Here's My Story

Those who know me know I have a testimony that accompanies my artwork. I've always loved being crafty and drawing but in 2003 God presented a turning point to me. I was sitting in a dorm room trying to draw and was getting pretty frustrated. I stopped and cried out inwardly, "God, why would you give me this desire to draw if I cannot create the things I see in my mind?!". And the Lord actually answered me- I almost audibly heard a quiet voice tell me, "I will guide your hand". I was shocked, I just sat there letting it sink in that I was pretty sure God had just spoken to me. As I processed it, I decided that was cool and all but crazy. Crazy that God would really guide my hand in artwork. I mean- that's just CRAZY. So about a month later I decided to submit some artwork to an artist's guild and when I finished the ink drawings....I cried and my hands shook. Because the hand that drew them was not my own. I had never been able to draw like that. God had not lied to me, of course not. I finished the drawings with color pencil- suddenly I understood shading & shadows. I'd always struggled with it before. I was and am overwhelmed with the amount of Grace God has for us; even in my imperfectness He still gave me a deep desire of my heart. When I took my artwork to the post office, the man helping me commented on the drawings. I excitedly told him my story. He smiled a polite smile but I walked away and realized I'd just become "One of Them", one of those Christian's that talks crazy talk about miracles and wants you to believe them.

My story is true, believe if you like- here are the before and afters.

Before-Drawn fall 2002 (it's okay to laugh)

After- Spring 2003 (if you want to laugh it's okay it may hurt my feelings now)


Spring 2005

They do a great job of convincing me on days when I think God has abandoned me or I have nothing to offer. Since that prayer, I've increased my grasp in areas of art I've attempted. I am not perfect but I get better with practice, just like all artist's.
As I've grown in this I've been so thankful. As I was folding clothes this morning I thanked God for showing me, finally, who He created me to be- a creative person, creating for others.
So that's why I started Ruby Coco, it's an outlet to create for others. We'll see what the Lord does from here...

And that about sums it up for this perfectionist...

Have created lots of beautiful things I'll be sharing soon...
And will be done with the nursery this weekend! Yahoo!

Five Favorites for Friday

There are so many talented artists I'm amazed and inspired by. Thought it would be fun to share 5 great pieces I'm excited about and would love to have in my home:

Whenever it's our time for a family I want this in the nursery. Find Rae Dunn here

Wish I had an event important enough to need her gorgeous writing. But she also sells custom address stamps, how lovely bill paying will become with her handwriting gracing the envelope.

Abagail Halpin, this woman inspires me to keep drawing, I love her images!

Will be tracking the days in 2010 with this beauty. It gets better, they provide templates to turn the pages into gift boxes and file folders once the month is ended.
Belle and Boo artist, Mandy Sutcliffe, beautifully sweet and simple

mind + body + soul

First, let's start with Body- I'm eating chocolate covered pretzels right now and definitely feel like my inner aspect has been nourished. seriously- they are so goooood. Anyway, have a few things that are fun to share.

::mind::Was listening to talk radio today as I ran a couple errands for work. Mark R. Levin was being interviewed, if you're interested in thoughts and observations regarding our founding philosophers and how we've arrived in our current political frame of mind check out his book. I haven't read it yet, but am curious and excited. Politics were easy peesy back in 1984- I thought Ronald Reagan was king of the world and Walter Mondale was some creepy guy from Russia trying to take over the White House. nice.

::body:: I grew up as a tomboy and never really learned the womanly arts of hair and makeup. I can fake it pretty good, but I'm clueless. So I felt like I'd stumbled across the big sister I always wished for in high school when I found this girl on YouTube, sweet! I feel like I've hit the jackpot, she offers tutorials and reviews on makeup and hair. Coincidentally, Marta at martawrites is doing a panel study on beauty if you'd like the insight she's uncovered.

::soul:: Just finished reading an amazing story this week. Couldn't put it down- heart beating fast and wrenching in the end. It's so beautifully written I keep thinking of the characters as real people, wondering what they're doing and how life is turning out for them. At the end I felt my soul calling out for something more. A need to understand/be a part of more than the little story I see unfolding around me in Shreveport.

How to Cultivate Amazing Character

I received this e-mail from a dear friend and thought the video was the best teaching I've listened to in a long time. If you have time it's worth it! The teaching part begins about 5 minutes into the video.

