Do you have a framed print that you like, but the mat needs to be refreshed? Several people have commented about this wall art which makes an appearance whenever I share a new vignette on my piano. This is the latest iteration. Today I'm going to show you an Easy DIY Book Page Mat Tutorial. Last year I picked up a typical pink floral print with a mauve mat in a gold frame from the thrift store. It screamed early 90's and I had no idea what I was going to do with it. So it sat in my studio whispering my name. By now, you must know that I am smitten with book pages. Is it because … [Read more...]
There isn't anything prettier than streets lined with Bradford Pear Trees in early spring. One of my good friends in Western New York lived on one of those streets. I would drive out of my way just to see the glory of all those flowering pear branches sporting their stunning white blossoms. Ahhhh....the beauty. My small town is not lined with them, but the few along the tree line bring brilliance to Main Street. We haven't lived in our current house very long. Last year was our first spring here and we were more about trimming the jungle in our yard than in reveling in the beauty. This … [Read more...]
Spring has sprung and my little corner of the world is a fireworks of white, pink, green, and yellow! Today is the official day for everyone to be... celebrating Earth Day! Yup. I'm sure it's the talk of the day at every school and on the television. Can I let you in on a little secret? I'm not celebrating Earth Day. Nope! But...I am celebrating! I am celebrating the Creator of this amazing orb we call Earth. My mind cannot comprehend the amazingly detailed perfection that was required and is still required to keep us … [Read more...]
Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I’ve got— Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. God’s works are so great, worth A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. His miracles are his memorial— This God of Grace, this God of Love. He gave food to those who fear him, He remembered to keep his ancient promise. He proved to his people that he could do what he said: Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift! He manufactures truth and justice; All his products are guaranteed to last— Never out-of-date, never … [Read more...]
After being bombarded all week with tragic photos everywhere, I want to give you.... a picture of hope. To give you words of truth. Words of hope. Beauty. A friend told me about this video. I don't usually watch videos...I prefer to read. If you're like me, humor me, please watch the video just because I ask you to. It's eye-opening. http://youtu.be/litXW91UauE Did tear up as you watched the video? If you're like me, maybe you've been running a recording in your head that really isn't true. Let's change that, my extraordinary … [Read more...]
I did it again! Seriously I am having too much fun playing in my sun room. Since we painted the trim white, I have so enjoyed dressing the sun room for the seasons! And now that it's warming up I'll enjoy spending lots of time out there too. Here's my latest iteration... A Sunny Yellow Table Setting for Two Do you recognize the cheerful vintage yellow crocus pot? It's a 1940's piece of pottery that looks amazingly contemporary. Gotta love that! For Easter I had blue and white eggs in each of the surrounding planting holes with the same daffodils in the middle. This time … [Read more...]
My heart and my spirit sing songs of joy... Each day I take my camera in hand and make an attempt at capturing the glorious beauty unfolding around me. This spring. This world re-awakening. This bursting forth of bud and blossom and new life emerging from the depths. This hope renewed. My spirit sings JOY! I mediate on Your wonders, sing songs of Your worth, O God. Your majesty and glorious splendor have captivated me; I will meditate on Your wonders, sing songs of Your worth. We confess—there is nothing greater than You, God, nothing mightier than Your awesome … [Read more...]
I'm loving this daffodils quote: If one daffodil is worth a thousand pleasures, than one is too few. William Wordsworth Are daffodils popping up all around your neck of the woods? Almost overnight they are everywhere along my walking path. I snapped these photos in the late evening as the sun was low in the sky illuminating this patch in my neighbor's garden. From a distance, I get to enjoy this patch of sunshine from my window. Lucky me. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ … [Read more...]
I'm loving this dramatic moment on my cabinet. It's a simple tulip wreath DIY project anyone can do. And by now, you must know I love quick and easy DIY projects. What is it about spring? Are we so staved for color after a long cold gray winter that we are more than willing to put together such a glorious mix of colors? I surely am. In my sun room, anyway. Do you gravitate towards color in the spring, too? Summer...that's a different story. Though many plant reds and yellows together in the summer garden, mine will usually be filled with white, purple, pink, blue, and a dash of soft yellow. … [Read more...]
