be YOU tiful

I love these and I loved making them.
I feel super strong about making sure our little girls know that they are not merely what they look like.
I want all of our daughters to know that they are beautiful (be YOU tiful) just they way they are.
I don't want this generation to feel like they have to starve themselves to fit the stereotypes that we as a society and our media has imposed on them.
If I could I would put these in every single girl's room that I know!

They are made from scrap wood measuring approximately 4"x 12".  They are slightly distressed and sealed with a clear poly spray for protection. I don't have hangers on the back, they are meant to be "shelf sitters".  Available here

I got all fired up about this issue again after watching "Miss Representation" on the OWN (Oprah's new channel) network.  They will be re-playing it again on November 12th (Saturday) at 11 am.  I am trying to decide if my 6th grader is ready for it.  He is a male, but I think he may be at the crucial age that this will benefit him. I would watch it with him, of course, so we could share an open dialogue about it.   Has any one else seen it?  What are your thoughts? 

I hope you are all well...I myself and recovering from some sort of virus?  Headache, fatigue, fever...
It feels good to join the world again!  :)

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23.  restoration of health

24.  a husband who cares for me

25.  children who pray for me when I don't feel well :)

26.  the gorgeous weather today

27.  family who helps us out all the time

28.  Education

29.  Awareness

30.  Literacy

Not only fine feathers...

In a culture where we are saturated with images of what's supposed to be beautiful and sexy, I would be lying if I said I didn't struggle with our image-obsessed society a little.

As I near my 40's I am learning to redefine what is healthy and normal for a woman my age.
Embracing the laugh lines and the metabolism that is starting to slow down...
Remembering that my body gave me four babies!  What a miracle that is!...and the stretch marks and cellulite are well-worth it.

Having a daughter reminds me again and again that I want her to find her beauty in God's love...
that I want her to value her kindness, her intelligence, her creativity above any outer beauty that she may have.
I want her to remember that she is enough no matter what size she is...that her body is a temple, that she should be healthy and take care of it; but to nurture her soul above all else.

Even at five, yes, the earlier the better!  Because even at five she watches television, she sees magazine covers, she is already a target for consumerism and they are telling her she needs to be pretty and skinny to fit in.

But as her mother, I will do my darnedest to teach her that she is not what she sees in the mirror.
She is a child of God, and her beauty will radiate from the inside-out...

New print available here

Me and my girl :)

Re-Inventing Yourself

I have so much to write about that I don't even know where to begin!
This trip began as one thing and turned into something much, much more!

I went to The Creative Connection with the intention of business.
I went as a vendor, and to possibly network as well.
I was nervous, like I told you before...I was intimidated by all the well-known artists, afraid of what kind of reaction I would get about my work, and a little anxious that I was wasting my time and money on such a big trip.

God had so many more plans than business for me while I was there.  :) 

 (my vendor booth, 8 x 10 feet)

I met the most amazing people while I was there. 

People were kind, supportive, and fun!  They were genuine, friendly, and so creative.  The inspiration was a huge buzz...

I went to a panel discussion one morning that featured five women, including Kelly Rae Roberts, Melody Ross, Leigh Stanley (Curly Girl) and Susan Branch.

They were discussing their stories and how they got where they are today in the creative business.

And the main thing I kept hearing was the story of authenticity.

That they were just themselves.

That their art was an extension of their own life stories, not bits and pieces of anyone else's.

And I felt affirmed, I felt validated, I felt like I was "enough"...

I realized that God had brought me to this place so I could really settle into myself...that I could feel comfortable in my own skin, that I could celebrate me!  That not everyone is going to love my art, and that is totally okay...

It was such a freeing moment.

 (custom pillow wall)

I've been working as an artist for over 10 years now.

I have gone through so many phases..

It wasn't until just this year that my work became faith-based.

Did you know that?

I finally feel like I am in my groove...

I finally feel like this is the work I was meant to do...

and the fear of turning away people who aren't Christian is gone.

It's okay.

I am not here to please everyone, I am here to please my Lord and Saviour, and my prayer, everyday, is that his truth and light shine through me as a vessel. 

What a life-changing realization...

 (wall of prints)

I think I had it in my head somewhere that I had to be this certain person.

I'm not quite sure who that person was, but the thought of re-invention in your late 30's seemed sort of ridiculous to me.

I realized this weekend that we are all constantly re-inventing ourselves.  Our tastes change.  Our feelings change.  Our outward apprearances change.

And that is actually a great thing!  A fun thing!  A time to celebrate seasons in our life and the possiblity of growth.

("Take your Time", new pillow)

So, here I am at home now.
Back with my beloved family and children.
Feeling re-charged, inspired, and blessed.

I have lots of new products to list in the esty shop: new checkbook covers, list makers, and pillows.
I will start listing them soon!
But I am going to paint today!  I have to celebrate my new inspiration with some new scripture prints.

Thanks for being part of my journey.
My blog is a big part of my whole creative process, and I so appreciate all the support I receive here.
xoxoxoxo

Of course I had to do it

It's all over pinterest and then Meg did it.
It just plain makes me happy.
The kids loved doing it too!
We used a 16 x 20 canvas, two boxes of crayola crayons, and an embossing gun. 

Here's to a colorful weekend!  :)

Scenes from my morning

Truth: it's been a long, stressful week making the transition back to our school routine.

Looking forward to:  the weekend

Praying for:  peace as we settle into our new routines

Focusing on:  the beautiful and happy things, the promise of His truth

Here's to a happy weekend for all of us!  :)

Hot Air Balloons

I am deeply, madly, and wierdly?, in love with hot air balloons.

I'm thinking of surprising my whole family with a ride on a hot air balloon.

Some places let the kids ride free...which would save quite a bit of money.

I've been daydreaming of having a professional photo-shoot in the hot air balloon, getting some beautiful shots of all of us in the air, free as birds in the sky...

Did I mention that I'm afraid of heights and slightly claustrophobic?

Like, I really hate flying on an airplane.

It makes me anxious just thinking about it!



But still, I love them!

Should I stick to making some cute decorations?



Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?  Is it worth the expense?  Should I just face my fears and go for it?

God is Good

Did I ever tell you that I love babies and kids? ;) 
When Jackson turned about 18 months, I knew that we were done having babies.  But I felt like maybe there was something more...
I really started to pursue the idea of adoption, or even fostering.
I talked with my husband and he was not feeling the same way.  I prayed about it...and still to this day there hasn't been a "right" time.  I don't know if we will ever adopt or foster; I'm leaving that in God's hands.
But for now, one of the ways I can give back is through my art.  God has been so good to me.

If you came by and bought a pillow, thank you.  Even if you didn't, maybe you had time to pop over and take a look at sweet Davis.  I bet if you did, you probably said a little prayer that he will come home to Amy and her family soon.  I am blown away by the kindness of all of you...all of you that want to do a little part in helping bring Davis home.  Whether it's by buying a pillow, or saying a prayer, I feel the collectiveness and connectedness that this blogging community has brought to me.  So again, thank you.  :)

...and how did we celebrate the last day of school yesterday?

By swimming in the rain, of course!

There was no lightning or thunder, so don't worry.  They were safe :)

They kept saying, "this is the best day ever!"
I remember swimming in the rain as a kid...there is something magical about the experience, something that makes you feel free...
Now we need to make our summer to do list...have you done yours yet?