Journaling Galatians 5:13-15...

Today's Bible verse that displayed on my phone comes from Galatians 5 verses 13-15.  The verse hit home with me and I knew it would become the journaling project of the day.  

I've been avoiding the news media for several weeks now because all it seems to present is sadness, anger, unrest and EVIL.  I just can't take it...so I turn everything off.  These verses really hit me and made me want to shout them from the rooftops, from my car, from the school hallway...heck...even the bathroom!  Anywhere my voice will travel, I want to shout these verses!  

I wondered how I could present the verses in artistic form in my Art Bible and decided that I should just immerse myself in creating...Love...just do what I love...That's what it's about really!  So I grabbed some of my new HUGE stencils and started adding some clear embossing ink...then I added clear and white embossing powders.  After that, I added some watercolor wash using my new FSJ watercolors.  I am REALLY LOVING these pencils.  They blend perfectly and are so easy to use.  

After adding the watercolor wash, I moved on to stamping the borders with black Versafine Onyx ink and applied some Journey Gold and Journey Silver Embossing powders.  These metallic powders are the most shiny metallic I've seen and they gave my page the perfect LOVE factor I was looking for.

Of course, no journaling page of mine would be complete without pencil journaling.  I journaled over the embossed dots- which in hindsight probably should have been done first...but oh well...go with the flow...On page left, I added some layering embellishments, stamped images and some loops of taupe thread.  For some reason, I tend to work on page right first, then move over to page left...  I've also noticed that most of my favorite verses are found on page right...Interesting, I think.  

If you look closely at this page, you'll see that I used a leaf stencil.  I stenciled the leaf first and added clear embossing powder...I wish I had added white powder- but I really don't like to cover the text on my bible...so I guess, it's ok.  I also had an oops- and that's why you see the "Lead Me" sentiment on the page... My ink pad tipped over and rubbed against the page.  I tried turning it into an "on purpose" by adding some silver embossing powder and some additional black "ink pad marks" but I'm not sure it hides the "oops"!  

A little sparkle on the watercolored/stamped flowers gave them dimension and texture...So much of what I love.

And yes, gotta add some of my yummy candy dots...they were the perfect color for this spread!  :)

FSJ Products Used:

Lead Me stamp set

Stencils:  Branch Shadows, Polka Dot Wall

Color Splash Watercolor Pencils

Clear Pigment Ink

Silver, Gold and Clear Embossing Powder

Vellum (punched with our Punch Tool and a scalloped circle)

Silver Silk

Sparkle Dust

Candy Minis

Watermelon Fusion Ribbon

Natural Twine

Foam Squares

Non FSJ Products Used:  

Crossway Journaling Bible

Wilton Candy wrappers

Pencil

Graph paper

kraft cardstock

Taupe thread

Freedom...

Hey Journey friends!

It's a yucky, soggy, rainy Fourth of July here in Virginia and I had no plans to go out this year so I decided to head up to my crafty room and search for Freedom in my Bible...There were quite a few verses that refer to Freedom in the Bible, but I felt this one spoke to me the most today:

1 Peter 2:16-17

After finding the perfect verse, I thought about which medium I would use to bring my interpretation to life.  I selected some old dried out Inka-Gold inks by Viva Decor.  I used Lava Red, Cobalt Blue and Silver.  I have quite a collection of inks and coloring tools and hadn't used them in years.  I just had to add a little bit of water to refresh them and they were good to go.  I started out prepping the pages (and the verse) with a little rubbing of  Journey Gel Medium and a light wash of Gesso.  

It may be difficult to see in the photo above but this page spread is quite shimmery!  The Inka-Gold has a metallic finish and when painted onto the paper, it shimmered and shined...too much actually. I had to mute it down a bit with a Gesso wash and applied some extra sheen here and there.  After applying the Inka-Gold, I stamped my star images (From the Star Bright set) using Black Licorice ink.  Blasting it with the heat gun allowed for a quick-dry and I was off to layer some more!  

If you look closely, you can also see that I applied some "fishnet" background (Retired) stamping along with my penciled journaling. After adding a bit of splattering from some Journey Silver Silk and Liquitex Metallic Silver paint, I blopped a few droplets of Journey Glaze onto the panels.  I also added some Red and Silver Stickles here and there.  When all was dry, I rubbed a bit of Silver Rub-n-Buff onto the edges.  When burnished it gives an amazing metallic effect to the edges.  A little wood clip with some fun Candy Apple Statin ribbon and Tinsel Trim Ribbon finished this side off.  

While working on the left side, I also made sure to work on the right side at the same time.  I find doing both sides at the same time gives me a more cohesive look and I can avoid some temptations from my muse to add more or do something different.  After this side was done, I added a little embellishment of Cranberry Bliss cardstock, Fam Bam Clips and some Tinsel Trim Ribbon.  That finished the spread off!  

