Thursday, June 13, 2013

Live, Love, Laugh... Finished & a Give Away!

Finally. Finished.
A few fun wordy flowery collage pieces.

I'll be giving away this set of 3 prints on Facebook!
Just like or leave a comment to enter.
Open until tomorrow night.














Thanks for stopping by & supporting & encouraging!
It means the world to me!

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Sunday, June 9, 2013

Sunday Scripture Art in progress...


Here's what's on my kitchen table.
I'm in finishing mode after writing my last post.
Because really. I have way too many half finished pieces laying around
that could be something great, or something mediocre.



But either way, my head is full of these half finished pieces.
And with my head full, it's hard to move forward with all of the
other ideas running amuck in my imagination.

It's been so long since I've painted. 
My head feels like it's going to burst.
So many ideas. So little time. and energy. and paint.


Do not be afraid. 
I have redeemed you.
Isaiah 43:1



 I have called you by name.
You are mine.
Isaiah 43:1


You are God's masterpiece.
Ephesians 2:10









He has created you anew in Jesus.
Ephesians 2:10

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Thursday, June 6, 2013

I Must Ship.

I've been staring at these pieces I started over a year ago now.
Trying to figure out what they need to make them done.
And move on with my life.


And then I read this post from Jeff about shipping.
and I knew that was me.
it's fear.
fear dressed up as
indecisiveness.
procrastination.
The truth: I have about 6 series that are
completely stalled right smack dab in the middle.
And I haven't listed any new paintings in so long.
because I don't want to ship.


And I've been avoiding painting for so long
because
a.) I was burned out
and
b.) I felt so overwhelmed and lost and confused every time I got my paints out.
and now I'm realizing that that feeling is fear
creeping in so stealthfully (word?)
 so here I am finishing. finishing. finishing.
and if you don't like it, I don't really care.
Because it's my art and I shipped it.


And honestly, the practice of shipping,
putting it out there,
whatever it may be,
begets shipping.
Stalling, procrastinating, making excuses
only feeds the gremlins.
and begets procrastination.


And the crazy thing that I keep learning is that it's all connected.
All the fear and all the risk taking.
It's not just art.
When I'm brave in my relationships, it begets bravery in my art.
When I'm fearful about meeting my neighbors it silences me in my art.
It makes me want to hide and cover up and crawl inside a cave or something.
All I can think of is Brene Brown talking about shame.
And how shame is feeling embarrassed about who we are at the core of our being
And how Eve must have felt.
And that I know in my head that shame is a lie from the pit.


The truth?
I am God's spoken poem.
His masterpiece.
His work of art.
created brand new
 in Christ Jesus
to do the good things that only I can do.
that he planned for me to do.
when he made me.

Ephesians 2:10 

Okay, time to ship.
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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

hello again...


Hi friends.
The Sparrow Fund is rad.
 and they May is their big month!
Kelly is amazing and there are SO MANY shops participating.
So go buy something. And help adopting families. and kids.
Only 3 days left in May!!!! huh?
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1. It feels like Christmas over here!
My very favorite thing came.
These precious pillows from Chrissie Grace came in the mail.
I've wanted them for the boys ever since I saw them about a year ago.
Love, love, love them.
Such a great new baby gift.
You can get them in her shop!



2. Our garden is growing!
It never grows. I'm super excited.
These are our pumpkins.



3. Life pieces to masterpieces on NPR
This is a great story. So inspiring.
Maybe one day I could do help with something like this?!?

4. My Picture Perfect Name Banner was featured in
Somerset Memories Spring 2013
Thank you Somerset.
I love this magazine.






5.  We had a shower for Julie's sweet baby Rocco.
Such a fun day to celebrate this little guy!





6. I just got a big stash of fabric & hours of pillow making ahead me.
So yummy.


7.This is what our house usually looks like.
These boys are pretty much obsessed with tents and forts and camping.



8. I'm looking for a DIY no $/under 10$ solution to a stuffed animal hider.
Any ideas? I looked on Pinterest and couldn't find anything.

9. "Hey Mom, come here..."

Everyone in the crib!

10. Only write on the paper Joshy.




11. Desperately wanting to do this project.
Found on Pinterest
Isn't it so cute?


12. And this one for my kitchen.


No art to speak of because I've been sleeping at night.
Bliss!

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Sunday, May 5, 2013

Sunday Love: When I say I'm a Christian...

I posted this on Facebook this week
but it says it so perfectly.
Just wanted to share this with you...

I'm a Christian
By Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost,"
Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and need his strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
who received God's good grace, somehow.

         Maya Angelou

Seriously. We're all so broken.
We all need so much grace.
Every day.
 
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Friday, May 3, 2013

A few of my favorite things

1. My favorite quote:
 
You have a masterpiece inside you, you know.  One unlike
any that has ever been created, or ever will be.  If you
go to your grave without painting your masterpiece, it
will not get painted.  No one else can paint it.  Only you.

Gordon MacKenzie

2. The Sparrow Fund!
Meet my friend Kelly. She's amazing. She seriously gets things done.
She and her husband started the Sparrow Fund, after their own adoption,
to walk along side adopting families and provide support.
Kind of like Young Life for adoptive parents.

This month is their big month! 30 (or more sponsors) have
pledged 10% of all proceeds in May to the Sparrow Fund.
So while I may not be in the place to adopt,
we (me & you together) can be a part of what God is doing to
bring his children home. for eternity. and we get to be a part of it.
Participating businesses are right here.
 
3. Who can resist these?
Awkward Family Photos


4. Uhmazing, brilliant photographs & story.
Eye candy. Wow.

5. The Best of Brad Pitt

6. My favorite Trader Joe's Recipe
Black Bean & Sweet Potato Enchiladas
These are so (surprisingly) good!

7. My favorite video almost of ever.
Every day I'm shufflin'

8. One of my (2) favorite things of all...
one tired boy

 
Happy weekend.
We are out to enjoy this summer weather.

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