Show Me the Way – Leaf

Now that the tulip blooms are under control, it’s time to decide what the leaves and stems will look like.

Again, I have chosen to use variegated threads to give a more natural appearance.  But instead of blending them, I’m going to use them as dyed to give gradual color changes.  On the leaves and stems, I use just 2 different variegated threads to provide the colors, one dark and one bright green.

By using a variable filler stitch, the impression is of light on shiny leaves.

Tulips – Leaf Closeup, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, help her to grow and thrive in her life and faith and the execution of her caretaker work.  Protect her and uphold her, I pray!

 

It’s tempting to hide…

“It’s tempting to hide our dreams away. We tell ourselves we’ll pursue them later or that we need to feel safer first. But the reality is, later may not come and living out a dream is risky no matter when we decide to do it.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

we live as we dream… alone., a photo by looking4poetry on Flickr.

There are always reasons not to start working on our dreams.  There are always reasons not to pray.  There are always reasons not to serve others.  Embracing my God-sized dream means going beyond reasons to faithful following and branching out.

Reaching for Faith – the Dove

The central figure of this design is the dove, which represents the redeemed self, and also the Holy Spirit.

Reaching – Dove, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

I chose to stitch the dove using white Flair tubular ribbon to get a clear, clean, shimmery view which I couldn’t catch in the photo :-{

Prayer: Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to guide us in the redeemed life.

Leap for Joy – Complete

Finally, here is the completed, framed piece!

Leap for Joy Complete, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, please bless the family this piece was made for, and bring joy and growing closeness to their walk with You!

God adopted us…

“God adopted us into his family as his children.”

From my morning readings in “The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians”, Daily Study Bible Series, by William Barclay.

Thank you, Father, that You did not make us to be pets or servants, but full children of Your love!

Leap for Joy – Masking an Openwork Piece

The answer is to insert an appropriate mask.  Here I have chosen a piece of green handmade paper which includes metallic golden highlights.  I cut it to size, and then insert it between the front of the canvas and the edges which have been folded to fit in the frame.  Note that you DO NOT trim the canvas to the size of the frame, or the edges may unravel!

Masking inserted, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, the love must extend even to the details!  Help this family to find joy in the details of their lives.

You have been entrusted…

“You have been entrusted with certain ways of making a difference in the world, and it’s up to you to make the most of them during your time on earth.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

IMG_2196, a photo by USDAgov on Flickr.

We can find reasons why we can’t make a difference, or we can find ways to make it work!

Reaching for Faith – Knock…

Reaching – Knock, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Instead I decided to put “clouds” around the phrases.  I stitched the words of a phrase onto the fine canvas, and cut a cloud shape around it.  Then I stitched the pale purple background through both canvasses, and finally stitched down the outer edge of the fine canvas. with heavier silver threads.  This sets off the phrases nicely and the higher relief of the phrases works to emphasize the verse.

Prayer:  Father, we thank You that our savior is always there to open the door for us when we knock!

Leap for Joy – Finishing an Openwork Piece

Openwork pieces present a special problem when framed.  The areas which have not been stitched can be seen through.  So the back of the frame and the area of canvas folded over will be visible.  This doesn’t make for a very pretty finished piece…

Joy without Masking, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, help us to do our work well and attend to all details to make a fitting offering for Your glory and a fitting gift for the people we serve.

To wait in silence…

“To wait in silence is to bid farewell to earthly conversation and attention. It is that vital bridge that takes us from a carnal world to a spiritual world. This silent surrendering of the soul to God opens the door to the “higher plane” of His divine love.”

From my morning readings in “The Hour That Changes the World”, by Dick Eastman.

The Rainbow at Yellowstorm, a photo by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

It seems like I always need something to listen to.  I even play music to go to sleep.  Silence feels threatening to me.  But I am learning to embrace silence when sitting in prayer.  I hope that soon I will be able to hear His voice in the silences I am able to allow.