Provoking Beauty

7 Quick Takes for Friday: Tea and Stuff

2012-01-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

--- 1 ---

I am making my own iced tea. It dawned on me that I didn't need to buy this stuff. I have loads upon loads of tea (loose and in tea bags) so why not use it? The Mountain Spring Jasmine green tea by Mountain Leaf is just scrumptious. Mentioning it here so I can buy some more once I run through the rest of my insanely huge tea stock.

--- 2 ---

Came home from chanting Lauds at the cathedral to discover that my husband had packed up the nativity scene. I guess he doesn't read my blog.

--- 3 ---

Spent Monday and Tuesday at Disneyland and California Adventure. Needless to say, had an absolute blast and went on a ton of rides because it a) rained on Monday and b) it's winter!

--- 4 ---

I just set up Twitter Feed for my blog so it can push my posts to my Twitter feed and to Facebook auto-magically. This post will be the second one that's pushed, so I want to share the past few posts here in case you missed them because they weren't linked to a link-party.

My Saint for the Year (originally posted Jan. 3)
this 7 Quick Takes (but only for the video that I need to memorize) (posted Jan. 6)
What my Blog Reboot is About (posted Jan. 12)
Has Calling Yourself A Christian Ever Felt Like A Lie? (part of my story, posted Jan. 17)
Thanksgiving Becomes Thanksliving (posted Jan. 18)
on the end of the Christmas season (post Jan. 19)
this one may have already been picked up by the Twitter feed: How to Deal with the Tornadoes in Your Life (posted Jan. 25)

--- 5 ---

7 things to do instead of eating in front of tv.

1) work on all the altered clothes projects so I can wear them this summer!

2) create in my art journal

3) organize my hosiery (need something to put them in)

4) make a scarf organizer

5) google reader!

6) finish fabric book (so close to being done!)

7) get taxes in order

--- 6 ---

I also want to rearrange my guest bedroom so that I can paint using the big easel. Having it actually in my art room covered up my prayer corner (because of the drop cloth around and under it) and blocked access to stuff I needed. So on the one hand, it did focus me to get the painting done -- on the other hand, it changed my morning prayer schedule.

Which is not necessarily a bad thing ... but it would be nice to go back to the way I was doing it.

--- 7 ---

I guess my #7 is this:

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

How To Deal With The Tornadoes in Your Life...

2012-01-25T06:16:00.000-08:00

(This is a repost from my church's blog from a little while ago, edited a little bit to make sense.)

You might think that working in a church office is a pretty quiet job.

You’d be wrong.

Sometimes it feels like I work in Tornado Alley.

One of the shows I got hooked on last year is “Storm Chasers”. There’s something about the way the tornado forms, how these “extreme meteorologists” can predict it and then still end up in its path. Tornadoes have both tremendous beauty and gut-wrenching destruction.

(from Wikimedia Commons)

There are folks who blow through my office who are like that.

If it’s an anxiety tornado, then it's contagious and the tornadoes multiply as we react instead of responding.

Why are people tornadoes? When losses are felt, change occurs, the anxiety builds into a super-cell and before you know it.... Sometimes it’s a person’s anxiety about non-church stuff, sometimes it’s a person’s brokenness as they seek help, sometimes it comes through extending the gift of hospitality, and sometimes it comes from biting off more than we can chew.

At the time of originally writing this post, in September, the tornado had been me.

My grandfather died in September and as I’d gone home in August to say goodbye, I couldn’t go back to Australia for the service. The homesickness was an added whammy. My Number One Support Guy (aka my husband) was overseas in a totally different time zone, so you can add a good dollop of loneliness.

Some days I was just fine and some days... I stormed through minor setbacks and actually went home early for a few days so my reactiveness and grieving didn’t negatively affect the rest of the office. (Besides, it was good to go home and have a really good cry.)

The winds have died down now and having been the tornado instead of the tornadoed, I have a bit of new perspective. I still don’t like it when a tornado comes through--they’re pretty awful--but now I have more empathy.

So when the tornadoes whirl, I try not to take cover under my desk and pray that they soon blow over. Because it’s as little fun to be a tornado as to be hit by one.

How do you deal with the tornadoes in your life? Have you ever been a tornado yourself? How did you get through that?

I am linking this to Ann Voskamp's "Walk with Him Wednesdays".

Joy Dare Monday...

2012-01-23T08:23:00.000-08:00

No pictures this week, or story, just a list...

40. white blossomed tree
41. clean air after the rain
42. visible progress in weeding
43. using homemade compost in the garden for the first time
44. little dirty skunk footprints on off-white patio floor
45. smell of beef stew on entering the house
46. exchanging silly nonsense with my husband
47. warm clothes
48. long shadows
49. clear crisp winter day
50. listening to early morning birds chirp while I'm praying
51. re-connecting with my choir buddy
52. sunrise reflecting off a row of clouds

53. the sidewalk being closed and having to walk the long way around to work -- and uphill!

54. realizing my anger is ego-related
55. gentle rain
56. chanting while the organ pipes are being carried out of the cathedral
57. jasmine green tea (iced and homemade!)

58. chills as we sang the fourth verse of "I Am the Lord of the Dance"
59. finding out who I am mentoring through the confirmation process

Am linking this up to Ann Voskamp's "multitudes on Mondays" (or will as soon as it goes up!)

Friday's 7 Quick Takes

2012-01-20T21:17:00.000-08:00

--- 1 ---

I didn't do the 7 Takes last week 'cause the week got away from me. And my plan to update the blog post as I went along? Didn't happen. Maybe tracking God's gifts/blessings and finding something brief to write about is a bit much. But hey, we'll see.

--- 2 ---

Part of my morning practice is to "do" morning prayer. I use the Daily Office from Mission St. Clare currently (I use the iPhone app while catching the bus to work), although I'm sensing it's getting close to time to switch back to using "Lauds and Vespers" (from the Camaldolese monks) because I'm starting to miss chanting...

Anywho, last week, one of the psalms set for the morning was Psalm 6.

⁶ I grow weary because of my groaning; *
every night I drench my bed
and flood my couch with tears.
⁷ My eyes are wasted with grief *
and worn away because of all my enemies.
⁸ Depart from me, all evildoers, *
for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
⁹ The LORD has heard my supplication; *
the LORD accepts my prayer.

The thought came to me that those enemies are our own griefs, our own wrongs, that we allow to hang onto us and inhabit us until we groan and sob tears. Thank God for God helping us out of our messes. Or at least God would, if we'd stop and listen for God.

--- 3 ---

Yes, that last sentence was me trying to be gender-neutral. God is infinite and unknowable so why would God be a gender, when "male and female, God created them?" Just sayin'.

--- 4 ---

My MacBook Pro's autocorrect doesn't like it when I use slang or make a verb out of a noun. Such a stickler for correctness. But it isn't at the point. Of being able to correct. Broken sentences.

--- 5 ---

Since Tim Tebow's "316" playoff win (yeah, I didn't watch it either, but you can't help hearing about it on the internet), I'm wondering if the best time to post something about God is at 3:16. AM or PM, take your pick. ;)

I am surely not the first person to have thought that. Right?

--- 6 ---

Why does the garden always get away from us? Well, okay, I know why. It's because around about August/early September, we get tired of keeping it up. So it is full of dandelions and unwanted grass and... *sigh*

However, we did get to use our homemade compost for the first time in transplanting a rose tree, so that's a plus!

--- 7 ---

The Bible in a Year challenge at my church is going well. Well, at least for me. Finished Genesis and am into Exodus. What I need to do is take the "what the--?" notes I'm making and look up those verses to figure out what's going on there...

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Christmas Season is Over...

2012-01-19T08:14:00.000-08:00

So the Christmas season is over.... (12 Days of Christmas and all that...)

And so is Epiphany and we're into the Ordinary Time before Lent (for those who keep track of the liturgical seasons) ...

My Christmas decorations are packed away. The tree is awaiting my husband's assistance to take down this weekend.

But the nativity scene?

Still up.

For some reason, I'm not ready to put this simple display away. It's old and belonged to my husband's family.

It's suffered a few chips as they're simple plaster figures ...

and Mary is awfully white and blonde ...

but every time I look at it, I remember Him.

So I think it'll stay up until Lent and then turn my focus toward Jesus' final walk to Jerusalem. I haven't picked out my Lenten study yet. There's a short list (surprisingly short!).

And I've just realized: I bought a little nativity figure at the Christkindl Markt in Munich in 2010. What safe place did I put it in? If definitely can't get put away yet!

Yay! Found it. It's with the rest of the nativity scene now. It's a bit bigger...

Thanksgiving Becomes Thanksliving...

2012-01-18T06:46:00.000-08:00

"Thanksgiving for God’s love always seeks to become thanks-living – a living and giving of His love" - Ann Voskamp.

Today on her blog, she asks us to share a habit that makes things new each day.

I've been thinking about that, what I could write, and then last week during Morning Prayer, I discovered that Monday the 9th was the observed day for Julia Chester Emery.

[I feel like I need to do a side note here. Julia is part of the Holy Men, Holy Women, that the Episcopal Church recognizes. Getting on this list is rather different than becoming a saint in the Catholic church, although we still share some saints in common (up to the 15th century split, anyway).]

Julia Chester Emery, among other things, is known for starting the UTO program in the Episcopal Church.

UTO = United Thank Offering.

This worked by giving each woman a small box with a slit in the top and encouraging her to drop a small contribution in to it whenever she felt thankful for something. Once a year, the women of the parish presented these at a Sunday service. The money was sent to national headquarters to be used for missions. (sources: Wikipedia and Daily Office by Mission St. Clare (James Kiefer)).

Whenever I feel thankful for something, drop a small contribution into a box.

If I do this every time I give thanks for a gift during the Joy Dare ... that's 1,000 pennies, 1,000 dollars, 1,000 times something!

This is something I could do. A penny for each thanks give, to "thankslive" someone else?

I feel like I'm sounding very Ann Voskamp saying that.

So I made a box. Well, a jar actually.

And at the end of the year, I'll count up the money and send it to a charity. I haven't decided which yet. There are more than a few candidates, but my hope is that God will show me where I can help with it.

So who else wants to thankslive while we thanks give?

PS. Yesterday, I posted part of my story. Just in case you were interested.

I am linking this to Ann Voskamp's "Walk with Him Wednesdays".

Has Calling Yourself 'Christian' Ever Felt Like a Lie?

2012-01-17T08:08:00.000-08:00

(this was originally posted on my church's blog a couple of weeks ago. I thought that by sharing this story here, you'd get to know a little more about me)

When I joined Good Sam, I was a lifelong Christian, an active Christian for good chunks of it, but I hadn’t forgiven myself or allowed God to forgive me for my past actions. So the identity tag of “Christian” felt like a lie to me.

