Me at 33!

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5

Wow! Another year has passed and another birthday is here! Time really does seem to fly faster as I get older. It has been a great day; I've taken it easy and while my daughter was in preschool I painted and started planning a new scrapbook layout. My hubby is taking me out to dinner tonight; what is better than not having to cook on your birthday? :)

The past year has been a good one, full of blessings. I have so much to be thankful for! A healthy family, a wonderful church home, amazing people in my life. I'm blessed with an amazing, supportive husband and wonderful, free spirited little girl! I can't imagine my life without them! I also feel so privileged to be a part of the ministries God has blessed me with, from my MOMS group to our LifeGroup. Such awesome things happen within these ministries and I'm thankful He can use me to make a difference!

I've loved how this past year I've really taken time to re-dedicate myself to my creative side and made it a priority. I feel like God has given me this gift of art and I love to express it. It makes me so happy to create new things! I lose myself in the process. It has been a blessing and gift to become involved with our Collage Ministry and get to know the other artists at our church. God has provided some amazing opportunities for me through this group and I'm humbled and honored to be able to share my work with these new friends!

I'm also thankful for this amazing world of "artful bloggers". I've had the opportunity to get to know some amazing people/artists from around the world and have learned so much from the online art community! I love that I can share my work and life with others this way.

I'm excited about what lies ahead on the horizon and what the future will bring. I feel like I've stretched and grown a lot in the past year and I'm curious as to what life will be like next year at 34. I hope I continue to grow in all areas and I can find new ways to balance life...my family, my art and my ministry.

I'm finishing up a few new paintings and finally took some photos of my newly reorganized studio space, so I hope to post some new images very soon!

Thanks as always for stopping by! Have a wonderful, creative day!
Take care,
Jennifer

Rainy Day Musings

It is a cold, rainy day here in north Texas. I'm enjoying it, even though I'm missing the beautiful 80 degree weather we've had the last several days. I don't know what it is about the rain, but it makes me want to cozy up inside, get some things done around the house and be creative! Perfect for sipping Hot Chocolate as well...one of my faves! :) Next week is Spring Break and I do hope we are back to spring-like weather again by then.

I'm still sorting through "stuff" in my new studio area. I can't wait until I finish organizing. Most everything is put away; it is little odds and ends that I need to find homes for or just get rid of. I'm trying to purge a lot...simplify!!! I also have a lot of "memorabilia" from years past up until now that I need to sort through and find a better way to organize and store. Someday I hope to include most of it in my scrapbooks, but it is too much to think that will happen anytime soon. It will definitely be a process! Anyway, I can't wait to take pics when I'm all finished. What a big job it has been, but so totally worth it.

Here are two newly finished pieces. They are both on 8" x 8" canvas, mixed media with collage, acrylic paint, and painting crayons.

This is "My Strength", inspired by Psalm 43:2, that no matter what we face God is there for us to cling to.

This is "Waiting in Hope", reminding us that even though we sometimes have to wait on God, He is always there supporting us through everything.

I hope you are having a wonderful day! Thanks so much for stopping by!! :)