Sunday, June 30, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 28

I have a doodle for you today.  I really like doing flower doodles, so this was a fun one for me.  After the doodling was done I scanned it into my computer and added the color.  I also added a verse using the CK Curly font – this is one of my favorite fonts to use with my doodles.
 
Flower Doodle
 
Thank you for visiting my blog today!
 
Until tomorrow…
 
“The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs…you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”   Isaiah 58:11
 
Maranatha!
Jane  <><
 
 

Saturday, June 29, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 27

Several years ago I went on a photo retreat in southern Minnesota with my camera club.  We were in Amish country, so our challenge was to capture Amish images without taking photos of the Amish people (they do not want pictures taken of themselves).  I was thrilled to find this beautiful scene on the side of the road of two Amish teenagers selling quilts.  They were very sweet, and gave me permission to take pictures.  This is one of my favorite shots of the day…
 
amish quilts for blog
 
I shot the photo in black and white.  This was before digital, so I printed it in my darkroom.  I then hand-painted just the quilts with Marshall’s Photo Oil Paints.  Fast forward several years…I scanned the photo into my computer.  Using my “Photoshop Essentials” program I was able to add the yellowing tint and scratched border to give it an old, worn look.
 
Until tomorrow…
 
“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.”  John 1:16
 
May your day be blessed,
Jane  <><

Friday, June 28, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 26

I bought a few old cameras at the thrift shop a few weeks ago.  They aren’t really old enough to be considered collectable yet.  That’s probably why I only had to pay $1.50 each for them.  I had one similar to this in the early ‘70’s.
 
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I decided to spray paint one of them glossy white. Before I did that I put some masking tape over the lens and viewfinder (see above picture).  After it was painted I took the tape off, and wrote “smile” on it with a Sharpie marker…
 
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I thought this would make a cute photo/message holder.  The wire that I used to do this is a 12 gauge aluminum jewelry wire that I got at Michael’s.  I really like this wire – it comes in several different colors, and it’s easy to bend.  It also doesn’t tarnish like other wire I've tried from the hardware store.
 
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Next, I bent the wire.  There are many different ways you can bend it – I decided that I wanted it to hold two photos, so I bent mine with two loops. 
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I also bent the base of the wire into a circle that fits the mechanism on the camera that was used to attach a flashcube (remember flashcubes?)  A little glue will hold it in place.
 
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And that’s it!  I like how it turned out.  It’s my Mom’s birthday today, so I put in a photo of my Mom and me, and a birthday note.  I know my Mom reads my blog every day, so I want to say a special Happy Birthday to her!  Thank you for being my biggest fan Mom…your support means everything to me.  I love you so very much, and I couldn’t ask for a better mother!
 
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Until tomorrow…
 
“How kind the Lord is!  How good He is!  So merciful, this God of ours!”  Psalm 116:5
 
In His Mercy and Kindness,
Jane  <><


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Thursday, June 27, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 25

I’m back at home after visiting my daughter in South Dakota for 5 days (it isn’t a coincidence that we had no power for the same amount of days that I was gone).  I had such a great time with Mary, Kyle, and the kids.  It wasn’t too hard to say goodbye today knowing that Gregg and I will be going back for the 4th of July. 
 
Here are some more photos that were taken of Hailey and Jack.  I have to be honest…Mary took these pictures.  We both had our cameras, taking the same pictures, but hers turned out better than mine.  She gave me permission to use hers, but I thought that I should do something creative with them.  I picked my three favorites and “framed” them with three different designs.
 
The first is a doodle design of mine…
 
Hailey and Jack doodle blog
 
This is one of my designs too…
 
Hailey and Jack
 
This is a frame from my Photoshop Essentials software…
 
Hailey and Jack negative frame blog
 
So, which one is your favorite?
 
Until tomorrow…
 
“Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.”  Proverbs 17:6
 
In His Holy Name,
Jane  <><

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 24

Good news!  Our power came back on today!  I’m still in South Dakota, but I will be going back home tomorrow.  I’m really missing Gregg and the dogs.
 
