Sunday, November 21, 2010

The one about the dutch oven and the patterned paper....

Today's cards were chosen for posting because of a wonderful sermon we had in church today. Regardless of one's spiritual leanings, I think the lesson is of value.

The sermon was delivered by a woman who I hope will soon be the associate pastor spot in our church. She spoke about covetousness, because we were scheduled to wrap out a series on the 10 Commandments today.

Her sermon was rooted in a wonderful story about a friend who found a dutch oven she fell in love with, and how she coveted it, and regretted she hadn't seen it first. Her point was, I think that when we covet, we hold back part of ourselves... we can't be in fully in relationship, loving, sharing, giving as Christ would have us do, if we are wrapped up in what we don't have, or want more of.

Which made me think of the cards below. I used my 'special' papers on them... paper I had been holding on to - coveting - because they are no longer available. When I did use them to make these cards, I paused before I used them. Would the person appreciate them the way I do? Would they know to give them to 'special' people, who would also see their value?

Today I realized how wrong that is. Although ultimately I let go of those damaging thoughts, and gave the cards away happily, in that 30 seconds of doubt, I was coveting things more than valuing relationships, and that covetousness... the need for that car, or that job, or that one thing... that somehow we fool ourselves into believing will make us happy, content, whole - whatever word sums it up for you - is what keeps us separated from unity with others, and, if you hold those beliefs, from God. Once we get stuck in the scarcity mentality of 'I must keep...' or I must have...' we get cut off from the rest of the world.

And on that note, I give you today's cards. I hope you like them. And remember! Use your stash! Share those pretty papers, or that cute ribbon (or whatever supply(ies) you hoard out of covetousness).

At best, you'll bring people joy through your creativity. At worst, if you use it up, you'll have a good excuse to go buy more.

There will always be pretty papers.
Or dutch ovens, if that's your thing.
Supply list for cards 1 and 2: cardstock - SU Pumpkin Pie; Patterned Paper - Scenic Route(main), Basic Grey Nook and Pantry (mats, border on card #2); Stamps- SU Lexicon of Love, Let's Party (both retired); Ink - SU Pumpkin Pie

I can't remember the name of the line that the Scenic Route paper is from. Sorry about that. I used the sheet initially for a sb page, and then saved the scraps for cards, which tends to be my process (unless it's SU paper.... I can't wrap my brain around using it on layouts).
Supply list for Cards 3 &4: Cardstock: SU Pink Pirouette and Vintage Violet; PP: SU Razzleberry Lemonade (card #3, mat and matching strip, card #4) and My Minds' Eye (grey, purple card #4); Stamp:Lexicon of Love; Ink: SU Melon Mambo



7 comments:

Unknown said...

Great cards! Thanks for sharing! I am a scrapper too!

Louise F NZ said...

Lovely, glad you could use some of your stash on such nice cards.

Becky said...

Hi Tania, these are so lovely.

The Mama Monkey said...

I have been so good about using my paper! That (and ribbon!) are my hoarding items of choice! Great use of your stash!

Tina Connolly said...

Lovely cards.
I'm a scrapper too, so I find cards a bit of a challenge sometimes.
My blog is www.scrapdiva-tina.blogspot.com if you want to have a look.

HappyCrafter said...

Lovely cards, and what a great reminder about knowing how to let go of that desire to hoard for ourselves!

Anne Marie Hile said...

Great story you shared! I love how you used up some of your stash making those cute cards, too. You have inspired me to use some of those papers I hold on to, today! Thank you! :)