queen bee & more

The Queen Bee Market in Oceanside was really wonderful.

It was so nice meeting so many kindred spirits and getting

to do what I love, talk about God and share my love for

decorating our homes with scripture.  

Getting there was a little stressful, with an accident by LAX, 

I was backed up for awhile and not

as ahead of time as I would have liked.  

I grew up in the area, so a high school friend met me and she said, "Jackie these are your people."

She's so right.

These creative crafty folk, they are my kind of people.

And I'm ever so grateful for their creativity and that in them I have kindred spirits.

This bracelet I 

COULD 

NOT 

STOP

thinking about. 

And that's how I knew it needed to come home with me.

A literal 'armor of God' reminding me of His promise to protect

from psalm 91, a psalm I read every day right now.

Getting ready the second morning, I had to take a selfie because I was having

this very surreal circle of life feeling as I curled my hair in my childhood

home just like I did so many, many years before.

My son says I'm too serious in selfies so I made an effort at smiling.  

Sort of.

Cupcake Girl Friday was my next door neighbor.

Not a bad neighbor to have. 

And when the day was done, I got to hang with

a childhood bestie for dinner with the sunset.

The fairs, though a lot of work are so very much fun.

And I always walk away feeling so encouraged and with my cup overflowing.

So..here's where you can find me next.

This Saturday at Calvary Westlake

5495 Via Rocas in Agoura Hills

and on June 7th at the Penelope Lane Boutique.

earth day

The most glorious thing happened.

My nine year old requested that we celebrate earth day

with a trip to the beach.

I'm all for celebrations, and all for earth day.

So off to the the beach we went.

First picking up some food for dinner and

my most favorite healthy treat.

And all of a sudden we realized there were whales.

Migrating whales.

These pictures don't do them justice.

It was amazing.  And beautiful.

And it felt like a gift.

God was sharing his wondrous creatures

with us right in the middle of our earth day celebration.

We ran along the shore, following 

their journey as long as we could.

My tween was slightly embarrassed.

Worried people were noticing us.

I remember those days.  The self conscious years.

But I said, "They're not looking at us, they're

looking at the whales.  They really could care less 

about us and will never see us again.  

Just enjoy this moment."

JUST ENJOY THE MOMENT.

I wanted to soak it in forever.

This special visit, by these mighty creatures

so close it felt like you could

touch them if you were brave enough.

And though so many scriptures could fit this moment.

The one that came to my mind was Ephesians 3:20.

"Now all glory to God, who is able,

through his mighty power at work within us,

to accomplish infinitely more than we might

ask or think."

He gifted us with so much more than I could have

ever even imagined to ask or think.

And in the same way, his mighty power at work

within us, can accomplish more than we might

ask or think.

And it takes the weight off doesn't it.

Knowing his power is doing a mighty work.

It's not on us at all.

And what he can do is beyond what we could even imagine.

And to that I say it was a beautiful earth day.

A memory I will cherish.

alone, yet not alone

More than anything I hope you know you are not alone.

He who gave his life to save yours is with you always.

This day we celebrate His defeating sin, and death.

He rose again, and is alive, 

with us every step of every day.  

Giving strength, guidance, protection, comfort,

faithful love.

Every perfect gift.  

I cannot imagine walking through this life without Him.  

I hope you know this comfort too.

Whatever you're facing today.

Know that you can walk through it without fear.

His mightiness is your shield.

His love is now revealed.

This song was composed by a friend's dad.

There was much controversy around it.

But that is ok, because in the controversy more heard the words.

Jesus works in even the things that seem unfair, unjust.

We just don't always see the whole story, or the end. 

But he does.

And he has already conquered it all.

There is already victory in Him.

This song is sung by Joni Eareckson Tada, her life story alone, and the fact

that she was even able to hit these notes is a miracle.

The second painting of Mary with baby Jesus in this video 

has hung for decades in my parent's home.

I would pass it many times a day.

A source of inspiration in my own journey.

"I will not be bent in fear.

He is the refuge I know is near.

In his strength I find my own.

How mighty is his shield.

For his love is now revealed."

"I'm alone, yet not alone."

Amen friends!

another giveaway

Happy Easter week, and Holy Thursday friends.

