Sparks in the Kiln: For the Bride

One of my sweetest most cherished friends will be getting married next month to a pretty great guy.

A few weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night and thanks to my handy dandy addictive smart phone I got a message from our friend Cameron giving me heads up that Chelsea's shower would be at the end of the month. She wanted to give me enough time to get my act together, so that I could send a gift along ; ) . Thanks Cam!

So I lay there, thinking what to get the bride and groom. Something meaningful? Maybe off of their registry? Pottery? I wanted it to be something they would have for a long time, a reminder of how God brought them together and to let Chels know just how much I love and appreciate her.

The idea I had looked great in my head! I kept thanking God for such a cool idea and then I sat down to paint. I'm not sure where the original idea went, but I truly feel like the end result was a God inspired idea for the bride and groom. I love them so.

As far at the process of making this piece goes: I am terrible at drawing, terrible. If I could take one art class, it would be basics in drawing. I often have ideas in my head, but feel I can produce them due to my lame drawing skills. So this piece, was a bit of a stretch for me and it most definitely isn't perfect. I had fun making in with Chels and Sean in mind and for me that is all that matters.

If you are wondering what the border is: Ephesians 5

p.s. the lighting for pictures was terrible!

Sparks in the Kiln: M.S. Walk Donation

My friend Caroyln is an M.S. fighter. We've been friends for years and she still amazes me with her wit, positive outlook and love for the Lord despite the challenges she faces with M.S.

You can read about her and her team Walk with Wheels here

Take a minute to send her some love or support her team!

I wanted to make something this year for her silent auction. I'm sure the gift certificates and such will bring in heaps more money, but it gave me a chance to give to her cause while living on the other side of the globe. If I were there I'd be walking with her!! Someday :)

Good news is, it arrived in one piece. If you all know me and my shipping of pottery record, it ain't pretty!

Sparks in the Kiln: Written Love

I have a dear friend here in Oz who is also a transplant, she is from Ireland but has moved here permanently with her husbands job. It's been good to have a friend who knows the life of "packing up, moving away, saying good-bye, hello, good-bye, hello, unpacking, packing" etc. Needless to say we have a lot in common and she has been a true blessing to me, especially during these past few months.

I had the pleasure of meeting her mother who came for a 3 month visit recently. I adopted her has our Grandma Ruby. The boys loved her, especially Sam who is now known as the "wee little man".

I wanted to do something special for both Jacqui and Ruby at the end of her 3 month stay. Saying good bye to family after a visit is the pits.

I came up with 12 Months of Written Love. I created 24 cards, 2 sets of 12 identical cards. Each card has a month stamped on it. The idea is that each month they will be able to sit down and write a little note just to say "I'm thinking of you." "I miss you." "I love you" and send it off. In return they get the same card in the mail with some written love in return.

I packaged them up with a pen inside some cute boxes I bought on www.orientaltrading.com

It was well received and it always makes my day when Jacqui lets me know that she got her card from Mummy.

Ideas: Could be a great gift for military couples, friends moving/relocating

Sparks in the Kiln: Art for Baby Noah

A cherished couple we know is expecting their first baby. Every baby is a miracle, Noah is most definitely a miracle. We have been praying for this little guy for several years and are so thrilled for him to arrive in October.

I asked if I could create some art for Noah's room. I asked the couple for some of their favorite scriptures regarding Noah and their pregnancy.

I wanted to create something that would grow with a growing boy, nothing too babyish.

Here is the end result:

Sparks in the Kiln: Kitchen Tea Wreath

I've been doing quite a bit of crafting lately. Some of which I can't post due to the whole gift factor. . . I hate to ruin surprises :)

Here is a recent fun and favorite project I thought I would share. I found it on Pintrest, it belongs to Kojodesigns:See it, Love it, Make it (gladly!) Thank you Kojodesigns for sharing!!

Here is my take on Kojodesign's Kitchen Tea wreath:

It took me about 2 hours for the whole project ( I was recovering from surgery, so it could be even quicker!) It was a gift for my friend Catherine's 33rd Birthday, she threw the best tea party I've ever been to. In fact I'm quite sure it would have made the Queen jealous. Let me know if you make one!

