For this season...

 

This has been a lovely fall.  I have been trying desperately to keep up with the leaves and all the other things that go with the season, such as camping and craft shows.  Yes, a lovely challenge. 

I must remember that this is a season that will pass in its time.  The busyness of day to day things cannot blot out what I stand firm on.  If I let it, I could be changed by the shifting tides.  Nope, I will be reminded:

"Praise be the name of God for ever and ever;

wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons,

he sets up kings and deposes them.

He gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to the discerning.

He reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what lies in darkness,

and light dwells with him."

Daniel 2:19-22

 

Blessings,

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 

Shutters- overlooked, I think not!

As I mentioned earlier, this has been the year of the yard.  We actually do have some grass that has survived our drought this summer and you should see our water bill!  But, we were expecting that too. 

One thing that is happening is what my darling husband calls "scope creep."  This is a mysterious problem that seems to cause the TO-DO list to expand.  Yes, we had specific ideas for what really needed to happen and somehow, it just goes on and on.

Case in point would be our shutters.  Lots of people have those convenient vinyl (plastic) shutters and it worked for us for a long time.  Looking at the front of the house, though, it was just blah.  My husband even said, "We have shutters?" 

How hard could it be?  It is only 8 plus feet off the ground.  We do live on a hill so that wouldn't be level and of course, it is behind the bushes.  I shimmied up there to see if I could even get one off-piece of cake if you don't count all the wasp nests behind the thing.

Well, with the help of my adult children, we constructed simple 1x4 plank with cross beam shutters that were a little taller that the original but same width.  I painted it thoroughly with primer and outdoor paint and was ready to install.

Oh, my, this is the hair raising part:  The holes left by the previous shutters weren't in the same places on all four.  Ugh...  We ended up countersinking long screws that are gently (pounded) coaxed into the proper holes and "liquid nailed" to stay on the house.  So far, so good.

Then a couple more trips up the extension ladder to fill holes and paint. 

Another bit of "scope creep" would be that we just had to change out the light fixtures too.  Well, the devil is in the details, they say.  And the fun of home ownership never ends. 

 

Standing out in a crowded airport, for sure

I have wanted to do this for so long and finally, I just did it!  If you have ever traveled by air, you know there are a gazillion black bags on that baggage claim line.  I wanted ours to be easy to spot and less likely to get taken by mistake by someone else.  These babies will surely stand out in a crowd.

It was really pretty easy and I just used acrylic craft paint and lots of masking tape to make the plaid.  The plaid is on all the sides and the front plain pocket.

A word of advice:  Don't attempt this right before a trip, when you are tired and already stressed.  Give it some thought because once you commit to a pattern/design, there is no going back.  Be sure to give it plenty of time to dry.  Consider who else might be using the set of luggage.  I had in mind a lovely damask pattern but thought my husband might not be comfortable with it. 

Well, if you see this out and about, say hi...I am nearby!

Kelley