SDC80: Out With The Old, In With The New

'Brave Girl'

Stampotique Designers current Challenge (#80) is Out With The Old, In With The New.  It's the last day of 2012 and I've been reflecting on this past year, so full of blessings and so full of struggles.  'Brave Girl' has been my catch-phrase for the year (yes, I most likely caught the phrase from Kelly Rae Roberts) and so I wanted to create a keepsake in celebration of doing just that, being brave and overcoming many of my fears.  This piece has been pretty much created from my collection of scraps.  The only things that are new are the white flowers in the bride's bouquet and the one in her hair.  I got a little 'brave' today and had a go at creating the two characters in this piece, the girl and the owl... drawing is a little out of my comfort zone, which is why I love stamps so much - especially this Stampotique tree!

Right at the start of this year I was in the midst of making one of the biggest decisions of my life, Joel had unexpectedly proposed in early December and I had yet to give him an answer (I made him wait about 5 weeks in the end)!  Yes, he can be quite a patient man!

I knew for me to say yes, I would need to be 'brave'... maybe it sounds funny to you, but being the age I was, having never married before, knowing that my life would never quite be the same, and not really having expected this possible change of marital status (I had pretty much resolved myself to the fact that I was going to remain single for the rest of my life) I was going to need to be 'brave' in trusting Joel and to be 'brave' enough to give myself to someone in a way I had never done before.  

Being a 'Brave Girl' kept ringing in my heart right the year through... I've had to face and deal with a number of huge fears this year... which to many would seem totally insignificant, but to me, they have been momentous.  I know that my faith in God, the encouragement of Joel and other close family/friends has enabled me to be brave and conquer fear, and for this I am very thankful!  What a blessing!

Tantalizing Turquoise

I'm so excited because a hanging I created for the Tantalizing Turquoise challenge for Stampers Sampler has been published in the June/July issue. The picture above shows it in the process of being put together... just before I had the gumption to start sewing on it. I often hesitate at this stage of the process because once something is stitched, it's pretty permanent. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo of the finished product, but if you click on the Stampers Sampler link you should be able to find a photo of it!

SALT and Light

The current SALT challenge theme is - Inspiring Women Of Faith I've been longing to participate in these challenges for a while.

I've made a hanging called 'Friends'. As I was making this piece, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible gift of friendship. It is indeed a gracious gift from God. Faithful friends are an awesome blessing in our lives and I am very thankful to have some wonderful friends that have supported me through tough times and celebrated with me in good. I lost my mother many years ago now, just as we were becoming very good friends, and so friendships have been extra special to me.

Thank you my dear friends for... caring enough to listen to me, speaking words of wisdom, taking time to keep in touch, your prayers, challenging me, speaking truth in love, making me laugh out loud, giving me hope and joy and peace, sharing from your heart and allowing me to do the same, helping me to realise that I'm never alone, telling me to be brave, believing in me...

Thank you, Father for doing all of the above and so much more.

The image is a favourite of mine by Paperbag Studios and paper is Daisy D's.

Oh, yes 'light'. I had quite a bit of trouble getting a decent photo of 'Friends' because my light fuse keeps blowing at home and my lighting consists of two lamps and candles - I wish I had an electrician for a friend!