What I Know For Sure... One

• Everyday brings a chance to start over.
• Life - it goes on.
• Being a mother is the hardest job on earth. I admit it.
• The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.
• I am loved unconditionally by my Savior, my husband and my children.
• I never stop myself from doing something because I'm afraid of what people might think... Okay, yes I do - But I need to stop!

• I like salty and sweet. Like Dark chocolate caramel with sea salt. oh.my.word.
• I forgive easily, but I never forget.ever.
• I may cry, but it's not because I'm weak.
• Potato skins will clog the garbage disposal. every time.
• I prefer being at home to going out - unless it's with my family. 
• Take this moment. Enjoy it.

• I can't stand bullies.
• I am a loyal friend and believe in life-long relationships.
• I will not let others write my life script - ever again.
• Crayons (Crayola brand) make me happy.
• Coffee is essential to life.
• I am enough. Enough.
• Everyone deserves to be safe.

I was obviously inspired to do this page by a page I saw in O (Oprah) Magazine.  She has this section, I believe, in each monthly issue.  I have always kept a list of thoughts and quotes that I've agreed on or thought were a revelation that I wanted to remember.  I transferred them to these two pages and decided that I'd like to do this regularly.  I chose just some of the ones I've written in my journals and I'm saving the rest for another time.

Supplies: 

Gesso - covered both pages with gesso to give it some "tooth" and thickness.

Acrylic spray - I put some acrylic craft paint mixed with a bit of water in a spray bottle (travel size found at 99cent store), sprayed the background.

Magazine - torn out words, quotes and pictures

Rubber stamp - swirls for border

Black Staz On Ink - my favorite ink. Water proof and permanent

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Walnut stain color for edging

Black and White Faber Castel Gelato crayons - for shading - can be used dry or like water colors

Green fine tip Sharpie Marker - Journaling

A Year in the Life of an Art Journal|two

I am happy to be taking part in A Year in the Life of an Art Journal challenge again.

This year the prompts are for photographers as well as art journalers. 

The challenges are given out on the 15th and 30th of every month.

Here is the challenge for January 30th, 2013.

PROMPT: Rainy Day

SHOOTERS: Shoot your mug near a rainy window

Shooters can share their pictures from this prompt on Facebook 02.04

This was the shot I shared for my Monday Mugshot photo.

I was HOPING for rain to get a *perfect* mugshot, but our rain came a week early.  

No worries here! Like Rachel says, you can do whatever you want with the prompts!

(Sharing on Monday Mugshots on fb also)

BOOKERS: drip some paints on your page, 

and share a little bit about what the perfect rainy day looks like to you. 

I think I will actually take pictures of the process of making my page next time, but for now, I will just share some of the materials I used to make my pages. 

• acrylic paints
• Faber-Casteel Gelatos
• Random Alphabet Stickers
• Tim Holtz Crackle paint
• gesso
• Glaze pen for journaling
• ripped magazine pages

I wanted the background to look like a frosty window on a rainy day.  

I must admit that it looks the way I want in real life, but in this picture -

not so much. 

Journaling Reads: When I think about rain, I think about how the water always seems to come just when we need it.  Rain is soothing to me.  The sound of it...the smell it brings.  Even a good storm brings cleansing.  RAIN is like ART to me.   Soothing, cleansing and always right on time when I need it.

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”

~Pablo Picasso

Do you art journal or like taking photos? You can join in on the fun twice a month too!  Just head over to Rachel Whetzel's page to play! 

A Year In the Life of an Art Journal | one

I am happy to be taking part in A Year in the Life of an Art Journal challenge again.

This year the prompts are for photographers as well as art journalers. 

The challenges are given out on the 15th and 30th of every month.

Here is the challenge for January 15, 2013:

PROMPT: New Year's resolutions or ONE WORD. 

Do you make New Year's resolutions, or take part in the ONE WORD project? 

SHOOTERS: Shoot your mug with your word or something that symbolizes your word.
(Sharing on Monday Mugshots on fb also)

BOOKERS: Use watercolors on your page to emulate your word... (if you don't have water colors, watered down acrylic paint will do just fine.) use color to convey that word and what it means to you. While your paint is WET, sprinkle salt on it, and let it sit. When your paint is dry, brush off the salt.  (people taking part in the creative prompt can put their mugshot for this prompt on this page.) 

 I have been choosing a word for my year for the last five years.

I tend to over-burden myself about unnecessary things 

and this year, I've decided it's time to MINIMIZE.

 For these pages I used a double spread in my almost complete (YAY) journal that was already gesso'd and started covering it with a layer of mod podge and then random pages of vintage text from dictionaries, old scouting book, vintage hymnal, worn copy of Pride and Prejudice, etc.

I just mod podge'd away and didn't worry if there were wrinkles or anything.

Then I started painting on a water color wash of orange...my favorite.

(Make sure your page dries in between each thing you do.)

