A not quite to scale graph type sketch of the truth, a poem, and more.

Today I finished reading the New Testament. This is a task that proves in and of itself the power of the Holy Spirit. I am a working Mama who is cranky in the morning. It has to be due to supernatural strength and not my own that I have been able to get up at 5am to have time to read day after day. Tomorrow I will get my cranky butt out of bed again and somehow as I read and pray I will come closer to being the woman I am designed to be. 

Anyway, I finished it today and happened to reach the end of a journal at the same time. So what was the overall message I received on the end of this journey? 

This...

I have the courage to write these words. The courage to share my terrible handwriting with you. The courage to face whatever God sends my way. The courage to share His truth. The courage to share this sketch with you.

I made this a year or so ago and have been wanting to share it but did not know how nor did I have the courage to for some reason. It is not to scale and could be prettier. (Maybe I'll work on that.) The point is, it needs to be shared because it shows what is more important than anything. It shows that your life, right now, being kind of hungry or slightly too hot; worried about money or a relationship; battling sickness or missing someone you will never see again; whatever your hardship no matter how hard it is, it is fleeting. On the same not no matter how good life is, it too is fleeting. How you spend this fleeting life matters. Jesus is the only one who can save you. He already did. He is the only one who can restore you and give you an eternity of real life the way it is meant to be lived. Loving Jesus and courageously showing others His love is all that matters. 

This is obviously only part of the conversation. If you have questions, great! Ask away because I have questions too and maybe we can find answers together. 

I'll get off my soap box now and leave you with a poem by Nelle D. Bradley. It says how I want to live my life. I hope you join me.

Hold high the torch of beauty, truth, and love!

You did not light its glow-

'Twas given you by other hands, you know.

'Tis yours to keep it burning bright,

Yours to pass on when you no more need light;

For there are other feet that we must guide;

And other forms go marching by our side;

Their eyes are watching every tear and smile,

And efforts which we think are not worthwhile,

Are sometimes just the very helps they need,

Actions to which their souls would give most heed;

so that in turn they'll hold it high, and say, 

"I watched someone else carry it this way."

If brighter paths should beckon you to choose,

Would your small gain compare with all you'd lose?

Hold high the torch of beauty, truth, and love! 

You did not light its glow-

'Twas given you by other hands, you know.

I think it started down its pathway bright,

The day our Maker said: "Let there be light."

And He once said, who hung on Calvary's tree-

"Ye are the light of the world." Go! ... Shine for me.

A Little Fall Update

It has been a busy minute. 

My September Art in the Park show started off  too windy but overall was a good day.

 Among my sales was this pretty card. I wonder what special note was written inside.

After the show, most of my inventory went to Tennessee with my Mother-in-law. She is currently doing a month and a half long craft show at Dollywood and was kind enough to bring my stuff along. I have no idea what if anything is selling. Whatever does not sell will be back up for sale on my Etsy in November just in time for Christmas shopping. 

My prints are currently available. If anyone is interested in the originals they are for sale just not listed. Please contact me. 

Anyway...

Things are getting spooky around here.

My sister visited last weekend and did this craft with Avia. Scary stuff. 

Last but not least, this guy insisted on picking a green pumpkin. I might have weird kids. 

The Girl in the Lane Shop

Ready for Autumn

I, like many of you, am ready to be done with oppressive humidity and mosquitoes. I want to move on to crisp sweater weather, the crunch of leaves under foot, and the comfort of warm apple cider.

I made this autumn hoop art in my anticipation for fall. 

Among my fall plans is Art in the Park. I am excited. Wish me luck.

It took a little longer than it should have but I finally got my prints packaged for the show and up on Etsy. 

White Bear Print

Rainbow Stegosaurus print

Lavender and Grey Buffalo Print

 Pink and Green Deer Print

I am looking forward to what this season will bring. Happy September!

The Girl in the Lane Shop

Some summer so far

It has been a busy summer so far.

I've seen lions.

 I embroidered lots and lots of bibs.

The squirrel and blue birds on telephone wires bib

 The Mr. Bear bib

 The sheep duo

To be honest I am glad these are done and ready to go.

