Deck of Me, weeks 46 - 48

I'm still playing catch-up on Emily Falconbridge's Art Journey cards. Here's the next 3 :
Week 46's prompt was rejuvenation.

I find it amazing that nature knows when we need a burst of colour to cheer us up after the bareness of winter. The bulbs are poking through in the garden - the promise of spring to come.
Gen 1.14.

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Stamps : AudDesign; Stampington Martha's Bulbs; Lakeland Ltd Ornate set

Inks : H2Os Cherry Sorbet, Pink Arthurium, Cedar Wood and Olive Vine; Archival Black; DI Walnut Stain

Extras : PP by Aunt Gertie; SGme Clear EP; Z Design RubOns

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The prompt for week 47 was ideas..

The ideas that I have for my craft work are prompted by words, colours, images, techniques, or the work of others. I love to join in challenges. I praise God for inspiration.

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Stamps : AudDesign

Inks : Archival black; DI Spiced Marmalade

Extras : logo images from challenge sites; PP by SU; MM RubOns

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The last challenge in this set was my happy place..

I guess this has to be within me. I am generally a happy person, and like to laugh a lot. Cheerfulness can often be infectious. Proverbs 15:13 - A happy heart makes a cheerful face. This is so true!

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Stamps : Crafty Individuals 118; AudDesign; Stampington Christmas Found Elements

Inks : ColorBox French Blue; VersaMagic Aegean Blue; Archival Black and Grape

Extras : Gesso; Me!

Deck of Me, weeks 42-45

Happy New Year everyone!!

I am in the process of fulfilling my new year's resolution - to complete my deck of cards, which I have neglected lately. Week 42's prompt of a grateful week had me stumped for a while, but then I realised how many thank yous I was saying, so recorded it here.

I am grateful to the pupils who came to extra rehearsals to prepare for the school concert. We played music from the recent Narnia film. I wonder if the Seikh girl who chose it realises that it's based on Christian principles!

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Stamps : Stampington Small Violin and Small Trumpet; AudDesign

Inks : StazOn black; DI Fired Brick and Broken China

Extras : 2 Narnia images from internet

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Week 43's title was sCaRy.

Some might say that it is scary when you receive a word of knowledge; eg. I 'knew' when my Nana died, despite being hundreds of miles away. I would say this is a blessing.

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Stamps : Lakeland Ltd Ornate Set; AudDesign

Inks : Kaleidacolor Melon Melody; Archival Black

Extras : brayer; Gesso; computer text

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Week44's challenge was home...

The first day we looked at this house we knew it was ours. It was empty, dirty and rundown, but I sensed God's prompting that this would be our 'home'. It certainly is!

It is a house that retains some of the original Victorian features, one being the floor tiles in terracotta and black, which I based this card on. The keys and lock are there to express the joy I felt the day we moved in. This is an open house to our friends.

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Stamps : Paper Artsy Letters 5; Time to Stamp ATC sets; AudDesign

Inks : Adirondack Butterscotch and Caramel; DI Fired Brick; ColorBox Charcoal; StazOn Black

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Week 45's title was self realisation

I was recently invited onto the prayer ministry team at church, and have been greatly blessed by this. My realisation is that God can use me more than I'll ever know - I have to be ready and open.

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Stamps : Stampington Collage Cube; AudDesign

Inks : Adirondack Wild Plum; Glimmer Mist Black Cherry; Castaway; StazOn black; ColorBox Eggplant

Extras : Image from chicks57 on flickr

It amuses me that some of the inks used have fruit names. Reminds me of the fruits of the Spirit!

Deck of Me, weeks 39 & 40

The prompt for week 39 was someone spesh...

Steve, you pick me up when I fall down; you bring me back to earth when I'm over the top; you are my rock, totally dependable. You are my special-est person. Thank you!

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Stamps : Stampington Facade; AudDesign

Inks : StazOn Olive green and black; DI Peeled paint

Extras : PP by BG

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Week 40's prompt was not anymore... How are you not anymore?

