Sharing My Heart...and My Art

Hello, friends!  I hope you're all doing well, and having a blessed week.  I've had a full plate lately, and I really don't want to lay it all out there just for sympathy or pity - that's not my style.  I truly do understand that we ALL have stresses on in our lives.  The reasons why I've chosen to share some of these things with you all is because; well, for one...this is my blog where I can vent my feelings, and second....I know that some of you really will pray for these issues, and also finally....I just want to share my heart in the hopes that you will all understand that I'm just like you - stressed out, hanging in there, and trusting God will ALL the details.

As some of you already know, my Dad is slipping away.  It makes things extra difficult because of the fact that I live SO FAR away from him.  The travelling is exhausting and expensive, but I know I have to be there.  On top of that, we just learned that my husband's younger sister, Audra, (and quite honestly, my dearest and closest sister-in-law) who is only 41 years old, has a brain tumor and has already lost her sight.  She has four small children (Tomas 8, Andres 7, Isaias 6, and Audranna 4) who she ADORES.  Her greatest fear is leaving them.  Audra (like my Dad) knows Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior, and KNOWS she is on her way to Heaven when she dies.  She is married to the love of her life, and is incredibly happy and blessed.  She's scared - let's be honest.  But we know that the Lord has her in His perfectly capable hands.  We really appreciate any and all prayers for God's grace, which we KNOW is ALWAYS SUFFICIENT, as she goes through all that the future holds for her.

I really haven't had much time for crafting; and when I do, I just don't find the same joy in it lately because my heart is so heavy.  I am really hoping that as I am able to cast ALL my burdens on Him, that He will allow my joy to be made full once again.  I KNOW that He is capable, and I know what I need to do.  It's just hard sometimes.  Let's be honest.....simply KNOWING God's Word doesn't make the difference.  It's putting His Word into action that really brings that true peace which passes understanding.  That's what I am praying I will experience once again.  I appreciate your prayers SO MUCH during this process.

So any way, I finally had a chance to sit down and create something.  I made this first card "just because", and it felt good.  I also have to keep up with my Design Team commitments, and that is proving to be a bit more difficult lately.  But I know that God will continue to lift me up and be INCREASED as I remember to put Him first, and allow my selfish needs to be DECREASED (John 3:30).

The patterned papers for this card (above) are from October Afternoon.  The polka dot die-cut is from Michael's as well as the flower and journalling spot, and I put a rub-on sentiment in the center of the journalling spot.  I added a resin flower to the center of the flower, and placed some cream seam binding on the side.  The edges are machine stitched.

This second card (above) is not my own original idea.  I found this card (or one pretty close to it) on Pinterest, and I really liked it.  It is also made from primarily all October Afternoon products (all the patterned papers and stickers).  I added a silk flower from Jolee's that I bought at Target, and there's a red seam binding bow, some Twinery baker's twine, jute, a Papertrey Ink doily die-cut, and the sentiment stamp (So Sweet of You) is from Paper Sweeties.

I'm sharing my card in the following challenges this week:

Stamp and Create - June Challenge - Thank You Cards - My second card uses the sentiment So Sweet of You, and it's a Thank You card for a friend who did something super sweet for me.  Stamp and Create carries SO MANY lovely products, and one that I used on this card is the My Favorite Things Dainty Doily Die-Cut and you will find LOTS of other great products in their lovely shop!

Litltle Scrap Pieces - Show It Off Saturday Linky Party

Diana M. Larson (DL Art) Challenges - June Linky Party

Docerela Stamps Challenge Blog - Challenge #62 - Anything Goes - I used a stamp, at the bottom of my card, for the sentiment.  I don't have any Docerela stamp sets yet, but I sure hope to have some in the near future!

Craft-Dee Bowz - June Challenge - Anything Goes With Hand-Made Bows

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  I appreciate your visit, your sweet words of encouragement, and I really look forward to visiting YOUR blog to say hello and to see what you've created this week.

God bless you,

Karen