Friday Features: Last Day in 2011!

Well, Happy New Year, my friends!  It's so hard to believe that another year has passed; they seem to go quicker and pass faster the older I get!
Thank you for all your faithfulness this year, and I hope you enjoy God to the fullest in 2012.

And, here are your final Friday Features (on Saturday!) for 2011.

• I loved reading this article on why the Psalms are the smart phone of the soul.
• This article has a whole plethora of photo ideas for the new year.
• I love The CoffeeShop Blog!  Here's a great tutorial on using a levels adjustment layer to edit your photos.
• And, finally, some good words from the Femina blog about being content in the coming year.  

Tuesday's Tutorial is Back...on Wednesday!

Which is really more like a Tuesday today, as The Male had Monday off, so Monday was more like a Saturday (day off without church), and so it goes! 
But, I promised you a little video showing a new way to color (well, new to me!).  It's really easy and quick.
But, first, I have a few new products up in the store, and they are all 25% off for the first week of release.
You might recognize a few of these word art clusters.  :-)
Words of: Providence, Vol.1 and Vol.2:

And, then just because I really like pockets, Pick a Pocket:

And, now, for your video tutorial, here's the link.

He was created by a mother whom He created. 

He was carried by hands that He formed. 

He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, 

without whom all human eloquence is mute.

Augustine

Friday Features: December 23rd Edition

I hope that you all have finished up your holiday preparations and are ready to center your heart.  Center it to reflect on Christmas (not the Jingle Bell one, which has its place).  But rather focus on the one with the Baby, who is God come down, in the manger. 
"The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us..." 
He came to us to save us, as we are a people in desperate need of salvation.  He came to take the scourging and nails that were and are rightly ours.  He came to conquer death and Hades.  He came to obey His Father, that we might be His brothers.  He came to be glorified. 
I pray that you might glorify Him this Christmas.  And, glorifying, rejoice.


The Professor, The Mama, and their Littles are here with us now.  Tonight after dinner, we're going to walk around Naples Island to see the Christmas lights.  And get lost.  We always get lost.  It's part of the tradition.  We had to use a GPS one year to get out. 

And, now for your Friday Features:

•  It's only two days before Christmas and you're out of wrapping paper!  Oh, no!  What to do?  You certainly don't want to fight the crowds at the mall, so how about making your own?  With your photographs!!!  Brilliant!

• And, then how about a few gift tags  made with your photos to go with your lovely new wrapping paper?

• Why you need to go look at the stars.

• I am obsessed with bokeh.  We did this last year and it still amazes me!

• Hints and tips for Christmas pictures.

• I needed to read this today, as I have been exceedingly grumpy about one particular area of gift-giving in my life...

Lovely Supreme Team Layouts

Over at goDigitalScrapbooking, we have a store CT, called the Supreme Team.  In October, I asked if they might work with my Sew Vintage: The Collection.  And, they made some lovely, lovely layouts.  Take a look.
By Olivia:

By Briarwoodpups:

By Cathy:

By Sammimagoo:

Aren't those wonderful layouts?  I so appreciate the wonderful job they all did.
Sew Vintage: The Collection is still on sale.  You receive all four collection sets, Fabrics, Patterns, Notions, and Trims, for only $6.99. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday's Tutorial is Taking a Break...

...while I finish up a bunch of last-minute Christmas and business projects.  But, here's a hint for next Tuesday:  I've learned yet another way to recolor images in PSE, and it's even easier than my easy method!

I posted some new products in my store at goDigitalScrapbooking yesterday.
First, Vintage Postcards, Vol.1:

Snowflake Frames:

Summer Overlays:

Fall Foto Mask:

 

And, finally, Blessings:

Emmanuel. God with us. He who resided in Heaven, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, willingly descended into our world. He breathed our air, felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins. He didn't come to frighten us, but to show us the way to warmth and safety.

 Charles Swindoll

Providence 365: Week 51, the 4th Week of Advent

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, and traditionally, the candle lit for today is the candle of peace. 
Isaiah 9:5-7:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christ has come and brought peace, sweet peace between sinful people and a righteous God. Only when we are at peace with God will we, or indeed can we, have true, lasting, peace among men. 


But, our peace didn't come peacefully.  
We love the story of the Christ Child, but He didn't stay a pudgy, cuddly, sweet little baby.  He grew into a man, fully man and fully God, who walked the earth, who ate our food, who felt all that we feel. 

Wonder of wonders!

Mystery of mysteries!

The peace He brought us, he didn't obtain as a baby.  It was through His work as a man, His suffering in our place on the Cross, that we can stand before God, clothed in the righteousness of Christ.  Our forgiveness came through the blood and sweat and pain and despair of a very real man, who suffered so greatly that I want to weep when I read descriptions of the crucifixion.  

But, praise God! the story doesn't end there!


No, the veil was ripped in two, the wall of division between men and God, and between men and men, was torn down with His bare, nail-pierced hands.  


