“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

This verse has sustained me through my darkest days, when my future looked bleak and my fears wanted to drown me in hopelessness and self-pity. This verse is TRUTH and guidance from God. Living by faith can only happen when you transform your mind to the truth and open the eyes of your heart to the biblical WORD, and when you refuse to fear and instead fully submit to trusting God. When you let go of the dark selfishness of self-pity and replace it with the living light of Jesus Christ, you are living by faith!

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrew 11:1

NOW…faith is right NOW, not was, or shall be, it is right now. Immediately start living by faith! Constantly and actively live by faith!

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

SURE…faith is full confidence in God. Live in complete and total trust that God is who He says He is, taking God for His Word!

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

HOPE…hope is expectation of something better. Living in hope is not living in fear, but living in faith. Push those fears aside and take every thought captive, filling your mind with all things positive, beautiful, and of God!

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.“

CERTAIN of what we do not see…being positive about something that is not visible at the moment. Live as if you can see God standing by your side! Remember God’s great love for you and know without a shadow of a doubt that His plans are for your ultimate good!

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:18

When you live by faith, you are overcome with PEACE, not anxiety. You are either living by faith, or living by fear, living by faith or living by sight.

Living by faith means you are not just leaning heavily on the Lord, but you are submitting every possible outcome completely to Him. No matter what happens, you are CONFIDENT that the Lord still loves you and He will give you what you need to get through it.  Be SURE that He will be there with you and you will grow closer to Him as you endure. Know that if  things become difficult and you overcome, your Lord will show you how you can use your testimony to encourage someone in the same situation. It is not unimportant. It will not go unused or come back empty. It is all valuable and an asset if you give it to God and let Him show you His greater purpose. Read His Word and let it show you how to live by faith. If we are saved, faith is the only way for us to live!

• Faith is real. It is Christ alive in us! It is freedom from the chains of self-pity, fear, envy, jealousy, anger, addiction, unhealthy living, depression and a stagnant life.

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5

• Faith is receiving. Faith is giving all. Living by faith means resting in God while He does the work. “Faith is the rope tied to the bucket of reality, dipping itself into the fullness of God.” Lester Roloff
• Faith is the power to overcome, the key to joy, and a gift to treasure.
• Living by faith is a testimony for others, the bible alive and living, and glorifies God. Faith is seeing the unseen, believing the Word, and taking the steps that prove faith.

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6.

• Living by faith is victory, healing, endurance and a greater purpose.
• Faith produces the fruits of righteousness. Living by faith proves that God is sufficient. Walking in faith is pleasing to God, and the path to salvation & Heaven!

The way to live by faith is to look at Him who lived by faith. Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Keep your eyes on Him,

“who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

I have seen and experienced first hand, faith in action. This transforming and powerful gift is free, and is your key to freedom, peace and the deepest joy! Receive it. Give it all to Him. Live by faith! This is my prayer for you.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

All glory to God,

Layers of Color

New Year CLEARANCE SALE!

50% OFF! and FREE Stamp Sets!

Limited Time Offer!

The situation surrounding the clearance sale is an exciting new growth opportunity for Nina Brackett and my careers as a craft product designers! At Winter CHA a major stamp company, (of which we cannot name until then) will be announcing our new position as product designers, along with revealing our new line of stamps! They will be picking up some of the current Layers of Color stamp designs as well as many new exclusive designs (specifics announced at CHA). This new partnership will ensure stability of available product, continued high quality, addition of other product lines and larger exposure of the products we design. So it’s great news for Layers of Color current customers and fans too! We are sure you will be joyously loving all the wonderful new products being designed for your creative journeys in the New Year!

We are praising the Lord for directing our paths, guiding us and our families, and blessing us with a hopeful future! We will joyfully continue to design dies for Spellbinders, with new releases coming soon! And more wonderful news announced at CHA that includes me being part of a brand new design team for a fabulous craft industry leader! Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, we would like to offer deep discounts and free stamp sets as incentives to help us build these dreams for 2012! A limited time offer – they are going fast! We invite you to link arms with us as we head into a promising future for Layers of Color by helping  to spread the word about the sale. Huge transitions like this are never easy, so we treasure your prayers and encouragement as well as your assistance.

Thank you for your support and friendships that have built up Layers of Color and brought us all to this exciting new direction! You have all been a special part of  making it happen! Thank you for continuing to join us on this creative path! Together we are all the lovely colors of Layers of Color!

Grateful hugs and a generous dose of blessings to you,

Mini Wreath by Laura Campbell

Children count the days until Christmas with joy and excitement! We can catch that contagious enthusiasm and spread it around to others as we are busy with holiday preparations. Christ is Christmas, His birth and resurrection are the reasons for the greatest celebrations the earth has ever known! When we understand the full magnitude that we are the recipient of the gift of God’s son, our gratefulness overflows with desire to give. Let’s allow our daily actions to  reveal the character, love and spirit of Christ that dwells within us!

