"and now I've found the greatest love of all is mine since you laid down your life the greatest sacrifice...."
Creative and faithful blog is writen by Karen Clark of Crystal Velvet, a jewellery, tiara and handmade wedding accessories online store. "There are so many amazing things and people that inspire me to craft, create and worship, that I thought I'd share them in this blog."
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Floral Necklace ~ Crystal Velvet
Friday, March 27, 2009
Come to Jesus
A beautiful song...
"come to Jesus and Live"
"sing to Jesus and Live"
"fall on Jesus and Live"
"cry to Jesus and Live"
"Dance for Jesus and Live"
"Fly to Jesus and Live"
Get Ready!
I put the phone down looked at my extremely messy house and thought to myself, I really must sort this messy place out, i'd be so ashamed if he could see it as it is.
Thinking is as far as I got. A month was plenty of time to get sorted and if i did manage to tidy up it would only be tidy for a day before it all went to pieces again.
The month became a fortnight and then a week and I thought I really must do something about the mess, but I didn't!
Five days before they came I thought very hard about sorting out and did a bit of the huge washing pile and then the next day I was invited by my mum to go shopping. It's fine I thought, there is plenty of time.
Three days to go and I went to help a friend paint her house.
Two days to go and I went to watch the sports day at school.
One day to go. I woke up and fully intended to get on with it, but a new consignement of Beads arrived and they looked far better than the tidying up! it's ok, I told myself you can tidy up tonight!...... well i could have except that I had forgotten about the parent evening.
Never mind, said the laid back me.... They aren't coming until lunch time.
The following morning I was up at 6am. Got the kids up, breakfasted and dressed and then sent them on their way. I began to tidy up the bedrooms. Folding, packing, dusting, shoving rubbish into bags. This is going really well I told myself as I piled the black bin bags onto the landing. There would be plenty of time to tidy up and then get a shower and get dressed. After all it was only half past eight and I was well on the way to having the bedrooms sorted.
Now for the down stairs with all the mess, last nights pots piled in the sink etc. (and believe me when i say my home is messy I mean it!)
I was just going to go down stairs to tackle the mess when I looked out of the window and saw to my horror my father in law and mother in law walking up the drive...... They were here and I wasn't ready.
To my shame and embarrassment that is a true story. Exactly as it happened several years ago. They'd wanted to squeeze a few extra hours with us so they'd left very early in the morning.
In the bible we read about a group of people who are not ready, even though they know the job they have to do. The story is that of the wise and foolish virgins (or bridesmaids).
Matthew 25
"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Do not put off puting things right with God as we are reminded "Therefore keep watch as you do not know the day or the hour" of his return. And you don't want him coming and finding you in a mess!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
You Are my Hiding Place
You are my hiding place
you always fill my heart with songs of deliverence
whenever I am afraid
I will trust in you
Let the weak say I am strong in the strength of my Lord
I will trust in you
Floral Bracelet
Monday, March 23, 2009
Spring? winter? the weather just can't make up it's mind!
I had a busy day of playing at "mum taxi" First thing was to get my middle lad out to orchestra. I am very lucky because a couple of neighbours take him over with their daughter. Once he was out the door i had to zip down the road to collect my eldest from a sleep over. As I pulled out of the drive in the car I was forced to stop and return inside for a pair of sunglasses. (not used since last summer!) luckily they were right where I'd eft them.
The journey was little over ten minutes, but what a joy, lots of people out walking, daffodills and other spring flowers dancing in the delicate summer breeze.
On the way back I called in at the local shop to collect a planter for my mum for mothers day.
There was not a lot of the morning left. Just time to feed the blueberries, water the potatopes and then I was off again to collect middle son from orchestra and to take him to a choir practice.
The journey was a route I'd never gone on despite living in the area for a total of 30 years! The route ran over the edge of the wolds and with the weather so clear and sunny I was able to see at least 40 miles.
The rehersal that I took my son to was already underway as it had started in the morning. As we walked into the building the sound was amazing. Vivaldi's Gloria filled the corridor with it's full and rich tones.
