Seek First

Matthew 6:33--"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well."

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It epitomizes what every Christian, in my estimation, should do. I feel that God expects the very best from me. Though I fail miserably at times, he is always there to forgive me and set me back on course. In my life, I've put many things before God. Until I studied "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby, I had a life with Christ but not for Christ. I realized that I really mattered to him and that he had a special place for me in his kingdom. Who's at the top of my list today?

I made this card for the May challenge for Art In The Word Yahoo Group. Yes, I know it's the end of May. It's been a little busy around here lately. I used scrapbook paper background, copies of vintage images, ephemera, book binding material, a metal cross, found words and old music and antique gold paint. It measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2."

Little Girls

These are the pages of a new Itty Bitty Book of Little Girls I've compiled from my own ATCs that I've posted here on my blog. I've put the book on Etsy in hopes it will sell. Each facing page is decorated and has the accompanying scripture that relates to the art. I've embellished each card with fun yarn, thread, ribbons, rick-rack, sequin trim, hankie edging, buttons, stamps, music, cross pendant, paper flowers, plastic letter beads, pearls and assorted ephemera. It's fun to make one of these.

I'm one of three sisters and my mother also had two sisters so I've been around girls a lot. It was odd to me to have my first two children be boys. I was amazed at how I could love my little boys even though I always wanted a girl. Eight years after my second son I had my little girl who now has her little girl. Girls and boys are so different, not just physically but emotionally. Though my boys love me and their Dad they don't really pay attention to keeping us informed about their children. How different that is with my daughter who calls us daily with granddaughter updates. Yes, girls are pretty special--no offense boys.

Genesis 24:28--"The girl ran and told her mother's household about these things." This is the story of Abraham sending his servant out to find a wife for his son, Isaac. He's met Rebekah and realizes that she's the one. This is Rebekah's reaction to hearing that the man has come as a messenger from the house of Abraham, her own kinsman. Maybe I'm interpreting this with a slant, but I don't think a boy would be that excited outwardly, and I don't think he would share the news with his family or anyone else. Girls are so different.

Broken Into Beautiful

Psalm147:3--"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

I've found a new Bible Study site, Crosswalk.com, and yesterday I found a new musical artist, Gwen Smith. I visited her site and found the song, "Broken into Beautiful," It's a peaceful song and full of meaning for me. God can use anyone no matter what they've done if they turn their lives over to Him. What grace! What mercy! He has a place of service for those who are willing to be used in his kingdom. That's the word that scares many people--"willing." Are you willing to be beautiful again? Find Gwen at http://www.myspace.com/gwensmithmusic and let her minister to your soul.

I used a playing card as the base on which I adhered two copies of a vintage image. I crackled and stained one and left the other as is, cut out words and computer produced one.

Momma

Intuitive art--I started with this transparency I made, added assorted ephemera scraps in no particular order, they just happened to be in a plastic bag. I keep everything. So I randomly pulled each out and used most of what happened to be there. I made a few glaring uglys, moved a few things around and added some words and here it is.

She was my grandmother. She and Grandpa L. lived in Minneapolis and we lived in Southern Illinois--a long way from relatives in the 50's and 60's. The last time I saw her was when I was two years old so I don't have a conscious memory of her, but I love her just the same. She was my Dad's Momma--mother to three ornery boys and an even ornerier husband. Grandpa's mother lived with them and outlived her. I heard stories of her gentleness, patience and work ethic. She was a child of Swedish immigrants and married a Norwegian immigrant--not a great mix, so I hear. I'll treasure the few memories of her I received from my Dad. One was that the family had a Norwegian plaque that said (in Norwegian) "Believe Strong In God." She did and God gave her the strength she needed to endure her trying family. She worked outside the home as well as cared for her boys and mother-in-law. This was almost unheard of in the 30's. She had to do it so she did. I've learned a lot from her life and I treasure those memories.

Deuteronomy 32:7--"Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you."

