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!

5 things

Saturday's five things from the past week I am thankful for:

1. A smooth start to the school year!
2. A great Mother/Daughter event on Thursday night at our church!
3. The fashion show was fabulous! A tone of cute, modest outfits and all for under $25!!!
4. And everyone at our table got a little prize!
5. My Daughter!!!!!

The Wisdom of a Child...

"Crowned" Stained Glass ACEO by me....

Last night Angel and I were watching one of the many movies with a variation of the theme from Cinderella (obscure person catches the eye of royalty, they fall in love, and after some conflict, they live happily ever after)...by the way, I NEVER grow tired of that theme!!! And it was great watching a "chick flick" with my little girl! At the end, I turned towards her as she was diligently finishing painting my toenails and asked, "Do you ever dream of marrying a prince and living 'happily ever after'?"

In all seriousness, she replied, "No. I'm already a princess!" (Her heavenly Father is the King of the Universe, you know.)

Wow! She went on to say that she had already thought about it...plus, her Poppa is a prince, and so is every Christian boy so every Christian boy and girl can live "happily ever after"...

Out of the mouth of babes!

mixed media clock by Lisa Kaus

Almost time for school!!!

The final days of summer are whirling to a close, and I find myself getting excited about starting school this coming week! Touching all the papers and workbooks and pencils and getting organized (I even got my teacher's plan book completely mapped out for the entire year)....it is a little like creating pieces of art! I am absolutely going to find some time to make a fun clock like this one by Lisa Kaus to go in our school room/my home office/art studio! We can make it a combination math (telling time) and art class! By the way, do you think the multi-functional schooling room might be a bit distracting? We'll see how the first few days go!

One more "Trees" picture

Available in my etsy shop. Click on the word "etsy".

Trees!

Seems like lots of folks are thinking about trees - me included! I have one "Tree of Life" painting (shown above) done and another in the works...a large one for me...the words on the painting are from Proverbs 3:18 and read "Wisdom...is a tree of life to those who take hold of her...happy are all who hold her fast."

and I bought a swatch of this really cute fabric because it was just so inspirational! I even went back to the store to get a bigger swatch!



Then, today, Paulette mentioned (on facebook) "Sara's Art House" trees! Here are a few I REALLY like...







I liked these bright trees by Suzanne Buckner, too:

Amazing Grace - Rhema Marvanne 7 yr Gospel singer

What a way to start a Sunday!!!

How the Lord speaks to us...

I have held on to a card for most of my adult life, and recently have been thinking about its message....I have a photo storage box full of all kinds of meaningful clippings, quotes, cards and what not that I have collected over the years and it was there, after a joyful hour of sifting and sorting, that I found it again! Here is the message:

When the Good Shepherd speaks to His own,
He never uses words of despair, hopelessness, frustration,
defeat, discouragement, fear, confusion, or failure.

Instead, He gives His sheep words of hope, rest,
victory, peace, power, joy, triumph, and love.

Dayspring card

Photo by Freefoto.com

A Great Devotional/Book on Teaching Kids About Friendship

I found this - somehow - definitely by God's grace! It is such an excellently done study on friendship that I am putting it here so that I can find it again and again...I do know we will be using it this year during our school days!


Friendship Deedz From A to Z by LauraLee Shaw



Click on the photo or the title to get to the site where you can read or download the book (it was mucking up my computer to have the whole thing in this post!). Remember, it's a free ebook!

What if...

"What if...." is a question we all ask ourselves one time or another. It is different from "If only....". 'What if' rings of hope, opportunity, possibility, a joy-filled risk! Her eyes say it all, as she gazes up and out to her future!

New angel painting - Angel of "What if..." It wouldn't fit in the Etsy picture window, so I am showing it here and there!

Awesome Worship!

We really had awesome church this morning....and I do like Jesus Culture...we sang this one today as a congregation, but Kim Walker can really send it soaring!! I love how simple the group is - letting the power be from who He is....

Quotes from a girl who knows she is loved...

Angel at the age she said these things....

I was cleaning up some papers and came across these quotes written on a calendar from last year....so glad we wrote them down!

