Prep Work for Towers and Turrets Class and Give-Away at Art & Images by Kim

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Hi friends.  I hope you are doing well today.  It has been a bleek, overcast day here today...so a good day to get some household chores done and then squeeze a few moments in for some art. Keeps you sane you know!  I played with paint most of the afternoon yesterday.  Today was time to cut some home-made stencils and make some home-made rubber word stamps for our project.  It was a bit tricky and some letters are downright difficult, like "e's" for example, but here is a sampling of what I have accomplished.  I found that if I got a good flow and cut the first time through, I would have an acceptable outcome.  If I wasn't happy with something and tried to go back and fix it, I usually messed it up and had to start over - so, yes, a few stamps were tossed in garbage.  It's a bit addictive once you get started.

I also wanted to mention that Kim at Art & Images by Kim is having a wonderful give-away.  This giveaway is  a big box full of altered art supplies. Anything from collage sheets, vintage papers, scrap-booking papers, fibres, dangles, beads, rusty stuff, fabric, braid, trim, lace, game pieces, new used, art items, and unfinished art items, new and used tools, gadgets, rubber stamps, die-cuts, vintage and retro items, and what ever else she can cram into the box.  All you need do is visit her blog and leave a comment.  She outlines the other ways to increase your entries into the give-away there on her blog as well.  I am a regular follower of Kim's blog; she has lots of mixed media eye candy from paper to jewelry and an offering of collage sheets.   I also recently joined Paper Digital Art & Images by Kim which is a wonderful community of artists to get to know and art challenges in which to participate.  I encourage you to visit both sites and join in the fun.

Glimmers of Faith
Do you have a prayer/faith journal or notebook?  I have a journal that I put sermon seeds, favorite devotions and scriptures in.  Things that will encourage and support me spiritually.  Things that will help me to continually fellowship with God.  I also love to use a Promise Bible - this is a small Bible (often pocket size) that lists all of God's promises (scripture verses) in order of subject; for example, Encouragement, Mercy, Healing.  Under the subject Encouragement is a list of verses such as:  Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.  Ps 55:22, "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11, etc.

I would like to encourage you to keep a prayer/faith journal or notebook filled with the things that touch your life, your spirit.  Take the truths that God gives you and highlights for you every day and write them down, use them - personalize them, yes, even pray with them.  As certain situations arise, good or bad, speak the truths you are learning  into those circumstances - watch and see how God works and uses your verses and the promises He has given you.  Journal what you are learning, experiencing, and how you are responding.  As you continue to journal and speak God's truths and promises; His blessings will become more and more evident in your life and you will find a peace that "will surpass all understanding".  In this stressful and troubled world - what a wonderful gift to have - "peace in your heart".

Till next time, hugs and blessings!