Illustrated Faith Workshop: Lafayette, IN

On Saturday I had the delightful pleasure of attending my first Illustrated Faith Workshop in Lafayette, IN at the Evangelical Covenant Church. I packed up my bible, my faith journal, & some cute supplies & trekked 2 hours north to hear the testimony of the sweet Shanna Noel. Since I attended workshop, the most common question I've been asked is "So how WAS it!?" And the short answer to that is: it was life-changing.

If you haven't been to one of the workshops for this incredible movement, I'll tell you a little about what goes on. There were about 65 of us in attendance & apparently the workshop was completely sold out! (No surprise there!) The workshop was basically broken down into 4 parts: 1. Listening to Shanna's testimony. 2. Listening to a 15 minute sermon via audio. 3. Free time to dive into your bible & illustrate your faith. & 4. Sharing your thoughts & creations with the other students.

As you can imagine, it was absolutely surreal meeting Shanna. She just walked right up to me & started chatting like we were old friends & it was the most casual thing in the world! (I die!) She's so down to Earth and real! I loved talking products with her and showing her my little journal. I can't tell you how awesome she is-- so encouraging and exuberant about everything! Listening to her speak was riveting. Her story is so inspiring because she's just a "normal" girl that climbed the ladder in the scrap industry and she has TOTALLY used the journey to do God's work. Her aim with Illustrated Faith isn't for people to use the products a certain way or fit into a cookie cutter version of what someone believes Bible Journaling "should" look like. She just encourages everyone to grab some paint, & go to town making a mess & talking to Jesus in the process!

Most people do their journaling in an actual journaling bible, but I'm going a different way. The photo above is the faith journal I created for Illustrated Faith using a Simple Stories Sn@p Album. I have NO issues with creating in an actual bible-- in fact I think it's beyond RAD!-- but I just love the bible I have SO much & it has personal significance to me. I've always been a journaler & a mini book-maker so going this route just made sense to me. I want to be able to layer in all sorts of goodness that inspires me to talk to God & just punch holes in anything I find. I want to be able to write 6 pages if I feel moved to & just chuck them in the journal & go. I want thick paper to get really messy with. So here I go!

This is the little "page" I created during the creative portion of the workshop. We listened to an audio sermon on Colossians Chapter 3 & were then turned loose to make something beautiful. I felt moved to use this Simple Stories card from the I Am Collection to talk about being "tailor made" by a saviour! How incredible is that!?

During the creative time, Shanna passed her first journaling bible around the room for us to peek into. It was so special being able to flip through the bible that kind of "started it all"-- the original document that began such a massive movement in Christianity! Needless to say, it was heavy with importance. ;)

There was also a little table of merchandise that Shanna brought with her that was available to buy. I purchased that stamp set pictured above. Everything else in that photo was included in a little goodie bag we received for the event! I'm especially excited for that faith words washi tape! Eeeeeek!

Here are a few of the pages I've created since Saturday just about the workshop and documenting the turning point for myself:

My thoughts on Illustrated Faith as whole are this: what a spectacular way to draw people into the gospel even if they've never been to church a day in their life. This is a way to PROVE to people that there is no right or wrong way to serve the Lord! There's no template you have to follow when spending time with God! You don't have to be sitting in a pew with your hands folded to speak to Christ! Shanna hit the nail on the head by giving creative-minded individuals permission to throw the rule book out the window and just worship right there in your craft room. He will hear you wherever you are. Shanna is SUCH a personal hero & role model of mine & spending creative time with her this past weekend was a dream come true!

If you're interested in getting started with Illustrated Faith, check out the website and just start. You can also comment or email me at kelainedavis @ gmail . com if you have any questions, need help getting started, or just need a prayer. :) I'm happy to chat with all of you!

<3
E

Fauxdori Newbie

Hello world! I can't believe I'm sitting down writing a blog post-- it feels surreal after being away for so long. Where have I been? The short answer is that until recently, my work schedule was so hectic that I didn't have a lot of extra time for blogging. We all know that blogging takes time! But now that my work situation has changed, I'm giving it a real, conscious effort to get back into the swing of things. But that's not what I want to talk about today! Today I wanna talk about my newest DIY project, so let's crack on.

