Halo Repair

While I was in Utah this summer, I visited our church history museum to check out one of the latest art exhibits.  It is called "Practicing Charity: Everyday daughters of God", and is filled with inspiring paintings by many talented artists.  A couple of my favorites were "climbing mother" and "Halo Repair" by Brian Kershisnik.

"Climbing mother" reminds me of my younger sisters and friends who have little ones.  Little ones that are dependent on their mom for their needs.  It reminds me of those days when my babies were little, and there just didn't seem to be enough of me to go around.  A mom practices charity as she lovingly cares for her little ones, even when it is physically exhausting!

And, I love "Halo Repair".  It reminds me that we are imperfect children of God, needing constant adjustments to our halos.  The commentary next to the painting read...
"Angels descend from heaven to comfort this woman and to repair her halo.  This whimsically serious painting reminds us that we are not perfected yet and that our halos are in constant need of repair and adjustment.  To be human is to have the faith to remember our immeasurable individual worth and then labor each day to repent, to change, and to trust that we do not labor alone.

You Become.

Free Prints

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Maybe if I write this down, I will remember it....always.  Because I need to.
This morning I went running.  Well, half running, half walking, because I just haven't been able to get my body moving like it was before vacation.  And, depression has been rearing its ugly head again.  I know there must be good reason.  I have a swirl of solutions spiraling around in my head, but the one I am trying to grab hold of is the one Jesus told me as I was walking today...

"Do the best you can, and I will make up the rest."  It's quite amazing that I heard His voice at all, because of all the "To Do's", fears and worries that were crowding my brain.  Even when I sincerely prayed for help and started telling Him my list of good things that I feel I must do, I didn't have immediate faith that He was listening... and answering.  Fortunately, I recognized His voice, because it brought me some much needed relief.

I love this painting of Him.  It is "Prince of Peace" by Liz Lemmon Swindle.  I keep it on my mantle. Right now, you can get a free 8" x 10" print for your home, as well as for a few friends or neighbors.  I just ordered some as I have many friends battling cancer.  I hope this painting will give them peace and strength, and that as they draw closer to Jesus Christ in faithful prayer, He will succor them, as I know He longs to do.

If you would like a free print...visit http://www.pictureofchrist.com/freeprint/

To see more of Liz's beautiful artwork visit Repartee Gallery~

Outdoor inspiration

Here is a little Monday afternoon inspiration for you!  Did you see this fire pit in House Beautiful magazine?  It puts ours to shame!  Of course, we built ours on a budget.  However, now I am thinking about adding rocks around ours, and some more permanent benches.  Looks like a cozy, relaxing way to spend an evening, doesn't it?

Become a "clicker"!

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How to get the look of marble countertops for cheap!

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The best inspiration for making your house a home!

Thanksgiving~decorating for the feast~

I snapped these photos today of my sister in law's tables capes.  It was truly a Thanksgiving to remember!

C’mon in! Decorating with orange and gold...

                                                                                     image via pottery barn

Tutorial-Faux Vintage Stained Glass Windows for pennies-great gift idea!

The Michaels promotion is on again! (see the ads here on my page).  That is just perfect, because the home decorating craft that I am going to show you how to make today was made with supplies that I purchased from Michael's. I purchased them with the coupons, and now you can too!

I sold one of these pieces in a local boutique.  It was similar to this one that I have in my house...

The Christus~

I’m standing on my soapbox

the cute little cottage on main street

Check out these English cottages!

Favorite Valentine crafts and displays

 
Valentine's Day is the holiday that I love decorating for the most!  Why?  because I love red and I love white, and I love red and white together!  Of course I have to show you how my favorite shop decorates for the holiday...

The experience that changed my life

I was fifteen.  (two months before my sixteenth birthday)  I wanted to know who God really was, and which of all the many churches were true.  I had studied and prayed, and I really wanted to know. 

Don’t you just love it…

when a photo that you take, just happens to turn out so beautifully~especially after so many that don’t?  I love this photo.  I took it last year when we had a huge winter snow storm.  We had a similar storm yesterday, and I can look out my back window and see the same thing….the whole garden blanketed in pure, white, snow.  It’s just as beautiful as the day off of school that went with it!
I spent the whole day with the kids yesterday in my pajamas.  We made chocolate chip cookies, which was the only thing that we ate until dinner!~and dinner was really healthy too….my husband made pancakes! 

Vogue & teenage drawings

I’m playing around with Windows Live Writer today~to see if I will use it for future posts.  There are a gazillion other things that I really should be doing, but I have always wanted to try this out.  I think the photo looks good, do you?  Do you have any suggestions for me?
I found this photograph in an old Vogue magazine that I picked up at a yard sale.  For some reason I am really drawn to it…maybe it is the fun hat, the pretty black and white dress, the poised “lady” mirroring women of old, or just the beautiful staging and photography.  Probably all of the above.  And, who wouldn’t want to be enjoying a fancy meal and reading at the same time?
Here is another fun one…

a sneak peek at the bedroom makeover...

As I mentioned previously, I offered to paint my niece's bedroom over the holiday.  You see, she has been wanting her room redone for a long, long, time~ and my sister in law has been very, very busy.  Since she is 16, I felt like she needed it done already so that she has time to enjoy it before she heads off to college!   She had in mind a sort of New York theme with a bit of a vintage flair, so that's what we went with.

Keep in mind~it's still in progress, but we're thrilled with how it's turning out!

As soon as it is finished, I told them to take photos and send them my way so that you can see the end result.

We painted the wall that the bed rests against black (I had to do some convincing) for an accent, and the other three walls cream.  Black can really look sophisticated, rich, classy, and calming.  Remember this post on painting ceilings black? 

Here is her bedroom before...

My sister in law's beautiful home

We spent the entire week of Christmas break with my husband's brother and his family.  We have so much fun together!  My sister in law (who happens to be my best friend) has excellent taste, and a keen eye for beauty.  She is very talented and is a compassionate nurse and mother.  She is also a fabulous cook, seamstress, photographer, decorator, crafter, shopper, and she supports me in all of my creative endeavors.  I credit her for helping me define my decorating style.  I am also flattered that many of my paintings are in her home!  Come along with me as we tour her gorgeous home...

of course, she made this centerpiece