Proverbs 16:3 and a Joseph Campbell Quote

Joseph Campbell says it well

"We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, 

so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

I painted this little painting last year after talking to my college-age daughter. We had a conversation about letting go of what you think you want and instead, letting God lead you to something better. (Unless of course, what you want is what he wants for you. And even then... letting Him take it is a guarantee that it is right) It was a great revelation for her, so she texted me to tell me about it.
"Oh, well... I thought that was what I wanted, but it isn't working out that way, so I will stop trying to make it happen, accept it and move on to what God has in mind for me." When you give your plans to God, you can rest assured that he will guide and it will happen and be right and good and successful; because He keeps his word and He can do anything. He is GOD, after all! "For nothing is impossible with GOD." Luke 1:37

Proverbs 16:3 says it even better

 "Commit your works to the LORD, And your plans will be established."

Be Still and Know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Be Still

and know that I am God.

~Psalm 46:10

I find I need to be reminded of this many, many times - every single day! As I struggle with my own personal difficulties and suffering and feel sadness and compassion for others - sometimes I feel like I can't handle another thing. It can be overwhelming. So, drawing nearer to Jesus always brings me a sense of peace and helps me to carry on and to be grateful. 

I snapped this picture of one of my Scripture Cubes and posted it on my Instagram two days ago. It was early morning and I was spending the first hour of the day sitting in my studio, in Prayer, as I always do. I find it absolutely essential to have quiet time first thing in the morning with Jesus.

In quietness and trust

is your strength.

~Isaiah 30:15

Add a cup of delicious coffee, an open window with a fresh-scented breeze, birds chirping and sunlight streaming through - it's the makings of a gratitude-filled day and just what I needed.

For more Inspiring images with quotes please visit my Colorful Quotes page.

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My Hand Painted, Mod Martini Glasses and a Couple of Cute Photo Bombers!

Martini Glass, shot from above

Of all the different mediums I use in my creations, one of my favorites continues to be painting on glass. I love the way the glass paints are sheer and vibrant. I love the way the light shines through them. I also really enjoy painting on objects with interesting shapes, such as wine glasses, water goblets, pitchers, large bowls, teapots, and especially, martini glasses! They are both elegant and whimsical.

This particular pattern is from my "Mod" line. The flowers are bright and cheerful and reminiscent of the Mod style of the 1970's. It is my very favorite pattern to paint, especially on martini glasses.

This pair was created to donate to a local JDRF charity event held last weekend. I really wanted to get a picture for this blog post before they were donated. I had a couple of furry, hooligan photo bombers!! Janie, who thinks she must be a part of everything I do was on the table in seconds! She decided to play it cool and just start eating my wheat grass as if that was what she intended all along.

Look at that tongue!

Bear did not want to be left out. He was on my lap just seconds after Janie jumped on the table. They are so funny and so darn predictable. I know it drives Bear crazy that his sister can just jump right up on things like the dining room table and the kitchen counters, while he is usually left whining at my feet. Poor Bear. He laughs when Janie gets squirted with the water bottle that I use to keep her away from my cooking. :)

DIY: Repurpose Art Project - A Great Way to Create Beauty Out of Garbage - Scripture Cubes

My very favorite way to create continues to be making something beautiful out of something otherwise destined for the garbage or recycling bin. It feels so darn good! It's both challenging and thrifty, which appeals to me on so many levels. I've found that boxes that once held products or crackers, cereal, and more are a great way to create free (or almost free) canvases for painting or mixed-media collage. If I'm not recycling it, I'm saving it to create with. You can too!

For this project you will need

• Face cream or other small box
• Masking tape
• White Acrylic Gesso (I use Liquitex brand)
• Acrylic craft paints
• Paint brushes
• Stylist (for tiny dots)
• Pencil and high quality eraser (I love a white graphic eraser)

A small face cream box makes the perfect cube for short Bible verses or quotes.

Cover entire the box with masking tape, being sure to cover the box openings and seams.

Paint with one coat of gesso to prepare the surface to paint.

Choose your colors of acrylic craft paints. I use plastic lids from yogurt and cream cheese containers as great little pallets.

Paint the box in an abstract way, blending and adding color. Tip: always use a bit of white when painting in this style.

 Paint entire cube

Lightly pencil in your verse.

Use black paint and a thin liner brush to write your verse.  I also added flourishes and vines, leaves, little berries, etc... Get creative. The stylist is a tool I am never without. It's a perfect little dot maker.

On my first box, I used a Sharpie. That proved to be a mistake. The surface of the cube is bumpy and the Sharpie also was not consistent with the darkness of the ink. So, I went back to what I love the most - a good old paint brush!

