Design: Your Sacred Calling
August 19, 2010
The latest design I created was for the dear Mrs. Stacy McDonald of Your Sacred Calling.
In both the header and menu is the scan from a blank page in one of my old books. (There are so many uses for scans of old books!) Two lovely fonts make up for the header text as well as the sidebar titles, and the creamy background pulls all the warm colors together in one smooth and gentle stroke.
Inscribed in the sidebar is this beautiful quote:
“What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in Heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well pleasing to God, not on account of the position or work, but on account of the Word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow.” —Martin Luther
You might want to head on over to Your Sacred Calling and look through some of the wonderful articles written there and maybe even leave Mrs. McDonald a note!
P.S. At this time I am not taking on any new clients for blog design (Mrs. McDonald has been on the schedule for quite a while), but if/when I do start offering design services again, I will be sure to post about it here on my blog. (You can subscribe here.)
Many places to visit . . .
August 14, 2010
. . . and many things to learn that can be found between the covers of books.
There is something very refreshing and satisfying about sitting down with a good book to read and study. With a long list of books to read, as well as a good deal of research to do, we will be enjoying many books over the next few weeks.
A book that I have been reading is “Beloved Bride” by Bill Potter. It is a collection of letters from General “Stonewall” Jackson to his wife, Mary Anna, with snippets about their life sprinkled throughout.
After the death of his first wife and their baby, General Jackson wrote the following in a letter to his sister, which is a wonderful example and depiction of his trust in the Lord:
“I have been called to pass through the deep waters of affliction, but all has been satisfied. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. It is his will that my Dearest wife and child should no longer abide with me, and as it is his holy will, I am perfectly reconciled to the sad bereavement, though I deeply mourn my loss.
“Oh! The consolations of religion! I can willingly submit to anything if God strengthens me. I have joy in knowing that God withholds no good things from them that love and keep his commandments. And he will overrule this Sad, Sad bereavement for good.“
What good books you have been reading lately?
“Do not waver . . .
August 9, 2010
. . . in unbelief, but grow strong in faith, giving glory to God, and be fully assured that what God has promised, He is able to perform.”
{Based on Romans 4: 20-21}
Resolved to be . . . {a sweet, sweet place}
July 17, 2010
“Resolved To Be” is the new blog of my blessed mother. Having moved from Robin’s Egg Blue, she hopes to more thoroughly capture her vision through her new site, making it a sweet and inviting place to encourage other wives, mothers, and homemakers.
It was a delight to have the opportunity to design her new blog, and she’s a joy to work with.
The theme incorporates gentle shades of taupe, blue, and red through an elegant combination of the decorative font, seamless background, and beveled edges.
And the added detail of a faded clock in the top-right corner of the header is a quiet reminder of the shortness of life . . . the brief amount of time we have on this beautiful earth . . . and how we must resolve and be intentional in all that we do.
I encourage you to visit Resolved To Be, leave my precious mother a comment, and maybe even subscribe to her updates.
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Beautiful Places
July 3, 2010
There are some places that leave me in awe. Some places that reflect beauty in ways that I could not have imagined on my own. Some places that just make me smile at the creativity of our Creator. And some places that I’ll never forget.
If you were to replace “places” with “people” in the above sentences, it would all still be true.
We are continually surrounded by things that impact our lives: people, births, deaths, landscapes, walls, etc. And the things we do ourselves impact those around us: sowing, smiling, reaping, building, encouraging, weeping, creating, sharing, understanding, etc.
There is a ripple effect that we have on the people and the things surrounding us.
Just like the beautiful scene above had an impact on me, you have an impact on those around you – whether you realize it or not.
When we do something, it not only changes our lives, but it also shapes the lives of others, and sometimes it does so without us ever even realizing it. We are being watched by younger siblings, parents, peers, strangers, etc.
What do they see you doing that will have an impact on their lives?
The Walls Reflect
June 26, 2010
Imagine the furnished living room of a home.
The lamps seem to brighten the rooms in the cool of the evening as the sun sets, adding a comforting warmth. The furniture well-worn, having the look of being well loved. The family China cabinet holds what appears to be precious dishes used for the most special occasions.
The end-table next to the sofa is noticeably hand-carved, as it could be seen that great care was given in the composing of its every detail. A writing desk in the corner has an unfinished letter on it, and in the writing of a child the beginning reads, “Dear Grandma.”
Four filled bookshelves cover one wall, suggesting a love of learning. On the other walls are found family pictures, paintings of virtuous men and women, embroideries of Scripture.
What does this room tell you?
What things do you imagine happen each day in the life of the family living in this home? How do you picture their outlook on life? What do you believe is important to them?
The things found and seen in this room reflect the daily life of the family who lives at the described dwelling. Their worldview can be found when searched for, and the things they hold dear are evident in the furnishings and surroundings alone.
Which leads me to a question we all should ponder,
If the rooms of your home were frozen in time, what would your living room
say about your family and what is important to you?
A Celebration
June 23, 2010
On June 12th, I was surrounded by my precious family and many friends whom I have had the pleasure of knowing in my lifetime. They came to celebrate what the Lord has done in my life, how He has taught, instructed, and guided me.
And how He laid it on the hearts of my parents to educate my sister and I at home.
My dear parents spoke to those gathered at our home about the workings of the Lord and His great mercy He has shown towards our family. What a blessing and encouragement to hear them speak and glorify the Lord with a testimony of His goodness.
It was a beautiful day. I have an over-abundance of things to be thankful for!
As you may well know, I will be learning for the rest of my life. I have been blessed with a love of learning. The celebration was the end of my “official” education at home, but I won’t stop the adventure there. (We do have more projects in the works!)
The decorations shown above were made from folded, vintage dictionary pages which were hot-glued together. On top was glued lace (which had been sewn into a circle) with scrapbook paper added to the center. They make for a perfect whimsical decoration!
Just twiddling our thumbs.
June 11, 2010
The mental image of “stay-at-home daughters” is usually of a girl . . .
Who is at home twiddling her thumbs while waiting, just waiting, for her Prince Charming to come and sweep her off her feet. She has nothing better to do than clean the house. Oh, and she can cook, too. What in the world does she do with all that free time? I mean really, all she’s capable of doing now is just waiting for her Prince Charming . . . right?
There’s a lot more to being a stay-at-home daughter than just cooking and cleaning. But because that’s the only thing the world thinks we’re doing, no wonder we seem so strange . . .
The past thirteen years.
June 7, 2010
A little over thirteen years ago, the Lord gave my mother the vision of homeschooling. As she shared about it with my father, God laid it on both of their hearts. There wasn’t a choice.
And here we are. Thirteen years later.
My gratefulness to God and to my parents can never be fully expressed. Because of being educated at home, Breezy and I were able to be raised with a biblical worldview and Christ-centered education.
The precious parents my Lord has blessed me with, by God’s grace, were able to follow the commands in Deuteronomy 6:5-7, which says,
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your might.
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your sons and
shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when
you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”
Although my “official” home education is over, my education will never be complete . . . because I’ll always be learning. Always be watching. Always be reading.
I like it that way. And I’m thankful to have had instilled in me the love of learning.
P.S. The photos are of crinkled, vintage dictionary pages, which will be a part of the decorations for my upcoming graduation open house.
While living the life my Lord has blessed me with, I am at home with my family enjoying being a daughter, homemaker and artist. My highest goal is to give glory to God and enjoy Him forever. It is He that has saved me with His amazing grace and is continually molding me; to Him I owe everything. Read more . . .
