Thank heavens this weeks Scrap Stash Saturday card turned out better than last weeks! Whew. I was a bit nervous that I had lost my touch, but I think I pulled it out one more time for you!
The papers were really bold this week, and still very tough when you look at them separately. But the good news was there were coordinating colors in all of them pretty much; pink, brown, blue. It makes the job alot easier, let me tell ya.
Ok, here are the four papers I chose with my eyes closed.....pretty wild, uh? Those are some bold patterns baby!
But do you see the coordinating colors? Mmm...I love it when that happens! I'm sure you can see where all four patterns showed up on the card. My main background paper was the pink Basic Grey paper on the left. The brown paper (second from left-I think it is Bohemia) ended up being the biggest heart on the card. The smaller heart is the paper second from the right (Webster's Pages). And the blue? I used the blue paper (Webster's Pages) to 'mat' the two hearts, and then I cut a scalloped border around each heart with my decorative scissors. Before I attached the hearts to the front of the card, I sewed around the edge of each with my Janome Sew Mini. The sentiment is from Verve Visual (Flirty Phrases). I stamped it diagonally at the bottom of the heart using Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan. The final touch was a brown and white polka dot ribbon tied around the hearts. Awwwww, shucks.
Here's the final results.....what do you think? At least I'm not hanging my head in shame this week! LOL!
Thanks for all the wonderful comments yesterday! I got a chuckle from all of them, especially the one from Beth that said this....
"Love, love this card (of course, it falls in the "bird" family, so you know I'm all over it.) My last few trips to Michael's have been run in, run out (having 4-year-old in tow) so I haven't had time to rummage through the $1 bins (our local Mike's is too small and quite disorganized and dollar bins can show up in various places throughout the store.) Yesterday was a meager posting day for me- life was just too chaotic. I did rush by and when I saw you only had 1 comment I thought "Amy's gonna feel lonesome, I need to drop her a line" but then got pulled away from the computer and never got back to it. Please know your loved!!!!!!! Both yesterday's and today's cards are AWESOME, as always! Wishing you a pleasant weekend!"
Ha!!!!! Does Beth know me or what? She knew I'd be upset with only one comment! I think that's hysterical!!!! She's so right! How shallow am I????? Jeepers. Well, ya' all made up for it with 30 comments yesterday! And I didn't even give any blog candy away! LOL....you guys all make me laugh, and I love you all so much! Thanks for your sweet, sweet words!
Actually, your comments did cheer me up yesterday a lot. It was such a rough day for me overall. We found out my husband didn't get offered the job we thought he was going to be offered. It was like a sucker punch to the gut, if I'm being honest. I just broke down and cried, and you know what? My faith took a nose dive for a few hours. I blamed God. I had a hissy fit with him, if you know what I mean. I had a conversation with him that I cannot and should not repeat here. Just suffice it to say I allowed the heaviness of our situation to overtake my heart. I'm letting my heart fill up with anxiety, worry and fear. I'm letting Satan in and pushing God out. Why oh why do I do that? Why do I take my eyes off of Jesus when there are storms in my life? It's the fear of the unknown. And it's my faith wavering when it shouldn't be. Instead of crying out to God in love and faithfulness, I blamed God for our predicament today. How selfish and unloving is that? I feel like I'm doing everything I should be doing; praying, staying in the word, witnessing, etc. Everything He asks me to do. I'm trying to be the best Christian woman that I can be. Yet it doesn't appear to be enough yet. I feel like I'm failing His test of Faith. But because we are sinners, and we let the things of this world consume us, we will always struggle with faith. Some days it will be spot on, and other days it will evade us, even when we don't want it to. I certainly didn't. I've grown more in my faith throughout the past 6 months than I have in a lifetime. But today was different. It was just too much for a minute. I will definitely be going to my knees tonight seeking forgiveness.
Eventually, I know I will see this most recent job disappointment for what it really is... a blessing from God. Because I know that God has the perfect job planned for Doug, and will provide it in HIS time, not ours. This job wasn't the one He wanted for us. He's got another plan. I just need to pray continually for patience, cuz the wait is driving me crazy.
Have a great day!
