickadee is Our Daily Bread designs You Will Find Refuge. The little framed decoration was a pin that I removed the pin part from and adhered to my 6 x 6 frame. The bow is some seam binding that I dyed with ink and wrinkled up while wet, and I used another pretty crocheted element from that treasured scarf I have mentioned before. Three little ZVA Creative roses and some Martha Stewart punched boughs complete the decoration.

DSC01077

This week's verse really needs to be looked at in the context of the rest of the passage. The full verse says "Jesus turned and said to Peter 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." Jesus was not calling Peter Satan here, but is using a word that in Hebrew means adversary or accuser. Jesus had just begun to prepare His disciples for His coming suffering and death. Peter, reacting in human terms had said no, it cannot be! But Jesus knew that what He was about to suffer had to be, because there was no other way to redeem the sinful heart of man. Being God made flesh.... He knew that the plan and mind of God could not be understood by Peter,with his finite human mind. We might think that Jesus' rebuke of Peter sounds harsh, but Jesus knew the much bigger picture, and the perfect plan that He had to fulfill, and I can't help but think that in His humanity He didn't want to even be tempted to agree with Peter! We must never forget that Jesus did what He did on the cross for us, knowing full well the pain He would suffer, but we also need to know that He was also fully man while here on earth, and in that way He also was tempted in every way as we are, (yet without sin). His response to Peter is facing that temptation head on and not letting it even penetrate His will. You know... it's a good example of how we should respond when someone, no matter how much we love them, tempts us to disobey our Lord.... Confronting the temptation and putting it behind us, out of our view or reach would keep us making far more right decisions. It's also a great reminder as we enter this season and celebrate this holy week... Jesus suffered terribly and died for us! He loved us that much! I would have been like Peter.... No Lord... No! But Jesus said... "Father, not my will but yours be done". Let that fact penetrate your thoughts this week and respond to Him with all the love and honor that is due Him! Happy Easter to you all!

Our Sponsor this week is Designed2Delight
The prize is a $10.00 credit to the store!
We thank them for their generosity and support!

For complete details on the challenge and our sponsor, and the full devotional, please see the SSIC Blog.
For more inspiration on today's challenge, please visit my DT Sisters:
Chris, Linda, Peggysue, Miesje, Rebecca, Lisa , Kris, Sabrina, & MariLynn
Randi (is on leave)

One piece of exciting news:
Lisa, our dear SSIC sister and owner of a brand new on line store, The Crafts Meow, just announced that the talented Nina Brackett will be designing stamps for The Crafts Meow, and that Alice Wertz and Sarah Martina Parker will be joining TCM as kit designers.

Lisa has created a Facebook Page! For every 100 fans by April 30th, she will be giving away a set of the four new stamp sets that were designed by Nina and will be released on May 1st! So click on over to facebook and become a fan! Thanks Lisa for your generosity!

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Card Makin' Mamas -- embellish it, Fabulous Friday - Homemade/handmade embellishment (crocheted embellie), Inspire Me Fridays - Anything goes, Totally Papercrafts - Challenge #62: Springtime, Wags 'n Whiskers - Challenge #52: Black, pale green, light pink, white/cream, AiFactory - Challenge #076: include an animal (bird?), Art Impressions Stamps Challenge - Challenge #12: Anything goes, Charisma Cardz - Challenge #15: Use pink, black & green, Sassy Studio Designs - Spring theme, Amber's Crafts and Stuff -use your favorite things (lace, chickadee image, seam binding, flowers), Crafts and Me - #30 Ribbon, The Paper Variety - flowers, Truly Scrumptious - #55 vintage, A Spoonful Of Sugar - All Creatures Great & Small, Anita Be Stampin' - Anything Goes, Clear It Out! - 2nd week of flowers, Flourishes - Flowers, flowers everywhere, Paper Take Weekly - Dimension somewhere On Your Card

Thanks so much for looking! Have a blessed week!

43 comments:

Wendy @ E-1-A said...

Oh my Grace! This is just stunning... how do you manage to improve on perfection each week??? Love your Psalm 103:1 card too... have a lovely Easter and praise God for His bigger picture.

Wendy xx

Unknown said...

Oh my Grace, what a stunning card!! Love the postcard and that little flower bouquet at the bottom with the crochet circle. gorgeous!! Have a wonderful Sunday, hugs ,Frea

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

What a gorgeous project Grace!! I just love your use of the postcard and chickadee. Stunning embellishing with the crocheted flower and details. Beautiful take on the tone on tone my friend!!!

Your words on the verse are so inspiring. Thanks for sharing them.

Big hugs,
Chris
TTYT!

The Crafty Den said...

Hi Grace, what a gorgeous creation. I love the image and embellishments you've used. Thanks so much for taking part in my colour challenge over at charisma cardz this week. Hugs, Denise x

mindy gallagher said...

Grace this is beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us at TPV!

Carla S. said...

This is beyond stunning, Grace! You outdo yourself with every creation! I love the image in the frame and the gorgeous little flower element on the outside!

Unknown said...

Grace this is a gorgeous creation and will look beautiful on yoru sisters wall. And your words are so true and meaningful at this time of year. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and insight.

Miesje said...

My goodness, this is so beautiful. Your sister will love this. I really loved reading your words, as always! Love, love, love the flowers! Have a wonderful week!

Becky said...

Grace, this is gorgeous... I just love how you did this! Awesome coloring and colors and gorgeous design.
Hugs.

