Reflect and Connect

Hearts Origami Style

2012-02-13T17:17:00.000-08:00

Super easy origami hearts for your BFF. Make them out of used catalogs or magazines, OR just plain paper so you can write a little note. Here's the website tutorial: http://blog.paper-source.com/how-to/how-to-recycled-origami-hearts/

The Day of Hearts

2012-02-08T08:36:00.000-08:00

“There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison”
― Jane Austen, Persuasion

Knitting a Banner of Love

2012-01-25T17:05:00.000-08:00

Little by little, step by step, I am learning to knit. After discovering how to knit 2 together and decrease the size of my project...I made these triangles for a sweet little Valentine's banner. The project begins by casting on 20 stitches...knit every row...decrease every other row by knitting two stitches together on each end until only one stitch is left. I cut out felt hearts using pinking shears. Next I embroidered each heart with a simple running stitch and sewed them to the knit triangles. The banner cord is a knitted i-cord. I learned how to knit the triangles and i-cord with the help of a children's knitting book called Kid's Knit. You can find it here:

Christmas Packaging

2011-12-13T05:15:00.000-08:00

If you are a crafter, one of the funnest things about Christmas is making cute tags and cards. This little tree is made out of book paper. Simply punch or cut out 5 tree shapes, ink the edges, and fold in half longways. Punch or cut one tree shape out of book paper to use as your base. Glue that to a tag. Carefully glue your folded trees to the base with a thin layer of glue on the folded tree edge. Place the first folded tree in the middle. Then add the other four trees (two folded trees on each side very closely to the middle of the base tree)the same way. This will create a little tree of "pages" that will add dimension to your tag. I used a quick drying craft glue like Scotch Quick-Dry Adhesive. You need to make sure the "pages" of your tree do not stick together by carefully running your finger between each "page" as they dry.

Papertrey Ink Make it Monday Challenge

2011-09-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

I have never participated in a Make It Monday Challenge by Papertrey Ink and Nicole Heady. This past challenge was making beautiful frosted images by stamping white ink over a darker ink, and then blending together. It gave the image a foggy, kind of etheral look. I used the technique to make the background for this card to welcome a new little one to the world. You can find the technique and challenge here:http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/

Reality

2011-06-17T05:18:00.000-07:00

"It is easier for a father to have children, than for children to have a real father". ~Pope John XXIII
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Martha Stewart Scores!

2011-06-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

I love this product from Martha Stewart. It's called a Scoring Board.

This handy board comes with instructions and a bone folder to help you cut and fold cards, envelopes and boxes. Although this product has been out for a while, I have to admit, I can be a sceptic. But, after seeing this demonstrated, I decided to head to Michaels to buy one for myself.

Making my own envelopes have always been a problem...How much paper? How do you fold evenly? This product helps me answer these questions.

The instructions give you a nice selection of small and large sizes and then, using a little math and a calculator, you can makes those measurements larger or smaller.

You can use all kinds of paper as well. Book pages, old maps, even catalog pages. Some catalogs are just too pretty to throw away.

Now I can make a card AND an envelope to match.

I'm Back!

2011-06-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

My daughter is married and my son is graduated. It's been a busy year. Now it's back to making things for other occasions beside a wedding. Although that was (most of the time) quite fun!
Recently, my daughter and son-in-law gave me this darling little stamp. I adore it.

I could not help but explore what I could add to the design to make it my own...

Wedding School

2011-04-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

For wedding reception decor, a parent/teacher store can be your best friend.

Black foam board and bulletin board letters are used to make a photo booth sign.

Library cards are used to number tables on top of book and flower centerpieces.

Praying for Japan

2011-03-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

Japan has been on my mind. May God cover the Japanese people with HIS love and grace..."His banner over me is love..." ~Song of Solomon

Loving Books Is Caught And Taught

2011-02-18T20:08:00.000-08:00

"Books, to the reading child, are so much more than books—they are dreams and knowledge, they are a future, and a past." ~Esther Meynell

The Day of the Valentines

2011-02-14T08:50:00.000-08:00

"Whatever our souls are made of,his and mine are the same."
~Emily Bronte

It's Going To Be A "Banner Wedding"

2011-02-11T05:46:00.000-08:00

The Wedding

2011-02-10T07:12:00.000-08:00

So...my daughter is getting married and my crafting skills are being put to the test...

Year of the Rabbit

2011-02-02T14:08:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the Chinese New Year. It's the year of the rabbit. When I saw this book and the instructions for making a little rabbit, I just had to try. You can make one, too...for your own celebration. http://www.amazon.com/Origami-Jewelry-More-Exquisite-Designs/dp/1568363680/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296684802&sr=1-1

Celebrating Springtime While Shoveling Snow

2011-01-27T08:53:00.000-08:00

"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." ~Veronica A. Shoffstall

A New Year

2010-12-31T17:21:00.001-08:00

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." ~ C.S. Lewis

Fire Gazing

2010-12-13T04:59:00.000-08:00

It was so wonderful to be there, safe at home, sheltered from the winds and the cold. Laura thought this must be a little bit like Heaven, where the weary are at rest. She could not imagine that Heaven was better than being where she was, slowly growing warm and comfortable, sipping the hot, sweet, ginger tea, seeing Ma, and Grace, and Pa and Carrie, and Mary all enjoying their own cups of it and hearing the storm that could not touch them here." -Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Long Winter

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

2010-12-08T06:38:00.000-08:00

"Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Search

2010-11-26T19:20:00.000-08:00

"Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store..." -How The Grinch Stole Christmas

No One Person Can Do It All

2010-11-21T14:49:00.000-08:00

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." - Mother Teresa

Sometimes I See RED

2010-11-16T17:58:00.000-08:00

Timely Wisdom

2010-09-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

"If you do not sow in spring, you will not reap in autumn." -Celtic proverb

A New Season

2010-09-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.-Albert Camus

The Dance

2010-09-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

"To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love"...Jane Austen

June Birthdays

2010-06-07T05:53:00.000-07:00

So many celebrations...so many friends having birthdays...so many opportunites to make something special...

