Monday, February 28, 2011

Welcome new crafting friends!

I just added my blog to a group of creative friends with the Tip Junkie (LOVE the Tip Junkie!).  How fun to all come together and share our arts and crafts with one another.  I'm a newbie, so I don't have a ton to share, but it's a beginning.  Here are my Ladies.........mannequins, hand mirrors, and Princess Wall hangings...........enjoy!
















Friday, February 18, 2011

The Lord is my Shepherd....


The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1


To the lost sheep, He is the seeking Shepherd;
To the needy sheep, He is the providing Shepherd;
To the hurting sheep, He is the comforting Shepherd;
To the bruised sheep, He is the healing Shepherd;
To the anxious sheep, He is the peaceful Shepherd;
To the wandering sheep, He is the guiding Shepherd;
To the fearful sheep, He is the protecting Shepherd;
To the lame sheep, He is the carrying Shepherd;
To the discontented sheep, He is the fulfilling Shepherd;
To the parched sheep, He is the anointing Shepherd;
To the timid sheep, He is the reassuring Shepherd;
To the fallen sheep, He is the merciful Shepherd;
To the nervous sheep, He is the quieting Shepherd;
To the heavy laden sheep, He is the restful Shepherd;
To the lonely sheep, He is the ever-present Shepherd;
To the weary sheep, He is the restoring Shepherd;
To all His sheep, He is the Good Shepherd.

May you rest in the Good Shepherd's loving care tonight.


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

New Ladies of Reflection!

One of the greatest frustrations starting a business, or starting a blog, is finding the time to create and update.  "Life" somehow always finds a way to interfere.  Not everything in life is an interference of course.........like spending time at church, or with family and friends.  But things like cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, washing dishes.........you get the picture........they seem to take me away from the things I really love to do.  Finally, after DAYS, I have a couple of new ladies to share with you.  Even as I type this I know I don't have time to give you all of the details, but at least I can share some photos with you!  Lord willing over the weekend I'll have time to tell you a little more about my new girls.  But for now..............here they are! 










I would love to know what you think of my new ladies!  Please leave a comment or two.  God bless you!


Saturday, February 5, 2011

Word for the day...........


The things your sight does not observe,
  His eyes see clearly—
The things your thinking does not understand,
  His mind knows fully—
The things your hands cannot grasp,
  His grip holds firmly—
The things your strength cannot subdue
  His power conquers completely—
The things your resources cannot fulfill
  His riches meet abundantly—
The things your love cannot give
  His heart gives endlessly!

I pray that this speaks to your heart today!  Whatever you do today be blessed!  As for me, I'm off to a Princess Party to learn more about Glamour Girl Ministries.  Will report on that later.  Until then............


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Moments..........

You'll find a new link on my blog this morning.  It's for Proverbs 31 Ministries.  Every morning when I wake up I find their daily devotion in my inbox.  I can't begin to tell you how they have ministered to my heart.  This morning was so exception!  For those of you that don't know, my Father passed away 11 years ago of Alzheimer's.  He suffered with the disease for 12 years.  I now see my Mother walking down the same path, and it's been difficult.  The devotion that I received this morning from Proverbs 31 Ministries was on Alzheimer's.  The author of the devotion experienced this devastating disease with her Grandmother.  What a comfort it is to know that others have experienced the same kind of heartache..........we are never alone.......and God uses the difficulties in our lives so that we are able to comfort and minister to others.  If you would like to read todays devotion please click on the Proverbs 31 Ministries link.

My Mother, Dorothy, and Luke

Below is another jewel that I received in my inbox.  It's from Daysping's Roy Lessin......enjoy!


In the happy moments— praise Him.
In the difficult moments—seek Him.
In the prayerful moments—ask Him.
In the decision moments—follow Him.
In the quiet moments— see Him.
In the lonely moments—know Him.
In the listening moments—hear Him.
In the unsure moments—believe Him.
In the active moments—serve Him.
In the waiting moments—trust Him.
In the hurting moments—touch Him.
In the lovely moments—adore Him.
For in all your moments, He is there
in goodness, in kindness, in love.

God bless your day!


Saturday, January 29, 2011

Link to my Etsy shop..............

Hey friends, here's a link to my new Etsy shop! Enjoy!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/carolynspaintedladys?ga_search_query=carolynspaintedladys&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

Whew, now that that's done I can go back an enjoy my grandchildren!


