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Thursday, January 31

Bible 101: God's Great Big Love Letter to You

LUCYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!


Okay, I've got some splainin' to do.
I was just rereading my posts and I realized
that I've been throwing the word scripture around a lot,
making it sound all fancy. It's not.

Scripture is just a fancy word for the Bible.
The Bible is just God's great big love letter to you.

To me?
Yes, you.
You, who are reading this right now.
God loves you.
He made you. Wonderfully.
He wants to have a relationship with you.
To talk to you and listen to you.

How does He do this?
Through the Bible. 
But where to even begin, right?
The Bible is this big, overwhelming book that I don't understand most of the time
and certainly doesn't impact my life right this very second, right?

So, I was thinking that I want to explain the basics for people new to the Bible,
or just curious about it, who want to read it, but don't know where to start.
But then I found something way better.

I was reading Chrissie's blog and she mentioned 


It's awesome.
They are reading through a kid's version of the Bible
It is the best. 
I read it to Jack every night and I learn so much through it!
I'm thinking that every Christian should read this book.
It is so clear and engaging and accurate. 
It shows how every story in the Bible points to Jesus.
And how much God loves and pursues us.

She even provides Tips and Tricks
if you've never been in a Bible Study before.

So, if you're at all interested in who God says He is
and what He says in the Bible, give it a try.
It will rock your world. 
You will never be the same.
I promise.

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31 Days of Scripture Art Journaling:: Day 11: 101 Ways To Add Texture with What You Already Have

Day 11: 101 Ways to Add Texture 
With What You Already Have



Okay, maybe just 15 ways, but you'll get the idea.
This one is really, really fun.
No, I won't stop saying that.
Because it is.


Applying paint with random objects to create different textures
 is the essence of mixed media.
This is the rule breaking part that I love the most.
The epiphany in the middle of drinking your morning coffee
that the little cup holder hand thingy has GREAT texture.
I get all excited just thinking about it.

And knowing that no one besides my tribe out there (that's you)
will understand the satisfaction of finding crazy textures in unexpected places.
For asbsa-stinkin'-free! 
I know. You're getting excited with me now.



As you go through your day, start thinking about the textures around you.
Find at least 5 household objects that you could use to create different texture in you journal.
Here are just a few.

1. a squashed up paper towel



2. a coffee sleeve from Starbucks



3. a coffee sleeve from Panera
(I like coffee. Can you tell?)



4. the bottom of the cup



5. the lid from the cup



6. the empty roll of wax paper I just used up


7. the little saw from the box


8. Cut up pieces of the box



9. bubble wrap



10. a lego block
(This is actually a duplo)



11. a q-tip



12. a kitchen sponge



13. car tracks



14. Water bottle lid bottom


15. a tooth brush
(I forgot to take a picture of this one.)


This page is a *just a little busy*.
I'd never do all of these on the same page,
or at the same time.
I usually just pick just 2-3.

Next I painted white flowers and used the top of my
paint brush to scribble designs in them.



And I added some paper.


Last, I added the verse with some white and black marker.


Now it's your turn.

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Wednesday, January 30

31 Days of Scripture Art Journaling:: Day 10: Layering with Paper and Paint

So far I have given you some very basic techniques to get you going,
but I want to talk about content:
Why journal scripture?
Why not just your thoughts and whatever you want?
What's the big deal about scripture?



Of course you can journal whatever you want.  I hope you do!
But for my personal purposes, I know that scripture grows me and changes me.
It's a promise:

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: 
It will not return to me empty,
 but will accomplish what I desire and 
achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

God's Word is living and active (!!!!)

It's living and growing.
It opens your heart and your eyes and reveals
 the TRUTH of who God REALLY is.
Not who I think he is, or who I've made Him to be in my mind,
but who he really is.

There is so much of the Bible that I don't understand.
I have so many questions. But God tells us to

 work out your salvation with fear and trembling,Philippians 2:12

God didn't give me his Word to sit on a shelf.
He gave it to me to LIVE in me.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
Colossians 3:16

So art journaling scripture (any scripture)
scripture I love or scripture I don't understand,
is part of me working out my salvation
and allowing the Word of Christ to live in me.

I choose whatever scripture is on my mind,
either from church, or reading, or anything really.
Whatever I feel like God is trying to teach me
or whatever I want to hold onto and remind myself of.
I don't spend much time thinking about it,
I just choose one and start.

Okay, that's the why.
Here is the technique:

Day 10: Layering with Paper and Paint

When I create mixed media collage I usually alternate:
a layer of paper,
a layer of paint,
a layer of paper,
a layer of paint,
etc.
I start big and get smaller and smaller as I go.

Now that the your altered book/journal is prepped with paint and gesso
(See Day 9 for this)
Choose your verse and think about it as you journal.


1. Paper Big:
Apply big pieces of paper over the page with gel medium.
Try to do this without thinking. You can tear it or cut it.
Most of it will be covered up,
so don't worry about what it looks like.
Just get the page covered up.


2. Paint Big:
Squirt 2 colors of paint right on the page and mix it on the page.
Try using: a brayer, an old gift card, or my favorite: your fingers.




3. Paper Small:
Add smaller pieces of paper and more detail.
Cut out smaller shapes. Glue both parts of the cut out
shapes onto different parts of the page.




4. Paint Small:
Start adding smaller details, lines, and shapes with your paint.
Paint a few words from the scripture you want to use.




