A Card to Bring in the New Year

Happy New Year to all my cyber friends! I am in a wonderful mood this morning. My oldest daughter is now engaged, and we couldn't pick a better son-in-law. What a wonderful way to start the New Year. A lot went on in my life this year - with me, my family, and my friends - some awesome things and some really scary things.

This card really speaks to those scary things. Most the things were health related, but a few were attacks on friends or family. I just don't know what gets into people. Life is hard enough - we should be helping people get through it with us and not trying to kick down our neighbor (or let our dogs eat 1/2 their chickens and not even offer to reimburse them for the damage - yes that happened to us too). Thankfully, when we are going through those storms - we can hold onto the Master. He is an expert sailor and can even control the seas. I am reminded of my favorite John Wesley story. In 1736, he sailed to America with his brother Charles. The passengers included many Englishmen but also a group of German missionaries who were Moravians. A great storm arose, and the sea was so strong that it broke the main mastsail. Water covered the boat and went inbetween the deckboards. The Englishmen were screaming and fearful, but the Moravians sat calmly singing Psalms. John asked them if they were afraid, and they responded that they were not afraid to die. If God saved them, then they would live to spread His Word. If they died, they would be with Him. This was a strong influence in John Wesley's life. It should strongly influence us all as well.

My card was made for the Our Daily Bread Designs weekly challenge. This week's challenge is to make any card you want using an Our Daily Bread Designs stamp. The sentiment is from the set "Anchor" which was a birthday present from my sweet friend Sue Worthington. The ship is from a Stamping Up! set called "the Open Seas." I stamped the ship panel using a set from Our Daily Bread called "Eternity." Then I stamped the ship, sponged my sky, and tried to make a good sea. I cut out another ship to add more dimension to the sails, and then set out to make a more dimensional sea. I used some old clear silicone and mixed it with some blue ink. I then spread it on my sea. It was gloppy and didn't want to stick so I had to mash it into the image. After 5 hours, it still wasn't all the way dry so I covered it with Glossy Accents so it would have a protective shell (it dried a few days later). The white panel is made using a Sizzix embossing folder which is my new favorite. I like the look. If you are interested in joining the Our Daily Bread Designs challenge, here is the link:

ODBD - Shining Light Challenge


Hope this year is full of calmer seas for us all, but if not, may we realize we are sailing with the Master and hold on tight!