Glow

I feel like I have 1000 thoughts buzzing through my mind. They all want to explode out onto this blog as one massive deep thought...BUT all of those thoughts must have bottle necked because that one massive, deep thought is not here yet!

I've spent alot of my free time lately trying to nurse Bliss back to health. When he's sleeping I am finding time to paint or read or pray. All the things I need to and love to do, but dont seem to find just enough time for.

I just finished a book called "Heaven is for Real". It is about a 4 year old boy who went to heaven during surgery, and later tells his parents everything he saw. There were so many parallels in this book that mirrored my situation with Bliss. Just from the stress and struggles of caring for a sick one, to the unknown, to  the miraculous outpouring of emotional and financial love from friends and family. Somehow this book acted as a comforting reminder of God's love for me.

The book also talked about how many colors there are in Heaven. It sounds AMAZING! So I was inspired with this weeks painting. In the midst of life there are always gonna be dark days. Things we dont understand. But like a cooling summer breeze, God's presence is weaving its way in and around us while we  struggle to stand on our darkest days.
This is a mixed media painting on canvas with everything from spraypaint to latex paint, acrylic and watercolor. The dark texture in the back was back from layers of spraypaint and droplets of acetone.
I then layered vibrant strokes of watercolor over the top to give off the colorful glowing effect.
This painting is titled "GLOW" - 7" x  9" and is available for $35 (free shipping). If its for you, send an email to melissa@lisscatcreations.com.

Also, thank you to all of you who helped with Bliss. He was doing better, but now is not feeling quite him self again. Healing prayers are still appreciated! :-) Hope you all got your cards that "he" sent out out this week too!

Be Still...

When I stop and just be still, I can breathe easier. I remember why I love God, and why having quiet time is so important and necessary. I am reminded how I love creating artwork that will encourage, inspire, and bless people, even if I don't always know it.

Tonight, Sunday night, I decided to turn off the radio, tv, and computer, dim the lights, light the fireplace, grab a book and cup of hot tea and just BE STILL.

I read a chapter about "never underestimate the power of a seed". Its a true miracle how a tiny little seed can be planted inches below the earth and against gravity and all else, it sprouts up and pushes away the weight of the dirt and moves upward into the light.

 We all need to plant a seed within the people we are in contact with everyday. A smile, a kind word, or a hug may be the fertilizer someone needs to help them push away the weight of the world, and grow with joy.

That was always my intention with my cards and paintings. To encourage people to smile, feel loved and grow, chasing after their dreams! 

The painting above is from my "Be Still" series, based on Psalm 46:10 (Be still and know that I am God). I hope that it will bring you peace tonight as we get ready to move into the last week of January. 

As I always try to remind myself, don't be afraid to encourage the people around. You never know when your smile, or the card you give them, or the hug you wrap them in will be what they needed to get through the day.

The painting above is available for $35 and 10% will be donated to this month's charity, the Humane Society. E-mail Melissa@lisscatcreations.com if you are interested.

Pick Me! Read Me!

Ok, can anyone tell me where this year has gone? Its mid November and a blog post is well overdue! Let me first tell you about my newest Lisscat Creation... the "Pick Me" hand painted card (pictured above).
Did you know, roughly, there are 147 million orphans world wide. Thats a lot of sweet kiddos out there with out families to call their own. I go through days where I think I have it rough, then I think about these kids out there.
It kinda breaks my heart, and i truly respect the lovely people out there who care for, feed, and shelter these orphans. That is why we are donating to the organization, 147 Million Orphans. This was started by two very passionate women, who between them have 13 kids, including both national and international adoptions. They are amazing women, and have done so much work to help feed and find homes for orphans worldwide! check out 147 Million Orphans here!

So I just returned from a book reading event for the book, "Bittersweet" by Shauna Niequist. She is a breath of fresh air! She is so real, and so very supportive and encouraging of people living out their dreams by their God given abilities. Her writings have inspired me multiple times to continue making my art, at times when I may have been overwhelmed with doubt or discouragement. And yes, I will admit, though I am not a crier at all, her words of encouragement have brought me to tears ( happy tears of course!) If you havent yet read them, I'd encourage you to go out and read "Cold Tangerines" and "Bittersweet". :-)

So as you go into this weekend and Thanksgiving week, stay encouraged. Live in the moment, and remember God gave you your gift for a reason, so dont be afraid to use it!

Also don't forget to get your hand painted "Pick Me" cards now. $5 of every card sold will be donated to 147 Million Orphans. Click here to get your card now!

