Sneak Peek Comments winner..........................

I so appreciated everyone's comments last Friday!  I realized I had just gotten tunnel vision on this piece, and through your help I have gotten beyond it!  I was so focused on what I wanted the swirling to do, that I didn't just let it swirl!  Still that old control/perfectionism being worked out - and isn't it wonderful that God can use art to bring healing into deeper areas of the heart!   And why didn't I think about painting with fingers, or using something unique!  Ha, ha!

So the winner will receive one of these little affirmation canvasses...they are 4" by 4", sides painted black and a hanger attached on the back.  It can sit on a shelf or hang just about anywhere.  The mini-chalkboard is the perfect place to put a word you need to see over and over, a character trait you are developing in your life more fully...or even a doodle (the sides are painted black).

 
So, the winner is.......(drum rrrrrrrrroooooooolllllll please!)....Diana Mulder!  Picked by my girl with the sparkly eyes as I asked her to pick a number between 0 and 10, and she picked number 7 (her favorite number)...and thank you again Diana for the encouragement you gave me...I am taking that to heart too!

Congratulations Diana!

1000 gifts and then some...

Continuing the count - at least the written count - and remembering gifts given through out time:

#56 - 68.  Grace for the moment when we need it - not a moment too soon or too late...child's night-whispered "I love you sooooo much"...light pink fading in favor of the hot variety...warm bath water....scented oils for skin...the smell of curly hair formulated conditioner on wet ringlets...emerging girl growing to woman...shopping for toiletries that speak to changes...the smile on her face as she contemplates them...good books that stimulate intelligent discussion...paper hearts...

stars - glowing on the ceiling, twinkling in the night sky, sparkling in her eyes...
experiencing the reality that God's law is written on her heart by His Spirit...





Joining other grateful and gracious souls at Ann's

 

Sneak Peek Friday - Commission help!

Remember this sneak peek from a few weeks ago?  I am still working on the grouping...

 

 Here it is at the top...(still have some finishing touches to put on the "El" painting!)

The wings pictures with blue edges are finished...and I think you can see the color movement from one picture to another in the grouping...

In the photo above, you can see the movement to purples in the 7th piece there on the right - still in progress, of course!  There will be 13 total in the grouping!  Ughhh - my work surface is a MESS!

Above is the piece I am stuck on...I have repainted it twice....trying to get a swirly design, like the blue is swirling up and exploding with white and red and the resulting shades of purple - the text is the definition of compassion, which I do want to keep as a main component..but I don't know - I walk away and come back to it...I have started moving on to the other pieces in the grouping just to see if I can gain perspective...On one day I thought about how van Gogh did his starry night piece, and thought maybe that technique - white strokes over what I already had might give it the touch it needs!

Please share your ideas! I wish I could say that I will offer a prize from a random drawing for all ideas...oh, wait a minute...I guess I can! But it will have to be a surprise! So, if you leave an idea of how to fix this "compassion" piece in the comments, I will select a winner on Tuesday - March 15th - OK? I appreciate all of your creative input!

Linking up with other creative souls at Studio JRU (Click to hop on over!)

Celebrate - with Zephaniah 3:17

 Free image from Greenpaper

Earlier this year, I wrote a post about my word for 2011 - Celebrate!  And I have been "emerging", practicing thankfulness, looking for ways to enjoy each day...with the wings of that word tapping my   mind ever so gently...

Now the sweet challenge of Zephaniah 3:17 has me moving deeper into what He wants to impart to me through this word...this year...

Here is the verse as found in the New American Standard Bible:  "The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."

Definitions are important...and here is what the butterfly wings have been dancing to the fore front of my brain...the connection to "rejoicing" found in the first definition of the word:

Celebrate:

1. To observe (a day or event) with ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing.

Celebrate emphasizes observance in the form of rejoicing or festivity: a surprise party to celebrate her birthday.

Zephaniah 3:17 is a picture of our Lord celebrating...I picture Jesus, with his full robes flying in all directions, as this personal expression of His rejoicing - celebrating! - over me formed...

My Zephaniah 3:17

Yahweh, the breath of all Life, the breath of MY life,
the self-existent, three-in-one who gives life to my spirit
and dwells in my inmost being...
He is a victorious warrior -
Mighty in His ability and desire to save,
to avenge,
to defend,
to deliver,
to help,
to preserve,
to rescue,
ME!

