Illustrated Faith | Taniesa Vlasak

Monday means another wonderful guest for you today!! I first met Taniesa in person when I was teaching a class at Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley. She was SUPER informative, amazingly organized and one of the most generous people you will ever meet! I couldn't wait to have her share a bit about her process with you today!

You can find Taniesa at the Crafty Pickle 

Hi Crafty Friends! When Shanna asked me to share my journaling bible with you all I was honored (and a little nervous because I just started). I grew up thinking that you weren't supposed to write in your bible. Not that anyone told me that, I just assumed because I never saw anyone do it before. To be completely honest I have very rarely picked up my bible in a long time. Now, I find myself wanting to dive into my bible several times throughout the day and the word really stays with me more than it did before. Using my creativity and my love for Jesus has really made this something very special to me. Today I am sharing pages on being Thankful. Being thankful when everything is going just right is easy (for me) but it was the being thankful with times were really very hard that I had to learn. My husband was out of a job for almost a year; our marriage was rocky not to mention the 5 kids that we were raising were hard at times. We started going to church and I started thanking the lord for EVERYTHING even the hardship we were finding ourselves in, because though that I knew that he had a plan (and he definitely did). By having a thankful heart though the rough times we stop focusing on ourselves and focusing on the only one who is really in control and TRUSTING in him. My prayer for all of you today is that you have a heart full of thanksgiving not just this month but 365 days a year. In addition to a few pictures that I will post here, I thought I would share a little video talking about a couple of my pages and what I used. Colossians 3:17 For this page I used some die cuts out of watercolor paper, colored with distress ink and water accented with some gold paint. The sequins are some from the autumn mix in my etsy shop and just glued on with a little bit of glossy accents. I added a transparency page for the final touch. I printed the verse on the portion covering the text and the “Be Thankful” over the journaling column. In the video I show how to attach the transparency in the bible. There is also a thin strip of gold washi tape covering the glue in the center; you could easily skip this step because the glue really isn’t noticeable.

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Thessalonians 5:16-18 For this page I did a lot of stamping, I used the hopscotch alphabet from Close To My Heart and some stamps designed by Shanna for Butterfly Reflections Ink. I stamped everything in a permanent dye ink because I knew I would be doing some water coloring. To add color to the page I used the Neocolor II crayons. I added touches of glitter with my wink of stella pen (hard to see in the photo) It is also what I use over the verse(s) that I journaled about.

 

Here is a video sharing a bit more info.

 Thank you so much Taniesa!!!! Your pages are BRILLIANT and I can't wait to put some of your techniques to work in my own pages! Taniesa is sweet enough to offer a little giveaway for you all today! She wants to give ONE lucky reader a notetakers bible! Please leave a comment below telling us something YOU are THANKFUL for?! Taniesa will pick a winner Friday, good luck!! go.be.insipred. Shanna

                       

Reflect Sunday | A Thankful Heart

 It's Sunday! I hope you are having a day filled with beautiful little moments (and maybe an afternoon nap!). This morning I woke up in a hotel room with my youngest daughter Addison as we are in the middle of a girls trip! I LOVE one on one time with my girls, I think it is so important to really take the time with the special people in your life.

One of the things I love the most about this journaling bible process is that it is so easy when you are on the go! Just pack up your bible, your favorite journaling pen, a couple alpha stickers,  some watercolors and your favorite stamps and you are ready to go! You could create for days with a handful of supplies.    And even though there is so much gained by attending a church, sitting on the ground next to the huge window in our hotel room, with my little one snuggled up in her blanket playing with her penguin and me with my bible... there was really no other place I would have rather been this morning.

gratitude documented stamp set

When Studio Calico asked me to design a stamp set for my next class - gratitude documented, I was keeping in mind how I might use this set with my bible, because lets face it, PERFECT MATCH! So for the next 6 weeks we will be focusing on an attitude of gratitude. In today's society it is so easy to think we need more, or our friend has this wonderful life and we are over here not living up to their standards. My friends, God doesn't call us to live up to their standards, but his. He has given us exactly what we need. That isn't to say that we can sit back and allow God to do the work, but we do need to be thankful for what we are given.

