MADE Course Sign-Up Incentive GIVEAWAY

Hello everyone!  I pray you are all well.

I decided just today to do a giveaway!

For the first 10 people to sign up for the "MADE" Course by

clicking on the link on the top of my sidebar that says

"Click here to visit Beth Morey and The Made Course"

I am going to be giving away a free 5x7 print of your choice.

To view my prints please go to my Etsy store

www.kellysartjournaling.etsy.com

I will make sure to keep track of the first ten to sign up.

Good luck to you.

To view Made Course click that link and it will take you to the website.

Hugs and many blessings to you.

Sincerely

Made Course News

 

Hello Everyone!

Just an update on the "Made Course"

 

If you are interested in learning more about it please click on the link at the top of my side bar where it says "click here to visit Made Course and Beth Morey"

 

She is the one who came up with this idea of Christian on line courses combining art and creativity - a community of faith based women.

 

I hope to see you there.

 

Hugs and many blessings

 

(Don't forget the amazing giveaways, so sign up soon)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

 

 

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

 

www.madecourse.wordpress.com

 

 

 

Amazing giveaways to first few sign-ups!

 

Hope to see your name on the list!

 

Hugs and blessings!

 

 

 

 

EXCITING NEWS!!!

INTRODUCING

 

 

Please see website for exciting details of these new E-courses.

Registration begins June 15, 2013

 

http://madecourse.wordpr...ess.com/

 

 

Please click on below link to see promotional video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS6jRFm5W2M&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

Sign up and win giveaway prizes to the first few join.

 

I will be giving away one print (Your Choice).

 

Awesome giveaways you don't want to miss!

 

Looking forward to seeing your names added to the list of students!

 

Hugs and blessings!

 

 

 

I'm Still Kicking Around

(Artwork by Artist Kelly Watts 2013)

 

It is so ridiculous that I can't even keep up with my blog.  I mean I am home every single day, what's my problem?

 

I love sharing my artwork with you and I love receiving your lovely comments...

but to be completely honest with you all...

I am fighting the fight of my life with this Fibromyalgia/Hypermobility of my Joints!

 

So, my posts are few and far between... for that I am really sorry.

 

I haven't been following my lovely blogger friends because I do not have the energy... for that I am really sorry too.

 

For now I will share with you what I have been able to accomplish;

 

The above piece was done on a book page.  I have been creating art on them because they are smaller and easier for me to handle.  I have discovered that I love the texture of the pages and they hold and blend color so beautifully.

(I use my Copic Markers on these pages)

 

 

 

I have had the occasional request for art... the above piece was requested by a dear friend of mine for her lovely daughter Bella.  It is meant to be an affirmation piece with all her daughters affirmations around her.

This took me a long time but this is what I create my art for...

If I can help make one girl feel better about herself in any way, well then I am all for it!

 

I have had one of my first 'custom order' requests with my art piece "Time To Bloom".  My customer requested that I adhere this piece to an art journal.

This was a first for me, I have never created an art journal with my art work before and I wasn't sure how it was going to work.

 

It turned out awesome and is now ready to go in the mail.

My customer is gifting it to a friend for her graduation!

Great idea!

 

Once again, this took me a long time to prepare, but I did it!

I accomplished a few things!  Yay for me!

 

I am thankful for the times when I am okay to put an order together, or to make someone smile with my art work.

To me it means I am still useful, I can still be used by God to bring joy.

 

God is good all the time!

 

I pray you are all having a wonderful, lovely week.

Hopefully I will be back soon.

 

Many hugs and blessings

 

 

 

 

Understanding Compassion

(Artwork By Kelly Watts 2013)

 

This piece was created on an old book page using Copic Markers, a black sharpee, Washi tape and adhesive lace.

 

This morning my mind was very heavy burdened.  I was thinking about all the people I am currently praying for and trying to understand this compassion inside of me.  I wrote down the following that was upon my heart;

 

A Letter To God

 

Dear Lord; My Most Holy Almighty God; El Sheddai; Abba;

My heart is so full of compassion... it seems that no matter at what stage of life I am in, You reveal a new and different path to show me more ways to use this compassion inside of me.

