Adore HIM Creations

Praying in Color April 2012

Another month of transformation!   I am finding that keeping my right hand occupied while praying has revolutionized my prayer life.  My prayer time before was more about a dialogue - me talking to God- lifting up  family, friends and issues.  There wasn't a time for HIM to speak to me.  Or I would fall asleep, or think about a thousand other things while I was praying.

This is different.  Prayer is not something that I have been good at. I would tell people that I will pray for you, but found that after I said that it never entered my mind again, until I would see them and then feel guilty that I hadn't prayed for them!   This is a tool to help me keep my word, and actually pray for the person/issue! It is a way to concentrate, to re-frame my life, to have it flow through me to the page.

At our workshop "Living Life as Prayer" with Connie, she talked about the reasons we don't pray:

1.  the distractions of life

2.  the fight of my will

Living a life of Thanksliving ( yes, I didn't spell it wrong) is a new way of living life and complements my prayer life.  My Thanksliving book is set up the left page is my list of my 1000 gifts ( Ann Voskamp) and the right is my praying.   God wants more than 10 minutes a day, He wants me to see the cross and live a life of redemption, to not turn from Him daily through my life interruptions.   To live a life of mental dialogue with God all day and quiet time with him where the Holy spirit is allowed to indwell in me and speak to me through my hand to the page. 

The first picture is what I began with back in January.   The second is how I started with using watercolors to color the leaves at the beginning of April.  Then God gave me this verse

John 17:15,17  "....protect them from the evil one. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."

I decided to print that and add to my page. This month I just wrote names/words and then said that verse over the person.  It was very powerful!

 

I want to encourage you to try new ways of prayer, to allow yourself to be transformed by new tools that can draw you closer to God.  Don't reject my work because you say- "she is a good artist, she is so creative and I AM NOT."   You are creative, God created you and gave you the gift of creativity, use it in your way to come closer to HIM.   He will meet you wherever you are!

May God bless you this week and draw you closer to HIM.

 

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!

 

Technique Tuesday

 Thanks to all my internet friends for your support and questions. I love sharing what God is doing in my life and all my techniques.

I have had a couple of questions on my videos, so today's video is answering one of those questions.

Q:  How do you use the ARC system to create tags for spiral bound books?

The ARC system can be ordered online from Staples or in their stores.  At $39.99 is is a good price and good to use to create scrapbooks. The only negative I have is you can't use think cardstock ( like chipboard) in the punch.  But great news it punches so that you can add to already existing spiral bound books.

I use #8 Tags and order them Express Tags #8 heavy duty, with no strings here.  They are a good vendor and ship quickly.

Enjoy!

Next video will be how to print on tags on your computer/printer.

 

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. 

Praying in Color- examples

Wanted to share my daughter Natalya's progress on her Praying in Color journal. She has the same format as I do, 1000 gifts on the left and her praying in color on the right.

She uses a combination of stencils and mostly drawing shapes and using colored pencils. 

" I take my gifts for granted, so it has been a blessing to have them on paper and to remember them and how they affect my life."

Natalya does her gifts list each day and colors a little bit each day.

 

Praying in Color March 2012

Another month of praying in color!

This month I have noticed a new sense of peace as I pray in color, and a more intimate time with Jesus. I find that when my hand is busy coloring, writing, doodling, my mind is more open to God and He can speak to me. Unlike in the past my praying was more monologue to Him.  I find I am spending intentional time in the presence of God praying for the people I care about.  Praying in color is a new prayer form and gives God an invitation and a new door to penetrate the locked cells of my heart and mind.   Adopting a new way of praying may require you to suspend your current beliefs about prayer, or maybe you are really wanting to pray more and just don't know how to do it.

Are you counting your 1000 gifts in 2012?  I use the left side of my book to write 3 gifts per day. It really helps me focus on HIM and not my petty complaints, or frustrations. In fact, some days there are more than 3 gifts that I can see are from HIM.

