Back in the Studio

A Work in ProgressI am so glad you dropped by. I love the week after Christmas. It's slow and easy. So fabulous! We have completely cleaned up from Christmas and we have no where to be. I am loving every minute. We are all sleeping a little later and waking up with practically nothing on our to do list. I am loving it! My only goal today was to get back into my studio. God was so good to provide so much work for me over Christmas! I loved painting for you for Christmas! Such a treat for me! Anyway, I finished my last painting the day before Christmas eve and I have not been back to my studio since. I have missed being there. I did a couple of loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen and my bathroom, worked out and yes, finally made it to the studio. My favorite part?Four of my five children were in there with me. Fox was painting, MaryCam was reading, KK was creating headbands for her etsy account, and Towns was making jewelry for her new line of jewelry. How fun is that? Very easy to be inspired around this crowd. This is on my easel now. Big flowers. I thought it would be fun to photo it now because by the time I finish with it, It will be totally different. It just felt so great to get paint on the canvas. I love to paint. I love to be messy, I love to glue, paint , create, draw.... I am in heaven when I'm painting. I love having a work in progress and watching it take shape and come to life.This painting has a ways to go but I adore the process. I will paint on it in my head all night and finish it tomorrow. I can hardly wait!
Kind of crazy, but I was thinking about my life being a work in progress. How thankful I am that God never gives up on me or takes a break from me for a couple of days. I love that in spite of me He keeps shaping me to be more like Him. Sometimes the shaping hurts a little more than others times but I love it because I know at the end of the day I am His and He loves me. Like my painting I have a ways to go. I am thankful God is in control of every brushstroke in my life. There is comfort there!
Thanks for coming in to my studio today.
I loved visiting with you. Come back. Maybe I will have actually finished my painting!
Any ideas before I finish? I'd love to hear your thoughts!!!!!
Thank you love love love Ruthie

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels We Have Heard on High
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
24x30
SoldI am so glad you stopped by today! I could hardly wait to post this painting! It was a commission for  a Christmas gift and I did not want to post it until it had been given. I actually fell in love with this painting and so I am painting it again for myself. Obviously it won't be identical to the original but it will be similar. I thought it was the perfect Christmas gift because it reminds me of the scripture in Luke when the angels are speaking with the shepherds.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men."
I love that!
I wanted to thank you for reading my blog and for all your amazing comments over Christmas! It has been the most fun for me to hear from so many of you! I have loved giving paintings away for Christmas and who knows I may just do it again! You were so fabulous to comment. Thank you too for all the orders for paintings over Christmas! I love to paint and knowing that each commission goes to a home where I know it will be loved fills my heart with joy! Thank you! I love painting for you!
I hope your Christmas was special and filled with love and family and most of all Jesus.
Hurry back to see me. Who knows what I will come up with next!
love love love Ruthie

Merry Christmas

Angel
Sold
5x7 Canvas PanelToday it's yummy rainy weather. To those of you stressed over shopping, you are probably not loving the conditions outside. However, to those of you like me who don't do stress and love to hunker down and snuggle on rainy days, you are loving today. I have on a pair of Eddie's old khakis and a yummy soft long sleeve t-shirt. I'm in my favorite chair with my diet coke and my Bible.
Kind of funny, one of the girls just asked me to go with them somewhere and I asked if I could wear what I had on and she laughed until she realized I was serious. Then she sweetly but firmly said "No."
This morning I was reading about the shepherds in Luke 2. Baby Jesus had just been born in verse 7 and in verse 8 we are introduced to the shepherds who were in the fields watching over their sheep . This is my favorite part, verse 9.."And the angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shown around them, and they were so afraid."
Can you even begin to take that in? Would you have wanted to be one of those shepherds that night and experienced the "glory of the Lord?" I would! I would! I would!
In verse 10 the angel comforts them by telling them not to be afraid. Then, in verse 11 the angel says "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord."
First of all, the job of a shepherd is not a glamorous one. They are not wealthy, they are not beautifully dressed, they work in the field with livestock and I'm guessing a shower is not readily available. Yet the angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shown around them. They were the first to hear of the Savior's birth. They had an invitation for a front row seat to see the King of Kings.
In verse 15 it says the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem. It does not say they changed clothes or showered or stopped anywhere on the way. It just simply says they went straight there and they went with haste.
I love love love it! When God call us to Himself, He doesn't want us to "clean up" first. He calls us to come as we are, in all our sin in all His glory. So if you hear His voice today even if it's just to sit and spend time with Him or to pray for someone, be like the shepherds. Go straight there with haste, even in old khakis and a t-shirt.
Merry Christmas! Love love love Ruthie

