Freebie Digi Party Favors-Just for You!

For the New Release Party, Laura of LOC is giving away party favors! Who doesn't love a party favor? Check out the free digis from LOC!

Here is what I have made using one the free digi design. Oh by the way there are FOUR! and then if that isn't cool on the day of the release party (Nov. 14th & 15th) there will be more new ones! Sweet I say!The sky is the limit...let your imagination go.

This is the Day 11 of my 12 days of Christmas. I will show and tell more later so stay tuned...

Here is a close up of the Freebie Digi...

Did I say they are FREE?

I recolored mine and added glitter and gold dust-tadah!!!

Here is an easy way to get the freebies and the you can also post the this graphic on your blog too, just make sure to link it back to LOC alrighty! Have fun and get creating!

Sneak Peak Fall Release Party

The fun has just begun! I have posted a sneak peak of a Layers Of Color project I completed with some of the new release sets. Ohhhh me oh my! These are so fun you will love them! Come back to see the full project on party day Nov. 14th and 15th! I hope it will inspire you...

Laura has nine new designs being released I have utilized 5 new sets in this project and the Garden Borders set. I used glitter glue, watercolor pencils, embossed paper and old text books, 2 types of stamp ink, and clear bubbles. So any ideas what this wonderful creation could be? I can't wait to share it with you so check back!

You're Invited

**WOO HOO!!**

We’re throwing a huge party and you’re invited!
November 14th – 15th, 2009

Layers of Color

is celebrating their

*Autumn 2009 stamp release*
and revealing 9 new fabulous clear stamp sets
totaling over 80 original art stamps!

Everyone who joins us will get FREE DIGIS party favors!
With a drawing and contest offering $250 in PRIZES,

blog hopping with Faith Perspective,

a unique challenge from Stamping Sisters in Christ,
mingling with over one dozen talented stamp artists,

including Layers of Color Design Team
you won’t want to miss this fun event!

Let’s Mingle:

I’d like to introduce you to some talented and wonderful gals at our party!

Welcome, Layers of Color Special Guest Designers:

Abby * Danielle * Deb * Erin * Jennifer * Linda
Liz * Lorraine * Nancyruth * Rebecca * Susan * Vicki

And, it wouldn’t be a party without our very own, Layers of Color Design Team:

Denise * Heather * Linda * Patter

Please visit their blogs, I know you’ll meet new creative friends and discover lots of inspirational artwork! And, Layers of Color has galleries brimming over with more than 1000 wonderful ideas for you 24/7! Enjoy!

Party Favors:

Everybody gets a free party favor! Here’s how:

1. Just go to Layers of Color Art Stamps boutique Nov 7-13, 2009, and grab your FREE ORIGINAL ART STAMP DIGIS, hand drawn by Laura! (No signing up or participation required.)
2. Return for the party Nov 14-15, 2009, and we’ll have more FREE DIGIS, that weekend only, as our way of saying, “Thank you for joining us!”

What a fun party! See you there!

The Gift

I was given a gift today.

Unexpectedly.

Isn't it a beauty? I have been collecting these treasures over the years and I am up to about seven. They have all been abandoned or blown from the trees in our yard.

I just marvel at all the layers and funny fibers that are found inside some of these nests. This one has a bit of red curling ribbon and a beautiful stem with the seed pods still attached.

The outsides are always tattered, matted and rugged.

Rough.

But not the inside. In the roundness of the inside I can see the smooth indentation of where small eggs were cradled and where small babies were care for. It really is so sweet to ponder.

My husband brought this in on the first afternoon of home school, as the kids and I tackled our classical writing exercises. It was rough day, we were tired in our thinking and progress had been so slow. It was such a kind gesture. I really felt such a deep warmth come over me like peace.

Thank you dear husband.

Even the birds of the air are cared for and not forgotten like it says in Matthew 6:26. You can see the Lord's provision for these amazing creatures. It reminded me in a tangible way that the Lord will make a way in this chapter of our lives and bring me peace.

He does care for me.

Do Not Worry

²⁶Look at the bird

s of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26

This is my chicken's egg and feather

Doing Hard Things

Oh am I being stubborn!

Not the kind of stubborn you are when you are right and someone else is wrong, its the kind of stubborn born from not wanting to plunge into something you need to do. Some call it procrastination. For me, this type of stubborn is formed from the later and therefore, it is an attitude of the heart.

Yea, I know not so good.

Usually, I love a challenge and I am anxious to try new things but, I am not feeling that way about some new things on my horizon...isn't that strange? I wonder where this is coming from? I have a feeling it is a sense of having to give up other things in order to do something I know is important. Perhaps it means rearranging my priorities to serve others for awhile.

So in other words it comes from the desire to serve self first....ohhhh.

Boy is that disappointing. You know, when you do "the-reflective-inward-look" and it isn't so pretty. The whole dying to self thing is a tough one in the life of this Christian. It is times like this that I am grateful for the loving grace of Jesus. I am glad that He is the bearings by which I can reset the compass of my life to when I get off course.

Well, this home school year is looking to be a great challenge for me. I have 2 middle-schoolers this year and the challenge comes in the form of Latin, Classical Writing, and Formal Logic. Yes, I know isn't that crazy? Would you want to dive right in? I didn't think so...see what I mean?

The upside to these classes is that I will get all the knowledge and skill as a by-product from teaching these things to my children. The bonus of homeschooling! Not so convincing is it....

So say a prayer for me this year, as I dive into these challenging subjects. We will all have our noses in the books of great writers and philosophers from ancient times. I am sure the Lord will bless the effort and we will learn wonderful things from our journey through time. I know I will enjoy following the golden thread of providence God has woven in the tapestry throughout all of history.

Lord, you know my heart... I pray that I would give my selfish desires a rest and give them over to you. Bless our efforts to study new and exciting things even when I fail to be obedient and humble, use these lessons and this homeschooling time for your glory and our refinement, especially mine. Amen

Getting back into the swing!

Getting back to the swing of things. There is something of great comfort to me about the change in season and rhythm of life. It does my mind and spirit good!

Today was a great day! My friend D. and kids came over and we went on our annual blueberry pickin' trek. We picked in the morning, came home and made lunch for the kids, then got busy!

We canned 16 jars of blueberry preserves with some left over to snack on. We are pretty proud of ourselves and let me tell you the blueberry preserves are something to die for. And to think the berries were free at our local blueberry park, that makes it even sweeter!

I have always enjoyed the organic process of picking fresh food and then preserving it for later for my family to enjoy. It seems like a lot of work but I sure do enjoy the satisfaction that I get from it. D. and I enjoyed the afternoon, chatting and laughing the day away. I can't think of a better way to get back into the swing of things!

Some down time!

I am off for a respite...be back soon.

Where might I be going..... hhhmmmm, I wonder?

Enjoy your summer!