So guess what-- I made myself a Fauxdori! If you're not sure what a Fauxdori is, it's a faux version of a Midori Traveler's Notebook. This video by Cori at The Reset Girl is a really great beginner's guide for newbies like me! I wasn't initially impressed with the concept when I first saw these online, but the more I see people using them, the more I realized the practicality in them. I have a big 8.5" x 11" leather notebook that usually houses all of my creative ideas & "brain dump" but lately I've found that I can't be bothered to drag that around with me in my purse. This means that a lot of valuable ideas have been falling through the cracks. I thought a Fauxdori would be a great alternative way to corral my creative brainstorming while I'm out & about until I can transfer them to my big journal at home.

There are some truly GORGEOUS choices available for purchase on etsy like here, here, & here, but unfortunately my bank account is lacking this week (& I'm an impatient person, so I obviously can't wait til payday). So I decided to take a shot at making my own.

I bought a 1/2 yard or 2 different fabrics, 1 yard of Pellon stabilizer interfacing, & a pack of round cord elastic. I already had rivets, charms, & the supplies for the inserts in my stash. Altogether with sales & coupons, everything cost me about $8.00! Holla!

This was a true blind date with this craft because I've never created one of these before. I couldn't find a decent tutorial that was really helpful on YouTube, so I just looked up the dimensions of a standard Midori insert on etsy and created my own pattern. I'm proud to say that everything turned out really well without incident!

I decided to dress it up by adding a little crystal at the top of the spine and a tassel on the strap. I can swap these out whenever and it gives it a little something extra. :)

Instead of ordering & waiting for raw inserts to come (again-- impatient), I decided to just whip up some of my own with some scrap supplies & copy paper. Then I took the covers to my local Office Depot and got them laminated with 5mil lamination for a little extra stability.

I'm SO excited to start using this little beauty and hoping that my ideas don't get lost anymore! Do you have a Midori or a Fauxdori? I want to see it! Link me up!

Until next time,
E

Products used on inserts: Paper: Echo Park (Creative Agenda- 'Positively'), Studio Calico (Abroad COllection- 'First Class') Colorbök (orange heart pattern), Recollections (graph). Stickers: AC Remarks (black alphas), Heidi Swapp (words), MAMBI (soft spoken), Teresa Collins (black heart), Studio 112 (black tile alphas), Craftcake Designs (lightbulb). Embellishments: Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper (yellow bow clip), Planner Society (bow from July kit), Heidi Swapp for Project Life (card from My Favorite Things), Scotch (gemstone washi), Glitz (triangle washi) We R Memory Keepers (black design washi)

Vacation Album// Manasota Key 2012

As promised, I'm here with layouts from the vacation album I've been working on! I don't disappoint!... usually. haha Well as a warning, this is a photo heavy post because I have a lot of layouts to share! So I hope you enjoy!

Hideaway

Products used: Paper: blue & white cardstock, Colorbök (Friendly Forest photo mats), MAMBI Sheets (green polka dot), kraft, Paper Studio (turtle & fish patchwork) Stickers: AC Thickers (Eclair- cucumber) Embellishments: epoxy dots, K&Co adhesive borders (citronella), K&Co. tag pad, Smash Tabs Stamps & Ink: Smash stamp, StazOn (Jet Black) Other: Sharpie Pen (black), acrylic paint (white)
Beach House

Products used: Paper: K&Co. (Urban Rhapsody), Paper Studio (orange chevron), random paper scraps Embellishments: Colorbök chipboard shapes, Paper Studio brads (Affinity), mT solid washi, Recollections washi (iKat) Stamps & Ink: Love Elsie (Home Sweet Home), Inkadinkadoo clear stamps (Fancy That bottle caps), Stampabilities letters, StazOn (Jet Black) Other: Sharpie Pen (black)
Reginald