Before I joined Good Sam, I was active in another church and could “do” church to a tee: be the sole Sunday School teacher, create and print the Sunday bulletins, the newsletter, serve on vestry, lead the way in inviting the local community to come to church. I was so busy “doing” church that the sum total I experienced in a typical Sunday service was a couple of minutes of communion.

In short, I was working my arse off trying to belong, all the while believing that I didn’t.

Because I had done some things I was ashamed of. That time in my life wasn’t pretty. Or healthy.

It wasn’t until I burnt out at “doing church” that we church-shopped for a new church home and found Good Sam. My hubby and I vowed not to get involved for a while, maybe six months.

We lasted three, and joined the choir. The end of the year rolled around and I ran for vestry.

I was well on the path of “doing church” again.

But that was the moment God, through Good Sam, transformed my life. While on vestry retreat at Mt. Calvary in Santa Barbara, I walked the labyrinth in the early morning before breakfast. I was on vestry with Thelma, who taught me how to pray and who knew how to pray a labyrinth.

I used the method she told me about where I reflected on my life, from birth to present time. I was approaching the center of the labyrinth, and realized that what I colloquially call the “dark time” in my life would be what I was reflecting on as I reached the center. Where God was.

Waiting.

This labyrinth is at the monk's new location next to Mission Santa Barbara. The one I walked
was at their original location in the hills behind the town. It burnt down in a fire three years ago.

I could quit the labyrinth or take the leap and step into the center and take whatever God was going to deliver. Think lightning strike.

I took the leap, and laid it all out there: the betrayal, the smashed relationships, the guilt.

And God loved me. There’s really no other way to express the warmth, the overpowering sense of love, the embrace and the gentle voice that said: “I was there. I loved you then. If only you’d seen Me.”

Since then, I’ve done my best to honor God’s gift of mercy, love and forgiveness to me. It took me a little while to figure out how and there have been some backward steps, but by continuing to lean in toward God and His love, by getting help in learning how to let my baggage go, by learning more about my faith through Education for Ministry, discovering the depths of my role at Good Sam, I think I am finally at the place for what God has called me to do next: to share God’s gift of mercy, love and forgiveness with someone else.

I see it happening through communicating the transformative place that Good Sam is to the outside world via the church's blog, and somehow, personally making an impact on someone who needs to hear what I refused to hear for so long.

Has calling yourself a ‘Christian’ ever felt like a lie? Why?

Monday's Joy Dare

2012-01-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

It was more difficult to find gifts this week.

By Thursday (gift #26), I was full of post ideas for this blog and one post in particular I struggled with. (It's still not ready to go live.) By Friday evening, I couldn't recount a single gift from that day. Then I sat down and forced myself to look back on the day, and remembered the moments God was with me amongst my day's irritations and frustrations.

Here's the list for the week:

16. leaving my appointment with my spiritual director feeling refreshed and energized
17. the salty smell of the sea

18. a toddler on the bus discovering touch: the soft of chenille, the smooth of leather, the cold of metal post, the warmth of mother's skin
19. paying attention to my hubby over a long distance phone call
20. deep breath of early morning blue sky air
21. Fran McKendree's "The Spirit of the Lord Is Here" running through my head
22. a gift that's sour: skunks in the backyard - walking the dogs in the cold under a full(ish) moon

Skunk evidence: new bedding for their den under our back patio

23. waking up with the thought 'Today is the day You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it."
24. Icelandic poppies

25. Husband coming home from his trip early.
26. little balls of fluff from my chenille coat float in the air in front of me (my coat is shedding!)
27. Nutella gelato shake from Chuao's
28. discovering back up pair of jeans with a big hole in them.
29. crow at the very top of a pine tree squawking at me.
30. heavy yellow moon hanging low
31. pups huffing in excitement (is it because I'm home or is it dinner time?)
32. chewy baguette
33. painting outside in the warm sunshine
34. grabbing the chance to meditate (reciting the Jesus Prayer) while waiting in doc's exam room
35. gray skies
36. dog quite settled in on my lap
37. a misplaced wallet found
38. "oohing to music sung in church
39. praying for anger to leave me

Am linking this up to Ann Voskamp's "multitudes on Mondays" (or will as soon as it goes up!)

What this Blog Reboot Is About...

2012-01-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

So I kind of got started, so in case you were wondering why the change, read on...

My goal for this blog is to create the beginnings of a community of those who have either once thought they are not worthy of God, or who still think it. (And if God isn't your bailiwick, your thing, that's okay too. I hope my story, this new-maybe community, will help regardless.)

One way to get the ball rolling is to share my story. My story is about discovering that I am beloved of God after all, no matter how unworthy I feel about that honor because of my past actions. I figure there are others out there who don't think they are worthy of belonging, being loved by God, others who might need to hear this and be heard themselves.

(Now if you need help in dealing with whatever is blocking you from feeling worthy, seek professional help: a psychologist, a therapist, or other qualified person. I have not the skills nor the qualifications, and my prayer is for you to be healed not to harm you with well-meaning advice.)

I hope you will share your journeys here, and together we can draw closer to God.

It hasn't been a simple or easy decision because talking like this, opening up, is a vulnerability, but the various voices that I pay attention to (stop freaking out, they belong to real people like my spiritual director, those I work with, favorite bloggers, and others (and God, YMMV*)) have indicated that this is something to try.

I'll continue posting about what I create in crafts and art for two reasons:

it's the original reason I started this blog after all: to connect with the women I met at Silver Bella '09 and to show my Mum what I made. *grin*
I express my faith journey now not just in words but in images since I learnt how to draw and paint (thanks, Suzi Blu)

This is the current planned posting schedule (we'll see how it evolves!):

Mondays: lists of blessings for the Joy Dare challenge
Tuesdays: occasional art posts, more often faith journey posts
Wednesdays/Thursdays: responses to Ann Voskamp's "walk with Him Wednesdays"
Fridays: response to "7 Quick Takes"

Do you believe you're beloved by God? Or not? Or don't care?

* YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary

Monday's Where's God is Now Joy Dare Day

2012-01-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I know know. I just got started back doing the "Where's God?" journal, but Ann Voskamp has challenged her readers to a Joy Dare, and having almost finished her amazing book (at the time, I've since finished it), I have signed on. Writing down 1,000 gifts from God by December 31st, which is at least three gifts a day.

There's not enough room on a page to fit that many ... so I might use the "Where's God?" for pictures, prayers, journaling about this Joy Dare journey.

As I mentioned in Friday's post, I usually do 5-7 "Where's God?" moments a week. So this is a big challenge!

So, incidentally, is math. I put down in my goals that I wanted to lose 25 lbs. Well, I do, eventually. Plus, I apparently can't do math, or don't remember numbers or something. But I'm supposed to set achievable goals, so the next step for me is to lose 15 lbs. So have revised to achieve!

Here is the journal page I was working on when the Joy Dare challenge started:

I filled out the space with some stamps to match the pretty tape on the side.

On to the Joy Dare: here are gifts I've written down as I have to start from #1. I'm using Ann's 1000Gifts iPhone app to snap a few pictures too.

almost finished reading "1000 Gifts" and already want to read it again, to feel it seep deeper into my bones.
dark green Italian fir trees reflecting the orange light of sunset.
realization I'm gonna have to write smaller in my "Where's God?" journal to include 3 graces a day. [Note: have changed my mind since initially writing it]
skirt swooshing around ankles.

Skirt swooshing (sort of. Hard to swoosh and take a picture at the same time) on my front walkway,
and why yes, that is lint from the dryer ...

being complimented on my cap and outfit by a stranger on the bus.
silly conversation and laughter
smashing my finger while trying to get new printer to work with my computer
Husband opening shampoo bottles that I couldn't.
Amish mistakes
freely forgiven
ordination sermon: "be the light; see the light (stay, pray, the light will come); lighten up!"
spirit-filled ordination
today's music and worship
"with these hands": how we bless in so many different ways with them (sermon)
the creche that is still up, even though the other Christmas decorations are packed away

Here is the journal I've picked to write these in: small enough to carry in my purse, leave on desk, counter, etc, where I will think to write the gifts down. It's also cool in that the cover keeps the pen inside the notebook. It has a boring black cover, so I may do something to the front of it.

Am linking this up to Ann Voskamp's "multitudes on Mondays" (or will as soon as it goes up!)

7 Quick Takes for Friday

2012-01-06T18:16:00.000-08:00

--- 1 ---

I've started the 1,000 gifts in a year Joy Dare challenge. Ann Voskamp launched it yesterday. And I signed on. I've already been kinda sorta doing it with my "Where's God?" journal postings, but now I have to start from #1 and so "Where's God?" is going to be on hiatus while I attempt to come up with 3+ gifts God has given me each day. I usually manage about 5-7 a week!

Will you be joining in?

--- 2 ---

For some reason, I want to memorize this dialog. All of it. The funny thing is that when my brother showed me the first episode of the series (which was converted into a movie for American audiences), I was all "meh". Now I find it freakin' hilarious.

"Gentlemen, to bed! For we rise at daybreak."

He quoted it on Facebook and I couldn't remember much of the dialogue. But to learn the whole thing, including the Billy Connolly impression. That'd be awesome.

--- 3 ---

7 Quick Takes is hard. (This is my first time doing one.)

--- 4 ---

So excited about Revbecca's ordination tomorrow. And the day after she celebrates her first Eucharist. I guess more about this in next week's 7 Takes...

--- 5 ---

I have written the first "family" newsletter that I have in literally years. My grandparents loved getting this. My last grandparent died this past year, so I think this is me trying to stay connected to my family a whole ocean away.

It didn't go out in time for Christmas, but it will hopefully go out before Lent. They're printed and I'm prepared to email the others.

--- 6 ---

Last week found me at Chick-fil-A doing my church communications planning for the year. When to promote events and how to get a communications strategic plan done for each ministry in my church. I suspect I ate way too much fried chicken for the day and a half I was there.... (oh, and the chocolate milkshake! omg.)

What? It's a Christian restaurant. It even closes on Sunday. The In 'n' Out was too far to get to.

--- 7 ---

Today hasn't been a good day for my English. (It's my first language.) First, I wrote "highly educatid" (stop correcting me, Mac laptop). Then I wrote "I have wrote a newsletter..." above. And then "plan done for each church in my ministry."

I truly suspect it's time to call it a night.

"Gentlemen! To bed! For tomorrow we ride at 9:30"

"ish"

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Saint for the Year

2012-01-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary put together a Saints Name Generator and encouraged her readers to choose a saint for 2012. It's a very Catholic thing, but we have saints (and holy men and women) in the Episcopal Church, so I gave it a whirl.

