Receive The Savior

{jane bosi}  Happy Holidays, Sweet Friends!!  Today, I'm stepping away from my bible journaling and sharing a project I created to bring the pages of the gospel right to my fire place mantle.  I created this 6x6 reverse canvas to feature the image of the Holy Family found in the Receive the Savior stamp set. 

I've been wanting to try my hand at the reverse canvas for awhile.  It was so super easy---I can't wait to make more!  I love working on mixed media projects.  The great thing is how they just sort of unfold--kind of like life.  For this canvas, I used a variety of ink sprays, white paint, metallic texture paste, a stencil, gel medium and some random goodies laying around the Studio that sparkle and shine (it's super sparkly in real life!!). "Merry Christmas" is a wood piece I found in the dollar zone last year; mixed media makes a case for hoarding, for sure!

As we move into December, keep in mind the real reason for the season and be sure to take time to enjoy the greatest gift of all!

Blessings, Jane

Me and My House...

{janebosi}

Choose Whom You Will Serve
Joshua 24:15  

"...choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

WORD.

Be blessed, Jane

I created with:  

 

In The Storm...

{jane bosi}  How grateful I am that I have a God able to calm both me and the storms.  He never fails in this walk when I am constantly feeling as if it is pouring....Can I get an amen??  You'll find Calms His Child here. 

I wanted to try a little decorative art and step away from bible journaling for a week or so.  Sometimes, when I feel like I am trying too hard, that is the best thing for me to do.

This is a 6x6 canvas.  I started by layering bible pages in a random pattern using mod podge.  I really should have waited between layers, but once I got going, I just didn't want to stop.  Some of the buckling would have been reduced, but all in all, I still love it.

I had picked up a tattered and well loved Gideon bible at Good Will a bit ago.  I love the idea of praying over my art and found it to be a calming piece to the over all art project.  I colored several pages by applying distress inks directly to my non-stick sheet and then dipping the pages until I got the right look.  Once dry, I was able to stamp and trim images from Fantastic Flowers and Scribble Flowers.  A few of the other textures that can be seen are the gold background created using texture paste and a stencil and some sequins. I've been in love with sequins for quite some time now and added just a few for a little bit of bling.

I hope you are feeling inspired---express yourself!

TTFN, Jane

He's Got A Plan

{jane bosi} Happy Day, Sweet Friends!!

Today, I'm revisiting a journaling page I shared a while back.  You see, I had a plan.  Artistically, I've been struggling--work stress, life stress, change--normally would drive me to the Studio for some art therapy.  My son left for college for the first time in early September.  It.  Is.  Hard.  My remedy has been to stay busy, family outings, lots of together time.  I had planned and saved last weekend as an art weekend...a time to finally, get back in the Studio.

And, then, my son surprised me and came home!  I was in the Studio.  Working my plan.  I thought I heard his voice and quickly scolded myself as ridiculous.  Then, my youngest shouted out "Ben's home!!"  Best derailment of plans of ever!

Early Sunday morning, I rose and thought to quickly create something new to share today.  I started to panic, trying to force something.  I wanted to get something done before my kiddos got up so we could spend the day together before having to take Ben back to school.  No ideas.  I started paging through my bible and reading passages. And, realized, I could just stop.  I could just share something I'd already done.  Y'all would understand. 

I landed on Jeremiah 29:11

The prayer of this passage has been a pleading, a clinging to promise not just about my own life, but for the life of my recently launched child.  Will you join me in praying that my son will follow?  I know his God pursues him....with plans for welfare and not evil, to give him a future and a hope.

My little life snippet is such a good reminder of the way in which God is always working for our betterment.  Regardless of the plans we have for ourselves.  His plans are greater; His plans are higher.  I had to lay down the plans I had made.  I cannot begin to tell you of the ways in which my unplanned (by me) weekend with my son has been a blessing.

I created this page with many goodies from the stamp store:  Faith Quote Blocks, My Creator and Note This. 

Thank you, in advance, for your prayers.  In Him,
Jane

Worthy...

{jane bosi}

Happy Monday, Sweet Friends!!  I am always so creatively inspired by music!!  While wanting to play with the newly released Send Me set, I found myself in Revelation.  My process usually starts with a song and then leads....where ever He leads.  For this creative time, it was Revelation 5:11-13 to be exact!