I love taking pretty scrapbook paper and seeing how I can use it...love this Martha Stewart bird stamp...stamped and collaged this little birdie...

Add a plain white envelope...more stamping and pretty paper to decorate...and you're ready to mail a happy birthday greeting...

Memorial Day

2010-05-30T17:28:00.001-07:00

"O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life..."
Pausing to remember and appreciate...

English Roses

2010-05-06T13:33:00.000-07:00

Paper roses spun from pages of a discarded library book. Edges inked with the color scarlet.

Pretty enough to adorn a gift for a college graduate receiving a degree in English/Writing...Summa Cum Laude.

Busy May Days

2010-05-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

This can be a busy time of year...graduations, mother's day, weddings...and if there are birthdays...it can be as crazy as the Christmas rush. I've been especially busy this year. I have the priviledge of knowing many special people that are graduating from school. A very special person that we know is graduating from medical school. Talk about a celebration! I just wanted to give this person a small token to say, "We're so proud."

I covered the gift in black paper and used a unique brown, cream and black sewing trim to wrap around it. A medical person reminds me of a wise old owl. Not only do you have to remember a lot of information...many times you have to have the wisdom and understanding to know just what to do with that knowledge that you have worked so hard to possess. So, I used an owl stamp, scanned and printed an image of the brain...conservative colors of brown, white, and black cardstock to make a card that would congratulate the medical school graduate.

This Sunday is Mother's Day. I searched through my stamps and decided to use this special stamp of a lady busy at a writing desk. I originally bought this stamp for my daughter to celebrate her ability to write. As I looked through my stamps I realized this stamp reminded me of my mother as well. My mother is part of the greatest generation and so she loves to do something not many do these days...write letters. My mother's favorite color is pink and she also loves roses so I used pink cardstock, punched out flower shapes, stamped the paper edges, folded, glued and added lace.

A Mother's Day card that looks just like Mom. Thank you Mom for being so special. How are you celebrating these May days?

Going to Market

2010-04-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

What a blessing to have a farmer's market nearby...and we visit...often. Its so much fun to talk to the growers...all ages young and older...you can learn much wisdom.

Spring, summer, and fall...many shades of one color...so many choices...

We buy starter vegetable plants for our garden...multiple varieties of peppers and tomatoes...in the summer there will be fresh fruit and vegetables to purchase and eat...yum.

Vibrant African Daisies...

Colorful hanging baskets of petunias...vegetable plants and herbs...

Beautiful Dahlias...
Looking forward to the whole growing season...

may my heart always be open to little birds...

2010-04-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

may my heart always be open to little
birds who are the secrets of living
whatever they sing is better than to know
and if men should not hear them men are old
e.e. cummings

Blue Skies

2010-04-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

The blue of this sky
Sounds so loud that it can be heard
Only with our eyes.
-Richard Wright

Pausing To Remember

2010-04-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

Keeping the lights on...thinking of the coal miners and their families in Raleigh County, West Virginia. May God bless you all...

The Earth is smiling...in FLOWERS.

2010-04-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

There are blossoms everywhere...

love this time of year... beautiful color on all the trees...looks like Fairyland...
just had to "gussy up" the house with their beauty...

I cut some branches that needed a little trim...cut slits in the end of the branch...

emersed in a pretty glass container...and those lovely blossoms are smiling in every room of the house.

Pretty Easter Packaging

2010-04-02T05:47:00.000-07:00

First, you take THESE...

so you can make THIS...

use re-purposed paper to wrap...then tag IT...

repeat...make THESE...

Remembering why this Friday is good. Blessings, Carolanne

Turn Around And Its Spring

2010-04-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

I looked outside this morning and realized that spring was in FULL BLOOM. How did it happen? Just 2 weeks ago, we had snow and frigid temperatures. Without any kind of announcement, buds were on all the trees. Flowers were blooming...birds were singing. I smelled...green grass.

Raising your children can be like this also. Thinking back, when I was very young... I remember the song, "Turn Around" by Harry Belafonte. "Turn around and you're two...turn around and you're four...you're not a little girl anymore...you're going out the door..." The song reminisces about how time seems to pass so quickly when it comes to your children becoming adults. Once your precious little ones were wanting stories at bedtime and then, very quickly it seems, they are wanting to stay out way past bedtime. They are headed for college... or driving on their own...Where did the time go?

It seems to have passed so quickly when you think back. When they couldn't sleep through the night without crying or needed someone to cut up their food...it felt like those stages would last forever. Then suddenly, your sons and daughters are out the door...COOKING their own food. You wonder...how did the time move so quickly?

You don't just get this feeling with your own little ones but with your friends' little ones as well. A few weeks ago, we received a wedding invitation. This "lttle" girl was getting married. It seemed like I had just gone to her ballet recital. I had just played games with her while I kept the nursery at church. Now she is a registered nurse taking care of little ones...her own little patients...and getting married.

Time...seasons...life...moves on. Sometimes quickly. "I turned around and you were gone."