Even though I'm a computer science grad and know how these things work.... I am impressed.

The result: Blessed John of Parma.

(This is St. Francis in Mt. Calvary's garden. I couldn't find a pic of Blessed John of Parma)

So he's not a saint yet so he hasn't been assigned a list of what he's a patron of, but reading his biography, he could be a patron of silence (which is one of my 2012 goals!) and of knowing when to say the right words, something that I'm going to need in the coming year as my blog takes a bit of a turn in the hope I can reach the "don't wanna be reached".

I look forward to reading more about him and learning from him.

Monday's Where's God?

2012-01-02T07:30:00.000-08:00

We've moved from Wednesdays to Mondays. I didn't keep this journal while I took a blogging break. I guess I need my few readers to keep me accountable.

Here's last week's list:

As always, would love to hear how you've noticed God or how you've been affected by God in the past week.

Am linking this up to Ann Voskamp's "multitudes on Mondays" (or will as soon as it goes up!)

Goals for 2012

2011-12-30T07:32:00.000-08:00

So Jon Acuff asked his readers: "What do you want to finish in 2012?"

Here's my answer:

Here are my goals for 2012.

Create communication strategies for each ministry in my church (it's in the strategic plan, so I gotta)
Develop this blog to be a base for my vocation of telling my story of believing how unworthy I thought I was of God, and providing a listening base for those who are in that situation. (Um, measurable goal would be: posting twice a week on/around the topic and learning (really knowing) the stories of two other people.) 2b. Find a coherent way of saying that.
Paint another large painting (3'x4', I think)
Learn how to take better photos of my art. So by December 2012 I will be taking good photos of artwork and wee objects.
See if I can get my twice a week of 10 minutes silence to 5 times.
(which I forgot to add to my comment on Jon's blog) Lose 15 lbs. I've been maintaining my current weight for long enough. It's time to reach the next goal and lose the bit that I gained back since my last pass at weight loss. Which means keeping a faithful record on MyFoodDiary (edited this one, proving I can't do math either)

A page from last years Reverb10 journal

I found going through Reverb 2010 last year that I managed to make most of my goals, and most of the 11 things my life didn't need. I almost wish I'd had the time to repeat the journal entries for Reverb11.

What are your goals for 2012?

A Chance to "Do Over" and Not "Dwell on It"

2011-12-28T18:08:00.000-08:00

For the longest time, I couldn't see the point in confession. Before I truly believed that I am beloved by God, saying the confession during the church service either seemed hypocritical (did I mean the words I mouthed?) or induced fresh waves of guilt and shame despite the absolution given by the priest.

Confession said on Sundays when I was a teen.

Perhaps it just takes me a bit longer, but last year as I put together a Rule of Life (part of becoming an associate of the Order of the Holy Cross), I was again confronted with this prevailing belief that confession was some antiquated words that held no real meaning now.

I consulted Mary, a friend of mine, about this dilemma. It seems that, generally speaking, Episcopalians didn't much care for confession -- baggage most like from being Protestant and separated from the Catholic church 500 some years ago.

Mary shared with me a prayer that both thanked God for the day's blessings and asked me to recognize when I had been at fault. I liked the balance.

Saying this prayer led me to the eventual revelation that confession gives me a way to start over each day. To lay both the beauties and the uglinesses of the day at God's feet and start afresh the next day.

To not carry the burdens of wrong, unkindness and frustrations into the next day.

My confession that I sometimes say in the morning (usually I pray the confession at night)

Christ, for us, is born anew every day (which we especially remember at Advent and Christmas) and he is resurrected anew every day too.

What does this mean? Well, it's a chance to "do over" and not "dwell on it".

Which as I discovered is not as easy as it sounds when I reacted to something this morning -- loudly.

Perhaps I ought to confess at this point that I skipped confession this morning, and hurried through it the night before. Hmm.

Lovely Christmas gift from my sister-in-law... "Prayer"

But I still hope that it will become easier with practice, this letting go of burdens that I used to cling to and unhealthily obsess over.

What works for you in letting go of your burdens and baggage? Or what doesn't work?

I am linking this to Ann Voskamp's "Walk with Him Wednesdays".

The Plan was....

2011-12-26T06:25:00.000-08:00

The plan was to redesign this blog and reboot it with its new focus.

Funny thing is, the pieces started fitting together differently. I woke up in the wee hours of the morning in the week before Christmas with an a-ha.

What I was planning wasn't exactly what God was planning. I knew that there was something more, something different, but I couldn't quite figure it out. Honestly, I still don't have it figured out. But I have another part of it... which requires consultation with the usual suspects and some more working out.

So in the meantime, I did promise I'd be back this week, so here is a painting I finished recently.

It's the last assigned painting assignment from the La Sirena class from Suzi Blu that I took last year. She extended the critique time to May of this year, and I swore that I would finish this class before the year's end.

However, it didn't quite come out as I planned. It was supposed to be head-to-toe figures with a good-sized background. I drew the faces so big that sketching out their bodies I realized that wasn't going to happen. I had a choice, scrap the faces and start over with smaller faces, or go ahead with the painting.

It's based on the verse from Corinthians about faith, hope and love. The guy in the middle is Jesus (I haven't figured out how to do beards yet.) I wanted to include figurative illustrations of faith and hope but there was no room. No more than a heart on a sleeve, anyway.

It's the biggest painting I've done so far (that's why you see the shelves to the left, so you have an idea of the size of this thing). I have no idea where to hang it either. And I plan to do another gigantic painting the way I envisaged it in my head.

Maybe I'll sell it at the church fair next year. Maybe. I mean, it's newbie work. A year ago I couldn't draw a face. A few months ago they looked like sulky aliens. They still don't look quite right.

So I dunno. What do you think I should do with it?

Taking a Break

2011-11-16T21:02:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

So you might not have noticed, but I haven't posted the usual Wednesday's Where's God? and I won't be this week either.

There's a bunch of reasons, mainly:

I got a seriously bad cold. I managed to post one spread while I was sick, but the wretched thing hung on for a good two weeks. I'm better now (aside from the lingering post-nasal drip and slight cough)
I'm re-evaluating why I have this blog. My day job as my church's communications director means I'm doing a lot of communications, including a blog where church members are learning to share their stories about how God is impacting them. It's truly become my ministry, my vocation. My blog here started out as a way to keep in touch with fellow Bellas and as an easy way for my Mum to see what I'm up to. Now, now, there might be a new purpose. I'm still trying to figure out if it's the right one and honoring the process instead of doing my usual "leap off a cliff" decision making.

So, I'm using this time to take a break and not post anything. I started a bit early, but let's call it a break for Advent -- and I'll see y'all after Christmas. I'll have a ton to post as I've been doing some painting (if that's the way things go), or I'll be posting on another theme. Or both.

So Happy Thanksgiving, have a Blessed Advent, Merry Christmas (Happy Holidays)...

Wednesday's Where's God...

2011-11-01T23:46:00.000-07:00

While I am snuffling up a storm with a big head-cold (which is why I managed to set the date to 1/1/11 instead of 11/1/11) ... here's my "Where's God" for the week. I hope you can join in.

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-10-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

Sarah, A new blogger that I've just started following (Whispers on the Journey) commented on an old post:

"I love this idea to review each week like this! I would say God was in...
1) my chance to connect with like-minded people at a conference.
2)A sense of rest and centeredness coming out of some vacation time.
3) The church service I randomly caught tonight with words I needed to hear
4) God's drawing out of me, faithfully teaching"

Glad you like the idea! Although it doesn't seem to be original to me.

Here's my list for this week.

The usual Faber Pitt Pens .... and I got to play with some bronze ink, which looks more like old gold .... and so I used a pen nib to do lines and waves. The waves kind of remind me of the sound waves reproduced in the the St. John's Bible. Which is really worth a post all on it's own. Even if I did only see facsimiles and not the real deal (which is in Minnesota, I think.)

There are changes afoot in this blog (I think this must be going around: at least two bloggers have changed their layout and are planning new things). I don't know when it's going to happen because things seem to be occuring in God's time and I don't want to rush anything. And hey, maybe you won't actually notice anything different.

Meantime, business as usual:

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

This week on Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-10-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

Here's my page for this week.

Yeah, I'm writing sideways on the page.

Remember last week's page?

Yep, that's her skirt, I folded it around the page 'cause I thought it'd be kinda fun!

While I plan to continue doing these pages, I'm considering abandoning this little link party idea. I think those who read my blog are far too few in number and I really have not gone out of my way to promote this puppy around the blogosphere.

Instead, I'll keep doing the pages, but I'll link them to Ann Voskamp's weekly post where she asks her readers to share their gifts from God. Am not sure it's quite the same thing that I'm doing, but what the hey. (I really need to read her book)

I'm also thinking about writing more about an item or two on the list instead of just having occasionally cryptic items.

Thoughts?

And, for possibly the last time, or the last time for right now, who knows what changes will come down the wind...

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

I will share my favorites (or let's be honest, whoever actually comments) next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-10-12T00:20:00.000-07:00

I spent most of last week on retreat at a monastery (with to-die-for food!) and so this week's post reflects that. (The white clam sauce I made, the red clam sauce we had at Mt. Calvary was just as good!)

It's a subpage, so it gets a bit crowded ... don't know if you can tell what the image is...

Anyway, to spend almost an entire week focused on God instead of work, home, etc ... well, it was a real treat even if I don't include Luis' cooking!

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

One last treasure from my trip home...

2011-10-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

That I completely forgot to show you. A piano player roll! There was a whole stack of them, but I had limited space in my luggage and I picked this one for it's decorative front page....

Isn't it stunning?

Petite Inspiration Box Swap - Curiosities Edition... part two

2011-10-07T07:03:00.000-07:00

You saw what I sent out in Monday's post (scroll down), here is what I received from Beth Laverty of Conversations from My House:

and yes, she did know my favorite color is purple.

and Teresa Shovary from Thymeless Treasures, sent me this:

The doily has mermaids on it!

Wednesday's Where's God...

2011-10-04T21:34:00.000-07:00

Here is this week's "Where's God?"

Petite Inspiration Box Swap - Curiosities Edition...

2011-10-03T06:51:00.000-07:00

Well, boxes have been sent and received, so I thought I'd share the boxes I made. As I've been a negligent blogger lately, thought I'd show what I received in another post...

The best part was that I shopped for these little boxes amongst my own supplies. Lace, buttons, ribbons, a vintage pocketwatch case, some funky paper clips and other things which I now forget and of course didn't take a picture of.

