Skin Tone colored with Copic {E31}

GAMSOL  ..  VS  ..  WATERCOLORS
Did'nt make it to Archivers, but I did call and they were very nice to take the time to explain something to me.. Not sure why I could not remember this from high school, eventhought it was over 25yrs ago.... well probably cause we didn't use Gamsol, we used paint thinner....boy oh boy did it smell...

ANYWHO.....

First off Gamsol work with regular color pencils and ************* drum roll... WATERCOLOR pencil work woth Blender pens, and Dove blender....Duh ... what was I trying to do or was I tryng so hard I just forgot the basics.....That was my Lucy Moment... well that moment lasted all day Sunday.....

Well yesterday when I got off the phone all I could do was Laught at myself....I'm sure you guys have those same funny moments...

Below you will find some image that I have colored in with Copic Sketch marker {E31} Brick beige...

Please stop by and take a look and tell me what you think.. Copic Users and everyone.. let me know how it looks to the eye.. thanks in advance....

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

******************Happy Leap Day 2012*********************

How To Get A New Heart
2.29.2012

A friend who is a heart transplant cardiologist has an appreciation of Ezekiel 36:26 that not many of us can understand. Mike manages the pre-operation and post-operation care for heart-transplant patients. He’s often in the operating room as surgeons remove diseased, discolored hearts and replace them with vibrant, pink “new” donor hearts.
Mike explains that the process for selecting who gets a “new” physical heart is similar to who can get a “new heart” from God (Ezek. 36:26). In both cases, need alone is the criterion.
Ezekiel’s mention of the people of Israel someday getting a “new heart” is a foreshadowing of the change that takes place at salvation. Ephesians 4:24 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 refer to it as “new man” and “new creation.” For the Israelites of Ezekiel’s day and for those of us living today, only one criterion must be met for us to acquire a “transplant.” We must need it. It matters not whether we’re rich or poor, respected or scorned. Citizenship, social status, and ethnicity are inconsequential. If we need a new heart from God, we can have one through faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
What indicates that need? As sinners, all of us need a new heart. Have you had a spiritual heart transplant?

Christ asks you for nothing— Come just as you are; Come sinful, come guilty, Come give Him your heart. —Anon.

We need more than a new start— we need a new heart!

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

A Man Of Warmth And Wisdom 2-28-2012

When Dr. Vernon Grounds, former president and chancellor of Denver Seminary, went to be with the Lord at age 96, tributes and remembrances poured in from former students, colleagues, and friends. Almost everyone recalled a time when Dr. Grounds had personally encouraged them through his teaching, his counsel, or simply his warm smile. He believed in the value of training pastors, teachers, and counselors who had a vital relationship with Christ and a willingness to serve others.
A vivid portrait of Vernon Grounds is seen in a selection of verses from Proverbs 15: “A man of understanding walks uprightly” (v.21). “A word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (v.23). “The words of the pure are pleasant” (v.26). “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer” (v.28). “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom” (v.33).
Dr. Grounds’ counsel grew out of his character, and his wisdom came from God. The warmth of his life was fired by his purity of heart. The result is a model for us from the Word of God and the example of a man who humbly followed his Savior.
Vernon Grounds ran well and finished his race. May his example of wise and compassionate living challenge us as we continue to run.

Life’s truest heroes never carve their name On marbled columns built for their acclaim; They build instead a legacy that springs From faithful service to the King of kings. —Gustafson

A good leader is one who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

And Now for the Completed cards...

I'm impressed on the outcome of the cards.. still working on some coloring issues that I'm having....Excited about working with my Copic later in the week....{Comments are always helpful, please leave me some so i know what I'm doing wrong and have to improve on}.... Thanks for Viewing...

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Kenny K Designs - I love them...

So time ago I purchased - 3 stamps from www.whimspystamps.com,

• All That
• Miss Thang
• Treasured Moments Tickets

After searching other webiste this weekend along with some You Tube Video, I found out that your can go to Kenny k website and get downloadable printable images.....Now that's awesome...and there much cheaper.... www.kennykdownloads.com, here are some of the images i have....and some cards that i have completed....Still got get a demo on use os Copic markers, I located alo of videos, but i'm going to stop by Archivers for a demo....
Some of my sample coloring : {please don't laugh}

• Here are some more images of Kenny K...

