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."

Colorful Quotes: A Photo of a Bear and a Nature Quote From Albert Einstein

There's a Bear! Where? Over there!

This happened to us last summer. We were on our annual family vacation in Northern Wisconsin where there are lots and lots of bears (and mosquitos!!!!) We all long to see a bear and sometimes we do, but not every time, and not this up-close and personal. And we were safely seated in our car, so we could snap as many pictures as we needed. It was the best!!!

So I created this image with a nature quote by Albert Einstein that I love.

Look deep into nature,

and then you will understand 

everything better.

~Albert Einstein

For more pics of this beautiful creature and and her cubs, please see my post from last summer: There's a Bear!

I love bears so much I even created a Pinterest board for them.

Preschool Art: Abstract Art, Line Drawing Necklaces with Shrinky Dinks!

This was a fun and easy project. It would be great for all ages. With my group of preschoolers I just had to take care of the tracing, cutting, hole punching, and of course, the shrinking in my toaster oven.

You will need:

• Shrink plastic (I used the original Shrinky Dinks brand, just like my childhood days in the 70's. You will want the Rough and Ready. It has a slightly rough side) I purchased mine at Michael's.
• Black Sharpie markers (fine point) and (extra fine point)
• Colored Pencils
• A hole punch (medium size)
• A playing card (for tracing)
• Parchment paper or a piece of a brown paper bag
• Thin yarn for the necklace
• A toaster oven, or conventional oven
• Oven mitt 
• A large flat lid or something similar to flatten piece when it comes out of oven
• Optional - small jump rings. Or just tie a slip knot. (I used jump rings because I am also a jewelry maker and I had them handy) 

Let's get started:

 Use a sharpie marker to trace around a playing card, on to shrink plastic paper. This image shows the difference in size after the piece has been shrunk.

Cut out, keeping the tracing line visible. (I did the cutting) Instruct children to do a little line drawing on their piece and then color in the spaces with vibrant colored pencils. Have them sign their masterpieces. (or you write their name) 

Punch a hole in the center.

Here's a shot of a few of them all together before shrinking. Aren't they fun?

Place on a piece of parchment paper or brown paper bag, one at a time in the toaster oven. In a conventional oven, you could do a few at a time. Follow manufacturers instructions for oven temperature.

Set timer for 3 minutes. They are really fun to watch! They twist and curl a bit as they shrink. If supervised, kids love to watch this part!

Remove from oven. They cool and set hard really fast. Have a large, flat, metal lid handy to gently press flat if it appears that it is kind of bent looking. Work quickly.

String a piece of colorful yarn through and tie a not. Wear proudly! 

For more fun projects for children of all ages, see my Preschool Art Page. 

Reminders for a Better World

I'm worn out from this past political season. Between that and my own personal health issues and just lots of life stuff happening, I've become sort of stuck again with keeping up with my blog. So, in the interest of making an attempt to jump back in and to further my personal mission to promote love, kindness, beauty, and all things God-breathed, I've created this positive message from a photo I took of a heart in the clouds. At the time, this heart-shaped cloud was a perfect reminder of hope and of prayers being answered.

Preschool Art: Handprint Owls

Children always seem to love projects with owls in them! These Handprint Owls were no exception. The parents loved them too because they were cute, creative, and a fun keepsake. Those little hands don't stay little for very long!

Note: This fun art project would be great for older children, as well and they can do so many of the steps themselves. 

You will need:

• Pre-made templates for owls and eyes (see instructions below) Also, canning jar lid or something circular to trace for eyes. Smaller lid for pupil
• Construction paper for the background in your color choice
• White construction paper for owl body
• Orange construction paper for beaks and feet
• Black Fine Point Sharpies for signing names
• Crayons
• Glue (for older children, give them each their own glue) For preschoolers and the interest of time, teacher does the gluing
• Scissors to cut out owl body and eyes (older children can do their own)
• Tempera or acrylic paint in various colors
• Little tubs or lids to pour paint into for making dots and finger marks on owls

Lets get started: Making the templates for tracing (Teacher does this) 

(You can have the children color in the pupil with crayon or you can do it ahead of time)

Now for the owls!

For Preschoolers, teacher can trace the owls and eyes onto white construction paper (using the templates) and cut out and glue ahead of time. (Older children could do this themselves) Also, cut little triangles for beaks and half circles for feet

I laid out pre-glued owls and little boxes of crayons. (Hint: the boxes are the plastic ones that mushrooms come in. I love them for so many storage ideas)

After putting each child's name on their painting with Black Sharpie, instruct the children to color their owl with the crayons. Lot's of bright color is the best!

