Sunday, May 23, 2010

I pledge allegiance


Hello everyone! It's time for another Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge! We so enjoyed all your submissions for last week's "music and joyful praise" challenge, and we hope you'll play along this week as well!

Our hostess this week is the talented and sweet Peggysue! For this week's Scripture, Peggysue has chosen Isaiah 64:6 KJV "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

We may not like to think about ourselves in these terms... but God's Word is clear, that we are all sinners, and in need of a Savior. Without the work that Christ did on that cross, none of us would be able to stand in the presence of a Holy and Righteous God. Even if we do all sorts of good deeds... they are still like filthy rags in the light of a perfect sinless Holy God. It's humbling to realize that He loved us even while we were yet sinners, and died for us.... so that we CAN stand in His presence, covered with the righteous blood of Christ. Because of Him, our FAITH is counted to us as righteousness, and He sees us as if we had never sinned! Oh the blood of Jesus! It covers me! To be covered with the blood of Jesus, there is something we have to do... we have to believe in Him, believe in His work on the cross, and we have to accept Him as our own Savior. He loves us all with a pure love. He gave His all... because He wants us to have a personal relationship with Him! If you have not done so, I hope you will accept Him as YOUR Savior, and give your life to Him! Not only will you have the promise of heaven in God's presence for eternity... you will have "life more abundantly" here and now! You will be filled with joy! Even in the midst of trials, pain and suffering... your heart will be joyful! Any of us on the team would be thrilled if you would like to make that decision... we'd love to pray with you, share with you ... feel free to contact me through my email address in my side bar!

Peggysue's challenge is:
Use distressing or sponge the edges of your project, any chosen technique to give it a vintage or distressed look.

For more inspiration for this challenge, please visit my dt sisters: Candace , Chris , Kathy, Linda, Lisa, Peggysue, and Randi

Our sponsor this week is TheUnity Stamp Company and they are donating a free stamp set!!! Thank you Unity Stamps for your generosity!

Don't forget to stop by the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog to see all the exciting creations the week.

If you create a card or project for this challenge, please leave a direct link to your project on the Stampin Sisters Challenge thread. Also, please include a link to Stampin Sisters in Christ.

Card Details:
Stamps: Our Daily Bread designs I Pledge Allegiance
Paper: Bazzill Basics, DP - Maxxie "Hero", F Myer (Wavy stripes), Very Vanilla (SU!)
Ink: Night of Navy, Various THoltz Distress Inks for sponging
The Eagle Charm was a RAK from my sweet DT sister, America

I used the Midnight Madness Sketch#54 and went half way between CAS and Fancy, using a few buttons but keeping it mailable! :) I also used the Shabby Tearoom challenge to be inspired by Old Glory and use Red, White and Blue OR Stars and Stripes.












My sentiment panel is Very Vanilla, then distressed on the edges and on the right side I rolled it up like a scroll on my piercing tool and sponged the back side as well. I added 2 large eyelits and ran twine through it for my third ribbon element in the sketch. The two wavy lines on the left are cut out of some DP. The star buttons were white and I colored them with Copics and the Airbrush.


I hope you have a blessed week and thanks so much for stopping by!!!





17 comments:

Janine Rachau said...

Your card is wonderful, as always! As for your commentary,...I say...thank you Jesus! Even if we think we are good by our standards,...we can't even come close to a Holy God without our Savior!

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

This is such a gorgeous card Grace and so appropriate to go with this challenge. We as a nation sometimes forget that we are all founded on Him and need us to guide us! The layout with all the distressed elements and the charm is gorgeous!! Stunning take on the sketch too!! Very creative!
hugs,
Chris

Lovely Linda said...

Oh Grace - what a fabulous post - I just love seeng the 'full gospel' shared here - you are a Woman of the Word my friend - and so share so beautifully! Thank you for being such a beautiful vessel!! A fabulous card Grace, I love the distressing with this image!! Thanks for sharing Grace!! {{{hugs}}}

bsgstamps4fun: Barb Gault said...

Wonderful patriotic card, Grace! Very clever use of the sketch!

Becky said...

This is fabulous Grace. Love every thing about this card including the pledge of allegiance.
And it is so true that because of Christ "I live".

Crystal said...

WOWZA Grace this looks amazing sweetie, LOVE the patriotic colors and that added eagle charm is PERFECT!!!!!! Totally GORGEOUS girl!!! Have a wonderful day!!!

Anonymous said...

Grace, I so appreciate your post today. How wonderful that God's word is presented this way. I love your card and will have to CAS it for sure!!

Being with grandchildren is such a precious gift but, it does sometimes feel a little life threatening by the amount of energy that is needed to keep up. LOL Have a great week.

Lori said...

Beautiful! Super job with all of these challenges. The words you've shared are inspiring, thanks.

Crissy Armstrong said...

You are living up to your name, and proclaiming the grace that is found in God's amazing gift to us - His Son Jesus. Bless you for standing for the Truth and proclaiming it in this public way. God strengthen you and continue to bless you and anoint you to speak boldly for Him and through Him.
I can just see you sitting with Him like a young child, (we are all young to the Ancient of Days) cuddled on His knee.
Prayer: God, just bless Grace today. Bless her with more and more of the knowledge of your love in deep and personal ways. Let her see Your hand moving things in her life to bless her and bring her ever closer to You. Shore her up Lord, to protect her from the attacks of the enemy that tries to discourage. Keep filling her with more and more of your Truth and releasing her from any hindrance, that she will be even more free in Your love, to receive more, and to give more away. Make this place a place where Your presence is so felt by those who visit here, that they will be so drawn to You our Precious Jesus, and will find Your Spirit of rest and peace here, and will know that You are the Lord of All, the God of Love, who has truly given everything in order to befriend them for eternity. God bless you Grace. Keep on shining for Him my beloved sister.
Your sister
Crissy

Riet said...

Ohhh wowww Grace,what a BEAUTIFUL card,i love your image and your papers.

Hugs Riet.xx

Denise @ kc242 said...

This is such a stunning card! Love the patriotic sentiment as well as gorgeous trims and embellishments!
Thanks so much for joining us this week at Midnight Madness.
Denise
Midnight Madness DT

Shelly Schmidt said...

Gorgeous, Gorgeous and fantastic testimony!!! Into my favorites somehow.....love your work!!!

peggysue said...

Grace how beautiful, your words and your creation. I so admire what you are able to make with your hands and you do glorify Him through it!

Priscilla said...

Hi Grace, well you did it once again..Gorgeous! Thank you for being a part of these challenges and for helping celebrate our one year anniversary. This week will be an exciting player participation week, so please check back tomorrow for that. You do not want to miss out on that. As always thanks for playing the Midnight Madness sketch challenge.
Priscilla
MMSC Hostess

Julie- justwritedesigns said...

This is wonderful, Grace! I love the curvy border. The twine and the eagle are just fabulous.

Nicki Olsen said...

Wow Grace your card is amazing!!I love those colors,buttons, and that
charm!!Awesome!!
Nicki

Priscilla said...

Congratulations on being one of the finalists for the prestige “Priscilla Award”. In my opinion, you have been selected among some of the best card makers on the internet. I encourage you to blog about this and to contact all your friends and family to come support you and place a vote for you. The voting will last one week and I am truly honored that you are a part of this yearly award. You can find all the details and your “Gold Star” card on our current post found below…
VOTE HERE
Good luck and be sure to cast your own vote as well. Thank you and Good Luck :)
Priscilla
MMSC Hostess