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A Scripture Design in 21 Steps

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
It is always interesting to take screenshots of the process of my graphics design, because I never know exactly what will come out of it–and if it will even be something I like. The design I shared Tuesday, was one I had time to throw together, and here’s how I did it.
Step 1: Started with a blank 5×5 file

Step 2: Pasted the verse on it

Step 3: Separated the words into different layers
And changed the font to Trajanus.

Step 4: Aligned the layers centered
Because, at this point, I was thinking about doing a simpler graphics design.

Step 5: Distributed the text layers evenly

Step 6: Changed the key words to Windsong font

Step 7: Decided that my simple style wasn’t working…

Step 8: So I played around with the positioning of the words

Step 9: With the words done, I took a picture from my iPhone and copied it onto my square

Step 10: Selected a brush

Step 11: Started “painting”

Step 12: Tested the Gaussian Blur look

Step 13: Decided it wasn’t quite the look I wanted…
So I canceled the Gaussian Blur.

Step 14: Changed brush size and added more yellow
I intentionally made the yellow heavier on the bottom than the top.

Step 15: Gaussian Blur again

Step 16: Lowered the opacity of the background layer

Step 17: Made the text visible again

Step 18: Added a drop shadow to the text

Step 19: Decided to test some “Fibers”
In this picture, I have yellow and blue on my color pallet. However, I changed that in the next screenshot to be yellow and orange.

Step 20: Played with the fibers until it looked good.

Step 21: Lowered the opacity of the fibers

There you have it…another graphics design step-by-step.

Counting Blessings | Book Review

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

About the Book

by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrated by Lee Holland

Children count along from 1 to 10, following the sweet rhyming text by beloved author Eileen Spinelli and the cute and cuddly illustrations by Lee Holland. Along with counting, this padded cover board book teaches children to see the blessings in life. With whimsy and joy, Counting Blessings captures the attention of young children, filling their minds with numbers and their hearts with happiness.


My Review
I absolutely adore the illustrations in this little book! They just make me smile. I read this book with my six-year-old sister (I read a page, she read a page), and she enjoyed it and thought it was cute too.
The rhyming has a nice flow and I like the thought of counting blessings. The only negative I can see is that it’s not particularly a Christian book, in that there are no mentions of where these blessings come from–just that there are more than we can count. However, it would be simple for a parent to take the book and expound on it with their child about why we should count our blessings and that all blessings come from God.

*I received this book in exchange of my honest review from Book Look Bloggers*

Buy the book on Amazon

Be Still, My Soul | Music Video

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

In light of the hymn (“Be Still, My Soul”), I looked up Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Sometimes, we just need to be still–be still and know the truths about Who God is. 
He is still on the throne–no circumstances here on earth will change that.
He is still in control–no changes in government down here will change that.
He is still God.
He is still King.
He is still unchanging.

Are we allowing the worries and cares of today to steal our joy? Maybe we need to take a moment and “Be still and know that {He} is God.”
—
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Lyrics by Katharina A. von Schlegel

Tips for Small Cameras

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments

Usually, I post tips for cameras like the one I use (a Canon Digital Rebel T3i — a DSLR). However, as Ashley commented a few photography posts back, not everyone has these “fancy cameras.” What then?

The closest thing I have to a simple “point-and-shoot” (or “cheap”) camera is my iPhone 4s (8 megapixels–compared to my T3i’s 17.9 megapixels). While I’m not about to go do a professional photoshoot with my iPhone, I do use it on the go, and here are a few things that I have learned.

Understand Your Camera’s Limitations
Don’t expect a small camera to take the images that a larger, more expensive camera will take. There will be some areas where you’ll need to compensate for your camera’s lack of technology. For example, cheap cameras need good lighting to make clear images. You cannot take pictures “on the move” as easily (move “travel pictures” will be blurry). Also consider your camera’s focal length — some cameras can get within two inches of a flower, other cameras need about six inches to focus. Be willing to work with your camera. Make sure there’s good lighting. Make sure your camera is focusing at the distance you have it.

Work on Your Eye
A camera should not limit your creativity. I have seen some pretty amazing pictures by people who have small cameras. Work on your angles. The tips that I mentioned in this post and this post can be applied to any camera. Get out, take pictures.

Some Tips
1. Keep your camera steady
Most small cameras don’t like shaky hands. Give yourself a sturdy grip on the camera–use something external to anchor your arms/hands (for example, prop your elbows on the ground).

2. Have good lighting
Your camera will probably give you bad grain if you don’t have good enough lighting. So, if you’re going out to get some prize pictures, make sure you have good lighting.

3. Work on your angles
Don’t let a small camera thwart your creativity! Work on your eye as you use your small camera.

From my Camera Bag (or card ;))
To be fair, here are some completely unedited pictures from my iPhone 4s. If you notice, with all of these, there is good lighting. And I’ll also acknowledge that I was picky with what pictures I chose. Some pictures from my iPhone are grainy, “just for the memory’s sake” pictures.

If you’re still not convinced about a “small camera,” here are some pictures that I took for my sister’s business–using my iPhone. These, I did edit a little. However, two important elements in these pictures are: 1) Good lighting (it was midday), 2) Cute props.

