2020 New Year, New Direction

I am starting a new blog called Journals by Debbie that will focus on Christian journaling. Stop by and check it out on February 1, 2020. Debbie

Advent and Christmas

This is the season to be busy, right? Well I have been busy but not with Christmas but with  decluttering. I moved last February from 1200 square feet to 700 square feet so I am parting with at least half of my belongings. This is a slow process especially since I had a large room full of fabric in my last place. 

I did take breaks from decluttering by making some items for my new Etsy shop called Art By The Sea Studio. First was this whimsical tree inspired by artist Jane Font.I painted six of them and attached them to red card stock to make Christmas cards.

I also wanted to paint a Nativity scene. I had enjoyed painting the angel with a palatte knife so much I decided to try a Nativity in that style. I tried it first in my art journal. I am glad I did because I didn't have room for Joseph on the first try.

When I am not happy with a painting I have to step back for a day or two and look at it later with fresh eyes. I took a break and made ATC (artist trading cards) with the Advent Angel on them for my prayer/covenant group. These were to small to use the palette knife so I used a small brush and heavy body paint. I made three extra just because I am adicted to making them for some reason. 

Then last minute Christmas sales picked up in my Etsy quilt shop so I didn't get in my painting time for a few days. When I was able to get back to my paints I did another Nativity with Joseph included this time and on a larger scale. 

I found a source for printing my artwork on cups, t-shirts and phone cases and have been busy setting up my artwork with that company. A few are ready for sale in my shop www.etsy.com/artbytheseastudio

This company is also making prints of my originals in several sizes. 

Things should be quiet this week leading to Christmas so maybe I can get in some sewing and painting time. 

May each of you have a Blessed Christmas. 

Debbie

Tis the Season

As I sit here composing this blog post I realized this is the first Christmas I am not dreading the Christmas Holidays since my husband died. We had a long established tradition of Christmas breakfast with my Mom and sisters and their families then heading to Gamble Rogers Memorial State Park to camp for two weeks on the beach. Hiking, reading, a lot of reading, and Jim surf fishing filled our days. Wonderful memories. 

Just before Thanksgiving I broke out my sewing machine and made some Christmas toilet tank toppers for my Etsy shop. 

I also made some Christmas greeting cards to sell and some fabric gift tags.

I didn't make any bowl cozies because #1 I hate making them, #2 I had 17 in stock. Guess what is my top seller? Bowl Cozies. LOL

Today is the first Sunday in Advent. I am looking forward to the Christmas hymns at church, Starting a book of writings and artwork called "Night Visions" by Jan Richardson and painting my meditations. 

In order to prepare for this time of anticipation I painted an Advent Angel. Simple and faceless but carrying a message of joy to Mary. 

How do you prepare for the coming of Emmanuel?

I would love to hear about your Christmas traditions. Please share them below in the comments.

May this season bring you anticipation of joy and hope in the new year. 

Debbie

Not Normal Yet

Things have not gotten back to normal yet. Still dealing with hurricane claims and repairs. My car. which is only 6 months old, was damaged when my carport came off and the debris blew across it. I was shocked that it was taking over $6,000 to paint it. Wow! I guess the days of $200 paint jobs are long gone. Any way the car has been in the shop for two weeks. Apparently I didn't have rental car as part of my policy so I have been car-less. I am suppose to get it back tomorrow afternoon. Yeah!!

I have been busy sewing and painting. Below is my latest artwork. A collage and the layered paints and stamping the background. 

Did some Christmas tank toppers for my Etsy store. 

Have you started Christmas prep yet? 

Started hand quilting two table toppers today so I would have something to do while I sat with my feet up. Spent the day with my feet up because.... 

I did a swan dive while walking Malady this morning. 

It looks worse than it is. It does hurt like the dikens though. I bruised the big toe on my other foot too. 

I am dog sitting for a friend these next few days so I will be walking two dogs in the morning. I will be extra careful for sure.

Debbie

Check out my Etsy store www.etsy.com/daytonadamsel for quilted items and www.etsy.com/artbytheseastudio for art prints and originals

Fall and Storms

Preparing for Fall and Storms has kept me busy for the last couple of weeks. After I wrote my last post I gathered together my Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas fabric to start sewing for my quilt shop on Etsy. I also started working on some more ATC, Artist Trading Cards for the holidays as well. As I surfed through Pinterest for ideas I saw many pumpkins and decided to paint an 8 X 10 canvas of a pumpkin in the field. To me pumpkins are the symbol of Fall's arrival. 

