Adore HIM Creations

Technique Tuesday- how to print on tags

I know it is Wednesday, but so many questions on how to print from your computer onto the tags for the spiral bound journals, decided to post today.

Tags:  #8 size heavy duty

 

May God continue to move through you as you step out in faith to artjournal a bible study, book study or a bible verse!

 

Watching Wednesday- Living Life as Prayer workshop

Well, I have so much to share today.

Last weekend at my home studio we had a Guest artist Connie Denninger who led 8 women in a special workshop titled " Living Life as Prayer".  It was a spirit time and great opportunity to look at the ways we can actually make every moment of our lives prayer to God.

Connie demonstrated lots of techniques to use in our prayer time, so keep a record of time spent in prayer, who we are praying for and responses to prayer.  It was such a good workshop, and I am working on putting it together as an online class so stay tuned.

Here are pictures of the books Connie brought and recommended.

 

 

 

 

Some of the participants.



Preparing our prayer journals.

  Thanks Connie for your honest sharing from your heart and for helping us to understand how to live a life as prayer.

Check out Connie's blog Vintage Grace here. Connie is available for Christian retreat speaking engagements.  She is an avid Pinterest user, here is her Pinterest address Connie Denninger Pinterest link. 

My new friend Paula Parkison was able to attend from FL, and it was wonderful to spend 4 days crafting with her.  She makes wonderful Scripture Snippets and we created a Etsy site for her on Friday. Here is the link for her Etsy site and for her blog  Remember the Promise.

Here is a picture of her Scripture Snippets, small custom made scrapbooks full of Bible verses, embellishments and lots of prayer!  If you are looking for a great gift for Mother's day, graduation, anniversary present, you can have one custom made for you if you go to her Etsy site.

 

Technique Tuesday- Psalms faithart journal & video

So today I am going to demo how I create a faithart bible study.

My bible study that I began, is a project that may take me a long time as there are 150 psalms. I am not holding myself to any time frame when it "must" be done, just enjoying the journey.  I am learning a lot and here are my bible study reference links.

Christ in the Psalms- book

ScriptureStudies- online

I have learned so much about the Psalms.

This is from the intro:

"The Church's full format of prayer includes, among many other components, the weekly recitation of the entire Book of Psalms.  Indeed, "among" is scarcely an adequate preposition in this case because of the very special place psalmody hold in the Christian life of prayer. From the very beginning of her history, when the Church of God turns to Him in love and dovotion, the words of the Psalter form the expressions that spontaneously, as by an impulse of nature, rise from her heart and take shape in her mouth. The psalms find their truest context in the heart and on the lips of the Church. Those whose lips constantly move with the syllables of the Psalter give living expression to the deepest being of the Church."

When we pray the Psalms, we are faced with a particular challenge not usually found in other prayers. This challenge arises from the Psalter's diversity of voices, or faces. 

"Conversation" is especially a trait of the Psalms, where we discover, not only ourselves speaking to God about Christ, but also Christ speaking to His Father about us and so on.  The voices will vary, not only from psalm to psalm but also during the course of a single psalm. "

You will see my book as I have completed faithart journaling  for Psalm 1-3. I hope you enjoy and will love to hear comments or questions. I would love to have any of you join me in this bible study!

 

Psalms study- faithart journaling

I wanted to share my update on my faithart journaling of the Psalms.  I was able to study and complete Psalm 1 and 2. I am using two sources.  One is the book "Christ in the Psalms"  by Patrick Henry Reardon and the other is an online source that is excellent and free .  Scripture Studies- Psalms

Here are some pictures and I will make a video tomorrow for Technique Tuesday and tell you more about my faithart journey!

Enjoy the pictures.  I am loving the study and learning so much. I have loved the Psalms for years, and thought I knew what they were saying, but now realize that first you must identify whose voice is speaking and to whom. 

The tool I used to solve the problem of adding the entire Psalm to each faithart page was to make a tag. Then I had to figure out how to add it.  My daughter was so clever to help me use the tools I have ( and forget to use- but just had to have!).  It is a puncher from Staples -ARC . It is used to create your own wire bound journals.  I bought it thinking I could use it for my faithart journals, but, it doesn't cut through thick pages, so, didn't work the way I thought it would. However, it is perfect for punching the side of a tag to add to a wire bound art journal book!

 

Technique Tuesday- new faithart journal and video!

I made a video about the challenge of white pages when journaling. I show you how I use spray inks and do the positive and negative for each stencil. I am creating a faithart journal that I will be using as I walk through the book  "Christ in the Psalms "( Patrick Henry Reardon).

 

 

You can get  the book here at Amazon.   I purchased this book when I attended a weekend seminar about praying, and am loving reading it. I am learning so much, and as the Psalms were the first place I began to read in the Bible, it was the perfect book for me.

