2020 Prayer Journal

I was interested in making a Prayer Journal this year and Rhonda Wade (Creating for Christ) was offering kits.  I decided to order the basics and create my own version.  I love how it turned out.  I'm using it to write favorite Scriptures, prayers, and helpful quotes, etc., to guide my prayer and meditation times.

These gorgeous papers are only 6 X 6" in size.  I lengthened the look of mine by adding an additional piece at the bottom of the journal cover and covering the 'joint' with a piece of ribbon.  Blackberry Bliss --- so yummy!!!

This is the inside of the front cover.  I added an additional layer of CS to make the cover stronger.

I added a favorite quote inside the back cover.  I used an additional layer of CS here also, to strengthen the back cover.

I love, love, love this!

UPCOMING CLASSES / EVENTS …

COORDINATION PRODUCT RELEASE:

AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 4 - MARCH 31.

FEBRUARY ORDERING INCENTIVES:

ORDER THROUGH ME ANY TIME DURING FEBRUARY AND EARN DOUBLE TOKENS FROM ME.  

EACH $50. YOU ORDER THROUGH ME EARNS YOU A DOUBLE TOKEN ... AND A FREE PRODUCT FROM STAMPIN' UP!

Click here to place an order through me.

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00

February 10 / REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED.

We’ll be making some fun cards at this class.

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS

February 18 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00

March 9 / Pay to register by March 2. / 6 Remaining spots.

We'll be making some great cards, including a really pretty birthday card.

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS

March 17 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

MORE CLASSES AND EVENTS - - - TBA

That's it for now.  

Thanks for stopping by my blog neighborhood.   

Have a beautiful day!

Meet My 2 Fancy New Journals

Once I started eating and living more responsibly, for a healthier life, I learned how journaling can be a powerful tool in staying successful in your journey.  I believe that this is a journey that never really ends, you just make a lot of stops along the way and ... how you live determines how much fun those experiences can be.  I've always thought that journaling should be an important part of your life, but I cannot tell you how many times I've cleaned out drawers, bookcases and shelves only to find many, many journals that I started ... and ... that was it ... only a start.
A good friend suggested that I combine my love of art into my journals.  Wow!  What a fabulous idea.  Now, I've started and actually filled up many, many journals.  Journaling has become an important part of my life ... and I need a great journal to do it.  Here are the last 2 journals I recently finished.  I love them!

This first journal cover is one that I made up as I went along.  I couldn't tell you how to do it, even if my life depended on it.  It involves a bit of Pearl X Powders and a lot of gold embossing powder, with a bit of stamping at the end of the process.  As I heated the embossing powder, I kept adding more powder, a pinch at a time.  It was an incredibly messy and wonderfully fun project.

The inside pages are edged with paints and/or watercolors, with random stamping throughout the journal pages.  By the way, I ordered my journals from Amazon.  They are called Dylusions Creative Journals.  These are a 5 X 8" size.  I've tried several sizes and like this size the best.

The pages in the journals are made from sturdy papers specifically designed for mixed media projects, so they are perfect for watercoloring and/or stamping.  You do not need to Gesso the pages before using them.

I added just a snippet of ribbon to the elastic closure on each of my journals.  I love how they turned out!

I loved the first one so much that I started out trying to recreate it for my second journal.  However, this time, the more embossing powder I added, the smoother it got.  (The first one is wonderfully bumpity.)
I soon came to my senses and realized that I couldn't recreate the first journal ... and ... why would I want two the same anyway?  So ... off to a new design plan.  Remember, these are 'make it up as you go along' journal covers.

After I'd finished all the embossing, I decided to use 2 of my favorite butterfly dies.  One die is designed to fit over the top of another.  It wasn't quite long enough, so I added 2 more to the lower part of the journal cover.  The larger die cut piece fit perfectly around the elastic closure.  I cut them from watercolor papers, to give more depth and texture.
TIP:
To adhere pieces like this, I make a puddle of glue on my craft mat and use a piece of sponge to dab the glue onto the die cut piece.

Once the glue was dry, I spritzed them with water and sprinkled on some Brusho.  I hadn't gotten my hands all colorful with Brusho for a while.  It was great!  I love and will always love Brusho.
After the Brusho dried, I embossed with clear embossing powder, to make sure the butterflies were secure, adding in a few pinches of gold embossing powder here and there.  I absolutely love the end result.  It will be hard to top this one, once it's full.  This was a messy, time-consuming project and well worth the effort.  I can enjoy this one for months to come!

It's amazing that you can start out in a similar way and end up with two completely different projects.

