baby boy shower

My sister had a baby boy in June, which was an absolute miracle from God. She and her husband dealt with infertility for 5 years before conceiving. We are so excited for her – the first boy in our whole family! He is definitely fearfully and wonderfully made. (Isn't he cute? The picture above was created with elements from a free digiscrap kit from Digital Freebies.) Of course, her baby shower was a very meaningful event. I had fun designing a bunch of stuff for the shower. And I definitely got my money's worth out of my Silhouette digital cutter.

The invitation and Thank You notes (using elements from a digital scrapbooking kit from Shabby Princess)...

Banners for decorations (we had an ocean theme)...

 The signs for the shower and games...

For the “Name the Baby” game I found a cute onesie shape from the Silhouette online library and diecut pretty paper for writing name suggestions.

 The baby shoe party favors filled with M&M’s - also a shape on the Silhouette online library. I've seen plastic ones at the party store (no assembly required), but paper is so much cooler...

I had a bunch of extra material I was able to use to make cards...

My sis labored for 17 hours before having a c-section. The recovery was difficult at first, but she's doing much better now. I know the joy of bonding with her new baby will make her forget any pain she felt (eventually). She and her husband have begun the sanctifying process of being parents. The Lord surely knows how to build character in us!

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."  Philippians 1:6

being creative

I just read a little devotion (from Proverbs 31 Ministries) about rediscovering creativity and how it's a gift from God. It encouraged me to enjoy being the creative person God designed me to be. It's easy sometimes to think that I'm just piddling aournd with all my little craft/computer design/decorating projects. Of course, I need to keep my priorities straight - spend time with God, love my husband, feed my children, clean the house, etc. But being creative is part of how God made me in His image, since He is the Master Artist. Being conformed into His image includes being creative. Exodus 35:30-33 has always encouraged me too..."Then Moses said to the Israelites, 'See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.'"  Now that's the kind of spirit-filled Christian I want to be!

Just a side note, the painting above was made my my sweet little daughter in preschool. She was supposed to paint a planet, but she likes hearts much better. I guess you can say it's a very loving planet. God gave her lots of creativity too. :)