Vacation of a Lifetime

We just returned from an amazing trip to the Bahamas.  Great Exuma to be exact.  I really had know idea that this remote little island even existed until we began looking for a place to go.  Actually, my hubby prodding...a lot...to get me to go.  You see, I am terribly afraid to fly, let alone flying over the ocean.  I don't exactly know why, I just am.  But thanks to the wonders of modern medicine, I was able to enjoy (to some degree) our flight. 

I really don't have much to say other than I am in love with this place, and I dream (literally) of returning soon.  As we would look out into the ocean and see the beautiful blue, I often would think of God sitting on his saffire plain.  Anyway, here are a few pics...

 The beach.

 The view from the back door of our room.

 The Atlantic is on the opposite side of these Cays.  It was crazy rough that day.  I was glad we were on the Carribean side.

As the Atlantic would break onto the rocks, the spray from the water formed this little pool.  It looked really neat.

The golf course on our resort.

Rainbows & TCPTUES196

Wow!  It has been FOREVER since I posted.  All I can say is....LIFE.  Finding the time to actually create has been challenging to say the least.  Kids are demanding, hubby is demanding, I am demanding.  It's all good tho.  I wouldn't change my life for anything.  I have a family who loves me regardless of all my faults.  And I am finding that "creating" in the kitchen has so many more perks than creating in the stamp room (although my kitchen creations do not last near as long as my paper creations.)

I think I mentioned the last time I posted, or maybe it's been a few times ago, that I was seriously considering giving up being a SU! demonstrator.  In essence, I have.  I have never really been the "salesman" type, and I honestly cannot handle it when salepeople approach me and push their product.  I guess my attitude is, "if the product is good, it will sell itself."  So, I am stamping for the mere pleasure of it.  It has been wonderful.  No pressure, no time restraints, no stress.  Not that I really had any to begin with, but just the fact that I can do this for fun frees me up tremendously.

So, since it has been so long since I've made anything, I still do frequent all my favorite blogs and websites regularly.  There are so many new ideas out there it has become quite difficult for me to keep up, and,  I WANT THEM ALL!!  Which is really not the best feeling to have.  Stepping away has allowed me to hear a voice that I have been suppressing for a long, LONG time.  It's like trying to push a beach ball under water and holding it there infinately, trying to ignore that it's there.  Well, it's there, and it's the voice of God.  I've learned that I am an extremely selfish person.  YUCK!!  Who wants to admit that, let alone allow God to remove it.  It is a daily battle for me.  I am selfish with my time, not so much my possessions.  I was chosing stamping and paper crafting over spending time with Christ, or offering myself to acts of service for those who needed help.  I think for me, it was when I saw the selfishness of my own children that I had to take a hard look at myself.  I am their mentor, who else would they model after?

So taking a break has been good, and I will probably continue to "take a break" and just post whenever I feel led...like today.  I was visiting a blog that I absolutely love to visit.  Amy Sheffer.  Such a talented designer and paper crafter.  I've often wondered how she decorates her house.  I was totally inspired by the challenge that was posted.  Here it is:

It is from The Cat's Pajamas.  How totally fun is this?  I get extrememly excited whenever there are rainbows.  It is such an appealing order of color for the eye.  I think that's why I love paper crafting.  Every time I go into a scrapbook store, there are so many pretty colors.  It's almost hypnotic for me.  No. Not almost.  It is!

So here is my submission.  Not anything fancy.  In fact, the only stamping I did was the sentiment.  It's a bit difficult to read, but it says, "Hope your day is all sunshine and rainbows." Everything else was created using the Big Shot and dies.  The dimensions are 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".  It started out as a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4, but I had to cut off the bottom portion.  It just didn't look quite right.

So, as stated, my intention with this blog is to draw all my visitors closer to God.  No more blogging just about me.  I want you to leave here feeling as though you've experienced a fresh word from the Father above.

 Did you know that in Scripture it states that during the Creation process, that God separated the water from water? (Genesis 1:6-7, the second day)  I've never really read into that before, what I've often wondered what that meant.  After a bit of study, I think it means that God separated one big blob of water into two separate water forms...one under the expanse (the sky) and one above the expanse.  Hmmm.  What?  There was water above the sky?  Evidently.

Hang with me...  So if there was water above the sky, what did it look like?  (These are just questions I asked myself as I was figuring this all out.)  Well, this is just theory, but I am imaging the earth encapsulated with some form of water.  Like the greenhouse effect with clouds, the same happened with this water above the expanse.  It was a protective form that created a tropical like earth...everywhere.  There was vegetation everywhere and the climate was balmy and hot...like a gardener's greenhouse.  The sun may have been apparant, like on a slighly overcast day when it is hazy outside, or when you look up and see the sun, but it's not crisp, it's hazy.  Clouds may have been non-existant.  There was no need for them at this point.