Giveaway #3

Merry and BrightLuke 2:10
And the angel said to them, " Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
I thought this scripture was perfect for my giveaway day. Okay, I am not an angel and my news is not nearly as big as announcing the Savior or the world, but somehow it works for me.
I thought about the angels bringing the news of the Saviors birth and I was overwhelmed as I pictured in my mind a multitude of angels praising God! "Glory to God in the highest!" People had been looking for a savior since Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden. Every woman that bore a child hoped her son would be the redeemer. And that night in a stable the Savior was born. Mary didn't have to send birth announcements, she had a "multitude of heavenly host" proclaiming His birth. The waiting was over, the Savior was born.
Is that not the most the most exciting news ever? I mean do you just have chill bumps when you read that!? I wish you were here right now having diet coke and ice cream with me and talking about that night! I love it! I am so thankful!
Thank you for all your precious comments! on my blog, face book and phone! I love all that you have to share and it fills my heart so full! I love it. We are all in my studio right now creating fun stuff and KK wanted to draw the winner today. So here goes.....
We put you all in a bowl and drew out a name.
And the winner is.......Julie R. !
Congratulations! I will be in touch!
Merry Christmas!!!!!
love love love  Ruthie

Giveaway #3

Angel
4x12
Oil on Gallery Wrapped CanvasMerry Christmas! I'm so glad you stopped by today. It's been such an amazing weekend! Everybody is home and it's so much fun. Yesterday i never even left the house. I spent most of the day in my studio painting. KK was in there too making headbands. Towns was making jewelry, and some of our friends also came to hang out and create gifts for friends and family. Such a blast!
I don't know if I've told you yet about my most favorite Christmas tradition. Ever since my children were little we have made our gifts for each other. It's truly the most fun thing ever. We've made everything from hula hoops to twig frames. They are the first gifts we open on Christmas day. We all so look forward to seeing what each other has created. It sounds kind of corny, but some of the gifts make me cry but some have made me laugh so hard and are remembered and talked about from year to year. I have to say the gifts most talked about are the ones created by Luke. :)
I love hearing about other people's Christmas traditions. I have to say that I've had lots of ideas and we have tried some of them. Sone of our ideas have survived the years, but many of them have fallen by the way side. However, our tradition of creating gifts for each other has remained a family favorite. I can hardly wait to see what every body has made this year!
Leave me your comment of your favorite tradition! I'd love to read it and you will be entered to win my give away on the 21st!
Thanks for stopping by!! I love love love it!!! Ruthie

Giveaway #3

Three Angels
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
Sold
Thank you for stopping by! I know it's such a busy time of year and I love that you have taken the time to sit down and hang out with me.
Speaking of being busy, KK and I did a little shopping today and the traffic was crazy and the lines were ridiculous and people are not the friendliest. Standing in a line today there was a sweet girl behind the cash register and she rung up an item wrong. Oh my goodness, the lady in front of me did not handle it well. I hate that! It makes me so uncomfortable. It's so awkward for everyone!
Reminds me of a story....
There was a kindergarden Christmas play that all the children looked forward to every year. This year there was a young boy named Wally who couldn't wait to be a part of the program. Wally had been held back because learning was a little difficult for him, so since he was a little bigger than the other children the teacher thought he would make a perfect innkeeper. The best part was Wally only had to memorize one line.."No Room! You can stay in the stable!"
The night finally came for the big production. The auditorium was filled with friends and family. The play began with Mary and Joseph walking across the stage looking for a place to stay the night. Joseph  knocked on the the door of the Inn and Wally opened the door. Joseph said "Please sir my wife is with Child and we need a place to sleep, can we stay here?" Wally hesitated and he looked at Mary and then looked at the teacher. The teacher sweetly nodded her head to encourage Wally to be brave. Wally swallowed hard and said in a big voice, "No Room! You can stay in the stable!" Joseph and Mary turned to walk toward the makeshift stables, and Wally watched as they moved slowly across the stage. Wally looked towards the teacher and she smiled and gave Wally the signal to shut the door of the inn, but he couldn't do it. Instead Wally opened the door as wide as it would go and yelled to Joseph and Mary, "Stop! Don't go! You can have my room!"
You can imagine the emotion in the auditorium that night. Wally's sweet heart wanting to give his own room to Mary and Joseph so they would have a place to sleep.
I love this story! When I'm out in horrible holiday traffic or in an unfriendly line at the store, I think about his big heart. My prayer is that our lives are not so full that we have no room for Jesus. Our days fill up so fast and without even realizing it we have put up a No Vacancy sign. Be like Wally and make room in your heart for Jesus today.
Love love love Ruthie

