Be courageous: Love Others

Greetings all, I just wanted to stop by and post a few of my Bible journal photos and tell you a bit about them, I hope you enjoy and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask! First of all, here is a picture of the cover of my Bible!

 I found the fabric at my local Hobby Lobby store, and I believe it is available online as well. I also used a bit of interfacing for sturdiness, but didn't do anything special to it. I simply covered it like you would a text book with a paper bag, and secured it with fabric glue! After I took this photo I ended up adding a stickable letter 'N' in the bottom right corner as well as added a bit of color with some of my Sharpies.
The second picture I'm going to share is a very simple tree. This was one of my very first pages and because I was a little intimidated to color directly in my Bible at first I colored and journaled on vellum and used a bit of washi tape to hold it in place so you're able to read the correct verse. This journaling entry refers to Mark 8:24 when Jesus touches the blind man and the man replies, "I see men as trees, walking." My pastor preached a sermon around this passage about how we treat others! He posed the question, "Do we just have people in our live for what we can get from them?" When it comes to trees they have numerous uses, oxygen, shade, fruit, nuts, etc. But once we think the tree is in our way, be it to build, plant, or just plain blocking our view, we see nothing wrong with chopping that tree to the ground and getting rid of it! Sure, we still use the tree for heat, building, paper, all sorts of things, but once it is used up it is never the same.

Do we look at others around us as trees? Are they there just for our use, or what we can receive from them?!? God loves each and everyone of us, we are His creations! I know He wants his children to show everyone  kindness, respect, love, and service! Let's ask Him to help us see others as he sees them.
The third, and final picture for the day is of a tip-in that I created from vellum as well. I found a work of art of a colorful lion that I just loved. I knew I wanted to incorporate him into my Bible somehow when this idea came to me. I printed the picture, placed my vellum on top of the picture, and chose the colors of acrylic I like to work with. I wrote my corresponding verse around the edge of my painting, and finished it of with scotch tape around the edges so it doesn't tear easily, and then I used a bit of washi tape to add it to my Bible.

Now, I'm not big on the "One Little Word" that a lot of people do, but recently I've felt God calling me to be more courageous, so this entry came just at the right time. God wants Christians to stand out and stand up! We are called to live in this world, but not be a part of it! It takes guts to be different...even more so when it is not for a 'popular' reason! God calls us to higher standards than those around us. Not for the standards sake, but for His glory! When others see a difference in us and the way we treat those around us, because of the difference he has made, God will get the glory. So, be courageous: Stand out and Stand Up for Him!

A new beginning or two!

Hello! I know a long time has gone by, but a lot has changed for me! I gave birth to a beautiful, wonderful, and time-consuming baby girl back in August, so crafting went by the wayside for a while until we found a routine that worked for us and she was able to entertain herself a tiny bit. This seems to finally have happened.
I know that it is pretty obvious that I am slightly obsessed with Bible journaling and all things pertaining to this marvelous craft. I love to search the web for new inspirations, watch journaling videos, create new pages, enjoy Periscopes from many different people, and many more activities that we've all come to know and love about the aspect of journaling in our Bibles. But, my favorite part of this is hiding God's word in my heart! What an encouragement I have found it to be! It seems that just as my strength is failing, or my wits are at their end- God brings to mind a verse I recently rediscovered through journaling! It's so refreshing to know that God honors the time I spend with him through His Word! I've come to realize that it doesn't have to be extravagant or fancy as long as it's quality time spent with Him!
I jumped on the Periscope bandwagon and filmed my first video which is just a flip through of my KJV Journal Bible (which I love). I love that you find a wide variety of "art" among the pages as I search for my own style of journaling. I must say I still am not entirely sure of what it is because I love to dabble in all sorts of things. You find simple hand lettering, word art, acrylic paint, watercolor, tip ins, and vellum, but I love that every entry is evidence of a time I set aside to talk with God and have him speak to my heart as well! I hope this little video will give you courage to start your own journal journey, or encourage and inspire you if you have already started. Just remember it is about time listening for Gods voice!

Along with a new baby, Periscoping for the first time, starting to teach Patch club at church, and participating in our church's new nursing home ministry, I also started up an Etsy shop! For now it has some items to help with creating in your Bible...hopefully more will follow soon, as I figure out exactly what works best. I'd appreciate your prayers, encouragement, and any advice you have. :)
Keep an eye out for more to come from me! I have plans for both the blog and the Etsy shop. Keep on keepin' on, my friends!

Free Printable Word Banners

Greetings everyone! I hope this post finds everyone doing well! Sorry it has been a while since my last post. My husband have been very busy lately, but more on that another time! Today I have another free printable for you.

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I love banners with words, but usually they are facing the opposite direction I need...and I just can't stand to place the word upside down. (I'm weird, I know.) So, I just created the banners going both directions! I hope you enjoy them. Keep an eye out for more margin art coming soon! Thanks for joining me!

Hope you find them useful! Enjoy!