Ok, so I hope I have you thinking a bit now.  Can you envision maybe what the earth looked like from the heavens?  Even from the perspective of man?  OK, now lets jump ahead to the flood.  If you want to read the story, it is found in Genesis chapters 6 and 7.  When the flood began (vs 11 and 12 of ch 7) Scripture states that "the springs of the great deep burst forth and the floodgates of the heavens were opened."  The flood not only opened up the heavens and poured down water for 40 days and nights, but the springs and rivers rose as well.

Huh.  The floodgates of the heavens?  Could this be referring to the "waters" that were above expanse?  I almost imagine it being like God "unzipped" this watery form from above the sky, and it just poured down...heavily.  I've heard so many people agrue that it could not even be possible for it to rain 40 days and nights.  Well, I tell them, first of all, ANYTHING is possible with God.  Secondly, I don't think the earth WAS what it is today.  Maybe, yes, it couldn't rain for 40 days and nights in TODAY'S world, but could it have in THIS world?

Here is the next thing to ponder...It had never rained before this event.  Never.  The climate was so humid and the vegetation was watered from underground springs.  No need for rain.  So when Noah and his sons began building a giant boat and telling the people of the day it was going to rain, that water was going to fall from the sky, they all thought he was a crazy man.  Even Noah didn't know what rain was.  But he believed God and obeyed Him anyway.  (I wonder, how many times do I doubt what God is trying to accomplish in my own life because I cannot see the big picture, nor do I understand His ways.  I wonder what would've happened if Noah had doubted.  Makes me think of all the blessings I could be missing out on because I don't understand what God was doing and just  CHOSE NOT to obey.  Heavy stuff, isn't it?)

Now, I am by no means a schooled theologian.  I just love Jesus and have a deep desire to know Him better.  To really know Jesus and His character allows me to love Him more.  It's win-win the way I see it, and I love thinking about stuff like this.

I hope this has provoked some thinking.  I do have just one more bit of information to share with you.  What makes a rainbow?  Rainbows appear when raindrops reflect sunlight, breaking the white sunlight into colors.  No rain, no need for a rainbow....rain, here comes the rainbow.  Can you imagine with me what that may have looked like for Noah and his family?  Not only the rainbow, but the promise that came with it.  God said:

"I establish my covenant with you:  Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."  Genesis 9:11

God made that possible by eliminating the waters above the expanse.  It's no longer earthly possible from our perspective.   The "water above the expanse" I believe is gone. That's why were have different climates around the earth. Our protective "water covering" is no longer there.

This is why I love, love, LOVE rainbows.  It's the story behind the rainbow, and every time I see one, I think of THIS.  How God so perfectly worked it out.  And He continues to work everything out perfectly and for His glory.

Hope you enjoyed reading my theory.  :>

TTFN,
Debi

Two Sisters

Do you ever have certain stamp sets that you just can't part with? i do, and lots of them. This stamp set, Seaside Sketches, has been one of my all time favorites, along with all of the "sketches" sets. There's just something about them that says "peace, solitude, and contentment" to me. i know i could always use more of that in my life.

Well, when i saw the color challenge at Colour Q this week, i immediately thought, "these are colors that i would not normally choose to put together," but that's what makes it a challenge, right? My next thought was, "what do these colors remind me of?" Nature, outdoors, sunny skies and green grass. So that's where this card came from.

i just love these two little girls, hand in hand. It reminds me of my sister and myself when we were little. She, being the big sister, always leading me around and telling me what to do. She is my very best friend today, and i am so glad to have been blesssed with a sister. We share an awful lot together. The good, the bad, and the ugly, and she always loves me.

Just the other day, i had to text her because it was finally official. i found my first gray hair!!! It was devastating to me (but in a funny sort of way), and she texted me back, "i've been waiting for this day--ha ha!" Only a sister could get by with laughing.

So, i think i will send her this card just to say thank you for being my friend...always.
Love ya, Julie!

Debi

Conviction!

Again, it's been awhile, but there is always a reason. God has been moving in my heart for the past year or so and He has been convicting me that i spend WAY too much time in the stamp room, spending WAY too much money on myself and my "hobby" as my husband likes to call it. :>

Conviction. i don't like it. Especially whenever it involves me, which it always does. But, having put my trust in Christ, i must allow for it. It is necessary if God is going to use me, if He is going to change me to become more like Jesus. Have you seen the movie "Voyage of the Dawn Treader"? There is a scene where Eustice is turned into a dragon and toward the end of the movie he meets Aslan for the first time. He begins to scratch at his scales, not liking who he has become and wanting the hard callouses to be gone. Aslan changes him back to a young boy, and he later shares with his cousins that what Aslan did kinda hurt, but it was a good kind of hurt. i guess that's kinda of the process i'm in right now...

Man, i hate it whenever God begins to do something in my life. It hurts sometimes, but in order for God to create me into who HE wants me to be, it is necessary. So, the journey i have been on this past year or so has been a difficult one. i have felt Jesus telling me that i have grown to love stamping (and other things) more than i love Him. And after really searching my heart, it is true. Ouch! My desire to be in the stamp room, on the computer, and create has grown to where i enjoy that MORE than i enjoy sitting with my Lord. i have grown to prefer that, and that has been a hard mouth to swallow.

