From the mouths of babes

My son has been quite the corker lately.

Just last week he broke some sad news to me. As we drove to art class he asked me if we were drawing with chalk again (we just experimented with pastels in class). I told him no, and he was quiet for several seconds. Then he said, "Mom, when we go to Bible study all they give me to color with are crayons!" I wish you could hear him say it--the sadness with a tinge of disgust was almost too much for my self-control. (He really hates it when we laugh at the things he says.)

Tonight, however, was a different story. While eating dinner I was reminding him to keep his food over his plate, lest it end up on the floor. You know how kids are--he responded with a sly smile and "I've eaten things off this floor you know." This statement was very calculated and didn't phase me. "Really Mom, I have eaten off this floor." Silence. Then he leaned over conspiratorially and shared: "Once I even ate chips from under the couch cushions."

Oh, that was it. How could I keep a straight face?

Well, I couldn't.

I didn't.

I'm laughing as I share it now. The whole family sat stunned for about 20 seconds, then we all burst out laughing. I don't know how we didn't have a food/laughter disaster of large proportion. Luckily (for once) this reaction seemed to be exactly what he had hoped for. Returning to a state of normal eating etiquette was quite a challenge, but eventually we managed.

Aren't kids great? ;-)

To God be the Glory & Yay Right Here!

I was greeted at school this morning with some exciting news. Several weeks ago I wrote about a couple pieces I sent to an art contest in Tennessee (you can view them below), and this morning I got news that one of them (I don't know which one) won Best of Show and the Purchase Award! Yay! I'm so excited! And so thankful to the Lord because I've been going through a time of great self-doubt about my art. What a wonderful confirmation to continue in the path He has for me! I give Him the glory and the thanks for my talents and skills, but I say "YAY!" right here and now!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" --Philippians 4:4. So easy to keep this command today. Lord help me to keep it always, even on the days when I don't receive such joyous news! And all God's children said Amen!

Blessings to you wherever you are and in whatever you are doing! :-)

Perspective on a moustache

Every morning, as I get ready for the day, I confront my reflection in the mirror. Having been a curling iron-challenged teen, blessed with pimples from the fourth grade on, I am always pleased with how much more nicely things progress as I age.

Alas to have such pride. Alas to have such honest children. One day a year or so ago, my precious daughter asked me why I never had braces. Looking at my reflection daily, I can tell you that from my height my teeth are straight and I never needed them. Now however, I became aware of the challenge of perspective. From my daughter's lower height my teeth are not straight. In fact, when I stuck my proud nose high in the air to get a better view of said disfigurement, I was surprised to see just how crooked my front teeth were.

Immediately I began to wonder about the other view. I now knew what people shorter than me saw; what was it that people taller than me were seeing? Slowly lowering my proud little nose I discovered that I was one of those women that I've always dreaded becoming: a woman with a moustache. Not having an ounce of Hercule in me, I immediately dug out the tweezers and remedied the situation. Obviously my husband has more tact than my child. He had never mentioned it. (Had he?)

Well, lest you think me incredibly vain (how does one reconcile that question when blogging...) , the whole thing set me to thinking about perspective. What do we really see? And what would we see when looking from a different view? I have a lovely relative who is prone to harping about the dietary choices and health issues of other people. Could it be that she is simply showing her love and concern for her family members, rather than just endlessly nagging? Or when a Christian warns a non-believer about the path to the eternal punishment, it is usually taken as judgement and hateful. However, from the Christian viewpoint it is an act of love, a heartfelt desire to save the person from a dreadful fate. (Of course, as a Christian I'm far more concerned about where I and my loved ones will end up for eternity, than how long we're going to live here. I do try to make healthy food choices--exempting chocolate of course!)

Hmm. Walking this fine of a line of distinction takes practice so as to not succumb to moral relativism, but it does make me wonder if it would be easier to get along with others if I could remember about our different perspectives? I could be kinder to rude people I meet during the day, if I was just a bit better about remembering this concept. Most of the time I am tempted to be rude back and, being human, I do sometimes fail and miss the mark of kindness; apologizing is something I'm very good at. Perspective can lead to more compassion, if we all remembered it, I suppose. Except that we all seem to be a bit more like Robert Frost's neighbor who believed that good fences made good neighbors. 'And he likes having thought of it so well He says again, "Good fences make good neighbors." ' (Mending Wall)

"As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:16). If that's my choice--and it is--then I must learn to carry this lesson with me daily. In the end it seems that the only thing about my Christian walk that feels like a burden is all the flesh that I carry with me. Perhaps plucking out those moustache hairs helps me in more ways than one. I know I ponder perspective every time I reach for my tweezers these days.

