Easter Basket Stuffers and unique gift ideas

Looking for something besides candy to fill your Easter baskets? Check out my Etsy Shop for some unique goodies. Sign up for my newsletter and receive a coupon code for 20% off for any purchases in my shop this week!

Great gifts for Sunday school teachers, friends, mentors, or your grown children.

These also make good gifts for the end of the school year-custom options available.

Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Visit my Etsy shop HERE.

Original Valentine's Day gifts for the special people in your life

It's only one month until Valentine's Day. I know personally, I hate buying generic cards these days because they are so expensive and impersonal, and flowers and chocolate don't last. (Ok, I can't honestly say I don't love getting chocolate) But what about giving a piece of art that your loved one can enjoy all year round? 

I now have 5 x 7 prints of these original mixed media works on paper available in my Etsy shop for $12. If you sign up for my newsletter, you will receive a 25% off discount code-- and shipping is FREE.  Sign up for my newsletter HERE.

Each original piece is professionally printed with archival ink on a 110 pd archival stock. They look so cute on a clipboard frame or placed in a ready made frame with a white matte. They come packaged in a clear cellophane art bag with a cardboard backing, so you could even just pop a bow on the package and it's ready to give.  Check out my Etsy Shop HERE to see all the designs.

Art journaling about God's rich blessings

I've just started reading the book of Ephesians-it's one of my favorite books that I always refer back to when I need to be reminded of God's amazing grace. I've been stuck on Ephesians 1 & 2 the past few days. I love to think of how God lavishes his gifts on us. This morning, I made a list of all the benefits listed in these two chapters, and wanted to share them with you. 

Gives us every Spiritual blessing

Chosen

Holy

Blameless

Love

Glorious grace

Redemption

Forgiveness

Wisdom

Insight

Inheritance

Hope

Truth

Salvation

Holy Spirit in us

Immeasurable greatness of His power

Freedom

Mercy

Life

Immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness

Faith

Peace

Access to the Father

Reconciliation

Adoption

Citizenship in the household of God

God's dwelling place

Wow! Pretty amazing and humbling. I love how specific these chapters are, and the rich wording. Are you experiencing these gifts? They are free to all of us. We can come to him with nothing except our ugly bags of sin, and he replaces them with shiny, beautiful, pure gifts. And the amazing part to me is that He knows we will keep trying to drag the ugly bags along with us, but He continues to lavish gifts on us anyway. How easily I forget...I  have everything I need to have all these things on a daily basis. I hope this blesses you this morning, like it did me. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, or are not sure about all He offers us when we trust Him, take a look at these promises.

Ephesians 1 & 2

John 3:16

Romans 5:8

Ephesians 3:20

Psalm 139:14

Have a blessed day!

When art just happens

I always keep a piece of butcher paper covering my work space, and I'm embarrassed to admit, that until I did the Documented Life Challenge this year and was challenged to use my "under paper", I always just threw it away

Today, instead of throwing it way I cut up into pieces and was amazed by the results. I love some of the new color combos that turned up in my scraps-colors I would probably never intentionally put together. Each piece was like it's own individual mini artwork--and I didn't even try! Gotta love that!

I used a couple pieces in my journal entry today. It pushed my a bit out of my comfort zone to add theses to my pretty pastel pages, but I loved the results

Art Journaling with Documented Life and Documented Faith

Over the past year, I have been inspired both creatively and spiritually by the Documented Life Project and the Documented Faith project. For me, it's the perfect intermingling of life, faith and creativity, so I decided to jump in feet first for 2015.  It's taken me awhile to prep my Journal/Planner, and process all the prompts, posts and emails, but I managed to be ready enough to start with the first day of January, so I wanted to share a few of my pages and thoughts.

First, I purchased the Moleskine  Diary Daily Planner. Last year, it seemed like most of the participant's used the Moleskine weekly planner, but I really wanted to have more room to journal during my daily quiet time, and also have some space to record my daily "to-do's" and prayer requests. I love the binding of the moleskins, but the paper is so thin it takes a lot of prep to get each page ready to take some of the mixed media that I prefer to use. Overall though, I think I'm pretty pleased. I also got a new Bible for Christmas with a journaling column on each page. I haven't figured out yet how I want to use this, but I've loved some of the ideas I've seen over at Documented Faith and Illustrated Faith.

