A Grammar Lesson on LOVE

Marge! Where have you been? I don't have an exciting explanation, but today I'm back to blogging. I have a card and gift package to share with you.  The card is a Mary Fish CASE, the gift package is an Andrea Walford CASE. But before we get to crafting here are some thoughts to ponder about love while you create cards and gifts for your loved ones.

With February being the "month of love," two friends began to discuss their plans (or lack of plans) for Valentine's Day weekend.  Then they moved into sharing some marriage lessons they'd learned throughout their combined 45 years of marriage.   One observed that love has to mature for a marriage to go the distance.  And then followed that observation with, "I guess love has to move from being a noun to being a verb."

They both paused and considered the implications of that.  My friend said it was one of the most profound things she'd ever said and hasn't been able to get the concept out of her head.

 Immature love is a noun. A thing we long for. A feeling. An expectation of what someone will do for us.  Mature love is a verb.  An action we take. A decision.  A choice to do something for someone else.
  
Unfortunately too many of us have yet to mature in our love, and our relationships bear the scars of that fact.  But it's never too late to grow up.  If we want our love to last a lifetime, we can't afford to keep believing that love is a noun. The feeling of love is short-lived.  We have to transition to understanding that long-lasting love is really a verb.
  
But what does this English lesson of nouns and verbs have to do with real relationships?  How do we take this concept and apply it to real life? Maybe these scenarios can help paint the picture.
  ■Love as a noun spent all last week wondering what your spouse was going to do for you for Valentine's Day. Love as a verb spent all last week preparing your expression of love for your spouse.
 ■Love as a noun feels despair when you no longer feel "in love" with the person you are married to. Love as a verb understands the ebb and flow of feelings.  It focuses more on expressing love than feeling love.
 ■Love as a noun demands its own way.  Love as a verb works to understand differences and is open to new ways of doing things.
 ■Love as a noun finds faults in others.  Love as a verb gives grace and forgiveness.
 ■Love as a noun expects others to serve them.  Love as a verb serves freely.
 ■Love as a noun expects to always feel warm and fuzzy and "in love."  Love as a verb realizes that often we have to choose to love even when we don't feel like it.
The most frequently quoted Bible verse at weddings is I Corinthians 13, which is often referred to as the "love chapter."  It says that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

It wasn't until just a few weeks ago that I realized that every time love is mentioned in this often quoted verse, it is a verb. Maybe this concept has been right in front of my eyes all along, but I just didn't understand it until recently. The most interesting thing, however, is a less often quoted part of the verse that says, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."

So love has to grow up.  It has to mature.  Who knew grammar could reveal so much about love?

Now: BRING ON THE PROJECTS

The card design is a Joy Fold. The base is Pear Pizzazz (119795) cut at 4 1/4 x 8 1/2, then score at 5 1/2. Cut and adhere Designer Series Paper 4 x 5 1/4 to the interior (suggest 117158). Cut Rose Red (102544)at 4 x 2 3/4 for the outside left panel, prior to adhering it to the card base run it through the Big Shot (113439) in the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder (115964). For the small card, cut Pear Pizzazz at 3x8 and score at 4. Add 2 3/4 x 3 3/4 Designer Series Paper to the outside of the small card (suggest 117155). Position and adhere the small card on the larger card. "Happy Birthday" (Perfect Punches-120516 clear or 117022 wood) is stamped in Concord Crush (119785), punched (119859) and adhered with Stampin'Dimensionals (104430). That nifty flower is made with 3 Scallop Circles (118874) fan folded between the petals, clipped to the center point and glued together; an Antique Brad (117273) adds a great touch; then is fastened to the card with Mini Glue Dots (103683).
And how sweet is the gift box? One sheet of Concord Crush (119792) ran through the Big Shot with the new Petal Cone Die (121810) then embossed in the Elegant Bouquet folder. Small squares of Rose Red were cut with the same die to create the scalloped embellishment on the top. This same die also cuts the ribbon strip on the card. This die cuts and scores in one operation using the premium crease pad (113476). The box is decorated with strips of Designer Series Paper, a Rose Red Scallop Trim Border (118402), and a bit of white lace from my sewing stash. Stampin'UP has a wide array of ribbon that gathers easily and is dyed to match all the paper and ink and embellishments. Finally the box is closed with a Pear Pizzazz ribbon (119265) threaded through two Jumbo Eyelets (108431 brass 108432 pewter) that were effortlessly set with a Crop-a-dile(108362). Sticky Strip (104294) is ideal for assembling 3-D projects. Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755) is ideal for adhering the lace as well as cardstock to textured or embossed images.

