Our Ever Changing Table

1.  Sand

2.  Spray w/ Chalkboard paint

3.  Use chalk

1 Thessalonians 4:11

Re-decorating our little cottage :)

Brad and I stopped at a Thrift Shop this week-end because I was looking for plastic hangers...and this one spot I visit usually has them for $0.05/per.

Well, they didn't have any hangers this time....but they did have this wonderful basket which I am so in love with and loads of embroidery thread for SALE.

I was seriously on my way to Michael's to buy embroidery thread  because I needed new colors for my TWIG CROSSES.  We've started CHRISTmas crafting over here :)

And our avocado pits have roots and are ready to plant.

"...and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you..."  1 Thessalonians 4:11

Creative Download

I go through these creative spurts.  I like to think of these times as "downloads from the Lord."  Literally...I am flooded with ideas.  And then I start working and ideas lead to more ideas. 

While I'm designing jewelry pieces...I'm writing.  In my head. 

Then I sit to work out on paper what has already been worked out during my time of jewelry designing. 

Then I start thinking of photography things...and how I can use my images in new ways.

The original image...taken on my phone captured a square of pavement outside of a restaurant on Larchmont. 

Going through a relational trial...I felt like I needed a reminder that He is able to make all things new...and I wanted to use the image as a background...but the color wasn't right for what I was feeling. 

This was more like it. 

As I was going over Isaiah 61: 2-3 in my mind...I was thinking one of my characters...and working out what it is that he is wrestling with.  The thing that is being made new out of his ashes. 

When I've got that figured out...I've got Act Three. 

It will come when it is meant to. 

Evangeline Cottage

I love being a wife.  I love being a mother.  I love being home.

It is for this reason...that I spend some of my free time using & growing my
gifts/abilities/talents...at  Home.  Home is my base camp.

Whether you've purchased items from me in the past or if you are new to my little creative space...WELCOME and I hope you enjoy Evangeline Cottage. 

Proverbs 31 10:31

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
 

Cherry Pickin'

Villa Del Sol

Julie's parents were dear friends of Brad's parents.  When Brad's family broke up...they stuck with Maureen and the boys.  Bradley hasn't seen Julie in a really long time.  

Today we went cherry picking with her and her beautiful family.  Added bonus...they had some friends with them who were also very nice.  What a great way to spend a morning. 

We spotted yet another fire as we headed back into town.

Freshly churned Cherry Vanilla Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream is in the freezer.

5 ingredients:  Heavy Cream
                        Organic Sugar
                        Good Vanilla (that we bought @ a roadside stand on our trip to Grenada)
                        Cherries
                        GF Trader Joe's Choc Chips

We are busting at the seams with cherries over here...even after gifting three neighbor families.  Gotta go on a search for some recipes.

Evangeline Cottage / Shalom

Every now and again I'm inspired to work on jewelry.  Evangeline Cottage...as many of my friends know...is the place where I take special orders for custom designs.   

This Shalom line has been slowly but surely working it's way out of my heart.

My inspiration?  

Post abortive friends...men and women...who have bravely shared their stories.  

And those who have lost children through no choice of their own to early death.  

Some have found healing in Christ.  Others are still searching.  

As a Christian...I know that shalom is found at Calvary and I would like to share that truth with whomever the Lord gives eyes to see and ears to hear.  

        

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.    Luke 7:50

My hope is that  post abortive believers would wear my designs and that the Lord would provide open doors for stories of redemption to be shared.  

There are many out there who are engaged in this battle for life without being post abortive.  The message remains the same.  

Death is horrific.  Christ has conquered death.  The enemy is a dog on a leash.  The story is written and it ends in victory.  Christ longs for you to live a life of shalom...here on earth and for eternity.

For those believers who have had children taken "too soon"...we sympathize. 

Bradley and I have miscarried 5 times. We did not lose "tissue."  We lost 5 children to early death.  

We have many friends who have lost children to early death.  Some to miscarriage...some to still birth...some to death beyond the womb.  All children...in various stages of development...taken by death.  

The Lord weeps for the earthly loss of children.  

Because of the cross...and our beleif in all that was accomplished there....we live in shalom with our Lord.  

He creates life.  We are stewards of the lives He blesses us with.   

Children are fearfully and wonderfully made.            

 A portion of all proceeds will be donated to Abort 73 and Abolish Human Abortion. 


DONATIONS + SASE 
Please contact  isa646@aol.com for shipping instructions

*For those who desire an explanation for the use of skulls.  Christ died at Calvary or Gogaltha...also known as "Place of The Skull."  This is where He became victor over death.  In Him...believers share in that victory.

