"Paws for a Bit"

Do you ever get a jolt of inspiration?

Is your next step to frantically snatch up any scrap of paper you can find

so you can jot it down while the idea was still fresh in your mind?

Me too! 

Some of the ideas I have are so strong that jotting it down is not enough - 

I have to draw it out in detail and then paint it, and I'm not satisfied until it is completed.

Other ideas simply fill a moment and I jot them down and then happily ponder them.

I peruse them in my mind while working away at other projects...

These ideas, strangely enough, are usually lists - a whole group of ideas

that might work into something someday... 

...so they are carefully tucked into the back of my sketchbook 

or added to the small pile of  'thoughts' resting on my bookshelf,

waiting for the day that I revisit them.

Well, just a couple weeks ago while sorting through some papers on my bookshelf, 

I came across a list of thoughts I had started compiling a few years ago...

and the inspiring idea was still there! 

I carried the list back to my sketchbook and began to visualize the words on the list...

That list went from being a happy thought jotted down and tucked away

to a strong idea that had to be completed!

And from that I have created a new card line called:

Originally inspired by, and in memory of, our beautiful collie, 

Duncan McAndrew

 

 This new greeting card series features six new collie designs

and are available for purchase.  

I will post two designs each day over the next few days.

Here are the first two designs in the "Paws For A Bit - Collie" series:

 Card Interior: 

"Way to go! You really took command of the situation!

 

Card Interior: 

"Thinking of you..."

These cards, like most of my card designs, can be left blank inside 

or customized with a different interior sentiment.

 There are plenty more ' jotted-down ideas' waiting for me

~ An inspiring thought, indeed!!

♥ Cath-     

First Steps

This week has been difficult. I didn't know that it would be, but it is.

Every once in a while I get halted in my daily tasks 

by the realization that our little family is growing up.

We have reached the age where each morning our eldest now hugs each of us good-bye 

and steps out the door on her own.  

Mom's not driving her to her destination and Dad's not walking her to the bus stop.

Our youngest is now sitting in the highly sought after front seat of the car 

on the way to school and talking like a fifty year old.

~ mind you, this talking like a fifty year old is not uncommon, 

it only gets more interesting the older she gets!

She steps out of the car and I realize she has reached the age 

when it's kinda sorta embarrassing to hear your Mom say, maybe too loudly, 

"I love you! Have a great day!" 

- especially when a teacher is standing nearby! 

 (You think I would have learned from when our eldest entered this stage, oops!)

But she always smiles a little smile and says, "Bye!" 

before she throws her backpack over her shoulder and heads into the school.

I've been mopey this week because of all these moments of realization,

glad that we've all reached these new milestones in our little family,

but also wishing time would slow down a bit.

My dear friend listened to me for a while and then she said, 

"Grab your sketchbook and draw a picture of what you just told me!"

I said, "No, it's not a happy picture!"

"Yes, it is!, she hastily replied. 

She went on to express how we have brought God into our home in everything we do. 

We have raised, and continue to raise, our girls to honour Him and now our eldest 

is taking those first steps that she needs to take. She has a strong faith in God herself

and it's through her confidence in Him and in our training that allows her to do this.

She has simply begun to wade out into deeper water now.  The lessons will be bigger but we will keep guiding her according to God's will. Encouraging her to go to God for His help and care in all that she faces. Showing her that going to Him with gratitude and thankfulness alleviates much of the burdens we carry.

Oh, and my friend also said that I needed to include Proverbs 22:6 in my drawing.

I grabbed my sketchbook and it really did help me feel happy about this new beginning, 

these new steps that each of our children are taking on their own.

"First Steps"

(graphite, 8.5" x 11")

My friend is very wise.

We can't hold our children back.

We have to use all the time we are blessed with and teach them about the goodness of God

and His love for us all. We need to teach them His principles that make every day better and make situations in life easier to handle.  We have to let them grow and develop and begin to apply the things they have learned from us. Yes, some of us will still hold our breaths a little, but prayerfully, we must let go and let them take those first steps.

Thank you dear friend - I know you're reading this -

thank you for your wise words and the inspiring thoughts!

♥ Cath-