sallie kate

Calendar: February

2012-01-31T20:20:00.000-06:00

Already the second month of 2012...Wow.

You, my friends and family, have yourself a

fruitful, fine February.

I guess geodes, lollipops, and ranunculus (ranunculi?) are on my mind....or something.

Grab yourself a February desktop calendar. Click the image to enlarge it, then save it to your desktop from there.

over and out,
s k

a baby shower

2012-01-22T14:49:00.000-06:00

a sweet shower

for an even sweeter friend

holly and baby girl kendall grace

Calendar: January

2012-01-02T17:44:00.000-06:00

Wishing you blessings and whimsy, wintery JOY to you in this new year and new month!

Grab your very own handy dandy sallie kate calendar to ring in the new year.
Just click on this image to make it bigger, then save it or make it your desktop image from there.

for the love of all things colorful,
s k

The Christmas Storm: A Modern Parable

2011-12-21T18:02:00.000-06:00

I wanted to share a lovely piece of writing that really moves me. Merry Christmas

THE CHRISTMAS STORM: A Modern Parable by Paul Harvey

"This is about a modern man, one of us, he was not a scrooge, he was a kind, decent, mostly good man, generous to his family, upright in his dealings with others. But he did not believe in all that incarnation stuff that the Churches proclaim at Christmas time. It just didn’t make sense to him and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. He just could not swallow the Jesus story about God coming to earth as man.

"I’m truly sorry to distress you," he told his wife, "but I’m not going with you to church this Christmas Eve." He said he’d feel like a hypocrite. That he would much rather stay home, but that he would wait up for them. He stayed, they went.

Shortly after the family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window to watch the flurries getting heavier and heavier, then went back to his fireside chair and began to read his newspaper. Minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound. Then another and another.

At first he thought someone must be throwing snowballs against his living room window. Well, when he went to the front door, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They had been caught in the storm and in a desperate search for shelter they had tried to fly through his large landscape window.

Well, he couldn’t let the poor creatures lie there and freeze. He remembered the barn where his children stabled their pony. That would provide a warm shelter -- if he could direct the birds to it.

He quickly put on his coat and galoshes, trampled through the deepening snow to the barn, opened the door wide, and turned on a light. But the birds did not come in.

He figured food would entice them in and he hurried back to the house, fetched bread crumbs, sprinkled them on the snow making a trail to the yellow lighted wide open doorway of the stable, but to his dismay the birds ignored the bread crumbs, and continued to flap around helplessly in the snow.

He tried catching them, he tried shooing them into the barn by walking around them waving his arms -- instead they scattered in every direction except into the warm lighted barn. Then he realized they were afraid of him. To them, he reasoned, I am a strange and terrifying creature, if only I could think of some way to let them know they can trust me. That I’m not trying to hurt them, but to help them. How? Any move he made tended to frighten them, confuse them. They just would not follow. They would not be led or shooed because they feared him. If only I could be a bird myself, he thought. If only I could be a bird and mingle with them and speak their language, and tell them not to be afraid, and show them the way to the safe, warm barn. But I'd have to be one of them, so they could see and hear and understand.

At that moment the church bells began to ring. The sound reached his ears above the sound of the wind. He stood there listening to the bells. Adeste Fideles. Listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. And he sank to his knees in the snow."

SOURCE: Paul Harvey Contributed by Jeff Strite, Church of Christ at Logansport, IN.
via

December Calendar

2011-11-30T21:49:00.000-06:00

We're kicking off the beginning of the end of our year! Hard to believe, and oh so much to be thankful for.

Wishing you and yours a sweet December.

Just click on this image to make it bigger, then save it or make it your desktop image from there.

Are you fully decorated for Christmas yet? Can't wait to put up our Christmas trees :)

A Silly Slideshow: See Sallie Surprised

2011-11-20T18:31:00.000-06:00

I was in for a birthday treat when we checked the mail the other night.

Since you weren't there, Mama T....

Thanks for the snazzy Kindle Fire! You shouldn't have!

November Calendar

2011-11-05T13:59:00.002-05:00

I'm thankful for so much this November. Happy Autumn to you!

As always, just click on this image to make it bigger, then save it or make it your desktop image from there.

The Chosen Pumpkin

2011-10-28T20:41:00.000-05:00

I spent a good 15 minutes digging through the mound of decorative gourds at the grocery store. I was examining all surfaces and carefully selecting the most unique one, of course. I imagined it sitting atop our table, daily reminding us of fall's arrival.

I finally narrowed my selection --passed up the wide, white Cinderella pumpkins, yellow squash-like gourds, and spotted petite green guys--and had the chosen pumpkin in hand, the one most interesting to me.

As soon as I got home I placed it prominently in its position and waited to dazzle Caleb with my festive, perfect pumpkin.

Minutes into his arrival, I hear him notice it.

What I saw as charming and interesting and worthy of display, he saw as warty, ugly, and unappetizing. It could be that the times we spend closest to it (admiring it...) are when we're eating :) Too funny.

We laugh a lot about our little pumpkin. (I think it's growing on him.)

And I love that we each see the world through different eyes.

Does anyone else find our pumpkin endearing? :)

October Calendar

2011-10-04T22:04:00.000-05:00

The smell of fall is already in the air...And caramel apples are on my mind.

I'm thankful for a beautiful new month.

Just click on this image to make it bigger, then save it or make it your desktop image from there.

Recovering our Chairs

2011-10-01T21:46:00.000-05:00

It's funny to think about the family in Houston two years ago who threw these chairs on their curb for trash pickup. They have no idea that some lady (Hi, Mom!) would spot them, call her newly-a-homeowner-with-an-empty-house daughter to describe the trashy chairs that had "good bones" and potential once you looked past the faded purple-gone-brown stained and dog-furry fabric.

Here are the beauties before.
stained fabric (although awesomely geometric)

mysteriously sticky

and torn

But free :)

And...Fast-forward to when I get around to recovering these trash-to-treasure finds. Here's a peek at my process.

Demo and deep cleaning

primer & paint

meet fun Ikea fabric
staple guns

All arms and legs were used to pull the fabric as taut as I could.

