Salt: According to His purpose

Once again, given the present circumstances of John still being in hospital, resulting in an uncertain and emotional time, the challenge chosen by Nikki for yesterday's new Salt challenge was indeed a challenge for me. You can read what Nikki said here.

Romans 8:28 is a familiar verse to most Christians, the main part quoted is usually 'all things work together for good'. For me, the opening of the verse is so important: 'and we know' - indicating absolute assurance in God as Father, knowing how to give good gifts to His children. There are times when it is humanly very difficult to see the 'good' in a situation, but we don't have the full picture. Also, of course, this promise is for those who 'are the called according to His purpose'.

I used K & Co Urban Rhapsody papers and a selection of ribbons, blooms and lettering, including letratag on the ribbons.



These Salt challenges are very precious to me and my journey of faith. I spent some time this morning reflecting on some of my responses to past challenges, being reminded of promises from scripture and thought provoking verses too.

Perhaps you would like to reflect on this verse from Romans and respond with some crafting - we'd love you to leave a comment on Salt with a link to your response so that we can come and look.

At last!!!

Blogging, indeed crafting, has been way down the bottom of the list for the past four weeks since John went into hospital. He is still in Guy's - making a bit of progress - he can now walk with a zimmer and is doing gym work to strengthen his muscles. He's still having dialysis and there doesn't look much hope of his kidneys working again, but we still live in hope.

Thanks for all the good wishes, cards etc that we've received from so many crafting friends. And the other day I received this RAK from a forum friend - some lovely Lush bath stuff:



Yesterday I had a little bit of crafting time in the morning to make my ATCs for the July swap on BF, which asked for two embellishments the same. The background paper is DCWV; the rose circles are PM elements and the silver lettering, swirls etc areAnita's Glitterations - I confess that these are really like peel offs, which I long ago vowed I would never buy again, but somehow I acquired some of these:



And this morning I've managed to do a couple of ATCs for the July swap on CBC - using a stamp. I printed the wording from computer, stamped the Creative Expressions music stamp and the Anita hearts stamp with versamark and heat embossed with silver detail, colouring the hearts with a copic pen. The background paper is PM wedding march:

RAK received this morning

I received this RAK this morning from one of my crafting buddies, with a note to say that we're in her thoughts. We've received cards from lots of forum friends - thank you to everyone - and thank you too for all the comments that have been left wishing John well - much appreciated.

BF Elaine's CJ

As I'm part of a CJ group on BF, I realised that I needed to do my DLO in Elain's 'Perfect Poems' ready to be posted before 14 July. So here I am crafting for the second day in a row - grabbing some time this morning.

You can read the poem I've chosen if you click on the picture for a larger view.

Salt: Prayer

Today's new Salt challenge is 'Prayer', chosen by Mona. You can ready what she has to say here.

With John in hospital and travelling up and down to Guy's every day to see him, I've had very little time for anything other than the essential things of life, so crafting has gone by the wayside.

Until this morning I'd done nothing for today's Salt challenge, but wanted to participate because the subject matter is so relevant in our present situation.

So I got up early this morning and spent time on my LO. It's very simple, but it comes from the thoughts in my heart.

The background paper is Craft Creations Sunset Photo A. (btw the LO isn't crooked like the photo!)



Why not go along and have a look on Salt at the fab crafting of the rest of the team. And perhaps you'd like to make something to contribute this time - please leave us a comment on Salt so that we can visit your blog and see your item.

White space

For the second sympathy card I've used the idea for day 123 on 365, which is: 'Well, we've had a white space challenge before, but this time, I am directing all the decorations to the blacked-out areas in the following image. That means absolutely NOTHING in the white space!!'

The base card is pearlised; the flowers are some Crafty Bitz ones - again, a simple card for a sad occasion:

Lovin' Lavender

With John in hospital I just haven't had the time or inclination to make any cards, but, sadly, needed to make a couple of sympathy cards. So this one fits with the 365 challenge 114 'Lovin' lavendar' - a simple card:

CBC June ATCs received

Postie's just been and I've received two fab ATCs from the June 'men/male' swap on CBC.

The one on the left is from Jane (albajane) and the one on the right is from Andrea.

Lovely surprise

My name was the one randomly picked for the monthly prize for May on 365 cards, as you can see here.

I must admit that with everything that's going on I'd forgotten all about this, so it was a lovely surprise when the postie brought this - 50 sheets of card stock from Sierra Pacific Crafts, card stock alphas from Colorbök, and rhinestones from Kaiser Scrapbook:

BF June ATC swap: square

I have no crafting to show atm. John was in the local hospital all last week and, unfortunately, on the weekend his condition deteriorated and he's now in Guy's receiving treatment and further diagnosis.

I received these ATCs for the June swap on the BF forum: