WOYWW: Last Week's Post

I had problems with my computer last week, so here is last week's post for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday!  I couldn't resist showing you this hand lettered box that my brother made to package one of his gifts...

a mini folder decorated with some pretty weaving (although I must have shown it to you before)...

a painting my sister Patsy gave me last Christmas, or was it my birthday?...

and one of journal illustrations...

That is such a blurry picture!  Anyway, I love this verse from Romans 1:7.  This is how I see myself - beloved of God and called to holiness (well, I'm working on it!)

Have a blessed week, everyone!

Here I Am

Have I shared this journal page with you?  There are times when it isn't easy to do God's will, but I want to be able to say, together with the psalmist, "To do your will is my delight"!

I'm linking up to Word Art Wednesday,  Faith-filled Friday, Heartprint Hallelujahs, Paint Party Friday, Random Journal Day, Studio Sneak Peek, Art Journal Every Day and Spiritual Sundays.

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday: An Assortment

For this week's edition of WOYWW, where bloggers around the world get together to show off their desk and take a peek at other's desks,  here is my desk (this is the neat part!)

A few close-ups.  Some ATCs that I will scan before I send off to new homes.  Thank you, dear blog friends, for offers to trade!  I will check to see if I have enough (and make a draw if not).  Hopefully, I can send these out soon.  Also, a page from my prayer journal (I am also scanning the pages and in my previous posts, I have pages from my journal).

A page in the making from my "Journey" altered book (I'm not sure if I've shown you this Hongkong page.)  If you are interested in making an altered book, the Altered Book course is available in Elizabeth's blog.

And here is a little tin from Heidelberg, Germany.  I asked my hubby if he had any tin cans I could  cut up for a project and this is what he gave me. Oh no, it's too cute.  I'll keep it as it is!

Check out what everyone else has been up to!  Julia has the WOYWW list.

Don't Worry!

Sharing this with blog friends from Sunday Sketches, Spiritual Sundays, Inspire Me Monday, Word Art Wednesday and Blessed Beyond A Doubt.

Journal Reflections

Her son went off on his own without asking permission.  And so they had to search for him.  When they finally found him, she and her husband asked him, "Why?"  Well, he had his own reasons for what he did and didn't seem to understand why they were so upset.  They didn't understand what he said to them.

Does this sound familiar?  If you are a parent, haven't there been times when you couldn't understand your children?  Haven't there been times when you've asked "Why?"  Even with our relationships with other people, haven't there been times when we haven't understood?  When we've asked "Why?"

I know there have been times like this for me.  But oh, to be able to follow her example when faced with times like this.  To be able to ponder and pray and control my tongue.  To be able to understand, by God's grace, to do as God leads and to treasure these things.  This is my prayer as I reflect on this bible verse...

"When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart."  Luke 2:42-51

I'm linking up to Paint Party Friday, Studio Sneak Peek, Random Journal Day, Heartprint Hallelujahs, Just Journals, Faith-filled Friday, Art Journal Every Day and Spiritual Sundays.

Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled

The God who made the universe, who set the stars in the sky and created every creature on earth; the God who makes night and day, the seasons, the land and the seas; He is a God who loves us and knows everything about us, all our needs, all our concerns, all our fears and troubles.  And He says in His word, "Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid."

In Philippians 4:6-7, it says,"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I have passed through my own trials in life (which I shared in my post Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death) and I have experienced this peace beyond understanding.  My prayer is that you will, too.

I'm linking up with Sunday Sketches, Inspire Me Monday, Word Art Wednesday and Blessed Beyond A Doubt.

Paint Party Friday: Filipiniana ATCs

Here's a Studio Sneak Peek of a whole series of Filipiniana Artist Trading Cards that I'm making to trade with my followers and blog friends.  I used backgrounds from a Filipino songbook, handpainted the faces and collaged on magazine clippings for the "Ternos" (see my previous post for a picture of a real terno).  It looks like they are having a party, doesn't it?  A Paint Party Friday!

And for a Faith-filled Friday, here's a page from my prayer journal, which is also my Art Journal Every Day.   What wonderful promises there are in God's word!

I'm also linking up to Random Journal Day, Heartprint Hallelujahs and Just Journals.

All Scripture is Inspired by God

Hello, my dear blog friends, here's a little sketch from my prayer journal, illustrating 2 Timothy 3:16.   I read and meditate on scripture every day because I do believe this verse!  I would like to be equipped for every good work!  

May you have a lovely week ahead!  I'm linking up with Sunday Sketches and Inspire Me Monday.

You are the Light of the World!

We celebrated Philippine Independence day last June 12 and this is what I drew in my journal.  Even as I thanked the Lord for our nation, I prayed that He would transform us, renew us, and heal us that we may become the people that He wants us to be.

I'm glad to be back and linking up with Paint Party Friday, Studio Sneak Peek, Heartprint Hallelujahs, Random Journal Day, Faith Filled Friday and Art Journal Every Day.  

Finally...

Finally, I've chosen a winner for my giveaway!  So sorry for the delay!  The winner (Number 81) wrote this lovely comment as her entry, "I don't post in your blog often but I do read it and love all your work. I would love to win your artwork but so many contenders I may not however I wanted to let you know that I love your work."  Aww, thank you so much!  

Well,  Shashi Nayagam, even with "so many contenders," you still won!  We never really know what surprises will come our way each day, do we?  Congratulations, Shashi!  

And finally, some art to share with you.  Here is a page from my prayer journal, illustrating 2 Peter 1: 5-7...

and another one, illustrating 2 Timothy 1:6...

I'm linking up with Inspire Me Monday and  Random Journal Day!

Lenten Reflections

In the Catholic Church, we are celebrating the season of Lent, forty days of drawing closer to God through prayer, fasting and repentance.  Last year, I made an Artist Trading Card for each day of Lent. Here they are in my ATC album...

I wrote my reflection for the day on the back of the ATC. 

And I thought of posting an ATC from this collection for this year's Lent.

Of course that didn't happen since I didn't get to scan them.

Completing this set last year encouraged me to try to make my prayer journal an art journal as well.  

Here is one of my pages for this Lent...

If you would like to celebrate Lent with your family, here is a free Easter Devotional Book (to make a Jesus Tree) by Ann Voscamp.  May this season be a special time for you as well.  

I'm linking up with Paint Party Friday, Studio Sneak Peek, Faith Filled Friday, Sunday Sketches and Inspire Me Monday.

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!