I am so excited for this week's Sneak Peek! Beautiful ornaments have just been gracing the mailbox since the beginning of the month because I participated in Jennifer's first ever ornament exchange! I absolutely LOVE each and every one I received - thank you so much everyone! What fun...I thought I was a little crazy, because I was getting ready for that holiday show too! How would I ever have the time? Not to mention the time to maybe go get more supplies - so as I looked around to see what I had on hand so that I could move quickly at the store, I found I already had everything I needed! Here is a picture of the entire Angel Choir:

These little Angels are based on the ATC sized "Art Angels" featured in the May/June 2009 issue of ClothPaperScissors...I was trying to learn my design program for my computer that sews (aka my Brother embroidery machine)...



The Angel is stitched entirely by the machine on recycled linen (a pair of trousers I wore in my office days). For the contrast backing I used some of those quilt scraps that are soooo hard to throw away...



but first the words are sewn on as well as the trim .so that you do not see that stitching on the back of the ornament. They are finished with some stamping, some shading on cheeks and lips, some got embellishments, and all got vintage buttons over their satin ribbon hangers...



I hope each of my sweet blogland friends enjoyed their angel! Click on the Sneak Peek button at the top of this post or here and head on over to Studio JRU to see more of the exchange...and have a blessed Christmas..

One month ago....

I last posted! It has been full, getting ready for a holiday show...which was great, thanks to Misty and Katie! I made great connections with Beckie and another friend, Karen who introduced me into the wonderful world of "Thirty-One". I definitely will get a skirt purse in the future!

I also thought I might post a photo of one of the canvases I took to the show - I didn't really want to sell it quite yet - just wasn't quite ready to let her go (but you can buy her now)...I must say it has been interesting - being stretched and molded in a new way, interweaving faith and favorite scriptures with mixed media...this saint is done with acrylics, watercolors, and paper on a 12 x 16 canvas with the sides painted black and ready to hang...

She is signed and dated on the back, and the scripture reference is listed on the back as well...(the words are from Colossians 3 "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth").

Since the show last weekend, I have been trying to keep a little girl motivated to do school work with Christmas festivities sprinkled through the days! And catching up on reading my favorite blogs (several great posts to link to!) and allowing God to speak to my heart about the coming year...I am eager for the new He is bringing!

Hope there are Christmas melodies filling the air wherever you are!

The Simple Woman's Daybook - and a treat to honor C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia

A picture for thought I am sharing: my first attempt at Turkish Delight - recipe found here Make sure you read the tips shared in the comments section by bootsola, December 21, 2009 for important additions to perfectly cure this candy. Angel wanted to try this candy ever since the movie of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" came out! I finally got up the nerved to attempt it...but I do believe it will never replace Hershey's chocolate!

FOR TODAY
November 9, 2010...

Outside my window...bright blue sky, faded greed live oak leaves, dying green/brown grass, and the golden rays of the sun casting a warm glow on the waning days of autumn.

I am thinking...that I am always amazed that God speaks to and uses me!

I am thankful for....God's gift of emotion that adds vibrant color to my life!

From the learning rooms...nothing today! Yesterday was our group's field trip to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and last night Angel started running a fever, saying her throat felt like there were a thousand pins sticking her...today she has no voice...so we are watching DVR'd episodes of "Honey I Shrunk the Kids..." : )

From the kitchen....I am trying to do "Turkish Delight" for the first time. Angel is trying her hand at "petit fours" that she found in a cook book for girls from the library.

I am wearing...jeans and a black long-sleeve T.

I am creating...a "brand" for 12 Tribes.

I am going...to go get medicine and popsicles for Angel.

I am reading..."George Washington Carver" from the Heroes of History series to Angel.

I am hoping...and planning to not overwhelm myself with trying to make "the perfect" holiday season.

I am hearing...the growls and happy barks of puppies playing.

Around the house...a feeling of anticipation...I don't know what for!

One of my favorite things...bonfires on crisp fall evenings.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Gary's air gun match at our place on Friday...get the dining room's Christmas decor up.

The Simple Woman's Daybook
(click here to find other simple daybooks)

Puppy Update

As Angel says, aren't they "just uber cute?!"
They are four weeks old now!
Click here to find more "Animal Antics" at Guiding Light Homeschool's blog...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

A picture for thought - puppies are so cute! They grow so fast and are so much heavier than kittens! 2 boys and 2 girls, all lined up for their debut at one week old! (They are a little bigger and older now tho')

FOR TODAY
October 26, 2010...

Outside my window...a crisp-warm autumn day.

I am thinking...about decorating for Christmas, starting next week.

I am thankful for...God's mercies and grace.

