Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Anything Goes - Weeks #599-600

Welcome back by, everyone.  We're so glad you're here to join us for our awesome challenge.  We have a great time waiting for you all with a brief devotional to encourage you, a beautiful piece of scripture word art, another awesome sponsor, another lucky winner, some great inspiration to get you going, and of course our challenge gallery where we look forward to seeing your amazing creations.  We can't express how very grateful we are to have you join us.

Our word art/scripture is Psalm 78:4 which says, "We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come, the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done".  There are many people who are proud of their heritage, and there's nothing wrong with that.  We enjoy teaching our children and grandchildren who we are, where our ancestors came from and stories from our past.  We may also enjoy showing (or giving) our children/grandchildren heirlooms that have been in our family for a long time (i.e. a piece of jewelry, photos, rare items, etc.) to impress upon them the importance of those items or memories.  I have a beautiful diamond dinner ring that my grandmother gave me when I was little and I own many of the antiques that passed through my family over the years.  I've also heard the stories of when my Great Grandparents came to America from Norway and settled in Northern Minnesota.  These are all important pieces of who I am.  However, there is ONE gift, one heirloom, one precious thing that has been handed down in our family from generation to generation and that is the TRUTH in the knowledge of what God did for us when He "became flesh and dwelt among us" and how He gave His life for us so that we can have eternal life with Him in Heaven.  This ONE gift of truth is the most important thing you will ever be offered.  Sharing this gift of truth with your children and grandchildren is the single most important thing you can possibly leave them.  God has done great things for us.  Share it with the future generations in your life and BLESS them with the eternal gift of God's love.

As always, you are welcome to save the word art to your computer; but you are never required to use it in order to play along or to win in our challenges.  We welcome you to share all of your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family friendly.  This includes any type of altered or digital art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to five (5) projects each week for a total of ten (10) entries per two-week challenge.  The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning.  It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and an encouragement to you as we share it.  If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules found under our Page tab marked "Challenge Rules".  Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to our guidelines.   Please know that this doesn't mean we are judging anyone.  We're not.  We are simply attempting to honor God and follow His rules.  Please let us know if you have any questions about anything; and thank you for your understanding and participation.
Check out our AWESOME sponsor for this challenge:
The one and only Taylored Expressions is our
sponsor for this challenge.  We're super excited to
have them with us.  They carry adorable high-quality
stamps, dies, stencils, paper, markers and many other
products to help you expand your creativity.  They
also have lots of great inspiration on the TE Blog.
One lucky person will WIN a generous $30 gift card
to spend at Taylored Expressions.  How FUN is that?


AND NOW.........Another LUCKY Winner:
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps was our sponsor for the
last challenge.  That means one lucky person has now
WON a generous $25 gift card from our friends at
Stamp Simply.  This FUN store carries stamps and dies
for every occasion including scripture stamps and just
about every category you can imagine.  They also carry
many of your favorite other brands, embellishments
like ribbons, laces, stencils, embossing plates and so
much more.  There's also lots of great inspiration on
the Stamp Simply Blog to give you lots of great ideas
and where you'll find information about special sales
and promotions.  Thanks, Stamp Simply.  The lucky
winner of this awesome prize goes to our friend


Our Top 3 Honors Go to Our Friends:

Please email Karen if you'd like a
Top 3 or Winner's Badge for your blog.
All winners must also email Karen
to claim prize (per the Rules Page).  Thanks!

May God bless all our AWESOME sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much.  We
pray for them, and for God's hand of blessing
upon their businesses.  We're SO grateful.
Here's Some Inspiration to get You Started:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Anything Goes - Weeks #597-598

Welcome back to Word Art Wednesday, creative friends.  We're so glad you've joined us for this FUN challenge.  There's a brief devotional, a beautiful word art scripture which is a free download, another FAB sponsor, another lucky winner, lots of great inspiration, and loads of excitement waiting for you all in this challenge.  Thanks for playing along and please know how much we appreciate you joining us.

