I’m excited to announce

a new Guest Designer

for the month of September,

Jennie Harper!

Jennie is a sweet woman of God and an inspiring cardmaker! Her hip Clean & Simple style highlights Layers of Color art stamps and art stencils with a fresh and pretty flair.

Psalm 62:7 card, by Jennie Harper

What a beautiful example of of how Jennie loves to surround scripture with pretty colors and stamped elements! She has made the background paper with Belle Brocade art stencil and then used Joyful Noise art stamps as active images to make the card design come alive with music! Gorgeous, Jennie!

Our design team is blessed by Jennie’s lovely friendship and I know you will find her a joy to know as well. Please visit her beautiful website, “Stampin’ Away the Day“, which is full of marvelous card ideas! And come back here each Wednesday in September as she shares her new Layers of Color artwork as our Guest Designer!

Today’s Faith Art Friday is hosted by Linda Lucas…

Today is the International Day of Forgiveness and one of the main focus is friendship and how to heal rifts.  Friends are the most amazing people, God brings them into our lives on many different levels – some for a season, some for a reason and some for life!!  As we get to know one another and slowly let down walls, we make ourselves more vulnerable – and this in itself can make us cautious.

Friends are those people who can help us grow in so many ways and brighten our lives, at the same time they can cause us so much hurt and disappointment in those moments where we border on familiarity and sometimes cross boundaries.  I  am reminded of when Peter asked Jesus how many times does he have to forgive his brother or sister who hurts him…and put forward the number seven

Jesus replied, ‘“Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.

How does that make you feel when thinking about your own relationships and hurts, the times you have been let down and so disappointed.  Our instant reaction in these moments, would be IMPOSSIBLE, but that is so very far from the heart of God as we can see here

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, having forgiven one another, even as also God forgave you in Christ. Eph 4:32

Forgiveness is such a powerful tool – if only we realised it at those times we are hurt, it brings such freedom and release, not just to the one who has hurt us, but to us….we can get so bound up in the ‘offence’ that has happened that we lose track of God and don’t allow Him to work in us, we let that hurt fester and it can cripple us on so many levels!  If only we would recall, at that those moments the words of Life that have been given to us in the Word of God our walk would be so much easier.

We all want to be forgiven by God and need to forgive in the same way….

Linda Lucas

Lovely Linda’s Craft Central

Layers of Color Design Team

Irene Tan is our uber-talented guest designer for the month of August. Come see what wonderful artwork she has created with Layers of Color art stencils this week…

“U R Special” 12 X 12 layout by Irene Tan

Stunning work of art using Elegant Touch art stencil (upper left corner)…love that effect! Beautiful colors and details on this page! The photo is of her precious and gorgeous dog, Hiro. What a beauty!

May your day be filled with layers of color,

Exciting news!…

Announcing the Grand Opening of

Laura Kirste Campbell’s

new line of digital stamps

offered exclusively on Squigglefly!

Announcing  the arrival of a brand new product…original, hand-drawn digital stamps!

Expanding Layers of Color art stamp line with an entirely new look in a fresh hip style!

Squigglefly, a popular digital website is announcing their newest artist, Laura Kirste Campbell!

But there is a very special purpose above and beyond these exciting facts that give this new direction personal meaning for the artist. Laura is donating 100% of her Squigglefly profits directly to The Theological Biblical Academy, (TBA). TBA trains pastors and church planters who will establish and lead biblical churches in Croatia and the bordering countries of Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Serbia. This is the ministry of her dear friend, Nina Brackett, who is also a Squigglefly artist. This is not only a way for Laura to lend support, but also to give to thanks to God for gifting her with talents and her art business, Layers of Color.

Please come by Squigglefly, check out their blog, visit Laura’s “about” page, and help support this wonderful ministry by choosing several delightful digis! And may God be glorified through us all!

Today’s Faith Art Friday is hosted by Layers of Color designer, Janice Whiting…

Thank You card by Janice Whiting

“…because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14

If there is one thing I struggle with often, it is living out a Spirit-led life.  I so often want to take the reins and lead.  Mainly, because that means (or at least I think that means) that things are on my timetable and under my control.  If I want to do something, I do it.  If I want to get something, I get it, and so on.  I guess it is just part of human nature to find comfort in being in control.  And, I don’t necessarily think that is a completely bad thing.  I mean, without control, our lives would be a big, chaotic mess.  But, if we could only get it in our heads (and hearts!) that our almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing God is capable of leading us. Truthfully, he is not only  capable, but he knows the perfect path for us.  He knows the decisions that will bring us life, he knows what events and activities that would be the most beneficial to us, the ones that will refresh us and not drain us.  He knows the things that might be difficult for us to do or go through, but will produce good fruit in us.

He knows.  He knows us.  Yet, so often we forget.  We don’t renew our minds in the word, we don’t strive to connect with Him and we forget.  We forget he is the best guide in life. We start taking control.  Making decisions (big or small) without seeking his will.  And you know, sometimes, most times, we get by “just fine.”  We make alright decisions.  But I wonder, in doing so, do we miss out on something God had for us?  Some really good fruit that would have been produced or a better outcome than the one we achieved?  Maybe. Probably.

I so desire to live a Spirit-led life.  Getting washed by His word and connecting with him every chance I get.  Oh Lord, help me to be completely submitted to you.  Remind me daily to follow your lead in the big and inconsequential things of life.  Help us all to be in-tune with your Spirit and to follow your lead!

Janice

May you get connected to God and allow Him to guide you through life,