In my class we will be diving deeper into the idea of gratitude (so if you want a more in depth look please join us) but I wanted to share some samples of how we might do that here as well.

Supplies | journaling pen | thankful stamps | watercolors | date stamp | bible | thankful cards | 

This week I decided to focus on 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which reads, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Chris Jesus for you".  I love that is says "in all circumstances' it doesn't say when you get the "right" job or meet Mr. Right, is says in ALL circumstances. Which lead me to want to create a space where I can really see how my gratitude evolves by leaving room to document that gratitude in the coming years. So imagine my surprise when I opened my bible this morning to see this lovely 1/2 page of space to work with (since it was at the end of 1 Thessalonians). So if you are working in the same ESV journaling bible you will find that space as well, but if you are working in a difference format this is still do-able! Just take the column you normally journal in and create a space that you can document a couple sentiments for 2014-2016 (or longer if you wish). 

So what do you say, will you join me in documented your gratitude in this very important season of your life? Let's celebrate the little things while focusing on the word together. 

go.be.inspired. 

Shanna

Gratitude Documented 2014

Last year I asked my friend Chantal if she would be interested in helping me pull together a gratitude mini kit and create a blog series around it. She agreed, and came to the table with some amazingly inspired ideas. We both blogged about it and I don't think either one of us imagined the response that we got. You guys reacted in a way that set the idea on fire, you really brought it to life. It was so much fun to see how everyone was documenting their gratitude. As a thank you we have taken it a step further this year and partnered with Studio Calico to bring you a class with MORE content, MORE product, MORE inspiration and even MORE ideas .... GRATITUDE DOCUMENTED!!

This is the first class that I have taught at Studio Calico that is really going to dig deep into the idea of gratitude. It is my hope that you will grab a warm cup of tea, your favorite fall blanket and curl up with a journal to get the ideas flowing before we even start our creative process. Gratitude is so much more than putting together a beautiful mini album, when you are done with this I am positive it will be something you cherish for many years to come.

I feel so blessed and humbled to work with some of the best in the industry as Jamie Waters, Lexi Bridges, Chantal Philippe will be joining me to bring this class to life. I seriously can NOT wait to see what these talented ladies come up with! 

In gratitude documented we we be going in depth prompts to help you explore all of your gratitudes from this year, super simple tag book minibook that you can tailor to your own style, 3 videos, message board and class challenges, I will be there every step of the way to help encourage you, Jamie will be adapting the ideas to a WRMK 4x4in album, and we’ll wrap up by Thanksgiving so you can share your project with your loved ones.

As with all the wonderful classes at Studio Calico, we have teamed up to provide you with supplies that will inspire you as well as work seamlessly with the class. The stamp set is one of my faves with fun sentiments in my signature style along with elements you will find yourself reaching for over and over again. I can not wait to explore these more with you in class! 

Even though class does not start until November, the fun starts now! In classic Studio Calico style they have already loaded the class up with some digital goodies for you (the cut files and cards are available at this very moment and the digital stamps will be in there very soon!) 

oh and one last thing....

I want you to know that I am VERY grateful for each and every one of YOU!! Blogging doesn't come easy to me, I forget to post, or don't know what to post about, but the support I have seen on this blog in the past couple of months is just stunning. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

go.be.GRATEFUL.

Shanna

#SCinspires

Happy Monday everyone! I am excited to be joining Studio Calico for an INSPIRATIONAL blog hop! They are giving away some amazing prizes JUST for sharing some inspiration, how easy is that?! First off EVERY.SINGLE.PERSON gets to download this ADORABLE art print. It is perfect to frame and put up in your home or even slip into your project life album, you really can't go wrong!

Seriously how cute is that?! You can win a SUPER duPER cool prize by simply downloading this print using THIS LINK and entering what inspires you in the comments section.  More on the super duper cool prize below! 

