Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Blessings of Faith

The Crafters of Faith Blog Group is such a blessing to me! I love those ladies. We share our joys, our struggles, our prayer requests, and our love of paper-crafting with one another. And once a month, we have a hostess who chooses the theme so that on the last day of the month we can show our creatvity. And today is the day!

This month the hostess is Sharon. Sharon is such a sweet woman. She speaks eloquently from the heart. She understands when we hurt or when we need to vent. And she always has a smile on her face - oh wait! I guess that SCS avatar is the only picture of her that I've seen... but she's smiling in it. ;)

Sooooooooooooo before I go further, I must say... I failed the challenge Sharon gave us. UGH! I hate it when that happens. I didn't read carefully enough - until I started putting this blog post together. I'M SORRY, SHARON! Please forgive me!

Okay...

Here's Sharon's theme:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Wow, it's hard to believe that there is only 3 more months left of 2012...where has the time gone?? Some of you may know from reading my blog this week that Autumn is my favorite season of the year. In Southern Ontario it is quickly making its appearance and where I'm from the colour of the changing leaves can be quite spectacular. It's so inspiring--I just love it! Autumn also includes my most favourite holiday celebration--THANKSGIVING!! It's hard not to love a holiday that calls on us to give thanks for our blessings. I realize not everyone around the world celebrates this holiday, and our friends in the U.S. don't celebrate until November, so for this challenge you can choose to make either a card for thanksgiving OR a thank you card for someone who has been a blessing to you. Please use at least 2 designer papers and 1 embellishment, and most importantly, have fun! I can't wait to see what you've created!


And here's my card:




Can you tell what I did wrong? (Yep... I only used one designer paper! UGH!!!)

Now, let me explain myself. I am the one who is Christmas crazy - remember all those many MANY Christmas trees I put up every year - so we start getting ready for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving. (I usually start decorating the second weekend of November). Sooooooo we don't really do much with Thanksgiving. No decorations. We live far from family and can't get away on weekends, so we don't have any family gatherings. Nada.

That being said, I discovered that I also must not do Thanksgiving cards... because I couldn't find anything I wanted to use  in my massive collection. LOL! What's a girl to do? I googled for FREE digital images. (Very resourceful of me, don't you think?)

I loved the image I found. It's a Free Vintage Digital Stamps image! However, I don't think I'll be eating turkey any time soon now that I've seen this gorgeous creature. I think the colored ink in my printer must be about gone, too... since the coloring on this printed image is a medley of colors/hues... but I actually like it that way.

The sentiment I used was a freebie from Designed to Delight.




I decided to try something different with this card. If my memory is correct, I've never done this before. Because one of the advantages of using digital images is the fact that you can resize them, I used the same image inside my card, only in a smaller size.





I kind of like it. ;)


Here's a close up, so you get a better idea of the beautiful details of this image:




Isn't that amazing!??!?

Please be sure and check out the other Crafters of Faith blogs today and see what they created with Sharon's challenge. You'll find the list of links in my left side bar.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, let's remember we do have so much for which to be thankful.


Praise God, from Whom ALL blessings flow!


Image: Free Vintage Digital Stamps
Sentiment: Designed to Delight
Cardstock: Paper Company Black and Stampin' UP! Cherry Cobbler
Designer Paper: Creative Imaginations Mixed Sources
Embellishments: Kaiser Pearls and Satin Ribbon (vendor unknown)

19 comments:

Darlene said...

Stunning!! What an image you found! And I totally agree, the subtle coloring from your printer is perfect. Love the Doxology and the ribbon and pearls tie it all together. It's just beautiful.

Marilyn said...

This is gorgeous Jeanette and I love the printer ink effect - subtle bit of colour is just perfect for this. Funny how sometimes our 'boo-boos' turn out to be the best. It's a great image too... that's a mighty fine turk!

maryrose said...