Spring Is Taking A Break

2010-03-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought warmer weather was here...yesterday an icy foggy frost appeared. Today is warmer...but cloudy and chilly. Thank goodness I have sunny daffodils on the table. They help to brighten this gray day.

I baked oatmeal cookies with whole wheat flour and dried cherries to bring some warmth into this frigid kitchen. Yummy.

A perfect spring morning. How are you spending your morning?

Welcome Spring

2010-03-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

Oh dear Spring...welcome back...I'm so happy you're finally here...I thought I'd never see you again.

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom."-Terri Guillemets

Top of the Morning to YOU!

2010-03-17T05:02:00.000-07:00

Today is St. Patrick's Day. I love the story of St. Patrick. He was such a courageous man. Some of the myth and legends are silly compared to his bravery...But, one of the legends that I like involves the shamrock and how he used it to share his faith with the people of Ireland. He must have been a creative man.

I love reading about people's creativity. How they use everyday materials to inspire and create lovely things. Lately,I have been reading about how you can save the everyday paper in your life and make beautiful papers and cards. I have been saving mail, old magazines, the paper that holds your teabags, cereal boxes, on and on. For these cute little flowers and/or shamrocks, I punched 4 hearts, glued them together and inked the edges. For each, I added a button and voila...a lovely Spring or St. Paddy's Day addition.

That little "teabag" shamrock was just the addition I needed to add to a calendar page I created for the month of March. I found a cute little calendar stamp at Michaels...inked and glued it to a cereal box I had been saving...then cut it out and glued that on pretty scrapbook paper. Next I added a "kiss me I'm Irish" stamp for fun.

A little calendar to celebrate the month of March. What a fun month. All the green of St. Patrick's Day really gets me ready to celebrate SPRING! Whew! What a wild winter it has been. I can say I am ready to celebrate this next season.

Add a small stack of little cut papers for notes under your calendar and you're done. Hope you all enjoy your day. Don't forget to wear a little green.

Spring Fever

2010-03-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

Finally... It feels like springtime. I thought it would never come. I have had a little bird's nest stamp sitting on my shelf so, as soon as the sun appeared, after seemingly weeks and weeks of clouds, I took it down and quickly...used it. After stamping it, I colored it with my brightest colored pencils. Next, I wanted to give it some thickness and depth. Because I save cereal boxes, cookie boxes, and pasta boxes, I knew just what to do. I cut out a square from one of the boxes, then sanded and glued the colored nest to the cardboard. Finally I cut out the outline of the nest, and then sanded and inked the edges.

After completing the stamped image, I began to prepare the background for the nest to "nest". I used beautiful scrapbook paper. There are so many patterns and colors to choose from these days. I added lace and ribbon, cut out flowers and sprinkled glitter.

A perfect card to send for any kind of celebration.

Je t'aime I love you

2010-02-24T14:04:00.000-08:00

Anytime is a good time to say, I love you. You don't have to wait for a special day. Let those you love know how much you appreciate them all the time. It strengthens them and ultimately...you.

I found this darling stamp at Hobby Lobby. It was the last one on the shelf waiting just for me. I decided to stamp and glitter using these colors. How I love these shades of blue and red together. Just like the boy and girl under the umbrella, the colors compliment each other so well. That's what a good relationship does --alone a person may be just an ordinary human being...maybe kind of plain... but connect that person with someone of opposite strengths and even weaknesses... together, they make each other shine.

Opposites really do attract. Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the people in your life. Your strengths make their weaknesses strong and their strengths may just support where you are weak.

Friendship

2010-02-13T10:53:00.000-08:00

The best kind of ship is friendship. It helps to carry you through the rough waters of life. Happy Valentine's Day, dear friends.
(water soluable crayons, black ink, collage)

Love Letters

2010-02-11T13:14:00.001-08:00

What a fun appropriate challenge for the month of February by Michelle Ward.

I know a sweet little couple that fell in love at the beginning of the U.S. involvement in World War II. He was 20. She was 18. For three years they wrote love letters. I am fortunate to have some of these letters because that sweet little couple was my parents. My dad loved to write: S.W.A.K Sealed with a kiss. On this particular letter he wrote: S.W.A.K. I.L.Y.V.M. Sealed with a kiss. I love you very much. Love letters.

This letter has S.W.A.K. and then my dad put an X under that for THE KISS.

I love letters or cards or even postcards. There is something wonderful about receiving something in the mailbox as opposed to the email box. It means someone was thinking enough of me to spend time choosing the card, writing the card and mailing the card. It seems they had to think of something else other than their convenience. Plus you can carry a card or letter. Read it again...and again. Look at it. Hold it. And now all these years later, I can hold the words and feelings my parents had for each other in my hand.

I LOVE love letters.

Will You Be My Valentine?

2010-02-04T17:35:00.000-08:00

When my daughter was in elementary school, she began preparing for Valentine's Day starting in January. First would appear a list of those that would receive the valentines. Next a list of supplies would appear. These lists were all made by my sweet daughter. She has always been very organized not compulsive as some would like to label it. We would make valentines together using glitter and glue. The completed envelopes would be ready to mail by January 31. Now even though my daughter is living away at college, I find myself gathering supplies, stamping and glueing. I started in January.

I found this lovely paper at JoAnn Fabrics. It is filled with beautiful butterflies and antique type designs.

I chose two very pale pastel colored papers. They mix perfectly with cream colored lace.

Finally I added valentine stamps also found at JoAnn's in the dollar bin. And just a little chocolate FOR ME to nibble on while working...It just made it seem more like Valentine's Day...the chocolate and all.