Here's how they turned out.

I decided to trim the chairs with double welt cording because I read it is the most forgiving trim since it's nice and wide. My favorite local fabric warehouse (remember, the place where I scavenged for my table runner pieces...) makes double-welt cording for a few dollars per yard. It turned out perfect...I love the quirky Tim Burton-y feel of the black and white diagonal stripes.

I love the hand-drawn quality of the Ikea fabric I picked for the seat of the chair and the backside.

We're happy to have our old chairs a little bit freshened up :)

Vera: textiles

2011-09-10T10:57:00.001-05:00

I love our new vintage Vera kitchen linen from my mama.

Vera Neumann was an artist who started designing textiles in the 40s. Based on the cute little ladybug logo, I think mine is from the early 60s. Read About Vera Neumann if you don't know her work.

I love it!

September Calendar

2011-09-03T10:48:00.000-05:00

Wishing you a sweet September.

"By all these lovely tokens

September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer."
-Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885

Just click on this image to make it bigger, then save it or make it your desktop image from there.

Graphic design: Honey Do

2011-08-21T20:48:00.000-05:00

A cute little invitation for a couples shower.
A sweet friend {pun intended} gave me the concept from another one
she had seen - and I drew it up. I love this sort of thing.

Names and numbers changed to protect the innocent :)

Has anyone been to a Honey Do shower with bride and groom together? Definitely a fun idea!

Wedding Portrait: NYC

2011-08-15T22:14:00.000-05:00

Talk about dramatically romantic in Central Park.

I was commissioned to take this gorgeous engagement photograph and put a painterly spin on it as a surprise gift from groom to bride.

Architecture + portrait. I'm in.

He wanted to include a sweet quote she loves. It happens to be from Winnie the Pooh.

Congrats and blessings to the newlyweds!

Acrylic - 18" x 24"

August Calendar

2011-07-31T21:06:00.000-05:00

A new month, a new calendar for your desktop. Don't be shy :)

–adjective

inspiring reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity orgrandeur; majestic: an august performance of a religiousdrama.

venerable; eminent: an august personage.

Wishing you an august August.

Just click on this image to make it bigger, then save it or make it your desktop image from there.

graphic design: Southern Harmony

2011-07-21T17:22:00.000-05:00

A talented friend is part of The Women's Chorus of Dallas. Bam.

They are a non-profit group who serve the community by raising money through their performances. And with an upcoming concert by the Secret Sisters, she was charged with designing a logo for the event...and wanted some creative help. I was recruited.

Here's her email:

Coming up in September, there will be a concert by the Secret Sisters (from what I understand, they are kind of country bluegrass) and all of the proceeds from the concert will be donated to TWCD. So I have been tasked with designing a logo for the event. This logo will then be plastered all over the web, posters, mailers and most other media you can think of announcing the concert.

SOUTHERN HARMONY, a benefit for the Women's Chorus of Dallas

Um, right up my alley! A few of us got together, brainstormed on:
Feminine, southern, bluegrass....and with the vintage, cute vibe on the Secret Sisters website....

Here's what we came up with.

A little song bird on an old-timey Shure 55 Elvis Mic. Lots of fun.

Queen of the Kitchen

2011-07-09T14:50:00.000-05:00

There's a new gal in my kitchen.

She's pretty cute. And loves to do the dishes.

She has a lot going for her.

My mom got me this cute little brush to scrub dirty dishes. Makes the job much more fun :)

Bonus: Reminds me a lot of these gals...

It's a whole lot of fun having little things around your house that make you smile.

Surround yourself with treasures that you like even if they don't go together--who cares if it's not the way the magazines say you should decorate?

Take it from me, the goof who has hippos and dolled-up dish brushes that help with the washing.

Sketch: Tractor

2011-07-07T17:29:00.000-05:00

Thankful for this little guy and his twin who keep our grass alive.

They have to work overtime in the summer.

{And the green grass grows all around all around....}

Deep thoughts, today :)

July Calendar

2011-07-03T16:16:00.000-05:00

Dear one,

from the bottom of my heart to yours, I present to you

your very own handy dandy snazzy-jazzy

desktop calendar for J U L Y.

I had some fun with paint and Sharpie and poof....

parrot feathers, elements of cactus, earth worm, and ever-running sprinklers that wizz around in my head

[or...maybe just in our yard].

As always, click on this image to make it bigger, then save it or make it your desktop image from there.

Hope you enjoy :) Happy Fourth!

Hibiscus

2011-06-27T20:23:00.001-05:00

Cheerful Hibiscus.

*I promise I didn't edit these photos!

Sunny Flowers

2011-06-15T19:16:00.001-05:00

Oh, just here to share some eye candy that happens to be growing
on 10' stalks in the backyard next door.

Here's the first day that was camera-worthy, ya know, when I was out there and noticed them and just had to snap some pictures. They are so interesting to me and I don't think I had seen any growing before--only in vase arrangements.

And then just a week later, the bees were a-swarmin'
all around these babes. I love how happy they are.

Golly, I'm such a flower nut. These aren't even
our sunflowers and I post about them :)

I hope they make you smile today!

The Table - a pecha kucha presentation

2011-06-11T21:27:00.001-05:00

Say what?

Pecha kucha is a presentation style.

{PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of "chit chat", it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It's a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.}
from http://www.pecha-kucha.org/

A principal architect at my firm heard about this concept and pushed for a pecha kucha "night" at our monthly office meeting, which happened to be a company lunch potluck. Even better.
Five people gave five pecha kuchas - all tied loosely to architecture and design, but casual and personal.

It was lots of fun--and challenging to fit the format! I recorded it post-potluck to share :)

main source:

Titus, Devi. The Table Experience. HigherLife: Oviedo, FL, 2009.

Print.

June Calendar

2011-06-01T22:40:00.001-05:00

It's June!

watermelons
   sunscreen
   june bugs {ick!}
   What does June make you think of?

As the Texas heat descends upon us and the days stretch longer, let the summer fun begin!
Grab the new June desktop calendar below, from me to you :)

Click on this image to make it bigger, then save it or make it your desktop image from there.