A Visit to Vintage Trifles

I was visiting a friend's blog (http://deenasstory.blogspot.com) and she was featuring this artist. Since today is Memorial Day, I am borrowing her work as an inspiration to all who will read this blog today. What a great piece of art! You can find this at http://vintagetrifles.blogspot.com. Her Friday, May 23 post has it there. She even shows how she made it.

We take for granted the freedoms we have. Unless we've done without, we cannot realize the sacrifice that is being made for us daily by our service men and women. We cannot know the degrees of poverty--physical, emotional and spiritual--people around the world face. Stop and pray now for our troops. They need it.

2 Chronicles 7:14--"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Leaning on Grace

Matthew 18:4--"Whoever humbles himself like this chld is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Why do we listen to other people? Why do we do what they say when we know it is wrong? Why do I think I'm better than someone else? Jesus was very clear when he told his disciples to look at and emulate the faith of a little child. Jesus, full of grace, accepts the humble and the simple. Why do we complicate matters when all we have to do is lean on him?

The base is a playing card on which I adhered a public domain hymn, a copy of a vintage image and a crucifix. I stained the card and edged in black paint.

Shining Light

Matthew 5:14 and 16--"You are the light of the world....Let your light shine."

Sometimes the Christian person is the only light in a world of darkness. If that is the case, people will go to that person to seek refuge in their times of darkness. So many times, however, the world cannot see a special light because the Christian looks just like the world around them. I would like to be the shining light to the world around me. I have to guard against being darkness.

I used a playing card as the base and added ephemera by piecing bits of background around the two main features, the lighthouse and the woman. I muted the colors with black gel stain and added glitter glue. I'm thinking there is something wrong with the lense of my camera. I'm getting a blur in the upper portion of my pictures. Ugh... a new lense, a new camera. Maybe.

Forgotten

Jeremiah 2:32--"My people have forgotten me, days without number."

We make many promises in life. Some we remember and some we forget. The worst thing we can do is make a promise to God that we will not forget him. We seem to remember him when bad things happen and we call on him to rescue us. We don't remember our promise, though, when things are good. We tend to pat ourselves on the back and don't give him credit for what he has given us. Ooops, have we forgotten?

I threw this card together this morning (kind looks like it) because I have a full day--cooking for the mid-week dinner. This verse was one I read today and needed to make art to remember it. I used a playing card, wallpaper, a copy of a vintage image, a doilie, a hand-made transparency. I etched in gel medium, painted and highlighted it with gesso. I added watercolor pencil for highlights on the image.

Child of God

John 1:12--"Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
Are your children perfect? Neither are God's. Though we are given the right to be adopted into his family, that position doesn't make us perfect. Only when we see him face to face will that happen. Until then we, as our children do, try to please our parents (God). We know parents expect us to do what they've taught us and we do our best to follow their teachings. It isn't any different with God. And, praise be to him, God is even more forgiving than our parents.

Speaking of perfection (or lack thereof), I tried three times to photograph this art piece and every time the color wasn't right or the lighting was wrong or there were flaws in the piece. Every time I corrected the errors. It's still not what I want it to be, but I tried my best and I'm fairly happy with the outcome. Such is life.

Transformed

2 Corinthians 3:18--"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
It's a process. If we are still the same as the day we accepted Christ as our Savior then we are not being transformed into his likeness. If we don't reflect Christ in our attitudes, our lifestyle and our conversations, then we are not reflecting the Lord's glory. Are we allowing the Spirit of God to work in us? Are we being transformed?

I used a playing card as the base of this art card, added wallpaper, tissue paper, old text, a copy of a vintage image, a copy of a bird, old buttons, glitter glue, and embroidery threads.

Niche

1 Corinthians 6:11--"But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

All these things happen to the person who puts Christ first in his/her life. By accepting Jesus as our Savior and Lord we are completely cleansed from our sin, we are set apart for special service for Christ and we are made righteous in Jesus' name by the Holy Spirit. Have you found your niche yet?

