 Heart Bouquet, 5" x 5" I hope you had an enjoyable February! I’m part of these interesting online paper art groups, Guild of American Papercutters and All Things Paper. They offer lots of great resources on paper art, and on one of the recent Zoom calls, a guest speaker shared her process of working in all white paper. I’ve always admired this and finally got around to experimenting with an all-white piece myself!
My paper heart was inspired by some of the digital work I was doing earlier this month. I was experimenting with these free Procreate flower-heart stamp brushes I received from Teela at Every-Tuesday.com (below left). She along with Jennifer Nichols and Gabrielle Brickey are some of my favorite online teachers who provide free Procreate brushes, tutorials, and assets to their subscribers, as well as paid membership opportunities if you're interested, and teaching events and activities throughout the year. Many of their classes are also available on Skillshare. Delores Naskrent is another outstanding Procreate/Affinity teacher--I was a part of her online school for a year and a half. I work more in Photoshop now than Procreate (and haven't gotten into Affinity yet), but Delores offers a lifetime of experience in the business of digital art, surface pattern design, greeting cards, etc.. I also love Alaina Jensen's brushes, and highly recommend them if you want to try some really cool art effects like alcohol ink, acrylic pour, and all kind of traditional painting effects in Procreate!
Using the stamps is like having your own coloring book pages, and a great way to practice using the various brushes available! This also inspires me to create my own ‘stamps’. If you like to learn new things and are interested in a fun, relaxing hobby, check out some of these websites and the free tutorials and assets they offer and get started in Procreate. :) Like so many other art forms, the possibilities are endless!
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I recently started writing devotionals. If you'd like a word of spiritual encouragement, please read on! The Most Wonderful Time of the Year? Yes, and no. Yes, celebrating the birth of our King of King and Lord of Lords-- the magnificent Lord Jesus Christ, who redeems our lives from sin and death. No, because we live in a fallen world with not-so-picture-perfect relationships and circumstances, and a mixed bag of experiences. Things seem to be amplified around the holidays. Especially when gathering with family, we have good memories and sad ones, victories and difficulties, surprises and disappointments. We’re living in a dark world, much like at the time of Jesus’ birth in the town of Bethlehem. As the lyrics of the song O Come O Come Emmanuel suggest, the Israelites were looking for a powerful, conquering King to save them, and the mystery of the Son of God being born in modest circumstances and living the life of a human was utterly unbelievable. What about our circumstances today? I used to think I was an oddball— the rare one who dealt with multiple family losses (through death, divorce in my family, or estrangement). Now, I’m finding many friends are also dealing with the unexpected loss of their loved ones as well. Some losses are more traumatic than others, but all require some type of energy and support to process through. Nothing ever prepares us to deal with death; It’s a thief and foreign to us, probably because when God created us we were never meant to die. Lest this blog post send you in a downward spiral, I wanted to make the point that it is in the very darkness that the Light-- Jesus Himself-- shines brightest, and with Him there is always hope (I Timothy 1:1). It’s in our valleys that we can become more acquainted with Jesus, the Lily of the Valley (Song of Solomon 2:1), as He seeks to draw us to Himself with his fragrant love. After numerous tragic losses, I came to find and cherish many references that refer to God as a perfect father, mother, brother, and sister (as well as best friend and bridegroom)! As the great I AM, He is all about relationships, always drawing us close to receive and experience everything He has for us. I'm glad we have forever to get to know Him! Somehow God promises to work all things together for good, even in our darkest times. One of my favorite names of God is the Holy Spirit referred to as “The Comforter” (John 14:26). Wow - a Holy Comforter! Imagine being wrapped in holy comfort! Another favorite scripture is “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 24:18. We have the promise of his nearness always, even when we’re crushed. God isn’t put off by our breakdowns or neediness, but rather He longs for us to receive and experience the overflowing goodness of His shalom (completeness, wholeness, welfare, prosperity, peace), that His Son, Jesus, died to give us. Let’s pray: Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, reveal yourself to me. I invite you into my heart and ask you to fill me afresh with your presence and goodness. Thank you that your shed blood cleanses me from all sin. In the midst of my tragic circumstances, I receive a holy Comforter hug. Thank you that you wrap me in your arms of love and meet me exactly where I am, especially when I’m hurting. Help me trust that You have a miracle for me. Amen! Thank you that you're working miracles in our dark times, Lord. Believing wonderful things are coming your way in 2025!  If you're interested in receiving daily inspiration in your Inbox, click here!
 Greetings and Thank YOU for reading my post! This is one of the greeting card designs recently submitted to CardIsle.com, a company that provides personalized greeting cards to retailers to sell with their online and in-store products. I've always loved greeting cards and this has been a fun world to explore!
