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

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,

“Togetherness”,  12″ X 12″ Layout by Irene Tan

Ooo, this is so rich with loving emotions and beautiful details!

Irene has sweetly snuggled Backyard Birds on the corner of her daughter’s photo. She’s given more life to the page with layers of flowers and flourishes from Flowering Gems and Old World Flourish art stamp sets.

Vintage Medallion art stencil adds a delicate lace-like design to the background.

In the corner of the page Irene has used Backyard Birds art stamps to further express togetherness. They rest on Garden Borders and are connected to the photo through the organic shapes of Natural Flourish art stencil.

Beautiful details that make this layout sing are Old World Flourish art stamp, Victorian Corner and Botanical Swirls art stencils. I’m inspired by Irene’s creative idea to stencil on the cut out butterfly. Magnificent layout!!

Come visit here each Wednesday in August when we’ll share her latest stunning Layers of Color artwork. For more beautiful ideas, please visit Irene’s blog, “Scrapperlicious“.

Layers of Color Design Team is saying, “Farewell” to Kristine Breach as she retires…

I met Kristine through the challenge blog, Stampin Sisters in Christ. Her joy for the Lord shone so brightly, it was the natural bond that made us instant and eternal friends. When she joined Layers of Color design team I was overjoyed and often inspired by her creative art. Her artwork is so beautiful that I’ve used it to drum up excitement about Layers of Color art stamps by displaying it at our first show and on the back of our product packages. In the delightful 7 months that she’s been a special part of our team she’s created a splendid gallery of one gorgeous work of art after the other. You’re sure to find many wonderful ideas to spark your imagination! Speaking of which, I’d like to share some of my all time favorite beauties made by the lovely and talented, Kristine Breach…

Wow, isn’t this amazing! The roof on this stunning 3 dimensional box is a removable lid. It features Merci Bouquet and Backyard Birds art stamp sets. I adore this piece so much! Kristine bravely allowed me to pack it up and bring it across the US with me to display at a trade show. It was highly admired and loved. I love the scripture theme, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. The the inspiring colors and textures make this a gorgeous work of art!!

Kristine will no longer be a designer on our team, but it’s not Goodbye, just ” Farewell!”. I’m sure she’ll be back as a guest designer some day. We will keep her in our prayers and stay connected. We’re sad to lose such a talented designer, but we have joy in our hearts because she has become our dear friend and sister in Christ.

This is the striking card that I loved so much that I asked Kristine if I could use it as a sample on the back of the Belle Brocade art stencil packaging. She kindly obliged, and it’s been inspiring crafters worldwide ever since! Thank you, Kristine for sharing your great ideas with us all!

I want to share so many more of my favorite pieces of hers, like the Chicken Tea Pot, the Bird “B”, her Rose Basket and marvelous faith art cards, (like the stunner she made last week)! But I’ll send you to her art gallery so you can choose your own favorites, (if you can, they are all fabulous)! Be sure to stop by her blog full of sunshine, “Ink Something” for fresh weekly ideas!

To honor Kristine, the Layers of Color team of designers and friends all want to pour out our love for her as we say “Farewell!”. Please join us in sending her off with a huge party of admiration, warmth and hugs by visiting and commenting on each Farewell Party blog:

Grace Nywening / Janice Whiting / Linda Lucas / Melisa Waldorf / Nina Brackett

and our guest of honor, Kristine Breach!

Kristine, we’ll miss your contagious smiles, how you make us laugh, your precious prayerful support and encouragement, and of course your constant source of new ideas and inspiration. Farewell with love, Kristine! See ya later alligator!