Dec 28, 2012

the Desires of our Hearts


Years ago, my friend Julie, told me to pray. 

Pray not for money or specific things,  but pray for the essence of what I wanted.  
I thought to myself, "Wouldn't that be selfish?"    
...Then she said "God wants to give us the desires of our hearts."  



"the desires of our Hearts."

At the time, I was recovering from a painful divorced.  
It had been a very difficult time
.....my heart was broken.
Working full time, juggling a career, I was busy taking care of a 4 year old boy.  
I always prayed for my son, I prayed for our needs…but never for "wants".    

Short on money, in reality there were so many things we needed...   
like a new roof for the house.   

Like many mothers, I had been neglecting myself,
neglecting my soul and the things I needed or wanted.  
So, I thought about what my friend had said.....
What were the "desires of my heart"?     

A husband?   
No, I kind of messed that one up and 
I knew I should focus on my son....
a new roof? 
No, that was a need, and too specific.  

I really wanted a garden...
but, I couldn't afford a beautiful garden.  
(I am picky picky pinky.  It would need to be an extraordinary garden, with texture and color and year round interest.  Not an ordinary garden.  No, the garden of my dreams would be way too expensive and frivolous to even consider. There was no way I could ever justify or afford the garden of my dreams, especially now after a divorce.  I would just have to give up that dream...

but the words of my friend kept playing in my mind...God wants to give us the desires of our hearts.) 

I decided to pray for a beautiful garden.  I wanted someplace where I could pray, and nourish my soul.  A garden offers results from ones efforts. 
I felt close to God in my garden.   Plants made me happy, there is something about tending a garden that makes your soul feel joyful and healthy.  It also inspires my work.

 It seemed selfish to pray for a beautiful garden,
 but it was on my heart and was an authentic desire.  
I prayed for a Beautiful Garden.


The next day, a wind storm knocked down my fence.
The storm caused a huge tree to fall on my house and garden. It put a big hole in the roof. The tree, limbs and damage crushed most of my plants.  My garden was a mess, and now the roof and my house were a mess, too. 

Discouraged,  I thought,
"God, this wasn't what I had in mind".   
I cleaned up the broken branches.  
The good news was that insurance covered a new roof.   
I gave thanks to God and thought,  
" how creative is God ".  

Then thoughts turned to my mess of a garden.
I was lamenting about the garden problem to a man I had just begun to date.  
He said, "I can help you rebuild your fence".  He told me to design the fence of my dreams and he would build it.  This man was kind and creative .....and could fix things!

I love design.
Thoughts turned to the large window in my living room.  The view from this window was a huge dark wooden fence.  I'd always wanted to see the garden from my living room.  

Doug suggested a see through design, 
an open fence design with a big open gate 
to view the garden from the living room.   

We designed an arts and crafts kind of fence with an interesting pattern, see-through  with copper detail.  We designed it so that you could view the garden from the living room.   (ok, so it was the destroyed garden; first steps first) 

The Gate.
I called iron companies.  It cost a small fortune to have a gate made like the one I had envisioned. Doug suggested we go to Architectural Salvage, a local shop for old salvaged materials.  We found a gorgeous iron gate with beautiful scroll work, it was embellished with birds and vines with a beautiful patina.  No one had wanted this oversized gate. It was on sale.  The gate fit our design perfectly because Doug built the fence around the gate. We found vintage hardware that complimented the gate.  Again, I called around and found companies that solder, but they wanted hundreds of dollars put the hardware on the gate.  Finally, we found a man soldering parts for Autos.  We took the gate to him.   He said the gate had inspired him and it renewed his spirit.   It was such a beautiful piece of work he told us he would solder it for free.  (Doug tipped him ; )

The gate really was breathtaking.   

Kind friends had heard about what had happened to all my smashed plants.
They brought divisions from their gardens, bulbs and clippings.  
It was fall and I had pruned my damaged garden to the ground. I would put these new plants in the ground just to survive the winter, then replant in the spring when I could see what was what. Plants were randomly put here and there, depending upon where I could see an opening.

I cleaned up tree branches, and cut back all the broken bushes and plants.
Trees were trimmed so they wouldn't become diseased.  

Winter came.  
Through the garden gate,  
I enjoyed looking at the snow covered garden through the window.  
The trees began to have beautiful willowy shapes, 
dark branches against the pure white snow. 

One spring morning as I sipped coffee and gazed out the window, I saw a beautiful light streaming into the garden.    I couldn't believe my eyes.    

Spring growth!  As I walked into the garden I noted how shockingly gorgeous, full and breathtaking was the new life that surrounded.    It was not ordinary.....  It was extraordinary!

