The only One perfect...

Praise the Lord!

Since my last post, I have learned so much and I'm excited about sharing some of it with you! 

Well, you know how everybody strives to be perfect, but none of us are? And how the media portrays perfectionism but a lot of it is just camera tricks, make up and perhaps graphic overlays or stunt doubles? Well, all my life, I've been a perfectionist. But I know I'm not, yet I want everything to be just right.  The timing, the outcome, the process...

Many of you probably feel the same way. Yet life is about learning from our mistakes, getting stronger as a result of weakness, working with others to build on strengths, and so on. I realize that there's only One perfect: God. Even though He designed us, He created us to depend on Him and glorify Him. His strength is made perfect in weakness. This is an ever-learning way...

So, no more apologies for the fact that I haven't posted in a while, because let's face it, I have six children at home, eight when when my two younger step-children come to visit, a husband, a home, and well...me to tend to! One of my twins continuously shares with me how Bill Gates started out and how successful he is now.  My sixth grade daughter shared with me today that she learned about Vincent van Gogh and how he tragically committed suicide.  I was amazed to learn that during his lifetime, he only sold one of his paintings, yet he is so famous now.  

Amani's colored picture of van Gogh

 And my 4 year old drew a picture of (what I first thought were just scribbles) the butterfly metamorphosis, and he amazed me with his knowledge of a chrysalis (which I'd always learned was a cocoon!).  You probably can't see all the details below, but it was so cute, I had to save it! And when I looked up the transformation online, seeing it completed the inspiration for my butterfly baby girl scrapbook!

In the last few months, I've taken a few online classes to help my husband in his photography business (www.creativelive.com), and I've been reading a business book by Barbara Brabec; all while learning that putting my ideas into reality takes time...

With that said, here are some peeks at my current project: the scrapbook mentioned above:

May your life continue to be blessed by the Lord as you grow in grace! 

Until next time,

Angenise  

DIY Projects that share love

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord of lords!

I know it's been quite some time since I've written a post and I do sincerely apologize.  Life with 6 kids still at home is more hectic than I sometimes realize! So many responsibilities and I have to make sure I take time with the Lord for myself because I have to stay sane to take care of my family!!!

Well, in between teaching my 4 year old his preschool basics and now potty training my 15 month-old daughter, I've been doing some online learning here and there, as well as enjoying the DIY channel on cable.  I've always loved creating things and it's always so amazing to me when someone creates something or takes something old and makes it look beautiful! It reminds me of how the Lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah and asked him to go to the potter's house; and how the Lord likened what He showed Jeremiah to Him forming Israel as a potter does the clay.  The Lord saw something beautiful in me when I was still drenched in a life of sin, wanting to do right but too weak and chained by sin to live a life of holiness...But He made me over into a vessel of honor meet for the master's use and I'm forever grateful!

I got to thinking that there are so many people who love DIY projects and handmade is what I'm all about.  So here are some pictures of some things I've done in the past and a few tips on how you can do something similar yourself!

 This is a nameplate that can be hung on a wall or door, but could also be used as a bookmark.  The meaning of names has always been fascinating to me, especially the ones that glorify God.  

You can easily create such a name plate with two contrasting but complimentary pieces of heavy card stock.  Look up the meaning of the name you wish to write or stencil and put it on the smaller piece of cardstock, then matte to the larger piece.  Embellish with flowers or keys, or any vintage item that suits your taste! I used a ribbon punch at the top before threading the ribbon through and tying it in a knot, but you could tie it in a bow if you wish.  And Voila! you have a lovely nameplate as a Valentine gift, or for any other special occasion you choose! 

Have plenty of photos? Make a mini photo album out of heavy weight card stock and pretty patterned scrapbook paper, or use old mail for a vintage look! Cut the card stock to the size of your choice and matte photos to the patterned paper using adhesive runner or photo corners.  These are some pictures of my little 4 year old Gary Jr. who is always so anxious to hold his baby sister, Isabella, along with a snapshot of her alone and a picture of my mother and I.  When I made the mini book, I created it so that it opened kind of like a box with different flaps, and I had a lot of fun!

I hope you enjoyed this post and feel free to comment or send pics of your own creations!

Blessings and prayers,

Angenise

When my heart is overwhelmed...

Praise the Lord!

It's so wonderful to know that when our hearts are overwhelmed - whether by the cares of this life, or because we mourn a loved one's transition from this life - we can go to God in prayer! The Scripture Psalm 61:2 has given me solace so many times, so I found it very fitting to put it on a sympathy and prayer card for someone who recently experienced her mother leaving this earth.  Although her mother is gone from this earth, the Scripture says that when we are saved and filled with the Holy Ghost, that we don't mourn as others mourn because we have hope in the resurrection! There's a blessing in living pure and holy before the Lord because without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)!

I used Perfect Pearls with a Perfect Medium Pen to write the Scripture and a gold leafing pen to ink the edges. The flower is on a piece of wallpaper, then I added vellum on top of the card to soften the look.

Here's the same Scripture done with a Zebra nib and Au Musee inks (burnt orange and fuschia pink). I would have loved to have written Copperplate on the card with the perfect pearls but the Perfect Medium brush pen didn't allow the hairline strokes to achieve the thick and thin lines needed. Maybe I'm just too picky, but I really wanted to do this card with the Perfect Pearls, so for me, all other options were out! Oh well.  I like the overall look of the card.

May you find comfort in the Rock of ages: JESUS! as you go through this life. It may be filled with many hurts and disappointments, but our stabilizer is prayer to a living high priest who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities and gives peace that surpasses all understanding.