So how is your prayer life?

Reminder: Adore HIM Creations is having a day of learning how to live life as prayer 4/28/12. Here is the Download AHC 2012 Guest Series Denninger v3 if you can make it!  We have a few seats open and would love to have you spend the day with us.

Here is the finished page and  below it you can see how it started.  This month I used a lot of red- mostly colored pencils and added red watercolor on top.  There are a lot of people I am praying for who are really sick and dying of cancer, so I guess the red color reminds me of Jesus blood He shed on the cross for me.

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!

 

Guest Artist Series 2012- Living Life as Prayer

If you are in the area, please join us April 28 9-5 pm for a great workshop by guest artist Connie Denninger.

Download AHC 2012 Guest Series Denninger v3  for the flyer. Here is the info

Living Life as Prayer

Adore HIM Creations is pleased to invite you to the 2nd workshop in the 2012 Guest Artist Series! 

Connie Denninger is a Woman of Faith on a Journey. She is a Home Economist educator who loves to bring beauty to the sacred space of home– where we learn to live Full Eye to God's Faithfulness. She encourages others to live as Families in Faith at Prince of Peace Church in Springfield, VA.  She is an Indiana farm girl moved to the Washington, D.C. suburbs. Her and her husband John are in parish ministry and have been blessed to have lived in Northern VA for over 20 years. Connie and John have been married nearly 30 years and have 3 adult daughters- all Lutheran educators. They have recently added 2 sons-in-laws to their family. Connie enjoys walking beside women in their spiritual journeys and bringing together tools to document the story of God's faithfulness in our lives. Her blog is constancedenninger.blogspot.com and she is active on Pinterest.

Looking for encouragement to live life as prayer? Join Connie as she shares her personal experiences, Bible References and tools to help us all live life as prayer.

Visual prayers give you a path to see God’s faithfulness in your life. This journey of grace builds faith in His promises for your future, and a written legacy of hope.

Connie will demonstrate many tool box options that you can adopt for your life of prayer.

 

•  To SEE God’s Handiwork – charting HIS story in our life
•  To SEE and understand – The mystery of belief and trust
• To SEE with a grateful heart – Living EUCHARISTEO

 

This workshop does not require any art skills or experiences.

Please bring your Bible. All materials and tools will be provided including a gourmet lunch.

April 28, 2012  

 9:00 am to 5:00 pm $50

Gourmet lunch included

Limited to 12 participants 

50% deposit due  by 4/1/12

 To register email diane@adorehimcreations.com

 

 

 

 

 

Praying in color for February 2012

I finished my Feb page and it is amazing what God has done in my life as I take the time to stop and spend time with him.

I talked about Praying in Color back in January 2012 here.  This is a year project that I am doing combining 2 faithart techniques. On the left side of my book, I am keeping track of my 1000 Gifts from Anne Voskamp  here.  It is a pleasure and a sweet time to spend thinking about my day and jotting down the gifts he has given me that day ( 3 per day). You can use Ann's prompts, which I did in Jan but in Feb I just gave thanks for all the events/people/things that happened to me each day and wrote them down.

So here is my finished February page- it is on the right side of my large journal. This month I colored it all in the first few days and then added all the black words and doodling each day. 

It is my praying in color page. I color with inexpensive colored pencils and doodle my prayers and it is amazing what happens to my brain.  The bible verse " Be still and know that I am God" is one that has been elusive for me, but I find that I am actually still in my brain when I am coloring or doodling and God is able to be with me and speak to me. Unlike when I pray- it is all a vertical litany of lifting this person up or telling Him what I would like him to do.

Have you tried doodling/praying in color?  The book "Praying in Color" is a great place to start. 

I am showing you my blank March pages, it is so interesting to see the blank picture and then when it is done I am reminded of how much time I spent with God and what I was praying for and about.

 

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)". 