Today I’m sharing a watercolor with ink that I did last week.
 
Act Justly, Love Mercy
 
This is one of my favorite Bible verses!
 
Until tomorrow…
 
“And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord.”   Micah 6:8
 
Humbly walking with the Lord,
Jane  <><
 
 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 23

I decided today that I needed to take advantage of having two of the cutest little models in the world (spoken like a true Grandma).  So, after finding some nice lighting and a simple background, the camera came out.  Not only were these models cute, but they were happy to pose for me.  It didn’t take long for me to get some shots that I was happy with.  I like doing these collages in Photoshop Elements using several pictures to capture the different moods of each child. 
 
Here are the portraits of Hailey and Jackson that are my favorites…
 
Hailey collage copy
 
Jackson collage copy
 
Still no power back in Minnesota…so thankful to Gregg for holding down the fort while I’m here.
 
Until Tomorrow…

God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  Romans 5:8
 
Thankful for His Love,
Jane  <><

Monday, June 24, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 22

I’m having a wonderful time with Mary and the family.  I’m not really getting a lot of creating done other than coloring with Hailey.  I did plan ahead, and did a few extra things last week so that I had something to post while I was here.  Here is a watercolor and ink painting done in a wet-on-wet technique that was fun to do.
 
Jar of Flowers
 
Poor Gregg is still without power in Minneapolis.  I’m feeling a little guilty about it, but the need for air conditioning outweighs any guilt I may be feeling.  I’m not too worried about him though…he seems to be embracing his unplugged adventure.
 
Until tomorrow…
 
“And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”   2 Corinthians 5:15
 
Maranatha!
Jane  <><
 
 

Sunday, June 23, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 21

Because of the bad storms that came through Minneapolis Friday evening we lost our power, and we still don’t have it.  They are telling us it might be back on tomorrow.  So, I decided to leave a couple of days early for my trip to South Dakota to visit my daughter and her family.  This is my excuse for skipping 2 days of my 30 day challenge.  I guess I never really specified that it would be 30 consecutive days, did I?
 
So, enough excuses.  Here is my creation for today…
 
Shout to the Lord all the earth. 
 
This doodle was inspired by one of my favorite worship songs, which was inspired by a verse from Psalms.
 
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music…”   Psalm 98:4
 
Until tomorrow…
 
Blessings to you,
Jane  <><

Thursday, June 20, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 20

I got my watercolors out today.  There was a painting that I had started in a class that I took a few weeks ago that needed finishing.  I belong to a Christian artist’s club in Minneapolis called “Great Commission Artists”.  It’s a wonderful group of artists that get together once a month to discuss and create art for the glory of God.  It is incredibly inspiring to be with talented artists who love the Lord…such a blessing!  This class was taught by one of the members of the club.
 
We were given a photo of the scene to paint from.  It’s good for me to do something that is different from my usual subject matter.  Here is my finished painting…
 
Cabin Watercolor_edited-1
 
Until tomorrow…
 
“Oh, what a wonderful God we have!  How great are His riches and wisdom and knowledge!”  Romans 11:33
 
Serving My King,
Jane  <><
 
 

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

30 Days Of Creativity…Day 19

I’ve been a little “under the weather” lately.  To cheer me up, Gregg brought me some pretty yellow lilies.  I took some photographs of them today.  I chose my favorite, and put a verse with it that not only fits well with the picture, but makes me feel better too.
 
Consider how the lilies grow
Jesus said this.  What a comforting promise this is for us when we are worried, stressed, hurting, or just feeling
“under the weather”.
 
Until tomorrow…
 
May you experience the blessing of comfort that our Lord and Savior offers to you every day.
 
In His Tender Care,
 Jane  <><
 
 

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 18

I have all of these little blocks of wood that I’ve been meaning to do something with for a long time.  One of the things that I wanted to try is to put words on them. 
 
