My Very First Art Journal Page!

So, I have always loved art journaling but have never tried it. Well, I am currently enrolled in two AMAZING classes by Christy Tomlinson. One is called "She Had Three Hearts Art Journaling" and the second is called "The She Art Workshop." You can see information on both of these classes here. Anyway, these are truly the best online classes I have ever taken! Christy gives such an amazing amount of detail in EVERY video not to mention the first week in one class has 28 videos. WOW! Over the top amazing! Have I said "amazing" yet? Anyway, I decided to play today. I was going to do an altered cover on a notebook that contains notes from each video. So, that's what I did but I liked my page so much, I may do it again in my actual art journal. :) Here is how it turned out:

I am a perfectionist at heart, and it was SO fun to just throw down color and play. Two of my daughters have even joined me this afternoon, and their pages are coming out great too! I am definitely going to do more faith art journaling. I can tell I am going to love this! Thanks for allowing me to share, and enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day! Blessings,

{Faith Journaling} Challenge #76

Okay, the verse below has been shared twice this week, and I really feel God is using it to speak to me as my husband and I wait for an answer. So, today is the perfect day to share:

*Share a time when God gave you His perfect peace.

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”

Remember, to find all previous faith journaling questions, please see this post here. May God fill you with His perfect peace today as you focus on Him and not the things that may be going on around you! Blessings,

ABC Scripture Challenge {Word #11}, Know

Challenge Word #11: Know

Have you ever looked up the meaning of 'know'? It’s one of those words that we take for granted and just 'know' the meaning. Well, dictionary.com states that it is “to perceive or understand as fact or truth.” So, how do you know God? Is your understanding of Him fact from His Word, or is it what you hear from others? Do you know Him as your Abba Father, Sovereign Lord, your Provider, Sustainer, etc.? Do you have daily fellowship with Him, or do you only call on Him in times of need or struggle?

First, we need to understand that God knows us intimately. He knows us better than our parents, our spouses, our children, friends, and co-workers. He created us, and knows everything about us. Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” God knows you just as He did Jeremiah long before you were born. He not only knows you but He loves you beyond measure, and He has a purpose for you. Isn’t that wonderful? We certainly can’t hide anything from Him because He already knows. He knows our every hurt, our every desire, need, thought, joy, etc. Knowing us that intimately should not scare us but should bring us comfort. Who better to know and have a relationship with than the One that knows us most intimately?

So, He knows all about us but how do we get to know Him? We get to know Him first by confessing our sins and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. Upon accepting Christ, we are then filled with the Holy Spirit. Next we need to develop a daily relationship with Him. Not just on Sundays or when we need something but a true, daily relationship with Him. We need to pray, read, and study His Word. For those of you that have known Him for most of your life, what does your daily relationship look like with God? Do you have a relationship or are you just going through the motions each Sunday? God desires and requires that daily relationship. Do you know His voice when He calls? John 10:27 says “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” As we grow in our knowledge of God, we can be certain that:

• He is the only God and there is no other. (1 Kings 8:60, Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 44:8)
• No one can fully understand the mind of the Lord. (Romans 11:33-34)
• He created us. (Psalm 100:3, Jeremiah 1:5)
• His love for us is immeasurable. (Ephesians 3:18-19, 1 John 3:1)
• Nothing is hidden from God. (Psalm 69:5)
• God is All-Knowing. (Proverbs 15:3)
• Those who know Him have eternal life. (John 17:3)
• We are to know Him better. (Ephesians 1:17, Colossians 1:10)
• He disciplines us. (Deuteronomy 8:5)
• He has given us everything we need to live a Godly life. (2 Peter 1:3)

Knowing these things should encourage us, and it should prompt us to want to live for Him daily and share Him with others in all we do. As Christ as our model, how will you get to know Him better this week?

For my page this week, I used only one set from Our Daily Bread Designs but it was the perfect set! I used the set called Lord is My Shepherd. There are several scriptures in this set with the word 'know'. Also, I loved the sheep; perfect as God is my Shepherd! To color the sheep, I stamped the image onto watercolor paper and used my Tim Holtz Distress Inks. I made kind of a watercolor mess but I liked how it turned out. The papers are the Prima Sparkling Spring 6x6 papers.

