Top Ten Blog Hop

Welcome to the Top Ten Blog Hop! 

You should have landed here from Suzanne Lee's lovely blog. If you just happened to be visiting me today, you can check out all the wonderful Top 10 lists starting at the beginning of the hop with Mendi Yoshikawa.

This past year I have not posted as much on my blog as in previous years. I've also focused a lot more on Bible Journaling, posting several times a week on Instagram and my Facebook page. Please be sure to follow me there for more frequent postings!

Here are some of my favorite blog posts from 2016. Enjoy!
(The next blog to hop to is listed at the bottom of my post.)

BURLAP PRAYER POUCH

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS COW

BACK TO SCHOOL BANNER

BRUSH LETTERING NOTES

TABLE TURKEYS

BIBLE JOURNALING

FAITH PLANNER

GALAXY SKY CARD

WATERCOLOR TAGS

Thanks so much for hopping along today! 
Please head over to Monique Liedtke next!

Bible Journaling Tags

Tags are a great addition to your Bible Journaling and one more way to incorporate your creative side into your devotion and prayer time. You can use tags as "tip-ins" directly in your Bible, add them to your Faith Planner, use them as a card base, or as a bookmark, and so much more. Today I'm sharing a layered and stamped tag design in 3 color versions.

Each tag is made with the same base and stamped sentiment. I cut the 2-layered tag using my die cut machine. The star cut-out on the top layer really said "Christmas Star" to me. Each top layer was cut in white cardstock. I used waterproof ink (I used StazOn) to stamp the sentiment. To make stamping easy, I arrange the individual words directly on my large acrylic block so I can stamp it all at once. Each of these individually cut clear stamps is found on the "God is Love" faith stamp set. 

After stamping, I used multiple ColorIn watercolor pencils to get the two blended color backgrounds (yellow-orange-red and lt blue-dk blue-purple). I cut the back layer in a coordinating cardstock. For the white tag, I only added a bit of inking around the edge of the tag and then glitter around the star. As a finishing touch on each I used a coordinating LePen marker in fine tip and added a dotted line to follow the flourished top and bottom edges.

For my Bible Journaling Tags project I used:

God Is Love Faith Stamp Set | ColorIn Watercolor Pencils | Le-Pen Fine Point Dark Set

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.

Advent Journal

I'm a big fan of upcycling or trying to use what I have before buying new. Such was the case with my Advent journal for this year. I had a little used journal, so I removed the used pages and freshened up the cover to create this notebook to record my daily devotions for December.

The cover was in pretty good shape, but after removing a couple of stickers, was in need of a refresh. I simply brushed on acrylic paint in a similar color to the original and it looks great. 

For the title, I grabbed some awesome and shiny SRM vinyl that I've been wanting to use. It cut beautifully in my die cut machine and adhered really well to my cover.

To finish it off, I added some great stickers from my Christmas stash. Now my journal is ready for the season!

For this project I used the following supplies:

Vinyl from SRM |  We've Got Your Sticker "Merry" | We've Got Your Border "Christmas"

Faith Planner

A few months ago I jumped on the planner wagon. I purchased a large planner (mine is spiral bound and about 7x9 inches). At first I had a hard time getting started and keeping up. So I decided to rethink how I could to make the best use of my planner. I wanted something to record my prayers, but didn't want it to be separate from my daily devotions.  So, I turned my planner into a "faith planner" and couldn't be happier.

Each week I creatively record my prayers and scripture that is standing out to me from my devotion time, study, and sermon notes. I use lots of stamps, washi tape, printables, stickers, and bits from my scrapbooking stash. It doesn't take much time each day, so it's easy to keep up with. The bonus I've discovered is that having all that in one place has really helped focus my prayers and see God moving in response to my prayers.

In this video I share several of my pages and show you a spread midway through the week as well as walk through my steps for setting up pages for the coming week. You'll see lots of SRM stamps and stickers. 

Hopefully you'll be inspired to think out of the box with your planner.

Here is my finished page for the featured week:

These are just some of the great SRM products I love to use in my Faith Planner:

Trust in the Lord Faith stamps | Shine Your Light stickers | Big Trinity stamps | Sticker Stitches

Bible Journaling in Proverbs

This passage in Proverbs recently stood out to me as I was thanking God for leaders and friends. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 As I reflected on this verse, I journaled in my bible using a combination of black pen, stamps, and watercolor pencils.

My first step was to write the key phrase in the margin. I gave it a free handed speech bubble shape and "pinned" on a small tack from the "Planner Notes to Self" Planner Stamps from SRM. I added a few more stamps from my favorite SRM-Faith stamp set, "Trust in the Lord." 