In the past, I created journals for several of my favorite journaling projects ... art, quotes, scriptures, funny sayings, inspirational ideas, daily tracking of eating and exercising ...  Now, I combine them all into one great journal.  This is a better system.  I mean, after all, how many journals can you juggle at one time?  I'll probably eventually convert the other partially started journals that have separate topics and areas of focus, all into one - like these.
Have you tried creating a journal, using art as a part of it ... or even a journal that is all art?  Give it a try.  I think you'll be glad you did.

UPCOMING CLASSES / EVENTS …

SALE-A-BRATION (SAB) PREMIER EVENT / 2:00-5:00 / $18.00

February 2 / Pay to register by January 26.

It’s a party.  It’s a class.

REGISTRATION CLOSED.  My class table is full.

I have a few kits available, while supplies last.

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00

February 10 / Pay to register by February 3.

We’ll be making some fun cards at this class.

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS

February 18 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00

March 9 / Pay to register by March 2.

Project TBA.

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS

March 17 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

MORE CLASSES AND EVENTS - - - TBA

That's it for now.  

Thanks for stopping by my blog neighborhood.   

Have a beautiful day!

Olive's Pretty Journal

Well... a trip to the Orthopedic Clinic in Springfield yesterday confirmed my fears.  I have a torn rotator cuff.  Ugh!  I got a VERY painful shot and we're hoping that will buy me some time, but it doesn't seem to be helping much yet.  I don't have time for this!  I need to create for Fall and Christmas.  I'm trying to keep good thoughts.  We're having a very busy time these days because (the 26th, 27th, and 28th) we're having a big garage sale.  If you're in the area, stop by for some great bargains. 

So... on to today's fun project ... AND ... don't forget that the 27th is the last day to pay to register for my Christmas Cards Retreat.  I have 2 spots left.

The last time Olive Jane was here for a sleepover, she couldn't help but notice all my new journals I'd been making.  Of course, she wanted one, too.  I quickly did a mental inventory of 'my stash' of supplies and knew I had a moleskin journal that would be perfect for her to decorate.  She's such a sweetheart and loves to create with me.  Here's her pretty journal.

We punched a tiny hole at the top of her journal and I tied on the embellishments she chose for it.

Of course, we had to add some of my Shimmer Spritz to it:)

We added a few punched sprigs and hearts at the bottom of her journal and we were finished.

We both love it and she went home a happy camper.

UP NEXT:

CHRISTMAS CARDS RETREAT / 1:00-5:00 / $35.00

Sunday, October 6

Pay to register by September 27.

Fee includes snacks and all your supplies.

You'll go home with 3 each of 5 card designs, using fun new holiday products ... that's 15 beautiful cards! 
My secret message...
Anyone attending my Christmas Cards Retreat may place an order (on that day only) and receive a 10% discount!  This will give you the opportunity to stock up on any supplies you may need to mak more cards and/or projects in time for Christmas.

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00 

October 14 / Pay to register by October 7.

We’ll be decorating a beautiful Copper Tea Tin for the season.

We’ll also be celebrating our Scraps and Prayers 10^th Anniversary.

Expect some special surprises at this class!

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS 

October 22 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.
I'll show you how to turn some of the projects into cards.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A WICKEDLY FUN TIME! 

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE PARTY / 2:00-5:00 / RSVP REQUESTED

Sunday, November 3

Come enjoy holiday displays, inspirations, projects and more!

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00 

November 11 / Pay to register by November 4

We’ll be making beautiful Christmas cards or a Christmas project.

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS 

November 19 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00 

December 9 / Pay to register by December 2.

We’ll be making beautiful Christmas cards.

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS 

December 17 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

That's it for now.  

Thanks for stopping by my blog neighborhood.   

Have a beautiful day!

Let's Count Our Blessings

For our next Scraps and Prayers project, I decided to design a cover for a special journal.  This is a journal to use to write down reminders of blessings for which we are thankful.  When you hit a day when too many things seem stacked against you, you can take out this journal and focus on the good things going in your life. 

I have a stack of journals waiting (more than you see in the photo:) and I hope one will be for you.

I've used heat embossing, basic stamping and a die cut title.

I added a ribbon to use for a bookmark in the journal.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration. 

What have I been doing? Part 2

I've been putting my MDS journals to good use lately, in working on my class plans.  I cannot physically work a long time in my studio, so I work with pen and paper.  I've written down ideas of things I want to make for my Prairie Treasures booth, too.  So many ideas... so little time.  I cannot understand at all why some people get bored being at home.  I just won't have it!