Above : Mad Skillz, Wasn't Me, Brooklyn Babe

 Above : Bling babe, DaBomb, Boogie Down

Above: Club Kid, DaBomb

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Not My Kind - Our Daily Bread - 2/27/2012

In the Star Wars trilogy there’s a scene that reminds me of some church people I know. At an establishment somewhere in a remote corner of the galaxy, grotesque-looking creatures socialize over food and music. When Luke Skywalker enters with his two droids, C3PO and R2D2 (who are more “normal” than anyone else there), he is surprisingly turned away with a curt rebuff: “We don’t serve their kind here!”
That strange scene captures the malady that we all struggle with in our relationships here on planet Earth. We are always more comfortable with people who are just like us. But think of where you would be if Jesus had felt that way. He was divine, perfect in every way, which makes Him far different from us. Yet He came to dwell among us and to die for us.
Those of us who follow Christ shouldn’t have “they’re not my kind” in our vocabulary. As Paul reminds us, in Him “there is neither Jew nor Greek, . . . slave nor free, . . . male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). So, whether others are different in attitude, perspective, race, class, political slant, or social standing, it should make no difference to those of us who call ourselves by Jesus’ name.
Find someone who is not your kind and share Jesus’ love with them today!

I pray, O Lord, reveal to me If I have caused disunity, For You would have Your children one In praise and love for Your dear Son. —Branon

Love your neighbor— even if they aren’t your kind!

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Let Down Your Hair 2-25-2012

Shortly before Jesus was crucified, a woman named Mary poured a bottle of expensive perfume on His feet. Then, in what may have been an even more daring act, she wiped His feet with her hair (John 12:3). Not only did Mary sacrifice what may have been her life’s savings, she also sacrificed her reputation. In first-century Middle Eastern culture, respectable women never let down their hair in public. But true worship is not concerned about what others think of us (2 Sam. 6:21-22). To worship Jesus, Mary was willing to be thought of as immodest, perhaps even immoral.

Some of us may feel pressured to be perfect when we go to church so that people will think well of us. Metaphorically speaking, we work hard to make sure we have every hair in place. But a healthy church is a place where we can let down our hair and not hide our flaws behind a façade of perfection. In church, we should be able to reveal our weaknesses to find strength rather than conceal our faults to appear strong.

Worship doesn’t involve behaving as if nothing is wrong; it’s making sure everything is right—right with God and with one another. When our greatest fear is letting down our hair, perhaps our greatest sin is keeping it up.

Whenever we gather to worship Let’s not hide behind a façade; Instead, let’s be open and honest With others and also with God. —Sper

Our worship is right only when we are right with God and with others.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

God's Love is an Awesome Love.

I purchased the love sentiments digital collection from www.whimsystamps.com, This awesome set gave me some of the saying on the cards pictured below. I will post the rest of the cards this weekend..

I really like how the cards came out.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Fresh And Flourishing 2/24/2012

In Psalm 92, the poet begins with a commendation of praise: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord.” Good for what? Good for you and me. It does our soul a world of good to turn from anxious thoughts and fill our days with prayerful praise; good to greet each morning with songs of thanksgiving, for such praise makes us glad. It lifts us out of gloom and replaces our sadness with cheerful songs at the “works of [His] hands” (v.4). And what is that work? The work He is doing in us!Here’s one of my most cherished metaphors: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” (vv.12-14).
Palms are symbols of towering beauty and cedars of unbending strength. These are the characteristics of those who have been “planted in the house of the Lord” (v.13). Their roots go down into the soil of God’s unquenchable love.

Do you think your usefulness to God is over? Continue in God’s Word, rooted and grounded in Christ, drinking in His love and faithfulness. Then, no matter your age, you will bear fruit and be “fresh and flourishing.”

From your heart give God your praise For His blessings all your days; Lift your voice to God above— God of mercy, God of love. —Hess

Praise comes naturally when you count your blessings.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

Some great Finds at Big Lots....Knightdale

This is a great Journal of any kind ....