Here is a review of  I totally agree with.

"In a time when many Christian traditions are opting to negate the Christological nature of the Pslams, Fr. Patrick argues persuasively that the Psalms are the backbone to a proper understanding of the human condition, the heart of God, and the nature of Christ's incarnation. Following the traditional exegetical method of understanding the Old Testament in light of the resurrection, Fr. Patrick illuminates the psalter in a manner both academic and devotional. Apart of Lewis's book on the psalms, there is really not much else out there of this quality in both regards.

No previous knowledge of Greek or Hebrew is needed. It is not an intimidating read at all and it is the type of book that you will want to read over and over through the seasons. Very highly recommended!"   Matt

"This book is a great way to begin to identify those Psalms (which are many) in which the Messiah is either directly speaking, is spoken of, or is inferred. It also points out many practical applications of the Psalms to the life of the church." Meadowhaven

I am slowing reading, absorbing and taking notes. I am such a project person, that I immediately wanted to do a complete faithart journal of all 150 psalms!.  Then it hit me - it  would take me so long, so I  pushed that thought away and stopped pursuing the journal idea. ( of course it was God's prompting, not my idea)

 Last week I was talking to my friend Connie, she mentioned a study she is doing about the names of Jesus and her comment " it may take me the rest of my life to finish it"  really hit home with me. So what if it takes me years to complete this. It is not the finished project  but the journey and the heart change in me that is the most important. So, I begin.

Hope this encourages you to find a book that you can dig into and create your own faithart journal.

Stay tuned for follow up stories and pictures!

Workshop Schedule 2012

For complete schedule and workshop information, please see the page (found on the right column under features).  New classes and dates have been added.

Technique Tuesday- creating your own stencils

I have  received a few questions about my stencils in my art journal books, so today you get to see how I create them!  Enjoy, and please keep the questions coming. This is my ministry- to teach others how to create their own faithart!

Supplies:

1.  Photo or picture from a magazine-- look for pictures with definition around the entire person, or object ( make a copy on cardstock so that you have the original when the first stencil may get damaged)

2.  Clear Transparent contact paper ( on a roll- get a Wal-mart)

3.  scissors

4.  clear transparent tape

 

 

 

Here area  few finished pages from my art journals where I have used my home made stencils. 

Captivating Book study and art journaling videos

My art journal is finished. Watch my process and the finished book from start to finish. Ever wonder how to do a art journal based on a book?  This will tell you my process and you can see my completed faithart journal.  Took 2 videos. Here is part 1 of 2

 

 

Part 2 of Captivating

 

 

Our Northern VA group has finished meeting, but the rest of the group is still working on their books. I hope to create videos of their books soon.

Thanks Pattie Ann for prompting us on this God Journey!

 

Captivating Book study

Chapter 3-5

Chapter 3 is about the deepest question we all have as women.

I used a scrapbooking paper, stencils and distress ink and made a small booklet with the question mark that flips and covers some of my journaling. The next piece is a envelope that I stamped and decorated and then inserted journaling ( things I wanted to keep private) inside.                                                                                                       The next page is Chapter 4 how our hearts are wounded. I used a transparency, and stamped wounded on it with stazon ink. I used tulle to cradle my metal heart. I cut a heart from a soda can, embossed it and then added alcohol inks. I punched  holes into it and added black ink around the holes.  Underneath is a white page that I collaged a gavel and stamped verdict. Depicting how we make a decision and choice about the state of our heart.

 

I love these next 2 pages for Chapter 5.  I think a picture of my heart is that on one side the devil whispers and pulls me with all the negative things I am scared of- unlovable, fat, ugly, worthless, etc.  And there is another side that pulls me- Jesus whispering into my heart all the truth- my life is a symphony, he heals my heart, he hears my cries, etc.

So I took a heart shaped cutout, painted it red, attached them together and added to a plastic transparency. I used black paint on the left side, with white gesso and a stencil and then wrote the words on the gesso. On the right side I used gold and a stencil to depict Jesus' words.

 

 

Chapter 6 is about healing the wound. We are advised to renounce the lies we have believed, grieve the wounds, forgive as a choice, heal my broken heart and release my captivity to strongholds.

I used 2 scrapbook papers, and cut out the design and inserted a prayer inside.

Captivating Book study

More to share, this study is very good, and it helps to have a group of women who meet with me weekly to discuss, share and do art journaling together!

we all have beauty to unveil. I used a stencil and traced the lines on a piece of scrapbooking paper, then cut each out. I used the stencil to spray on the white paper also. Then I attached each of the pieces on top of the sprayed ones and made them so each would flip open. I put all my journaling underneath. See the next picture for  a few of the pieces opened up.

 

This next page talks about how I am convinced that I need to take matters into my own hands all the time. I need to give Him the time and space for His plans not mine.