Enforcing HIS Victory...
beginning in the center of my being
invading my emotions, my thoughts, my will,

and flowing out into my everyday life!
  He will leap up, spring forth
in gaity and laughter, pleasure, joy and gladness

because of me,
on behalf of me,
together with me,
in spite of me
(yes, it really says that and most times this is true!)
He will be quiet in His love,
He will spin, and dance, and twirl
over me, with me,
around me, towards me,
beside me...
and with joyful shouts
upon
joyful shouts
upon
joyful shouts
of joy!

Joining with Emily and other imperfects at Imperfect Prose, Word Women Wednesday at the House of Belonging

1000 gifts and then some...

Giving thanks this week for a husband who is a master:

He is the one in the black vest to the left, looking down range..

41. finger bandager
42. spider smasher
43. make a daughter feel like a princess-er
44. comforter
45. cowboy action shooter
46. spiritual leader
47. provider
48. protector
49. guide-or
50. take care of supper spontaneously-er
51. kid wrangler
52. listener
53. wise word-er
54. friend
55. make me feel special-er

Joining other grateful and gracious souls at Ann's

Sneak Peek Friday -Time in art

Time is the topic this week at my place...and I have enjoyed the Holy Spirit's musings!  Here is the first in a series of "time" and "prayer" art clocks I have been inspired to create...

 

It is almost finished, I just need to add the words sitting on the art table, more black distress ink around the edges, seal it and place the hands.  The clock face is a recycled CD, about 5 inches in diameter, with scraps of paper collaged on the front and back with a quartz battery powered movement...I think it is small enough to fit on a desk, bookcase or wall...in fact, I wasn't sure the words would all fit!  I have other series of twelve words written in a sketch book - but this is the fruits of the Spirit plus three, so I decided to NOT put the fruits in order around the face.  

Here is a little bit more of a close-up:

Joining with other creatives at Studio JRU

On the issue of time...

It takes time to spin - to draft the roving, to let the spindle twist the fiber into thread, and enough thread to form a skein of yarn. My daughter spins. I don't - I never learned this art, but I love the times when she sits beside me, spindle in hand, fibers twisting through her fingers...

This week has been about time for me - it wasn't a plan, but a serendipitous spinning and twisting as my life passed through the fingers of the Holy Spirit! (You will have to come over again tomorrow for coffee and a sneak peek at what is on the art table...) And this "time journey" has been good - not necessarily new information, but deeper exploration of what I do know to be true...

that time is precious
that time is a gift
that time is a sacrifice
that time is something I must be a steward over.

I spent time (lots of it!) searching for the book in which I KNEW I had marked this quote by Annie Dillard, thinking I might make an inspiration piece out of it to remind me of the power of time: How we live our days...is how we live our lives."  (Found in Crazy Love by Francis Chan, page 165.)

A few days ago, I was playing with the word itself - making an acrostic out of it...
T - the
I - intimate
M - memories
E - experience

This one was specifically created as I considered the importance of the days I am spending with my dear daughter, and holding close to my heart intimate conversations that spontaneously erupt throughout the day. Or how about "To Interest My Energies".  Perhaps "terribly irrationally managing emotions" ("Just to let you know how it CAN be over here," said laughingly) Try it! It really is fun.


And then, of course, this little verse became a ticker tape in my mind:  making the most of your time, because the days are evil - Ephesians 5:16.  You know it, too, don't you!
I already knew that He was going to talk to me about the word "time" in the original language, right?  And "time" isn't just the 1a. nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently

You can keep reading this post here

1000 gifts and then some...

Ah - I just read Ann's post, and am feeling challenged to make the list a place of sacrificial thanksgiving...and realizing that this week, the only sacrifice I am making is that of time...

30.  Time spent recording how He talks to me...captured here.
32.  Time spent in prayer - at church - and an immediate answer while at church.  Thank you, Lord, for confirming Your voice and will one more time for me!
33.  Making time to listen to the Daily Audio Bible for kids (always trying to find ways for the dear daughter to get a break from my voice).

35.  loving an incredibly intelligent girl with challenging learning differences.
36.  Reading the words of almost every school lesson our daughter has done. (I am learning so much!).
37.  Being able to be available to give this daughter the education she deserves.
38.  Beginning to love history!
39.  Time spent worshipping together with our church family...it doesn't seem to be a sacrifice, yet it is a choice, so it is placed here, because I am hearing Him say that He still counts it...
40.  Taking time to find out, for that dear daughter, where JB is today, and finding this - a young person promoting clean water here.

