Free Journal Giveaway WINNER!!

 

Happy happy Monday all of you amazing and beautiful people :) Today is a very fun day because I'm going to announce the winner of my free journal giveaway!! Yay for free giveaways!  For those who didn't read my last blog post, all you had to do in order to enter for a chance to win a free journal was to comment on either my blog or my imbekahmarie Facebook page.  In your comment you needed to explain what you'd like your journal to look like if you won.  It was that simple and that easy! 

Before I announce the winner, I wanted to say a special thanks to the five lovely ladies who participated in my free giveaway.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart Lenke Slegers, Sue Gilmour-Jones, Gina Valenti, Simon Weber, and Katey McLaughlin for taking the time to stop by and write a comment.  Every single comment or acknowledgment of what I'm doing means so so much and I loved reading what each of you came up with for your journal descriptions.  So again, thank you for believing in me by showing your support :) 

 

After reading the five comments I wrote down the names, folded them up, and stuck them in a fun basket (shown above).  Then as promised I drew one name out of the basket old fashioned style (no peeking I promise) and wa la! The winner of my free journal giveaway is....

 

Lenke Slegers!!!

 

Congratulations Lenke!! I can't wait to create the journal you've asked for! I pray God will use it to bless and encourage you :) I'll contact you privately with more details.  Thanks again to everyone who participated and also to those who simply just read my blog and follow what I'm doing.  I'm so blessed by each and every one of you. :)  And don't worry, there are many many more giveaways to come!  

NEW journal and FREE GIVEAWAY!!!

Friday's here! And only four full days left in April before we hit May!!  I can hardly believe how fast time goes by sometimes...definitely need to keep working on my April goals in order to meet them.  And then my favorite part will come...making new goals for the next month ahead!! 

Above is my latest mixed media piece...a journal covered in beautiful blues, fun burlap, and a pretty lace heart!  When I was making this journal a few days ago, I felt like I should put something from Song of Solomon on it...so after reading and skimming through, Song of Solomon 6:3 jumped at me and behold a new mixed media journal was created!  Song of Solomon 6:3 "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."  I love this verse because it has such beautiful words that not only talk about the type of romance God intended between a man and a woman but also, more importantly, these words express a love story between each of us and God Himself.  His love is undeserving, unconditional, and perfect.  And there's nothing we could ever do to ruin this beautiful relationship He continually calls us to each and every day.  What a lovely verse to describe such an indescribable love. Ah! I just love it so much :)

You can purchase this journal or find more pictures and info at my Etsy shop located here. 

NOW, who wants to hear about my next FREE GIVEAWAY?? Hmm, I thought you might be a little bit curious!  I would be too because come on, who doesn't love FREE things?? :)  This free giveaway was inspired because I truly want to hear what types of ideas, words, scriptures etc YOU guys would love to see on a journal...and I want your ideas to come to life! 

If you could have me create any type of journal for you with anything on it, what would it look like?  What would it say?  What colors would it have?  What types of designs?  I would love to know!!! SO, that is where the FREE part comes in.  Here's what you need to do...During this weekend (today, Saturday, and Sunday) I want you to leave a comment either here at the the bottom of my blog OR on my imbekahmarie facebook page located at this link here.  In your comment, I want you to describe for me how you'd want your journal to look (colors, words etc).

Then, I will randomly select one of your comments (literally put your names in a hat and draw one, old fashioned style, yay!!) and whichever name I draw will receive the journal they described in their comment, FOR FREE!!!!  I'll post the winner and contact you in my next blog entry (which will probably be either on Monday or Tuesday).

So, spread the word and leave a comment!!! Share with me your heart...I'd love a chance to bless you :)

Basic DIY layers and texture!!

Hello everyone, it's me again! :) I will admit that I slacked with my blog last week...boo! :( BUT, don't fret because guess what, I'm back!  Today I'm sharing a little bit about how YOU can create two of my faaaaavorite parts of mixed media art...layers and texture!!

Layers and texture are such a huge part of creating art because they're what make the art come alive! They're what give art it's depth and take away that feeling of a 'blank boring canvas'. And that's exactly what attracts me to mixed media so much...you can make it come ALIVE!!