 

When I was young my heart hurt for things I did not even know what or why, but the pain was very real.

I hurt for people I did not know.

The World Vision commercials were a killer on my heart,

my first real experience in seeing starving children.

My heart cried out, 'Lord! Lord!' before I knew how to pray.

 

The next stages of my life were stepping stones to learning the plan You had for me.  I see now that I had to fall and I had to fall hard and receive many scars that buried deep.  I had to start at the bottom and crawl out of the pit I had fallen into; every handful of dirt another lesson... another drop of water into the sprout that was forming in me.

 

At times I would get close to the top only to battle the grounds of fear, anxiety, depression, grief, loneliness and trauma.  I was lost in the darkness, I could not see; I could not breathe.

Then You pulled me up out of the dirt and breathed in me a new breath of life while shaking the dirt and grime away.

You helped me to stand up again on new ground.

 

You placed me on a new path allowing me to use the lessons taught and to share the comfort You had given me.  You brought me to others who had fallen, who were broken hearted and You said, 'Comfort them'.

 

You gave me knowledge, understanding and wisdom to reach out to the hurting.  You taught me and I listened; You led me and I followed.

 

Though... You still had more to teach me and so You sent me on another mission; one that would take me to the battlefield of my own body, limiting where I could go and what I could do.

Again You said, 'Come' and I went.

Again You brought me those physically hurt and broken hearted and

You said, 'Comfort them' and I do.

 

You taught me to use the compassion inside even through the physical ailments, through the broken heartedness and You said, 'Go'.

 

Now that compassion has sprouted and flourished into a magnificent tree of love and blessings, comfort and healing.

 

I see Your hand of teaching and love over me.

I see the compassion You have given me as a precious treasure.

Thank You Lord, My Abba Father for my gift...

Your compassion growing in me.

 

 

I pray you feel God's love for you today.

Have a very blessed week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journal Swap on Instagram

(Artwork by Artist Kelly Watts 2013)

I am participating in a journal swap through Instagram.  A lovely lady/friend named Sandie has organized 18 ladies to first make their own journals out of watercolor paper... then send it off to each lady to complete a two-page spread in each journal they receive.  All of us will be eventually working in 9 journals.

(Artwork by Artist Kelly Watts 2013)

 

This is my first two-page spread.  I was experimenting with drawing on book pages and these two lovely ladies came forth onto the pages. 

Around the book pages I have journaled the reason I love art journaling so much;  it's an amazing healing process.

 

This project has been so much fun and I really needed to keep myself busy.  Thank you Sandie for organizing the FJSWAP and providing so much fun for all of us ladies participating!

 

Hugs and blessings everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

Words of Life

 

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2013)

 

I am reading this amazing book called "Soul Detox".  It is regarding the battle of your mind, getting rid of your negative thinking and basically getting rid of anything that is not of God in your life.

Spring cleaning for your soul ~ that definitely describes it.

 

Philippians 4:8 Finally brothers and sisters... whatever is true... noble... right... pure... lovely... admirable...excellent...praiseworthy~ think about such things. (shortened).

 

When we fill our minds up with all the worldly thoughts and things what do we end up with?  A murky soul polluted by the world... a soul that we allowed to become murky.  That is why God tells us to think about things that are good, pure, lovely because that is what we were meant to think on.

 

I am doing a spring cleaning on my soul and I am going to try and get rid of all the things I have allowed to pollute my mind with!

 

I want to live for God.

I want to be a representative of Jesus Christ out to the world.

I want to speak words of love and life... not bitterness and death.

 

I am choosing to get rid of the pollution in my mind.

 

Won't you join me?

 

Many blessings to you my dear friends.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Glorious Spring

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2013)

 

I love drawing profiles of a woman's face.  When I am creating a two page spread in my art journal I will often choose to do both sides.

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2013

 

This year has been such a long winter... with myself not working I am unable to afford my usual Spring getaway (Arizona) and my body is feeling it.

 

However, I have decided today that I might make a smaller trip just to get a way for a bit. 

