upward reach

Moving from summer to fall.  I am looking up to see the beautiful change everywhere around me.

Who Thou art I know not

But this much I know; 

Thou hast set the Pleiades

In a silver row;

 

Thou hast sent the trackless winds

Loose upon their way,

Thou hast reared a coloured wall

Twixt the night and day:

 

Thou hast made the flowers to bloom

And the starts to shine;

Hid rare gems of richest ore

In the tunnelled mine.

 

But chief of all Thy wondrous works,

Supreme of all Thy plan,

Thou hast put an upward reach 

Into the heart of man.

 

-Harry Kemp

(American poet and son of a candymaker)

 

seeds

I am loving looking through design seeds palettes for a little inspiration.  Hopefully these seeds will sprout into some much needed motivation, I have quite a few projects in limbo… or maybe a few afternoons of sunshine would do the trick!

tracks

This morning the pool was a little too crowded for a swim, being a beautiful sunrise I opted for some winter play.  Walking along the old rails to trail I remembered the allure of winter hikes.  The trail I walked on was loaded first with snowmobile tracks, than as I moved further along the river fox, deer, rabbits, and I am sure many others I didn’t catch.  I am glad I took my snow shoes as it allowed me to go off the path in areas that are normally covered in brush in the summer.  Quiet, peaceful, textural – I have been slow to get back in the studio after Christmas.  Winter has come, it’s time for play!

winter’s pane

We kept the original leaded glass picture windows on the front of our house.  I admire how they capture the light and distort the scenery.  Yesterday they framed winters own art sprawled across the glass panes.  I’m mesmerized by the ice crystals and abstract design.

entering rest

“God’s “rest” is the splendid, vibrant benefit of His salvation.  Rest for you, in God’s purpose, is fulfillment of all that He created you to be and do in the atmosphere of relationship with Him.  It is unhindered productivity and satisfaction.   God’s intent is for us to rest from anything that distracts us from Christ and his work.  This calls for genuine belief in Jesus Christ and rest from self-effort.”

I was so THANKFUL for the chance to get away over thanksgiving with family and REST.  The above quote is from my BSF lesson during that week, how appropriate when vacationing on the beach.  Rest is so much more than getting away, it is satisfaction with the work, a pause of that, and gratitude on God’s blessings.  As the bustle of Christmas begins let us not forget the silent entrance of God becoming flesh, and REST is his greatest gift.

 

hike on the pine

Thankfully, we got away for that little hike last weekend that I was hoping for.  Who has ever heard of perfect 80 degree weather in October, in Michigan???  We headed out for an afternoon at one of my Dad’s favorite places – the Pine river.  4 miles we hiked with our girls!  They did such a great job hiking up hills, through the woods and along the river  - we saw very few people out.

I think I am in love with this photo above, the golden-colored leaves and the shadows dancing about on the trunk – gorgeous!  Our hike was a bit magical, I wish I was better at capturing the leaves falling, they kind of float from the trees and rest on the forest floor.  I took a lot of photos but none really captured the beauty of being in nature with the people I love most.

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diy: maple leaf roses

Plentiful at this time of year – gorgeous leaves!  We live on a street lined with maple trees, so the materials for these are abundant.  I am not sure who first created these but I am certain they have been made for a long time.  I first learned how to make these a few years ago from a retired art teacher in our community.  She like to wrap the leaves really tight so they looked like rose buds,  I like to find the really big leaves  and make them with large open “petals”.  I’m not a huge fan of dried flowers but these do have beautiful color.

What you need:  About 10 colorful maple leaves (per flower) in various sizes, they should be dry & freshly fallen, so they are pliable.  It is also helpful to have on hand short twigs, scissors and florist tape.

Using one of the smaller leaves, place the colorful side down and fold the points in.  Begin to roll the leaf from one side.

Take a second leaf and fold the center point down.  Place the first rolled leaf in the center, fold down the side points on the second leaf and wrap both sides around.

Continue to add leaves, rotating the flower as you go to get an even size.  Work with the smaller leaves towards the larger ones.  When you rotate it also helps to keep the sides tucked in so that it doesn’t unravel.

When you have added all your leaves or reach desired size, pinch the leaf stems tightly and begin to wrap with florist tape.  Trim the stem ends and cut.  Finally if you are wanting a “long stem” use a stick and attach to the flower by wrapping it with a bit more florist tape.

Then ‘ta da’ you’re done!  I made just a few…  and stuck them in a random vase I threw a while back.  My girls also made one each and took them to their teachers – so sweet, they are!

A few years ago, I used these for a thanksgiving centerpiece.  I should note: this was the first year I stayed home with my girls, so  I had a lot of pent-up creativity.  I made a “Mayflower boat” by gluing sticks, and mixed real flowers and maple roses.  For the sail I ironed cotton muslin to freezer paper and ran it through my printer, to get a family picture.  Then I sewed it to size and added pockets to attach to the mast. I know it was a bit “overboard!”

artprize 2011

art is paint * art is colorful* art is performance * art is architecture * art is robotics * art is wool * art is graffiti * art is found  * art is repurposed * art is a statement * art is time * art is process * art is collaborative * art is movement * art is political * art is multi-media * art is mosaic  * art is community * art is food * art is personal

So thankful to get a glipse of artprize in Grand Rapids this weekend, and for April who was a great help to my kiddos.  I went to school here and am ever amazed at how fast this city is changing – I wish they had this when I was in art school!  The streets were full of visitors, vendors and artwork.  There was music, movement, smells, chatter, everything a city should be.  Love this new tradition.

head in the clouds

 

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.  They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”  Acts 1:7-11

What do you think of when you see a beautiful cloud in the sky?  Do you immediately think back to elementary science and the cycle of precipitation?  This is a beautiful picture I took of a cloud that formed over lake Michigan a few weeks ago. This week I was challenged to view clouds in a new light, as a partial view of the hidden glory of God.   What a beautiful reminder, that a cloud symbolizes the second coming of christ.  Go ahead,  let your eyes and heart drift to the sky today.

 

 

 

 

 

nikon family

Last week we traveled to celebrate a milestone birthday for my father-in-law.  He has had a tough year so I wanted to encourage him in a special way.  I love that both my family and my husband’s family are loyal Nikon users… that pretty much leaves me with boxes upon boxes of photos.  I have spent much of my time this summer combing through those boxes to put together some of his best shots.  It is so hard to choose photos and I was totally unprepared how emotional it would be to see them enlarged and framed.  I am so happy with how everything turned out, the light pat on the back and smile told me he was too.   It was a great celebration!

* this last photo he took of my hubby slalom water skiing.  I think I married into a talented family.