If you click on the Tattered Vintage link in my side bar it will take you to some free downloadable tags. I just wanted to play with these this afternoon, didn't feel much like stamping.
Happy Sunday.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Vintage tags
If you click on the Tattered Vintage link in my side bar it will take you to some free downloadable tags. I just wanted to play with these this afternoon, didn't feel much like stamping.
Happy Sunday.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Mariposa papers revisited
Because of the rich patterns on these papers it seems pointless to hide them..
The only thing I could think of was to make a grid where the whole sheet is done justice. I have been able to catch some of the glitter on this page.
Because we have very poor vineyard soil in our garden I planted some peas in a flower pot on the window sill of my craft room. Amazed to see that within three weeks I already have pea pods! Actually these can be eaten just as they are, raw in the salad or even lighted cooked as a vegetable. Can you see the pea pod hanging there?
I am showing you this picture here on Barb's blog (please stroll down to the bottom of her post). My son needed the camera for something he had seen on a tree next to my washing line. This looks very similar to what Barb showed. It is called a 'Night Butterfly' although it looks more like a giant moth. They are attracted to the lights at night but are very fragile insects.
I just must show you this stray little climbing plant that arrived in my garden (love surprises like that). I know that if something just appears in the garden that I didn't plant, then it has chosen the right spot for itself. It is called a Morelle (French name) and develops small berries after the flower has gone.
That was it for today. We have lovely weather, swimming pool is 27 degrees C (80.6F), the cherries and the peaches are ripening on the trees and the lavender bushes are turning a beautiful lavender color. These bushes are growing out of hand - they are next to the driveway on both sides and that gap is slowing becoming smaller!
Have a great weekend!
The only thing I could think of was to make a grid where the whole sheet is done justice. I have been able to catch some of the glitter on this page.
Because we have very poor vineyard soil in our garden I planted some peas in a flower pot on the window sill of my craft room. Amazed to see that within three weeks I already have pea pods! Actually these can be eaten just as they are, raw in the salad or even lighted cooked as a vegetable. Can you see the pea pod hanging there?
I am showing you this picture here on Barb's blog (please stroll down to the bottom of her post). My son needed the camera for something he had seen on a tree next to my washing line. This looks very similar to what Barb showed. It is called a 'Night Butterfly' although it looks more like a giant moth. They are attracted to the lights at night but are very fragile insects.
I just must show you this stray little climbing plant that arrived in my garden (love surprises like that). I know that if something just appears in the garden that I didn't plant, then it has chosen the right spot for itself. It is called a Morelle (French name) and develops small berries after the flower has gone.
That was it for today. We have lovely weather, swimming pool is 27 degrees C (80.6F), the cherries and the peaches are ripening on the trees and the lavender bushes are turning a beautiful lavender color. These bushes are growing out of hand - they are next to the driveway on both sides and that gap is slowing becoming smaller!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Lucky Number 7 and challenge card
I am so lucky to have won some blog candy for Sue's 100th post. I was the lucky number seven that random org chose.
Here are some photos of what I won - which came in the mail yesterday. Thanks so much Sue! This is one of the many surprise packages Sue has sent me since we have been blogging friends.
Over to the PDCC challenge. Actually I made this card before I saw the challenge colors so all I had to do was add a little bit of green. Although now I think the colors are little bit off...
This is the sketch
A little thought for today.
Lately I have been refreshing myself on the subject of prayer. I read a very good book which I can really recommend for those who feel they need help in this area. It is called, 'The power of simple prayer' from Joyce Meyer. I got it via Amazon. I live in a very dark spiritual country where the general atmosphere is very humanistic and I have to guard over my spiritual fitness! In fact, we all do!
Living in a spiritual desert can have it's advantages though as it really drives one closer to God. You can compare it with living in a craft desert - no shops around, no temptations in that area :) it brings out the creativeness in a person more; but you have to search deeper for resources.
There are lots of approaches to prayer and what I'm refreshing myself in at the moment is based on this verse:
"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this."
Psalm 37:5
I am quoting from a devotional because it really explains this verse beautifully.