Fence Suspense

2011-05-30T15:03:00.000-05:00

So...

We've been up to something.

{Are we crazy? }

Sketch: Blue Parrot

2011-05-30T14:48:00.000-05:00

Oh, just a personalized parrot of the blue variety.

For my uncle, the Cap'n of the Blue Parrot and now the Two Emeralds.

acrylic and ink

Mother's Day

2011-05-11T18:53:00.000-05:00

Any day can be mother's day when you love your mom and want to brag about her publicly, right? Doesn't matter that most people did this sort of thing three days ago and I'm doing it now, right?

Okay, good.

I love you, Mama.

These are some of my latest treasures from my mom.

I love that you care about each detail of life.
That we articulate descriptions of things like floral arrangements, a detail on a dress, or a piece of art--things a lot of people don't even notice. But we love.

I love how you use the gifts God gave. You are so creative. And you are dedicated to teaching little hands to create. Your life is a ministry.

I love how you love totally. That you care most about the heart stuff - and we talk deeply. You just understand. You and Daddy are grace-givers.

You are appreciated.

image credit

May Calendar

2011-05-01T15:35:00.000-05:00

Sweet April showers
Do spring May flowers

Thomas Tusser, A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry, 1557

In keeping with the old poem, last month's calendar was abstract April showers, so clearly this month I had to share with you some May abstract flowers. Hope you enjoy :)

Click on this image to make it bigger, then save it or make it your desktop image from there.

Vegetarian Chili

2011-04-30T12:34:00.000-05:00

We're not exactly vegetarians, but we loved this earthy Vegetarian Chili for the Soul recipe Hubby found on Eden Kitchen, a blog we linked to from the Whole Foods enewsletter.

We had fun hunting for bulgur wheat, pearled barley, and french green lentils in the bulk section. Not your every-day ingredients :) Bonus: Our pantry now has a little row of charming colorful jars.

It was an easy-to-make throw-it-all-in-a-big-stock pot recipe, and we topped it with feta which I highly recommend! Let me tell ya--it was yummy. And very healthy with several high ANDI score ingredients...I think you should try it!

Resurrection Letters: VIII

2011-04-24T14:23:00.001-05:00

Happiest Easter to you!

There are so many reasons to love this special day--our last Resurrection Letter describes the tip top of that list for us :) His defeat of death is proof that my great sin debt has been paid. Be blessed by the truth that God is not dead--and offers true life!

Hope in Him. Be free in Him. Have life in Him.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:17-18

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

Resurrection Letters: VII

2011-04-18T12:30:00.000-05:00

I hope you have been challenged to meditate on each detail of this story. The best part of it is that the story is true. Christ's life is rooted in history--no scholar will deny that he walked the same earth we walk. He died among us--for us.

image credit

Lean into the story today as we approach Good Friday to remember his death.

Isaiah 53 was written 700 years before Christ's time and gives an extremely detailed account of his death. I'm amazed by this beautiful chapter in its perfect prophecy of Messiah.

Visit soon and we'll walk through the last meditation right in time for Easter. It's my favorite one!

Juicy Fruit

2011-04-16T20:57:00.000-05:00

Mmm.

This fruits and veggie-lovin' household is in hog heaven enjoying our juicy strawberries :)

What's your favorite spring seasonal treat?

Resurrection Letters: VI

2011-04-11T13:04:00.000-05:00

Today's meditation shows the great transfer of identity:

We are all betrayers and then He invites us in to become family.

(mjyphotography)

The most amazing part is that in our desperate state of separation from God, we can accept His priceless blood-gift and be brought into the family to dine at the table with Him.
Now that's some sweet, inclusive, undeserved, generous love.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.
(from John 10:11, 17-18)

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13
----------------------

And as a sidenote, I realized the other day I have been blogging for a year~ Happy Blog-irthday...err, Birth-log-day...or Blogiversary!? :) I'm so thankful for this creative outlet and for sweet readers (family, friends!) to share in my joy.

Lord, I pray you are honored here and made known to those who don't know you yet. Use sallie kate to show each visitor how much you love them and have radically taken the first step in defeating death so they can have life abundant in Christ.

Nature Drawing: Rabbit

2011-04-08T22:18:00.000-05:00

Well, it's kind of been plant week around here :) Jill Bliss (via Design*sponge) has inspired me to journal the nature around me. Today I featured a little character known well around these parts.

An outlaw. A rebel. Up to all sorts of mischief.

Nature Drawing: Basil

2011-04-07T12:22:00.000-05:00

And speaking of cooking........

Inspired by the oh-so-nice taste of hubby's and my culinary creation (see below and tell me you aren't drooling..), I sat down to draw the little pot of nature we have growing in our kitchen by the window.

I love that God's provision of herbs is both a provision of beauty and of flavorful nourishment for us to enjoy :)

Mmm. Art inspired art.

Nature Drawing: Celosia

2011-04-06T22:25:00.001-05:00

We made our annual trip to the nursery to find plants that will survive and thrive in the months to come, the North Texas summer heat that lasts long into November. Pretty plants are in the front beds {we tuck them in each night with a kiss} and we saved these special flowers for the back.

Turns out they are not only ornamental but are edible. Maybe I'll add them to my cooking :)

Nature drawing: Willow

2011-04-05T21:09:00.000-05:00

I love the shapes of her roots stretching out, almost slithering down into the ground.
She's strong and has a story of her own.

Just some Design*Sponge fun :)

Resurrection Letters: V

2011-04-05T13:01:00.000-05:00

a dark tale today

of the One who was betrayed with a kiss

and yet lovingly served His enemy

image credit

Read John 13 for the whole story.

If you need to catch up on the previous letters: visit here

April Calendar

2011-03-31T23:17:00.000-05:00

A little something fun to share with you :: a calendar for your desktop

Click on this image to make it bigger, then save it from there.

Happy April (fools! no, really!) to you :)

Resurrection Letters: IV

2011-03-30T12:49:00.000-05:00

Continuing on with Andrew Peterson's meditations in this season of Lent leading up to Christ's resurrection, I have to say today's letter is especially sweet.
Taste for yourself.

image credit

Our long-suffering Servant remembered me while He endured the insults, the scourging, and the searing pain of separation as His Father's gaze saw my sin upon Christ. His perfect life was viewed as a curse for me.