Let Your Light Shine! Matthew 5:14-16

Today I thought I'd work on a little bible journaling.   I was inspired to create this page after thinking about what I needed to remember about my purpose here...It's always a question, always a struggle for me...What is my purpose?  Why am I here???  I think everyone asks those questions from time to time and I'm not alone.  Spending some time reading His word, I searched specifically for the theme: Light...  It didn't take much time for Him to lead me directly to the spot that would sooth my soul, that would help me understand...

Matthew 5:14-16...

I selected some new light bulb stamps from Fun Stampers Journey called Delightful Light.  It's a great set of five various lightbulbs.  I spent some time reading this page spread searching for the answers to my questions...then I set out to explore His word through my hand...

I prepped my pages by rubbing some Gel medium (with my finger) over the journaling edge of the paper and over the scripture I wanted to highlight.  Using the Gel medium seals the paper and protects it from bleed-through on the other side.  After applying Gel Medium, I moved on to adding a bit of Gesso.  The Gesso helped add a bit of "grit" to the surface of the paper and also helps to make my color choices more vibrant.

For this piece, I opted to use PanPastels and Black Licorice Ink for the stamped image.  After stamping the lightbulb images, I applied PanPastels and a bit of Copic markers for shadowing.  I also used some Prismacolor pencils to add more depth with the colors.  After coloring, I did a little journaling with pencil.  I enjoy restating the scripture into my own words, giving myself affirmations and encouraging words.  After that, I highlighted the verse with Copic Markers.  When page left was done, I moved on to page right.  I continued the same process added some Antique Gold Rub-n-Buff here and there and then applied some Journey Glaze over the bulbs to give them some realistic shine and dimension on the page.  I allowed this to dry overnight.

I just love how the Glaze shines on the page.  Sparkle Dust is also applied using a bit of the Gel Medium.  I tend to use a lot of gold and sparkle in my journaled pages.  I just feel they represent and highlight His word perfectly.

Everyday happenings and life events trigger "themes" of study and reflection. When the "theme" is revealed, I read, I pray and I read some more...and eventually, the scripture that explains it all reveals itself.  It's an amazing and therapeutic process...

Non FSJ Items Used:  

My Journaling Bible

Antique Gold Rub-n-Buff

Prismacolor Pencils

Zig Black Pen

Ticonderoga #2 Pencil

Summer Coffee Lovers Hop Day 2: I LOVE YOU A LATTE

Hey happy hoppers!  I'm back today to share another creation for the Summer Coffee Lovers Hop. I'm excited to share a spread from my Bible...Yes, I love bible journaling... A LOT!  It is such a comfort to me when I'm feeling lost, searching for answers, or in need of strength.  It helps me connect to His word in the most therapeutic way.  It helps me to understand. It reminds me to have patience.  It helps me to reflect...

Sooo...I prepped my iced coffee:  

Ummmm...That wasn't planned!  Or...Maybe HE planned it all along...  After I cleaned up my mess, I grabbed my iced coffee and with my puppies in tow, I headed up to my craft room...

This past week has been a heartbreaking one for many people around the world.   It has been so excruciatingly painful to hear about the horrible evil that hides in our midst.   I have spent much time reflecting and questioning WHY terrible things like this happen.  It lead me to find comfort and answers in His word...and so, I sat down at my craft space...To search for answers... I spread out my tools and went on a journey...and LANDED on the perfect page...

It made so much sense.  It was as if it was a reminder... He is always in control.  Yes, He is...Overflowing LOVE is what we need the most.    

As I worked...I read...and I worked some more...

...and in the end...I found comfort in His words...Overflowing with love...

The whole spread...

HE gave you the most precious instruments...Use them for GOOD...Use them wisely... #stophate #spreadlove #spreadpeace #forgivenessispower

Thanks so much for popping in to share my #faithjourney with me.  I'll be back again tomorrow with another project- COFFEE related, of course.

Remember, as a Super Sponsor for the Summer Coffee Lovers Hop, one lucky participant will win the set featured below:

As a FLASH Prize Sponsor, I'm offering the winner a $25.00 Gift Certificate to use in my FSJ shop (US residents only at this time.)  Please visit my opening post HERE for more information!

Products currently available in my shop:  

Stained Glass Stencil

Sparkle Dust

Journey Glaze

Hazelnut Blend True Fusion Ink

Cocoa Powder Satin Ribbon

Journey Gesso

Journey Gel Medium

Dark Roast Silk

Natural Journey Thread

**New Products available July 1:  

Pan Pastels

Hey Sugar stamp set (Pictured Above)
God Is Light set (Pictured below)

Non FSJ Products Used:  

Antique Gold Rub-n-Buff

Crossway Journaling Bible

Micron .05 pen