Women are victims of the curse and we either are dominating or desolate or alternate between the two. I used a stencil of a tree on the 12 x 12 scrapbooking paper, and then copied pictures of my mother, grandmother ( on both sides and my great grandmother. Added them to my family "tree". the flap on the side hides my journaling.

Back of that page is the wall I have around my heart. I used the brick embossing plate on brown paper and then journaled and added around a picture of me.

I wanted to show my heart as it indulges and keeps me in chains with clothes. food, reading, dogs, etc. I drew a large heart, collaged it, and added crackling paste and glued silver chains on it.  The background is spray inks and tapes and stamps. the inside of the heart is how God sees my heart, I used glue and large glass glitter.

 

Well that gets you up to Chapter 3!  Next week I will reveal more of my art journal faithart book.

 

Captivating Book study

Wow, I have been so busy forgot to update you all on the study. We meet each week on Sunday and either do a new chapter in the book and journal or just create our own journal pages.

Here are my newest pages. If you have any questions on techniques or products leave me a comment and I will be happy to respond quickly!~

Eve was the crown of creation. I used stencils to represent the garden flowers and found a drawing on the internet of a woman's body and printed it on vellum paper and stamped the words on the vellum.

God longs for me !  I used the song music O the Deep Deep love of Jesus as a collage paper, added gesso texture with a stencil, chipboard letters and a small folder with stamps for journaling.

 This page is about Gods relationship with us.  He has made women to be  inviting, tender, merciful, devoted, inviting,  and fiercely protective.  I used a 12 x12 double sided paper and folded the side to match the width of my book. drew the circle with a stencil and then used the flap for my journaling notes.

The back of this page is about Genesis 2:18- "It is not good for the man to be alone, I shall make him an ezer kenedo ( helpmeet)". 

Captivating Book study- cover

                          This is a great book Captivating,  so insightful and helpful to refocus me and to provide healing in those areas where my pain is a deterent to my walk with Christ. We are part of a large group on Facebook that is doing an online journaling class led by Patti Hale.

I am leading a small local group here in Northern VA and we meet weekly to discuss the chapters and to work on our art journals. Here are some pictures of my group ( missing Michelle) God is binding us together in a deeper way and we are drawing closer to Him.

 

Here are some pictures of my pages and my cover. I worked for about 3 days on the cover. I had inspiration from Anna ( from Poland) and this is my version.

First I collage a lot of papers onto the cardboard covers. Sprayed with Adirondack inks and Glimmer mist inks.  Added some creme color paint to tone it down, and then sprayed a gloss varnish over it all.

The embellishments:  I wanted to create a "cross" of embellishments that would signify the love of God in my life.  I cut up a old frame and used them on the right and left side, then added wooden cut out designs ( I found at Michaels a long time ago) as the top and bottom of the cross. I used alcohol inks on the plastic letters. I included a pearl heart as the inside of the flower.  Added lost of other metal embellishments and glued them with a hot glue gun. Masked off the rest of the cover and used Glimmer mist spray on the embellishment.  I wanted to stitch on the outside edges, but I used really think cardboard ( the covers from my watercolor pads) so used my Tim Holtz stitching stamp instead.

Here is the back of th e front cover and the inside and outside of the back cover. I am planning on connecting my book with wire bound using my Cinch.

 

Captivating Book study

We began our "Captivating" book study yesterday. I had read the first chapter last week in preparation.  I am enjoying learning more about my heart and what God placed in it and how He wants me to live. So far the book is very interesting, and I am spending time with God reading and creating!

I am creating single pages, and will bind them all when I am done witt the study.  I  like to make the cover at the end, so that it summarizes all the insides.

This page is about the split sides of me. The first is the side that says "I am not enough" and the other is the side that says " I am too much".  Wow I so identify with these 2 statements.  I vacillate between the two.

Techniques:  I uses Adirondak sprays with the number stencil on the paper. I created the 2 inserts on my computer with a picture of me that I ran through the digitizing program.  On the tag, I embossed it, painted it with inks and glimmer mists.  I sewed the tulle on, made the flower out of paper ( see my video on how to make these flowers ) and then added the paper tag and circle tag.  I stapled the embossed tag onto the page.

the corresponding page is about how women feel unseen, unsought and uncertain.  I used the small insert and journal-ed on the back.

Technique:  stencils and Adirondak sprays for background.  Chipboard letters painted and then added Ranger crackle and stamped the words.  The butterfly is made from a diecut, inked and glitter glued. 

 

I am hoping for new insights and Good revealing Himself to me.

 

Captivating Book study and art journaling videos

On November 1 I am participating in a new online book study.   It will be led by Patti Hale and you can join by going here  .