Seeing Stars

Other new endeavors...

The Theme is Redemption

re·deem
\ri-dēm\

1 a: to buy back : repurchase b: to get or win back

2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c: to release from blame or debt : clear d: to free from the consequences of sin

3: to change for the better : reform

4: repair, restore

5 a: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b (1): to remove the obligation of by payment (2): to exchange for something of value c: to make good : fulfill

6 a: to atone for : expiate b (1): to offset the bad effect of (2): to make worthwhile : retrieve

For JoAnnA

Here is a link to a couple of art pieces I did earlier this year to encourage my e-friend JoAnnA in her battle with cancer:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19674523@N00/381742904/in/set-72157594521084917/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19674523@N00/381755072/in/set-72157594521084917/

A great many of us made art and charms and sent them to Lelainia Lloyd who bound them into a beautiful book and sent everything to JoAnnA at just the right time. To view the whole thing:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19674523@N00/sets/72157594521084917/

I've actually finished a number of items lately--I just have to find the time to edit the photos and post everything. A week ago I sent three pieces of art to a contest in Tennessee. One was a drawing by a student of mine and the other two were mixed media pieces of mine. I'm curious to see how we do. The shipping was quite an adventure in itself!

But off to finish projects due tomorrow. Good night. :-)

I'm waiting...

...for the first swellling of new buds on the apple tree outside my window. I look and see the scraggly, wet branches and know that fresh life is coming. Rebirth. A beautiful and gentle picture of God's plan gifted to us with love.

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come..."

—Song of Songs 2:11–12

Latest art adventures

Well, this week was a great week in some respects, but not in others. In the not category, my son and I have been sick. What at first appeared to be something icky has just turned into colds, albeit miserable ones. But out of the not, came the great. Because we were icky sick on art class day, we cancelled class, then on Wednesday our school had speech meet, so we didn't have art that day either. Combined, illness and a change in schedule made for free art time this week! What's that old expression... Oh, I've got it--hip, hip hooray!

Our school has been invited to participate in an art contest, and I've been encouraging some of my students to participate. I worked on two entries this week. Neither of these are finished, but are close now. I've just got some final details to add. The gold one will have cheesecloth behind it and a verse in the lower left corner. (Thanks to my LMT friends for their advice!) The other piece is shown before and after paint. Nothing like a nice, satisfying, coat of paint to pull it all together. I love bright colors--could you guess?

My mother is headed for a show in California, so she called to remind me to get busy on some waxed stars to go with her. She paints bright silk paintings of cowgirls (among other subjects--see her link in my list), so I'm making some stars from antique, cowboy sheet music painted in bright colors to complement her work. Yes, "The Yellow Rose of Texas" is painted yellow and "Red River Valley" has lots of red--lol! Some of the other songs are definitely not painted according to their mood, though--they'd be too gloomy!

A is for...

In my life A stands for:



Awesome--"Our God is an awesome God, He reigns in heaven above. In wisdom, power and love, our God is an awesome God." My relationship with the Creator affects everything I do. He plays many roles in my life: guide, strength, friend, moral compass, creativity, pricker of my conscience, and so many other things. Always He is my redeemer, my joy and my peace.



Art--my background, my childhood, my life now, my current vocation, around my home.



Able--I'm a capable person, usually very efficient.



Always--an important length of time in my life.



Angry--dare I confess it? A huge weak spot in my life, in my character, in my spiritual struggles.



Altitude--heights scare me.



Altered--my art style here in this point of my life.



Aslan--love the Narnia Chronicles.



Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas--a trio of gents that showed up in a great number of my college classes many years ago! I should probably re-read them now...



A--most of my grades, and now all of my daughter's grades so far (YAY!).