I breathed a prayer of deep gratitude.  "God, Thank you!  This garden is amazing!"
Light was streaming in, birds were singing....the trees had been pruned and had taken on beautiful shapes, letting in more light, and blooming plants in an amazing array of color filled the garden.
It was as though the most talented designer, the most brilliant artist 
in the world had hand painted my garden.
...I became profoundly aware of how God is the most amazing Artist.
God is the designer of all good things!
God hand painted my little garden!
It was perfect. 

God had pruned my garden and caused it to thrive! 
God's creativity is limitless.  

God knew my plants had needed more light.
Now, the colors and textures were truly breathtaking.
Soft grey greens contrasted with the dark greens, beautiful against vibrant yellow greens.  I knew I could never have planned this garden.  The trees were pruned to allow for more light, yet they had the exact amount of shade needed to flourish. Plants and flowers were thriving.



I couldn't believe my eyes.  Not only did I receive this beautiful garden, but it served as a reminder of how God is working, pruning us, taking away the bad, allowing the good to grow, even when we don't see or realize what is happening.  

God is there, working for our best good.  
We just have to trust.  

And the great guy that built my fence?
Yep, that cute guy is the one I married.    
Through this garden gate I not only received a beautiful garden, 
but God's blessings.

...and a wonderful, creative, lovable, giving husband.

It was a reminder.
In the midst of adversity, God is working.

You may have just had your fence knocked over, your garden crushed, your limbs pruned….
but just wait and see what God has in store for you.

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."  Psalm 37:3-5

~Becky Kelly 

I married Doug in 2002 and moved to a new home....I wonder? 
Yes,  I will pray for a beautiful garden.    


I wonder.... if I had prayed for something specific? Like a lilac or a rose bush?  
Would I have limited all that could have been?     
I've learned to pray for the essence of joy.  
To pray for good friends, family, love, good health, beauty surrounding...and a beautiful garden.

God's creativity is limitless.     





xxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxooxxoo

Dec 25, 2012

Congratulations Wendy and Annelies 
 Itty Bitty Mini Cards 
(Almost 2 X 3 inches)
Friends Through All Seasons

Dec 19, 2012

December's Give Away. Itty Bitty Mini Cards

 Itty Bitty Mini Cards 
(Almost 2 X 3 inches)

Friends Through All Seasons




Win a set of the mini cards, 14 cards total tied up in a pretty bow.
(instructions to enter, please read carefully)

1.  Enter something (or someone) you are thankful for in the "comment" section below.
2.  If you don't wish to leave you name, be sure to check back to see if you've won!
3.  Winners announced on Dec 25th!
4.  It's ok to leave multiple entries.   

Often,  people ask where they could find these mini cards
(the ones I often give away with purchase)
I've put together a little collection on 12 cards plus two free cards- 14 cards total!

Friends Though All Seasons

I'm thankful for my good friends!

One morning last week, my good friend Wendi came for a visit.
Over coffee and laughter, we hand picked each tiny card,  made them into sets
and tied ribbons around each one. *

*Your little mini cards set was assembled over laughter and good times. 
We hope to pass along the fun along to you, too.

Time flew as we made these little cards into sets, ready to go to a new home

These itty bitty mini cards are on sale now at the Shop, 14 mini cards for 4.99
Plus free Shipping * in the USA ** on orders over $35.00.

Use Code "FREESHIP"

Merry Christmas

Dec 18, 2012

New Original Artwork added to the shop

For Art Collectors -  New Original Artwork  



Winter Berry Faerie



Dance Around the Christmas Tree

Winter Scene 
Girl in a Red Dress with Animals

Dec 14, 2012

Itty Bitty Mini Card Set of 12, Friends for all Seasons



Itty Bitty Mini Card Set




People have been asking me if they could purchase these mini cards
(the ones I give out with purchase.) 

So here they are!

This is a set of 12 Mini Cards
Almost 2 X 3 inches - flat  *Not folded*
(plus two bonus mini cards)
Friends For All Seasons

Set includes 3 Christmas minis, more spring mi
nis, several summer mini cards.
and a few fall minis.   Two or three are Thank You mini cards.
Two with quote "Because everyone needs a little Fairy Dust now and then"

*mittens and ornament not included

Dec 3, 2012

Looking for Christmas Gift Ideas ?

www.PeriwinkleSky.Etsy.com

Looking For Christmas Ideas?