Papers: Prima Sparkling Spring, Bazzill cs, Canson watercolor paper
Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps: Lord is my Shepherd
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink walnut stain, shabby shutters, peeled paint, tattered rose, old paper, antique linen, tumbled glass, pumice stone
Embellishments: Prima flower and leaves, Zva Creative pearls, Basic Grey chip alpha, Pink Paislee rub-on letters, Tim Holtz journaling ticket, Spellbinders Labels Eleven

The scripture I used is Colossians 1:9-10 ". . .We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord. . ."

As you share your pages, please be sure to use Keyword ABCSCRC11 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of our previous lessons, please visit this post here. I pray that you will take a moment each day this week to get to know God better! May God bless each of you,

Organizational {Friday} Label those Copic Ciao Markers!

Recently I bought a bunch of Ciao markers. I decided to get them because of the price, and they were 30% off. The thing I don't like about Ciaos is that they do not have the color number on the end of the markers. Well, here is a blog post by Asela Hopkins that has a pdf file for you to print the labels for the end of the markers. How fun is that? So, I used her amazing file to label my new Ciao markers. Let's look specifically at what I did.

Printing the File
First, I printed the pdf file on X-Press It cardstock. The file is only half of a sheet so you will still have some cardstock to save. Once I printed the file, I trimmed the paper keeping two rows of labels on each strip. This way the strips would be easy to hold, punch, and store.

Preparing and Creating the Labels
Next, I used Mini Glue Dots, a 1/4" circle punch, and the marker itself to prepare the labels.

I first punched the label, attached it to the cap using a Mini Glue Dot, and then I colored the label with the marker so I can see the matching color instead of have white cardstock on the end of each label. Here is what a few of them look like after they have their new labels:

And here is how they look with Sketch markers in my storage unit:

Isn't it wonderful? I know I am going to love this. Yes, the print is tiny but it is better than nothing!! Also, I only put the labels on one end of each marker. I could certainly have done both ends but I didn't think it was necessary. I just need to make sure I put them away each time with the label showing.

Storing Extra Labels
Since I do not have many Ciao markers, I have kept the extra labels so that if I get anymore I will have them ready to go to label new markers. I decided the easiest way to store the extras was to put them in the back of my Copic swatch book using a binder clip. This will work perfectly.

Also, to note which markers are Ciao in my swatch book, I just circled the Ciao abbreviation in the book. Super simple. That way when I match a color I want to use I will easily know if I am looking for a Sketch marker or a Ciao marker. Look below at BG01 to see how I have marked each Ciao marker:

I hope this has been helpful to each of you, and a huge thanks to Asela Hopkins for creating the great pdf file! Have a blessed weekend ahead, and happy labeling!

New Video Tutorial!

**Please note: For those of you looking for today's Journaling Challenge prompt, you can find the post by clicking here or by scrolling down just below this post. Thank you!

Dave, owner of Memory Box, asked me to do a video showing how to use the new Memory Box dies with the matching stamps. There are two methods you can use:

**Stamping the image first and then die cutting the image.
**Die cutting the image first and then stamping the image.

I prefer the second method. So much easier to me and you don't need to keep a guide or template! You can see the video below. I hope you find it helpful. I do hope to do more videos but they take time, and I am learning as I go. LOL! Have a blessed day!

{Faith Journaling} Challenge #75

Are you a patient person? I know I didn't use to be but God has changed that over the years but of course, we always have room to grow too! So today I thought it would be good to share--

**How has your patience been tested, and how did you rely on the Lord during that time?

James 1:3 "because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Thank you sweet Grace for sharing that scripture with me. Yes, this week my patience is being tried! :)  I pray that with God you are all able to persevere as your patience is tried. Remember, to find all previous faith journaling questions, please see this post here. May you be blessed as you journal today!

Week 3 {ODBDLYLS5} Scrapbook Challenge

It's time for our 3rd week of inspiration for the ODBD Let Your Light Shine Scrapbook Challenge! I hope you are busy working on a page or two to enter! :) We can't wait to see them!

