Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Flowers of the field

Psalm 103:15-16a(NIV)
The life of mortals is like grass,
    they flourish like a flower of the field; 
 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
  

How long is your life going to be? None of us know the answer to this question. Some will live a long time and some for just a short time. The reality is that even if you live to be 100 your life would still be like the grass and the flowers. Short lived. 

I love looking out my window and seeing the flowers that God has planted. Most people call them weeds, but when you look at them closely you can't help but wonder at their exquisite creation. They don't last for very long and within a few months the cold of fall will have killed all the flowers. That is why I like to take the time while they are here to do smashed flower technique. 

As I was making these two cards I was thinking of Psalm 103:15. My niece and her husband had a son born last month who lived only 28 days. For those of us who are grieving his loss, his life was TOO SHORT. It has made me think of my life. In view of eternity no matter how long I live on this earth, it will have been a short time.

I imagine that God won't be as concerned with how long we lived, but with what we did with the time that He gave us. 

The other thing I was thinking as I made these cards is the wonderful friendships I have made in the stamping world online. I got to meet two of my special friends this summer when my kids and I were on vacation. I wish I could spend time with all of my friends. I told my kids if I ever win the lottery I want to travel to see all the friends who live in my computer. Until I can do that I guess sending cards to my friends will have to do.

Here is a photo of the wildflowers that I picked and used in my creations. The blue flowers are chicory and some of the yellow ones are chick peas. I am not sure what the rest are.

I love to use digital images with my creations. I love the digital images that you can get at 

You can get the digital images all colored in and all you have to do is print them. Like with this Sending you love set. 

But having only a printer that only prints with black ink, I have had to find ways to be creative with the images. You can use the outlined sets just like you would a regular stamp set that you can color. I used the post card from Sending you love(outlines) set.

I then took the postcard and did the ink spray smash technique. I added burlap, paper doily,gold marker dots, paper piercing, drywall tape, brads, twine, wire beads, and rhinestones to finish this easel card.
A side view of the easel card.

The nice thing about printing the digital images is you can print more than one at a time. I printed both post cards at the same time. Same technique, pounded flowers, but with a different layout. I used the sketch from SCS  SC499 
I really tried to stay with the sketch as much as possible, but like most of my cards, while I started with the sketch as my inspiration... the card took on a mind of it's own.  


I really liked how this dp looked with my smashed flowers.  The sentiment for both cards were also digital images from Bouquet of Daisies set.


With the left overs I made a bookmark to go with my second card.


My prayer for you is that today you realize how precious your time is, and to let God show you what He wants you to do with that time.

6 comments:

  1. Love the pounded flowers technique you used on your projects! The colors look soft and dreamy - like watercolor...You're lucky to be living where you are, the flowers are gorgeous!

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  2. MariLynn these are beautiful cards - and I love the bookmark too - you are so innovative, and you get such wonderful results. Thank you for reminding me to 'number my days'.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  3. I don't remember where exactly we were going the other day but I was admiring all the chicory alongside the road and was thinking the same thing about how some things are considered weeds and they're so pretty. And speaking of pretty, how wonderful all these projects are. Now I wish I remembered where those flowers were!

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  4. Incredibly beautiful creations and heartfelt thoughts on the page. Missing our chats and thinking of you and yours. Prayers.

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  5. I so need to try this technique. Your creation is wonderful. Sad to hear of the loss - that is totally heartbreaking. I like your prospective though - we are all here a very brief time. Lovely work. Hugz!

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  6. Beautiful, MariLynn. Your unique creativity knows no limits....gorgeous work, dear friend. Praying for your extended family. That loss will be felt forever.

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