I am working as a nanny for a two-month-old and sometimes I get the pleasure of being paid to bring my own children to the park. Before and after taking this photo I was sitting on a park bench while sewing and listening to the sweet little snore of a baby. I felt very blessed. 

She made way more than I did as a kid.

This was our first visit to the Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati. It was delightful.

Avia will start the 3rd grade on the 13th. This seems crazy early to me. We have a few more summer tricks in our bag but I am sad it will be over all too soon.

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More Bang for your Buck

 I decided to double up my patterns. I want any product I make to be a good value to my customers. Enjoy more!

Bear and Sheep hand embroidery pattern set

Cereal and Ice Cream hand embroidery pattern set

Orange Tree and Cactus hand embroidery pattern set

A little more about my embroidery patterns:

- Each set is for sale as an instant download PDF.

- Each set comes with two pages of instructions.

- Each has at least one color photo reference sheet. 

Also, each pattern includes fun little bonus patterns as a freebie.

More patterns for sale soon!

P.S. There is a story behind why that orange tree picture looks the way it looks. It is a boring and frustrating story so don't ask. Just please forgive me. This whole Girl in the Lane thing is a work in progress. 

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We Went Camping

It was the best.

It was also rather exhausting in the best way possible. 

I came home feeling totally worn out but refreshed. 

Also, probably by no coincidence, I started reading Last Child in the Woods when I got back. I am not far into it but I do love it. It is about the new relationship between children and nature. It is an eye-opening read. If you are a parent or are thinking about being one some day, read it. Then go play outside.

It also starts each chapter with a quote. I personally love that in a book. 

There was a child went forth every day, 

And the first object he look'd upon, that object he became,

And that object became part of him for the day or a certain part of the day,

Or for many years or stretching cycles of years.

The early lilacs became part of this child, 

And grass and white and red morning glories, and white and red clover,

and the song of the phoebe-bird,

And the Third-month lambs and the sow's pink-faint litter,

and the mare's foal and the cow's calf,...

-Walt Whitman

It was a fun little outdoors weekend but I need to get back to work. I am excited to be a part of Art Fair 562. It is soon and I have much to do to get ready.

The Girl in the Lane Shop

Tra-laa Tra-lee Today is My Birthday Lucky Me!

Today I turn 29.

 I am actually turning 29. I know that is a birthday some women have a few times. This will be my only 29th Birthday I promise. It is the start of the last year of my 20's and I plan to use the year well. I am excited to start a new job next week as a nanny to a tiny and very new person. I have many a great plan for this art business I have going. Starting with my first prints for sale!

Other than that we'll see what God brings this year. I feel really great about where I am at and where I am going. I am content. Maybe that finally makes me a grown-up.

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What inspires me may inspire you: Andrew

This is Andrew (the one with the beard). He is my friend. He is my husband.

Maybe he does not directly inspire my art very often but I cannot do what I do without him. He encourages me and keeps me going. Too many times I have asked him for his opinion on color choice or if something was cute enough? He has no idea on such matters but he understands his input is important to me so he takes the question seriously.  

A little while back I asked Andrew what his favorite piece I have made is. He bought two paintings from me when we first started dating. This one is still his favorite.

I imagine it must be challenging be married to an artsy type. My ideas often make no sense. I have a hard time just watching TV and doing nothing. There is always a mess.  I think there is at least a little selfishness needed to create. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We just need to recognize this as artists and remember to thank those supporting us.

Thank you Andrew. I love you even if you did almost wipe your barbaric hands on one of my just finished fancy tea towels that one time and you love me even if I have almost accidentally stabbed you with a needle a few times. Just so you know, I also may have gotten colored pencil shavings in our bed once or twice. I guess it’s all part of the creative process.

Happy four years ago we got married day!

P.S. The two embroidery details are pieces on my White Bear inspired by Andrew. He is a fan of breakfast and books.

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What inspires me may inspire you: nature

If nature does not inspire you, stop reading this and go outside. 

Do not come back until it does.

For the rest of you, enjoy.

A glimpse of my current project.

 Detail from White Bear.

 I like making these because I get to create my own flowers.

vintage art magnets

 Tulips in the rain

He also finds inspiration in nature.

Now go outside.

The Girl in the Lane Shop