Saturday, August 29, 2015

Joy in the Morning {Bible Art Journaling}

Bible Art Journaling Ps 30-5b Joy

Yesterday’s art journal post, with a little bird singing in the morning, because she made it through the night, reminded me of this Bible passage (also quoted in yesterday’s blog piece), so I immediately used my colored pencils to do some Bible Marginalia on this passage.

Sometimes I think I need reminders (a calling to memory) of how God has “gotten me through the night” on so many occasions—why do I lack in faith, the next time a “night” comes!! He has proven Himself faithful so many times!

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5b (KJV)

#illustratedfaith #illuminatedjournaling #scriptureart #faithart #bibleartjournaling #biblejournaling #biblemarginalia

Friday, August 28, 2015

{Art Journal} Challenge: Night

Challenge Black as Night

This is Challenge 26/30 in one of my art groups…and I’m determined to do all 30, so 4 to go!

The challenge prompt was “Black as Night,” and I responded with just a very simple art journal spread. This little bird reminds me of a person who may have just been through a season of “night” and has come through it, joyful to see the morning! As I post this, it reminds me of the Bible verse

“Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.”
Psalm 30:5b

So, now I must do Bible Art Journaling on that passage!

#fabulousandfreeartjournalingchallenge #mixedmedia #artjournal

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Truth=Freedom {Bible Art}

Bible Art John 8-32

I have always loved this passage that establishes an equality between God’s Truth and Freedom. It seems like we hear a lot about both those concepts: Truth (is there an absolute truth?—OF COURSE there is….it is the truth found in God’s Word), and don’t even get me started on how our culture has corrupted the word “freedom.”

The words found in John 8:32 are not complicated. They are concise and clear. If you know God’s Truth, you have freedom. If we want real freedom, we should be about the business of KNOWING God’s Truth. That is found in one place: His Word.

#IlluminatedFaith #IllustratedFaith #FaithArt #ScriptureArt #BibleMarginalia #truth #freedom

Monday, August 24, 2015

I Scream for Ice Cream {Art Journal}

Stencils and Ice Cream

I really do. I am the world’s biggest ice cream fan. I love it. I crave it. I eat it. Uh oh.

One of the lessons in my Art Journal Summer School class suggested a page on summer treats. Yum.

This page uses acrylic paint, washi tape, and NeoColor II watercolor crayons. (I realize most everyone can sketch an ice cream cone. But, a couple of years ago, I couldn’t. Progress, step at a time…Just sayin’.)

#artjournal #mixedmedia #icecream #washitape

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Promises, Promises! {Bible Art Journaling}

Bible Art Journaling Rom 8

The more I study God’s Word, the more I realize that it is absolutely packed full of promises for His followers. If there are studies out there on “Biblical Promises,” they could not possibly be comprehensive, unless the assignment for the study is “Read the entire Bible.”

Today’s passage that I am journaling actually features two promises. I have Scripture stamps for these two passages, and in my journaling Bible, the verses happen to fall on the same page. So, my Bible Marginalia contains two separate verses, both promises. These passages both speak to how very much God loves those who believe in Him. Even better, it is impossible for us (or anything/anyone else) to separate us from His love.

Bible Art Journaling Rom 8

Bible Art Journaling Rom 8

In addition to the stamp ink (black archival), I used Inktense Watercolor Pencils. I love them because they become permanent when dry (as opposed to standard watercolor paints).

#ScriptureArt #FaithArt #BibleMarginalia #illustratedfaith #promisesintheBible #BibleArtJournaling

Friday, August 21, 2015

Come and Rest {Bible Art Journaling}

Bible Art Journaling Matt 11-28

I have told you a thousand times: I love the word “rest.” It is almost onomatopoetic to me. I love the way it sounds, and the feeling it evokes. I love the denotation and the connotation. Thus, this passage in Matthew 11:28 is one of my favorites.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

I think it’s noteworthy that before you get to the “I will give you rest” part, there is the admonition to “COME unto me.” If we are willing to come to Jesus with our weariness, our exhaustion, our feeling of being worn down and used up, HE will give us rest. I love that promise!