 

I am REALLY looking forward to summer this year.

 

I hope your Spring is going well my lovely friends.

 

With much love and God bless you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gelli-Plate Prints

So this past week I received an order of small stencils from Balzer Designs and I got out my Gelli-plate and went to town!

 

I am not very good at mixing colors so I am really trying to get out of my comfort zone and work with colors I am not completely comfortable with.

 

I don't think under normal circumstances I would choose to put these two colors together (Mint green and orange/yellow) but I really do like the outcome.

 

The "Chevron" stencil seems to be really big right now...  I am still not completely sold on it though.

 

This "Aboriginal" stencil I adore!  I love the way the colors came out with this stencil and I am really glad I purchased it.

 

When I first used the Gelli-plate I was a little intimidated because I didn't immediately know the outcome... I am not very good with abstract or mixing color (as stated earlier)... so this was all a bit uncomfortable for me.

 

Then... once I got into it... I printed off more and more and more prints. 

 

I now have more prints than I know what to do with!  However, I have tipped some pages into my art journals (See first photo) and they make lovely colorful pages in my journal.

 

Do you have a gelli-plate?  What do you like about it?  What do you not like about it?

 

I like the "Easy" factor.  It is rather simple to use and highly diversified... you can create many different prints with this lovely little invention.  It is also easy to clean up afterwards and that right there sells me on it!

 

Thanks Gelli-Arts!

 

Praying your week is highly colorful and bright, full of sunshine.

 

 

Late Night Doodling

(Art work by Kelly Watts Copyright 2013)

 

This piece was done in my half size moleskin journal.  I am really loving working with the smaller size... It happens to be the exact same size journals given out in the Sketchbook Project ( I did one a few years back).

 

These journals I purchased in a pack of four at Chapters.

 

This piece was made using fine point Micro-pens, a black acrylic paint marker, C5 Copic Marker for grey shading, Copic Black fine point markers, Blush Copic Marker for lips.

 

When I was creating this piece I was thinking about how blessed we are in this life... If we take a moment to look around us... no matter where we are...

no matter what the experience... no matter the Country, town, city etc...

 

God's blessings are all around us.

Today, the sun is shining where I am... if it's not where you are... tomorrow is another day and it might be sunny then.

The birds are here for Spring time, even though there is snow on the ground, the birds bring the sounds of spring to our ears and a contagious smile to my lips.

Although chilly outside I have my big window in my dining room that is filled with sunshine... what a tremendous gift and blessing for me.

 

We are all truly blessed if we open up ourselves to receive those blessings.

 

I pray your week is overflowing with blessings.

 

Much love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Talking Heads

 

(Art work by Kelly Watts 2013)

 

The other day I was thinking and thinking too hard.  I had too many thoughts twisting and turning around in my head I could barely think.  I had created a similar journal page that I sent to a lovely penpal once before.

This time I am using it as an entry in my art journal and I have copied the above sheets for people to purchase in my Etsy shop at

www.kellysartjournaling.etsy.com

 

 

This is how mine looks once I have journaled it up with all the words going around in my head.  I love filling in empty spaces with words!

 

This is a great way to vent your feelings don't you think?

 

Well, wishing you a lovely lovely day!

 

Hugs and many blessings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rest In The Lord

(Artwork by Kelly Watts 2013)

 

I saw a beautiful journal page on Pinterest the other day.  It was like this... there was a lady laying with black flowing hair, looking so peaceful.  She was laying on the grass with flowers all around her too.  I tried to find the artist but when I clicked on the picture it said the artist was no longer available on flickr (where the page came from)

 

So, I decided to draw one myself. 

 

I used my gelli-art plate prints that I had made the other day and used them as pedals around her.

 

I love the look of this lady and the words that I used are so peaceful.

 

"Rest in the Lord and He will renew your strength".

 

I pray this for all of you.

 

Enjoy your week.

Hugs and blessings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God Give Me Peace

 

I created my own art sticker strips recently and have used them as borders in some of my work.  I really love the look of the borders. 

This piece was done in my moleskin journal.  I had to glue three pages together so that the copic markers didn't bleed through the thin pages, but I am okay with that.