Products used: Paper: coral, red, & yellow cardstock, Basic Grey (june bug in strawberry cheesecake), white vellum, Colorbök (Friendly Forest photo mats), Paper Studio (orange chevron) Stickers: AC Thickers (Daiquiri- white) Embellishments: AC mini marks rub-ons (café accents), Colorbök metal rim tags, Jillibean Soup hello wood flag, red baker's twine, pop dots, Fiskars edge punch, Sharpie pen (black)
The Great Shark Hunt

Products used: Paper: blue & green cardstock, orange vellum, Recollections (fish print) Stickers: AC accent & phrase Embellishments:Little Yellow Bicycle cork shapes, Spare Parts fabric brads, Recollections washi (green polka dot), Target washi (orange stripe), DCWV rub ons (summer), staples, Sharpie pen (black) Stamps & Ink: Studio G clouds, Recollections lower case letters, Staz-On (Jet Black)
Beauty in the Ordinary

Products used: Paper: black cardstock, orange vellum, MAMBI Sheets (yellow herringbone) Amy Tan (Ready Set Go- Green Light), random paper scraps Stickers: AC Thickers (Rockabye- white) (Doll- cucumber) Embellishments: K&Co. adhesive borders (citronella), pop dots, Recollections enamel dots, Recollections polaroid photo frame, Uni-Ball Signo pen (white)
Drink

Products used: Paper: Dear Lizzy (Polka Dot Party), forest green cardstock, Studio Calico (Abroad- First Class) Stickers: AC Thickers (chit chat), Sticko (margarita) Embellishments: mT washi (gray stripe), Pink Paislee washi (neon yellow), Heidi Swapp clear banner, Recollections enamel dots, My Mind's Eye enamel dots (Wicked), Recollections wood veneer, Heidi Swapp Color Shine Mist (Aquamarine)
Escape

Products used: Paper: coral, purple, & white cardstock, MAMBI Sheets (green polka dot), Michael's Summer Stack (green sun) Stickers: Sticko (travel labels), Jolee's 3-D (flip flops) Embellishments: Paper Studio bling, epoxy dots, Studio G epoxy brads, Making Memories clips, DCWV rub-ons (summer), MAMBI Pocket Pages card (summer), K&Co. adhesive borders (citronella), My Mind's Eye twine (Lime Twist) Stamps & Ink: Smash stamp, Escape clear stamp (not sure the origin-- Heidi Swapp?), Staz-On ink (Jet Black) Other: Sharpie pen (black), acrylic paint (white)
Sinking

Products used: Paper: Michael's Summer Stack (goldenrod geo), orange vellum Stickers: AC Remarks letters (white) Embellishments: Michael's 3-D flower embellies Stamps & Ink: Smash stamp, Michael's wood mount frame, Staz-On ink (Jet Black)
Document

Products used: Paper: Dear Lizzy (Polka Dot Party), Amy Tangerine (camera), Paper Studio (old white fence), SEI (Girlfriends- Jocelyn), My Mind's Eye 8x8 (The Sweetest Thing- Tangerine) Stickers: AC Thickers (Maple- white), MAMBI Sticks (feathers) Embellishments: Recollections enamel dots, Seventeen magnet, pop dots, Heidi Swapp Color Shine Mist (Primrose), found paper Stamps & Ink: Recollections clear stamp set, Staz-On Ink (Jet Black) Other: Sharpie pen (black)
Me & Ril-O

Products used: Paper: Michael's Summer Stack, white & orange cardstock, Paper Studio orange chevron Stickers: AC Thickers (Eclair- Strawberry) Embellishments: Recollections enamel dots, Recollections hello pennant, Heidi Swapp Color Shine Mist (Mustard), We R Memory Keepers baker's twine, Studio Calico wood veneer hearts, Recollections washi (pink) mT washi (orange) Other: Sharpie pen (black)
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I know this post was really long-- thanks for sticking with me! I just thought you might like to take a peek into my current album. I'm hoping to finish up this album in the next month so I can move on to something new! :) You can check out some of my other posts on scrapbooking here!

