Filled with hope, and strong in the Lord.

A long time ago I was given a verse that helped me keep my focus during a major adjusting period in my life.  This was the verse, and it's found in Romans 15:13," Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 
Without my faith in the Lord, what He has done for me, and the blessed hope that He so freely gives to those who would believe; I would have been in deep, deep, dispair. The Lord definitely used that time/trial in my life to bring me to know Him more. As I learn more about my God, I find I have such an amazing God who holds out a blessed hope to me because of His great sacrfice.  It is that strong hope that holds me fast through all that comes, even still. 


BE STRONG IN THE LORD

1 Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage;



your mighty Defender is always the same.


Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending;


victory is sure when you call on his name.


[Refrain:]


Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord,


and be of good courage for he is your guide.


Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord,


and rejoice for the victory is yours.




2 So put on the armor the Lord has provided,


and place your defense in his unfailing care.


Trust him for he will be with you in battle,


lighting your path to avoid every snare. (Refrain)








3 Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage,


your mighty Commander will vanquish the foe.


Fear not the battle for the victory is always his;


he will protect you whereever you go. (Refrain)





Here is what Matthew Henry's Commentary says.


15:8-13 Christ fulfilled the prophecies and promises relating to the Jews, and the Gentile converts could have no excuse for despising them. The Gentiles, being brought into the church, are companions in patience and tribulation. They should praise God. Calling upon all the nations to praise the Lord, shows that they shall have knowledge of him. We shall never seek to Christ till we trust in him. And the whole plan of redemption is suited to reconcile us to one another, as well as to our gracious God, so that an abiding hope of eternal life, through the sanctifying and comforting power of the Holy Spirit, may be attained. Our own power will never reach this; therefore where this hope is, and is abounding, the blessed Spirit must have all the glory. All joy and peace; all sorts of true joy and peace, so as to suppress doubts and fears, through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.




Let us be reminding each other of our powerful God, who He is, all that He has done for us, and that He has already won the battle! In Him, we have nothing to fear if we are His children. This is true peace. We are complete in Him, the price is paid, the battle is won, WE ARE FREE!!



These little creations were created just for that purpose. Give these gifts to a sister in Christ who you would like to encourage with the truth of God's word; that there is hope in any trial--- and that we can be strong while we walk with the Lord through our days here on earth.

There are two different cards to choose from, "HOPE", and "STRONG".  Both cards come with the scripture verse to match each card, and the "STRONG" card is accompanied with the Hymn as well.  Ofcourse you are welcome to attatch your own sentiments, these are only ment as a guide.
If you want a little more, than the little matching easle teacup art is available for purchase as well.

Cards are $4.00 each 
Teacup Art on Easle are $22.00 and come with matching card.
(all items are plus shipping)

SWEET TREATS!

It was such a sweet treat to be one of the recipients of a give away at ETC. Wasn't that so nice of them? If winning weren't enough, I got to select whatever images tickled my fancy.---(giggle)

Well, I was and am totaly in love with the 'Songsheet Bird Printable' image (more blogging coming with that one, I PROMISE!), 'Getting Sentimental', and 'The Lord is My Shepherd'. Thanks, ETC!!

For my first 'play-date' with these I chose the "Getting Sentimental" set. I began by painting an Altoid tin white, 'cause that's just the shabby girl that I am!---LOL!! Then I stuffed the little tin with heart candies that are filling the shelves in the stores. I made a wrapper/sleeve for it and tied it with ribbon.



Wouldn't these make great party favors?

Owls.......

They are everywhere, and they are all so adorable and oozing in cuteness! And they make quiet the theme for any event you have planned. I have seem them used for Father's Day, Baby showers, weddings,,,, and the list goes on and on. So while planning an event in this neck of the woods (snicker), I made a little owl ensemble, and then decided they were cute enough to make one for ourselves to keep. The event has come and gone, but mine are still sitting on my mantle, waiting to be replaced with Christmas decorations. It is a reminder to myself, to be a 'Wise' mother as God has outlined in His word. I have the kids looking up verses from day to day too, and recording them in a special book.
I took two patterns I found and combined them to make my own. You can find them here and here. Just note, I did not follow this pattern very closely at all. I also took some inspiration from here

Here's some pictures of the one I gave away;



Here's the one I made for our family:




I had a 'hoot!' (sorry, couldn't resist,lol) making these!

(For you regular lookers, I am on the mend now after being sick for tooo long. So hopefully I can post more than once a month,lol!!

Sincerely,
Sonja

Perfect Pumpkin Presentation - say that three times,LOL!!

I know Thanksgiving is long gone, at least for us Canadians. So are all the goodies I created. But I really wanted to share my favorite way for giving them away this year. I saved the best for last. I brainstormed for awhile and came up with what I thought was a pretty good way of presenting them to my friends.

