Following My Heart

Hello

How do you like the new blogger settings, I know something new to get used to right? It has been so long since I posted, I didn't realize things had changed around here. I am trying to figure it all out and it feels a little strange but I am sure I will get used to it.

I am getting ready for my big trip to South Dakota, where I am bringing a trailer filled with clothing, cleaning supplies, some furnishings and kids stuff to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

 I will be meeting my good friend KC Willis there and she will be introducing me around the Rez. She has started a wonderful work there by the leading of the Lord in her life and now is devoting most of her time to the beautiful people of the Lakota Sioux.

 The Pine Ridge Reservation is the poorest zip code in the United States and these people need our help.

 KC has a vision to start a ministry center that includes a resale shop, commercial kitchen and art center. We all need dignity in our lives and these people most of all, being stripped of it in the past. Not just hand outs but tools to enable them to participate in some sort of commerce, whether it be buying affordable needed items at the resale shop or making art and learning to sell it on the internet. Not that giving isn't in the equation. 

I will be helping with this project the best I am able. I will be posting on my trip and keeping you updated on this exciting ministry. I am filling my etsy store with new items and all of the sales will go to this project. Please check out my 

Vintage Living etsy shop this is such a worth while cause.

In my last post I mentioned I was working in my studio and I had started painting again. I haven't painted in oils for 30 years and I have never painted faces. I had never tried portrait painting and never gave it a thought until my daughter Kerri started just recently. My daughter is amazing and I was challenged by her.

I had this little girl on my heart, her name is Liberty Yellow Bird. She is someone I am looking forward to meeting, so I decided to paint her.

Now, the oils were a challenge not to mention just trying to manipulate the paint so I figure I only have to get better... right?

I then painted my grand daughter Sophie who's birthday is coming up.

I am now working on a still life but I will continue with portraits and try to work on my skills.

I will be leaving on Friday and I will be gone for 2 weeks. I will try to keep you posted but internet connections will be tough.

Many Blessings to all of you and don't forget me now!

Rebecca

Random Shots of White

Hello

I have been busy in the studio this week painting... I finally picked up a paint brush again and it felt good. I have been trying my hand at oils, something I haven't done since I was in my 20s. It is somewhat difficult for me, since I have been using acrylics. After I get a few paintings under my belt, I will share. 

I thought it would be fun to do a White Wednesday post, I haven't done one for awhile. Kathleen, has been such a sweetheart hosting this now for such a long time.  Here are some random shots of white for your Wednesday.

The last of the lilac...

My first blooms of the season... so pretty!

Viburnum smells so sweet outside my door...

Yes, and it is getting to be that time again when we start preparing for the summer shows. I only have one booked this year and it is this one. My daughter Jody and I are going to be selling at The French Market again and we have some great hand-mades in the works.

This week besides painting I am getting ready for a trip to South Dakota. I am teaming up with KC Willis and going to the

 Pine Ridge Reservation the first week of May. 

I am gathering clothing, books, coats, shoes, tools and cleaning supplies in a trailer and hauling it across country to where it is so badly needed. The Lord is doing a work there and He has so graciously invited me to witness His beauty. If any of you would like to know how you can help, please email me.

Wishing you a lovely White Wednesday with Faded Charm!

Blessings

Rebecca

Spring Lilacs

Hello

I hope you had a great week, I didn't get too much accomplished after last weekend. It was wonderful to see my family but it was a quick trip and it took me the better part of the week to recover.

Today I cut some of my lilacs and brought them in the house. I love lilac, it fills the whole yard with the most heady aroma... I love going from the house to the studio and being surprised by the scent that seems to envelope you. It only is too fleeting. I have been meaning to bring them in all week and haven't so today before I miss them entirely I did.

Lilac is tricky, they tend to wilt when you bring them in... some varieties more than others. I have several different kinds and I have long forgotten their names. The old purple bushes that have been here on the property since we came here 22 years ago, seem to hold up the best when cutting. But as you'd have it, those are not the ones I want indoors. 

The trick is to pound the ends and break up the stems a little so they are able to drink in the water. I use my meat mallet and it works well.  

I also put a little floral life in the water.

No, it is my double French lilac that seems to be a bit more temperamental.  I love the delicate color of these, just a blush of color when open but the most beautiful shade of dusty violet on their plump buds.  

 I also have a double white French Lilac that looks like little star bursts.

They bloomed so early this year, never have I had tulips and lilac bloom at the same time. And they suffered some for it, they got a little nip of frost on them.

I cut quite a few and placed them in my ironstone pitchers throughout the house. I hardly ever use vases.

These drape so gracefully because the buds on this variety is so large and heavy.

And I couldn't forget the family room... I am sure my husband will appreciate the scent...

I think that is enough lilac...

I want to say thank you to Beth Livesay for giving me a shout out in the latest issue of Romantic Homes.

Well, maybe one more...

Blessings
Rebecca

Winner winner... Easter Dinner!

Hello

I hope all of you had a beautiful Easter weekend filled with family, food and laughter. We had a quick trip to Minnesota to be with my mom and daughters there. We had a traditional ham dinner and an Easter egg hunt for the little ones.

James put together over 200 eggs filled with candy and toys and they hid them throughout my mom's yard.

Here are just a few random shots of the day...

And the race is on...

James tends to have a sense of humor...

Poor Sophie spent 5 min. trying to jump for this "shiny" one!

She got help from her older cousin

Such a sweet brother...

...but somehow it always ends like this!

Everyone was allowed equal amount of eggs... just to be fair

Everyone showing Grandma their bootee...

It was a quick trip but we all had fun and praising God for His goodness to us.

Now to announce the winners of my Follower Fellowship give away.

I picked from the random generator, 3 numbers.

I want to thank you all for your lovely comments and inspiring words to me, it means so much and I am honored to be a very small part of your life.

My first pick was Mary Ellen from Mary's Meanderings, she will be receiving the wreath.

Second pick that wins the collage pocket is Jeanne from

 Dream, Create, Inspire

And last but not least is Sandi from A Cottage Muse

Thank you all again and please be sure and visit these lovely blogs to be inspired and to say congratulations! 

Please email me your addresses so I can get these in the mail this week.

Many Blessings

Rebecca