I added two pictures that I printed off quickly on my regular printer.  One is of my coffee mug that I wrote my One Little Word on.  I used a Sharpie Marker and free-handed on the mug. Then I placed it directly on the oven rack at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or so.  Won't wash off now. :)

The other picture is a little setting I made with some Scrabble tiles to spell out MINIMIZE.

   I added scribbles of oil pastels and gelato here and there.  Did some smudging.  Then I took some Bahama Blue acrylic and just let it drip down my page.  Just anything that made me smile and broke up the orange a bit.

 I began to write random words that represented things I wanted to minimize.  I used a Sharpie marker for the bold words.  Then around the word I used a Glaze gel pen to write how I would MINIMIZE those areas. 

I have found that the Glaze pens work great on top of any type of medium - even the waxy oil pastels.

 I may continue to add things to the pages that I want to MINIMIZE as I think of them, but this is it for now.  

To MINIMIZE fear:

Psalm 56:3~But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

Colossians 3:15a.~Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

Do you art journal or like taking photos? You can join in on the fun twice a month too!  Just head over to Rachel Whetzel's page to play! 

Help my unbelief...

Soul Journaling: FILTER

Some of you may recall my last post for A Year in the Life of an Art Journal. It was THIS one. While I liked it enough, I wasn't really crazy about it. I find that I get a little OCD about deadlines or things I've committed to and I feel really crummy if I don't fulfill them. So, the 30th of the month rolled around (prompts are given on the 15th and the 30th of each month), but I was not feeling creative at all. I had already skipped the 15th because I had company for a couple weeks in a row and was really busy - I just couldn't think about skipping another one. So I did a page JUST to do it.

Do you ever do that? It may be a layout in your album, a page in your journal, a project for something... My heart wasn't really in it.

THEN I came across this post on a favorite blog "Balzer Designs by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer" Wow! This is just the inspiration I needed. Obviously, my page looks a lot like hers, but I really wanted to follow the "formula" so that I wouldn't have to think about it too much. I did it step by step (wish I took pictures of the process), sometimes a little more than 10 minutes at a time, but once I was tired or distracted, I stopped and put it away.

I am so happy with how it turned out. I really feel like the PROCESS was the part that I have been missing lately. I used to always enjoy my art journaling. I need to not let these prompts control me - I might have to stop them and just check them out once in a while...I don't know. Anyway, thanks Julie! I had the best time working one layer at a time. I even discovered (at the end) some cool foam stamps I bought from Pebbles, Inc. a jillion years ago. Forgot all about them and then there they were (the alphabet stamps and the cool doily type design on the left and right corner - A whole set of cool stamps)! Looking forward to taking my time again and creating just for me. =)

Had to come back and add this updated picture. I kept staring at it and thought it needed something. The splatters. I forgot to do the black paint splatters. Now, like my little guy says, "That's better!"

Secret Name...Feelings...

Tears in a bottle...

Psalm 56:8~You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book.

Heaven help me...

Following the prompts at A Year in the Life of an Art Journal. You can too. They publish a new prompt every 15th and 30th of the month. To be interpreted however you'd like!
The Prompt: Faith
The Song: Heaven Help Me by Gretchen Wilson
Product/Technique: Wings
Written Lyrics HERE

They say that FAITH is believing in something you can't see. Well, I definitely need faith 'cause sometimes I don't like and can't trust the things I do see.
Matthew 9:22~
But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Not Broken...

THE PROMPT: Love

THE SONG: Not Broken by the Goo Goo Dolls

Written Lyrics HERE

PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE: Sillouettes

I really enjoyed working on these pages, but I'm not going to lie - it wasn't easy. Once again, I found myself struggling with the writing. It's like I was afraid to write what I really felt - but I had to get it out. So, I did. Then I gesso'd right over it. =) The technique to use was one of my favorites. I love doing sillouettes and masks. I also did a mask with sequin waste.

The Ace of Hearts represents LOVE that can be broken, but will not remain broken.

I am whole and I will be present on this journey of mine called life!

I am most thankful for verses like Psalm 51:10 that say, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

God's mercies are everlasting. He never gives up on us. Isn't that good to know that someone is really on your side? I don't have to trust in others or even myself, because we let each other down and we even let ourselves down. However, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Be encouraged my friend. You can be whole in every way!

Join in on the 15th and 30th of every month at A Year in the Life of an Art Journal.

The Lion of Judah

Revelation 5:5b ~ "...weep not: behold the Lion of Judah..."

Proverbs 28:1 ~ "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are as bold as a lion."

Reminds me of Aslan.

I love this part from Prince Caspian...
“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you're bigger.”
“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.
“Not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
Prince Caspian – Chapter 10

There is hope...