 

I wanted to incorporate a design of some kind and as I was watching tv and doodling this mandala-like design came out.  I do not know much about mandala's but I do not think I am a believer to the extent of what some say they represent.  To me it is a simple design within a circle.

 

God is my peace; God is my love; God is my strength;

God is my life.  If a design within a circle can represent my life with Him, then I am good with that.

 

I have really wanted to use the bright pinks for hair again, I get bored with the 'normal' colors of blonde, brunette, red etc.

 

I hope you enjoy my new piece on God's Peace.

 

Have an amazing weekend!

 

Hugs and many blessings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Give Me Wings To Fly

 

 

The other night I drew this picture while waiting for my youngest son to get off of work.  I have been thinking a lot about all the women out there who suffer with Chronic Illnesses.

 

Having Fibromyalgia/Arthritis/Hypermobility of my Joints can be so difficult some days... it would be amazing if I had wings to lift me up and help me to get from one place to another.  Even up and down stairs would be a blessing.

 

People without the disease cannot possibly comprehend the amount of energy expended on doing such small tasks - to us who suffer with this these seemingly small tasks become huge boulders we need to try and move.

 

God gives us strength though; He does give me wings to fly when I really need to accomplish something.  I wait on the Lord and am never disappointed.

 

Many hugs and blessings to you

Have a blessed lovely week.

Sincerely;

 

 

Release

 

 

The thing I love about art journaling, or journaling in particular is that it releases all the pent up stress inside of me and allows me to 'get it out'.  Not to say that I never go back there again, but it does bring a sweet release.

 

This gal I started drawing when my Hubbub surprised me with a moleskin journal.  I don't know about you, but I really love mine.  The flexibility of the journal itself is awesome.  I know the pages are really thin but I simply glue a few pages together to make them stronger.  I don't mind doing this because there are really a lot of pages in the journal itself.

 

 

This is the second half of the page.  I love drawing swirls in the hair because that creates such a delicious space for writing down my thoughts.  I do not usually do a black background, in fact I am thinking this is my first.  I was originally going to use a white gel marker to write in the black space but I decided to forgo that and write in her hair.  I like the black space exactly as it is.

 

Well my Dear Friends... I pray you are blessed with a wonderful week.

 

Hugs and many blessings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Other Side to my Journal Page

 

His grace is sufficient for me!

 

 

May it be for you too!

 

Many hugs and blessings.

 

 

 

 

 

New Journal Pages

 

This week I began a new series of pages for my art journal.  I always want to draw women's faces... I guess it's because it brings out my emotions in seeing the expressions or lack thereof.  In this drawing I was thinking sad thoughts about my FM.  With the cold weather comes the pain that goes to my bones.  Drawing it out helps me to deal with that pain.

 

 

In Etsy I have purchased some art sticker strips from www.florlarios.etsy.com and I have used them for the borders of this page and my last journal pages.  I LOVE them.  However, I have used my last of them:(  I'm so sad.

I may try to make some for myself out of my art.  It is much more fun than using the same washi tape over and over again.

 

 

This turned into a 'thinking through my thoughts page' regarding my son and his new Volkswagan Van... and then about my FM/Chronic Illness site.  I enjoyed the doodling process and all the color.

 

 

I hope you are all having an amazing week.

Hugs and many blessings.

 

 

 

 

Fibromyalgia Support Blog

 

 

Over the past few weeks I have been chatting back and forth to a number of woman who are suffering with Fibromyalgia and/or other chronic illnesses.  This has got me thinking... I have been through so much trying to find help, research ways to help, going to Doctors for help, learning things that help and things that do not help.  My conclusion... as I am trying to find help... is that... I want to help!

 

I want to be a support for others, I want people to have a place to go to find ideas and other suggestions.  Yes, maybe there are already places set up to go to, however, it has been placed heavily upon my heart to try something.

 

I am going to set up a support blog.  I do not exactly know what it will look like yet... but keep it in mind... it is coming. 

 

Please let me know if this would be of interest for you...  I would love to chat with you.

 

Many hugs and blessings to you.