Day 11 - Thankfulness and Picture

I Corinthians 15:10 - "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect...yet not I, but the grace of God that was within me."

Day 11 - Thankfulness -

Today I am thankful for my hobby. I used to do cross-stitching, but it got very hard to focus on such small stuff. So, I did crossword and other types of puzzles. That was all well and good, but it gets a little boring and there is nothing there to inspire creative juices. I am creative and I really had not outlet for my creative side. Jodi started going to a stamp club when Sarah B. was a Stampin' Up dealer and she really enjoyed it. I would look with awe at the gorgeous cards she made. Then Sarah moved away and Edie V. had clubs, so I decided to join one. It was amazing what you could do with card stock and stamps. I loved it. So, I've been doing this for about 3 years now and thoroughly enjoy it. I find it relaxing (when I am not stuck on a design) and it something that Jodi and Jen and I share. Jen is more into scrapbooking, but it uses a lot of the same techniques and equipment. I love hearing people say how pretty my cards are and I have been able to use this as a ministry as well, with sympathy, get well and thank you cards. I even have "taught" a couple of classes with my care group and we've had such fun doing it. Sometimes when I'm not feeling great and find I am too tired to move out of my chair, I grab the spiral notebook I keep nearby and a pencil and start sketching designs for cards. I really believe the Lord gives us the talent or love of creativity and I'm so thankful I can use it in this way. Day 11 - Picture -

OK, this picture wasn't taken today, but it is a card I made for a baby shower that I really like. The two cards I made today are for Sandra and Jen's birthdays and if I put them here, they'd see them. I will put them on Tuesday and Thursday, as I am really pleased how they turned out, as well.

I had a little help with this one. I had the background purple done and the purple/green squares, but couldn't decide what to put in them. I think I had the baby idea or Jen came up with it or it was a joint effort - I don't remember, but Jen did come up with the "welcome baby" strip and I really like it. I hope you do, too.