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Be Still

Hi friends!  Happy Valentine's Day!  I haven't shared any art journaling with you for a while, mostly because I haven't been doing any.  I do have this teeny little page I created a while back that seemed like a good pick for today.



The Making Of:
The page is done in a mini journal measuring 3.5 x 5", so the surface is slightly smaller than a card front.  It's really a manageable size if you want to get your art on, but don't have a lot of time.  The Psalm 46:10 plain jane is stamped onto some dictionary paper and the hearts are cut from a paper doily using the Heart Trio CutUps from TCP.  The background and coloring is all done with Neocolor II crayons and I added some doodling with a permanent ink pen and a little rub-on down the side for some added texture.

The Inspiration:
I created this page back in September, the day after I found out we were having twins.  To say my entire world felt like it had somehow come unhinged would be an understatement.  This Psalm 46:10 verse was one I kept repeating over and over to myself in the hopes of calming the rising panic in my soul.  Be still and know that I am God.

As you probably guessed from the colors here, I was hoping for girls.  It wasn't long after I created this page that we found out we were having boys and I haven't done any art journaling since.  I had intended to remake this page in blues and greens, but somehow my heart just isn't in it.  I still cry sometimes when I think about two little boys running around the house.  Several family members were convinced I was having girls, and I got so many Hello Kitty baby things from them right at the start that I even get a little sad when I see Hello Kitty now.  I've had to box up all of my HK stuff just to keep myself sane.  And once again... Be still and know that I am God.

Although my babies will be boys, the heart of this journaling page still fits... a prayer that God would bless our family and that I would remember that it's all in His plan, and not in my hands.  So there are two little hearts below, representing our two babies, and a heart within a heart up top representing Mark and myself. 

And with less than 5 weeks to go I am FINALLY starting to feel a little excitement to meet these two little boys that will share our world and our hearts.  I know they will be perfect for us... and I'll continue repeating this verse throughout their lives ...  Be still and know that I am God. 


Enabler's List:
Stamps:  Psalm 46:10 plain jane (Verve Stamps)
Paper: dictionary page, 3.5 x 5" Visual Journal (Strathmore), paper doily
Ink: Neocolor II artist crayons (Caran d'Ache), black pen
Accessories:  Heart Trio CutUps (TCP), rub-on

19 comments

Marisa said...

This is one of my favorite verses and SO glad it's a PJ :) It always grounds me and reminds me of how I need to be still before I can fully appreciate His sovereign control of all things in my life. I still wriggle and squirm while trying to be still sometimes, but thankfully, God is patient and just keeps telling me to be still until the squirming ceases and then the deep peace only He can give engulfs me to such a depth that I know it will be well with my soul.

I'm imagining this in blue and it looks just as amazing :) Boys are a treasure and steal your heart even moreso than the big one that stole yours when you said I do ;) Jsut sayin' :) Hugest of (((hugs))) to you!!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Well, better late then never! i had no idea you were pg let alone with twins! Congratulations -- double all the fun!

Maureen said...

Julee, this is just lovely :) What a great mantra to repeat...all through the years to come. Most people thought I was having a girl...then out popped Jake...and I didn't have to love him instantly, I had loved him all the time :) He is my greatest joy...not every second...but for most of them :) lol I know you will be just as blessed (twice!)...I'm thinking we might just see more "girly girly" art from you as you try to balance all the testosterone in your house!! LOL hugs to you and those sweet babies :)

Luanne said...

This just touched my heart today! I had two boys (not at once, but 16 months apart) and I so wanted a little girl... But I know now how much joy those boys have brought me. God blessed me with a little girl down the road, who is now 30! Julee, once you look in those precious faces, you'll fall in love even more! I'll be praying for these final weeks to go smoothly for you and Mark. :-)

P.S. Hang on to those hello kitty things... :-)

Nicole said...

You have no idea the amazement you are in for with two little boys. I didn't find out until I had my son which he was going to be, but I was convinced he was a girl...Danielle, as a matter of fact. I knew we should have a girl. I could do all the girly things with her, including teaching her to papercraft, and my husband could teach her cool things like sports and scuba diving...she'd be well rounded. Imagine my surprise when I found out she was a he! Danielle became Gabriel, named after the archangel. And he was and is God's plan for me. We are perfectly matched to be together. Having your son(s) love his (their) mommy, and all that comes with, is overwhelming and amazing. Girls become daddy's girls, but boys love their mamas. I saw a post on FB the other day that said, "You'll be his first kiss, his first love, his first friend. You are his momma and his is your whole world." God gives us exactly what we need, not always what we think we want. Blessings to you.