For the Documented Faith challenge, the word for the month is TRUTH The verse for week one was Jeremiah 29:11. Here's my Journal page for that week.

For Documented Life, the challenge was Facing the Blank page with book pages, and the prompt was "keeper of your own goals". Here's a quick detail on how I put together my journal spread. I love using old books for art journaling. In fact, I worked in our school library for two years, so any book that was ready for the trash bin went to my art stash. I have dozens of old books with nice antiqued pages. I use them all the time to wipe off left over paint and clean off stamps, and then I use those to start my journal pages or add layers.

I started off with some book pages that were painted with paint, spray ink and stencils and stamps. Without putting too much thought into it, I tore out pieces and adhered to my page.

Next I used a watercolor pencil to define some of the edges and add some shading and detail. Then I filled in with some gray paint.

Being the "keeper of my own goals" really challenged me when put in a spiritual context. All my verses this past week have related to plans and trusting God, so I went pretty deep here. My page turned out more chaotic than I like, but I kept having random thoughts, and I just wanted to get them all down on the page. It's got a lot going on, and really no focal point, so I may still tweak it some. Overall, though, I love all the texture and grungy feel. I normally use a lot more color, but the old book pages set the tone for me.

First, when I think about my goals and dreams, I automatically consider what God's plan for me might be, because I've learned from experience that His way is always best. I have a knack for making a mess of things, and God knows my heart better than I do.  He always has great plans for us!

Proverbs 4:23 says, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."(NIV) With that in mind, I started thinking about the best way to keep or protect my goals and dreams, was to guard my heart. Psalm 90:12, reminds us, "... to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom." I have to protect my time, and protect myself from desires of the flesh like selfishness, and protect my heart from temptation and worrying about pleasing others. I know that God gave me the gift of creativity, and it brings me so much joy. Through creating, I can praise Him and give Him glory. It's so easy for me to not make time for the things that make my heart come alive; to cave to the pressure of pleasing others and doing what everyone else is doing instead of seeking God's pace and plan.

God has showed me three verses that I need to focus on this year that can help me "guard my heart" or "keep my goals" the best. They are all things that make my heart come alive and enable me to trust, love more and bless others. 

1) Time in His word. John 15

2) Pray continually 1Thessalonians 5:16

3) Fix my eyes on Jesus-my ultimate goal. Hebrews 12:2

I would love for you to join me in this journey for 2015. I'm hoping when my journal/planner is complete, it will be a beautiful gift of praise and documented faith to my heavenly Father. I post regularly on Facebook and Instagram, so follow me there to see my daily pages.

Christmas Art

Since I started my full time teaching job this year, my studio time has been cut to almost zero. I'm still journaling, but have not created any new canvas pieces all year. I think I avoid going down to my studio because I get depressed seeing all the unfinished pieces and projects, and knowing I don't have enough time or energy to create on a larger scale right now. Don't get me wrong, I love my new job, but I think the planning, teaching all day, grading and managing students has sucked up all my energy and there's just not much left when I get home.

This weekend I cleaned off my desk in the small office off my laundry room, and moved all my journaling supplies up from my studio with hopes that I can do more journaling in small chunks if it's right in front of me. I went down to my studio tonight and found these pieces that I'd really like to sell before Christmas, so I'm offering discounted prices. Details are listed below. Shipping for first class mail in the U.S. in included. Just email me at spanglerstacy@yahoo.com if you are interested and I'll send you a paypal receipt-first come, first serve.

This Baby Jesus mixed media piece has heavy texture and is painted on an 8 x 8, 1-1/2 inch thick gallery wrapped canvas with finished edges. It is on sale for $40.

This mixed media cross piece is on a 6 x 6, 1/2 inch thick burlap canvas with finished edges. It is $25.

This mixed media Santa is on a 12 x 12 inch, 1/2 inch thick canvas with finished edges. It is $45.