Patti is my new friend from The Gathering.  check out the video about the weekend, and make plans to attend next year.

We will be reading Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul. We are going to do a chapter a week and journal our experience.

I wanted to share with my  friends some of my experience in art journaling, so if you want to know  how to begin, what kind of books to use, how to do a topical journal, watch my 3 part video below.

Enjoy!

 

  

 

Be-Attitudes Faith Blog Hop

Welcome to the Be-Attitudes Faith Blog Hop postponed from last week!  Every month we choose a theme with which to honor Christ and become closer to Him.  We then create a project to reflect that theme and boldly post it on our blogs so that the whole world sees that even our talents belong to Him! This month we have chosen the Beatitudes found on Mathew 5:3:12 and we invite you to hop through our blogs to see the Lord’s Glory manifested through the work of our hands and the stories He has written in our lives.  If you arrived from Kari - http://purplefuntastickcreations.wordpress.com/s blog, you are in the right place.  If you just happened to land here, make sure that you hop on over to www.mypapertreehouse.blogspot.com to begin the journey.  Know that we have been praying for you and hope that the Lord would bring you just a bit closer to Himself…

In Matthew 5:3-12 we find the well known Beatitudes.  This portion of Scripture is very peculiar because every statement begins with “Blessed are those…” and yet the attribute that is mentioned right after is NOT something desirable before the eyes of the world. 

Look at the list of attributes along with the blessed reward:

Poor in spirit: Kingdom of Heaven

Mourn: comfort

Meek: inherit the earth

Hunger and thirst for righteousness: will be filled

Merciful: will be shown mercy to

Pure in heart: will see God

Peacemakers: called children of God

Persecuted because of righteousness: kingdom of heaven

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you

 

If we were to be honest, we would all say that none of us would like to be considered poor in spirit, or be caught in the midst of mourning.  Meekness is considered a sign of weakness and in America Hunger and Thirst for righteousness is replaced by hunger and thirst for worldly acceptance.  It is very difficult to be merciful and pure in heart for our hearts are always seeking to satisfy our own needs; and we are not willing to make peace if that peace requires that we would submit to someone else’s authority.  We do not want to be made fun of, or persecuted, or bad mouthed…  Yet all of these things the LORD calls blessed! 

 

The reason why they are Blessed is because only when we have these attitudes can we truly see ourselves for who we are and God for who He is.  Only when we see the depravity of our being and the sin that enslaves us, can we be set free by the only ONE that is Pure and Holy!  May He grant us the privilege of being called BLESSED by Him because in us are found the Be-Attitudes.

 

With this in mind I can say that I created some art journaling pages about the beatitudes. I tried to show what God was saying to me in each of the blessings. I hope you enjoy!

 

There is no greater gift than that of finding Christ, but we would like to bless a group of you with some Grand Prizes from the following sponsors. 

 

To qualify, like Paper Tree House Studio in Facebook, become a follower of their blog, and leave a comment.  Those that choose to participate by creating a project that follows the theme will have a greater chance of winning, so make sure that you create something or share your own story in your blog to then come back and share with us your creation and thoughts. 

 

Hop on over to Susan – http://susanascorner.blogspot.com
 ’s blog to continue in this journey…  May you be filled with the “Be-Attitudes” this week.

 Love in Christ, Diane

Watching Wednesday

This week I am featuring my daughter Deanna ( 13). She and I are alone this week because Vera and Natalya are in NC at church camp. We are having a great time crafting together, going to the library, reading some great Christian fiction and cooking really tasty food!

She has been creating her own set of bible verse tags and I am proud to show you her work~!

Luke 6:45  is about the treasures in your heart, she used the Tim Holtz man ( without the umbrella) and then added a clear epoxy heart on top. Love the color scheme ( rubbed distress inks).

  The next tag uses layers and the arrows symbolize  God's ways.  The arrow pointing to heaven shows her that God's ways are different and better than her plans for her life.  The arrow going down towards hell is about her ways leading to misery and dissatisfaction.  She used a Christian book page as the background layer and sprayed color washes on top.

The third tag is about singing to the Lord. She used purple because it is her favorite color ( regal and symbolizes God).  Music notes are in the background. The flourish is about worshiping God.

Another singing to the Lord tag. This one uses the embossing folders, distress ink stains and stamps. 

The tree embossing folders symbolizes power that we can reach when we reach for God.  The man is trying to be open to God in his life.

The final tag Hilarious is about the colors and textures that make her happy!

She is a quiet worker, always thinking and absorbing. It has been my pleasure to showcase her faith art.

Some of the tags may end up in our bible verse tag class!