Then I grabbed my ColorIn watercolor pencils and shaded in the speed bubble and added a swatch of bright yellow on top of the crosses beneath it. It's so easy to get the smooth blending of colors with these pencils. I added a bit of white to help the tack stand out and finish it off. 

Thanking God for leaders, friends, and family who have sharpened me.

For this page I used:

"Planner Notes to Self" Planner Stamps | "Trust in the Lord" Faith Stamps | ColorIn Watercolor Pencils and Waterbrush

Bible Journaling with Stamped Background

Many passages in scripture use light as a symbol or to refer to Jesus. In this passage in John 11, Jesus reminds His disciples, who are fearful of returning to Judea, to walk in the light and they will not stumble. I used the  "The Lord is my Light" stamp set to remind me to walk in the light and stay focused on Jesus when faced with fear or anxiety. 

To create the patterned background, I simply used a sun stamp from the set and stamped it repeatedly in oranges and yellows, heavier on the margin and lighter as it covered the text and the remainder of the page. Turning the sun in multiple directions with each stamping will keep the background from becoming too linear.  I cut a smaller piece of white cardstock for the margin and stamped it with the same sun, but in a lighter yellow. On top of that I stamped the sentiment and a border from the set. The lighter block sets the sentiment up for a powerful contrast.

How and where will you use this stamp set?

For this journaling page I used:

The Lord is my Light SRM Faith Stamp Set

Kids Table Turkey

Kids won't mind getting assigned to the "kids table" when they are greeted with these fun little turkeys! Start with a clear triangle box. Assemble and fill it with shredded paper (or maybe little treats for your little guests). Use a sharp craft knife to cut 3 "x" marks on each side. This is how you'll insert your crayons (the turkey "feathers") as shown below. They should fit nice and snug.

Decorate the front with a fun little turkey (mine is cut with my Cricut) and clear border stickers. Don't forget to provide some paper or coloring sheets for the kids, too! For mine, I used a few stamps from the SRM-Faith collections to spell out "Give thanks to God" and will ask the kids to write or draw what they are thankful for. I can collect these and easily add them to my Thanksgiving scrapbook page along with photos of the kids. It will be a sweet way to remember the blessings of the day.

Thanks for visiting. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful today!

For this project I used:

Clear Triangle Box | God Is Love Clear Stamps | Trust in the Lord Clear Stamps | We've Got Your Border Thank You Stickers

Kid Project - Boo Banner

Do you like to craft with your kids? I love to craft with my daughter, but I have to admit - sometimes it's really hard to let her do her own thing without me "directing" her. This month SRM asked me to create a project with kids and let them have fun! And guess what? We both did!

 For this "Boo Banner" project I used 5 embossed glassine bags as the banner bases. I added some acrylic paints in yellow and orange for color and texture and let it dry. I let my daughter pick out a font for the letters and cut them out with my die cut machine. Then I gathered all my Halloween themed stickers from my SRM stash. 

I told my daughter to use the borders to decorate the bags and then we would add the letters on top. My idea was to keep everything in nice straight lines, but she had her own ideas. So, with a deep breath, I stepped back and let her create.

As you can see, she piled on stickers and borders in all directions and you know what? It's awesome! Each piece is fun, colorful and original - just like her. We attached the pieces to ribbon with mini clothespins. Each mini clothespin also has a spider sticker on a punched white circle attached.

Letting your kids into your crafting stash can be scary at times, but it's also a wonderful way to celebrate and teach confidence in their own style and creativity. Plus, you'll both cherish the time you get to spend together and have a great project to show off both of your talents!

For this project I used:

Embossed/Chevron Glassine Bags | Orange and Yellow Punched Scallop Pieces | We've Got Your Sticker Treats | little borders Halloween | Stickers By the Dozen Halloween | Stickers by the Dozen Trick-or-Treat | We've Got Your Border Halloween

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"

Simple Brush Lettering and Lunch Box Notes

I love stashing little notes into my daughter's lunch bag. Sometimes it's just a quick little message scribbled on a scrap of paper, but I also like to pre-make cute notes to tuck in for her to discover and let her know I'm thinking about her and think she's amazing.

My SRM Faith and Planner stamps are giving me great inspiration for these notes. I used several stamps, brush markers (LePlumeII) and my ColorIn watercolor pencils to create a set for next week.

I've gotten lots of comments complementing my lettering on my Bible journaling pages. I'm no expert and I have to admit to having trouble achieving the look I want with just a brush marker. However - the dual tipped markers give me a great "cheater strategy" in getting the brush lettering look I like. Take a look at my simple brush lettering technique using Marvy Uchida LePlume II dual tipped markers in this video.

Now you can make your own little notes - for lunchboxes, the bathroom mirror, to send in the mail, or leave one for a coworker to find. Enjoy!

