Same but Different

It all started with making my card for this week's SALT challenge...The theme was taken form Psalm 46:1 "Be still and know that I am God". Lythan writes in her blurb 'I need to know that I am not on my own in all of this - that I can rest in God and he will give me strength. I wish I could follow Desmond Tutu's advice “I am far too busy to pray for less than two hours a day” I certainly need this time to reflect and create and be still with God'. I found this verse that I had stamped form my sister in lawscollection and used it to make this card.

I love the colours from these K&Co papers (the name escapes me...) and while I had the bits and pieces out I went on to make this birthday card. I was showing a friend the other day how to do heat embossing, it reminded me of how I used to almost , always stamp and heat emboss! As I still have lots of powders I decided to add it to this card. (although it isn't very clear from the photo....)

I love the way you can start with some co-ordinating papers, and then use the scraps to make such different cards with the same 'feel'. Trying to pick up my old habbit of using scraps while I have them out on the table, rather than to keep saving them, only just to pile up!

Mae-de for Mae

I have a new neice! Her name is Mae (pronouced May), and this is the card I made for her...

I used dymo labels to add the names of the family around the fabric flower, and stuck some mini butterflies to add effect to the feather (as my sister is likes butterflies!). My inspiration started with the wooden fabric heart and the scalloped paper and I built on that, but then I had trouble completing the card, thats where my trusty quickutz swirls came in!

Helping Hand

My sister in law is having a craft day to raise some money for a charity called Caring For Life, I made up some felt flower corsage kits to make your own, for her to sell. I thought they would make ideal stocking fillers, or Christmas presents.A friend of mine is organising a baby shower for her sister in law. I made this fimo cake topper for her so that she could have it as a keepsake. It was my first attempt at making something like this and was a bit time consuming, but very enjoyable. Don't look to closely or else you will see some faults! Very difficult not getting fingernail marks and scratches into the fimo (modelling clay) when it is soft!

I dont know if you have seen these before? It is called a nappy cake, made up of nappies, breast pads, scratch mits, socks, cotton buds and hidden inside is a music box, which the duck on the top sits on. We completed it with ribbon, and I added a few finishing touches to bring the colour together, some flowers and feathers!

Like Mother like Son?...

One morning we woke up to my son's attempt at cake making.... The results may look lovely, but this is a result of letting a 4 1/2 year old loose at candles and sprinkles, this is only part of the mess! The other cake attenpt that he tried was to try and make cake using dried milk powder and milk, with icing...!!!!

And these are some that I made....

Graduated Growth

My turn for the Salt Challenge this week. It came to me almost in a flash, whilst trying to think of a topic. I came up with the word 'Growth' I was thinking along the lines of seeds and how from a small seed comes a tree (been watching a bug's life!) but also about spiritual growth, and how it needs to be worked at. How we grow and learn through testing times. I loved the broadness of the subject, and am excited to see what the design team will achieve and interpret with it! Used a mixture of varieties of Tapestry stamps and similar ones, to create a graduated growth picture, with the verse 'But grow in grace of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory for ever and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18. I offset the word 'growth' to create a shadow effect and 3d mounted the letters, added some prima flowers to complete.

Choccy Cakes!

These chocolate cakes were made under extreme circumstances- as the electricity went in the middle of cooking them! Argh! thankfully they managed to cook in the heat of the oven.

I recently bought some new sprinkles, and wanted to test out my new mini star cutter (another b'day pressie) and my fabby new piping bag! (again another pressie). By the time I put the butter icing on, it had gone a bit loose due to the butter softening so much, but everyone was kind and said they couldnt tell! But you know when things dont turn out just how you want them...

These little gems are made from beetroot! Yep beetroot and chocolate cake, they are very moist and yummy! My mum gave me the recipe, although it is meant for a big cake I thought I would try them out as cupcakes. They are a gorgeous rich maroon colour. I added the hearts for a touch of pazazz!

Beloved Bird

One of my sisters went to america, and rather than buying me a 'lousy t-shirt' brought back a Martha Stewart Dove punch that I had my eye on! I love it, it is such a great little creature to fill those gaps, and makes a change from using butterflies (my other trusty punch!). I created these 2 cards.
This first was for a friend, a card with a meaning, I used elements of the card to potray her life. The 3 buttons to the bottom right represent her children, the word joyful expressed her, the tag shape, because she used some tags at her party so we knew who's glass was who's. The 2 love birds was her and her husband, and the gingham ribbon to represent the school uniform that our children go to. The strap was from a broken watch that I found on the floor!

You now when time flies... and dates spring upon you! Well my inlaws had there wedding anniversary recently, so I knocked together this card using yes! My birdy punch, and some die cut shapes my sister in law gave me for my birthday, the memories label blended a bit better in colour in real life! I liked the simplicity of this card, and might well make soem more like it!

