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1.31.2012

Crafters of Faith ... new beginnings! :)

Hi there!  This is such a special post today for many reasons and I'm so glad to be here, right now, in this moment :)  I often reflect in moments of quietness - rare in my house, I can assure you! - how much I strive to turn every day, every hour, and every moment into something that I'm grateful for.  I had such a tumultuous end of the year last year - I kept most of it quiet and even those closest to me had/still have no idea how painful and heart wrenching so many things were to me.  Much of November went by in a blur and by December I was ready to head for the hills.  Literally.  I simply couldn't take one more thing, one more bad moment, one more mean person, any more bad news.  And I soon realized when I was literally, in the hills, surrounded by such breathtaking beauty that God has gifted to us - breathing in the cool mountain air, that I had stopped finding moments of gratitude.  How sad that made my heart! :(
As soon as we got home, I knew with such clarity that this year would be one filled with gratitude - with grace :)   A christian author once said "God doesn't drive us to acheive.  He simply asks us to come receive.  All great things are an overflow of His grace."  (can I get an AMEN!)  And in this receiving came the overwhelming wish to share with other crafters of faith to craft, talk, pray and lots more together - hence, the crafters of faith found each other and here we are with our debut post with me up first to post a monthly challenge! 

So for the first challenge this month, I was compelled to draw from the book of Genesis since this is beginning of the group's "creation" and to include the colors yellow (sun), blue (ocean), green (foliage, grass) and/or Brown (land), and anything from the sun, moon and stars to animals, trees, birds, flowers, Adam and Eve :), etc.   I was in the midst of a personal bible study one night and struggling to make sense of it and was struck by the verse staring out at me ~ Jeremiah 4:23 ...
"I looked at the earth,
and it was formless and empty;
and at the heavens,
and their light was gone.
I looked at the mountains,
and they were quaking;
all the hills were swaying.
I looked, and there were no people;
every bird in the sky had flown away."

I flew out to the craftroom as I remembered an old stamp (from that take it off the shelf in 2012 theory!)  that i just had to use!  I knew it in my memory, but couldn't find this blessed stamp and tore up my scraproom looking for it!  I finally gave up, and spent 4 hours on a weekend cleaning/organizing/donating and well, whatdayaknow - there it was :)  It was PERFECT!  I actually dusted off brought out my old brayer!  I haven't used that thing in .... 3 years?!  My sample cards actually came out soooo much nicer but they had a little accident with the paper cutter *sigh .... be graceful ...* :) My card creation is based on the book of Genesis in colors and the fruitful earth we have.  Even in Jer. verse 27, He tells us that the whole land will be ruined but He will not destroy it completely ~ much like the tree represents with life, roots, the green of new life.



I am so excited  to post our card creations today!  I hope you do head on over to see what the other Crafters of Faith have created as well!  You can find them off on my sidebar to the right over there :)  I'm just so blessed to know these lovely women!  Thank you, Olga, Patti, Carolina, LizW, LizD, Melina, Cynthia, Jackie, Carol, and Linda for taking this leap of "faith" - you are amazing women!  And ...  even though this is still just January, I've already stayed with so many things I put myself to task to do and just feel so moved by the blessings in my life .... and know they will only multiply!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!
Big hugs,
Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly

deets:  Cardstock by SU: Chocolate chip; Kiwi Kiss; Cool Carribbean; PTI white; DSP = Basic Grey "Marjolaine"; stamp by inkadinkadoo; inks: Old Olive by SU and Chocolate chip by SU; brayer tool; crinkle ribbon from SCH; Twine from SU; Basic Grey button; Kaiser pearls; SU border punch; trimmer; tombo

33 comments:

  1. Beautiful card Kelly, the image is fabulous. Life will always have troubles but God is always with us.

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  2. Amen! Your posts are so relateable! I felt the same way and our family has done a complete overhaul for this new year, and I finally feel at peace! Keep up your very inspirational posts! Great card too, it is just perfect!

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  3. AMEN SISTER! HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT! :)
    I absolutely love your card! That tree image is amazing. Also love the design of your card. You do such great work ;)
    I'm so glad you felt a "tug" to start this wonderful group of bloggers. Thanks so much for being a blessing

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  4. I'm speechless, you did outstanding!!!!!

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  5. Oh my goodness Kelly, you are such an inspiration!!! Your card and stamp are beautiful. May God bless you Kelly and give you a year full of happiness!!!

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  6. Kelly, this is really a beautiful tree image. Your layout and DP choice as always great. I wish you a better year with lots of health and happiness !!