I purchased one for both of my Brothers to Let them know that God is always with them...

One for my Sister in law - to journal her Prayers.....

and some for some awesome Gifts ideas..

What A Great find for a little close to nothing.... 

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

Help Needed Feb-23-2012 Already

During World War II, the British Isles represented the last line of resistance against the sweep of Nazi oppression in Europe. Under relentless attack and in danger of collapse, however, Britain lacked the resources to see the conflict through to victory. For that reason, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill went on BBC radio and appealed to the world: “Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.” He knew that without help from the outside, they could not endure the assault they were facing.

Life is like that. Often, we are inadequate for the troubles life throws at us, and we need help from outside of ourselves. As members of the body of Christ, that help can come at times from our Christian brothers and sisters (Rom. 12:10-13)—and that is a wonderful thing. Ultimately, however, we seek help from our heavenly Father. The good and great news is that our God has invited us to come confidently before Him: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

At such times, our greatest resource is prayer—for it brings us into the very presence of God. There we find, in His mercy and grace, the help we need.

God has given you His promise, That He hears and answers prayer, He will heed your supplication If you cast on Him your care. —Bernstecher

Don’t let prayer be your last recourse in time of need; make it your first.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

An Ordinary Guy 2-22-2012

Steve was just an ordinary guy. He quietly served in a church I attended years ago. He helped prepare communion, shoveled the church sidewalks in the winter, and mowed the lawn in the summer. He spent time with teenage boys who had no fathers in the home. I often heard him telling people at church in his quiet way how good the Lord was to him. During prayer meeting he didn’t talk much about himself but would ask us to pray for those he was telling about Jesus’ forgiveness and love.
{Can you see the hands?}

A verse in John 10 about John the Baptist makes me think of Steve. People said of him: “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man [Jesus] were true” (v.41). John didn’t perform miracles as Jesus did. He didn’t talk about himself but came to “bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe” (1:7). He said of Jesus, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (1:29). My friend Steve bore witness of that Light as well.

Our aim, as followers of Jesus, is to do the same—to “bear witness of the Light.” We’re just ordinary people, serving God in our little corner of the world. With our quiet deeds and words, let’s point others to the Light!

Just what do Christians look like?
What sets their lives apart?
They’re ordinary people
Who love God from the heart. —D. De Haan

Christians are ordinary people who are committed to the extraordinary person of Christ.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

Slacker? 2-21-2012

While studying the book of Proverbs in my small-group Bible study, our leader suggested that we change the description of a lazy person from a sluggard to a slacker (6:6,9). Ah, now he was speaking my lingo. I immediately started thinking of all the people I consider to be slackers.Like the men and women who fail to teach and discipline their children. Or that guy who refuses to help around the house. Or those teenagers who neglect their studies and play Internet games day and night.
If we’re honest, we’re all susceptible to this. What about being a “prayer slacker” (1 Thess. 5:17-18), or a “Bible-reading slacker” (Ps. 119:103; 2 Tim. 3:16-17), or a “non-exercising-of-our-spiritual-gift slacker” (Rom. 12:4-8), or a “non-witnessing slacker”? (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8).
If we are not doing what we know God wants us to do, we are certainly spiritual slackers. In fact, when we refuse to obey God, we are sinning.
Listen to these challenging and convicting words from the book of James: “It is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it” (4:17 NLT). Let’s not be spiritual slackers.

When we know what God wants us to do,
But then we refuse to obey,
We’re ignoring the voice of the Lord,
And sinfully choosing our way. —Sper

We may make excuses for not obeying God,
but He still calls it disobedience.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day! ~Love Barbara~

The Remedy For Fear - Happy Monday!

In his first inaugural speech in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt, the newly elected president of the US, addressed a nation that was still reeling from the Great Depression. Hoping to ignite a more optimistic outlook regarding that economic crisis, he declared, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!”

