My parents in law arrived from the US yesterday and they brought with them some art materials that I ordered and had sent to their address (cheaper postage). I've been waiting excitedly for these "treasures" to arrive.
I saw this Sakura's Koi Watercolor Field Travel Set in Alisa Burke's blog some time ago and promptly searched for where to buy it. It comes with a brush that has a water container in the handle so that you just squeeze the handle when you're painting. I couldn't decide on whether to buy the small set or the bigger one so I bought both!
Last Sunday was the First Sunday of Advent. It is the New Year’s Day of the Church, the start of the Christian year, and so it is...
•A time to start anew.
I thought of starting an Advent project, something which will help me focus on the season, perhaps something I can use as next year's Advent calendar. I decided on a set of 25 ATCs, one for each day of December until Christmas. I know, I know, too ambitious a project for this busy season, but as I said, it is only a start and is actually for next year! So far, I started on the background, which, when the cards are arranged together, will form a verse from Isaiah 40. I don't know if the verse will still be seen after I'm done painting and collaging but well, I'll know it's there.
Advent is also...
A time to prepare.
As Christians, we prepare for Christmas. And so, I spent the weekend up in the attic, organizing the Christmas presents I have stocked up there, preparing to get the Christmas decorations out come "Gaudete" Sunday (the third Sunday of Advent which emphasizes the joyous anticipation of the Lord's coming). We prepare not only in the way we decorate our homes or give gifts but also, we try to prepare spiritually. I cleaned out a lot of stuff and put them aside to give to the less fortunate. Getting rid of stuff is also a way of symbolizing my desire to prepare for Christmas by trying to get rid of my bad habits and weaknesses. And so, on my desk this Wednesday (for our weekly blog hop organized by Julia), aside from my newly arrived watercolors, there is no art work, just the remnants of my cleaning activities.
Advent comes from the Latin word 'adventus' which means "arrival" or "coming," and so, it is...
•A time to wait.
We are reminded of the original waiting of the Jews for the birth of their Messiah. We wait for Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and we wait for the second coming of Christ.
We're always waiting - to pick up the kids, or to see the doctor, waiting for our turn in the supermarket line, or for more important things like answers to prayers- for a job, healing, or a problem child. Sometimes we can get impatient, or sometimes we lose hope when our prayers seem to remain unanswered. Advent can teach us how to wait, to wait prayerfully with patience and hope. Advent is...
We're always waiting - to pick up the kids, or to see the doctor, waiting for our turn in the supermarket line, or for more important things like answers to prayers- for a job, healing, or a problem child. Sometimes we can get impatient, or sometimes we lose hope when our prayers seem to remain unanswered. Advent can teach us how to wait, to wait prayerfully with patience and hope. Advent is...
•
•A time to hope.
In the midst of a world full of suffering, pain, poverty and war, we can hope for the day when we will “hunger no more, and thirst no more . . . and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7). And we try to do our part to let these words come to pass as we await our greatest Treasure, Jesus Christ. A blessed Advent season!
32 blog hugs:
Lovee the look of the new goodies that have arrived.You should pop along and do Tim Holtz 12 days of crimbo or should i say 12 days of tags!Good luck with the ATC's have fab wednesday
hugs judex#4
I've seen pictures of that water brush, but never one in person. I hope you like it. It looks fun to me.
Thank you SO much for your very heartfelt words this last week. It was such a rough time for me, and still is. Your kindness and sweet words really helped with the loss of my internet friend. Thanks again, dear.
Lovely post Peggy. Thanks for sharing Advent. New art supplies are always a fun blessing. Enjoy!
Have a great time with your ATC's - a lovely idea and one which you can display in some way.
I can understand you ordering and having goodies hand delivered - I do the same - order from America, have it delivered to my friend and then pick it up when I go over. Enjoy your goodies.
What a lovely pack of goodies!! Have fun with them.
What fab goodies you've got. Look forward to seeing what you will do with them :-)
A x
Hi ya
fab new goodies enjoy playing with them, have great time with your in laws,have great day, happy WOYWW, sue,x (23)
I love the Christmas season--for the reasons you mentioned. I wish that it would slow down some so we could appreciate it more.
Love that Sakura link!
Enjoy your atcs. I love the Christma season too.
laura - 83 x
love the look of your new goodies - thanks for sharing Advent with us - I love your work - stunning lv and ((HUGS)) Liz
what a lovely post
I will look forward to your 25 ATC's! Your new art supllies look wonderful, have fun with them!
Your new goodies look terrific - I'm certain you will have a lot of fun playing with them. Elizabeth #85
What a lovely thoughtful post Peggy xx
Enjoy your new goodies, they look fabulous and I love your thinking, you couldn't decide which to get, so you got both!!
Sherry (95)
What a cool idea that they will say the Bible verse! I look forward to seeing them.
Enjoy the family visit, though it'll be hard to stay out of the craft room with all those goodies to play with!
Terry (24)
Lovely new craft items and intersting thoughts on Advent too.
Beautiful blog post, thank you,
Dx
Oh, I loved your explanations! So much to think about. How fun to have family bearing gifts at this time of year especially, and just in time for your industrious atc project! Lot's to do, lot's to do!
AmberInk got lucky @#1!
I love the idea of the ATC's, small enough to tackle on a daily basis and such a lovely addition to next year's Christmas.
I love my waterbrushes, but would kill for the Koi ones. They're so much easier to fill than the other brands.
Enjoy!
cheers, rachel #54
This is a great post! I love your desk full of goodies!
Thanks for sharing Advent with us! You have made my day!
Blessings
Maarit
This was a wonderful post all about Advent. What a wonderful season this is to remember the birth of our Savior and to know He will come again!
I, too got the Koi watercolor 24 set and really love it. I think it will be great for travel. Have a wonderful day!
Lovely new goodies Peggy, I water colour with pens like that (they're by a Japanese company called ZIG), very useful, they come in different widths too. Love your thoughts on Advent too.
Hugs
Brenda 90
I bet they will look fabulous, and will be looking in again to see! Happy WOYWW!!
((Lyn))
I live in the uk and love the crazyness of Christmas and I love to cook, party, to buy and give gifts - but most of all I cherish the Hope and celebration that the season is really about. have a fabulous month and be blessed-enjoy your folks too!
sasa 7
Thanks for sharing your newest treasures and lovely words.
Love desk with new stash - love your words about Christmas - I think everyone needs to get to the meaning of Christmas rather than the shopping of Christmas - thanks for sharing Nicky ~30
Thanks for the background on the advent calendar. I am doing 2 this year. Both focus on the verses associated with the calendar because I believe it's a tool to prepare for Christ's coming not a countdown to Santa. One is with my son and the other is online at http://katemadedesigns.blogspot.com/ if you are interested.
The ATCs sound like they're going to be fab - I look forward to seeing them finished! Thanks for stopping by.
Wonderful post Peggy, thank you
Blessings
Rebecca
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