Providence 365 - Week Nine

Humility

The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12

Humble is often defined as being not proud or arrogant, when what you do is offered in a spirit of deference or submission; an unpretentious act, not seeking recognition.

How did Jesus serve? When did He serve? Where did He serve?

His life among us was about service. He came here to serve, not to be served. He was strong, He was compassionate, He cared, He loved and He served…with humility.

How do you serve? When do you serve? Where do you serve? And do you serve with humility? Humility is not something that we simply decide to have as a character trait. It is a trait that simply is. It is loving others and serving others – as Jesus would do. It is the acts that we do to help others simply because it is the right thing to do…for them – not for us.

Now, you may be thinking I am going to ask you to create a layout based on your service to others. Yet, to do so, you would not be humbling yourself. With that in mind, I want you to reflect on an individual in your life that has set the premier example of service and humility – someone who was strong, compassionate and one who served in humility. Dedicate your layout to them. Share what you have learned from their acts of service.

I have a dear friend who I have known for years. Whether Judy was volunteering in a church or assisting someone with a project at work; she never looked for praise (in fact, she would often give credit to others) When serving; she was hard-working, dedicated and cheerfully did whatever was needed – always with a warm heart, a gentle spirit and with love. While I grew up in a Christian household and attended church regularly – I do not think that is was until I met Judy that I truly saw and recognized the face of Jesus. It was through Judy that I grew close to Christ and moved further along in my faith walk. Here is my layout for this challenge:

And here is a freebie for you with word art to get you started. You may download it here

When you have created your layout, please post your layout in the Providence 365 Gallery and let us know here on the week nine thread of Providence 365 forum at Faith Sisters .
Have a blessed week.

"I WANT IT ALL" Sale

Time is running out on this AWESOME Sale! You can purchase all of "by the Shore designs" products that are currently available at Faith Sisters for the extra low price of only $10 if you purchase before February 28th. That is over 30 products/kits which include paper, elements, alphas, word art & overlays, quick pages, photoshop templates and even a cardbase template.

And as a bonus – the Faith Sisters February Collaboration Kit – A Friend Loves At All Times - is available for free, simply add this product to your shopping cart, then enter this coupon FSCFLAAT_13 at checkout (this bonus requires a $10 minimum purchase and is only valid in February, 2011). (Coupon Code is: FSCFLAAT_13) You must add this product and enter this code at the time of purchase. This collaboration kit includes a wonderful collection of paper and elements from a variety of our talented Faith Sisters designers.

The "I WANT IT ALL" sale only applies to items in "by the Shore designs by pammie~k"s store. Templates are in psd format and are for use in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Paper is provided in jpg format. Elements and quick pages are available in png format.

The "I WANT IT ALL" sale along with the Faith Sisters Collaboration Bonus is valued at over $50. This is a great deal for only $10.

Please note that there will be a download for each individual product (quick pages and templates have been combined into zip files for your conveniece). So once you purchase this collection; grab a cold drink and relax while you download your digi-goodies!

February, 2011 ~ 1,2,3 Scrap!

Third Thursday of the Month - and that means it is time for 1,2,3 Scrap! I enjoyed seeing your takes on our previous challenges. I hope you enjoy the February challenge I have planned!

For those that are new to the 1,2,3 Scrap! Challenge, it is really pretty simple. I provide 3 basic 'requirements' for your layout and you take it from there. (You can even try a card or a hybrid project using the requirements if you want to think outside the box) When your layout is complete, make sure you share it in our 1,2,3 Scrap! gallery at Faith Sisters and post in our 1,2,3 Scrap forum here.


The requirements:


1. Use only black and white papers and elements for the layout
2. Use 2 different fonts in a color from your focal picture for your title
3. Use lots of white space to draw your eye to the focal picture. (remember that white space does not have to be "white")

Here is my layout for the challenge. My family gave me some lovely roses for Valentine's Day~so fragrant and they are still beautiful!

Here is a Black and White Paper Pack to get you started - my gift to you. Click on the preview below to take you to the download. This paper pack is free through March 15, 2011. After that it will be available in my store at Faith Sisters.

Are you ready? I cannot wait to see your layout for this challenge!

Here we go....



1,2,3, Scrap!

I WANT IT ALL SALE

"I WANT IT ALL" Sale

February 15th – February 28th you can purchase all of "by the Shore designs" products that are available at Faith Sisters for the extra low price of only $10. That is over 30 products/kits which include paper, elements, alphas, word art & overlays, quick pages, photoshop templates and even a cardbase template.