I used pretty vintage wallpaper...

Fancy Prima flowers, vintage/antique paper, vintage lace and some seam binding...

They were fun and easy to make!

Green Paper Swap: My Pages

2011-10-01T15:10:00.001-07:00

I'm looking forward to receiving my book! Here are the pages that I made:

As you can see, I used lots of identical images and put them together in different ways...

I hope whoever gets my pages enjoys them!

Wednesday's Where's God...

2011-09-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

I started this post over a week ago.

And then my last grandparent died and well, blogging has not been as big a priority as watching TV, sewing (you'll see the project soon, I hope), eating chocolate and, well grieving.

I wanna send out a HUGE thank you to Claudia of Mockingbird Hill Cottage who was finally able to point me in the right direction for adding the "Wednesday's Where's God?" button and code to my blog.

So here's last week's post followed by this week's.

Last week:
I've signed up for another online art class (with Suzi Blu again, called "A Lovely Dream". Art journaling from September 1 until May next year. I just made the journal today.) So I shall be a bit of a journaling fiend. I also want to finish the big painting from her La Sirena class. I have faces sketched, just need to shade and get rolling on that one...

So here is this week's Where's God? which covers the anniversary of 9/11.

And here is this week's, and this was the page that it naturally fell to, fitting my mood perfectly.

Wednesday's Where's God? (Weeks 13 and 14)

2011-09-13T20:49:00.000-07:00

I wrote epically in my journal about Sunday (9/11). Mainly about forgiveness. I've decided not to share it, mainly because it goes on for pages. However, what my church's rector (aka pastor) said on Sunday about the hard work that is forgiveness is well worth sharing here (scroll down to the September 11 listing).

It also appears I forgot to hit the Publish button last week. Oops. So here's last week's Wednesday's Where's God:

Karla from Back at Ya Babe wrote in last week's post that: "God has been in our circumstances this week."

Here's my page for week 13...

And here's this Wednesday's Where's God:

The envelope holds a copy of the vows that we renewed on the 4th. (Not quite our anniversary, but we wanted to do it before our community of faith).

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can create the "copy and paste" html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Unplugged

2011-09-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

I wrote this by candlelight ... and then transcribed it this morning....

The "Great Blackout" [for those who missed it, the entire San Diego County, bits of Orange County, bits of Arizona and Mexico had no power for up to 12 hours last night] made me aware how ill-prepared we are for an emergency, but oddly I wasn't freaking out over it.

We had a few days worth of food (probably a week once we started in on the cereal) and we still had running water -- but our emergency, hand-cranked radio up and died within minutes of turning it on. Thankfully, the hubby scrounged up some batteries.

We have a BBQ with propane, thank goodness. So dinner was clam chowder by candlelight. (Wish I'd taken a picture, but oh well!)

It was really odd that I wasn't freaking out. It probably helped that I was able to call Mum on a land line and let her know I'm okay.

While waiting for traffic to ease at church (where I work--the outage started at 3:40pm), I handed out melting ice cream sandwiches from our freezer to Catholic students about to go on retreat, folks who had parked in our lot to take advantage of the shade, waiting out the traffic because they were low on gas, and then over to our neighboring church because they have a school attached and there were plenty of folks hanging around there too.

We gave out water and made our bathrooms available to folks who came knocking on our door (this is before I started handing out ice cream!). We should've put out signs really :)

....

Much later, we went to look at the stars, with no city lights to hide them, but the moon is almost full, so they weren't as spectacular as the new moon in Julian a couple of weeks ago. The air was nice and refreshing after a very hot day.

....

After 9pm, listening to our battery-powered radio, candles flickering, listening as one by one, the communities north and south of us slowly come back on line.

....

The power came back much sooner than they predicted (for us in the wee hours of the morning), so our slight unpreparedness won't undo us. But I have a shopping list now!

Finds....

2011-09-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

Here are some items I picked up recently(ish):

two circa 1880's photographs, a white crocheted tablecloth, doilies, lace, and some super-fine tatting (and some anglaise lace)...

Here are some closeups...

The anglaise will probably end up around the hem of a skirt, or turning a top into a tunic... Mum says I can't cut up the crochet tablecloth even though it looks fairly new, has a hole and only cost me $12....

This tatting(?) is amazing ... it is completely whole in the round ... (can't find a seam) and possibly edged a skirt once? It has a lot of aging and not a few holes in it -- and I suspect possibly too fragile to actually stitch on to my clothes --- especially as I'm a bit of klutz and constantly catch myself on things (usually door knobs and flanges). But I'll either come up with something, or this could be the third piece in my vintage trio (along with an apricot chemise and my christening gown).

Owlish

2011-09-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of bird life in Mum's backyard (back in Australia), mainly because of the gum trees (aka eucalyptus) on her property. This is just one of them.

It's a tawny frogmouth owl. Yes, and it's eyes were open during the day. It moved from one tree to another and took us a couple of days to find it in the new tree. Isn't it cute? (Ok, the staring right at the camera in a "you're disturbing my sleep" annoyed kind of way, isn't quite so cute... but it's not a very big owl.)

Their feathers and coloring make it very hard to spot. Don't believe me? Check out this video I shot of it.

Took me ages to find it via the viewfinder.

(And the answer is, it's in the bottom left corner ... at least until I managed to find it). It's moved on from this tree too and Mum hasn't found the new location yet.

Maybe it got tired of getting looked at and having its photo taken.

When I was visiting Pop in hospital, the old man in the bed opposite heard us tell Pop about the owl and he beckoned me over and I got a bunch of cool bird-lore -- like where there's one, there's two and the other is nesting somewhere in a tree nearby. Couldn't see that one though (assuming I've seen the same one twice...)

Each morning I was woken up to birdsong (including one particularly piercing shriek from an unfamiliar bird) and I recorded it via my iPhone, but I'm afraid they didn't come out very well. Am going to try and see if I can up the levels or something ...

Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-08-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

Here's the past week's discerning the presence of God...

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can create the "copy and paste" html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Another Swap ... this time with boxes!

2011-08-30T06:38:00.000-07:00

I've long admired this swap but the timing just hasn't been right ... until now.

(It's okay, my pages for the Green Paper Swap are almost done.)

Signups are supposed to close today ...

Oh and if anyone knows where on earth in Southern California I can find these blessed larger matchboxes, I'd greatly appreciate it....

Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-08-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

Here it is!

It's got several layers going on for a change -- I glued down my public transit tickets that I used to see my grandfather (and the airline boarding pass), along with what was already there, dry brushed some gesso on it, so that it merged together a bit better, added pretty tape and a bird rub on from my stash.

I should do more pages like this, I think.

The tawny frogmouth owl was really awesome. I need to get the pictures uploaded though...

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can create the "copy and paste" html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Green Paper Swap

2011-08-20T06:31:00.000-07:00

I'm in.

Are you?

Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-08-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

I'm skipping another week of Wednesday's Where's God? That's because I'm winging my way home from home. (Um, winging my way from Australia to the U.S.).

We'll pick it back up next week ... and I'll have two sets of entries to share then!

Birdsong Swap -- Gorgeous tags!

2011-08-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

Finally, I have a chance to show the beautiful package I got from Karla Nathan for the Birdsong Tag Swap.

This is how it came all deliciously packaged....

The detail on these tags are amazing. The one on the left is the back of a tag by Shane Pollard. The one on the right is by Rebecca of lovelinest.org

This is the front of Shane's tag:

This darling 3D piece is by Jane Palmer.

This tag has a bit of glitter and is by Lisa.

By Julie Baxley:

From "tatteredgypsyrose" (and um, it's upside. It has this awesome 3d birds nest at the bottom!

The back of Deborah's tag is above, the front is below. Very cute and vintagey.

And the amazing cover by Karla. I can't believe those birdcage tags are that small! Now that's dedication :)

Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-08-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

Here's this week's Where's God?

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can create the "copy and paste" html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Chatelaine!

2011-08-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

One less excuse to wear skirts to work (as I'm often involved in opening doors, having keys on hand was an issue), plus the iPhone pouch that I made (following these instructions, and then adding eyelets to thread chain through) makes sure my phone doesn't sit in my purse which is locked up all day!

First I collected some chatelaine inspiration on Pinterest (where you will see I had inspiration from Lilla and Dawn of the Feathered Nest!)

I bought the chatelaine pin itself on etsy. It hooks over my skirt waistband and as a smaller hook to dangle other needful things off it.

The cream doily was made by my great-grandmother (yes, well, my mother cut it up first!), there's another doily on the back. Oh and it's 100% handsewn, including tacking on the doilies and lace because I did that after I sewed it all together.

The keys have satin ribbon between them to reduce the annoying jangling and they are attached to a fob watch chain owned by my great-grandfather.

So there you have it, my chatelaine project all done!

Green Paper August Challenge

2011-08-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

This is the latest challenge from Mary Green of Green Paper.

It's rather simple, but I needed a title page for a new journal for a new class I'm taking over at Vanillery Garden.

"Radical Revolution" is totally free: for me it'll be all about the self-confidence to be myself...

Cool Bag Giveaway...

2011-08-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

So here's a neat giveaway. I've been admiring Gypsy Brocante's work from afar...

She's giving lots of chances to win!

Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-08-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

Hey -- I got a comment last week! Although I suspect it's from my Mum, even if it is anonymous. Here's her list.

1. A Tawny Owl in the gum tree by the gate, incredible.
2. a perfect rainbow.
3 pink camellias.
4 the wisdom of Heather,when sometimes overwhelmed.

The last few days have been a bit rough. Am suffering the worst bout of homesickness that I've had for a long time, for reasons I'm not comfortable going into. Just wish I was there, is all.

So, here's the page for the past week.

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can create the "copy and paste" html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Birdsong Tag Swap -- arrived!

2011-07-28T16:46:00.001-07:00

Ok, it'll take me a wee while to process photos etc, so look for a post on them soon! But they is gorgeous! Thank you, Miss Karla!

Wednesday's Where's God...

2011-07-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

I played with decorating the page with Zentangles this week...

Tornadoes turned up again. Go figure. This time as a very good metaphor!

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can create the "copy and paste" html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Birdsong Tag Swap...

2011-07-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

So hopefully Karla should have my tags by now and is putting the tag books together. Here are pictures of what I created....

Because I used bird feathers and they stick out from the edge of the tag, I quickly spritzed a manila folder with two colors of Glimmer Mist and tied the tags onto it to help protect them while they are being shipped.

I took the cardboard outside to dry and when I came back to bring it in. It was gone. I searched all over the yard and then went into complain to my hubby how the wind had blown my folder who knows where.

