Where is your focus?

It seems like more and more lately I have been challenged to re-prioritize my time.  There are so many fun things to do as well as so many things that are good to do. 

Overall, it has to be filtered through an eternal focus.

This is just about one of my favorite collages.  It measures 30x40 and is paper and paint.

Inspiration:  “He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.”  Ecc 3:11

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…”  Matt 6:19-20

The trellis, rotted in some places, supports a lovely flower garden.  It also has some bug-eaten leaves and a few stingers.  The background is composed of dictionary and chemistry pages, suggesting what we know of this world. 

The house, on the other hand, is grand and in sharp focus, suggesting our heavenly home.

So, where is your focus?

Have a lovely fall-ish weekend.

Kelley



The difficulty with clay

About a month ago, I began a pottery class with my daughter.  This has been a wonderful time together, something we have wanted to do for a long time.  We meet in town after she gets off work and my husband joins us for a picnic before class.  We jokingly ask each other what we think we will make that class.  It is a joke because we are so inexperienced with clay that we just hope for something round...ish.  I am always content with the "handmade" look. 

"Yet, O Lord, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."  Is 64:9

Also, in the last several weeks, our Bible study class has discussed gifts.  Sometimes, I want gifts that I just DO NOT have- like singing or public speaking.  I have to remind myself to be content with my own unique gifts.

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit....Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good....All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." 1Cor 12:4,7,11

 

In this paper collage, the circles are unique, mostly round, marked by the creator (that's the spiral in the centers).  Each offers its own color story to compliment the overall piece.   Just a reminder that I am the clay, and thankfully, "He is the Potter" and He has a perfect plan for me.  I just need to stay workable and willing to be on the wheel.

Blessings,

Kelley



Between the Rains

Last spring, I had the pleasure of participating in a Bible study written by Beth Moore called "Mercy Triumphs" on the book of James.  Her studies are quite in depth and this one amped up the challenge as expected.  One of my favorite "take-aways" was found in the verse:

"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains."  James 5:7

A major point was made that between those mountain top spiritual highs, like the rains in the verse, we are to be reminded of God's faithfulness.

So, what do you do when you find yourself in a time when your prayers seem to hit the ceiling or you are going through a time of seemingly endless trials? 

Be reassured that He hears your prayers, He is faithful.  Remember His covenants.  Guard your heart.  Praise Him without ceasing.  Stay the course.  Fellowship with other believers.  Know that the sun will rise tomorrow, and the rains will come.  

 

"So, if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today-to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil."  Deuteronomy 11:14 

Blessings, and never forget He is faithful.

Kelley

 



Paper beads, covered in prayer

A few weeks ago, a sweet sister in our Sunday School class was approaching a major surgery.  We ladies "circled the wagons", so to speak, and had a prayer time, with food, of course.  Another thing we did was write out our prayers on scrapbook paper which was later made into beads.  We felt like it was a tangible way to remind her of our prayers and support.

 

Here's how we did it: 

On the backside of any paper, write out the prayers and scriptural promises claimed for your intended recipient.  Be sure to photocopy the paper to send with the finished prayer bead jewelry. 

If you use a 12" square paper, you will have 24" of bead length.  Use a paper cutter to cut paper into about 1/2" to 3/4" long triangles.  I always just eyeball the size.  It is handmade, after all.

Use a toothpick and roll the triangle tightly.  Apply a small stream of white glue to the last 4 inches or so.  It will ooze out and you can spread it all over the bead, making it firmer and a little glossy. 

I added a variety of beads to make the finished extra long strand necklace.  It is also lovely just alternating with pearls.  This is a very old craft that appeals to all ages.  Our girl scouts did this back in the day and I have also seen necklaces made by ladies in Africa. 

 

I love the idea of being covered in prayer.  This is just one way to share our love and support.

 

Blessings,

Kelley  



A paper collage, just for fun

 Just for grins and giggles, I tried out this collage using the kaleidoscope idea.  I like the color combinations that resulted.  It was a paper that had a circus motif, with clowns and lots of "masks." 

This is a close-up...

 

It was fun to work in the paper again.  I have paused in that area but I have some ideas brewing. 

Have a blessed day,

Kelley 

Elf....simple and WOW!

So....here it goes! With the help of my family, we put up all our traditional decorations. Here I have my snowman collections along the top of our kitchen cabinets. A few twinkly lights and some greenery... This is our dining room with all the santas, vintage and crafty. Our tradition...

In the living room, we have our tree with all the accumulated ornaments and our village on the piano.

I bought this nativity for my first apartment and my newlywed husband made me the shed to go around it. Every year, the kids negotiate to see who sets it up. This year we have a third stocking for our new son-in-law. It will be a special Christmas.

So, back to my self-imposed "Elf" challenge....With just a ream of copy paper and two glue sticks we created a white, winter wonderland. I did add a few other construction type material: fishing line, cotton string, tape, and a paper cutter (all already on hand). It took the better part of four weeks, cutting and gluing while watching TV.

This is in the living room. Lots of chains and snowflakes...

This is the wonder of our dining room. It will be fun to see what our six foot four son thinks of all this in his atmosphere.

And another look at the living room with the many unique, swirling snowflakes. Never boring at our house.

And in the kitchen, there is a cluster over the island.

This has been a lot of fun. I see so many lovely color palettes and intense decorating ideas for the holidays. I resist investing in all new stuff, year after year. I do the after Christmas sales for a few interesting pieces but still I don't really have a "theme". I really love the look of lots of white, simple, back to basics. I hope you are also challenged to look at things with new eyes. Look for the simple and meaningful.

Blessings.

Elf for Christmas

First, I have to say that I just love this time of year. I love all the movies and the music. One of my favorite movies is "Elf" because it shows such childlike wonder.

I gave myself a challenge: To use the most basic of supplies, totalling under $5, to create a white wonderland in my home. Using just a ream of printer paper and cheap glue sticks, I plan to create chains and snowflakes and garlands!

I started on November 19th, and this is my progress after about 2 weeks. My patient, saint-like husband has helped. Over the Thanksgiving break, our son and the newlywed couple got in on the fun.

So here I am about two weeks into this self-imposed challenge and I have had a lot of feedback on the home front. Several have commented that I must have a lot of time on my hands, (yes, I guess I do), and that I must be more bored than they thought, ( I am never bored!), and won't that be a huge mess, ( it will be worth it to see the white winter wonderland ).

So, I say, just have fun with it. I will be sure to post some photos when it all gets up...that must be before a party here in a couple of weeks.

Let me know what you think!

Have a blessed holiday season.