I was an unhappy child; lonely, and frequently withdrawing into a dream world. Once I discovered my gifts of music, creativity, and faith, I learnt to be happy with myself.

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Stamps : Paper Artsy One Penny 2

Inks : Sticky Fingers Spray antique gold, pink, Lilac and Bluebell; Moonglow Desert Moon Sunset Pink; StazOn Ultramarine

Extras : Tissue and tracing paper

Deck of Me, weeks 37 & 38

The prompt for week 37 was draw something. Once again, I turned to Mary Fleeson's work for inspiration. The Salt challenge for this week is from the hymn book so this will be appropriate for that too.

'Light of the world you came down in the darkness, opened my eyes, let me see'. I have been singing this song all the while I have been drawing, grateful for the reminder. 'Here I am to say that you're my God.'

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Stamps : AudDesign

Inks : watercolour pencils; DI Weathered Wood; Archival Black

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The prompt for week 38 was I wonder..

I wonder at the tenaciousness of life. Even in extreme conditions there is evidence of living matter. Yesterday I noticed plants clinging to a wall that had benefitted from a dripping drainpipe. Survival is such a basic instinct.

When my daughter saw this card, she commented that it was just like the pub wall we pass regularly. It was easily recognisable!

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Stamps : AudDesign; Crafty Individuals 53; Paper Artsy Frames 4

Inks : DI Peeled Paint; Archival Black; watercolour pencils

Extras : image from Mayang Gallery

Deck of Me, weeks 35& 36

Week 35's prompt was strength.

"Nothing can keep me from His love, that shines through the darkest night. No enemy below, above, can triumph against His might. For in my weakness I am strong, with christ my shield and Christ my song."

The lyrics are by Geoff Baker.

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Stamps : AudDesign; Elusive Images Roman Soldier set

Inks : Kaleidacolor Creole Spice; Versamark; Archival Black

Extras : Pearl gold EP; MM RubOns

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The prompt for week 36 was life is beautiful....

Life is a gift from God; a beautiful treasure which He delights in. Most of it is unnoticed or unappreciated, but there nevertheless.

I used the scraps from a previous project on autumn, and double stamped the tree to give it more depth.

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Stamps : encaustic wax tree stamp; AudDesign; Crafty Individuals 21

Inks : ecoline Burnt Sienna, Chartreuse, Forest Green; Marvy pen English Red; VersaMagic Hint of Pesto; StazOn Olive Green and black

Bethlehem in ribbons

Oh goody! The latest DCM challenge entitled wrap it in ribbon for Christmas means I can use my Oxfam purchase again. Not traditional Christmas colours, but at least part of the original story is represented here.

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Stamps : Stamporium Bethlehem

Inks : DI Walnut Stain; H2Os in Cedar Wood, Sunburst, Pink Arthurium; Passion and Cherry Sorbet

Extras : PM sparkly mimi brads; pink and brown card; SGme clear EP; YLI thread; ribbons and threads from various sources.

Deck of Me, weeks 33 & 34

The prompt for week 33 was 10 minutes. Whatever art work was done was to take no longer this time.

It was a rush to make this in 10 minutes, and this was with a ready made background. God achieved creating the whole universe in 6 days - now I know why He needed a rest!

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Stamps : AudDesign; Clarity stamps clock; Time to Stamp ATC sets 1 & 2

Inks : DI Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Antique Linen and Broken China; Archival black

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For week 34 the theme was funny ha-ha.

My neighbour doesn't think we take our housegroup seriously as there's always so much laughter when we meet. Studyingthe Bible is fun with others!

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Stamps : AudDesign;Time To Stamp ATC set

Inks : Adirondack dabber Peach Bellini; VersaMagic Perfect Plumeria; Archival Black

Extras : Peeloffs - corner, cross and alphabet.

Deck of Me, weeks 31 & 32

The prompt for week 31 was no regrets...

