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Spread a Little Sunshine

Ok, I admit it. I have a problem with seeing the cup as half-empty. Not that I am a total pessimist or anything, sometimes I just take life too seriously. Before I didn't see that as a bad thing. "Hey. I'm just keeping it real with all of the stresses and struggles in life." *EEERRRTT* Wrong answer. It has taken some close friends getting dangerously frustrated with me to realize that I am far from ok in the joy department.
Whenever a person complains, they take a little bit out of each and every person around them. It can be straining, and also stressful. You think you are venting, but no. It ends up being just raw, harsh, complaining and criticism. You can preface it with the statement "I'm venting," but when that becomes an every day, every hour, even every couple of minutes thing, venting is out the window. How can we change our age-old habits? I admit, this is going to be hard. From birth we realize the benefits of complaining. Sin just makes us feel better, it's a fact! And excessive complaining... well believe it or not, that's a sin too. The Israelites were complaining in the desert for years!
I've realized that the only way to change my habits is to look for the happy things in life, and try to overlook the bad. That is the only way we will enjoy life! If we don't look for the sunshine, the darkness will bog us down. When people pour our and pour out help, energy, and sunshine on other people, they need people to fill them back up! It is our job to help fill up our friends. For that is what friends do, lift each other up. Friends are supposed to be a help not a harm. Think about it. Are your friends more stressed around you? Do they need a refill? If so, it's time to start looking for the joy - it's time to spread a little sunshine.

Which side to choose...

Ok guys, it's one of those nights where I just can't sleep because my mind is racing over anything and everything (believe me, I spent thirty minutes tossing and turning and thinking about what to make in pottery class). My brain finally landed on the hot topic for the year at my University (Harding University in Arkansas). For those of you who don't know, there was a recent E-zine published by current and former students entitled huqueerpress. Yes, I said queerpress. The zine is about homosexuality at Harding (go figure from the title) and about how these people feel as if they do not have a voice and are being literally persecuted. Reading through this website made me almost come to tears. Not just because of the pain these men and women have gone through, but also because of the harsh light they are placing on the university. As Dr. Burkes stated in chapel, the code of conduct says nothing about homosexuality, merely speaks against pre-marital sex of any kind, including both heterosexual and homosexual. Why then did these people feel the need to lash out at the Harding authority, even calling faculty out by name? As I thought about it, I realized that they needed someone to blame. Someone to blame for being unaccepted, cast out, shoved into hiding. Few blame God... most still worship Him even through this. They need someone tangible to lash out at. Let's face it, as Christians, we are usually complete hypocrites. We say that we will love all people no matter what, as long as.... they do this this and this. Conditional positive regard. Now, I am not saying we should condone homosexuality, for the Bible clearly states that it is an abomination. However, God loved all people, in spite of their sins and shortcomings. If we judge people and cast them out for their sin, what it keeping God from doing the same thing to us? Only through love will we win the hearts of the people. Love and Prayer, not curses and forced conversion. If only we Christians as a body could see what we are doing to the world! By casting the first stone we are pushing the world farther and farther away. We need to lead by example, not push the world into the "perfect Christian mold" while we sit back and watch. Let's face it -  there is no such thing as a "perfect Christian"... the only perfect one was Christ Himself. So think about this next time you point a finger. And for those we are pointing at.... don't give up on God - HE will never leave or forsake you. You have to be the one to push Him away. His hand is always open, ready for you to accept His gift. Just something to think about....

Hair Flowers

Hello Everyone! I recently decided to start experimenting with fabric to make headbands. This developed into a series of fabric and beaded flowers for your hair. After a process of trial and error, I thought of an idea to make the flowers interchangeable. By this, I mean that you can take the flowers on and off the headbands, put them on bobby pins, etc. There are many different styles and things I have done to them, different beads, hem vs no hem, etc. I think that the hem-less version givens them a more natural, old-fashioned look versus the starched look of a hem. Anyways, here are a few of my pieces. Tell me what you think!!

If any of you are looking to purchase one, just let me know! I can custom-make one to your specific liking including color scheme, style, back preference, and add-ons. Prices will vary.

Vote for me!!!

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Crafting with emily. :)

Pencil Drawing

Ok guys...... I am about to show you my most vulnerable stuff here.... Pencil Drawings. Ick. Most definitely NOT my favorite medium, but hey, it is probably the most fundamental aspect to art... I did these in a drawing and composition class at school this past fall. MAN, was this teacher hard, but he did have a lot to teach about the finer points of drawing. And I had a lot to learn. Including how to hold the pencil apparently. Anyways, there is a reason I am only posting two of these drawings. Most of my time was spent drawing ellipses (darn things, never could get them right...) and the rest was spent listening to my teacher's opinions on a matter of subjects, including hypnosis and health. However, like I said before, I did learn a lot from him, and I am going to be taking a ceramics class from him in the spring (crossing my fingers! Pray for me!). Well, here it goes!

This one is a surrealistic drawing I call, "Head in the Clouds". As hair becomes water, her dreams flow out (including a ship and a bowling alley) and spill out of the cloud via a picture frame, thus becoming rain.

A friend jokingly said that this still life drawing screams sensual, but I think it describes a "Romantic Getaway".