11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,

12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" 

 

How awesome is He? I can hardly wait to be there....

Enjoy!!  Jane

PS. Stamp sets used on this layout:  Send Me, Just Be, Sing Loud, and Worthy King.

 

Shine...

 {jane bosi}

I super wish my photography set up could actually do justice to the projects I create using these amazing stamps!!  The exact minute I saw the Fantastic Flower stamp set, I knew I had been holding on to this $4 wooden mirror purchased a decade ago for a reason!  I am not kidding when I say I've been hoarding it for a decade.  I've had it "on display" in my current studio for the last 4 years we've lived in this house--because I discovered it in the unpacking process.  For the last 4 years, I knew I would eventually be inspired by what was an unpainted 12 x 12 mirror in shrink wrap.

It's been a bit like prayerful waiting.  I knew the answer would come.  Several times, I thought I knew only to realize "no" was the response.  And then, without a doubt, the answer was clear--pretty much after I surrendered and decided it would tell me rather than the other way around!  Fantastic Flowers with a bit of Worthy King.....the project just about did itself!!  :)

Enjoy; be blessed--Jane

Heal a Broken Heart....

{jane bosi}  Happy Saturday, Sweet Friends!  I debated on titling this post "The Veil Was Torn" because I am still reveling in our Good Friday Service.  Good Friday is my most favorite service of the whole year--it's been that way since I became a Christian many many years ago.  I am always wholly impacted by what it truly means, has meant, will mean that Jesus the Christ laid down his life for me.

I created this 3 x 3 canvas in response to a tragedy in my community that occurred in late March.  Since that time, I've prayed to become more open to the hurting of others.  The good news is, that the veil was, in fact torn--this is what we remember this weekend.  He saved the day, He tore the veil away:

The darkest day in history was over
All was lost on the cross
Beaten, battered, bruised beyond description
You gave it all, what went wrong?

This couldn't be the end of Heaven's story
'Cause You came to save, to beat the grave
Three days and now they're looking for Your body
But You were gone, and now I know

You saved the day
The day You rolled the stone away
The empty grave is there to say
You reign
You saved the day
You tore the holy veil away
You opened wide the prison gates
You saved the day

Rescued from the shackles of my failure
In the dead of night, You shined Your light
Your gift of love is hope that springs eternal
And because of You, all things are new

You saved the day
The day You rolled the stone away
The empty grave is there to say
You reign
You saved the day
You tore the holy veil away

You opened wide the prison gates
You saved the day

Oh God, You rescued me
From my iniquities

Your gift of love is hope that springs eternal
And because of You, all things are new

You saved the day
The day You rolled the stone away
The empty grave is there to say
You reign
You saved the day
You tore the holy veil away
You opened wide the prison gates
You saved the day

You saved the day
The day You rolled the stone away
The empty grave is there to say
You reign
You saved the day
You tore the holy veil away
You opened wide the prison gates
You saved the day

You could create a similar canvas or other beautiful work using any of the wonderful images and sentiments in the Sweet 'N Sassy store.  I've used My Creator and  Be Encouraged.

Be encouraged....He is the help for a broken heart....trust Him <3
Jane

No Other Name

{jane bosi}

Hello, Sweet Friends!  I've recently found myself reflecting on the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15.  Have you ever felt just like that son? I have.  Other times, I reflect on this parable from the vantage point of the father....praying to rejoice over the home coming of my own prodigal......

The great truth remains that He is God, despite our poor choices, despite our circumstances; despite the evils of this present world; despite the storms we travel through....He is Good.....Love....Light...Hope....Peace ....Joy... I will sing no other name.  I will praise him in the storm. My heart will sing no other name. 

I used many beautiful sets from Sweet 'N Sassy to complete this Bible journaling layout:  My Friend, Good Shepherd, My Comforter, The Good News, Sing Loud and Skinny Caps Alpha.

I have few words in my world right now....but my heart continues to sing the name of Jesus.  Sing with me?

TTFN, Jane

The Rules of Love....