And as I view this list, and I know the sacrifices are small, I also can see how love causes sacrifice to seem inconsequential.


Joining other gracious and grateful souls at

Sneak Peek Friday - How do you hear Him?

On my art table this week seems to be words, words instead of pictures, but I am sharing anyway (this image is from a class I took in 2009 from Paulette)...


I sat down to begin "writing my process for making a scripture prayer art piece", and immediately began to hear the now familiar flow of words/ideas/thoughts that issue from that inner place that I have come to recognize as that from which the Holy Spirit speaks. "I call to the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. I know when you stand up and sit down. I am there throughout the night watches; I never slumber of sleep." (These thoughts are coming in flashes, along with a flash of the area of scripture this thought comes from.) And as I begin to think about how He is doing this, another flash: "I bring these things to your remembrance".* Yes, I have spent time reading the Scripture, becoming familiar with not just the Words, but the Author of the Words Himself, and He is bringing them forward into my consciousness as He speaks...I am not saying this to say I am some sort of super spiritual person - as you can see from this post, I am not! - but I AM saying this to encourage you, that this is fruit anyone can enjoy, as it is grown from your own life in His Word...and the impression I had as He was speaking the above things to me is that He wanted the readers of these words to know that He was already speaking into your heart's desire of joining Him in the act of creating.

You might ask, "How do you KNOW if these flashes are God speaking or just good ideas from your own heart?" I had that question, too, and at that time (some years ago), my mind was turned towards James 1:17. The verse says, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow (NAS)." I understood this to mean - at the beginning of this journey of hearing His voice - that I could

You can keep reading this post here

A Letter from my heart...

3 days ago, I meant to tell you “I am sorry for being grumpy at you last night when you pinched my nose, waking me up to tell me to be quiet" (I was snoring you told me) and you were just needing someone with skin on to help you feel safe as you laid in the dark, mind whirring too much to sleep…and I didn’t take the time to say those words because we were all cheerful about our Sunday – going to church, going to help friends move, going to get your new drum set that God had blessed you with. Then yesterday, when you felt so bad that the bad feeling overwhelmed you and for that brief moment – you went black – darkness in your mind overshadowing your heart and turned its angry vicious voice on your own being and then on me as the pain and despair poured out over both of us…(where does that come from?)…our day was gentle, peaceful, beautiful, successful till then … our love touched again soon after…but I wonder about the black, the bad feeling … did I make it bigger? Do consequences enlarge it, enrage it? You apologized as soon as your emotions subsided … we both forgave … but there still has to be consequences … consequences meant to teach, to train, to remind, to begin a new and healthier habit … I want to help, but my box doesn’t seem to have the right sized tools to repair the deeper hurt when it makes its way to the surface … do you understand? Do you hear my heart? I desire to be an example of kindness; consequences don't feel kind - to either of us it would seem!

And it is here that I hear God's whisper, that my toolbox has been fashioned by His love, and the tools inside, of repair and reconstruction, include consequences as well as
hugs,
faces touching forehead to forehead and nose to nose
and heart to heart,
smiles,
forgiveness asked for and granted,
words fitly spoken,
soon finding some small joy to be shared together
(yes, it CAN be ice cream with chocolate sauce as long as it isn't ALWAYS that!),
remembering grace,
practicing reconciliation,
expressing the warm embrace of deeper understanding,
unconditional acceptance that rightly values the person apart from performance,
the gift of time...

All these interject and bind My Healing Presence into the deepest areas of need.

And isn't all this, all part of My definition of kindness*, the fruit of the Spirit?
To provide that which is suitable and useful?
That which will allow for roots of love to grow deep and strong?


And in humble awe, my soul is on its knees...

*http://strongsnumbers.com/greek/5543.htm


Joining with other imperfects at Imperfect Prose Thursdays.

1000 gifts and then some....

23. ...aching clear to the bone tiredness from helping friends...(it really does feel good; it feels alive!)

24. ...taking inventory of family values on a lazy Sunday afternoon...

25. ...smiles.

26. ...puppy dances.

27. ...the blessing of a drum set from homeschooling friends who found out we were looking for a set for Angel.

28. ...art treats in the mail. ("heartsies" from Twig2Nest)

29. ...mail from the oldest son containing surprise samples of his artwork!

Joining other gracious and grateful souls at:

Sneak Peek Friday - A commission peek and more Scripture Prayers...