PINK....is the new HOPE

As many of your may have noticed, it is October. And with that comes cool weather, beautifully colored landscapes, warm apple cider...and Breast Cancer Awareness month!

I spent a lot of time trying to find a good charity to give back to this month. And then God laid it in front of me to help to find a cure for breast cancer! It seems that everyone has been effected, or atleast knows someone who has been effected by cancer. So for all those of you who have dealt with this, my prayers go out to you. I hope that this week's painting will help to give you the hope and peace you need to keep pushing forward. 
I would encourage you to send this to someone who may need a pick-me-up, or a little hope to keep on living!
Just a reminder that no matter how rocky your journey seems, God is with you the whole way, and in only an amazing way that He could plan, there is a special purpose lying for you down the road.

Each hand painted card is only $15.00 and $5 of that will be donated directly back to charity to help fight breast cancer. For  those confusing legal reasons, I am not allowed to  mention the charity's name but they are extremely well known and the initials are SGK. Trust me, your donation will be going towards a good cause. 

Please consider getting one and sending someone a smile in this new fall season!


Click here to get your "A Shade of Hope" painting for Breast Cancer.

www.lisscatcreations.com/cards 

Truth Hoots, yeh you read it right!

I always felt like I was different while I was in school. Not because I had some super powers, or was incredibly smart, but because I loved God. It seems like not many Christians populate in art school, especially in south Florida.
Of course God did bless me with some awesome friends during that time. But I'd say my one regret in college was that I didnt get more involved. It was hard to find a group of people that had similar morals to my own.
Sometimes ya just want some one to come up to you and make you feel welcome.

That's why the group that Lisscat Creations is sponsoring touches pretty close to my heart.
This month I created a fun card called "Truth Hoots." $5 of every card purchased will be going to support a college ministry group called Intervarsity. (Specifically proceeds will help the Intervarsity chapter at Marquette University in Wisconsin.)
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is an evangelical campus mission working with more than 32,000 students and faculty on approximately 550 college and university campuses. Their goal is to transform lives, renew the campus, and change the world. I think its pretty awesome that this group is trying to encourage students, not only in their walk of faith, but to help change the world for the better.
As I always say, sometimes it just takes a smile, or another small nice gesture to turn some ones day around.

So, if you are college student, were a college student, love God, like owls, or your favorite color is blue, then you have a good reason to get the newest hand painted Lisscat Creations card now. Then send it to a friend, and feel good that you made them smile, while helping to other organizations (Lisscat Creations and InterVarsity).
"Truth Hoots" is depicted above, and is available only $15 at www.lisscatcreations.com/cards 

Blessings, love you all, and thanks for the support!

Mending Melissa

This week's random blog title brought to you courtesy of my dear friend Alyssa who told me "glad you are on the mend." I hadn't heard this phrase before, but apparently its an old saying to wish someone well.

Anyway, I am mending right now after a crazy week last week. I was admitted to the hospital Sunday night before Memorial Day and had gotten 2 emergency surgeries within the next couple of days. What I had thought was 'indigestion' turned out to be a very serious case of desperately needing my gall bladder out. I am home now, recovering slowly, but surely. Thank you to everyone for the prayers and support. It means the world!

So needless to say I didnt have too productive of a week, artistically speaking. (But hey, I think I have an excuse!) I did however, make a Father's Day card, titled "Blue Star Dad". This card can be purchased at Lisscat Creations.com and remember, 10% of all orders will go back to charity. For right now, we are still raising money to help the Nashville flood victims.
If you need a gift for Dad, this is a personal piece that he will love. You can pick up a frame from your local craft store, personalize the card, and now hes got not only a unique card, but also a framed piece of art. Just throwing out some suggestions for you guys....
So while in the hospital, I started to get overwhelmed with the upcoming very expensive medical bills that would soon be arriving in my mail box. I had just made an agreement with my bosses to cut down my hours at work so that I could have more time to focus on my art. I started to worry a little bit, thinking I would have to pick up extra hours again to pay off these bills, once again pushing my art stuff back. BUT, no matter how big and bad and scary those bills are, I still have it in my heart that God wants me creating these cards. So I'm going to stick with my plan to keep my hours cut, and give my art the much needed time it deserves. I am trusting God that he will provide, and bring me through, even though realistically, it doesnt make sense it my head.
Dont let yourself be consumed by your circumstances. Be thankful for your health, your talents, your gifts, the people around you. If all is looking dark, try to turn your efforts to something positive that you love. You dont have to have it all figured out. Just keep believing and keep pushing forward.