Quote
Once we commit or roll burdens of any kind from our hands into His, whether it be a sorrow, difficulty, physical need or concern over the salvation of a loved one, 'He works'.
When does He work? He works now. We act as if God does not immediately accept our trust in Him and thereby delays accomplishing what we ask Him to do. We fail to understand that 'He works' as we commit.
Our expectation that He will work is the very thing enabling the Holy Spirit to accomplish what we have 'rolled' onto Him. At that point it is out of our grasp and we are not to try and do it ourselves. 'He works!' What a comfort and relief there is in knowing that He really is at work on our difficulty!
And when someone says, "But I don't see any results," pay him no attention.
"He works" if you have rolled your burdens onto Him and are "looking unto Jesus" (Hebr.12:2) to do it. Your faith may be tested, but "He works". His Word is true!
The very thing "I hold in my hand" - my work today, this concern that is beyond my control, this task in which I have greatly overestimated my own abilities...
The Lord will follow through on His Covenant promises, therefore His past mercies are guarantees for the future, and worthy reasons for continuing to cry out to Him.
Unquote
I hope that for those that have put their trust in Jesus Christ that this little gem today will help and bless you!
Jacqueline
Here are some photos of what I won - which came in the mail yesterday. Thanks so much Sue! This is one of the many surprise packages Sue has sent me since we have been blogging friends.
Over to the PDCC challenge. Actually I made this card before I saw the challenge colors so all I had to do was add a little bit of green. Although now I think the colors are little bit off...
A little thought for today.
Lately I have been refreshing myself on the subject of prayer. I read a very good book which I can really recommend for those who feel they need help in this area. It is called, 'The power of simple prayer' from Joyce Meyer. I got it via Amazon. I live in a very dark spiritual country where the general atmosphere is very humanistic and I have to guard over my spiritual fitness! In fact, we all do!
Living in a spiritual desert can have it's advantages though as it really drives one closer to God. You can compare it with living in a craft desert - no shops around, no temptations in that area :) it brings out the creativeness in a person more; but you have to search deeper for resources.
There are lots of approaches to prayer and what I'm refreshing myself in at the moment is based on this verse:
"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this."
Psalm 37:5
I am quoting from a devotional because it really explains this verse beautifully.
Quote
Once we commit or roll burdens of any kind from our hands into His, whether it be a sorrow, difficulty, physical need or concern over the salvation of a loved one, 'He works'.
When does He work? He works now. We act as if God does not immediately accept our trust in Him and thereby delays accomplishing what we ask Him to do. We fail to understand that 'He works' as we commit.
Our expectation that He will work is the very thing enabling the Holy Spirit to accomplish what we have 'rolled' onto Him. At that point it is out of our grasp and we are not to try and do it ourselves. 'He works!' What a comfort and relief there is in knowing that He really is at work on our difficulty!
And when someone says, "But I don't see any results," pay him no attention.
"He works" if you have rolled your burdens onto Him and are "looking unto Jesus" (Hebr.12:2) to do it. Your faith may be tested, but "He works". His Word is true!
The very thing "I hold in my hand" - my work today, this concern that is beyond my control, this task in which I have greatly overestimated my own abilities...
The Lord will follow through on His Covenant promises, therefore His past mercies are guarantees for the future, and worthy reasons for continuing to cry out to Him.
Unquote
I hope that for those that have put their trust in Jesus Christ that this little gem today will help and bless you!
Jacqueline
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tag Tuesday - By Your Own Hand
Louise's tag challenge has the above theme, meaning using something handwritten or doodled on your tag.
I wrote 'Souvenir de la France' and used it as a sentiment on my tag. I doodled some tiny flower which don't show up that much, which is better that way :)
Have a happy week!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Continuing with the glue book
This is a great way to use up paper scraps and images - I find it so relaxing and a great way to create.
Two new pages I did today (24/03), grouping them together.
On these first two pages I have not used distress inks as that is the initial idea of a glue book just to use paper.
On these second two pages I have used distress inks, but I'm going to get used to using it very lightly, as I think it is too dark here.
