Journal Pages: Miracles

I recently read Mark 1:40-41, where Jesus heals the leper who says, "If you wish, you can make me clean." While painting in my journal, I thought of all that I am praying for, people who are sick, situations I have no control over, challenges, trials, my own weaknesses.  I ask Him to stretch out his hand and touch all these.  If you wish, Lord, you can do all these.   And I am grateful for these words in the bible that give me hope, "I will do it. Be made clean."

Even if it requires a miracle, just like the healing of the paralytic in Mark 2,  I continue to hope.  Speaking of bible verses, here is a link to Bible Verses by Topic: Inspirational Scriptures by Subject which you might find helpful.  

I'm linking up with Brag on God Friday, Just Journals and Sunday Sketches.  And you still have time to join the two giveaways I'm having if you are interested - My Latest ATCs and My Memories digital scrapbooking software.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Edit: And because bible verses always inspire me, I'm linking up this week to Inspire Me Monday.

My Latest Artist Trading Cards

Sarah over at La-De-Dah has a regular feature called My Monthly Mojo and for the month of January, she features Artist Trading Cards, the little works of art that are a great way to be creative even when you don't have that much time. 

Of course I had to play along since it was making ATCs that got me started on painting bigger pieces and making other projects.

I started making ATCs and then trading them in ATCs for All, where everyone is welcome to join in the fun of trading.

I haven't done any trading recently but Sarah's post inspired me to make some ATCs again.

First, I cut some scrap board to the specified 2½" x 3½" size.

I covered the cards in bookpaper, drew an outline of each girl and gessoed this part.

I colored them with watercolor, colored pencils, copic markers, poster paints, and whatever else I have.

I then added scrap paper, magazine cutouts, stamped images, and other bits and pieces.

I still have a few more to finish (making a lot all at the same time makes it easier for me to part with them).  And just to say thank you to my visitors, I'm giving away one of these ATCs on Valentine's day.  Let me know in a comment if you would like a chance to own one of these and if you are a follower, let me know in a separate comment for a second chance to join this giveaway.

Aside from My Monthly Mojo, I will also link up with Paint Party Friday, and Studio Sneak Peek.

And if you haven't yet, you might want to join my giveaway for the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software.   Hugs to all of you!

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday: A Lot!

So, it's Wednesday once again (whaaaat? already?) and there goes my plan to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  Here is my desk today, with a lot going on for our What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday link party.  Some new craft books and ATCs that I stuck on a sheet to scan (I plan to make a post about them but who knows how THAT plan will go)...

And behind the mug of water, the unfinished ATCs from the same set...

And here is my reflection guide for our "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," an "international ecumenical observance" which we observe from January 18 to today.  This year's theme is "We will all be changed by the victory of Our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Corinthians 15:51-58.  

Change doesn't happen overnight and we often have to be patient (the hairdryer shows I haven't been patient in waiting for the paint to dry on it's own)...

Here is a page from my prayer journal, illustrating David and Goliath...

and a quote from the daily devotional, The Word Among Us, "The giant of division seems entrenched and formidable.  We may feel powerless against him... But don't forget: This battle is the Lord's, not ours to win... We need to carefully select the smooth stones he has placed at out disposal... One that flies straight to the mark is love, choosing to think the best of each other.  Love deeply respects the other, listens to the other, and is open to learning from the other... If we can just learn to look upon each other with love, we will go a long way toward the unity we all long for." 

And I think about the WOYWW bloggers who accept one another even if we all have different beliefs and ways of doing things.  We don't insist on our own way, or judge others who don't do things the way we do it.  We learn from one another and appreciate one another.  We encourage one another to be the best we can be.  Now that's what I call unity.

p.s. There's still time to join the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software giveaway.

My Journal Pages

Deciding this year to make my prayer journal an art journal has been a blessing for me. The time spent drawing and painting has been added time to reflect on the verses from the bible and what they mean to me.  