On my journaling Bible page, the words are stamped, the flower is hand-drawn and watercolored with Inktense Blocks and a water brush.

#watercolor #BibleArtJournaling #FaithArt #ScriptureArt #illustratedfaith #inktense blocks #promisesintheBible

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Memory Keeping: Creative Memories {Scrapbooking}

CM multipocket page w Strut Your Stuff cards

Creative Memories multipocket page, using Creative memories Strut Your Stuff Slide-in Cards

CM Multipocket page-jeep ride

Creative Memories multipocket page using my own artwork and a card from my stash

CM multipocket w pretty in pastel cards

Creative Memories multipocket page using Creative Memories Pretty in Pastel Slide-in Cards

CM large pocket pages

Creative Memories layout with a multipocket page on the left and a large-pocket page on the right

Well, never one to let myself be bored (what is that, anyway, seriously?), my intense search and re-search for MY scrapbooking system has led me down an interesting path (interesting=not boring). My journey into scrapbooking (which became my lifelong passion) began in 2004, when my sister-in-law introduced me to Creative Memories and I realized that keeping memories in “their” way was a perfect match for “my” way. I had always kept pictures nicely organized in photo albums since 1977, when I gathered all my pictures and purchased albums with money earned from giving piano lessons. And I always wrote on the backs or on labels under them (“journaling”). But I never thought I could keep ALL the many pictures I take, in scrapbooks. I became convinced that I could do it, and my first scrapbook, a Creative Memories 12x12 album, was completed a month or so after my introduction. I was hooked.

Humming along, about 40 albums and a few years later, Creative Memories went out of business. I embarked on an expedition to find a “new” scrapbooking system. I will not even report about all the things I tried (and returned or gave away) during that time. FINALLY, last December, I learned that Creative Memories was back in business. Well, then, so was I. Merry Christmas to me.

ScreenShot001

Along with the wonderful 12x12 albums (in beautiful color choices), and the resurrection of several well-loved tools, they have added multipocket pages. That is of interest to me, to mix in with the 12x12, as one of the many methods I researched was the Project Life method. Not for me, but I do like interspersing some pocket pages here and there.

So, my current “system” is to use Creative Memories albums with their 12x12 pages and their multipocket pages. The pictures at the top of this post are examples from my most recent album.

To this point, all the hundreds I have spent on Creative Memories products have been as a [happy] customer. Yesterday when I checked out on the web site, a window popped up to ask if I was interested in becoming an advisor. I followed the links for more information and voila! I am now a Creative Memories Independent Advisor, with my own web site for ordering (for myself, or for anyone who wants to order their CM products through my web site). Can’t argue with saving money on products I am going to be using anyway.

So, if you are interested in ordering CM products (or looking around to see if there is anything you need, or to read about becoming an Advisor), just follow this link and you will be on my CM Advisor site.

#CreativeMemories #traditionalscrapbooking #pocketscrapbooking

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Faith Art

Metal Mania Challenge Haggai 2-8

Haggai 2:8

Bible Art Prov 16-24 w stamps

Proverbs 16:24

Spending a lot of days lately with scrapbook projects but took time recently to do a couple of pieces of faith art. The top piece was a response to a challenge called “Metal Mania,” using metal in an art journal page. I used metallic paints and the Scripture reference about silver and gold belonging to God - Haggai 2:8.

The second piece is a page from my journaling Bible. Sometimes SIMPLE just feels good! (Note: the page behind this one has stamped medicine bottles for the "merry heart doeth good like a medicine" passage. I'm okay with that.)
Proverbs 16:24 - "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones." (KJV)

#faithart #illustratedfaith #artjournal #mixedmedia #scriptureart #BibleArtJournaling

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Fabulous & Free Challenges {Art Journal}

Fab and Free Challenge 19 Flowers

Challenge: Flower Power

Fab and Free Challenge 20 Childhood TV

Challenge: Favorite Childhood TV Program

Well, yes, and then there’s this, just in: As I mentioned recently, I am re-evaluating my involvement in so many projects/challenges/classes. (By the way, I am ALWAYS in a state of re-evaluation. That’s how I roll.)