Until the next time...God bless and keep you is my prayer.

Love and prayers,

Angenise

Babies are God's miracles

Praise the Lord!

I trust this post finds you well and in a mind to be thankful for all God's blessings!

As I type, I'm holding my little miracle - Isabella - and I keep having to backspace or hit delete because she's so busy! It's hard to believe that a year has gone by, but they say 'time flies when you're having fun', right?

Well, here a few pictures of her mini photo book I put together for my mother-in-law.

I had found some pretty scrapbook paper packs in the clearance section of Hobby Lobby.  I especially like the pink and white zebra stripe - very girly! I used a dual tip calligraphy marker -in pink of course! Sorry, the last picture doesn't feature the "F" at the beginning of the Scripture penned by the wonderful Psalmist - David - who praised God for everything! 

Now, here is a project I was blessed to do for a dear sister in the Lord who finally had her first baby after many miscarriages - don't tell me our God isn't still a miracle worker, because I've witnessed Him answer too many prayers and seen too many miracles not to believe otherwise!

I started out with white wood letters and a white canvas from Michael's Craft Store, then used Americana acrylic paint for both.  I really like the little swirly pattern on the canvas.  I was trying to do a rose effect but I don't know if that's what it looks like, but I think it's pretty all the same.  Brea's mom wanted a Minnie Mouse theme, so I got stickers from Michael's and put them on after writing the Scripture (Psalm 139:14) I am fearfully and wonderfully made) with a white paint pen. I used E6000 to adhere the letters to the canvas, then sprayed a glossy sealant over the whole canvas when all the embellishments were done! It was a really fun project to do.

Until the next time, may you and your family be blessed with the goodness of the Lord!

Love and prayers,

Angenise

His banner over me was love. Song of Solomon 2:4

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Song of Solomon 2:4

Wedding bells are in the air! 

A dear friend asked me to address her inner envelopes for her wedding, and of course I was honored to do them! 

The envelopes are a beautiful gold sparkle from LCI.  

The bride-to-be did an excellent job doing her own wedding invitation in Publisher and having them printed on beautiful textured card stock...Thank you for giving me permission to feature them on this post, Debbie!

Invitation by D.L. Brown, photographs by A. Rawls

Congratulations to Debbie and Ricardo and may God bless your new life together!!!

May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.

Angenise

Two are better than one...Ecclesiastes 4:9

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. Song of Solomon 2:14

How beautiful and romantic are the words of love, and when inspired by the author of love - our God - how pure they are to hear!  In a world where there is so much distortion of what true love is, it is always so refreshing to me to go the Word of God and find truth, and see how God intended for holy matrimony to be, the way He created man and woman and the first marriage...aaahhh, so wonderful!

Well, here is my latest project, a 10 year anniversary wedding suite for my cousin...I only wish I had had more time from the beginning, yet I learned so much in such a short time!  

Her colors are black and white with burnt orange as an accent.  

I hand-wrote the original draft, only to learn that the type of ink I had bleeds!  So, I rushed to Michael's to get Strathmore Drawing Paper after researching online what other calligrapher's use.  Well, the paper wasn't bright white so when I scanned it to place the written text in MS Word, the background came out off white...Not good when you're printing on bright white paper!

Then I ordered calligraphy paper from John Neal Booksellers, but, guess what?  In my amateur-ness (is that a word?), I didn't order black ink!  I was running out of time and money! So, I ended up typing everything, which was quicker but I still had to put everything together by hand, scoring and cutting the paper to size, the whole shebang!

Well, I had more praying to do because in my learning (only my second time putting together a wedding invitation suite together by hand without any pre-cut card stock!), I realized that although I sent pictures to the bride, I should have also sent the MS Word file.  So I learned that when I have a client who is not local to rely heavily on email, but there's no such thing as too much communication! I made a big goof...I didn't include the year, so I quickly re-worked the invitation with the remaining supplies I had...

I was glad my cousin was happy with the redesign!  She opted to hand-write the addresses on black envelopes herself...

The Wedding Program

Wedding Favor Bookmark

The thank you cards were a little bit of a challenge as well....I purchased Dr. Martin's bleed proof white ink along with a Nikko and Zebra nib, but I couldn't control the white ink flow onto the paper.  I even diluted the ink but it just didn't work, and not having enough time (I would need at least six months in advance or longer to complete a wedding invitation suite by hand) just hindered the whole process.  So, I ended up using a Painter's calligraphy marker...

Simple yet elegant...

I like the soft focus added in Photoshop!

And I learned that when doing a handmade project, it's a nice gesture to give the client a little something extra! So I added a little something to a journal purchased from Hobby Lobby...

I added the black and orange organza ribbon

I added the Scripture with a white gel pen...Ecclesiastes 4:9

Two are better than one; because they have good reward for their labour.  Ecclesiastes 4:9

One thing I know about a wedding and marriage is that it takes a lot of work and learning from mistakes to be successful! So, I'd say that with all the trial and error, it was worth the effort I had to put into doing this for my cousin!  And I'm so grateful and honored that she asked me to do such a special work for her! Many blessings Staci and Dana!

God Bless!

Angenise

Isaiah 61

This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!

It is always such an honor to be an encouragement to someone else who is going through the storms of life.  I am blessed to know the power of prayer and to have so many who have encouraged me along my life journey.  So it only seems fitting that God would lay it on my heart to do a piece for a special lady (Ms. Linda) as a gift of hope through difficult times!

This piece was done on Recollections card stock with black Sheaffer ink and Prismacolor pencils.

May you be blessed by this Scripture and by the power of Jesus that always brings healing to any situation and any complication!

Angenise