Inspired by . . . an embrace

Bonnie's prompt for this month's Photo Art Friday is: EMBRACE

 

"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." ~ Audrey Hepburn

 

The figurine in this image is Willow Tree's Promise figurine. My husband gave it to me for my birthday. If you're familiar with Willow Tree you know that the figurines have no facial features. They don't need to. Looking at this figurine you can clearly see the tenderness in the couple's embrace. This man cherishes his wife, and in turn, his wife trusts him.

It is a beautiful example of my husband's love for me, and mine for him. He could not have picked a better gift.

I combined this image with a picture of the carnelian heart we bought, together, for our anniversary. It's a beautiful stone, with real value. Another symbol of our love for each other.

Together with Bonnie's lovely Aged Vignette texture I think they make an intriguing collage.

For those who are interested, I listed my process below.  Please take a moment to check out the other art in the gallery.

 

With gratitude,

 

Layer 1 - embrace image 64% opacity
adjusted levels/brightness
Layer 2 - Bonnie's Aged Vignette (exclusion 100%)
Layer 3 - embrace image 33% fill / 76% opacity
Layer 4 - heart image
Layer 5 - Aged Vignette color burn 100%

 

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Inspired by . . . gratitude

Fall is one of my favorite times of year and, if you know me, you know it's not because of the cooler temperatures!

For me it has always been a time of reflection. A pause, if you will, before the  headlong rush into the holidays. Nature herself reflects this as many plants die and animals prepare for hibernation during the winter months.

 

Textured with Kim's quest texture

 

While many of us are far removed from doing any literal "harvesting" {we've done our "harvesting" all year long}, I think taking this time to reflect on that "harvest" is beneficial. Focusing on what we've been blessed with, rather than what we lack, is good not only for us spiritually but physically as well.

 

Textured with Kim's 2110 texture

 

I think we could all agree that a heart and mind filled with gratitude is much healthier than one filled with discontent.

That's why I'm so excited about this upcoming bible study being offered by Good Morning Girls!

 

Good Morning Girls exists to inspire, encourage and equip women all over the world to get into God’s Word through their online community. They utilize social media to keep individuals connected and encouraged. Each group can choose how they want to stay connected; via Facebook, Twitter, email, etc.

They're offering two "mini" {two week} studies over the next couple of months and the first one is. . . you guessed it!

 

 

If you've never done an online study with GMG before -  like me! I think this is a great way to get our feet wet! Not only that, but this study is the perfect opportunity to focus our hearts and minds on that for which we should truly be thankful.

 

Will you join me?

 

I'll be posting my insights here during the course of the study, and I've created a closed group on Facebook where members of our group can safely post comments and encourage each other throughout the study. {Only members can post and see what has been posted.}

The main point of being part of a group is accountability. Members will be encouraged to check in each day, comment and encourage other group members, but how much each member participates will be up to them.

If you're interested, or have questions please email me directly or leave a comment below. I will contact you with more information, the free study materials, whatever you need to get started!

 

With Gratitude,

 

 

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Inspired by. . . a safe place

Since I last posted about Kitty I've learned that she has a condition called cerebellar hypoplasia. Thankfully, and this was one of my main concerns, the condition does not worsen with age. I already knew she wasn't in any pain (also a main concern) and I was able to confirm that as well.

 

Knowing that she can't easily defend herself against predators or unwelcome guests (i.e. male cats), I started researching cat enclosures. Talk about sticker shock!  I'm in the wrong business, that's for sure ~ha!  Just when I was about to give up, I found this website:

Catandcaboodle.com and their ingenious idea for a "homemade" cat enclosure!

 

 

Kitty was a bit skeptical at first, but once I started putting the panels together she became interested!

 

 

The panels went together easily, and I had the enclosure complete in a couple of hours.

 

 

The kitty house I'd ordered came the next day. It has a thermostat controlled heating pad for those cool Texas nights, and an opening on both ends for safety. It's also waterproof. During inclement weather, we put a cover over half of the enclosure for added protection. It's very warm & cozy!

 

 

I leave the enclosure open during the day so Kitty can get plenty of exercise, although she never goes more than a few feet away from the house. At night I close her in to keep her safe from unwelcome visitors. We get lots of cuddle time during the day.

If you've been looking for an economical cat enclosure I encourage you to check out the catandcaboodle website.  They have three pages of pictures showing many variations in design. Mine is very basic compared to what most people have done. If you build one, drop me a note, I'd love to see what you come up with!

 

Have a wonder-filled day!

 

 

 

 

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Inspired by. . . what we found

. . . in Eureka Springs.

 

A unique & comfortable place to stay – corner room 4th floor

Textured with Bonnie's etched in stone texture

 

 

One of three steam engines to survive the building of the Panama canal.

Textured with Kim's the ladder texture

 

 

The most delicious hamburger.

Textured with Kim's serious magic texture

 

Money.

Actually, it's a money plant {Lunaria annua}... but I'm thinkin' I should have brought some of those seeds home with me {smile}

Textured with Bonnie's Vellum texture

 

A charming main street and friendly people.

Textured with Kim's autumn burst texture

 

And maybe a second home? we'll see....

 

Have a wonder-filled day,

 

 

 

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Inspired by. . . clouds

 

When Bonnie announced this month's theme {sky} I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I've always loved clouds. They stir my imagination and encourage me {somehow} to think of things above.

Living in Vermont, I remember many lazy summer days spent sprawled on the grass, gazing up at the billows of puffy white overhead. Finding pictures in the clouds.

When I moved to Arizona, well, let's just say, you stop taking clouds for granted. There aren't any 99% of time.

Now that I'm {home} in Texas, it seems like the perfect mix. Especially this time of year.

I don't sprawl on the grass anymore {smile}, but I still look for pictures in the clouds.

 

Can you see the angel?

 

During the past month, as I was taking pictures of clouds, there were days when I would head outside with my camera only to find a cloudless sky. It was rather disappointing, but it made me appreciate the clouds all the more when they did reappear in the sky.

 

Can you see her now?

 

I've been thinking about the things and the people that are in my life every day.  Big things like my family, water, food. And little things like my hairbrush, my favorite lavender lotion, fancy clothes. It is so very easy to take these things for granted.

So I've been asking myself: What/who am I taking for granted? am I so focused on the things I want or don't have that I miss out on the things I do?

What is my attitude toward the things I have? Am I thankful? appreciative? caring? or do I have a sense of entitlement – after all I deserve these things, etc.

I have found that when I take things for granted, they become ordinary, boring, worn. I lose the JOY and excitement that the person or thing brought to my life.

However, I have also found that when I cultivate an attitude of gratitude, and intentionally seek to be thankful for everything in my life, even the ordinary, everyday things, something magical happens. There is another dimension to living.

 

"in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thes 5:18

 

I challenge you to experience that other dimension.

 

Have a wonder-filled day,

 

 

Images used to create the images above:

Bonnie's dream wonder and ornate linen textures.

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