At the Cross

Mark 14: 3-8

 While he (Jesus) was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.  Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.  She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.

 

I hope you are reminded today of Jesus' love for you! 

 

NOTHING you do for Him or in His name is a waste!  He treasures it all!

 

Have a blessed day today!

 

xo-

Lara

DIY - Journal

A Coffee Sack...Re-purposed!

 

 

If you don't have any coffee sacks laying around your house, burlap from a craft store would work great!  You could even stamp letters on the outside!

 

I just happen to have a good friend that dropped a few off at my house last month.  I've been trying to decide how I was going to use them.  Since I've been creating journals lately...I decided to give it a try!

 

I do LOVE how they turned out!

 

Sew the burlap to cardboard, a piece of watercolor paper, or card stock...any of these will do.  This is just to make the journal cover a little more sturdy.

 

 

Paint and doodle the inside cover a little bit.  I used gesso and some spray mists.  Then, I doodled with my charcoal pencil.

 

 

Add a pocket with a little scrap of fabric.  Sew in your paper.  I just used the basic book-binding stitch with 3 holes, and tied it in the center.

 

I cannot wait to have these out at my booth in Ozark!  They are going to be so cute!  I have journals with ties of all colors!  Some of the journals even have the different coffee logos on the front cover!  If only I had a Starbucks bag...I'd keep a journal for myself!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

DIY - Gift Bags

 

 

 I LOVE to re-purpose a brown grocery sack!

 

 

When you go grocery shopping...ALWAYS say paper!  There is so much you can do with those paper bags!

 

Remember my mail art from a few weeks ago??????

 

 

 

These cards were also made from a grocery sack!

 

Start by "crumpling" your paper sack.  Add A LOT of texture...go ahead...squeeze it to death!

 

Then, add a little gesso. If the white isn't enough color...add some acrylic paint to the mix!

 

Then, take all sorts of scraps and add them to the paper.

 

Fold the bag in half and sew up the side.  Add a fabric scrap for a fun handle!

 

 

Don't forget to add those yummy candy wrappers! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mail art Monday!

Happy, Happy Monday!

 

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

At the Cross

1 Corinthians 15:51-54

⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

 

I cannot even fathom "how" God will do this...but it will be the most awesome ride we have ever been on!  The rapture! Now...that would be a good name for a roller coaster! 

 

I long for the day that death no longer has its sting!  The day that I meet Jesus face to face!

 

Enjoy the journey today!

 

In Him -

Lara

 

She decided...little journal

Re-purposed Starbucks bag

 

When you drink a lot of Starbucks...you tend to buy a few mugs...when you buy a few mugs...you have a few bags...when you have a few bags...you make a special gift!

 

A paper bag is a great way to create a unique gift for a friend who also loves this little coffee place!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

Tags, Tags, Tags...

I've been creating the components for my new journals!  I'm so excited about how they are coming together!  I cannot wait to do a post when I have several completed!

 

These are a sample of the tags that will be for sale to sew in the journal or add to a pocket for journaling.

 

 

AND...of course a few Christmas tags!  Many of you know I make my own Christmas cards every year.  This year, I am hoping to create a journal for Christmas memories...similar to my Christmas cards, but on a larger scale!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

DIY Journal

As a teacher, I LOVE school supplies! 

 

When I receive goodies (junk to most people) in my mailbox at school from my teacher friends...I cannot wait to come home and repurpose it! 

 

This little bubble wrap envelope is a GREAT example!

 

 

I took a little gesso and "hand-painted" both sides of the envelope.

 

Then, I added a bit of color...the same way...you could use a brush...but my hand does a much better job...in my opinion!  AND...it's more fun!

 

You can see that I was eating candy at the time of my creating...and threw a few wrappers on the flap for added color and a much needed "fun" factor!

 

 

Then, I sewed around the edges and the flap.  You can see the two lines in the center...this is where I added the journal pages!

 

 

I hand-painted a few letters...and added some doodles...and a little journal was born!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

 

 

 

At the Cross

 

 Here's a little mid-week inspiration!

 

Psalm 139: 13-16

 

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

God created you to be unique!  He created a plan for your life...before you were ever born!

Seek today the joy that He has set before you!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

Mail Art...Monday?????

What day is it anyway?

 

Being back in school has really thrown my blogging for a loop!  The leisure days of summer...a cup of coffee in hand...enjoying creating my post for the day...it just isn't happening anymore!

 

I've decided that in order to stay up on my blog throughout the school year...I MUST post my week on Sunday!

 

BUT...it's Tuesday...and an old friend reminded me...he hasn't seen any posts for awhile!  So...here's yesterday's Mail Art!

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

At the Cross

Make today beautiful!

 

 

Jeremiah 31:25

 ^"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

 

Today, I am thankful for a God who is always watching out for my best interests!

 

Enjoy every minute of today!  Allow God to refresh your spirit and renew your passions!

 

In Him-

Lara

Mixed Media Houses

These houses are one of my favorite things to create!

 

I love how each one has a life of its own.  The color of the door, the paint on the house, the shape of the window, the color of the roof!  I LOVE watching them come to life!

 

 

These can all be personalized with a little house number too!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 



New Pendants

Fun! Fun! Fun!

 

I cannot wait to put these all out on display this Saturday!

 

 

Can you see the little RV pendants!  I just LOVE how they turned out!

 

 

All of the pendants that don't sell this weekend will be in the shop on Sunday!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

What's on my studio table?

I have been working like crazy finishing projects for my show this Saturday!

 

Here is a sneak peek!

 

 

 

I will be sharing more pictures of finished items throughout the week!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

 

Mail Art Monday!

Happy Monday!

 

 

This little card had an extra chocolate surprise in it for a friend last week!

 



 

She LOVED it and I received a huge hug and smile!  It was a GREAT mail day!

 

This little card is for another dear friend!

 

 

She doesn't do chocolate...BUT she can't eat just one Lays potato chip...so...her card will be accompanied by a silly snack just for her!

 

 

I hope you have some mail art ready for someone who needs extra love from you!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Expect miracles, laugh often, and always color outside the lines!

 

xo-

Lara

 

At the Cross

Wow!  Last week really got away from me! I have been making art like crazy for my first fall show next weekend, The Spinach Festival...AND...I have papers to grade...so...summer is officially over!  

 

Last week I was so busy...I didn't even get out an "At the Cross" or "Mail Art Monday" post.

 

  I promise this week will make up for it!

 I have been busy making art!  Many previews of "what's going on in my studio" next week!

 

But...it's Sunday! So...let's sit at the cross...shall we?

 

 

Hebrews 10:23-25

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

God showed me the importance of this verse a couple of days ago.  I have several friends that are struggling with this adventure we call "life"!  I am so excited to be able to share a little encouragement and love through a piece of art!  It has been an amazing ministry that God has given me.  So...I want to encourage you...send a little mail art to someone who needs some love today!

 

Tomorrow will be a bonus...two mail art pieces!

 

Have a blessed day!

 

xo-

Lara