(Free Printable) Prayer Reminder for the Christians in Iraq

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When it comes to praying I can have good intentions and a bad memory.

There are so many things I can pray for, but if I don’t write myself a note (or am reminded regularly) I forget certain requests when I pray. Lately I’m trying to remember certain prayer requests on a regular basis, especially since there are so many things that need prayers today.

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The Christians in Iraq are one of them, so I made myself a printable to remind me to pray for them, and thought you might like to join me.

It’s an outline of Iraq with the Nun symbol on it. The top flick of the symbol sits over Mosul where most of the problem has been occurring. I’ve found the simple reminder of pray encouraging me to do just that more often over the week.

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If you want to join my in praying for our brothers and sisters in Iraq CLICK HERE to download a free printable version to tape on your walls or stick to your fridge.

So how you remember to cover prayer requests?

If you prefer having a professional print, I’ve put the print up in my Society 6 shop. I do make some money from each sale in my Society 6 shop, but the reason I made it available in both ways is so you can get a copy in the way that you prefer and will work best for YOU.

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Inking In and Other Updates

I’m left handed so I’m used to getting ink on my hand, but I don’t get much of that when I’m inking in a digital image.

What do I mean by inking in?

Inking to me means drawing over my messy pencil lines with, hopefully, smooth black lines. It’s kinda the difference between pencil drawings and comics. It’s important, but does take a lot longer then I usually expect.

So far, I like the way the images I’m working on are coming together.

 Photo Credit: RBolance via Compfight cc


Photo Credit: RBolance via Compfight cc

I’ve also been taking a blogging course called The Art of Blogging by a lady I’ve followed for a while, Alisa Burke. On a side note, her name is really said “Alyssa”, and here I’ve been saying it “A-lisa” for years and now it’s stuck. Oh well.

The course has been interesting, except for the deep questions about myself I’m supposed to ask. Like what do I want my blog’s purpose to be? I’ve never done very well with those sorts of things, or quizzes for that matter. I’m usually a little bit of everything.

The plus side of the course though is it’s got my mind working over time on ideas, including ways I can improve the pictures I take, because frankly — they could use a little help.

If you’re a blogger how did you decide what to consistently write about?

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Visitor Under the Porch

Just when you think life is getting routine, something busts it up.

Our dog, Cody, asked to go out on the back porch today and we figured it was to soak up some rays. He loves the sun so much we joke about him being solar powered.

But Cody doesn’t walk around sniffing all over the back porch. For about 10 minutes straight.

Curious we went out and peered down figuring it was a bunny under there, we tried to see anything underneath, but couldn’t. Thank goodness we didn’t jump or make loud noises, because apparently we have a skunk at home down there.

Of course I decided it was a perfect chance to sketch one:

skunk-trouble2

The only question I have is, how do we get rid of it?

Ah, the oddities of life.

 

 

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1 Reason Bumblebee’s Make Me Smile

Bumblebee’s are so cute.

When they’re not flying next to my head that is. Then I turn into an arm waving maniac, but today I found this especially sweet one outside!

bumblebee-flower

Did you know that a French entomologist (fancy name for a bug guy) named Antoine Magnan wrote this in his 1934 book Le Vol des Insectes*?:

“First prompted by what is done in aviation, I applied the laws of air resistance to insects, and I arrived, with Mr. Sainte-Laguë, at this conclusion that their flight is impossible.”

That quote is about the chubby bumblebee.

I remember hearing that they shouldn’t be able to fly, but to find that their flight is “impossible” reminds me how great God is.

It doesn’t matter what I think will work, if God wants it to it can work. We just haven’t figured out how He did it yet.

So if you’re feeling down remember you can “do all things through Christ who strengthens” you. (Philippians 4:13) It might feel impossible, but just like the bumblebee if He wants you to be able to do it — you CAN fly.

   “Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.” Mary Kay Ash

*Got the translation of Magnan’s work on Wikipedia

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Unplug that – Metal Thing!

Oh, my love/hate relationship with everything social media and electrical.

mustache-mac-decal

Sold on Etsy by TheManicMoose

I’m frankly a learning nut and love what I can discover and do online, but so often it takes over what I’m actually supposed to be doing. Which is why I’m now trying to consider a timer my best friend. I just can’t look at it. Then I feel the moments slipping away.

