Discernment

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary online, defines discernment as "the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure."  This is a Spiritual gift, according to Paul the Apostle's in his letter found in 1 Corinthians 12:10, when he talks about wisdom and "distinguishing between spirits."  Discernment is what I'm currently trying to attain, as I seek to know what the Lord wants of me in the future.

Psalm 51:10
Tim Holtz dies, embossing folders, grungeboard, distress inks, remnant rubs, findings, fasteners and more
Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - A is for… Alterations
Jenn's In the Studio
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday
Tag Tuesday - Decay
With a goal of discernment in mind, I must pray for spiritual cleansing, so that I may have a "pure heart" and a "steadfast soul."  Although by most standards I'm not a bad person, I am by no means perfect.  Therefore, only in Him will I be able to accomplish this.

Contemplating
Digital Self Portrait
Bella's 52 Photos Project: Gallery 40 {My Reflection}
Karen's Word Art Wednesday - Challenge-116
Denise & Roger's ABC Wednesdays - C is for Contemplating
In addition, as in James 4:10, I need to humble myself "in the sight of the Lord" in order for him to lift me up.  This is probably the hardest thing for me, since due to my perfectionistic personality I tend to be stubborn and even a little arrogant at times.  Working on the latter will help me be a better listener, so that I may be able to discern what His divine plan is for me.

Lotería Series Card #37 - El Mundo
Micron Pen and Watercolor Pencil Illustration on a Tag
Tag Tuesday - Myths and Legends
Kristin's and Eva's Paint Party Friday - Week 46 Year 3
Three Muses: Choose a Word
Jen's Artist's Playroom #90
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
23rd Wedding Anniversary Gift Wrapping - For The Years of Laughter!
Fiskars Advantedge die, Gingham Paper, Red Ribbon
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Let's Have a Laugh 
Manon's Paper Saturdays
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday
Living in a pagan world that's filled with temptations, discernment is not easy.  Therefore, I need to find refuge in Him continuously.  He has already blessed me with family and friends, as well as my writings and artwork, to support me through the process.

Although it may not be an easy process, I know I will be able to discern what His plan is for me.  However, it may not be what I've imagined.  May we all be blessed with discernment and blessings beyond our imagination.

Out and About

Wow, we're half way through January of 2014!  Time sure does fly when you're having fun, and so far I've been blessed with a busy but marvelous year.  With that in mind, my post is all about getting out and exploring the world, even though it may just be through cyberspace sometimes - LOL!

Styling - Art Journal
Pencil, Watercolor Pencils and Brush Markers
Piarom's Mix It Monthly - Odd Hats
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday #106
Rhedd and Rosie Challenge Blog - No White
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday
Jen's Artist Playroom #89
Manon's Paper Saturdays
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Home is Where The Heart Is - Tag Art
Dies, Embossing Folders, Punches, Seweasy, Various Paper Prints, Embroidery Floss, & Ribbon
Tag Tuesday - Shelters/Homes
Order of the Opus Gluei #174 - Need a Lift?
Craftitude Challenge #56 - Anything Goes (Ribbons)
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #241
Word Art Wednesday #115
London - Tag Art
Dies, Scissors, Stamps, Embossing Folders, Embossing Powder, Washi Tape, Ink Pads, Paper Prints, Watercolors, Flocking Powder, Various Solid/Print Cardstock, Wooden Stick, Acrylic Paint, Rub-ons, Calligraphy Pen, Micron Pen, Label, Glues, Sequins, and Glass Beads
Tag Tuesday - Capital Cities
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Emboss It
Inspiration Avenue: Around the World
Try It On Tuesday: In With The New
Ornamental Cabbage/Kale Plant
iPhone 4S Photograph
Bella's 52 Photos Project #39 - {Wide Open Spaces}
Let The Sun Shine!
Alteration of Cabbage/Kale Using Pixelmator
Denise & Roger's ABC Wednesdays - A is for Alteration
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #77
I hope you enjoyed my artistic journey out and about.  Thank you for all your thoughtful comments during my last post.  Blessings!

Three, Two, One...

Happy New Year!  Although I've not had a lot of time to work on my artwork or blog during the last 2 weeks, this has been one of the most wonderful Christmas holidays I've had in a long time.  There were no extravagant present exchanges, but there was plenty of health, time, food, love, and laughs to share with loved ones.  Thank you, Lord!  The following are a few of the ways to I found to express myself creatively.

Tablescapes and Fashion
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #71
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #239
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday 75
Tag and Gift Card Envelope
Tag Tuesday - Winter Landscape
Collage Obsession - M is for Merriment
By Your Hands - Blog Party Sunday
During the heart of Christmas, all my creativity centered around the various celebrations.  In the first picture you can see 3 of the tablescapes I put together for my family's various gatherings, as well as a shot my oldest daughter took of my wife and me in our Christmas Eve finery.  I'm especially proud of the last minute centerpiece I put together with greenery, fresh fruits, cinnamon sticks, miniature silver pine cones and a candle.  The second picture is a sample of one of the diagonal 2-pocket envelopes I made to enclose gift certificates and Christmas tags I designed for various family members.  The latter made the gift certificates enclosed much more unique and thoughtful for the recipients.

Family Puzzle Night
Inspiration Avenue - Expressing "Joy to the World"
52 Photos Project: Gallery 37 {The First Day}
Denise and Roger's ABC Wednesday - Y is for Yearning Moments
Silently (Watercolor Pencil & Ink Sketch)
Art Journal Journey - Silence
Karen's Word Art Wednesday #113
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday (Week 43 - Year 3)
Take a Word Challenge - New Year
Jenn's The Artist's Playroom #87
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday - Week 105
The following two photographs reflect what continues to be my main blessings and creative inspirations in 2014, which are family and my Lord - nature is a close third.  I shot the black and white photograph of this simple family activity last Sunday evening, and felt it perfectly embodied what family is all about - Sharing.  Rather we are going through painful or joyful situations, I know I can count on them.  The photograph of the art journal page reflects my first resolution for 2014, which is to be silent, so that the Lord may take full lead in my life.  I have some obsessive compulsive tendencies which stifle me sometimes, hence my bluish shaded portrait, so I know He laughs at my silly control issues - LOL!

Time Inchie Series
Every Inchie Monday - Inchie Time
Moo-Mania - Birds
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Something New
Tag Along #19 - Tickets
Order of the Opus Gluei #173 - Leftovers
Three Muses - Colour Me Happy
Illustration Friday - Time
Manon's Paper Saturdays
Rhedd and Rosie Challenge Blog: Going Dotty
The last picture is of an inchie trio inspired by the word "time" that I designed yesterday, two of which I incorporated into a moo and a tag.  I began by cutting my inchies out of a scrap piece of cardstock and distressing them with an ink pad.  Next, I arranged them side-by-side, stuck a shared clock rub-on, and re-cut them apart with a craft knife.  I further distressed them with other ink pad colors.  Then, I used more rub-ons, stains, punches, stamps, glitter, gems, glossy accents, ephemera, paper/fabric scraps, embroidery floss, and micron pens to complete my designs.  I also used a new set of Seweasy paper piercing tool and heads purchased during the holidays when visiting my family in the DFW area.

I hope you've enjoyed my first post in my blog for 2014.  I want to thank everyone in advance for their visit, as well as for all the encouraging comments left during my posts in 2013.  May your life be  blessed with a year filled with hope, peace, joy, love and health!