Butterfly Card-Brayer Technique

This sweet little card is for my mother's 84th birthday.  She absolutely loves purple so I knew that would be the prominent color.  However, I didn't have any purple paper and didn't want to buy more!  So naturally I turned to my Close To My Heart stamps, cardstock and brayer!  I started by inking the brayer with 3 shades of purple ink and then rolled it across a sheet of white daisy cardstock.  Then I used my Fill in the Blank stamp set dor the butterflies.  After cutting out the butterflies, I inked the edges for definition and added the pearls and gems in the center.

For the card base, I used a sheet of Colonial White cardstock and random stamped the flowers.  I also inked the edges.  The green center paper is from the Wings paper pack and is random stampoed with a tiny bud.  I punched out a circle and stamped the 1st sentiment and then cut out a rectangle for the 2nd. I used foam adhesive just in the center of the butterflies to give them some dimension.
Happy birthday Mom!

Close To MY Heart Supplies:
Colonial white and Daisy White cardstock
Pear paper from Wings
Pear, Amethyst, Gypsy and Hydrangea ink
Fill in the Blank Stamps

Sophia Stamps
Foam adhesive

Brayer
Circle Punch

other brand: rhinestone and pearls from my stash

Toad-ally awesome winner!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in the Toadally Frogs Blog Hop and thanks to Karel for hosting!  I sooo appreciate all the sweet comments and the new followers!  I hope you will return often.

Here's the winner of my Toadally Frogs Blog Hop candy:

jennyplace2 said...

Happy Easter to you and your family! Hope your day is filled with family and friends. Thanks for putting on such a totally fun blog hop and sharing your talent with us all. Hugs Jenny

I will email you right now to get your addy and then get your "First Class" stamp set from Close To My Heart into the mail for you.

Free to Dance

Belinda Kersey July 20, 2008

God’s Word
“Christ has liberated us into freedom. Therefore stand firm and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1


My Thoughts
As I sang this song in joy, I looked out across the congregation. Unfortunately, it appeared some did not seem to share my exuberance for God’s freedom. I know I shouldn’t judge what is in the heart of the people who sat with arms folded while the choir and worship team and most of the congregation sang with thankfulness for our freedom in Christ. But I couldn’t help but think those folks couldn’t possibly know the meaning of the words to the song.

How can you sit still when it is proclaimed “I am free to run, and I am free to dance. I am free to live for You. I am free, yes, I am free!” I want to jump from my wheelchair every time I hear this song. In the privacy of my home, when “I Am Free” comes on the radio, I will make sure my wheelchair is behind me and there’s something I can lean on in front of me, then I will stand for a few seconds at a time and sing this song at the top of my lungs. I do not have to sit in my chair and lament all that I can’t do. I can sing before God and call out to Him the things He has enabled me to do and the things He will enable me to do. In Christ I am free to run. To run in my spirit straight into His sustaining arms until the day I can run tall and on my own.

To the human eye it must be quite a sight to see me in a bent stance, with arms out to catch myself lest I fall, while I sing my head off. I hope to God’s eye it is pleasing to see me stand in faith. I pray the enemy sees my defiance in the face of disease. This wheelchair does not keep me from the greatest freedom of all. I am free to live for Christ no matter what state I am in. If I find myself bedridden and unable to move, I will still be free to pray to Him and to praise Him.
I let God know I am positive “through You the blind will see, through You the mute will sing, through You the dead will rise. Through You all hearts will praise, through You the darkness flees, through You my heart screams 'I am free'”. I add my own words, words I know will happen soon, “through You the lame will walk!”

Dear friend, we have freedom in Christ no matter what chains seem to bind our feet. I can dance in my wheelchair as I proclaim my freedom in the hands of a mighty God. In my heart I am running in the freedom of Christ. I can live every second he has given me for His glory no matter what condition I am in.
He is the God of miracles! He opens blind eyes and breathes a voice into the one who was mute. He lifts the lame to their feet and death trembles when he walks by. I’ve heard it said that Jesus had to use Lazarus’ name when he commanded him to come out of the tomb because if he hadn’t, every dead soul in that burial place would have risen! That is the kind of powerful freedom our Lord offers! His voice brings life to death and brings freedom to the bound!

Some of the most meaning filled songs are so very simple. This song consists of a handful of words but it evokes vast amounts of emotion in my soul. Although I am physically dependent on this wheelchair, I have made this a song of declaration. When I sing this song, I am speaking the things that don’t appear to be possible as though they are fact. Someday, I know they will be.

In Christ, I am free to dance. To dance in my innermost being before Him from the sheer joy of being His child. One of these days, through Him, the darkness of this disease will flee and I will stand tall and healed through His freedom. One day I will join countless others and dance before His throne.


