It’s a Party!

My birthday was Friday last, and was celebrated on Saturday with a portion of my wonderful family.  Having grandchildren is a major blessing in many ways.  Because they are young, and I being young at heart, we had a Star Wars party complete with costumes.

They arrived on Friday night and we began by making a jedi robe for my son.  He likes being a last minute kind of guy!   He and I stayed up until 1:30 AM, but the results were worth it.

We trekked outdoors to play at some lightsaber fighting and to take photos.  We had characters from the ‘dark side’ and some from the ‘light’ as well.

However, the light was outnumbered as you can see in the pictures.  Very much like ‘real life’, don’t you think? What is it about the dark side that is so intriguing?

John 3:19 says “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

Darth Vader turned back to the light on his death bed.  I think this is part of what makes his character one of the favorites in the Star Wars Trilogy.  While it’s just a movie, there are many analogies that can be applied to ‘real life’.  The dark is battling against the light with people taking sides.

We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom we have redemption through His blood.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not comprehend it. That was the true Light that gives light to every man coming into the world.  Jesus said, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”  This is the message that we have heard from Him, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

It is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.

Although we are chosen, we are given a free will to choose to accept the free gift of salvation through Christ.  So, choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

The Star Wars ‘chronicles’ will remain a favorite of mine.   The party was fun and a wonderful memory.  For dessert, we ate Yoda, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and Imperial trooper cookies.  And of course ice cream!

Thanks for stopping by.  You can also chat with me on Facebook or Twitter and follow me on Pinterest.

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Where Women Create Take Two

Yesterday, I shared about the inspiring Spring Issue of Where Women Create and today I want to share a little about what, within it, made the most of impression upon me.  I did read every article and they are all filled with inspiration and sparks of encouragement.

The Business of the Studio is an article by Elizabeth Maxson that I believe to be well written and poetic.  She is a freelance entrepeneur whose photos and words spin a beautiful story.  She states, “I believe a good photograph either tells a story or invites the viewer to invent one, and it is very rare that a good story is told without delicious details. ”

Another was the very inspiring story of and by Kathy Davis with photography by Rachel Beck.  Kathy has a mission to Scatter Joy.  She began her journey while a newly single mom with a family to provide for as an added motivation.  Her success story is great and you would benefit by reading it.

The most intriguing article was about Rowann Wilkerson. I enjoyed her marvelously fun account of how she and her husband sold their farm and purchased a doctor’s office in a turn-of-the-century building.  I loved reading how they worked together to make a reality her dream to have her own shop.  If I’m ever in Lilburn, Georgia, I will make a bee-line to her cute shop Antiques in Old Town.

Lastly, I must tell you about the two quotes that captured my eye.  One was a sign that read “Glitter is my Prozac” found in the article about Joann Pearson.  I LOVE glitter!  The other was a direct quote from Beth Nicholls which read, “You are the most important element of your studio.  The rest is detail.”

Now that I’ve read and enjoyed Where Women Create, I am motivated and inspired to get to work creating in my own personal studio.

Thanks for stopping by.  You can also chat with me on Facebook or Twitter and follow me on Pinterest.

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About the ads that follow: They are not placed by me  and are not associated with this post.  They are placed by WordPress on blogs that are free.  Thank you for your understanding.

Where Women Create

As I write this, I am sitting by my son’s sparkling pool enjoying the warm, Scottsdale sunshine.  It’s a nice change to the rather cold weather in north-central AZ where I live.

Several years ago, while perusing magazines at Barne’s and Noble in our local mall, I remember being enamored by a lovely ‘magazine’ about other women’s studios.  I knew it was something I would love to take home with me, but the price was more than I could justify at the time.  Being an artist with a studio, I found it MORE than interesting to read of others’ studios and their artistic journeys.

Imagine my delight when I saw the latest edition of Where Women Create Spring 2013 Issue at my Costco!  Costco sells their magazines at a 30% or greater discount.  Perusing through this issue sparked the same desire to take it home with me.  It didn’t take long to remember that my birthday is VERY close.  “This would do well as a gift to myself,” thought I, and it found it’s way into my heart…er…cart!

The next day, with frapp in hand, I sat in my comfy chair and read it cover to cover including the ads.  Even the ads were beautiful and interesting.  Where Women Create, published by Stampington & Company, is a remarkably well written publication.  I find it difficult to refer to it as a magazine, as it is more like a book.

Each article contains a nice array of success stories, tips, and favorite quotes certain to encourage any artist who endeavors to read them.  The articles are accompanied by many beautiful and artsy photos.  The photographers do an exceptional job of capturing the essence of each studio.

Now that I’ve read an issue and have been inspired and encouraged, Where Women Create will forever find it’s way into my cart with each new issue.  Kudos to Stampington & Company for such a great publication.

Thanks for stopping by.  You can also chat with me on Facebook or Twitter and follow me on Pinterest.