Full Wolf Moon

2010-01-29T08:17:00.000-08:00

This lovely moon was in my backyard yesterday afternoon.

Native Americans used to refer to January's full moon as the Full Wolf Moon. Amid the frigid temperatures and snow of January, wolves would howl with hunger outside their villages. I'm sure this must have been a time of worry and fear.

Sometimes the wolves are howling outside around us. We wonder if we can face what is right outside our door. We fret.

"The next moment is as much beyond our grasp, and as much in God's care, as that a hundred years away. Care for the next minute is just as foolish as care for a day in the next thousand years. In neither can we do anything, in both God is doing everything." -C.S. Lewis

Whimsical Winter

2010-01-25T17:40:00.000-08:00

Whimsical:erratic; unpredictable.

For the past 3 days we have had almost spring like weather but alas yesterday afternoon it was snowing...again. Not too much, but it is now noticably colder...again. This season could be described as whimsical.

The watercolor and collage above is based on a photo that I took the Monday after the December 18 snowstorm. I really liked it and decided to put it in my journal.

Thinking back I remember; a few days after the snow and when our electric power was restored...early in the morning...on a day out of school...I bribed my teenage son out of bed with the promise of his favorite out to eat breakfast. We put on heavy coats and gloves, got in our old Toyota (that drives great in the snow) and headed to B.'s favorite diner. I did not tell B. until after he got his food that I was going to also drive around and take a few camera pics. "Oh mom, I just want to go back home", he said. Because he wasn't hungry anymore and still sleepy, I was able to convince him to go. I wanted to get photos of the heavy snow on the trees. You just don't get that kind of snow here all the time.

"It looks like a fairy-land", I said as we drove. "Mmmm", he said. We drove along the hilly roads and admired the way the trees bowed with the heavy snow. I would stop and snap pictures. B. sat behind the wheel so he could move the car if anyone drove up behind us. "Wow, look at that mom", he said as we drove along a stream and admired the view.

We headed behind one of the shopping centers that overlooks a valley. I got out and took photos as B. sat quietly in the car. When I got back in, my son said "Hey, lets go down that street behind the auto place. I bet its really beautiful down there".

Green Pepper Press Street Team Crusade No. 36-Braving the Elements

2010-01-21T10:19:00.000-08:00

I have long been an admirer of Michelle Ward's beautiful designs. Her website inspires my creativity. Every month she has an artistic challenge for her readers. Some of them I have done quietly on my own, others I have just read about. This month I decided to participate openly and leave a comment! The name of this month's crusade is "Braving the Elements." Wow! That is certainly what we have been doing here in West Virginia. On December 18, most of our state was hit with the largest snowstorm in more than a decade. Heavy snow took down more than 600 power poles and miles and miles of wire. Many people did not have electric power for days. Talk about braving the elements! Recently I posted about cutting snowflake designs using kirigami. I was cutting and pasting snowflakes everywhere. Why not cut some smaller snowflakes and participate in the Green Pepper Press Crusade this month?

So that is just what I did. I followed Michelle's clear directions given on her GPP Street Team Crusade page. I cut snowflakes, gessoed my journal pages, painted, then painted again over snowflakes.

When I looked at what I made, it reminded me of butterflies. Snowflakes are like butterflies in the winter. I googled the phrase and discovered it was NOT a new thought. Oh well...

This was a fun crusade and helped brighten up these cold snowy days. If you would like to participate in the crusade, here is the website:
http://michelleward.typepad.com/how_cool_is_that/

Snow Days

2010-01-05T07:10:00.001-08:00

A couple of New Years ago, while looking at half priced calendars, I discovered a square blocked calendar that offered kirigami patterns. You know the kind? Each day is on a square page, you view the page for the day, then throw it away. This calendar, you view the page and cut the design, then throw it away...or not. The patterns are really pretty. Kirigami is a Japanese tradition of paper folding and then cutting to make various designs. Kind of like an expanded origami.I bought the calendar. At first it seemed too hard. I put the calendar away. Recently I bought some smaller and sharper scissors. Now, especially with all the snow days we've had, I just can't stop cutting. I plan to fill up my windows. There are kirigami books in the library and patterns on line...Or there may be some Kirigami Calendars left for more than half price. Try Borders Bookstore or Books A Million. You might get hooked, like me.

A New Year

2009-12-31T16:40:00.000-08:00

On the first day of the year, 1998, my sister stepped into eternity. I have missed my first friend. I have wished we could have raised our children together the way many sisters do-sharing funny stories, giving each other advice, encouraging one another. I have felt an emptiness that cannot be filled with anyone other than a sister. I know one day, this short time that we inhabit on earth will all make sense. Until I know, I trust in the ONE who is all knowing and in control. The God that lovingly laid down His life for myself...and my sister.

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18,19

Twas the Birthday of a King

2009-12-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

In the little village of Bethlehem
There lay a child one day
And the sky was bright
With a holy light
O'er the place where Jesus lay.

Alleluia
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia
How it rang!
And the sky was bright
With a holy light
'Twas the birthday of a King.

Humble birthplace
But O
How much God gave to us that day!
From the manger bed what a path has led
What a perfect holy way.

Alleluia
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia
How it rang!
And the sky was bright
With a Holy light
'Twas the birthday of a King
- William Harold Neidlinger

My watercolor was inspired by the artwork of Geninne Zlatkis.

