Traveling the Road

I had an interesting experience today as I was working on one of my latest art pieces.

There I was, sitting at my sewing machine, working on a rather mesmerizing quilting pattern of continuous line spirals, and it spoke to my heart.

Free motion quilting on an intricate pattern can be quite challenging.  For this pattern, especially after doing several of them, I started to glance ahead to see how much I still had to complete.  Bad idea...the needle wandered a bit off the prescribed line!!  Not a good thing when attempting concentric circle spirals.

Back to concentration....

I tried to glance backwards (all while still sewing) at what I had already stitched to check to be sure I was still on the line.  Another bad idea...the needle wandered a bit off the prescribed line!!

Back to concentration....

Kept my eye on each single stitch.  Would you believe that was not the answer either!!

Finally I found that if I concentrated just enough to see the immediate area, it was not long until I found the rhythm I needed to get a free and easy flow of fabric through the machine.

What on earth is this life lesson you might ask?   Well, as it spoke to my heart...here it is.

When traveling the road throughout my life, if I look too far ahead I can stumble on rocks or other things in the path.  If I turn to look behind and measure my progress (while still walking) I can get totally off the path. And if I concentrate so much on each individual step, staring at the ground right at my feet, I can walk right into a tree or a wall.

But....when I relax (let Abba give me the appropriate perspective on my journey) and see the road from His viewpoint, I travel more free and easy, flowing in His guidance for my travels.

Praying that your travel along your road, following His guidance, will be joyful and rewarding!

Patience Pays Off

Finally after all the holiday hubbub, it looks like my life is getting some form of order!

For me....that is something!

This year I'm dedicating to exploring what future might be awaiting me in the art world.

My word for 2013 is --  INVESTMENT

I'm investing time, money, effort and concentration in making and sharing my art.  Why art you might ask (or perhaps you didn't). Art is a passion of mine, what inspires me and gets me up in the morning. Now I know that might not sound "holy" but you need to understand.... To me...art is an opportunity to share in Abba's beautiful gift of making more beauty. To recognize that He shares with me a small part of His creativity...well...it boggles my mind.  And in the journey to discover true joy...how can the gift He's shared with me for this time NOT be a  major part of my world and life?

And...I learn from it. He uses my experiences in my studio, learning from other artists, sharing this passion to teach me more about Him and about His desires for my life.

Like today.....Patience

I have a new piece on my work island and I'm so excited about it. It is laid out and ready for the next step which will be the stitching.  But before that, I have to pick out a backing for this fiber art quilt.  Now I KNOW that most people see the backing but I try whenever possible to make it pleasing as well. I "auditioned" several fabrics that would work but none really satisfied me.

The temptation to "settle" and just get on with the fun part was strong. I walked away from my fabric stash a couple of times but just couldn't really commit to the fabric I had in my  hand.

THEN...the inspiration from Him hit with full force! And it was like a key fitting into a lock and smoothly turning to open up the door!

So here's the deal. The theme for this exhibit is "Page Turner".  I happen to be a HUGE mystery buff so I chose as the title for my piece the iconic first line "It was a dark and stormy night..." I can't show you the piece yet as it has only just begun but it will be a dark night with an old house and lightening. Fine...now for the backing fabric.

I have a large piece (in fact HAVE had it for some time!) that is a very light cream background with an almost golden light brown WRITING on it! How perfect is that for a book themed art piece? I'm so excited!

Now to the lesson for my life today --

Don't settle just to keep moving or doing. It is SO worth the patience to wait until it is really "right" and "fits".  

Would I have had a nice piece with the other fabrics? Probably. After all, this IS just the back of it.  But...AHA! Another lesson.

He cares about the so-called insignificant and the often unseen!

Who among us hasn't at some time or another felt insignificant and unseen, stranded in the backwater, passed by unnoticed?  But He never loses sight of us...never loses His caring for us and His desire for our JOY.

Patience (NOT a virtue of mine I'm afraid) but it is growing daily...by His grace!

Last thought -- I am humbled that He considers His patience with me to be worth the Joy at the end. That He sees me as HIS valuable work of art, embellished daily by His hand......even the backing part of my life no one else really cares about.

