August 31, 2014 Blessings

Blessings are not something worked for but that which is free, given and excepted without condition.
 
 Much of what life has to offer comes with conditions attached. Fail to meet those conditions and the offering is lost or taken away. Even life itself is conditional. Fail to give your body what it needs to continue and it dies. Blessings on the other hand are not conditional. They cannot be earned or purchased, bartered for or traded. They are meant to be shared but if they are not they will not be taken away, only lessened. Blessings are a free gift, given without condition. They are most often intangible for anyone but those receiving them. They are not always recognized or acknowledged in a lifetime unless someone else recognizes them and points them out. They can be difficult or easy, broad or narrow in scope. It is always up to the recipient whether or not to accept them but they are always there. What are they? They are anything that you have that can build up your life or other lives in positive ways that are not tied to earthly bonds and do not come with a price tag of any kind or expectation of something in return. The greatest and most perfect gift of all is our spiritual life. It was paid for at a cost none of us could pay. What is our cost? Acceptance of the gift. Life itself is a death road of no hope. Denial, ignoring or ignorance of the gift is fatal. What is the gift? Forgiveness of sin and transgression and life everlasting.

 "through the Law I am dead to the Law so that I can be alive to God. I have been crucified with Christ and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me. The life that I am now living, subject to the limitation of human nature, I am living in faith, faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not setting aside God’s grace as of no value; it is merely that if saving justice comes through the Law, Christ died needlessly.

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Ga 2:19–21). New York: Doubleday.

Today is our 51st wedding anniversary. In honor of that I would like to share one of Jill's favorite backyard places. It is a wood project done several years ago because of a comment from Jill that she wished she had a swing in the back yard. This is my own design from beginning to end. It took about a week to construct and is solid as a rock.

 This is a view of the swing before the roof was added. 

This is the swing after the roof was added. Nice when you want some shade. The cement pads are paving blocks I used to keep the wood legs off the ground. We have Termite problems in the area.

The swing will accommodate three adults easily. The swing was my design and even the bench is my design. I made it with a curved seat and back to make it more comfortable.

Yesterday we went to our favorite restaurant at "Sunnybrook Ballroom" in Pottstown, PA. The food is good, the waitresses are attentive and if you get to meet the chef you will not regret it. It was one of the best times out we have had in a long time. What we thought would be an hour or so was more than a three hour visit. The chef joined us at our table for a good bit of the time. Don't believe me: 

He  is always a treat to have visit the table. His staff says he is a floor show in his own right. He has a ton of stories and all are funny. He isn't drinking that wine by the way. He had a bottle of beer that he shoved out of view and picked up my glass of wine for the picture. That is what we are all laughing about. He provided  us with complimentary champagne (which Jill and I are holding), appetizers, and deserts as well as a ton of laughs. He even made sure the meal was made to order for us. The waitresses even sat with us when they could and talked. They made our day complete. Good food, good wine and good company. By the way, chef often stops by tables and chats when he is in house. If you are in the Pottstown area and you stop and dine here you just may get a visit from him.

Last but by no means least is a card we received from Darnell to helps us celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary.

Such a sweetheart. Thank you so much for the thoughtfulness. We appreciate it, especially knowing how busy you are. Give this sweet lady a visit and leave a comment on her wonderful blog.

I will be trying to post an update on the painting toward the middle of this week. There is just so much happening right now that it will not get done before then. Until then, remember, LOVE THE DETAILS.

August 25, 2014 TCBH

It is not ourselves that we are proclaiming, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. It is God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ that has shone into our hearts to enlighten them with the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ.
The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (2 Co 4:5–6). New York: Doubleday.