Lacey Stephens said...

Oh my goodness, this is so beautiful!! So much detail and wonderful design. Great take on the color challenge as well. Thanks for playing along with the Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge.
~Lacey
www.stampandcreate.com
Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps

Kristine said...

Grace, this is soooo beatiful!! Love everything about it, especially the birds and your crocheted doily on there. Oh and the gorgeous flowers all over too! Just a stunning masterpiece!! God sure blessed you with mega talent... thanks for sharing it with all of us =) Hugs, Kris

Hellma said...

Grace this is so precious, great work, congrats on your meljens win.

Riet said...

Ohhh wowww Grace,this is so wonderful.

Hugs Riet.xx

Esther Asbury said...

How very, very pretty!!

Shirley N said...

Just gorgeous Grace!

Elizabeth said...

Grace, once again your words of encouragement fit the battle of the moment! This framed artwork is beautiful!! A lovely gift for your sister.

kiwimeskreations said...

Once again an absolutely beautiful piece of art, I think you versamark stamping in the beckground is inspired! Thank you for sharing this Grace.
Blessings
Maxine

Linda Dale said...

Your creations are amazing. So very beautiful. Thanks for inspiring me over and over again.

Sharon Caudle said...

WOW!!! This is sooooo GORGEOUS!!! Absolutely beautiful, Grace! Thanks so much for joining us at Papertake Weekly and hope you join us again soon!
hugs, Sharon

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, I love the bird stamp you used.

bsgstamps4fun: Barb Gault said...

Absolutely beautiful card Grace...every detail is perfect! Thank you for the devotional to go along with your challenge.

Hugs & Blessings,
Barb

Yara said...

Oh my! This is so stunning! Love all the details! Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Paper Variety!

Heather said...

Such a beautiful hanging Grace, your Versamark stamping is fabulous and I love the torn postcard and the wonderful image, so beautifully coloured!!

So glad you could join us at Truly Scrumptious,
hugs
Heather xx

Lelia Pierce said...

This is absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Anita Be Stampin Challenges!

XXX

Jen Shults said...

What a beautiful creation! Thanks for joining us at Anita Be Stampin!

Rachel Hope said...

WOW! Stunning! Thanks for playing along with the "Anything Goes" Anita Be Stampin Challenge!

Ann said...

So elegant!
Thanks for joining us at Frosted Designs!

Tracy S said...

Wowsa what a gorgeous card! LOVE every single detail.. just brilliant! Thanks so much for joining us this week over at Anita Be Stampin!

gina g said...

Wow this is so beautiful, fantastic project. Thanks for joining us at Crafts and Me this week. luv gina xx

Gem said...

oh this is so pretty! Thanks for joining in this weeks challenge at Charisma! Gemma :)

Anita said...

Absolutely gorgeous! You do such beautiful work! Thank you for joining us at the Anita Be Stampin Challenge! :)

Linda Wescott said...

There are so many beautiful details on this card that my mouth is watering....what inspiration. Love the stamped background...well I love everything...the crocheted doily is a lovely touch too...must make one of those.
Thanks for joining us at Amber's Crafts and Stuff's Use your Favourites challenge this week, hope you see you back again. Hugs lin

BugBites said...

this is just gorgeous. TFS with us at Frosted Designs.

The Crazy Crafting Lady said...

Stunning!

I am so glad you joined us for our "My Favorite Things" challenge@ Amber's Crafts and Stuff.

~*~Amber~*~
www.amberscraftsandstuff.com

MariLynn said...

"Confronting the temptation and putting it behind us, out of our view or reach would keep us making far more right decisions." How true my friend. Love your card. That little bird sure has found a happy place to rest awhile. I hope you have a blessed week!

Lori said...

This is a special gift for your sister, made with love. It's amazing. Thanks for the little Bible lesson. It can be so confusing, I'm glad my dear brother-in-law is a pastor and can help me out when I'm curious. Usually it's easier to just have faith like a little child. ~~smile~~

Vicky said...

WOW this is really beautiful, love it!!!
Thank you for joining us girlies over at Crafts & Me Challenges, hope you will join us again.

Hugs Vicky xx

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous creation Grace !! absolutely stunning !! I am sure your sister loves this :-)

thanks for joining us on the Totally Papercrafts Challenge :-)
luv
Lols x x x

Sabrina Jackson said...

Grace, sweet Grace, I am speechless over so much beautiful and gorgeousness!! I am sure your sister will absolutely LOVE this masterpiece!! You have put so much detail and so many special little touches in it...this must have taken you forever to complete! God has blessed you with such a talent that you are able to turn a plain frame into a piece of ART!! Sorry, I am late in commenting, but those headaches gotten the best out of me this time :C. Hugs and blessings, Sabrina

Saron said...

Beautiful!!! Thanks for joining Art Impression challenge#12!!

-Soili-Maria-

kissinia said...

Hi! I just popped in to say - congratulations on the Top 3 at Frosted designs! Your work is fantastic! kissinia

Maria Matter said...

oh Grace, this is so lovely! so beautifully done, your creations are always so amazing!
I'm so glad you shared this with us @ Inspire Me Fridays!!
hug & blessings!

Kristine said...

oh sheesh... I remember this one too and it brings tears to my eyes. LOVE birds and I sure do love my sister. Would love to create something similar, but nope can do! But it sure is beautiful eye candy *Ü*