maximizes existing structures

This is a gift I made for Pastor James' birthday.

Eric made a comment once about how some 

personality test in Jim's history said he "maximizes 

existing structures." The phrase stuck with me,

and it seemed ironic that while this is his bent

organizationally, it's also what he's been doing

literally for the past year, both on our newly

acquired (or "newly gifted", really) building, 

and on his own recently purchased house.

I also love the hopeful sentiment of Isaiah 65 --

it communicates how God wants good things 

for his people, not just spiritually, but also the 

practical, human stuff of a stable and abundant life. 

label goodness

This was a fun gift from God today -- 

two boxes of super cute, self-adhesive labels!!

They were in the discount section at Borders

and came out practically free with the 

last bits of an old gift card I had on hand.

I may never use them, though. 

They're just too perfect to open!

new project

Here's a sampling of fabrics I've been playing with lately.

I'm getting ready to sew up this fabulous bag, which

is completely reversible... four times over (since there's a 

front and a back both inside & out). I love mixing mismatched

fabrics and seeing how they look different based on what's

next to them. So I've been piecing them together in various

combinations to see which will go where.   More to come!

bus stop

a day in the life

bass player

From the concert I wrote about yesterday. 

I love standing bass!

seattle band

Here's a little sketch I just ran across from our last trip to Seattle.

Eric and I wandered into a random coffee shop one night, 

and while we were there, these musicians gradually showed up, 

and then a crowd gradually gathered, and there we were in the 

front seats at a concert. 

change of heart

I recently read an article on the value of being fully 

present, as opposed to the idea of just being patient.

It was related to sign language interpretation, but

ever since I read that article, I've been realizing

how much I mentally live in the future. I don't actually

think the above phrase directly, but it underlies so

much of what I do and creates a lot of anxiety.

So here's to a change of heart and freedom

from living somewhere other than where I am!

elliott reads

Elliott read his first book yesterday!

palomino plaza

This statue in the plaza is, I think, a fountain -- water pours

out of the pot she's holding. The plants there are real, though,

which may be the reason the fountain isn't in use.

fiddling around

My favorite pastime this week has been driving the dog crazy

with my *horrible* fiddle playing.  The fiddle itself is a 

beautiful gift I received a couple years back. I couldn't seem

to play it, since I have lots of neck problems. So I loaned it

to a friend. It just came back to me, and now I'm more determined 

than ever to figure out how to play the thing. I've been researching 

alternate hold positions, and I think I'm heading in the right direction.

But all the bad things you've ever imagined about little 

kids starting out on the violin... they're right here! Squeek.

retro #3

Share It With A Friend

Watercolor, 5"x7"

This is the third in the set. The three pieces

are framed in a white, lettered mat
which reads: "The kingdom of heaven is 

like dessert: it's lavish, it's messy, and 

you want to share it with a friend."

That particular Easter, we celebrated by 

creating artworks which explored the biblical 

concept of the kingdom of heaven as 

depicted by different parts of a meal.

retro #2

The Kingdom of Heaven is Messy, 5"x7"

I remember sketching this one up while

nursing Elliott. It's amazing how much 

can change in four years!

retro #1

The last post reminded me of some other

paintings I've done in a similar palette.

Here's "The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Lavish".

It's part of a triptych from Easter of 2006.

The other two pieces coming soon!

song of solomon

This is an illustration I drew up for my husband's upcoming sermon series.
I just can't get away from the Teesha Moore underpinnings --

there's just so much I love about her figure drawing style!