I have been tagged on several occasions to participate in the different blog hops. I have not agreed until now since there are just too many things going on this summer and time has not been something I had to spare. Sorry but for me it was not the opportune time and I apologize. Mary H. asked me to participate this week and I voiced my concerns. It has been agreed that this branch of the hop will end with me. I just do not have the time to find someone who has not done the hop or is willing to do the hop. I do feel however that it would be nice to let those who are interested, know a little about me and where I am coming from.  Now you know why I have not visited many of you this past week or so. This was not easy for me. Grab a drink and a snack (or two) and get comfy. This is a fairly long post.

About he hop!

The hop is held on Mondays only. At that time the TAGGED person will answer four questions and tag one to three other people to participate. As I have already said, the problem becomes getting someone that has not participated or is willing to participate. This was a concern for me as I do not have a great deal of time I can spend on this. It is for this reason I will not be tagging anyone to continue this branch of the hop. However, my DW, JD/Jill of Ribbon Challenged has agreed to post with me on her blog. This what you might call a twofer (two for one). 

A little something about my TAGGER.

Mary H. from Carolina Cards is a very personable and talented Lady.We pretty much clicked as soon as we met.

In the 8 months I have been blogging she has become a very good friend. She is an honest and straight forward individual which is right up my alley. I always enjoy the conversations we have when we email one another. I love to visit her blog. She is a very talented and passionate lady. If you haven't already, you should stop at her blog and enjoy her creations. You will not be disappointed. Don't forget to leave a comment and follow her if you like what you see and I am certain you will.



About Me

I came from a poor family. My father worked hard and so did my mother. He was a non-union plumber and she was a seamstress. I am the oldest of four and was always expected to be mature. I guess for that reason I was pretty much a loner. I joined the Navy after high school and spent  my time in the security division of an air base and the rest of my active duty aboard a destroyer in Cuba during the Cuban crisis. (4 Years active and 2 years inactive duty) I have had many Jobs in my life and enjoyed most of them. Among them I was a licensed plumber and also worked in most of the building trades, Insurance sales, 20 years as a telephone employee (force retired as a management person due to pending layoffs and contract buy outs), 7 years with a mutual fund provider ensuring funds were correct and fraud free, as a stock person both ordering and stocking for several different companies and various different jobs for the major temp companies. A very diverse employment experience.
My dear wife, JD/Jill at Robbon Challebged, tells me I am deep. I am not sure what that really means but I suppose that comes mostly from my thought process and how I write to express my thoughts. The Profile under my picture tells only part of the story. My first love and hobby is amateur astronomy. I have built and repaired many telescopes over the years. I love working with my hands and mind. I love woodworking of any kind. I love to cook. Sudoku is my

favorite kind of puzzle (especially the ones with 18 numbers instead of 9). My interest in art and science is all over the spectrum. I love to read. The Bible (My Favorite), biblical archaeology, physics articles, Astronomy Magazines & books and Nature are some favorite kinds of reading. I am currently wading through Einstein's Theory of Relativity, The layman's version. Can't deal with the heavy theoretical calculations in the full blown explanation. This one is heavy enough. My interest in the card making hobby stems from my love to create and the need to give back for my gift of life. My DW was making cards to send to shut-ins, terminally ill, military over seas and the disadvantaged. This appealed to me in a big way. She needed images so I started coloring them for her. I have always loved to write, draw and color. In the writing area, I have written poetry, prose and personal thoughts for as long as I can remember. I submitted a poem to Sparrowgrass' "Poetic Voices of America" and a poem to Sparrowgrass' "Treasury of Literary Poetry". They are now in the Library of Congress. I wrote a book of poetry and prose but could not find a publisher for it so now I just share parts of it in my blog or wherever. Drawing was never a major strength of mine but it was

never really pursued either. 

Recently, as you have seen in my posts, that has changed. I

have now ventured into that area as well. Photography is another hobby. It did come together with photography. The use and effects of light color and subject. I also take old damaged photos and restore them.