Using a Variety of Stamps for Christmas Greetings

2009-12-20T08:11:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a snowy weekend we had here in West Virginia. Fortunately I just got my Christmas greetings in the mail before the snow and power outages began. We lost power but not for too long for which I am thankful. Last year and this year instead of sending traditional cards, I sent postcards. Last year, so many people asked how I made them that I decided to blog about it. You can see the tutorial under my February 2, 2008 post. Postcards are so quick and easy to write on once made. Postage is also a little cheaper which helps around this holiday season. In previous posts this December I have talked about using various stamps to create different designs and backgrounds on paper.

A couple of weeks ago, I showed how you can make this snowy design on paper. Kind of fitting for this weekend. Well, what if this paper became the background for your postcard? I took this paper, scanned it into my computer and printed out 4"by 6" copies. The basic size for a postcard.

I wrote about how I made this design a week ago using one stamp and an inchie punch.

What if you took this one stamp again and instead of using green and red ink you used blue and silver? Use your inchie punch, add a navy blue backgound. and create the same kind of design.

Then take that inchie cut design and adhere it to your snowy background. It looks really pretty just like this but I wanted to add one more thing for the message I wanted to say.

I decided to use two different stamps. A compass rose and a celtic cross. I stamped and embossed them using opaque white powder on black cardstock. I wanted a different kind of cross image...one that showed direction. I cut out the stamped designs, then trimmed more, glued, and came up with this:

Using raised glue dots I adhered this cross over the previous snowy image, inchie design and scanned it into the computer. I saved this image and had to do one more thing... It needed words.

Finding just the write thing to say took some time. I finally found an old medieval saying in a quotation's book. Using photo editing software, and playing around a bit, I added the quote onto my scanned image. I then printed out 4" by 6" copies of this design. I sprayed a fine mist of fixative on each card and glittered the cross just to add a bit of sparkle. Lastly I used a glue stick to adhere a basic "postcard" design to the back. Add your greeting, address and stamp and you're ready to mail.

Deck The Halls

2009-12-15T09:45:00.000-08:00

Decking the halls is one of my favorite things to do this time of year.

With One Stamp

2009-12-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

Here in West Virginia a blustery wind has blown in bringing light snow and frigid temperatures. What a good excuse to stay cozy inside and use my imagination. Creating with stamps are so much fun. Look through your stamp collection and select one image. It can be a Christmas stamp or any other you choose. This Christmas design is by Inkadinkado. I bought it this year at Michael's.

Take that stamp and ink it with any color you decide. I used a rich red. You can also ink it again and again in other colors. You judge how many variations you want. I chose two colors for the season. Red and Green.

Next, look at your stamped design. Imagine only being able to see a one inch by one inch square in any part of the stamped picture. (You may want to cut out a one inch by one inch opening in a piece of cardstock and move it around the stamped design to help you choose) Now with an inchie punch cutter or measuring and cutting with scissors, cut from your stamped pattern several one inch squares. As you can see, some of the images I decided on were faces or people or just interesting pictures.

After I determined how many squares I wanted and then cut accordingly, I measured and trimmed a coordinating piece of cardstock just about a half an inch larger.

Using a glue runner I carefully adhered each square onto the cardstock.
You can use this creation as it is for a tag, bookmark, or whatever...

or you can put a pretty Christmas paper behind your cut images and create a festive card. Grab a cup of hot chocolate or tea, stay warm and have fun!

We Wait

2009-12-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel.

Making Festive Paper Using a Few Stamps

2009-12-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

While browsing at Michael's a few weeks ago, I came across these lovely snowflake stamps. Especially at this time of year, I cannot resist beautiful snowflakes so I bought them. Feeling the need to try them out immediately, I decided to make a collage on navy cardstock out of the various snowflakes.

First I used a watermark inkpad and white embossing powder to randomly stamp and emboss two snowflake designs. This gave a raised very white crisp image.

Next, I used a silver ink pad to randomly stamp more snowflake images.

Finally, I used a light blue inkpad to randomly stamp even more designs -sometimes overlapping the embossed snowflakes. Just keep stamping until you like what you are creating. The nice thing about clear stamps is you can see where you are putting your image in relation to the other images already stamped.

Now the fun part: deciding where and how to cut your paper to get the best looking overall design.

Voila! Now you can make copies by scanning the cut into your computer. Print out any size you desire. You can print out 8 by 10 copies and use as scrapbook paper in photo albums. You can print large and then cut out smaller designs. I printed out 3 by 5 copies to use as little thankyou cards. I am also using this design to put in the background for my Christmas cards this year. Use any kind of stamp and have fun creating!

Happy Birthday C.S. Lewis

2009-11-29T08:42:00.000-08:00

Clive Staples Lewis was born on November 29, 1898. He died just shy of his 65th birthday on November 22, 1963. He began his adult life as an atheist and then, as only God can do, he became a believer in Christ. To me, Lewis was a master of description that allowed the reader not only to visualize what he was trying to portray but also to FEEL the emotions of the depiction. I have learned so much about God and myself through Lewis' writings. Lewis was also an avid letter writer to his friends and fans. Through these writings you see a man whose kindness and compassion clearly protray the grace of God in his life. I close this post with one of my favorite quotes from The Last Battle that describes his and our hope of Heaven: ""There was a real railway accident," said Aslan softly. "Your father and mother and all of you are--as you used to call it in the Shadow-Lands--dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning." And as he spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."

illustration is watercolor and collage by myself

An Unexpected House Guest

2009-11-24T08:14:00.001-08:00

The other night my son was in his room cozily reading in his bed. Very suddenly, B. noticed a mouse was squeezing his way under my son's bedroom door. The mouse ran and then stopped, looked up at my son locking eyes, then scurried under a chest of drawers. My son got out of bed pounded on our door, waking us, and announced we had a "visitor". My husband got up to investigate but the "house guest" did not make himself known that evening again. We know he/she is still here.(we heard chewing last night) We have set traps...but we still wait.