For my inspiration this week, I decided to take the challenge to use an ODBD stamp AND either flowers, trees/leaves, or birds to create a masculine layout. Nothing like a challenge to use flowers on a masculine layout. LOL! Anyway, this is my amazing husband, and I have been meaning to scrap this photo since Christmas. This was the perfect week to do it. On my 8x8 page, I used the ODBD Wood Background to create a mat for the photo, to decorate the chipboard flourish, and to add the small paper strip in the upper left-hand corner. The scripture comes from the ODBD set called Ask, Seek, Knock.

Papers: Prima Moulin Rouge, Paper Trey Ink cs
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Wood Background, Our Daily Bread Designs Ask, Seek, Knock (scripture)
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink walnut stain and embossing pad, Zing brown sugar ep, Ranger clear ep
Embellishments: Spellbinders lattice rectangle, Basic Grey chipboard alpha, Tim Holtz tag, Glimmer Mist gumdrop, Martha Stewart tag, Zva Creative flower,Wild Orchid Crafts flowers and leaves, Deluxe Designs chipboard, Paper Trey Ink rustic twine, sewing machine

Anyway, I hope you will play along with us this month. To see all of the guidelines for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate, please see this post here. The challenge runs through Tuesday, May 31st, at 6 pm Eastern. You have all month to enter. Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

{Faith Journaling} Challenge #74

Yesterday I read a book and came across a scripture I have never read before (at least I don't remember seeing it). I know as we grow in Christ, God's Word teaches us more. I can't imagine that I hadn't seen that scripture before but wow, was it powerful to me!  So today,--

**Share a new scripture you have come across this week, what it means to you, and how God is using it in your life.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Maybe it's a new scripture you are trying to memorize. Maybe it's one you have seen before but God is using it in your life right now. Share, and I know this will be amazing to look back on some day. And remember, to find all previous faith journaling questions, please see this post here. May you be blessed as you journal today!

Need Flowers?

**Please note: For those of you looking for today's Journaling Challenge prompt, you can find the post by clicking here or by scrolling down just below this post. Thank you!

Warning, if you are addicted to flowers and don't need any, you may want to avoid this post. :) I was enabled the other day when I came across a new blog called "Dena's Stamping Corner." She has some gorgeous creations. She also had a link to a store in England called Wild Orchid Crafts. They have many amazing flowers, leaves, etc. Their prices are great, and the shipping was FAST! I ordered on 5/3/11 and received my order (from England to Texas) on 5/10/11. Just 7 days!!! Wow! Here is the stash I got on Tuesday:

Aren't they lovely? I should have gotten a few more of the larger sized flowers and more leaves. I guess it's just another excuse to order again. LOL! Anyway, I thought I would share today for those of you that love flowers. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!

ABC Scripture Challenge {Word #10}, Journey

Challenge Word #10: Journey

Have you ever been on a journey by yourself? Not a short journey but a long, drawn out journey? If so, what was it like? Most of us have probably been on a short journey by ourselves but not a long, drawn out journey. I think over time it would be hard, lonely, and maybe even frustrating. As Christians we are called to “journey with Jesus.” Our journey begins by accepting the blood of Christ that wipes away our sins. Romans 3:22-24 says “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior is that bottom rung of the ladder. We are not called to stay on that rung but to continue to journey with Jesus growing more like Him as we do (a process called sanctification). 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 says “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.”

Journeying with Jesus means:
(**Please note, I highly encourage you to look up each of these scriptures, and may you be blessed as you read and meditate on each one.)

• We have eternal life. (John 3:14-16)
• We are saved from His eternal wrath. (Romans 5:8-10)
• We will have a peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Thessalonians 3:16)
• We will have an ever-present Counselor who guides us in all truth. (John 16:13-14)
• We are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13)
• We experience joy, thankfulness, and a desire to pray for others. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
• We will have a protector. (Psalm 32:7, Nahum 1:7)
• He helps us persevere in times of trial. (James 1:2-3)
• We gain genuine wisdom. (James 3:17-18)
• We have the fruit of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
• We accept His Word as truth, and it is at work in us transforming us. (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
• We have an everlasting Father. (Isaiah 9:6)

These are just a few of the things we receive when we journey with Jesus. No gift, no amount of money or knowledge can ever give us what Christ gives us. Why would you choose to journey without Him? And if you are journeying with Jesus, are you moving up the ladder or are you still sitting on that bottom rung?