If you are interested in seeing more there is a Flickr gallery here.
I had a question from Dallas over the antique Bible I found. My photographic memory wasn't as good as I thought, as the date is 1793. I had left it at work at the time of writing so couldn't reference it. From time to time people give up boxes with old books in them, usually from Christian authors, or just Bibles and as I was tidying up my eye caught the date of the Bible as the 5th of August is our son's birthday and we have praying for him since he was born to walk in his God-given destiny - a prayer which we are still persevering in! It just struck a cord with me!
Have a nice Sunday.
Two new pages I did today (24/03), grouping them together.
On these first two pages I have not used distress inks as that is the initial idea of a glue book just to use paper.
On these second two pages I have used distress inks, but I'm going to get used to using it very lightly, as I think it is too dark here.
If you are interested in seeing more there is a Flickr gallery here.
I had a question from Dallas over the antique Bible I found. My photographic memory wasn't as good as I thought, as the date is 1793. I had left it at work at the time of writing so couldn't reference it. From time to time people give up boxes with old books in them, usually from Christian authors, or just Bibles and as I was tidying up my eye caught the date of the Bible as the 5th of August is our son's birthday and we have praying for him since he was born to walk in his God-given destiny - a prayer which we are still persevering in! It just struck a cord with me!
Have a nice Sunday.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Glue-book page
Seeing Louise's 'glue-book' pages this afternoon got me so inspired that I looked up Mary's link on the Green Papers blog to find out what it was all about.
Just collaging papers, images etc. in the vintage style. No inks, stamps etc. just paper.
So I found a little book and just did my first page! I love creating like this. The only thing I did do though was use distress inks to vintage it up a bit.
Just collaging papers, images etc. in the vintage style. No inks, stamps etc. just paper.
So I found a little book and just did my first page! I love creating like this. The only thing I did do though was use distress inks to vintage it up a bit.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Quote - challenge
I'm joining in the challenge over on the Gingersnap Creations blog which is all about quotes this week.
A year ago this time in May, DH and I were in Miami for our wedding Anniversary and I got to go to Michael's! I couldn't enjoy it totally because I was so overwhelmed and excited to see everything that was available that I couldn't concentrate. I had to take it all in, in small doses. Well, my eye fell on a 12x12 K&Co Vintage paper pad and I knew that would give me so much enjoyment that I purchased it, not thinking of the weight in the suitcase whatsoever! Now one year later, all I have left are little scraps and the cover. So as not to waste anything I have punched out squares of the cover to make this little arch tag. At the same time it is a memory for me of the great time I had this year using that beautiful paper, every page being represented here in a small square!
I used a little quote from Darkroom doors although I don't know who was famous for it.
Next up is a vintage card which I put together in the collage fashion, just using up some scraps.
We have beautiful sunny weather today, hope it lasts! Here I am going to share a couple of grids I made of photos taken outside these last days.
If you click on the photo it is in a larger format.
Thanks for popping by today!
Oh yes, I have to tell you this, I found a Bible today from 5th of August, 1745!! The date was written inside, who it was from etc... Our eldest son was born on the 5th of August, thought that was quite something!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Happy Birthday Tag-Tuesday # 52
One of my favorite challenges celebrates one year today! Thank you Louise for your dedication to do this!
The theme was 52 and as I just got new distress inks, I thought I would have to use them on a tag. I have symbolized the 5 with four pearl and one gem embellishment and the 2 with two dragonflies. All stamps are Hero Arts except the 52 numbers.
I never use orange or yellow but I'm going to give them a try for a while.
I cannot sit too long behind the Internet today as I decided to do some exercise yesterday and I'm sore all over...
AND A HUGE THANKS FOR ALL THE WELL WISHES I RECEIVED FOR MY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - IT MADE ME SO HAPPY!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sharing
A masculine card for our 23rd Wedding Anniversary which is today. I used the batik technique but I probably didn't let it dry enough because it came out like this, but on the other hand it gives a different looking effect.
Taken this evening just before we shared a lovely meal, just the two of us.