 Then there is sewing. Yes, needle thread and cloth sewing, as well as needlepoint, crewel, cross stitch and etc. For our 10th wedding

anniversary I made my own suit with bonded pockets, lining, vest and pants to wear when we had our marriage blessed. I still have the jacket and pants. The owl picture at right is a sample of that particular craft. I think you get the idea that there is little that I am not interested in. If there is a challenge involved it will be considered and possibly taken on. As the Blog title indicates "Love The Detail."








What am I working on now?

I am currently working on an acrylic paint by numbers project.
Paint by number canvases were a favorite when I was a teen. They were oil paintings and not very intricate or detailed. One of them is displayed at left. 

This new one is not your grandfather's paint by numbers. I should know. I am that grandfather. They didn't have anything like this when I was young. Water soluble acrylic paints make a difference but I am finding out they don't cover as well. It is a challenge which is always something that will get my attention. It is ongoing and will be shown in it's present state at the end of this post. For now here is a picture of me working on the canvas. Yeah, that is a circle magnifying lamp. This is like fine print except you have to paint it. This was taken by Jill since I can't paint and work the camera too.  Well, I could but I can't seem to press the shutter button with my big toe.

 How does my work differ from others in my genre?

This is a loaded question. I don't know if there is an easy answer to this question. It is geared and motivated by a need to share the connection between heaven and earth. It is a love of all of creation and the one who created it. All of my posts are synchronous and the art is geared to the message or the message to the art. "Great Spirit important message. Do good work." And then there is Cherokee. A fiddling of my common sense imagination. "Actually Irish is made up character of Cherokee." All this is unique in the posts and presentation of the gifts I have been given. Serious and at times entertaining but, hopefully, not boring. "Cherokee never boring. Irish not always funny but he tries. Cherokee is better at making people happy". You certainly never know what to expect in one of my posts.

Why do I create what I do?

There has always been a need to share what has been created. There are things in us that we feel need to be released and shared. Inspirations that are somehow incomplete and still need expression. No matter how much we create and inspire the need is never quite satisfied. Others find inspiration from what we do and that is important because it lights a new spark in us to create more and expand the message we are sending. It also is helping to complete who we are. Others are inspired and uplifted in a positive way by what we share and what we see in others. There is positive in every created project out there and I take that and translate it into something that has meaning and purpose to some one. I do what I do because it is where I am supposed to be. My blessings and gifts are worthless if not shared or given away. What good is a beautiful creation that no one ever sees? How can you be an inspiration if you hide everything from view? Yes there is a joy in creating and sharing even when there are no comments. Yes, comments are a great help because they help give a direction for more creative projects. The number of hits always far exceeds the number of comments. That alone says you are visiting. That makes me happy. Why not take a few seconds and comment too? As Christians it is how we live and what we share that is important not what we preach. It is how we live life that will shine through and give hope and witness first and foremost. This was the reason for starting this blog. It has become much more than that. It has become a place to meet other great people and share life.


How does my creative process work? 

I am not sure how to answer this. In our lives there are always things that inspire us. An exceptionally beautiful piece of artwork, nature, something you read or maybe just a revelation of some kind. This is where it starts. The course to follow at this point is almost automatic for me. There is seldom a random process. The project is governed by what art form is chosen, what the subject is, or what is available to complete the project. It is difficult to answer this question because the medium will change the requirements. For cards, stamped images or paper projects I prefer true to life rather than abstract, although I do enjoy other art forms. Copics are the preferred coloring medium but oils, pencils, crayons, water colors (liquid, solid and pencil) and Charcoal (not preferred) have been used. Pastels may be something to try somewhere down the road. The medium usually dictates if it is colored at all. Mixed medium is the same. It is almost instinct that kicks in. I usually go with the flow and create within that flow.
  

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Well, I said I would give an update to the painting so I guess that needs to be the next thing on the agenda provided anyone is still reading this. I could have done several posts worth but don't want to chase everyone away completely. "Good. Cherokee have hand on door knob. Get ready to go back to wickiup." I thought you lived in a tepee! "Move into wickiup. More room. Maw squall want more space for her things. Have closet full of moccasins. No more storage." Ooookay. Not going there.
 There has been a lot completed and at present there is a bunch of hours involved. I stopped counting, Makes my head hurt. Any who, here it is.