I picked up Molly this morning. We made cupcakes and a yummy dip for tomorrow night's home fellowship, then we made crafts. Luke arrived this afternoon and has been playing with Grandpa while I've been playing on here. It's a lot of fun, but a lot of brain power for me! Now it's time to relax....aaaaaaaaah. Molly and Luke are spending tonight and tomorrow night. I'm so happy! Blessings!
PS I decided to try ONE more time to add the link to my Etsy shop on the side bar (is that what you call it?) of my blog.  I'm there right along with "Where Women Create" now!  Yay!  Good night all!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Exciting news................

I have exciting news!  I'm an official seller on Etsy!  My girlfriend, (I'd tell you her name but she may want to remain anonymous), came over yesterday and spent 3 hours getting me all set up.  She's such a jewel!!!!!!!!!  Thank you!!!!!!!!  She helped me get the "shop" going with 2 items, then I put 3 more on there today ALL BY MYSELF!  Yay!  Here's a sampler...............

 



What young lady wouldn't love this sweet and lovely Princess wall art hanging in her bedroom?  She is approximately 3  1/2' tall from the top of her glittery, ivory organza bow to the bottom of her tulle skirt.  She is painted with ivory acrylic on the back and hips, and the bodice is decorated with an ivory fabric that has a white and silver floral design. It is embellished with fancy white and silver dimensional chipboard, and  little faux pearls.  Around the bodice is white ruffled velvet ribbon. Across the front of her bodice is a sash that says "princess" in glitzy bling. Her skirt is made of ivory tulle, glittery ivory organza ribbon, and light tan double face ribbon.  Around her waist is light tan double face ribbon, and white and silver metalic ribbon with a bow.





This unique, hand-crafted, hand-painted adorable jewelry and accessory display mannequin would add just the right touch to any boutique or store countertop. She would look adorable modeling any scarf, or necklace. She would also add a special touch to any dresser or vanity in your home. This lovely little lady is mult-purpose. Not only is she a cute model, but she has a mirrored face, perfect for customers to check themselves out in a trendy new pair of sunglasses, or for the lady of the house to use while putting on makeup. She is 26 1/2" tall, by 12" shoulder to shoulder. Her base color is white and her hair is blonde with highlights. Her torso is dressed in a bright hot pink and white polka dot print, trimmed with white ruffled ribbon down her sides, and a pink and hot pink polka dot ribbon around her neck.

Well, that's my exciting new for today!  Off to make Jim and Molly dinner, then it's off to church!  God bless your evening!

 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Prayer...........

Do you ever have one of "those" days?  That's the kind of day I had today.  Nothing really went wrong, I just felt blah.  I woke up not feeling all that great, then it rained all day which didn't help my mood any.  I was caught up in all kinds of "feelings."  I had a battle going on in my mind and all I wanted to do was crawl in bed and go to sleep......but the sheets were in the dryer.  I decided to take a peek at my e-mail and mentally check out for a while.  The following prayer was in my inbox.  It came at the perfect time and says exactly what I needed to hear...............

Prayer of Help, Protection, and Deliverance

Lord, I thank you that You are a Warrior, and You never know defeat; You are a Conqueror and every enemy is under Your feet; You are a Deliverer and every foe will sound retreat.

I thank You, O God, that you preserve me. I take refuge in You and I am safe from every cloud of darkness, from every voice of condemnation, from every thought of defeat and despair. I put my trust and confidence in You alone. I lean on You, for You will not falter or faint. You are my support and keep me from falling. You are my high tower and keep me from fleeing. You are my confidence and keep me from fearing.

Thank You, God, for being with me, beside me, behind me, and before me. You are always at my right hand and keep me secure. What joy it brings to know that when I call to You, You answer me. You are my perfect refuge from every storm and battle.

Thank You for being my sure place, and for providing me with the safe place under the shadow of Your wings. Lord, arise and rescue me from all evil, from every lie, and from every bondage. I stand upon You as my rock, I abide in You as my fortress. You are my covering. You are my shield. Thank You for saving me and for rescuing me from my enemies. You always hear my cry for help.

Scriptures: Psalm 16, 17, 18

I'm so glad I know a God that cares for me and meets my every need.  He always speaks to me, even when I don't have my listening ears on!

I pray that you have a restful evening.  I know I will NOW!


Sunday, January 23, 2011

Young Ladies Figural Wall Hanging.........

Two posts in one day!  I guess I'm making up for lost time.  I wanted to share a couple of new Ladies with you. 


