TRU 2011

"Be true to yourself.

Knowing who you are

- that's the foundation for everything great."

Jay Z

GONE 20x16" encaustic

Jay Z is just so cool, I don't even like rap, but he is smooth and I would probably like his music.

That quote really hit me when I heard it. Being TRUE is a process as it takes time to know who we were truly made to be. God has had His hands full with me and I have fought Him most of my life. Being rather proud to call myself a fighter in the past, I now view it as my biggest defeat. I could have surrendered to Him sooner but I know He knew what He was getting into. And anyway this post is not about regret or mistakes, it is about hope. Hope that a new year will bring me closer to the greatness of who God has made me to be. Do I know myself yet? YES!!! I can say at 39 years young, I finally know myself. And what I know about myself is God made me to be uniquely me and He's not finished with me yet. Stubborn and crazy, deep and aloof, creative and quirky, caring and empathic, just me. And if that's good enough for Him then who I am to argue with the Lord of all?

In 2011, I pray that we will all continue to surrender to Him, day by day, moment by moment. I don't know about you but this surrendering thing is a process for me and sometimes I need to take it a minute at a time. But my Father knew that when He made me and today to sit in that love is the foundation of my life.

in 2007 when I started my art business I called it TRU original. T.R.U. means The Real U.

That's our destiny, that's our purpose.

xo

Be safe tonight and enjoy YOURSELF!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

to you and yours!

May your day be filled with the love and peace of Christ our Savior.

Thank you for all the support this year,

as I journeyed out of my comfort zone,

into the world of blogging.

You have made my experience WONDER-FILLED

and I have enjoyed getting to know you.

I look forward to 2011 as we continue to

laugh

and

cry

together

on this journey of

FAITH.

I'm so WEAK!

I'm so weak, I have no control of myself when I make my favorite Christmas treat. I honestly had to have my husband take the last batch of this I made and lock it in a padlocked tote. So weak!! And when I'm feeling entitled to a treat and hit that moment of weakness, I demand that he gives me the key. He lovingly tries to discourage me , just like I instructed, but I just get mad and go from demanding to threatening and he loses the will to fight.

*************

WARNING>>>>>this recipe is dangerous for your health and will power!

Make at you own risk...

Addictive Caramel Corn Puffs

• 2 sticks butter
• 2 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. Karo (light)
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 package butter flavored corn puffs

In a large saucepan, bring butter, brown sugar and Karo to a boil for 5 minutes stirring constantly. Stir in vanilla, salt and baking soda. (This will cause the mixture to bubble up.) Pour the corn puffs into a large bowl. Pour the mixture over the corn puffs and stir until well coated. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour. Turn and stir every 15 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire cooling rack. To store, place in a sealed air tight container.

*I always double this recipe and have to make several batches to share because I'm the Corn Puff pusher and all my friends and family have developed a Caramel Corn Puff habit too!

Enjoy!

Ornament Exchange with Studio JRU

TGIF!! Are you feelin' me?

Looking back on my week, I am almost amazed at what I accomplished (even posted 3 times!). SOOOO, why was it such a long week? It should have flown by! Not complaining, just saying:)

Many of you know our dear and creative friend Jennifer from STUDIO JRU.

She is crazy talented and crazy organized and I well, feel into her trap! But I'm so glad I did because it was pure JOY to make and recieve 10 handmade Christmas ornaments.

Here is what I came up with.

Nothing too complex, just a mini canvas mixed media ornament with a black spiril wire hanger. I used acrylic paint, paper, stamps and of course gel medium.

Fun to make and I hope it was fun to recieve.

AND...drum roll please>>>>>>>Here is what I received!

I know, I know!! So good right?

What fun it was to go out to my mailbox each day and anticipate what would be waiting for me there. Even the kids were excited!

I would totally do this again, as it just reminded me of what a wonderful community we have built together. I had a piece of you, right there in my hands! Every time I log on, I feel like that way. I never knew when I started writing this blog that I would have the pleasure of being welcomed into your homes and hearts. I never knew I would grow to care about you and your struggles and triumphs. But God knew... and I'm so glad he led me to you!

I hope this Christmas Season is leading you to a deeper love of HIM!!

Stop over and visit Jennifer, STUDIO JRU, to see who made what.

THANK YOU for sharing your talent with me!

Is this what Heaven Sounds Like??

My hubby sent this to me this morning and what a blessing it was. As I was listening to it I couldn't help but think 'Is this what Heaven sounds like?' Then the tears started and I sat in JOY and WONDER. This day at the mall must have put a smile on our Holy Father's face. :) May God bless you today!