I would be honored and delighted to help you with your stamping projects. Don't forget that Sale-a-bration is in full swing through March 31, 2011. In addition to the generous hostess benefits that Stampin'UP offers you can select one item from the special Sale-a-bration catalog for every $50 in product that you purchase. (Tax and postage is calculated seperately and is not included in the purchase total for Sale-a-bration benefits). I have links on my blog to view all the current catalogs, email me today with your order.

Thanks for stopping by and reading. Happy crafting.

Watching for that UPS truck

Monday, December 6, 2010 - Daily Prayer Guide 

46And Mary said:

   “My soul glorifies the Lord

 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48for He has been mindful

   of the humble state of His servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

   holy is His name.

50His mercy extends to those who fear Him,

   from generation to generation.

51He has performed mighty deeds with His arm;

   He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52He has brought down rulers from their thrones

   but has lifted up the humble.

53He has filled the hungry with good things

   but has sent the rich away empty.

54He has helped His servant Israel,

   remembering to be merciful

55to Abraham and his descendants forever,

   just as He promised our ancestors.”

Luke 1:46-55

The Bible in One Year

·         Daniel 3-4

·         1 John 5

The day flew away and I didn't get any cards made today. But I did order Watercolor Wonder crayons and lots of stamps and paper from the new catalogs. My head is filled with ideas. And I do have a card design all cut and ready to stamp for you to see soon.

Another LNS Challenge 98-No Red or Green

Devotional for today - Preparation & Expectation

Read: Luke 2:8-12; 21:25-28

When our children were young, we observed Advent (the time beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas through Christmas Eve) by making a wreath and lighting candles each night after supper. We sang a carol and read a short Bible passage about the birth of Christ. This was a special time of preparing our hearts to celebrate Christmas.

But Advent is more than that. When Christians first started practicing it in the fourth century, they viewed it not only as preparation for celebrating Jesus' birth but also as a time of looking forward to His second coming. They found hope and cheer in the sure promise of His return.

The gospel of Luke describes "the glory of the Lord" that shone around the shepherds when the angel announced the Savior's birth (2:9). Luke also records Jesus' promise that He will return  "with power and great glory" (21:27). These two events frame the purpose for which the Son of God came into the world.

In Latin advent means "a coming." The weeks before Christmas can be a wonderful season of repentance and expectation as we celebrate our Lord's first advent in Bethlehem and anticipate His second advent when He returns in glory. Christ has come! Christ is coming again! - David McCasland

An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. Luke 2:9

The Bible in One Year

·         Ezekiel 47-48, Daniel 1-2

·         1 John 3-4

Late Night Stampers Challenge 98-Another no red or green

I'm a bit stuck on this technique lately, but I like how it looks.  Ink up your stamp with Versamark then a color, dunk in clear embossing powder and heat set for a Woo Hoo effect! It also give a neat vintage look with brown inks.  Important tip: Clean your stamp between inkings as the color will transfer to the Versamark pad. The color doesn't hurt anything. And I discovered that a baby wipe will absorb most of that color. (Can you guess how I know this? Yep, multicolored Versamark pads bother me. ;o)!

All supplies are from the big Idea Book and Catalog:

Stamps:                   Serene Snowflakes, pg 42 115438

                                Christmas Greetings, pg 44 115448

Cardstock:              Whisper White, pg 169 119952 - cut 6"x6" , score & fold at 3"

Ink:                          Peach Parfait, pg 165 119783

                                Concord Crush, pg 165 119785

                                Blushing Bride, pg 165 119786

                                So Saffron, pg 167 105213

                                Marina Mist, pg 167 119668

                                Night of Navy, pg 168 102977

As soon as I finish this post I am going to submit my preorder from the Occasions Mini Catalog (available 1/4/11) and Sale-a-bration Catalog (available 1/25/11). Oh, just wait until you see the clever and beautiful new stamps, papers, die cuts and embellishments that are on the horizon. Just when I think they can't possibly think of one more pretty thing, they create dozens! My challenge is limiting my choices. I predict you will agree when you see these new catalogs, but you can host a workshop with me to earn credits or join my Make It LSB team. Early access to these new items is just one of the great reasons to be a Stampin'UP demonstrator. This is a very generous and ethical company. And I am so blessed for the friendships I've made with other incredibly creative and inspiring demonstrators and customers.