Pumpkin in the Field

Pumpkins also remind me of Halloween. As a child I loved cutting a Jack-o-Lantern into a pumpkin. Ours were always smiling because we thought of Halloween as a happy and fun time. 

What symbols do you equate with Fall and Halloween?

I also painted an abstract titled, "Summer Dreams" to represent all the dreams I had for summer. A lot of yellow for the Florida sunshine, swirls of activities that happen in a tourist area in summer, steady circles of calm and rest, the bright colors of flowers and the green of trees that cover the landscape. I even dream of Summer Storms that refresh the land and my soul. 

Summer Dreams

I didn't however dream of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. I prayed and watched as Harvey devastated Texas and tried to think of ways to help those effected by the storm. 

As the heat and humidity in Florida rose to 100 degrees I decided to head North to Ohio and visit family. I planned on staying for two weeks then heading home to start painting and sewing for the holidays. Mother Nature had other plans. My flight was canceled home and I was unable to get a flight  home until Thursday September 14th. My patio and carport took a hit but my house was spared. I will be happy to return home, clean up the remnants of Irma and start painting again. 

Until next time, God Bless

Debbie

Still Here

I am still blogging, although sporadically. I am making a quilt for my grandson who is getting married September 16th. I am quilting it by hand so it is slow going and time is flying by. 

As for my praying with art, it is still going to be my ministry online. God is still speaking to me but I haven'e had the time to create the art. This is the two I have done recently.

I heard a beautiful song yesterday during devotions called, Winds of God by Jodi Penner. The first and last line are, "I feel the wind of God today, today my sail I lift."  I identify with that phrase because my late husband and I used to sail the inland waterways, letting the wind take us where it willed. I remember the joy and freedom I felt, though not in control of my destination. I also remember those times in my life when I allowed God's wind to take me where he willed. What exciting, sometimes challenging days those were. 

Later in the song it talks of being cast on the shore of selfish ease and ask God to let me feel your breeze so they can put back to sea. I realize that in the three years since losing my husband I have been resting on the shore and now it is time for a new direction. So my prayer is, "Lord let me feel your freshening breeze and I will put back to sea." 

Have you had times of resting on the shore? If so, how did you set sail again? 

In the future I will try very hard to keep on a regular posting schedule. Once I figure out one that is. ;) 

May you feel the fresh wind of God this week and in the weeks to come. 

Blessings,

Debbie

Time for REST

Wow I can't believe I haven't posted since the 15th of July. I need to get a handle on a schedule if I want to grow this blog.

I have been busy though. I now know why retirees say they don't know how they had time to work before retirement.

I am working on a queen size quilt for my grandson's wedding in the Fall. I have two grandsons getting married in the Fall and planned on giving each a quilt but I am not sure I can since I am hand quilting them. I might have to machine quilt one of them.

I am also making toilet tank toppers and table runners for my online shops and selling off my huge stash of fabric. It has gotten out of hand and I need the cash. Selling the fabric is time consuming since I have to take pictures, unfold and measure each piece, write a description and then copy everything to the two other selling sites. 

I am still keeping up with my artwork a day for a year and Praying with art. 

One of the Artwork a day.

I also am researching selling my art at art fairs and festivals. There is a lot involved with that venture not to mention the expense. 

Primitive acrylic art for art festivals and one per day.

Last week I meditated on Matthew 11:28-32. Specifically verse 28.

Sometimes we get so busy we forget to spend time resting in God. All the busyness I spoke of earlier can draw you away from the peace we find in time with God. I spent my morning time with God this past week, however I would quickly get distracted by all that went on during the day and only focus on God again at bedtime. 

This weekend God's Spirit has nudged me to get back to praying the hours. That is, reading Scripture, praying and short meditation in the morning, afternoon, evening (Vespers) and bedtime. I know many of you think this is for Catholics only but many Christians follow this rhythm of prayer. It surprisingly only takes a few minutes of your time each hour but it helps you stay focused. I use an Episcopalian resource by Phyllis Tickle but there are many books out there to explain and guide you. Of course there is Google as well.

Below is the resulting artwork that resulted from my meditation on Matthew 11

This weeks meditation focus will be on Acts 2:29-41. Will you join me in praying with art the message God has put on your heart this week using this or another Scripture passage. If you do I would love to hear how God spoke to you in his word.

I still plan to set up the Facebook group where you can share your art prayer but it has gotten delayed. I had hoped to have it up and running this week but my friend who is helping me set it up has had health issues. Hopefully we can get together this week and get it up and running. 

Until next time may God surround you with peace, rest and kindness.

Debbie