Your Prayer
Declare your freedom today from whatever binds you. Speak in faith that you are free from________.

Toadally Frogs Blog Hop

Welcome to the Toadally Frogs Blog Hop!  We have un-frog-gettable crafters hopping along! If you came here from marvelous Michelle Petrovich at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs, then you are in the right spot!  If you just happened to find us, and want to join in the fun, hop on back to Karelj's Blog at www.kareljcreations.com to begin at the beginning.  I want to say thank you so much to Karel for allowing me to join in this fun hop!

I chose to use the fab frog from the Create-A-Critter cartridge.  This is such a fabulously fun cart!  I used papers from Close To My Heart's Miracle pack.  The musical paper for the crown was from my leftover drawer.  I had to add the googly eyes from my stash-they add the right whimsical touch. The title was stamped with CTMH Moonlight ink and our wonderful Bohemian stamps. The gorgeous flowers, butterflies and jewels are from the folks at Creative Charms.  I inked all the edges in CTMH Indian Corn Blue ink and in my journaling added  the stamp "un-frog-gettable" from My Pink Stampers "More Puny-licious" stamps.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.   Leave me some love and get in a drawing for a free CTMH stamp set.  Now, jump on over to the very talented Calie at Calie’s Creative Corner

1. Karelj at One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2rbxT1d7die9aVPiTP_d94g/karelj.blogspot.com/ ME!

2. Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2nOB9emLSTPLRuvkHb1oVkw/www.touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/

3. Michelle Petrovich at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2s8gFeN6HVJiyKL-6bfqd7Q/peanutbutterandjellydesigns.blogspot.com/

4. Belinda Kersey at Queen Bee’s Musings at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2AmJcIZY1B4y84HFt5WKJJQ/www.queenbeesmusings.blogspot.com/

5. Cali Romero at Calie’s Creative Corner at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f24BfS8QuxbW-jjQCcQ_rTNQ/www.caliescreativecorner.blogspot.com/

6. Nicolette Simpson at Beyond Scrapping http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2GXmG2j9OIU1KeKbkrdLNGw/www.beyondscrapin.blogspot.com/

7. Bonnie Cantu at A Scrap Above at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2mJwhhudPlczddTcAdqCPTw/ascrapabove.blogspot.com/

8. Lisa Gorlewski at Lisa’s Paper Butterflies at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2MuxzxRK6muuCNeZJDb6EXg/lisaspaperbutterflies.blogspot.com/

9. Jamie at Glitter, Paper, Stamps, Oh My! http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2UxlWnt451pGgqqst7pVKhw/jamieisacraftymomma.blogspot.com/

10. Diane Davison at Crafting This Moment at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2oFPKxRbq6TuT1EN0BIaLvw/craftingthismoment.blogspot.com/

11. Krista at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f29tbN2EcZ-X1PDEDg7fIQLA/www.scrapaleupagus.blogspot.com/

12. Gina at Gina Thornton Stamping http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f27QoRo7dxqtu09SzedGsZxw/ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com/

13. Stephenie at SS Crafter at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2x4WRcKSyamjWUrvoh_qYIw/www.sscrafter.blogspot.com/

14. Rebecca Maddux at Creations With Becka at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2_Q90NQsS0msgI1mfTBDkLg/www.creationswithbecka.blogspot.com/

15. Kathryn at Creations By Kathryn at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2-Lu5Ou7Xu-okXPDdVIlgbw/wamfamily.blogspot.com/

16. Summer and Jennifer at The Cricut Diaries at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f24bny7VqRnSNgqeKtqeiiEA/www.cricutdiaries.blogspot.com/

17. Mistyrose at Sweet Magnolia Rose at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2dW6TH75UI0cPxvU22JYJAg/sweetmagnoliarose.blogspot.com/

18. Melissa Allore at Disney Dreamer Designs at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2WlvfJDuDoq4BEmWkK0q5DQ/www.disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com/

19. Patti Hurlburt at Short ‘N Scrappy at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2dYWdhlIH84Z1pcQmbNzgnw/www.shortnscrappy.com/

20. Colleen McCauley at Col’s Creative Corner at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2vwKLIFVRLKPd1zeuTpVjrA/scrappycol.blogspot.com/

21. Janice Anello at Cricut Confessions at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2FSC0Urofwe71nIh318DmhQ/www.cricutconfessions.com/

22. Leah Pagliaroli at Leah’s Card Designs at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2vq6n93HQWgPjD-qZstO9Yw/leahscarddesigns.blogspot.com/

