Yay! Its FALL and that means it’s (almost) holiday time! I was asked to paint some weenier dogs for our local up and coming wiener dog race. And if I do say so myself, I am IN LOVE with these little ones.So I thought I just have to share them with all you out there too!
The hand painted ornaments are ready to bring you joy starting now, and all year (if you keep them out like I do) All new 1.7:/45 mm glass ornaments, ready to hang with a pretty little ribbon.
Available for a limited time, pick your color palette now through November.
When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” Romans 1:12
To lift up and glorify God is always the very first class goal. Beyond that, it’s my aim that you enjoy the project, you are pleased with the end result, and you’ve enjoyed fellowship with each other around the table. Oh and enjoy some goodies that fuel your creativity!
We learned,then practiced drawing techniques with marker and colored pencil. Finishing up in our Bibles to create a glorious eye-catching Bible page. These ladies did an awesome job!! Love how each has the same design and come up with their own unique style that speaks of their personality.
It/was such a delight to spend the evening with these ladies and share the love of Gods word.
If yo would like this template, go to my shop where all of my Bible art journal designs can be found.
HEREI never would of imagined I would be one of THOSE. My early years of catholic school are still are with me in that I would never dream of writing in a book let alone a BIBLE! But her I am doing it, LOVING IT! Growing closer to God.
I was slow to start. First Sunday Sketching and note taking of the sermon during service. That now I have grown very comfortable doing it. The church I attend already encouraged note taking. For me as an artist I take notes with images. I couldn’t’ help myself. But at first with no intention.
Jump to the last few years…I now have a designated sermon sketchbook. (the blue one above) I have intentions with the little doodles and drawings. They relate back to the sermon or activities around me at the time. Little by little I have “upped” the materials I use in church. Even using my watercolors in church but more. Though mostly adding color after when I return home or in the evening. It gives me a time to reflect on what I heard, what I wrote. Fill in the notes before I forget and just tidy it up.
To now I am applying my drawings and notes to my Bible. My classroom roommate at school is a Pastor. I teach skills for living and he teaches Living the Bible. Different class times of coarse …his Bible is full of notes, underlines, highlights. Pages just warn and some falling out. But the character of this Bible I JUST LOVE! When I asked about it he told me how it has helped him to mark subjects and specifics places of topics. Which then in turn helps him to refer back when needed. Aided in his ability to learn scripture and specific topics in books. So I finally took the leap and yes I now draw and write in my Bible! I am just so excited to see where God is going to take me with using my love of art and color into His word.
Psalms 57: 1 Have Mercy y on me, my God, have mercy on me. For I will take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Join me for my next post where I will share with you what I have discovered about particular Bibles that work well for creating in.
Want in person guidance? Join me Feb 10, $20. for Intro To Bible Journaling Workshop. Sign up HERE
Free Artful Lent Follow along HERE you can do from your favorite chair!
I would encourage you to search the internet for samples and seeing others, and realize just how popular it is and Okay to do.
Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.Mark Victor Hansen
I had a comment on a post recently that they haven’t drawn since before Christmas. It is the middle of February . Ironic, I too have been thinking about how one of the biggest struggles I hear from others is just that. They don’t have time.
I too haven’t always had time for my art.But looking back over the years I think what has become my secret is when I made a conscious decision to some how take/make time. Mostly in small ways that fit.I have always enjoyed drawing. In times life was so busy and demanding…I was happy drawing. A small travel size book became my companion.Still happy to say my closest one!
I draw,keep lists,notes all right there. It wasn’t always easy.I didn’t think it was always proper or pretty.Giving it power ,being the only note/ sketchbook to keep track of helps,now goes everywhere. I don’t know what I’d do without it! My family and friends have come to know me with this little companion.
Which leads me to an article I came across about balancing life as a mom. I saw how many points could be transferred to creating a life as an artist or just creating that time for you.
Here we go…
Delegate chores..Didn’t change much of what they had to say here😉
“Even toddlers are capable of helping out, and they are usually more than happy to! Get your kids in the habit of doing their chores at an early age, so you don’t end up picking up after them as teens. And don’t forget that your spouse is a co-parent, not just someone who does the dishes when your sick.