For my page this week, I chose two verses from the ODBD Scripture Collection 1:

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Isaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation."

I also used the ODBD set called As You Graduate to put behind the Romans scripture. I thought the path through the trees was a great image to use for 'journey'. Then I used the set Bird Border and Corners to decorate the tab on the upper left corner just a bit. I also broke out my acrylic paint and painted the edges of the Prima Sparkling Spring papers. I haven't done that in a long time, and I love the effect!

Papers: Prima Sparkling Spring, Paper Trey Ink cs
Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps: Scripture Collection 1 (scriptures), As You Graduate (wooded path background), Bird Border and Corners (decorated tab)
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink walnut stain, shabby shutters, embossing ink; Ranger clear ep
Embellishments: Folk Art wicker white acrylic paint, Stickles platinum, Zva Creative flowers, Recollections leaves, Tim Holtz tickets and tiny attacher, Scenic Route chipboard "j", sewing machine

As you share your pages, please be sure to use Keyword ABCSCRC11 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of our previous lessons, please visit this post here. The journey we have with Jesus is up to us. Will you choose to journey with Him or will you try to journey on your own? If you are journeying on your own but would rather journey with Christ, please feel free to e-mail me with any questions you have. May God bless each of you for seeking Him and journeying with Him until He calls you home. Blessings,

{Faith Journaling} Challenge #73

As we held our last introduction class for this class year in Bible Study Fellowship, it made me think that we should journal about inviting others to church or Bible study. So today please share:

**Have you ever or do you regularly invite people to go to church with you?

Acts 8:30-31 "Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked. 'How can I,' he said, 'unless someone explains it to me?' So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.'"

Others may never know or understand His word unless we take the time to invite them.  I pray that He will put someone's name on your heart that you can invite to study God's Word with you! And remember, to find all previous faith journaling questions, please see this post here. Have a blessed Mother's Day weekend ahead!!

Week 1 {ODBDLYLS5} Scrapbook Challenge

Can you believe it is already May? I can't! The older I get, the time definitely flies by faster! Well, since it's a new month, that means it's time for a new ODBD Let Your Light Shine Scrapbook Challenge! Yeah!  And as we enter this month, I think of flowers, blooming trees, singing birds, and blue skies. So your challenge for this month is to create a layout of any size using ODBD stamps AND adding either flowers, trees/leaves, or birds to your layout. You can stamp them, use them as embellishments, or showcase them in your photos. Get creative on how to add one or more of them to your layout along with your ODBD stamps.

For my 8x8 page today, I decided to focus on flowers. I used a floral paper by Prima called Madeline, and then I stamped five flowers using the ODBD set called Don't Worry. You can only see 4 stamped flowers on my page but the larger flower is actually two layered together. I colored them with my Tim Holtz Distress Inks. The scripture is from the Scripture Collection 6 set. Oh, and the photos are of ONE of my daughters--just her making 3 different silly faces. She was concerned someone might think she is a triplet. LOL! She is in denial at this point in her life. :) :) :)

Papers: Prima Madeline, Bazzill cs, Canson watercolor paper
Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps: Scripture Collection 6 (scripture), Don't Worry (flowers)
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Inks peeled paint, crushed olive, worn lipstick, and spun sugar; Memento rich cocoa
Embellishments: Flower Soft nut brown, Memory Box lace circle die, Hero Arts pearls, Paper Trey Ink buttons, SU chocolate chip striped ribbon

Anyway, I hope you will play along with us this month. I know many more of you have been getting some ODBD stamp sets so we would love to have you play along! To see all of the guidelines for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate, please see this post here. The challenge runs from today through Tuesday, May 31st, at 6 pm Eastern. You have all month to enter. Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day!