It has occurred to me how many unwelcome events in our lives happen just this way. We are coasting along. Reading a good book or sleeping when suddenly out of nowhere, a "unwelcome visitor" appears. We seek to solve the problem but there are situations that cannot be solved immediately or at all. We question - why did this happen? Did we leave the garage door open? We ask - what is going to happen? Will this "visitor" get into our goods and make a mess? The only thing we can really control is the present and how we respond. Things are easier if that is what we make our focus--the present - And GOD. So we wait... and pray. (And don't underestimate the praying at all times) During this time, if we allow God, we can learn a good deal about our weakness and His strength, grace, and mercy. We must look to Him and what we need to do TODAY. Hopefully this "guest's" days are numbered as we allow the "sudden visitor" to teach us.

Give Thanks

2009-11-24T07:45:00.000-08:00

"We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is "good," because it is good, if "bad" because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country."-C.S. Lewis

Thy Mercy, My God

2009-11-20T08:29:00.000-08:00

Without thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.---Taken from Thy Mercy, My God words by John Stocker

Nothing Wrong With a Little Fresh Paint

2009-11-16T08:24:00.000-08:00

If there is an empty space, somehow I want to paint it. As you can tell from previous blogs, I love to paint. A wonderful artist blog that I visit gave me the idea to paint rocks with white acrylic ink. www.geninne.com

How To Make A Gift Card More Personal

2009-11-14T16:38:00.000-08:00

You've bought a gift for a wedding shower and you want the tag to say a little more than "to" and "from". Grab a mailing tag or make one of your own. Its fun to make one of your own by tracing a garment tag or even just a rectangle onto an old cereal box. Cut out the shape and then trace that shape twice onto pretty scrapbook paper. Glue the paper onto the front and back of the tag using a glue stick. Before you start to decorate your tag, take some vellum or other paper. Even a clear shopping bag will do. (Ann Taylor Loft has nice clear bags) Using your gift tag as your guide, cut out enough to wrap around the tag and glue in the back. Then fold the bottom opening inward and glue. (I use a very thin line of YES or a glue runner) This will make a "slip in" envelope. Decorate the top of your envelope with a pretty paper trim you cut out or one already made. Paste your "to" and "from" emblem on the front.
Now the fun part--the tag itself.

Find a picture of the lovely couple or print one out. I used my couple's facebook profile picture and printed one onto photo paper just the size I wanted. Before I glued the pic, I added some lace on the bottom. Using a decorative trim cutter (this one is from Martha Stewart) I cut out some ivory paper and stamped it. (This stamp says" And they lived happily ever after." ) Then I glued the paper on the front of the tag. Next I glued the couple's picture. Finally I sewed ribbon onto the top along with a button.

Need Direction?

2009-11-10T07:55:00.000-08:00

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. Psalm 62:5

November

2009-11-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

We saw a family of 8 deer in a store parking lot near us the other evening. They didn't hang around for long though when I pulled out the camera.
My watercolor was inspired by the artwork of Geninne Zlatkis.

Singing the Praises of Autumn

2009-09-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

It was still early and dark when I turned on the light to my kitchen. I could hear a little wren chirping with much vigor. As I looked out on my back porch I could see him singing as if the rising of the sun or the coming of Autumn depended on his song. I decided to watercolor the little guy. (Geninne's art of www.geninne.com is my inspiration.)

Flirty Fall

2009-09-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

Fall has been teasing us here with cooler weather in the evening. The beautiful season is right around the corner. I worked on a little watercolor and collage to put in my journal.

Journal Pages

2009-09-13T18:57:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been listening to a musician named Derek Webb. I love the words in his songs so I decided to make journal pages of one particular song that especially spoke to me. Like a man comes to an altar, I came into this town. With the world upon my shoulders. And promises passed down. And I went into the water. My father, he was pleased. I built it and I'll tear it down, so you will be set free. I found thieves and salesmen living in my father's house. I know how they got there and I know how to get 'em out. I'm turning this place over from floor to balcony. And then just like these doves and sheep oh you will be set free. I've always been a lover from before I drew a breath. Some things I loved easy and some I loved to death. Because love's no politician it listens carefully. So of those who come, I can't lose one so you will be set free. But go and take my picture go on and make me up. I'll still be your defender and you'll be my missing son. I'll send out an army just to bring you back to me ...

cause regardless of your brother's lies, you will be set free. I am my beloved's and my beloveds's mine. So you bring all your history and I'll bring the bread and wine. And we'll have us a party where all the drinks are on me. Then surely as the rising sun you will be set free. -Derek Webb

What a Savior that pursues us like a Lover.

It All Began...

2009-08-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

while I was browsing at Michael's. I saw this stencil on sale. I bought it, took it home, and then wondered where I should put the design. Several months went by.

It occured to me that the design might look good on a ceiling. Hmmm. I had never stenciled a ceiling before.

What about the ceiling in the entrance hall? I liked it.

What about the dining room?

I now have a whole new respect for Michael Angelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Happy 21st Birthday!

2009-08-02T18:08:00.000-07:00

What a lovely dinner we had with you and your charming young man.

May God continue to bless you dear daughter.

Happy Birthday West Virginia!

