By His Wounds...

As we approach Easter, I wanted to have a visual reminder to help us focus on the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. This verse in the Old Testament, which points to Christ, came to mind. 

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

I wanted to keep it simple and meaningful, so I just grabbed a few supplies. I started with some simple lettering using my black LePen on a sheet of watercolor paper. I lightly drew a few guide lines to keep my lettering straight. These were erased before applying any color.

I started with bit of light purple shading over the lettering with my LePlume marker and then added some stamped borders. Then I decided to add more color with my markers using a plastic baggie, markers, water, and this "smooshing" techniqe (see video tutorial here). 

After a bit more color, a dotted border stamp, and a quick trim, I simply attached it onto a clipboard for display. It reminds us that Jesus loved us so much that He willingly suffered on our behalf to make the full payment for our sins. By His wounds we are healed! On Easter Sunday we will celebrate His victory over sin, death, and Satan. 

A blessed Easter to each of you.

For this project I used:

watercolor paper | Marvy Uchida LePlume II markers | Marvy Uchida LePen in Black | The Lord is My Light Clear Faith Stamps | BIG Trinity Clear Faith Stamps

Hello Calligraphy Pen!

I was excited to receive a new calligraphy paint pen in my SRM Design Team box last week. The Calligraphy paint marker has a traditional flat head, or chisel point, nib (not like a brush marker). It's great for projects on thick paper, glass, wood, or porcelain.  

Since I've been doing more brush lettering lately, it took a little bit of practice to remember how to appropriately hold and write with this type of pen, but the practicing was fun.

For this project, I created several watercolor backgrounds and then lettered on top of the pages once they were completely dry.

Here are more of my thoughts in this process video.

A little bit of highlighting with a white gel pen adds a little pop against the black lettering and colorful backgrounds.

What will you create with these markers?

For this project I used: 

Reminisce White Gel Pen | Black Calligraphy Paint Pen

Whimsical Watercolor Birthday Card

For this whimsical card, I used my Marvy Uchida LePlume II markers as watercolors. To do this, lay down color from your marker onto a non-porous surface (plastic sheet or your acrylic stamp block). Then simply use your watercolor brush to lift up the color. 

I used a small sheet of watercolor paper which I first spritzed with a bit of water and  used the pink marker to create the rough shape for a cupcake stand. I added a table with some blue to anchor the stand and then added lots of splatters of color, still using the markers and waterbrush.

Once it was completely dry, I went back in with my black LePen to sketch out the whimsical-style stand. A yummy cupcake sticker was placed on the stand (I trimmed the bottom dots from the circle). 

I added the Happy Birthday sentiment and the stitches along the side to complete this fun and pretty card. Can't wait to send it out to someone special!

For this project I used:

Stickers By the Dozen - Birthday | Sticker Stitches - Black | Marvy Uchida LePlume II Markers | Watercolor Brush | LePen Black

New Year, New Bible

This morning I reflected on Sunday's sermon and did some journaling in my Bible. The passage, the Aaronic Blessing in Numbers Chapter 6, had previously been journaled, but I used my watercolor pencils to bring some more colors to the page as I reflected on the words of the Lord's blessing.

The Lord blesses and keeps me, shines His face on me. He does this weekly in a special way as I sit in the pew for Sunday services, alongside my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and hear and receive His very real presence in Word and Sacrament. 

As we were leaving I was struck by the beauty of the window's reflection and the rays of sunlight highlighted by the smoke of the candles. As I was taking a few photos, my daughter ran in and stood in the midst of it all. The Lord's blessing upon her. His very real presence and peace.

He strengthens my faith as I spend time in the Word throughout the week. As I look through this Bible I see and remember how God has walked alongside me these last two years. 

Look how it has expanded past its covers, bursting its bindings with my added notes and journaling.

Yes, this is just paper and paint, but the Word! Oh the Word! Living and active! Accomplishing all the Father has willed for it to do!