Argumentative--a character flaw I'm still learning to overcome, but overcoming. :-)



Antiquity/Ancient--a concept of time that I think about quite a bit and am learning to understand differently as I age.



Aging--I do this everyday and so do you. Ha!



Aragorn--one of my favorite Lord of the Rings characters.



Alphabet--I love letters and their shapes. Typesetting was my favorite part of my life as an in-house graphic designer. I still love letters and use words in most of my art.



Architecture--something I love to photograph.



Without further taxing of my already spent brain, that's it. There must be other things, but that's where I'll stop. Stay tuned for B. Here's the link to the WordPlay web site, where this challenge originated (at least for me): http://beachtreasure.blogspot.com/2006/04/wordplay.html. Join in!

Our recent excitement...

...comes in the form of a near fire. Yikes! While prepping to go teach art, the electricity in our home started acting strangely--lights getting dimmer and brighter, but not flickering in the way it does before it goes out. Well, not being an electrician, I loaded my son into the car and prepared to go on my way. As I came back into the house for my final load of supplies, however, I heard a loud popping and bang come from somewhere in my house. Well, I knew that couldn't be good, so I started searching and was horrified to discover smoke and a nasty chemical burning smell coming up the stairs from the basement. Since we recently did some electrical work in the basement, my mind flitted briefly to the breaker box in the back of the house. Then the creative part of my brain imagined flames trapping me in the back corner of the house and I called the fire department instead. Better choice, don't you think!



Well, they came--two engines with lights and sirens and men jumping off and throwing on gear. At this point I still hadn't seen any flames, so it suddenly all felt like overkill, but all the fireman said they would rather come to a situation like we had than have me come home to a house on fire. They went all over the house and discovered no fire, but that an outlet strip in the basement had overloaded, melted and exploded and was still smoking. The electrity was still nutso, though, so the fire chief called our utility company and then shut off our power. Eventually we found out that a wire from the road to our house had burned out and our house was coursing with 220 (double its normal current!). It fried our dishwasher and a microwave/hood vent combination in our kitchen, along with two outlet strips.



Now for the scary part: the fireman told us that if the outlet strip had been on carpet (it was on a concrete floor), or if there had been papers nearby (there were the week before--I had just made the kid's clean up--thank you Lord for the timing!), we would probably have had a fire. A friend who works with electricity saw the spot and said the same thing. He said that he knows four families who have lost their homes to fires from outlet strips. His advice is to make sure to purchase higher quality strips that have surge protection. He says that cheap strips have a component that stays on all the time, is always hot and slowly decomposes over time so that eventually any surge can cause the overload and explosion that we experienced! We will be replacing all our cheap strips soon! Actually, here is a much more knowledgeable explanation than any I can paraphrase from my knowledgeable friend: http://westwhitelandfire.com/Articles/Surge%20Protectors.pdf (with pictures, too!)



In the meantime, the utility company has fixed the wire, but is now saying they will not fix the damage caused by the failure. I suspect that's their standard answer and we will have to argue to get our items repaired/replaced (two electricians told us it's their responsibility and we only want things put back to the way they were). The children were excited to do the dishes by hand for about, let's see, uh, two days... Ah, the joys of dishpan hands. Oh well. I was blessed to be at home when the problem occurred to be able to deal with it quickly and not have a situation where more damage could have happened.







Finally, let us all remember the blessings we are given each day--no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. Here is a little reminder I used to use when we lived in a house that didn't have a dishwasher. Since dishes are not a favorite chore for me (all right, none of them are a favorite--but dishes are especially bad for me...) I used to look at this little piece I cut out of an article about a missionary family years ago. It helps me re-focus those baaaad thoughts that start going through my head while my hands are soapy! Thank you Lord for blessing us greatly in so many ways--even in the ways we don't recognize daily.

The woes of spelling

Are you sure you want to get your prescriptions here?

I truly saw this sign on a local business while doing errands on Tuesday. How unfortunate!

Think pink?

Hmmm... I've done the upgrade thing and am liking some new control--feeling all new year and 2007 and all. Being a pink kind of gal, these colors were my (obvious) first choice. But, am I this pink? What do you think about this pink? Swim or sink?

How funny--it's midnight now...