I first sanded and painted the wood with acrylic craft paint.  Then I tried using my Glaze Pens (by Sakura).  These pens are amazing.  They are opaque like a gel pen, but they shine and have a little dimension to them.  You can use them on almost anything…even a smooth finish. 
 
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Here is the block that I did using them…
 
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Here’s what happens when you use a non-permanent pen…whoops.
 
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I also tried using a stencil.  I bought these stick-on stencils at Michaels…
 
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Here is my result…I thought that because they were sticky the paint wouldn’t leak or bleed.  I was wrong.  I tried using a Sharpie too, and I still had the problem.
 
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Next, I tried using rub-ons.  These worked great.  They were my favorite look, and so easy…
 
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So, that’s what I came up with.  I’m going to experiment a little more with my own writing, but I’m pretty sure that I won’t be able to do as well as the rub-ons.
 
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Until tomorrow…
 
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  
Psalm 119:105
 
Blessings,
Jane  <><


Monday, June 17, 2013

30 Days Of Creativity…Day 17

Today has been a busy day, so I’m posting with only a half hour to go.  Here is a doodle that I did a little while ago because I just didn’t have the time to create today.

My Redeemer Lives blog

Until Tomorrow…

I know that my Redeemer lives!   Job 19:25

Maranatha,
Jane  <><

Sunday, June 16, 2013

30 Days Of Creativity…Day 16

Wishing my wonderful Dad a Happy Father’s Day!  I love you so much Dad, and I am blessed beyond measure to have you for my father.  To Gregg, my husband, I wish a Happy Father’s Day to you too…you are an incredible Dad, Grandpa, Step-Dad, and Husband – I love you with all my heart!
 
Of course, I can’t let this day go by without giving eternal gratitude to my Heavenly Father…I have no words to express my love for my Lord.  I pray that my creative efforts will honor and glorify Him.
 
Covered Bridge
 
Until tomorrow…
 
Humbled to be called His child,
Jane  <><

Saturday, June 15, 2013

30 Days Of Creativity…Day 15

Today I doodled a tree and added a verse to it that I found online.  When I get done with my doodles, I always scan them into my computer.  This way I will be able to add words, borders, and color.  Then I can make prints or cards with them too.
 
This doodle was made for my Dad and my husband to give them tomorrow for Father’s Day  (hopefully they won’t visit my blog today). 
 
doodle tree with verse
 
I’m not sure yet if I will put it in a frame for them, or just make cards from it Smile
 
Until tomorrow…
 
“And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”  
2 Corinthians 6:18
 
In The Father’s Glory,
Jane  <><

Friday, June 14, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 14

Today I thought I would share some decorating creativity.  I’ll start with a wall in our living room.  I found these cute ornate frames at Michael’s and they were surprisingly inexpensive (maybe because they have no glass).  My original thought was to paint them, but when I saw how they looked unpainted, I decided to keep them just the way they were.  I filled them with photos of our family.  “Thankful, Grateful, Blessed” are the words that come to mind when I think about my family!
 
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Next is a wall in my studio.  I recently rearranged the grouping to include my collection of vintage children’s watercolor paint tins.  The rest of the items are mostly things that inspire me.
 
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My husband, Gregg…
 
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Some of my favorite watercolor sets…
 
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A fun little shelf that I found at an occasional shop...
 
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I took some wire, and bent it into a photo holder.  This is a photo taken a couple of years ago of me with my brothers, sisters, Mom, and Dad…
 
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Wonderful quotes by Corrie ten Boom…
 
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More family photos.  I found this tie rack at an antique store when treasure-hunting with my Mom.  I thought it would be a fun way to display photos…
 
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My Dad’s old camera and darkroom timer…
 
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And last, but not least, this lovely lady.  I painted her back in the early 70’s.  I know, she’s pretty groovy…
 
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Until tomorrow…
 
“How kind the Lord is!  How good He is!  So merciful, this God of ours!  The Lord protects those of childlike faith;  I was facing death and then He saved me.”   Psalm 116:6
 
May God bless your weekend,
Jane  <><

Thursday, June 13, 2013

30 Days Of Creativity…Day 13

I really like the look of the images printed on book pages, so I thought I would give it a try.  I’ve been collecting old hymn books for a while now thinking that the pages would be pretty as part of a craft project.  I also have some watercolor botanical paintings that I did several years ago.  Looks like a perfect match to me! 