There are so many different ways to add different layers and texture to a piece of artwork...some more intricate and others extremely simple.  For today, I'm going to stick to sharing some of the simpler and more basic ways I add my layers and texture to my artwork.

Warning: Please please please try these at home!!! May produce beautiful works of art to be formed!!!

1. Paints and washes
One of the all time easiest ways to create some depth to your art is to use...paint!  Whenever I choose to use paint as my layering tool, I usually start with one color and completely cover my canvas.  Then after that base is dry, I'll choose a darker shade of the same color and water it down.  This new watered down paint (you can also just buy liquid washes at an art store) is used to add a second coat of paint wherever you want some texture to show.  This time however, instead of letting it dry, take a paper towel and wipe off some of the watered paint from the canvas.  This will cause some areas of your canvas to look darker or deeper then others. There is no right or wrong way to do this...just a way to add some texture!

2. Stamps and Stencils 

Stamps and stencils are some of my favorite things to use in the whole wide world!!! I'm not exactly sure why I'm so drawn to these simple little beauties but I absolutely love working with them and don't think I could ever own too many!  When choosing these for your art, go to what you like!  If you think a stamp is pretty...get it! There's no way to have a bad stamp that's not usable and in fact the more you have, the better! When I use stencils and stamps for layers and texture, all I do is simply choose
one and use it in a few different areas and then choose another and do the same.  Continue experimenting with different designs in different directions and places and find what you like best!  Overlapping is also fun with these. Get creative

3. Glue, paint, and credit card

Glue is something that everyone should have at home! If not, please go out a buy a tube of glue for me...I promise you'll be glad you did!  When using glue to create texture, I use it to draw on my canvas (sometimes I'll even add some paint in the glue to give it some color).  Draw your heart away using the glue as your paintbrush and when your done, make sure it can sit and get completely dry.  To finish, take a piece of hard card stock or old credit card and dip one of it's edges in paint.  Take your card and run the painted edge over all of your dried glue.  Up, down, side to side...it doesn't matter how you run it by!  The paint from your card should mostly stick to your raised glue designs, but some of the paint will also land on random parts of the canvas.  It's all a part of the process though...so mess around and see what you like!


And there you have it! Three easy ways to add some fun to your artwork. I hope that these few basic steps will help you find some easy ways to give your art layers and texture!  I encourage all of you to take some time to try them at home because they are seriously so fun to use!!  Go have fun with it, experiment, and create some of your own ways of adding layers and texture.  And remember, there's no right or wrong way to do this...it's all up to YOU!!

Go make the world prettier friends :)

New Journal...and love fearlessly!

Happy Monday friends! :) A new week has started...new opportunity abounds!  I had an absolutely amazing weekend filled with sweet people, and sweet times.  Even though I'm unfortunately a bit under the weather, it was such a great reminder of how blessed I am!  Last week I made a new journal and I decided it was time to share it with you!!  Are you excited?! Well, good :)

The picture to the left and below are shots of my newest journal, 'Love Key'.  Ta Da!! Whenever I look at this journal I'm filled with inspiration and a reminder to love fearlessly.  To continue being passionate with what makes my heart jump without any fear or doubts or worries holding me back.  To give my all, be my all...in all that I do.  As 1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear."  

As I'm writing this I'm reminded of an amazing point that C.S. Lewis makes about love in his amazing and eye opening book, Mere Christianity.  Lewis talks about love and explains so perfectly that, "Love, in the Christian sense, does not mean an emotion.  It is a state not of feelings fut of the will; that state of the will which we have naturally about ourselves, and must learn to have about other people."  He then goes on to say that, "...Christian Love for our neighbors is a quite different thing from liking or affection.  We 'like' or are 'fond of' some people, and not of others.  It is important to understand that this natural 'liking' is neither a sin or a virtue, any more than your likes and dislikes in food are a sin or a virtue.  It is just a fact.  But, of course, what we do about it is either sinful or virtuous."  I'll end with this last great quote where he gets to his point by saying, "Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did."

And that is the job of each and every one of us.  Whether you're young or old, brave or timid, outgoing or shy... Jesus commands us in Mark 12:31 saying, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  Each one of us is called to do it.  And through Him alone, can we truly learn to love...and love fearlessly. 