Here are the Bible verses I chose

Be still and know that I am God. ~Psalm 46:10

Joy comes in the morning. ~Psalm 30:5

For nothing is impossible with God. ~Luke 1:37

For we walk by faith not by sight. ~2 Corinthians 5:7

A cheerful heart is good medicine. ~Proverbs 17:22

Trust in Him at all times. ~Psalm 62:8

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ~Psalm 118:24

In quietness and trust are your strength. ~Isaiah 30:15

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

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Toilet Paper Roll Owls - A Quick Peek at how I Create Mine!

These little guys are my very favorite fill-in art project for when I am waiting for paint to dry. Truly! I love to have one going when I am painting glassware. The glass paint has to dry before another layer or detail can be added and I am... impatient! So, these little owls are a simple, fun fill-in. I just free-hand and have fun. You can too. Look up owls online to get inspiration.

I love creating owls out of toilet paper rolls!

Pinch one end of roll

Fold one side of pinched end in

Fold the other side over it

Ta Da! Now get colorful with it!

I start adding colors and features. Each owl is different

And then I add a bunch of fun details

They sit on the shelf above my writing desk and computer until one sells or flies away as a gift to a friend

Sometimes I move them around

This couple looked cute together. My tiny vintage chick likes hanging out with them because these owls are colorful, cute, and friendly.Your small animals are safe with them!

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Be Grateful

Gratitude is something I have been exploring for years now. I remember way back when Oprah was encouraging everyone to keep a Gratitude Journal. I went right out and bought a pretty journal and began writing 10 things every day that I was grateful for. Even through really difficult times, I disciplined myself to do it and sometimes it was not so easy. I remember one day writing "I am grateful that I am not constipated." Seriously I was so down that this is one of the only things that I could come up with, other than health of my loved ones, and so on. Ha!

I don't write my gratitude in a journal at this point in my life, but I count my blessings and thank God for almost everything throughout my day. And when there is something bad, I choose to think of something good about it and thank God even for the trial as a way to learn. It really helps make life happier and seems to attract more things to be grateful for. So, I challenge you..... Quick! Right now, think of five things to be grateful for and say thank you and really mean it. Feel the joy of things that are beautiful, good, and right. And for those things that are not, be grateful for something about them.

Think of five things right now to be grateful for!

Cultivate the habit of being grateful 

for every good thing that comes to you, 

and to give thanks continuously. 

And because all things have contributed to your advancement,

you should include all things in your gratitude.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Say I Love You 52 Ways

Say I Love You 52 Ways

I have a dear friend who really needed to know just how much she is loved. So, after seeing this idea on Pinterest I decided to dive in and make my friend a special gift that she can pick up and flip through whenever she is needing a boost. It was fun thinking of all the the things I like about her and translating them into loving words. This is the perfect gift of love and would make a lovely, meaningful gift any day of the year, but especially for Valentine's Day.

Here is the original source of the image I found on Pinterest. I did not follow her instructions. I actually just saw her photo and decided to take it from there my own way.

You will need

• A deck of cards (The dollar store has them for... $1!)
• White, sturdy paper (I used 4 x 6 unlined index cards)
• Black Extra Fine Point Sharpie
• Markers and or paints
• Glue (I used a quick dry adhesive)
• Paint on varnish (optional)
• Scissors or paper cutter (paper cutter is easier)
• Ruler
• Paper hole punch
• Ribbon or yarn
• Lot's of LOVE

Open a box of playing cards

Measure the part you want to cover up with your love notes. Leave the faces of the cards showing. You will want to cover the other side.

Make a little template in the correct dimensions. Trace around your template on white paper. Make 54. (52 for your I love you's and 2 for the front and back covers)

Remove the Jokers. They will be your front and back covers.

Using the black Sharpie, write 52 little love notes all beginning with I Love... I found it easiest to do all of my notes and then go back and decorate each one with little hearts and squiggles, etc... I used acrylic paint, watered down thin so it dried quickly. Don't forget to make a cover that says 52 Reasons I Love You and a back for your signature. 

Let them all dry

 Glue them onto the cover side of each playing card

 Optional; Cover with a coat of varnish for more durability. Let dry

Measure and make a mark where you want to punch your holes. Punch two holes, evenly spaced

Thread ribbon or yarn through holes of all 54 cards, making a little book

This is a true labor of love. The entire time I spent making this was spent with thoughts of my friend and why I love her. It felt wonderful to realize how much I really do love her. I really need to make one for my husband and kids, mom, dad, other friends... Wow, I could be really really busy for a long time with this one!

As a special added note - my wonderful friend called me today and not knowing that I had been working on this post, told me how much her little book of I Love You's means to her. She told me that she takes it out and flips through it when she is feeling sad, scared or worried and it comforts her. She even takes it in her purse to accompany her to doctor visits. I am so happy that I made this for her. Make one for someone you love TODAY! 

"If you have the power to make someone feel good,

you should make them feel good."

~Unknown

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