I really enjoyed a creative week this week...I worked on another piece for my "Scripture Prayers" series (this one is from Colossians) ... I was privileged to be asked by another artist for my process so she could create some for her Bible Study group...

Would anyone else be interested in the information? Let me know - I might post a tutorial (smiles).


This is a glimpse of what is on my art table now - a commission I am working on...yes, just a peek allowed for now!

I am playing with Gold Acrylic (instead of Gold Gesso). I was reading somewhere - some time ago - that many of the Renaissance artists used gold gesso to give their entire painting a luminous quality...I am using it on this commission, and I am experimenting with abstraction in my mixed media...I am liking what is happening so far!

I am linking up with Jennifer and many other inspirational artists at Studio JRU's Sneak Peek Friday...click the button to go exploring!

I so enjoyed the One World One Heart event! I found so many creative ideas, new friends (waving "hi" to "the other Cindy") and overall loved visiting with everyone! Next year? Maybe!

Now it is time to announce the One World One Heart giveaway winners!

The three winners for my giveaway are:

Terri from Blooming Ideas
Que Bella from Que Bella and
Diane from Diane's Mixed Art

Congratulations to the winners!

If any one else is interested in a print (you can see them here), I am also offering them for $10.00 each...please email me or leave a comment on this post...

1000 gifts and then some...

Continuing the count - at least the written count - and remembering gifts given through out time:

14. ...that he remembers to love and cherish me EVERY day, not just on Valentine's Day!

15. ...kisses!

16. ...love that has weathered the years and matured to the place it is now.






17. ...handmade valentines








18. ....watching the sweet tweener get wrapped up in "Bieber Fever"...

19. ...that the tweener is drawn to someone who is a Christian (if you see the "Never Say Never" movie, you know for sure that Justin Bieber and at least his mom are Christians! And he is definitely a positive role model...)

20.. ...puppy love! (shhhh...can't tell here)

21. ...agape love...captured in this verse:

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8.

22. ...and because He loves me, I can grow in my ability to love...

Joining other gracious and grateful souls at:

1000 gifts and then some...

Beginning the count - at least the written count - and remembering gifts given through out time:

1. ...watching my daughter clean her room in preparing for an extended stay by friends while their parents went out of state...she knows how to vacuum! Without being told!

2. ...the husband who faithfully goes to work every day, and has for almost thirty years.

3. ...pile of laundry - the evidence of a warm, adventure filled day.


4. ...silken texture; jewel tone patches of vintage love still covering children grown.



5. ...rich coffee smells drifting up the stairwell.

6. ...flower bed wombs waiting for their petaled children to break through the dormant soil.

7. ...hearing that same daughter begin a tweener styled arrogant comment and, catching herself, turn it into a word of encouragement for her friend...

8. ...years ago, the Lord's spirit within pointing to a magnificent oak tree, and teaching my first lesson in thanks giving in the midst of pain.

9. ...His Perseverance!

10. ...mondays - the beginning of walking out the restful-ness of Sunday.

11. ...tears trickling out the corner of an NFL
player's eyes at the a cappella singing of the
National Anthem.

12. ...bird tracks in the snow...were they looking for comfort and warmth from a stone statue? Can even a bird practice idolatry?

13....Sunny snow shadows.




Joining other gracious and grateful souls at:

Sneak Peek Friday - Guard your heart

It's time for another "Sneak Peek Friday" over at JRU Studios. This week I am showing something I made over the Christmas break, and I decided to offer for the One World One Heart Event. I used an outline of another piece I made last year because I really liked the look. I think I will make one more with a theme of prayer, since it looks like the girl is on her knees...what do you think? By the way, if you would like to enter the One World One Heart giveaway, just click HERE and leave a comment...you don't have to be a participant in the event to win, but just have a blog. : ).

Finally, to see all the other great "Sneak Peeks",

please click the icon below and visit Studio JRU!

One World One Heart Blog Hop Event - January 30 through February 17

I am taking a plunge here and participating in the One World One Heart blogger event. I am looking forward to "meeting" all sorts of creative folks from around the world...please enjoy a look around "my place"!

My name is Cindy, and I have always enjoyed art.

I like a good, strong cup of black coffee -
in the summer time I love sipping on my own version of a low-cal vanilla iced latte.

I am partial to cats, I think because they are like me - independent, but cuddly when it suits me!

I live in an area where we can hear the coyotes howling every night - some nights closer than others!

