Happiness is...
Paper snowflakes. Each one unique, each one perfectly symmetrical. My favorite thing to do around Christmas time? Watch elf and cut out these beauties. Paper snowflakes and paper chains, the simplest of holiday cheer (and possibly the most economical). They take me to a better place.
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
the Bump in its glory
Happiness is...
Creative baby ideas! Today is a gender reveal party for a good friend. Here's what she's doing:
At her ultrasound on Thursday she had the doctor write down the baby's gender and seal it in an envelope. She is bringing that envelope to a bakery and asking them to bake the appropriate color into the insides of a frosted cake, that way she'll find out when we do as she cuts her cake! How did I never think of that?
She is the size of a naval orange. That's one more thing about babies that I am really fascinated by. I love comparing them to the sizes of produce, and I can't wait to hear what's next! I wonder if I'm more excited about this baby than she is... In any case, here we go!
Creative baby ideas! Today is a gender reveal party for a good friend. Here's what she's doing:
At her ultrasound on Thursday she had the doctor write down the baby's gender and seal it in an envelope. She is bringing that envelope to a bakery and asking them to bake the appropriate color into the insides of a frosted cake, that way she'll find out when we do as she cuts her cake! How did I never think of that?
She is the size of a naval orange. That's one more thing about babies that I am really fascinated by. I love comparing them to the sizes of produce, and I can't wait to hear what's next! I wonder if I'm more excited about this baby than she is... In any case, here we go!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The Potter's Hands.
Happiness is...
The potter's hands. Today church was super amazing. They brought a guest preacher/potter in and he actually throws a huge vase during his talk so he can walk us through this sweet metaphor. God always said we are the clay but now I feel like I see that whole concept from a brand new set of eyes. You see, we start out as a hunk of ugly piece of earth and it's not until we actually are centered in the lord that we can begin to become something beautiful... I'm not sure how much you know about pottery, but if the pot starts off wobbly it just gets worse and worse until it flies off the wheel... Then he brought up how the potter has this great intent for us and starts to work on us from the inside. No one else can really see this work from sitting in the audience, but it is the most important step to becoming a vase because it hollows the bottom and sets the foundation to pull up the cylinder. When you watch a potter do this it really is spectacular, seeing a small mound become a tall, cylindrical mass. However, this cannot happen unless it's under pressure from the hands of the potter. Even once it's there, there are bigger plans too (though it looks great, it isn't the best piece of work yet). The potter swells the vase to create a piece of art. And only then is it fired. Imagine the process of the kiln, putting pieces in and bricking up the entrance, they endure high high temperatures and it seems dark and lonely but the potter is not far away, just outside the door adjusting the levels, watching the pots strengthen to the perfect amount. Do you follow that whole process? Can you picture the vase? Now imagine that as us, in our process of life. The end product is a solid vase, beautiful and ready to withstand the weathers. That is what I experienced this morning. Total mind blow. That was true happiness, sitting right there.
The potter's hands. Today church was super amazing. They brought a guest preacher/potter in and he actually throws a huge vase during his talk so he can walk us through this sweet metaphor. God always said we are the clay but now I feel like I see that whole concept from a brand new set of eyes. You see, we start out as a hunk of ugly piece of earth and it's not until we actually are centered in the lord that we can begin to become something beautiful... I'm not sure how much you know about pottery, but if the pot starts off wobbly it just gets worse and worse until it flies off the wheel... Then he brought up how the potter has this great intent for us and starts to work on us from the inside. No one else can really see this work from sitting in the audience, but it is the most important step to becoming a vase because it hollows the bottom and sets the foundation to pull up the cylinder. When you watch a potter do this it really is spectacular, seeing a small mound become a tall, cylindrical mass. However, this cannot happen unless it's under pressure from the hands of the potter. Even once it's there, there are bigger plans too (though it looks great, it isn't the best piece of work yet). The potter swells the vase to create a piece of art. And only then is it fired. Imagine the process of the kiln, putting pieces in and bricking up the entrance, they endure high high temperatures and it seems dark and lonely but the potter is not far away, just outside the door adjusting the levels, watching the pots strengthen to the perfect amount. Do you follow that whole process? Can you picture the vase? Now imagine that as us, in our process of life. The end product is a solid vase, beautiful and ready to withstand the weathers. That is what I experienced this morning. Total mind blow. That was true happiness, sitting right there.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Stockinette, Ribbing, Cabling, Oh my!
Happiness is...
The perfect seed stitch. Heck, Happiness is all kinds of knitting. It's not only something easy to do while you sit through the mundane television shows or chat about nonsense, it is a tangible creative project. You can make neat things to show off or you can finish a thoughtful gift for a friend.
Now that I'm more adept at it, I only like it more. Next step, making garments. It's a craft that I don't see getting old, and it makes me smile. So there.
The perfect seed stitch. Heck, Happiness is all kinds of knitting. It's not only something easy to do while you sit through the mundane television shows or chat about nonsense, it is a tangible creative project. You can make neat things to show off or you can finish a thoughtful gift for a friend.
Now that I'm more adept at it, I only like it more. Next step, making garments. It's a craft that I don't see getting old, and it makes me smile. So there.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sunrise
Happiness is...
Driving to work in the sunrise. There is something magical about sunrises, the colors that splash across the sky, the sun as it gently peeks more and more above the horizon. Sunrises remind you that there is still beauty in life, that there is still hope with God, that there is still a reason to get up and actually head to work.
Likewise, sunrises are a mark of something better. Though you are still heading to work at the same crack of dawn time, it is a huge improvement from the age when you were going in the dark and coming in the dark. Knowing that the sun is rising makes the day seem worth living. And watching the sun rise is happiness in its purest form.
Try it. Get up early and head out of your house to enjoy the colors of awe, excellence, thankfulness, graciousness, love, peace, purity, wonder, and serenity. Those are some great colors.
Driving to work in the sunrise. There is something magical about sunrises, the colors that splash across the sky, the sun as it gently peeks more and more above the horizon. Sunrises remind you that there is still beauty in life, that there is still hope with God, that there is still a reason to get up and actually head to work.
Likewise, sunrises are a mark of something better. Though you are still heading to work at the same crack of dawn time, it is a huge improvement from the age when you were going in the dark and coming in the dark. Knowing that the sun is rising makes the day seem worth living. And watching the sun rise is happiness in its purest form.
Try it. Get up early and head out of your house to enjoy the colors of awe, excellence, thankfulness, graciousness, love, peace, purity, wonder, and serenity. Those are some great colors.
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