Follow Your Dreams...

This card project was inspired by one of several blogs I love to visit for growth and challenges in developing my 'heart-art' cards. It's a bi-weekly Alphabet Challenge Blog choosing a letter then using a word as inspiration, this period being J with the word Journey. This is the first time I enter their challenge.

The first picture that came to mind was one of my favorite stamps by 'LaBlanche' a tranquil scenic stamp with a bicycle that puts me in a peaceful mode enjoying the beautiful creation around  with the sentiment 'Follow your Dreams' and a 'key'. I used USArtquest watercolors, Vintage pallete.

Lifes a Journey...as I made this card

  Fitting the challenge of 'Journey' I went on a thought journey thinking, what do I want on this new journey of creativity I am on and loving?  I am new to Card Challenges and have been noticing the majority of blogs I visited have prizes for the top winner. The catch to lots of them is that they let a random number system choose the winner.  Then the next top 3 get to copy a banner and place it on their blog..Heeee..I got to be one of three..I was so honored.

Then a change happened in my thought process to creating my cards. I found 'greediness' wanting to be a partner in my challenge entries finding myself wanting to enter as many as I could to win the goodies. Thank goodness as I visited some of the other entrants blogs I found a new avenue of Blog Hopping so I started Blog Hopping this past month of May and found so many talented and wonderful artists..I mean there are some jaw-dropping, uniquely beautiful in another level, gorgeous and creatively made pieces of art, keepsakes, notions etc. out there.  I was and still am getting so inspired. I felt I needed to decide what direction I wanted to take my creativity.  I also needed to decide what kind and where I wanted these challenges to take me.   

At this beginning stage of developing myself in my creativity I knew my main desire and inspiration was to use my life journeys stepping stones toward walking closer to my Heavenly Father, Savior and Creator. I have always been one to think out of the box in terms of being frugal using what I have and creating and altering old things into new and into more use. I am seen and taken to be different by my peers therefore always felt different or out of place. And at one time being bullied was hurtful and damaging to my self-esteem and wanting life.  But... I finally found the 'key' to survival in this cruel world.  I found encouragement, unconditional love, kindness and new joy through my Savior Jesus Christ. I am not telling you who or what to believe in.  You can believe in what you want but... I am here to share with you because I look back and longed that someone would have told me about this amazing God that sincerely cares. I am here today because I have found the 'Truth'. I have literally searched for love and a wholeness in  different churches and people and all have failed me.  Until I found Jesus Christ eventually I got directed to the right churches that sincerely were helping me develop and grow in him and feel truly loved unconditionally. I can say I did find and have a home church.

I find out more each day that it is ok to be unique. We are precious and intricately made and meant to be and see greater things.  Be encouraged to be yourself. You are loved where you are. Let God love you where you are. You have everything to gain...

Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful

Jeremiah 31:3

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

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I hope you enjoyed reading my walk along my creative journey and love of arts & crafts. When I visit your blog and leave compliments..they are from my heart and you are a blessing and inspiration...Keep up your beautiful heart art..I love coming by to visit. Until later..hugs.