So, where does that take me? i'm really not sure at this time. As we have been reading in the Old Testament about all of Isreal's idols, this has become an idol for me. So now what? How can i enjoy a talent God has gifted me with and not let it be an idol? Do i destroy it completely like the Isrealites had to? Do i try to find a balance? i don't know. And that's where i'm at. Still waiting on the Lord. i am so glad He is patient with me.

So, in the midst of all my "inner termoil", i do have a little something, something to share. Here it is...

TTFN,Debi

More black Magic

The kids didn't have school today. Too much flu, I guess. Thankfully for us, we've been healthy (I'm probably speaking too soon), so the boys wanted a friend to come over and play today. I was good with that. I'd rather have them here under our supervision than somewhere else. They like it here anyway, so it's win-win.

After I did the workshop the other night, I wanted to post another Black Magic idea. It really got me thinking about other designs and I just love how everything pops out against the black background. Besides, I'm kind of sick of Valentine's right now.

So here's my card:

I used the more "earthy" colors on this one, and many of the retired colors since I still have them. (Dang, I'm still upset about the "color renovation", can you tell?) And, of course, I had to add something a little 3-dimensional, so the butterflies worked perfectly. They were cut out of vellum.

We'll have to see what kind of time I have in the near future if I will be posting more "black magic" or if I'll get tired of that quickly, too. Oh well. Too many irons in the fire for me right now, but I still love stamping!!

Thanks for stopping by!

TTFN,

Debi

P.S. I forgot to mention another cool technique...misting with alcohol and shimmer paint. Adds so much to a plain background. You'll have to try it sometime.

The Empty Cup

Last night when I went to bed, I was feeling a bit frustrated with my kids. For some reason, they don't like picking up their dirty clothes and putting them in the hamper. I decided it was time to take action.

I've decided that it's time to stop getting mad. I've found it really doesn't do any good anyway. I'm mad, they don't listen, and then it just snowballs from there. So, last night I told them in a very calm tone that this was their last warning. Any clothes I found on the floor would become the property of Mom. If the clothes are confiscated and they want them back, they will have to pay to get them back. Not pay, as in I'm taking revenge, but actually pay for them, like a fine, with their own money or toys or whatever will make it a little uncomfortable for them.

I went out to supper with some girlfriends and we had this discussion...that we, as parents, have come to "coddle" our kids. We began to wonder what would've happened 100 or 150 years ago if this would've happened. I think Dad would've taken them out back and given them a good lickin' for not obeying and not being responsible.

It's kind of scary whenever we watch TV and see programs like "the world's strictest parents" and shows like that. Kids shouldn't be running the show telling the parents how things are going to be within the home. That's why God gave parents authority over them. He gave the parents wisdom and discernment, not the kids. Anyway, when it's all said and done, we are the ones that have to answer to God, not the kids.

So, I've been challenged to be a better parent. To love them so much that they WANT to listen to us. Now, that's going to be different for each of my kids. My daughter loves talking to me, so I need to be a good listener. My 7 year old loves to play wii, so when he asks for me to play, I need to be available to play. My 6 year old needs to feel safe and secure, so when he wants love and affection, I need to give that to him. These are just a few ideas that come to mind. There are many, many more.

I want my kids to be well adjusted so that when the time comes, I can pass the baton of responsibility, integrity, hard work, and godly character into their adult lives. Ugh! Parenting is hard.

So, in the meantime, while they are at school, I have a moment to get my cup full so I have more to give when they get home. I could stamp today. I know that fills my cup, but only momentarily. Maybe I should sit with Jesus today. I know of no better way to get my cup full. Besides, He promised that He came to give us life to the fullest. I want that. I need that. And so do my kids. What will you use to get your cup full today?

Thanks for visiting today!! Glad you stopped by.

TTFN,
Debi

Workshop samples

I had a workshop last Friday night. It was good to share some creativity with others that are interested in stamping and paper crafting. The hostess was really interested in the watercolor wonder crayons and exactly how they worked. I did about 3 cards and then had the guests make their own as a make 'n take. I was really pleased with how they turned out. And it was so exciting to be at a workshop where the hostess was totally excited about it.

Here are the samples: This is a cute little 3 x 3 inch card. I just had to use the drinks from the new hostess set. I'm all about coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, and hot chocolate. Besides, it's been dang cold here lately, so anything warm in my body is a good thing. :> The technique I used was very simple...straight from the crayon to the paper by using an aquapen, and then just "painted" it on.

This card below was watercolored...traditionally, you might say. I colored in and then used a blender pen to "blend" the colors. It would've been way prettier if I had actually used a blending of color rather than just one color per letter, ya know?

This was our make 'n take. (The other card I gave to my hostess and couldn't download the picture...oh well.) The technique is called "black magic". I stamped the image on black CS using the whisper white CRAFT pad, let it dry, and then colored over the white image with the crayons. It really makes the color pop out. I love it!

Here is a close up of the detail:

Hope you enjoyed the creations today, and thanks for stopping by.

TTFN,

Debi

P.S. Please leave a comment. I'm always interested in who stops by. :>