The start of something new...

The very first topic in The Crafters Devotional talks about beginning the journaling process, and more specificly, choosing a journal: "Journaling needn't be expensive - peruse your local office supply shop, drugstore, warehouse, or stationary store for a notebook that can serve as your first journal.  Choose the book that you're drawn to instinctively, whether it's a miniature notepad or a leather-bound book."

When I read this, I immediately thought of my pink leather-bound journal.  I found it at Chapters and bought because it was pink and I loved the feel of the leather cover.  I hadn't been using it because I tried to create my own journal, but my creation wasn't really doing it for me.  I decided to go back to my lovely pink journal.

Continuing to read through the devotional, the following week's journalling topic was about personalizing your journal: "If you've always been a crafty type, you've probably been inspired to personalize a store-bought journal or spiral-bound notebook.  It can be as simple as adding a monogram, bumper stickers, or doodling to your heart's content.  The blank journal cover is a blank slate, so to speak, for original artwork."  Actually, I had never thought of decorating my store-bought journals before.  So I figured I was long overdue.  Want to see the results? Of course you do! So here you go...

The first thing I did was make the bookmark (really a long knotted friendshipracelet - the charm on the end of it is a dove with an olive branch it its beak).  It's attached to the spine of the journal with a white flower-shaped eyelet.  I was so proud of myself for setting that eyelet - it was the first time I'd used my Crop-a-Dile to set an eyelet.  Now I'm wondering why it took me so long to get around to trying! Anyway, once I had my bookmark attached, the next step was attaching the fuzzy brads (made by Doodlebug Designs, one of my favourite scrappy companies).  I still felt it needed something though.  It took me quite a while to figure out what that something was.  Then I happened to think of some metal words I had in with my faith scrapbooking supplies.  After a great deal of playing around with the words (and finally getting an expert opinion from my mom) I decided to go with "Believe".

This is the title page I made for my journal (sorry for the blurry picture - i'm still trying to figure out how to get good up-close pics of my art projects).  I found the stickers (by Jolee's Boutique) when I was looking for stuff to use in my Bucket List mini album.  The fuzzy cloud stickers I bought extra.  The balloon and the banner just somehow seemed a perfect fit for a journal title page.

Until next time,

J.

My word and verses for 2011

A fellow blogger I know always has a word and a verse for the year to help her in setting goals for the year.  I decided that this year I would do the same.  So I started thinking about what my word should be, and what relevant Bible verses I could  find.  In one of my previous posts I mentioned that I have great hope that this year will be better than the last.  Since I wrote that post, I've been seeing the word "hope" all over the place.  It became clear pretty quickly that "hope" should be my word of the year.  To help me remember to have hope in God, no matter what life throws at me, I created this ATC:

 The next thing I wanted to do was come up with some Bible verses to go with it.  The first one was pretty easy.
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

The second verse that came to mind is another favourite of mine.
Isaiah 40: 30-31: "Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and now grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Then I started thinking that I should have one more verse.  I did some reading and some searching, and came across this verse.
Deuteronomy 30: 7-8: "Be strong and courageous...The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

I often struggle to remember when times get tough to trust in the Lord to help me get through the turmoil.  My hope (there's that word again!) is that by looking at my card and remembering these verses, I'll remember that when the going gets tough the tough turn to God!

Until next time,
J.