And He remembered you.

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” Galatians 3:13

"...the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1: 7b-9

Sunshine Tea

2011-03-27T17:49:00.000-05:00

With the sunlight beaming through our open windows on our beautiful spring Saturday

I lie on my belly next to the pitcher on our floor

and watched as the rays warmed the water, slowly convincing the tea bag

to relax and release its flavorful dye.

With fresh mint leaves added to infuse with the rust-colored brew,

our refreshing liquid treat was complete, the whole process natural,

simply herbs and water melded by our great source of light.

Sunshine tea

Resurrection Letters: III

2011-03-24T12:37:00.000-05:00

With parts 1 here and 2 here under our belts, in today's letter we see Jesus fully God and fully man interact with nature.

image credit

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:18-22

Resurrection Letters: II

2011-03-18T12:37:00.000-05:00

After a triumphal entry He made His way to Jerusalem.
He is rooted in history, in geographical places, and hemmed perfectly into our calendar. In the bloodline of the shepherd king David, He is the King of kings. And He chose to humbly ride in on a young donkey.

Paint + sketch

2011-03-16T18:25:00.000-05:00

then see what it becomes.

acrylic + ink = psychedelic tsunami

Resurrection Letters: I

2011-03-15T17:49:00.000-05:00

I want to share with you some of my favorite writing. Buckle up.

It's thoughtful, deep, and makes the hair on my arms stand up. It leads us through the events around Jesus' death and resurrection. If you want, take this journey through the Resurrection Letters with me in this season of Lent. Drink in the emotions of what took place--bitter then so sweet.

Give us a greater glimpse of what amazing thing You have done for us.

Spring

2011-03-05T16:32:00.000-06:00

They lay dormant all winter, too timid to brave the wind and cold. Smothered
under a blanket of snow for a time, they patiently wait.

The soft sunlight beckons their awakening and they begin to peek their heads out from their hiding spots.

Usually seen as invaders--nagging pests, but to me a welcome sign of spring.

Even weeds can be beautiful.

Family Antiques

2011-02-15T20:30:00.000-06:00

My mama-in-law passed along two really neat old items for our home.

This great old RCA radio.

And this beautiful mirror from Hub's great-grandmother's farmhouse in Arkansas. Sentimental and sweet to have.

Lots of little family bits to love around here.

Our Great Adventure: Flooring

2011-02-13T16:14:00.000-06:00

Before: carpet and vinyl

(here we are in November '09)

{Well, we finished laying the kitchen tile, moving all of our furniture into our front 3 rooms and garage, then ripping up all 1200 sf of carpet and the blasted tack strips that went with it--so the next step on the agenda was to install our own laminate.

After a really rough time fighting with some iffy-quality laminate, we returned all 55 boxes and launched plan B. Through a great friend we got a good deal on some hardwood...and it would be installed by the pros. In 2 days! We were relieved and so happy with the result.

The good news: since we had huge installation help, we met our goal of redoing 90% of our flooring in one month.

The bad news: we'll be eating canned beans for all of 2011.}

During: chaos! but lots of fun for our ambitious little hearts :)

After: a new house!

Very happy to make this investment ~ so thankful we were able to.

Thrilled to be done!

"Yyyyyyyyyyeeeessss! We're done!"

Fun for an Icy Day: Online Sketching

2011-02-02T16:15:00.001-06:00

My word, go right now and have some fun at this link.

Mar's Day

2011-01-29T11:25:00.002-06:00

In honor of my grandmother {I've mentioned her a few times before} Mar's birthday today,
I wanted to showcase pictures of some her gorgeous greenhouse babies.

Isn't it amazing that infinite God saw reason to precisely design each tiny speckle, each contour and the intricate root system of these delicate flowers?

Just as His mighty hand crafted each orchid, He sculpted each of us. And saw good reason to.

Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Kitchen Tile

2011-01-17T19:58:00.005-06:00

What's been so zooey? you ask.

Oh, our house. We've taken on the usual project of redoing 90% of our flooring by ourselves.

It's character-building for two clean people to have total house destruction for a month.

Yep, our goal is to have the whole flooring project done in a month.

Yep. We're D.I.O. {doing it ourselves} and we have just completed our tile work in our kitchen!

{Hooray!}

There was a lot involved.

Such as spending a week worth of work nights whacking up the winyl {vinyl...har har} and carefully removing baseboards and prepping the slab.

We saw down to the bare concrete.

Cut cut cut, measured, did lots of planning, and mortared. {not in that order}

And made great progress, finishing in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

We're pleased.

What's next? you say. Well, we have already started to pull up the carpet...

To prep for laminate :) Lots and lots of laminate!

Our prayer is that God would use our home {and us} to welcome, serve, and shelter many, all along the way making Himself known. He has blessed us with much and we want to open our home to be a vessel for His use.

Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

Isaiah 4:5-6

Sketch: Zoo

2011-01-13T19:46:00.001-06:00

It's a zoo around here, y'all!

Working on a big big big project :)

I Made a Table Runner

2011-01-11T19:24:00.005-06:00

...Well actually, I made 1 1/2 table runners (before my time expired and Christmas gift-giving began!) with the help of my new {old} Singer machine.
I had a hay day at the fabric store (which is more like a warehouse of thousands of choices) where I grabbed lots of my favorite samples. Then I picked 2 neutrals {you'll see the butter yellow and taupe} to make the runner two-sided.
I roughly cut up the samples into rectangles and added a few samples I had at home {remember my roman shade and dining chairs? and my cornice boxes?}

I sewed on patchwork blocks out of the samples at the ends of my neutral fabrics, making sure my modern:traditional and earthtones:bolds ratios felt right.

Then putting the two long neutral pieces together with the sample-sides {pretty-sides} face to face or inside out, I sewed all the way around the perimeter except leaving 6 inches open for me to flip it back right-side-out. Got all that?

Okay, now it feels like a table runner!

I poked out all the corners with my scissor tips, ironed it flat {cautious of the not-yet-sewn part}, and then sewed all the way around the perimeter.