The best way to celebrate His birth is to first make Him the center of your life, accepting Jesus as your Savior. Where your heart is, so there is your treasure. And from that abundance of treasure we can give generously and freely!

The Five Best Christmas Gifts

Forgiveness

Letting go of resentment and bitterness by forgiving someone, or our self is a magnificent gift! Christ asks us to share the gift of forgiveness that He gave us, even while we were still acting against Him. The bonus of this gift is that once forgiveness has been given, it can bring peace and freedom from the bondage and burden of the traits of unforgiveness. Forgiveness can be given regardless of the severity of pain caused or the lack of change or repentance on the part of another. It is a gift you can present to yourself that can enhance the quality of your entire life and spill out onto others in the form of compassion and love.

Kindness

We are called to love each other as we would like to be loved. To treat our neighbor, our co-workers, our boss, our relatives as we would want to be treated. Extend a hand, give a minute of your time, send a card, bring cookies, let someone get in front of you in line, give someone that parking spot,  listen attentively, say “Merry Christmas” to strangers. Act like Jesus despite your desire to put anger, busyness, or yourself first. Even minor kind gestures and acts can have a major impact on someones day and can encourage them to do the same for someone else. Little acts of kindness are gifts that keeps on giving!

Smiles

Look directly into someones eyes and give the gift a big genuine smile! A smile can pick up the spirit of a stranger who is having a hard day. It can help to heal, foster compassion and empathy, encourage, bring security, and connection. When appropriate, add a wink, it’s like putting extra whipped cream on a dessert! Every time you see someone as you walk through the room, smile! Give a for-no-reason smile as a gift to a checkout clerk, a passing mother and child, the driver in the car next to you at the stoplight. No matter how down you may feel, you can “fake it til you make it” as smiles are contagious and become better with more use. Let the spirit of Jesus shine through your smile this Christmas!

Time

The best time spent is time with God. Give Him some of your time every day of your life. Praying and reading your bible is the best way to get to know him. Learn about Him and you’ll learn more about yourself and others. You can talk to God in the midst of hectic or calm situations. Every stoplight that holds you still for a moment, pray and talk to God. Make Him the first one you go to for every question, concern and praise, no matter how tiny or how huge. Make Him the center of your life and you can know the deepest relationship with eternal significance and lasting joy!  And give your time to other people. Give a moment to hear a child’s story, have coffee and listen to someone share, serve those in need or hurting, sing in the choir, drive for the elderly, volunteer at school or a non-profit organization, make a meal for someone, share family photographs with long distant and lonely friends and family, tuck your children in every night as if you are not in a hurry and stop whatever you are doing to give love to your family every time they walk in the door. Giving time sends the message of love, and love rewards both the giver and the recipient.

Love

God has shown us how to love and has given us all His love through His son, Jesus. The bible is rich with words of wisdom that gives us power, knowledge, truth, guidance, and love. These are among an endless list of special treasures He presents to us, if we will only accept them. The beauty of love is that every human being needs it and it’s a free, sustainable and green resource that builds and grows the more it’s given away. It’s as good to give as to receive. And it is the first and greatest commandment.

“Love your God with all your heart,

and with all your soul

and with all your strength

and with all your mind

and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:27

Celebrate in a BIG way this Christmas and generously give the BEST gifts! Give the gift of forgiveness, kindness, time, and smiles and wrap each one with love! You will be giving the perfect gift and spreading the true reason for the season!

Merry Christmas!,

“You are God’s chief creation,

and you are here for His pleasure and His glory.”

Beth Moore

So, whether you eat or drink,

or whatever you do,

do all to the glory of God!

1 Corinthians 10:31

Vintage Roses Ornament by Laura Kirste Campbell

This lovely paper ornament is easy and fun to make. The Spellbinder’s die templates make cutting out the shapes a breeze. Imagine all the variations of color you could use to make different styles. For a Spring theme, use  a butterfly instead of the angel. See “Bees and Butterflies” in the Layers of Color boutique for many wonderful options for this project!

MATERIALS:

• Paper – Ivory card stock
• Stamps – Layers of Color Vintage Roses and Angelic art stamp sets
• Inks – VersaFine Vintage Sepia, Prismacolor pencils PC912 Apple Green and PC1045 Metallic Purple
• Spellbinders die templates – smallest Grand Scallop Circles and #1 Circles (cuts 2 1/2″ circle)
• Embellishments – Acrylic bead, Feather Twine
• Other – Spellbinders Grand Calibur die cut machine, scissors, glue, acrylic block for stamping

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place small circle die inside scallop circle die, center and measure, then lightly tape both die templates to card stock. This keeps them in place when running through the cutting machine.

Put through the cutting machine. Punch out the resulting scallop paper ring.

You can use the taped die templates to repeat this process.

Make a total of 6 scallop rings.

Using Vintage Roses arch stamp and Vintage Sepia ink, stamp roses along inside circle.

Notice that the stamp image isn’t on top of the scallops, but is off the edge of the inner circle edge.

