Over The Edge

Life takes on many different directions. Many twists and turns. The road goes up. The road goes down. Some days good, some days not so much. Changes at every direction. Isn't it grand? Isn't it exciting wondering what is next? Where do we go tomorrow? What is waiting for me around that riverbend? So glad I have the maker of the universe at the helm and leading the way! Flying high or pulling at the plow; up, down or somewhere in between, life is wonderful!! Can merely imagine how amazing heaven will be!!

My husband and I have spent most of the morning discussing the direction we've been taking.  Seems I've been spending a lot of time working at something that I truly did not like and truly did not want to do.  He has known this for awhile and knows me far better than I know myself.  

My entire life I have wanted to devote my life to art.  Whether it was drawing, painting, music, stitchery didn't matter.  I just knew it had to be something creative.  My very soul cries out for it.  I don't know why.  I can't explain it.  I only know that it must BE.  

For some reason I have never given myself permission to pursue creativity as a means of support.  I have always felt guilty for wanting to do something I adore as my life's work.  I have no idea why, but always felt if I was doing something fun (even if it provided income) it wasn't real work when others I knew and loved worked at jobs they didn't really like.  I mean, who was I to think I didn't have to toe that line just like everyone else.

But, my dear husband has convinced me I will be much happier (and so will he!) if I jump in with both feet and don't look back.  So, with great excitement and a touch of fear thrown in, I hold my head up, say a prayer for my dear heavenly Father to hold my hand and leap over the edge.

 

Blessings to all!

Sherry    

Art Awakening!

God is so good to me!  He's provided a way of salvation and a wonderful life.  Many times I have not recognized just how good and have failed to thank Him for loving me.  Not that everything has always been sunshine and roses.  Far from it.  So many times I've been my own worst enemy and missed what He has tried to give me.  I've wasted many years always looking for that "perfect time" to do something, learn something, try something new.

I'm now 54 years old and would like to say much wiser.  Artistically, it's time to get on with my life.  I choose to not dwell on what I haven't done (did I say I have been known to do this?).  I've learned that Satan has used that to keep me where I am.  God has given me a love and desire for a life of art and I publicly choose to FINALLY act on it!!!!
 
With thanks, I'm loving where I am at this point in my life.  My children are grown and it's looking like my husband and I didn't destroy them.  Granted, we weren't perfect parents, but we're thrilled with how they've grown into adults.

We have six adorable grandchildren with one on the way.  I must admit I never thought I would get this many grandchildren with only two children...I mean... I was the one who was NEVER going to be foolish enough to get married!  And, heaven forbid, if I DID do something that stupid, children were out of the question!  Hahaha!   Silly me!

But, my daughter has four boys ages 7-14 and my son has two girls ages 2 and 7 and another girl due in June.  And they are all perfect.  Do not dispute this...I will not listen.  LOL!

Another good thing going on is that my best friend and I attended a soap-making class a few years ago.  We piddled around with it making a few batches here and there.  We signed up for a couple of craft shows and have developed a local following.  Recently, we've done a lot of soul-searching and decision-making.  Do we continue to play with this and TOTALLY LOVE our product and basically keep it to ourselves and a select few or do we kick this thing in the can and get off our duff and treat it like the business it is?

We've chosen to get off our duff and be big girls about it.  So, although the web address is only parked for now, we have lined up several BIG, BIG shows to attend.  I'll passing on information on where our soap can be ordered soon.  SO totally love this stuff, I just have to share it.

One more great thing happening is art related.  I've had an interest in all things art since childhood and never thought my work was good enough to put "out there".  No more.  Right now I'm taking an herb drawing class online. Check out the website for this class.  I think you'll love her website.  Explore it.  Check out all of her posts.  Spend some time there.  It'll be a nice trip.

http://www.valwebb.com/

He's a few pics of the stuff we've been working on:

It's time to learn and grow and build up a body of work.  No, it's PAST time.  What's around the corner?  Is that a bend in the road?  I certainly hope so!!

See 'round the next curve!
Blessings-
Sherry


 

Hey everybody!  

I know.  It's been a long time since I've visited with you.  I've been busy, yes, but so is the rest of the world. 

 I've gotten lazy, had internet problems, and just plain have had issues about keeping up with the blog.

Am I the only person that seems to have a hard time 

settling on one thing?  

I've designed cross stitch for years and years and LOVE it.  

I always worked under the name  

Laughing Moose Design Works.  

Laughing:  because I feel that even though life gets serious, if we keep laughter in it, it will definitely be better. 

Moose:  in memory of my high school basketball coach.  It was the nickname he game me in 10th grade. 

Design:self-explanetory.  

Works:  it just sounded good. 

Then, go figure,  I went off on a different tangent. 

Not necessarily a new one, just less cross stitch.

Watercolor, pen and ink, and colored pencils have pulled me for years too.  I'd never felt like I was good enough,

 but I've decided, "Good enough for who?"  

Will my work  ever hang in a great museum?  

Likely not.  

Can it add joy and happiness to someones life? 

 Yes and frankly, isn't that what it's all about?  

That's when I decided to work under the name 

Zion Mountain Studio.

Zion, because of the Christian aspect of my life.  

Mountain because I live on a mountaintop and 

Studio....again, self-explanitory.

Then, I jumped in with both feet and decided to do a blog.  Did I think first?  

Not much! LOL!

Is that common for me?  Unfortunately, yes!

Well, after a long absence, I'm having to 

make some decisions. 

 Simplifying life seems to be a big deal right now.  

It's like the older I get

the more streamlined I want (NEED) things to be.

So....It's looking like this is what I will do.  

  I'm going back to my original name with the exception of the Works part.

"Laughing Moose Design"

I will be starting a new blog soon 

when I decide exactly which system I want to use.  

I sincerely hope I'm not the only person in this here ole' world that has the 

"get it together and get it done" problem!!

In the meantime my best friend and I work together making some of the best, sweetest smelling, 

"good for your skin" soap in the world!!!!!   

We've been selling locally and at craft fairs, 

and are working on an Etsy shop and web site.

So, as they say,

"Life ain't easy, but it sure is worth the ride"!!

As soon as I know which way this is all going, I'll be sure and let you know too!   

You know, I've learned not to pray for patience 'cause things tend to happen to develop patience.  

SO.....I'll NOT be praying to get it together......

I don't need more stuff to organize!

Take care all and blessings to 'ya!!!  

Sherry