O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8 NLV What a crazy journey we are on. I would never have thought that when the movers came and loaded up all our worldly possessions into that 18 wheeler nearly 18 months ago that I would be sitting here today, writing this blog, nor would I have ever expected that we would be among the throngs of the unemployed. Who would guess that we would make such a big move only to find ourselves in this tenuous position? Not me. Our world which seemed to have been righted was flipped upside down in an … [Read more...]
Flowers... Everywhere I go, there are little green stems with swollen heads. Daffodils waiting to soak in the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Wistfully wanting to slip out of their green cloaks and turn their little cheerful faces to the sun. I feel just like them. Basking in the sun sounds absolutely wonderful today. No doubt in a few short months we all will be seeking a reprieve from the sun and its heat. Perspective. As I was dreaming of flowers and warm weather, I 'flipped' through my photos and came across this one I took at Letchworth State Park some time ago. This quote seemed to marry … [Read more...]
Spring! Where art thou? How would you like to bring a bit of spring into your home without it breaking the bank? Yes, please!! Patience, please. I'll get there in a minute. If you've been a reader for a while you may remember that I stuck branches up in my sunroom this winter for Christmas and hung red snowflakes from them. It was part of transforming my sunroom into a Swedish Christmas room. I loved those snowflakes and left them up all winter. After I cut the snowflakes down I was left with these bare branches. Oh my...they couldn't stay like that. I had a choice...either take … [Read more...]
I love the word metamorphosis. You too? This weekend, I had a sun room metamorphosis of sorts, as I notched up my spring decor. You'll remember I talked about it last week here. And before that, I decorated it with red and snowflakes for winter here, and for Valentine's Day here, and for Christmas here. The biggest change is the addition of flowering branches. Do you see them? They were so. very. difficult to photograph. Seriously impossible. In my quest for decent pictures I took photos on multiple days. You'll notice that some of the … [Read more...]
He is risen! He is risen indeed! This greeting is exchanged by Christians all over the world on Easter Sunday. And with good reason. Jesus had predicted his torturous death and resurrection to his disciples. Read about it here. Certainly it was unbelievable to them at that time. And then, what a turn of events. In one week, Jesus went from being heralded as a king, the Messiah who would save the people from their unfair rulers and bring about a just kingdom on earth....to an innocent man, tried, convicted, and crucified. Oh the grief. The disciples could not comprehend how … [Read more...]
Easter... Eggs. Baskets. Candy. Flowers. Blessings. Easter is the most meaningful holiday our family celebrates. And though we enjoy the traditions of eggs, baskets, candy, flowers, and blessings....for us....it's all about the cross. Friday we remembered the ultimate sacrifice by a Father and His Son....because of their amazing love for each of us. The best part is that the story doesn't end there...Sunday is a 'comin'! While we are sandwiched between those two extraordinary days, preparing for the most important celebration of the year... I thought I'd take a moment and share a quick … [Read more...]
Jesus' last words from the cross.... After Jesus had taken the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and died. John 19:30 If you would like to read a true account of Jesus' last day on earth, click here. I am humbled that Jesus would endure such torture for me. The love that he and the Father have for you and me is beyond imagination. You might pause with me now, remember, and give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice. It's Friday..... but Sunday's coming!! Diane To receive bits of inspiration like this in your inbox or reader, subscribe now. … [Read more...]
In preparation for the joyous celebration of Easter, I decided to do something I've wanted to do for a long time.... Create a piece of colorful subway art. An Easter printable. For me, thinking through and meditating on the words as I created this piece has been a time of worship. You might find it helpful in a similar way too. It's a nice way to remember and celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the sacrifice made. How do you observe Holy Week? Where the words 'third day' appear, I originally had 'Easter Sunday.' My husband suggested to me that this piece would … [Read more...]