Big dreams + hope and faith = a wonder-filled life!

The definition of WONDER:

a : a cause of astonishment or admiration : marvel

b : miracle 2: the quality of exciting amazed admiration 3 a : rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience

b : a feeling of doubt or uncertainty

Wonder. What a rich word! Marvel, miracle, astonishment. When was the last time you felt those things? Maybe as a young child the first time you saw a giraffe, or a skyscraper or a rainbow? But as an adult? When do you recall feeling wonderment?

Even the doubt and uncertainty part in this word is rich. Isn't it good to feel doubt and uncertainty sometimes? We don't know the future and life can change in a New York minute. To just allow myself to feel uncertain would be freeing after all we are all uncertain, life is uncertain!

But I have big dreams...so big that I have to push them down. After all who I'm I to dream such dreams? AND life is uncertain. It's hard to plan when you don't know what may be around the next corner. But lately, as God transforms me, refining me with great care and gentleness, He tells me that His dreams for me are BIG! Bigger then I can see or even imagine. And I just wonder...like a child...what He has in store for little ole' me.

Prepare your hearts and repent!! With forgiveness, HE is coming to make your deepest dreams a reality. Dreams that are so BIG that only God himself could fathom them. Not one of us is worthy, but Gods grace and mercy is ENOUGH!

Luke 5

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

17 One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus,

19 but they couldn't reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

20 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” 21 But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?

23 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?

24 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man[d] has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 25 And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God.

26 Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”

I hope you see amazing things today!

Happy Advent!

Let these words sink deep down...He is the truth and the light. If you don't know Him, stop running and seek Him and He will satisfy.

"The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."

Psalms 145:8-9 I pray that ADVENT ( means coming) is filled with many opportunities to know Him more.

Texture technique for your mixed media artwork

It's BLACK FRIDAY!!

And there is no way in BEEP that I'll be hitting the mall today! Not my thing, but if it is your thing then happy shopping. I know there are some amazing deals out there.

My day will be spent making soup and preparing for my final artshow of the year. This show has been so well organized and it will be great to see all the local artist that I have really enjoyed getting to know as we do a lot of these shows together. BUT...I really need the Jan/Feb break! My business seems a little (ok a lot) disorganized these days and the dreaded tax season is right around the corner. Staying organized is not my thing either!! That's why I usually wait until the last week to prepare for shows (and taxes) that have been scheduled for months. I wonder what would happen if I ever got organized? Would the world implode?

Anyway, for all my creative friends who are in their studios today, I have a fun project for you. I may not be organized but I am thrifty and here is a creative way to get some cool texture on your mixed media artwork.

Here's what you'll need...

Gel medium

mini paint roller

empty toilet paper roll

a cut out strip of texture

*this technique can also be used with a large roller and empty paper towel roll for larger art pieces.

STEP 1

Secure some paper or non-slip drawer liver around your paint roller. You'll need to do this so that the toilet paper tube will fit securely. Glue the cut out texture strip around the empty toilet paper roll, textured part facing out. Pull the t.p. roll over the paint roller like this...

STEP 2

Roll your textured tube through paint, just as you would if you were to paint a wall.

STEP 3

Roll it out onto your canvas or surface.

Check out these other items I used to create texture.

Here is the result painted on surface.

BURLAP

CIRCLE PUNCH OUT THINGY FROM THE HARDWARE STORE

YARN

I hope you'll enjoy this fun and thrifty way to create some texture in your artwork. It's not near the mess and it really is fun to just roll on. Bam! your done.

I was so excited with myself after coming up with this a few months ago that I was convinced i should have it patent . I recently went in the art supply store and much to my dismay I found a similar item marked at $12 for two tubes and a brush. Man, another dream gone:)

If I could only get organized!

My Sweet Girl is 11!

My Little Baby is 11 years old.....

LAUREN

Caring heart

big goof ball

intelligent

stubborn

artistic and creative

'look at me, look at me'

sensitive

God loving

strong willed

On the day you were born, your Dad and I could have never prepared our hearts for the love and joy you would bring into our lives. Our sweet gift from God, always treasured, always loved, always.....

DRIVING US UP THE WALL!!

***************************

I've missed visiting with you all these last few weeks. Life had other plan for me. I did the best I could and now I get to take a breather and rest in Him.

