Legacies and Lessons...

I have really felt the Lord tugging at me to have some quiet time with Him lately. 

It took a while for me to get some alone time with a full time job and 2 silly girls following me around everywhere, it is hard to even go potty alone anymore!

So, I have been carrying around a daily devotional book called, "Jesus is Calling, enjoying Peace in His Presence" by Sarah Young,  :the Action Bible by Sergio Cariello, 

and my pen and paper just waiting for the perfect opportunity that never came. So, I decided to just make a date with Him. I just told my understanding hub that I was going to disappear into the closet one night and to just let me be. 

So, I did. 

He prompted me to write down and record things that He has shown me as true throughout these last years of walking with Him. I remember having times with Christ and learning things in His word that proved as true, but never really writing them down or sharing them with anyone... just keeping them within. 

But, He wanted me to share, and he wants you to as well...

So, here is my challenge...

Here is my Truths I Have Lived...

none of these are quoted from another source (as far as I know...), they are from my reality...

I thought it was fitting to share my Life Resolution in this spot as well. 

I hope I have inspired you to tell others what you have learned in life

through all the bumps, scrapes, and bruises.

My Favorite Christmas Present of 2011

I was on the great search for a great Comic Book Bible and was unsuccessful till this Winter...

Here it is, the Bomb Bible!

I highly recommend to any one of you that is an intensely visual learner as myself.

Keith Haring Semiotics Posters

se·mi·ot·ics

/ˌsemēˈädiks,ˌsēmēˈädiks/

Learn to pronounce

noun

1. the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation.
2. 
   
3. Meet Keith Haring. He uses simple symbolic images to make deeper messages. 
4. Can you read what he is saying here? 
5. 
   

Students tried the same thing:

Look at these images created by MMS students.

What are they saying without using words?

by Jimmuy

by Paxton

by Holly

\by Hunter

KEITH HARING

He drew chalk drawings on empty Subway panels that related to his beliefs and concerns with society. 

Many were about fear of our culture being overruled by technology, people following their love of money, and people placing their worship in places that were false. He communicated what he wanted by using symbols only. People say "a picture is worth a thousand words", so he used that to his advantage. 

I really respect the way he would continue to daily make these drawings on the Subway, still knowing that he could and would be arrested for defacing public property. But he was willing to sacrifice for his greater purpose of reaching others through his art. We start by watching a video about the life and art of Keith Haring. 

OUR LESSON was chosen to go on the Keith Haing Kids website. 

http://www.haringkids.com/lesson_plans/learn/keith-haring-semiotics-poster

I introduce the students to a collection of commercials called "Above the Influence". 

http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/ads

I want to get them thinking about their choices and where they will lead them to. 

I want them to understand that they are either respectful towards life and all things that encourage it ,

 or they are against it and choose things that lead them to eventual death.

I give them a list of issues they can pick

(Pro=Life, Anti-Bullying, Anti-Abuse, Animal RIghts, Faith, Showing love, and much more)...

Students build a system of symbols that relate to their issue they picked. This is Semiotics. 

For Example; 

Mustache = grown man 

Tie and Briefcase= business or work minded

Present= physical/monetary gifts

Heart Shaped Clock= showing love with time shared

Jumping Person= Joyful Person

When they gather enough picture symbols for their message to be communicated smoothly, they start finding a way to put them together harmoniously to share their message without words.

The grown man is business minded. He is offering physical or monetary gifts on one hand
or the sacrifice of his time to show love.
The children choose his time over his things that money buys.
It is about balancing our time as parents and knowing what is truly the most lasting and important  things in life.



The rocks on the person's back symbolize pain, stress, worry, grief, regret, hatred, unforgiveness, and burdens of any kind. THe person is stuggling to carry them all but continues going the wrong direction simply because of pride. Our culture believes that being strong means taking our own burden and carrying them around. We believe that tears show weakness. I think the strongest thing to do it to admit that you are not strong, perfect, or able to do it all. I believe that burdens should be lifted to the cross. I believe that we should all experience what true love really means by letting Christ in and showing us His sacrifice for us. He is in the stone removing business. Give Him a call...
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Jeremiah 31:25 "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."