{jane bosi}  We had a new preacher on Sunday who preached a great message and totally inspired my time in the Word.  I don't often find myself in Deuteronomy, but here is where I have dwelt so far this week.  Deuteronomy 6:1-7:

“Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, ² that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. ³ Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ⁶ And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

I work with a lot of kids who struggle to follow rules, struggle to understand the point behind many rules and in general find themselves wandering in one desert after another desperately trying to find their way.  They need leading, but like the rest of us stubborn humans, leading is the last thing they seem able to seek, let alone accept.  

Rules {commands} are all about God's desire to remain in relationship with His children.  His law teaches us how to stay with Him.....how, blessedly simple is that?  His law is about His affection for us! I get that....because in my humanly parental heart, I know what it feels like to want my child to stay...to share who they are, to talk to me, to seek my counsel, to allow me to tend their pain and share their joy....no matter how old they get.  I want them to stay.  God wants me to stay.  He wants you to stay.

Hopin' to touch some hearts with this perspective and simple truth.....

I have to add a quick little note about my bible journal page, too!  I {heart} the way it turned out!  I used three different alphabet stamp sets:  Shake It Off Caps and Lowercase and Outline Alpha.  I also used a few other sets for accents:  Stand Tall and Bottom of My Heart.  I stamped everything and then masked off some of the accents and the Outline Alpha letters.  I used post-it notes because I don't have a better idea...it's kind of putzy, but I like that (especially while watching the Packer game....I need my coping skills!).  After everything was masked off, I applied four different colors of Ranger Distress Inks.  To finish things off, I added a page marker, some white signa pen outlines and a little bit of sparkle.  Don't you love that sweet little birdie?? (Stand Tall)

Be Blessed--Jane

Without Ceasing.....

{jane bosi} Happy Monday, Sweet Friends!  I've been struggling with this particular page for a while, but finally finished it and just didn't want to wait to share. This single page is opposite this layout (shared earlier):

The struggle came from the fact that the florals from Scribble Flowers bled through.  I covered the bulk of the page with gesso and highlighted verses 9 and 10 (Colossians 1): 

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of he Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Afterward, I wasn't sure how to finish the page--the gesso had given the page a different texture....I wish you could see what I feel!  After stamping the images from Scribble Flowers and New Creature, I used my finger to apply distress inks.  It definitely gave the page a different look. I really like it--it also helped to camouflage some of the floral images from the other side that can still be faintly seen. I finished the entire layout using Shake It Off Caps and Message of Hope.

Pray.  Without ceasing.
Let's do that....Be Awesome, Jane

Called by Name

{jane bosi}  Happy Tuesday, Sweet Friends!

Today, I am sharing a canvas I made recently.  Quite a while ago I used some stencil paste to add gold stars to a painted canvas.  I'm sure I had an idea when I began, but time passed and so did the idea.  All I was left with was a goofy colored canvas full of stars!

And then, My Friend was released.  I am so in love with this image!!  As I continued to create and work on finishing the canvas, it assigned itself to a friend of mine.  I'm not sure if this happens to other people, but it has happened a number of times to me--I just instantly know who the canvas will belong to when I'm finished with it.

The sentiment piece was cutting using the Hillside Edges Die Set--all of the sentiment can be found on the My Friend sheet also.   So, when I was done, I wrapped it up and took it to work with me for my friend, Cathy.  She's been called by name, too.  I think art is just like God's Word....beautiful and to be shared.....

What are you sharing?
Be Awesome!  Jane

Hope Has Come

{jane bosi}  Happy Monday, Sweet Friends!

A great way to start any day or week, for that matter, is to spend some time in the Word.  Today, I'm sharing from the very beginning of the New Testament, in Matthew.

While I realize we have just started to see the leaves change and fall, I'm already thinking about the birth of our Savior and celebrating this years' holidays!

To complete my page, I started by sponging some distress ink in one corner.  The main image is from Receive the Savior--such a precious image!  It's colored with a combination of distress and spectrum aqua markers.   Finally, I used several other sets:  Seek Him, Classy Script Alphabet, and All Your Heart. 

Seek Him with All Your Heart--Jane

Calms His Child

{jane bosi}  Happy Day, Sweet Friends!!  I'm focused, unfortunately, on the storm, lately.  But, GOOD NEWS....that focus has really been on the way He carries me; the ways I find Him in the middle of the storm and--strangely, my gratitude for the storm.  I'm forever amazed and grateful that I find Him there.