I am kinda smitten with this print! I makes me want to jump in a huge pile of fall leaves and make some hot apple cider. It makes me want to snuggle under our favorite blanket and watch a chick flick. It makes me want to CREATE! There is something about fall that I find to be SUCH an inspiration. How about you? So today I wanted to share 14 things that are inspiring me RIGHT this very moment!!

1. Vintage ephemera | Come on folks... is there anything better? I have been going through my Grandmother's scrapbooks and just soaking up all the GREATNESS of these old papers. 

2. Color Theory Paint | You really have to try it if you have been holding out, what are you waiting for? The creamy texture is just perfection, and the colors SC comes out with will leave you inspired!

3.  Woodgrain Hearts | When I am just not sure what to use a big old heart will always do the trick!

4.  Buttons | Oh buttons, how I adore you. They are the perfect item to finish off a fall project! 

5. Acorns | because, acorns = love. 

6.  Funky Wood Veneer | We are talking totally unique only can be found in Ashley's AWESOME class kinda of unique. Who can resist that cat? I don't even like cats!!!! <-- don't tell anyone I said that!

7. Teen Tiny Vintage Books | I pick them up whenever I find them because they are perfect for a little collection of acorns, or a frog with some vintage photos peeking out!

8. Color Theory Ink | Specifically this color of lime light, I want to stamp it on EVERY.SINGLE.BIT!

8a. (because I forgot to put a label on it) Fall Sentiment Tape | I have considered picking up another Project LIfe kit just got this tape, don't judge. Once you have it in your hot little hands you will understand and we will be best friends again! 

9. Lindsay Letters | EVERY single thing she does is such an inspiration! I had the pleasure of meeting her two weeks ago at the influence conference and let me tell you she is one of the sweetest most generous people you will ever meet in your entire life. Love her to bits! 

10.  Photos of those I love | because that is really what this is all about, right?

11.  Ribbon | I am lucky that the nice ribbon store in town is open mainly when I am working or I would be in big trouble. I LOVE the texture it adds to any project and this color is just YUM!

12. Funky Pumpkins | I LOVE this pumpkin I picked up at our local craft store last year. I adds just a fun touch on a mantle otherwise covered in traditional fall colors. 

13. Fall Art Print | Fall is such a magical time and anything that is inspired by that is just meant to be loved. 

14. YOU | My friends, I am humbled to be a part of such a creative, loving, giving, INSPIRING community. Each and every day I am left in awe of the things you create and the love that you spread, keep it up friend! 

Now since you are SUCH an inspiration I wanted to give you a little something from the amazing folks at Studio Calico! Remember the super easy rules? All you must do is download this adorable art print using this link  and leave a comment sharing what inspires YOU! I will draw a winner by next Monday to win *weneedsupercooldrumrollnoisehere* 

The Project Life Underground Kit from Studio Calico! How fun is that?! (see totally worth the wait!!) 

The is not where the fun ends my friend, Studio Calico is also giving away some AWESOME prizes and I want you to get in on the fun! We’re giving away over $1,400 in prizes drawn from the people who download the printable. The prizes get bigger and bigger the more uses of the #scinspires hashtag.  So get on your social media platforms and start shouting from the rooftops what INSPIRES you and make sure to use the #scinspires to get the word out! Check out the Studio Calico blog every Friday for update on how we are doing!!! Let's blow those numbers out of the water!! 

Head on over to my friends blogs for even MORE chances to win!!!

Studio Calico

Stephanie Bryan
Emily Branch
Natalie Elphinstone
Dana F.
Lilin Fang
Anna-Maria
Maggie Massey
Celine Navarro
Allison Waken
Barbara PIcinich
Kerri Bradford
Jen Picard
Tracy Armstrong
Liz Tamanha
Marcy Penner
Robyn Werlich
Suzy Plantamura
Julie Campbell
Lexi Bridges
Maggie Holmes

go.be.inspired

Shanna

P.S. For those looking for my guest blogger I have a very exciting post for you tomorrow!!!