Free Bible Journaling Words

Hello, all! I have been enjoying journaling in my Bible so much lately! It really has changed the way I go about reading God's Word! Give it a shot when you get the chance. If you're apprehensive about creating in your Bible, then grab a sketchbook, a piece of printer paper, or the back of your grocery list and join the fun!
Anyway, the freebie today is a little different: I really love the sheets of stickers that have single words on them with different colored backgrounds, but typically I can't ever find the words I need...so, today I was searching for more faith based stickers online and just couldn't find what I needed...well, the wheels started turning and I thought, "How hard could it be?!?" The next thing I know I've finished one set of words, am in the middle of a second page, and have a list for future creations! These will work just printed off on regular paper or card stock, cut, then glued in place, or run to your local store and grab a pack of Avery Sticker Sheets, and then cut them with your trimmer or scissors, and voilà! You have your own lovely journaling stickers and lots for later too! I know the words repeat, but these are themes that I find are definitely repeated throughout scripture! I hope you enjoy! Drop me a line and let me know what kind of freebies you'd like to see! I love creating them to share!

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4 More Bible Journaling Printables and What I learned from Lot.

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Wow! What a fantastic response I had to my first freebie, because let's face is who doesn't love free?!? :) So, I thought I'd keep up with the process and pass along a few more that I've worked on this week. But first let me tell you, I've just started the "Read Your Bible in 90 Days" plan!

90 Day Guide

 I must confess that at age 30 this is, unfortunately, something I've never done. I've started a read through many times, but Satan fights me and it gets set aside...I'm hoping and praying that with such a quick end date this will help me achieve this momentous task!
 I know it is pleasing to God that I get to know His Word. This is one of the big reasons I've started Bible Journaling! I know God wants me to spend time with him and use any means necessary to do so! That includes craft supplies! I mean why not?!? He is, after all, the creator of everything, and he gave me the desire to create. Psalm 37:4 says, Delight thyself also in the LORD, and he will give thee the desires of thine heart. When I recently started spending daily time reading my Bible it was just a few days later that I came across the fabulous Rebekah R. Jones's website and then after doing a little searching...I discovered Illustrated Faith! I truly think God helped me stumble across these communities to encourage me!

So, anyway, today is my second day on the 90 day read through; one portion was about Lot and his family. When the angels came to Lot to tell him he had to flee the city before God destroyed it, Lot's response struck me as ridiculous! He said, "I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil take me, and I die." Genesis 19:19b. I found myself shaking my head and thinking, "Didn't he see that he had already surrounded himself with evil?!?" I don't want to be blind to what temptations may be around me. I don't want to become so comfortable around sin that I don't notice it anymore! With God's help I will guard my heart and those of my family in every way I can.
 A little later in the scripture, as they are fleeing the city and God is destroying it because it had become so wicked, I read: "But his (Lot's) wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." Genesis 19:26. Here the only thing I could think was, "I wonder, to what was she looking back?" How do I apply this to my life? I asked God to show me what in my life is holding me back from living a victorious life in Him. Is there something that I'm holding onto that has no spiritual benefit or could tempt me in someway?
 So, I created these scriptures as a way to help remind me what God wanted me to learn. I hope that they will help you as well. Leave me a comment. Enjoy!

Free Bible Journaling Printables

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I have found my way into another new adventure! There are some wonderful communities online that are focused around God's Word. Two of my favorites are Illustrated Faith and Rebekah R. Jones. These communities encourage digging deeper into God's Word through your creative side that God gave you! Now while I'm still new to this... and can't bring myself to go full out painting this has changed the way that I read my Bible! The visuals that my mind creates as I read helps me to remember what I've read! So, I wanted to pass these along to others for use. Keep in mind they are hand drawn so they are definitely not perfect, but I worked hard on them and love each one. You can feel free to print them on card stock and use them as bookmarks or trace them into the margins of your own Journal Bible. Keep tuned in...I plan on sharing photos of Journal Bible soon. As well as more printable verses. Feel free to leave me a comment if you do use them. Or if you have a specific request you'd like for me to create! Hope you enjoy!

Mother's Day Card With Selective Masking!

Hello! I wanted to share a special card I made a few weeks ago while experimenting with my stamps. I love to try and find ways to stretch my stamps and this is one of my new favorites, so let's get right to it!
I brought out my super cute, Eggstra Special Easter stamps set from Lawn Fawn I stamped the basket with the eggs inside on some scrap paper, and then cut around the image leaving the eggs attached to create a mask. As you can see in the image below.

 I then cleaned my stamp, placed my card stock under the mask, and lined up my stamp with the mask. I did use my MISTI to get correct placement, but I'm sure you could easily do this using regular acrylic blocks.

 Using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink I stamped my image .

I removed my mask to reveal a cute, but very empty basket.

 I then created a mask just to cover the bottom of the basket, so I could begin stamping the flowers. Using the tulip from the same stamp set I added one at a time using masks to layer them.

 Yup, looks like a hot mess...as you can tell by my well loved basket mask, I made a few of these cards

 Then using my Spectrum Noir markers I colored the image.

 Using Tim Holtz Distess Ink in Mustard Seed and a circle cut from scrap paper I created the card base. I finished it up by using foam adhesive to attach the basket to the card, adding a bit of Wink of Stella clear to the bow, and stamping the sentiment using an old stamp I had in my stash.

 I really think this "new image" is very versatile and could be used for many occasions, such as birthdays, Get Well, Congrats, Happy Spring, You could even replace the flowers with other images like hearts, animals, tools, school supplies, baby items...you get the idea!

Don't be afraid to look at your stamps differently! The possibilities are endless! Thanks for joining me!

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp: Monday Challenge

Lawnscaping Challenge