Starting the Year Out Right

 Hello Everyone! 

One thing I have challenged myself to get back to this year is the Word.  I can't remember the last time I did Bible journaling or even sat down and read scripture.  I should know that when it feels like life is spinning out of control, what I am missing is God.  

Personal struggles, a timely sermon and a Bible journaling session with Deeds (from the Creative Worship Bible Journaling Facebook Group have lead me to my word of the year, love.  Sounds basic, simple.  But I have realized that is absolutely not the case.  Frankly, I think many people have no real idea of what love is.  And I am not pointing fingers at anyone but myself right now.  It is time for me to spend time with God learning of how He wants me to love.  

Which lead me to a Bible journaling page with my word of the year, Love. 

I followed along with Deeds in the basic format/layout and techniques for journaling as I am seriously rusty!  I used distress inks, distress oxide inks, and stencils for the background.  My plan did not unfold the way I wanted it to, so I had to make some changes to make it all work out.  

First, a light coat of gesso was applied to the page. Once dried, I stamped leaves with the set, Gracefully Grateful from IOStamps.  The leaves were colored in with Prismacolor Pencils.  Next, I stamped a cluster of brown leaves with the Silhouette 7 (leaves) stamp from IO.  Originally. the heart image, from the new Spellbinders Stamp and Die Club Kit was stamped in the corner and I tried to watercolor it with distress oxides.  However, things became a big, muddled mess, so I had to regroup.  

I stamped more hearts on Neenah Solar White cs and colored them with Copics, then fussy cut them out.  I was going for a floral spray of sorts and I needed leaves for the flower hearts so used the leaves from the snss Like a Sunflower Stamp Set. The caption/title was done with the snss Creative Worship Chunky Alpha Stamp Set and the Creative Worship Rebecca Script Alpha Stamp Set.  Details were added with a white gel pen. 

I wrote in some scriptures specifically aboout love and then left room to personalize the page.  

Noting that it looks a bit messy and busy, I wanted to not like this page, but then I realized I needed to embrace it as it is not about the artwork but the heartwork.  

I pray you all have a blessed New Year and know that the Lord loves you.  

Lee Ann 

Supplies used in today's project(s)

Copic Sketch Markers SSS | Blick	3M Scotch ATG Advanced Tape Glider SSS
Sakura Pigma Micron Pens SSS | Blick | scrpbk	Neenah Classic Crest 80# Ream Smooth Solar White Cardstock SSS
Versafine Onyx Black Ink SSS | scrpbk	EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors SSS | scrpbk
Tonic Craft Guillotine Trimmer SSS	Uni-Ball Signo White Gel Pen SSS | Blick
Prismacolor Pencils, 72 count Blick	Mini Distress Ink Pad, Old Paper SSS
Distress Ink Pad, Gathered Twigs SSS	Mini Distress Ink Pad, Ground Espresso SSS
IO Silhouette 7 IO	SB Clear Stamp and Die Club Kit Spellbinders
IO Gracefully Grateful IO	snss Like a Sunflower SnSS
snss Chunky Alpha Stamp Set SnSS	snss Rebecca Script Alpha SnSS
sss Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Abandoned Coral SSS	Memento Rich Cocoa Ink Pad SSS
Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Tattered Rose Ink Pad SSS	Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Frayed Burlap Ink Pad SSS