I love that the patchy, loose look allowed me to make lots of little rookie mistakes. It has character :)

And it was a really fun surprise for my sister {this guy's mama} and mama {this one's mama}

You can make one, too. It's quite fun--and now I see see skirts, pillows, and jackets with new eyes as my appreciation for the art of sewing has increased tenfold.

{Two runners are shown, 54" x 14"}

Sewing: Crash Course

2011-01-05T19:38:00.005-06:00

Well, it's a new year (Happy New Year!) and I picked up a new skill.

Or at least I took myself through a crash course of sewing, with the 1956 Singer manual I pulled up online leading me delicately through each step. I'm now convinced we modern-day Americans have it easy with gadgets that practically work themselves...and are much more user-friendly than the antiquity of a sewing machine I now call my own.

My great aunt was probably charmed into buying her 1956 Singer 99K by a commercial like this one:

And I inherited it!

So of course, I had to dream up a project. I had to put my Singer to use before I "lost my ever-loving mind."

Stay tuned for what I made :)

Our Christmas Log

2010-12-21T20:29:00.004-06:00

Meet Caga Tio, our dear Christmas log.

After studying for a semester in Barcelona, I brought home this miniature version of the traditional Catalan holiday figure. He has a great spot on our mantle.

Have you ever seen one of these?

Hilarious.

Caga Tio {wikipedia knows all the good details}

Beginning with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), one gives the tió a little bit to "eat" every night and usually covers him with a little blanket so that he will not be cold at night.

On Christmas day or, depending on the particular household, on Christmas Eve, one puts the tió partly into the fireplace and orders it to "poop" (the fire part of this tradition is no longer as widespread as it once was, since many modern homes do not have a fireplace). To make him "poop", one beats him with sticks, while singing various songs of Tió de Nadal.

The tió does not drop larger objects, as those are brought by the Three Wise Men. It does leave candies, nuts and torrons. Depending on the part of Catalonia, it may also give out dried figs. When nothing is left to "poop", it drops a salt herring, a head of garlic, an onion or "urinates". What comes out of the tió is a communal rather than individual gift, shared by everyone present.

The Catalans have a great sense of humor :)

Sweetie Pie Portrait

2010-12-14T21:48:00.003-06:00

Blue-eyed and smiley.

Cutie pie.

A Christmas commission piece for baby MK's grandparents. (10" x 10" acrylic)

Christmas Trees

2010-12-11T16:20:00.005-06:00

We're feeling very festive with our decorations out, Christmas tunes on, and our Christmas trees lit.

Yep, Christmas trees. Uh huh...two of them. :)

Well....because we have lots of ornaments--my sweetie's mom has collected ornaments for him each year of his life and has lashived lots of Christmas decor love on us. Cool, huh.

And because I have always thought it was so pretty to see a tree twinkling in the front window from the street. And to have one to enjoy in your main living area.

So, we decided to have two. One traditional and cozy in the front.

With sweet, sentimental ornaments.

And some fun ones that represent the things we like.

And one casual, cute and a little unique--not too typical. Like us.

A friend commented, "Oh, so like a mullet."

...I raised an eyebrow...

"You know. Business in the front--party in the back."

Yep, exactly. We love our arrangement!

It definitely makes us smile.

And I didn't even think about how it would be a happy companion to our homemade roman shades.

What do you think? Are we crazy?! :)

Happy decorating!!

Red red red

2010-12-09T21:48:00.002-06:00

Lots of little hints of Christmas coming.

Mostly red.

All beautiful.

Jesus Storybook Bible

2010-12-08T19:20:00.001-06:00

Born in a little town named House of Bread, the Bread of Life** came to us. In the form of a baby boy, God was here!

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones would be a fantastic gift for kids of all ages. Hub and I love it so much--we can't hold on to our copy long because we always end up giving it away.

I've heard of seminary students being required to read it and adult ministries using it to give simple understanding to their leadership.

Jesus changed history. The heart of God's Word is that the King stepped down from His throne and humbly walked among us, only to give Himself for us so we can have life. It's true, every story whispers His name.

**John 6: ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. ⁵⁰ But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Orchid

2010-12-01T21:08:00.005-06:00

A little painting I did for my sweet grandmother Mar.

Remember, she's the daughter of Sallie the artist and gentle cultivator of orchids?

I know, she's pretty special :)

I never had a photograph of this piece until our recent visit. I love having a place now to keep all my work {play?} archived since I tend to part with most of it.

No, I wasn't afraid of color on this one.

And here's a look at her grass cloth wallpaper in case you missed how cool it is :)

Christmas Tradition

2010-11-23T17:22:00.005-06:00

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I want to share our favorite Christmas tradition with you so you can enjoy it too.

Dearest readers, this has been one of the most creatively stimulating, beautifully crafted, impactful, worshipful, and enjoyable experiences for Hub and me. {gush, gush, gush} It's like I'm sharing part of my heart with you :)

And the time is near! The tour is coming!
"Named one of the 10 best albums of the decade, Behold the Lamb of God is a collection of songs about Jesus. Since 2000, Andrew Peterson and his friends have performed Behold the Lamb around the country, telling again and again this "true myth", as C.S. Lewis called it, this tale that's bigger than life, but is—astonishingly—true. The tour has become a yearly tradition not just for Andrew and the other artists on the tour, but for families and churches who attend the concert each season. The live concert, like the album, is a community effort, featuring singer/songwriters Jill Phillips, Andy Gullahorn, Ben Shive, Andrew Osenga and more, and over the years has featured artists such as Alison Krauss, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Buddy Miller, Phil Keaggy, Sixpence None the Richer, David Wilcox, Pierce Pettis, Mindy Smith, Ron Block, Brandon Heath, Bebo Norman, Stuart Duncan, Eric Peters, and Randall Goodgame—all in the name of proclaiming the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ."

