just because

I want you to know....

I love this verse.  Psalm 139:14

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Do we always talk to ourselves like we know this?

We know God's works are wonderful.
But how often does that little negative voice creep in
and we do not treat ourselves as though we know.

We were made in His image.
Fearfully and wonderfully made.

I say this to my kids almost daily.
I need to hear it too.

Doesn't it make you feel more powerful.

I wanted a pretty way to display it in my kid's bathroom.
I'm dreaming of an idea for a painting.
But in the meantime played around with this.

It's free for you to print and use to remind all who see it
they are fearfully and wonderfully made!

The design is on an 8 1/2 x 11 paper, made to fit in an 8x10 frame.

4th of july

I have always loved this holiday.
The tradition, the celebration of independence.
The kick off of summer with hot dogs and watermelon and lots of red, white, and blue.

But I also love it because it's the day before my birthday.
And as a child my parents told me the fireworks were to celebrate me too.

And so the 4th of July has always been filled with anticipation.
It feels like a New Year's Eve of sorts for me.
A chance to evaluate the year and set goals for the one ahead.

And this year I was so inspired by this blog post and this movement to join in on the Birthday Project.

So I will be doing 40 acts of kindness in honor of my birthday.

I thought it would be an awesome way to share with my kids how much more fun it is to give than receive.  And I thought it would be a memorable way to ring in this new decade.

I'm going to be realistic and am listening to the advice of loved ones to not try to do this all in one day.  But this weekend I'll be prepping things to begin our acts of kindness next Monday through Thursday.

And celebrating with me, friends and family will be doing an act of kindness in honor of my birthday.  If you'd like to join in too...feel free.  The more the merrier.  If you happen to get a picture of the act send it to me at willowofwonder@gmail.com and I'll include you in an upcoming post sharing all the kindness.

But  today I'm sneaking in an act of kindness early for you.
It's a July desktop wallpaper.  With a girl reminiscent of the childhood me doing something I always loved, playing with sparklers.

You can click on the picture and then right click to save it as your desktop picture.  But if that doesn't work, you can also download it by this link on google docs.

If you don't know how to save it from there, go to FILE (it's on the top left hand side of the screen) and then click download.  Save it on your desktop.  Some computers will then allow you to right click to save as your wallpaper.  If not go to your system preferences, then click the icon for desktop/screensaver and select the image.  Then it should appear as your wallpaper.

Feel free to send friends over to download it also.

Happy almost July!
You can expect more surprises here next week too!

easter subway art

I couldn't wait to post this...
I've been looking for some easter subway art and didn't find
one focused just on Jesus with more of a vintage feel.

So I decided to make one.

And I'm making it free for you (just click on free) to print and share with friends.
If you do take it or share it, would you mind letting me know.
I'd love to hear or see how you used this in your Easter display.

***UPDATE 3.24.13*** ADDITIONAL COLORS have been added in the google docs.
You asked, and it wasn't hard to adjust so feel free to download in red, purple or sepia too!

Mine will go on my mantle tomorrow... pics will follow soon!

And if you have questions when you get to google docs, let me know.
Click on the color you'd like, go to file and then download to your computer.
Then you can print at home or take it in to be professionally printed.

Happy Easter everyone.  Let me know if there's another color you'd like and I'll work on it!

I love the joy of knowing He has conquered the grave!

If you're interested in purchasing some of my other scripture art for a friend or yourself

come visit willow of wonder on etsy.

USE THE CODE SPRING SAVINGS FOR 20% off, now until March 31st.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Creative Therapy & Free Banner

Taken With My Phone (excuse the blurriness)

Have I mentioned how much making things is therapeutic for me?

And of course deadlines help.  Because sometimes when you're sad you just don't feel motivated.

But once a month it's my job to update the Good Citizenship Board at the school my older two kids attend.

The first friday of the month they have an assembly where they recognize a couple of students from each class and then one from each grade is recognized for a special character trait.  This month was kindheartedness.  They also can be selected for good sportsmanship and for getting caught being good.

Then the following week it's my job to change out the board, giving it a new look with the new kids being honored.  I've chosen to go with the theme of the month.  

So this month is Happy New Year!  

I found the number paper at paper source.  We're lucky enough to have one of their stores near us.  It's such eye candy.  I could get lost browsing for quite some time.

I wanted to offer the banner I created as a free download for anyone who'd like it.  It should fit perfectly onto an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper.

You simply download and then print onto an 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock.  Cut out the triangles.  I used a cutting board, but scissors would work.  I then taped the little flags onto bakers twine.

The map background is a free download from Designer Digitals.  The polka dot and orange damask papers are from Shabby Princess, the Plentiful Collection.  It's also a free download.  The graph paper and circle letters I created myself.

I hope you enjoy a little creative therapy this week.

Now I must get to work on the many details of Ava's party.  It's a little over a week away.  I want to have fun with this, but am feeling a little overwhelmed.  

Focus Jackie, focus!


Oh and p.s. I'm linking this to You Create at gitzengirl.. so head over there to find more creative inspiration.