Grateful Heart Journaling Cards

Fall is in full swing here in the middle of the Mitten (aka Michigan 😉). The mornings are crisp and cool, and the leaves are turning all sorts of beautiful colors. Fall is my favorite season - I love the beautiful colors, the pumpkins, the apple cider, and especially the caramel apples. Yum!! 

The changing seasons reminds me of life's ever-changing seasons. Life never stays the same, it's always changing. But you know what never changes? God's love for YOU. He has said He will never leave you nor forsake you, and He is a God who keeps His promises. Fall is the perfect time to reflect on God's love for you with an open and grateful heart. 

If you've spent any amount of time on the Creative Worship blog or Facebook group, you've seen the wonderful journaling cards made by our very own Deirdre (@merciesjournaled). (You should totally check out her YouTube channel!) After returning from our CW Retreat this past week, I decided to make some journaling cards with the new Grateful Heart stamp set. I'm so thankful for all God has done and continues to do in my life, and I'm especially thankful for the new friendships I've gained because of this Bible Journaling Community. ♡

These cards are so fun and easy to make! I started with a blank piece of 9"x12" watercolor paper (simple cardstock works well too). I then splashed a couple different "autumn-ish" colored watercolors all over the page. There is no rhyme or reason to this madness, it really is just dabbing watercolor randomly all over the page. You can let dry, then do another layer of random color. I then splattered the page with some more autumnal colors. Once you have a good base color pattern, it's time to cut your journaling cards. I cut the sheet longways down the middle so I had two 4.5" sides. I then cut them into 3" cards. A 9"x12" sheet will give you eight 4.5"x3" cards. The perfect size!

I then stamped my images with my handy new MISTI Stamping Tool. This tool stamps images so quickly and cleanly, it only took me a couple minutes to stamp my cards. I just LOVE it!! 😍

These little cards are perfect to stick in your kiddo's lunchbox, give to a teacher to brighten her day, stick in an envelope with a card, or tape in your Bible as a little reminder for you. The possibilities are endless! Here is an example of a journaling card in my Bible. I wrote a short prayer on the back of this card, then paperclipped in my Bible. 💕 

I encourage you to take 20 minutes and create your own set of journaling cards, then hand them out to people who cross your path this week. Share a little bit of God's light and be a blessing to someone this week. 😉

Lots of love, 
Janelle
@journalingjoy

I used the Grateful Heart and Fall in Love with Jesus stamp sets in creating my journaling cards. The Grateful Heart stamp set is the Stamp of the Month from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and is FREE with a $75 order. 😍

 

Autumn Memories

What is it about the changing seasons that evokes such sweet memories? I’m not sure if it’s because families start gathering for family time and the holidays? Or perhaps it’s the coziness of bringing out the sweaters and scarves?

To me, there’s not much more delightful than a drive through the country and being in awe of all the colors. In the fall, God’s palette seems limitless with golds, oranges, reds, and purples. I love when a bright crimson leaf is swirling and dancing in the crisp air.

Can you tell that fall is definitely my favorite season...and my favorite color?

There is just something so comforting about autumn. It’s as if God is embracing me just a bit tighter before the season changes.

Last month, I shared with you from Psalm 91. It was my Daddy’s favorite passage. It is quickly becoming one of my favorites, too, as I ponder it over and over.

These last few days, I have gone back to the comfort of Psalm 91. Verse 2 really resonated with me and I stopped.  I paused.  I prayed.  And I pondered some more.

“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

While I love the comforts of fall, and the warm feelings it brings to mind, nothing compares to the safety and comfort of God himself.

David, amidst all the struggles in his life, amidst all the delights in his palace, declared that “God alone” was his refuge and comfort.

How many things do we let try and fill that place in our lives? The comforts of family and home are great, but they can’t begin to measure up to what God has for us.

Last week, my daughter has a horrible scare at her apartment complex. It involved an armed robbery and a shootout in the parking lot right under her apartment window. I was one frightened momma as she was telling the details.  But God...He reminded me that I am not my daughter’s safety, He is. Period.

David continues in verse 2 telling us that “he is my God, and I will trust him.” Do I trust Him? With everything? Do I find my comfort in God alone? Do I proclaim “In Him, there is safety?” or do I put my trust in things...or people around me?

Seasons are always changing. Whether that be the physical season of the weather around us or the emotional and spiritual season within us, change is inevitable. But it doesn’t have to be fearful, because God alone is our refuge and safety.

Much to ponder today my friends. As you make sweet memories in the changing seasons, I encourage you to trust God. He is our comfort!

Art Behind the Story:

Since fall is definitely my favorite, I jumped at the opportunity to use Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps new release Incredibly Blessed.  I love that the stamps are so versatile and that they coordinate with all of my other brands of ephemera and supplies.  

For this page, I applied a light watercolor wash to the background before placing my paper pieces on the page.  I stamped the pumpkin, leaves, and the acorns on cardstock.  I messy water colored them, and then fussy cut them to create my own die cuts.  Next, I just had fun creating this fall page and pondering the comforts of our God.

Let me know what your favorite fall things are in the comments.

Hugs, 

Gayle

Patio Ponderings