I designed these journals using My Digital Studio and had them printed up for me.  I've used them a lot.  It's more fun to stay organized when you have cute journals:)

The bulk of my planning has gone into upcoming classes.  I can't wait to share some of my ideas with you!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Try It ... a Wonderful Little Journal Kit

I love, love, love the little journals that come in the Try It Kit.  The kit is designed for those who would like a little taste of what our Paper Pumpkin Kits are all about... thus the name:  'Try It.'  The kit comes with 2 little journals and embellishments to decorate them, along with 2 stamps and even an acrylic block, not to mention a cute little Stampin' Spot so you have the ink to get stamping right away.

I decided to make the first journal pretty much like the kit suggested.  Then, I made 2 more that were totally different.

Today, I'll share the first one with you.

I did add a little extra stamping on mine.  I just couldn't stop!  I think I'll use this one to carry with me in my purse for those times when you need to jot something down and you're on the go.

Here's a closer look at what comes in the kit:

It is still available now, even though March is over.  I have 4 kits left now, here in my studio.  We are allowed to sell these directly, so you can get your hands on the fun right away.  Contact me if you would like a kit.

It comes in a cute little box like this:

You open it... and wow... Let the fun begin!

I'll be sharing my other little journals with you soon.  Now, I'm off to study the new catalog and figure out my demonstrator pre-order today.  One of the many perks of being a demonstrator is that you get to enjoy sneak peeks before everyone else and order selected products early.  Oh, the excitement!

Come back soon to see my other journals, along with what I'm making with the My Paper Pumpkin Kits.  I cannot show you any new products before the new catalog goes live, but I CAN share my projects with you that I make with new product, so be sure to come back and check it out.  Have a great day!

This And That --- An Awesome Journal AND My 700th Post!!!

I am loving our new This and That journal.  It is a kind of smash book, where you can add pretty much whatever you'd like to put in it.  I've used all the stickers that came with it and decorated a lot of the pages.  The pages are gorgeous already, with the beautiful papers, so adding stickers was over the top in terms of fun.  I used some of the washi tape that came in the bundle, too.  It is really nice, super easy to use and adds a bit of fun to wherever you place it.  There was also a package of DSP that came with the bundle and I used a bit of that on the cover.  I'll be playing with it a lot more, for sure!

Here's a peek at the cover of my journal:

I painted on some gesso, just for fun, then started decorating the cover.  I used some of the DSP (from the bundle) and then added a bit of washi tape and some stickers.  For the finishing touch, I added a bit of lace from our Artisan Embellishment Kit and wrapped a Builder Brad around a bit of our woven ribbon.  Because the brad is on the front of a journal, I added a dot of Liquid Tombow before placing down the epoxy bubble in the center of it.  To keep it neutral, I used a punched piece of Crumb Cake CS under the bubble, rather than a bright color.

What will I put inside my journal?

• all those odds and ends of little mementos that usually end up in a drawer, misplaced or lost...
• funny quotes that the kids say and you don't want to forget...
• extra photos not needed in a layout but too good to discard...
• lists of plans, dreams, goals...
• interesting quotes... (I love collecting quotes!)
• story ideas... in case I ever get back to my writing  (I have good starts to several children's books.)...
• odds and ends...
• dates, when needed, using the super fun rotary stamp that came in the bundle... You can also use it to stamp little comments.

I've ordered a second journal to save for our next road trip or vacation.  Hmmmm... maybe I should get one to take to Convention, too.  I'm all registered for it!

This bundle is available until the end of April and then it all goes away until the new catalog comes out.  Give it a try and I think you'll enjoy it a lot.

• How will you decorate the cover on your journal?
• What will you put inside your journal?

By the way, I think these would make wonderful gifts.  I got one for each of the boys for when we have some of our 'project time' sessions this summer.  Shhhhh!  Don't tell them!  It's a surprise!

I'm off to work in my studio all morning and into the afternoon... love it!!!  Then, I'm going to the Wildflour for a late lunch with my daughter and to add lots of new goodies to my Prairie Treasures booth.  It's in the Root Cellar (basement) at the Wildflour and your really should go, if you live in the area.  It's a great place to find all kinds of treasures.  (The food in the bakery is yummy, too!)

Have a good day and a wonderful weekend.  I'm so thankful the thunder has stopped, so Toby Joe can calm down and be happy again.  Poor baby!  He has a hard time during the storms.

MDS Journals

I love books and I love journals.  A new journal is an opportunity just waiting...
   waiting to be filled with thoughts, notes, sketches, ideas, plans, dreams, stories, poetry, doodling...

Today, I'm sharing some journals that I made using My Digital Studio.  They were fun and very easy to design.  Now, to get them ordered and start filling them with all kinds of important ideas.

So, what do you think?  What should I write in my journals?  Hmmmmmm...

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.