23. Audrey Roseman at Life Is Beautiful at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2ENiuhi2oXYzSlcsnJcaRmg/audreyscardsbydesign.blogspot.com/

24. Ellen Jarvis at Card Monkey at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2RRZfcNemjGJMyKEPRieRgA/www.cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/

25. Mallika Kejriwal at Miss Not So Good With Words at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2kymF7lu79Zk9S_0-Sb9zGw/www.missnotsogoodwithwords.blogspot.com/

26. Inga Klaus at Momma Hobbit Creations at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2SsKpPVZjnNhKomd8X4z_zg/mommahobbit.blogspot.com/

27. Brynn Thornburgh at Flair and Frills Creativity http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2x3ehE9sMCZ-0QxBqCT2uIQ/www.flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com/

28. Kristal Andrews at Getting at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2L3bM3wrIS3CXMEEECprInQ/www.gettingcricky.com/

29. Monica Edwards at Scraps To Treasures at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2naejIuDOrxPzd-Ci8VoMLQ/www.http//scraps2treasure.blogspot.com

Monkey Candy Box

 

I made this for a sweet little 8 yo boy I know who has just had surgery to remove a brain tumor.  Please say a prayer for him and his family.  Things do seem to be looking good at this point. 

I got the idea, to reuse this acetate box, from www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com. They are having a reduce, reuse, recycle challenge this month.  This box began life as packaging for a roll of vinyl.  I wrapped it with 2 strips of CTMH paper from the Sophia and Caboodle collections. I edged the paper with our awesome Kraft Color Ready borders.  They are the most versatile and cost effective items we carry!  The monkey was cut with the Create A Critter cart with my Cricut using CTMH cardstock.  The sentiment stamp is from My Pink Stamper. I wrote his name with a CTMH marker on one of our Canvas buttons.  These can be stamped on as well.  Of course, I had to add some fun googly eyes from my stash!

Hope you'll think twice before you throw away packaging again!  I just keep a bin under a table to throw all my reusable packaging in.

H2H Bunny Blog Hop

  

The ladies at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com are starting a Bunny Blog Hop today.  You should head over there and check out all the fun Easter ideas or add your own Close To My Heart Easter project.

I made these cute little treats for my fellow Scrapbook Divas for our monthly Scrapping Bee at our church yesterday.  I found these clear pails on clearance at Container Store.  They are filled with colorful candy that pairs nicely with the cute Caboodle paper (retired) from CTMH.  The scallop rounds were cut with our punch out of our current Miracle paper.  The bunny was stamped using "A Hop" stamp set in Sorbet ink. The ribbon is also retired.  The sentiment stamp, flowers and rhinestones are not from CTMH.  

Leave me some love and have a blessed Easter!

Monday Musing-Prisoner's Chains

Belinda Kersey 8/27/07

God’s Word

Acts 16:25-26 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.”

My Thoughts

Have you ever sung in your pain? I have. Sometimes singing in my pain is all that gets me through the pain. The first time I was in rehab was painful mentally and physically. It affected me mentally because they were teaching me how to live in a wheelchair and physically because MS had so imprisoned my body that it was painful to try to regain any amount of movement that I had lost. I had Jeff bring me a CD player and some of my favorite music; between naps and the therapy sessions I would sit in my room and sing to the Lord.

Paul and Silas sang in their pain and Selah sings about them in, “I Bless Your Name”. It says “In prisoners' chains with bleeding stripes Paul and Silas prayed that night and in their pain began to sing.” Now if Paul and Silas acted like a lot of us today, they could have been sitting in that cell griping. All they had done was cast a demon out of a slave girl but now she was no longer going to earn fat wads of cash for her owners as a fortune-teller. Verse 19 of the chapter says “When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.” Then, without so much as a trial, “they were severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.” So, they had every right to be whining about their injuries, their unjust treatment and the painful position they were in. I know you’ve never done this, but I can even imagine other people complaining to God. “Lord, this is how you repay us for setting a girl free from demonic power? This is how you treat your loyal servants? What happened to the “beautiful feet of those who bring good news”? Our feet don’t look so beautiful in these stocks!”

That’s why I believe God has a special place in his heart for those of us who sing through our pain. He knows what we could sound like instead! Even if our song of praise is tentative or slightly off-key, it still sounds beautiful to Him. And just the act of singing His praise moves our mind from the situation and on to Him. There are times our songs can bring the miraculous. As the song says “Their chains were loosed and they were free”. Can you imagine their shock and awe? Or just maybe they were not shocked. When your faith is in a God who is all-powerful, how can you be shocked when he answers your cry? When you trust in the one true God, you can sing “I bless Your Name, I bless Your Name, I give You honor, give You praise. You are the Life, the Truth, the Way. I bless Your Name I bless Your Name .”