I'm sort of sad that I really need to set this one aside and begin in another Bible. But also excited and confident that I do not walk alone. 

I pulled photos of my top 100 journaling entries from 2016 and created a simple slideshow. It includes entries from my journaling Bible as well as the notebooks/journals I used for special seasons and/or studies. Showing 100 photos takes 8 minutes, so play your own soundtrack and grab a cup of something to sip on! 

Galaxy Card with Watercolor Pencils

I continue to be impressed by the wonderful versatility and strong colors of these ColorIn Watercolor Twists. Today, I used them to create a galaxy/night sky effect for a card. 

To begin, I cut a page from an old hymnal that included the lyrics to Silent Night. If you don't have a hymnal (I picked up several at a big book sale) you could print off the lyrics from online. This particular sheet was thicker than Bible paper, so it held water fairly well as I worked the colors together.

To create the effect, I used the black, purple, and blue Watercolor Twists. I began with the black around the edges and added the purple and blue gradually, being generous with the water to blend and layer them with the paintbrush. One of the tricks to creating a galaxy is to create a lot of movement of color across your page, as opposed to well defined, even splotches of color. Don't be nervous about going dark - watercolors are very forgiving and color can be picked up with the watercolor brush if needed. When the colors were nearly dry, I added a bit of watered down white acrylic and lots of white spray/splatter drops for that starry (or maybe snowy) look.

Bible Journaling - Watercolor Twists Background

My page today is in my summer study journal. In Nehemiah chapter 9, God's people gathered to hear God's Word read to them and they confessed their sins and renewed their commitment to keep convenant with God. Despite the number of times they turned their backs on God (Nehemiah describes those times in sad detail) God continued to keep His promise and time and again granted them mercy and grace. As I was reading it struck me how they were saved purely by grace - not their own obedience. On this page I wanted to journal a prayer of thanks to God for his amazing grace and his wild love for me! No matter my own failings in obedience, He continually calls me back, forgives me, and helps me through His Holy Spirit to be a better me.

I created this fun and colorful background using the ColorIn Watercolor Twists. Have I mentioned how much I love these twistable watercolor pencils? So many ways to use them and such great color. The background is super quick and easy. I created a video for you to show you exactly how to create your own for your next bible journaling page or cards. Gather up: Watercolor Twists, a small plastic sheet (the backing to your SRM Faith stamps is great!), water, and a brush.

After my background was dry, I added a few rows of washi tape on the left side and a couple of printouts that came with my bible study. Then I turned to my SRM stamps. I used several stamp sets on this page (listed below). Yes, I did cut the BIG "thank you" so that it would fit on my page. So many great choices to create just the right sentiment on your bible journaling page - it's fun to mix and match from the different sets.

For this project I used:

ColorIn Watercolor Twist | Faith Stamps "Trust in the Lord" | Faith Stamps "BIG Trinity" | Sentiments Stamps "BIG Thank You" | Faith Stamps "God is Love"

Do Not Be Anxious...Bible Journaling Page

Our pastor's sermon Sunday focused on the "Do not be anxious" passage in Luke 12:22-34.

Jesus said:
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food and body more than clothing." v23-24

Excessive worry makes a life miserable and ineffective. It keeps us from reaching our full God-given potential.

Worry is the opposite of faith.

"But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!" v28

"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" v25



"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." v32











In a 16th century sermon, Martin Luther also preached on this passage. He noted how the birds and the flowers become our teachers here. They "do what they are required to do, but we not." He calls worry "godless unbelief" and we should be somewhat embarrassed when we look at the birds and the flowers who worry about nothing, confident that God will provide. And oh how our God provides!

"Thank you, flowers, you, who are to be devoured by the cows! God has exalted you very highly, that you become our masters and teachers." ~Martin Luther

I sketched the cow, outlined her in micron pen and colored with watercolors.  An excerpt from Luther's sermon is on the back.