The six colors at the bottom of the photo are the ones currently used. Some were single and others in combination.
Unfortunately they do not tell the actual color but you can see what they are fairly easily. Only a bunch more to go. LOL.

I will be Taking some time to visit and comment this coming week.  Thanks again Mary for the opportunity to participate in the hop. Now it is time to play catch up and get things done. LOL. Please be sure to visit JD/Jill at Ribbon Challenged. She is partly the reason this blog exists. Thank the Lord for making time to do the hop and sharing  with you. Please visit Mary H. as well. Her Creations are well worth the visit at Carolina Cards. Until the next post, remember to LOVE THE DETAILS.

August 15, 2014 Covenant #2

God doesn't want us to have rigid rituals with Him. In the new covenant, He is more interested in having a relationship with us.

Joseph Prince

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/covenant.html#ar2bUwEou11SfY1y.99

Does that speak to you? What kind of relationship is it if God's promises mean nothing. I used to hear the statement, "promises are made to be broken" quite  a bit. Can you imagine if God thought that way? What would be our reaction if this was the way we were treated? Is an "on again off again" relationship with Jesus what you want? We do that with our relationships in this life. There could be no surety of an eternal life if God was that way. Personally, I know this is not the way it is. The whole of His promises are laid our in the living word, the Bible. Those that have chosen to follow Him are placing themselves in His hands. He in turn keeps their soul safe and provides for them. It is up to you to live the life that will speak of this to others louder than the evangelist on the podium. If you think it will not be noticed how you live, think again. The light house in this painting serves as a good example.

‘You are light for the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in people’s sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven. 

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mt 5:14–16). New York: Doubleday.  

I apologize for not visiting many of you as much as I would like. I would like to thank all of those who have stopped and supported me with your wonderful comments. There are no words to tell you how important they are. Bless all of you and thank you.  

Now for the good works. I dare say there are about 14 hours in this at present. about 5 of that has been preparation. I was not sure of the acrylic paints or how good they were so I contacted the company and they will replace up to 6 of the paints free if I have any problems with them. They are water soluble which makes a large difference. There are 18 base colors and 22 color combinations making a total of 40 colors before all is said and done. 

The tools needed are as follows:

A tray to put and mix the acrylics in. A syringe to put drops of water into the paint for thinning purposes. A Stratford & York # 700 brush (black), a Filbert Silver Ultra Mini 10/0 brush (white), a Paint Works #1 brush (red), #2 Flat Winson Newton Special Value brush (blue). The first two brushes I purchased separately and the second two came with the kit. Here is a close up of the brush I use the most, the first one.

It gets in those small spaces. There are lots of small spaces. LOL. 

The first color was a mix of #1 a beige and #11 a lavender.

The second color used was #18 a beige. They were mostly sky and water. I had more of the # 18 left over than I wanted to throw away so I went to the second mix and added #3 a purple. This proved to be an eye strain headache. Tried to use my circle magnifying lamp but it was only good for finding the areas needing to be colored. So much for the magnifier. YAY, only 37 more colors to go. Sigh. 50% of those are TINY, TINY, TINY. I need to get a bottle of Excedrin when I go to the store tomorrow. I have a feeling I will need them. LOL.

That is the progress so far. If I don't post like this you will not hear from me until mid winter. This is not your paint by numbers from the 50's to be sure. LOL....I think. At any rate, always remember to LOVE THE DETAILS. (We may revise that before this is all said and done.)


      

August 10, 2014 Covenant.

