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!

 

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!

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. 

Technique Tuesday

Thanks to my children, I was able to make a video from start to finish of my faithart canveses!   I think you will really like this one. Step by step from conception to finish!

Here is a photo of the completed piece. It doesn't have the seal coat on it yet, due to the rainy day today.  Hope you are inspired to create your own faith art canvas with your special bible verse!

Supply List:

12 x 12 canvas

Gesso

stencil

Matte Medium

Spray Inks- SEI Tumble dye, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Adirondack Color Wash ( your choice of colors)

Printed Bible verse

Seal Coat- Krylon Triple-Thick Crystal Clear Glaze

 

 

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!

 

 

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

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! 

Technique Tuesday

Today is a video about creating a collage journal cover.

 

Some technique pointers:

1.  use medium not wet glue ( like Elmers or school glue). The school glues have too much water and it is difficult to dry quickly.

2.  Use up those scraps from any scrapbooking projects. I also like to use my paper towels  from misting, painting, and the paper I use to paint on. Keep the cut out paper from using your Cricut or Silhouette- makes a great statement!

3.  tear most of the edges, and don't worry about lining them up perfetly with the edges. I go over the edges, cut them with scissors and then file it with sandpaper ( or use a course nail file!)

4.  Add color with distress inks. I use a color ( blue, red, etc- whatever complements the collage) first, and then use black soot last around the outside edges.  The color adds a lot to the mix.

5.  Use your favorite stamps to add your personal touch. Print your favorite bible verse and collage that in also!

6.  Coat the final pages with gloss medium ( I do 2 coats).  It seals the project and provides a great sheen and strength.

May God bless you this week!

 

Technique Tuesday

Part 2 of vacation journals

Ok, last week I showed you the vacation journal box that my girls and I made in preparation for our Florida vacation. This week I wanted to show you a few other vacation journals/scrapbooks that I have done and you can do with purchased scrapbooks.

Enjoy!

 

Technique Tuesday

Vacation time is coming!  We are going to Florida for a big family party to celebrate my grandson's first birthday next month.  Trying to remember what we did, or what someone said is difficult once I get back home from a vacation. So much to do- un pack, order pictures and get back to work. I discovered an easier way to remember and enjoy my vacation and make sure  I don't forget those precious moments with my family.

This is different than creating a scrapbook. First  I think about what I will be doing, where I will be going and what ephemera I will be collecting and want to keep.  Then  I decide what size I want to work in, ( small keep in my purse or pocket, a bigger notebook size?) Then I create a blank journal book. Once  I am on vacation, I keep this with me at all times and make notes, journal and collect all those ticket stubs, postcards, receipts, etc. 

Look at this first video of a completed project my daughter Vera did for her first vacation trip out of state a few years ago.This will help you understand what I am describing and get you inspired to recycle those cool packages   you have sitting around ( or start saving them now).

Next week tune in to see what you can do with a purchased scrapbook or journal for your vacation plans.

Enjoy!

 

Technique Tuesday

What a great relaxing weekend!  Enjoyed spending time with my family and my grandson. We did lots of art, tried some new techniques and enjoyed the creative process.

As promised here is the video of how to make the clear words from fridays post.

 

Technique Tuesday

My oldest son celebrated his first Father's day and I wanted to make him something special to commemorate this day in his life.  Here is my finished project. You will find the links for the products I used.

  Supplies and Techniques:

I started with the 7 Gypsies4x6 photo tray .   It holds 6 4x6 photos. I wanted to use some of the pictures of him and my grandson, and also to include sentiments that honor his fathering skills. 

I created 4x6 cardstock backgrounds from the DCWV Tattered Time stack It has some great gear cardstock that fit my son's lifestyle. ( My son is a auto body repair technician). I used some sprocket gears from Tim Holtz collection,Tim Holtz ornate plates,   Tim Holtz fragments (clear charms), some jewelry metal word plates, Glossy Accents,  metal wings, Tim Holtz clock face,  Tim Holtz ball chain, metal embelishments.

I created a publisher document with the words, phrases and notes to Daddy and printed it on paper from the Tattered Time stack.  Here is a free pdf of the word phrases for you to use!  Download Fathers day 2011 4x6.

I decided to cut out the backgrounds on the photos I wanted to use so that the mat  papers would show better. 

I am so proud of my son and his new role as a father, daddy, role model and husband. He is a wonderful dad to his son Patrick!

Enjoy!

Technique Tuesday

Sorry for the delay, taught a new class last night to 8 wonderful ladies, and had to create the video today for Technique Tuesday.

Mini Albums are a great way to start scrapbooking and a good gift. They are small, so you can create one quickly. They keep you focused- there is a beginning and an end. Great way to use up left over papers, and photos!