I recently left leading one housegroup to start another. It was a wrench to leave fellowship with dear friends, but has been exciting to watch new Christians blosson and grow. It's a privilege to share the journey.

The text on the card says : You do not realise how far you have come until you look behind.

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Stamps : HA Fancy Heart Filament; Crafty Individuals 53; AudDesign

Inks : Ecoline inks Ultramarine violet and turquoise blue; VersaColor Amethyst; H2O Icy Iris; Archival black; Marvy black pen

Extras : Paper Cellar Flower Sequins

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The prompt for week 32 was quiet...

It's only when we're quiet that we hear God's finest whispers. And these are the sweetest words of all. They are encouraging, endorsing, and guiding.

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Stamps : Crafty Individuals 21; Tim Holtz Staples; Stampington Butterfly Girl; AudDesign

Inks : H2Os in Fern, Seaglass, Olive Vine, Melon Midori and Blue Zircon; StazOn Olive Green, Archival Black; Versamagic Turquoise Gem

Extras : Tissue Paper

Deck of Me, weeks 29 & 30

Emily's prompt for week 29 was to define perfection.

Perfection on earth will be the New Jerusalem, shaped as a cube. Three pearl gates on each of the vertical walls which are encrusted with jewels will not allow anything impure within. Rev 21.

This is a representation of the jewels.

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Stamps : Elusive Images Wise Men; AudDesign

Inks : H2Os in Cranberry, blue flame, Garnet and Melon Midori; Versamark; Archival Black

Extras : Black EP

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For week 30 I had to count my blessings.

I have a boy who feels left out by the celebration of daughters! He is definitely a blessing, and has lived up to the name of Peter by being a rock to those around him.

Peter chose everything for this card - the photo, stamps and colours.

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Stamps : HA Long Writing Background; AudDesign

Inks : DI Mustard Seed, Frayed Burlap and Antique Linen; Archival Black

Extras : MM RubOns

Deck of Me, weeks 27 & 28

The prompt for week 27 was junk mail.

This is from a flier asking for unwanted clothes for charity - timely for the coats I sorted out the other day. We all have the potential to act as angels to others in many ways. Proverbs 14.21

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Stamps : AudDesign; PSX Angel; Inca Stamps Rose

Inks : Archival black; VersaColor Old Rose; Adirondack Mountain Lake

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Week 28's prompt was goal of the week.

My goal is to prepare some bible studies on John's pospel in advance for the housegroup next term. I find I learn so much more when I lead the sessions; having a good commentary helps!

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I used watercolour pencils to colour in my own design, loosely based on the work of Mary Fleeson.

Deck of Me, weeks 25 & 26

The prompt for week 25 was a photo that means something to me...

This is our favourite family beach. We love the rock formations, the tranquillity, the skies, the walks, and the solitude of this little known treasure. Psalm 18.2~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For week 26 the prompt was celebrating daughters...

These are my 2 beauties : Alice and Catherine (in reverse order on the photo). Both have been a great joy to me. Both love God, and use their musical gifts to help worship.

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Archival black and AudDesign stamp

Deck of Me, Weeks 23 & 24

Week 23's prompt was right now...

Right now I am thrilled to have received 2 RAKs from cardmaking bloggers; one for a teddy bear card. It's great to have made new Christian friends on the net too.

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For the materials used see the list under the entry Teddy Ollie in Rein's photos category.

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Prompt 24 was remember when...

I remember that the first time I heard David Fitzgerald play was at a Graham Kendrick praise evening at Coventry Cathedral. He has become one of my favourite musicians.

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The image is from the cover page of the CD album by David Fitzgerald.

Stamp on both cards by AudDesign

Deck of Me, Weeks 21 & 22

Week 21's prompt was qualities you aspire to..

Childhood ailments have left me with a fragile throat, so singing is tiring, which is immensely frustrating in my job. When I go to glory I shall join the angelic choir, and sing for eternity.