Traditionally skull imagery has been used in Art to call man to contemplate the vanity of earthly things and to symbolize mortality. 

 

Happy Flower Designs

I am very proud of Jemima Bakytgul... Little Dove in Hebrew & Happy Flower in Kazak.

She works hard at her studies and at her cottage industry.

This daughter of ours is passionate about Design, History & Politics,  and Literature.  It makes perfect sense that her passions would overlap.

Visit her etsy shop here.

I love Home-Education!

Evangeline Cottage

Our dear friends brought home a precious baby boy through adoption.  One of my most favorite things to do in the whole wide world is design birth mother gifts.  I've had the pleasure of doing so a bunch of times...and I am always blessed by the process. 

This time.... the Mom wanted her son's birth mom and herself to have matching sets.  What an honoring thought. 

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

Romans 8:14-16

$14 Book Shelf / "School" Cabinet

So our neighbors put this cabinet near their trash cans. We asked if we could have it. They said, ""Yes!" $14 worth of primer/white paint. Now we get to go through our storage boxes ...in search of long lost books from our beloved year long missing collection....which we miss ever so much.

Originally Posted: March19, 2012

Make It Work

You don't have stamps????  Make them. 

oh...and that there on the wall is my new story.  A few nights ago...I asked the Lord to give me a "download" if He wanted me to write a new story.  Just like He used to.  Lo and BEHOLD!!!!   He woke me up in the middle of the night w/ a screenplay.  Can't stop writing!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted: January7,2012

Isaiah 63:7

A few years ago...friends of our gifted us with a God Box.  In it...we've placed little notes...prayers...photos....trinkets etc...which are pulled out every now and then...to remind us of the Lord's loving kindness & faithfulness. 


We are such a forgetful people. 

These are my Mason Jar versions.  For the gals at Bible Study. 

I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us--yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

Originally Posted: December 19, 2011

Adoption Fund Raiser

Our dear friends, the Thompsons...are adopting a little boy.  I'm donating this (hand-made by me) set of earrings to their fundraiser.  They would make great stocking stuffers... Don't cha' think?

 Originally Posted, December 9, 2011

Busy Elves

Making jewelry can be so much more affordable than making batches of cookies...toffies & sweet treats. And your female friends get to enjoy their gift all year long...year after year.

Oh.... and see those CHRISTmas trees. Don't throw away old magazines or IKEA catalogs...they make great gifts too. Just add some spray paint and glitter.

Originally Posted: December 9, 2011

Zion Evangeline

 Movie 4

Originally Posted: October 31, 2011

Book Marks

 
Within walking distance of our home is this quaint little Used Book Shop.  Daily, they stack piles and piles of give-away titles by their front door.  Last night...we took a boxful home and today...the girls and I are making book marks. 

Originally Posted: July 20, 2011

Handbags And Home-brewed Beer

What we did today:

Slouch bags...and.....





....the recipe.



Originally Posted: July 11, 2011

For Such a Time as This

The Lord does speak to me via the sea.  He does so via the wind too.  And via rain.

And through birds...the chirping of birds...but even more so...just birds.  Whenever I come across a bird...I hear the Lord.

There is something about birds.



Well, the Lord did speak to my heart during our time at the ocean yesterday....actually on the drive there.  I processed all through the walk and communicated during the drive back through the canyon.

What I'm hearing has been confirmed loudly by three other people in the past few days.  All converging now.

For such a time as this.

Bradley, my husband, is an actor.  That is how he is made.

He is a filmmaker.  A self taught shooter and editor...trained in the fields of life.  Cedars of Lebanon is the film he wants to make.

A wife's prayer...

Because he is a man who fears You, Lord he will provide for his family by doing what is necessary.  Because he fears You,  Lord..he will trust that the desires of his heart are planted there by you and that You will open doors when they are to be opened.

Lord, grant us patience.  Wisdom.  Perseverance.  You are the author and the perfecter of our faith.

Originally Posted: July 8, 2011



On a side note....what do I do with this amazing collection of sea  stuff?  I want to preserve it in some sort of project.  Any ideas?

Evangeline Cottage

I like making jewelry. Some people know about this fun side thing of mine and they place special orders. This is a Sterling Silver Light of The World ring w/ matching Sterling & Copper Swarovski Drop Earrings.

Evangeline Cottage

Custom Order Arizona.

Request: Copper chain. Earth tones w/ hints of turquoise.

Evangeline Cottage