New Christmas Gift Packs


Faeries and lovely winged things, Special Collection of Enchanted Fairy Cards and Books, Holiday Gift Set


Set includes

1 .  1 Fairy Kisses Gift Book
2 .  Set of 12 Mixed Post Cards
3 .  New! Set of 14 mini cards  (all tied up in a pretty bow)
4 .  Angel Joy Hope and Love Bookmark
5 .  Five Mixed Fairy Cards



This is a Special Collection for Christmas of lovely fairy things ( faery, faerie, wee folk, lovely ethereal creatures.)
This Holiday Gift Set includes a selection of 12 fairy postcards and 12 fairy mini cards, and 5 favorite hand chosen fairy note cards, plus a beautiful angel bookmark.   (Hope, Love and Joy)
Your set includes a beautiful signed book, Fairy Kisses. with Watercolor Illustrations by Becky Kelly

$37.00  worth of fairy products for 29.99

www.PeriwinkleSky.Etsy.com

Nov 30, 2012

New Christmas Card - Red Stockings

I'm excited!
New Christmas Card Arrived in the studio!
The color is amazing, these cards have lots of nice detail.


Bright and Vibrant Cards







These cards are a few of my new line of cards, Periwinkle Sky (Made in America)
Chosen by the wonderful friends of my website and blog.
inside detail




Nov 27, 2012

Welcome to the Shop


 Welcome to the Shop!

Come in for a sneak peek.



Meet Julie   ~

Julie is the Studio's new Writer, Editor and Shop Manager.  
She is preparing some packages for shipping.  

What would I do without her?

As a published Children's Book Writer,
Julie brings a wonderful sense of
charm and joy to the studio.




Julie Prepares Packages for Shipment






 Bumble Bea Tea Painting






Bumble Bee Tea Watercolor Painting
Artwork in the Studio

Often, people ask me how it is best to
frame watercolor prints. 
(It really depends upon your own preferences)

This image is "Bumble Bee Tea"
an Original Watercolor Painting.
It is displayed in a 7 X 7 inch opening, square format, matted in a creamy white 12 X 12 mat with a thin Periwinkle Border
A 1930's thin vintage style frame was used to not compete with the delicate art.

UV glass helps to help protect watercolor artwork.

Sleeping Fairy Note Cards

All tied up in a pretty bow

Julie adds final touches to the package.
This gift package is almost ready to be shipped























Becky prepares a package...


...another busy day at the Studio.





off to the Post Office.







A snowy day outside



Dreaming of Spring!


"Time to go home"....it's time to go on a WALK


...
FEED ME.





Nov 22, 2012

Thanksgiving Thank You!



Happy Thanksgiving and 
Merry Merry Christmas!

~   happy holidays   ~ 

good on most items in the shop 
Shop Thanksgiving Day until Dec 15th, 2012

(paste the code into the coupon code box near the end of the checkout)
The code is:

MerryMerry


Your friends at Becky Kelly's Online Shop




click on the link above or paste this address into you browser


Nov 20, 2012

Christmas Morning Joy Cards!

You asked, we listened...
Christmas Morning Joy!
Joy

Originally, this card was designed with a bright red border. Many people remarked (on my blog and in emails) about how much more they preferred the white border in the original rough.   One woman suggested "The white border shows off the sensitive watercolor look of the card, lending a more charming look and feel".  Another woman said she liked both borders.  The red one is "eye catching, bright and bold".  But, she also tended to prefer the white one for a different look, a softer and warmer feel. 
Several people mentioned the white helped the watercolor detail stand out better and look fresher.

After careful consideration, and after reviewing comments... I have to say I totally agree!   Fortunately, I was able to change the border to white.  With fingers and toes crossed, and with no more glitches, the "Christmas Joy" white bordered cards will be here November 26 - 29th.  Cards may be preordered now.  All preordered cards will be labeled and stamped and ready to go as soon as they are delivered. 

 Although it is too late to make more changes for this year, ( cards have gone to press)
I'd love to know your thoughts.   It will help me with designing next years cards!

Watercolor with White Border
Card with Christmas Red Border
Joy

friends...

Ride a Little Pony

White vs Red borders?

what would you like to see in a New Christmas Card?

Angels?
Snowmen?
Children? 
Animals?
more Spiritual Cards?
leave a message below!
I love reading your comments!

a big Thank you for All your help on this card     ; )


Nov 19, 2012

Merry Merry . Skaters

New! 
Merry Merry Skaters
Christmas Card Set
Smaller Size 4  X 5.25
5 cards and envelopes
.  limited card .
(available for preorder- due in shop on Dec 3rd)


Nov 15, 2012

Christmas Cards Coming Soon!

Thank you for your help on selecting this years Christmas Cards.
I wish we could have printed all of them,
but we had to narrow it down to the top  Four Cards.
These cards have gone to press and if everything goes well, they will be ready and in stock next week!  ...   Just in time for the Holidays.

Thank you for your help   

1.
Red Stuffed Stockings . Toys

Celebrate the Magic of the Season




2. 

Sugar Plum Dreams

Inside .   May all your Holiday dreams come true
 3
Cover art   .  Watercolor snow scene




Christmas Morning. Joy!
May your Christmas filled with Joy