One scripture I find compelling says “and the other prisoners were listening to them”. I found that to be true in my own situation. I did not care who heard me as I sang to God in that hospital room. Some heard and were blessed and moved to ask about my peace. Our songs to God will serve as praise to Him, peace to our souls and a path to Him for others. So “some midnight hour if you should find you're in a prison in your mind. Reach out and praise, defy those chains, and they will fall in Jesus' name!”

Your Response

The scripture doesn’t tell us what words Paul and Silas sang. It simply says they were singing hymns to God. I am sure they sang the ones that were most precious to them and most ingrained in their hearts. Begin now to sing your favorite hymn or worship song to the God who frees us. Even if “Jesus Loves Me” is all you can think of, then sing it for all you’re worth.

Sophia Paper LO

 

These layouts are of the MS Walk we participated in on April 2nd.  It was a gorgeous day and we had lots of fun!  The LO is actually from the Miracle Workshop on the Go but I chose to use the Sophia Pack of paper from CTMH because the colors went with our shirts so well.  The stamp sets I used were Chocolate Alpha,  Take a Picture and Miracle WOTG.  The adorable pinwheels were made using the perfect pinwheel stamps from the Miracle set.  The stamps make it sooo easy to create these.  To accent the cuteness I used ric rac ribbon from CTMH as well as our fabulous Kraft color ready borders.  I sprayed one of the borders using our spray bottles with a mix of Perfect Pearls Paint, Reinker and water. The pink panel of cardstock on the bottom page was random stamped by lil' ol' me.   Ink colors used were Chocolate, Pear and Hollyhock.

Monday Musing-His Banner

Belinda Kersey July 20, 2008

God’s Word

“And Moses built an altar and named it, "The LORD Is My Banner." Exodus 17:15

 The Song

“Greatly to be Praised/I Offer Up This Praise” arranged by Joy Gardner and Bradley Knight

My Thoughts

We had a discussion in choir one night regarding exactly what God’s banner is.  In my youth one of the popular church songs sung in churches across the nation was “His Banner Over Me is Love”.  I’m afraid I never grasped the meaning of those words even though I sang them a million times with the obligatory hand motions.  I just envisioned a cloth sign over my head that said “Love”.  I guess I didn’t have much imagination or wasn’t interested in delving too far into the meaning of a pleasant little chorus.

During the rehearsal of “Greatly to Be Praised”, someone asked what exactly the words “your banner” mean.  By this time in my life, I knew a little more of what was behind that phrase.  I knew in my own life, I have raised his banner often and for so many reasons. I knew in Biblical times when the army of God was headed into battle, they would carry banners proclaiming the names of the Lord.  A visual that is a far cry from my hearts and flowers version in my youth!

When we raise God’s banner, we are showing the world and its prince of darkness we are on the side of  Adonai El Elyon, The Most High God (Gen. 14:22; Psalm 7:17; Psalm 47:2).   Our God is “greatly to be praised” and when we face a battle we must use every bit of our “heart, mind and strength” to raise the banner of God.

In this act of defiance against the enemy, we are given renewed strength to fight our battles, to face each day.  What are you going through?  Is your home rocked by chaos on every hand?  Lift up the banner of Jehovah Shalom (Judges 6:24), the Lord of our peace.

Are you battered and bruised from your struggle?  Do you need time to rest and heal?  Lift up the banner of Adonai Sal’i (Psalm 18:2), the Lord my Rock and hiding place. What disease has come upon you?  He is Jehovah Rapha, The LORD who heals you; The LORD your healer; (Ex. 15:26). 

Just as a child would lift his hands to be picked up, raise your hands to Adonai Avinu, The LORD our Father (Isa. 64:8).  He will lift you and hold you in your times of loneliness and uncertainty. Adonai Eloheikhem, The LORD your God (Lev. 19:3) stands ready to be by your side in whatever battle you face.  He is Adonai Elohim, The LORD God (Gen. 2:4), the Source and Ground of all being but the personal God and Creator of each and every one of us.

You can rest assured He is Adonai Yir’eh or, The LORD who sees; (Gen. 22:14); Adonai sees all and knows our needs intimately.  Even if you don’t have the strength to whisper your need, lift your eyes to heaven and He will see you.

Your Prayer

With your “hands lifted high and a heart of thanks, offer your praise” to Adonai Nissi, The LORD my Miracle, The LORD my Banner; (Ex. 17:15).

I did several searches but could not find this particular song on the internet!  I apologize!

