No Other Name

Hello, Sweet Friends!  I've recently found myself reflecting on the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15.  Have you ever felt just like that son? I have. 

The great truth remains that He is God, despite our poor choices, despite our circumstances; despite the evils of this present world; despite the storms we travel through....He is Good.....Love....Light...Hope....Peace ....Joy... I will sing no other name.  I will praise him in the storm. My heart will sing no other name.

This journaling reflects the healing power of song for me.  I recently attended a Jeremy Camp concert.  Hawk Nelson and Dan Bremnes also performed that night.  the concert reminded me of what I know to be true.  There is power in His name and worship restores.  It restores me.  I will sing no other name.

I used many beautiful sets from Sweet 'N Sassy to complete this Bible journaling layout:  My Friend, Good Shepherd, My Comforter, The Good News, Sing Loud and Skinny Caps Alpha.

I have few words in my world right now....but my heart continues to sing the name of Jesus.  Sing with me?

TTFN, Jane

With Every Breath

I read the most interesting article that eventually led me to creating this post and showcasing two of my recent cards together.  I adore music of all kinds, but mostly, I listen to Christian Music.  I like the uplifting and encouraging words; I like the Word being sung; I like how my soul is renewed and strengthen--especially when I feel burdened by the struggle of this world. I often want to just get out my inks and crank my Pandora and just create and sing. 

The article discusses 2 Chronicles 20:1-25.  It's a lengthy article.  I so much want to be able to summarize it for you, but I just would not do it justice.  It makes the case for praise and worship.  It speaks to the heart of how/why music is a most powerful form of communication.  It continues to have me long for the day when that is all I will do.   Here's the article for you to read:   http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/ambushing-satan-with-song

Here is Martin Luther's testimony (I couldn't agree more...)

Music is a fair and lovely gift of God which has often wakened and moved me to the joy of preaching . . . Music drives away the Devil and makes people gay . . . Next after theology I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor. I would not change what little I know of music for something great. Experience proves that next to the Word of God only music deserves to be extolled as the mistress and governess of the feelings of the human heart. We know that to the devils music is distasteful and insufferable. My heart bubbles up and overflows in response to music, which has so often refreshed me and delivered me from dire plagues. (Here I Stand, p. 266)

So, Praise Him With Every Breath :) I've used some brand new stamps from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps to create these cards.  The first one, pictured above, started with a water colored background using an embossing folder and several distress inks.  It's a fun-new to me-little technique that I've wanted to try.  After applying various inks to the embossing folder, you spritz it with water and place your paper over the top.  I used water color paper, but I think you'd get different, but equally as interesting outcomes with other kinds of paper, too.  Once the ink was dry, I added "Praise" from Sweet N Sassy's new Sing Loud and Clear stamp set and the remainder of the sentiment (also using Sing Loud and Clear) stamped on coordinating card stock.  I added some dimensional glaze to make the sentiment pop.

My second card also features Sing Loud and Clear with a little help from Note This (also from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps):

Isn't that bird just the cutest? 
Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have time for both inking and singing!!  Be Awesome, Jane

Girrafe-ic Friend

Happy Tuesday!

I feel as though the entire country (well, maybe just a few hundred or 8,000 people) have been riveted for weeks over the impending delivery of a new baby giraffe soon to be born to April the Giraffe who has been "giving birth any minute now" for a few hundred months....give or take....

Anyhooo....while I feel for the over-pregnant momma, I've had stamping to do.  And, coloring.  I'm currently in my water coloring period.  I no longer have the time for intricate projects and fancy folded this or thats.  Water coloring continues to create the illusion of being an artist...and, I'm all about that (and other illusions, it would seem)  This quick little card features a cutesy set from Sweet N Sassy Stamps called Stand Tall.  I can't decide who is cuter..... the bird or the giraffe?   In any event, I sure hope April delivers soon :)

TTFN, Jane

The American Noise

My world has been a little off kilter lately. I'm sure I'm not the only one and it feels good to know that I am not alone. 

I had such an urge to shut out the noise--Skillet calls it the American Noise, but we know IT knows no boundaries.  It's a human noise to be busy, to perform, to perfection, to obligation, to this thing and that thing until our heads swim and many of us feel like we just might break.  I had to shut it out.  I chose to be still, to be silent and to be found. 

I have a channel on Pandora Radio I call "Keep Making Me" so, I plugged it in and turned everything else off.  Just a girl, her God and a whole bunch of ink!  Music and art are so restorative for me.  I long for both most of the time, but lately, it was a craving that needed to be satisfied.

I'll be honest, I don't know how I will used this card, but I {heart} it so much!  It features the last of Krista Hamrick's beautiful line depicting images of our Lord.  The whole line is available at Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps.  This one is called Living Word.  It might be that the image from the book is more of a leafy plant, but for this day, it was, for me the Holy Spirit.  I combined it with my favorite sentiment found in the I Am Loved stamp set, also from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps. 

My background piece began with an embossing folder called "Fire" and a simulated watercolor technique I saw in an online video.  The concept is pretty simple--to use the folder more like a stamp.  Ink the pattern with distress inks and then lightly spritz with water.  Lay your water color paper over the top and press!  I layered many colors and used both sides of the folder at different times to produce my colorful background.  It's a fun little technique to play around with!

Today, I'm hoping that you are also able to shut out the Noise and be met.
Peace, Jane

Matching Socks...

For as long as I can remember, my kids have not matched their socks.  Truthfully, I think it started from sheer laziness and disorganization.  It's become somewhat like a signature, now, and I just wouldn't expect less.

As soon as I saw this cute set from Unity Stamp Co, I had to have it!  Unity is great about sales and generally offers a great sale every weekend...which may explain my {errr} rather large Unity collection?

I'm still practicing with the direct distress spots technique.  This was a little more difficult because of how close some of the sock detail lines are to each other.  I still like the end result.   This is an easy technique that produces a unique creation every time.  It's great to give up control from time to time and just see what you get!

I mean, after all, life really is too short to match socks and not have any fun!!  Be Awesome!  Jane

True Love...

Happy Heart Day!!

Just wanted to pop in here to share a little love card I made featuring some stamping goodies from Sweet N Sassy Stamps!  I love the versatility of the alphabet sets!  I'm currently obsessed with the Shake It Off, Upper and Lower sets!

I added a heart background using Bottom of My Heart and for an easy swap out of the letter "O" die cut one of the fabulous hearts also.  The dies are no longer available, but this is definitely a "must have" stamp set!

The word "true" is from Just Be--again, another versatile set!  I got it for Bible Journaling, but it can be used in so many unique ways!!

That's all for now, Be Awesome!

Jane

Scripted Tulips

I just feel like we all could use some flowers today.  It's snowing here again.  My 15-20 minute commute took me an hour because I chose to go through town thinking it was safer.  My feet are still freezing.  My car is buried and may not make it up the hill.  So....flowers it is!

This is one of the first images I purchased from Unity Stamps several years ago when I first fell in love in love with them.  It's called Donna Poppy Background. 

Using a script background stamp, I created a resist and then later water colored the rest of the card.  I've been into coloring more and more lately and find that my cards are becoming more about that than matting and fancy designs.  My mojo wanes, I find with lack of time and it's really just about getting back to basics lately.....

Enjoy, Jane