Art {Journaling} His Will

Today I wanted to share another Art {Journaling} page with a quote from Dr. Henrietta Mears. Before we look at the page, I wanted to share a few fun things that I used. These items are great to have in your stash.

• The small black lines are actually from the bottom of a flip flop. I painted just a small portion and stamped in on my page in several areas.
• To create the white dots in the pink circles, I used the end of an old paint brush dipped into white paint.
• The background was done quickly by using a 3x5 Gelli plate.
• For the blue writing around the page, I used my absolute favorite Uni Posca paint pens. 
• And of course the washi tape down the middle of the page to prevent paint from bleeding into the seams and getting on other pages. Click here to see that post.

And here is the page with the quote:

Size: Small Dylusions Journal 
Stamps: Paperbag Studios Natural Elements, Art to the 5th Art Fusion, Tim Holtz Mini Worn Text, Schoolbook Alphabet Uppercase 
Stamp Ink: Hero Hues India ink black 
Paints: Apple Barrel cloudless, Tattered Angels High Impact Paint light blue, Dylusions fresh lime and black marble, Folk Art wicker white, Americana vivid violet, Golden Fluid Acrylic manganese blue hue 
Tools: flip flop, 3x5 Gelli plate, end of a paintbrush 
Embellishments: correction pen, misc. washi, Uni Posca paint pen

Thanks for joining me today. I will have another page to share shortly. I am obsessed with creating pages in this journal lately. :)

Product List (click product tags for more information)

View blog post for supplies

Tuesday's {Tip} Preventing Bleed Through

Some of you may have noticed on my recent Art {Journaling} pages that I have been using washi tape down the center of the page. Here are some examples, and note the page on the far right has not been posted yet. Be watching for it this week. :)

So, why do I do this? I do it for two reasons. One, for decoration, and two, to prevent paint from bleeding through the seams to the other pages. Ask me how I know that happens. :) Yes, in my newest journal, it has happened a few times so I decided to include washi tape as part of each page. Then yesterday as I was looking through Pinterest, I noticed that Julie Fei-Fan Balzer uses masking tape and gesso for the same reason. You can see her post by clicking here. I have never used her method but am doing it on a page I am working on now. I like the option to use just masking tape and gesso when I don't want a decorative washi tape down the middle.

I have done a lot of single art journal pages and even used spiral bound journals in the past. When using either of those to art journal, I don't have this problem; however, with the Dylusions Small Creative Journal, I do. But I must say it is my favorite, favorite journal. So having to use washi or masking tape doesn't bother me at all. It's part of the fun process. Even if you don't have paint coming through the seams, you can certainly use a bit of washi for fun!

I hope you have found this helpful. Enjoy your Tuesday!

Art {Journaling} Christian

Most of you that have read my blog for a long time know that I love Dr. Henrietta Mears. I have one of her quote books, and it is filled with wonderful quotes. I found this quote, and had to journal it. The quote says "A Christian is I following Christ—ChristIan." See it? I had to think for a moment but then really loved it once I figured it out. Here is how I journaled the quote:

Papers: misc. hymn paper, misc. ledger paper 
Stamps: Paperbag Studios Mixed Media Essentials, Neat and Tangled Christmas Journaling, Hero Arts painted circle, Donna Downey foam flower stamp, Stampin Up nursery letters 
Stamp Ink: Hero Hues India ink, Ranger Archival Ink aquamarine 
Paints: Apple Barrel cloudless, Tumble Dye turquoise mist, Tim Holtz Distress Paint abandoned coral and cracked pistachio, Golden black gesso 
Tools: Tim Holtz Splatters stencil, Delta daisies stencil, hotel key, scissors, mini mister, sewing machine
Embellishments: correction pen, misc. washi

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a blessed Sunday!

Product List (click product tags for more information)

View blog post for supplies

Triple {Art} Cards

Today I wanted to share an update with you. I have shared this tip with you before but I am doing something a bit different now. To see my original post from 2013 and the paper I use to print my art, click here.

In that original post, I mentioned that I wanted to scan my art but it was a low priority. Now I scan my art while I am working on a project. Sometimes it means scanning the art before I put a title or scripture on it so that I just have the background, and sometimes it means scanning after the art is complete. I also no longer just create 3x4 cards. I also use the scraps and adhere them to the Project Life grid journaling cards. They come in 4x6, 3x4, and 4x4 sizes. This allows me to make more cards and have a bit of variety. Here are a few of my recent 3x4 cards. 

