This past weekends message at church was all about "Standing Courageously For the Truth" and if you were there or watched it on-line then you know it was jammed packed with ALOT of things and it would take me 74 blog posts to cover it, so in a nut shell, here it is...
This is a hot topic right now in our little home sweet home because TODAY, Jack is going to be learning about "Conspiracy Theory's" in his "History Through Film" class.
Again, TRUTH MATTERS and as a parent I have to reinforce that. Does an 11th grader with an open mind need to learn about conspiracy theory's? Maybe, maybe not...but I am going to stop here because I could be walking into a can of worms..and I do not like worms, especially those big gross green disney-character looking ones that eat tomatoes.
So back to the message..just a little more...
it all takes courage.
Something I personally battle with DAILY, sometimes...HOURLY!
There it is...the Truth about me. (I suppose that was courage right there by admitting that to you..) You might not know it or think it if you are around me, but it is there, more than ever and I tell you, ever since I "FULLY SURRENDERED" that damn red suited guy likes to sprinkle my day with doubt, anxiety and anything else he can muster up to toss in my path.. Sometimes I can karate chop it away..and sometimes I can't and that is what I am working on. (It is okay, you can call me a "fraddy cat.")
The thing that helps me get through this crap (and it is crap) is prayer and art. The more anxiety, the HARDER it is to get up, but I make myself do it...and the more powerful I create. This is yesterdays harvest:
I am finding comfort, peace and meaning through my art and I want to suggest that if you are in a spot that is not comfortable..try creating. Many times I just work on getting the base of a project down so that when I am inspired, I can go out and create HEart.
I am using old marquee letters as my base. I start by layering on tissue wrap and dictionary paper using Glue-n-Seal. Make sure to dry....
Then I add swipes of crackle paint
and while those are set aside, I use color wash and distress stain to add color to dictionary paper so that I can tear out hearts
and just those steps starts to take the crap away...then when I am ready to create, I have all of the pieces and parts I need to create a piece of HEart!
Thank-you Stephanie. Your sharing blessed me!
Posted by: Hope Amen | September 13, 2012 at 07:24 AM
Love your post today Stephanie, so inspiring and encouraging for me as I deal with the same thing. I'm taking your advice and creating HEart. I love it! Blessing, Ginger
Posted by: Ginger Labry | September 13, 2012 at 07:26 AM
{{{{{BIG}}}}}} HUGGGGGSSSS and THANKS for being my Soul Sister in a big PA Heart kinda way! I am getting rid of "Crap" too and sticking by the truth!!!
Posted by: Staci Shuck | September 13, 2012 at 08:27 AM
Your blog is an inspiration. Why do we doubt ourselves, ugh. Yes, Courage Courage Courage!! Thank you for sharing. Truly.
Posted by: Tiffany | September 13, 2012 at 08:29 AM
Love your post today. Please call text or email me a time thats good for you. Lets make a date to create together! Oh, love you too!
Posted by: deena Ziegler | September 13, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Stephanie is was wonderful to visit your blog home today. A very thought provoking message... I think as budding or established artists we always doubt and are often highly critical of our own work... we need to always be BRAVE and have the COURAGE and CONFIDENCE to step outside the comfort zones, not be scared to venture into new things and just CREATE beautiful HeArt from our souls... that will bring peace and joy to ourselves and others around us. Bring on CREATIVITY!!
have a gorgeous day filled with creativity and inspiration
Posted by: Darlene Carroll | September 13, 2012 at 05:14 PM
YOU are amazing! Amazing writer, truth teller and artist! This post was really a blessing to me. I needed to hear it again and to hear that someone else, like yourself, goes through the same doubting crap sometimes. Prayer helps me too....it's just that sometimes the little red deceiving guy is relentless in the area of messing with my mind and making me think I'm a looser! But my Heavenly Father flips him to the curb when I stop and ask HIM to.
It is so awesome that you shared your tutorial here. Your art is beautiful and I just learned so many how to's from your tutorial. Thank Y♥U!!
♥Lee Ann
Posted by: Lee Ann G. | September 15, 2012 at 11:51 AM