And, then the stone was rolled away, for death could not hold Him, the Maker of the Universe.  Oh, does your soul not soar with that thought?

 The Babe in the manger was just the beginning of the story....

You can find the word art HERE.  And, this week, when you download, I'd so appreciate a comment, especially if you've been blessed by our journey this year.  Pam and I so appreciate each and every little note we receive.  This will be my last P365 posting, so thank you so much!  God bless you as you seek Him in all of the Providences of your life.

Friday Features: December 16th Edition

Can it really be that Christmas is only a little over a week away?
Am I the only one just realizing that?  Where did the time go....

Tonight our community group is meeting here, and we are having our own little version of Lesson and Carols.  If you've never heard of Lessons and Carols, check out the link.  I think you'll like it!
I've printed up worship and song sheets, revising the King's College service a bit to fit our little group of 4 families.  We're going to have a combination of live guitar and singing along to videos and lyrics on YouTube.  I'm looking forward to relaxing a bit and reflecting on the wonder of Christ's coming. 

This coming Sunday will be my last Providence 365 post.  If you have missed any of the word art along the way, be sure to get them soon, as I will be taking the links taking down in early January. 

Over in the forum at goDigitalScrapbooking, I'm hosting a photography challenge.  This month's assignment is to take photograph with bokeh and make a layout with it.  And, in light of that, I've started off Friday Features with two tutorials on how to get that lovely bokeh:

• It's really easy and here's a post with instructions.  And, another one.

• Another great tutorial from Everyday Elements on how to give your photos a sunny glow in PSE.

• Use a photo of your favorite gadget to make a bag or pouch. 

• Do you find yourself taking off your gloves to use your touch-screen phone?  Here's a turorial on  how to make your own texting gloves.

I'll be sending out Vol. 2 of Precepts and Promises Periodical next week.  Be sure to sign up if you'd like a little something from me and a nice little coupon for my store, too.

Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man – His unspeakable gift of His Son, and the gift of man to God – when we present our bodies a living sacrifice.

 Vance Havner

Tuesday's Tutorial, on Wednesday, & New Releases!

Well, it seems that the latest piece of me to give way is my left shoulder.  I was simply minding my own business, making the guest bed, when -OUCHOUCHOUCH- my left shoulder simply went into a ball of pain.  I was useless for the rest of the day and, once again, I have gained so much respect for those who live with constant pain.  Only the grace of God gets you through the day after day after day. 
It just happened that I had an appointment on Tuesday for a follow-up on my reflux (another part of me not working so well these days), so my doctor looked at my shoulder, moved it around. 
"Does this hurt?" 
"OUCH OUCH OUCH!" 
Why, yes, it does.
So, I have an appointment with an orthopedist next week. 

And, that, my friends, is why I didn't get Tuesday's Tutorial posted on Tuesday! 
But, I'm feeling much better today, so I have a little video for you.  This one is continuing on gradients, learning how to edit the presets. 
Click here to view the tutorial.

I also have two new products up in the store, Painterly Papers, Vol. 3 Christmas and Words of: Christmas, Vol.2.

Friday Features: December 9th Edition

I have two new products this week, Words of:Advent 2011 and Messy Masks, Vol. 7 Winter.
Both are on sale for 25% off for the first week; you can find them at goDigitalScrapbooking.

Now, on the Friday Features:

• I am a minimalist at heart, which can sometimes be mistaken for a Scrooge-like attitude toward Christmas.  But, it's not.  I think that sometimes all the fuss and bother can rather be quite the distraction.  So, this article spoke to me.  

• Here's a quick little 15 Minute Photography Lesson.   This is the time of year when we really want to take good shots, so it's a good teaching tool and quick reminder of what's already been learned, but possibly been forgotten!

• Here's another DIY for a photo canvas.

• Just for fun:  A Christmas tree made from old folding rulers!  And, to think, I passed up one at a garage sale last weekend, all wonderfully grungy, just because I didn't have a plan. 

• I'm always on the lookout for new, worshipful, Christmas music and was very happy to find this link to a free download.

And, finally:
I've finished up two more weeks of Providence 365.  You might notice that there's not as much journaling on these last few weeks as earlier.  All I can say is, yes, you're right.  Sigh.

Tuesday's Tutorial, on Tuesday!

I have a new tutorial for you using the gradient tool to customize an element.  You can find it here.  It only took 3 tries to get this one posted; I goofed up the first, the phone rang during the second, and I just ignored my mistakes in the third!
I've been sick with something flu-like, the heater quit, the repairman was out twice today, there were bills to pay, and I've had various and sundry of phone calls, so I didn't get to my design work.  I'm hoping that tomorrow I'll have something new for you.  I have no shortage of ideas, I'm telling you.  How about I leave you with a little hint;  Words of: Advent.