Oma said...

Speaking from experience - boys are a lot easier to raise than girls (I had 1 of each). Boys are not drama queens and they don't suffer from PMS! Just sayin'!

carole (TruCarMa) said...

You know, Julee, I never wanted a little girl (too much drama with my own mama to ever want a chance to repeat that cycle), and I never got one. Instead, I have two boys, and I know -- and think I've always known -- I am meant to be a mom to boys. You will find out for yourself, but those little boys are going to be the great loves of your life (in a different way than your hubby)and the day will come (soon) when you can't feature if/how you had a life before them. Everything else was just the prelude. Enjoy the ride, my friend! :)

irishgalkelly said...

Hi Julee! This is just beautiful with the placement of your hearts and the meaning behind them. This could become "your" journal through motherhood. I had a girl first, thought for sure I was having a boy but God knew what was best for me. I had my son 2 years later. You know, he is so joyful and so loving. Praying for your next few weeks to go smoothly and your little bundles of joy to be your sunshine!

Tricia T said...

Bless your heart, Julee! I wanted a boy in the worst way when my second child was born, and I was convinced through the whole pregnancy that I was having one, until the nurse came in during my labor and looked at the heartbeat and said, "You're having a girl?". I was devastated. My labor was wretched and when my baby girl was finally born I looked at her and said flatly - "Oh. She looks just like the other one." (Her 13 month old sister) I didn't think I could ever even love her. But God knew better. He always does. She has been such a precious blessing to me!! The tears you have now are real - but they are also hormonal. You are on such a roller coaster ride right now!! You may not "bond" with your baby boys immediately. You'll be tired and overwhelmed. But keep trusting and keep opening your heart to the gifts that God is giving you and in time you'll find a richness and blessing that you could never have imagined.

I'll be praying for you!

Tricia

seamom said...

Love your wonderful journal page! It will look beautiful in pink too. And congrats on the forthcoming blessed event X2! I have 5 kids, only one boy. All grown and 4 are parents themselves. It's strange maybe, but I see them collectivly now. Perhaps because they are no longer part of my daily life. And I so agree with most all of the previous posters, it is all part of His plan!

Basement Stamper said...

Gorgeous journaling page and I know that feeling. We had hoped for a girl the first time and my husband was crushed when he learned we were having a boy. He's turned out to be such a blessing and so much easier than our girl. I wouldn't change the page, leave it as it is.

Unknown said...

SO amazing, Julee! Your art journal page is truly beautiful, but what it represents to you is what makes it special! Hugs to you and thanks for sharing!

Luanne said...

I read this today, and thought of you. I had to share the link, it made me chuckle. Did you know this? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/eva-airs-hello-kitty-plan_n_1276230.html?ref=travel

Hope the link comes up for you and brightens your day!

Lori Craig said...

I love your page and love your touching post with reflection on a perfect verse. I'm praying for you.

Papercraft Cafe said...

Julee, I haven't left a comment for you in years (shame on me) and I was just checking out the more recent card which is so beautiful, when I noticed your comment about being pregnant with twins. I'm so happy and excited for you. I know it's overwhelming and scary, but it is also such a blessing. My twin boys are 30 years old now and the time has flown by so fast. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you prepare for your new family.

Marie

scrapsnsuch@gmail.com said...

Julee, congratulations and HUGE hugs!!! I too have twin boys who are now 4. I also have a daughter and of my 3 children, it is one of my sons who constantly wants to bake and craft with me ;>) My sons do run around the house, but they also give the best hugs and kisses!!!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

I have a son! He is my sunshine! Boys love their mommas!
Boys are movers and shakers. They don't like to be still! But they are full of love and laughter! You will be shocked at your feelings once they are born! So ... Don't worry! Everything will be OK!

Robin Cooper said...

I had also longed for a girl in my family, but in God's wisdom and goodness he blessed me with what he knew I could handle--another boy. These things are things that I have thought of when I am longing for another girl in the family. Girls are wonderful--but they also screech and they fight differently than boys (noise is hard for me). While the kids bond with both parents, it seems that girls bond a little more with the Dad, while boys bond more with the Mom. There are other things that I think of, but I can't remember what they are. Remember to trust God!

Heidi said...

Julee this is beautiful and I think it is fitting for boys as well. It was made from the heart.

I have 2 boys and I tell you that I would never want it any other way. I am a girlie girl, always have been but guess what? I am still girlie girl and they all know it- and they treat me like it. They are going to capture your heart, hold your fingers and just adore their mother (sometimes more than you will want!) There is nothing like it- God knows what we need and he will bless you.

Heidi