Painted {Book} Cover & Update

Has it really been since June since I posted last? Wow! I do have good reason, and I have not created since then. I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, and disc degenerative disease. I have been in horrific pain since the very last week of May (the week before turning 54). I was finally diagnosed in July and have been trying various treatments since that time. I still suffer with pain daily but thankfully it is no longer in the 7-9 range. Praise God! Learning to deal with chronic pain has been hard, and I am still asking "Lord, what are you teaching me through this?" But yesterday I created for the first time in a very long time. It brought me such incredible joy that I have to try to make myself do it each week. It is healing to be able to just get my hands messy in paint and create.

So, what did I create? I painted a book cover. Oh my goodness, I am in love. This is a book I have had, the pages are empty, and I have decided that it is going to be my new "to do" book for home and for work. Yes, I am now working part-time at our church, and that also has been a great joy and blessing.

To create this book, I used the Deconstructed Floral Bouquet stencil from Stencil Girl. I then grabbed a few paint colors and began finger painting. Yes, I used my fingers. I started with a makeup sponge but I can't blend the paints as well so I dove in and finger painted. I actually prefer that. Here is what it looked like as I started:

Then I added more leaves and let it dry overnight. After it was dry, I used my Posca pen to add all of the white doodling. Once I did that I finished with my favorite paint splatters. I must always finish with that. :)

The leaves were created from a Sizzix die cut called "Leaves." I just die cut the leaves using an old folder. It was then very easy to use it as a stencil. I will use that technique again for sure. I really had a great time doing this. I hope it inspires you in some way! Have a blessed week!

The {Tiny} Journal First Pages

So, do you remember the tiny journal I shared in May? If not, click here. I began working on the pages last week, and I must say I am in love. I am approaching this journal a bit different. I want:

• the pages to have scriptures that speak to me that day.
• the scriptures done in my own handwriting.
• the pages to be super fast and simple.
• the pages to inclue fabric and stitching.
• the pages to not be completely covered.

So, this is a bit different from my other journals, and that's what I love about this little bit of happiness. With those "wants" in mind, here are my first pages.

Psalm 139:1-3

James 4:8

The pages inside this book also include papers that I still want to see. So, keeping that in mind, I also will be leaving a bit of the original page showing because these pages either meant something to me or are just things I like.

I hope you enjoyed these first pages. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to post again sooner than later! Have a blessed week!

My {Tiny} Journal

A couple of months ago, I purchased this cute book for $0.50. It measures 5 1/2" x 3", and I knew I wanted to turn it into a journal. I finally finished it yesterday. Here are a few details about this adorable little book:

• There are four signatures.
• There are 8-10 pages per signature.
• The pages inside include maps, receipts, envelopes, painted papers, book paper, graph paper, etc.
• The edge of the book is finished with inky fabric. I use flour sack towels from Hobby Lobby. Love them!
• The closure is done with an eyelet and sari ribbon.

I can't wait to begin playing in this book. Thanks for dropping by. Have a great week ahead!

Recycle Those Bottles

Recently I have finished off two bottles that now work perfectly for my arts and crafts. One used to be a Dermalogica facial toner bottle, and the other one was a bottle of hand sanitizer. Let's look at them both.

Facial Toner Bottle

First, this bottle delivers a beautiful mist when sprayed. I have always loved it. So, I knew that once it was empty that I would keep this bottle. It was very easy to clean once I was done with the bottle but the label left a lot of adhesive that was just awful. The adhesive went all the way around the bottle. I was not about to spend a lot of time using Goo Gone to get it off. So, my solution was to use a bit of paint for fun. The paint covered the adhesive, and then I added a thin layer of matte medium on top to seal. Now it not only works as an amazing water bottle on my table, it looks cute too!

Hand Sanitizer Bottle

Most hand sanitizer bottles are either tiny or rather big. This one is inbetween, and I got it from Bath and Body Works several years ago. I knew this bottle would be perfect for "matte medium on the go" or to even keep on my table instead of my large bottle which takes up a bit of room. It squirts out very nicely, and it will pack very easily in my travel bag too. Perfect!

So, start looking at those used bottles. How can they be recycled for your arts and crafts? Consider that before tossing them in the recycle bin. Thanks for stopping by, and have a blessed week!

Three {Rose} Canvases

This weekend I was able to see each of my girls. I was SO excited to give them the 12"x12" canvases that I painted for each of them. I included a scripture on each canvas which is based off of their favorite hymns. I then wrote a special note to each of them on the back. I pray this is a little something that reminds them of the Lord and of their mama as they see these hanging in their own homes.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2 "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hymn: "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"

Scripture: 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."

Hymn: "Come Thou Fount"

Scripture: Psalm 94:22 "But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge."

Hymn: "Rock of Ages"

Thanks for stopping by. I pray the rest of your week is blessed!

A {Little} Color Mixing

If you remember from my January 1st post, I mentioned a free class by Kellee Wynne called Color My Life. I hope some of you were able to enjoy the class also. Unfortunately it is no longer free; however, you can get it by signing up for her other courses. Click here to see her courses. 

Anyway, it was an excellent course, and since then, I found another free course by Emma Witte called Palettiquette Color Theory 101. Click here to see that course. I am not finished with it yet but so far it is good. I am learning so much from both classes mixing colors and playing. It really is fun!

I have started a little book of notes to refer to as I go along. I am using the same book that I use for my travel journal. If you have never seen my travel journal, click here. I use it every year, and it is becoming quite yummy with journaling and color! My trips this year will be the 4th year I have used this journal.

The journal I use can be found on amazon by searching on Global Art Materials Square Drawing Book. I love the square size. I generally use the black journal but for my class notes, I am using a blue book. Click here to see the journal on amazon. The journal can also be found at Hobby Lobby. They do not have all of the colors available but you can use a 40% off coupon. :)

So, let's look at what I have done so far in my little journal. First, I mask off my squares with washi tape. Very fast, and it makes very clean squares when I am done painting my swatches. Once the squares are masked off, I paint my swatches. Then I peel of the washi tape when I am done and everything is dry.

I know this little book is going to be a great reference to me. I have all sorts of ideas that I want to put in inside. I will share here as I go along. Thanks for joining me today, and have a blessed week ahead!

Scripture Writing

As I look on Pinterest, Instagram, etc., I see lots of people writing scripture. I have never done it but started doing so in June. What prompted me to do this was vacation! Many of you may remember my travel art bag from 2016. If not, look at that post by clicking here. Anyway, I have kept up that travel journal every single year since then, and I LOVE it. It brings me such joy when we are on vacation. This year I did my Bible study and watercoloring outside each morning before 7 a.m. It was so very peaceful and wonderful!

As I was working in my favorite little book, I realized this would be a fun format for scripture writing. When I study each day in my One Year Bible, I love looking up scriptures in different versions. So I am writing the scripture several times from different versions along with a few truths and a keyword.

So fun, quick, and easy to do! I hope this has given you some ideas. Thanks for stopping by! Blessings,

My {New} Journal and a Page

I am taking another class by Roben-Marie Smith called "Salvaged: A Layered Pieces Journal." Click here to see that class. I have made books before, and I love working in them but I also wanted to see how Roben-Marie creates her books. I was not disappointed. I always love taking her classes. Anyway, here is a look at my book after I made it:

To cover the spine, I used my inky fabric that I always have on hand. And the book itself is filled with yummy recycled papers all ready for paint!

So, here is a look at a painted page spread. Originally, the left side was an old security envelope, and the right side was book paper. I used collage, paint, doodling, and art marks on this page.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you will join me tomorrow when I will share another page in this book that I created for the Glory {Art} Rewind study! See you then!