Then I had the journey back home. This to was lovely. What is it about the sun that makes everyone so so happy.
This morning was in contrast dark, dull and blowing a gale. "My greenhouse" was half way accross the garden and has remained there ever since as I know if I bother to go and stand it up, that I'll have to do it again later. There has been very heavy rain and hail and it's back to jumpers and central heating!
miserable weather!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Hello
Crafting & Praising at the same time is such a blessing!
I made this wall plaque from a wooden house template and a wooden love heart template,
I painted, Used Ink & varnished & distressed it ... a lot! :)
I drilled holes in it and threaded it with wire, hung it on the wall.
A daily reminder for me and mine that this is what our house is all about, and pray it may be forever.
Sarah x
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Agnus Dei ~ Michael W Smith
This is a song that builds and builds taking everything and everyone with it.
Simplisic words that allow you to join in with the worship rising to the Lord.
Worship and enjoy!
Mice , Potatoes and other garden glories!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Peace be with you John 20
Life so full i give to you
As the Father sent me so I send you
Spread my light throughout all life
Peace Be With You
Words and music by Adrian Snell
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Walking to school ~ the joy of spring.
Every morning I walk my daughter to school and without fail the 3/4 mile always has something wonderful in store for me. (yes... even in the rain and the fierce wind!)
I wish I could show you my walk to school, but I shall tell you instead. As we go out of the door, my garden has begun to sprout with fresh green and the daffodils, tulips and crocuses are beginning to peep through the cold soil. as I turn out of my gate, I am met with some small verge plots and here the daffodils are ahead of mine and are just beginning to show the golden yellow hint of what lies in store.
We cross the road and begin the walk up the street. Every bodies garden are flourishing with new growth. early pink blossoms, yellow daff and little purple primulas.
Then we reach the cottages. We look at the old terracotta bricks and find the outline of cottages long since gone. Their bricked up doors and windows barely visable to those who don't know to look for them.
We wave to friends and neighbours as they pass in their cars thinking how sad that they are not enjoying this walk of new discovery every morning.
We cross the road with the lollypop man who is a wonderful friend to all the children and he wishes us a cheery good morning.
On past my aunties house where Eden always peeps through the window in the hope that auntie Kath will be there to offer a blown kiss or a cheery wave.
Past the church where lavender bushes edge the paths and in the summer bees will buzz. Up the hill where the new hedge is planted and we see more pretty daffodils and then finally we reach the beck (Yorkshire word for a stream).
The beck is an amazing place. Until recently it was over grown with ivy and trees hanging their branches to cover the water so that from the path the secret world was just that. Recently the "in bloom" group have taken the mamoth task of clearing trimming and re planting. What they are doing is so amazing. They've uncovered brick walls and planted snow drops on small ledges giving the appearance of a fairy land paradise. The top area has tree stumps and a woven willlow hedge and ferns, daffodils, daisies yellow aconites. The stream itself trickles by over boulders and in the silent moments between the cars passing you can hear the gurgle of water and a miriad of bird song. Sometimes you even get to see rabbits whose burrows invade the bank. Finally we are at school. I say goodbye and turn to retreat my steps, to glimpse again at the flowers and greenery. A sudden noise overhead makes me look up and I see a huge flock of canada geese fly over. They circle and then I watch as they glide down into the lake belonging to the hotel. Barely a ripple as they land.
And all the way back lost in my thought of the busy day ahead I am greeted by people and smiled at. I thank God for the wonderful world he has put on my doorstop. I hope I instill in my children the same appreciation for this creation that God made.
Click on this link to see the beck section of my walk!
I love scenes like these, fresh linen blowing gently in the breeze, birds, blue skies...
Spring really inspired me to create this kitchen wall plaque!
I cant wait for the season to arrive, more this year than ever before.
Note the bee hives in one of the hanging hearts... I would love to be brave enough to keep my own little bee homes!
I thank God for the inspiration he sends. The best things in life really are free.
Hanging about 15" long and 7" wide
Monday, March 9, 2009
Follow up from saturday...
Why is it that when you have a pile of music in front of you, you can find every bit you have, but the one you are looking for has somehow secreted it'self away!. That happened over and over again to me.