But it is a challenge as well to find the time to do it.  Sometimes I don't get to finish the page in the morning and have go back to it after I get back from work.  Sometimes I have to continue the following day adding  whatever I want in the previous days' pages.  But it is a good challenge because I get to do art everyday!


Here are some illustrations from my prayer journal, with verses from the first book of Samuel.  In this book, Hannah prayed for a son and she waited a long time before her prayer was answered.  When she finally had a son (Samuel) this is what she said...

Together, with Hannah, "My heart exults in the Lord.  I rejoice in my victory". 1 Samuel 2:1

When Samuel was a boy, he heard his name being called and although he did not recognize the Lord's voice, he obeyed what Eli the priest told him to say...

Although there have been times when I have been certain of God's direction for me, I'm sure there have been many times when the Lord has called me and I didn't recognize his voice.  But I continue to try to listen and grow in recognizing his voice.  I continue to say, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening". 1 Samuel 3:9

I will link up with Paint Party Friday, Brag on God Friday, Studio Sneak Peek, Show and Tell Saturday, Just Journals and Sunday Sketches.  

And if you are interest in digital scrapbooking, you still have time to join my giveaway for the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software.   Happy creating!

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday: Bookpaper ATCs

Hello, dear blog friends!  Here is a shot of my workdesk this Wednesday morning...

It's been a while since I made some Artist Trading Cards so I decided to make some after seeing Sarah's My Monthly Mojo post.  I'm using a bookpaper background, gessoed in parts, colored with whatever I can get my hands on and then I will layer them with paper scraps.

That's it for today (finally, a short WOYWW post!) and for more desks, drop by Julia who has THE WOYWW list!  Happy desk peeking!

My Prayer Journal 2012

For 2012, I have started a new prayer journal, and I try to put a little bit of art into each page, to help me remember the bible verse I meditated on.  Here are a few parts of the pages I have made so far...

After the Christmas holidays, I'm trying to get back into posting more regularly so I'm linking this up with Paint Party Friday, Brag on God Friday, Studio Sneak Peek, Show and Tell Saturday and Sunday Sketches.  

If you are interested in trying out digital scrapbooking, you still have time to join my giveaway for the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software.   Blessings to all of you!

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday: Paper Lanterns

The Christmas season officially ended (in the Catholic church) last Sunday and we have taken our Christmas decorations down.   Every Christmas, since we started visiting the local jail regularly, I have received a paper lantern from the inmates.  I thought of making a post about these wonderful lanterns and that is why they are piled on top of my desk today...

They are made from old telephone directories, cut, folded or rolled, and pasted together.  Aren't they amazing?

Here is my box of my favorite Pigma Micron Pens.  I have been using them for my prayer art journal.  I have managed to keep up with it until now (I'm chuffed and giving myself a pat on the back)!

Here's a peek at one of the pages inside...

For a peek at more desks, go visit the very amusing Julia at the Stamping Ground.  You will learn things like new uses for a shoe horn (to fit your new craft supplies into your shelves, LOL!).

And why not join my giveaway for the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking software.  It's great for all sorts of projects and since no one has joined yet, you could be the sure winner, LOL!

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday: Happy New Year!

Hello, my dear blog friends!  I hope you enjoyed your holidays and are all set for a wonderful 2012!   My desk today is deceptively spic-and-span.  I not only used the push back method, but the more drastic push out (to the floor)...

I have started a new prayer journal.  My sister Patsy says making art in her prayer journal has helped her to remember the verses she has meditated on so I decided to follow in her footsteps...

I am using a journal I received from Sarah for the WOYWW Pay It Forward last year.  Thanks, Sarah!  Have you visited Sarah?  She has a Mojo Monthly feature in her blog that has wonderful projects and artist interviews.

That's it for now and you might want to take a peek at more desks joining What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday!  Happy New Year, everyone!

Happy New Year and the Winner is...

Here's to a wonderful new year filled with abundant blessings!

And the winner of my giveaway is number...

Congratulations, Lisa Isabella Russo!  Please send me your address and I will send you "Wonderfully Made Eve".