And as a bonus – the Faith Sisters February Collaboration Kit – A Friend Loves At All Times - is available for free, simply add this product to your shopping cart, then enter this coupon FSCFLAAT_13 at checkout (this bonus requires a $10 minimum purchase and is only valid in February, 2011). (Coupon Code is: FSCFLAAT_13) You must add this product and enter this code at the time of purchase. This collaboration kit includes a wonderful collection of paper and elements from a variety of our talented Faith Sisters designers.

The "I WANT IT ALL" sale only applies to items in "by the Shore designs by pammie~k"'s store. Templates are in psd format and are for use in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Paper is provided in jpg format. Elements and quick pages are available in png format.

Please note that there will be a download for each individual product (quick pages and templates have been combined into zip files for your conveniece). So once you purchase this collection; grab a cold drink and relax while you download your digi-goodies!

New Quick Page! Forever Friends

Celebrate friendship! Here's the perfect quick page! Perhaps the pictures are of your children or family members, your spouse or significant other, your BFF, or maybe your child and his/her friends. Whatever you decide, this is truly scrapbooking at it's easiest. Simply add three pics, perhaps names and a date - and you are done!

Here is a layout of very special family friends. Our families have known each other for years - and while we are separated by distance, when we get do together - we do not skip a beat. Friendships like this are rare and to be cherished.

This new quick page is available at Faith Sisters - Here!

And don't forget - you can still pick up Simply Hearts Paper and Elements Collection at it's introductory sale price of 50% off at Faith Sisters through February 14th. And our Simply Hearts Alpha Collection is free through that date as well. Head on over now!

Enjoy your day....by the Shore

Simply Hearts Paper and Elements Collection

Introducing Simply Hearts Paper and Elements Collection - just in time Valentine's day. This collection is filled with lots of love.

Our Simply Hearts Collection includes 7 patterned and 2 solid 12x12 papers; 9 epoxy stickers, 4 buttons, 2 full sets of photo corners, 3 torn edge paper borders, two heart border strips, 4 journaling boxes, 2 three window photo frames, one scalloped heart frame, 1 heart bling, and two "stickers".

This kit is currently available at Faith Sisters. To make this this kit even more lovely, purchase it before February 14th and save 50%. Check it our here.

Want even more? How about a little freebie? This Simply Hearts Alpha Collection is your for free until February 14th - right here. It coordinates perfectly with the Simply Hearts Paper and Elements Collection.

Wishing you lots of love this week! Stay safe, dry and warm - wherever you may be. I am preparing for another round of winter weather (though in my mind, I am kicked back enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun, listening to the ocean waves....by the Shore)

Providence 365, Week Six

Welcome to week six of Providence 365 as we reflect on our gifts. Our Bible verse is Romans 12:6
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

What is a gift? It surely is more than a pretty package with a bow. One dictionary provides this definition:
1: a notable capacity, talent, or endowment
2: something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation
3: the act, right, or power of giving

What is a gift? Think about Christmas-time; when you see a child open a gift on Christmas morning. The joy on their face as they discover what was hidden under the wrapping paper. Maybe it is a precious baby doll, a classic novel or a new video game. And then when they use that gift – what a smile it brings to the face of the giver, to know that the gift was perfect and that the child could not wait to play with it.

Our Father feels the same way. It is through His grace that we are given our gifts. Our gifts are not to be set aside on a shelf; we are to use them to their fullest. I can only imagine how pleased He is when we use the gifts He has given.

What are your gifts? Our gracious Father has blessed each one of us with gifts. His Grace is amazing! Mine will be different from yours – yet each gift is perfect for us. Through the years we discover these gifts and are given the opportunity to use them.

In the book of Romans continue reading verse 7 and 8. It expands on using our gifts. As I was reading these passages, I could not stop. I continued to read to the end of chapter 12 and I encourage you to do the same. (Powerful words on being a true Christian and how we treat one another.)

How are you using your gifts? Throughout life we may be led to or asked to do something that is outside of our comfort zone , something we may feel we are not ready to tackle. Remember that God does not call the equipped. He equips those that are called. Perhaps He has given you a gift that you have not yet unwrapped.

This week, reflect on the gifts He has given you. Your challenge is to create a layout which shares your gift(s). How do you use them? Who is blessed through your gifts? When did you realize it was a gift? I know it is hard to write about yourself - but give it a try. Perhaps someone will recognize a hidden gift of their own through your layout.

Here is some wordart to get you started.

Wishing you a joyous week. Wherever you are, I pray that you are safe, warm and dry.