Hail

Psalm 147:17--"He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?"

It was a dreary day yesterday. During the late afternoon we heard tapping on the window. Little pieces of hail dropped all over the ground for about 15 minutes or so. It was the longest hailstorm I've ever witnessed. The little pieces looked exactly like pebbles. I didn't get a closeup because I didn't want to get wet, because it sleeted and rained after the hail. Now, who can make little pebbles of hail come from the sky? Who else but God. That was an awesome sight. And yes, that is green grass you see. Ahhhh, Spring!

A Good Measure

Luke 6:38--"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, it will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This verse is stated three times in the New Testament in three different gospels. Each gospel writer thought that this teaching was important enough to record for posterity. By nature, I am not a giver. I don't automatically volunteer my time, energy or resources. That's not a good thing and I'm not proud of it. I wish I were like my husband who jumps in to help someone instantly. I have to think about it--then maybe it will go away or someone else will volunteer. This could be why I don't have many friends. Hmmmm.....

This little card measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" and on it I adhered ephemera, a vintage image (Paper Whimsy), old beautiful lace, and a piece of measuring tape. I etched in gel medium and highlighted with black stain.

Lamp Does Not Go Out

Proverbs 31:18--"She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night."

This chapter of the Bible talks of The Virtuous Woman. It is quoted many times in sermons on Mother's Day. The woman about which this chapter speaks is a business woman, a woman who cares for her husband and family, and one who is eager to work at home as well as outside the home. Compared to this woman, I am inferior and lazy. This encourages me, though, to think that God would bless my business. He would look highly on my work at home. He would think me worthy for caring for my family. He would encourage me as I work for my spiritual family. Virtuous? maybe not. Loved? Oh, yes.

This is a small journal/notebook on which I painted, adhered copies of vintage images and other ephemera, etched in gel medium and highlighted with gold paint and black gel stain. I added ribbons, tulle and gold cording and a lovely rhinestone button. On the inside of each cover, I've added flowered paper. It measures 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" and it can be found in my Etsy store.

Play Skillfully

Psalm 33:3--"Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy."



My husband found this verse in the New International Version of the Bible many years ago. As musicians and music teachers, we appreciate this verse very much. We tell our students that God does not expect mediocrity when it comes to making music for him. He expects us to do our best, even when we practice. So many other disciplines can adopt this verse as well.



I made this little "room" as a trial for a project for Shabby Cottage Studio. We're to submit little "rooms" to put into a larger house. This one didn't make the cut because another of mine was more suited to the theme. I can't show it, because, hopefully it will be in another publication some time in the future. When it does, the picture will hit my blog. This one measures 3 7/8" x 3 1/2" x 1 1/2." I used some collage sheets from SCS, other ephemera, scrapbook paper, and fabric. I "wrote" the music.

Redeemed

Galatians 3:13-14--"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.' He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."
We are not able to meet the high standards of the law and because of that we are cursed with eternal death. The word "redeemed" in these verses emphasizes the total freedom we have from the penalty of sin that redemption brings. We are permanently free!

This art started as a playing card on which I adhered old English text, scrapbook paper, old fly leaf paper, a copy of a vintage image, and two charms. I stained the paper with a touch of blue and brown ink and black paint.

He Has Risen

Luke 24:5-7--" 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:

The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,
be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'

Then they remembered his words."

We tend to forget the words of the Lord when life interupts us. He promised us so much and we only remember a few things. What if we remembered all He said. Our lives would be so much more complete.

This little Easter card started as a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" playing card on which I adhered German fraktur text, a copy of a vintage card (Shabby Cottage Studio.com), old lace, ribbons, a brass charm and glitter glue.

Memories

Matthew 26:12-13--"When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

Little acts of kindness do not go unnoticed. This woman was annointing Jesus as an act of love and worship. She didn't do this to get noticed by the disciples and she actually risked her reputation (what little she had) to accomplish the act. Jesus knew that the woman had a greater knowledge of what was going to happen to him in the near future than did his disciples. I need to tune into what the Spirit tells me to do instead of what my own desires say. Then I would know more the mind of Christ and the mission He has for me. I need to put aside my opinion of what others think and act when the Spirit speaks.

This is a little 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" notebook made into a journal. I used paint, ephemera and a copy of a vintage image (Paper Whimsy), a charm that says "memories," a button, ribbons, jute and tulle. I etched in gel medium and highlighted with stain and antique gold paint.

Favor

Proverbs 16:15--"Favor is like a rain cloud in Spring."

It's interesting how God plans things. He gives us rain when we need it to purify and nourish the earth. The smell of a Spring rain is so refreshing. God knows every detail of our lives and we stew around wondering how this or that is going to happen. If we totally trust Him to provide for all our needs and believe that He knows what He's doing, we don't have to worry. He will provide in the best way ever--His Way.