The only issue I have found with doing this is that the printer does not always print true colors. In the photo above, you can see the cards on the bottom left printed red when really it was pink. The orange and other colors also did not print correctly. Here is the original art: 

That can be a bit frustrating as I really wanted the pink to print not red but I just deal with it. But the good news is that this does not always happen. For instance, the very first photo printed true colors. I just wanted you to be aware so that when you print your art, you might also see this happen. Other than that, I really love scanning my art and having to use over again on other creations. I hope you will give it a try. Thanks for joining me today!

Product List (click product tags for more information)  

View blog post for supplies

Glory {Art 2016} Scripture Challenge #2, Happiness or Joy?

The Study

Would you classify your life as happy or joyful? Are they the same thing? I would venture to say that they are not the same thing. When circumstances line up with our desires, we are happy. However, happiness fades away quickly when we don't get our way or we go through difficult times. God doesn't say 'be happy' because there will be tough times we have to face. We can have joy even in tough circumstances because it is relational. Are you allowing God to carry you through the tough times and experience His joy through it? Jesus uses our daily circumstances to carry us to greater faith. So are you hungering for joy or happiness? Let's look at the differences a bit more closely.

I searched the Bible on two keywords—'happy' and 'joy'. I discovered that 'happy' is found in the NIV 20 times while 'joy' was found 242 times. I found that very interesting. And I also wanted to look up the definitions of 'happy' and 'joy'. Here is what I found:

Dictionary.com defines 'happy' as "delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing." And I found a great definition of joy from Kay Warren's book "Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough." Kay Warren says:

"My problem was my definition of joy. I thought joy meant feeling good all the time. That’s impossible! Even for those who are naturally upbeat and optimistic, that’s impossible. We have to start somewhere more realistic—and close to Scripture. So here’s the definition I’ve come up with from studying Scripture: Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation. You’ll find nothing in that definition about happy feelings, because, as we all know, happiness is fleeting and temporary."

Wow, her definition is perfect. I can have joy because I know that God is in control of the details. I can have joy because His plans are better than my own. I can have joy as I praise Him through every situation good and bad. I liked her definition so much, I chose to use it in my art today (see below).

Now let's look at what His Word says about joy:

Psalm 16:11 "You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."

Psalm 19:8 "The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

Psalm 33:20-22 (The Msg.) "We’re depending on God; He’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own His holy name. Love us, God, with all You’ve got—that’s what we’re depending on."

Psalm 43:4 "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise You with the lyre, O God, my God."

John 15:11 "I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

John 16:24 "Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

Acts 2:28 "You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence."

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Is He your joy and your delight? We are filled with joy in His presence. In our troubles, joy knows no boundaries as we abide in Christ! Meditate on the goodness of Christ, and we are better able to be filled with joy and share Him.

The Art

Today I wanted to highlight Psalm 33:20-22 along with Kay Warren's definition of joy. Because I knew that the definition of joy was lengthy, I wanted to sketch it out first on a scrap piece of paper. I was not sure if it would fit in my Bible. I cut a strip of scrap paper that measured 1 7/8" x 6 3/4". I realized after doing that the definition would not fit so I needed to make some adjustments before putting it down in my Bible. I have never sketched out my ideas first but in this instance I had to because the definition was so long.

Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. We also have some discussions that will be going on there too about the study. If you don't use Facebook and want to share your creation here, do so below by using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Enjoy your time with Him, and I pray you will experience His joy!

Product List (click product tags for more information)

View blog post for supplies

Tuesday's {Tip} Clogged Mist Bottle?

How many times have you had bottles of mist that clog? I can't even count there have been so many. Some I can unclog rather easily, and others I can never fix. So, what do you do with the misting bottles that can't be unclogged? Today I wanted to show you my solution.

I love Mini Mister bottles. I have yet to clog one of these. :) For the bottles that seam to be permanently clogged, I pour a bit of the product into a Mini Mister. Then I use a rubber band to keep it with the original bottle and store in my drawer. This way I can continue to use the product, and I don't have to worry about an annoying clog. Yes, it costs me more to have another bottle; however, I have many of these on hand. I also rinse them out and use for other things if I don't need them permanently for something.

I hope this simple solution has been helpful. Have a great Tuesday!

Product List (click product tags for more information)

View blog post for supplies

Art {Journaling} Trust Him

Last year my One Little Word was 'Trust'. This year it is 'Renew'. If you missed my Renew Art {Journaling} page, click here. Since my daughter's open heart surgery is coming up in less than a week, I wanted to remember not only that He will renew me and strengthen me but that I am to trust Him completely in the difficult days ahead. I used the scripture:

Psalm 84:12 "Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You."