PS: I almost forgot!  Tomorrow evening, 5PST, 8EST, I'll be hosting a chat at goDigitalScrapbooking.  If you are new to digi, or just have a question you've been burning to ask, come and join me in the chat room!

What self denial! What self abasement! What self emptying! He, whom no infinitudes can hold, is contained within infant’s age, and infant’s form. Can it be, that the great “I AM THAT I AM” shrinks into our flesh?

Henry Law

Providence 365, Week 49: The Second Sunday of Advent

This is the Christian season of Advent, the time of anticipation, of looking back at Christ's first coming, and also looking ahead, expecting, His second.  For centuries, Christians have lit candles in an evergreen Advent wreath, reading Scriptures as reminders of what the King of the Universe has done for us, His people.  The light from the candles grows each Sunday as one more is lit, reflecting that Christ is the Light of the World, and His light is filling our dark world.
The first candle of the Advent wreath is the candle of hope or prophecy.  Traditionally, the second candle, this week's candle, symbolized Bethlehem, the lowly birthplace of Jesus.  It reminds us that He came in God's Providence, as a man, humble, to live and "tabernacle" among us. 


This weeks verse is from Micah 5:2:

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
   who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
   one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
   from ancient days.

This verse is a reminder that God has chosen the lowly of this world to bring His glory to us; He has chosen the weak to confound the wise, leaving us no room to boast in our own wisdom. 

 

My prayer for you this Advent Sunday is that you would seek for Him with all your heart, for He is willing to be found, meek and lowly, in Bethlehem.
You can find the word art here.

Christmas Cards!

First of all, thank you to all who have left comments; I SO appreciate it!  And, you're very welcome!

Over at goDigitalScrapbooking, we have a site CT, called the Supreme Team.  The members are chosen via a rather intense weeks'-long process of competitive scrapping. 
We designers can ask the ST to work on a specific product, and when they finish that list, they are free to pick another product of their own choosing to make further layouts.
Olivia was on the team last year, and she just won a spot on this year's team, too.  I asked if the ST would work with my Christmas Card Templates using my Sugar Plums kit.  And, Olivia ran with that, made four cards and has them up in the gallery already!  Wow.  I'm still working on my P365 layout from the week before last...
Anyhow, I thought you might like to see her work!

Very cute!  Thanks, Olivia!

Friday Features: December 2nd Edition

It's hard to believe, but, yes, it's December already!  I've been crafting like a mad woman and have a few items finished for Christmas: New stockings for two grandchildren, two pair of pajamas sewn, and the first box off in the mail.  Whew...  Just a baby quilt, two more pair of jammies, a gift for my MIL to sew, a photo book for my mom, and perhaps a little something for The Male (who reads this blog, so Hi, Honey!).  So, I'd better hurry up and get going, right?

Firstly, thank you for the kind comments left for the Traditions Blog Train--they are rare, so if you've taken the time to leave a little note, please know that I greatly appreciate each one.

I have a few new products up in the store, too.
First is an Advent Calendar, a hybrid project.  I've included both the top and bottom templates, so you can make little opening doors to reveal what's underneath.  There are text boxes with the Bible verses for Christ's birth, but you can easily change, alter, or delete them.  There's also a text file with the very easy instructions.  And, it's only the 2nd, so you still have plenty of time to get one made for this year!

If you are still working on your Thanksgiving layouts, here's something to add a bit:  Gratitude Tags.

These were my gift to my newsletter subscribers last month, so if you'd like to have a little something extra this month, be sure to sign up.  It's right in the side bar.  Right over there. 

And, now on to Friday Features:

Oh, I want to do this.  Right Now.   Making my own print-on-canvas!

I love this:  One Thousand Gifts iPhone app.   This might be my Providence 365 format for 2012.
How to photograph sunrises and sunsets.
These photo book marks would be great stocking stuffers or simple gifts for family.
The easiest gift tags ever!
I have been greatly enjoying listening, and worshiping, to this album while I work.

And, that's it for today.  I'm off to whittle down my to-do list a bit.

This Gospel anticipates a world far different from C.S. Lewis’s Narnia, where it is “always winter, and never Christmas.” The promise of the Gospel is that it is “always Christmas.”  To be “in Christ” is to enjoy each morning as a Christmas morning with the family of God, celebrating the gift of God around the tree of life.

Kevin VanHoozer

December Blog Train Blog: Traditions

Welcome to Precepts and Promises!  And, welcome to the December Blog Train, "Traditions."  It's a gorgeous collection jam-packed with Christmas-themed papers and elements.  There is a little something for everyone's style!
I've made for you a set of three holiday templates: 

I'm sorry, this link has expired.
If you like these templates and are interested in more of my work, you can check out my store at goDigitalScrapbooking.  
If you've been following along all the blog train stops, you should have come from The Urban Fairy.  And, your next stop will be The Scrappy Kat.
And, I would so appreciate a comment if you've chosen to download; it means so much when I get a thankful comment!
And, thank you for stopping by!  Merry Christmas!