Word Art Wednesday - February 8, 2012

"I know my Redeemer lives" Job 19:25 is this week's free word art passage at Word Art Wednesday. It begs the question, what is a redeemer?


It's a saviour, deliverer, rescuer, saver, according to Miriam Webster's dictionary's synonyms (which were far more helpful than the definition itself!). 


The One who fulfills the role is Jesus. And I do know He lives because He lives in me! (Galatians 2:20) And because He lives, I can face tomorrow! (Truly! Read the lyrics as you listen to the song at that link.)


I did two pieces of art for this verse simply because I didn't like the first one. I wanted an art journal feel to it, so I used some bits and pieces of things I'd done before, but never used in a piece of art. I started by printing the verse on lined paper, and used a background I created while working through The Artistic Mother, as well as an image transfer I'd made and coloured ages ago. But there was really no rhyme nor reason to what I was doing, and I think that's why I wasn't really happy with the results.There is, of course, a place for that kind of art, but I want my WAW pieces to be purposeful and significant. 

I stamped over the poor little one's face!!!

So, since DD9 was happily painting away beside me and seemed nowhere near being "done," (she was playing with paint, not really creating anything in particular)  I decided to try again. I still used stuff from my stash, including the background paper and the woven paper, which DD9 and I created together more than a year ago. I chose that particular background paper because I was still going for the haphazard, vibrant colours that I so often see in art journals. I used the woven paper because of what I said about my Redeemer above -- He lives in me -- our lives are intertwined. It's His Life that sparkles in mine -- represented by the glittery "r." And those three gems at the top? They represent my triune God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit :) The stitching and bead are just decorative ;) 

I definitely like my second piece better. What do you think?


If you would like to enjoy the pleasure (and it really is a pleasure) of participating in the Word Art Wednesday Challenge, please link up with us! You might just win something pretty from Fred She Said.


Also -- tomorrow is the beginning of our Valentine's Blog Hop! Be sure to check out the work of the WAW Design Team and some of the members of Stampin' Sisters in Christ. 

Crayola Creativity

DD14 banished herself to the basement yesterday and threatened anyone who came near while she gave life to her creations. She was inspired by some examples she'd seen online of crayons glued to a canvas, then heated to create wonderful drips of colour. 


Here is her first attempt, with which she was dissatisfied because it turned out so dark. I think it's pretty:

In her second attempt, I notice that she payed attention to the labels on the crayons. It's pretty, too! 

Have you found any creative new uses for crayons?

Clone*Mart

Clone*Mart -- Where Clones Buy Stuff


DS13, Lego lover that he is, created "Clone*Mart -- Where Clones Buy Stuff" (to be read with a British accent):

This is the dude that buys EVERYTHING. "Every store has one." The guy with the bag is buying soap. Just soap.

Silver mannequin. 

Personally, I'm rather glad there's no Clone*Mart in my neighbourhood! But I'm grateful DS13 is using his imagination and taking delight in his creations.


Not to be outdone, after I posted this, DS5 created his own "store" -- complete with a pool that has bombs in it. Nice.

Notice the body parts floating in the bomb-embedded pool. Apparently someone blew up. 

Boy brains. I don't understand them :{


I'm not liking the violent imagery -- but I AM enjoying the peaceful play in which my boys are engaging together! 

Word Art Wednesday - February 1, 2012

This week's Word Art Wednesday Challenge verse is Nehemiah 8:10 -- "The joy of the Lord is my strength."

Does that verse sound odd to you? Shouldn't it be the other way around -- "the strength of the Lord is my joy"?


And yet it's not. Truly, the JOY of the Lord is our STRENGTH. This truth has certainly been proven in my life these last few months. In spite of my circumstances -- being diagnosed with aggressive cancer -- being hospitalized for weeks at a time -- getting a dangerous infection in my blood -- undergoing toxic treatments that take their toll on my body -- in spite of all these facts of my life, I have found joy in my relationship with Christ, and that has been my strength! 


Am I always happy? No. I have my down days. But underlying any doom or gloom that might invade my mind, my heart knows joy. It's only because of Him. And that deeply penetrating joy is my strength to endure whatever He walks me through. 


But the challenge for me was how to represent all this in a piece of art! What I finally decided upon was an image of a woman that is also an oak tree. An oak is known for its strength, and the woman's "arms" are outstretched in joyful praise like the branches of a mighty oak tree. (I added printed images of oak leaves so you'd know it's an oak tree, not just any old kind of tree -- and to add some colour ;) I wish I'd succeeded in making the woman's face a little more joyful looking -- but perhaps I just mean "happy," which isn't necessarily joyful anyway -- so I won't worry. 

Have you found joy? 


Word Art Wednesday is proving to be a real blessing to many. Perhaps you'd like to join in? If you do, you have chance to win something lovely from Heart and Soul Rubber Stamp Co. . I do hope you'll join us!