Fear often shows up in our lives when we are at risk of losing something—our wealth, health, reputation, position, safety, family, friends. It reveals our innate desire to protect the things in life that are important to us, rather than fully entrusting them to God’s care and control. When fear takes over, it cripples us emotionally and saps us spiritually. We’re afraid to tell others about Christ, to extend our lives and resources for the benefit of others, or to venture into new territory. A fearful spirit is more vulnerable to the enemy, who tempts us to compromise biblical convictions and to take matters into our own hands.

The remedy for fear, of course, is trust in our Creator. Only when we trust the reality of God’s presence, power, protection, and provision for our lives can we share the joy of the psalmist, who said, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4).

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. —Berg

Trust in the Lord is the cure for a fearful spirit.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

WOW Weekend Projects....

WOW - Weekend Projects.... Sermon Journals 2012

Paper Used - Recollection - Youth Faith 

 Yearly 2012 Planner - Paper Used - Recollections - Faith

 *´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

I've completed Some Wall Art!

I love showcase my scrapbook layout thru Wall Art....

Here are three that are completed and will be posted on the wall. I will update with wall hanging picture on Thursday....

{Psalm 150: 1 & 6}

{Psalm 117:1-2}

{Psalm 136}

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

Update....from yesterday ....Get back up Girl... God Got your Back....

First I wanna start off with saying thanks for the prayers and all the kind words of encouragement....
It's not that I'm doubting God I know he will make a way he always does. But I was very upset this morning {I guess SHOCKED} was a better word.
I've also been playing Phone tag with another Lady named Tammy, out of the blue she decided to call me.....She was so excited to give me the phone interview right now {because we had been missing each other for more than 4 days} {HONESTLY}I was not really felling like it but after reading the Our Daily Bread today.. I was not going to let this keep me down.... so I worked my way thru the telephone interview....only to find out that the next on sight interview was either today {Thursday} or next Thursday ... So thinking to myself I have nothing to lose.. So today it will be @ 3:30....

I got up got myself tooooooooooooooooogthere and headed out in the pouring rain, sometime we gotta do what we gotta do.......Arrived 30 minute before my interview didn't wanna be late.....I waited and the more I waiting the more butterflies formed and filled up in my stomach.....

But I knew God was with me.....Here we go again a tag team interview...{HAHA} being interview by two mangers, one male and one female  { Denise Williams-for real that was her name}both very nice......Well after leaving the interview I remember thinking "well that went well" .....didn't want to be over confident because of what happened this morning....

She was nice enough to tell me that I should hear something in about 48 to 72 hours..... so I waited.... fast forward to tonight ------ tonight I'm at work [REMEMBER THE JOB THAT ONLY GIVES ME 23 HRS AND EXPECT ME TO FEED AND TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY, YES THAT PLACE] and I get a call on my cell from a restricted number { I don't answer restricted number}.... figuring I'll check that message later..{IF THEY LEAVE ONE} .. so about 15 minute later I checked my VM... and low and behold GOD HAD WORDED IT OUT... Tammy was calling to offer me the FULL TIME - permanent job with benefits... To God be the GLORY!

The young lady {TAMMY} that left the message was so excited for me she said " I just had to call you and leave you a message I'm so excited and happy for you"....{please call me tomorrow}....I stopped right in my track tears came to my eye and I had no other choice but to give him Praise my feet started moving before I knew what was happening .... So ladies and gents... Thank You.....for all the Prayers and encouraging words. My start date is March 9th and I'm so excited.....
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!
~Love Barbara~

Knocked Off Your Feet? 2-16-2012

Good Morning - Just wanted to take a minute and share something with my friends . On Yesterday I went on a job interview, which I was thinking went very very well....I remembered thinking while in the interview ...WOW I got this... The interview went very well, the two call center mangers that interview me were very impressed and even voice that to me...I always Pray before going into an interview asking God whatever is in your Will let it be done..... Feeling very confident about the interview, and expecting a call in the A.M. I was excited. Expecting the agency to call me this am to offer me the job.... NOT! Melissa from the staffing agency called to say they decide not to go forward with hiring you... I was totally shocked...????

What Happened God????? ( because they never told Melissa why??)

I cried and now I'm OK..

