hold me near

This weekend I got away on a little retreat, well really I was taking a class but I was alone for the six-hour car ride.  I found myself thinking, praying and singing (very loudly and badly…) to pass the time.  Of the little music  I had with me this song was from one of the cd’s I listened to repeatedly, “hold me near” by Karla Adolphe/ enter the worship circle.  It is based on one of my favorites, psalms 73.

Hold Me Near

Hold me near when I’m restless

Hold me near when I’m bitter

Hold me near when I”m rebellious

Hold me near until the end

 

Hold me near when my heart is broken

Hold me near when I’m ignorant

Hold me near when I am jealous

Hold me near until the end

 

But as for me my feet almost gave out I nearly sold my heart

It’s good to be held by my Father it’s good to be where you are

 

We are creating these theme/scripture paintings as one of the spring crafts for the women’s retreat.  I just had to try it out ahead of time with some left over supplies I had at home and the lyrics from the song & psalm 73.  I love reading into the phrase,  it just has layers for me.

emerging spring

spring break whirl

butterfly gazing

swan geese chase

stripes versus solids

birthday sparklers

wave pool

cousin sleepovers

car drive

re-entry

r-o-y-g-b-indigo

 

I have been wanting to try out some shibori designs and mix up a vat of indigo for sometime.  I decided to test out some different tying techniques on cotton napkins.  It took several tries to get the indigo dark enough but resulted in a new little set of six unique napkins and a new table runner!  I threw in a few wooden beads for fun overnight and stung them on a natural leather cord to wear.  Hummmm what to dye next…

  

hatching swallowtails

I got a call from a local shop “can you make some new stuff for spring?” Nothing like a little pressure to get back to the wheel. Therefore, I am hatching some new swallowtails and monarch tumblers in the next few weeks. How many should I make? I can’t stop carving new print blocks, I may have to add a few new species. Can’t wait to glaze these.

38

 

This weekend I get to celebrate 38 with a special somebody, we’re celebrating with a little SanctusReal and JJHeller tonight LIVE.

Also In addition to MORE SNOW DAYS…and SICK DAYS, I have been getting ready to take over a gymnasium with crafts for our upcoming womens retreat.  I love testing out new DIY ideas. This week I made these giant 10″ crepe flowers! Just a few more ski days and I’ll be ready for spring… 

pocket full of posies…

I am sure you watch cool shows on TV.  I watch Jeopardy  - What it’s cool!

Last week I learned a 4 letter word for a bouquet of flowers…. What Is posy.

I typically do the best on the teen week questions…  even though I couldn’t name ONE of Taylor Swifts songs.  Were you watching this day?  Best answer EVER!

This week we had our THIRD craft club meeting.  We made paper-craft poppy flowers.  Using a crayon and watercolor resist for the background we talked about “contrast,” pattern and resist.  The girls cut “monochromatic” poppy flowers (well some of them…)  If it’s not overdosing on glitter it’s gobs of glue – I am loving my time with these ladies!

cont edu…

I think our kids school district is trying out a year-round calendar unknowingly through snow days…  we have surpassed the alloted days, so every day from here on out will be tacked on in June.   Oh joy!   While my kids are happy to be out of school, I am eager to jump back in.

I tried to get into this class at Hollanders last fall but it sold out too quickly.  This past weekend I had another shot,  Barbara Brown did an excellent job teaching us how to make these gorgeous leather wrap journals.  See those paper signatures all those pages were torn by hand and using a paper knife… not my favorite part, but I love the sewing!  I thought this design would be a great use for some of my buttons and beads.  Beyond that I just always feel a boost of creative energy whenever I take a class,  it helps me beat the winter blues…

A few other folks in the class let me take some photos of their work,  I am always amazed to take part in classes with such talented people.  It wasn’t too long ago I just longed for this kind of experience but failed to follow through, paralyzed by insecurities, scheduling, and fear of costs. Have you taken a workshop in something you are interested in lately?  It was an investment worth while,  here I’ll give you my top 3 reasons.

1. It builds your resume and confidence in your craft.  Taking classes often leads me down new paths.  I have gained confidence in my artwork and exploring creatively.
2. It is a source of entertainment.  There are a ton of classes/workshops out there to fit every budget.  I got on my computer and searched for classes in my area and online.  I am excited to start this clayer class next month, I get to participate from my own studio!
3. It is cheaper and more effective than therapy!  It is hard to stay in a funk when you are learning something new that you are interested in. It typically gives me a jolt of productivity as well (who couldn’t use a few tons of that!)

Cheers to learning!

k

 

forget the bunnies

I wish I could say this was purely by discipline that I am working ahead on Easter projects.  But truthfully it is fueled by my new dining room table.  I have been slightly obsessed with tablecloths, vases, plates…. decorative stuff that I put little value on previously.  After following a few internet rabbit holes (pun intended) literally everything I saw was completely designed around fluffy bunnies and eggs. What a sad thing this holiday has become…

As if plastic eggs could ever replace the amazing story, of love, death, resurrection, and redemption found in the Bible.  I know hospitality is more than decorations and menus,  it is about the welcoming.   Oh to share a meal and have ones home reflect  the warmth of the Savior. It’s a learning and making season for me.   I am enjoying my Mains book , ”If Christians, corporately would begin to practice hospitality, we could play significant roles in redeeming our society.  There is no better place to be about the redemption of society with the captive, the blind, the downtrodden, the more we realize that in this inhospitable world, a Christian home is a miracle to be shared. ”  Do you have an Easter or Lenten tradition in your home?

 

Daffodils have long been some of my favorite spring bulbs.  Emerging warm yellow blooms from the snow-covered ground.  I carved two new daffodil blocks and used old printers letter stamps to lay significance in the clay.  We’ll see how these fire up and fill with spring blooms.

mud pies & tea

We had THREE snow days last week and planned on going skiing up north for the other two, so my girls had a FULL week off of school, crazy.  With school cancelled, we had to make up our craft club as the roads were too treacherous even for clay!  I debated like crazy about splitting the group in two for this one, since the lesson was a bit more hands on,  it ended up happening naturally as a few were missing due to sickness.   It was sweet to work with a small group (six) and get to help the girls a bit more individually.  I’ll have to schedule a make-up for the make-up…

This month we made clay tea cups from coil pots and some fashionable clay beads.  This really counts as two different 4-H crafts, since clay is one category and jewelry is another.  I figured I would teach the a little early multi-tasking!  My hands were too messy to snap photos during the process but they turned out great. Can’t wait to see after they are glazed and fired.

I have enjoyed watching my girls grown in friendships with other girls from their class and school.  How fun to make art and invite these cuties in our home once a month. 

open heart

Loving my February book.  Open heart open home.  There are very few people that I have talked to in the last week that I haven’t quoted portions of it to or thought about while conversing.  What I love most about this little golden book on hospitality is that it reminds me of all my friends!  Seriously I know the best people.  I am truly blessed to live in such a hospitable community!