We enjoy this concert from the cozy wooden pews of the Ryman in Nashville {thankyouverymuch}, but these artists travel to
NC, VA, OH, AL, KS, NE, TX, and other TN cities. Friends, we're talking as close as Houston! and Corsicana! Here's the official list if you would like more details. I think you need the details :)

And alas, here's the player so you can hear the true tall tales {songs} for yourself. Behold the Lamb of God

Anthro - polo - gie

2010-11-17T20:02:00.005-06:00

Oh hi :)

*Hubs caught me drooling over the latest Anthropologie catalogue*

Such a whimsical, artful expression of style with love for the vintage and the unique. There are cupcakes, bunnies, clowns, a llama, and you have to see what stares out at you on 52 / 89, wearing leather boots, mind you. I love the presentation and the products.

I mean, have you seen it??

So thankful for the SALE section :)

French Toast + Blueberries

2010-11-09T21:16:00.003-06:00

Saturday morning.

It was chilly and still, and the sunlight was streaming into the house. I slipped into the kitchen and made my warm-breakfast-lovin' Hub a little surprise since he's been working so hard lately.

I don't know if familiar childhood book Blueberries for Sal influenced my taste or if I came out of the womb with a love for blueberries, but I do enjoy them in any form.

French toast with blueberry sauce for him.

And for me.

It was a happy start to a beautiful day. So much to be thankful for.

Dining Table

2010-11-06T13:08:00.005-05:00

Remember how our dining glass top was resting on saw horses for months? Oh, I didn't mention that?...Well, it was.

And though it was entertaining to get comments like, "Hmm, that's a--unique table...." we acted on our grand plan to build a base. It's a simple design; clean geometry and painted butter yellow. We have been enjoying it, and after sharing a few meals with friends with our creation in the supporting role [har har], it has proven sturdy and stable. I think it fits us nicely.

We put it together one afternoon.

Primed and painted.

Yep, typically used for fence posts...perfect! We love character.

And...

All in a day's work. And much, much cheaper than buying one.

What do you think?

Sketch: dilly-dally

2010-11-05T18:19:00.006-05:00

My sweetie has a new job.

His building is neighbor to my building.

We carpool.

My sweetie works very diligently.

Sometimes I have dilly-dally time after 5.

Crisp white paper cluttering my desk

beckons me to use my dilly-dally time wisely.

Sketchily.

Real Love.

2010-11-02T17:06:00.003-05:00

Meet JJ Heller and her husband, adorable Nashville couple recently made famous when a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance chose their song for a solo.

Listen closely.
"The song both points to the source of love and offers a reminder that we [believers in Jesus], you and me, are the hands and feet of Christ in the world, that the way Love is made tangible is in the way we care for the hurting." -Stephen Lamb, www.rabbitroom.com

This Love is real and you can experience it; experience Him. God Himself stepped out of heaven in the form of a Man to give himself for us as an act of love and redemption.

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:10-12

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

This Love transforms, renews, and wont let you stay in bondage.

It's not just a story.

Update

2010-10-26T21:45:00.003-05:00

Just a little update to say this year wasn't my year for 15 minutes of dress design fame :) I had lots of fun flexing a few different creative muscles for this.

View the top 15 dress picks for the Shabby Apple Dare to Design challenge if you want to see the cute top designs. Lots of creativity out there!

Punkin Patch

2010-10-24T19:57:00.003-05:00

It was a sunny, breezy, short-sleeved fall afternoon (that was supposed to be funny) and we headed out to the pumpkin patch with friends.

We took a family shot atop some pumpkins.

And I stole a smooch.

And because all the guys were doing it...

...I got hay in my boots :)

Happy fall!

Dress Design: Bette

2010-10-13T20:22:00.011-05:00

I'm feeling wild so I decided to enter a little friendly competition in dress design. A whole new world for me :)

Darling clothing company Shabby Apple celebrates stylish modesty and generously supports women in the developing world through partnerships with charitable non-profits (read more on their site). They have quite a selection of cute dresses you should check out.

But first...my designs :) See all three posts.

Here is Bette... dress design for Shabby Apple dresses.

credit: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3106315?origin=category&resultback=5157

Dress Design: Fiona

2010-10-13T19:53:00.011-05:00

And then there's Fiona.... dress design for Shabby Apple dresses.

credit: http://www.freepeople.com/chambray-romper/

fabric photograph from sohomode.etsy.com

www.anthropologie.com

Dress Design: Penny

2010-10-13T18:49:00.015-05:00

Here is Penny... dress design for Shabby Apple dresses.

credit: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3077247?origin=category&resultback=6565

I would love to hear what you think! Which is your favorite? Can you imagine wearing any of these?

Let's have a little fun....

2010-10-12T22:45:00.005-05:00

Well, what do you say?

Are you up for a little fun tomorrow?

Stay tuned for some posts tomorrow...having a lot to do with design

and apples

and dresses.

and I'll explain the photo later :)

10 - 10 - 10

2010-10-10T18:36:00.003-05:00

It was a beautiful quiet Sunday morning.

A perfect day to get our Nashville trip booked.

State Fair

2010-10-10T17:47:00.010-05:00

Born and raised in Texas.

And just now made it to the State Fair, and boy, what a fair it is. We rode this well-recognized ferris wheel.

Everything is deep fried, including

beer, corn on the cob, chocolate covered strawberries, and mattresses.

We said Howdy to Big Tex, walked miles as we soaked in the sights and smells (and tastes) of the fair, and enjoyed being with family.

artichoke heart

2010-10-03T15:02:00.002-05:00

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Luke 12:22-26

Color Block

2010-10-02T09:14:00.004-05:00

I unwound from work with markers one afternoon.

Turned out looking like a mix of Egyptian hieroglyphics and one of those colored sand kits.

I like how the individual strokes and shapes joined to form a block of color. See what fun you can have just doodling with markers.

Birthday Boy

2010-09-29T18:55:00.006-05:00

Hey, it's a special day!

What's that you say?

Little sweet Sam turns ONE today!

We are so thankful God healed you~ you are such a miracle boy!

Your aunt & uncle love you

Dogs & Dudes

2010-09-28T17:32:00.002-05:00

How fun (and yeah, maybe a little weird...) is this video?! Hope it makes you smile.

And laugh. Or at least roll your eyes.