What a special week this is for all of us.

I want to share another giveaway and a little interview about me

over at CAST TEAM.  It's the Christian Artists Street Team where 

I'm a member.  They do a featured artist post, and this week I'm

the featured artist.  

I hope to get back on here with more resurrection thoughts before the week is out.

easter giveaway

RUN..don't walk.  Or well, click real fast

to head over to Oh Amanda for her 'un-Easter' basket giveaway.

I'd enter if I could.

But I think it would probably be wrong of me. 

Cause in the basket are some goodies from willow of wonder.

(An 8x10 print of your choice and a printed copy of the

Easter subway art in the color of your choice)

AND..there's a coupon code for 20% off in the shop through April.

(click the image above to go to the shop… and the code, it's EASTER)

But look at some of the other fun gifts that are included in the basket...

 God Gave Us Easter

Seeds Family Worship 

U-NEEKS ::: Alliebird Set and Color Wonder Pad

Yancy

Her newest pre-teen devotional, Jesus Music Box Devotional + a Yancy tshirt (boy or girl version!)

You Can Draw Bible Stories

VeggieTales :::  The newest DVD, Veggies In Space! 

spring craft fairs

You all.

I'm a tad up to my ears in mod podge

and paint

and paper

and printing

and packaging.

Cause it's spring craft fair season.

I wasn't going to do it.

I wasn't.  

I kept closing the door.

And God kept opening them right back up.

So I committed.

And here I am.

A little nervous if I'll have enough inventory.

But trusting it'll all come together.

Cause where God leads, he provides a way.

Here's the info in case you'd like to visit me and lots of other fun vendors.

I'm thinking some of these things would be great Easter Basket gifts!

First coming up… Penelope Lane Boutique.

Here are some pictures from a past boutique.

And then the stitched market.

And last, but definitely not lease I will be returning

to the Queen Bee Market.
It will be Friday May 2nd and Saturday May 3rd this year in Oceanside.
I don't see a flyer yet, but I'll certainly post it when there is one!

I would go to all of them even if I wasn't a vendor.

So why don't you join me?…at least once.

And with that brief announcement,
I'll return to my mod podging and packaging goodness.

s p r i n g f o r w a r d

OH it is time isn't it?

For the light to last longer

the days to linger later.

For signs of new life.

Green emerging from barren limbs.

Buds slowly unfolding.

Do you sense the colors,

the sounds,

the energy?

It is springing forth.

And these 40 days leading to the greatest

story of resurrection.

Only it isn't just a story.  A parable.  A fairytale.

No it's the truth of a God who loves you so very much

He gave his only son to take every last one of your sins

to the cross.  Nailed forever and forgotten with His death.

And in his rising again He invites you to follow after him,

to spend eternity in paradise.  Who wouldn't want a forever

after with the only one who can be a perfect provider, comforter,

faithful and true.  

The beauty is you can feel this today.

Right here on earth.  Holding his hand.

Inviting him into your life.

Every step of the way.

He has overcome every last bit of darkness.  

The battle is already won.

Do you know that?

Do you feel it?

Do you walk in this truth?

Every trial you face.

He has already overcome.

And the light of the truth will be revealed.

And his strength can be within you.

All because of this season we celebrate.
The grace of the cross.

The blessing of His surrender.
And with His rising
we are offered the gift of the Holy Spirit
and an eternal life with our creator.

He's calling each of us.

Have you answered His call?
If you haven't, won't you consider it.
Shut away all the reasons you're telling yourself you can't or won't.
And just answer his patient, quiet knocking on your heart.
And trust me you'll feel a difference.
It will take time.
Studying his word.
Learning to sit with him
as the greatest friend of all.
But you'll feel him right there with you.
You'll see him acting on your behalf.
And you'll realize you don't know how you ever
did this life without Him.

If you already have and are walking with Him

do you share his testimony?

Your testimony of him working in your life?

Do you shout to the rooftops of all He has done.

All he continues to do.

This lent let's speak the truth and share of His great love.

Let's praise His holy name.

In the small moments, and in the big.

Pointing always back to the one who gave it all.
The one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The one who formed us, who knows our days and our ways.
The one who loves us with an everlasting love.