This poster is about a person that continually isolates themselves in order to  escape reality. They use drugs to make the world disappear. They feel that their "bubble" is a place where the world will disappear, but in reality, the world crumbles around it leaving family and homes to be broken. 

This means that if we joyfully plant our roots in His word, we will be fruitful for him and our hearts will reflect His love.

We have to plug out Spirit into it's source or we will be clueless what our Spirit is for.
We can do all that He did and more if we just plug into His power.
John 14:12 " Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

This is about worshiping in the Spirit, the way we were meant to. THis means that you have to stand up, shine, and not be afraid of what is around you in the physical realm. You cannot be in the Spirit if you are in the Physical, they conrtadict. You cannot grow in power if you do not commune in Spirit with the power itself.
John 4:23 "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."



Pro-Life Design
Psalm 139:13 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."

This is about a hard-working parent needing to understand
the importance of sacrificing thier time to show love to their children.

In order to receive love, we must work and move , Love requires action  and an expectancy of things falling in our laps. We have to put ourselves in the process of gaining it to understand it's true worth.

To see the Keith Haring Semiotic Lesson and Student pictures, visit...
http://classroom.mineolaisd.net/webs/seatont/keith_haring_semiotics.htm

Lost Sock Fashion Theory...

TheLostSock is all about taking what was considered worthless and unwanted at one time

and with hope and love, giving it a new purpose and fresh start.

No matter how ugly, out of style, or ragged something is, 

there is some way of using it... is is just in the way we see it. 

God has eyes that see beauty in everything, because everything was created by Him. 

Everything was made for some purpose. Sometimes we lose understanding of what our purpose is, simply because we have lost sight of Him. 

If I relate this concept to fashion, 

then I would go into places where people have dumped and abandoned clothes they 

couldn't wear anymore, shouldn't have ever purchased, or wouldn't be caught dead in

to find a new purpose for them. 

Holes can be stitched, stains can be removed, stink can be cleaned, 

and things can be renewed if you open your eyes to the possibilities. 

I thank my Mom and Dad for giving me the smarts to save money when buying clothes.

My dad refused to buy me Guess Jeans when they were the coolest to all the cool. 

My mom dragged me into "stinky stores" (that's what me and my big sister called them)

to find treasures among the trash.

Back then they seemed to be ruining my life or embarrasing me totally, 

but today I know the truth...

they were the coolest of all the cool!

I was just too blind to see it.

Maisy in Thrifted Japanese tunic, Me in Pink  Cordoroy Jacket,  Genuine Leather Belt,  (all thrifted), and midi skirt, with Minnatonka fringe boots (Christmas Present from supportive hub).

SO, we must put on our rose glasses and go dig in the rumble to 

find newness in what was once old.

Have Fun Thrifting!

Things that keep me going at work...

When work gets overwhelming and artwork waits to be graded and critiques...

There are a few things that give me inspiration to keep going...

These things are

1. My screensavers; i currently have a picture of my sock doll family that I made to symbolize my own family. I keep these dolls on our fireplace mantle at home. But, here on the screen they continually remind me of my family and of my sock doll purpose here and now...

2. My tacky but equally awesome TeddyBear plaque that reads, "Do your best God will do the rest".

One of my 6th grade girls gave it to me last year for Christmas.

3. My drink, coffee mug, or whatever I bring to keep me caffinated.

4. My hubby post it; he wrote a bunch of "I love you" on a bunch of yellow post-its' one day while I was feeling down. I keep them around...

5. My rainnow drawing; Maisy (my oldest daughter) did this when she was about 2, just starting to learn her rainbow colors and drawing with lines. I wrote on top of her rainbow "Maisy brings colors to my life... she is my rainbow girl"...

These 5 things are blessings on one hand...

and I have 5 more fingers!

Just a simple blog to make you smile in your heart...

Me in my artlab entryway...
I made this cardboard sign to make it more pronounced and homey...
see lesson here
http://classroom.mineolaisd.net/webs/seatont/nonrepresentational_sculpture.htm

Hair Brain!

Ever since I can remember I have been intrigued by red heads. They are fun and mysterious at the same time and the coolest of all colors in my style book. I loved movies with red headed starlets...

