a new year

*oh dear Lord ~ three things I pray...to see Thee more clearly....follow Thee more nearly......love Thee more dearly day by day* :) and that's my motto for 2012! Let it be so, Lord Jesus ><>

The Longest Night

I had to share this photo ~ even tho' it's a little hard to see ( because someone...me...forgot to bring her camera, and this is a phone picture, thanks to a friend :) Our church family added a *new* service to the pack this Christmas: called "The Longest Night" because of the Winter Solstice when it's the least amount of daylight (hence the most amount of darkness)We had communion, took a candle and lit it from the Christ candle, then walked over to the altar and lit another candle, representing laying our burdens at the feet of Jesus. It was pretty therapeutic:) Mostly it was for folks who may not be having the merriest of Christmases, due to whatever season of life they are in...grief, loss, anxiety, financial difficulty, you name it...we all have some! It was so peaceful, serene, beautiful, hopeful, and wonderful. I think a few healing tears were shed by everyone :) I was honored to be a small part of it. If you squint you can also see the chancel area which has been transformed into the backdrop for the youth Christmas Eve service. God's Peace ><>

Part 2 :)

This was the inside of the same cards I used to make yesterday's posting....I used most of the same components too. Basically I ended up with twice the amount of finished cards using the ones I got at the Goodwill :) *win win* ! I just wanted to say thank you to my Heart & Soul customers, and to anyone who takes the time to read my ramblings musings :) I greatly appreciate both! May you have a Christ centered Christmas ~ whether it is in the bustle of family or the quiet contemplation of worship ><>

Recycling Christmas :)

I found boxes of these super cute snowmen cards at the Goodwill last year.....I think that Target must have donated their left-overs. The cards were kinda beat up around the edges, but I fell in love with the snowmen & their bling :) So I used my Nestabilities and die cut them out. I had a mountain of this red & blue pointsettia paper from years ago....never could find the right use for it but it was a fairly close match. I added one of those awesome SU felt snowflakes. I have so much fun making Christmas cards that I want to start on next year's right away...but we ALL know how THAT turns out! ><> Here's a closer look at the snowbling ~

Advent *Mobile*

If you've followed along for awhile you'll remember that I help with the Sanctuary art at my church....this is the latest centerpiece that rests way up high in the ceiling :) The air currents cause it to spin gently sometimes and it definitely looks more beautiful in person :) All blue and silvery~like....our sanctuary is pretty large and mostly *off-white* which means there's plenty of opportunity to add some colors :) ><>

Yahoo :)

Thanks Jackie :) Now I'm up & running again :) I made these big blocks from scrap wood from a friend who works at a lumber yard ~ he gave me these from his campfire wood stash :) 4" x 4" and I used a lot of scraps and embellishments up from the scrap bins :)

A fine time to go AWOL :(

Happy week before Christmas everyone :) I picked the worst time to switch computers ~ and until my awesome techie daughter comes home from college for Christmas I don't have much to post in the way of pictures....It's bad when you think you know what you're doing (computer-wise) and then realize you do NOT! But.....I will catch up eventually. My prayer is that you are all taking time to *soak in the season* and draw close to Jesus ><>