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  7. Yes, you can get an AMEN! Great post, idea, group and card. This will be your year!

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  8. WOW! Kelly, your card is just gorgeous! What a beauty, as are you, my friend! You are such a beautiful person, both inside and out, and what a blessing to be your friend. I'm so sorry to hear that you experienced such a heartbreaking few weeks/months, and it's certainly wonderful to hear that your heart is lighter. What a pleasure to read this post and be inspired by your faith, and your unyielding love for our Lord! Bless you, my sweet friend, and I pray for better days and months filled with peace and joy, because you deserved NOTHING less!! I sure do love ya!

    Lorie

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  9. This is gorgeous and I can't wait to see all of the creations. I am enjoying your music also!

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  10. I am with Becky, I know there will be tests and problems, but I also know and trust that God is right there with me. You do an awesome job as a mom and wife and your family flourishes because of that. Your card is beautiful and oh so peaceful and your inspiration is perfect. TFS :)

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  11. OMGosh Kelly... WOW! Not only does this scream God's glory it screams God's beauty and grace! Beautiful!

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  12. Very pretty card and an exceptionally beautiful image.

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  13. Such a beautiful card! Love the image!

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  14. This is sooo awesome Kelly! I love it & that stamp you used! You really worked those colors too....great design! You did such a FAB job with the challenge & TFS!!!

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  15. AMazing story....

    for I have been one to tear apart the art room looking for that "one thing"... only to find myself reorganzing....too! haha.

    Thanks for the lovely, inspiring thoughts.

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  16. Beautiful card and even more beautiful sharing of yourself in your post. Thanks you for your willingness to share! Have a blessed, grace filled day!

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  17. I love this gorgeous representation of the Genesis story with this stunning image of deer and tree, Kelly! Counting the blessings of each day do fill it with gratitude and thankfulness. Thanks for the reminder!

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  18. Absolutely Stunning Card Kelly--love the colors and the layers---just perfect.

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  19. Hi Kelly,

    Your card is beautiful and I hope 2012 is a wonderful year for you with many blessings.

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  20. beautiful, gorgeous card! wishing you a wonderful new year. :)

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  21. Gorgeous card! I love all the earth tones.

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  22. gorgeous...and so fitting for this post

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  23. Anonymous1/31/2012

    Hello friend!! :) It's so wonderful to "see" you again!! I really love your post as I can really relate to what you are saying and why I took my break...wasn't sure I was going to be coming back...we all get like this, but it's nice to see that you and I have found a way to get back to what's really important and what makes us happy! :)

    Beautiful card and so inspiring!! Thanks for that...look forward to seeing you around! HUGS

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  24. A beautiful post and a gorgeous card! Hugs to you.....Lynn

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  25. What an outstanding creation! Beautifully done.

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  26. Such a beautiful post and card Kelly. There are many things in life to be grateful for, and sometimes we just need to be reminded of this. It sounds like 2012 is off to a wonderful start for you.

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  27. Great post, great card, and great verse! Glad to hear I am not the only one who ends up organizing/cleaning while looking for something!

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  28. Wow, the tree of life? This is a fabulous image. Beautiful colors used and hearing that beautiful music in the background, just breathtaking. You nailed this one, Kelly!

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  29. WOW!! If there is a more perfect stamp for this, I can't imagine it!! Your card is beautiful and perfectly captures the theme!
    I am so glad that you've found your clarity! I still struggle with this on a regular basis, but every day is a new day to try! Your quote on achieving and receiving could not be more appropriate for the way things are for so many of us right now! A beautiful card and a fabulous post! Hugs!!

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  30. your card is amazing - and your post is a wonderful testimony. Our Lord always brings us back to him...Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee"..i go there so often when stressed.
    Joining others in praying for an uplifting 2012 for you...however, your valley and going to the mountain spurred you also to forming our special group - for which I am very thankful,
    thank you...cyber hug!
    Linda

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  31. I love how it screams life. and health the greenery seems so strong and healthy !!!! such a nice verse to
    ty for sharring.

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  32. Anonymous2/02/2012

    Kelly, I am so sorry that you had such a rough end to last year, but so thankful that you have found a good place again. What a blessing, too, to be starting a new challenge with others who can help support you in your faith journey! Your card is gorgeous, just perfect for that verse -- so glad you found your elusive stamp! :-)

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  33. Beautiful, beautiful post. And you certainly get and "Amen" from me :) Big Hugs, Sweetie!

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