"Oh," says he, "I thought it blew in from somebody else's yard and so I threw it into the recycling."

*sigh*

There are three unique tags (like the one above), and four the same (below).

The images come from The Graphics Fairy or The Feathered Nest.

I can't wait to see the tags I receive! (Although, of course, I'll have to.)

Wednesday's Where's God...

2011-07-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

A little late, but here we are! If you have come by for Where Bloggers Create, scroll down!

Here's the quote from last week. I put it on the back of the subpage, so you can see the raw edge of the lace. There's was just enough space.... I am thinking the quote needs a little color though.

And here's last week's list. I was inspired by the bit of holy card (that came from Green Paper, I think for one of Mary's monthly challenges, but it may have been from one of her classes) to try some gold leaf, but my leafing pen was not cooperating so it's a bit gunky. Ah well....

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can create the "copy and paste" html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Where Bloggers Create Party!

2011-07-14T21:37:00.000-07:00

My Desert Cottage

Not much has changed in my art room since last year.

I had a substantial to-do list this year and I didn't quite get to all of them. Here's what was on my "to-do" that got t'done:

1) I made pretty labels for my binders:

2) I cleaned out my closet. (There is no before picture: just imagine stacks of boxes, giant plastic containers and the like.)

The closet now holds some stamp storage (off to the side behind the purple velvet dress that's hanging; a chest of drawers packed with fabric (now consolidated into one space except for another drawer in last year's pink chest of drawers); and a sacred space.

The wall has book pages taped onto it. I got the idea and the technique from Aunt Peaches.

Eventually, the small stained glass cross will move and be above the ombry that I have on permanent loan (currently holding my prayer books and a bible), which is a bit of a long story, but basically when I no longer have a use for the ombry, I have to give it back. It smells of rosewood inside, and I think really was an ombry (place where the sacrament is kept).

Anywho, the cross will probably be replaced by the icon I'll be making in August. It's a proper icon writing workshop using ancient techniques and lots of prayer. I'm really looking forward to it.

I made labels out of pretty paper for the boxes so they'd be more pleasing to the eye. (And I'd know what was in them without having to fetch them down.)

The quote is a calligraphy piece by an Order of the Holy Cross monk and is from Micah, and the small image second from the right is this really old saint card -- made of glass and celluloid, I think, that I found at an antique shop in Omaha two years ago. Now I have the right space for it.

The closet also holds my small collection of crosses and rosaries.

The broken closet door is still broken and currently residing on its side in the guest bedroom. I suspect it'll eventually make its way out to the garage, because really, I don't need to hide what's in the closet any more.

I didn't paint the chest of drawers, nor the tall jewelry cabinet that actually holds pens and other bits, nor did I get around to making a table skirt for my desk, but at least I cleaned it up.

I did do a small purge of magazines ... and took care of the stacks of recipes and cooking magazines that were on the floor of this room!

Here's what else is new about the space since last year.

Already blogged about: my "inspiration board" bird cage that I set up for Suzi Blu's La Sirena course. (And I finally have a place to put my iHome with iPod!) To the right, salt and pepper shakers holding various kinds of glitter surround a Mary statue.

The hurricane lamp I was having issues with now lives here:

I was really nervous about putting it in a closet that had loose paper on its walls. Can you blame me?

The other new addition (which was not on my to do list) is this jewelry box: picked up as plain wood at Michaels, which I painted, sponged and stamped French words onto. It now holds the bling where I can see it!

Oh and this is where the moss wreath I made for the High Tea ended up:

Oh hey, remember the curtains I made out of hankies last year? I was having difficulty taking pictures of them because they are rather sheer and the sun comes through them. I finally figured it out. Photograph 'em at night! (Then there's only the flash flare to deal with. Ahem.)

You can also see the shutters on either side: on the left hand is an extension of the La Sirena inspiration, and the right hand side is just cute stuff I've found or received....

I have a whole stack of hankies recently unearthed and so I'm thinking of making an "all white" curtain with embroidery on it. However, I've been thinking this for a while, so don't hold your breath for next year's blog party... ;)

Here are more pics, much the same from last year:

(The blue case is a lot more stuffed than it was last year. I'm trying to use my good stuff, really!)

Finally, some of what I do art-wise has changed, is changing. I am pretty sure that it is all part of finding my artistic voice. But since the class I took from Suzi Blu, I am more confident about drawing and really enjoyed making mixed media paintings. You can see the two paintings I've done so far, in the photos below.

I was part way through Suzi's course when I realized two things. First, this kind of art really gets at what's going on in your subconscious/soul; and second: that I can incorporate my faith into my art (even when they are mermaids. I started a "Wednesday's Where's God" to explore this in art journal format (which has been fairly basic thus far but is creating a good habit).

Thanks for coming to see where this blogger creates! I'll be checking in regularly, so if there are any questions, just holler!

Where's Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-07-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

There's no Wednesday's Where's God this week. I didn't make the time to work on my journal this week, so I'm skipping it and refusing to feel bad about it.

However, if your week wasn't as busy -- feel free to let me know Where God was in your week!

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can create the copy and save the html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Green Paper July Challenge

2011-07-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

So here is my entry for the Green Paper July Challenge. It's called "Longing for Home" given that I placed her on a tissue paper map (reused from a shoe box!)

I didn't think I'd get it done in time! Been a busy week!

Wednesday's Where's God...

2011-07-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

This week was one of the smaller pages in my journal. I think I'm going to write a quote on the back of it from something I read this past week.

There are several hints on this page of the Birdsong Tag Swap too!

So where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can create the copy and save the html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Birdsong Swap -- Tags Done!

2011-07-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

I finished my tags yesterday for the birdsong swap.

I'd give you a sneak peek, but ...

well, you might see something I used on the tags on Wednesday, when I post "Where's God?" but that's all I'm showing until after the deadline of July 15th... :)

Wednesday's Where's God...

2011-06-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

Hey, I got a couple of responses for my Wednesday's "Where's God?" Yay :)

The first, from sweet Karla at Back at Ya Babe shares:

God is in the midst of changes. Bennett turned 6, Trent will be starting a new job, my little girl dressed herself today and I'm clinging to Him when I feel the world is twirling fast around me.

The next is from the lovely Sandy of Aging Disgracefully:

God was busy getting my 21 yr old a job. And He was right here beside me reminding me to look up and not around.

Here's my page for the week:

A little story on #6. Hubby and I went to see X-Men: First Class (mainly because I wanted to as James McAvoy is in it. Ahem.)

During it, I choked on a Skittle. Literally choked. I tried subtly clearing my throat and then realized I wasn't getting any air. So I opened my mouth and drew in this LOUD heaving breath (sounding like someone in the midst of anaphylactic shock) and thank God it cleared. And of course, this happened during possibly the only quiet moment in the movie.

Movie was good (there was more eye candy than Mr. McAvoy!), but I think I'm swearing off Skittles for a while.

And I found myself thanking God big time for my life.

So where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, link to your blog post about it, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. If you are linking, link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can copy and save the html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

The Vintage Bling is in!

2011-06-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

Vintage Bling (picture from Karla)

Yesterday, a little package arrived from Karla of Back At Ya Babe and Lynn of create...breathe...

And inside... oh my....

Some closer looks.

Of course I tried it on...

I definitely cut the chain too long, so I'll be shortening it and getting someone else to take a photo of it. (and if you're wondering, the shirt says "Well-behaved women rarely make history!")

Thanks to my fellow swappers:

Bianca, The Paper Playground
Cassie, For the Art of It
Heather B., My Daily Dose of Crazy
Heather R., Speckled Egg
Hope E., Vintage Whimsy
Karen H., Karen's Monday Musings
Kim B. (no blog)
Mary K. (no blog)
Wanda C., Wanda Mai

Thank you Karla of Back At Ya Babe and Lynn of create...breathe... !!!!

Wednesday's Where's God...

2011-06-21T21:33:00.000-07:00

It seems a bit dull just to put up a list, but at least the background is interesting on this one. Stuck on some thin batting (love the softness!) and stapled on a bit of ribbon.

I wonder if I should put a bit more explanation with these?

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. Link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can copy and save the html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Starting a Journaling Class

2011-06-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

I'm taking another journaling class with Hope Karney called "Three Times the Charm".

If you sign up before it ends on July 31st, you could win her giveaway. Details here. The class starts on Monday.

Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-06-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to another Wednesday's Where's God?

For some reason it was harder to see Him this week, and then when he did show up it was intensely personal, including a major "aha!" moment.

I've been doing battle with whitefly, so it was great to see the hibiscus flower:

Who needs photo textures with colors like that? I played with my new watercolor pencils to do a quick sketch on the page:

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. Link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can copy and save the html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

This started out as a "Help! I'm stuck!" post but...

2011-06-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

So I got this lamp at Goodwill on Saturday. Looks alright doesn't it?

Or does it...

The blasted glass bit will not stick into the candlestick bit for love or money. Am beginning to wonder if there's a part missing actually, because the grippy things are not gripping.

And then after I'd finished taking photos, editing them, writing this blog post and scheduling it to be posted in the morning, I figured it out. The grippy bits go inside!

So you got a tiny wee sneak peek at the art room closet...

So far the progress is:

cleaned out closet
moved in chest of drawers which now contains fabric with *gasp* room for more!
started on a shrine space
99% done with recipe file and tossed out a ton of cooking magazines

Still need to finish the shrine space, paint a jewelry box, fix the broken closet door, and do pretty labels. I decided not to paint anything, and the table skirt is a tad ambitious given the time I have -- plus I signed up for Karla's Birdsong tag swap, so I need to get going on those 7 tags.

But I still need advice: bleaching a bright orange linen shirt with pretty embroidery... any tips? Soak in bleach and then handwash?

Wednesday's Where's God?

2011-06-07T22:43:00.000-07:00

Here is the cover of the journal I have started keeping (editing to add that as mentioned in an earlier post this is based on a class I took with Rebecca Sower at Silver Bella):

and some details.

Here's a scan of the inside. with a prayer of intention in the center:

the first page, is a mini page that states the goals of the journal:

and the first page of observations:

Where was God in your week?

Comment below with your own list, perhaps a photograph you took that illustrates it (a picture is worth a thousand words), or art illustrating your gratitude! (If I get enough folks participating, I'll start using a link party tool.)

A couple of rules:
1. Link to the specific post, not the main page of your blog.
2. Please, no links to online shops -- stay on topic!

Feel free to post the blog button!

(Incidentally, I can't figure out how you can copy and save the html code to link back. If anyone knows how, please let me know!)

I will share my favorites next Wednesday, in the meantime, check back to see who has posted and enjoy discovering God in each other's lives!

Oh my, the Where Bloggers Create Party has a lot to answer for...