I was anxious to use the brand new Scribble Flower set!  The coordinating dies sure made this little 3 x 3 canvas a piece of cake!  After applying each flower (stamped on tissue) with a clear glaze, I was sure to let the piece dry completely.  I used acrylic paints to add color to each one.  When that was all dry, I went over some of the black with a marker to make it POP! again.

The focal sentiment is such a great image and wonderful reminder, Calms His Child.  I love these bigger sentiments for wall art and other home decor items!

If your storm is currently raging, be sure you are not alone!  Pray for calm--He will meet you there!

TTFN, Jane

He Knows My Name....

{jane bosi} How incredibly cool is it that the Creator of the entire universe knows your name?  He. Knows. Your. Name.  Dwell on that for just a little bit, my sweet friends!

Isaiah is such a rich book of the promises of God.  It is definitely one of my favorites and often a go to place when I am in need of reminding of just how precious I am, of the fact that I am chosen.  That's an important truth to hold in this overwhelming and often mixed up world!

Isaiah 43:1-3

"Fearnot, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine."

YOU. Are. Mine.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

I. Am. With. You.

When you are overwhelmed, He is with you.  He knows your name.  You are not alone.  You are more than your trials, more than all that this world can put you through.  He knows your name, your pain, your strength, your fear, your goals, your heart.  How amazingly, lovely is that?  Are you not quite sure?

Go back to the beginning of Isaiah 42:

"Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights"

My. Soul. Delights.

Oh, precious friends...rest in this truth,

In Him, Jane 

I got crafty with:

Creator of the Universe

Outline Alphabet

Awesome Thoughts

Be Held....

{jane bosi}  Happy Tuesday, Sweet Friends!  Today I am sharing a layout I created with my Grandpa on my mind.  Despite the fact that he's been gone for well over twenty years, I still think about my Gramps often.  It seems like yesterday and forever since I've seen him--funny how life is sometimes?

I was thinking about sharing here on what would have been his 100++ birthday and began reflecting on how his passing was really a game changer for me in my walk with Christ.  In this storm, I began to realize that I would find Him, that I could be held, that His promises are all that they say they are....

Acts 27 finds Paul on a boat, in storm, with a bunch of people and more than a boat load of faith in the One who is Mighty to Save.

v.20 "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned".......keep reading......

v.25 "So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told".  READ ON:

v.36  "Then they were all encouraged"....go,  more reading......

v. 44 ..."all were brought safely to land"......

Have you been brought safely?  The storm is a hard place to be.  No doubt about it.  But, my friends, the storm IS where you will find Him.  Keep looking, seeking, searching.  And, allow yourself to just be held.


I used a bunch of goodies from Sweet N Sassy Stamps to complete this layout:  Awesome Thoughts, Note This, Just Be, Outline Alpha, Seek Him, His Wings, and Words of Life 1.

Be Blessed,
Jane

Faith, Hope and Joy!

{jane bosi}  Happy Tuesday, Sweet Friends!  I'm always looking for ways to speak my faith in my workplace.  It can be a tricky thing in secular organizations.  Especially, when you work with kids.

Recently, I've had the opportunity to move to a new position in my organization and it's afforded me the huge privilege of having my own office.  I wanted to create a space that would be warm and inviting; where the kids would feel safe and want to come.  I wanted it to reflect my personality and feel homey. So, what better way to accomplish all that than to decorate with my own art pieces?

I completely adore this worshiping girl from I Am Loved and always think that is how my Heavenly Father sees me.  With her as my focal image, I created this 3 x 3 canvas--I love how it turned out!

I really wanted to use the sentiment from I Am Loved, "Holy Spirit, you are welcome here" but the sizing wasn't right.  As I applied layers of paint, stencil, gesso and modge podge, the answer became clear.  With faith, I have hope and because I have hope, I experience joy!  Choose Faith!

My subtle message to "my kids" who come to visit in my office is all about planting a seed.  Maybe they'll ask, maybe they'll wonder, maybe they'll hope......

Maybe, just maybe......Jane

I got crafty with: