#285 - Easy

It looks like an easy one, but easy is never really easy is it?

Week #173 - 17th September - Sponsored by Bunny Zoe's Crafts

Happy Saturday everyone, time for another Sketch Saturday challenge! :)

And this week we are sponsored once again by the very lovely Nikki from Bunny Zoe's Crafts

SUMMER SALE NOW ON! Please CLICK HERE

Here are the latest arrivals available right now...
*NEW 6x6" Paper Pads - Echo Park
*NEW 6x6" Paper Pads - Fancy Pants
*NEW Tickled Pink Stamps - Lil Victorian Christmas
*NEW September Whimsy Stamps release
*NEW Card Only No. 21 Sept/Oct
*NEW Cosmo Cricket - Clementine & Dear Mr. Claus
*NEW S.E.I Paper Pad - Silver Valley
*NEW Kaisercraft Paper Pads
*PRE-ORDER your Tim Holtz Tote Bag!!!
*NEW Wild Rose Studio Christmas Stamps
*NEW September C.C. Designs
*NEW Whiff of Joy Princess Collection
*NEW Autumn/Winter Stampavie
*NEW September The Greeting Farm
*NEW Crate Paper 6x6" Paper Pads
*NEW Limited Edition My Minds Eye Paper Pads
*NEW Dies - Marianne D, Nellie’s Multi Frame and cART-Us
*NEW Paper Pads – Marianne Design and cART-Us
*NEW Marianne D Vintage Lace Packs
*NEW Christmas Bildmalarna

And remember... Bunny Zoe's Crafts ship worldwide, and if you live in mainland UK or Northern Ireland and your order is more than £40.00, you get FREE shipping :)

This weeks challenge winner will win a generous £10.00 shopping spree at Bunny Zoe's Crafts :)

Here's this weeks sketch...

Here is the lovely card created
by our Guest Designer Jessica Fick!

Look at what the amazing Design team have made!...

Jilli

(Jo says...I think i'm in love with Jilli's card)

Bente

Cazza

Karita

Maya

Terry

Jo

Jeanette:

Lisa

Simonne

Another fantabulous sketch for this weeks challenge.  I hope you have time to play along with us again ... if you do please leave a DIRECT LINK to your creation with Mr. Linky below ...

Winner of challenge #172

Note: Please scroll down to see the NEW winner of #170, the prize is still yet to be claimed!

The winner of last weeks challenge (#172) who wins a fabulous $25 shopping spree at  Simon Says Stamp is...

Coops! (coops cluttered corner)

with this stunning card...

How adorable is that image?.. and beautifully coloured too.

Congratulations Nic! :)
Please EMAIL ME so that I can let you know how you can claim your prize. Thank you.
Happy Shopping!

Jo xx

The approach of winter darkness

Our Lady of Sorrows,
Papa Stronsay.

On Wednesday we celebrated the feast of the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Like the Holy Cross and the Mother of Sorrows,
the Gospel of the Mass was also
poignant and veiled.

Ambulate dum lucem habetis...
Walk whilst you have the light...
(Jn. 12:35)

Last night I thought again of these words from the Gospel while
looking across at our little boat moored in the quiet water.
The scene was bathed in spectacular light,
the light of the setting sun;
we approach the eighth day
after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
which is the 21st September
the Equinox
and the winter darkness.
Ambulate dum lucem habetis...
Walk whilst you have the light
that the darkness overtake you not...
So many souls die every night, alone and far from God.
St. Teresa saw innumerable souls falling into hell
like snow flakes.

Whilst you have the light believe in the light,
that you may be the children of the light.
These word goad us to look at ourselves.
The light of our lives is fast fading,
perhaps death is closer than we think.
How do I stand with God?
How long since I last made a good Confession?
The Holy Gospel and all creation,
the sun and the seasons and the years
cry out to me:
O Child of God
born from the side of the Saviour
O Child of Mary
received at the foot of the Cross:
Ambulate dum lucem habetis...
Walk whilst you have the light
that the darkness overtake you not...
Remember your life is fading
... one day soon it will be too late.
Do what you have to do,
while you are still able.

On the 21st September,
the Equinox will herald the taxcollector's conversion
and the Gospel of the Mass will conclude with the words:
Non enim veni vocare iustos, sed peccatores.
For I am not come to call the just, but sinners.
(Mt. 9:13)

What joy is given to the Heart of Jesus
when a person hears His voice and returns to Him;
He came for us
He died for us
He wants us
He wants me
and
He wants you before it is too late.

Brothers on their way to Night Prayers.

The Infant Jesus
looks out in expectation
to see who's coming home.
Confession with sorrow for sins gives joy to His Heart.

May the beautiful light of the Holy Gospels
shine upon us as Winter darkness covers the earth.

Work continued on the chapel today.

We are hoping for the work to be finished
before the weather is too rough.

One side was finished before the wind got up.
The summer is not quite over...

St. Alphonsus:
The greater number of men still say to God:
Lord we will not serve Thee;
we would rather be slaves of the devil,
and condemned to Hell, than be Thy servants.
Alas! The greatest number, my Jesus
- we may say nearly all -
not only do not love Thee,
but offend Thee and despise Thee.

Ambulate dum lucem habetis...
Walk whilst you have the light
that the darkness overtake you not...

CHANGES

If you did not visit Spiritual Sundays last weekend, I hope you will go back and read Ginger's post explaining why she will no longer be co-hosting this blog. Perhaps if her circumstances change some time in the future she will resume co-hosting. We will all miss her input as she has been a vital part of this ministry since we began it over three years ago. I want to publicly say "thank you" to

REDRAWN (AGAIN!!): Winner of challenge #170

Hi everyone
Please remember to check our winners posts to see if it is you who wins a prize!
Otherwise you could miss out on getting your hands on some fantastic craft stash :(
The original winner of challenge #170 didn't come forward, so I went back to Random.org and got another winners name, unfortunately for them, this person hasn't claimed the prize either!

so hopefully, third time lucky... here is the winner of challenge #170...

Francesca! (Kraftylady Cards)

and here is her winning card...

I hope that Francesca sees this post and claims her prize.

Francesca, please take a look at the Crafts Too embossing folders that are available at The Craft Barn and choose 3 of them that you would like :)

Then please EMAIL ME with your choice of 3, giving me your full postal address so that I can let Sandy know.
Thank you, have fun choosing!

Jo xx

Stronsay chapel receives its four bells

It is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
the week before the Equinox.
These days any grey day is a good one.
And the sea is calm now.

The monastery boat 'Charnetsky' lies quietly at its mooring
while a carefree Comorant comes in close by.

On the other side of the pier
Mr. De Burger is sailing his clinker yacht in the gentle breeze.

At the southern end of the pier can be seen
Our Lady's chapel on the left.
In the middle is our Stronsay house, named St. Magnus,
where a priest and brother stay during rough weather
to ensure daily Mass on Stronsay.
Across the road from St. Magnus,
to the right in the photograph and painted white,
is the Stronsay Hotel.

The renovation of the exterior of the chapel
is coming towards a high note...
the scafolding is being adjusted
for the addition of the chapel bells.

The bell team:
Mr. Paul Williams, Br. Xavier Maria and Br. Magdala Maria.

Of course they begins with the Asperges.
And plenty of it.
Br. Xavier preparing the mix.

The bell mix.

For an even note.
The bell is formed on the wall by creating a gentle slope
so that when the wood is removed
the remaining bell shaped cement
(called in the trade 'the bell')
will direct rainwater away from the wall
and onto the ground below.

Thanks from us all
to the bell team.

Thanks be to God and to Mary
for the fine grey day
and for the gentle, grey sea breezes.