The first 2 are already listed in my Etsy Shop.  They are 16x20.  Perfect to frame- no mat needed.  I wanted to name each design after a strong, faithful women in the gospel.  Those women who have come before us and are righteous examples to us. 

The first design is the "Emma"

The second design is the "Rebekah"

The 2010 mutual theme (Joshua 1:9) artwork is coming soon too.  I hope to have it listed by tomorrow!

I am so excited to show you! 

I will have some new Young Women theme posters, as well as new artwork for the 2010 Mutual Theme -Joshua 1:9

here's a sneak peak of the new YW Theme designs...

check back tomorrow to see the new artwork in my shop!

First we love them. 

...not even from the first moment we see them.  No, it starts before that.  not even when we first feel those little flutters in our pregnant bellies.  No, it starts even before that.  I think the love first begins to grow in those moments that we know we want to have one of these little miracles in our life. 

Then we help them dream.

...helping them discover the world around them- the things they love and the things the world has to teach them.  Encouraging their dreams and imaginations, reassuring them they can be whoever, and whatever they dream of becoming.  Nothing is out of reach for them.  They can touch the stars.

Time to help them grow. 

... maybe the hardest moments as a mother.  Those moments when they step out and spread their own wings.  Ready to try out new things in this world they have created around them.  Having to take a step back and watch them go, encouraging and assuring them they can become who want to be. 

 they will be able in my etsy shop in the morning!

The greatest hymns and anthems have not been composed, nor have the greatest illustrations been set down, nor the poems written, nor the paintings finished.  When they are produced, who will produce them?  Will it be the most talented and the most highly trained among us?  I rather think it will not.  They will be produced by those who are the most inspired among us.  Inspiration can come to those whose talents are barely adequate, and their contribution will be felt for generations;  and the Church and kingdom of God will move forward just a little more easily because they have been here.  Some of our most gited people struggle to produce a work of art, hoping that it will be described by the world as masterpiece! monumental! epic!  when in thruth the simple, the compelling theme of "I Am a Child of God" has moved and will move more souls to salvation than would such a work were they to succeed."

inspired?

I have loved it since I was a little girl.  I remember sitting at our piano probably when I was about preschool age, making up songs and singing to them.  I remember my mom asking me "where did you learn that song"  and proudly in my mind it was my masterpiece.  {shorty after this I believe I started piano lessons} 

I have been thinking about the piano lately.  A very untelevised thing about me, was I played piano really well.  No, I mean, ReallY well.  Now I am definitley not tooting my horn, because, you see, after the 11 years of study and practice, and dedication it took to get that way.  I gave it up.  And to sit down at a piano now after all these years of not playing, it is soooooo frustrating not to be able to play hardly anything at all.  Because I remember how I use to be able to play, and to see how much I have digressed- it is shameful.  I was telling Mr.S the other night, that this is one of my biggest regrets in life.

I have been thinking alot about the talents we are given from our Heavenly Father, and how sometimes we just toss carelessly aside the gifts we are given.  I feel saddened now, and I do see how what we are given, can be taken away.  It remindes me of this quote by Elder Packer:

"Whence comes this gift?  And gift it is.  You may have cultivated it and developed it, but it was given to you.  Most of us do not have it.  You were not more deserving than we, but you are a good deal more responsible.  If you use your gift properly, opportunities for sevice are opened that will be beneficial eternally for you and for others."

{I am working to reclaim this gift.}

okay that went to a slight tangent but here is where that was coming from

I have been listening to this song on a huge dose of repeat the last few days.  Ever do that?  Fall in love with a song all over again... I am learning to play it on the piano. 

Beatles:

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Black bird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
all your life
you were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Well to me music is a source of inspiration - and this week it help me create these.  (they will be in my esty shop soon!

but I have added some new birthday items in my etsy shop!!

I love these!  take a look:

Cupcake Gift Tags

And a Birthday Banner!

The Yellow Cottage Boutiqe.  This site is going to be amazing.  I can't wait to see everything Sandy is going to sell on here.  And Sandy is just the sweetest.  I did her logo, webdesign, business cards, gift cerificates, and thank you tags... it has been so fun!

like millions of mormons around the world I watched General Conference this weekend.  I love this weekend, I anxiously wait for it every 6 months.  I love to be filled, and renewed- I love to hear the teachings and the testimonies of the leaders of the church.   This weekend being no exception.  I have my favorites for sure, but there is one that I listened to and has not left my mind.  And for anyone else that listened or watched Elder Holland's talk, I am sure you feel the same way.  I can not imagine anyone watching it and not feeling the strength and truth in his words. 

If you missed it, you should watch it.  It will always be a favorite of mine:

{to watch it: click on the link below, then click on Sunday PM session, then click on Elder Jeffrey R. Holland} 

http://www.lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference&event=Oct179&lang=english

or if you just want to listen to it  click here for the audio:

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Another of my most favorites was on Saturday- Elder Hales

Here is the link to his audio