Turn the ring around and stamp again creating a ring of roses.

You may have a little overlapping at the ends of the arches, but it will be covered up with color later.

Repeat stamping on all 6 rings.

Using Metallic Purple and Apple Green Prismacolor pencils, color in roses and leaves.

When coloring, use a gentle circular motion, coloring the roses lightly all over and then apply more pressure in the centers to create the feeling of depth in the flowers. Be general and quick with all the coloring, precision isn’t necessary.

Fold all 6  rings in half, with colored side to inside.

Match all scallops evenly when folding and be sure the fold creases a scallop in half as shown.

Fold all 6 rings in half with crease in center of a scallop.

With uncolored sides together, glue two rings together matching scallops and fold creases as shown.

Continue gluing all 6 rings together in the same manner.

Do not connect the first ring to the last ring, yet.

String bead onto Feather Twine. Slide to center of twine.

Position the beaded twine over the first and last rings (not glued together) .

On Ivory card stock with Vintage Sepia ink, and the winged cherub from

Angelic art stamp set, stamp two angels.

Cut out the angels and stamp the backs as well. Don’t worry about accuracy when stamping the back, this is just because the back of the wings will show a little. Slightly fold up each angel wing as shown.

Apply glue to the angel’s head and collar only. Position in the center of the circle and glue to the twine, back to back with the twine sandwiched in between the angels. Check position on the twine in relation to the rings before gluing…

Glue angels to to the twine in the center of the rings.

Then with solid sides together, glue the first and last rings together, completing the circle.

Open the rings so that they are spaced evenly.

Tie ends of Feather Twine in a small knot and hang your Vintage Roses Ornament!

This cone template is FREE for you to use for your creative projects!

Please respect the artist’s rights and give credit, link back here, and don’t sell this template. Thank you!

Rosy Cherub Christmas Ball Ornament made by Laura Kirste Campbell

using Layers of Color Angelic and Vintage Roses art stamp sets, VersaFine Vintage Sepia ink and Prismacolor pencils

Click on the Christmas Ball template for the full size pdf file.

Love Box by Kalyn Kepner

This quick and easy gift box showcases The Love Chapter art stamp set. Whip up a dozen as party or wedding favors, or to have on hand for a little token of love to give to someone special!

Please visit Kalyn’s blog, “Paper is Love“, for more sweet ideas!

Have a lovely day!

Card by Kalyn Kepner

Kalyn had fun making this “Happy Bird Day!” card. She made the designer paper by stamping The Love Chapter script on ivory paper and then randomly stamping a flock of lovely birds from the Backyard Birds art stamp set. She stacked it on colorful papers and stamped the elegant greeting with one of the special sentiments from  Happy Wishes art stamp set. Adding the cloth ribbon and cheerful buttons accents it perfectly. A quick and delightful birthday card!

Please visit the designer, Kalyn Kepner on her lovely blog, “Paper is Love” and come see all the exciting happenings at Layers of Color group on Facebook!

Have a joyous day!

Here are a couple gorgeous cards made by Layers of Color designers for this challenge…

Pocket card by Linda Lucas

showcasing Vintage Medallion art stencil, and Butterfly Collector, Old World Flourish (on SALE now!) art stamp sets.

See Linda’s blog, “Lovely Linda’s Craft Central“  for more details.

Card by Jessica Fick

featuring May Bouquet cling art stamp and Honeysweet art stamp set.

See Jessica’s blog, “i embellish” for more details.

Card by Jennie Harper

showcasing Gifts of Love , Sent With Love art stamp sets and Elegant Touch art stencil.

See Jennie’s blog, ” Stampin’ Away the Day” for more details.

Join this challenge all this week and join us anytime on Facebook and Flicker…where we are making your creative world more colorful with Layers of Color!

Have a colorful day!

]]> http://www.layersofcolor.com/blog/2011/08/07/sponsoring-if-the-shoe-fits-challenge/feed/ 5 http://www.layersofcolor.com/blog/2011/04/26/guest-designer-iwonas-wonderful-card/ http://www.layersofcolor.com/blog/2011/04/26/guest-designer-iwonas-wonderful-card/#comments Wed, 27 Apr 2011 04:52:22 +0000 Laura http://www.layersofcolor.com/?p=5509 What a joy it’s been to share the creative cards made by Iwona Palamountain this month! Thank you Iwona for your wonderful ideas and amazing artwork! One more fabulous card…

“Wonderful” card by Iwona Palamountain!

Ah, wonderful indeed! This card is a beautiful balance of dynamic design, soft and bright colors and interesting embellishments. Iwona features the exciting pop of a cheerful Flutterescent butterfly on a bed of burlap and sky blue. And she grounds it all with the perfect flourished sentiment, “Wonderful” that encourages the joyous mood. An uplifting card that shines with whimsy and wonder!

For more beautiful designer cards, please visit Iwona’s blog, “Random Acts of Creativity“, Layers of Color Facebook, Flicker groups and art galleries.

May God fill you with awe and wonder today!