It's a lovely winter day in New Mexico, the sun is shining, the sky is blue like nothing you'll see anywhere else, Christmas music is playing and my darling hubby just made me a cup of coffee. Life is very good!

A post is long overdue

First things first. The daily devotional:

God's Signature

Read: Genesis 1:27-31

Displayed on the wall of my friends' lake house is a collection of pictures. Each one of the photos is of a sunset, taken from their deck during various seasons. While each is strikingly beautiful - no two are identical. When I look at them, it reminds me of what another friend once called a sunset - "God's beautiful signature at the end of a day."

God writes His signature on each sunset and on each of His unique children as well, I never grow tired of discovering how every person I meet is so delightfully different. God is infinitely creative, and the variety in our personalities, senses of humor, abilities, and preferences in music and sports are all handcrafted by Him.

In the body of Christ, we see how a diversity of spiritual gifts still have a common bond and can work together for God's purposes to bring Him glory. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, we read, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all."

God's signature that is so evident in nature is also present in His people. Let's celebrate the differences that make each of His children unique. Cindy Hess Kasper

God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Genesis 1:31

The Bible in One Year

·         Ezekiel 45-46

·         1 John 2

Next: My try at the LNS challenge #98 - A Christmas card that is not red or green.

 

I like both versions. Which do you prefer?

Stamp Set: Snow Swirled, pg 40 Idea Book & Catalog (IB&C) 111690

Ink: Versamark, pg 195 IB&C 102283

       Night of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, pg 168 IB&C 102977

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, pg 167 IB&C 105120

                  Whisper White, pg 169 IB&C 100730

                   or

                  Brushed Silver, pg170 IB&C 100712

White Embossing Powder, pg 196 IB&C 109132

or

Silver Embossing Powder, pg 196 IB&C 109131

Punches: Extra-Large Punch, pg 25 Holiday Mini 120907

Die: Northern Frost, pg 38 Holiday Mini 120901

Make you own white shimmer paper: Frost White Shimmer Paint, pg 195 IB&C 116854

• Cut Bashful Blue cardstock 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", score at 4 1/4". Cut out snowflake design along outside edge with the Northern Frost decorative strip die and the Big Shot. 
• Make your own shimmer paper: Fill a 2 oz spray bottle about 2/3 full with rubbing alcohol (find these bottles in the travel section at any department store such as W or T). Add 10-12 drops of Frost White Shimmer Paint. Cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock 5 1/2" x 4 1/8" and another scrap piece to puch out labels. Spray twice with the Frost White mixture; allowing it to air dry or help it along with a heat tool between applications. Shake bottle often to keep paint suspended in alcohol. Pretty neat! I wish the photos showed the shimmery sparkle.
• Emboss snowflakes in white or silver
• Stamp greeting in Night of Navy on Bashful Blue, punch with XL punch.
• Punch two more labels from homemade shimmer paper or brushed silver. Cut one in half long ways, cut one in half short ways. Adhere these to the Bashful Blue sentiment piece to create a larger mat. 
• Pop this label up with dimensionals
• Adhere 5 1/2" x 4 1/8" shimmer paper or brushed silver inside card. Stamp sentiment with Night of Navy.  

Sweet Snowglobe

I think the Sweet Snowglobe stamp from the Holiday Mini (120868) is darling. I made two versions, one using the treat cups from the Idea Book and Catalog (IBC) and the other using a window sheet. Using the window sheet preserves the snow globe effect, but allows for easier mailing. Use card stock vellum (also available in the IBC) when using Embossing Folders and the Big Shot to avoid cutting through the paper. Dazzling Diamonds and Basic Rhinestones add some sparkle. The 1 3/4" circle punch fits the globe perfectly. The Photo Corners punch completed that "it needs something". You can't see it in the photo, but I stamped snowflakes with Versamark on the Cherry Cobbler photo corners.  And the snow is a sprinkle from my Department 56 Dickens Village. All supplies except the snow are from Stampin'Up!