2009-06-19T06:54:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is our state's birthday. There are all kinds of celebrations. One of the best is FESTIVALL in Charleston. From today until the 28th, the city really becomes a work of art. There are all kinds of concerts and gatherings. There are actors and dancers in the streets. Artisans come from all over to sell and display their wares next weekend. There are so many talented people who have roots in Appalachia and they are beautiful refined craftsmen and women.

http://www.festivallcharleston.com

Celebrate

2009-06-02T12:35:00.001-07:00

A card made for my son's 17th birhtday.

Shred!
for 17 years you have tread!
Happy Birthday!

(Definition of shred-the act of playing fast complicated passages on an electric guitar-something my son loves to do)

Worship

2009-05-31T16:30:00.000-07:00

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." Isaiah 2:3

Reflections

2009-05-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I walked outside in my yard. After all the rain we have had, the sky was absolutely beautiful. I think I was even more appreciative of the sun because of all the overcast and gloomy days we have seen this month. As I looked at the day I thought about how precious days like these are-there seem to be so few. It made me think of a passage in Lamentations. Life can be very difficult, even bitter at times. The worry-free seasons are few. It is comforting to read that throughout time others have had similiar experiences. Here is the passage from Lamentations that came to mind:

"I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. So I say, "My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

(And as this little guy quietly reminded me -when I tripped over him!)
It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:17-26

May 18, 1993 Was A Good Day!

2009-05-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

Happy, happy birthday! We love getting together with you! We always have so much fun.

Today is a special birthday.

We're honored to be related to you. Love you, Chris!

Celebrate Mothers and Their Babies

2009-05-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

My husband has made several birdhouses this spring and placed them throughout our yard. Some are in trees. Other houses are attached to poles. Almost all are now occupied. This afternoon my son and I heard several occupants in a nearby tree. Upon closer observation we spied four baby birds. They would appear every time my son whistled. This was quite a scene and it attracted several of our neighbors with a few running to get their cameras. How appropriate for the upcoming celebration.

May 7 National Day of Prayer

2009-05-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. -2Timothy 2:1-2

Tolerance

2009-05-04T09:09:00.000-07:00

In the world it is called tolerance, but in hell it is called despair...the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die. -Dorothy L. Sayers

The Color Purple

2009-04-28T08:45:00.001-07:00

The shades of purple, lavender, and lilac seem to be everywhere!

It is amazing how light affects color. Lavenders turn to blue or lilac turns to pink.

Sometimes pansies look purple. In another light they can look blue.

All these shades of purple and lavender inspire me to adorn similiar colors in the Spring.

I am also motivated to use the same shades in making a card for a wedding shower. The bride who is receiving this attached to her gift has also been stirred by these lovely shades of Spring. The colors she has chosen for her wedding? Purple and green.

Was William Shakespeare born on this day?

2009-04-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

"My heart unto yours is knit so that but one heart we can make of it..."
-A Midsummer Night's Dream".
This lovely quote was written by William Shakespeare.

Today is the day that it is said William Shakespeare was born. No one really knows for sure. Historians do know he was christened on April 26, 1564. At that time babies were usually christened one or two days after being born therefore April 23 has been chosen as the day of his birth. So much of our everyday English language has been influenced by him and many of us are not even aware of it. How many of us have heard or said, "love is blind", "what's mine is yours","forgive and forget","Friends, Romans, countrymen", "It was Greek to me", "neither a borrower nor lender be" (ha -everyone would do well to remember that at this time), "parting is such sweet sorrow". Those are just a few examples. There are many quotes we say, as well as beautiful descriptive language that Shakespeare penned. Google "William Shakespeare's quotes" if you'd like to see more.

Earth Day

2009-04-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

Who may ascend to the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Psalm 24:1-6

Thank you, Lord for the ability to sow and reap good things from the earth. Thank you for an earth (like us) that can be renewed everyday.

Hope

2009-04-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation subjected to frustation, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:18-25

(photo by J.J.)

Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

2009-04-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

When I wrap a gift I search for paper that matches the card I have made. The other day it occurred to me that I could make my own wrapping paper. Why have I not thought of this before? Just take plain white paper (I used paper from a big flip chart I had left over from AWANA and Sunday School) Or even use newspaper (you'll see that gesso covers it all) Find a flat area--the kitchen table, the floor, the basement. Lay down wax paper to protect the surface. Next lay the paper you want to paint. Apply gesso mixed with a little water with a brush. Cover generously. Let dry overnight or for a few hours. Flip your paper and apply gesso and water to the other side of the paper. Let dry again.
Now comes the fun--Apply two colors of acylic paint one at a time. (I used gloss acrylic paint for a shine) Apply your darker color first. Cover the paper completely. Dry. Then apply your lighter color in streaks.
Before the lighter streaks dry, use the same color of lighter acrylic to stencil a pattern across your paper. The pattern will look as if it comes and goes.
Let your paper dry flat or hang to dry. Use the same paint for your card or cut some of the paper to use as the background for your card.

Spring is Here!

2009-03-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

It was 30 degrees this morning but the flowers are in bloom!

Celebrating St. Patrick and His Day

2009-03-16T18:06:00.000-07:00

Celebrating my Irish heritage by painting with different shades of acrylic green paint. I use a foam stamp to add a design in lighter green. When this is dry, I cut out a tag. The tag is decorated with black swirls. A celtic cross is stamped and embossed with white embossing powder, then cut out and adhered to the tag. Ribbons are the last to be added. I think about St. Patrick and how brave he was living his faith in the one true God among all the Druids.