You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits. Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle. Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it. You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

What Time Of Day Are You?

A Post Post & Wishes for What Comes Next

Christmas now past, I am thinking ahead to the blessings of a new year and what things should be important in my life. To hang onto that little touch of Eternity--that is one idea. To remember that whatever I plan, there is a greater plan that always supersedes my little thoughts. Last year was a year of change for me in many ways. While not being one to look for supernatural where it's not, I did see last spring that God sent me a message about sacrifice through a dream (btw, the first time and so far the last time, the Lord has communicated with me in such a manner. There are other routes He uses more frequently--for all of us who will listen, beginning with opening His Word. Okay, preaching ends now. :-D ). Not knowing where the sacrifice would come from, I trusted and started walking. The big one was changing Bible study. The second biggest was taking a position teaching art. These were both post-dream, and consequently post-husband's new self-employment--yeah! That was a big one, too--you betcha!

So, as I head into this year, I am wondering what changes lie ahead again. A friend recently sent me an e-mail about what changes she will be making and they are so inspiring, although small and not life-shattering. Do our changes always need to be monumental to be of consequence? Two degrees off isn't much when close to the locus, but it becomes a surprisingly large gap as one moves outward, until the two degrees feels likes miles off-course.

So, the little things are important after all. Does resolving to actually pick the flowers in my garden seem like a worthy goal? If I see them as messengers from God it suddenly does. Just choosing to be kind seems like an impossible task on some days, but I am convicted by remembering that what I do/do not do unto the least of my brethren, I have done/not done as service unto my King. These little tasks suddenly take on the largest importance. What will I sacrifice to make sure my treasures are stored correctly? What sacrifices will be asked of me that I was not expecting?

I may not know what is awaiting me in this new year, but I do know that my path, while dark, is not dark. Does that make sense? I feel like I am looking at the back side of the tapestry and the colors and patterns do not make sense. Yet I know that someday I will see the other side and it will be unexpectedly lovely because of the hand of the Maker. It certainly won't be the colors I've tried to hand Him, but what He has made of all these things, despite my so-called help. 'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11)

My desires for this year? Being more consistent in all things. Looking for opportunities to do unto the least. Remembering that my family is the training ground for my interaction with everyone else and not the place to let down my guard and show my natural heart (how do I forget this so continually? Yes, they still love me, but I'm not always sure why). Using the talents I've been given for His service (along with using the art supplies I've already amassed!). Enjoying those flowers this year and sharing them with others. Maybe, possibly, reading through all those books that come home with me on 50%-off-book-day at St. Vinny's. And holding tight to the touch of the Eternal that I feel so much stronger at Christmas, when I am thinking about the birth of the Saviour.

Christmas musings

I have a CD from RBC, the publishers of "Our Daily Bread" devotionals that has the most lovely arrangement of this poem/song. I didn't realize what it was until it showed up on my daily calendar a couple days ago. What a wonderful image, and doesn't it effectively take us away, even for a moment, from what this season has become in our society today. No hustle and bustle, no stessful gift purchases to make, no meal planning and baking (actually the more stressful task for me), no frenzied cleaning. Just the thought of a tiny baby, love incarnate (1 John 4:8), born in a place that was an afterthought of the innkeeper, is enough to quiet my thoughts and my spirit despite the world around me.

1 John 4:9 tells us "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

Love all lovely, love divine indeed.

A quiet start

Well, I'm taking the Etsy plunge. It's not exactly a rip-roaring start, but I've listed my first item. I'm starting with the last set of stars that I have left--the stars that were published last year in Somerset Studio's Gallery IV publication. You can look here for more information: www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5110495 (okay, I tried to make that a link, but it just isn't working for me. I apologize, but you'll have to cut and paste...)

As for my own home, well, we still don't have our Christmas tree up--it's a record--it's usually up soooo much sooner. But most of the rest of the decorating is done. Here is my set of stars, displayed on my buffet this year.





We have grouped things this year, so the piano has been dubbed "Christmas Town" by the kids, because of all the little houses. We also have angels on the mantle and snowfolk all over the table behind the couch. I'm pretty sure there is another small snowman hiding in the back closet, but he might just stay there this year. Hah! See what one gets for hiding! And if anyone reading this participated in the Advent tag swap I was in last year, we're enjoying opening all our little surprises everyday! But we still need our tree...

