Stampin' Sisters in Christ #164

Good morning dear friends.  It's Sunday so that means its time for another challenge over at Stampin' Sisters in Christ.

This week our lovely hostess is Helen.  She chose Psalm 147:3 for our challenge this week:

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

What image do you have of God?

Distant?  Friendly?  Out-of-reach?  Loving?

All too often we give God human-like qualities.  We think He is cruel, or stand-offish.  We think He doesn't care about our every day lives.  But if we are faithful to be in the Word, all of it, not just select portions, we get a more accurate picture of who God is.  When God sent Elijah into the wilderness He also sent the ravens to bring him food.  He didn't abandon him.  When people came in faith to Jesus for healing, He healed them.  He cared about them and He cares about us.  He cares about all of us.  Every single part of our lives.  Luke tells us every hair on our heads are numbered.  How intimate is that?  I personally have seen many many times how God is concerned about all the details of my life.  Not just the big ones, but little ones like when our cow was having trouble delivering.  We had no idea what we were doing and every time we started to panic I stopped my husband and we prayed.  God answered each of those prayers with lightning speed.  (Not that He always does that, but a laboring cow doesn't have days or weeks to wait for an answer right??)  (Quite honestly I have no idea why that example popped into my brain, but I'm just going with it.  God must have a reason....)  God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  He cares about our hearts, our feelings, our emotions.  He cares about our wounds (physical, mental or spiritual) and He binds them up.  He doesn't laugh at us.  He doesn't ignore us.  He doesn't pour salt on our wounds.  He loves us.  He cares for us.

  Thinking about our Heavenly Physician, Helen would like to see us use something "broken and put back together" on our cards this week.  

I have to admit I have used the "illusion" of something broken and put back together (I'll explain).  I used a great tag from Iralamija.  The set is New Yuletide Tags.  There are 12 images and I had a hard time choosing which one I would use first.  But I did choose!!

Here is the adorable image I chose to work with.  I cut out the tag and added some seam binding to the top.  I also glued some lace to the bottom.

Here's  my card.  I used my favorite paper from MME.  I only had a scrap left (need to get to Hobby Lobby for more!) so the inside is not done as it usually is.  I used the sketch at CLP Challenge Blog.  I added pearls at the top along with a small piece of lace (from my scrap jar).  It's hard to see but for the one layer in the sketch I actually used cheesecloth.  

I added a tree die cut from Memory Box.  The pink flowers were from Joanns.  They were by-the-yard.  I added the pearls to their centers.  The pompom trim is also from Joanns.  Behind the flowers I added a small strip of pink tulle that I gathered slightly.

 OK here is my "illusion" of something broken.  I used Distress Crackle Paint from Tim Holtz in clear.  After it dried thoroughly I rubbed walnut stain ink over the top to darken the cracks.  This looks so vintage, I really love how it turned out. 

Our sponsor this week is Clear Dollar Stamps.  They are offering one randomly drawn winner a $15 gift certificate to their store.  I hope you break something and put it back together for us this week! 

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

CLP Challenge Blog - Sketch
My Time to Craft - Vintage
Crafty Calendar - Wrap Up Warm for Winter
Totally Gorjuss - Pastel Christmas
Alphabet Challenge Blog - T is for Tag
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog - Bingo (flowers, pink, ribbon)
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Anything Goes
Crafts for Eternity - Tags
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
Fussy and Fancy - Pearls and Flowers
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes

I think that's about it.  Thanks for taking a peek!

Blessings & Hugs,

Michelle