I desire to and try to live an authentic spirituality - a daily challenge; a daily adventure; MY life; yes, my life! I have learned (am learning) that truly living MY life is important...that I tend to live my life in the way in which I value myself...and I have young eyes drinking in how I do my life, so that she knows how to do hers...so I must live an authentic spirituality...one that points her to the One who can lead her in the life she is called to!

2011 is my year to push forward in the creative leadings I have...I am looking forward to this journey!

You can find out more about me by clicking on the "about" button at the top of the blog.

Now, if you would like a chance to receive one of three door prizes (shown below), please leave a comment on this post, and mention which print you love to receive the most! By the way, each print will be 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches in size, including a white margin. Winners will be announced on February 18th.










Guard Your Heart


Ephesians 3

Daughter of Virtue
Click HERE to find out more information and click HERE to find links to other bloggers participating!

Sneak Peek Friday - Ephesians Prayers

It's Friday and Jennifer's Sneak Peek Fridays are back! Here is the first of a new series I am working on - scripture prayers that I like to use and personalize to pray for myself and others...the Ephesians prayers always come to my mind first.



I learned this method of praying shortly after being filled with God's Holy Spirit. He Himself led me into it as the prayers I was reading leaped off the pages of scripture and wrapped themselves around my heart and soul, drawing my true self forth (as He is still drawing me forth every day!) Of course, I soon found that He had led many others the same way, with whole books devoted to the subject!

Here is how they look side by side.

Click on the "In The Studio button" to find more sneak peeks from some talented artists!

The Fast - Week 3

I am hungry:

To see the sacred in the common

To perceive the holy in the ordinary

To find His Presence filling my everyday…

The Name - Beginnings - Chapter One, part 2

Photo from here

Sophie was still thinking about the passage when Betsi called later in the morning. Her friend was eager to find out how her first real morning quiet time had turned out.

“How was it?” Betsy was always direct and to the point, just one of the reasons Sophie considered her one of her best friends!

“As soon as I sat down and began to pray, it was as if my brain had a mind of its own! Every negative thought I have ever had or heard about myself was racing around up there! Plus I’m not sure I can tell the difference between His voice and my own thoughts…that one rolled around for a little while! But I did push through and I was able to read through the passage 3 times before Peter woke up!”

Her friend’s voice sparkled. “That’s great! ­­­­­Not the struggle, but that you persevered and were able to read through the verses in triplicate. And I so identify with what you were going through! Although MY brain leans more towards listing every little task I have to do for the day AND the rest of the week! And the little people seemed to wake up early a lot when I was first starting my quiet time routine, too. But what I have learned, at least for myself, was that those distracting thoughts really were floating around my head all the time. In fact, I didn’t think of them as a distraction at all - more like my gift of administration operating constantly. But when the thoughts interrupted my attempts to deepen my relationship with God, they just didn’t feel “Spirit-led” anymore. But that’s another story. Oh, and you know Glenda? She used to be in my small group at Bible Study…she tried to have her quiet times at 10:00 a.m. and she said that she never heard her phone ring more or have people ring the front door bell as often as they did when she was trying to pray! So she went back to an early morning time and has kept that ever since!”

“Another thing is…I don’t know if I am doing this right,” Sophie confessed. “I have this vague feeling that I HAVE done something wrong, or I AM DOING something wrong and any moment now – WHAMMY – something will happen that is the punishment for whatever that thing is, but I still won’t know exactly what is wrong! And I am certainly not feeling peaceful and I am not feeling closer to God, or even that He loves me SO much that He would send His Son to die for me! It’s more like He HAD to send His Son BECAUSE of me!”

Sophie could sense her friend’s smile over the receiver, and when Betsy continued, her voice was gently comforting.

“Those feelings aren’t coming from our Heavenly Father, or from the Lover of our souls, our Lord Jesus,” she stated quietly. “They might be thoughts interjected by one of satan’s cohorts; or the thoughts could be coming from your own mind.” Betsy spoke knowingly, as Sophie had shared more of her past with her than with any other person in her life. “Or she knows from experience,” thought Sophie.

“ No matter where they are originating,” Betsy went on, “the Lord means for you to push through them as you did this morning, and maybe even confront them. Just don’t believe them!”

Betsy’s words seemed to wrap Sophie’s heart in warm golden love. Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes and she couldn’t speak for a moment as peace flooded her being. Betsy knew God’s truth had just penetrated Sophie’s soul.

“That’s what His truth feels like,” Betsy whispered into the airway.

The friends said a quick good-bye, each standing at their kitchen counters in the midst of His.Holy.Presence.