Procrastination

I'm supposed to be making a Christmas stocking for a dear friend. But I'm stuck--just not in the groove tonight, even though I've looked at hundreds of eye candy images trying to get groovy. So I'll procrastinate a bit and post some recent things.



First up, it's been a bird kind of life lately. We went on a field trip last week and en route saw this magnificent great blue heron standing in the icy river. Usually they fly away the moment you stop, but this one must be used to the people walking by in the park because it stayed put--even while we were in the movie. The students were excited to still see it when we left almost an hour later.



Then my daughter and I spent a day shopping (it wasn't meant to be whole day, but you know how things go--one sale just leads to another...) and upon returning home she spotted this owl in our willow tree. It watched me as I circled for the best shot, but I didn't want to antagonize it with the flash--something about birds of prey and their claws kept coming to mind. It is so amazing to see God's creatures so close. Sorry for the bit of blur--evening and all that.

















Well, on to some recent projects. I've enjoyed making bottlecap bracelets and finally found the same small chain again this weekend (part of all that shopping!) at a local hardware store.

















I've also made some angels, but I'm not sure if I'm happy enough with them to share. Stars; I need to make some stars to sell. Doll clothes and bath robes are also on the list of things to do. Cookies for an exchange this weekend. I made a wall hanging for a friend who recently married, but that is for another post because I photographed the process as I went. ATCs and Christmas cards. A sort of fat book page for a friend. Charms--ooh, I'll have to post those--they turned out great, but I haven't photographed them yet. I've been reading a fascinating book about decoding much of Western art--how to understand who the people in them are and why artists chose certain subjects, etc. Shakespeare posters for school: we're doing collagraphs and I'm flying blind on this one. Never done them and haven't had time to complete one at home ahead, but we'll make it work. Hmm, there just is always something.

So, to my dear friend, if you are reading this, don't worry--I'll get the stocking made, just probably not tonight...

Pay It Forward

Well, I encountered this invitation on the blog of a member of my LMT group (thanks Zoe!) and it sounded like a fun thing. So I'll play too. :-)

What are we playing? "Pay it Forward." The first five people to respond to this post (via the comments section) will get some form of art made by me. I work in many mediums, but mostly paper and fabric, so let me pick and enjoy the surprise. ;-)

After you comment, please add your e-mail address so I can contact you for your snail mail address.

Oh, yes, most freebies have a catch and this one does, too. If you sign up, then you have to post this to your blog and continue the sharing. Tag!

Like a lover, o'er much

Do you know what you want out of life? Me thinkest I do. Yet, how many times when I take all things to Him in prayer does He surprise me with something else (Phil 4:6,7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.). Filling my cup to overflowing with things that satisfy more deeply and permanently (Psalm 23).

A friend is battling with cancer and yet she has told me that all is well with her soul. How? In the midst of fighting for her life, how does she say this? Fear? Sorrow? Where do these things fit in her life right now? Surprisingly, these emotions do not leave her bereft, like an identity thief even robbing who she is, but they are vanquished by the Lover of her soul. Do you long for merrying? Especially in a season when we desire to focus on celebration, I ask you, what you are celebrating? Does it really satisfy? Or do you long for the deep peace that my friend lives in? Luke 2:10,11 tells us what we should merry in this season: "the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (For inspiration, meet JoAnnA at http://www.mosshill.blogs.com/)

This season find the Christ child, who quencheth the torments of life; who fills us with love, and mercy, too--bestowed like a lover, o'er much, until we can say, "come what may, it is well with my soul."





If you, reading this, ever have sincere and seeking questions, leave them in the comment section and I will try to answer or direct you to answers; or click on some of the links to the right. If you simply don't like what I've said, please don't bother. I moderate comments and will respond with the delete button. We all make a choice in what we believe, even if we make the choice by default. Should your choice be different than mine, I will be respectful, and ask that you do the same. But if that's your choice and you celebrate Christmas, then I ask you--what are you celebrating this season?

One little brag

Here are the results of prudent yard saling (90% of the fabric) and some time at the sewing machine. I present Galadriel and King Peter.