Thirty One

My fabulous sister has provided me with some bags that I love to brag about! I use them and enjoy them not only because they are so very practical but because they are so very cute. My favorite is my little lunch box cooler that I can put a few drinks in - and on the outside it says - "quinched" - when she gave it to me I just laughed out loud - it was perfect.

If you are unfamiliar with Thirty One - check it out! It is a great reminder for us of what the woman in Proverbs 31 was and who we can be! I hope by this I can encourage Worthie on this endeavor! PS - the prices are the bomb

Proverbs 31
The Words of King Lemuel
1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2What are you doing, my son?[a] What are you doing,(A) son of my womb?
What are you doing,(B) son of my vows?
3Do(C) not give your strength to women,
your ways to those(D) who destroy kings.
4(E) It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings(F) to drink wine,
or for rulers to take(G) strong drink,
5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and(H) pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6Give strong drink to the one who(I) is perishing,
and wine to(J) those in bitter distress;[b]
7(K) let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8(L) Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.[c]
9Open your mouth,(M) judge righteously,
(N) defend the rights of(O) the poor and needy.
The Woman Who Fears the LORD
10[d](P) An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than(Q) jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She(R) seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15She(S) rises while it is yet night
and(T) provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She(U) dresses herself[e] with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20She(V) opens her hand to(W) the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in(X) scarlet.[f]
22She makes(Y) bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is(Z) fine linen and(AA) purple.
23Her husband is known in(AB) the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes(AC) linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25(AD) Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29"Many(AE) women have done(AF) excellently,
but you surpass them all."
30(AG) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

Black and White

Sometimes life can produce decisions before us that are as clear as black and white and we have gut instincts of what we must do. Those decisions can pose easy roads or hard roads ahead but either way, when you know you've made the right decision - life is fuller.

Quitting:College

I was in my second year of college going into my third and I was not enjoying my major. This is nothing new to most who go into college with no clue what they really want to do. I wanted to "take a break" and perhaps return a year later with a different major. While working on the infamous river-the Nantahala with a bunch of fantastic friends I couldn't imagine any better education or life than being a river rat. So, I made a 9 hour drive down to the gulf with a good friend, Derrick, to see my parents... I was so bold and head strong that my determination was to TELL my parents that I was quitting school. Derrick smirked the whole way - as he has a PHD and is now a family counselor.

In his most gentle way, my sweet wonderful father sat with me on our front porch swing. He listened intently to all my grand ideas and what I wanted to do! Then, basically said - "that is wonderful honey, if that is what you want to do - BUT - if you do quit school, you will immediately be handed all your bills that I currently pay for & the vehicle that I was planning on getting you will remain with it's current owner."

Obviously, my tune of heartstrings changed very fast. I remained in school and not only did I finish with honors but was provided the privilege to travel overseas with our Navy and complete an internship on a NATO base.

That is one of my black and white stories.

Your Signature

A while back it was evident that I would need to put my signature on quite a few things. So, I signed a sheet of paper and made it available at the click of a button. For those of you who love the idea but are not sure how this works, I will be happy to help you. It usually takes me about an hour to make it perfect and email it to you - so - sign up today to have your signature readily available at the click of a button!

Ads

This is sort of a shabby placement of ads but I really enjoyed doing it - being creative with food for marketing can be exciting and wonderful for those who eat out all the time! Enticement of where to go when for specific reasons can boost ones bottom line in a matter of one season if worked properly.

For instance Elli Bistro in Gulf Shores promotes wine on Tuesdays by offering a bottle at 1/2 price. Not only does this allow them to keep their wine fresh but it also entices individuals who may not visit there on a regular occasion to come in - for so many reasons this is brilliant!

Hazel's in Orange Beach offers FREE ICE CREAM - all the time! Any smart parent watching their pocket book on vacation is bound to visit there to feed and appease a hungry family! Not to mention that children under 3 eat free!

These are great marketing tools to catch the eye and drag it over ... to what the chef specializes in! So kudos to Lane, Ginny & Wick!

News Letters

I can't remember the first time I laid pages out but I remember doing it for our middle school year book which seemed to be a massive project at the time. There is an art to it and creating a page with appeal. Now that email allows pictures to carry words and be displayed on our computers via email or to our phones or even on paper... news gets out and before we know it, it's old.

I have about 5 companies that I put together news articles for and my favorite is my dad's company, Tree of Life Landscaping, Inc. He really does just let me run with it and I come up with all kinds of fun news, much of what I learn straight from him - and working with he and mom in the garden or around the house.