Alternative Alterations

I think when you make an alternative card, especially a baby card, it tends to stand out from the usual blues, pinks and yellows. I liked the idea of using notepaper, but never done it before, so this was the start of the inspiration to this card. I used some bright pink felt flowers and filled with buttons, added brownsand turqouise and it all came together in the end!

I was admiring a brooch on a ladies bag, when she went on to tell me it was made from a zip! It was so effective, and looked like it was colured stitching rather than part of a metal zip. Inspired I looked through the internet to see if I could find a pattern, but to no avail. Instead I found a few other designs. Combining the ideas, this was my first effort maknig a zip brooch, with locally charity shop sorced zips!

Home Improvements

Recently made this card inspired by the paper (by Papermania- me thinks?) which had this gorgeous chair design, and an idea form a craft magazine, but adapted it to suit. Ideal for a new home card, retirement or that sort of thing. I had fun making the details, like the picture frame and the lamp. The photo doesnt show up that some of the furniture is stuck on 3d to give it a better effect.

A sponge cake I made for my husband's Grandad who turned 85 recently. Just something simple...Note to self- invest in some brown food colouring! I had to use cocoa powder to achieve the colour for the bird.

End of an Era

My son finished at nursery last friday :( I made a window cling (nearly A4 size) for the nursery and made a frame each for the teachers. Seems strange to come to the end of an era only to start a new one at school! But thats life! Oh the joys of labelling everything....

SALT & Sugar!

This card I made for the SALT CHALLENGE, the general topic is on prayer, but please read the blurb on the site for more detail. I must admit I was stuck for inspiration until I noticed another person on the design team had used this verse, and I happened to have the same one in a clear sticker! I finally bought myself a pricking tool which I used for the faux stitching around the edge, and some new papers I picked up in a sale.
Some cupcakes I made recently for my son's nursery cake sale. My cards seem to be put on the shelf for the time being whilst I take up my new hobbie of cake decorating! Although I do come back to it now and again. Thanks to my sister Ruth, who gave me the tip on using paper punches on rice paper to make the butterflies! Forever in your debt! Thanks!

Frames for Friends

Here are some recent frames I did for commissions for some friends. I really enjoyed doing the black and white one, especially as it came out how I wanted! The idea behind it was old fashioned movies, hence the black and white feather and bling! The verse inside is Psalm 121, and was given to a young lady on the occasion of her baptism.This frame was for a couple's wedding anniversary, think it may have been 25 years- hence the touch of silver!

This frame was for twins, I wanted something that would be suitable for both the boy and girl without going down the blue and pink route.

Loving Lawrence

Using some newly accuired Larence Lewellyn Bowen papers, I came up with these... Card for My father in law's Birthday, with an image of his car that he is going to get...

A bright cheery card for my mum's birthday, inspired by the colurs from the papers, I like the detail of the hummingbird charm- can you spot it?!

This card is for the SALT challenge, here is the blurb 'I have chosen to focus on one element of the Spirit's work - the community of faith. In Acts 2:42-47 Luke describes the amazing first congregation and how they share their lives together totally. It is quite something to try and live up to. How do we become Acts 2 communities today? I also thought about Matthew 18:20 (where two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them). Being a Minister I feel I have to point out that this reading is not just a reminder of Jesus being with us when there are just a few of us there, but that the context is actually when people are falling out and how to deal with it - but that is part of being a community of faith too. Community of faith could be a church, a group, your family, your area. You may want to focus on the highs or lows of trying to be the people together that Jesus has called us to be. I'll leave it to you and the Spirit to mull over as you create with'. So with 'Matthew 18:20' in mind I used the Unique BG stamp and hero arts Family definition stamp. Gold foil from an easter egg, and LLB paper for the centre.

Sufficient to Strengthen

The SALT challenges of late, have been a challenge and more importantly an encouragement! Challenging in the sense that God really does speak through His word (the Bible). The challenges seem so appropriate to situations I go through. This weeks card was made for a specific couple in mind. When we go through trials, it seems that more struggles are piled on to us, but this verse teaches that through our suffering God's undeserved love shines through, and is enough to get us through, if only we lean and trust in HIM!!!

Here is the blurb 'the topic for this week and I chose God's Strength based on 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." It seems lately that I have been made aware of so many people going through so many difficult trials, serious illnesses/injuries, financial strains, marital stress, loss of loved ones, and more. It's often easy for us to begin to question God's purposes and worry or despair. In this chapter of Corinthians, we see the example of the apostle Paul, how he prayed 3 times for God to remove a "thorn in the flesh" (we are not told what it was). God's answer should be our encouragement and comfort as it was Paul's! "My grace is sufficient for you."Matthew Henry in his commentary on this chapter states that "Grace signifies . . . The good-will of God towards us, and this is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort us, to support our souls and cheer up our spirits, in all afflictions and distresses. . . . Christ Jesus understands our case, and knows our need, and will proportion the remedy to our malady, and not only strengthen us, but glorify himself."