I will be making more of these I'm sure, and if you're looking for a fun girls night out craft, I would recommend this one!

Sparks in the Kiln: Love Art . . . To be continued

On behalf of Jed, we would like to thank all of you who have taken the time to: visit Love Art, read his story, send emails, spread the word and bid on his art. He is very excited and eager for the auction to end so that he can send the money to Samaritan's Purse.

Jed really enjoyed painting these pieces of art. In fact, he has insisted on a Love Art #4. Jed's request is that his next set of paintings be for those in Japan. Again, Jed will give 100% of the money received for his artwork to Samaritan's Purse for relief aid in Japan. We plan to post his next set of artwork shortly after Love Art #3 finishes.

Just a reminder Love Art #3 will be ending on June 10th at 12 a.m. (EST)

P.S. As Jed's parents, we are grateful to all of you who have made it possible for Jed to do what he loves to do, give to those in need. Thank you!

Sparks in the Kiln: Love Art #3 by Jed

Welcome to Love Art #3!

Love Art auction #3 is finished!

The winners are:

#1 The Socci's

#2 Philip

#3 Grandma Bekah

Please email me at Sparksinthekiln@gmail.com for details!

Thank you all so much for your bidding and kind words.

Jed has been blessed!

This Love Art is quite unique and very dear to me, allow me to explain. I have the privilege of mothering Jed. This little guy is your typical 5 year old boy who loves Star Wars, Legos, Nerf guns, wrestling etc. 100% boy! Beneath all of that, he's full of enormous love. This little guy loves better than I do. Actually I wish I were more like him when it comes to his love for others. At 5 years old he has a huge burden for orphans, prays for those at war around the globe, and makes sure his Mum gives money to the homeless.

As we all know, our world is a big fat mess. This is something that try as you may, can not be hidden from an inquisitive little guy like Jed. As much as I would love to keep my son in a bubble and paint a picture of rainbows and gum drops, the world we live in does not allow it. Jed is too smart to be fooled, he knows things are a mess and with that come the questions. So Jason and I tell him what we think he should know and allow him to see what we think should be seen regarding the natural disasters that have taken place, the wars etc. We use these opportunities to have good discussions with him about God, life, death, people etc. We use these moments to instill in him a heart and a desire to help and think of others and take the time to pray as a family.

With all of the recent disasters, we have had many Jed initiated conversations about those affected by the disaster. We often ask Jed "So what do you think we can do to help?" Here are some of his answers "We can pray." "We can send money to help build new homes." "We can buy them some things, like toothbrushes and beds."

So here we are, Love Art # 3. We thought we would enable Jed to do what his little heart loves to do. . . GIVE. This is our way as parents of allowing Jed to give to those in need. We also want him to know that "size matters not" and that even at the age of 5 you can still give to, help, and bless others.

100% of this auction will be going to

Samaritan's Purse

to help with relief aid in Joplin, Missouri.

We have chosen Samaritan's Purse for two reasons: 1. During times of great loss and tragedy they meet both the physical and spiritual needs of those affected. 2. Jed really likes that they are named after the good Samaritan in the bible. In his words "Samaritans are people who help other people who need help!"

Jed has worked very hard to create three auction pieces. I only gave him the tools to create and painted the edges ; ). As he was painting, we talked about selling his pieces and raising money and this is my favorite quote "Yes!!! We're going to be rich, for those who don't have anything!!!"

Place bid in comments.

Please indicate which piece you are bidding on #1, #2, or #3

and include your name (anonymous bids will not be accepted)

*This Auction will end on June 10th*

* 12:00 a.m. (U.S.A. time) *

#1 Marble Love

Starting bid: $10

# 2 Jed meets Paint brush

Starting bid: $10

# 3 Bubble wrap: Joy & Hope

Starting bid: $10

Love Art Auction

• Place a bid! I will post the art for a certain amount of time allowing you to make a bid by leaving a comment. At the end of the allotted time, the highest bidder is the winner.

• If you win the bid please factor in $3 to $5 for shipping cost. I will cover the remaining shipping/packaging fees.

• The winners will be announced on my blog and will need to email me at Sparksinthekiln@gmail.com for my PayPal details.
• One last thing . . . spread the word for us, tweet, fb, blog!