live and let light

ahhh. last saturday.

what a great time we had!

we got out some of our favorite art supplies.

papers, paints, markers, inks.

 and we made signs with words that mean something to us.

it was an assignment of our brave girls club art class.

there were giggles, teasing, and learning from each other.

the dining room table was a mess...

but our  hearts were 'home'.

this was emma's sign.

'live'

she papered, painted, doodled to her hearts content.

it now sits on her window seal.

and mine.

'let your light shine'

sits in my studio...

a reminder of why i do what i do.

matthew 5:16

we are going to sit down.

my daughter and i.

with a calendar to schedule more art dates.

our goal is once a month.

more if possible.

and ohhhh do we look forward to it!

linking up to studio jru sneak peek friday.

are you creative?

i'm sure you are!

in your home, in your kitchen, with your kids or with a craft or art.

why don't you link up and join us!

today i am thankful for

~creating with my daughter

~inspiration from everywhere and everyone

~finding a friend who has the same tastes i do

~my treadmill

~an upcoming art retreat

and the walls came tumbling down

have you heard that song?

'joshua fought the battle of jericho, jericho,

jericho.

joshua fought the battle of jericho,

and the walls came tumbling down.'

i have or rather had very high,

strong, 

and thick walls built around me.

the details don't matter,

but because of things that i have done,

things that have been said and done to me,

i built walls.

i felt safe behind them.

like a cocoon.

but i heard God saying...'your walls are not a cocoon, but a

prison.'

'you were not made to be safe. you were made to fly.'

 'you were made to show the world My light through you.'

so He has been removing my walls.

brick by brick.

softly, gently and whispering...

'i will catch you.'

 so i am gripping white knuckled

to the one that knows.

i am scared,

but i am ready to shine for Him.

do you have walls?

if you do, pray.

pray for strength to hang on to Him.

He will not leave you...scared and alone.

today i am thankful for

~warmer weather to walk outside

~ watching eagles fly above our home

~tearing down walls

~new paint

~figuring sales tax

today i am linking to 

in the studio sneak peek friday

please be sure to check out what everyone else is creating.

happy friday everyone!

i see His beauty

 this year i want to concentrate on

portraits

in my art.

so this week i have been practicing.

i have found out

that doing eyes is my

favorite part.

 

of course...

maybe that is because

the eyes are the first thing

i notice in a person.

the color, the shape.

the laugh lines.

i have been reminded

that i have to open my eyes.

to see Him.

and His gifts.

His gifts are all around us.

God not only shows himself in the large things.

but 

God also shows himself in the smallest of things.

are we slowing down

enough

to see them? 

today i am thankful for

~new friends

~being able to be patient enough to talk a kitten down a tree

~laughter

~faces to draw

~my eyes to see



today i'm linking to
studio jru in the studio sneak peek friday
paint party friday
be sure to check out all the other lovely creations.

my 2013 word

 happy new year everyone!

i hope you enjoyed the holidays with

your families.

we had the flu in our home.

then the ear infection that apparently

went with it.

we are all on the mend....

and i am finally starting to feel human.

do you have a word for the new year?

last year was my first.

soar.

and boy was that right!

my art...

our marriage...

it was one wild ride!

this year,

it is a more quiet word.

more grounded.

home.

it means many things to me.

home is our family.

to spend more time doing things together,

to encourage each others'

gifts and talents,

to help each other grow in our

faith.

home is also the place where we

dwell.

so purging and clutter control

is on the agenda.

to make our home a sanctuary

home also means our bodies.

for they are the home

for the holy spirit.

healthy foods and more home cooking,

and playing together.

we will also be spending more time

reading God's word,

praying together,

and just sitting at His feet.

listening.

so what is your word this year?

(my home)

today i am thankful for

~antibiotics

~my husband and daughter

~our orphaned kittens that our dog found

~art classes

~snow...much needed moisture

a handmade kind of Christmas

 i love christmas.

getting together with family.

baking some of our favorite treats.

and sweets.

singing our favorite carols.

all in celebration of Jesus' birth.

the last two years

our daughter wanted to decorate

in a simple handmade style.

 she wanted every ornament to be made.

by hand.

i have to admit.

i usually go all out.

put almost every.

single.

ornament on the tree.

 

this year.

i did not.

we went through our boxes

and picked out the things that were made by hand.

(i did sneak a couple of my favorite store bought ornaments on the tree.  i just couldn't help myself)

\

and i have to say that it is much more meaningful.

to see those things made from love.

hanging on our tree.

and on our 'mantel'

 

i am linking to~

jennifer rizzo

wendy at the shabby nest

lucy at craftberry bush
jennifer at studio jru

be sure to go check out all the other lovely 

links to their parties.

there are some wonderful, talented people!

an update on my finished' essence of creation dolls'

my computer is still out.

my daughter's computer still does not like my

camera card.

 

so i thought that i would show you an

update.

 

awhile ago i shown you some starts.

of my 'essence of creation dolls'.

you can find it here.

you can find how i started here.

 

i thought i would show you the finished products.

 

 

rose.

 

 

twila

and

daisy.

 

zoe

 

and glory.

 

 

have any of you been able to finish

projects that have sat for awhile?

please share!

 

 

 

what i am thankful for today

~snow, much needed moisture

~putting up the christmas tree with my loved ones

~coffee and toffee creamer

~memories of loved ones

~the golden glow of candles

 

 

a weekend of artsy inspiration~part 1

 

last weekend, mr farmer and i were able to get-away.

it was for our 12th anniversary.

 

it ended up being full of artsy inspiration.

 

we went to sioux falls, south dakota.

it is a family friendly, artsy community, outdoor lover

kinda town.

 

(just so you know...these pictures are from my phone,

i have lots of photos on my camera....

but my computer is broke.

and for some reason my daughter's computer is not

reading my camera card.

really wish i could show you the beauty of the the town.

the architecture.

the falls.)

 

 

sioux falls has what they call.

a sculpture walk.

 

these are some of my favorites that we saw.

enjoy!

 

 

hopefully next week i can show you

part 2.

 

have a wonderful weekend!