Christmas Cards

I had so much fun using my new Papertreyink.com stamps to work on Christmas cards! The one above uses Candy Cane Christmas, Polka Dot Basics 2. The holly berry is from a sizzix die I had and the raised line was made using a Martha Stewart Scoreboard. Diamond stickles on the holly leaves and glossy accents for a little shine on the holly berries.

Working on Christmas cards using my new Papertreyink.com stamps (LOVE THEM!). I used Candy Cane Christmas and Tag Its 8 stamps and Filigree white embossing powder. For the glitter on the candy canes, snowflake and holly leaves I used stickles diamond.

Spending

I was reflecting on the memory of something I once heard. The jist of it was, how do we "spend" our lives? As I reflect on that thought I think about my life to this point and have to wonder where the time has gone? Why have I not had more experiences. I've not been anywhere other than where I live and a few small vacations. I've not done anything interesting or important. It seems as though I've not really embraced the life that I've been so graciously given. Even when I look at the most important things . . . my boys, my husband, my faith I wonder, Have I really with my whole heart embraced them the way I know I should.

Several years ago I read a book that talked about " The Art of Seeing." One of the things that really hit a chord with me and that I have very frequently meditated on is how we visually interpret things.

We see them not as they are but as symbols. Think for example if you were to give 3 people a piece of paper and ask them to draw a tree. They would all probably draw something similar, right? Well, if you were to go and really look at a tree what might you see on closer inspection? Probably a whole lot more than what was drawn to symbolize a tree I'm sure! It's like the old saying goes, "there's more than meets the eye."

As I think about how I live my life I begin to soak in these concepts and thoughts, lessons if you will, and wonder if I will ever truly live the life I envision. I can live as if it were one layer of fabric, or realize that fabric is really made of a million little threads and start to appreciate that one creator has gifted me with each minute, to love and appreciate, to take notice of and to share.

I think of these lessons I've learned about life and I wonder. Have I really learned them or have I allowed a veil to be lowered over my eyes yet again just "spending my time."

Lord, I pray that these things you have impressed in my thoughts today would take root in my life. Fill my heart to overflowing with appreciation for every precious moment, taking more time to notice the depth of what being created by you and chosen by you really means.