Have systems in place
Have routines for everything. They are what keep you from falling apart. You’ll read oodles of places to make an appointment with yourself. This does work. I’ve learned to say to others ” I’m working”. Seems people don’t question nearly what your doing if it’s “work”. And I think my brain doesn’t either! Also could be as little as leaving for picking up kids 15 minutes early and sketching at the bus stop till they came out. ( did this for a couple of years). Slowly building habits. if your shy about your sketching and journaling. Let kids, hubby, go into building for their appointment/practices and stay in car or sit out side for 15 minutes before joining them. Stay off electronics for a few minutes and replace with this time.
Without a system in place, everything just flounders. Make sure everyone knows the routine for getting to school, for instance. Have a laundry system, and a meal plan. These little things take some organizing, but are totally worth it once they become part of the family schedule. Then too I feel good about taking my time.
Be Prepared
Probably should have been up there first. As artist this would mean to have a sketchbook, pencils, water-brush, canvas,paints organized and ready to use at the moment time is available. In a suitable location to ideally leave out but definitely ready to bring out. Travel supplies by door or kept in car.have doubles of some supplies.Again, makes it easier to get to creating when you don’t have to run from car to house, office etc.
Ever Important, but often last for ourselves, Take care of your health
Apart from mental stress, not paying attention to your health can wear you out and make you feel less than yourself. Take small steps to eating healthier and exercising. Be regular with your check-ups. A healthy you is a happy you, and a happier you is a happier family.
Keep in touch with friends
It’s easy to get caught up with everyday life. But remember that your friends fill a social gap that make you feel complete and I find accountable with.This too would be your creative friends, or an organization to be with like-minded people. I know my family and friends don’t always get me the way my artsy friends do.So staying connected helps me. Meet friends regularly, and pick up the phone o talk to them once in a while, instead of just chatting on Facebook. In fact, don’t forget to keep in touch with business friends too. They will offer you a refreshing change of perspective!
Work on finding the right balance between finding happiness in being a mom,wife,daughter,hubby,dad, and doing the things that matter to you as an individual.Please share any strategies that work for you in the comments below. we all would love to hear.
One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.
Lewis Carroll
From class: Connecting/drawing/designing your own cards
Have you seen the commercials for the biking or running machines where you can experience any coarse ,terrain in the world “without ever leaving your home”? Are we entering an era where we won’t need to ever leave our homes? We can order all are groceries and shopping needs, chat with doctors on line, tune in just about anywhere ‘live’ to participate in endless events. I think even phone calls are less popular. It’s so easy to send off an email or a text to someone. Use e-cards and on line gift certificates. Many of theses, if not all are possible to do with out ever interacting with people in person.
This all brings me to encouraging you for the month of February and planning on strengthening your connections with friends, family and those you encounter with mailing a card and/or letters . Yes the good old ORIGINAL form of SOCIAL MEDIA. Let’s make it fun for you and fun for the receiver! Let this time honored method connect you like no other!
Address your envelope first! You will always run to the last minute drawing and writing.
Keep stamps& address on hand
Let’s Create some cards!!
Simple…pen, blank cards from a box stores craft department. OR Envelopes and blank card stock to cut down to size.)
Optional: small paper cutter (to cut paper down to size)
Colored pencils or pens, markers
waterproof marker (Sakura my favorite) , watercolors
fancy edge scissors or corner cutters
And some tips form Lewis Carroll in writing a letter itself.
Some February dates to keep in mind:
2-Groundhog Day
4-Thank Your Mail-man day.
Eat ice-cream for breakfast day.(invite someone to join you!)
7- Send a card to a friend day.( probably created by a card company)
8-Boy Scout Day (know any? Anyone who was a scout as a child?)
11-Make a Friend Day-Send a new friend a card
14-Valentine’s Day
15- National Gumdrop day
16- Do a Grouch a favor Day
17- Random Acts of Kindness Day
20-National Cherry Pie Day
20-Love Your Pet Day(or a pet lovers)
27- No brainer day ( I could of invented this one!!)
29- Leap day! Won’t happen for four more years!
For more details on these and MANY others that might inspire a letter of two try this holiday site.
Enjoy!! And if you would like to jon me in drawing and designing your own cards like above. Register for my class.
hand painted ornaments | pre-order
