Merry Follows Gratitude

 

Have you ever noticed that the season when we focus on gratitude is always followed by the season when we talk about being merry?  And then there is the joy - that elusive thing we equate with this season. You see it everywhere on cards and signs and ornaments.  But where does it come from?  Or more properly, from whence does it come?  :-)

 I think it is difficult to be merry without being grateful.  When I am finding my thoughts running toward complaints rather than what I have for which to be thankful, I do not have much of a merry heart.  On the other hand, when joy is found in even the most simple of pleasures, then gratitude and merriment is the result. 

So, is joy at the beginning of the equation or at the end?  Does joy produce a grateful attitude that results in a merry heart?  Or does gratitude produce merriment which results in joy?

I propose that it is a circle.  Sometimes we are grateful out of our joy.  And sometimes, we are grateful out of shear determination to be so.  But, in the end, there is joy. 

And then there is the question of what joy really is.  Is it happiness or a sense of peace that is deeper than just being happy.  I vote for the later.  I find that I can have joy even when I don't have the merry. This is because of the One whose Spirit lives deep in my heart - even when I don't act grateful.
 Eph 3: 16-19


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Grace That Is Sufficient - The Story of a Table

In this month, in this week, in the US, we focus particularly on our tables and what happens around them.  With that in mind, I'd like to share a post I wrote previously for The Graceful Artist.  

We have a round oak dining table. It is larger than average at 52" in diameter. And it has 6 legs held together in a circle. I've only seen one other table with legs like this. But this table isn't special because it is large or has unique legs. Our dining table once belonged to my husband's grandmother. But when we received it 30 years ago, the previous years had taken their toll. 

 Many years of cold Winters and hot Oklahoma Summers the table stood alone, abandoned in an empty house. Gone were the times with family dinners and laughter. Or the moments of anticipation of yummy desserts as pie crust was rolled out carefully onto its surface. The table had been forgotten. Twenty long years later, the table was rescued. Not by the one who had left but by the grandson. He lovingly used antique restoration skills to bring new life to the old table.  

The old finish and glue were removed and replaced. And beauty was restored to the table. But the effects of being in extreme temperatures for so many years left scars on the table. There was some warping in the 2 leaves. And there was some cracking. And the joints of those unique legs were not as sturdy as they had originally been. But the table is beautiful none the less and we love it. 

We make adjustments for its challenges and choose to keep this table as a very special part of our home. When the leaves are not in place there is no warping. And when we use the leaves to allow 8 to dine together, we simply use a table cloth and none is the wiser about a bit of warping. To protect the legs, we use this table as our special table and not the one in the kitchen where dough rolling might take place. We sit here for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or birthday dinners. We sit here to work on family photo albums. And I sit at this table to record my workshops. Laughter and love has returned to the well worn table. 

   
When I look at this table, I am reminded that in my spirit, I have some cracks, some warping, and some places that aren't as strong as they once were. Life takes its toll on us all. And yet, like the table, God continues to find purposes for me, to bring beauty into my life. Isaiah says that He makes beauty from ashes. I am reminded that we need not be perfect. We need not have always been in the right place. We might even have felt abandoned. God still chooses to bring intentional direction into our days. Second Corinthians 12:9 says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." What is the purpose for which you have been made? Has life created some challenges for you? God's grace is sufficient for you still. No matter what, this day holds a purpose for you and God can bring the beauty into your life for the task at hand.  

May you have a very blessed day of Thanks wherever you find yourself. 

 
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Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Merry Christmas

I wish for you a blessed Christmas. 

May you find joy in the delights of life and in those you love. 

And may you discover ways to share that joy with someone in need. 

Wind and Honey Creations

A Little Quiet Christmas

With all the news about the precious babies who are now angels before their time, I find myself at
a loss for words.  So I will share with you today a bit more of the images from my home Christmas.  Both of my kids will be home this year.  It has not been that way for a few years.  They will both be bringing their "someone special" with them.  I have been so excited.  But now, I simply feel very blessed and humbled at the privilege.