Hugs,
Amy
Amy, I read your blog almost every day. I'll have to comment more often. Let me encourage you a bit. I was in the same situation looking for a job. I had to quit my job because of the actions of my boss and I was so disappointed when the one I had applied for that looked SO good, didn't hire me. But I knew that God COULD NOT and WOULD NOT give me a job unless I trusted Him. My faith was what was on the line. I learned to go around the house saying "thank you for my new job God. Just because I don't have a job this morning doesn't mean I won't have a job tonight" especially when I was the most discouraged. We have to thank Him & praise Him NOW, walk by faith NOW, before we see the blessing. You must BELIEVE to see. In the meantime, God permitted me to do some temp work on and off, maybe 2-3 days per week. It was rough, but my daughter, my sister (who lives with me) and I learned to trust God for our DAILY needs. We never missed a meal. 5 weeks after the biggest disappointment I was hired into a job that I initially didn't even want to apply for but I didn't feel like I had the luxury to turn anything down. I have been there 3-1/2 yrs now and I can honestly tell you it is the perfect job for me. Don't give up Amy & Doug. Embrace this trial and gain everything you can from it. "Though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him." Job 13:15
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! Oh Amy, I just love you!! I HAVE to visit your blog every day...you are such a warm, open, honest woman. I chuckled when I read about your "temper tantrum" with God...haven't we all "been there done THAT!"
ReplyDeleteI like to think of our relationship with the Lord as one between a toddler and a parent. WE think we are grown up, but God's just shaking his head, waiting for the tantrum to end and wondering why we just can't wait and believe he's got something good for us!! Our time is never His time. There have been so many times I've gone into panic mode and when it is all over, I look back and realize that there was no need...He had it under control the entire time!!
It's like when I've got a surprise for my children and they are all whining and moaning about their "lot in life" and "when can we go here" and "why can't we go there" not knowing I've got something even better in store. Then when the surprise is finally "revealed" they are so excited and it's "Thanks, Mommy, this was awesome. I'm glad we didn't go 'here' or 'there'; I'm glad we did THIS!!"
I'm prayin for ya girl!! Life's tough.
Great job on the card today...I'm off to try to stamp...can you believe it!?! It's been MONTHS!!
Mary L.
Amy, prayers are being said for your family. I just know that everything will turn out for the best for you and you will be saying "Gosh, what a blessing that Doug lost his job in the first place 'cause we are so much better off and happier now. God knew what he was doing."
ReplyDeleteCheryl
Love Saturdays! This card is great! My current mantra is a scripture quote. Prayed in full, then broken down. I've seen this somewhere, and maybe it's a song? Can't remember, but here goes:
ReplyDelete"Be Still and Know That I Am God.
Be Still and Know That I Am. Be Still and Know. Be Still."
It's very calming.
Here's praying for you and your family!
Amy I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to comment yesterday - so I had to today when I do have time. Just wanted to thank you for being so open and honest here. I love that we are all sinners, saved by Grace. That God knows our heart, knows what we need, even when we don't know. You are a blessing to me and a tresured daughter to God - no matter what. ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteWow! this card is awesome. I love everything about it.
ReplyDeleteHi, Amy! For some reason the song "Unanswered Prayers" keeps running through my mind. remember that "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." Maybe it's his way of teaching us one of the hardest things - Patience in this type of situation. I, too, have had those hissy fits. Know tha He does have a plan for you and Doug - just wish the waiting wasn't SO HARD for you. I'm keeping your family in my prayers.We all have our trials ( mine is that my Mom passed away in May and my Dad has recently been diagnosed w/lung cancer that has metastasized from somewhere else. He's 90 and has heart issues, etc. and I had to put him a skilled nursing home where he has care and extensive therapy to regain strength in the hopes he can go home. I am the only one who lives near and so it all falls on me.
ReplyDeleteOh, Amy, I couldn't have said better what you said in your blog. Everything you said was spot on. Does it help that we all fall into this loss of faith mode when things get tough? I know I do, so please don't beat yourself up too much. He WILL provide in his time . . . and it's our job to remember that every time we question his timing. I read your blog every day. Some days I comment, some days I don't. I'll try to be more consistent knowing that comments cheer you up. Both cards (from yesterday and today) are BEAUTIFUL! Hang in there! You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI love your card. As always, I am impressed by the way you can turn random scraps of patterned paper into a card.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your struggles. I also know what it is like to feel disappointed by circumstances (long story). I trust that God has something in store for you and your husband that is better than you could imagine.