Don't forget to leave a comment and you will be entered to win the giveaway on the 21st. 

Christmas Giveaway#2

Yellow Flowers
6x6
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped CanvasI am so glad you stopped by! I've been looking forward to today!  I love  giveaways!  Though I don't think I've ever really won anything! And I have entered A LOT of things. I am laughing out loud right now thinking about all of the things I have entered. So funny! I entered this home thing where you send in a video of yourself with party ideas. And your thinking you are creative that's right up your alley. Uh...no those are not my gifts and my family loves to pull out the video and laugh their heads off   every now and then. I really need to destroy that thing, but the memory of filming that thing with Eddie is priceless. I do love it even though its truly horrible. I take it back, I did win one thing. One morning I was cleaning the kitchen listening to the radio and this guy said "Who even knows the preamble..." They thought that was the funniest thing and then said if you know it call us and say it and we will give you a free breakfast at Chappy's Deli. Okay, thanks to "Grammar Rock" I called in and not only did I say it, I sang it. And yes, I got a free breakfast! So I guess I have won something! And I was so proud!! What is that? Winning a giveaway is fun! I love it! But I have loved giving away so much! So thank you for  playing along.Once again, I put names in a bowl and drew out a name,

and the winner is.....

wait for it....
wait.....
wait...

Diane Klock!!!! Hey Diane, message me with your address! I have a treat for you!
Have a wonderful day. And I will giveaway again on the 21. So comment and enter to win!
love love love Ruthie

Christmas Giveaway#2

Christmas Commission
I did 12 of these on 5x5 Block
sealed with acrylic
I love the way they turned out.

Merry Christmas!My heart is so full sometimes I think it might burst wide open. We have a small tree on our island in the kitchen with a bowl beside it with 25 tiny ornaments. Each child put a tag on 5 of the ornaments. On each tag they put an attribute of God. Every morning we put a ball on the tree and focus on whatever attribute they wrote down. At dinner time we spend a few minutes talking about that particular attribute of God. I have tried a lot of ideas around holidays, but this one has been amazing and we will continue this one for a long time!
Anyway, this morning KK picked an ornament from the bowl and put it on the tree. The tag read "He is the Lamb." I must admit I fought a huge lump in my throat and had to hold back from having "teaching moment" right then! ( If your school morning is anything like ours you know time is limited.. the main reason we discuss the ornaments at night at the dinner table) Anyway the thought of Jesus being the Lamb puts tears in my eyes and indescribable joy in my heart. It is overwhelming to think about God sending His only son into the world so that He might die for me. Why would He do such a thing you might ask? Plain and simple...Because He loves me and He loves you. John 3:16. So many of us have memorized that scripture and, we can say it backwards and forwards. My challenge to you and to me today is to look at that scripture with fresh eyes. That we would fall completely in love with the Lamb that was slain. No one else could have died in His place. He is the only one worthy. And He died because He loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him. He is the Lamb!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only son.
That whosoever believes in Him, should not die but
have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Giveaway tomorrow! Don't forget to leave a comment!
love love love Ruthie

