Tuesday, December 8, 2020

A Little Girl and a Little Boy {Old Timey-Times}

A few years ago, when I was knee-deep in mixed media projects, I made several little “board books.” I did not save most of those, but there is one that is very special to me. I happened to see that little book today and decided that a “look back” might be fun. In retrospect, I can’t believe how much time and effort I put into this book, but I’m so glad I did, because it is now very special to me. I photographed the “pages” today and will share it here.

Talk about a “look back” into the “old timey-times!”

Note: This book is about my hubby and me, our first three grades of elementary school (we neither one went to kindergarten). But, we did not meet each other until my husband was starting 9th grade, and I was starting 7th grade. So, after the fact, after we were married even, I got some of his old pictures from his mom.

Another side note: Just for fun, at one point, I had a company make my own print handwriting into a digital font file. So, the printing on the little tags inside the pockets of the book are actually my own printing, though typed.

*In order to read all the little true stories that are on some of the tags, you may want to click to enlarge the photo.





















#oldtimeytimes #boardbooks #mixedmedia #primaryschool 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Christmas and Winter Theme {Watercolor}

Sometimes I enjoy the tough challenge of painting a bird or an animal. Those are difficult for me, but I am usually okay with the finished product, more pleased with some than others. 

This is only my second winter/Christmas season with my new watercolor hobby, and I must admit I love the FUN of painting things like snowmen and Christmas ornaments. So much easier than creatures!!



All of these paintings were inspired by Maria Raczynska.







While I truly do celebrate Christmas because it is about the birth of Christ, His coming to earth as a baby, to live as a man (fully man/fully God), and to die on a cross as the payment for my sins, I do also enjoy the light-hearted and fun things of the season, like snowmen and Christmas balls!

#watercolorsnowman #watercolor #Christmasballs #ornaments #watercolor #newhobby #MerryChristmas #BirthofJesus



Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Thoughts That Bring Life and Peace {Watercolor} {Heartstrings}


A few days ago I wrote a blog piece about God’s creatures and why I love them so much, maybe more than ever right now. (That post is here.)

My sentimental leaning toward little creatures (especially soft and cuddly ones) probably inspired me to attempt this little watercolor kitten, following a tutorial by my favorite art teacher, Maria Raczynska. My little kitty is just that—mine—as it doesn’t look that much like Maria’s little kitty. But that’s okay. It’s mine. My painting, that is. I do not own, nor have I ever owned a kitten/cat. But they are cute and cuddly-looking.

I’ve been thinking more about why I am so drawn to little creatures right now (apart from my obvious over-endowment of maternal instinct). And it comes to me today that perhaps one reason (among hundreds) why I miss my little Sassi Girl so much is because she was a constant. She never waivered in her unconditional love for me. She wanted nothing more in this world than to be with me, to be loved by me, no matter what. And she loved me, no matter what. She wasn’t interested in current events. The pandemic, the election, the riots, the upside-down state of our country right now—none of that was a part of her world. Her world was her family. Her people. And that was calming to me. When she was on my lap, none of the bad stuff of the world seemed to matter. Her world/my world = simply, mutual love.



So many things in my world today (and not just me, this has to be true for most of us right now) are not just upsetting, but worse than that, traumatic. Trauma is not good. The depression, bitterness, anger, fear, and all of those bad feelings that tend to accompany thoughts about what is going on around us—those things cannot long live in my heart without taking a physical, mental and emotional toll. 

I miss being able to hold Sassi on my lap while I pray and refocus.

This morning’s Facebook post from our son was exactly what I needed to hear (not the part about how he was awake in the middle of the night, but the rest of it). I share it here in hopes that it will help someone else.
 
Post from Mark Ford, Facebook, December 1, 2020:

“What’s on your mind?” That’s what Facebook asks. I’m not sure I could begin to tell you. It’s 2:30 a.m. and there’s way too much on my mind. Things that were not on anyone’s mind last year at this time. Things I never worried about before. Tons of things. And by that I mean heavy things. On top of all the usual things that were there before 2020. Personal things. Family things. Church things. America things. Global things. Temporal things. Eternal things. Past things. Present things.  Future things. Decisions. Challenges. Disappointments. Worries. Fears. Hopes. Dreams. Hurts. Frustrations. Confusion. Discouragements. Plans. Prayers. 

“What is on your mind?” What a terrible question. Terrible. 

And literally in this moment, as I am typing, I remember one of my memory verses: Romans 8:6. It says, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.”

I’ve been talking to myself when I needed to talk to Jesus. 

End transmission.

Yep, that’s my little boy, the one who has always, since he was a toddler, had such a tender heart and such a busy mind, always feeling for people and always wishing he could make everything okay. Not just wishing. Thinking. Planning. Solving. 

My little boy is now my pastor, and I’m thankful that he is, and that he has been my spiritual mentor for many years now.

I need to refocus. I am very upset by what is going on around me. But the true eternal constant in my life is Jesus Christ. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I pray that I will stop talking to myself and talk more to Jesus. 

Because setting my mind on The Spirit will bring life and peace. 

Peace. I need that.

#watercolor #SassiGirl #watercolorkitten #Romans86 #thinkontheSpirit #helpforthesetimes #lifeandpeace #peace