What kind of camera do you use? 
If you have a small camera, what are some tips you’d add here?

Live Fearless | Book Review

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
My colored page
I finally got in to review a coloring book! The whimsical drawings are fun and cute, the lines fairly clear and easy to follow. The format of it is interesting too–one side a picture, the other side a prayer journal section.

As I colored a picture, I noticed that some of the lines overlaid others. For example, you would see a stem then on top of it you would see a flower–with both lines crossing. 

I also didn’t care that the Scripture quotations were in various versions.

*I received this book in exchange of my honest review from Bethany House Publishing*








ABOUT THE BOOK
Embrace God’s Comforting Presence While You De-stress, Meditate, and Create! 
Life can be overwhelming as we go from one urgent demand on our time to another; it’s important to slow down and remind ourselves who we are and who God is. Coloring is a wonderful way to relax and focus our minds, giving us the refreshment and freedom to be all we were meant to be. But this book gives you more than a chance to color–it also focuses your attention on the peace that God brings through his presence in your life. 
This beautiful, intricately designed coloring book highlights verses from the Bible that focus on the courage that comes with knowing God is by your side. He wants us to live bold lives, free of fear, and his Word gives us the peace and reassurance to do so. Presenting this uplifting message in a fun and creative format, “Live Fearless” encourages you to drink deeply from Scripture as you color and create. Space is included for reflections, prayers, or even doodles. 
You can even share your art–and God’s comforting presence–with others by posting photos on social media or by cutting out the pages to keep for yourself. Gather your favorite coloring supplies and start creating!

The Inheritance | Book Review

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale’s Reef into turmoil.

Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch’s heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David’s grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island’s land. And while Hardy doesn’t enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate’s assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island-and its traditional way of life-hangs in the balance.

Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .

Past and present collide in master storyteller Phillips’s dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace, and of the dreams of men and women everywhere.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1QpMpIN

MY REVIEW:
What is the connection between an old man, boy, and young lady in the early 1900’s and the modernistic present of 2005? How does a D.C. gal connect with auld Shetlanders? 

This was definitely an interesting book. I didn’t particularly care for the execution of all of the interesting details, though. Half of the time the story felt like it moved backwards with so much reminiscing and historical retelling. While it was all quite interesting, so many details could have been left out and the actual story would have still stood strong. I suppose it would be my choice to read slowly throughout several weeks…but as I was on a deadline, I found myself wanting to skim all of those tedious details.

The spiritual substance of this book was also interesting. From David’s youth having a sorceress which led him the opposite direction: to seek God for himself–to Loni’s Quaker upbringing. There seemed to be a lot of mentions of religion but not really a lot of substance. It was more vaguely passed over as spiritualistic. It didn’t come out as a strong Christian book…but almost a confusing one, that left me wondering just where these characters stood and what they believed. They said they read God’s Word yet seemed content to live the Christian life apart from the church. Someone said Loni was God’s Child, even though she had basically rejected Him since her childhood. There was a part about David hearing God’s verbal voice. So…kind of a confusing spiritual plot.

Now…for those of you considering this book, if you like to read a complete story, wait until at least another book is out. So many loose threads are left hanging. I can’t dispose WHICH threads lest I leave spoilers. It’s enough to make me want to read the second book, if I have time when it comes out.

One character is vulgar: Jimmy Joe used mild language–words that I just personally don’t care to use–and insinuated things like sodomy (he wasn’t one, but in his vulgarity basically asked others if they were). I mean yeah, his ploy to buy the island was intriguing and his character being defined as despicable was vivid…but…yeah, not for me.

Several (calm) scenes in a pub. Language used about women who were assumed of ill repute. No romance to speak of, but an allusion that a man made to a woman about having fun.

I did and did not like the book. I loved the Shetland dialect! Ah! That was authentic. I liked the whole Laird and Chief laws and inheritances. David was definitely a favorite character. But, there was just a style about this book that I can’t say I embraced. I guess there were enough insinuations and hints (above mentioned) about things I just didn’t care for.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review from LitFuse Publicity*
Enter HERE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michael Phillips is a bestselling author with more than 70 of his own titles. In addition, he has served as editor/redactor of nearly 30 more books. He is known as the man responsible for the reawakened interest in George MacDonald of the last 30 years. In addition to the MacDonald titles adapted/edited for today’s reader, his publishing efforts in bringing back full-length quality facsimile editions also spawned renewed interest in MacDonald’s original work. Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time each year in Scotland but make their home near Sacramento, California.

Blessed Assurance | Music Video

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment


Another piano solo up on YouTube!

And guess what? You can download this sheet music for yourself free here (I may change things up in the next month or so, so you might want to get it now!).

There aren’t three verses in the arrangement, but all three verses are beautiful!

  1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

    Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
    Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
    Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

    • Refrain:

      This is my story, this is my song,
      Praising my Savior all the day long;
      This is my story, this is my song,
      Praising my Savior all the day long.

  2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,

    Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
    Angels, descending, bring from above
    Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

  3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,

    I in my Savior am happy and blest,
    Watching and waiting, looking above,
    Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

  4. Fanny Crosby