Parading Prideful Peacock

Here is my last entry for a few weeks for Layers of Color Challenge:Exotic Birds. I will be vacationing with family at the Oregon Coast. My absolute favorite place to relax with my family.

The Peacock has been a symbol of pride and vanity, but I thought he was the perfect subject for the Exotic Bird theme this week. The Bible has lots to say about pride for example:

Proverbs 1:11-3

1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales,

but accurate weights are his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,

but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity

Genius and virtue are to be more often found clothed in gray than in peacock bright.

~Van Wyck Brooks

Be back soon!

Patience

Here is my entry in the Salt Challenge this week. I recently did a personal swap with a friend and we did a Fruit of the Spirit books out of ATC's. I thought it would fit nicely with this challenge theme. Each page was an attribute of the Fruit of the Spirit. Each page had a verse from the Bible on that quality. I chose for the patience page this verse:

Colossians 1:10-12

10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

I am constantly checking myself on this one. I tend to have a shorter supply of this and it is a part of my character that I constantly work on. The Lord continues to teach me so much in this area, and having four children certainly helped in the efforts for me to see the light :o)! But I so love this verse! I love how patience is coupled with endurance, what a happy marriage that is. To me patience is the internal and endurance is the eternal.

Father in Heaven... I hope and pray that I live a life worthy of You, Lord and that it may please You in every way. That I bear good fruit and grow in the knowledge of You. That I will be stregthened in all power according to Your glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience! Amen

Fruit of the Spirit - A Swap

I did a personal swap with my friend Sally S. She came up with this great idea of doing a Fruit of the Spirit book-I was totally on board with this idea! In the Bible there are nine attributes that come from having the Fruit of the Spirit, they are: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. We each created a page with the attribute and then references a verse from the bible to go with that character quality. Great idea Sally!

So, how many of us don't need more of these attributes in our lives? I know I do, especially in the areas of Patience, Faithfulness, and Self-Control! Listen to me it sounds as if I have the others all figured out doesn't it?...don't get me wrong, there are plenty of days that I run out of these too. It seems as if these others are qualities that come easier to me, you know the ones I don't have to work so hard at :o)! But alas, I'm a fallen soul and I will always come up short. So, the Lord's grace means so much to me, you see, I don't really deserve it and I get it anyway! Incredible.

This is just part of this wonderful little treasure that I received. I wanted to share Sally's work with you because I think it is so beautiful and what she created very much represents me! She captured the feel of the things that I love with great detail and care. The wonderful thing, is that Sally and I have not met face to face and have known each other for only a short time. That is the Lord, isn't He good! I hope you will visit Sally's site Lydia's Lineage. She is so insightful and filled with the love of our Lord. After your visit you will feel blessed. May your heart be filled to overflowing with the Fruit of the Spirit Sally! ~Keep looking Heavenward, Heather

I've Been Making Lavender Wands

This is my version of a lavender wand. You have seen the traditional wands made from fresh lavender and woven with beautiful ribbons. I have some of these and have made some of these too. Here is my entry for Layers of Color Challenge, this weeks theme is, you guessed it one of my favorite things: Lavender! Well of course I have added a little bling that is sure to make any Lavender Sprite squeal with delight!

I used Layers of Color Fleur Heart stamp and enlarged it. Outlined it with purple glitter, added fibers and ribbons, silk flower, silk and beads, silver stars, tulle and glittery velvet leaves. I took these pictures outside by my lavender so it is hard to see the glitter- all the dark lines are glitter.

Think Pink Project No.2

A second opportunity to be part of a group that believes in the power of community. What AM I talking about? Well, back in February I entered my 2x2 in. art square to become part of the skirt of this amazing doll called Love Squared This project is the brain child of Monica Magness and with her encouragement and cheering I am donating an art sachet that some what duplicates the design of my square. It will be used as one of the runner up prizes for the donation drawings- Yipppeee! If you would like to start at the beginning of my experience and read about the symbolism of my square click here for the whole story.

The drawings will take place in the month of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For every donation you make your name is put into a drawing and you have the opportunity to win some art from these wonderful artists for example: Tim Holtz, Amber Dawn, Art Tea Life just to name a few! For more info on how to donate to the cause or what prizes are being offered go to:Girls Gone Thread Wild I am so encouraged to be amongst these amazing artists who donated their art for a cure! Well done!

Here is my donation a small token to encourage someone who will go into battle or to someone who has know such a warrior. May the scent of heady lavender cleanse the mind, body, and spirit and bring peace and comfort!

Strawberry Fields Forever!

I couldn't resist! Here is my entry for the Layers of Color Challenge: Berries! This is a door knob hanger. I have used Dover images, pretty paper, a transparency, velvet ribbon, antique lace and lace medallion, buttons and even a couple berry pics- too cute. I used a stamp for the letter 's' as well. I also made this 3-D and added a bible verse to the back from:

Psalm 67:5-7

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
6 Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.
7 God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Herbs!

Summer is in full swing here in the Pacific Northwest- finally! Now, all of the sudden, my garden has taken off and I am harvesting my herbs, YES! already-isn't that crazy?! I was afraid they would all flower before I got the chance. So, my daughter and I bundled up Parsley, Sage, Oregano and Thyme... sounds like a song I know- Simon and Garfunkel anyone?! My husband started singing and changing the words to tease us last night while we sat on the porch swing and readied the green bundles to hang for drying.

I thought we would dry them and make Christmas gifts this year. Some sort of herb blend bundled in homemade calico pouches. Doesn't that sound homey and wonderful? I might try my hand and making an herbal tea too. Blending Lemon Balm, Chamomile, and Lavender.

There really is nothing like partaking in the harvest and bounty the Lord has blessed us with. It gives me good feelings to know I have worked with my hands, tilled the soil, planted, harvested and enjoyed the bounty. It also tastes the best too!

Thank you sweet Lord for blessing me with creativity to use what you have given to glorify You and bless those around me. My desire is to be a good steward of your goodness to us! Amen

Lady Liberty -The Real Miss America!

I was asked by Theresa W. at Cottage Violets to enter her blog contest and write why I love America in honor of the 4th of July, Check it out! I also felt it appropriate to share what I wrote and show you what I did for the Stamp Something, Layers of Color Challenge, Salt and Faith Sisters.

I have had the opportunity to travel abroad to the Middle East and other countries. I have to say that being born in America is such a privilege! Prior to my trip I often took this freedom for granted. I really didn't think about it much except on the 4th of July holiday.

My perspective has changed. Today, I see my freedom in new light: I have the freedom, as a woman in this country, to worship God, live and work for what I believe, raise my family, home-school my children and speak my mind and heart without fear...I am grateful for this freedom. I praise the Lord for it! It was never so much appreciated until I came back and placed my feet on American soil, my homeland. For those who fight for MY freedom and OUR country there are not enough words...I am truly grateful for your sacrifice. I am grateful that you love this country, our freedom, enough to sacrifice your life so that I might keep mine AND my freedom. The only other person that did that for me was JESUS. I am eternally grateful, thank you!

This is such a small token but it is from my heart, as a symbol of my gratitude for living in America where Lady Liberty smiles! Background is the music My Country T'is of Thee, I used: paper, Layers of Color Fleur Heart stamp set, old photo ephemera, and a foil star.