I'd encourage you to take even a few minutes right now to think about what 'loving fearlessly' looks like in your life.  Does it mean no longer being afraid of showing love towards those who might not love you back?  Or maybe no longer being worried that your 'love' isn't going to be good enough?  Or even maybe still, it could mean that you need to step out and truly start showing love to strangers you meet walking down the street.  Whatever it means, He can help you get there.

If you'd like to see more pictures and details on my new journal, please visit my Etsy store by clicking on the link, here.

I hope you all have a great few next days and remember...go out and LOVE FEARLESSLY! Talk to you soon :)

Slight Change in Plans AND 'Why imbekahmarie'??

Hello everybody, halfway through the week and still going strong I hope?! :) I'm sharing about a slight change in one of my goal plans for this month.  And that's what I love about making your own goals...you can tweak them as needed!

It's not a huge 'tweak' but it's something that's been crossing my mind ever since starting this blog.  And it then became something my sweet boyfriend suggested might help me too!  I've decided to cut back from writing three times a week, to writing two.  Probably not as epic as you were expecting, huh? ;)

Even though it may not sound like that big of a change, I truly believe it's going to help me...a lot!  I want more time to focus on creating art and on learning more about what I should be doing next for my creative business.  I'm also finding that, at times, my blog seems forgotten about...put last.  And I don't want that.  I don't want that at all!  (Not sure if you've noticed when I can't keep up with blogging three times a week...but it's happened a few times already. Oh no!!)  Cutting down a bit will help me feel like I'm able to put my blog above other things because it won't feel as demanding when life gets crazy.  Because in the end, my main goal for this blog isn't to write three blog posts weekly forever and ever.  No!  My main goal for this blog is for it to stay enjoyable, stay creative, stay encouraging...and stay me!  And I'm doing what needs to be done in order for it to stay that way.

Even while writing this I feel relieved that the unwanted and unneeded pressure of too many blog posts is no longer weighing on me.  I love knowing that I tried out a goal, learned along the way, and am able to confidently altar it in order to continue doing my best!! 

I hope that all of you guys know that the same goes for you.  The Lord gives us passions and desires but you know what?  It's okay if they change!  In fact...they WILL change!  Because YOU are always changing, always growing.  And I believe that allowing ourselves that 'growth' is absolutely necessary to becoming all that we're meant to be.  In fact, that's why I've chosen 'imbekahmarie' as the name of my creative business right now.  It's something that can be used for as long as I live, no matter if my passions and interests end up changing over time.  Whether I stick with mixed media forever or end up doing interior design, sewing, or knitting for all I know, I'll be able to keep my business name along the way with no fear of CHANGE.  Because change is good my friends, change is very good :)

Father bless the rest of our weeks and continually grow our passions more and more each day.  That we would never stop dreaming, imagining, and running after the desires You put into our hearts.  Help us know what it looks like to pursue those and help us enjoy every step of the way!  In all we do, let us bring glory and honor to Your name.  In Jesus' name, Amen!

See you next week friends!! :)

Your Blank Canvas

Hello YOU!! It's Monday and that means the start of a whole new week!  Who knows what could be in store for each of us?! :)

The start of a new week, just like the start of a new season in life or new adventure, reminds me of a blank canvas.  When I set a blank canvas down in front of me, there are always so many thoughts and emotions running through my mind...What colors should I use?  Which mediums should I start with?  What do I want this white canvas to mean to me or say when I'm finished?  I'm excited and anxious all at the same time...Because when a blank canvas is set down in front of me, there are unlimited possibilities.  I could do anything, absolutely anything!  And sometimes that feeling can be a little overwhelming when I have pure white staring back at me. 

I feel the same way about this stage of life I'm in right now.  I could do anything.  Go anywhere.  Be anyone.  I have unlimited possibilities ahead of me and at times, it can be a little overwhelming.  How do I know if I'm in the right place?  Doing the right things?  Heading in the right direction?  There's only one thing that has kept me from going crazy while all of these questions spin throughout my mind...Jesus.