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Stamps : Stampington Angelic Host And Latin Parchment; AudDesign

Inks : VersaColor Old Rose; Marvy Pens Crimson Lake and Brilliant Yellow; Archival black

Extras : PP by Scenic Route

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Week 22's prompt was what would you like to learn?

At school I often play percussion with the band, but cannot yet drum roll. Now that Peter has a drum kit, my ambition can be achieved. 2 Chronicles 5:13 - God loves noisy praise!

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Stamps : AudDesign

Inks : DI walnut stain; Archival black

Extras : drum and notation from internet; PP by Basic Grey

Deck of Me, week 20

The next challenge was entitled change...

I found it very stressful when we moved to the West Midlands (from the south) as I really dislike change. But I soon realised that 'home' is not just about the location, but about friends, and feeling part of a community. Change promoted growth.

For those of you concerned about the structural repairs needed on my church, there is a building fund ;-))

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Stamps : AudDesign; HA Tiny Blocks, Fanciful Flowers and Alphabet; Stampington Checkerboard

Inks : ecoline inks; Marvy pens in Lime Green, jade green, turquoise and light brown; black pen; Archival black

Deck of Me, week 19

This week's prompt is Surprise...

Steve surprised me recently by buying me a book. In it M Haddon demonstrates a deep understanding of Asberger's Syndrome from a teenage boy's perspective. Well worth a read. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

The image is a copy of the title cover.

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Stamps : AudDesign

Deck of Me, week 18

Nature is the next theme. I brayered the ink on.

The text reads : How can I shortlist from nature, when it is so diverse? Well, I love flowers: their colours, shapes and smells. I also find sunsets particularly attractive - God's creativity on display for maybe a couple of minutes, always different.

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Stamps : AudDesign; Elusive Images Parfum et Fleurs

Inks : Kaleidacolor bouquet; Adirondack eggplant

Deck of Me, week 17

I shall post the next 2 weeks up now, as I have got a little behind (oh, how I wish that were true!!).

This week's prompt was about my bedroom.

The text reads : My bedroom is a place where : the children come when they're poorly, we open presents on special occasions, intimate conversations are held, and the door is always open. Psalm 4.8.

The artwork represents part of my bedroom curtains which is based on a grid. The stripes and flowers are 2 examples of the patterns in the squares.

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Stamps : Stampers Anonymous swirl; HA flowers; AudDesign

Inks : Fluid Chalk warm violet; computer generated text; Archival black. Adirondack dabber lemonade

Deck of Me, week 16

This week's prompt encourages us to get someone else to contribute.

The text reads : Sally is a close friend, brilliant artist, and my prayer partner. She made this at a background workshop given by Ruth Issett, and very kindly agreed to give me a piece.

Strange to say that the workshop was for members of the Embroiderer's Guild, with a view to converting the work into thread and fabric. I will get her to show me these techniques - useful for ATCs!

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Sally used white acrylic, procion and dylon dyes, brown paper, and gloss varnish.

Stamps : AudDesign

Deck of Me, week 15

The prompt for this week was your parents...

The text reads : My parents have set me a good example of commitment to faith, and to each other. Wherever they have lived in the world they have found a spiritual home and supportive friends.

Thank you to those who expressed concern about my Mum - her knee op was successful, and she is recovering well, but she will need the other knee replaced as well, later in the year.

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Stamps : AudDesign

Inks : DI faded jeans; Archival black; VersaColor baby blue

Extras : RubOns by Doodlebug; PP by HOTP Icy Rainbow and Vanessa Arbuthnot

Deck of Me, week 14

The next prompt in the series is birds....

The text reads:

After Steve and I started going out together, his brother Jonathan referred to us as love birds. I feel more for Steve now than I did even then. Despite hard and challenging times God has been with us, blessing us.

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Stamps : AudDesign

Inks : various H2Os; VersaColor Lagoon Blue; black pen