Imagine That! by Evelyn Murphy

In this week's blog, Evelyn Murphy shares with us again, more about her journey of life and faith - thank you Evelyn! 

++++++++++++++++

I am realising that being a Born-again Believer can be a totally different way of life altogether, IF I would simply let God take the reins. Who knew it be hard to let go of all the junk I have carried around with me for so long. At church Pastor has been teaching a series on imagination. I have been so excited about learning this and I just love the study process. 

I loved school but I was always getting into trouble and by the time I was 15 I was pregnant with my oldest son. At the age of 17 I had 2 boys, 14 months between them, so any ideas I had about school were put to the back of my mind. It was time to grow up. Of course, that didn't happen. At 21 I was a single mum to three kids, no job and a whole lot of problems. 

When I was younger I was a dreamer, always imaging something or other. Jeremiah 33:3 is our "Golden Scripture" for this series which is called "Imagine That".

"Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish or recognize, have knowledge of and understand)." Jeremiah 33:3 (AMP)

I don't know about you all but I want God to show me these "great and mighty things". I have hope for the first time since I was a kid and I don't want to limit what God can do in my life. I am excited about life now. Thank God that:

"His mercies are new every morning". 

I used to think getting Born-again would make life boring, Wow, how wrong could I have been! X

Gelatos Bible Art Journaling - by Claire Graham

In this week's post Claire Graham shows us some of the ways you can use Gelatos in your Bible Art Journaling. Thank you Claire!

+++++++++++++++

Gelatos are probably the material I use most often in my Bible Art Journaling. I love the variety of vibrant colours and the fact that you can still read the words of your Bible passage even if you cover it. They are great for making a colourful background quickly or for painting details. This page was nearly entirely created with gelatos!!

First I prepped my page with Liquitex Matt Gel Medium and a sponge applicator.. I ALWAYS prep my pages, although you don't need to with gelatos, I'm always worried that my pens will bleed or shadow through and I don't like that! I use a heat tool to make sure the prep is completely dry. Then I sketch out my design with a pencil.

Once happy I drew over my design with a black pen. 

Then I coloured in my flamingos. I used a wet paintbrush to pick up colour straight from the gelato and painted onto the page.

For the background I added colour straight to the page by scribbling with the gelato...and then used a wet paint brush to blend the colour and cover a larger area. I used a mixture of my Faber-Castell gelatos and my smiggle water colour crayons which have a beautiful metallic shimmer.

To finish off I added some white gel pen, redrew some of the outlines and added some details.

I also added a strip of washi tape at the bottom and a tab made from washi at the side - my children think I'm addicted to washi tape - they may have a point!

Gelatos can also be blended with a baby wipe or makeup sponge...made into a paint by scribbling on an acrylic block and then using a wet paintbrush... you can stamp with them and lots... lots more.