Please visit SALT and if you dont feel like you can take part at least enjoy the creativity of the design team and their artwork.

'Try something new today'

Although I subscribe to a craft magazine, I cant say that I tend to get a lot from it.... silly I know, Ishould really cancel the subscription. But while looking for inspiration I came across a card with these torn flowers on, I have seen them before, but never tried it for myself; until now! I tore the circles without the aid of any puches (I dont know if that is what you are supposed to do?) using some co-ordinating coloured off cuts and found some small buttons for the centre. I used the edge of my teweezers to create the piercing effect for the faux stitching and used pencil for the lines. I was pleased with the results, and hope to make some more of those flowers!

A serious case of....

A serious case of... blog neglection! Life seems to be full of one thing and another, and I am finally finding myself at nearly 11.30pm loading photos on my blog, never the less here I am! I have quickly knocked together this weeks SALT challenge of PERSERVERANCE, Here is some of the blurb for the challenge ''perseverance' is based on Hebrews 12:1 'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.'I am so encouraged that, although we are urged to persevere, the race is 'marked out for us', so we can rest assured that the plans for our lives are in God's hands. However, we must do our part and 'throw off everything that hinders' and keep on track with Him...If we are to run the race well, we need to get rid of those things in our lives that would hold us back from going God's way.Sometimes it is hard to persevere - when circumstances are such that life is difficult - but I believe that the key to our perseverance is in the next verse of Hebrews 12, where the writer says: 'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.'

I was pleased to find the photo I was looking for of this pair of my dads shoes, along size my nephews ones when he was small, which helped me with the colour scheme of the layout.

Easter, Explained...

It was my turn to set the challenge this week at SALT. This is what the blurb says (for worry that I will only repeat myslf..) I don't know about you, but this year is flying by! Everyone seems as busy as ever, and EASTER is fast approaching! So that brings me (Esther) neatly on to the subject for this week...'The real meaning of Easter' how easy it is to get caught up in the commercial side of Easter, without reflecting on why as Christians we celebrate it. God sent his one and only Son Jesus to die on the cross to take away our sin and the punishment we so deserve. He died, and yet even death had no power over him, Christ rose victorious and is alive for ever more! If you put your trust in God and believe that he died to take away your sin you also may experience new life in Christ. This was a real challenge for us as a design team, do let us know how you get on. DONT FORGET WE ARE NOW POSTING EVERY THURSDAY!

I really struggled with this callenge-even though I was the one to set it! Perhaps it was to broad a subject?... My first card, I was just not happy with, the desired effect was not how I wnted it to look. So I pressed on and came across this scrap of urban lily paper. I thought the butterfly image was just waht I needed to express new life in Christ, and through his dying on the cross was what makes it all possible!

Yummy Mummy's!

These are the cards I made for Mothers Day, taking advantage of my new Magnolia stamps. This card I added 3d foam to make certain bits stand out so it really looked like she was sitting on a swing!

This card is for my parents wedding anniversary coming up on Monday- 35 whole years! Praise God! Using the theme of Coral and the 2S4U sketch I came up with this card.... I added real coral beads in the centre of the flowers for some authenticity!

Be Still... Book

My sister Ruth's turn to take up the topic for this week's SALT challenge, some very moving and poignant words said in her blurb about 'SERENITY'. Do go and read it! In my contribution this week I wanted to make a prayer journal. I know I am for ever failing to spend time with God in prayer, and so I thought if I created a journal it might help me to be more disciplined.

The thought behind the front cover was that in the hustle and the bustle of life, we must have God in the centre, and find time to BE STILL! SO that we recognise and come to know God for who He is. The Almighty and Wonderful Creator!

Extra, Extra, Read all about it!

Our new designers on SALT are finally on board! Welcome to you all! Great news also, we are going to be posting EVERY THURSDAY!

Here is the blurb for the extra challenge for today!
Today we have an extra special treat as our challenge is being sponsored by A Faith Perspective. I got to know Anne at AFP after she sweetly choose my blog as a featured blog of the week a few months ago. Since that time Anne has frequented the SALT blog and highlighted the work of most of the members from our original team on AFP. Anne's commitment to sharing her faith and promoting other faith-based designers, blogs, and galleries through AFP and Scrapbook News & Reviews, an online, subscription-based publication, has been a real blessing to me and the SALT team. With those thoughts in mind, the SALT team wanted to throw out a friendship challenge for this weekend! The scripture verse that came to mind when I was thinking about this challenge was Proverbs 18:24, "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." My study Bible has these comments on this passage, "...the contrast seems to be between two kids of companions; those whose friendship is superficial and who cause trouble, and the rare friend who is as loyal as a brother."

As soon as I heard the topic, I had an idea in mind, that just kept on developing. Iused my recently aquired BG stickers, exisiting stamp bit of bling, and creasted this window card with ATC's

Even if you are not inclined to take part please have a look at the great work that everyone has put in, we would love to have your support. Please feel free to join in too!