*discovered it on fantastic design inspiration blog Desire to Inspire yesterday and just had to share

Old & New

2010-09-26T13:38:00.002-05:00

Old cabinet door.

New paint & knobs.

Longtime friends in a new house.

New key holder.

+ CD Jacket

2010-09-22T20:20:00.008-05:00

To tag along with the previous music post...

Check out this cool jacket for this cool CD. One of my new favorites.Andy Gullahorn//The Law of Gravity: some songs clever & light, some serious & revealing--all richly written. And unique.

This guy really has a sense of humor.

*Visit www.rabbitroom.com Store if you want a copy*

Do you ever judge music by its cover?

Andrew Peterson in real life

2010-09-21T19:10:00.006-05:00

So. We drove 4 hours to Smalltown, Oklahoma. It was a fun adventure with my sweetie.

And we got to meet our favorite singer/songwriter. And his best friend and fellow singer/songwriter. And their road manager. And they bought us Starbucks {foofoo} drinks and were gracious enough to sit with us and let us take a peek into their world. Nervously :)

You see, we believe in what these guys do. We know the stories they so thoughtfully put together into song are reflections of the True Story. And more than ever, we have been changed by the truth in them. We are fed by their words and encouraged by their expressions of honest faith. So we decided to be patrons. We scored this deal in return for our support.

Our night ended with a front row spot at AP's Counting Stars album release concert. Ben Shive and Andy Gullahorn (another gifted singer/songwriter and yes, part three of the three amigos) played with AP and featured a couple songs from their solo work. I cant describe how much we enjoyed the almost-three hours of music, complete with descriptions, stories, and jokes between them, that just made the songs even richer. Such a blessing.

We'll also be seeing these guys in Nashville around Christmastime at Behold the Lamb of God, the True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ. It's tradition.

Follow Andrew and his community of musicians, artists, bookworms, geniuses and the like on The Rabbit Room. This website has tons of their music in the Store in addition to all the word candy. When you find "authors and artists who are doing Kingdom work by telling the Story" they are worth supporting and following and gushing about, right? I certainly think so :)

Sketch: urban reserve

2010-09-20T11:28:00.003-05:00

Inspired by the modern homes in the Urban Reserve

Seven Blooms

2010-09-17T17:25:00.003-05:00

My grandmother has grown orchids for years in the greenhouse attached to their living room. Yes, it's cool. She nurtures and tends her plants with great care, not missing when one of them opens a new bloom or when a little frog pays a visit.
Well, she gave us a beautiful deep violet orchid to care for--I mean, it feels like I've adopted one of her children. After heeding her careful instructions, we have seven blooms to enjoy!

Mar, thanks for sharing the work of your green thumb.

They are so delicate. And picky. She said they are so sensitive to their environment, if you move them to a different spot in the room, they sometimes die. Needless to say, we have let this plant rule the roost atop our kitchen table. Fun to watch it bloom.

Charleston

2010-09-15T17:49:00.004-05:00

While sightseeing in the coolest of the cool residential streets of Charleston, right along the water, we couldn't get over the plants that decorate the early 1800s homes. Well we couldn't get over the homes either. But really, the plants are like icing on the cake--beautiful, enormous, historically significant cakes.
Take a stroll down the historic Waterfront street with me.

And yes, you're in a horse-drawn carriage.

Window boxes overflowing with vitality and color!

Lush vegetation.

Giant live oaks that tell stories of the Revolutionary War and the decades they have survived.

It was July fourth and quite special to be in one of the oldest cities in America. The official beginning of the Civil War happened across the water from where we stood--at Fort Sumter in 1860.

What a gift to get to see this special city.

Care for a Bite?

2010-09-12T19:42:00.000-05:00

a fun little sketch right before dinner

Magnolia

2010-09-12T18:51:00.007-05:00

a still life on a moving day

Sweet Peas

2010-09-08T19:14:00.003-05:00

Got to see some sweet peas recently.

Sugar held sweet boy's head up while he snoozed. That's a grandma's love!

Little princess talked and talked, describing gymnastics (!) and all sorts of fun they have had.

Such a joy! Family.

Anniversary Portrait

2010-09-05T15:13:00.004-05:00

For her parents' thirty-plus wedding anniversary (!!), I got to do this for sweet friend Jess to give to the lovely two as a surprise.

Classy, sweet, vintage.

I loved getting to celebrate long love.

Does this make us Hip?

2010-09-01T18:18:00.002-05:00

If we have a hippo does this make us hip?

It at least makes our kitchen hip, right?!

Purple Praise

2010-08-31T19:59:00.004-05:00

Crisp, cool, stratified purple cabbage.

So uniquely designed by him. Every good and perfect [purple, delicious] gift comes from him.

Deep red-violet, juicy, sweet plums.

He is the vine, I am a tiny branch. As I hang onto him and receive nourishment I can bear fruit. May my fruit bring my Vine glory.

focal point

2010-08-26T17:59:00.011-05:00

abstract painting: when colors that float around in my

head are squeezed out of tubes to meet canvas and are

shoved around by choice bristles until their end position

allows me to rest; something i do to challenge my right

brain to take the reins--and the small analytical portion

that remains to turn off

are you up for that sort of exercise? it's therapeutic once you get going.

a gift for my great parents. above the mantle that the

whole room has gathered around all of my life.

now a focal part of their beautiful, cozy home

Monthity month

2010-08-25T18:19:00.004-05:00

My hubby said my sweet friend mentioned it was time for a new post. I know. It is.

( My laptop got sick and I had to work work work. )

Here she is.

We celebrated her wedding and then celebrated the gorgeous flower arrangement that their family gave us to take home and enjoy. What a treat.

When life gives you Lemons, Hydrangeas, Mississippians & English folks that gather in Texas around a couple in L-o-v-e ...

Why not make lemonade? :)

Happy for you, Mrs. Walton!

Trees

2010-07-25T18:51:00.005-05:00

A little while back I started a project that involved a 10-foot ladder in the bathtub and deep teal paint.

Our master bath's walls are Warm Chinchilla (yes!) light gray and Nimbus Cloud deep gray and our ceiling is 10'-6"...so, inspired by vinyl wall decals on Etsy and under the creative influence of my visiting Mama to "go for it," I...went for it.