For this project I used:

Planner Stamps "Birthday Plans" | Planner Stamps "School Days Planner" | Faith Stamps "Trust in the Lord" | Faith Stamps "The Lord is my Light" | ColorIn Watercolor Pencils | LePen Dark Set | LePlumeII Dual Brush Markers

Trick or Treat Layout

We aren't big into the scary parts of Halloween at our house, but we are all about the candy! SRM's clear stickers are perfect for us and it was fun to mix and match the iconic jack-o-lanterns, spiders, and candy corn, as well as lots of phrases and border stitches in this fun layout.

My daughter wanted to apply her own make-up when it was time to get ready to trick or treat, so I just watched and took some adorable photos. Behind my 5x7 photo are plenty of borders from various SRM sticker sheets. I also added a little bit of black acrylic paint for a bit of boldness and to tie in with the scalloped borders.

Titling my layout was easy with another phrase from the clear stickers on a cardstock flag above the photo. I just trimmed it out with a few more sticker stitches.

I cut out a few different sized white cardstock circles for the round stickers and popped them off my page with foam dots. To add more dimenstion and interest, I added the small candy corn stickers and then drew in black dots with a sharpie pen to round off the "confetti" look to my layout.

I had one lone spider that I hadn't used on my layout, so I grabbed a small kraft pillow box, more sticker stitches, and a bit of twine to make a quick treat holder - perfect for a couple of chocolates or a handful of yummy candy corn.

For this layout I used:

Stickers By the Dozen "Trick-or-Treat" | We've Got Your Border "Halloween" | We've Got Your Sticker "Treats" | We've Got Your Stickers Plus "Jack-o-Lantern" | Sticker Stitches "Halloween" | Small Kraft Pillow Box

Happy Birthday Banner for a Birdhouse Birthday

We recently were able to celebrate the 70th Birthday of a wonderful and sweet woman - my husband's mom. To add to the day's celebration I created this fun birdhouse themed banner to hang at her party. I really like how the natural look and feel of the burlap ribbon and twine plays with the soft colors and elegant touches of lace ribbon and doilies.

I used my Cricut to cut the basic banner shapes (3 layers). I cut 4 inch doilies in half and adhered a half on the bottom portion of each base piece and added a row of black stitching sticker at the midpoint. Each two layered letter is adhered with pop dots for added dimension.

I love to add words and phrases to my projects and SRM clear stickers are perfect for doing just that. I used a variety of sticker sheets to find just the right words in just the right sizes to add fun details.

I wanted to add a little bit more to my banner and a strip of the new raw-edged burlap ribbon behind each banner shape added another great layer and natural element. I used mini clothespins to hang the pieces from the new jute twine.

To dress up my banner I also added several lengths of ribbon to each end, including the wired burlap (curled so cute!), white lace, and bit of the blue in a blue striped ribbon from my stash.

For this project I used:

3 colors of cardstock | White 4" Doilie | White Lace | Burlap Ribbon - Raw | Burlap Wired Ribbon | Jute Twine in white | Sticker Sentiments - Happy Birthday  | We've Got Your Border - Birthday | Stickers By the Dozen - Birthday | We've Got your Sticker - Hello | Stickers By the Dozen - Birthday Birdie | We've Got Your Border - Sticker Stitches Black 

Back to School

It's back to school around here. I love the yearly supply shopping and getting back to a routine. I'm glad my daughter loves school and shares some of my enthusiasm for this time of year.


It's also a great time for crafting up some back to school goodies. This year I created an adorable banner that I used for our annual back to school photo shoot and now have it hanging in our dining room. Most of the die cuts are Cricut cuts that I just selected randomly from various cartridges. I used school themed paper to coordinate the different elements. To add a little interest at the top of each pennant I added a small doilie (from SRM).  I also grabbed a few clear sentiment stickers from my SRM stash to add to some of the banners.

Of course we needed a sign for my 2nd grader to hold during the photo shoot and on the first day of school. I used an piece of wood (found a great size in my garage) and added some SRM stickers and a die cut title. Simple and much faster than the banner! 2nd Grade here she comes!!!

I also like to give a small gift to our new teacher. This small red wire basket was in the dollar bin at Target as were some of the included goodies. I used some more SRM stickers and put them on cardstock and attached a magnet to the back so they would stick to the basket. A little twine wrapped around it and the gift was done. Teaching is a hard job (I taught middle schoolers for 13 years). We like to look for anything we can do to make their day a little more fun and a little easier.

You can find the SRM sticker products I used HERE:

Say it with Stickers "Teacher" | Freestyle "School" | Express Yourself "School" | Live Life "School"  | 6 inch doilies (red, black, green, white)