From the learning rooms...Angel is loving the new interactive computer curriculum, Time4Learning.

From the kitchen...cute "monster" cupcakes from Taste of Home online.

I am wearing...jeans and a black T with little sparkles around the neckline.

I am creating...art classes for Co-op...

I am going...to get my power steering fixed and my oil changed - hopefully on Friday.

I am reading...Kelly Rae's "Flying Lessons - the e-book".

I am hoping...for my heart's desires to be fulfilled.

I am hearing...the rustling of fall leaves through our opened windows.

Around the house...a feeling of contentment.

One of my favorite things...puppies and Angel playing together!

A few plans for the rest of the week..a friend is coming over to look at recipes (and play with puppies).

The Simple Woman's Daybook
(click here to find other simple daybooks)

Sneak peak at textures, architecture, and faded paint...
I can't wait to start playing with these!

I haven't done anything with these yet, but I have been inspired by other artists who are using architectural photos in their mixed media...these were taken at the Fort Worth Zoo on our homeschool field trip (which I am still recovering from - the reason I am a little quiet!)...no animals!!!! I was totally enthralled with the "Texas Wild" area as was my little Angel....



click on the sneak peak studios button to see more sneak peeks!

Sneak Peek at another "Redo"


click this button to find other great sneak peeks!

I have been wanting to do this for a while,
making this shadow box frame more interesting...
from this:



to this:

In the picture, you can slightly make out the monofilament line I used to hang it to get the side views for my etsy shop - ooops! Oh well, I just wanted to get this posted and not retake the shot!

I can "see" a correlation between what I am doing with my art, and where God is taking me on our journey together...I have been really seeking Him on the several threads of purpose and interest He has placed in me (a beautiful journey of seek and find initiated by Him); and all that have been developed to a certain point of maturity, yet at different times and seasons of my years. Now, I believe He desires for me to move in the fullness of each gifting, each place of preparation, and not keep those threads separate anymore...I have been rather stumped in how to move forward in that idea...but now I do believe I have the insight... it is like these last two weeks of art work - beautiful, whole, conveying an idea in the simplicity of what was there originally...but now it is time for further, deeper development. For familiar elements to be introduced and joined together in new ways. The fullness of what is to be emerging only as the piece is changed once again through the hands of the Maker... more to come I am sure!

Just a little announcement -

Can I say I am a little excited? I've been published again! And my husband gave me the sweetest compliment about how he thought I was a very good - drum roll here - "ARTIST". Yep. That's what he called me! And I have trouble saying that myself! LOL!! My art was one of the Judge's Choices for the 2011 Calendar Contest - look for me on page 71 : ).

Sneak Peek Friday - Daughter of Virtue


(Click the button to see more studios from around the web!)Here is what I have been working on this week:

I've been re-working some of the art I did during the first class I took after listening to the call back into creativity...I had found Paulette Insall, an inspiring Christian artist, on etsy and enrolled in her "Faces" class. Recently, I noticed that some of my first paintings seemed a little stark - I have grown in the area of experimenting with and developing layers and so am bringing changes into some of the early work...

Here is an image of what this piece looked like "before". I changed the name from "Young in Mind" to "Daughter of Virtue". There will be a companion piece, too:

and the sketch I worked from...

For future reference...artistic prompts and adding textures

Great creativity prompts!
And MORE "adding texture" ideas!

This is a sketch from a photo of my little girl...I changed out her curls for straight hair - I love the look on her face, and I know I want to turn this into a piece of art of some kind!

5 Things

Five things I am glad to have come across this week....

1. This post at Messy Canvas - she is offering a free e-book for download!
2. This wonderful picture for the Feast of Tabernacles.
3. This great FREE spelling program online!
4. This HILARIOUS video - for all the dads out there! Yes, it's "A Dad's Life"!
5. This skirt pattern - Angel loves a twirly skirt.

Days of Awe and a Shofar call

I love the informal name of the days between (and including!) Rosh Hashana (New Beginnings) and Yom Kippur (Atonement). These are the days of Succoth, the Feast of Tabernacles (or booths - meaning a temporary dwelling place). Tabernacles is also called the Feast of Trumpets for it is marked by daily blowing of the trumpets (shofars). It is a time of celebration, a time when the entire nation stopped normal activities and focused on the Lord, remembering how He made His dwelling with the children of Israel during their journey away from slavery and into their new beginning in a land of blessing and abundance. During this exodus from their bondage and limits, God taught them about worshipping Him, about His great lovingkindness, about His might, about His deliverance, about His provision...and Israel learned to trust, rely on, and depend on Him. He promises to do the same for me, and I must learn, as the ancients did, to trust in, rely on, and depend on Him. Their temporary dwellings served to remind them that their present condition was not permanent - and remembering their tents calls my attention to the fact that my sojourn on this earth is only temporary as well. How "awesome" is the fact that He walks with me, in the temperal, as He did with Israel so long ago!

