ODBDSLC262 Peace at Christmas

Hello Friends!! I hope all is well with you all!! It is rainy and cold here..a little dreary. Unfortunately, we now have had to turn on our heat, at least at night anyway.

Today I am popping in to share a card using this week's sketch at Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light challenge!! Yes, it is another Christmas card! What can I say?...tis the season and time to catch up. LOL!

Our Daily Bread Designs, Peaceful Deer, Snowflake Background, Lovely Leaves dies, Pinecone dies, Vintage Flourish Pattern die, Flourished Star Pattern Die, Layered Lacey Squares Die, Matted Circles die, Circle Ornament dies, designed by Chris Olsen

ODBD Stamps Used: Peaceful Deer, Snowflake Background

ODBD Dies Used: Flourished Star Pattern, Circle Ornaments, Matted Circles, Vintage Flourish Pattern die, Lovely Leaves, Pinecones, Layered Lacey Square Dies

Embossing folder: Darice Snowflakes

This card was to fun and I hope the recipient loves it as much as I enjoyed creating it. I sent it to someone who made a purchase at our Etsy store- Chisel Ink n More as a bonus or thank you for buying.

The foliage in the corner is created with the Lovely leaves and Pinecone die. The Peaceful Deer image is colored with copics and placed in a window cut from the Matting Circles Die, Circle Ornament Dies and Layered Lacey Square dies.

The background rectangles are created with 1/2 of the Vintage Flourish Pattern die on the bottom panel and the Snowflake Background on the top panel under the image.

This card shows peace in nature and the peace so many Christians experience at Christmas time. Peace in knowing that God is with us and that no matter what happens, it will be o.k. because He is in control. It isn't a peace from the lights, or the gifts or the time spent with family and friends.Yes, we may face pain, hardship, illness and even death but God's Grace and gift of His son, first as a baby and then as the Son who died on the cross for our sins, promises eternal life to all who believe is an everlasting peace!!

The perfect Christmas is something WE can never achieve. Instead, the perfect Christmas has already happened—when a perfect God joined us on this earth as a perfect baby in what would be considered the most imperfect environment. It is when we take our focus off of all that we need to do for Christmas, and, instead, look to the perfect One and truly receive Him, then we are free to enjoy Christmas—free to enjoy the celebration of His birth.

For more inspiration for this challenge, please visit my dt sisters:

Julie, Robin, Paula, Diana

We would love to have you join us using this sketch:

You have until November 15, 2015, at 8pm EST to join the challenge. You may add your creation or read more about the challenge here.

While you may use any stamps for your first creation, we ask that you only use ODBD stamps on your second creation. We want you to have fun and join us!!

Thanks for stopping by and for your comments!! They are greatly appreciated.

Blessings,

11 comments:

Diana Nguyen said...: Love the peaceful scene you have created - sweet deer and and love the sparkly snow in the tree! Thank you for sharing your words and the hope this season!; November 10, 2015 at 9:17 AM
Joey said...: Oh wow Chris this is beautiful, such a gorgeous scene! Its pretty much the same here weather wise too - so very dark Jo x; November 10, 2015 at 10:23 AM
Robin Clendenning said...: Thank you for sharing about the true Christmas!! We so need to be reminded when things start getting busy!
I love your peaceful deer scene. You colored so beautifully!!! I love how the deer really pops. Also your blue and white layer looks like beautiful porcelain! Love the silver cord and all the sparkle you put on this card as well! Just gorgeous my dear sweet friend!; November 10, 2015 at 10:24 AM
Grace Baxter said...: Chris, thank you for this beautiful post. And while your card is beautiful (as usual), your words touched me far more. Your thoughtful explanation of what Christmas really means is something I need to highlight MORE on my blog. Thank you for the reminder that Jesus is the Prince of Peace!; November 10, 2015 at 10:56 AM
Sandra H said...: So beautiful and creative is your card as always you are so talented in lots of crafty ways x; November 10, 2015 at 2:39 PM
Julie Gearinger said...: Love your gorgeous scene with the deer! Your coloring is fabulous and all of the other details with the dies and texture are absolutely perfect!! May we all experience the Peace of God that only having Jesus as our Savior can bring :-) Hugs to you, my sweet friend and I hope you have a blessed week!; November 10, 2015 at 4:47 PM
Patti J said...: Chris, this is so pretty! What a nice card someone special is going to find in their mailbox! Beautifully done, my friend!; November 10, 2015 at 8:00 PM
Unknown said...: What a creative way to use the Vintage Flourish Pattern Die!!! Your layers are just beautiful and the branch with pinecones is perfect with this image! Thanks for all of your creativity, Chris! You are always giving me ideas!; November 10, 2015 at 11:47 PM
CherylQuilts said...: Oh, Chris, this is truly such a stunning card, and I so love the deer scene and your amazing color! Beautifully done for the sketch too. I so agree with Grace Baxter that you've shared beautifully about the true and most important message of Christmas! It's so beautifully done and a wonderful reminder! Hugs, precious friend, and thank You, Father, for Your Ultimate Gift to us...with Your grace and mercy!; November 11, 2015 at 11:14 AM
Sandee Shanabrough said...: Wow!!! Chris your card is so gorgeous! Coloring is perfection!; November 11, 2015 at 1:54 PM
patio garden furniture said...: That's an amazing card! Absolutely perfect!; November 15, 2015 at 11:33 PM