Praying in Color

My children are learning this technique and I wanted to share their journals with you also.

Natalya has committed to doing the 1000 gifts and praying in color also. It really showcases her extraordinary doodling skills and her special heart for God.

 

 

Next is Deanna, she decided to stick with a blue color scheme.

 

Vera is last but not least. She is working in a small moleskin journal.

 

Walk with HIM Wednesdays

I have been faithful this month in my journaling project. This is the post where I talk about this new project and I am thankful to say that I completed the month of January. It is a dual project- that combines counting 1000 gifts in 2012 and praying in color.

First I have to to talk about my book. For the first time in my art life I purchased a large size ( 15 1/2 x 11) and it is made from handmade papers from India. I found it at Hobby Lobby and used my 40% off coupon. It was an extravagant purchase for me. I wanted to honor God with my time and use the best paper as a gift to him. So the plan was to follow Ann Voskamps "1000 Gifts" project and list my gifts on the left side of the page spread and then do my praying in color, or tangle prayers on the right side. This page was completed using a stencil as the base for the design and then I used inexpensive colored pencils.

Here is the picture of the original  design.

Each night I prayed and doodled, journaled, colored. Amazingly, I felt closer to him and was able to listen as my hand was preoccupied and I was focusing on Him.

Have you read " Praying in Color" ?  If not, I highly recommend the  book. 

It talks about how we try to "be still and listen to God", but our bodies get in our way. "If I permit my body to move-even just the movement of my hand, fingers, and arm with pen and marker- then my bones and muscles are content. I can be calm and relaxed enough to find inner stillness and to pay attention.  In general, it's not my body that needs to be stilled; its my mind."  page 44  Praying in color is a new prayer form that gives God an invitation and a new door to penetrate into the locked cells of my heart and mind. 

If you are looking for a way to energize your prayer life, or a different way to pray, then come along with me and try this!

Each month I will be sharing my pages and how it is going.  My goal is to do a page a month for the entire year.

 

 

Walk with HIM Wednesdays

this will be a new weekly feature on my blog. It is based on the book "one thousand gifts"  by Ann Voskamp. If you haven't been to her site, or read the book, I highly recommend it.

Ann has a challenge with her book and at her blog about the joy dare for 2012.

" Snap a photo or record 3 gifts per day. Count One Thousand gifts in 2012: Discover Joy!"

I am doing that in a different way. My friend Connie  ( check her blog today about hearts and her decorations!) has been keeping her one thousand gifts record for a few months. She is such an inspiration!   I saw how she was doing it about 2 weeks ago and realized that was a good way for me to follow and capture my gifts from God.

I was able to purchase a handmade watercolor book 11 x 15 3/4 at Hobby Lobby with my gift card from my son. I debated on whether I should keep the book after I bought it, I had never worked in such a large size!  However, since I got 40% off the price, I decided to keep it. Once I opened the book I realized that is was a gift to me from God. the handmade papers were so decadent and luscious that I was anxious to work in it.

So, I set it up like Connie's book.  Right page for my Tangle Prayers and left side for journaling my 1000 gifts in 2012.  So far it is a delight to spend time with God each day doodling, praying and contemplating His gifts in my life.

Here are some pictures of the cover and the inside.   I spent about 3 hours filling 12 pages by tracing with a perm marker a stencil for each month. 

Each week I will share my tangle prayer page and you can see the progress! This month I am using colored pencils ( Crayola ones are great and inexpensive). 

I hope you check out the links and  discover your way to spend time with God and counting your gifts!

 

one little word for 2012

My word  took some time to become my word this year. After a difficult year with the word free, I was hesitant about God giving me a word that would be difficult to live. 

 Trying to be transparent with my life, I am sharing my self assessment from 2011.

Unraveling  2011  “free”

What disappointed me?   That I didn’t finish what I started with my weight or my debt free goal.  That depression took over my life for a few months and separated me from my children.   The secular craft fairs weren’t successful and  took a lot of time and energy for a small return.  That my relationship with my daughters is still very difficult.