This is a card I sent to my friend Sue (arrived so I can post it here) who is always so kind to send me her 'scraps' - well really I should call them her 'beautiful leftovers'. I so appreciate all the diecuts and pp's she sends me and much more!
The bird image is from Artistic Outpost, it is part of a stamp plate called Bluebird, found here.
Today is a beautiful day, the sun is shining and I'm still loving the man God brought into my life 23 years ago.
Blessings
Jacqueline
Taken this evening just before we shared a lovely meal, just the two of us.
This is a card I sent to my friend Sue (arrived so I can post it here) who is always so kind to send me her 'scraps' - well really I should call them her 'beautiful leftovers'. I so appreciate all the diecuts and pp's she sends me and much more!
The bird image is from Artistic Outpost, it is part of a stamp plate called Bluebird, found here.
Today is a beautiful day, the sun is shining and I'm still loving the man God brought into my life 23 years ago.
Blessings
Jacqueline
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tag Tuesday Challenge - Inspiration from home
The theme today can be found here on Louise's blog. Thank you Louise.
The inspiration in my home was a rug, laying in front of the log fire. I actually thought I had chosen the colors a bit better but after photographing the two, the differences are quite evident. But I hope you get the idea! I did stamp on the squares with script, leaves and swirls to get the patterns on the squares. The photo is upside down too as I followed the pattern from the other side. It was quite a lot of work, but that's what I like about having a challenging theme.
---------------------------------------------------------------
My little share for today is about something that I'm sure those of you who love God will experience from time to time. I just went through a period of this myself - the feelings towards God seem to be low or non existent. You know you love God but can't seem to find the passion and feelings you used to have.
God has to tell me time and again that it's my faith that He's interested in, not my feelings, as they change all the time! Actually, the Bible is a good mirror - just look into it and it will tell you what it really means to love God. I was reading a very old dairy I wrote years ago and found this statement:
We do not love God more than we love His Word. We do not honor God more than we honor His Word and we do not obey God more than we obey His Word!
"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word....." John 14:23
" But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him." 1 John 2:4-5
"If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. He who loves God, shall also love his brother." 1 John 4:20,21
There can't be anything more, sharper, more down to earth and crystal clear than the Word of God.
Read the chapters of 1 John to get an even better idea of what it truly means to love God!
I should be much more worried about abiding in the Word of God than my feelings!
Luckily I do have times that I feel a true love and passion for my Savior and I am happy for those times but I want my faith to be stretched and to stop relying on those feelings which only hinder in a walk with the Lord! I hope you can relate to my little share.
Be blessed!
Jacqueline
ps - oh yes I must share this... just a little smile from heaven.. God really knows our hearts and desires. While I'm praying for loved ones, the Church, the Kingdom etc,. God still knows the unspoken prayers and it's His pleasure to give surprises.
When I was in Holland just recently I really wanted to find a little bird's nest with eggs in it, not a real one, just a bought one, but in the limited time I had unfortunately I couldn't find one. I was so into birds and eggs as you know. Well, I forgot all about it until last Wednesday, my son came into my craft room with a real bird's nest! I was so excited to hold an immaculate little bird's nest and marvel at the way it had been weaved. Truly a miracle from Nature. We went back to look for the eggs but couldn't find any.
Secondly, I absolutely love sage tea, dry leaves, fresh leaves, makes no difference. I hadn't had some for a long time and it just isn't sold in the shops where I live. What do I see last Saturday at our local supermarket - a little sage tree!! I can drink fresh tea from my own little tree now every day.
I was so blessed.
The inspiration in my home was a rug, laying in front of the log fire. I actually thought I had chosen the colors a bit better but after photographing the two, the differences are quite evident. But I hope you get the idea! I did stamp on the squares with script, leaves and swirls to get the patterns on the squares. The photo is upside down too as I followed the pattern from the other side. It was quite a lot of work, but that's what I like about having a challenging theme.