This is playing card size with layers of dictionary pages, a cut out center with a wallpaper bottom and old German text from a religious book. Transparent plastic encases the brass cross. I've etched in gel medium, highlighted with gold and stained with paint. I stamped "set apart" (one meaning of sanctified) on pillow ticking. The other meaning is listed above the window.

Your Hands Made Me

"Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands."
Psalm 119:73

Understanding about God and wisdom are given to a believer if he or she asks for it. We don't automatically understand God and his word and wisdom isn't just acquired; they are gifts given by the Holy Spirit. The first step to understanding God is to realize that He is our maker. He is the one who formed us. Notice that the Psalmist asked God for "understanding to learn." He is asking, "help me to realize that learning your laws is important." So many people just don't care to know. How sad.

This is the cover page of a new collection of my ATCs, "Itty Bitty Book of Girls." It will include six pieces of art I've done over the past year and will be on the order of the Book of Angels I sold last week (see previous posts.) It was so fun putting the angels book together that I thought I'd do another. This cover started as a playing card on which I adhered wallpaper, a chipboard base piece (thank you, Shabby Cottage Studio.com), a paper flower (thank you Mary and Cheryl), a pink brad, and a vintage image (Paper Whimsey). I used texture, paint and gel pen the first time around and didn't like it so I redid it with gloss paint, retextured by etching flowers around the face and painted them gold. It is all stained with gel stain. I won't have time to work on it for a few days--traveling to see family.

Opening My Heart

2 Corinthians 6:13--"We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also."

Paul is speaking to the Corinthian church here as he is encouraging them to put their selfishness aside and reach out to all people in love. Paul and the disciples of Jesus were trying to establish the early church and teach them to love and give. It's difficult for some people to share their thoughts and emotions--I, for one. It seems that when I do, I either go overboard and share too much and/or bore people with my sharing or get too emotional and cry. I keep quiet, most of the time, and that way I don't embarrass myself. The time for sharing is when the Lord gives me an opportunity to tell of his grace and mercy in my life. I need to open wide my heart at that time and allow myself to be vulnerable. I need to show that I care and allow myself to show affection. Then the Holy Spirit may work in the heart of the one to whom I am witnessing.

This art started as a playing card on which I adhered a copy of a vintage image, other ephemera and a heart cut out of wallpaper. I enhanced by stippling black paint.

Treasury on Etsy

I made a Treasury list on Etsy. I'm so happy and I sold the piece treasured! Yeh! It ends on Tuesday May 13,08 at 3:57 p.m. central time. Check is out: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=9669

In Search Of A Gentleman

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1-2

It is difficult to find a real gentleman these days. Few mothers teach their sons how to be gentlemanly. How many doors are opened for women; how many chairs pulled out for her to be seated; how many men walk on the street side of the lady on the sidewalk? These things are unheard of in this society. Do these nice things exist? Truthfully, no. How important are they? Truthfully, not very. What is important is what exists in the man's soul. What are his priorities? Who does he worship? Who does he obey? In whom does he delight? I'd like to say "his wife/girlfriend," but God comes first and should in any believer's heart. This makes a man a real gentleman. Do you know one?

This card was made for one of my online art groups. The theme was "vintage gentlemen." I found this old photo at an antique store and he looked so dapper, I had to buy it. I collaged the background, stained it, etched in gel medium and highlighted with stain and gold paint, adhered the gentleman on some brown paper and glued that to the background. I added more stain and a hand-stamped word "gentleman" on old paper.

Happy Mother's Day

This is a picture someone found in an old Victorian album--a beautiful reminder to love our mothers here or gone. I got a little teary today as I wished her a Happy Mother's Day. How can any day not be happy in heaven. I love you, Mom.

"Listen, my son [and daughter], to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." Proverbs 1:8-9

God Is Here

We wonder—where is He? All the world around us seems to be caving in—where is He? Our children hurt—where is He? Our lives are chaotic—where is He? There’s a young man in our church who has cancer and he’s had terrible side effects from chemo therapy. His family is at their wits end dealing with this. They are about to give up on God’s ability to heal their child. “Where is He?” they ask. What do I, who has not experienced this pain, tell them? How can I give comfort and assurance that God is in control? I don’t know their pain.
It’s hard to see the good when bad is so overwhelming. It’s in that place that we need to listen to God’s “whisper” and look for the little things that he has given us. All I can do is pray for God to show himself to this family in the little things so they can see and feel his presence in their lives.