Thanks for reading!
<3 E

Scraps Before Snowpocalypse

Well today all of us Midwestern-ers have been battening down the hatches for Snowpocalypse tomorrow. It's supposed to start around 1:00 AM here and my area is in the 15-17 inches range right now! I'm not a big fan of snow and I really wanted to go to the gym tomorrow, so I'm a little bummed, but at least I'll get some time with the husband!

So while everyone else was scrambling to buy milk & bread (we got ours yesterday), I've been at Michael's scrapbooking all day. :) Some of you may already know this, but I'm the Scrapbook Instructor at the Michael's in my area, which I adore. I get paid to play with paper. It doesn't really get much better than that. Every first Saturday of the month I get to host a 6-hour crop in the Michael's classroom, which is way fun. But since the snow is getting ready to set in, no one was here today. haha So I just got some quality time alone with my thoughts and gluesticks.

I'm still working on my damn 2012 Vacation Album which has been taking me FOREVER to put together. Especially since I've already been on another vacation since then. I'm so behind. I'm not sure you every get "caught up" as a scrapbooker, but that would be a dream come true. I'm almost to the point with this album that I'm ready to just slap in some Project Life divided protectors, put the photos in there, and call it good! haha But I won't because I would never be able to live with myself. haha

I'm going to try to get pictures posted of some of my vacation pages in the next few days! I love scrapping vacations because the pages are usually very tropical and bright!

So to all in the Midwest, good luck out there tomorrow & be safe! To everyone else, be glad you're not buried in snow with a -40 degree wind chill!

<3 E

Project Life: Week 12

Week 12 happening. Slowly but surely I get caught up one week at a time. haha

 As I said in my Instagram preview, this layout was brought to you by quick decisions. I really just placed the photos, chose the paper, and stuck on whatever embellishments spoke to me. 

One thing I realize as I've looked back on this layout is that I didn't put the days of the week on any of these pockets. haha Well I guess that whoever is reading this album is just going to have to do their research and pull out a 2013 calendar to figure out the days of the week. Lol

 I've been holding on to these SIS die cuts for YEARS. Truly. Feels good to put them to use. 

Contents of Week 12: Seafoam Core Kit. Paper: Amy Tangerine Ready Set Go (On the Clock), DCWV (Playtime pad), Studio Calico (Darling Dear pad), My Mind's Eye Lime Twist (Happy Go Lucky "Hello"), kraft. Stickers: American Crafts Remarks (JFK), Love Elsie epoxy stickers (Riley), Sticko mini alphas (silver). Embellishments: American Crafts Mini Marks rub-ons (Rock Star), Recollections bright pink washi, SIS die cuts, Recollections flair badge, Me & My Big Ideas Pocket Page card, Echo Park Memos card, Recollections wood veneer sentiment, Bella Blvd. washi (Punch Chevron). Stamps & Ink: Recollections (lower case alphas), Paper Source (Mum Solid Small), Staz-On (Jet Black), Heidi Swapp Color Shine spray ink (Mustard). Found Objects: Wal-Mart paint chip, old planner cover, ticket stub, image from flyer, "D" gift tag.

How are your albums going? Please someone tell me that I'm not the only one that is never up to date on this thing! haha
<3
E

Project Life: Weeks 10 & 11

I'm going to write a song called "Project Life is never caught up." Because we all know the best songs are the ones that are written from experience. And BOY do I have experience catching up on PL. It's never-ending, I tell you! These 2 layouts are ones that I did quite awhile ago admidst my blogging funk, so they never made it to the blog, but I still get half credit because late is better than not at all. I know this.

Week 10:

For some reason this layout is one of my favorites so far in this album. I think it's because it came together so effortlessly and so colorfully. Not to mention I'm obsessed with that feather to put it lightly. :)

That cough drop wrapper was an impulse. I was sick that week and after I added the Thickers, I needed a little something extra and realized a wrapper to my favorite type of cough drops would be perfect.