Molly Ringwald from Pretty on Pink

Tami Erin from Pipi Longstocking

Robyn Lively from Teen Witch

Ariel from Little Mermaid...

Cyndi Lauper

Tiffany



Maurene O'Hara from Parent Trap

And my recent obsessions...



One FIne Frenzy

Elsie Flannigan of RedVelvet

SkunkBoy Creatures

So, I love red hair and continually dye mine some form or fashion of it for the last past 10 years. I am getting a little tired of the cut though... and am tempted to throw in more of a variety mixed in with the red. I have had the same hair for too long and it is just not fun anymore. So, i cut my bangs (big mistake!) to do something different... see photo

It was a big miss off the target in my opinion. But I live and learn, right?

SO, what's next... I know, go to

http://www.clairol.com/en-US/virtual-makeover 

to try on new hair....

Me and my Maisy had fun with the results we got from out hair makeovers on Clairol webpage...
I usually do this when my noodle head wants to do something new with my hair.
Right now I am debating on going long, similar to Skunk Boy Creature girl, or One Fine Frenzy singer.
I haven't had long since high school.

Loving the 4th the best... SIKE!

Maisy is cute with any hair... yes even this last one here... she begged me to delete it! ha ha ha.

So, I am just gonna take it day by day till I figure our my self. I want to grow it out but will have to post SkunkBoy Creature lady on my firidge till I get through the crazy awkward phase of growing out a stacked bob!
Any suggestions or comments welcomed.
Love ya my fans... all 6... if you ever read these...
HELLO?..... echooo!!!

Judas's Perfume Stinks... my Socks do not!

So, making LostSock dolls is a big deal to me. I find it entertaining and a part of me feels as though I am creating life. I am fulfilling my CREATive side...with these creatures. I love to see them turn from something purposeless to something totally lovable and unique and full of personalities. SOmetimes I grow quite fond of them and find it very hard to sell or give them away... 

but that is the selfish side of me. For a while I was hoarding the dolls and they just sat there in my room looking at me with their button eyes everyday.  I refused in my heart to sell them unless somebody was willing to buy them for millions (jj). 

But one day... the Father spoke to my heart. 

He knew I was planning selfish schemes deep down (as we all do) somewhere in there... whether it was to use the dolls to  become famous, rich, or just recognized by some important person for my own vane reasons. 

Well, here is what He basically said in a nutshell to me months ago...

"Tabitha, these Lost Sock ideas were given to you by me for the purpose of reaching others so therefor I am going to use it to my glory.

You are no different than Judas himself by thinking the way you do... 

John 12 Jesus Anointed at Bethany 

"¹ Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ²Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.³ Then Mary took about a pint^[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

 ⁴ But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵ “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.^[b]” ⁶ He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

   ⁷ “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. ⁸ You will always have the poor among you,^[c] but you will not always have me.”

     I was a little hurt by this, but He was totally true. The whole point of the dolls was to share the message of how Christ can recreate us & give us purpose no matter how worthless we feel here on earth. He continually takes the weak & small and makes them strong & big in His name and with His power all throughout history. 

       SO, .... I realized that to me the dolls seemed priceless, like expensive perfumes. I didn't want to sacrifice something so wonderful to people that I felt did not understand their meaning or appreciate the work and care that went into each stitch. They were not just dolls to me... they were extensions of my Spirit. But, just like Judas I was giving excuses to keep hoarding them to myself, when the only way to please God was to get over my own selfishness, and use them as a loving sacrifice and fragrant offering to him. 

   So, God told my heart to give them up... let them loose and trust Him to whom I give them to. So, all I did was ask Him to show me who needed them. And he answered and will continue to answer my request... 

    Final point is that  (deep breath)... I just wanted to share this revelation with all of you (as of now 6 followers including myself), so that you will sit back and evaluate your perfumes that you may be hoarding somewhere to one day "give to the poor"....  are you guilty? 

                            

These sock dolls have been specially made for a family that lost their 5 pets in a house fire...
OHHH! sorry, let me move the cat... curiosity kills.

there we go! In memory of 2 dogs, skunk (yes pet skunk, apparently people do this), cat, and bird.

May I possibly inspire you to show GOd your love by giving up something you love for those you love...
Isn't that what love is all about anyway...?
Have a blessed day...