Calms His Child....

I shared this 6 x 6 canvas over on the Creative Worship blog for Sweet N Sassy Stamps last week and wanted to share it here as well. Mostly because I love it and all of you.  It's Monday and I have a day of vacation after spending some time this weekend with one of my favorite people.

That's him.....last year as a senior doing one of the things he loves most.  This year, off to college!  Gosh, I love him so much!!  College has felt like a bit of a storm in my life so far.  The letting go.  It's hard.  It's all about redefining.  And, adjusting to what they call "new normal."  The kicker is, there just is no such thing as a normal.  Am I right? 

In this walk, I'm learning that nothing stays the same.  Just as soon as I think I'm used to something, it all changes.  But, really, that is the storm.  Sometimes, the storm is a breezy rain with patches of lightening and maybe a little hail.  Sometimes, it feels like a full blown hurricane and it rages on and on....

Praise God that He both calms the storm and His children--all in His infinite wisdom!!  Where would I be without Him?

I created my canvas by started by layering bible pages in a random pattern using mod podge. I had picked up a tattered and well loved Gideon bible at Goodwill a bit ago.  I love the idea of praying over my art and found it to be a calming piece to the over all art project.  I colored several pages by applying distress inks directly to my non-stick sheet and then dipping the pages until I got the right look.  Once dry, I was able to stamp and trim images from Fantastic Flowers and Scribble Flowers.  the center sentiment, Calms His Child, is a favorite of mine as well.  A few of the other textures that can be seen are the gold background created using texture paste and a stencil and some sequins. I've been in love with sequins for quite some time now and added just a few for a little bit of bling.

I hope you enjoy!!  TTFN, Jane

Everybody Has A Story.....

Have you ever heard, "Everybody has a story....be kind"?  I try hard to remember this. Sometimes, it's harder than others.  I work in an environment that comes face to face with those stories, yet it feels more like a puzzle to wade through most of the time.  It helps to remind myself that I don't know the whole story.  Not for the kids I serve and definitely not for the parents who are doing what they can.  It's easy to think they aren't doing the best, but I must remember, they are doing their best.....and, sometimes that just sucks.  But, I don't know their story.  I need to remember this so I can remain kind.

For many of us, the story is the storm.  Right?  The junk that defines us?  That molds us, shapes us, changes us.  I've been pondering my storm lately.  Life is hard.  Parents get sick, friends aren't what I thought, I get older, my kids start to leave, the world is full of super bad stuff, politics :), not enough money, not enough time, and on and on.....

But, GOOD NEWS....my pondering really hasn't been on the junk.  When I think about the storm, I'm drawn over and over again to the truth of Christ and the way He carries me; the ways I find Him in the middle of the storm and--strangely, my gratitude for the storm.  I'm forever amazed and grateful that I find Him there.  Have you?  Finding Him doesn't change the storm, it changes you.

I created this canvas to honor and remind.....made it for a couple of folks who know the storm too well, but have also met Him there....for this, I am grateful.

I was anxious to use the brand new Scribble Flower set from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps! The focal sentiment is such a great image and wonderful reminder, Calms His Child, also from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps.  I shared some of the how-to over on the Creative Worship blog.  Feel free to check it out! 

I read every comment you kindly leave for me, so if you have questions, you can comment and I will respond.


If your storm is currently raging, be sure you are not alone!  Pray for calm--He will meet you there!

Be You...Be Awesome,
Jane