Have you ever made an accordion/exploding scrapbook?  They are such a fun project and a gret gift for someone.

  To learn how to make this accordion exploding scrapbook watch the 2 part video.

HEre is the instruction/supply sheet to download.  Download Accordion Exploding Mini Album

Would love to see your projects!

 

And here is part 2

 

Technique Tuesday

I was organizing my studio the other day and came across some of my mini scrapbooks. I loved looking at them,and realized they are a  great example of simple techniques to share with you today.

In the video, I show you how to use a mini photo album as the basis of a scrapbook. Check out the dollar stores, Wal-Mart and other discount stores for photo albums. You can use them to alter into a scrapbook, or create a gift book of quotes, bible verses, etc. 

Have you tried to make a paper bag album? They are so cute, easy and inexpensive!  Use brown lunch paper bags - for the grungy look- white lunch bags with your scrapbook paper, colored lunch bags with white bags inside for a cute girly look.

File Folders- use 5-7 file folders, punch holes for a spine and tie pretty ribbons as the binding mechanism.

Enjoy! 

Technique Tuesday

Today I am going to share my love of stencils with you. 

Stencils and masks make great backgrounds and you can use them to create lots of color and layers.  The video shows you how to use paint, ink, gesso, spray inks and your stencils and create beautiful designs, backgrounds and layers!

Enjoy

 

technique tuesday

Hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Memorial Day. It was a great 3 day weekend for us.

The Faith Blog Hop was lots of fun and thanks to all you stopped by Adore HIM Creations!  I certainly learned a lot about the Proverbs 31 woman.

We were able to craft most of the weekend. The girls and I are taking a class over at Scarlet Lime from Christy Tomlinson. She had 3 Hearts is a wonderful art journaling class, full of technique videos and inspiration. It is a 3 week on-line class, I encourage you to sign up for it. Stay tuned for sharing of my 3 Hearts art journaling pages  over the next 2 weeks!

Here is one page I did that using todays technique. I wanted to remind myself that  our hearts can be deceitful and to be on guard. 

My journaling is from Jeremiah 17:9-10

⁹ “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
      and desperately wicked.
      Who really knows how bad it is?
 ¹⁰ But I, the Lord, search all hearts
      and examine secret motives.
   I give all people their due rewards,
      according to what their actions deserve.”

Today my technique video is how to make collage shapes. This is a fun way to use up your scrap paper and to create more embellishments to use for your art journal pages, scrapbook pages or tags.

Enjoy!

 

 

Technique Tuesday

Today you will learn how to make beautiful paper flowers!

I saw this over at Outlaw Women's Scrapbook Emporium group.   Great group of crafty women who share their ideas and techniques!

Supplies:  paper, white or colored, spray mist of water, paper piercer, small brad, Glimmer Mist (optional)

 

Have a blessed week!

Technique Tuesday

What a whirlwind the past few weeks have been!  So many art shows, successful studio days and lots of creating going on!

This week my technique video is demonstrating my mixed media technique for a 12 x12 board canvas. The title is " this is the day".  Be inspired to use the word of God to create a beautiful picture of His word.

Supply list:

Ampersand Gesso board 12x2

acrylic paint

medium- to glue the pictures

Ranger Distress inks (Fired Brick, worn lipstick)

stamps of your choice

Sakura Glaze pen (black)

Stencils  Crafter's workshop Doodling Numerals

Stazon Black ink

Music paper

computer generated bible verse  ink jet print

 

May God bless your heart and hands as you create faith art!

 

Technique Tuesday

Today I want to share some links to some awesome artists that I follow their work. These women inspire me, teach me and I feel like they are my friends because I follow their blogs and their work.

1.  Julie Fei-Fan Balzer    Julie is an artist extraordinaire!  She is a fabulous art journaler, works in mixed media, and fabric. Check out her Art Journal Every Day challenge.  This past week she showed how she did a page from start to finish and asked the question when to stop?

2.  Create by Faith   this is a group that focuses on all kinds of art as an expresion of our worship to God . Check us out and join us as we create all kinds of art and inpsire each other! 

3.  If you love Tim Holtz products, join All Things Tim group over at yahoo groups.  I get so much info, inspiration and encouragemet from this yahoo group.  You have to sign up and then you will get an email a day with all the chatter- lots of sharing techniques, shopping tips, pictures and techniques.

4.  Another mixed media group I just joined  Outlaw Women Scrapbook Emporium.

This is a group you join, get great deals, lots of technique inspirations, videos, etc. Again, I get an email a day with the chatter!  

5.  a ning group Art Journaling  has tons of videos and techniques about art journaling.  Not a Christian group, but good for techniques, supplies, etc.

6.  Roben Marie Smith is another inspiration mixed media artist. Love her work, her videos and she is a Christian too!  go to You tube to see some of her technique videos!  You will be inspired.

