Thursday, March 21, 2013

Holy Week

The season of Lent is coming to a close, and we will be experiencing Holy Week beginning this Sunday, Palm (or Passion) Sunday.  I don't know about you, but I've always experienced a "bait-and-switch" feeling on Palm Sunday.  We've been celebrating in a somber key during the Lenten season, and I look forward to the high-stepping celebratory music of the Palm Sunday worship service.  The celebration comes to a screeching halt mid-service when we read the Passion story, concluding with Jesus' death and burial.  Even though I know what to expect, I always leave the service a bit traumatized and open-mouthed.  How could we let that happen?  And the people, the same who waved palms and shouted, "Hosanna!" shouted, "Crucify him!" How could we have asked for that?

 "Hosanna" digital scrapbooking layout uses Palm Sunday Collection Mini

And if that doesn't sober you up enough, we move to Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  A last meal with betrayal in the midst, a night of desperate prayer, friends who abandon you, a day of jeering and mocking, lashes, and death on a cross.

 "New Covenant" digital scrapbooking layout uses Value Pack: Via Dolorosa

"Pierced" digital scrapbooking layout uses Via Dolorosa Collection
 
These services aren't happy services.  But I need them as part of my worship because it helps me understand and realize how big a deal Easter is.  And to what lengths God has gone because he loves me so much.  That much.  Grace is freely given to us - to me - but someone paid the extravagant price.  I love you, Jesus.

Oh yes, there is a happy ending!

Layout by my friend Joyce Schardt uses Value Pack: Via Dolorosa

"Risen" digital scrapbooking layout uses JIF 6: 12x12 Risen






Friday, March 15, 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day! (and a freebie)



My family loves to get together and have fun, and we will use any occasion to have a party.  Of course we get together on the big traditional gatherings for Christmas, Easter, and birthdays.  However, the most fun we have is on the smaller calendar holidays or pop culture events.  And we love St. Patrick’s Day!

How do we party? We make themed food and drinks, play themed games, then settle down to watch a movie together. We don’t always watch the same movie every year, but Darby O’Gill and the Little People is a favorite. Not sure yet what it's going to be this year.
  
Corned beef and cabbage must make an appearance.  We're talking about shepherd's pie too.  But the other culinary delights might be ordinary food or party nibbles.  But we must come up with a name, giving everyday food and drinks silly names like “Wearing o’ the Green Beans,” “Leprechaun Lemonade,” or “Irish Jig Jell-o Cake.”   We'll also have some games.  A prize might go to the person who finishes the Lucky Word Search first, and maybe we’ll have a jig contest.  



I feel very lucky to be in a family that likes to be together, and doesn’t mind getting silly in order to have fun.  

Here's a layout I did of one of our past parties:


Because I love the holiday so much, I was hoping to design a new St. Patrick's Day collection this year.  But I just didn't have the time.  So I'll show you the one I already have in the Scrap Girls store.  

                                                   Shamrock Collection

And for a quick and easy layout, you might like this too:

                                                 JIF 6: 12x12 Shamrock

Both products are also available in 8.5x11 size:

 
(click image to view products) 

Although I didn't get a new collection out, I did want to give you something new this year.  I did find some time to design a new coordinating paper, and it's available to you as a freebie on the Scrap Girls Site!   Check it out!

 Shamrock Paper Special 2
(link removed - freebie is no longer available)

Have a fun (and safe) St. Patty's Day!