A Homemade Holiday

These are gifts made for family and friends. I loved allowing this season to provoke self-expression, and in turn, passing on bits of myself to others. There is something very special about using your eyes, your hands and your heart to craft something new. Where there were once bare wood items and blank canvases, there are now brand new creations in the world. Creations that will hopefully brighten corners of rooms and corners of hearts for my loved ones.

I am finding more and more that for me, creation is such an important part of my human experience.

I still believe in summer days.

Japan 2006

05.06.

Don't let expectation spoil the experience...let something be whatever it will, or will not be.

Go easy on yourself...you have a place here. Just look at your two feet planted on the ground to know this.

You're okay.

Shells and Sprouts

I see us

Like grass.

Our fragile husks

fall,

shed,

wither away.

And fading bodies reveal

the forever God-spark

contained in all.

And when I close my eyes

to the weighted haze of all things held

in human hands,

I sense a new Way.

I am

Learning to relax the weight of my body

into the unseen.

And hoping to God

that from this tiny mustard seed,

pressed hard into the palm of my hand,

will come a

sprout,

plant,

tree.

art cred.

Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Prints

"Doves and Girl" & "Yellow Canary"

"Dancing Figure" & "Child With Flowers"

"Black Gloves" & "Little Bird"

Tree-Shaped Love

I never knew I had a tree-shaped hole in my heart, until this beaut entered my life. The roomies and I have been celebrating the commencement of Advent by doing a little Christmas decorating around the house. This is the result:

Organic-themed Christmas tree 2008
Take a closer look, you will find twiney nests, sparkling birds, golden acorns and shiny holly.

Up Next:

Advent-themed stocking holder art! These concepts are inspired by the Advent movement of Jacob's Well, and of course, the anticipation of the baby Savior.

"Hope" by: Karlie M.

"Bend Low" by: Yours Truly

"Wait" by: Amy L.

These pieces of art nest nicely on our fireplace mantle...where the stockings have already been hung.



We're a little bit excited for Christmas...