Our hope

I write this post being uncertain as to how I will reenter this blogging world. Thanks in advance for hanging with me! Many of you know my beloved Mother in LOVE was called home to heaven in September. On my birthday even. It was a sudden illness and she never regained consciousness. Her medical directive made it clear there would be no heroics. And so when the basics of life, breath and hydration, could no longer be sustained on her own, we prepared our hearts for separation. The elders of her church were called to the CICU along with family and friends. We surrounded her bed, praying, speaking remembrances, reading scriptures, and most of all, singing old hymns. Once the machines were turned off, it was just a matter of minutes that this worn out earthly body could continue to support the breath of life given to her so long ago. I praise our God that HIS plan is perfect and that his angels carried her soul that night. I stoked her beautiful face so soft and radiant, her hair so silvery (wisdom) perfect even with bedhead!and whispered how pretty she was even after all the invasive equipment.

And so with all the details of dismantling (my dear husbands' word) her life, it's taken me this long to feel ready to create again. I was blessed to make a video montage of Bette's life in pictures (when I figure out how to embed a copy, I will post it here). Both my sons were in on the effort, with Andy scanning all my many choices of photographs and Sam selecting the music that would be so important to the theme of her life. I felt happy in going through all the photo albums, shoe boxes, and picture frames to select the images that would tell the story of her life.

When it was presented at the memorial, it brought together a diverse group of people with Bette the center story of every thought.

I share all this and today's Color Challenge on Splitcoast for it is just a few days until we honor the reason for our hope, our gift. May you have the merriest of Christmases this year.

Redeemer

The challenge over on 365 Card Blog today was to use your computer to create a sentiment or document. I've been learning all year in PhotoShop Elements how to manipulate 'things' like text and layers. This 6x6 scrapbook page was created for a year long challenge I am a part of: His Holy Names 09. The date of April 26 was when this particular name was issued; just another example of my running behind! My page is a combination of stamping, digital, and scrapping. I selected two scriptures that spoke to me regarding the name: Redeemer. In PSE, I was able match the color to my papers and pick the font style. I used Basic Grey papers as well as Making Memories journaling page. The Redeemer is stamped using the Rubber Stamp Madness font from Ma Vinci Reliquary. I meticulously cut the letters and pasted them in 'real' life to my page. The fancy cross is an Anna Griffin image and the believe coin is from Tim Hotlz idea-ology line. I used Cornish Heritage Farms dragonfly hinge and a tiny bit of bling~~~the page lifts up for hidden journaling. The key is a K&Co product and I used a bit of vintage French silk ribbon to attach. The date is part of a Crafty Secrets calendar set.

I do enjoy mixing the two arts, digital and stamping...I will always have to be hands on, inky hands on at that! So I'd love to hear what you think about the digital revolution and of course, my Redeemer page! If you are interested, I have my other HHN Challenge pages here. Thanks for stopping by

Alleluia, HE is risen, HE is risen, indeed!

Happy Easter to all who celebrate this joyful day.  I've returned to the cyber world, the Mac is back, minus 10 years of digital pictures.  The computer technicians were not miracle workers.  I've cried my river of tears over the lost memories.  Been bolstered by my sweet boys, from "we'll make new memories, to let's take a picture every day".  I am saddest to loose my youngest son's pics...so please, please take my sorrow and BACK-UP everything! 

I am posting my KING 6x6 scrapbook page for the His Holy Name challenge on SCS.  I am proud of how it came together.  I had to start over when it was almost complete...due to operator error...however, the new and improved page has more depth, which when I am journaling is always welcome.

If you've got a few minutes, amble over to you tube, David Crowder Here is Our KING.  You'll be blessed, trust me!  Alleluia

Almighty

I just finished up the study I am doing with the His Holy Names challenge. These past two weeks we focused on the Almighty.  In Hebrew, it is EL SHADDI.  Roughly translated it means mountain GOD, apparently because the early writers of sacred text used the highest thing they could see to relate to God.  I lingered on the 84th Psalm as my scripture and chose to highlight it in my 6x6 page.  The Bible I use for my home study is well marked, highlighted, and underlined with dates, situations and prayer requests.  I can go back and find tangible evidence of God's hand on my life!  It makes it simple to fully trust HIM with what surrounds me now.

There are all the details of my design process in the commentary of my SCS gallery, if you would be interested.  One thing I will say, I wanted to use different fonts for the name El Shaddi...it reminded me that the Almighty loves all people and wants everyone to come to the knowledge of Jesus. Technique Tuesdays Calamity Jane large was the perfect mixed up alpha!

Have a blessed day, the sun is shining in the Pacific Northwest...always a blessing!

my little darling

Saturday the day for the Inspiration Challenge over on SCS...I love looking at the various catalogs for my  muse!  This week is was the opposite, I'd been working on my His Holy Names challenge which was the word CREATOR.  I needed to find something in the Fritz & Floyd caddie that would tie my 6x6 page to the IC.  Well, these beautiful vases and the grill were just the perfect objects!

In thinking about the word creator, I was drawn to my favorite Psalm, 139 which talks about the LORD fashioning each one of us in our mother's womb, that every day of my life was written before they came to be, that HIS CREATION is wonderful.  I knew I wanted to use the double helix of DNA to represent both the complexity and the transparency of my life.  And I thought a picture of my loving parents before I was conceived would be a beginning point as is the postmark of my birth date.  Even as I study His Holy Names, it is about my faith journey, also.  I used Tim Holtz's ticket along with a dynamo label MY story.  The key is also from Tim Holtz idea-0logy...this one says Secret...I was made in the secret place.  I used some of a gorgeous Japanese pleated ribbon on the scripture page.  The word CREATOR is stamped on a piece of acetate with olive green Stazon.  Other details of the actual construction can be found in my SCS gallery.  I've left room for journaling behind the Psalm.

I am overwhelmed with the love the LORD has shown HIS people...it is so vast.  And I am thankful for all the gifts HE has given me.  Happy Weekend, my friends 

Righteousness

I have been so blessed by the His Holy Names challenge in just the few weeks of the new year.  I am using Kay Arthur's "Lord, I want to know you" Bible study to augment my knowledge.  This February 15 challenge is no exception.  The word is Righteousness.  In Hebrew that word is Jehovah-tsidkenu. One thing that was especially dear to me is that GOD had a plan, a way to redeem all mankind from the effects of Adam and Eve's original sin.  To take my black, foolish heart and write HIS precepts upon my heart and make me whole, fresh again.  It just requires me to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Which I do with all of myself.

I love this scripty heart stamp from Michelle Ward (Stampington).  It seemed perfect to go with my scripture from Jeremiah.  Once again this 6x6 page is a hybrid word with alot of the printing done in Photoshop.  I am seriously enjoying learning my way around PS as I create.  Kind of like me, a balance of external and internal.  The scripture page lifts up and has the Third Day Worship song, "Your Love Oh LORD" printed on striped paper (making the WT challenge of stripes).  I saved room writing personal observations there also.

Thanks so much for commenting and standing with me on this journey.  Be blessed