Snowy Journal Pages

2009-03-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

Hearing about all the snow in my hometown down south made me want to share with you some pages in my journal. Although we didn't get any snow this time, we have gotten plenty this season. I have taken lots of pictures. These seasonal pics were printed and cut out, then pasted on pages painted with navy acrylic paint.

Snowflake stamps, glitter and paint dress up these snowy pictures-along with fun text and computer graphics.

This little guy is a welcome sight on chilly days. He deserves to have his picture cropped. Try this with some fun winter pictures of your own.

When Someone Mentions Coffee or Tea

2009-02-23T08:33:00.000-08:00

My mother started it. A little snack after school. Then a little afternoon tea. I passed the tradition down to my children. It became a ritual. Every afternoon between the hours of 3-5 (depending on when we walked in the door) the tea kettle was put on and a little cookie or cracker was added. Now coffee has been included. I've also learned to make scones. Add books and music to this and we have all we need. So whenever our family wants to gather together or have a conversation we MUST include coffee or tea. In fact, we cannot gather our thoughts without one or the other.

2009-02-19T08:12:00.000-08:00

What a perfect description of our winter this season in West Virginia.

How to Make a Valentine to Remember

2009-02-13T14:09:00.000-08:00

Gather your materials: watercolor paper, paint, gesso, stamps, heart punches, scissors, glue, paint brushes, and most important--a scanned picture of your little heart throb.

After cutting out your "little darling" add a couple of wings and paste on watercolor paper painted with red acrylic paint then gesso. Embellish with cut out hearts, stamps, glitter, and a black pen.

After a few "extras" with a digital program, you get a Valentine to remember.
(I saw this idea in the current magazine issue of "Memories" by Stampington Publications.)

2009-02-11T19:17:00.000-08:00

When I think of Valentine's Day, I think of pink, red and sugar.

What is it about Cupid's holiday that makes me want to create?

A Card to Welcome a New Baby Girl

2009-02-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

Friends of ours are due to have a baby girl soon. I like to make the card to go with the gift. To get some ideas I looked through some of my favorite magazines by Stampington publications. I found a card someone had designed welcoming a baby girl. The template they used for the dress is on http://stampington.com/ Check it out. Look at the left side of the page. Click on the words " tempting templates" then scroll down. You'll find a whole selection of nifty templates. The one I used for the card is called Darling Dress Template.

A Winter Haiku for You

2009-02-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

Blinding sunlight
revealing the tree
shadowed by icy snow.

How I Made Our Christmas Postcards for 2008

2009-02-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

I started with this photo from a church in West Virginia.

I downloaded the photo into my computer and with the help of photo editing, I changed the image into a black and white pen and ink drawing. Then I tinted the image with various colors of blues and pinks. I printed the photo onto cardstock. Finally I cut out the window panes of the printed image with scissors.

Next, I scanned into my computer, a photo I had taken of the sky. I edited it some to enhance the colors. Then I printed the photo the same size as the window. I cut a transparency sheet the same dimensions as the photo and the black and white tinted window. I put the transparency sheet behind theblack and white tinted window to see where to place a stamped image of the nativity. I stamped the image on the transparency using an embossing stamp pad. Next, I put on black embossing powder, shook off the excess, and heated with a heat gun.

Behind the transparency, I placed the sky photo and voila.

After painting and stamping texture into the black and white tinted photo, I placed it over the stamped transparency, and photo image.

2009-02-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

Next, I scanned this image into my computer, worked with the color a little more, and added the words.

2009-02-02T10:06:00.000-08:00

Here is the back of the postcard.

Christmas Card for 2008

2009-02-02T09:49:00.000-08:00

I haven't had a lot of time to post lately. I am just now getting around to the Christmas card I sent this year to friends and family. To save some pennies, I decided to make my Christmas card a postcard. I really liked the results and they seemed so much easier to send. Just write a short note and add a stamp. No licking envelopes! Pictured above is the front of the postcard I sent.

Winter Offerings

2009-01-31T04:55:00.001-08:00

2008-11-10T09:06:00.001-08:00

Who do we want to lead us...a king or a hero?

2008-11-02T18:02:00.000-08:00

Something to think about from the book of Samuel......When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have." But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do." Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots … He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day."
But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king." (1 Samuel 8:1-22) Thanks to Laura Hollis for her blog. To see her complete blog go to: http://townhall.com/Columnists/LauraHollis/2008/10/26/america_asks_for_a_king?page=full&comments=true

Where do you place your trust?

2008-10-31T07:38:00.000-07:00

The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear,
he is the one you are to dread,
and he will be a sanctuary;...

Isaiah 8:13,14

Be Still and Know, Who is God

2008-10-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Worship grounds me again in the real world of God's creation, dislodging me from whatever world I have imagined for myself. I have come to believe that when we despair of praise, when the wonder of creation and our place in it are lost to us, it's often because we've lost sight of our true role as creatures-we have tried to do too much, pretending to be in such control of things that we are indispensable. It's a hedge against mortality...a kind of comfort in being busy. The danger is that we will come to feel too useful, so full of purpose and the necessity of fulfilling obligations that we lose sight of God's play with creation, and with ourselves.
-Kathleen Norris

Do you feel as if life is meaningless?

2008-10-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

We want life to have meaning, we want fulfillment, healing and even ecstasy, but the human paradox is that we find these things by starting where we are, not where we wish we were. We must look for blessings to come from unlikely everyday places-out of Galilee, as it were- and not in spectacular events, such as the coming of a comet.

-Kathleen Norris