I am blessed to be able to trust Him completely, to know that He is the Great Physician and that He holds my daughter in the palm of His hands.

The background was done with my inky paper. It's the newsprint paper that sits on my desk as I create. It gets really messy but then it's fun to use like I did today. Sure makes for a quick background!

Papers: Amy Tangerine Plus One Assistant, underpaper 
Stamps: Tim Holtz Worn Text 
Stamp Ink: Hero Hues India ink 
Paints: Golden Open Acrylic teal and chromium oxide green, Martha Stewart Satin date night pink 
Tools: Tim Holtz Cargo stencil, hotel key, scissors 
Embellishments: correction pen, Uni Posca paint pens (black and mint green), Liquitex gesso, misc. washi

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a blessed week!

Product List (click product tags for more information)

View blog post for supplies

{My Place} Canvas Tutorial

Today I wanted to share a 4x4 stretched canvas that I created for Canvas Corp Brands. The Canvas Corp Crew was asked to create a 4x4 canvas that best represents our style. So here is my take on it along with a few instructions to help you create your own. First, here is my finished piece:

Papers: misc. book and music paper 
Stamps: 7Gypsies Distressed Words 
Stamp Ink: Hero Hues India ink 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Chelsea Vines 
Tools: Faber-Castel spatula, Prima Art Basics modeling paste opaque matte, Prima Flourish stencil 
Embellishments: Glimmer Mists Pink Taffy, Timeless Lilac, and Key Lime Pie, cheesecloth, Zva Creative pearls, Prima Junkyard Finding street sign, Petaloo Darjeeling Petites teastains purple and Dahlias lavendar, Wild Orchid Crafts flowers, hand-dyed Hug Snug, May Arts twine, old paintbrush, misc. lace

There are so many things that represent 'me' on this canvas—my favorite color pink, my love of mixed media and 'throwing paint', paintbrushes, flowers, etc. I chose to use the 'my place' metal sign since I plan on hanging this in my studio.

So, to create your own, you will need a 4x4 canvas. You can get one by clicking here. Also, most supplies are linked in the Product List below. Now let's get started:

1. Cover canvas and 1/2" paintbrush in gesso. I also covered the Blue Fern Studios Chelsea Vines chipboard in gesso also. Let all pieces dry.

2. Add modeling paste to the canvas using a spatula and stencil. Let dry.

3. Spritz canvas with 3 colors of Tattered Angels glimmer mist. I used Pink Taffy, Timeless Lilac, and Key Lime Pie.

4. Paint chipboard with a mix of Tattered Angels High Impact lime green paint, gesso, and Glimmer Glam.

5. Color 1 yard of seam binding with Glimmer Mist as well as a small piece of cheesecloth. Let dry. To see how I color my seam binding, click here to see that post from 2012.

6. Add Plain Jane Stained Glass to paintbrush. After it dries, tie seam binding to top, and add pearls and lace.

7. Stamp text from 7Gypsies Distressed Words stamp onto canvas then begin layering and adhering piece of book paper, cheesecloth, chipboard paintbrush, flowers, and metal accent.

8. To finish, mix Golden black gesso and water in a Mini Mister. Shake and remove the lid and put droplets all over the canvas.

Have fun creating, and thanks for stopping by! Blessings,

Product List (click product tags for more information)

View blog post for supplies

Tuesday's {Tip} Mixed Media Paper Scraps

In my past couple of Art {Journaling} posts, I mentioned that I used some scrap painted deli paper. Today, I thought I would share how I store my stash of mixed media scraps. I do use them a lot so this bag is always nearby. Also, if you want to know more about deli paper, see my post here.

Storing my scraps is very easy. I just throw them in this bag. Unfortunately, I do not remember where I purchased the bag in the photo. But it doesn't matter because I have a few other bags I prefer and use now. They are called the "See Your Stuff Bags." They come in all sorts of sizes and colors, and even the larger bags have a handle. I have linked them for you in the product list below.

The bag stands on a shelf right next to my art journaling table. It is easy for me to grab what I need and use on a page. I use these mixed media scraps a lot so the bag never really gets too full. I definitely use these scraps more than I used to use my scrapbook scraps.

I hope this has been helpful. Have a great Tuesday!

Product List (click product tags for more information)

View blog post for supplies