---------------------------------------------------------------
My little share for today is about something that I'm sure those of you who love God will experience from time to time. I just went through a period of this myself - the feelings towards God seem to be low or non existent. You know you love God but can't seem to find the passion and feelings you used to have.
God has to tell me time and again that it's my faith that He's interested in, not my feelings, as they change all the time! Actually, the Bible is a good mirror - just look into it and it will tell you what it really means to love God. I was reading a very old dairy I wrote years ago and found this statement:
We do not love God more than we love His Word. We do not honor God more than we honor His Word and we do not obey God more than we obey His Word!
"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word....." John 14:23
" But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him." 1 John 2:4-5
"If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. He who loves God, shall also love his brother." 1 John 4:20,21
There can't be anything more, sharper, more down to earth and crystal clear than the Word of God.
Read the chapters of 1 John to get an even better idea of what it truly means to love God!
I should be much more worried about abiding in the Word of God than my feelings!
Luckily I do have times that I feel a true love and passion for my Savior and I am happy for those times but I want my faith to be stretched and to stop relying on those feelings which only hinder in a walk with the Lord! I hope you can relate to my little share.
Be blessed!
Jacqueline
ps - oh yes I must share this... just a little smile from heaven.. God really knows our hearts and desires. While I'm praying for loved ones, the Church, the Kingdom etc,. God still knows the unspoken prayers and it's His pleasure to give surprises.
Secondly, I absolutely love sage tea, dry leaves, fresh leaves, makes no difference. I hadn't had some for a long time and it just isn't sold in the shops where I live. What do I see last Saturday at our local supermarket - a little sage tree!! I can drink fresh tea from my own little tree now every day.
I was so blessed.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Play Date Cafe - Challenge 28
Here is the color inspiration on the PDCC blog this week. I love these colors!
My card consists of a lovely 'School Days' background panel which Sue sent me.
I even got the inspiration from her to stamp over it with the Hydrangea stamp. So thanks Sue! I found the gorgeous little girl image on this blog here. The butterflies and Hello tag are Hero Arts.
My card consists of a lovely 'School Days' background panel which Sue sent me.
I even got the inspiration from her to stamp over it with the Hydrangea stamp. So thanks Sue! I found the gorgeous little girl image on this blog here. The butterflies and Hello tag are Hero Arts.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Tag Tuesday - That's the Ticket!
Hi and thank you all so much for your encouraging comments! I'm always so touched by your kindness.
At the moment France is going through a rather rare patch of winter weather for this time of the year, especially here in the south. Snow in May - very unusual! We need the sun so much!
The tag Tuesday challenge is to use tickets on your tag. Not that easy at all - I ended up with a collage-type tag which is quite large so I will put it onto a card later I think.
Thanks go to Louise who hosts the challenges and gives us something to look forward too every week.
-----------------------------------
Just a little share - you know how I love to talk about the practical side of Christian living. When it's my DH's turn to share the Word in Church on Sunday I always say 'don't forget to include some practical examples'! I shouldn't really say it anymore as he always does.
Anyway - this practical little lesson really is to serve me a big lesson for when I get disappointed in God or people again. I know I set myself a very high standard and my DH says 'Stop beating yourself up all the time'... but I suppose thats character and God is working on it!
Before we went to Holland to share about what God has done in our marriage at a couple of conferences, we once again needed somebody or a couple to look after our son David, who is handicapped (Down Syndrome). In the past we could always rely on the same people but in the mean time life had made it impossible for them to help us out in this way.
Well, it took a long time to find people willing to do so. I was a bit disappointed because I thought - well surely somebody is willing to pay a little sacrifice for David, especially the christians in our Church? Caring for David has been one of my greatest blessings! But when I placed myself in their shoes, I could relate to the fact that it was perhaps difficult to look after him because he is a full grown man, although he looks only 15 and everything has to be done for him, like the toilet, washing him and even brushing his teeth. He doesn't speak either.
Finally, a lady volunteered only after a week to confess that she had a phobia about touching people and declined.
