Playing around can be successful

So last week I shared my excitement over the shopping trip to the art store. This week I just wanted to share some of the results of last weeks' "play time".
I have had it on my heart for a long time to make these cards, and get them out there. The making them part is fairly easy (other than trying to find the time!)...its the 'getting them out there' part that seems to be hard for me.
Last week I was particularly motivated to create, and stayed up late to finish some cards for a few co-workers. I just wanted to take the time to say "thank you" to them for who they are, and let them know how blessed I am to work with them.
Coincidentally (or not) a lot or drama and hurt feelings broke out in the workplace the day after the day after I handed out the cards. This is the second time I felt pushed to get the cards out to people, right before a chaotic event broke out.
Now part of me wants to think, "Ok last time I give cards to people! They are bad luck!" But it in my right mind, I know God had me create these for a reason. I am not sure how or if the cards helped those involved in the drama last week, but I do trust that God will use them to bring some healing and comfort. After all, that's why I created Lisscat Creations...everyone needs a pick-me-up now and then.
Go do something nice for someone this week. Don't wait until a chaotic event to happen. What you do might just brighten their day, or give them the strength they need on stormy day.

Play Time

Just had the most fun, thrilling, exciting experience of my life.... just got back from the ART STORE!!! (Ok, so maybe I am exaggerating a little bit).

But come on, I'm sure everyone can remember a time when they were a kid, and just received the newest coolest, most awesome toy, or maybe they got their first puppy! There is that overwhelming excitement that takes over, and for me, a successful shopping trip to the art store really does it for my 26 year old self. :-)

It's so interesting how we are wired. The things God instilled in us that really make us tick. What are yours?

Part of the reason I started the cards at Lisscat Creations was to inspire people.
The stamps I just got at the art store (which were also on clearance by the way) are all about words of encouragement, passion, excitement, and all the other way's God shows his loving existence to us over and over again.

So...I leave you with this... What are you passions, the things that make you YOU? Go re-discover them, and spend a little time letting yourself have some pure fun. After all play time, isnt just for kids!

This week's pic is the outcome of my successful trip to the art store. Hopefully soon I'' have some pics of the art that came out of it. :-)

Till next week, 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!

happy accidents...

Do you ever have those days where you realllllyy realllly want to be productive, but all you can do is sit there and beg the universe to instill some form of creativity or inspiration in you?!

...Well that about sums up my last week on the creative front!

I wracked my brain all week trying to find not only the time and energy, but the right creative designs for the cards. As much as I was loving painting, it felt like pulling teeth trying to conjure up the 'right' images. I repeatedly asked myself what everyone else would want to see on the cards.

Now dont get me wrong, its good to ask yourself what you audience wants to see...but its not so good when you spend more time thinking, than you do imagining, and creating!

Finally frustrated, I found some scrap watercolor paper (although any part of a sheet of $6 watercolor paper should not be considering a scrap!!). I broke out the 'good' tubes of watercolor paint, put on some good music and just p-a-i-n-t-e-d! And needless to say, the result was pretty cool! It was a breathe of fresh air to play with the colors, draw fun shapes, and create some kind of abstract world that could really give reality a run for its money.

So I guess I can wrap up with this...What is it that you LOVE to do? Whether its painting, singing, acting, reading, playing sports, etc... dont put so much pressure on yourself to conform to what you think everyone wants to see....just do it because you love it. You never know when your 'happy accidents' might be the spark that some one needs to light up their day.

This weeks picture is a close up of one of the cards I made last week....just vibrant colors, fun shapes...a little escape....enjoy!

A little HOPE FOR HAITI

It seems like every day we get so caught up in the routine, the 9-5's, taking care of the many items that yank at our attention. These things that sometimes cause us to become frustrated and cranky instead of thankful and giving.

That is until our eyes are opened by a devastation.

We have all seen the haunting images and sad stories departing from Haiti this week after the earthquake. I won't recall all the horror these people have had to live through, but I do want to just stop, and take a minute to pray for these people.

The last week I have been sick with some kinda not-so-fun stomach bug, and yeh, not loving life.

I have this tendency to work really hard. Sure that doesnt sound like a bad thing, but when you begin not taking care of yourself and letting yourself get so worn down that you get sick, that isn't healthy. So after working a crazy long day, pushing pushing pushing, I got some kinda sick!

And really, I beleive that was not from God, but I beleive He allowed it to happen as a reminder for me to SLOW DOWN, and remember everything else that is important in my life.

I shouldnt stress because I can't get everything checked off my "to-do" list that day. I should be thankful for the time I do have and enjoy the things and people I can, while I can....

You never know when a major earthquake or other tragedy will strike, and you will beg God for that comfort of all those peices that made up your life.

I hope this post makes sense (still not 100% from the bug) but I can say this...

I hope that you'll stop for a minute...thank God for what you do have, and ask him with an open heart how you can help others who may not have so much right now.

The picture I chose for this week is a photo

(credit to http://unambig.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/).

Just a little reminder that through life's storms and dark clouds, there will always be a rainbow. Sometimes its so faint, that you'll almost miss it, but just have Faith that God has got bigger plans for us all!

Prayers and love going out to Haiti!

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.