(Yes, because I was hurt).. So I got up.....got myself together and I'm trying  to figure out what God is trying to tell me....so as I do most mornings I logged on to "OUR DAILY BREAD" only to see the theme for today "KNOCKED OFF YOUR FEET!...

and yes I was KNOCKED OFF MY FEET!

Thanks God for the awesome message on today....

****************I"M WORKING THRU MY DESPAIRING FEELINGS*****************

Because I’ve written many articles and a book about dealing with life’s losses, I have the privilege of being introduced to a number of fellow strugglers along life’s journey. One of my new friends is a mom whose 21-year-old daughter died suddenly in 2009, which sent her reeling. She told me, “I feel like an outcast from the normal world. I feel crushed and my soul is in so much pain.”

Indeed the losses that visit us can knock us off our feet—whether a death in the family, a child who walks away from God and family, or a physical or mental setback.

Yet what I’ve discovered is something musician Jeremy Camp made clear in a song he wrote after the death of his wife in 2001: When you are knocked off your feet by life’s difficulties, remember that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). That’s reason enough to get back up again. Camp described his struggle in the song called “Understand.” He asked, “Why don’t I get back on my feet again?” And he recognized that he could because “I know You understand it all.”

When trouble knocks us down, we can look up. God is there. He understands and cares. It’s not easy, but we can trust Him to help us get back on our feet again.

Lift up your eyes, despairing one,
The Lord your help will be;
You have a friend in heaven who cheers,
And calms the troubled sea. —Anon.

There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are felt more than in heaven.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

More, More, More

Now that my daughter is learning to talk, she has adopted a favorite word: more. She will say “more” and point to toast with jam. She held out her palm and said “More!” when my husband gave her some coins for her piggy bank. She even exclaimed, “More Daddy!” one morning after her father left for work.



Like my little one, many of us look around and call for “more.” Unfortunately, enough is never enough. We need the power of Christ to break the cycle so that we can say with Paul, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11).

The phrase “I have learned” tells me that Paul did not meet every situation with a smile. Learning contentment required practice. His testimony included ups and downs ranging from snake bites to soul-saving; false accusations to founding churches. Yet he claimed that Jesus was the answer to soul-level satisfaction. He said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (v.13). Jesus had given him the spiritual muscle to endure lean times and to avoid the pitfalls of abundance.

If you find yourself angling for “more, more, more,” remember that contentment comes when you have “more” of Christ.

***

Fret not for want of earthly things;
They’ll never satisfy.
The secret of contentment is
To let the Lord supply. —D. De Haan

True contentment is not dependent on anything in this world.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

Benefits Of Friendship 2/14/2012

Happy Valentines Day to All..

Cicero was one of the greatest thinkers of the Roman Empire. He was a skilled orator, lawyer, politician, linguist, and writer. Still today he is quoted for his clear prose and practical wisdom.

For instance, of having friends he wrote: “Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.” He understood the double benefits of friendship along life’s journey.

Nearly a millennium earlier, King Solomon had written about the value of friends as well. In Ecclesiastes we read, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (4:9-10). Certainly a life without friends makes our sojourn lonely and hard to bear.

That famous Roman and that Jewish king were right: Friends are important. Friends serve as confidants, counselors, and burden-sharers.

Think about your friends. Have you been neglecting those God has provided to share your joys and sorrows? If so, seek out one of your friends for fellowship this week. Remember, “two are better than one,” because a friend can double our joy and divide our grief.

A friend is “trust,” a friend is “warmth,”
A friend is “always there”
To add to every happiness,
To lessen every care. —Anon.

Friends are flowers in the garden of life.

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~

More weekend - WOW!

Hello and Happy Monday ...
Sneak peeks on some things i'm working on....

 GET WELL SOON
{Stampin Up - Just Believe and Rubber stampede - A2465C}

 My Deepest Sympathy
{Stampin Up - Love and Sympathy}

Gift cards Holders
{Wedding stamps - Best wishes - hero arts and happily after - Old Stampin Up}

{ Merry Christmas - Uptown rubber stamps}

{Birthda Love - Delafeild Stamp company - G715}

*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•' Have A Great Day!

~Love Barbara~