Jesus is the One I go to when I have 'pure white staring back at me'.  And He's been, time and time again, the ONLY place I find peace to my 'blank canvas'.  I can relax, anxiety free, knowing that God has me right here, right now, for a reason...and that when it's time to move on, He'll let me know because I'll have His peace.  All cares, fears, and worries gone knowing that a trustworthy God has a perfect plan for my life!  Jesus is the answer.  Because through Jesus I find all the colors, mediums, emotions, and words I need in order to embrace my canvas with JOY and PEACE!  And there's no better feeling in the whole wide world.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, " says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."   Isaiah 55:8-9

"For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace..." Isaiah 55:12

And that's my prayer for YOU.  That you would look to Him to help you fill each blank canvas that comes your way.  That you would no longer have any anxiety, any worries, any fears about how it's all going to work out...knowing that He's got you right where you are for a reason and a purpose.  Journey with Him, you don't have to do it alone. 

May you continue on through the rest of this week in joy and in peace and be blessed beyond imagine!  Enjoy where you are.  "Be All There." -Ann Voskamp

Hope to see you again soon :)

My newest mixed media piece!

It's already Friday!!! How did Friday come so quickly...?  My week has been very busy, but very great.  Lots and lots to do and I'm learning how important proper time management is when it comes to succeeding at your goals in the middle of juggling a busy schedule.  Definitely going to be focusing some time in the next few days to making a 'work schedule' for my artwork so that I make sure I'm fulfilling my goal of working 15 hours a week on my creative business!  I'm very determined to make it work.

Wednesday and Thursday I worked on my newest mixed media piece and I wanted to share it with you guys...

Isaiah 61:3 says, "...To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

This piece is called 'Beauty for Ashes' and came out of a place of thankfulness for the undeserving grace that God's given me...knowing that, as Gungor so beautifully puts it, "You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of the dust.  You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of us."  I love that song because it's such truth.  And just as Isaiah 61:3 talks about, He's taken my ashes, my mourning, my heaviness; and through His grace He's transformed me into something beautiful.

You can find a link to this new piece in my Etsy store here.  I hope that it blesses and encourages you as much as it has blessed and encouraged me. 

Have an amazing weekend everyone and never forget the grace that He FREELY gives to all those who seek Him.  If you have a few minutes, listen to 'Beautiful Things' by Gungor, linked here.  It's truly worth your time. :)

April Goals...Training wheels off!

Hello friends :) It's Monday as I'm sure you're well aware of by now (I always end up blogging so late in the day) and I hope you've all had a fabulous start of the week! I've had one of those super productive feeling days...you know those cleaning, laundry, more cleaning type of days...everything's sparkly fresh and it makes me happy!! 

Not only is it a sparkly fresh Monday, but it's also April 1.  The end of March has passed and the beginning of April is here!  A time to reflect and be thankful for all that happened the month prior and a chance to start dreaming for the month ahead...

Anyone remember my second blog post about the four goals that I had to finish before the end of March?  Well guess what, I did it!!  I started a blog and have been writing three times a week, opened an Etsy account (by far the hardest of the goals to reach), opened a separate Facebook page, and have been working on all of my 'creative business stuff for about 15 hours each week (guesstimated.)  Reflecting on all that happened last month and all that was accomplished, I've been able to have a new perspective and create some goals for the month of April.  And once again, I'm going to share them with YOU!!  Feeling honored??  You certainly should! ;)

Goals for the month of April:
1.  Create six mixed media pieces (I felt a major lacking of actual 'art' time last month...time for a goal to get me creating again!)
2.  Research and better understand some 'legalities' (the boring yet important bits about things like needing a seller's permit, charging sales tax, getting copyrighted etc.)
3.  Set up a proper accounting system (heard of this great free online accounting system called Outright and I'm excited to check it out! Well, as excited as you can get when it comes to accounting...)
4.  Continue blogging three times a week.
5.  Continue working on my creative business for a total of 15 hours each week (and actually track it this time.)

Whew!  Sounds like a lot just typing it all...and trust me, I didn't even add everything on there that's running through my head and eventually needing to be done!  It's all about baby steps...breathing...and more baby steps.  Continually moving forward, no matter what it looks like.  No more standing still.  No more starting over...

It's time to take my training wheels off...and peddle with everything I've got.

I encourage you to take your training wheels off too...whatever that may look like in your life.  Jump out there!  Try something that scares you.  Stop standing still...it's time to move forward.  It's time to MOVE!