G R A T I T U D E

GRATITUDE – the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Have you ever been really inspired by someone that you thought you’d never have had the chance to meet and thank? We have ... this entire year. Our inspiration came from another creator and dreamer like us named Kelly Rae Roberts. Right about the time that we were wondering how do we pull all these creative ideas together and do it all, we discovered a course by Kelly Rae that would tell us everything we needed to know. Marybeth discovered her Flying Lessons e-course, enrolled and the mind expansion began! Imagine our excitement when we realized she would be at the Demdaco showroom in Atlanta ... Just a short drive from our studio! We flew downtown and stood in line to just say “Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you”. What a great feeling it is to express gratitude to someone significant in your life:-) And just so you know ... Kelly Rae was as gracious and warm as we imagined. Here’s a photo of our Gratitude Moment.

We hope our photo will encourage you to think of someone you can express gratitude to today.

Reaching Healthy Goals Together

The start of a new year always brings new goals and resolutions. It is a time to take a deep breath and really focus on what we want to achieve in the next 365 days. I think everyone, whether they want to admit it or not, feels renewed after making their resolutions. My goal this year is strive toward being in the best shape of my life. My goal is two-fold. I had a baby this past February, so I want to get beach-ready and I need to be able to run around and chase my daughter.

Our intention at Velvet Lime Designs is to encourage and uplift through our art and in words. I feel that everyone feels better after they have started taking steps towards their goals. That is why I will be posting tips and encouragement throughout my journey this year. We all know that we can accomplish so much more with the help of others. I would love to know what you are doing to meet your resolutions and together we will accomplish those goals!

My first tip is one of the easiest... Add lemon to your water. We all know that water is a must in staying healthy... think about our bodies as a fish tank... water helps filter our systems. Lemons add an extra detox element and help our bodies in becoming more alkaline.

*Rebecca*

Birdhouse Thoughts

We have a fancy birdhouse in our backyard … a gift to me from my husband, James. It’s refreshing to look at this time of year when the landscape is barren, cold and a bit dreary … to think ahead of the little birds who will in a few short months discover this little “mansion” of a birdhouse and call it home. It’s a beautiful home for a bird, much more extravagant than a mere straw, stick or mud house … and it’s just waiting for them … all prepared and ready for their enjoyment.

It makes me think of the good plans God has ahead for those who love Him. He actually talks about this and says, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

So, the fancy birdhouse is a little seed thought of what is ahead for the birds and all of us in 2011. Be expectant about the plans and places God has already prepared for you this year … and don’t forget to enjoy them when you get there.

*Laura*

Photo is a watercolor study of the birdhouse by James Rhodes in 2002.

Being carefree...

CIMG1725_2, originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

Fall arrived a few weeks ago in Georgia and the azalea blooms of spring and summer have long since slipped away and prepared for their upcoming winter’s nap. Perhaps that’s why this photo of Sophia and azaleas taken in the spring was so refreshing. I captured Sophia, one of our three granddaughters, twirling in our back yard ….carefree, arms outstretched, filled with overflowing joy … and giggling contagiously.

I love to look at this photo of her in total abandonment to any worries or cares … completely immersed in this moment of enjoyment, playing with “LaLa” (that’s me).

It’s how God wants us to live…. carefree, lighthearted and with joy. No worries, no cares, immersed in His love.

Go twirl in the yard today.

~ Laura

my soul waits in silence.

my soul waits in silence., originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

Have you ever waited for...wished for...prayed for...something? That’s where we are at right now. Waiting, wishing, praying for the right opportunities to come along. We’re being faithful -- one foot in front of the other. We KNOW this is what we're supposed to do..what we're called to do. We're listening to our hearts. Our hope is from Him.

Windows of Heaven

Velvet Lime Designs Windows of Heaven, originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

Some images speak loudly from the first glance. When I saw this simple window nestled in a tiny garden on Roanoke Island I heard the phrase “I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing”. My husband James captured the moment on camera and Marybeth, our art director/graphic designer transformed it into a beautiful art image. Her creative use of wispy flourishes to convey the “blessings pouring through the window” is a glimpse into her creative treasury. I believe there are windows around us each day … with blessings waiting to come through. Look with expectant hope for yours today.

*Laura*

Blessed are those whose lives you touch...

Blessed are those whose lives you touch..., originally uploaded by Velvet Lime Designs.

How does one pay tribute to the woman who raised a great son that grew up to became my husband? Beautiful pictures and eloquent words all seem to fall short, but, Marybeth somehow captured the essence of a tribute worthy of my mother-in-love and placed it in our most recent image. We presented to my dear mother-in-love, Anne Rhodes, on the occasion of her 80th birthday celebration last week.

I will be forever grateful to my mother-in-love and the gift she has given me in my husband. Many of the character traits that caused me to fall in love with him over 36 years ago are the very traits that she instilled into him at a young age. She planted great seeds as a young mother and she has continued to plant good seeds into all of our lives. So, the words on this image that say “Blessed are those whose lives you touch” simply become more true each day.

Here’s a photo of the new image and a photo of the woman who inspired this new image, my mother-in-love, Anne Rhodes ... accompanied by Rebecca and Alexa.

– Laura