What surprised me? Meeting Connie and Jan was such a blessing and affirmation. The success of my art work and the sales at church sponsored events.  Loving my Grandson so much.  Highlights were AHC classes and sales.

Where did I excel? Increased my blogging and attracted more readers/followers. Established Etsy and selling through etsy is a possible revenue source.   I discovered that I love to create, I love to teach and inspire others.  My creations were successful and I was able to worship God through my work.  I walked for 75% of the year.  I made new art friends and had artistic growth!  Attended 6 craft shows and they showed me that secular craft shows are not the venue for my work.  I completed lots of projects and sold them and created classes for COB.  I earned more than $1500 in profit from AHC.

Where did I fail?  I didn’t lose weight, I actually gained weight. I stopped walking in November when my walking partner moved.  I became depressed and my emotional state affected my relationships with my children that I am still repairing.  2011 was supposed to be about being free- I actually think 2011 was difficult, emotional and stressed. I experienced artistic growth, but the emotional issues hobbled me. I withdrew from a lot of my life ( NHC, small group, neighbors).  I didn’t get out of debt which was my goal.  I was able to pay off about $2k in debt but paid for my son's rehearsal dinner, so am now $3600 in debt.  I bought QuickBooks and began to create my business but it is not finished. I have to finish entering all 2011 AR & AP.

Think back to the person you were when you initially picked your OLW.  Compare it to the individual you have become. 

I wanted to be free, but my emotional state actually kept me captive in 2011. I didn’t turn to God to help me, I did the same old thing- I “took care of myself”.  I am still  feeling numb,  and I don’t feel in control of my emotions or behavior.

 Did you expect to see the amount of growth you have experienced over the past year? Or maybe you had difficulty with your word and didn’t see the full fruit of the word in your life.  

I had such difficulty that I only saw growth in my artistic creativity. Not in my emotional or physical life.

 How did God use your OLW in ways you were not  expecting?

  He allowed me to become more creative and to meet new Christian artist that are an encouragement and inspiration.

 What are some lessons you have learned over the past year?   I have an emotional issue that I need to address. It has crippled me and turned my children away from me.  I am not living life fully and with hope and love. I have difficulty being a loving person, I am stressed most of the time with my children.

 If you could sit down with your future self, what would you want them to know about all the emotions, expectations and fears you harbored when you began your OLW journey?   I believe in the OLW and have seen the growth and happiness in following the word God gives me.  I must address the issues in my life so that God can use me.

 

What word is God giving you for 2012?  steadfast

 Why do you feel that God is drawing you to this word?  Honestly looking at myself, I realize I start things with the best intentions and then don’t finish. I find excuses to not do or be what I committed to. This year I want to finish strong, keep my commitments to myself and do what I say. It is about my integrity. 

If you embraced and lived this word daily, what could God do in your life and how would 2012 be different for you?

I would be unshakable, unfaltering and steady in my daily life.  I would finish what I start. I would have confidence in Jesus to give me strength to finish strong.

In what ways do you already live/follow this word?  For a lot of things I do finish, but the most important- my health, my faith I waver, and allow myself to fall away.

In what ways do you not live/follow this word? I say I am going to do something and then I start but don’t finish. I want to finish strong with what I know is important. I want to be balanced.  This word also fits with abiding, which was my word in 20010.  Free from 2011 is part of steadfast too- to be free of worry and trust in God for all my needs and to give me the strength to finish!

What old patterns or beliefs have kept you from living this word until now?  I get excited and decide to do something, then when the emotions wear off I stop and don’t finish.  I want to change that pattern. To only commit to what I really can do.

I have created a list of goals for 2012. To be shared next week.

 

My purpose in 2012     I will be steadfast. I will focus on only making commitments I can keep.