A Sweet Aroma

One of my favorite things about snow storms is that usually it means I get to spend long stretches of time in my studio.  A true joy to be sure!!

These past two days, after about a foot of snow, I've been dyeing fabric for a new art series I will be working on in 2013. It has been quite a while since I last spent days dyeing. The interesting thing to me was how much I enjoy the smell...the aroma...of procion dyes! I know it might sound weird but I think it is because it brings back wonderful memories.

Memories of discovery...discovery of the whole world of art. Yep, it started for me when I dyed my first piece of fabric. And Abba is taking me on a creative journey that seems at times to run full tilt, but with occasional rest periods to reflect and be inspired for the next leg of the journey.

So as I was reveling in the aroma of a studio full of dyed fabric, I was contemplating how such a small thing as an aroma could cause such wonderful emotions to well up in my heart.  The cause of such great joy, fun and excitement!!

And He reminded me of Psalm 141:2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Just think.....   Our prayers...a sweet aroma before our Heavenly Father.  I believe our prayers, a significant part of our relationship with Him, cause great joy, fun and excitement in HIS heart. And as great as that is....He doesn't stop there. 2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere. May all the wonderful aromas that surround us, especially during Christmas... Baking...Cooking...Greenery...Candles...The Fireplace Be a sweet reminder of the joy He takes in our prayers and the joy we have in representing Him to the lost world.

Confessions of a Junk Junkie

They say confession is good for the soul.

Here's hoping they are right!

My confession? I'm a junk junkie.... a major pack rat....a dumpster diver even.  In my own defense I have to say that it is a common characteristic of many mixed media artists.  So at least I'm not alone.

And some of us have raised this "addiction" to a whole new level. My husband (and when she lived with us - my now 5 year old granddaughter) throw nothing away without asking me first if I want it for an art project.  My granddaughter has kept the wrapper from a granola bar - "I can use it for an art project, Nani!"

Oh great...not only am I an addict...I'm a pusher!! Sad realization.......

So what is so alluring about junk? Rusted pieces of metal.....Odd shaped pieces of wood...Stray buttons and ribbons...

The list is extensive believe me....even including a little tool cabinet drawer with rattlesnake bones, porcupine quills and buffalo teeth.



I try...really I do...to throw some of the "junk" out on occasion.  But alas...it seldom happens.  There is this overriding feeling that "someday it could be a very important part of a beautiful piece of art!" 

Some "junk" I find and immediately have plans for it. Other times a bit just grabs my attention and I haul it away. If it grabs me then surely it will become art someday...right?

(stick with me now....this is headed somewhere...)

If you drive by my house you will see what looks rather like a rusty junk yard on the side of our house. An extension of my art studio actually.  Hidden away there (although probably not hidden enough for our neighbors) are pieces of various sizes or metal in various stages of rusting. This summer they made some AMAZING rusted fabrics! And next summer they will make some more!

 I have drawers of odd bits - mesh onion bags, bubble wrap, plastic shower mat shaped like rocks, a couple of lotus pods.... Well...you get the picture.

And don't get me started on old watch parts!!!!!

And again I face the question - what makes all this so interesting????  I see the potential!!! Really I do. Most often OTHERS definitely DON'T see any potential. But they don't see it through my eyes! (#42)

And then yesterday it hit me......

Abba is a junk junkie, too! (#43) Think about it....

He doesn't collect odd bits of metal and wood and shells.  BUT......He DOES collect some very odd individuals! Pieces discarded by the world. Sometimes found in a dumpster or a pile of refuse washed up on a beach somewhere.  Rejects..."junk". 

Another confession....I sometimes don't see what He sees in them. But then I'm reminded....HE is the artist on this project. HE sees them with the eyes of the Great Creator...the Ultimate Creator...the source of all creativity! (#44)

Some of this "junk" He uses in an immediate project. Some He knows will fit perfectly in His next beautiful piece. And some just grab His eye and He knows that with time and patience, we will become a very important part of an amazing piece of His design.

So now....I find myself considering that when I meet some of the "junk" I want to see them through HIS eyes....eyes that see potential no matter how hidden.

And you know what? I hope others will look through His eyes when they see me.  A re-purposed former piece of rejected "junk".

So...yes...I'm a junk junkie.

But....I think I'm in very good company