Sunday, November 30, 2014

Thanksgiving with Family

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Glad to have our daughter and grandson with us to celebrate Thanksgiving. Enjoying appetizers of Light Lemony Cooler (white grape juice, lemon juice, sugar and club soda) with Cheese and Crackers.

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Carving the turkey. I can’t keep from making copious amounts of food, whether there are 10 of us or 4!

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IMG_5643Russell’s new Honda Side by Side was delivered in time to take some fun rides with Dawson (and the rest of us).

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My baby and her baby!

Friday, November 28, 2014

Art on a Christmas Tag

Glitter Snowman Tag

Front

Back of Glitter Snowman Tag

Back

A few years ago I started making Christmas tags (inspired by Tim Holtz). I started the tradition of hanging them on the tree as ornaments. We have three trees in our house, and the one on the lower level is the sort of “fun” one. Under that tree is my husband’s electric train (2012). It is that tree that is decorated with tags and handmade ornaments.

When I first started making tags (2011), I had never drawn or painted anything. Since that time, I play around with sketching and painting, so some of the more recent tags actually have some of my “art” work on them.

I’d Rather Be Creative

…than to hit the stores for Black Friday sales. In fact, this is the one day of the year I am least likely to even get out of the house!

Here is a tag I made for my Tag Christmas Tree, as well as an art journal page snowman that I sketched and watercolored (inspired by an artist friend who does hundreds of snowmen)!

O Christmas Tag 2014

O Christmas Tag 2014 Back

November Snowman

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Trust in the Lord {Bible Journaling}

Prov 3 Bible Journaling

Sometimes I just need to get something “artistic” accomplished. Sometimes I am in “simple mode.” Today, I combined both and put together a quick and simple Bible Journaling entry in my ESV Journaling Bible. I used a stamp, pencil and Pan Pastels.

This is one of my favorite verses, and I wish I could live it more fully. It seems to me to be a promise: if I trust in Him rather than myself, HE will make the way straight for me.

Wonderful promise. My responsibility is the IF part—the first three words: TRUST IN THE LORD.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.

 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Preparing for the Holidays {Favorite Books}

fave books

A few books that I have recently added to my personal library are just so awesome that I want to share about them.

A couple of years ago, my daughter-in-law gave me Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts for Christmas. I love that book, and it is teaching me the importance of thanksgiving—not the holiday, but the practice.

I recently purchased Ann’s devotional book based on her best-selling One Thousand Gifts. It is awesome, and I am challenged to fill in the one thousand blanks in the back, with things that are blessings to me, and worthy of thanksgiving. That book is One Thousand Gifts Devotional.

As I prepare for keeping my focus on Christ during this Christmas season, I am enjoying Ann’s two books for the Advent season, The Greatest Gift and Unwrapping the Greatest Gift. Both books are beautifully inspiring.

When our children were still at home, we loved to read books aloud together as a family, during the Christmas season. The book Unwrapping the Greatest Gift is designed for such a purpose, and is really for all ages.

Just wanted to share what is on my coffee table today!

Be sure to check out Ann Voskamp’s blog, A Holy Experience, one of the top Christian blogs.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Mixed Media Advent Journal

I altered a children’s board book to use for my Advent Journal. I am using a devotional planned by Diane Marra and Bernice Hopper in the Facebook group Pause, Ponder & Prepare. They provided the devotional studies for each day and the Scripture verses to go along with the thought for the day.

Each day as I read the devotional, I will journal on the back of each Scripture tag (which I left blank for that purpose).

Altered Board Book for Advent Journal

Pages covered with gesso and a few layers of paint; letters for cover painted and embossed

Pockets and Tags for Advent Journal

Kraft pockets and tags that I had in my stash (edges inked with Vintage Photo Distress Ink; seam binding stained with Tarnished Brass Distress Stain)

Cover of Advent Journal 2

Finished cover

advent journal open page

Days 7 and 8

Advent Journal open

Days 15 and 16

open journal

advent journal back

Back of Journal

This is my first time ever to do a special project for the Advent season. I have another Advent project I am working on as well (I am such an extremist). More about it later (hint: Ann Voskamp).

Monday, November 17, 2014

Handmade Christmas Ornaments

Homemade Ornaments

One of my Christmas trees is decorated with some of my “art” projects. I came across an idea (inspired by Stephanie Ackerman) for making ornaments, and it fit “my style,” so I went for it. They were a little more involved than I anticipated (always the case), but I do like how they turned out. We won’t put the tree up quite yet, so they are waiting in a basket.

Meanwhile, I am over-involved (as I always am at this time of year) with art projects, Bible studies, and holiday preparations. Now that I have the ornaments finished, I’ll focus more on the Advent Journal I am making, using a children’s board book. It has been quite a project,  just to “prep” the journal. I know the time I spend on the devotional studies for the journal will help me focus on the real meaning of Christmas.

Good to be back in Missouri and readying for family to be with us for the holidays!

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

My Strength is from God {Bible Journaling}

Strength from God

There are several places in God’s Word where I have read lately about God’s strength and how He gives it to His children. I love this reminder. Today, I was “of a notion” (my mother used to say that!) to use free-hand lettering and no color.

This Bible page (ESV) actually has two references to God’s strength.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Isaiah 40:29

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Flower Doodles {New Mercies}

new mercies

Doing some flower doodling in my altered book, the happy promise from Lamentations came to mind:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

It’s a good thing. I feel like I need a new round of His mercies each day!