This card is just beautiful. I love the way you layered the hearts and the paper is so pretty. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteSometime I think it's a ghost town out there too, but I'm sure everyone is just as busy as the next person (especially if you're a mom, moms never get to rest).
I check out your blog every day either for some sweet thoughts or just a giggle. Take care and stay warm!
Sharon
Amy, I'm so sorry you are going through this season in your life. We all have them but it's what we allow God to teach us in this time that makes us grow. Sometimes we just need to throw our fit and work through our emotions. God knows our heart and understands. He's always there even in our ugly cry moments when we don't want to be so nice. :)
ReplyDeleteWe severed at a church 3 years ago that asked all the staff to resign. Yes, a church sent us packing with no job. It was a HARD blow to us... you never think something like that will happen in a church. At the time we thought our world was over. We moved back to Texas and stayed with my family while we prayed and asked God to show us what His will was in that moment. During that time a song that really ministered to us was Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns. Still to this day I can't listen to that song without crying. It means so much to us. After 7 months of praying and seeking God's will we were called to FBC Crossett and we have been here almost 2 years. God grew us soooo much in that 7 months and I never thought I would say this at the time but I'm so glad we went through what we did. We are better people and stronger in our faith because of it. HUGS!!!
This card is so great with the layered hearts and the way you did the ribbon.
ReplyDeleteI totally hear you on "fear of the unknown thing" but just remember that God tries those he loves. He knows you and your fears and anxieties and things WILL work out. Wishing you all the best!
Oh I forgot - I gave you an award on my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://cardsbykerry.blogspot.com/2008/02/you-like-me-you-really-like-me.html
Hi Amy. I too am one of many who read your blog every day. . .but rarely comment. I really should say something more, because I myself started a blog, but have quickly let it fall to the wayside. . .cause no one comments. Of course, it's a new blog so people don't know about it yet. But I know how you feel.
ReplyDeleteAlso, hugs to you. I admire how you share your faith. And can understand your struggles as well. We are waiting for our daughter from China. . .and the wait is extremely long! And I've had to wrestle with my feelings for God as well. He is faithful, and will bring us to the right conclusion. . .but like you, I'm tired of waiting! Hang in there! Together we can get through it and good things will come from it!
Gorgeous card today by the way. I just LOVE it!!!
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteLove your heart card. You do amazing things with patterned paper!
Sorry to hear about your husband's job situation. I'll pray for the right answer to come along.
Hugs,
Lise
Amy--
ReplyDeleteI just said a prayer for you and your family. I'm new to your blog (but I catch you every post on google reader---love NEVER missing a post.) I didn't know your husband was without a job---just a word of encouragement--I know you don't know me, but I've been through a tough time and I was always reminded of Phil. 4:19&20
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." His WORD is true--- {{{HUGS}}}
Don't forget what Jesus told us, Amy. "My grace is made perfect in your weaknesses" He receives glory when we are desperate for Him, and it is the honest heart that God uses. God can handle your emotions....He's BIG!
ReplyDeleteMuch love and Lots of prayers,
barb
As usual, you totally pulled off the scrappy card. I don't know how you do it! My favorite scripture has brought me lots of comfort in trying times. "we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserverance; perserverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-4 Better times are ahead, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteAmy-- my heart goes out to you and your family, having been through a similar unemployment situation with my husband we had more than our share of disappointments. Just when you think the worst- things will turn around for you- just keep the faith.
ReplyDeleteLove today's card. You pulled those patterns together perfectly. Don't feel guilty about having the hissy fit with God. Remember, He's heard it all. I've certainly given Him a earfull a time or two.
ReplyDeleteThis card turned out beautifully! I'm not sure how you do it! Your are so super talented! Just want you to know that your "heartfelt" post was a wonderful reminder for all of in regards to "keeping" Faith! Thanks so much. You continue in my thoughts and prayers!
ReplyDeleteAmy, I posted this on my blog for my son, and I think it is fitting for you too, so here it is:
ReplyDeletePhilippians 4:6,7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Love and blessings,
Sandy
i Love your blog and I can't say it enough...i LOVE LOVE LOVE your cards! I could only dream of making my cards look that good! I view your blog all the time, because I have a link to it on my blog, so sorry I dont post every time! I didn't think you'd wanna hear me say the same "i love love love your cards!" all the time..but i will if you want me to! =)
ReplyDeleteLOVE your heart!!! Sooo beautiful!!
ReplyDelete