 

Watching wednesday

Class #2 last night was a full house! We had 9 people at the studio to make 2 more tags  in our bible verse classes. Our bible verses for this session were

Psalm 98:1  Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things;

Joshua 24:15 ...but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

Lots of fun techniques  ( dry embossing/texturizing with the Sizzix, heat set embossing,stamping) and lots of products  glitter glue, glossy accents, StazOn, distress inks, glimmer mist spray inks.

Here are the finished projects. I love how each person has the same stamp, same background but what a difference color makes and fibers/ribbons!

Next class will be Thursday July 28. If you are in the area, come join us. Here is some information about the class with pictures of the next verse tags we will make.  Download Studio Bible verse tags 6-11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Testimony Thursday

continuing series about the Beatitudes....

This week is Matthew 5:7 and 8

7Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.

 

I need to understand mercy before I can accept His mercy and be shown mercy. Mercy is defined as " the aspect of God's love that causes Him to help the miserable, just as grace is the aspect of His love that moves Him to forgive the guilty.  God shows mercy upon those who have broken His law, although such mercy is selective, demonstrating that it is not deserved. Because God is merciful, He expects His children to be merciful." {Dictionary of the Bible Herbert Lockyer, Sr.}

For me to understand His mercy, I have to understand my own neediness- how much I need His mercy. For there is nothing I can do to get mercy unless God decides to give it to me.  My journaling demonstrates my joy in His mercy and the stars represent the gift of mercy to me. I love the bright colors and they remind me that He is the merciful and I must give the same mercy He so willingly gave me to others!

  So I can receive mercy from God and he will bless me if I have a pure heart. What does a pure heart look like?

The Greek word for “pure” is katharos (used 27 times in the New Testament). Fundamentally, it signifies that which is clean, or free from contaminating substance (cf. Danker et al., Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, 489).

 I found this site which gives me more information about "pure"  in this passage.  "Pure” may describe the heart that is free of unadulterated “motives” (Commentary on Matthew, I.101). It perhaps represents that ideal state of mind of the person who longs to serve God and others for the sheer unselfish joy of honoring the Creator, and thus free of base motives. What a lofty disposition that would be. Christian Courier.com

I like to think that my mind is one that longs to serve God and others for the sheer joy, but if I am honest I know that sometimes I have an ulterior motive to my actions. Like I want there to be no conflict, so I hold my tongue ( even though my mind still thinks of the negative thoughts); I ignore things that may be making me mad, so that I won't show my anger, but it is still there. So, while I strive for a pure heart, my sinful nature prevents me from being what I desire.

This page, shows how I want my heart to be pure and focus on love ( the background stamp is the definition of love). The bright colors show how intense this feeling is and reminds me to keep striving for purity in my heart.

May God bless you and give you mercy as you are merciful and may your heart be pure.

 

Watching Wednesday

Last week 7 women bravely came to the studio and participated in the first Bible Verse Tag class.

What is the bible verse tag class?  What do the tags look like?

Are you ready  to try a playful way to memorize bible verses?

Adore HIM Creations new class combines bible study and art!  Beginning with prayer, we will seek God’s presence during this creative time.  We will worship Him with our hearts and minds through the process of bible study. Next we will use our hands to create a  #8 (3x 61/4”) tag that symbolizes His word.

 You will learn God’s word, and create a beautiful ring of bible verse tags.  Each session will showcase new techniques (embossing, painting, stamping, UTEE, distress inks, painting, spray inks and glimmer mists.)  Even if you haven’t ever stamped  before, or think you have no artistic talents, you will be guided step by step to create a unique set of bible verse tags!

We used these techniques last week ( distress inks, UTEE {ultra thick embossing enamel}, paper flowers, glimmer mist, glitter smear, clear embossing, stamping, fibers/ribbon.)

Each person creates 2 tags per session and we add them to a metal ring, so that we can carry them with us to do bible verse study and it is a great conversation piece and evangelical opportunity.

Here are the finished results!

Sorry Denise, I didn't get your picture with your tags.

Next class is July 12 and there are 5 openings if you are interested.

 

Testimony Thursday

Continuing series on the Beatitudes.....

Matthew 5:5-6  "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

Meekness - wow, what does that word even mean?  The definition of meek is "patient, long-suffering or submissive in disposition or nature; humble; spineless or spiritless; compliant; an obsolete word for gentle."    Ok, I don't like the word submissive ( I guess my old women's liberation attitude comes out) but again if I look up the definition of submissive it is a form of cooperation. Now cooperation I can do.   Patience is something that is very difficult to do on my own, but with God's help I can wait, wait for him, wait for the best for me not the ok. 

So God is saying I need to be patient, cooperative and gentle. These are all good traits that I would love to have others describe me as. Why is it so hard to do???  

One reason, is because I continually try to live live on my own power, my own ways. However, when I wait - wait for Him it turns out so much better. 

