Decorative Edges Die Set

 I had so much fun using the NEW Decorative Edges Die Set from Creative Worship Stamps to create this little mini album! I used a Stamperia 8x8 paper pad to cut all the pages. The album is 5" tall and the 1st page is about 5" wide. Each page is just a little bit longer than the one before it so you can see all the pretty borders at one glance. I inked all the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink to make them stand out a little better. 

~This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you~~~

 Supplies and Tools:

• From Creative Worship Stamps
• NEW Decorative Edges Die Set 
• NEW Film Strip Die Set
• Hope Blooms Stamp Set
• Hope Blooms Die Set
• Mini Tag Sentiments (butterflies)
• Polaroid Die Set
• Tickets Die Set
• Non-CWS supplies:
• Vellum 
• White Crinkle Ribbon 
• Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink    
• White Acrylic Paint (for splatters)     
• Blending Brushes
• Mixed Media Paper Pad   
• Stamperia Brocante Antiques 8x8 Paper Pad
• Rhinestones
• Button 
• Silver Thread
• Arteza Real Brush Pens
• Vintage Photos Distress Ink (Ranger)

This post linked to:

• Little Red Wagon Challenge - I See
• As You Like Challenge - Favorite Non-card project
• I love making little albums and folios because it's fun to use pretty papers and create fun collages.
• Love Those Pretty Patterned Papers Challenge - ATG with DP + optional Coastal

Abound in Hope

This is the fifth and final layout in my mini accordion journal. To view the previous pages click the links below: 

• Accordion Journal Cover and 1st layout
• Accordion Journal 2nd layout  
• Accordion Journal 3rd layout 
• Accordion Journal 4th layout 

 This layout features the NEW Hope in the Lord stamp set from Creative Worship Stamps. 

  ~This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you~~~

 Supplies and Tools:

• CWS products:
• NEW Hope in the Lord stamp set
• Beautiful Bouquets Stamp Set
• Beautiful Bouquets Die Set 
• Vintage Elements 
• Stitched Tags Die Set  
• Stitched Circles 2 Die Set    
• FREE Mini Accordion Album Class   
• Non CWS- products:
• Mixed Media Paper Pad   
• Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink  
• Arteza Real Brush Pens
• Crochet Thread 
• Crochet Lace 
• Blue Eclectic Junk Journal Digital Paper Pack  (Pink Monarch Prints) 
• Shabby Ticking Stripe Digital Papers (My Porch Prints)
• Garden Path Digital Papers (Pink Monarch Prints)   

This post linked to:

• Allsorts Challenge - ATG from the Garden

Let Him Lead

 Here's the fourth layout in my mini accordion journal. This one features the NEW God So Loved stamp set from Creative Worship Stamps.  

 Previously posted layouts in this journal:

• Accordion Journal Cover and 1st layout
• Accordion Journal 2nd layout  
• Accordion Journal 3rd layout 

  ~This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you~~~

 Supplies and Tools:

• CWS products: 
• God So Loved
• Sketched Roses
• Polaroid Die Set          
• Delicate Butterflies Die Set
• Tabs, Tickets & More Die Set       
• FREE Mini Accordion Album Class   
• Non-CWS products available in their store:
• Mixed Media Paper Pad   
• Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink  
• Blending Brushes
• White Acrylic Paint (for splatters)     
• Arteza Real Brush Pens
• Black Sharpie Marker 
• Gold String
• Blue Eclectic Junk Journal Digital Paper Pack  (Pink Monarch Prints)   

 This post linked to:

• Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
• Triple B Challenge - Birds, Butterflies, and/or Blooms

Hope in the Lord

 Here's the third layout in my mini accordion journal featuring the NEW Hope in the Lord stamp set  from Creative Worship Stamps. 

 Previously posted pages in this journal:

•  Accordion Journal Cover and 1st layout
• Accordion Journal 2nd layout  

  The circle element pulls out and is decorated on both sides!

