Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Because

I need to hear it each and every day


...


My soul, why do you not at rest? 
Do you not know the storm that tosses you is more treacherous than the one you fear?
Oh, treacherous soul! That will not rest when you are eternally safe
That tempts me to believe the lies you whisper.
Your standing is firm and you cry, “quicksand!”
You are loved eternally yet you cry, “unloved!”
You are stubborn, you are blind, and worst yet
You do no believe your savior loves you.
And best yet,
He loves you steadfastly still.
May your cry of “quicksand” be deafened by his louder cry of “I uphold you with my righteous right hand!”
May your cry of “unloved!” be drowned by his louder cry of “loved eternally”
And when you do not believe, touch his scars you earned and know that he is good.
My soul, oh my soul, why are you at turmoil with in me?
Do you not know, you have a righteous Savior who sought you when you were lost
And saved you when you were dead. 
Nevermore to sink in the mire of this world
Nevermore to be despised
His love has cured your disease
Now trust that he is good.
He died to posses you.
He died to love you.
That is how good he is. 
Oh my soul, stand in awe of your God
And rest in him.


...


Saturday, September 26, 2009

center of gravity


I borrowed this lovejoy from the library yesterday (i love the library). It is a translated japanese craft book and it has the most lovely crochet projects. After I figured out how to read the diagrams (and had a few trials and errors) I managed to complete this wonderful pincushion:











It feels good to have started and completed something (in the same day). I am hoping the cuteness of this pin cushion will be the extra push I need to learn how to sew for real. Then I will actually be able to use it. 


I hope your weekend is well. And I hope you are well. Aswell.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

the moral of lines

I was thinking just now about coloring books and how coloring books are so much fun. And I wished I had a really lovely coloring book... you know, for those often times of no inspiration? Well, I looked on amazon (because if it isn't on amazon it probably doesn't exist) and found some lovely coloring books. 


 
Between the Lines
by Sol Lewitt, R. Crumb, and Alexis Rockman

 
Art Masterpieces to Color
by Dover

 
Mexican Folk Art
by Marty Noble

 
Paisley Designs Coloring Book
By Marty Noble

 
A Kaleidoscopia Coloring Book: Abstract Adventure II
by Kendall Bohn

 
Trolls, Elves, and Fairies
by Jan Sovak

 
Victorian Fashions
by Tom Tierney

 
The Victorian House Coloring Book
by Daniel Lewis and Kristin Helberg

 
Forest Animals
by Dianne Gaspas

 
Garden Flowers Coloring Book
by Stefen Bernath

 
Fifty Favorite Birds
by Lisa Bonforte


Now I want to go fly in an airplane and take all of these coloring books with me.

Friday, September 18, 2009

fry fry a hen

Today I decided to try my hand at sewing. Turns out, I hasn't gotten any better since the last time I tried. Oh well. I suppose I must start somewhere. Here is my largely unfortunate yet humbly optimistic flower that seems to say "I'm not much, but at least I'm something." It makes me want to keep trying.
















The "have a little faith in me" lyrics are playing through my head now. Is that weird?

Thursday, September 17, 2009

"you look like you very care"

It has been a short break from the blog, but I am back for a brief post to share with you the latest addition to my portfolio. An elephant parade (drawed for Allison because she does like elephants so very much). All the elephants of a little girl's summery imaginary, each so festive in its own way. To me this is a final taste of the summer days that are so quickly fading into a wonderful fall. I pray that autumn brings with it many new ideas to explore.



goodnight

Monday, September 7, 2009

playdough picnic


Happy Labor day everyone (and by everyone I mean the few people who actually read my blog ^_^). Hope your day has been well. Mine has been.



It began as a struggle. As soon as I woke up my hard heart resented my mom's suggestion to spend some special time with my sister. It was clear proof (if any was needed) that my heart, when left to itself, does not want to love anyone but myself. However, in the midst of struggle, God showed me my heart and then showed me Christ's heart, which never once resented me but in fact died to rescue my cold, hard heart from itself and give me the power to love my sister - even when it  felt impossible. And bless the name of my risen savior whom I asked to give me strength to love my sister, and he did. That blessed my soul today more than almost anything else.


Therefore, with a picture of the cross etched in my mind and the power of the cross etched on my heart, I had a playdough picnic with Madison. It was great fun. 


Menu
Cheeseburgers
Spaghetti Squash
Grapes
Pickles
Cookies
Cupcakes
Orange Soda
Strawberry Yogurt


God is good.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

coconut ice cream

It was a weekend of birthdays. Namely my mother's. Let me tell you, spreading out your birthday over the course of a weekend is the way to do it. Friday night - Granddad visiting from texas and dinner at Grandmother's house. Saturday - lunch at a really cool place called stone brewery and birthday shopping. Sunday afternoon (the "grand finale") - opening presents from the kids and eating leftover oatmeal raisin cookies. When you spread out a birthday, there just isn't for more cake on the last day. But I do believe there will be room for some of this coconut milk ice cream later on.


This is a notebook I made for mom:



Today is also a best friend's birthday. This is for her:



Have a restful Sunday!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

pocket kite

Last night Dad decided to bless me and my mother with a lovely evening out together. We did some shopping at Jimbo's and then had a yummy, healthy dinner at the Jimbo's deli - caprese panini, organic cole slaw, and ginger bear (and some gluten free carrot cake and brownie mousse pie to go, of course). After this was a visit to World Market - one of my most favorite places. Among the many treasures there, I discovered this. A brilliant idea really. The Stow'n'go pocket kite.


Doesn't it just seem that whenever you have a kite to fly, there's no wind to fly it in? And whenever you have the wind, you have no kite to fly? This would be the end of every kite flying woe - kite flying on the go. I want a pink one. 

After world market (where some of this was definitely purchased------------------------->) 
we made our way to Coffee Bean where my sister was working, said hi, ordered two African Sunrise teas, and sat outside enjoying a warm twilight, hot tea, and cold dessert. I was blessed, my mom was blessed, my dad was blessed to bless us - how can God be so kind to a creature like me? He's given me all that I need in his Son, and then, on top of that, he hands me such grace-filled times like last night. Apart from Christ, last night would not have been the blessing it was. Thank you God for being such a good God by giving me your son. Amen. 


More artworks are on the way. I was feeling especially motivated this morning. Stay tuned. 

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

picture this

Yesterday was exciting because I finally hung up all my pictures! For so long I have been collecting and transforming picture frames, and I am finally able to enjoy it all up on my wall. It took longer than I had imagined to choose the nicest arrangement. I am much too fickle when it comes to this kind of thing.


At last I found an arrangement that I was happy with. Then I got down and measured, marked, hammered, and nailed - and only changed me mind twice or thrice. I am most pleased with the result. My wall is completely transformed.



Before painting and picture hanging

The finished product

Happy Tuesday