'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!

Busy Birthday's

Tis the Birthday season! My sister in law, my son, and a fiend all within the space of a week... Went for a vintage look as I know my sister in law likes things like pride and prejudice and vintage looking things.

I made this card for my son, along with he cake I made and which I am rather proud of. Then used the left overs to make some miniature marzipan fruit, which I gave to my sons nursery teacher who leant me some red food colouring!

A sunny yellow card for a happy 10 year old girl.

New Life, New Design Team!

The SALT challenge this week is 'NEW LIFE'. Watch this sace for new design team members- to be announced very soon! I had a lot of difficulty trying to find the photos I wanted to use for my layout, and then I couldnt find the scan pictures of when my boy was a baby... :( But thank God that all things wortk together for good! I managed to get something done, just different to what I intention. So here is a picture of my son at 2 months old- He will be 4 this sunday!!! The miracle of new life in a child is amazing, and another wonderful miracle is when you come to have a personal faith and understanding with God. Like the journaling says, our prayer for our son and our family is that they will come to know God as their heavenly Father, and trust that Jesus came to die on the cross for their own sins. Do you know newness of life in Christ?

It's a Sacrifice

I got delayed on the Salt challenge this week! So many cards to make at the moment....do you here me complaining?.... The challenge topic was 'Sacrifice' The blurb is on the website. It is a real mind blower to think that God gave us the amazing sacrifice of His one and only son- CAN YOU IMAGINE?! Not only giving up your only child, but to give it up for a world of sinners, like me and you! Praise the Lord that through his sacrifice on the cross, our sins can be forgiven and a place will be waiting for us in heaven! I used my new Basic Grey stash to make the card, came just in time :)
My friend and her husband share the same birthday! Amazing! She loves the bird image and bright colours, although it may not look lik it that card took me ages. I lacked inspiration at the time, quite opposite to her husbands card who I have often said has a 'gothic' taste, hence the black with a touch of classy cream.

Romantic Red

Based on the bonus sketch for the 2S4Y. This was done for a recent commission for a Ruby Wedding Anniversary, I found that the finishing touches, helped complete the card.

This is a bit belated, my sons card that we made for his 'Valentine'! He wanted to add the black glitter, which I thought added a good contrast :)

This is the card I made for my hubby using recent photos I took of hearts in the snow. Wanted something simple and mascuine, but romantic.