Greetings Beloved Illustrated Faith Family!
Have you ever felt like you just didn’t fit in? Like the cookie from a different mold? I do. Lots. And I am getting better and better at just recognizing that God designed me to be different.
Maybe it’s my age. Maybe it’s that I am finally figuring out being a small blonde artist, with a creative spaghetti brain, a big heart, introverted soul, and a passion for movement, God’s Word, and healing is EXACTLY who God designed me to be.
Or maybe it’s because I am realizing the Lord not only designed me this way, He entrusted me with gifts within my design and those gifts are to be used daily for His glory. They really aren’t mine to hide or subdue. He made me to be a light in the world. Lights don’t hide or try to fit in (Matthew 5:14-16). Lights are different from their surroundings. They shine. They illuminate. They allow you to see differences and appreciate them. They guide. They stand out and they sparkle joy when they stand out.
Jesus didn’t fit in either. And He was the greatest Light of all.
In John 17:16, Jesus prays,
..they are not of the world just as I am not of the world.
I love the new Illustrated Brush Word clear stickers by Katie Girl Designs. I want to use every single sticker. But I am going to start with this one –
You will never influence the world by trying to be of it.
Let’s journal truth friends.
Gathering Inspiration and Supplies –
Inspiration
- I used my nephew’s melted art as inspiration. Children’s art, especially art made in love is so beautiful to me.
- Illustrated Faith All People All Nations 12 x 12 Papers
Supplies
- Crossway Leather ESV Journaling Bible
- Illustrated Faith Highlighter Washi
- Illustrated Faith Acrylics
- Paint Palette
- Artists Loft #10 Bright Firenze Brush (not pictured)
- Bible Mat (not pictured)
I started by slipping my Bible Mat behind my page and laying down a pattern on washi. I really had no plan and I didn’t take time to be fusy. My pattern inspiration was the art that my nephew made me.
Be careful which washi you use for this kind of art. Test the Bible pages first to be sure the washi tape will release without tearing your page. I use a heat tool to loosen the adhesive before peeling it back. TEST first on a back page! I love the Illustrated Faith washi — it’s repositionable and low adhesive. It worked perfectly for this.
Once the wash was laid down. I started to add paint. Using the same principles as I did in the stencil tutorial and leaving my brush fairly dry with at least two colors and laying down the paint with light hashtag-type marks.
Since I was using colors across the color wheel, I needed water to clean my brush in between paints. To keep my brush from getting too wet, I dried it well with paper towels before picking up my next color.
You can see the orange and white I put down on the top of the triangle shape. I am adding white to my brush straight from the tube for the yellow and white areas.
Still loosely following the pattern of my nephew’s art. Making areas of straight up white.
I needed a teal color so I grabbed some additional paints.
I decided to use Deep Sea.
Close up.
Last area, Illustrated Faith blue.
I used my craft tool to dry the paint and loosen the adhesive in the washi to make it easier to release.
Carefully and slowly, starting from the point, I begin to peel back the washi.
A pretty pile of painted washi!
And a yummy mixed media background ready for letters on top!
First, I boxed in my scripture.
Laying down the sticker carefully, pressing from the middle out.
And sealing it down by running my Illustrated Faith paint card over the top.
Another sticker.
Easiest lettering I have ever done! I wanted to add some hand cut out letters with the word “You”
I cut out the Y first.
I love you use the heart shape for my o’s – this is the backside of the 12 x 12 Hand in Hand design.
Cutting the square for the u.
Tab time. Hard decisions.
I decided I didn’t want to cover up the lettering so I opted for layering.
Wordfetti adds the perfect touch.
Date Stamp and a blue pom pom clip.
The number 7.
The details just make me smile.
But the biggest fun is in the mess.
So if you feel like you don’t fit in! No worries. Jesus didn’t either.
Be who He made you to be – a reflection of Him – and let every part of your design shine LIGHT into the world.
Tag me with your washi tape adventures friends! I LOVE to see what you create! Instagram @designsbyamybruce.
Be His Light and BE YOURSELF.
With lots of love,
amy bruce
additional supplies: Illustrated Faith – Oh My Heavens Mixed Pom Pom Clips, Target Hand Made Modern – Deep Sea, Artists Loft #10 Bright Firenze Brush