Jeanette! Your card is jaw-droppin' gorgeous! I LOVE that turkey image, and seriously, your printer did all the perfectly muted coloring for you! This reminds me of my favorite Spode turkey dishes. And the sentiment with the musical background paper will have me singing the doxology all day. Lovely! Blessed to have you in our group!

kadie said...

Jeanette, you're too hard on yourself. I think this card fits PERFECTLY with the theme of Thanksgiving and it's GORGEOUS!! I love that you included the beautiful words of encouragement for Sharon too.
I'm so thankful for you, my friend! Blessings upon blessings today and always. HUGS

Barb said...

Jeanette--I agree with the previous comments--this card is stunning and jaw-dropping! I think it is one of the best I have seen you create!

Love the design and that you added the image on the inside too. Perfect use of nesties and the sentiment is awesome!

All around--I give you an A++++++++

jimlynn said...

Awesome and so beautiful! Love the dies you used on here and that image is WOW! Gorgeous card - and you're always welcomed to come spend Thanksgiving with us! I'd even feed you something other than turkey!
Beautiful card.
Lynn

:: BlueInks :: said...

Okay, the first thing I thought of when I saw the card - before reading the post - is that I LOVE how you colored the image!

Such a pretty card. I like that you used non traditional colors too.

Great job!

Carol W said...

Oh my goodness Jeanette...I think this card is so beautiful...(I think another dsp would not do this card justice)...It is PERFECT!!! I love this image and you have truly created a masterpiece here.. I am so grateful we are friends and in these awesome groups together...you are an inspiration and a wonderful gift in my life...hugs my friend...♥

stamp-color-and create said...

Well, I certainly wouldn't call this card a failure and like I told you before, I don't give out failing grades to those who try (this coming from one who works in the educational field and knows the value of putting forth an honest effort):-)

This card is beautiful, stunning and absolutely incredible! And I LOVE the designer paper you used. And yes, I agree that It was very resourceful of you to find your amazing image online. You really outdid yourself, my friend.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Thanks for playing along with me this month :-)

Jean Cross said...

Wonderful wonderful card that fits the theme and scripture perfectly.

Shelly Schmidt said...

Wonderful card- the image is fabulous- love the smaller version on the inside. Love the image in the great die you used too. I love Thanksgiving- Turkey and Sweet Potatos and family together- lots to be Thankful for!

marsha said...

Jeanette, I love, love, love this beautiful digital image! I had to immediately go and grab this for myself. I love the sentiment you used, I am most thankful for my God. I'm also thankful to join the group here at COF and I'm looking forward to getting to know you better!

Hugs and blessings,
Marsha

April said...

Terrific card and wonderful free immie! Who doesn't love free??

I will be singing the doxology until Sunday now....lol

Heather B said...

Wow. I love the way your printer printed that image. Very vintage and very cool looking!! Will you post pics of your trees? I've heard all about them, but one has to see to believe!

kiwimeskreations said...

What a great image Jeanette - and a lovely card. Although we don't 'do' thanksgiving here in NZ, we have no excuses for not being thankful all the time!
Blessings
Maxine

Melina said...

this is beautiful J! I love that image you found and the sentiment! I want it!!!!
Great creation :)

MiamiKel said...

Praise God needed!! And you know first hand, my prayer warrior, how thankful I am for his mercies of healing ... Reminding me to stop worrying when worrying ain't gonna fix anything!! I'm so thankful,for you!!

Now how 'bout this card!! Oh me oh my ... Stunning in red !! And what a fun image!! I might not eat turkey, but your card sure made me drool!!

Blessings to you dear,friend and for blessing the COF with your humor and grace!!

Xoxo

Ana Carolina Little said...

Gorgeous card Jeanette!!!. I LOVE the music background and the stamp is gorgeous as well.

I just nominated you for the Liebster Award. Please visit my blog to see what this is about. Congratulations!!!

Athina said...

This is absolutely stunning! I just don't know where to start.