Once the service was underway, the words just flowed from my mouth. Things that happened during the service fed me and I was able to weave things together.
A young family were presenting a scetch and it was entitled Lord there is none like you... They shared some amazing thoughts and I'd like to share some of those with you.
MUM: God is like the biggest IBM computer / You are like dads windows 98, slow to process, difficult to get working and won't play the games you want and often going into shutdown. You wouldn't expect the 98 machine would do what the IBM machine would do, but if you get onto the internet then it could access the IBM machines power.
JOHN: So I need this connection with God, and it's not firewalled or password protected?
LYDIA: Open access John, like MSN, but God is never going to block you as a friend.
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RUTH: Where do babies come from?
MUM: Babies are another incredible gift. When you were born and I saw your faces for the first time, and I sat and loked at your tiny fingernails, felt the sooftness of your neck and your baby smell, I thanked God for giving mr such joy and having such love.
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MUM: You're right John, lifelong learning I think they call it, but the thing is I am not alone. I have Jesus to help me, the family, the church. What do you think I am doing whn I go to adventurers (mum is a sunday school teacher) I am doing the learning!
LYDIA: So you see Ruthie, why when we sing "Lord there is none like you" there are some very good reasons behind the words!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
When The Music Fades ~ Matt Redman
This song was written by Matt Redman in his bedroom. It had been a time at his church when it was felt that the trappings of "the worship time" were distracting from what should be at the heart of worship. The pastor of the church made a brave and bold descission. There was to be no band/ microphones etc and that the congregation would simply reflect on the message "what can you bring". spontaneous singing and praying was the result and Matt went home and penned one of the most well known and heart felt songs of modern worship.
I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about you Jesus.
Saturday ~ A preparation day
As a music group we are taking the service and because everyone has busy lives we simply take a section and have responsibility for that.
The service is going to be based around the song My Jesus, My saviour. It's a baptism service and so we'll have some families there who are probably there just for that. It's quite an oportunty to share the gospel with them. I have to admit that personally I do find it challenging when baptism families are there. For some of them the experience can be great. they enter into the service and join in and even come back on other occassions. At other times it can be very trying.
A few months ago I was in one, where a visitor who was part of the baptism party, glared daggers at me (and the rest of the music group) all through the service. It made me feel very uncomfortable indeed.
Anyway tomorrow my job is to lead the service. I quite like that job. I love co-ordiating the worship time and moving in the direction I feel led with intersperced prayers etc.
I know that when I stand up there tomorrow, if I'm being glared at I'll not be alone, I'll be with Jesus and he'll be standing there holding my hand very tight. After all he's been through so much worse!
Friday, March 6, 2009
You Raise Me Up ~ Selah
This is another of my all time top 10.
Although the song was not originally written as a Christian song, the lyrics lend themselves perfectly as a human response to Gods love and compassion.
You raise me up to morre than I can be!! Praise the Lord
Psalm 73 v 24 -
You guide me with your counsel
and afterwards take me into glory
Whom have I in heaven but you?
and earth has nothing I desire beside you
My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the stregnth of my heart and my portion forever.
Cluster ring ~ Crystal Velvet
I also remember developing my love of the colour purple. This love was born out of no other fact than a purple felt tip pen. The purple was the only colour there that worked really well and so without fail I would dive in the pen box and retrieve it before anyone else could. The treacher used to say i can always tell which is Karen's picture.
Well my love for purple remains and is very evident in this cluster ring which I desogned for a publication.
The ring contains 60 x 4mm bicones in three purple toned Swarovski crystals.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Shackles ~ Mary Mary
In the post below you can see the picture painted by Arty Cas showing broken chains.
What other song could be more appropriate than Mary Mary's Shackles.
And I know sarah will appreciate it!
Chains ~ Arty Cas
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Earrings on a theme ~ Crystal Velvet
The first set are cherry blossom falls and I love the black and clear ones. They are very deco!, where as the pink and crystal ones really resemble blossoms.
The next set (above) are pearl earring and this time I've looked at single drop earrings.