Simple Dimple:




Cut paper into strips. Punch a hole at one end of the strips. Lay the strips around in a circle with the holes matching up in the center.
Cut out two of the largest die from the flower set "Blossom". Punch a hole in the center and lay it on top of your strips of paper. (I choose to re-enforce my flowers. I glued my paper to some leftover cardboard cereal boxes, and ran the through my die cutting machine.)
Next I cut two of the largest dies from the flower set "Nested Flower". These I also re-enforced these the same way as my previous ones,and used them as my stems. Poke a hole in the center of these as well.
Here is where I tied all my pieces together. I tied a knot in my string (in this case I used Raffia) and started to thread through all my holes, ending up at the top of my pumpkin. By this stage you should have gone through all your strips of paper, the Blossom flower and lastly your Nested flower. Tie a knot and cut off the end.

Now I turned upside down this entire piece, placed my cookie bag upside down as well. I took the second "Blossom" flower that I had cut and took one strip at a time and stapled it to the flower.

You can turn your pumpkin right side up now. You have one thing left to do, the stem. However, there is a little bit of trick to this. It is probably one of those things where it is harder to explain than it is to do.LOL! (Bending the "Nested Flower" a little before tying it on will help a lot.) Glue the "Nested Flower" together and place an elastic band around the top to hold it in the shape you want. Once the glue is dried you can take that band off. Now all you have to do is add your tags, leaves and pretties!! I had so much fun making mine. It was fairly easy to do, and they were really pretty when I was done.

Here is a close-up of the top.



I could not resist making some of them in one of my favorite styles: Shabby Chic! I had purchased some wallpaper by Debbie Travis, (that stuff is gorgeous!!!) and this project was just begging me to use it here. So, I did! I was filled with glee,hehe! SEE:



I also made Pumpkin Biscotti, and I put these in the white pumpkin.

I made two other pumpkins that were more traditional:



Here's all three together:



If you think you like this idea enough to try for yourself, you might want to look here for some more imspiration. Jeanette Lynton did a "BANG-UP" job!! I find it kinda funny though.--I truly, honestly had mine done before I knew of her posting.

I thought that was kind of neat! There are just so many fun ways of doing this I guess. If you do make one yourself, leave me a link in the comments. I'd love to see your take on it.

The joy of paper crafting........

is staying up late, in quiet, doing what I love to do. So, the other night I made a package of gift cards for a friend. This is one set from CTMH I just love and have used it alot.
I have got more to share, hopefully sooner than later. (where does the time go!LOL) I have been doing lots but as any blogger knows, it takes some time to get it posted.
Thanks for checking in again. Hope to be back here again soon.

Sincerely,
Sonja

Christmas is in the details.

This Christmas held so many wonderful details.
Here's a few of the details that defined this year for us.

I've had this paper by DaisyD (Moda) for a long time. I should have bought more, as I have the fabric line for a Christmas quilt (which will be on my list of things to complete in '09). But regretably I did not. Still I thought this would be fun for the kids to do and add to the Christmas decor in the home. And so it was that we began to anticipate Christmas.



Another detail I love is my calendar (you've seen it before). I finished my "December" topper and I used the calendar. I am so loving having this!! I am using a Steadtler black, non-permanent marker.


This is something I got years ago at a garage sale, could NEVER park with it, and it works so wonderful to hold my markers for the calendar.


Made a few of these:


Before I new it, we were taking a much needed break from school and getting ready to have a full house, to enjoy each others company.





One of mr favorite memories of the year was having my mom stay with us (agian). She brought little things for the kids like this little adorable chocolate reindeer.





She helped in the kitchen.
Read to the kids from a special book about Christmas Stories.
Played games with the kids.
Tucked them into bed one night.
Watched "Horton Hears a Who" with us.
Was just 'with' us for four wonderful days.
Has boughten me some of my favorite decorations for our home.

Some highlights I don't want to forget.

Sledding

The Christmas Story by the Skarbo's at our Church.

Doing laundry at both my mother's and mother-in-laws because ours broke over the holidays. ( I wouldn't have those wonderful memories otherwise. It was some of the best game playing we've had.)

My brother bringing a 'home' version of "the Marble Slab". HMMMM homemade ice cream flavors. The kids enjoyed this so much. Secretly:) (which isn't so secret on blog land is it?lol.) I hope it becomes a tradition.

Watching DS assemble the Dump Truck.

Stying up late watching the hockey game, while playing Monopoly with the kids.

Kind neighbour who dropped of some sledding helmets for the kids, and they went everywhere with them. Played monopoly with them, they almost slept in them. LOL!

Staying up really late playing Rooke with my brothers. Real late, as late as we have ever stayed up! So much fun.