2-Ply, or not 2-Ply...

To follow up with last week's post....its SCARY to put yourself out there, to take that risk and share your dream with no guarantee that support will follow. But I did it...its been a slow but steady start. With all of your help, we've already raised $41 dollars to help Nashville flood victims! Thanks to everyone who has supported this effort. As news of the flooding starts to fade from the headlines, please know that the clean up effort here is a continuous long term project, and anything we can give back is a huge help right now.

So I feel that in taking that big scary leap last week, God really blessed me! I received an email last week from someone by the name of Ashley. She worked for Quilted Northern and had come across my post about wanting to upgrade my toilet paper. Only a few days later, I recieved a huge box of Quilted Northern toilet paper. And as if heavenly softness of 2-ply was not enough, they threw in a pack of 3-ply toilet paper. I didnt even know they made 3-ply!
A few days later, I get an email stating that I have won a VIP concert package to meet John Tesh. For someone who never wins anything, this was an awesome surprise! John Tesh is not only an amazing musician and radio host, but has been one of the driving forces inspiring me to go after my dreams. If you know anything about this guy, he's all for spreading positivity, and sharing your dreams and talents to help other people. So, looks like pretty soon I'm gonna get a chance to tell him he has been a huge encouragement, and then enjoy an awesome concert, dinner, soundcheck and who knows what else.
You can check out the silly picture that helped me win here..... http://tesh.com/ittrium/visit?path=A1x97x1y1x2264x1x65y1x1ee97x1x65y1x1ee9ax1x83
So then, just so God could be funny, I get another email from the John Tesh team saying I won another contest for free cereal bars, and an IPod Nano!
Maybe some people would pass that off as just luck. But I fully believe this was one of God's creative ways to bless me for taking a risk, and trusting Him with my dreams!

All these little blessings have been nice. They kept me going this week. I pray the cards have found a way to bless the lives of each of you who have received one or purchased one this week. 

So big thanks to Quilted Northern for providing some awesome toilet paper, the John Tesh team for making my week awesome with the 2 contests I won, and last but not least, God, for fulfilling your promise that when we trust you, you will provide everything and more than we could ever want! :-)

As always, thanks for reading and stay blessed!

Standing on the edge...

You've worked for hours, days, years climbing that steep mountain. Each step was a struggle, a lesson learned, an opportunity to grow. You are so close to the peak that you can already imagine breathing in that crisp air of success. And suddenly, out of nowhere, is the ledge. You catch your balance looking over the edge of the cliff at the vast beauty spread out before you. This is the moment you've waited for, all you have to do is jump.
Suddenly the view seems a little too high, and the air is a little too thin. You knees feel weak and all you want to do is slink back down the mountain on to flat, stable, dependable ground.

I wonder how many people have felt this way. They work all their life chasing a dream and when opportunity is laid out before them, they shy away. I know that this has been and is a struggle for me. I've talked to several other 'creative' people this week who face the same struggle. Its hard to think about, its hard to talk about. We would rather slink away from our dreams, than have to face our fears.

Art is it for me. The ability to create art is something God instilled in me since as young as I can remember. It makes me happy, really happy. It frustrates me, and challenges me in ways that constantly keep me growing and learning. There's no bigger joy for me than seeing a smile on someone's face as they look over a painting I've given them. If I could, I would just create just for the fun of it, and give just to see people smile. So in a sense, its hard for me to put my work out there and accept money when people want to buy it...because in all honesty, I'd do it for free.
But I am learning something, God gave me an ability, just like he's given you an ability, that no one else has. We can create and do unique things that bring other people joy. So its OK to put your work out there and try to make a living off of it. There is no rule, that you must hate what you do in order to earn money. Its a blessing to be a blessing in other peoples lives.
So how does all this tie in personally... I just recently activated paypal on my website, so yes, that means that people can finally buy my cards. And after all the flooding in Nashville, I felt blessed to be safe, and wanted to find a way to give back. So one late night, I created a card, called "River of Hope." I am donating $5.00 of every card purchase directly back to help the Nashville flood victims. In all honestly, I am pretty happy with how the card came out. But there are always those doubts in the back of your mind that tell you "People wont buy that", or "there's already so many people raising money out there, no one will want to donate through your cards." Yeh, its scary to come out and admit that fear of rejection or failure. But there it is, all laid out. Now what?
I wrote this honest post, not to guilt you into buying my cards, but to let you know whats going on in my head. I think alot of people can relate to it. Just remember when you have a dream, God put it there for a reason, so OF COURSE there are going to be voices from the enemy trying to bring you down. Just do what you love, support others, and just remember, if you hear those voices, you are not alone. People can't tell you how much they love your stuff, if you don't show them.
So thank you to everyone who took the 'jump' and risked it all. You are an inspiration to us all and God is surely using your gifts to bless.
I am attaching a picture of the Nashville Relief card. For more information about the card or purchasing, please go to www.lisscatcreations.com.  Let me know what you think. And please keep praying for Nashville.
Thank you for reading. Stay blessed! :-)

Open Waters...