Matthew 1:23—“ ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.’ " Matthew quoted this from the Old Testament scripture, Isaiah 7:14.

This piece of art started as a playing card on which I adhered little bits of ephemera, a picture of birds and a copy of a vintage image on cardboard. I stained it all. The little piece of music I found at the bottom of a stack of discarded stuff. I save most of my junk, never knowing what I'll use. On the music it said, "God Is Here." Isn't it strange that we can even find God in the scrap pile?

Pages of Altered Itty Bitty Book of Angels

Page One Itty Bitty Book of Angels ATCs

Page Two

Page Three

Page Four

Page Five

Page Six

Title and Signature Page

Front Cover with Wings Out

Back Cover with Wings Out

They Only Last A While

I took this picture about two weeks ago. Now the only flowers left are the bluebells. God gives us flowers to enjoy while we have them for soon, they will be gone. Life is fleeting. Enjoy what God has given you--soon it will be gone. The only guarantee we have is that of being one with the Father. Make your decision to have life eternal by putting your trust in Jesus, the Son of God. Allow him to rule your life and make it beautiful.

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:7

Itty Bitty Book of Angels

My Itty Bitty Book of Angels is done. I'm going to try to figure out how to post multiple small pictures so tomorrow I can show all of it. It took most of the day to add to the cards I already had, but it was really fun. I also contracted a cold today--goody, goody. Hopefully the Zicam will help and I'll have it knocked by tomorrow. Thank you, Lord, for the beautiful day--rain in the morning and sun this afternoon. Lovely! Hebrews 12:28--"Let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe."

Commanding His Angels

Psalm 91:11--"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."

What a promise! Do I believe in angels? Yes. The Bible speaks often of them and God created them to be ministering spirits. Do I believe they are divine, holy and like God? No. The Bible does not teach that. Revelation 22:8-9 clearly reveals who we are to worship: "I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, 'Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!' " You can't get more direct than that.

I'm putting together a few ATCs I've produced over the past year into Itty Bitty Books. This one will go in my Angels book. I used a playing card, adhered assorted ephemera and book binding material, stained, stamped and added a brass cross and a beaded dangly with a brass charm.

Usable Faults

Bows made by my husband from osage orange wood.

Bow with a natural curve--going with the grain.

Bow with a usable fault.

My husband makes osage orange (hedge) bows. He knows that when he planes the stick, he must "go with the grain" no matter how crooked. He must go around the knot, not through it, or the bow will break when bent. He's always amazed that an imperfect stick will make a bow that will actually hit the bullseye. When he does inspirational talks to bowhunters, he uses the analogy of the bow and arrow and likens it to the Christian life. Even when the bow has a flaw or a curve, it is still useful and and can do its job. It's the archer, not the bow, that's most important. It's the archer's will that determines where the arrow is going, not the design of the bow.
God, our heavenly archer, can use us even if we are crooked from sin or have faults. He can use imperfection to his glory and that's good news for us!

Sweet Expression

Children have a way of showing love in charming ways. They can look at you and melt your heart. They can hug you even when you’ve been angry at them. When they say “mommy,” "daddy," they say it with intense love that will make your day bright. Their sweet expressions melt even the hardest heart. Oh, that we had the unreserved love as that of a child and that we were able to express that love, even to the unlovely. Oh, that we were filled with the love of Christ to show others his love through us as the scripture says in 1 John 4:12 (New Living Translation)—“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” It’s sad that the only “full expression” I give is anger, not love and that’s not a “sweet expression.”

This art is on the cover of a small journal. I adhered scrapbook paper to the fronts and backs of the covers, adhered a copy of a vintage image, added wording on cardboard, and stained. I tied three kinds of ribbons and added a “sweet” popsicle button.