Today, I’m thankful for the opportunity to share a little more of my story. My friend, the lovely and talented Emily Gilman-Beezely, suggested my name to CanvasRebel Magazine, and they reached out to interview me. Check out my interview here! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season!!  "Lily of the Valley" was Mom's favorite perfume. We planted these at the end of last season and are thrilled to see them bloom! I was searching for a poem about lilies of the valley and found this lovely one by Lorraine @ Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart Lily of the Valley and Christ Is Poem
by Lorraine @ Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Song of Solomon 2:1 To the ARTIST He is the One Altogether Lovely. To the ARCHITECT He is the Chief Corner Stone. To the BAKER He is the Living Bread. To the BANKER He is the Hidden Treasure. To the BIOLOGIST He is the Life. To the BUILDER He is the Sure Foundation. To the CARPENTER He is the Door. To the DOCTOR He is the Great Physician. To the EDUCATOR He is the Great Teacher. To the ENGINEER He is the New and Living Way. To the FLORIST He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley. To the GEOLOGIST He is the Rock of Ages. To the HORTICULTURIST He is the True Vine. To the JUDGE He is the Righteous Judge, Judge of All Men. To the JEWELER He is the Pearl of Great Price. To the LAWYER He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate. To the NEWS REPORTER He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy. To the OCULIST He is the Light of the Eyes. To the PHILANTHROPIST He is the Unspeakable Gift. To the PHILOSOPHER He is the Wisdom of God. To the PREACHER He is the Word of God. To the SCULPTOR He is the Living Stone. To the SERVANT He is the Good Master. To the STATESMAN He is the Desire of All Nations. To the STUDENT He is the Incarnate Truth. To the THEOLOGIAN He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. To the TOILER He is the Giver of Rest. To the SINNER He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World. To the CHRISTIAN He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the Redeemer and the Lord!  Yesterday's walk around Swayze Mill Park It was a great cloudy day for a walk yesterday. As I was walking I listened to this awesome podcast episode, "Come Home To Yourself". I don't remember who recommended Emily P. Freeman's podcast, but this was my first listen-- and I listened TWICE! So good! If you have a tendency towards self-criticism you may really enjoy this like I did! Click here
  "It's Such A Good Feeling" (Fred Rogers), 4.5 x 4.5 art in 10 x 10 matted frame, Paper collage and quilling My friend Emily Gilman Beezley suggested our art group participate in this Inside Small "The Color of Music" show. I'm pleased that my piece was accepted! The requirements were to produce a piece of art smaller no larger than 10" x 10" (total) inspired by a piece of music. I recently saw this PBS broadcast, "Won't You Be My Neighbor" about Mr. Rogers, and was blown away. I don't remember being that interested in Mr. Rogers as a child, and unfortunately knew more about the mockeries of him than the man himself. After watching the documentary and learning more, I now LOVE and greatly admire Fred Rogers and everything he devoted his life to, namely... helping children feel loved and special. I wish I had watched more of his shows as a youngster. But one of my new favorite sayings is... Better late than never!
In 2005, an album of his songs by various award-winning artists was produced, "Songs from the Neighborhood" and earned a Grammy for Best Children's album. The songs are amazing and I'm so delighted to find them. Their tender message of love is so uplifting, especially during this difficult time. Here's another link to a video of the performers on the album. I especially like "It's You I Like" and "It's Such a Good Feeling" by B.J. Thomas (what a throwback and amazing voice!) My piece (above) was inspired by Mr. Rogers' fun, loving, friendly songs, and a nostalgic 1970's vibe. Hope you enjoy! Please visit "The Color of Music" Online Show for more amazing pieces and to vote for your favorite piece!! This piece is available for $225.00 plus shipping.  Experimenting with new techniques in Photoshop using the tools from Creators Couture tutorial here.
Took a photo of Mom from her Fredonia State Teachers College Graduation in 1960 and gave it paintinerly effect! My father took this photo of Mom before they were married. Dad was 26, Mom 21. As my pursuit of creating art digitally is expanding I googled, "Top Digital Artists" today. This guy came up! If you have time, it's a beautiful, short, multiple-award winning film about this 97 year-old artist, his life and art. Enjoy!  The lovely poem Hal mentions (below) is by New Jerseyan, Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)
TREES (1913) I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.  "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 Our pastor shared President Trump's proclamation during this morning's service. I say, "AMEN!"
 Praying you and your family experience God's supernatural grace, peace, protection, and health during this difficult timeI have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.
In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33 AMPC
One of my favorite verses is “And we have known and believed the love God has for us. God is love.” I John 4:16. Knowing and believing God's love remains a lifelong pursuit of mine. It was the love of God that brought my husband, Evan into my life in 2006 at the age of 41. Inscribed on our wedding bands is “God is love, 1 John 4:8” along with our wedding date, 6/30/07. A friend recently shared this amazing quote with me from Mark DeJesus’ book, Exposing the Rejection Mindset, “What if you knew your were fully loved,
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