If you are interested in a newsletter for your company and don't want to pay an astronomical amount - contact me - I'll be happy to work with you!

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Where I Grew Up... and Live for the Next 10 Months...

 

Mother Daughter 2011

Blue Grass

This is a piece I sold at "Christmas on the River" but it is the beginning of a new series I will be doing called Blue Grass. I'll probably be having a show in the Spring, so be on the lookout. All pieces will be on board, most, if not all will be landscape pieces and available at under $150. This piece sold for under $100. (Thanks Debbie & Joe!) I'm thrilled about doing them. They will include media such as plaster and dye with a hint of oil for final touches. If you would like specific orders with specific colors please feel free to let me know about a commission piece.
205-790-1507
csmayfield@hotmail.com
www.csheamayfield.webs.com


Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord,
you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.
We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Relent, LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Hearts for Hearing

Love can be hard to find, but when we do it just happens... the world begins to turn in a whole new direction!
It's nice to know we can rest assured on the love of Christ at all times!

John 3: ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I have three adorable nieces. My prayer and hope for their lives is that they know this love above all else!

My name sake niece, Anna Correll, my sister's daughter... and I paint together quite often. We have since she was a small thing... she is still a small thing - who am I kidding! We have brilliant conversation about life, love and the pursuit of her happiness!!!! She does a fantastic job, always! Explaining to her how deep, wide and grand is the love of Jesus has been exciting. Recently, her mother shared the story that while she was picking up her toys she begged Jesus to come out of her heart and help her pick up all her toys... I can't fathom the conversation she must have been having with Jesus, what she was feeling, or what she is thinking at the age of 3 about who Jesus really is... but I know her little heart is tender and her desire to serve the Lord will one day be grand, as he has already started to pierce her heart!

Ella Baxter who is my other niece of about the same age, is just as adorable... I don't get to see Ella B as often and really have only met her a few times. Knowing her through pictures and stories from her parents... has kind of given me an ache to know her all the more! She is partially hearing impaired but this does not stop this tall beautiful thing though... She has this wild creative side with much determination!

My third niece is Evy, and I can't wait to meet her... time seems to be flying but I will get to see her within the next 30 days!

Anna Correll and I have been painting 2x2 boards for a few years now, she usually does this amazing background full of colors and nothingness... I kept wondering what we were going to do with all these boards! I was up late one night a couple of weeks ago and plastered love on this piece... AC added a few finishing touches, and of course the background which is built up, is all her!

So, this is the first of the Hearts for Hearing series... (it is sold)

Due to all the crazy stories my brother Baxter and Jerri have shared - hospitals, hearing aids; videos; books and tutoring... etc...
I consulted with my sister and we would like to start a non-profit for parents who have babies that are born with hearing problems... such as Ella had when she was born.
It took many doctors pulling together to diagnose what was going on with little Ella B, and many families don't have the resources Baxter & Jerri were provided! For this we are thankful... but they still plug along ... I think the funniest yet most devastating story I heard was recently, they could not find Ella B's hearing aid (one of them) and they kept asking her what she had done with it... They had been to Lowe's and searched everywhere between there, the car, the house, etc... Ella B finally told them that she gave it to Cinderella.
A day later she told them she put it in a cup.
The next day, Jerri found it in the dish disposal after it had been washed down the sink from her Cinderella sippy cup. It was a $6k hearing aid.
My heart prays for my brother and his wife on this journey... and for Ella Baxter... but at the same token... so does my sister Worth and her sweet daughter Anna Correll...
Anna Correll will tell you she prays for Ella B & Uncle Bax & Aunt Jer... and she would love for this to happen for Ella B.... but ultimately for Jesus!















All of AC Sash pieces for Hearts for Hearing
rage from $15 to $45 dollars
If you are interested in any of the pieces -

please feel free to call or email
csmayfield@hotmail.com
205-790-1507
www.csheamayfield.webs.com