The kids loved all of the steps. Add little pre-cut beaks and feet. I let the kids glue those on themselves, (with help for positioning) using a glue stick

When coloring is done, take the crayons away

Put out little pots (or lids) of paint. (We used tempera paints)

Kids used their fingers to neatly dab little bits of paints all over their owls. We used one color per group of four and then traded colors with another group when all were done.

Now for the handprint wings!

Teacher paints each child's hand in color of their choice

Turn the painting upside down to have the wing facing the right direction. Stamp handprint with thumb facing the owl body. Little ones need assistance. Older kids could do their own. Keep paper towels handy to dry off painted hands. (washing hands can be done at the end of the project)

HERE'S A FUN ART ROOM/CLASSROOM HACK:

Use stacked chairs for a drying rack!!

For more art projects for children please visit my Preschool Art Page

Follow me on Pinterest!!!

Suffering, Holding on to Hope, and Using our Super-Powers for Good!

I discovered a few months ago that I have an auto-immune disease. Ugh! I was not surprised with the diagnosis. I knew I had it. I suspect I've had it for 20 years - maybe more. Although, it has become much worse over the last few years and I'm sooo tired of being sick and exhausted and in pain. I will write about it sometime in the hopes of it being cathartic and for the possibility of helping others who are suffering, as well. For right now, it just feels too negative to dwell on it long enough to write about the details. I'm not in denial. In fact, I am facing it head on, but somehow, I am not completely comfortable with sharing it so openly. Funny, if anyone asks, I have no trouble blurting out its yucky name. But, as soon as I say it I am torn between feeling a sense of relief and a sense of regret. I guess I am afraid of being labeled or limited in the eyes of others. Plus, I just don't want to give it negative energy. I am investing what energy I do have in healing, positive energy. This disease explains why I've struggled with pain, exhaustion, expanding waistline, and sooo much more. But, it doesn't change who I am. It has tried, but I won't let it define me. I hope you are able to do the same with whatever you suffer from in this life... I've learned through this that your pain is something you have - not who you are. And, there is always hope! I do cling to hope of remission, of healing. I woke up to this view a few days ago and it made me grateful and it made me think of hope.

There was never a night or a problem 

that could defeat sunrise or hope.

~Bernard Williams

I have such a heart of compassion for those of you with chronic suffering, whether it is a physical illness, a mental illness, addiction, or ongoing self-esteem issues. Whoever you are, I am sorry. I have found inspiration and the ability to persevere through my faith in God, the act of creating, and also from interacting, listening, and reading the stories of others.

I don't personally believe that God gives us illness and suffering. We live in a world that is flawed. It is part of the deal with being human - it comes with the job. I do maintain in my beliefs that God can and will make good come of any trial we face. I believe we are all given gifts from God - that he instills in us our deepest desires. Our gifts are our super-powers We all have them. I truly believe that our desires and our super-powers are the direct path to our purpose. What are your super-powers? Do you know? Do you use them with joy and gratitude? It's not bragging to claim them and use them. It is a beautiful thing. We need more super-heroes! Our talents are inspired. (God-breathed) If used with the purpose of honoring God, who gifted them to us and with serving others then our world is made better. By using our gifts we bring more focus to God, more light, and more beauty to this world. I consider my super-powers to be my treasure and I am incredibly grateful. My super-powers are: Kindness, Compassion, Empathy, Encouragement, Optimism, and CREATIVITY. (Oh, and mothering. I am a good mom.) I am owning them, using them, and contributing with them every chance I get.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

Philippians 4:8

So, life is hard. Life is full of pain and suffering. Focusing on and talking about pain, suffering, the negative, bad, ugly, the dark and evil of this world gives it energy.

I don't mean turning our backs to the suffering. And I'm not implying that sharing our personal stories of suffering contributes to this negative energy, especially if one of our super-powers is writing or public speaking! I have been comforted and inspired by people who have openly shared their struggles. It makes me know that I am not alone. It reinforces my super-power for compassion. And if per chance someone shares their triumph over their situation - I feel a sense of joy and celebration for their success. And, renewed hope.

For some, their super-power is fighting for justice, for freedom, healing illness, taking on and joining causes, saving lives, sheltering animals or the homeless. They are the more obvious heroes. But, we all can be heroes because all of our super-powers come from God and we all have them! Now let's use them for good - for God's plan- for the easing of suffering- for the creation of beauty. Let's be an inspiration! I feel deep gratitude and admiration for all of the heroes. You dreamers, story tellers, artists, poets, writers, cooks, makers; you soldiers, teachers, mentors, healers, you moms and dads and grandparents, you friends and net-workers who bring people together, you coaches, cheerleaders and encouragers - I am inspired by you.

And, for anyone needing something to cling to - how about hope?

"Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times."
~Romans 12:12

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

~Romans 15:13

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.

Follow Debbie's board Faith on Pinterest.

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. :)