Mart JOY!

"Joy is that bubbling-over, effervescent, fizz of life, that can't be contain inside one person"   © The Velvet LIme Girls

                                                                        

Oh, we are just bubbling over with seltzer smiles today after seeing some of our artwork on Custom Decor products in the Atlanta showroom, Darrah and Co.
Garden flags, mailbox covers and lovely doormats covered with our uplifting artwork and inspiring messages... it's a little bit of the dream and vision in our hearts coming to life.  

Here's a closer view of one of our favorites pieces with Marybeth Wydock, the artist who created these lovely designs.

Some people are just born creative ... notice that her shoes match the pantone color in the artwork. 

The Atlanta Mart is just buzzing this year and we loved the energy and creativity that freely flowed throughout the day. We stopped for a fun visit with our licensing agent, Jan Draheim and her assistant Rebecca Hubert of Painted Planet Licensing Group,  to discuss new color trends and designs with Alison Gordon of Custom Decor.

And we were thrilled beyond expression to spend some time with Jacqueline Decker, an artist we admire who is as refreshing and genuine in person as her lovely works of art.  Jacqueline's studio is the choir loft of an old church, now restored into her family's  home. You really have to take a look:http://jackiedecker.blogspot.com/

Two gracious gentlemen at Little River Gift spent some time telling us about the heartwarming history of this family-owned company and the inspirational products they create. Thank-you Bret and Clay! Take a look at their uplifting website if you are not familiar with them, so inspiring!

http://littlerivergift.com/

And we re-connected with some old aquaintances at Kindred Hearts.  They're another creative family owned business that are just so uplifting to visit.  

http://www.kindredhearts.com/

We'll have some more Mart info to come, including our fun trip to the Westside Provisions area for gourmet cookies for Jan and a relaxed, casual dinner at Taqueria del Sol. It's just around the corner from the Mart, for those of you in town this week.   http://westsidepd.com/dining/

Grateful Hearts in Atlanta,

The Velvet Lime Girls 

Impressions

 

Some creatures leave the most beautiful impressions. 

When a little dove flew directly into this sunroom window yesterday, it left behind an imprint on the glassy canvas and a story in our hearts.

We're grateful to Laura's Dad, who captured this feathery photo and sent it to us with the following note: 
"...there was a heavy frost on the ground, and as the sunlight struck the glass, an image of the dove impacting the glass became abundantly  clear. The combination of frost, sunlight and dust on the glass created a breathtaking image that faded away almost as quickly as it appeared."

An impression left behind...

                  a fleeting glimpse...

the lingering essence of something beautiful.

It reminded us of the impressions our lives can leave behind everyday.  We're little carriers of light and even when we face bumps in our road, just like this dove, we can leave behind

 an imprint of beauty, 
                  an imprint of grace,
                           an imprint of hope. 
                               
In fact, we're encouraged to do just that.
"Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message ..." Phillipians 4-16 

The faint impression left by this dove still radiates a fluid, transcendent feeling of flight. Our spirits kind of soar when we stop and gaze at it.  He left a beautiful, uplifting image and a quiet reminder for us to do the same in our world. 

We hope you'll be encouraged to be little light carriers today. Spilling out joy, grace, compassion, hope, love and beauty as you soar through this world.

Leaving impressions,
The Velvet Lime Girls 

detail of dove wing... the sparkle on the end just appeared.
Photos by Clarence P. Skinner