My heart goes out to the nation of Japan and all those affected by the tragic events from this past week. It is heart-breaking and bewildering, yet we must cling to HOPE. I am amazed and humbled by the way they have reacted during this traumatic time. There is no looting, the workers have not left the nuclear plant to save their own lives, they are trying to fix the problem, the government did not demand help, but now has begun to accept help. They are a strong people. Yes, they are proud, but they are resilient. This is going to be a long process - I can't even wrap my brain around it. I can offer donations, but I will also be praying for these hurting people. Ugh. I don't know what else to say...

Psalm 71:14~But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

Beautiful Again...

A Year in the Life of an Art Journal prompt for February 28th:

THE PROMPT: I'm Beautiful

THE SONG: Real Love by Regina Spektor

Written Lyrics HERE

PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE: Self-portrait

I haven't touched my art journal in over a week. It was way over due. I had fun with this and was able to really write on this subject (gesso'd over it)...

Somebody asked me why I bother to journal and then cover the words. Well, I can keep my thoughts private that way, but I still get to express my feelings. I still struggle with writing down my thoughts due to a time when my privacy was totally violated and I felt like I had no place safe for my "voice". I don't always cover up my writing - it just depends.

This prompt really helped me to focus on how much I want to feel beautiful - physically, spiritually and emotionally. I don't want to be afraid to be who I am. I want to love people without wondering if they will love back. I want to laugh and feel free without worrying how I am perceived... I want to be BEAUTIFUL AGAIN.

She will be loved...

A lot of emotion as I wrote lines and lines and lines before I lightly gesso'd over it. Watercolor crayons and oil pastels came next. All you need to know is She Will Be LOVED...no matter what.

Simple Things ~ The Sphere

I've been drawing lots of circles, spheres, continual lines...it's soothing. It makes me happy. =)

Join Rebecca and others at this site (click on the button) and start sharing what simple thing makes you happy each week. I can't wait to see it!

Sweetheart Magnet Swap

I joined a magnet swap on my Yahoo! Soul Journaling group. I love these swaps because they challenge me to try something that I normally wouldn't do. I recently made a set of magnets for my Altered Art group also - they were made out of little Altoid tins were a lot of fun. You can see that post HERE.
The other reason I join these swaps is because it's always fun to see what you're going to get back. I will be sure to post what I get in return! I'm not gonna lie. There have been swaps where I've received things that weren't quite my style and that's okay. The only time is "bothers" me is when I receive work that is of a low quality, falling apart, sloppy, etc. That's only happened to me a few times and it was from an old scrapbooking message board I used to frequent. Anyway, because of that, I quit swapping altogether, but now I'm giving it a go again with these new groups.
Here are the magnets I made. I wanted them to have a homemade look because of the nature of the group. I have made adorable magnets with glass beads and such that actually look store bought - but the idea here is to look hand-made. =)

I cut hearts out of chipboard and then covered the front with quality printed scrapbook cardstock type paper.

I adhered the paper doily halves with gel medium, lined the edge with Aleene's craft glue and dipped it in vintage chunky glitter (I've had it since 3rd grade...that's vintage enough. LOL)

I then started layering on the embellishments like Prima flowers, vintage buttons (my great-grandmother's buttons), ribbon and then I added the stamped words.

The back is covered with book text from an old beat up copy of Pride and Prejudice. There was still glitter on the back when I took the picture, but I brushed it off before I sent them out. Of course with glitter, it will get everywhere no matter what. lol

Here is a little extra one that I made for the swap hostess. This was a wooden heart that I gesso'd and then painted.

The back is also covered in book text.
So, I had a good time with these. I will be posting some of my other magnets that I make for my Etsy shop - those are really great as gifts or for your own office. Have a great weekend!! - I'll be back with my 3 in 30, One Little Word Captured, and Simple Things updates through out the weekend. "See" you around. =)

On the journey...

Everyone's making their New Year's resolutions and I'm just shaking my head. It's an earmark of January and I'm not falling for it this time.
I'm done with the resolutions. Not that I don't think we should plan for a better year. Not that I don't think we should have goals - 'cause I've got goals. It's just that the whole "resolutionsjust'causeit'sJanuary" thing...feels like a set up to me.
I could probably look up the statistics to see how many New Year's Resolutions really last or are kept for more than six weeks...but then again - why? I'm pretty sure the results would be depressing.
So, in my JOURNEY, I'm going to just keep going. I'm going to stay FOCUSed, be TRUE, and enjoy this JOURNEY.
I have so much to search out. I have so much to experience. I never want to stop learning and I never want to think that my way is the only way.
Hello 2011. I am not afraid of you. I embrace you and want to be satisfied with my JOURNEY come December.
"I am thankful for new beginnings, but I'm also thankful for faithfulness and perserverance.
The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't." ~Henry Ward Beecher

My family...

Me, Marco, my dog Oso, Hannah, Taryn, Naomi and Little Marco. My life...

Thanks to Sarah at Caspiana for inspiring me to create this with one of her Soul Journaling journal prompts. I love it now.