My prayer for you my friend is that when you grow weary, you will rest in Him. You don't have to fall, you can just stop and rest. And if you do fall, I hope you will look to the Son as He carried the cross. He fell many times and was helped back up by others. He even allowed someone else (Simon) to carry the cross for awhile. Even HE couldn't do it on His own.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, whose most dear Son, as He walked the way of the Cross, accepted the service of Simon of Cyrene to carry his physical burden for him: mercifully grant unto each of us the grace that we may gladly bear one another's burdens, for the love of him who said, "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me," even the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.

Amen

shameless self promotion

Should I feel ashamed, promoting myself??

No, i shouldn't but even after all this time, mostly i still do.

This thought hit me this week, several times....it's finally sinking in.

As i was talking about my plans for the evening with a artist friend this week, telling her about the 12 beautiful women who were to join my mixed media workshop that night, she asked "what workshop"?! Mind you, this was a good, artistic friend, who I paint with all the time. I've been doing workshops for 3 years and never once had I mentioned them to her. It hit me.

During the workshop, I'm talking to the girls about my background and one of them asked, how long did it take you to start calling yourself a professional artist. My answer, 2 years after i started selling my work. 2 YEARS! It hit me.

Later that week, I'm talking to a neighbor, who has been my neighbor for 8 years who asked me what I was always loading my truck up with. After I tell her artwork for the art shows I do, she says " really, I didn't know you were an artist". Mind you, this is a person who has been to my house for dinner, a friend and never had I mentioned to her i was an artist!? REALLY! It hit me.

Take a look at my FACEBOOK page if you get a chance. I have a ton of 'friends' who are artists and when you go to there page, you know it. They have their work shown and they are promoting themselves. Not me. Just randomness shown, no substance on who I am, what I do.

Is anyone feeling me on this? Why do we do this??

Is it because our art is so deeply personal? Is it because it feels like a piece of our heart? Is it because we don't feel worthy? Is it because we don't have a degree in art? Is it because we don't have a studio? Is it because it isn't a painting of a girl with a long neck and tilted head? Is is because we're scared we'll be laughed at? Is is because.....

What is your because?

Here are some photos of the Mixed Media Workshop I did this week with 12 creative goddesses.

BTW...I do workshops, lots of them and they ROCK!

Words i wish i wrote

Natasha Bedingfield performing Unwritten

Felt like dancing...

Have a happy Monday, live your PASSION!

ode' to my studio

Ode to my STUDIO...

Little room that greets me

always smiles even when I leave you dirty or alone

always welcomes me home

Little room that inspires

full of wonder

unfinished works already done in my mind

Little room that loves

never judges

holds me close

I'm the one you love most

You were created just for me!

I know she's messy right now.

Supplies spread all over,

Unfinished works, sleeping but not forgotten.

But she let's me play and get messy. Here is where I express myself and make mistakes.

Never thought i could find all that in a room!

Next Tuesday i am offering a TRU GODDESS Workshop to 12 creative Goddesses. In this workshop we will be using a variety of mixed media techniques to create a inspirational dream board. This is such a creative way of goal setting! Putting your dreams on canvas is a powerful exercise and I'm so excited see the hearts desire of these awesome women.

What is your hearts desire?? Make a dream board and set it by your bedside or on your bathroom sink. Give you dreams life and room to grow.

I would love to link up with you and see your Goddess Dream Board!

I'm hooking up with Jen over at JRU STUDIO http://www.studiojru.com/ today. Stop over and take a peek into Jen's studio. She is full of energy! Other creative spaces will be found there and it's a inspiring place to be on Fridays!

May you have a blessed weekend!

Typography?!

If you have been reading my blog, it didn't take you long to figure out that I can't spell! I know...a blogger that can't spell! But I can't and I depend on spellcheck to catch my mistakes. Often times this is like depending on mapquest, not 100% accurate! So I have been humbled many times as I'll read over a published post of mine, only to find I had misspelled something. CRAP!

What's really ironic is I use the written word in my artwork. So I'm a blogger who can't spell AND uses words in her artwork.

Not sure if I'm brave or just plain dumb but in this case ignorence is bliss.

What's wrong with this picture?

CHEERIES?? What! Did I really write CHEERIES?! CRAP!

Now what?

Came up with this solution and sold these pieces first thing at the next art show I did. Had to laugh! Luckily the client laughed too after sharing my mistake. So glad they didn't demand their money back.

Recently I learned that using words in art is called TYPOGRAPHY.