This wall hanging would look perfect in any young lady's bedroom.  She is approximately 3  1/2' tall from the top of her black satin bow to the bottom of her tulle skirt.  She is painted with white acrylic on the back and hips, and the bodice is decorated with black and white striped paper, dimensional chipboard, and gemstones.  Her skirt is made of blue tulle, and black and light blue double face ribbon.



The second wall hanging is also approximately 3  1/2' tall from the top of her hot pink organza and black decorative ribbon bow, to the bottom of her tulle skirt.  She is painted with pink acrylic on the back and hips, and the bodice is decorated with a black fabric with flowers and butterflies, aqua colored double face satin ribbon, and a flower button.  Her skirt is made of pink tulle, aqua double faced ribbon, and hot pink organza ribbon.  There is a black ribbon with white decorative daisies on that surrounds her waist. 

I have one more Lady to share with you, but I think I'll save her for tomorrow's post.  Sweet dreams!





Magazine Lady.........

No, I didn't design a Magazine Lady.........now that would be funny.  Actually, I am a magazine lady, at least that's what some people call me.  When I'm not "working" at designing ladies I'm putting out the latest and greatest magazines as a magazine merchandiser.  It's hard work, but I'm thankful for the job.  Not only am I thankful because it's difficult to find a job these days, but I'm also thankful because my job has introduced me to hundreds of women that have inspired me to follow my dream and be an artist.  If I were not a magazine merchandiser I may never have met all of the talented women featured in my favorite magazine, "Where Women Create."  From the moment my eyes fell upon this beautiful magazine I was "in love!"  The magazine features women and their creative work spaces.  With every article I read I thought, "This is what I want to do."  It went from "This is what I want to do" to "This is what I'm GOING to do!"  And the rest is history in the making.   This has been the "up" side to magazine merchandising.

Now for the "down" side........and actually, it's not really a down side, it's the reality side.  Week after week I look at the covers of the magazines I put out and think of all the women that will look at them and think, "I'll never look like that," or "I want to look like that," or maybe, "I'll do ANYTHING to look like that!"  And then I'm sure there are women that think, "I sure don't want my husband (or boyfriend) looking AT that!"  How do we escape the trap of not measuring up?  It's not easy!  For me, knowing that I have a heavenly Father that loves me like no other, and a Creator that made me just like I am, makes all the difference in the world.  I have not "arrived," it's a journey, but the more time I spend looking into the face of my Jesus, the more I like the face I see when I look into the mirror.

While I walk on the treadmill I like to listen to a CD by Mandisa.  I find her music empowering.  I would like to share the words to one of the songs with you.  This is from my heart to yours.  I pray that it ministers to you as it has to me.

The Definition of Me

Everybody's got an opinion of what they want me to be
Everybody's got a condition that I may never meet

So tired of looking in the mirror, it always always says the same thing
I want to be about something different, something more than the mirror can see

Like joy, peace, alive in me
When it comes to my identity

I want the love, I want the light, I want the beauty on the inside
I want the One that you can't see to be the definition of me
More than the face, more than the girl, more than the voice, more than the world
I want the truth that I believe to be the definition of me

Pretty is cool for a minute, but it always fades away
Trends are hot for a second, they'll be gone the very next day
So before you get lost in the moment, let's get one thing clear
Only love will last forever, that's the reason that we're here

It's up to you 'cause everybody's looking
Who do you want them to see?

I want the love, I want the light, I want the beauty on the inside
I want the One that you can't see to be the definition of me
More than the face, more than the girl, more than the voice, more than the world
I want the truth that I believe to be the definition of me

This past Friday we had a very special guest come and speak to the students at our school.  She is the reigning Mrs. Washington.  The students were touched by her testimony, but mostly by the warmth and love that she extended to them.  She is definitely beautiful on the outside, but she is defined by her inner beauty which far exceeds what the eye can see.  I'm sure her life will impact many, I know it did our Molly.



Sunday blessings to you all!  I've been painting away and will post pictures either later on today or tomorrow.



Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Photo shoot.........

Over the weekend Jim and I took some photo's of the Ladies.  There is one that you haven't met yet and I would like to introduce you to her.


This Lady of reflection is a shelf sitter, perfect for displaying necklaces, or scarves.  Want to see how you look in that beautiful necklace?  Then simply look into her lovely mirrored face. 

We had fun experimenting with different effects on our photo's.  Here are a few...........


This last one is fun.  I took it on my dining room table.  It's one Lady looking at her reflection in the other Lady's face.


Off to make dinner!  Have a wonderful evening!