A formal promise to do what is agreed on by two persons

How many of you have agreed to do something and never fulfilled that agreement? Do you realize that is a covenant? It is realized that at times it cannot be fulfilled but if that is the case then why promise in the first place? If you promise something you know you cannot fulfill, it is deceit. You have broken your promise before you have begun. Is God deceitful? Has He gone back on any promises He has made to us? NO? He even sacrificed his own son to keep his promises to us. Still think it does not matter? Then the sacrifice of Jesus was a lie and we do not matter to God. We are the walking dead that Hollywood loves to portray in horror films. I know better. Christ, the Holy Spirit and God are not only real they are present to any and all who would believe in them. The covenant is real and for you and I. 

1346  covenants, nature of

A solemn agreement or promise, sometimes confirmed by sacrifice or by sharing in a meal, by which two or more parties commit themselves to the rights and responsibilities demanded by their relationship and their agreed course of action, and accept the serious consequences of breaking faith.

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

 I will do a bit more on this subject on the next post. It does apply to this post.  We were still stopping to visit with Jill's mother's friends at her apartment complex before she passed away. I was was doing puzzles with them and sharing some of my work. One of the ladies had recently lost her husband. He did acrylic paintings by the number. He was exceptional at it and I admired his beautiful work. She approached me during a visit and after I shared some of what I was doing and she handed me a kit that her husband never got to do. She said I could have it if I promised to do it sometime in the future. I was stunned because I knew these were not for beginners. I said OK very reluctantly but I did agree. To me as a Christian that was a promise. A covenant. It will be a few days before I can start on this project but I wanted to show you this kit. Here it is in all of its complexity. 

This one is intimidating. Getting this fine a detail is hard with Copics but using a paint brush? I need to pray before starting this one. No, not LOL. Seriously. I will be giving a partial post as I finish some of this image. As I said I am on a project right now so whenever I must stop I will work on this image. Until then, LOVE THE DETAILS.

August 4, 2014 Through love's eyes 2

Love does not count faults, only Blessings.

I know it has been said several times in my posts but I will put a slightly different angle of approach to this. Many enter into marriage with the thought that all is perfect and love will automatically make everything right and perfect. Sorry to disappoint but it does not work that way. The person you knew before saying I do is not the person you will be living with for the rest of your life. A loving marriage is filled with concessions on both sides and requires effort to make it work. It may even require a few arguments along the way. It requires understanding one another's feelings. Honest communication is paramount to help in this area. Knowing each other only happens through communication and sharing yourself unselfishly. The willingness to give in this way is true love.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mt 16:24–25). New York: Doubleday.

Christianity is the marriage of our everything to Christ, The Holy Spirit and God. It is the same with Marriage.To become one you must give up self.


This will be short and sweet. I spent the week eraser and pencils in hand. Another first when you consider that I wasn't taking handwriting lessons. It has be my practice to use them to draw stick figures or doodle. I thought that since I had a set of 15 graphite pencils maybe I should try actually drawing with them. What do you think? I needed an image for this so it is my turn to do my favorite image of my wife. If I don't show up after this post it is because Jill did me in for showing the picture I used. Here it is. I assure you it is better than my drawing.

 She said everyone will think I am married to this young woman. Well, I was then and I am now. This picture was taken on our 10th wedding anniversary before we had our marriage blessed. I think she glows in this photo. 
I apologize but there are no step by steps for this image. The bottom of my trash can is nothing but eraser crumbs.
It was draw, erase, draw, erase, draw, erase. You get the Idea. Here is the end result for you to compare with the photo.

 I thought the Copic images were tough. I forgot that the colors had to be translated into shades of gray. As with the last image there are only clues on what the hair should look like. After a week of adjusting I decided it was done. I need to try pencils more often. They are a challenge. After doing several of these I am sure the Copics will seem like a walk in the park. OH, I almost forgot. I did this the hard way. On Copic paper not drawing paper. Major difference. Major difficulty. Smears VERY easily.
Taking a few days off to figure what to do next. Remember to LOVE THE DETAILS.