This page was collaged. Underneath the paint, you can barely see the map page that I added. Then I looked up the definition of meek and enlarged it and collaged it too.  I used acrylic paints on top  of the collage. 

journaling:  I am willing to see myself as I am; submission to God and His word.

 

 

Next is hunger for righteousness.  Again, so many words in the bible I think I know what the mean and when I look up the definition, I realize I don't really understand the depth and breadth of a word. 

Righteousness:  "holy and upright living, in accordance with God's standard.  The word righteousness comes from a root word that means "straightness."  It refers to a state that conforms to an authoritative standard. Righteousness is a moral concept. God's character is the definition and source of all righteousness. "{Nelsons Dictionary of the Bible}

So God is telling me that I will be blessed when I hunger for righteousness. In my own paraphrase

I am blessed when I hunger ( a compelling need for) and thirst (strong or eager desire; craving) for holy living ( to become like Jesus).  That is pretty powerful and I desire for that to be my motivation, it isn't always, but I desire it.   Another way to look at it is "constant and recurring satisfaction with God's way."

Technique:  a collage paged. Used a page from an old children's cookbook showing a mother making food for a child, and pictures of fruits and veggies and a child eating a sandwich.  Then doodled, stamped and journaled. 

Blessings to you and I pray God's words and my pictures can minister to you this week.

 

 

Coram Deo “before the face of God”

 

Watching Wednesday

With school out the girls have more time to spend crafting and they are working on some beautiful projects that I want to share. The projects are beautiful but the accompanying in depth bible study that is driving them is precious.

Vera- I felt led to document my summer feelings so I decided to create a ring of tags instead of a scrapbook.  I like the small format of tags, because I can express myself without having the concern of filling up a whole scrapbook page.

The first one I made is about the feeling of being still with God. I was angry at my mom and needed to process my feelings, so I made this tag to remind me to stop when feelings overtake me and I don't want to say words that would hurt or get me in trouble.   I love the bible verse  "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10    Technique:  used  a stencil and gesso for the background; painted with distress stains, smooch spritz sprays, oil pastels. Stamped the Be still with stazon ink.  I took tulle and sprayed it with glimmer mist ( granite), then put it on top of the tag. I used a red and white crayon and a heat tool and melted them on top.  The white represents purity and the red represents my anger and leading me toward destruction.

 My 2nd one is about peace- the peace I have in Christ.  Journaling helps me stay connected to God and this tag reminds me to journal each day and I will experience peace!   Technique: glossy paper, lettuce and stream alcohol inks ( on the craft mat), sprayed water and then dipped my paper into it for the background.  I stamped the pen , background fruit and peace with stazon ink.  The Christ is with stickers. I added fringe lace.

My 3rd tag is about Trusting in the Lord. This is to remind me to keep trusting in God, to let go and let Him have control in my life.  Technique:  background tag- acrylic paint and water (drippage). Used wood chips that I painted and glued to the tag.  I used a skin my mom made for the verse and the Trust is a rub on.  I used a red crayon and a stamp with a hand that has a heart in the middle of the hand on the bottom.    The bottle and sea shell remind me of summer and the beach.

My next tag is about the verse Matthew 7:7  "Ask and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you."   There are 3 promises in this verse and they are beautiful and the flowers remind me of Him, so that is why I used them together!  The flowers I made each one individually ( see the video we made here about making the flowers ) . 

Natalya:  This is a continuation of my 3 hearts project.  This page is about being pure and my purity ring that symbolizes my commitment.  I added gesso to the whole page first, used a stencil with gesso to get the texture for the frame, then I used glimmer mist to add the colors to the page.  (Tattered Angels: Chalkboard strawberry shortcake, Glimmer mist candlelight, starfish).  I stamped the picture border in stazon ink black, added punchinella with gesso ( for the white dots). I had more journaling, so I added a flap with the picture with tape. 

My journaling reads: I choose to be pure in spirit, heart and love. I want to be committed to my true love. I want God to purify my heart. I want Him to teach me how to love others plus Him.  I want God to take away all the things that keep me captive from getting to know Him. I want Him to make me pure in heart so that I can do what God asks me to do. " Show me how to love and think purely and do what pleases God."

Technique Tuesday

I love to create topical scrapbooks.  I am always on the look out for a unique vehicle to use.  You know those pocket folders that you have to have for school?  In the fall they go on sale for 10 to15cents each.  Pick up some of them and use them when you have a short topic you want to cover.

A few years ago my pastor Rusty gave a message about how we use our time. The time we have left.  It was titled Life's Too Short. If I live to 80, that sounds so far away, but it was only 8,566 days left!!!  That is so not enough for me to live out His plans for me.

I used 4-5 coordinating papers, covered the front, back and insides of the folder with the papers. I cut up the message notes and inserted some of the wording and picture ( a giant clock).

