as the sun's rays filter

as the sun's rays filter through the trees

my spirit is lifted and my heart is warmed

like God's own breath entering my lungs

a moment of peace is found where none had existed

in life there are seasons of bliss and turmoil

but God remains the same and we are blessed

take it all in for it defines who we are

image is me at Union Point Park in New Bern, NC

As the dust settles....I am THANKFUL

THANKFUL that Dad is recovering well and should be 100 % soon!

THANKFUL that trip to see son was pleasant!

THANKFUL that all were okay while away!

THANKFUL I have such a neat and wonderfully kind, supportive and agreeable family!

THANKFUL I have a loving SAVIOR!

THANKFUL I am about to celebrate 28 years of marriage to a fine man.

THANKFUL I have art to keep me sane.

THANKFUL I have a couple days in the wonderful NC mountains to enjoy next week!

Image is of the front covers of my newest zine for the Artella FAll ZINE Swap-Medley-Imagine issue.

times like these

Dad is home from the hospital and doing pretty well. Still unsure of therapy and preventing a recurrence but praying hard and think he pushed for the right decision about the trip but I must admit it's been hard to concentrate on enjoying very much of it. I've tried but my mind continues to drift back to him. I've been calling about 3 times a day. It makes me feel better at least and hopefully it's helping him know how much I wish I was there sitting and talking and making sure he's okay.

a few days of uncertainty

After planning for weeks to visit my son, my dad had a mini stroke and we delayed it. He's doing well except for getting the full use of his right hand. I would like to request prayers of any and all readers. We are in New Bern and will be heading back home on Wednesday. Hopefully, as I am typing this my dad is going home from the hospital. He and mom insisted we go ahead with our plans. He is an amazingly strong individual. I hope to eventually be more like him. It's hard to spread yourself around when you are needed and wanted in more than one place at a time but sometimes it's necessary. Maybe one day I will be able to just do what is needed and not worry or feel guilty. Anyone else have these problems of being torn?

of God

the word of God

for guidance

the peace of God

for health

the love of God

for joy

the power of God

for strength

Image is of inchies I did for an Artella Swap.

Looking back

We keep so many memories put away in picture album's. You should take them out and look at them from time to time and share them. They are full of wonderful memories and moments in our lives. With email it's so easy to just send them on to people who would appreciate them. Use them in your artwork (I did a whole series of women in my family in collage style and called it HER). Alter books with them. Make copies and paint over them. Resize them into ATC's. Lots of people are sharing vintage images on their blogs and in their websites. Here's a great image of my husband's parents who are no longer with us. I love this picture of them.

The power of THREE

Walking this morning after a big thunder storm (and much needed rain-nearly an inch here in the drought area of western NC), I found two groups of three leaves. These from a hybrid poplar. I began to think of all the importance of THREES.

• the THREE in ONE - Trinity- Father, Son and Holy Spirit


• the THREE graces - Faith-Hope-Love


• the THREE in families - my husband, son and me and my mother, father and me


• the most special THREE little words - I Love You

What special threes are in your life?

Oh, and to answer a reader of my blog about the program I use for the ATC backs: Couldn't get to your blog or email: I use Microsoft Publisher. It's easy to use with text and picture boxes. So much easier than using Word. You just center the box or drag it where you need even to the edge of the page. You can then group it all and save as a jpeg image. Then you simply line all the images up on the page as you wish them to print.

comfort

an early walk

brings comfort to a stiff back

the cry of a hawk

brings comfort to my soul

the word of God

brings comfort to my heart

the beauty of life

brings comfort to my sprit

knowing comfort in a world

where little comfort is found

is a true gift from God

image is an old watercolor titled comfort

ATC Signature Back

A member of the Artist Trading Card Yahoo group is looking for signature stamps for the back of ATC's. I created a backing on my computer and just write in the date, title info and sign it. It works so easy for me to not have to write in all the website and email stuff. Plus I included my pic. I like knowing what the artist who created each looks like myself. Others may wish to leave that part off. Hope this helps. Here is my back. Oh, and if you use the template for printing 10 ATC's on a page. You can print 10 of these backs on a page. I use cardstock to reinforce the card. If you don't like using lots of printer ink, just have them copied at an office supply store.

A Sunday morning vignette

a chorus of song birds, crows and roosters

the pink and gold sunrise

a sweet aroma of gardenia and mimosa

happy rabbits enjoying the sweet clover

a peaceful walk

inspiration from above

blessings abound

life is sweet

Imagine

Imagine a day of happiness

Imagine a family of love

Imagine a neighborhood of tranquility

Imagine a workplace of support

Imagine a world of peace

Imagine a life of joy

Then do unto others as

you would have them do unto you

It is possible

Image is a digital cross. Feel free to use image in your graphic projects.

scripture inspired

stand in the presence of the Lord

wait in silence

for a gentle whisper

all day long not just

when you are in need

Image is acrylic layered with prismacolor

scripture inspired

scripture inspired

Faith not sight

I've always been a person of faith and hope but I must admit it is not easy. In the baby years as a Christian we often forget that it takes constant work and patience and persistence. Even though you know choosing the way of the cross is not a cure all for the world's troubles, you somehow continue to secretly think it is and then a trial comes and you sometimes lose it. Well, that is normal. No one, with exception to a few souls, is perfectly content, faithful and persevering all the time, 24/7. It takes daily practices of prayer, scripture study and just plain old faith...believing in what you can't see but believing anyway. I hope this gives many of you some blessed hope. Without faith it is impossible to please GOD. Without faith it is impossible to make it through any situation. So go forth with faith and keep on keeping on!

Image is another recent watercolor cross. Enjoy! Feel free to save image and share with others the faith it represents!

10 Favorite Things

1. Making zines


2. Photocopy transfers over watercolor


3. Cross images


4. Journaling through writing, collage and responding to nature.


5. The book of Psalms


6. Blogging


7. Cool summer mornings


8. Instrumental music


9. Walking


10. Word studies

a breath away

I realize heaven is only a dimension away,

as close as the next breath I take,

but when I look into the billowing clouds

with the sun's rays slicing through,

It's like a glimpse into heaven's gate.

light...love...peace...joy

The light of God

illumines my path

on this journey called life.

The love of God

warms my heart

when the world gives me strife.

The peace of God

feeds my soul

in a world of starvation.

The joy of God

raises my spirits

through elevating creation.

Image is a fun crayola marker and clipart collage.

Moonlight Message

Night time is sacred and beautiful.
A clear crisp night makes you draw inward for warmth and in so doing you may feel closer to your maker. He also made the moon and He will shine His light and His moonlight right down on your head and into your heart. It is His way of touching your very soul and giving you a taste of the way life can be if you draw close to Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He made the moon and He made you. The Lord protects His own.

I find answers

I find answers when I listen

I listen and I find contentment

I find contentment 'cause I have everything I need

I have everything I need 'cause I am blessed

I am blessed 'cause God is my ALL

God is my ALL and I am at peace

Image is a mixed media cross on a greeting card. When finished painting, spread leftover paint on scrap card stock. Dry and layer with more paint, prismacolor, pastels whatever you want. Cut into great shapes to make mosaics or greeting cards.