Excel Still More

 

Sometimes I create art for fun, sometimes to challenge my skills but more often than not I create a piece of art because of something amazing

that I have read in the Bible.

In Paul's first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica  he closes it by encouraging them to excel still more in how they

live and please God.

As you continue on in the fourth chapter HE SAYS IT AGAIN.  Once is good...but twice says to me pay attention!  I get the idea that

Paul is saying,

don't get comfortable in your walk with God, strive to do extremely well....

every minute

of every day

until it is your last.

Consider this a little visual encouragement that in all you do...excel still more!

Let it Shine!

 

In every single one of us there is a light...for some it is just a little wisp of glow from a flashlight with a fading battery.  For others it is it may be something more like a beautiful chandelier that is made up of countless illuminated bulbs.  Either way they both break up the darkness just in a different way.  Be encouraged to know that your little light is a blessing to others, so don't hide it...LET IT SHINE!

Worth a thousand words...

I am really bad at words...well actually expressing how I feel with words.  My husband on the other hand is a word kind of guy.  He is very expressive, and I am usually the beneficiary of sweet words of encouragement and love.  I am blessed beyond measure!

So how does a "picture" kind of girl tell a "word" kind of guy just exactly how she feels?

With a picture, of course...being worth a thousand words I hope that I can express the depth of the feelings I have for my Valentine with this one simple illustration!

Valentine-I love that out of a ba-zillion yarns to choose from God in His infinite love and creativity thought that we would be the best together!  He could envision how perfectly my quirky,  multi-colored poly-cotton blend yarn would go with your sturdy 100% wool yarn.  He could see that woven together our best qualities would become intertwined making us the individuals He wanted us to become, both separately and together.

Valentine-I love that our hearts are knitted together as one...not being able to see where one ends and the other begins.

Valentine-I love that the stitches are neat and even, but that is only because we have had many years of practice.  Making mistakes, undoing the stitches that needed to be improved and getting better with each new row.  I am so glad that we keep on knitting!

Valentine-I love that like a blanket these knitted hearts provide warmth and security. This warmth and security has covered our kids throughout their lives and has provided for them a pattern that can be replicated in their own lives some day.

So, to my "word" kind of guy  Happy Valentine's  Day!

From your "picture" kind of girl.

Once upon a time....

Once upon a time in a magical and sunny kingdom called California a fair haired child was born.  She was called Kathleen...Kathy for short.  But it was her handsome Prince of a father who dubbed her Katy Ka Diddle Hopper...we don't know why for sure, but its sweet silliness suited the giggly little girl perfectly.

As she grew, she found that being silly was not the only thing to recommend her...but her drawing abilities were as well..  She drew constantly.  As in all the time!  She drew pictures...lots and lots of pictures and gave them away to all those she loved throughout the kingdom. As she grew, so did her love of all things creative.  So one day, she packed her bags and traveled to a land far, far away called Chico, where she learned many more things about being drawing pictures.

While in the land of Chico, she met her  Prince Charming.  They got married, had three of their very own sweet and silly children and are living happily ever after.  Although no longer a child, Kathleen still loved to draw. Especially she loved to draw pictures that are full of whimsy and delight...that puts a smile on the face of everyone that sees them.  She did not need a magic mirror or a crystal ball to know that the very best name ever for her art was Katy Ka Diddle Hopper.

Here is the non-fairy tale version...I was born in California and do have a Prince of a Dad who nicknamed me Katy Ka Diddle Hopper!  I have always loved to communicate through art and have drawn lots and lots of pictures over the years.  The Prince Charming and three kids part is totally true!  I have been working on my art business for the several years now...learning so much along the way.  The journey has had it's ups and downs for sure, and the funny thing is that "Katy" has almost taken on a life of her own...the art, the process the highs and lows are all bundled into one little cutie called Katy...it is like she is part of the family.  So, I spend my days creating art that I hope blesses you and makes you smile...because for me that would be a fairy tale dream come true

Hello Spring!

New life is springing up everywhere these days...where once the cold winter confines kept color and beauty under wraps.  It is an amazing blessing each year to be reminded that warmth mixed with a splash of rain here and there produces new life once again.  That the cold grey of winter must always relinquish it's hold giving way to cheery clumps of purple verbena, fresh blades of green grass and best of all wondrous patches of bluebonnets that herald in beautiful blue notes that yes indeed spring has arrived once again.

The seasonal impact on nature is very clearly mirrored in my own heart...even now it is still shaking off the hardness of  winters cold that revealed itself in sadness and disappointment.  But just as my garden so quickly responds to warmth and rain, so too does the soil of my heart. Kindness from a friend or a refreshing time in God's word softens my heart allowing seeds of truth and joy and beauty to flourish and grow...so that I may be a bloom filled blessings to others.

If winter still has a hold on you, please be encouraged to know that while the cold soil looks lifeless and hard underneath new life is readying itself ...being prepared for the right time to blossom.  It is the same way for us, that even in the darkest most barren times of our lives God is still very much at work, growing us and strengthening us so that we are prepared at the right time for His best work.

 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

It's NOT all about the Candy!

It is that time of year again...when the visions of candy bars and lollipops dance in the heads of kids everywhere...and when I say kids I actually mean of all ages.  The trick or treat years are distant memories for me now..and as I look back I wonder how did I manage to make costumes for three kids!  Well I know one answer is because I was younger then too (shock) and obviously had much more energy then I do now!  For my family the fun of dressing up, running around in the dark with Dad and hoping one of the neighbors would do something fun and scary was the best part of Trick or Treating...the candy was icing on the cake. As in most of our family memories it was what we did together that  we celebrated and enjoyed the most, more than the candy or the gifts. And I am grateful that this blessing is the same today even though my kiddos are grown-up!  I hope that is the same for you and your family.

I created this ode to the season to capture the fun we had, but also to remember that with all of the fun and excitement manners are the best part of everyone's costume.  Please comment as I would love to know your thoughts...and thank you for stopping by!