I like to type a lot of bible verses and headings on my computer. A nifty way to add them to a scrapbook or journal is to make your own stickers.  Print on Avery Full Sheet labels ( 8 1/2 x 11 clear).  I have lots of fonts and create files with my bible verses and words, titles and print them and make my own stickers. 

The pocket file folders are great for adding notes to myself, or papers I want to keep from a message at church, notes from a friend, or a seminar, or special pages from my children.

Keep you mind open to the possibilities!

Here is another folder project. Romans 8. This one I created mini folders and added them. Created lots more workspace.

Since this is difficult to photograph, I created a short video to walk you through the mini books and journaling.

Enjoy!

   

becoming free friday

" It is for freedom that Christ has set me free. Stand firm, then and do not let myself be burdened again, by a yoke of slavery."  Gal 5:1

God is setting me free, he is changing my heart and my mind to be able to live by his commandments, his rules.  This past week "free" has really been a challenge.  Family is very important to me and when things are not going well in my family, then I get worried and feel anxious and try to figure out how to fix things and feeling free goes out the window!

The story of Jonah is a good illustration of becoming free.  Jonah was asked to go to Ninevah to deliver a message to the people there. Now they were a people who had a reputation for inflicting physical and psychological terror on their enemies. So Jonah really didn't want to go and "save " them. In fact he wanted them to be punished for their sins, so he ran the other way, in the complete opposite direction!  However, God wasn't about to let Jonah off the hook. I know you all know the story of the ship, Jonah being thrown overboard and the "big fish" who swallowed him.  I did too, but I never thought about the story God was trying to tell us in this "big fish" story.  The story that we can't run from God- there is nowhere to hide.

"Where can I go from your spirit?  Or where can I flee from your presence?"  Psalm 139:7

God used all the events to get Jonah's attention and to save him from himself. This week, God showed me my Ninevah- a family situation that I wanted to run from.  And God worked through my pain to remind me how he saved me, how he loves me and that he has a purpose for my life. I am to be the "light" to my family. To show them forgiveness and love, no MATTER WHAT!  I am forgiven, so I must forgive.   The freedom and the peace that followed that conscious decision to forgive and love is amazing.  Funny how the one little word doesn't ever go away after the 365 days of focusing on it.  My first word was "the light" and my second was "trust" and now "free".  They all build upon one another and are like perfect fences in my life to keep me safe and in God's presence.

Thank you God for you love, your patience, and your presence in my life. Thank you for my one little word that I can use to frame all my choices, experiences and feeling.

free- it is becoming more natural.........

 

My pictures this week are of my new planner journal that I made. I collaged some manilla folders, used gloss medium on them and then created my own calendar and planner pages inside. I am off to get it bound today, so will add pictures later!

  Here are some pics of the projects the ladies did last Saturday at my open studio day. All related to their one little word.

Enjoy~!

 

becoming free friday

I love how God speaks to me.   I am doing a bible study on Jonah by Priscilla Shirer about navigating a life interrupted and I am understanding how free is the place God is taking me to and interrupting my life with!

If you are like me the story of Jonah was about the whale, and frankly I didn't really believe that a man could live inside a whale, so I just chocked it up to exaggeration. However, in this study, I have found out I missed the whole point of Jonah!  Jonah was a prophet in Israel and God asked him to go to a really far away town ( Nineveh) and preach to the people. Now this place and people had a horrible reputation and were feared by the Israelites. So when God told Jonah to go there he rebelled and went as far away in the opposite direction as he could go.  I think you know the rest of the story, but the point is his running in the opposite direction!  I realized that I have done that so many times in my life- God was trying to talk to me for years, and I just didn't listen, and in fact ran in the opposite direction also!  When I finally started listening ( 1992) my life was pretty much in shambles, - getting a divorce, moved across the county to TX for a job, so I was lonely and vulnerable. Over the next few years I became  a born again Christian, but it took me another 10 years to allow God to be the Lord of my life.  Only then did I begin to see his blessings, and he was able to take my life out of the ashes and use it for his purposes.

Now he has me focusing on being free- understanding that I am just managing my life, my children and Adore HIM Creations- I don't own it, ( He does). When I can stay in the place of manager I am free- free to live the life He created for me, free of my fears and anxiety and my children are free to become who He wants them to be, not who I think they SHOULD be.

My free canvas is full of butterflies- I love the symbolism- they start out as ugly worms and become the most beautiful flying creatures.

" in my anguish, I cried to the Lord and he answered by setting me free..."  Psalm 118:5

If you haven't been to the my one word blog- I so encourage you to visit and sign up!  It is so inspirational and helps in your daily walk in your word.

Free bible study online tools

looking for a way to study the bible in 2011? 

check this out Bible Study tools   looks like a great tool for those who are on their computers and want to use technology to work with them in their Bible study quest!

