Heavenly Things

Hello!  ¡Hola!  My wife and I are in Corpus Christi, Texas, as we will be attending the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas Council, for the next couple of days.  It's a blessed event, but the days are long.  Hence, I'm writing this post earlier than usual this week.

For my first project, I have a shaped card I made inspired by Jane Austen, the English writer who's novels implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century.  Her works include Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma, which have all been adapted into films.  I used a Spellbinders Wrapped In Care die cut set, along with various parts of other die cut sets and an embossing folder to design her.  I am submitting this to Spellbinders Challenge February 2026 - Pop of Color (Blue dress and accessories), The Alphabet Challenge - V is for Volume (foam dots between the head and body), and Try It On Tuesday - Countdown (3 blue pieces, 2 rosy cheeks, and 1white bonnet).

For my next project, I made an ATC inspired by ATC Around The World Challenge - Winter Birds and AUD Sentiments Challenge #334 - Dies and Love.  Southwest Texas has a semiarid climate, so our winters are mild and our summers are hot.  Hence, we have a variety of migratory and resident bird species.  With this in mind, I made a generic bird with a background that simulates our landscape.  I used a Sizzix Tim Holtz Feathered Friends Thinlits set and Western stamp, along with washi tape, word stickers, and more.

In one of my art journals, I made a Bible scripture entry, based on John 3:12,  This verse comes from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, the Pharisee leader, who was reflecting on his internal struggling and desire for God's truth.  This passage in John, is basically about faith, which is believing, trusting, and having confidence in God.  I believe we are all Nicodemus at various points of our lives, due to issues we may be going through.  I'm still working on my sermon, so this is all I can share at this point.  (BTW, I did the small portrait by forming the head shape with skin color watercolor washes.  When it was dry, I used a marker to add the details.  I'm submitting this to What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 873/93 and Friday Face Off 2/27/2026.)

In closing, I want to share a couple of pictures I took this evening here in Corpus Christi.  Our hotel is by the bay, so after dinner, we took a stroll on the shoreline walkway.  In the background of the selfie, you can see the USS Lexington, an Essex-class aircraft carrier built during World War II for the United States Navy.  The second picture, I took from our hotel room's balcony, from where we can see the beautiful Harbor Bridge.  Corpus Christi is the birthplace of various celebrities, such as actresses Farah Fawcett and Eva Longoria, as well as where the late Tejano singer and songwriter, Selena, rose to fame.

Thanks for visiting!  ¡Gracias por su visita!  Shalom!

Arnoldo+