Contents of Week 10: Seafoam Core Kit. Paper: Scenic Route, Love Elsie (Toby), Amy Tangerine Ready, Set, Go (Lounge Fest), Crate Paper (Storyteller pad), Me & My Big Ideas (MAMBI Sheets), turquoise and tangerine cardstock. Stickers: Echo Park (This & That), Horizon mustache labels, American Crafts Thickers (Boardwalk). Embellishments: Dear Lizzy flair badge, paper clip, Smash polka dot washi, mT gold stripe washi (Happy Tape), Queen & Co. black chevron washi. Found Objects: notebook paper, old planner page, FCS gift card, feather, Halls cough drop wrapper. Etc: Uni-Ball Signo (black), Instagrams.

Week 11:

March 10-16 was mostly errands, misc crafts, and a baby shower on Saturday but lots of random Instagrams and some choice wrapping paper filled it out quite nicely. Note to self: Need more pics of Ian in this album!

I love that pocket in the top left corner-- the color palette is my favie! Btw... I'm sad that my Hambly kraft labels are almost gone and I won't be able to replace them! I cutting them in half trying to stetch out their lifespan! haha

Contents of Week 11: Seafoam Core Kit. Clementine Core Kit. Paper: Amy Tangerine Ready Set Go (On the Clock), Studio Calico (Darling Dear paper pad), SEI Girlfriends (Jocelyn), Crate Paper (Storyteller pad), turquoise cardstock. Stickers: Hambly kraft cardstock labels, American Crafts Thickers (Hardcover), Making Memories label (5th Ave), Target foil spot alphas. Embellishments: Studio G epoxy brads, Target washi, mT peach washi, Smash sentiment washi, Paper Studio vintage icon clip. Found Objects: BBW candle label, wallpaper shop business card, kraft star wrapping paper. Stamps & Ink: Smash date stamp, Paper Studio circle stamp, JoAnn's clear stamp set (Lovestruck), Staz-On Ink (Jet Black). Etc: Uni-Ball Signo pen (black), Instagrams.

Yes my friends-- those layouts are being posted 10 weeks late! YAY! lol
Back atcha soon!
<3 E P.S. To all you cuties that commented on my last post, I want to thank you for all the support! I guess every blogger goes through an eventual burnout and it's good to know that I'm not alone! You are all SO supportive and the absolute best!

Project Life: Week 9

Still catchin' up. I'm finding kind of nice to just do a marathon session getting a bunch of weeks done at once. Is it nice to be caught up? yes. But catch-up is OK too. Week 9 comin' at ya.

Only 2 photos on this side, but it's nice having a lot of room for journaling. I kind of have some stand-by ideas for filler pockets too. Just things I have in mind that I can use to fill a space when needed. Wasn't really necessary with this one, but it's been known to happen.

Contents of Page 1: Seafoam Core Kit. Paper: kraft, random cardstock, Me & My Big Ideas (MAMBI Sheets pad), vellum paper, paper ticket stubs (unknown!), glitter canvas, Love Elsie rubber charm (Riley), Instagrams, box tops from Girl Scout cookie boxes, Smash date stamp, Staz-On ink (Jet Black), Studio Calico journal card, Jo-Ann's clear camera stamp, Smash washi, perfume box, snippet from tanning brochure, staples, MedCheck card, Sharpie pen, & Uni Ball Signo pen (white).

Page numero dos of this spread! We bridge over into March!

Contents of Page 2: Seafoam Core Kit. Paper:October Afternoon paper, Basic Grey "Life of the Party" paper, K&Co. journaling tag (Sea Glass), mT washi tape (Happy Tape), Target washi tape, random paper bits, Red Door Vintage clothing tag, staples, print out of new phone, American Crafts Thickers (Rootbeer Float and Maple), Chic Tags die cut ("Hello" month), Doodlebug Inc. 3-D sticker, Instagram, Sharpie pen, & Uni Ball Signo pen (white).

I've really been relying on Pinterest to give me outstanding ideas for my album and my little PL pinboard has grown exponentially this month. I love soaking up new ideas and getting inspired. I really want to do a post about my supply organization method too. I hope to accomplish that sometime in the near future! I have Weeks 11 and 12 already done and ready to share, so that will happen! Thank you for your patience with my absence on the blog. I really truly want to get it revved up again, I've just been lacking inspiration as of late. It WILL happen, though!

Love you to you all!
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