The word art sure is pretty, isn't it?  This beautiful verse from Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised".  This part of scripture was written to Jewish Christians of that time who were suffering persecution for their new-found beliefs.  They were being persuaded to return to Judaism.  This verse warned them, as it warns each of us, that it's so important to hold fast to the profession of our faith in Jesus.  We should never waiver, never be ashamed, and never stop telling others.  In order to do that, WE must first completely understand just what it is we believe.  You could never tell someone a story if you had none of the facts or information about it, right?  Each of us is warned here to know what we believe, why we believe it, and to then boldly GO and share it.  If you're not quite sure about Christianity and having a personal relationship with Jesus (securing your eternal salvation), please reach out to someone.  We're always happy to answer the questions we are able to answer.  We can also get you in touch with a good Bible-teaching church in your area where you can learn more about Jesus.  It's the most important decision and the most important relationship you'll EVER have.  Whether you're still seeking God, you've recently been saved, or you've been saved and following Jesus for a long time; it's important to cling to Him and what He did for us.  He loves us SO MUCH.  Today is a great day to "hold fast to our profession of faith".  The verse reminds us that God is always faithful, and He keeps His promises.  Are we doing the same?

As always, you are welcome to save the word art to your computer; but you are never required to use it in order to play along or to win in our challenges.  We welcome you to share all of your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family friendly.  This includes any type of altered or digital art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to five (5) projects each week for a total of ten (10) entries per two-week challenge.  The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning.  It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and an encouragement to you as we share it.  If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules found under our Page tab marked "Challenge Rules".  Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to our guidelines.   Please know that this doesn't mean we are judging anyone.  We're not.  We are simply attempting to honor God and follow His rules.  Please let us know if you have any questions about anything; and thank you for your understanding and participation.
Check out our AWESOME sponsor for this challenge:
Stamp Simply Clear Stamps is our sponsor for this
challenge.  That means one lucky person, by random
draw, will WIN a generous $25 gift card from our
friends at Stamp Simply.  They carry stamps and dies
for every occasion including scripture stamps and just
about every category you can imagine.  They also carry
many of your favorite other brands, embellishments
like ribbons, laces, stencils, embossing plates and so
much more.  There's also lots of great inspiration on
the Stamp Simply Blog to give you lots of great ideas
and where you'll find information about special sales
and promotions.  Thanks, Stamp Simply.


And Here's Our Next LUCKY WINNER:
Lawn Fawn Stamp Co. was our FUN sponsor
for the previous challenge.  I think we can all agree
Lawn Fawn is a favorite of everyone.  They carry
adorable stamps, dies, papers and all kinds of FUN
products.  One very lucky participant has now
won a generous $25 gift card from our friends at
Lawn Fawn.  Be sure to stop by the Lawn Fawn
Blog for lots of great inspiration and other news,
up-to-date information about special sales,
new releases, etc.  Special thanks to everyone over
at Lawn Fawn.  Our lucky winner this time is......


Our Top 3 Honors Go to Our Friends:
Entry #4 - Sasha J.
Entry #61 - Carol J.

Please email Karen if you'd like a
Top 3 or Winner's Badge for your blog.
All winners must also email Karen
to claim prize (per the Rules Page).  Thanks!

May God bless all our AWESOME sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much.  We
pray for them, and for God's hand of blessing
upon their businesses.  We're SO grateful.
Here's Some Inspiration to get You Started:

Our May Fill-In Designer, Dottie Seubert

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Weeks #595-596 - Anything Goes

Welcome back to Word Art Wednesday, everyone.  We are so very grateful to have you all here with us and we greatly appreciate you sharing your wonderful art in our challenges.  Thanks so much and please remember that you're allowed to share up to five cards per week for a total of ten per challenge.  The rules matter, so be sure to check and follow them.  Other than that, it's ALL FUN and games and we couldn't be happier to have you here with us.  The more, the merrier.  And truth be told, we ALL need Jesus.  We want only to encourage you in drawing close(r) to Him.

