Christmas is in December, NOT July!

So, anyone who got to enjoy the pleasure of my company over the holiday season last year would know how much I truly hate what Christmas (and Easter for that matter) have become.  Christian holidays were meant to be about the Gospel and the saving Grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Christmas did not begin with some fat old man riding a reindeer drawn sleigh, and Easter is not meant to be about a giant pink rabbit. 

Last year was the first point at which I grew truly frustrated with the secularization of Christian holidays - beginning with Christmas.  I became what many people would refer to as a scrooge.  With the exception of a simple miniature nativity set and my usual display of tea lights, I did not decorate my room with typical Christmas decorations at all.  I was, unfortunately subjected to all of the garland, santas, bells, and so-called "Christmas" trees in the common areas of my house, because unlike me, my roomates were great "fans" of this whole "Christmas thing."

I tried to avoid the "holiday spirit" and "Christmas contagion" to the best of my abilities this past Christmas and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus. 

So, you might be wondering where this year-old Christmas rant is coming from, am I right?  Well.  It's July 26.  A day or two ago I was shopping in Michael's art and craft store needing some random art materials.  I walked past those little displays they always have in the entrance, featuring sale items or seasonal decorations and whatnot...  and you guessed it.  The second display I passed was CHRISTMAS!  There were reindeer patterns and snowmen, red and white fun foam, a pattern for some candy cane something or other, and all sorts of Christmas colored glitter.  I was disgusted!  I used to think playing Christmas music before December 1 was outrageious, but this is JULY!  Apparently the store manager missed the memo that Christmas is in December!  Oh, and perhaps I should also let them know that Santa doesn't exist and reindeer can't really fly.  And toys are manufactured by full-grown people operating large metal machines, not elves in ridiculous costumes.  I just had to share this little rant of mine.  Sorry for all of you "Christmas" fans, feel free to sing carols, eat too much baking, buy tons of presents, and sit in some chubby man's lap and have your picture taken - just let me be in my cave this December (and July, please!).

Paint and Brush

The Cactus

July 2011

The Cactus is a quick project to use up leftover paint from another painting experience.  But, if I do say so myself, it turned out quite well.

Untitled

July 2011

Untitled

July 2011

This mountainous painting began as the backdrop for another project I am currently working on, however, it morphed into this beauty and I am not sure what I am going to do with it anymore.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Seeds of Faith

July 2011

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17.20)

Most days finding a mustard seed worth of faith is the most difficult task, but on "high-faith" days it helps to remember that God plants and waters that tiny bit of faith to grow, and all we really have to do is not resist the sun, air, and water.  Praise be to God!

I'm back!

Yes, it has been a while since my last update, but I have located my camera (apparently it had decided to hide in a photograph box buried deep in a box I have not yet unpacked) so new pictures can be shared!

My most recent project is the direct result of a trip to Re-use and a bowl belonging to a good friend.  Re-use is this wonderful little place where people take unwanted items and other people get new (to them) items.  Best part of it all, everything you get in one trip costs only $5!  Wonderful.  A recycled crafter's dream!  So, anyways, there was a bin of records, and records, being plastic and whatnot, tend to melt when stuck in the oven.  So, that's precisely what I did, and as a positive consequence, I have this super thrifty, super neat bowl/candle holder made from a hawaiian hits album! 

I think this decoration would make lovely and cheap centerpieces at my wedding.  No, don't worry, no engagement as of yet, but a girl can dream.  When you reach early twenties and all of your friends start gettting married it's hard not to think about weddings and babies and such things.  So, this is one of those lovely wedding thoughts, an idea on the back burner until "Mr. Right" or "Prince Charming" come along . . .

It's about time...

To all of my adoring fans: "I apologize.  I have been keeping myself occuppied with many things, art and blogging at the bottom of the list, unfortunately for all of you.  But, tonight I picked up the paintbrush again, and as soon as I locate my camera (I am sad to report it has run away with my pretty teal shirt and favorite pen) I will post pictures.  I have transformed one of my lovely green and blue background paintings into some abstract work of art named... you guessed it - Untitled!  I have also created two paintings quite similar in style to my very first painting ("A Little Bit of Faith) which I am quite pleased with.  And, finally, an attempt to use the extra paint on my palette turned into a lovely cactus scene.... Not sure where the cactus came from, I am not a fan of the desert or the heat or prickly things... but it's a cactus none the less.  Anywho, I am rambling, and my constant sneezing has made it hard to concentrate on anything for too long, so I will continue to watch tv while laying on the floor . . . I mean, while I look frantically for my camera so that new pictures can be posted for you... Later!"