Outcomes for 2012:   

At the end of 2012 I will FINISH STRONG.

Theme for 2012:  

the year of CONSISTENCY

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.

 

Art Journaling

I wanted to share this post today from Karen Grunberg. I have been following her blog for about 6 months and I love how vulnerable she is and how she shares her process.  If you are contemplating art journaling, or already art journaling and not know what to do or where to go, spend a few moments reading this post.

Enjoy!

 

Captivating Book study

We had our first local meeting on Sunday and it was wonderful to get to share our personal experiences with Chapter 1 as well as to make art together!

The heart of a Woman (page 7)  I wanted to show that in my heart I have planted Proverbs 4:23  "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.".  "The heart is the source of all our creativity, our courage and our convictions.  It is the fountainhead of or faith, our hope and of course, our love."

So I cut out a heart, wrote the bible verse on it and then added stickles glitter around the edge. I used a stencil for all the swirlies and wrote creativity, courage, convictions, faith, hope and love.  I added the definitions from the dictionary of courage, conviction and creativity. I love the softness of the colors and the feel.

  This next page is actually 3 pages in one. I wanted a way to journal the 3 desires of a woman,  "to be romanced, to have an irreplaceable role in a great adventure and beauty to be unveiled.". 

So, I cut 2 pages and then laid them all together. I used this stencill and sprayed with adirondak color wash sprays and added some glimmer mist on top. When that dried, I stamped on top of the stencil so that the stamp only showed up in the cut out spaces. See my video below on how to do this.

Then on the back of each one, I added some representational stamps and journaled.

I am loving this book and the companionship of my online book study as well as my local group!

 

 

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.

 

NHC Women's retreat

I attended my church's  womens retreat on Friday and Sat this past weekend. Such a delight to get away for a short time with women I love and to worship God.  Our topic was "God's Faithfulness". Becky Coram our pastors wife spoke on Friday about the need for each of us to a Mary and a Elizabeth in our lives as we journey towards God.  I made this tag as a gift for her, becuase this is her favorite bible verse.

 

Jenny's talk was about " Let go and let God". I was moved by her sharing about God moving her to get out of her comfort zone and go on a mission trip to Uganda.  Listening to her story was familiar to me- God asked me to adopt my daughters 5 1/2 years ago and our  experiences ae very similar!

I wanted to do a journaling page about this topic.

Used some new  inks, and stamps.

Love the tight rope walker, sometimes it feels like walking a tightrope when God asks you to let go and follow him!

 

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!

 

  

 

Technique Tuesday

Hey, went to NC Oct 1 and then to Richmond VA for my son's wedding Oct 8, so not a chance to do a new technique video. However, found this one today and it is a great technnique video for art journaling. Enjoy! Art Journaling with Dyan Revealey

 

Technique Tuesday

I wanted to share a blog hop that demo's stencils today!  I love stencils and Julie Balzer has designed some new ones for Crafters Workshop. So, please stop by and check out the blogs that share stencil love in art journaling, scrapbooking and canvas work! Start with Julie at Balzer designs and see some great work, and videos!

Balzer Designs

• Mou Saha
• Kelly Purkey
• Amy Tan
• May Flaum
• Roben-Marie Smith

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

Technique Tuesday

Art journaling is so much fun and relaxing... normally. When I don't do it for a while it is difficult to start up the creative juices again. Watch this video as I show my page and appropriately entitled it "frustrated".  It  wash hard I kept trying techniques and then didn't like it. I didn't edit the video, decided to show you the reality of journaling. Sometimes it comes together easily and the ideas and creativity just flow, and other times it is a painful process.

Lessons learned: Don't stop, don't through away the page, just be glad that I get back in the grove! So much like what God must feel daily- wondering if I will ever get "it". He doesn't give up, he perseveres with me, loving me, and supporting me.

by the way, there is no sound, trying a new program and couldn't get a song to attach. So it is quiet!

Enjoy!