2011-06-03T07:49:00.001-07:00

which is a very long title in which to say: yesterday afternoon after work, I reorganized the garage (look! if I stack this and this I get an empty shelf!) and moved three giant plastic containers living in my art room closet out to the garage (by pushing them along the floor -- they were heavy!).

My art room looks like a fabric bomb went off - which is to say I discovered more fabric in the cleaning out. And of course I forgot to take a before photo! But I figured out how it's gonna go together, so am pretty excited about getting it done tonight/tomorrow.

But I need to remember to balance this with yard work!

Where Bloggers Create party...

2011-06-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

So there's a party coming up, eh?

My Desert Cottage
I thought well, not much has changed in my space since last year, except it's gotten a great deal messier!

Oh and the door to my closet has fallen off. Hmpf.

So judging from last year, my to do list was:

paint brown card file to fit in (naaaahhhh...)
clean out closet (a definite. Maybe even this weekend.)
sew up vertical seams in hanky curtains (naaahhhh...)
make pretty labels for my binders (I can do that!)

So of the two things from last year that I've decided to do, I'm considering:

since I've started following Miss Mustard Seed, I've been wondering: should I paint this cabinet? Everything else in the room is blond wood or painted white or pink (except the table of course, but you never get to see the surface of that!). The only problem is, I wouldn't know where to start (I'm sure she has a tutorial on it though, right?).
A table skirt for my work table? Did Claudia of Mockingbird Cottage ever post that tutorial?
Fabric. Or if you prefer, imagine the priest from The Princess Bride: Fabbwic. Fabbwic is evwywahr.
It's gone from one drawer to another drawer in the guest bedroom (oh dear) to a pile on my art room floor. Hmm, wonder if I could wrangle in one of the small side drawers into this bedroom? Maybe if I clean out the closet .... and would I have to paint it too then?
oh yeah, and fix the broken closet door. The spring has sprung.

And while I'm at it, I can take care of the "recipe file" epic project that is in two piles on my art room floor, and the "dream garden" binder too (which isn't even in this space, but hey, while I'm organizing.

And it probably wouldn't hurt to do an actual purge of stuff. I've already done the magazines because I needed room for my Somerset mags.

And you know what? I've always wanted to make a shrine. Some place to pray besides on the couch upstairs. If I keep my art room neat, I bet I could turn a corner of it into a worship space...

Last week, I became an associate...

2011-06-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

That is, an Associate of Holy Cross.

It's been oddly difficult to write about this. I think because I want to "save" it for my church's blog, but also because I'm still processing what has proved to be one heck of a watershed week as part of my spiritual journey.

The Order of the Holy Cross are Episcopal monks who live by the Rule of St. Benedict in addition to their own unique Rule. They're a good bunch of guys. You might remember last year, I spent time at their guesthouses up in Santa Barbara and over in West Park, NY. I wanted to be sure that Mt. Calvary (the name for their house in Santa Barbara) wasn't a fluke.

As an associate of the order, I support them in prayer and in action (such as financially) and also live by a Rule of Life based on the guidelines they offer. If there's interest, I can talk more about that, but it wasn't as onerous as it sounds. As I went through it, I found that I was already doing a lot of it, but had a couple of things to challenge me. (And FYI, I've only managed to achieve one of those two things with any regularity in the last 8 months, so I'm still working on the other one.)

So here I am, an Associate of Holy Cross, continuing to journey in the way of Christ.

Which brings me to my next thought:

How would you feel about a Wednesday "Where's God?" link party? (Assuming I can figure out this link party thing.) During the last week, I found myself noticing God in lots of things: from the sun hitting the peaks of the Santa Barbara hills, to the synchronicity of a prayer answering a question, and other little ways.

So I've started a journal (based on the class I took with Rebecca Sower at Silver Bella '09), which when I'm done adding pages I will show you this weekend.

Each page will be a week's worth of finding God moments (and I hope to include doodles and images and what not on each page as well) ... so each Wednesday, I'll share with you the previous week's page (if nothing else this might improve my photography!) and invite you to share your experiences.

Whaddya think?

Young Victoria bracelet

2011-05-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

Along with making other bracelets for those who joined me in this altered book page swap, I was going to make one for myself. Well, it took a year, but I finally sat down and did so.

It's a little simpler: what looks like a lot of beading is actually a piece of beaded ribbon, but because of the pearls I couldn't fit any bling on :)

There are other projects that need to be completed too, need to work on that.

Working on a swap...

2011-05-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

In between clearing the fallen "not-ginger-but-sure-looks-like-it" branches and other yard work, I've been gluing bails to vintage rhinestone pieces for this swap:

(editing to add the image is from Karla's blog)

Hoping to mail this off on Monday. Am hoping the E6000 cures so I can do so (and that I've done this gluing on of bails thing correctly.

Mermaid painting

2011-05-20T05:56:00.000-07:00

It's been a couple of weeks since I finished this painting, but my first chance to post about.

This is part of the La Sirena class -- well, the techniques I learned are, and the slightly more mature face of my mermaid is Suzi Blu's template. (I finally got the hang of drawing the nose, I think.)

Here she is, almost finished.

Suzi said the lines radiating out through her hair were too dark, and she's right. The gel I used to seal had darkened the gold leaf.

Some more close up images of the final painting.

Ok, confession, I did actually go back after I took these photos and add some blue water-soluble wax crayons onto the green seaweed to help them meld better with the background.

The title of the painting:

Final version (sans some blue crayon!)

See how it's shiny?

This means I'm up to the last painting. Which means learning how to draw 3/4 faces, block out a giant painting's structure and then paint the darn thing... I know exactly what I want to do, but first... back to faces....

Mother's Day gifts

2011-05-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

So now it is over a week since Mother's Day, but I've simply been too busy to sit in front of a computer and edit photos and compose a post. Well, I got as far as editing the photos. I spent the past week rehearsing and practicing for last Sunday -- where for the first time, I sang with the praise band as lead.

Yeah, it's one of those "No #$^#, there I was..." I was really nervous to start with, and it wasn't until after our offertory anthem (the only non-congregational piece, and half-way through) that I relaxed. Even though I kept telling myself it wasn't about me, it was about God... Oh my, I think I have to blog about this for my church's yet-to-be-launched blog. Hmm.

Ok, alright, here's the Mother's Day pictures. Mum had oohed and ahhed over the Texas Silver Bellas mum corsages in '09, so I thought I would make her her very own. I mostly winged it based on homecoming mum corsage instructions online.

And then Dan saw what I was doing and said his mom would like one ... Hers is a little smaller because I took the opportunity to play with these award pieces that Michael's was selling. I still used a silk flower for the center and added around the outside.

I also successfully managed to staple my thumb.

Because these are all lovely whites and creams, I'm joining in White Wednesday today!

A Vision for High Tea...

2011-05-16T18:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, so now that Blogger has stopped doing its maintenance thing, or whatever glitch it was, and now that I actually have time to type.... I thought I'd start with the most recent event and then backtrack to posts that have been waiting in draft mode.

So over a month ago, I posted about planning for a high tea. To be precise, my table that I was hostess for. (Hmm, that was a poorly worded sentence.) I took the inspiration from the Spring issue of Victoria magazine (April 2011, I think?), of their woodland table setting.

And here's what I came up with.

The ferns were gifts for those who sat at my table.

I made the wreath based on Miss Mustard Seed's tutorial on HGTV. (I should have used more glue, it got bumped around during the break-down part and I have to reglue some moss --- although it looks kinda shabby-distressed...

I got the bird's nest chargers from Pottery Barn and they were my biggest expense, by far. I had the grape wreath on hand, the moss (although I got some mood moss at Pottery Barn too). The little bird's nests were on sale at PB, and I got the tiny blue eggs from Speckled Egg (I think).

And yes, I mixed up 3.25 sets of china. (I only have 3 pieces of one pattern.)

My favorite comment was that it was like a Japanese forest, which my Mori-girl-self greatly appreciated.
(Teapot a long ago Ebay buy.)

There are some notes for next time -- like a bigger lace tablecloth -- and to bring a car-vacuum to suck up all the moss bits when I cut the sheet moss and it shed everywhere. Or who knows? Maybe I'll go for straight elegance next time....

Or take the advice of the little girl who was helping set up and make an igloo out of sugar cubes ... or a tropical forest setting... we shall see!

Because Suzi Says So

2011-04-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

I think my painting is done.

I think.

Stay tuned because I may change my mind about this tomorrow.

In the meantime, Suzi Blu (whose mixed media painting class I am taking) is having a giveaway.

I'm an artist! Suzi says so!

Amen and Alleluia!

I haven't posted for over a week...

2011-04-24T13:17:00.001-07:00

And I've been a bit neglectful. I was lucky enough to win Mary Green's prize last month for her March challenge. I had my choice of an item from her store, and I picked this one from a French dictionary.

I've been busy: planning my table for the May high tea at church, Holy Week, Holy Week, Holy Week, Easter -- not just as part of my job at church but as a choir member -- and somehow found time to almost finish the current mermaid painting. I don't think she's done yet though. So you'll have to wait to see it.

I've even found time to sign up for a swap! The Vintage Bling Necklace Swap.

There are still spots open if you'd like to sign up!

What I haven't found is time to post. Hopefully now that Jesus has been let loose in the world (He is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!), I'll have a little more time to do more than read other people's blogs!

Psst...

2011-04-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted much in the last couple of weeks. This can be simply explained by the fact we're heading toward Easter, and church/work has been all about that.

I've been taking pictures (what are living on my camera and iPhone), but I can't share a certain set of them until after Mother's Day (or if Mum tears into her present early even though it is expressly stated that she is NOT to on the outside of the box)...

I've tinkered with my mermaid painting ... and hopefully today, after I do a little more housecleaning, I might be able to add some glitter and mica to it :)

Sampler framed

2011-04-05T05:52:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share a picture of Mum's sampler that I got framed recently (40% off coupon at Aaron Bros.) It's in a shadowy spot, so the photo wasn't quite true to color, and a flash would just shine off the glass....

I'd like to find a better spot for it, but at least here I can get up close and look at it without having to crawl over furniture :)

Planning a High Tea

2011-04-01T05:48:00.000-07:00

Actually, all I have to do is decorate a table, complete with place settings.

So I had a vague memory of Miss Lynn of Create...Breathe putting together a folder for Silver Bella and went in search of it.

Here's my version:

Cut up a doily and some vellum for pockets....

I used paper that I loved so much that I didn't want to use it. Mainly Basic Grey, but the below pattern isn't theirs, I think. I didn't want anything to cover it, so I left it as it is. The green ribbon was also something I've been hoarding. The envelope on the left holds my backup plan (plan b) and I need to write a tea quote next to the teacup at the top of that page.