Christmas Giveaway#2

Christmas CommissionMerry Christmas! I'm so glad you stopped by! I actually have a confession to  make.  I was  "Martha" today. (Post Dec.1, 2011) I was. It all started because I got up a little late. I hit the ground running with a quick shower, made french toast for children, eggs for Eddie, and threw in a load of laundry, folded a load of laundry, kissed the children goodbye and cleaned up the kitchen. I made the bed, picked up odds and ends and kissed Eddie goodbye.
The house was quiet and I felt the Lord call me to "my chair" to be with Him. I'm not kidding, I chose to unload the dish washer. Can you believe that? The King of Kings invited me to spend time with Him and I chose to clean out the dishwasher. It gets worse, He sweetly pursued me again and I chose the laundry room. Before the morning got away, I actually left the house and went to a spin class. I was thinking if my house was clean I'm good, and if I get to exercise I'm even better.
Then God gently reminded me that "only one thing is necessary."Mary chose wisely. She chose to listen to His word and to sit at His feet." (Post Dec.1, 2011) I was Martha today. I did not put my Lord first. I missed Him. I am so thankful that He still woo s me. That He is faithful even though I am not. I love that He pursues me! That He calls me by name.
I did make it to "my chair" today. He patiently waited on me and graciously met me there. 
I know some days are super busy, but don't be like me. When the King of Kings invites you to sit at His feet, run there as fast as you can!
Love love love Ruthie

Commission in progressThis artwork I posted today is a commission.
This artwork is not something I normally paint bit I thoroughly enjoyed the process!
She requested bible verses to go in each square. I will post when I'm done!Don't forget to comment and you will enter a chance to win the giveaway on the 14 of December!

The first Giveaway

Angel on heart Pine
for sale
Candle CabinI have been so excited about today and having this giveaway!!! Honestly for me it feels like Christmas early. This morning I was thinking about what I would say and how I would choose the winner. And then of course my mind just goes in a hundred different directions as I think about who would win and if they would be as excited as I was, you know all that kind of thing. And in my quiet time with the Lord this morning I was reading in Luke 1 about Mary the mother of Jesus. She was chosen. Now her name was not thrown into a pile and drawn out of a hat. God chose her. In verse 30 of chapter 1, the angel said "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God." First, I love that he anticipated her fear and comforted her. Secondly I love that he called her by name. We are so personal and calling her by name touched my heart. Then he encouraged her and said she had found favor with God.
Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. Wow! She found favor with God. In verse 46 and following we get to see inside Mary's heart. We see her intimate love for the Lord and her willingness to serve Him. With genuine humility she begins by saying "My soul exalts the Lord, And My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." She goes on to praise Him with all her heart and to remember His blessings.
Mary was chosen by God. Her path would not be an easy one. But at the end of the day it would be a journey well worth it. If you have a relationship with Jesus, you too have been chosen. It does not mean that life won't difficult. But I guarantee you at the end of the day the journey is definitely worth it!
Thank you for all your comments! I love you for doing this with me! This is so much fun for me and I love it!!!!!  I will have another give away on the 14, so keep on commenting! I put all your names in a hat and drew out a name........
and the winner is....Emily!
Hi Emily! Thanks for reading my blog and following me on this journey! I have a 6x6 canvas that I painted for you!
email me so I can get  you your gift! Congratulations!!!!!!!!
ruthiecarlson@charter.net
Lucy, I have something for you as well! email me for details!
I loved today! I can't wait till the 14!  love love love Ruthie

Christmas Giveaway

Christmas Ball
First I want to thank you for reading my blog!!! I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you would take time out of your busy life to spend time with me. I love it!!! I so love my readers and I treasure your thoughts and comments! Most of your precious comments are posted on my face book. Thank you! I love every message! But for all my give aways this month you must place your comment on my blog where it gives you the option to post a comment. So, set up your google account, if you haven't already, and post a comment! You might just win something! My first drawing is tonight, and I will post the winner  tomorrow! Yea! I love giving things away! So hurry and post!
Speaking of giving things away, my daughter KK and I are giving away a lot of things the week before Christmas. I heard a variation of this on the radio the other day and we decided to take on the challenge. We are going to make all kinds of ornaments this weekend in my studio and tag each one with a favorite bible verse. Then we are going to wrap each one and bag them up. The week before Christmas every time we go to a store or restaurant where people check our groceries, or ring up merchandise, or serve our table, we are going to give back by giving them one of our ornaments. I'm so excited about it! I can't wait to give gifts to all the people that serve us. Especially the week before Christmas with all the last minute crazy shoppers. KK has never met a stranger and has such a sweet heart for others, she will eat this up as much as I will. So what do you think? Try it with us! I'll post photos of our ornaments and give some quick easy ideas that you can do at home. I can't wait!!!
Thank you so much for stopping by! Don't forget to leave a comment. See you tomorrow with the winner!!! love love love Ruthie

