Live Simply

Live Simply.

It's an expression we welcome this time of year.
Just before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve come rolling in with all the family, memories and significant celebrations.
We know the holidays also come with their bags packed full of lists, programs to attend, presents to buy, packages to wrap, trees to decorate, cookies to bake, and cards to mail.
It can be overwhelming. Especially when we forget what the celebrations are really all about.

So, we'd like to take a little pause beforehand and just reflect on the joy of simplicity.
The joy of living life a bit more carefree and, well...simply.
It's an important thing to embrace just before the full season ahead.

So, take a brief moment with us and treat yourself to a cup of tea, a five minute coffee break, or just a moment of solitude and let our Live Simply artwork bring a little rest to your soul.  You weren't meant to go 100 miles an hour in a day.  We hope our artwork reminds you to just lighten your load a bit and allow yourself to live life a little less encumbered, a little less burdened, a little more simply.

The word "simply" has a few interesting synonyms that include:
easy, effortless, uncomplicated, and child's play.
Hmm... child's play.
We remember someone who encouraged us to be like a child.  To become like little children.
He's the same person who said this:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with 
me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or 
ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30

and this:
"Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth...store up treasures in heaven...
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-20


Live Simply,
The Velvet Lime Girls

Purple Grace

Just beyond the last coreopsis still standing in our studio garden, a cloud of purple flowers floats above the flowerbeds closing up for winter.  

The purple mist appeared just as fall began, carrying a bright hope that covered all the weary, heavy-burdened, faded flowers, standing valiantly in the face of the soon coming chill. 
With its soft, purple blanket, the flowers draped the garden in a silent, beautiful grace. 

A beautiful purple grace.

A grace that carried our hearts and minds back to the grace given to all of us by God. 

A grace that covers weary, heavy-burdened, faded lives and brings a beauty to all who reach out and let grace pull a heavy blanket of love over their lives. 
It's beautiful, it's life changing, it's amazing.  
It's amazing grace.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:9

With temperatures dipping below freezing tonight, we wanted to warm your heart and soul with the  

purple grace that blooms in our garden, gently reminding us of God's beautiful, amazing grace.

The Velvet Lime Girls