And a ledger page to write memories of the event down after it happens....

I've had to hide a page because a few people from church might stumble across this blog before the big day.... and it illustrates what I plan to do (especially after I link to it from Facebook). Well, at least plan A. I also have a plan B.

Lesson learned: cut paper to size of each panel instead of trying to fold it around the manila folder folds. I have some gaps. This is also the project that I ran out of double-sided tape... and had to wait until I could get to a store to buy more.

Pay It Forward gift!

2011-03-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

So I signed on for "Pay It Forward" and TinyBear's thank you arrived in the mail last week:

It is the most beautiful felted heart! Thank you!!!

Now about this Pay it Forward thing. I have to "pass it on" but nobody's signed on yet! Follow this link to do so.

My lovely heart is now hanging on my inspiration board (aka the always-open shutters)...

Wisteria...

2011-03-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

I love wisteria. Loved it since the flowers covered an arbor at university and dropped into our food. Love them. So when our house came with a wisteria, what a bonus that was.

Until it didn't flower.

And then gave us one flower.

And didn't flower again.

And then we got a few more.

Each year, the results were pretty pitiful. Last year wasn't too bad, but this year. Take a look! This is the wisteria two weeks ago....

And this is the wisteria last week!

It's loaded with blossoms!!

Welcome, Spring!

Delicate beauty...

2011-03-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

I had shared with a friend my love of things old and pretty... While I was at her place for an Oscars party (yes, it's taken me a while to get around to posting about it), she brought out this:

(although the ancient, beautiful hanger is mine--a family heirloom if you can say such things of clothes hangers!)

I'm guessing its circa 1930's/40's given the little gusset that you can't see in the bottom and the hand stitching. My friend couldn't remember the story that went with it. It's kind of like a one piece. I've no idea of its worth, but currently the idea of chopping it up for art is making me recoil.

With this and the christening dress, I may have to start a wall of clothing shadow boxes. But you need at least three for pleasing harmony, right? Hmmmmm.....

[Oh, I know, it's St. Patty's Day. Can we just agree that I'm a Miss Opposite and so have posted something peach-colored instead of today's ubiquitous green? (I am wearing green though!)]

Second La Sirena painting...

2011-03-14T06:14:00.000-07:00

It's in progress, am happy to say. I drew and colored a face I liked, put it onto big canvas and sketched it in, not in great detail, and put down the first background layers which I think is really spooky cool, although the top half of the painting is a bit flat. The sheen is from where I went mad with Glimmer Mists :)

I've since added some stenciling in since the above photo, and I think I'm about ready to start painting the mermaid (you can probably barely make out the sketch through the paint). Am a bit worried I haven't got the proportions right, so it's off to Miss Suzi Blu (as this is part of her class, although I'm not following her painting exactly with this one) to see if its okay or if it needs more tweaking.

Mori Cupcake journal

2011-03-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

The next to last project we did in the Mori Cupcake class (which I miss already) was to put together a journal. Mine's not finished yet, but I thought I'd share the cover and a few pages.

I made the cover from a David Austin Roses catalog...

I brilliantly managed to stitch in one signature upside down (and also used too thick cord to do the binding), but I kinda like the haphazard rusticness of it.

The spread below has a page added by using rings, because it was a pretty card I'd been hoarding and always wanted to use. But here's the other side of it. The Red Riding Hood image is a creation of my Mori Cupcake teacher, Natalie Neumann (so all credit is to her!), to be included in an altered clothing project (confession: still haven't made it), and I added it here on top of some experimenting I did with alcohol inks for the La Sirena class!

Below is the first spread I did with fabric, using a left over piece from my embroidery sampler and images from the net of the Mori Girl style. I like how restful this feels. (You can see part of the too big cord here as well.)

There are a ton of pages, a lot of which I need to finish off, and I have a few more waiting for just the right spot to be included!

Pay It Forward

2011-03-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this out there on the blogosphere? Pay It Forward 2011.

The only thing is: I am not sure where it started! I saw it on Tiny Bear's "From a Danish Bearmaker's Studio" blog and I checked out where she got it from and well, it seems like an infinite journey back, which is how it should be!

So here's how it works....

The first five (5) people who comment on this blog post will get a handmade gift from me.

In return, though, you must do two things:

write a blog post that explains Pay It Forward 2011.
spread the love and send handmade gifts to your first five commenters!

"It's not the size of the item that matters,
but the spirit
of paying it forward."

OK, there's a third thing -- the first 5 folks will need to be contactable in some way so I can get mailing info and the like, or use my "About Me" blog page to reach me. My goal is to get those handmade gifts out, um, by the end of the year. God willing, before summer's over! I'll keep y'all updated.

Green Paper March challenge

2011-03-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

I did a simple gluebook page for the Green Paper challenge this month.

I spent the rest of the day working on the journal prompts from the Artful Pages class.

My plan was to do garden prep (actually, my plan was to go visiting but my plan before the visiting plan was to do garden prep), but I managed to break a braces wire (I have an invisible retainer-thingy) while biting down on my last bite of my "everything" bagel thins for breakfast this morning, so I had to try and get it fixed (not until hopefully on Monday), and the I figured, what the hey, lets do art for the day (and laundry).

Right now I have dental braces wax back there because the wire's annoying. Don't know why they insist on making it mint-flavored though. Bleaugh.

And it melts when you eat hot soup. (ick) Yep, I'm on a small bites diet: soup, smoothies and by golly, I managed to eat Tim Tams by using the side of my mouth to bite them. Where there's a will, there's a way!

Doily Vest

2011-02-28T05:27:00.000-08:00

Inspired by Chantal Johnson's "Pieces from the Past" vest in a recent issue of Belle Armoire (or was it Altered Couture? I get the two mixed up and I didn't write it down). And then Jill of Gypsy Brocante came out with these gorgeous pieces and when I showed that blog post to Mum while I was in Australia, she decided we should take a stab at it.

Here's the work-in-progress. It consisted of Mum holding up doilies (mostly made by my great-grandmother), my approving and she pinning them onto the tank top.

I think it needs a little reworking, especially at the back. And I need to tea-dye that white doily.

And that's a peek at an item on my to-do list....

Baby, sweet baby

2011-02-26T05:43:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate to win one of Sandy Babb of Quill Cottage's prizes.

I open up the little box and see this:

You know how you get a two year old the best Christmas gift ever, and all they rave about is the packaging?

Aren't they just adorable?

Oh, okay so do you want to see my darling prize?

The box is so sweet ....

but inside...

sooo pretty. Oh, what was inside the box?

This looks really complicated to make and done with such attention to detail!

There was also this wintry tag.

Thanks Miss Sandy!

Thanks, Ralph

2011-02-24T05:55:00.000-08:00

This was a beautiful post yesterday:

Carol Wingert writes "Be Yourself". Go read it, it's really affirming.

I wanted to save this quote, though, to use in my journaling some time.

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Psalm 139

2011-02-22T06:14:00.000-08:00

I've read Psalm 139 a bunch of times. It's in the Compline service in the "Lauds and Vespers" book that the monks at Mt. Calvary use. But last week, these verses leapt out at me.

¹¹If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

The psalm might be familiar to you, if you read the beginning:

¹ O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways....

I was reading it for Thursday Vespers in the "Benedictine Daily Prayer: A Short Breviary" book that I'm currently using to pray with. [Woah! Amazon says its out of print!] Last week had been particularly tough, not just deadlines, but some other stuff as well, that I don't want to go into. The whole Vespers was exactly what I needed to hear from God right then and there.

But back to Psalm 139. This is the translation in "Benedictine Daily Prayer":

If I say: "Let the darkness hide me,
and the light around me be night,"
even darkness is not dark for you
and the night is as clear as the day.

My eyes opened. If I make darkness my choice, if I choose to turn away from God, not to see Him at work or acknowledge Him -- He's still there, shining as brightly as ever, burning away the darkness, as if I hadn't chosen to turn away at all. Still loving and caring for me.

Sometimes, I'm just gobsmacked at how immense and powerful God is, beyond comprehension. This was one of those "a-ha" moments.

Thanks, God. :)

Yesterday, I was Featured Friday

2011-02-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

I was a featured artist at the Vanillery Garden blog yesterday.

I answered questions that Natalie had sent out and then she went through my blog and added pictures! (I was supposed to send her pictures too, but I forgot and she very graciously, with all her deadlines, dug them out.)

It strikes me that I do not, as yet, have a particular style. But take a look at the pictures, if not to read the interview and let me know what you think.

Artful Pages class: have you signed up?

2011-02-18T07:42:00.000-08:00

I first heard about this class while I was away in Australia. I've taken classes from Hope Wallace Karney and Mary Green before, and I think Lisa McIlvain taught in Mary's "Garden Party" (I think it was called) combo workshops last year, so I'm very excited to learn more from each of these gals and discover a new (to me) teacher: Lenna Young Andrews!

Class starts February 20, so it's not too late to sign up too!

I still have classes ongoing: Natalie Neumann's "Mori Cupcake" is wrapping up soon (sooner than I'd like, it's been a wonderful, affirmative community), and Suzi Blu's "La Sirena" class remains open until May -- which is good because I have about three paintings I still need to complete. Am working on the face for the next painting, which I have sketched out the layout.

Aussie Goodies...

2011-02-15T05:38:00.000-08:00

The weight loss plan kinda went out the window while I was on vacation (surprise, surprise). But can you blame me? Look at this delicious vanilla slice:

I bought a couple of cookbooks so that I could make this, and my other favorite, the super-rich chocolate caramel slice. I thought maybe I would cook something from the Biscuit & Slice Bible every other week or so.

I need to find a substitute for dessicated coconut though, which is a frequent ingredient in these, partly because its hard to find in the U.S., and partly because my husband's allergic to coconut flesh. Any ideas?

(Edit: I found my answer. Rolled oats is apparently the most common substitute for it. So I can go ahead with those recipes. But perhaps not for a week or so...)

Pretty things

2011-02-13T05:49:00.000-08:00

My mum doesn't have a blog but I had to share this beautiful arrangement of pastel Christmas ornaments on her coffee table. Isn't it lovely?

She said that they were too pretty to put away after Christmas.

My first White Wednesday...

2011-02-08T23:10:00.000-08:00

Although it isn't really white. Kind of more of a yellowy ivory.

It's my christening gown, and mum gave it to me on my last trip home and it made it safely back in the checked luggage!

It was originally my Mum's wedding dress and she cut it down for my christening gown. Actually, I'm not sure that either of my brothers wore it. Don't think my youngest did. (Perhaps Mum can pipe up here...)