  ~This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you~~~

 Supplies and Tools:

• From Creative Worship Stamps
• FREE Mini Accordion Album Class  
• NEW Hope in the Lord stamp set
• Vintage Postcards stamp set
• Vintage Floral Collection stamp set
• Vintage Floral Collection die set 
• Botanical Collages stamp set 
• Stitched Circles 2 Die Set  
• God is Near Die Set  
• Non-CWS products available in their store:
• Mixed Media Paper Pad   
• Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink  
• Blending Brushes 
• Arteza Real Brush Pens
• Crochet Lace 
• Broken China Distress Oxide (Ranger)  
• Blue Eclectic Junk Journal Digital Paper Pack  (Pink Monarch Prints)  

This post linked to:

• Try it on Tuesday Challenge - Going Round in Circles
• Alphabet Challenge - C is for circles
• The Paper Players Challenge - Tic Tac Toe (Circles, flower, die cut)

Accordion Journal Layout

 Here's another layout in my mini accordion journal featuring stamps and dies from Creative Worship Stamps. To see the cover and 1st layout click here.

The left side features two fussy cut flowers from the Spring Collage Tag set and the right features a little pocket. 

 Inside the little pocket is a flower shaped card that pull out to reveal a Scripture verse with a second message stamped inside. 

  

Supplies and Tools:

• From Creative Worship Stamps:
• CWS products:  
• FREE Mini Accordion Album Class  
• Your Friendship Stamp Set
• Your Friendship Die Set
• Spring Collage Tag Stamp Set
• Tag & More Die Set 
• Scalloped Stitched Ovals Die Set 
• Delicate Butterflies Die Set
• Take Time Stamp Set
• Worshipful Wordfetti Stamp Set
• Words of Jesus Stamp Set
• Truth Quotes 1 Stamp Set 
• Non-CWS products
• Mixed Media Paper Pad   
• Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink  
• Blending Brushes 
• White Gel Pen 
• White Acrylic Paint (for splatters)   
• Peacock Feathers Distress Ink (Ranger) 
• Arteza Real Brush Pens    
• Blue Rhinestones 
• Blue Eclectic Junk Journal Digital Paper Pack  (Pink Monarch Prints) 

 

This post linked to:

• Make My Monday Challenge - Say it with Flowers
• Word Art Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Allsorts Challenge - Anything Goes

Mini Accordion Album

 Today's project is a mini accordion album that I created using the FREE Mini Accordion Album Class available in the CWS store. I altered mine a bit from the tutorial by making it a little smaller (mine is 4.25" x 4.25") and using printable patterned paper inside instead of plain card stock. 

 Supplies and Tools used on the cover:

• From Creative Worship Stamps:
• FREE Mini Accordion Album Class 
• Song Birds Stamp Set
• Song Birds Die Set 
• Vintage Snippets Stamp Set
• Vintage Postcards Stamp Set 
• Worshipful Wordfetti
• Wordfetti Strips Die Set   
• Lovely Wreaths Die Set  
• Mixed Media Paper Pad   
• Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink  
• Peacock Feathers Distress Ink (Ranger) 
• Blue Eclectic Junk Journal Digital Paper Pack  (Pink Monarch Prints)

 I've only completed one layout in this album so far,

 but I plan to work on it more in the coming weeks. 

The pages and cover pages use printable papers from the 

Blue Eclectic Junk Journal Digital Paper Pack  (Pink Monarch Prints)

The inside front cover has a little pocket with a removable Scripture circle. 

 Supplies and Tools used on the 1st two pages:

• From Creative Worship Stamps:
• FREE Mini Accordion Album Class 
• Mindful Magnolias 
• Butterfly Bliss
• Words of Jesus
• Truth Quotes 1   
• Delicate Butterflies Die Set 
• Stitched Circles 2 Die Set 
•  Stitched Tags Die Set 
• Mixed Media Paper Pad   
• Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink  
• Peacock Feathers Distress Ink (Ranger) 
• White Acrylic Paint (for splatters)    
• Blue Eclectic Junk Journal Digital Paper Pack  (Pink Monarch Prints)
• Crochet Lace
• Seam Binding 

This post linked to:

• Make My Monday Challenge - Birds and/or eggs
• Shopping Our Stash Challenge - Up, Up and Away
• Love Those Pretty Patterned Papers Challenge - DSP + optional spring flowers
• Triple B Challenge - Birds, Butterflies, and Blooms (I used all three!)
• Krafty Chicks Challenge - ATG + optional color and image

Faith

 

I'm still thinking about the last devotional I posted that included the thought that it's trials and hardships that test our faith and help it to mature. Faith that continually needs miracles and "answers to prayer" to thrive, and wilts when our world turns upside-down, would cause us to pause and consider: "Is our faith is in some sort of "heavenly Santa Claus" who exists to grant our wishes and make life easy for us?"

