A New Leap – Fibers

Here are the fibers I used for the background.

image, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

The top one is the heavy thread I used for the trees.  Next is a loose spun thread used on the darker meadow areas.  Finally, the lighter meadow areas were stitched using a silk with flames, which means tighter areas and looser areas.  Laid down with long stitches, these fibers show off their irregularities to make a rich background that looks complicated while actually being fast and easy to stitch!

Prayer: Father, thank You that our irregularities make us unique, beautiful, fitted for individual purposes in Your world.

A New Leap – Background Stitching

Rather than leaving the background openwork, I decided to do some fancy stitching with different fibers to make a scene for the leaping lamb.

This was done freehand, using different variegated textured threads.  I stitch the trees first, then fill the landscape in around them and the lamb and Joy.  Fun and quick, as the stitches are long.

image, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the beauty we each can bring just working in the background.  I pray for those who work quietly to know that they do Your work.

A New Leap

Recently our pastor and his wife left for an encouragement trip to missionaries in the Philippines sent by our church 20 years ago.  20 years in the field!  Perhaps this is normal, but I didn’t grow up in the church and it seems extraordinary to me!

He asked the church members to send cards of encouragement.  There was just enough time for me to stitch this piece for them.

Missionary Joy, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, please bless this family which has devoted so much of their life to your service and service of your people.  Bring them an ever closer walk, unexpected joys, long worked for successes, wisdom for their path.

The hardest choices…

“I remember my wise mentor in college, Beth English, used to say, ‘Holley, the hardest choices in life are not between bad and good. They are between good and best.'”

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

Choices, a photo by dianecordell on Flickr.

When we give to God, we want to give the best.  But sometimes that can stop us from giving at all.  I frequently have to urge myself to keep working on a prayer piece on days when my brain is fried and it’s hard for me to pray coherently.  But not working on the piece would be worse.  Give your good, but look out for how to give your best!

What you’re looking for…

“What you’re looking for here is momentum and progress. Have you ever tried to steer a parked car? It’s a tough proposition. Just get in gear and start heading down the road. The rest will work itself out as you go.”

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

Super S – 2, a photo by Matthew Fang on Flickr.

It’s so easy to just keep saying, “My plan isn’t quite ready yet.  I’ll start when it is.”  But the bottom line is that the journey is not going to match the plan anyway.  Pick a direction.  Start moving.  Then worry about the details.

In all you do…

“Pray that in all you do, his purposes will prevail.”

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

Mother Teresa Wallpaper Quote, a photo by FredMikeRudy on Flickr.

This is important.  It’s not about my agenda.  It’s about His purposes.

Reaching for Faith – Framed!

I decided to have “Reaching for Faith” professionally blocked and framed.  Here it is, complete!

Reaching for Faith Framed, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, I praise You and thank You for making us artists, in Your image.  Help me to do my art for Your glory.

Seeking the Beloved on Christmas

I’ve been meaning to write a Christmas message for the blog and not getting it done.  This morning I received this lovely gift from a dear friend and sister in Christ:

Amazon.com: Seeking the Beloved: A Prayer Journey with St. John of the Cross eBook: Wayne Simsic: Kindle Store.

Starting to read, I came across this to share with you all:

“If prayer is fundamentally an expression of love— a single-hearted reaching out to the Other in a love relationship— it is more simple than any technique or way of praying. The most important thing in prayer is the heart’s inclination in relation to God.”

Simsic, Wayne (2012-03-28). Seeking the Beloved: A Prayer Journey with St. John of the Cross (Kindle Locations 119-121). The Word Among Us Press. Kindle Edition.

Praying for the inclination of all our hearts, and wishing you a blessed Christmas!

Carmen

When God comes through…

“Pray with thanks when God comes through beyond all you could have imagined.”

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

Reducing the risk of crop failure has created a more sustainable community, a photo by Gates Foundation on Flickr.

And pray with hope while you’re waiting for Him!

Reaching for Faith – Stitched!

Here is the fully stitched piece.

You can see that the canvas has gotten somewhat distorted during stitching.  Blocking the piece will correct this.

Reaching – Unblocked 2, a photo by Carmen CS on Flickr.

Prayer: Father, the process of going through life can stretch us.  Thank You that Your grace and love can always bring us back to our full beauty, as You intended us to be.