I am not sure what to do with it. It took no time at all to hang out the creases from packing it. I don't want to keep it tucked away in a closet. The color of it has already darkened from ivory (the color of the flower embroidery) and so I don't want the sun to damage it even more... (I like how its aged though...) so hanging it up where it gets sun isn't an option either....

Ideas?

Oh and this is my first White Wednesday, hosted by Kathleen of Faded Charm.

The Great Ocean Road

2011-02-08T05:39:00.000-08:00

So I'm not going to bore you with a lot of holiday snaps, so here are just a couple. I took a ton of pictures to use as color inspiration for the mermaid paintings as part of the La Sirena class. The different colors of the ocean were so varied and beautiful.

This would've been a really good picture if I'd taken my hat off.

I stepped to the end of the path at Lord Ard Gorge and saw this and bounced. This is the shot used to show the pirate ship anchoring off the coast in "The Pirate Movie". I saw that movie over 16 times when it came out on video when I was a teen. Not sure how it would stack up as an adult but I can still sing most of the songs :)

I'm back from Australia!

2011-02-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

I scheduled a few posts while I'm gone, but it may take a little while to get caught up on comments and your blogs. I hear it's been pretty darn cold in a lot of the U.S. I guess that means those of you caught in the big freeze would think that 107 deg Fahrenheit weather would be nice!

But 4 days of it was not so much fun. Especially when it didn't cool off at night and all we had in the bedroom was a ceiling fan! (Thank goodness Mum's lounge room had air.)

A bigger update a little later ... meanwhile, what have y'all been up to?

First La Sirena painting done

2011-02-04T05:42:00.000-08:00

I learned one really shouldn't spill glitter onto melted wax.

Also used mica flakes in her halo:

Also, I need to learn how to take photos of paintings. Only the tail pic turned out good. That, or I need to start using a different camera.

Glimpse of art

2011-02-02T05:23:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning up the guest bathroom, saw this and had to take a picture:

sampler

2011-01-25T01:21:00.000-08:00

So this is the sampler I made for my Mum for Christmas. Thankfully, I had an extra few weeks before seeing her.

So it started out as a review of my year (one thing of each month), and then I found this cute owl on etsy by Michelle Palmer, and bought this cute stitching template of a turtle by Charlotte Lyons (funds raised to help Gulf wildlife), and acute mini fabric collage by Pam Garrison.

I got things back on the rails, though, and then filled the gaps with flowers and stars....

My "suzi blu" La Sirena mermaid. (I took this before I was finished, so her mouth isn't there.)

A lace scrap to symbolize my mori girl interest:

From my November vacation:

Charlotte's turtle:

V is for the Young Victoria project from the start of last year.

One last look at #reverb10

2011-01-20T06:21:00.000-08:00

One of the prompts was to share a favorite photo. I chose the top one of this strip from Photobooth (a cool iPhone app that Hope turned me onto!).

Just a bit of silliness.

a couple of vintage finds...

2011-01-16T05:57:00.000-08:00

Mary medals (and a brooch from Karla Nathan's shop).

These would be perfect strung with some twisted and knotted seam binding, wouldn't they?

La Sirena progress...

2011-01-11T05:02:00.000-08:00

This is taking much longer than I planned.

I posted the background earlier.

This is my colored in sketch of my mermaid, using one of Suzi's templates:

And this is where she was at as of Saturday morning...

I tinkered some more Sunday after church ... hopefully I will be able to show you the finished painting soon....

To the Rescue!

2011-01-07T03:19:00.000-08:00

Last week, my planned workday went to h*** in a handbasket (hey, I work in a church, remember?). The priest's vesting room stunk to high heaven of mold/mildew from the recent downpours, the carpet had been soaked in one place, and my hubby recommended we get the vestments outta there before the mold/mildew spores transferred as we knew the smell was coming from somewhere.

So we start hauling out vestments and transferring them to a couple of other closets....they were dry and untouched (and not smelly, apparently I have a nose for it) ....

But found that we had a pile of mildewy clothes on the floor of one of the closets, and the wet had wicked up from these.... Alas, two gorgeous black wool cassocks were completely ruined with mildew up to the knees. I have a bad feeling that can't have occurred in just the last couple of weeks and that this has been an undiagnosed problem...

Fortunately, the vestments currently in use were spared and weren't even damp, but there were some old red child-sized choir robes (that hadn't been used in 15-20 years) and a few Christmas pageant (we think) costumes. We didn't look too closely as most of them were the items on the floor, except for 3 pieces that were still hanging.

One of the mystery items was a floor-length under-petticoat which had gathered ivory lace starting at the knees. It came with this absurd pink satin and lace giant bow, so I suspect someone, sometime, had been an adult-sized Little Bo Peep. Or something.

As it's without the rest of its costume and we didn't otherwise have a use for it at church, I've taken it home, had it washed, and hung in the downstairs bathroom for "observation". I waited until after the second rain storm to do another check of it, and as it smells okay and there's no "bloom", I've just gained myself an underskirt to wear with some of my shorter skirts, like the dirndl underskirt I bought in Munich.

#reverb10 finished; goals set

2011-01-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

I wasn't planning to share any pages from the #reverb series, but I thought I would share a couple that I don't mind, well, sharing! I filled up this entire notebook, mainly because I chose to glue pages together to prevent leak-through. The cool this is there are 2-3 more in this set that I can use in upcoming years for the same/similar purpose.

I don't remember which two days these were. I decided not to date them as I went. I'm sharing this one because of the right-hand side page. That, my friends, is what the salt and pepper comes in when you fly United. So it's this cool little double-sided window! (great for a subpage, but I didn't think that one ahead)

I kept it pretty simple. It was more important to me to respond honestly to the prompts (ok, am not sure about the jumping jacks part below) than to go all out with prettiness. But the Pitt artist pens did the job pretty well, I think.

I still have one page left of the #reverb10 to finish, and that's the photo prompt. I'm planning to use a pic I took using the Photobooth app on my iPhone which is most awesome (the app, and the pic!). Just have to print it out!

At the end I listed my art goals and my faith goals for 2011. But I didn't scan those pages in, so here they are:

Art Goals for 2011:

Finish all the "La Sirena" paintings. Even the massive one.
Alter and create clothes, mori-style
Tackle Madonna Montage wall-hanging
Define my artistic style
Devise an art series that shares hope/faith/love.

(They are probably all hairy audacious goals, but #5 would be quite the accomplishment if I got there.)

Faith Goals for 2011:

Find time to be in silence with God and make it a new habit. (I've only been trying, and failing, to do this since June!)
Go on retreat to St. Mary's at least twice...

Art and...

2011-01-03T06:24:00.000-08:00

So for various reasons, I had put off making a sincere start on my first "La Sirena" painting for Suzi Blu's La Petit Academy class (which was supposed to end December 31, but we all got an extension!). Last weekend, I really got started.

I drew and colored in my mermaid, sent her off to Suzi for a critique ... and then started on the background. The pictures are a bit blurry because it was a race between me and the dying camera battery....

Spraying paint christened the easel well and truly....

Oh, I also managed to spray my iPhone which was sitting to the far left of the easel. Really fine spray, so I'm going to have to be a little more careful next time. Don't worry, it survived.

So that was the weekend of Christmas' work. This weekend just gone, I've added my mermaid and done some more painting, and the goal today is to fix the fix from Saturday (my shadows were a wee bit too red, so I managed to use acrylic glazing medium to blend it more and take some off, unfortunately, off means "back to the wood" in a couple of places. I like it, but I did it a little too much and want to restore some color.) Anywho.

As well as add more layers, plus some dimension to the painting and figure out what to do with her bodice area as that's the most incomplete looking part of the painting thus far. And maybe mess with the tail some more....

This is fun!

Grace and Truth

2010-12-29T00:55:00.000-08:00

This was a little something I made to send off to Jodie of everything vintage. This blog post has been on hold until I saw she got it and opened it. And then I had to get around to remembering to post it :)

Yes, it's that Lillian Russell image from Mary of Green Paper again. My first attempt at making something for Jodie became this (and ended up as a gift for my sister-in-law for Christmas) and I decided those weren't really her colors, so I tried again.

I played with a bunch of different titles but eventually came up with "Grace and Truth". I spent over an hour auditioning various pieces: buttons, pearls and what have you -- so much fun!

It's also the first piece I've made that I've signed. (Admittedly on the back). Jodie, I hope you liked it!

Want to play?

2010-12-27T05:55:00.000-08:00

I am inspired by Schloss Neuschwanstein.

King Ludwig II used the castle to escape to a place where he could dream of being the absolute monarch he always wanted to be (it was a constitutional monarchy by this point). He did this by having a series of meditations or reminders in each room about purity: being pure enough to be worthy or acceptable to God. His ideal was the swan knight or Lohengrin.

Here's a detail of a painting from an old hand-colored postcard (found on Wikimedia Commons):

Other examples of the paintings are here at the castle's official website. (Take the tour and see more) Here's one with a closeup of one of the wall paintings. Scroll down 5 images for a detail of the throne room -- look at the borders and the floor!

If you have ever visited Neuschwanstein you know that none of those photos even come close to do it justice, to seeing it up close. If you haven't, I hope you understand what I'm getting at.

Leanne, what's your point?

I'd like to do an altered book with some of you. Ludwig used beautiful images to inspire him and affirm what he longed to be. How about each of us either look at what we think keeps us from God (you know, even though we might intellectually know that nothing does), or perhaps a long-held aspiration, an impossible dream even, and make that the theme of our book.

As we pass it around we create a beautiful, detailed spread, that is not busy, but calming, and inspires us to reach for the impossible--or what has always been in our grasp if we'd just had eyes to see it right there.

My initial suggestion is that we do a two page spread (facing pages) using the Romantic imagery of the courtly medieval era. There are plenty of Victorian era (and earlier) paintings to inspire us. The pages would be of an ornate quality, a place to put a hidden (optional) meditation on what you feel is a barrier between you and God (or your impossible dream), using the image as a basis for that meditation. So not only do you receive the artist's hope for you in achieving the dream or removing obstacles to God, but you have a place to respond to it.

Also, Ludwig II had a liet-motif (ok, he had a few): an image that repeats again and again in the art and sculpture of this castle. For him it was the swan. What would be yours?

One more rule: I must either know you through actually meeting you, hanging out with you in the blogging world, or such a friend vouches for you because they want you to play too.

(another Wikimedia Commons image: this from the Library of Congress. Isn't it pretty?)

Who is in? Am planning to start this in earnest at the beginning of February, so we have the month of January to find a book and our particular theme.