When I take on a commitment, even if I’m the only one who knows (cares) about it, I take it pretty seriously. But then sometimes I come to realize that to keep that commitment requires NOT keeping other commitments or priorities. All that to say this: No one cares but me, but I am UN-committing myself to the Documented Life Project. Yes, after 7 1/2 months of WEEKLY assignments done, I find I am not enjoying this project, and in fact it is having a negative impact on me. So, I’m the boss of me. So, done and done, with that. Yay! Burden lifted.

It’s one of those things, I wonder why I didn’t let go a little sooner—well, because that goes back to the whole “commitment” thing, the idea of  “if you start something, you should finish it,” I guess. But when it comes to my art projects, the over-riding (and yet foundational) purpose is to enjoy myself, to grow, to become more creative, to be enriched, to be inspired, and yes, to inspire. Those goals are no longer being met through that particular year-long project (a project a week for every single week of the year—WHAT was I thinking, in the first place????)!

Even though I am the only one (well, and my dear hubby who has to listen to my thought processes on a daily basis, bless his heart) who even is interested in my commitment/un-commitment, it still feels free-ing to SAY it. Done and done with Documented Life Project 2015. Ahhhhhh…..

So, I AM still enjoying the Fabulous and Free Art Journal Challenges (30 challenges in 15 weeks, but no time limit for completion). Through these challenges, I can do mixed media, sketch and paint, or whatever my heart desires. These two projects pictured here are part of that challenge.

Not that I’m left project-less, you understand. I still have my Bible Art Journaling (ongoing for the rest of my life, I hope, certainly not an assignment to be completed, in any sense of the word). And, I am spending more time lately with my first crafting love, scrapbooking. That will continue, of course (that’s what I do for posterity). More on that later. Decisions, decisions.

#RoyRogersandDaleEvans #fabulousandfreeartjournalingchallenge #mixedmedia #artjournal #goodbyedocumentedlifeproject

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Practicing Whimsical Faces {Art Journaling}

My Favorite Girl

Finally, a few moments to do something “artistic” that is just because I want to, and not for a challenge. I sketched her and then used watercolor crayons to paint her.

I am just about over my head in challenges this year, and I’m in the process of pruning them, to be honest. My Bible art journaling I do just because I want to, not usually part of a challenge. Otherwise, most all the art I have done recently has been basically an “assignment.” When it becomes a chore instead of a joy, time to back down on some things!

I had not done anything “artsy” for a while. It was quite therapeutic. I am not good with faces, and would never attempt a real portrait, but it is fun to create a whimsical character. To see her come alive on the paper was pure fun! I will keep practicing.

(Note to my readers: I do not post everything I do, believe it or not. I scrapbook for hours (days!) on end and rarely if ever show those projects. I also have various art projects that I only post in some private groups or not at all.)

Friday, August 7, 2015

Peaceful Dwellings {Bible Art Journaling}

Bible Art Journaling Peaceful Dwellings

I like several things about this verse.
"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."
(Is 32:18, NIV)

Sounds like a promise to me!

Look at all the wonderful words: peaceful
secure
undisturbed
rest
Love it.

Last night we were invited for dinner in our son and daughter-in-law’s “new” home. It’s an older home that they have made their own, and it is a good example of this verse. Their home is a beautiful little cottage, but the “feeling” there is not about the external description.

Sometimes we wrongly think “new” and “fancy” and “the latest” is what defines a home. When you read this promise in Isaiah, it makes no mention of external or physical descriptions. It promises peaceful dwelling places, security, and undisturbed places of rest.

Yep, this verse that I am reading this morning specifically calls to mind their cottage.

peaceful
secure
undisturbed
rest

It can’t get any better than that!