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About the ads that follow: They are not placed by me  and are not associated with this post.  They are placed by WordPress on blogs that are free.  Thank you for your understanding.

Visa Gift Card Giveaway

Who doesn’t like a giveaway?  One of my favorite bloggers is giving away a $100 Visa gift card.  I am entering the giveaway by blogging about it!  There are several ways that you can enter.  Just check out her blog post at Walking in Grace and Beauty and enter to WIN!

The blog is encouraging and fun to read!  I read her posts daily.  Especially enjoyed is her What I Wore post on Wednesdays.  What woman doesn’t like reading about what other women are wearing?  She shares about our inward as well as our outward beauty.

Now get out there and enter that giveaway!

Thanks for stopping by.  You can also chat with me on Facebook or Twitter and follow me on Pinterest.

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About the ads that follow: They are not placed by me  and are not associated with this post.  They are placed by WordPress on blogs that are free.  Thank you for your understanding.

An Award Post

A few days ago, I received The Versatile Blogger Award from Ellie at New Creations Ministries.  “Whoa”, I think.  I’m just a little bitty blog that hasn’t even been around the block yet.  Well, Ellie, thank you very much, I am honored!  Versatile is a nice way to think about my blog, I guess.  I was thinking more like unorganized.  lol.

Receiving this award reminded me of another award that I received quite some time ago that I have not done anything about.  I’ll get to that later…

First, I want to follow through on this award.

My nominees are:

1.  My Life As Mommy Glover

2.  The Random Writings of Rachel

3.  Maddie’s Nest

4.  Little House Living

5.  Spittin Toad

6.  Biblical Homemaking

7.  Clearly Candace

8.  A Homeschool Mom

9.  Diddle Dumpling

10.  The Stitch Sharer

11.  The Better Mom

12.  Intentional by Grace

13.  The Encouraging Home

14.  Mod Vintage Life

15.  Home Made Mamas

And now for the seven fun facts about me!  Hmmm…

1.  I was adopted at birth.

2.  I love my seven grandchildren.

3.  I love animals, preferably with fur.  🙂

4.  I like to play online role playing games.

5.  I love cut flowers in vases.

6.  My favorite instruments are piano and cello.

7.  I love Frappuccinos.

Thanks for stopping by.  You can also chat with me on Facebook or Twitter and follow me on Pinterest.

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About the ads that follow: They are not placed by me  and are not associated with this post.  They are placed by WordPress on blogs that are free.  Thank you for your understanding.

Too Much Stuff!

Oh boy!  For quite some time now, I have been telling myself that I have too much stuff.  It is SO easy to just keep collecting STUFF! Recently, I began purging a few items here and there and delivering them to our local thrift store.  Now, my husband has gotten into the game with me.  He helped me clean out my ‘art’ closet.  Yikes.  That one is a tough one.

How do you know what to keep and what to let go of?  Ask yourself some questions:  Have I used it in the past year? Do I have plans to use it in the near future? Is it an heirloom?  Etc.  I made three piles.  One for items that will be kept and placed back into the closet.  Another for items that I am storing for our community garage sale that is scheduled for April of this year.  The third pile is for ‘gifting’ to kids and grandkids the items that I know they would like to have.  If the item didn’t fit into any of these categories it went straight into the trash bag sitting in the middle of the room.

If you come across an item that is an heirloom or has the potential to become one, write down the history of that item and attach it somehow.  I collect antique china dessert plates which have masking tape on the back with information written down about where I got them.  You may not always be around to explain the significance of an item, so have a heart and write it down for your future heirs.  🙂

Below is the enclosed porch that includes the art closet.  You can see the opened door on the left at the end of the room. This room will be where I collect all the items intended for the garage sale.  Those items are what you see lining up on the right in the photo.

I also have some great books with tips on getting organized and removing clutter.  I dug one out called  Creative Home Organizer by Emilie Barnes.  It’s an old book, but she takes you gently through the process of organizing and decluttering your entire home, including the garage and your car! She has wonderful tips.

We spent about two hours work on the art closet.  I read a suggestion that you should not spend more than two hours at a time downsizing.  Your mind gets tired and you actually get less done, because you can’t think clearly.  I feel like we are well on our way.  With my husbands help, I hope to go through all of the rooms in the house over the next two months.  His garage is another story!

We went through the house with a clipboard and wrote down all the areas that we intend to downsize.  We listed each area within the room, not just the room itself.  We have just 2000 square feet of space, but there are a lot of cabinets and closets that need going through.  I started a while back with some of the smaller areas.  The art closet was major, in my opinion, and I’m glad that my husband was eager to help with that. Today I will finish that up so that we can move onto the next challenge.

Thanks for stopping by.  You can also chat with me on Facebook or Twitter and follow me on Pinterest.

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About the ads that follow: They are not placed by me  and are not associated with this post.  They are placed by WordPress on blogs that are free.  Thank you for your understanding.