 

These lamps were given to me by an older friend who was simplifying her stash of belongings.

I showed you the swan before but I didn't tell you it came from the Dollar Tree!!!

 

This snowman was given to me a few years back by a very young art student of mine.

 

I didn't paint this cute snowman jar.  It is hand painted but by someone else.  I rescued it from the thrift store.

 
Wind and Honey Creations

A Little Bit of Christmas

 

I thought I would share a little bit of the touches of Christmas at my house.  My decor is more on the simple side compared to so many beautiful blogs that have lovely displays on the mantle and other homey spots.  I love that style.  I simply don't have time to make it happen.  So we go for a more simple touch and hope that it is still beautiful.

 

I purchased this cup and saucer at an estate sale.  And the vintage ornament is from my childhood.  Actually, I don't know how old it is, perhaps older than me.  I don't even remember where the star came from.  It was not new.  I'm sure it came from a thrift store.  It just seemed a shame for the cups to be empty.  So each one got an ornament or two.

 

I purchased these salt and pepper shakers the first Christmas I was married.  Oh!  How I hate saying they are now considered vintage!  When my daughter was very young, she used to play with them all month.  They would go on adventures around the house, especially on the branches of the Christmas tree. 
 
 

I found this cast stone bunny at a thrift store a few years ago.  I just fell in love with his goofy expression.  But he was painted horribly and someone had hot glued cotton all over his beard and the white parts of his hat and coat.  Then there was spanish moss hot glued to the wreath and basket.  Ugh!  It took a long time to get him cleaned up.  Then I repainted him.  Now, he is one of my favorites.
 
   

This chair came from the estate sale where I got the cups and saucers.  I believe it is handmade.  And the bunny is actually a tree ornament.  I got him at a garage sale several years ago.  I have never seen another like him.  I believe he is papier mache.  But, actually, I'm not sure.  

So, there is a little walk through of some of my favorite things.  I'll show you a little more later.

 

Wind and Honey Creations

Drawing Fun for the Holidays

 

You are cordially invited to come to Creative Pencils and join The Holiday Designs workshop.  It is a set of 3 colored pencil projects.  We will draw a set of candy canes with a ribbon, a candle, with evergreen, and a vintage stocking.  In each of these designs I will teach you strong shading skills creating depth and beauty in your drawings.  

In the candle project I will demonstrate using the Zest-It blending solution to create the layered look of the colors.  (If you do not have Zest-It, you can blend the candle just like the other 2 projects.)

Once you have learned how to draw these designs you can mix them to create new designs that are uniquely yours.  

You can use these designs to decorate cards, gift tags, ornaments, packages and much more.

 Its fun and even a beginner can accomplish these projects.  Get out your pencils and let's get started.  

You can purchase this workshop on the home page of Creative Pencils

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Merry Christmas to You All

May you all be blessed with a merry and joyful Christmas. I hope as you walk through the new year and the inevitable challenges that come with life, that you will be strengthened with hope and the peace that passes understanding.


Wind and Honey Creations

Merry Christmas Bunny For You

There are so many ways to use your art pencils for the holidays. You can design your own gift tags, tree ornaments, or greeting cards. You can even draw something special and frame it as a gift. Remember to bring your creativity into this wonderful season. You will enjoy it so much more. I've recorded this video demonstration to show you how quick and easy it can be to personalize your items. I am including here the pattern for the little bunny. Please feel free to download him. He is large enough to be used for a greeting card. Or you could print him smaller for gift tags or ornaments. Feel free to add embellishments like more greenery or more ornaments or perhaps some collage elements.

I hope you enjoy him.

Want to learn more about drawing and creating your own pencil art?  Try out my online pencil art learning community at Wind and Honey Classes  We are having a great time there and my students are progressing so well.

I used Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils for this drawing.

Wind and Honey Creations

Merry Christmas to You All!

This is just too cute! Unfortunately it works in reverse at my house. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.

I will be back in a week or so.

I received this in an email from my sister. It is originally from this site http://kutyasuli.hu/