7.  Faith Sisters  an online group of digital scrapbookers who love Jesus Christ!

 

Hope you have a good day!

 

 

 

 

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!

   

Technique Tuesday

Easter was a quiet affair this year at my house. We went to Church for the early service at 9:00 am and then came home to a beautiful hot summer day. So we finished potting our summer flowers, and laid another 16 bags of mulch, and then just relaxed in the sunshine.  It reminded me how thankful I am for my life, my home, my children and my relationship with Jesus.

Today's technique is going to highlight some of my favorite products. 

I like to print bible verses from my inkjet printer and use them in my mixed media collage work. However, once I glue the paper down, I usually use some paint over the printing for coloring, and the words become difficult to read. So I tried using these great glaze pens and love the effect.

You can get them at both Michaels ( in the store)   and online at Jo-Ann's.

Here are 2 projects that I recently completed using the pens.    "Be joyful" 12x12 canvas faithart. and upclose

 

Here is the finished tag:

and a close up of the effect of the glaze pen on top of the paint.

 

 

Here are some pictures of the beginning technique and the video shows how to finish the tag.

1.  Gesso a manilla tag. Print and cut out your letters.

2.  Using stencils, spray Adirondak spray color wash (Terri cotta) onto the stencil/tag. I turn the stencil over and use the excess color wash onto a journal page, so not to waste it.

3.  Stamp your desired background images. I used a stampin wheel with music  for the background.  Use Archival Waterproof Ink ( Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black), so that it won't bleed onto you paint.

4.  Use a light background acrylic paint color and cover the entire tag.

 

I can't get the video to embed today. So if you want to see the video, go to my youtube site and watch  Technique Glaze pens on paint. Technique- Glaze Pens on Paint

technique tuesday

Had a wonderful Girls weekend!  Made some tags, some canvas projects and just relaxed with my girlfriends~  Some of my friends did beading, some scrapbooking, painting, card making, and jewelry making. 

 

If you are in the VA area and looking for a wonderful crafting weekend getaway for up to 10 people, check out Girls Night Inn.  It is a wonderful home, great kitchen, and the best is the craft room!  It has tables set up for 10 women, supplied with Cricut, ink pads, paper, etc!  Wonderful~

  Now on to the techniqu for today.

Thought I would show you how to use the marvelous texture/embossing folders. I have all the Tim Holtz embossing folders and love the variety of textures.

Here is the technique video:  At the end I will list some of the products I used.

 

 Distress Inks- Spiced Marlalade and Worn Lipstick.

Jacquard Pearl Ex ready to use  Interference Gold.  Glitter glue: Studio g ( from Michaels $1 bin) 

technique tuesday

Today I thought I would show you my studio. I created  a tour of my studio and explain how I organize my products.  I made this back in January, and I have already made some changes to my stamp wall, and flowers, but overall this will give you a good idea of where and how I work. I am very blessed to have a beautiful space to work in and to share as my ministry!  It is a 2 part video.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

technique tuesday

Today is a great quick technique to make your own beautiful papers !

If you like Glimmer Mist then you will love this one.

 

Here is a finished tag made with the base paper from this technique.

  Stamps Used: Stampendous Matthew 7:7

Tattered Angesl Traveler set

Background stamps:  gears, script

 

technique tuesday

I love little gifts that I can make and keep on hand to give to that special someone.  You will love today's technique!  This is Vera's first technique video.

We call them "Mini-Marvels".  They are made from a sheet of 12x12 double sided scrapbook paper.

If you have a scorboard tool, it makes it really easy to make them. I got mine from AC Moore with a 40% off coupon.

The mini book has 8 pockets inside- we love to add bible verses for our friends. You could crop some pictures and keep it as a little picture book in your purse or write little notes to your friend with pictures.

 

What will you put inside your mini marvel?

 

technique tuesday

Today's technique is about adding collage, paint and texture to a canvas. It's all about layers- layers of paper, paint, ink, stamps and then embellishments.

 

The prayer is from Pope Clement XI.

I offer you, Lord,

my thoughts; to be fixed on you;

my words; to have you for their theme;

my actions: to reflect my love for you;

my sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.

I want to do what you ask of me;

in the way you ask,

for as long as you ask,

because you ask it. I pray Lord that you

enlighten my mind,

inflame my will,

purify my heart

and sanctify my soul.

Here is the finished faith art canvas.I used lots of lace, silk flowers, clock stencil, Tim Holtz film strip,and  pearls. 

I created it last week and it sold very quickly on Saturday, so am busy making 4 more for the Gar-Field Craft show this week.

May Pope Clement's prayer cause you to stop for a moment and seek God in your words, actions and thoughts today.