Devotional for today - Neighborly Kindness

Read: Luke 10:25-37

One of the major obstacles to showing compassion is making prejudgments about who we think is worthy of our compassion. Jesus told a parable to answer the question: "Who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29). Or, who qualifies as worthy of our neighborly acts?

Jesus told of a man who traveled on the notoriously dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho. As he traveled, he fell among thieves and was robbed, beaten, and left for dead. Religious Jews (a priest and a Levite) passed him, but they walked by on the other side, probably for fear of being religiously defiled. But a Samaritan came along and had unconditional compassion on the wounded stranger.

Jesus' audience would have gasped at this because Jews despised Samaritans. The Samaritan could have limited or qualified his compassion because the man was a Jew. But he did not limit his neighborly kindness to those he thought were worthy. Instead, he saw a human being in need and resolved to help him.

Are you limiting your kindness to the ones you deem worthy? As followers of Jesus, let us find ways to show neighborly kindness to all people, especially to those we have judged as unworthy. - Marvin Williams

Apply your heart to instructions, and your ears to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12

The Bible in One Year

·         Jeremiah 27-29

·         Titus 3

Holiday Craft Fairs Are Upon Us!

I'm going to be a vendor at my first craft fair along with another experienced Stampin' Up Demonstrator, Jenni. I appreciate her letting me tag along to learn how this works. Here are a couple of note pad folders I worked up. Everything but the vase stamp in from Stampin'Up.

Devotional for today

17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and His incomparably great power for us who believe.

Ephesians 1:17-19a 

Praise the name of the LORD! Father, may Your name be lifted up on every campus house across this nation.  As these campus houses shepherd young people in the faith, give them Your Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they may know You better.  As they learn in classrooms every day, may they also learn at Your feet, to know the hope to which You have called them, the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, and Your incomparably great power for those who believe.  

Apply your heart to instructions, and your ears to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12

The Bible in One Year

·         Jeremiah 24-26

·         Titus 2

Bells and Boughs -Joy Fold Card

This card was selected by the Nacho Average Stampers as one of five for our Holiday Card Stamp Camp last Saturday. I CASED the Joy Fold design from Split Coast Stampers.

We adapted the card on the right using Elizabeth, from a design by one of my fellow Nachos, Rose, by adjusting the measurements of the small card. 

Supplies:

Bells and Boughs Stamp Set, Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper, Vanilla Seam Binding from SU Holiday Mini.

Elizabeth Stamp, Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke card stock, Early Espresso and Soft Suede ink, Pearls, Pastels, Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Tag Corner Punch from SU Idea Book and Catalog.

Devotional for today - Lingering Damage

Read: 2 Samuel 12:1-14

A young teen who was constantly getting into trouble always apologized when his parents confronted him. No matter how much he hurt his parents with his previous wrongdoing, he would soon turn around and do something else wrong - knowing he would be forgiven.

Finally, his dad took him out to the garage for a talk. Dad picked up a hammer and pounded a nail into the garage wall. Then he gave his son the hammer and told him to pull out the nail. The boy shrugged, grabbed the hammer, and yanked out the nail.

"That's like forgiveness, Son. When you do something wrong, it's like pounding in a nail. Forgiveness is when you pull the nail out." "Okay, I get it," said the boy. "Now take the hammer and pull out the nail hole," his dad replied. "That's impossible!" the boy said, "I can't pull it out."

As this story illustrates and King David's life proves, sin carries consequences. Even though David was forgiven, his adultery and murder left scars and led to family problems (2 Sam. 12:10). This sobering truth can serve as a warning for our lives. The best way to avoid the lingering damage of sin is to live a life of obedience to God.  -Dave Branon

Apply your heart to instructions, and your ears to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12

The Bible in One Year

·         Jeremiah 20-21

·         2 Timothy 4

On another note: I awoke this morning with an idea for a color combination and headed into my craft room to check it out. Well, my left "little piggy who got none" headed in a different direction right into the leg of a chair. Little piggy has taken on a shade of Not Quite Navy and is sending shock *!@?;o( waves to my brain. I had plans to run errands today and vote early, but I think I will be sitting at my desk stamping away instead. It is another lovely autumn day and I can enjoy the sunshine and breezes from the window. Oh, and the color combination didn't work for what I wanted to make-but I have another combination that will work and ironically it involves Not Quite Navy!