It didn’t feel like that as a kid. Time stretched out in front of me, and it felt like I had endless amounts of time to play or read, with an occasional movie. It was special for me to imagine and create worlds and stories, but I find the more I look at other stories — the more I’m inspired — but for some reason I take less time to write and create what my imagination comes up with.

I think that’s why this video by Random House that I found over at Alicia Padron’s blog connected with me.

It’s not just kids that need the reminder to unplug and play. How many times do I chill out in the evening over just one Youtube video — sorry that’s not even possible. Youtube videos are worse then potato chips.

How often? Way to much.

I think I need to go back to scheduling computer time instead of doing it all the time. That way I can have more time to imagine, which is why I love being a writer anyway.

Goal… find consistent time to unplug and imagine!

How do you find time to play/dream/imagine? Do you schedule it or work it in whenever you have a chance?

See ya next week!

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DIY Sketchbook

I stepped into the waters of DIY yesterday. Usually it doesn’t work to well for me, but this time I was pleasantly surprised.

DIY Yellow SketchbookScience projects never seemed to turn out quite right, as well as the simple a-line skirt pattern I tried… I don’t know how many times. So I tend to be cautious when I try DIY projects.

But when I saw this tutorial by Sea Lemon I wanted to try it.

I recently filled my last sketchbook (yes, almost every page is chock-full, and it surprised me too). Since I needed a new one, but didn’t want to buy one right now, and I decided to use a floppy sketchbook to make me a small book-like one.

One that could hopefully fit my next picture book. I’ve been working on ideas, but writers block has been messing with me and so I hoped that having a small sketchbook that’s like it’s own picutre book could help me.

And – YAY! – this time my DIY worked. DIY Yellow Sketchbook

My version

  • 15 pages from an old sketchbook (like this one)
  • 1 colorful folder (like these, but mine came from Staples.   I cut it to size once I sewed the pieces together)
  • Embroidery floss (I used cobalt blue, and waxed it with beeswax)

For the directions check out the video, because it totally works. Plus, I think I found a favorite new channel.

My book has some rough edges, but I like it and can’t wait to cover the front and inside with sketches — and hopefully work out my next book in it.

Do you have a favorite kind of book to work (draw or write) in?

*Amazon links in this post are affiliate links, see my disclaimer for details.
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Remington (Character Backstory)

remington4webYou might be wondering about this character. Course you might not be. Could just be my imagination, but then I’m very curious and tend to assume others are as well.

Remington is definitely my all time favorite character to draw. I have to say it that way since I get on new kicks/favorites from time to time, but given enough stress or a not great drawing day and you’d probably see this guy pop up in my sketch book.

I didn’t intentionally name him after a gun company. Basically all my drawings name themselves, sounds kooky, but let’s just say a name seems to “lend itself” to each character.

But when he popped out onto the page one day, with a cheesy grin and big eyes it was an instant draw. Course my funny side insisted on turning a messed up version of Remington into his brothers — Smith and Wesson. (Or if you don’t want those names — With and Swesson.)

I come from a long family of punsters and this is what we do.

Nutsy and Trigger by Disney

Now for the record I’m not talking about guns here, just the little characters I love to create. Somehow I always picture Remington as being slightly like Nutzy from the old cartoon Robin Hood. Which is probably why he brings a big smile to my face!

The only problem I have with him is anytime I try to draw him face on he never turns out right.

Any tips on how to draw things from the front so they look good? Love to hear ‘em!

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6 Color Design Challenge – Cupcake

Design-Seeds is such a great place of color inspiration.

Sometimes I’m surprised by the combinations, but seeing the images has helped me with seeing color ideas/possibilities. It’s also opened up my willingness to play around.

When I saw this cupcake I thought of a neat challenge (plus a fun way to relax after creating a bunch of images). Try and recreate the item but, here’s the twist:

Only using the colors she pulled out.

Halfway through I thought it wouldn’t work, but in the end I think it turned out cute. I would have chosen darker colors personally, but it was a fun exercise!

cupcake-6colors

 What do you think: brighter colors or no black lines?

 

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