Our beautiful word art for this challenge reminds us of what a blessing we find in a Godly Mother/a woman who finds favor and beauty in the fear of God and seeking Him.  The verse is found at Proverbs 31:30 and it reads, "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised".  I don't think there's a woman I know who doesn't take (at least some) care in her physical appearance and attempting to appear (at least somewhat) beautiful to the world.  That's understandable.  We all hope to look our best - for our husbands, for our own self-esteem, etc.  However, is it fair for me to ask you if you care equally, or hopefully even more so, about your inner beauty?  Sometimes we all need to remind ourselves to put our inner beauty in check.  Maybe we've been gossiping about others, maybe we've been selfish with our time, maybe we unkind of someone....whatever it is, our inner beauty needs to be checked every day just like we hair our out beauty (hair, teeth, makeup, deodorant, etc.) each day.  This verse tells that when we fear the Lord (meaning that we acknowledge God for WHO He is and WHAT He did for us) we will be praised.  That's not praise like the praise we give God because He alone is worthy of that kind of praise.  The praise this verse is referring to is a "praise" or thankfulness and recognition from our friends and family members who see our inner beauty; which is Christ Jesus shining from within us.  So, the next time you find yourself checking your hair, face, etc. in the mirror to look on your outer beauty, take time to ask yourself if you've gotten your inner beauty examined and in check lately.  Confess sin, ask God to forgive your shortcomings and trespasses (sins/mistakes), to help you become a person who fears Him in a way that will allow others (and Christ) to see your inner beauty shining so that others will see it and be drawn to Him and so that He will receive the thanks, glory, and PRAISE He alone deserves.

As always, you are welcome to save the word art to your computer; but you are never required to use it in order to play along or to win in our challenges.  We welcome you to share all of your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family friendly.  This includes any type of altered or digital art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to five (5) projects each week for a total of ten (10) entries per two-week challenge.  The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning.  It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and an encouragement to you as we share it.  If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules found under our Page tab marked "Challenge Rules".  Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to our guidelines.   Please know that this doesn't mean we are judging anyone.  We're not.  We are simply attempting to honor God and follow His rules.  Please let us know if you have any questions about anything; and thank you for your understanding and participation.
Check out our EXCITING sponsor for this challenge:
Lawn Fawn Stamp Co. is our AWESOME sponsor
for this challenge.  I think we can all agree that
Lawn Fawn is a favorite of everyone.  They carry
adorable stamps, dies, papers and all kinds of FUN
products.  One very lucky participant in our new
challenge will WIN a generous $25 gift card
from our friends at Lawn Fawn.  Be sure to stop by
the Lawn Fawn Blog for lots of great inspiration and
other important information about special sales and
new releases, etc.  Special thanks to Lawn Fawn.


AND NOW......Here's Our Next Lucky WINNER:
Your Next Stamp is a FABULOUSLY fun
company that carries adorable stamps, dies,
stencils and more.  There's load of great
inspiration on the Your Next Stamp Blog
and so many amazing products to help you
create something amazing.  One very lucky
participant, by random draw, has WON a
generous $20 e-gift card to spend at Your
Next Stamp.  Stop by to see what you just
might claim as Your Next Stamp.  Our winner
is Lucky Entry #23 - Becca Yahrling


Our Top 3 Honors Go to Our Friends:
Entry #59 - Barb
Entry #11 - Diane H.
Entry #94 - Janis L.

Please email Karen if you'd like a
Top 3 or Winner's Badge for your blog.
All winners must also email Karen
to claim prize (per the Rules Page).  Thanks!

May God bless all our AWESOME sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much.  We
pray for them, and for God's hand of blessing
upon their businesses.  We're SO grateful.
Here's Some Inspiration to get You Started:

From the Lawn Fawn Design Team here's
Mona Toth sharing a card that features
and the Cloudy Stencil among other products.


And here's on from Megan Quinn using

NOW....from our own Design Team here's
Our May Guest Designer, Alissa Steinlicht
Coming Soon




You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter