Watch with Glittering Eyes

Looking into the new year with eagerness and glittering eyes...

Prints available

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." - Roald Dahl

Happy New Year!

Bless the Lord

"And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 2:9-14

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Lamb Gift Tags

Christmas lamb gift tags are here for your gift wrapping needs!  For tips on how to make and use the gift tags, check out this little tutorial.

(download)

Happy gift wrapping!

Rest in the Lord

"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes."
- Psalm 37:7

Songs that bring rest: PageCXVI / Lullabies

A time for every purpose

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." 
- Ecclesiastes 3:1

Knock and the door will be opened to you

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Mathew 7:7

These illustrations are for an article titled, "A Changed Trajectory" in INHERITANCE Magazine's upcoming issue, and I am sharing them here because they are also a reflection of what I've been experiencing lately. I am realizing more and more that when we put our faith in God and believe in His promises, God really does provide and open doors! It's pretty exciting, and I'm excited for what God, the author and perfecter of our faith, has in store for all of us. As the writer of this article says, "God has a journey waiting for you as well. A journey that draws on the passions God has given you, takes you places you never thought you would go..."

Don't you worry

"Stop worrying so much. Worrying is using your imagination to create things you don't want."

 

Grow in love

What started as a doodle is now wallpaper!

<3

Facebook Cover Designs

Finally got around to making some Little Seed Facebook cover designs... hope you enjoy them!

They can also be downloaded on Flickr. If there are other designs you would like to see, feel free to leave a suggestion!

Ships...

"A ship in harbor is safe–but that is not what ships are for." – John A. Shedd

Being reminded that it is better to get out of my comfort zone...

(via pinterest)

*In iPhone wallpaper format. Download here.

Fearfully and wonderfully made

I recently got to illustrate for an article in the upcoming issue of INHERITANCE Magazine. The illustration below is one of four that I worked on for the article.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14

I'll be sure to share the article once it's online, and check out INHERITANCE Magazine's website to see other articles and the latest issue!

Que Sera, Sera

Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera sera

Loving this rendition of Que Sera, Sera by Pink Martini.

*In iPhone wallpaper format. Download here.

Bloom

"Bloom where you are planted."

I thought to try something a little different, and it feels good to experiment with a slightly new style. This drawing isn't for anything in particular... I just wanted to share what I've been working on :) To see some of my other illustrations/design work, feel free to peer into my portfolio.

Inspiration: Movies on my mind

Sometimes when I feel stuck, I like to watch some feel good movies that leave me feeling inspired and motivated. Here are three movies that have inspired / moved / encouraged me lately.

The first is The Secret of Kells, an Irish-French-Belgian animated feature film by Cartoon Saloon. I didn't know what to expect before watching the movie, but I was so awed. Not only is the animation beautiful, but its message of hope reminded me so much of the bible and the importance of scripture. Favorite line: "The book that turned darkness into light."

Second is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - I'm a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia series, and this third movie made by Disney seems to capture the spirit of the books most closely. Favorite lines: "We have nothing, if not belief," and "You've got an extraordinary destiny, something greater than you could imagine."

Lastly, rewatching Hayao Miyazaki's Kiki's Delivery Service helped me understand a little bit more about the creative process. Favorite lines: "We each need to find our own inspiration, Kiki. Sometimes it's not easy," and "We can fly with our spirit."

These movies are beautiful and filled with inspiring lines. I recommend you check them out the next time you need some inspiration and/or something to make your heart feel warm!

Keep Holding On

Just something that's been on my mind lately... I'm learning to rest in the questions and to just keep holding on.

"But when we shift our questions of doubt to curiosity and reflection, we can gain much more from our experience...We do not have all the answers in life; sometimes all we have is questions. But the questions that we ask can help prepare us in the future. Taking time to rest in questions that inspire growth and reflection will help pave the path down the road where anything may be possible." - Kerry Docherty

You keep him in perfect peace...

"You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
- Isaiah 26:3-4

I came upon this verse when I needed some assurance. A lot of doubts have been entering my mind lately, where I'm questioning my dreams, goals and intentions. This verse assured me that my peace and comfort can always be found in God. Hope it encourages you as it's encouraging me.

Also, I will be taking a break from posting for a while... to be honest, I just feel a little dried up on inspiration. Hopefully, this break will help me find the right inspiration and I'll be posting again soon!

Be strong and take heart

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. - Psalm 31:24

*In iPhone wallpaper format. Download it on Flickr. 

Seek and you will find...

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Mathew 7:7

*In iPhone wallpaper format. Download it on Flickr. 
 

Just Grateful

That's the question I want to ask myself everyday.

*In iPhone wallpaper format. Download it on Flickr. 

Ecclesiastes 11:4

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. - Ecclesiastes 11:4

*In iPhone wallpaper format. Download it on Flickr. 

The Cloud Maker

The cloud maker had an important task. She was responsible for
creating clouds for different seasons, weather, and times.

Her favorite part was creating clouds for when the sun would set. 

Once she made the clouds, the wind would carry them away to
different parts of the earth. But one day, there was no wind.

Worried and discouraged, the cloud maker stopped making clouds and waited for
the wind. She waited and waited, until finally, an important gust of wind came.

But there were not enough clouds to generate enough rain for the earth,
and the creatures suffered.

 "If only I had not stopped!" the cloud maker sadly thought to herself.
 From then on, the cloud maker never stopped making clouds. 

That is why if you fly high enough, you will see an endless sea of clouds.

Inspiration: Creativity Tips

For all who experience creative blocks, here are some tips that I reference whenever I need to get back into the flow:

My favorites include #1, 4, 6, 21 and 31 (source unknown)

#7 and 8 (source)

#2 and #10 (source)

Which tips are your favorites? If you know any tips that are not included here, please feel free to share them! :)

Ecclesiastes 5:3

For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool's voice is known by its many words. - Ecclesiastes 5:3

*In iPhone wallpaper format. Download it on Flickr. 

Beautiful in its time

He has made everything beautiful in its time. 

Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,

and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.

- Ecclesiastes 3:11-13








Enjoying the book of Ecclesiastes right now. Also listening to Beautiful Things by Gungor and Broken Bread by Rend Collective. Hope they bless you as much as the verses & songs are encouraging me!
 

Enjoy Every Moment

In honor of Mother's day, I want to share one of my mom's most common sayings, which is, "Enjoy every moment." I thought about the saying recently, when my mom also shared with me 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Enjoy every moment. It is so simple, but so easily forgotten! Thank God for moms who know just what to say. Happy Mother's Day!

*In iPhone wallpaper format. Download it on Flickr.

--
*Updated 5/16/12
Found this a little too late for Mother's Day, but here's a similar quote from another mother :)

(source)

You make me dwell in safety

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. - Psalm 4:8

I came across this verse last night while I was ruminating about my fears. This verse brought me comfort before I fell asleep and even throughout today, as I kept in mind that the Lord makes me dwell in safety... hope it brings you comfort as well!

*In iPhone wallpaper format. Download it on Flickr.

Sketchbook & Journal Inspiration

I love seeing what other people do with their sketchbooks and journals. Here is a collection of some artist journals/sketchbooks that I particularly find inspiring:

 (lucieverett)

Love little envelopes! (hellosandwich)

Nail polish as markers! (decor8blog)

Never can have too much washi tape :) (ohhellofriend)

Full page doodles (Geninne)

Observation drawings (claudiagpearson)

Simple collages (Camilla Engman)

(sleep/talk)

I'll be traveling to Korea soon, and that is the perfect excuse for me to start a new sketchbook/journal. If any of my entries turn out good, I'll be sure to share :)