• ty·pog·ra·phy n. pl. ty·pog·ra·phies 1. a. The art and technique of printing with movable type. b. The composition of printed material from movable type. 2. The arrangement and appearance of printed matter.

Wow, didn't know there was a name for this. So now I'm a Mixed Media Typography Artist.

So fancy!:)

I decided I would'nt hit "spellcheck" today, thought you would enjoy a good laugh.

I have a fun themed art project to share with you on Friday so stop over and visit! xo

No words, just JOY!

AWWWWWWWWWW! The Art Retreat! No words, just JOY and Gratitude!

Take a peek...

Flew into Sacramento and stayed Downtown for the night. Gorgeous city.

Lake Tahoe Baby!! Sunset the first night.

Just some of the art supplies...delish!

Lot's of late nights spent connecting, creating, and DANCING! The poor neighbors! Sorry no photos of this.

Hiking on the first day. Aspens just starting to change color.

WOW! How did we end up here? Fallen Leaf Lake. Thanks God:)

Hiking on the second day.

Ended up witnessing the annual salmon run, unbelievable! Thanks again God!

Last sunset on last night.

On the last night we were also blessed to witness a RAINBOW!

A RAINBOW!!

Our creative endeavours!

We all worked on collaborative pieces to take home. It was so cool to see each person contribute their talent. This was mine. It will be cherished!

"""""""""""

We came, we laughed, we cried, we shared, and we connected!

We were fearless!

We were blessed!

Amazing True Women in My Life

I hope this post finds you healthy, happy and blessed!

It feels like forever since I've had a free hour to catch up with you. Sorry I haven't had the time to keep my blog fresh or check in on any of you to see what's been shakin'. But... I've had some great things happening so don't give up on me just yet.

On the personal side of my life I've been healthy and happy. Even with struggles (and Lord knows I have them), by the grace of God, I still feel blessed. To top it off I lost 10 pounds, yeah me because I worked for that 10 pounds! This is so new to me, this peace. All the glory goes to Him because it really is so unlike me to feel peace in all things. Last weekend I was able to really spend some time alone with God as I attended the TRUE WOMAN CONFERENCE http://www.truewoman.com/?id=990 in downtown Indianapolis Indiana. It was an inspirational weekend, filled with 7000 amazing women. The next conference is in Fort Worth TX, Oct. 14th-16th and I would highly recommend going if you need to be REVIVED! I took pictures but for some odd reason most of them are gone, not anywhere on my camera!

Here's a couple of salvaged shots...

I won't soon forget my date weekend with God, He treated me like a princess:)

It has even sparked a trip that I'll be taking with my daughter to a PURITY CONFERENCE http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pih/ in November . It's in Tampa and it's being held on her birthday weekend . I can't think of a better gift to give a 10 year old and my husband looks at it as an investment in her future. We gotta let our girls stay young for as long as they are young! It saddens me deeply to see what our culture is doing to our youth, but that's another rant to be left for another time.

Speaking of youth and rantings...my husband and I have recently become the Youth Leaders at our Church!! It is such a blessing for us to work with these amazing teens each week. They are truly incredible kids with a strong love for God and we are so inspired to watch God work through them. This is a labor of love for us and my husband doesn't even complain that we will have to miss the Colts play on Sundays. Now that's love!

On the art side of things, I'm plugging away and trying to find time to be in my studio more. Seems like the only time I can get in there is if I have a show coming up. Shown is some recent work I made before a show I did two weekends ago. This art show did not make for the highest sales this season, but I made some amazing contacts and some cool opportunities are starting to take shape. I look forward to sharing this with you when I know more.

Speaking of cool opportunities...(man this blog post is practically writing itself) I have been invited to an Art Retreat in Lake Tahoe by my sweet friend BEV from http://myawakenedheart.blogspot.com/. Bev is an amazing lady with a great love of God and I am so excited she invited me. Two of my dearest, artsy girlfriends here from Indy will be making the trip with me. Again, amazing women! They inspire me, encourage me, believe in me and I love them to pieces. As Bev puts it "it will be 4 days of art, girl time, great food and wine, and music". AND Lake Tahoe! When I get home I will get back to blogging more often but you probably won't hear from me for a week or so. I'll be thinking about you with a piant brush in one hand and a glass of vino in the other!

God has truly blessed me with many beautiful friendships, a precious daughter, and a supportive mother. I'm so grateful for these amazing, true women in my life. Say a prayer today for the TRUE WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE! My God allow us to be a truly amazing woman, radiating His love like the sun.