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Meditations of the Heart

Happy Saturday!  After a couple weeks of no stamping, I finally got back into my studio last night!  Hooray!  I wanted to give this week's Mojo Monday sketch by Debbie Carriere a try and thought I'd pair the sketch with the Meditations set, because the song from this verse had been going through my head all day.


When I sat down to stamp, I thought I planned to make a clean card with lots of white, but the mixed media techniques I've been learning just kept calling my name.  Eventually I quit fighting it and ended up throwing in a lot of color with distress inks!  I just love this verse - Psalm 19:14.  It's a reminder to be conscious of the things I say and think about.  Too often I find myself focusing on all my perceived flaws and spending emotional energy worrying about what others think.  I put myself down.  A lot.  A lot, a lot.  I'm my own worst critic.  I'm forgiving and accepting with other people, but not with myself.  My expectations for myself are unreasonable and often unattainable and I have no compassion for myself when I fail.  These are all things I'd like to change.  I want to support myself, believe in myself and most importantly ACCEPT myself as I am.  I should be my own cheer squad and the words I say about myself should be uplifting and compassionate... the same words I often use and wholeheartedly believe about my friends.  You are worthy... you are beautiful... you make a difference... you inspire me... you make the world a better place... YOU MATTER.  And that's the very heart of it all... be kind to yourself, because you matter. 

The Making Of:
The verse from Meditations is stamped with Archival black ink onto a 2x3" white strip, then swooshed (yep, that's the technical term {grin}) Worn Lipstick and Spiced Marmalade inks over it.  I used the negative shape of a heart punch as a stencil with more Worn Lipstick to place the heart shape near the heart in the verse.

The flowers are embossed in white onto Melon Mambo cardstock, cut out and layered.  The leaves are from the Bloom & Grow set and cut out with the Elegant Leaves Die.  Torn edges, embossing folders, sanding, more sponging and some washi tape with purposely messy handwriting finished things off.


Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Before I go, I just thought I'd remind y'all of the Memorial Day Weekend Sale going on at Verve!  20% off all stamps and 10% off all dies through May 31!  Hooray!


Enabler's List:
Stamps: Meditations, Bloom & Grow (Verve)
Paper: Melon Mambo, Basic Gray (SU!), Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick (Ranger C'oredinations), White
Ink: Jet Black Archival, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick (Ranger), White Dye Ink (Memories), black PITT pen (Faber Castell)
Accessories:  Elegant Leaves Die (A Cut Above by Verve), grey twine, black taffeta, orange rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty), orange button (Jesse James), embossing folder (Sizzix), Lots of Hearts punch (SU!), washi tape (iCopic)

21 comments

Teresa Kline said...

this is for you....
You are worthy... you are beautiful... you make a difference... you inspire me... you make the world a better place... YOU MATTER. And that's the very heart of it all... be kind to yourself, because you matter.

hugs Julee!

enjoy *~*

Teresa Kline said...

luv your card too...the mix of colors is gorgeous!

Unknown said...

I love your card, and your post, Julee! It is so true, if we don't lift ourselves up, then we can't allow anything else to lift us up, either. I'm working on that, too! This card is yummy, love all the dimension and rich color, thanks for making so many WONDERFUL Bible verse stamps at Verve! :)

Joanne Travis said...

Julee, your card is beautiful and so are you. You are so sweet and inspiration to so many of us here!

Tanya said...

Oh this is gorgeous! I LOVE the colors and love the swooshing!! :D

Jackie Pedro said...

Gorgeous, Julee!! The colors are stunning!!!

Ravengirl said...

How beautiful! Is it possible that the beauty of our creations come from the beauty inside of us?

CreativeMish said...

Very pretty. I love the colors

BlackCats said...

This is an absolutely beautiful card. I love the colors and textures. You are an inspiration. You've got me thinking of doing something again with mixed media. I can really identify with what you're saying and think that we all tend to be our worst critics. We've all got to hang in there and support each other. Again, good job.

Keva said...

I truly love coming here. I've loved coming here to see your cards ever since I first got involved with Verve and, by extension, you. Now, however, it feels like I come more for the mini cleansing, mini pep talk, mini life lesson. Your card is gorgeous. Bright and cheery and I love the verse. The post itself, though, was the true heart of this post. So many times we're the last person we love, forgive, and accept. Thanks, Julee! Hugs to you and everything that makes you YOU.

Luanne said...

Beautiful. You and the card too!

Amy Sheffer said...

Beautiful post. Beautiful card. Beautiful YOU.

Tosha Leyendekker said...

Stunning Julee!! What a wonderful mix: of colors, texture, and heart!! Just like you!! HUGS!

Marisa said...

Givers tend to be the worst receivers...ask me how I know :) Perfectionists tend to be very harsh on themselves...ask me how I know :) God specifically created you just the way you are, to do some things only you can do. Revel in your God-breathed uniqueness and the fact you were created in His image...a daughter of the King...and in case you forgot, love you to bits (please have Mark give you a huge hug from me) and I am SO glad you stepped out and started Verve!

Carol said...

Very, very beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your authentic self with us in cyberland. Your creations always reflect the beauty of your soul. And your posts resonate with many of us.

As nurturers, we need to give ourselves unconditional love, and remember we're works in progress. Life's journey creates the tapestry, rich and elegant when viewed from the outside. Yet the other side, knotted and interwoven threads, from every little step along the way.

Thank you for giving so generously to everyone, please please give to yourself as generously!

Michelle said...

So beautiful! Thank you for your words as well. I would never say to a friend the things I think about myself. I need to remember to cut myself some slack. Thank you for the reminder.

And, yes, you DO matter!

Pat (mspfd) said...

Beautiful!

Susie W. said...

Truly beautiful Julee. And, I'm not just talking about your card. You're a beautiful person and it shows or "radiates" from your creations. Truly.
So many of us - me included - can relate to your post today. Yes, we have to treat ourselves as well as we treat others.
Hugs!

Riet said...

So gorgeous Julee.

Hugs Riet.xx

Lisa Fowler Windsor, CO said...

LOVE,love, love this card! I need to learn how to swoosh! Julee, you are a constant source of inspiration for me--thank you for all you do!

Marlena M. said...

Amen, amen and amen. I love the colors, love the verse and love the transparency of your heart! Thankyou. ;)