The paintings had already been scanned into my computer so that I could make prints of them.  I did a few trial prints on plain paper to know just where to print the flowers.  Then I positioned the sheet music page onto a standard size piece of paper, and taped it down.  Next, I printed the flowers on the sheet music.  I was pleased with how they turned out.

Geraniums on page

Ladyslipper on page

Wild Iris on page

I think I’m going to try printing more of my artwork on book pages.  My Mom gave me a really old dictionary that I want to use also.

Until tomorrow…

"Oh, what a wonderful God we have!  How great are His riches and wisdom and knowledge!   Romans 11:33

Soli Deo Gloria,
Jane  <><

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 12

I have to admit, I wasn’t really in the mood to create today…sometimes that just happens.  I even thought for a moment that I wouldn’t force myself to blog today when it just wasn’t in me.  Then I told myself that I am going to follow through with my challenge.  It feels good to push myself.  However, I did choose something to do that didn’t require a lot of creative ability. 
 
I took one of the photos I had taken last Thursday on our road trip to Taylor’s Falls, and had some fun with it in Photoshop Elements.  I have software called “Photoshop Essentials” that I added to my Elements program.  It enables me to do all kinds of artistic enhancements, effects, and borders on a photo.  It’s fun to take a blah picture that you would normally delete, and turn it into something nice.
 
Here is my finished photograph…
He is right beside me.
 
Here is a side-by-side of the before and after – I took an overcast day, and with the magic of Photoshop, made it bright and sunny!…
 Untitled-1
 
I used some tools that made the original photo look more “painterly” and artistic.  The saturated color reminds me of the old postcards.
 
That’s all for today.  Until tomorrow…
 
“I know the Lord is always with me.  I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me”.   Psalm 16:8
 
Don’t you love that?  “He is right beside me”…It feels like a big hug from my heavenly Father whenever I need one.
 
In Gratitude,
Jane  <><

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

30 Days of Creativity…Day 11

Designing with words, or “typography” is very popular right now.  There are so many different styles that you can see on Pinterest.  I’ve been wanting to give it a try for quite some time – it can’t be that difficult, right?  Just arrange some words together using different fonts.  Here are 3 things that I learned from my first attempt at Typography…

- It’s not as simple as I thought it would be
- It takes a looooong time
- I love doing it, and I want to do more!

So, here is my first typography project (done in Photoshop Elements)…

Jesus

I decided to put together different names for Jesus.  I added my own flourishes to the “L” and “D” in Lord to fill the space.  The capital L was a happy accident the way the swoop made a fish, so I added a cross to it.

…and that is my creation for the day!

Until Tomorrow,

“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him a name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”.   Philippians 2:9-11

In His Name,
Jane  <><

Monday, June 10, 2013

30 Days Of Creativity…Day 10

Wow…I’m already 1/3 of the way into my 30 days of creativity!  I’m starting to feel a little pressure occasionally, which I don’t like.  It’s happened a couple of times when I’m having busy days (like when the grandkids are here).  Otherwise, I love the motivation that this challenge has brought to me, and I can tell that I’m getting more relaxed about my blogging.  I have started to post what I made the day before…this helps me to post in the mornings instead of at the end of the day. 

I have learned that creating and blogging every day takes a lot of time.  I have a whole new appreciation for the women who have such active blogs, and active lives to blog about!  The weather here has been rainy and chilly (the way I like it), so it’s been perfect for creating indoors.  I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 20 days of June will bring!

So, here is my creation for the day (I thought it was appropriate for a Monday morning)…

Coffee cup for blog

What a wonderful promise God gives to His children.  I am so much in need of His mercy each and every day.  Thank You Lord,  for Your faithfulness!

Praising My King,
Jane  <><