Second Wind

 

This page is about not feeling shame about growing older. I'm ashamed to admit that I have felt that way, but it's the truth, even though some of the most beautiful women I know are much older than me. As I age, I want to be fearless and free, radiating the love that has been poured into my heart by the grace and mercy of God. I want to always be growing and learning and experiencing new things!

Sometimes I am just too much ! Captivating Art Journal Entry #3

This pretty much says it all. And to quote Forrest Gump, "That's all I'm going to say about that."

I Will Take Heart....I Am Enough

My heart has been rescued, transformed. In my journal there is a pocket which contains an image that represents my old heart and one that represents my new, redeemed heart.


The next image represents a feeling (a lie, really) I, and many women, am tempted to take in and believe. The lie is, "I am not enough". I am not thin enough, I am not pretty enough, I am not smart enough, blah, blah, blah.

So far, I have made cameo appearances in my journal pages, as I have been led to use them. This is a photo of me at a close friend's wedding back in the 80's.

I was feeling particularly out of place. I was pregnant and had not been chosen as a bridesmaid. I was very hormonal and emotional and under attack, as expectant women often are. I was vulnerable to the lie that I was not pretty or loved enough to be in the wedding. Silly, I know, but isn't that how so many offenses start ? 


I have had many occasions since, to feel the very same way. Though I am His miracle child, I am tempted (daily) to believe this lie. Through careful study of The Holy Scriptures and through prayer in this study, I hope to break free of this lie, forever. 

My Tender Shepherd

I have recently joined a group of women on facebook, created by my friend Pattie Ann Hale and One Tree Village www.onetreevillage.org for the purpose of reading the book Captivating by Staci Eldredge, and journaling our experiences in visual images. 

I have read the book in the past, but it is even more rich and compelling this time around. This week, we are reading chapter one and creating images to share and talk about. 

My first entry is not especially artistic, but it says exactly what I needed it to say, and I was very blessed by the Spirit's outpouring of love as I pieced it together. 
I started with a magazine photo of a lamb, because I am grateful that the Tender Shepherd always had his eye on me, His lost lamb. 

I included some sheet music from a hymnal that talks about Him being a tender Shepherd ,and the Shepherd of tender youth. I put a photo of me on top of the sheep. This image was taken when I was about 12, at a time when life became very confusing and disorienting for me. I did not experience salvation until I was 25, but I can see how The Tender Shepherd had His eye on me and kept me from all kinds of evil during those dark days. 

He rescued me (His princess)
He loves me.
I was lost and He found me, His lost little lamb. 
I have guaranteed approval, secure attachment and His compassion. 
I will take heart, rain or shine, for I trust that my Daddy knows what He's doing. 
I have identity in Him. 
I am safe and protected. 
Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder, and He sees beauty in me, His lamb. 


Jesus makes my heart rejoice !

I'm His sheep and know His voice !

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Circular Brick Stitch Earrings

I really enjoyed making these circular brick stitch earrings onto a shell ring. They work up fast, are lightweight to wear, and the colorway possibilities are endless. These are a very nice twist on the classic hoop.

Fifth Entry Art Journal 2011

This is my fifth entry of my art journal. It was a snowy day and I doodled this all cozied up in bed with colored pencils. I enjoyed the simplicity of that medium.

Fourth Entry Art Journal 2011

Mercy and Truth. Plain and simple. More, LORD !

Third Entry Art Journal 2011

I had fun making this background by dribbling paint on the page and dragging it around with a plastic card.

I used a gesso foundation, acrylic paints and markers. The colors remind me of a sunrise. 

The scriptures in Proverbs, with reference to the heart, are so rich !

Second Entry of Art Journal 2011

 

I like the colors in this page, the coolness of the background contrasted with the warmness in the heart. 

Art Journal 2011

I pray that this will be the year of many changes. I need to move out of my comfort zone and press into new creative territory. Inspired by the likes of Julie Balzer, and others, I have decided to try my hand at Art Journaling. My conscious purpose is twofold. I want to plunder the riches of God's Word and be inspired by it. And as I meditate on it, and make art, I believe it will transform my heart. 

Mamatoto Polymer Clay Bead

This beautiful bead was created in polymer clay. It represents the beauty of "motherbaby" or "mamatoto."

In addition to my work as a bead artist, I am a mothercare professional, serving women through the childbearing year. God is a Author and Giver of life and I am thankful to Him for choosing me to do this work. I celebrate this in my art. All inspiration comes from Him.

Soli Deo Gloria !

Inspired by the Sea

This is a commissioned piece, a gift to someone who loves the ocean.

I love the ocean too, so I was feeling it ! Can you tell ?

"Worship the LORD all the earth, let the sea roar and all it contains"

Like A Bride

My daughter's best friend is marrying her husband's brother. The bride's mother is also a dear friend of mine, so I was given the honor of making the bride's headpiece. 

I embroidered crystals and pearls and seed beads to the veil and it turned out very lovely, as befitting the bride. 

And I saw the Holy city, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, arrayed like a bride, beautifully dressed for her husband. 

Rev. 21:2

Sunny Hoops

Sometimes a girl just needs something light and airy. These darling hoops fit the bill for steamy summer days. 

A friend gave me these adorable sun faces and I have had so much fun with them. I have wired a 6mm green faceted bead to the bottom of each one and dangled them from sterling wire hoops. 

Blessings !

Checkerboard Cuff Bracelet

This is a variation of another bracelet I have previously posted but I made it wider, using blueberry wine matte size 11 seed beads and peacock bugles, and finished it off with a pretty silver toggle. I love this weave, it is easy and works up quickly. 

Blessings !

Lacy Net Seed Bead Earrings

These were an experiment, but they came out kind of cool. I will use better ingredients next time, I am thinking some kind of drop bead in the middle. 

Blessings !

Brick Stitch Bracelet

A few weeks ago, I had fun using up some odds and ends and orphaned beads to make this brick stitched bracelet. The cornucopia of colors and textures make it fun to wear. I finished it off with a silvery snake toggle that was given to me by my beading buddy B.J. 

Click the photo for a better look. 

Blessings !

Emerald City Bracelet

A former bead student and I are planning to do some classes locally and recently, we went to a lovely bead shop in Matthews, NC called the Bead Boutique.www.beadboutiquenc.com 
 and they have something called "Club Bead" that is a monthly event in which you get to learn an easy project and sit around the beading table with some other ladies for beady fun!
This was the monthly project, an adaptation of the "Skinny Bracelet" by Deb Roberti
http://www.aroundthebeadingtable.com/
Please check out Deb's site for other great project patterns, many of which are FREE.
In addition, may I just say that Deb is the best pattern designer, hands down. Her instructions are excellent and don't leave me all flustered as many of them tend to do.
THis little bracelet was needle woven with 4 mm Vitrail fire polished beads and size 8 seed beads in right angle weave. Very pretty results with very little effort. I like that !

Click the photos for a better look. Blessings !

Ndebele Blue

It's been awhile since I have blogged, but you can be sure that I have been beading :)

My Nikon Cool Pics bit the proverbial dust, and so my son had to come to my rescue and be my photographer for the next few entries. Thanks, Zach !

I love Ndebele stitch, also known as Herringbone. It is an ancient African stitch that yields a beautiful slinky bead fabric. This bracelet was needle woven with blue hex beads and number 6 beads in a transparent lilac color. I sticthed a peyote loop and added a beautiful gold button with a floral motif. 

At 8 1/2 inches, this bracelet will fit the queen sized wrist and look spectacular !

Click each photo for a better look !

Blessings.