5. Outline with a permanent black marker
and a white marker to make the letters stand out.


Done.
Now go.
Link up your journal in the comment section.
I'd LOVE to see what you're up to!


Day 11: 101 Ways to Add Texture 
with What You Already Have

See all 31 Days

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Tuesday, January 29

Shameless Audacity


I've been thinking so much about these 2 words and what they mean.
What it means to be without shame. completely.
What it would feel like.
Freedom.
Confidence.

The funny thing is that's how God sees me.
Without my shame.
Without my sin.
Because of Jesus.

An I love the word audacity.
It's not just being brave.
It's more along the lines of,
"Did she just do that?"
"I can't believe she just did that."

I was talking to a friend about a month ago
and I asked him how his job was going and
was he doing what he really wanted to do
and what did he really want to do and he replied,

"It's fine, but what I really want to do is run an
 orphanage in Mexico and make art."

Whaaaaaaaaaa?
Oh wait. That changes my answer.
I didn't know I could want that.
I didn't know I could even dream that big.
In that case...

I want to teach art in Italy.
I want to travel overseas with the boys.
I want to have a little farm house with chickens.
I want to help start Young Life in San Marcos.
I want to organize Christian women's art retreats.
I want to teach part time forever and ever.
I want to write a book.
I want to use my art for good.
I want God to use my art for His glory
not just for this life.
for eternity.

I'm sure there are more...
but those are the things that came to mind.
And I can't help but feel guilty
because I love my life here and now.
I love my days with my boys.
Lately I have been keenly aware that these days spent together,
these are the sweet, sweet years that I'll look back on.

But I guess the word audacity makes me
feel like I have permission to dream.
It reminds me so much of one of my favorite quotes ever.
It's written for you too.


Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 
Our deepest fear is that we are 
powerful beyond measure. 
It is our light, 
not our darkness, 
that frightens us most. 

We ask ourselves, 
'Who am I to be brilliant, 
gorgeous, talented, and famous?' 

Actually, who are you not to be? 

You are a child of God. 

Your playing small does not serve the world. 
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. 

We were born to make manifest 
the glory of God that is within us. 

It's not just in some of us; 
it's in all of us. 

And when we let our own light shine, 
we unconsciously give other people 
permission to do the same. 

As we are liberated from our own fear, 
our presence automatically liberates others.

Maryanne Williamson



Who are you not to be your fabulous self that God made you?!?


What about you?
What are the secret dreams you have tucked away?
I give you permission to dream. with audacity.
You don't have to tell me, although I'd love it if you do.
But please, please tell someone. or at least write it down.
even if it feels silly or guilty.

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Saturday, January 26

Life Happens...

When You're Not Looking

We had a great trip to California Adventure
with my aunt and uncle and cousins. 
It was our first time. so fun.



The funniest blog post ever.
And so true.


I finally finished Josh's room. 
After 19 months. 


We've been reading this book at night. 
It's awesome. I learn so much.
Jack loves it.


I've been making a lot of art..
And it's fun.


Playing in my journals and trying to finish up my 31 days. 
This was a way bigger commitment than I thought,
I'm loving getting through it.
It's making me think through 
how I journal and why I journal.





My studio/kitchen table



We chose our new words for the year at Creative Bookclub.
I love doing this together. The best. 


more journal pages in progress.





And one sick and grumpy kid. 



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Thursday, January 24

31 Days of Scripture Art Journaling:: Day 9: Making Your Mixed Media Art Journal

Day 9: Making Your Mixed Media Art Journal 

(Here are a few I've already made.)

Oh gesso. Where do I even begin?
Gesso is right up there with coffee for me.
It's basically a primer for acrylic paint.
It's the stuff that stretched canvas is coated with to prepare it for paint.
If there's anything you want to paint
(wood, cloth, metal, paper, ANYTHING)
just slap a coat of gesso on it and you're good to go.


It's also thick, so you can make some great textures in it.
I love old books and I love gesso.
Could there be a better combination?

Okay, let's get going.
Here's what you will need:


Materials:

1. Used books
2. A big roll of paper towels
3. Water
4.Brushes
5. Gesso
6. Your favorite acrylic paint colors

SO I use old hardback books as my mixed media art journals.
You can find them for next to nothing everywhere:
garage sales, thrift stores, friends of library stores.
Don't pay more than $1 for one.
I like to use big children's books  with thick pages.

First, coat the cover with gesso.
Squirt some gesso on and wipe it roughly with a dry paper towel to give it some texture.





Then squirt a color or two, right on the page.
Mix colors on the page with your paper towels or your fingers.
Last, I cover it with a paper towel to get the excess paint,
and the pattern on the paper towel makes a cool "stamp" into the paint.

I like colors on the paper towel so I'll save it for later to use in the journal.


(first page)
After you've coated the cover, do the same thing to several pages.
This is the first page. I prep 5-10 pages at a time.
Put wax paper in between each page to prevent them from sticking together.
*The wax paper WILL stick some, and will rip some,
but I like the texture that it creates. 




 (Second page)
Sometime I cover the whole page, or if there is an image or words that I like.
I'll leave them uncovered, or wipe away the paint.




These pages are a little thinner than I like, so
I'll glue some together to make them thicker.

Now go!

(Third Page)

* A word on content:
At this point I have no idea which scripture I want to use.
I'm not really thinking about what the content will be.
I just want to get the pages covered.
Tomorrow, as we layer to build texture
I'll dive more into content.

Day 10: Layering with Paper and Paint

See all 31 Days
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