The shofar calls of these days do have various meanings, but one of the most powerful I think is the one to awaken us to be alert - alert to His soon coming, alert in the spirit to His voice, alert to what He wants to impart to us - the same things He provided to the Israelites so long ago!!! Are you awed yet?
Blessings,
Cindy

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...I am lovin' the cooler weather here in North Texas; the little hint of the autumn to come that we are receiving. Today a nice, steady rain began just around dawn, adding to that deep contentment of being tucked in at home. These pictures show the view I would have if I get a writing (think art) desk for the round corner of the living room...there are 3 windows that give me more than a 180 degree view - you can see some of the wrap around porch in the pictures, too...

FOR TODAY
September 7, 2010...

Outside my window...check my "picture for thought"!

I am thinking...about the fall "appointed times of the Lord" beginning tomorrow.

I am thankful for...the whisper of the Spirit in my heart.

From the learning rooms...focusing on science and history today in order to get a alot of our activities ready to laminate at Mardel's free laminating event - woohoo!

From the kitchen...finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie that uses no sugar or milk. Have a recipe to share? I'll try it!

I am wearing...denim capris and a black tank top (again).

I am creating...reworks of previous paintings - I got inspired and after a year it seems my artistic eye is developing.

I am going...to take DVDs back to the library today and grabbing a few grocery items at Aldis.

I am reading...a vintage book entitled "The Father Heart of God" by Floyd McClung.

I am hoping...for a writing desk with hutch to put in the round room.

I am hearing...the sounds of the ceiling fans.

Around the house...working on simplifying and ordering to keep things picked up.

One of my favorite things...rainy days with a comfy worn quilt!

A few plans for the rest of the week...hanging the wall decor in the living room.

The Simple Woman's Daybook
(click here to find other simple daybooks)

5 things (late) and - Another go at that piece ....

5 Things to be thankful for from last week:

1. Finally deciding to get rid of that direction with the word font! "Shema" will be there - I just don't know how it will look yet, and now I am back to doing the color blending....
2. Temperatures in the 80s that actually feel like fall!
3. Last weekend of swimming - and enjoying it with friends!
4. Da Vinci at the Museum of Science and History - what a great party to send the exhibit on its way!!
5. Sweet encouragement from my husband on a direction to take this season of my life...

Oh, would you like to see how the above piece looked at the VERY BEGINNING? Here it is...

That's it, behind the pink and white paper (another project) sitting there....I must have 3 more layers over this...and I wish I could go back here! It is definitely one of those things that is taking on a life of its own!


Blessings!
Cindy

Oy Vey!!

I am working on companion pieces to her (remember?), but something is wrong! I put the word on - sort of like an art journaling word and just haven't liked it, but yet I feel the word needs to be there! Every night I work on it and every day I come back to the table wondering what in the world I was thinking!!!! I definitely want the letter "shin" there - but am. not. liking. how "shema" is looking -today, I decided to keep it AND the direction I ended up going in last night (which is the photo you see here), and when I am finished I think I am going to play a little with it in photoshop! I will see!! (And so will you - LOL.)

The Most Dangeroous Cake Recipe in the World and a very creative fashion blog!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (Microwave Safe)
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly before pouring in the milk and oil in. Keep mixing. Add the optional chocolate chips next (who makes that an option!) and vanilla extract, and mix again…

Mmm, cake batter!

Put your mug in the micro wave and cook for three minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed! Allow it to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

This is too easy!!

EAT ! (this can serve two if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

OSM!! (Optional Sharing Method!)

Why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because we are all only 5 minutes away from warm, gooey, delicious chocolate cake any time, night or day.

I got this from the Newdressaday blog...this gal is creating a new dress each day of the year for one year and spending just $1 a day to do it! So creative!!! Here is a couple of pics just so you can get a taste of what she does - Here is the "before" and...

here is the "after"....

- but don't stop with the dresses! Her blog is cute and funny (not necessarily Christian tho'). I do like the idea and the way it inspires good stewardship of our money!

Have a blessed day!
Cindy

Angel of Creation - a WIP!

I've been experimenting with a new technique - one that makes the "background" work the focal point of a piece....I thought I was done till I took pictures for listing...what is up with that light blue "line" in her dress!!! Back to the table for a little fixing up!

Better, the colors look more spread around, but it definitely looks "undone". Back to the table for - I don't know! Inspiration please come back to the painting table, too!!

Ahhhh, much better I think! On to the companion pieces!