Jesus told the crowd asking for more signs and wonders, "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign," (Matthew 16:4) True faith in God is faith in His character, belief that He knows what is best and has all things under control -- even when life seems unfair and everything comes crashing in on us.  Confidence in the God of the Bible says with Job (13:15), "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;"  because our faith is not in someone who promises an easy, pain free life; but in a Savior who guarantees forgiveness of sin, grace, mercy, strength, and eternal life to those who trust Him. 

Faith is not just a belief, it's also an action -- read Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter). Each person mentioned there exercised their faith by doing something. They didn't always see or understand the ways of God, but they went about life acting on His promises, obeying His commands, and living lives that were pleasing to Him even in the face of persecution. This line from vs 39 stands out to me, "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised," They walked, overcame, and persevered by faith (all actions); even when they didn't see a miracle or answer to prayer! That's what true faith looks like!

When I remember these things, it changes the way I pray because I'm less apt to just ask for what I want or think is best, and more inclined to actually seek for God's will to be done in my life and the lives of others. 

For this week's paper bag journal layout I used designer paper and journaling cards from the beautiful Graphic 45 Bird Watcher set. I love that both the paper and the journal cards are double sided, it gives you twice as many options!

I made the main page interactive with flaps to lift that reveal faith Scriptures underneath, and also created a matching insert (with a tab pull) for the pocket which includes the text of this post.

Supplies from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store: 

• Bird Watcher Paper Pad (Graphic 45)
• Bird Watcher Journaling Cards (Graphic 45)
• Faith Sentiments Stamp Set
• Pastor & Ministry Appreciation Scripture Sentiments
• Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink 

Other Supplies:

• Labels Dies (Sizzix - Tim Holtz) 
• Washi Tape

This post linked to:

• Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
• Just Add Ink - Choose Two - Feathers, Leaves, Petals (I actually used all three!)
• Allsorts Challenge - Butterflies, Birds, or Bees
• Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge
  

Consider it Joy

 

 Chances are, if I ask you to name an occasion that brought you joy, you wouldn't suggest things like cancer, car accidents, chronic pain, death of a loved one, relationship problems, financial reverses etc. Yet, when we read James, we find these moments are exactly what he suggests we should consider "joy." Oh, not that the actual occurrences are joyful, because they're not, they're painful and crushing at times. They only become an occasion for joy when they increase our faith, patience, maturity, and perseverance.

Listen to how Eugene Peterson paraphrased these verses, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

 Yet, how many times do we pray in the opposite direction of this? As soon as something bad happens, we immediately ask for it's removal from our lives. We forget that it's not mountain top experiences and "answers to prayer" that build our faith, but valleys and hard times.  We don't really know how strong our faith is until it's tested. When everything collapses around us and God doesn't seem to hear our prayers; then we discover if our faith is genuine or fake and our eyes are open to what exactly our faith is in.

We get to choose our reaction to reverses. Do we turn them into occasions for growth, lesson learning, and becoming a better person, or do we resist them, wallow in self pity, seek revenge, or become bitter? I'm thinking of Joni Eareckson Tada who turned her quadriplegic handicap into a ministry that blesses thousands of disabled people around the world, and her books have encouraged me in some very low times of life.

Hebrews 5:8 says this about Jesus ^"Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered." As His followers, we learn the same way. 

Can you look back over your life and see how God has used the difficult moments for your good or to help someone else? I'd love for you to share in the comments.

I did a "lift-the-flap" style layout for this page, and used the new Carrot Bunny dies to create a fun little spring time scene with paper from the Welcome Easter paper pad as a backdrop.

Supplies from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store:

• Welcome Easter Paper Pad (Echo Park) 
• Carrot Bunny Die Set (Sizzix - Tim Holtz)
• Elegant Ovals Nestabilities (Spellbinders)
• Scripture for Graduation and Beyond
  
• Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink
• Watercolor Cardstock
  
• Foam Mounting Tape   

Other Supplies:

• These colors of Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Worn Lipstick, Dried Marigold, Spiced Marmalade, Shabby Shutters, Rustic Wilderness 
  
• These colors of Distress Oxide (Ranger)
• Salty Ocean, Twisted Citron, Gathered Twigs
  

 

Servants

 

We have two dogs that my husband takes outside to play and exercise several times a day to keep their energy in check. That means my laundry room floor is continually dirty -- in the summer it's fresh cut grass, in the fall it's dried leaves, and in the winter and spring it's muddy paw prints. A couple years ago, I was grumbling to myself about the mess they make (as I swept it all up for the umpteenth time that day) when the quiet voice of God's Word whispered in my ear; "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (I Cor. 10:31) I realized that it's easier to serve God in the fun, up-front things, and things that get us recognition and praise; but more difficult to do the thankless jobs, the things that no one notices, or the yucky stuff.