"I'd hate to be the kidnapper that took me...." (my husband is a big guy and is not afraid to use weapons!)

"I'm the best little girl in the world, because you're the best Poppa in the world...."

"When you kiss my cheek my toes twinkle...."

"When we hug my heart sparkles like fireworks...."

And one last thought...."Did you know your eyelids are like purses for your eyes?"

Meet Pierre!

Meet Pierre - our new kitten! His "birth owners" say he flame-tipped Siamese and though you cannot tell, his eyes are a beautiful pale blue. He is plumb tuckered in this picture!!! He wriggled a little when the flash occurred, but was just too exhausted to chase the source...we actually brought him home the day after Cowboy died...Pierre wasn't a replacement; he was scheduled so that Angel could spend all of Saturday with him, helping him get accustomed to our place. I just hadn't shared yet because it seemed disrespectful to Cowboy's memory! Must be my old age playing games with my head! Anyway, Pierre is totally Angel's responsibility - she is learning how much money and time it really takes for just one pet - and how much advertisers appeal to our emotions - and how to sort through all those little impulse grabbers and end up at what is truly necessary...all these important lessons wrapped up in 20 sharp claws and a super motor! He already is quite the character - charming and deadly!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...the flower spot has matured in what we call "The Fairy Garden". The blue flowers are a type of vinca that is native to Texas. Everything looks lush thanks to the rains, heat and humidity..


FOR TODAY
July 6, 2010...

Outside my window...the grass is green once again thanks to last weeks rains (but that also means we will have to mow again soon!

I am thinking...about how God may be wanting to stretch me during this season of my life.

I am thankful for...air conditioning!

From the learning rooms...closed for the summer! (But really, every day brings opportunities for learning...)

From the kitchen...the watermelon "bowl" filled with fruit salad.

I am wearing...denim capris and a black tank top.

I am creating...a primitive folk art style painting of "The Tree of Life".

I am going...to the Weatherford movie theater with Angel for the Tuesday morning free summer movie - today's is "Hotel for Dogs".

I am reading...a fiction novel from the Mitford series by Jan Karon.

I am hoping...for a productive day filled with joy and getting through my "to do" list.

I am hearing...the sounds of the household waking up into morning.

Around the house...finishing putting things away after our Fourth of July celebration.

One of my favorite things...a large, caffeine free Diet Coke with a shot of vanilla from Quick Trip - only 49 cents!

A few plans for the rest of the week...tackling (finally) the refinishing of the coffee table in the living room!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Wonder of God

picture is from this site

I just called a friend to invite her over for the 4^th – she asked me to pray for her and of course I agreed, but I didn’t let her know how inadequate I was feeling lately. Little did I know what God had in store for ME! I invited the Lord to help pray for “the noise in her head” as she put it…immediately He began to parade images through my mind – Him breathing on His disciples before the crucifixion and saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit”; the way the smoke of the incense rolls and wafts – permeating everything it comes in contact with; the words “I (Jesus) am interceding for YOU” (my friend is a true intercessor, who constantly pours her prayers out for others); Him in His long, flowing robes walking with His arm around her shoulder in a peaceful garden setting, gently speaking to her “Relax, I want to minister to YOU, be at peace; and finally (and sort of humorously) the idea of a spiritual massage to let out any tension as He spoke that He would open the doors that needed opening and for her to use her present unusual free hours to enjoy Him and not feel that she should be using that time otherwise. Those images, the imagery, His ministry – exactly what was needed…tears flowed in the wonder of how He ministered exactly to both her needs as well as mine in one magnificent touch of His finger!

The Beginning and the End (and everything in between!)

I know I haven't been around much lately - more on that later...

But this quote is from an online devotional I get in my mailbox every morning...

The rabbis of old noted that the Hebrew alphabet starts with the letter alef. In the middle of the alphabet is the letter mem, and the last letter is tav. Together, the three letters form the Hebrew word emet (truth). Truth is always the essence of the ... faith.

How profound! This reminds me of two New Testament passages:

John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. and

Revelation 1:8 - I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
A powerful way to start the day!