Heaven on Earth...

Wisteria, originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

Lying underneath the wisteria growing near our stone wall last spring I heard the phrase “days of heaven on earth” on each inhale of the magnificent aroma. The broad spectrum of lavender showcased in each bloom is beautiful enough even without the fragrance, but the addition of that permeating infusion of natural aromatherapy brings it to a new level of “divine.” It is a glimpse of heaven … a peek into the eternal realm … a little bit of heaven on earth with every exhale from its drooping bloom clusters.

We’re working on capturing some of this aroma in a new image and hope that its fragrance fills the heart of each viewer as they pause to notice the little glimpses of heaven on earth each day.

Laura

He is my rock.

He is my rock., originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

We are working on some new ideas that involve rocks and, more specifically, ballast rocks. Laura has taken some photos of ballast rocks from the coast of North Carolina (Roanoke Island) that were retrieved from underwater by Laura’s dad (there’s that strong man again!). We’d like to develop this idea a little bit more... adding ballast/balance to your life. We’ll see where it takes us. Looking forward to showing you more artwork soon.

A symphony of praise

Laura & her dad, originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

Many of the flowers used in our images have their beginnings in my father’s garden. My parents, Clarence & Rose Skinner, live on Roanoke Island in the quaint town of Manteo, North Carolina … a “Mayberry” type of setting and a perfect environment for flowers as well as family memories to grow. This photo came at the end of a full day of planting flowers & vegetables in his garden. As we placed the last tender seed into the fertile soil, Dad said “You know Laura, when I plant seeds I hear music … and when I plant an entire bed like this, I hear a symphony … a beautiful, full symphony. It’s as if each one of those seeds is a musical instrument and together they make a wonderful song.” He paused, smiled, and “listened” to the symphony that surrounded us. A symphony of praise.

Perhaps this is where the beginning of hearing flowers “speak” to me came from … my father. The turned up, outstretched heads of poppies talk of “hope and faith,” the fragrance of wisteria whispers “days of heaven on earth” and the morning drops of dew on caladium leaves speak of the “thirsting of my soul.” How rewarding it is to see these expressions take form as Marybeth gives them life beyond the garden.

We hope you hear the symphony in the images we’ve created and are inspired to listen to the songs around you each day.

– Laura

P.S. The rusted steam engine flywheel in the photo was physically moved by my father to add to his collection of interesting “objets d’art”…( that mother has yet to appreciate.) At 78, he’s still as strong as an old steam engine.

Poppies for inspiration...

PoppyFaithfulSprings72, originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

We love poppies! Just like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz running through the field of poppies...except they don't make us sleepy! :-) This was inspired by one of the beautiful photos Laura took in her backyard.

*Marybeth*

Singing with grace...

SingWithGrace/LoveSong, originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

As promised, the full version of our “sneak peek” is the bottom image. Seems like birds have been the theme lately...Finally getting a chance to post “Sing with Grace” and “Sing My Love Song”....a lot of elements here by painted/drawn by hand and the scanned in and digitally collaged. We will have prints available on Etsy soon!

Just when you're on a roll...

Photo0227, originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

...it all comes to a grinding halt. Had almost finished this mixed media piece when I decided to go to the doctor. I wrecked on my bike a month ago and my hands were really sore then. Thought I had just sprained them. So I go about my busy mom life, but wondering why my hands are still hurting a month later...why I can't pick up a watermelon in the grocery store, why I can't twist the new cap off the Gatorade bottle...so yesterday I went to the doctor. Turns out I have been walking around with a broken bone in my left wrist and a broken bone at the base of my right thumb...and I now have a splint on both hands and will probably end up with a cast on each. I am left-handed. One of my biggest fears has been doing something bad to my hands...the way I make a living. Apparently that bone in the wrist is "critical" and it needs to heal correctly. So, instead of doing some exploring at the drawing desk where I can get my hands really messy, I am back to digital collage for a few weeks. At least I can still do something!! This sort of thing certainly makes you appreciate those who can't use their hands.

On another note, almost done with that "sneak peek" I showed on the last blog entry. Some of that was by hand and then digitally collaged...I can keep working on that at least!!!

*Marybeth*

A sneak peek at some new artwork...

QuickPeek, originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

OK...so just a quick note today. I've been working on some artwork for the past week. Not quite done yet so we don't want to give the whole piece away. Hopefully I can get back to this over the weekend and finish it up... Summer is GREAT but sometimes I feel so much busier -- between swim practice, swim meets and being the all-around general taxi for my kids, finding the time to work on my passion seems hard! But I manage to sqeak in some time...so look for the finished artwork within the next week! Happy 4th of July everybody!

*Marybeth*

Just Breathe...

Alexa playing, originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

Just Breathe…

Three steps behind. That is how I have felt since becoming a new mom. There is always something to get done and tasks that I fail to complete. I have been so focused on what I wasn’t accomplishing that I missed the small things that renew me.

We get so caught up in changing diapers, running errands and trying to make everything perfect that we fail to notice the wonderful blessings that we all have. I am learning to stop in my hectic day and just watch my daughter play. There is such a joy and peace that washes over me.

We all lead extremely busy lives…that is the nature of being a mom, wife, sister and friend. I know God uses the little things… our babies, an afternoon rain or just one minute of absolute silence to refresh and remind us just to breathe.

I may not get to the laundry, but I know I have accomplished so much just seeing my daughter’s feet kick with excitement!


"I'll refresh tired bodies; I'll restore tired souls." Jeremiah 31:25

Rebecca