We had been praying for this and I said to René that if it was God's Will that we go to Holland then God will provide. A week before we left, René asked a Dutch couple who live about twenty minutes away and run a Holiday Village in the mountains. They come to our church now and again but we hadn't got to know them yet. Well, the first reaction was positive. We arranged a meeting and what do you know, Els had worked with heavily handicapped people as her job in Holland and would love to help us out!
But, they had a visitor around the time we needed them to be at our home. However, I just KNEW in my heart that God had provided and it turned out that the visitor canceled her trip.
We left for Holland in total peace! When I came home, all the laundry was done, Els had bathed David every day, the house was all clean and tidy and she said - OH, you could have stayed away longer if you had wanted!
WOW, can you imagine, the joy that God gave us just the right people at the right time? My other son Michaël was happy too because he just had a good time with them too! To top it all, we have become good friends!
If one door closes God opens another and HE KNOWS BEST!
Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with your whole heart and do not rely on your own
insight or understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He
will make straight your paths."
At the moment France is going through a rather rare patch of winter weather for this time of the year, especially here in the south. Snow in May - very unusual! We need the sun so much!
The tag Tuesday challenge is to use tickets on your tag. Not that easy at all - I ended up with a collage-type tag which is quite large so I will put it onto a card later I think.
Thanks go to Louise who hosts the challenges and gives us something to look forward too every week.
-----------------------------------
Just a little share - you know how I love to talk about the practical side of Christian living. When it's my DH's turn to share the Word in Church on Sunday I always say 'don't forget to include some practical examples'! I shouldn't really say it anymore as he always does.
Anyway - this practical little lesson really is to serve me a big lesson for when I get disappointed in God or people again. I know I set myself a very high standard and my DH says 'Stop beating yourself up all the time'... but I suppose thats character and God is working on it!
Before we went to Holland to share about what God has done in our marriage at a couple of conferences, we once again needed somebody or a couple to look after our son David, who is handicapped (Down Syndrome). In the past we could always rely on the same people but in the mean time life had made it impossible for them to help us out in this way.
Well, it took a long time to find people willing to do so. I was a bit disappointed because I thought - well surely somebody is willing to pay a little sacrifice for David, especially the christians in our Church? Caring for David has been one of my greatest blessings! But when I placed myself in their shoes, I could relate to the fact that it was perhaps difficult to look after him because he is a full grown man, although he looks only 15 and everything has to be done for him, like the toilet, washing him and even brushing his teeth. He doesn't speak either.
Finally, a lady volunteered only after a week to confess that she had a phobia about touching people and declined.
We had been praying for this and I said to René that if it was God's Will that we go to Holland then God will provide. A week before we left, René asked a Dutch couple who live about twenty minutes away and run a Holiday Village in the mountains. They come to our church now and again but we hadn't got to know them yet. Well, the first reaction was positive. We arranged a meeting and what do you know, Els had worked with heavily handicapped people as her job in Holland and would love to help us out!
But, they had a visitor around the time we needed them to be at our home. However, I just KNEW in my heart that God had provided and it turned out that the visitor canceled her trip.
We left for Holland in total peace! When I came home, all the laundry was done, Els had bathed David every day, the house was all clean and tidy and she said - OH, you could have stayed away longer if you had wanted!
WOW, can you imagine, the joy that God gave us just the right people at the right time? My other son Michaël was happy too because he just had a good time with them too! To top it all, we have become good friends!
If one door closes God opens another and HE KNOWS BEST!
Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with your whole heart and do not rely on your own
insight or understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He
will make straight your paths."
Sunday, May 2, 2010
I was inspired by.. Carole showcasing the new Hydrangea stamp from Hero Arts
I've noticed that I tend to post an 'inspired by' card on Sundays... This card was inspired by Carole who has a blog 'Ish' which can be found here, and this card which is linked from her flickr gallery is the card that inspired me.
I love her outrageous vintage style - how she tears and distresses and gives her card a gorgeous tatty old look. I just can't get myself to do that!
Have a lovely Sunday.
I love her outrageous vintage style - how she tears and distresses and gives her card a gorgeous tatty old look. I just can't get myself to do that!
Have a lovely Sunday.
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