"If you have an hour, you should really watch this video... great teaching on 1 Peter 3 ... wives and submission. The sermon was great and ended with Q&A from Grace Driscoll. The next week is the followup to this section on how husbands are expected to treat their wives."

http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/trial/marriage-and-women

Inspiration

Looking for inspiration to spruce up your home? I've stumbled across two great sites and can't stop referring back to them They've become a part of my lunchtime online lineup. Both affordable, clever and smart. Have fun here and here good friends! Check out they're sweet wedding, have always wanted to attend a reception this personal and fun. I'm looking to redecorate on a budget, if you know any great links please share!

oh yes

Check out this creative promotional tool designed by Swink and letterpressed here. This is so fun, wouldn't you love receiving this in the mail? I love anything to do with camping, mini's and letterpress.

sweet tooth

Are we getting ready for Halloween yet?
This makes me smile because a) I love me some sweets b) tone on tone pinks are my favorite right now c) the lettering makes me want to dance d) I work for a dentist! Saw this oh so cute illustration at Theo Design. I've never met Abigail Halpin but I feel like we could be cut from the same cloth. A while back she drew an illustration of herself circa 1994 or '95, {oh yea- spirit, spirit, we aim high! we're the class that really strives! we can jam, we can jive we're the class of '95!} the curly hair, the flute, the not- sure-what's-goin'-on-with-the-jeans momement... oh girl, I've been there! Thankfully, I've accepted my curly hair and we've all moved on with fashion. I love her beautifully innocent, sweet drawings, they inspire me to keep sketching daily. She also has an etsy shop if you're interested in taking some of her goodies home or giving gifts {I'm totally not hinting}. Hope you're enjoying this amazing Fall weather like we've been, I don't even feel like I live in Louisiana it's been so pleasant outside! Noticed the first leaves turning brilliant yellow on my way home this afternoon.

Eye Candy

Oh my, oh my! I'm in love with these images and the very talented Amy Atlas. I love how graphic and colorful this woman is. What an inspiration! I sent the top photo to our pastors wife, she's decorating our new church. Don't you think those banners would be sweet in the children's area?

Happy Fall!

Just browsed through the new Martha Stewart Living magazine and am excited for fall! It's my favorite season. Although it's the end of the year I always feel like it's the ramping up to the coming year, of something new just waiting to be experienced.

image from martha stewart

How about this

Saw this logo on Kelly Moore's blog and had to check it out. This idea is so right there with the way I've been thinking lately. {And apparently lots of others} Every year I'm resentful that my Christmas is overtaken with the stress of gift buying, it's not that I don't love giving gifts -it's my favorite way to tell people I love them, it's my love language. Just ask my husband! It's that these gifts aren't often meaningful and that's sad and wasteful. I e-mailed this link to my pastor and was excited Sunday when he told me he's very interested and going to look into it more. Would love to see this happen!

click here to view

Shake it!

I thought for a long time I didn't enjoy music, but it turned out I just wasn't listening to what I liked. Last fall I sat down and made a file of all my favorite music from iTunes

Turns out I'm a big fan of the "Guitar Rock 1978-1979" Album, the 80's, alternative and folk music. Who knew?

Current Workout Playlist...

Just What I Needed- The Cars
Heat of the Moment- Asia
I Don't Wanna Be In Love- Good Charlotte
Top Gun Anthem- don't knock it, you can fly on the treadmill with this!
Heartbreaker- Pat Benatar
Wake me Up Before you Go-Go- Wham!
One Way Or Another- Blondie
Mickey- Toni Basil
Crazy- Gnarls Barkley
Extreme Ways- Moby
Shake It- Metro Station
Fields of Gold- Sting
Can't Take It In- Imogen Heap

Here's to finding your muse! What's inspiring you to run/create/go!?

The right kind of wisdom

Saturday afternoon I spent some time in our back yard enjoying the *amazing* fall weather {we hang out in short sleeves here until late October or November, this was a treat} I pulled out my Bible and journal and let the Lord talk and I just listened. That's a hard thing to do. Over the past two months I have asked the Lord to shake out the yuck and replace it with his glory. Because when we ask, we receive. It's hard facing your downfalls and pride, like- really confess it to yourself. But as I have, it's weight has been lifted from me and God has replaced it with his fruit. His good fruit. The verse above really stuck with me because it's the opposite of what we often see around us. Our "wise" government officials, business leaders, even professors- not usually described as impartial, sincere or submissive. What a great gift that we can receive wisdom that makes you and the people near you happy and peaceful!

You stay classy San Diego

So the "Anchorman" was not classy but I think she is. Love this sweet picture of Jackie Kennedy with Caroline. I just learned she was a dedicated painter in the style of Grandma Moses, I admire her even more.