Beautiful Music

Sun Flowers
24x36
Oil on gallery wrapped Canvas
for sale
Blue Giraffe
Watercolor, Florida
I wish you could have been with me tonight. I went  to church to hear the youth lead worship in song. I am ashamed to tell you, I was so tired and really didn't  want to go, but one of my children was singing and there was no way I was missing that. Anyway, Once I got there and sat down I was so glad I was there! What is it about music that fills your soul from the top of your head to the tip of your toes? It's magical the way music can move you. And let me tell you, listening to those children sing is like music from heaven. And they were accompanied by a five piece string section with indescribable talent.
Towards the end of the worship service the children were singing "Lo how a Rose er Blooming" (one of my favorites) and the strings were waiting to come in at the end of the first verse. The director lifted his hands and gave the signal to begin. Not being a musician I'm not really sure what happened next, but even to the untrained ear, it was obvious something was wrong. I noticed one gentleman seemed to be caught off guard and he quickly moved to begin with everyone else. Unable to find his place, he struggled to keep up. His mistakes seemed to be throwing everyone off. The next few moments were painful as the musician's eyes were glued to their music frantically trying to find their way. Then all at once they looked up from their music straight to the director. The director was amazing! He patiently waited, and once he had everyone's attention, with one motion he was able to transform utter chaos into a beautiful melody.
I couldn't help but think I am a lot like those musicians. You know as I watched them searching their music for direction, I thought to myself "Stop! Look up! Look at the director! You are lost and need help! Look up!" I am not even kidding, it was painful to watch. Yet when I don't spend time in God's word in the morning , I am essentially being just like those musicians. My eyes are glued to my music and I am desperately trying to get through the day in my own strength. If I would just stop and look up at the Director. If I would first give God my day and feed on His word, then He will transform chaos into peace. And who doesn't want that? So, Stop! Look up!
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
Love love love RuthieComment on my blog page and you automatically enter for a chance to win a free giveaway in the next couple of days.

Christmas Giveaway #1

     Let me begin by saying that I am not a "list girl",but the month of December I am. Can you believe it's already December 1? I love it, but this morning I feel the need to tape my ankles, put on my tennis shoes, and hit the ground running. I have lists in my kitchen, in my car, in my room, and always one in my head. I have a list of things to buy for art projects, list of people I want to write or call or do something for over the holidays. I have an ongoing list of children's activities and things they need. I have a Christmas card list, gift list, to do list, party list, and of course the never ending grocery list. I check things off all day and rewrite lists on clean paper thinking if it's neat it might be shorter or more "do-able." Yet I have found new paper just makes more room for more stuff on the list.
After making a couple of lists this morning I spent time in God's word and this is what I studied this morning.

Jesus was traveling with His disciples.  (38)"He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. (39)She had a sister called Mary, who was listening to the Lord's word seated at His feet.(40) But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and Said 'Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.' (41) But the Lord answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha you are worried and bothered about so many things,(42) But only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42

     I love verse 39; Where was Mary? She was seated at His feet. I feel such peace as I read that. I can only imagine Martha's tone of voice and her body language were the complete opposite of peace. Jesus told Martha that she worried about too many things and that only one thing is necessary. Jesus said Mary chose wisely. She chose to listen, sit at His feet, and worship. Imagine if Martha had chosen to be still and worship instead of worrying over "lists."
Ready or not Christmas is coming. I don't want to be a Martha waking up in the middle of the night worried about a "list." I want to be a Mary who sits at Jesus' feet, engrossed in His word, and wrapped in His love. Who will you be this Christmas? Mary or Martha?
Love love love  Ruthie

ps. If you comment on my blog page you could win a free gift on Dec.7.