Hope for Japan Stamp Set

This card was made using the new stamp set from Close To My Heart that is a fundraiser for Japan.  100% of proceeds from the $5 cost goes to the Amer. Red Cross for Japan.  I used all products from CTMH:
Kraft paper
Hope Stamp Set
Twill Ribbon (I stamped the word Hope on it)
Foam Adhesive
Bitty Sparkles
Vineyard Berry and Blush Inks
Vineyard Berry Cardstock (I used a file to really distress it)
White Daisy Cardstock

April Showers Bring A Bird in a Teacup?

I don't always love my creations but this card is one that I do LOVE.  It started with the newest challenge at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com.  The challenge was to make something that depicted April Showers Bring May Flowers.  So, my rhinestones represent the showers.  All products are from Close To My Heart:

Sophia Pattern papers
Miracle paper for wing
Blush Cardstock
Sophia Journal Spot
Ribbon
A Tweet Stamp Set
A Sip Stamp Set
Miracle Workshop Stamp Set
Pear, Crystal Blue, Heavenly Blue, Smoothie and Blush Inks
Rhinestones
Blue Button
Foam Adhesive

Unchangeable

Belinda Kersey 7/17/07
God’s Word
Hebrews 13:8 NIV “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

My Thoughts

Bob and Debbie were the most influential ministers in my life during the confusing teenage years. They challenged my intellect as well as my spirit and created a desire in me to walk with the Lord in a complete relationship, not just in a religion of habit.

As so often happens, we lost touch when they returned to their native Colorado. A few years ago I was compelled to contact my former youth pastor and his wife. I was able to get their e-mail address and reconnect. I was so glad I made the effort to reach them because I was able to let them know how influential they were in my walk with the Lord. Also, at the time I contacted Bob, I discovered they had been going through their own medical minefield and had also experienced great loss.

Bob had lost both parents and a brother within a nine month time period, Bob had battled cancer and was doing so again. It was so refreshing and encouraging to me that those who had taught me so much about faith in my youth were still true to that faith even in the face of such sorrow as well as dire predictions by the physicians. At one point in Bob’s testing and uncertainty, Debbie shared how personally meaningful the following words were to them. “You are God alone from before time began you were on Your throne, you are God alone. And right now in the good times and bad you are on Your throne you are God alone. Unchangeable, Unshakable, Unstoppable that’s what You are".

It is so easy to forget in our times of crisis that nothing can change who God is, how God acts or what God can do. Absolutely nothing that occurs on this planet catches Him by surprise. He knew from before time began that Bob and Debbie would repeatedly face cancer and go through a time of traumatic loss. God was on His throne as Bob faced physical pain and bombardment on every side by the enemy.
Even in their time of deepest fear, they were able to sing this song and mean every word. They continued to minister as Senior Pastors when others may have felt justified to step aside. God provided His unchangeable, unshakeable and unstoppable love and sustaining power. They knew God could heal Bob with a blink of His eye and they would glorify Him. But they also would glorify Him if his healing did not come.

Today, Bob and Debbie are glorifying God in their Colorado home, a home that Bob built with his own hands. Hands that were willing to praise God in his trial and hands that now praise God in healing. Bob and Debbie know that in the good times and bad God will be on His throne ready to provide whatever his children need to sustain them through their circumstances. No matter what time it is on earth and in our lives, God is the same and nothing will stop Him, change Him or shake Him.

Your Response

Tell the God of the Universe how awesome and mighty He is. Tell Him you worship His majesty and glory. Thank Him for the good times He has given you and thank Him for being with you during this time of trouble.

2011 Mighty Spirit Walks for a Cure

God has been good to me, sustains me and gives me hope and peace.  My life is good and I am surrounded by friends and family who support and love me.  Most of all, I have a husband who is faithful, loving and my rock! But I do live every day with a MonSter.

Yesterday marked the 8th time my team, Mighty Spirit, has entered the MS Walk of Fort Worth.  That means this year will mark 10 years that I have lived with multiple sclerosis and 9 years that I have lived in a wheelchair.  Multiple Sclerosis is a MonSter of a disease that has many symptoms that affect one individual living with the disease in very different ways from others living with it.  It also may affect an individual differently at different times of their life.   Mine causes major weakness in my lower body but started with major fatigue and difficulty seeing (both symptoms disappeared several years ago praise God!).  Another person may have near or total blindness, speech difficulties, numbness in varying parts of the body, problems with cognition, the list goes on. 

The goal of the National MS Society is to eradicate this disease that now affects children and adults alike.  I have 30 more days to raise funds to count for this year's MS Walk.  If you are able, please donate today by going HERE.  If not, please pray that a cure is found soon!