Our goal is $500 by July 2011
we are at $35

Love Light

Many people ask me why I paint or create as I have been calling it, on board rather than canvas. This piece sold at my last show "Christmas on the River" and I am so thankful, but for the specific reason of this piece and it's bending, I don't create on canvas too often.
Most of my pieces have, through time, been soaked with products that need a lot of water.
Plaster for instance is one of my primary bases - rather than gesso - because of it's unique texture. It also holds dyes with a beautiful bleeding aspect & allows me to build. Paper is another, for instance, which has to also be soaked gently with dyed water and then sealed with a form of glue...
and then a little paint on top...
So you see... in the end...
Any kind of stretch canvas will continue to stretch and canvas on board with bend... which can be hard to sell at times, so I enjoy sticking to board which was my original base to begin with.
This is not to say that board will not bend! I have learned that kiltzing or sealing my board before hand predetermines the durability of the piece and how it will hold up for long periods of time - however... it does not provide an authentic look that I am often crave in my pieces.
This piece is one I really like, though. The base of the flower is barely seen, sometimes what our life portrays... and what is most focused on are the colors and form of the flower... what blooms... Matthew 5:16 is a great verse that would go with this piece... Let your light shine so that others may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. There are great hints of gold in this flower which I often enjoy using but not so much to over power. That way with friendships & letting our love light shine! It's not our past... but what we have bloomin'!
I would like to thank Mrs. Campisi for her purchase! I truly hope you enjoy it in your office!

friends & family

this is a slideshow of my dear friends
i hope you enjoy as much
as i did photographing them!
not only are they a
beautiful family outside
but inside too!
for more information
on photography sessions
www.csheamayfield.webs.com

This was probably the last time our "bunco" group got together... with all of us. Stupid, crazy, silly, with notions of nothingness... we never played bunco but rather gathered for fun. Usually created our own event of madness with a whim of girly sillyness but all the same, it was fun. I love this picture. For a number of reasons but mostly because of the lighting, the setting, the faces, the whole capture. It's hard to get one of these even at an actual wedding! Take a look and enjoy!

The Bootlegger's War

Late November random opportunity #52.
Teaching a couple how to use a computer and always a new friendship... I called making an appointment.
I must say, somewhere, translation of the task was misinterpreted because the husband had written a number of books-typed-rather and was interested in having them published but couldn't do it because he was not familiar with a computer- hence Microsoft Word.
Upon our first meeting, I learned about the books. Quite intriguing actually. Fantastic story lines for middle school students, high school students, history buffs, and even those who lived during the 1940 era. I saw great potential in the books and agreed to help him with his project.
Before I knew it we had two books in the works, were working with a publishing company and shooting for early spring of publication.
As the project progressed, my thoughts wondered about the time we actually spend blogging about nothingness and what my author put down as history fiction.
If you are not familiar, the 1940's was a sensitive time for our Nation as we were attacked by the Japanese sending our nation into a frenzy. The books are more about children, the adventures & trials they faced during those times. Both have excellent plots with endings that will leave you full of wonder.
History seems to be fascinating to me, especially those real life stories of what individuals saw, felt, faced, endured, hoped for, and evidently lived through. I have also found a new hobby of preparing books for publication!
www.michaelspringer.webs.com
www.outskirtspress.com

L'Abri

Finding new ventures is sometimes better than Christmas morning or finding a piece of chocolate. I have had the fabulous pleasure of going on many ventures of which I am thankful for... Keflavik, Iceland... St.Augustine, Florida.... New Orleans, Louisiana... London, England.... Scottsdale, Arizona... ALL of my journeys with the Nantahala Outdoor Center... living at the Gulf Coast could be considered a journey for many! Of course, there are always road trips to small cities, but it's the community of people I've met along the way and the pictures painted on my heart after I leave that I find so endearing. Sometimes a place will linger on my heart for years and years because the people there are just fabulous and what I gathered from them was truly amazing... God created us each so beautifully in our own individual ways... every once in a while I'll stop and think - what was He dreaming about.... when he created that random person.

A very good friend of mine shared an untold chapter of her life this evening... and it was when she spent time at a sweet little place called L'Abri. What a treasure to discover. Sometimes I wonder about this friend, and maybe she's just an angel... Who would ever know about a place or places called L'Abri.... At any rate... I hope you enjoy this link as much as I have. And perhaps look at new ventures of community in your life in a whole new way.... one where pictures are left on your heart...

A Shelter....L'Abri

Moving

Who likes moving? More than that, why would someone want to stay in one location thier whole life?

I was born in Birmingham. We moved to the coast when I was 5. Since then I can tell you everywhere I have lived, from Tuscaloosa to North Carolina back to Birmingham and Back to Gulf Shores. In the round about way, I've returned home only to have an aching to leave, again.

One thing I have grown to love is the idea of the water, not a river or lake, but the Coast.... if you ever live here you'll know what I'm speaking of.

So, I decided to rent my condo for a while and move.

Everything happened so fast... I truly have no idea where I want to go.... This is going to be fun!