This mixed media Santa is on a 16 x 20, 1/2 inch thick canvas with finished edges. It is $75.

I also have two mixed media packets left. This color infused kit contains over 30 pieces that will give you a fresh start for your mixed media projects. Great for journals, canvases, scrapbooking, mail art and more. Each kit varies slightly, but includes handprinted and stamped papers, texture pieces, glue gun stencil, foam stamp, old book pages, tissue paper, and more. This is a great way to spark your creativity, try new supplies, and handy enough to take with you when you when traveling. $8.00 each or two for $15.00.

Last but not least, I have the above printed cards from my original paintings available. They are $3.00 each or a pack of 6 assorted cards for $15.00-envelopes included. They come clear wrapped with ribbon.

Free delivery and gift wrap for local orders.

As always, I still have art available at Scallions Restaurant in the Heights and Reinvented Vintage in Breckenridge Village. Buy local and hand crafted this Christmas!

Art Journaling Kickstarter

I'm excited to give you a sneak peak of the new Art Journal Kickstarter by North Light Books. I will have one of my favorite journal entries published in it, and I can't wait to get a copy in my hands. It will be in stock and ready to purchase in a few weeks. If you would like a copy, North Light Shop is offering free shipping on orders over $25. Please click on the orange link to the right if you would like to order one.

My journal entry that is featured in the book is very near and dear to my heart. I've spent time the past two years creating art and journaling at a monthly art night with the women at The Dorcas House, an outreach for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. I've been so blessed to be able to witness firsthand how God can change a life and bring healing and hope. These women have inspired me so much, that I created a journal page reflecting how so many of them are when they come to Dorcas, and how God delivers them. How exciting that my first published artwork honors them and God's grace! 

I'll be posting more once I get the copy in my hands, but pre-order yours now!!! Remember, please use the orange link the says "Art Journal Kickstarter" in the column to the right, to order-that way the order will link back to me. Thanks so much!!!

Art Journaling with Gelatos

I've been doing a lot of art journaling lately, so I've been trying to expand my horizons with some new products. I've had this set of Quartet Alphacolor Water Crayons for awhile now, but they are not my favorite. You have to wet your paper pretty good to get them to blend and get a nice water color effect. They are good for some things though, like outlining or shadowing.

I just discovered Faber-Castel's Gelatos and I've fallen in love! They are mess free, easy to use, and you can create a variety of effects. Plus, they are like drawing with a tube of lip stick-how much fun is that! I thought I'd take you through a journal page I've started using only Gelatos, Water Crayons and gesso.

For Valentine's Day we made these Pintrest inspired heart shaped crayons, and this color combo was my favorite. It was the inspiration for my journal page.

I started by drawing some random shapes with the Gelatos (pinks and reds) and Watercrayons (green and yellow)

I started blending the colors with a very wet brush with firm bristles. 

Next, I added some white gesso and blended more. This toned down the colors a bit, and gave it a more creamy texture.

I added some stencils prints with thin white gesso. I stenciled over the color blocks to soften the edges.

More drips, stamps and details...

Some shading...

Lettering with white gesso.

And shading on the letters.

I outlined my letters with a thin black sharpie marker. I'm still looking for a good liner pen if anyone has any suggestions.

I'm not done yet, but this was my stopping point. The best part is, I did this all at my kitchen table with very little mess to clean up. The Gelato sticks are so convenient! I purchased the red Gelatos set at Michaels. I went back today and purchased the blue set. Unfortunately, at my Michaels, they don't have a big selection of these. I have a feeling I will be find a place online where I can order a set with more colors.

I will be posting more journal pages in the upcoming weeks.

Gelli Prints

I recently purchased a Gelli Art Printing Plate and have become obsessed with all the colorful, beautiful layers that you can create with it. It's been a super easy way to get some beautiful backgrounds for fun art projects for the kids, and for my art journal pages.

My kids love using the Gelli plate also. It's so fun experimenting with different textures to see how the print turns out.

We made some Valentine cards by printing onto paper grocery bags…

Some cute toppers for our Pintrest inspired Valentine treats...

And some gift tag/book marks.

I'll be showing some of my journal pages soon.

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