Silliness...just for the creativeness of it!

Shiny happy acorn people!, originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

So here's a peek at what we do when we're supposed to be doing WORK....or just when someone needs an inspirational lift! James came in with a handful of burr oak acorns – complete with their “hairy” caps, knowing that I would completely embrace them. And well, here you have it! Our acorn people. I made each of these on challenging days for Laura.

The one on the left with red lips was for her birthday (OK, that wasn't a challenging day). The second one is a knight in armor (painted silver, mind you)....he’s holding a flag that says “I will put on His armor today.” The third one is an angel (complete with wings and halo) that says “He shall give His angels charge over you.”

And the last one, I think, was for a budget day. It was really how The Acorn People started. I am, by nature, a people pleaser. When I saw Laura on this particular day, I decided to create an art project to make her smile. So I “dressed up” the acorn in a Hawaiian shirt and waving a flag that said ““Don't worry. Be Happy.” Usually, I make it and leave it when she’s not at her desk or not looking. Then I go back and sit at my desk and wait for the laughter.

Simple distractions every now and then...no major art talent needed. Just seriously fun stuff.

*Marybeth*

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*