I freehanded these trees on with a brush and, a few coats and branch revisions later, we are enjoying our towering tub view through the trees.

Why not?

2010-07-20T20:55:00.002-05:00

Acrylic for great friends J&J~ Dedicated to their cute old red bed :)

This song makes my heart so Full

2010-07-19T22:18:00.003-05:00

In December of 2009 my wife and I celebrated fifteen years of marriage. A few days later, we got in a silly argument and I wrote this song after she went to bed. Marriage, see, was God’s idea. It’s one of the most potent metaphors in all of Scripture for the way God loves us and the way we’re to let ourselves be loved by him. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. To the contrary, it’s fraught with peril. Any good marriage involves a thousand deaths to self—the good news is, in Christ that marriage involves at least as many resurrections. We lay our lives down and enter this perilous dance with another human being who has done the same. Why should we expect to emerge unscathed?

visit Rabbitroom.com for more Andy P

Thoughtful Slop

2010-07-14T20:22:00.003-05:00

I had the pleasure of sharing my paints with my sweet neighbor-friends, and sneakily so--to surprise her daddy with a personalized surprise for father's day. What fun to watch them squeeze, squish, and slop onto a very happy canvas full of tiny memories captured for dad.

Why create?

2010-07-08T19:24:00.005-05:00

Mrs. Schaeffer sounds like my kind of gal.

'Edith Schaeffer helps us climb out of the doldrums. She encourages wives, mothers, and single women to express themselves creatively, by making the place in which we live “a center of meaningful living and personal enrichment.” There is an art to creating a pleasant home atmosphere. In the rush and clamor of today’s fast-paced society, it is easy to forget the immense importance of The Hidden Art of Homemaking. Mrs. Schaeffer reminds us that we are made in the image of God the Creator. The marks of the Christian personality are love, moral sensitivity, and an increased sense of beauty and creativity. Even little things such as setting the mealtime table in an attractive way and arranging fresh flowers can have a positive effect on those we live with. To enhance our daily lives, she shows us how to explore more deeply (yet inexpensively) music, interior decorating, gardening, food, painting, drama, and writing (prose and poetry), to make wherever God has us a lovely place.'

I love that. I desire to create because I am made in the image of a Creator.

He splatter-painted these caladiums and makes mighty oaks from tiny seeds.

Whether I'm doing silly things like making my house cute or splatter-painting, my hope is that my life is evidence of my creator. He uniquely stamped me with his image and I hope I'm inking it out.

The Hidden Art of Homemaking

Chairs Fit for Dining

2010-07-06T18:32:00.007-05:00

We found these 1940s chairs at an antique mall in Houston, but we just weren't feelin' this old, tired fabric. It has seen better days...and reminded me more of 98 year old great aunt June serving fruit cakes than of a young, fun dinner party we might host.

We jazzed them up with some batting and new fabric, some Ikea fabric leftover from my Roman shade experiment and some just a larger scale of the Ikea fabric, each one oriented a little different from the next. All 6 are unique.

Because I like things just a little off-kilter.

What do you think?

Lucy Louise

2010-06-22T19:16:00.005-05:00

Meet my parents new ~~dog~~ baby, Lucy Louise.

Very tiny, little sweet thing. And playful, with a knack for her golf-sized tennis ball.

Our freshly cut grass* was up to her shoulders.

What a treat to meet the little lady!

*thanks to the man of the house, who so diligently cares for our grass, even braving the evil poison ivy that (apparently) lurks somewhere!

DIY Cornice Boxes

2010-06-19T10:15:00.007-05:00

Creative Mama (and our talented team of carpenters) helped me make fabric-covered cornice boxes for our living room windows. The windows have slight arches and our shades are rectangular, so I needed something to create the illusion that the windows are squared off--like the other windows in the room, thank you Builder.

The guys built the 2x structure, we stapled on batting then tightly stapled on my fabric of choice, lined the back with muslin (so the bare wood doesn't show from outside), and mounted them with L brackets onto the wall.

Our favorite part is that in the morning, when the sun is rising on that side of the house, they let a little bit of sunlight peek in from behind.

rejoice

2010-06-15T20:05:00.001-05:00

Oh, I'm just rejoicin', y'all.

sallie kate

Calendar: February

a baby shower

Calendar: January

The Christmas Storm: A Modern Parable

December Calendar

A Silly Slideshow: See Sallie Surprised

November Calendar

The Chosen Pumpkin

October Calendar

Recovering our Chairs

Vera: textiles

September Calendar

Graphic design: Honey Do

Wedding Portrait: NYC

August Calendar

au·gust

graphic design: Southern Harmony

Queen of the Kitchen

Sketch: Tractor

July Calendar

Hibiscus

Sunny Flowers

The Table - a pecha kucha presentation

June Calendar

Fence Suspense

Sketch: Blue Parrot

Mother's Day

May Calendar

Vegetarian Chili

Resurrection Letters: VIII

Resurrection Letters: VII

Juicy Fruit

Resurrection Letters: VI

Nature Drawing: Rabbit

Nature Drawing: Basil

Nature Drawing: Celosia

Nature drawing: Willow

Resurrection Letters: V

April Calendar

Resurrection Letters: IV

Sunshine Tea

Resurrection Letters: III

Resurrection Letters: II

Paint + sketch

Resurrection Letters: I

Spring

Family Antiques

Our Great Adventure: Flooring

Fun for an Icy Day: Online Sketching

Mar's Day

Kitchen Tile

Sketch: Zoo

I Made a Table Runner

Sewing: Crash Course

Our Christmas Log

Sweetie Pie Portrait

Christmas Trees

Red red red

Jesus Storybook Bible

Orchid

Christmas Tradition

Anthro - polo - gie

French Toast + Blueberries

Dining Table

Sketch: dilly-dally

Real Love.

Update

Punkin Patch

Dress Design: Bette

Dress Design: Fiona

Dress Design: Penny

Let's have a little fun....

10 - 10 - 10

State Fair

artichoke heart

Color Block

Birthday Boy

Dogs & Dudes

Old & New