But now:


All four of my Pumpkin pies have been eaten.
The leftovers have been eaten up.
The decorations are stored away for next year.
All the chocolate is gone:



My house is just about put back to normal, and for the most part I have recovered from the holidays. How about you? LOL

NOTE : None of these details would be recorded had I not had a DH who bought me a new camera. He said he actually noticed me taking less pictures this last year. That is why two are better than one. I honestly didn't realize. Oh!, I have so much to learn and I am having so much fun learning it.

Hope your new year is a blessed one filled with wonderful details for you to cherish and record.


Sincerely,
Sonja

It's -27 degrees outside right now.....

and it feels good to be inside, warm and creating.
What a great afternoon I had. I had the privilege of creating with a dear friend today. As soon as I saw this, I new that I had to give it a try for myself.
I followed the links to all the little tips I could read. I even took a book out of the library. Yet I wouldn't have gotten half as far as I did had I not received a little help from my DFIL (dear father-in law). He was a wonderful help and even let me use some of his tools. THANKS DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So after a wonderful afternoon, I have one necklace for a Christmas gift. I will certainly be making more of these in the future. It really was pretty easy I think. Even though I think I could get better, it's not bad for the first try I (modestly) think. LOL.





It was so much fun, and I can't wait to play some more with these.

Hope your night has been warm and crafty!

Sincerely,
Sonja

Best way to spend Mother's Day

I have enjoyed getting ready this year for Mother's Day. Seems like we've been working on it for awhile. Had to collect the rocks (long walk down to the river-took most of the morning), had to wash the rocks,



then paint them. Wait for paint to dry and then paint again. I had so much fun watching them paint their rocks. It's a little hard for me sometimes to "let them at it". I tend to think it needs to be perfect and a certain way. But I reprogrammed myself and just let them have fun. It is the best way really, that I can think of, to celebrate Mother's Day. Just being together and celebrating that God has given me four WONDERFUL children to bless my life.
Here's how I am choosing to (hopefully) bless my mothers. One is for my Mom, and the other for my Mother-in-law. They both love their garden, so these are for there gardens, and the kids painted some rocks for them to put in there too.



Hope you all have a blessed Mother's Day!!

Sincerely,
Sonja

Items Used:

Foxglove Cottage by Cornish Heritage Farms
Climbing Leaves by Cornish Heritage Farms

Heritage Caps (now retired) Close to My Heart (GARDEN)
Hodgepodge Alphabet: Close to My Heart (MY)
Make it Count: Close to My Heart (magic moments)

Ink: StazOn Timber Brown and Cactus Green

Other:
Tissue paper, Mog Podge

Paint color: Pebble
Hope that covers everything

True Friends are a Gift from the Lord. I am blessed!!!

I am at least twice blessed!!!
Well, as Christmas is approaching very rapidly, I am busy as a bee preparing. Also trying to get the last of the children's studies in.(We homeschool) But today's post is about two friends the Lord has blessed me with. Great testimonies and a great source of encouragement for me. Since I joined Close to My Heart, I was surprised to meet up again with a friend I knew at a church I used to attend. It's an amazing story really. Trish has become a great friend, with lost in common. Most importantly our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We also share a paper crafting passion, which is how me met on the CTMH boards. It is NOT by chance that we have been reintroduced to each other. We have been talking alot on the phone. And at the end of November she made her way down here for a lovely visit. I would love to have her come down again, not because she spoiled me (thanks again Trish!!), but because she is a delight to my soul.
There's another friend who has been a delight to my soul for the last 8 years. She is appropriately named Grace. Let's just say there is a lot of memories one collects over eight years!!!! One of them being every year we have gotten to celebrate the birthdays of our boys who are 9 days apart since birth. But the Lord has moved their family on. I would be lying to say I was happy/ecstatic to see them go. But I know when and where the Lord leads, you follow. I have done this before not that long ago in fact. And the older I get the more I realize my best friend is with my all the time. A young girl thinks she needs a "BEST" friend. But how vain is that. I have so much growing up to do. It's not to say that friends aren't needed. But I am called to "be" on first. I don't usually set out to share so much on this blog of personal thoughts! This blog is more about sharing my creation with others who might appreciate it, even use it. My creations, as you have seen, usually have a purpose, with someone in mind to receive them. This time I share with you another card box that I made for Grace as a going away gift. I love picking up these boxes and recovering them to make them more personal. Her favorite color is red. I thought this paper and style of box went well enough together. I made a few dividers for the inside and a couple of pens. It's a good ensemble!!?? And let's not forget, a matching card that has all that sappy stuff that girls write down and then cry over,LOL!!!!

Sincerely
Sonja

Altered Box, Card gift set

Altered Card Box/Gift