a bible book cover

i gifted my son an NIV bible last week but i could forsee the paper cover being crumpled with use over time.  he liked my bible cover i had made from a technique i had published in cloth paper scissors magazine a while back, so today i made his bible a cover.  i can't wait for him to see it when he comes from work.  i hope he's pleased with it, too.

the front

the back

the roc nicholas design team post

artwork by sue waters

today the roc nicholas rubber stamp design team post is brought to you by sue waters.  sue has created an adorable new year's tag with my screaming bunny and my steampunk border stamp.

to see more about this piece of art and more of sue's art please head on over to her blog by clicking here.

to see these stamps, and all of my rubber stamps sold through stampotique.com please click here.

the roc nicholas rubber stamp design team post

artwork by karen hayselden

today the roc nicholas rubber stamp design team is being brought to you by karen hayselden.  she has created an amazing tag using a few of my stamp designs:  dog, capture the magic, roc's tree and steampunk border.

to see more about this piece or more of karen's work please head over to her blog by clicking here.

to see more of my rubber stamp line sold through stampotique.com please click here.

daily planner prompt - week 52

week 52 prompt - what is something you were reminded of this year?

wow! here we are at week 52.  this year has seemingly flown by.  i swear, the older i get the faster my years go.  it's been a joy filled year.  so many blessings were bestowed upon me, despite having had a few not-so-great moments thrown in the mix as well. 

 one thing that kept coming up for me this year had to do with being happy. 

when you experience the loss of a dear loved one, sadness seems to abound.  when you see someone you love suffering and going without it is hard on your heart.  not being able to help someone you love in a way that feels good is wrapped in guilt and grief.  it has been a year filled with a lot of reminders that most of life is out of my control.  the good news is that every day i have choices i can make.  i can opt to be sad or happy but the things that are out of my control are still going to transpire no matter what emotion i choose. 

i believe life is better when we are positive thinkers.  in todays world, so many people live in such a state of immediacy.  everything has to happen now and when it doesn't they aren't happy.  we are becoming an impatient lot of people.  so many folks look to others for love to find their worth and happiness.  examples abound and i could give you more of them, but the basic message is that we all choices in the way we will live our lives. 

 i believe it basically boils down that we program ourselves based on so many factors; social, economic, psychological and spiritual.  it is possible to retrain our beliefs and thinking and consciously choose to be happy.  yes, being content in the moment, whether it is a great time or a could-be-better time, and making the most of what you have is part of the secret to finding happiness.  the wonderful news is that no moment lasts forever.  each moment is only 60 seconds long.  there is salvation in that news. 

for those of you who have been following along my planner journey it's been a wonderful year together. what were you reminded of this year? i have my planner ready to go for the new year.  it is a bible based theme i'll be doing for 2016. i hope you'll follow along with me.  merry christmas and happy new year!

the roc nicholas rubber stamp design team post

artwork by samantha read

today the roc nicholas rubber stamp design team post is brought to you by samantha read.  sam has used my party dog and heart vine rubber stamps to create this wonderful christmas piece.  to learn more about this and to see more of sam's work please visit her blog by clicking here.

to see more of my rubber stamp line sold through stampotique.com please click here.

daily planner prompt - week 51

week 51 prompt - what do you love doing in your free time?

i guess it's a no brainer if you know me that you know i love creating art no matter what time we are talking about.  it's my therapy.  my passion.  it's fulfilling.  i'd be lost with out art in my life.  i'm so blessed to be able to do it every day.

what about you?  what do you do in your free time?

2016 planner

it's is hard to believe that it is nearing the end of 2015.  i have had a blessed year in so very many ways and i am thankful that god has provided me with a life full of goodness.

for those of you that know me well, you know that i am deeply faith filled and i have been inspired to make my 2016 planner a biblical theme.

i found a heidi swapp planner on sale at my local michaels a long time ago.  i started working in it as soon as i brought it home and i'm happy with how it is has been turning out and i can't wait to start using it.

this is the front cover.  it was just black and white striped. i added the wording with a gold metallic pen.

this is the first page in the planner.  it came with the pink flowers on it but i added the doodling, stickers, washi tape and collage bits to make it my own.

 this is my january page divider.  it came with the pink flowers along the bottom.  i added washi tape, collage items, rub ons, and the writing is my own.

 i will be posting my planner journey on my blog regularly.  if you'd like to follow along with a planner of your own i'd love to have you join me.  there is nothing greater than when people gather together in HIS name. 

either way, i hope that your bounty and your carts overflow with abundance in the new year.

 * * * * * * *

Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"     -john 11:40-

 

the roc nicholas design team post

artwork by gemma maggs

today the roc nicholas rubber stamp design team post is brought to you by the talented gemma maggs.  she has really gone all out with using so many of my rubber stamps to create this awesome christmas piece:  roc's tree,  feline,  ponytail,  screaming bunny,

bird lady, roc's angel,  and my horse.

to see more of gemma's work please visit her blog by clicking here.

to see my rubber stamps sold through stampotique.com please click here.

daily planner prompt - week 50

prompt - week 50 - describe what travel means to you

this prompt was brought about by this wrapping paper i found at a craft store.  i just loved it when i saw it on the clearance rack at michaels.  i didn't pay much attention to the tiny words on it because i was purely struck by the bright colors and lovely roses.  when i got home and took it out of its wrapping, that's when i read the words on it.

things jumped out at me like: you should strike out on new paths, our deeds still travel, travel can inspire me, worn paths of accepted success, etc.   little bits and phrases that inspired me.  since i am not a big fan of travelling far distances i began to think about how i travel, what am i missing if i don't travel, and the list goes on - mostly because it seems my mind never settles.  

i began to realize that i can travel far and wide without really having to go anywhere, and that travel doesn't necessarily mean hopping on a plane, boat or car.  i see all limitless wonders all around me.  nature hosts a huge assortment of miracles that i witness every day.  the internet brings all kinds of things right into my home.  technology allows to travel with things like skype, email, googling about other cultures, etc.  while some people love the thrill of actually being somewhere different i totally enjoy being in my home and having every day adventures. 

what about you?  how do you describe what travel means to you?

the roc nicholas rubber stamp design team post

artwork by corrie herriman

today the roc nicholas rubber stamp design team post is brought to you by corrie herriman.  i love how corrie uses color in her artwork, and this piece is no exception.  she used my scooter girl, daisy head and scalloped lace border stamps in her design.  

to see more about her creation, and just to see more of corrie's art please head on over to her blog by clicking here.

to see all my rubber stamps sold through stampotique.com please click here.