Society often gives honor to those who are "successful" and  make it to the top, but Jesus measures us a different way, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”(Mark 9:35) He isn't impressed with our education, our money, our executive position, our pile of possessions, or our famous friends. He's interested in whether or not we have a servant's heart.

We're good at coming up with excuses for things we'd rather not do. Sometimes we feel a job is beneath us or not our responsibility.  Maybe we're busy and our schedules are too full. Sometimes we fail to serve because we're all caught up in our own problems and just not paying attention to the needs of others. In all honesty, sometimes we're just plain lazy, selfish, or indifferent. 

Serving isn't about doing big things, there are a million little things we can do for others. Things as simple as holding a door, cleaning up your table at the restaurant to save the waitress some work, being friendly to the lonely person in the room, or putting away the cart someone left in the middle of the parking lot.  Remember Luke 16:10, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much,"

 I'd love for you to leave a comment and tell me about some practical ways you try to serve the people around you.

Supplies and Tools from the Stamp Simply Store:

• Garland Cardstock (Memory Box) 
• Tag Collection Dies (Sizzix - Tim Holtz) 
• Pastor & Ministry Appreciation Scripture Sentiments 
• A Godly Man Stamp Set 
• Thank You For Caring Coneflower

Other Suppiles:

• Yeti Ink (Lawn Fawn)

Love

 

 I just finished filling nine pages with notes from my study of I Corinthians 13, and I found myself convicted over and over again. The love taught in this passage isn't a cozy affection based on someone's goodness or likability, but rather a love that is an act of the will and given to everyone (worthy or not). Without this love our accomplishments, abilities, sacrifice, and even martyrdom mean nothing! 

The greatly condensed version of my study is:

• Love bears the faults, differences, and annoyances of others  (is patient)
• Love reacts with goodness towards those who treat them badly (is kind)
• Love doesn't want what others have or begrudge their success (doesn't envy)
• Love doesn't seek a platform or spotlight to parade it's achievements (doesn't boast)  
• Love doesn't harbor ideas of it's own importance and is quick to admit it's failures (is not proud)
• Love had good manners, is gracious, courteous and tactful (not rude)
• Love doesn't live to please itself  (is not self seeking)
• Love doesn't  fly off the handle or retaliate when provoked (not easily angered)
• Love doesn't dwell on the sins and failures of others (keeps no record of wrong)
• Love doesn't delight in passing on bad news, is careful not to entertain itself with media where evil is exalted, seeks out the truth even when it goes against what it wants to believe (doesn't delight in evil but rejoices in truth)
• Love covers and shields and doesn't publish the sins and faults of others (always protects)
• Love is eager to believe the best, and gives the benefit of the doubt (always trusts)
• Love doesn't dwell on the mistakes of the past, but looks forward to the future (always hopes)
• Love doesn't give up no matter what (always perseveres)
• Love holds steady and endures forever (never fails)
  

Something I've observed these past few years is that crises have a way of revealing what's really inside a person, so I've been pondering these questions: 

• Do the actions and words that spill out of me make others hungry for God?
• Do people who aren't "in my circle" enjoy my company or am I a self-righteous nuisance?
• Can I read my name in place of the word "love" in I Corinthians 13?
  
• Does the life I live bring glory to God, or am I making a mockery of what the Bible teaches by saying I believe one thing and doing another? 

 Here my second page and insert of my devotional themed paper bag book. 

To view the first entry visit this post.

 These supplies from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store:

• Cupid & Co Paper Pad (Echo Park)
• Love Sentiments
• Wedding & Anniversary Wishes
• Farmhouse Scriptural Quotes
• Floral Cluster - Summer Roses
  
• Farmhouse Pierced Nested Hearts
  
• Crochet Dies (Sizzix - Tim Holtz)
• Black Pearls
• Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink

Other Supplies:

• Stacked Deckle Dies (Sizzix - Tim Holtz)
• Nested Heart Cutups (The Cat's Pajamas) 
• Tab #1 Die (Sizzix) 
• Arteza Real Brush Pens
  
• Yeti Ink (Lawn Fawn) 
• Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide (Ranger)