Doesn't life sometimes feel like your out in the middle of the open waters. You're doing everything you can to stay afloat despite the waves and squalls surrounding you.
These past couple of weeks have felt that way emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Each wave is another thing, chore, responsibility, decision that is calling for our attention.
Trust me, I am blessed, and thankful for my job, the people in my life, and the places I have to go to. But anything, even good things, when there's too much of it calling for your attention, can be draining.
Every week I try to post a positive blog, to inspire people. In all honesty, its difficult to post positive things when life seems so crazy and uncertain.
So hopefully you who are reading this can relate, and feel good that other people are experiencing this too.
So for now, I'll take a deep breath, get ready for another week, and stand firmly behind my faith that God is good, and will direct my steps.
This painting is one I did a few years ago appropriately titled "Open Waters".

Special delivery...

OK, first off, please forgive my tardiness with this post. My computer's been kinda ill, making it hard to get online and update this blog!

Do you like magic? Do you like how something can seemingly appear out of nowhere? Well, in a way, that's how God works, except on a much higher, holier level of course! :-)
Did you know the word "creator" literally means "one who makes something out of nothing."
How many times have you felt like "nothing"...like you weren't making a difference, or like you have nothing special to contribute to this world? I think we've all been down in that pit before.
We have to remember this:
God is not only our Heavenly Father, our Savior, our friend... but our CREATOR. No matter how little or nothing you feel about yourself, God can make something out of you. Most of the time, he uses us to impact the lives of others, when we don't even realize He's doing it!
So saying this as a reminder to myself as well, please please please go out and LIVE, pursue your DREAMS! You never know how God is going to use you to turn someone else' day around.

This week's image is a card for one of my sweet friends who just gave birth to her first baby.
Congrats to the Taylor family on the birth of little Stephanie Rose!

New Year, New Attitude

So it's 2010...Happy New Year to you all!
I personally am choosing to call this year "twenty-ten"...it just sounds cool!
And I am also choosing to keep God's grace alive this year. When we are fearful, we lose so many opportunities to see our lives be blessed.
So for this new year, my goal is to bring you something ENCOURAGING, INSPIRING, or BLESSED every week. It may be a quote, one of my paintings, a photograph, etc.... but the point is to help you stop, reflect, and hopefully smile.
(I bet this will end up being unexpected inspiration for me too!) Please feel free to add your comments or thoughts so we can keep God's grace flowing together!

"So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" Mark 11:24

Though it can be hard, uncomfortable, or even akward to come to God with our bold requests, we must come to him boldly! I beleive the true dreams that we each hold in our hearts, is for a reason. God placed those specific dreams in you specific heart for his greater plan. As you start this new year, remember your dreams, and remember that God loves you enough to listen and IN HIS TIMING, answer those prayers.
This weeks image is a custom card I made in '09 for Mr. Brian Littrell.

Thankful for a sick day

Today I am thankful for being home sick! I know, I know, not a usual thing to be thankful for, but it was a day away from the office that I was able to rest and think.

I had some much needed time to talk to God. I told him how I want to really LIVE my life. I am sick of being afraid to take chances on my dreams.

I want to inspire and encourage people (especially through my artwork). I want to find a strong church family and meet new people. I want to share my gifts, thoughts, and insights...really impact someone's life in a positive way. I want to travel. I want to sing, laugh, and cry in public without holding back. I cant wait to meet the man I will marry. I excited to plan my own wedding and help plan my sister's wedding. I cant wait to start a family and be an aunty to my sisters kids.

God knows all my dreams. I am trusting him to grant me those, otherwise why would he have put them on my heart.

But for now, until all these dreams come to pass, I want to enjoy the simple things in life...

...raindrops...

...rainbows...

...thunderstorms...

...laughter...

...colors...

...music...

...answered prayers...

...chocolate...

...crisp fall weather...

...a warm cup of tea...

...animals...

...hugs...

...giving...

...etc...