This is a little 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" art card on which I adhered ephemera and a copy of a vintage image, painted, etched in gel medium, and added gesso and ink.

The Earth Is The Lord's

Psalm 24:1--"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."

I painted the background of this little 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" journal and adhered a vintage image (Paper Whimsy) and other ephemera. I used more paint and ink to decorate and etched in gel medium and painted the design gold. I added ribbons and tulle for fun and covered the inside of the covers with scrapbook paper. I'm putting it, along with yesterday's art, on Etsy today.

Emergence

Isaiah 48:6--"From now on, I will tell you new things, of hidden things unknown to you."

God reveals himself anew every Spring--from ugly brown to beautiful green, from death to life, from despair to hope. Things begin to emerge from the cold, hard ground. Buds begin to swell and life has another chance. I believe God created Spring so we could look forward to eternal life. Just when things seem endless and hopeless, he gives us a glimpse of himself. He allows us to see into his eternity and the view is spectacular!

This little card started as a playing card on which I adhered scrapbook paper to both sides, muted it with gesso and adhered a vintage image and other ephemera. I added ribbons and glitter glue. I etched in gel medium and highlighted with silver.

Nest

Psalm 84:3--"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she can have her young--a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God."

The birds are finally building their nests. It's March and Spring can't be far away. It's wonderful to see the birds at work again. Their homes are close to God's heaven. I wonder if they communicate with him? The psalmist phrases it so beautifully.

This art started as an old book cover on which I painted and adhered copies of vintage images. I added the word, "nest," and surrounded it with gel, etched then painted it gold. I hung it by two ribbons. This piece is added to my Etsy store.

Whoever Believes

John 11:25-26--"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' "

It comes down to this: believe or not. There is no in between. Do you believe what Jesus said or not? Do you believe he was who he said he was? Notice the part where he said "lives and believes in me." We must not just admit there was a Christ; we must live in him. That's what truly determines the true Christian. Do you believe?

After being sick a number of days I felt well enough to create something today. This didn't turn out anything like I'd planned so I went another direction. Instead of "pretty," as was my initital plan, it's handsome. So, I think I'll give it to one of my friends for his birthday. It's a little journal/notebook measuring 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" on which I adhered bits of text and music then stained and distressed it. I added a bristol board tile and a charm that says "believe." Now I have to go rest. This wore me out.

Clothed With Humility

1 Peter 5:5--"All of you, clothe yourself with humility toward one another."

If we followed these words, the world would be a better place. Unfortunately, even among Christ's people, these words would fall on deaf ears. I'm very "my-me-mine" centered. If I'd step outside my own box and put others before me, I'd be blessed for it and I would be doing as Christ did. I know, because I've done that before...but not often enough.

These little dresses are part of a swap for one of my Christian Yahoo groups. We were to make eight paper dresses, the same or different, to be swapped amoung eight people (those who signed up for the trade.) I made mine from selected wallpaper swatches and scrapbook paper. I then added lace, crocheted trim, pieces of old hankies, buttons and ribbons. They measure 4" x 6" each.

Embroidered Linen

Exodus 26:36--"And you shall make a hanging for the door of the tent...of fine twined linen, embroidered."

For centuries embroidery has been popular. I love to read in Exodus how God gave certain people the expertise to do handwork on fabric. God gives everyone a job to do and the ones who were given the gift of embroidery were to put their skill to use. That encourages me to use my skills to glorify God, no matter what they are.

I've been sick the past few days so I'm pulling out some of my pre-mades for my blog. This little linen "egg" was made a few years ago. I did cross-stitching, pulled thread work and beading on linen, cut it to the shape desired, added old crocheted lace and added a ribbon hanger. It measures about 4" x 6."

Precious Treasures

Proverbs 21:20--"Be sensible and store up precious treasures--don't waste them like a fool."

It's so fun to make something useful out of junk. I would imagine that if you looked in your desk drawer and jewelry box and top dresser drawer, you would find much "junk." Oh, I'll have that repaired. I might need that one day. Maybe someone in my family could use that. I'd better keep it....just in case. I don't think the writer of Proverbs had these things in mind when he wrote about "precious treasures." What is most precious to you? Things or people? How are things wasted? How are people wasted? Are you a fool? I hope I'm not.

I made this little "Treasure Chest" a few months ago from junk from my desk drawer, jewelry box and top dresser drawer. I painted it gold to start and then kept adding "junk" until it was all covered. It was a lot of fun to make. I'm putting it up for sale on Creative Call Studio beginning March 10 (click on the side bar at the right to see my store.)