 

52 Verse Challenge

my best friend Berna and I are on a challenge to memorize God's word.  Berna wrote this

I have felt the desire and need to start memorizing more of God’s word.   This has been confirmed by reading God’s word and by the books I have been reading as well.   The way that we can overcome worry and experience God’s peace is by knowing God’s promises and having them written on our hearts. 

 I love this from “Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl “    by Lysa Terkeust

 When God’s Word gets inside of us, it becomes the new way we process life.  It rearranges our thoughts, our motives, our needs, and our desires.  Our soul was tailor-made to be filled  with God and HIS truth; therefore, it seeps into every part of us and fills us completely.  It is the only perfect fit.  And according to Psalm 119:30-32, being filled with God’s Word sets out hearts free!  

 ³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth;
       I have set my heart on your laws.

 ³¹ I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD;
       do not let me be put to shame.

 ³² I run in the path of your commands,
       for you have set my heart free.

Psalm 119:30-32

 We want to learn a bible verse a week for the next 52 weeks.   We want to challenge all of you to join us in memorizing a verse a week for the next 52 weeks.  I know some of you will say I don’t have time, or I can’t memorize anything.   You can do this!!!  Try to imagine what that would be like to be filled with God and His truth-  that it seeps into every part of us and fills us completely?  Do you want this?  It doesn’t really take a lot of time.  You don’t even have to type- just copy and print the verse from our challenge list and paste it on a 3 x 5 card. Keep it with you, take it in the bathroom, keep it on your mirror, or in your car, at work etc.

So, we are into 4 weeks of the challenge. Here is my book.  I am using standard tags, made a cover from chipboard ( the back of a notepad). I used gesso on the covers and added texture and then painted it. The V is a chipboard alphabet, that I painted black, and added Ranger Distress crackle paint. I used a round doily, that I sprayed with Ranger Adirondack color wash. 

The ring is 7 Gypsies Medium chrome cable ring. Easy to add and change!

See my photo album for the complete pictures.

the beatitudes

for our summer vacation project, the girls and I are doing a great study of the New Testament from HomeSchool in the Woods.  It is a great learning tool and so crafty- we are each creating lapbooks! 

 We have created a lot of art this week!  Here is my cover and the first page, I will update the contents as we continue with the study. All the graphics are from the study, you just print them on your home printer, cut out and color with watercolors, paint, etc and all the instructions to create the lapbook come with the program. I highly recomend HomeSchool in the woods!

 

The beatitudes study was Monday and I was so inspired to go deeper into what Jesus was saying.

I created a page for each beatitude in my faithart journal.  Here are the results!

I tried to experiment and use layers of color, paper, watercolors, new tones, and new techniques.  Let me know what you think?

life's too short to waste......

Today's message at church was inspiring and confirming. We are doing a series about what has God given us to do and how are we doing at that job?  It is helping us to identify and handle the common issues we all face - what is my purpose?

We were asked to calculate how many days you have until you are 80 years old. I am 56 years old and only have 8,566 days left till I am 80!  Wow, that isn't very long. The bible tells us we  are given 70 years or 80 if we are strong to live, so I only have 23 more years to get it "right." Am I spending those days as I should? I try to live my life from an eternal perspective. What he has given me to do, my ministry.

How much time you do have to worship HIM?  To bring HIM glory and honor? try focusing on that for a while and see what message God has for you about your purpose.

Technique: I used the good old folder again! I pick coordinating papers, glue them to the pages and voila! the folder is great to tuck in notes, journaling, message notes, etc.  I used a TIME transparency,embossing and stamping.

 

God's Minute

I have only just a minute,

only 60 seconds in it,

forced upon me, can't refuse it,

didn't seek it, didn't choose it.

I must suffer if I lose it,

give account if I abuse it.

Just a tiny little minute

but ETERNITY is in it.

John the Baptist......

Obedience, wow that has always been difficult for me. God has taken me down a winding path to learn to be obedient to HIM.  Finally, I can focus on HIS will in my life, not what I want, and I have stopped trying to convince HIM of my great new ideas!

John the Baptist was amazing. He had a role in his life, he lived that role, didn't complain about it, didn't try to take the limelight from Jesus and just lived as God asked him to. He sure was different- in fact he is described as "odd" in his dress and food.  He was a witness, he accomplished his mission and was truly unique. I can't wait to meet him in heaven.

Again, I used the folder for a mini book.  I wanted to be able to read his story from all the gospels, so I compiled all the bible verses that speak of him into a document and printed it and inserted it into my faithbook. If you haven't found BibleGateway check it out here. You can read all the different versions of a verse, cross reference and copy the verses into a document for faithbooking.  Sometimes I love to compare the same verse in different versions, as the words speak to me differently, or I get a different message from another version.