52 Needle Felted Ornaments

 

 

At the beginning of the lockdown I developed a closer and an even more special interest in our Blessed Mother Mary.

Certain prayers took on a more profound and deeper meaning.

I joined in the  Fatima Rosary Crusade, with a wonderful priest Father Pillari. This is a habit I hope I will not break. ( Please join us in praying together.)

 

Sometimes I would hear the Litany of Loreto prayed after the rosary. 

With so much time on my hands, inspired by the Litany and seeing as how I love to needle felt. I wanted to make a bunch of little Christmas ornaments. 

So, I counted the titles for Mary listed in the Litany and came up with 52. (Please note the number of titles vary from list to list. This particular list was from a handout I received from a local prayer group.)

1.)  Holy Mary ... pray for us

2.) Holy Mother of God ... pray for us

3.) Holy Virgin of Virgins ... pray for us

each title sank into my heart as I whipped up these fuzzy little do dads.

4.) Holy Mother of Christ ... pray for us

 

       As I was poking the wool and sculpting it into little shapes occasionally I would get distracted and sidetracked. My mind would wander away from prayer. That is when I would stop. Sometimes I wouldn't go back again for long periods of time. I spoke with my spiritual director about that and he said the evil one despises Mary. It became more challenging for me to finish my goal. With the help of the Holy Spirit I finished my project  last Sunday ... Pentecost Sunday.

 

       Since I had started this project,  all kinds of opportunities for spiritual growth came up. There was an online course with Fr. Donald Calloway  Consecration to St. Joseph. That was awesome and very educational to learn all about St. Joseph. Fr. Don is an excellent teacher. There's even a litany dedicated to St. Joseph too!  I'm not feeling like needle felting any more litanies for awhile ...just sayin' for prayin' ok?

 

       Also through my local church there's another online course. Our pastor, Rev. Michael Fitzpatrick is a no nonsense type of priest. Our Catholic Church needs more leadership like this. You can watch him teach if you click onto the link below called Faith Fostering livestream. He's a blessing to our parish in Hyannis, St Francis Xavier.

We're reading the book   True Devotion to Mary  It's written by Saint Louis De Montfort.

 This path to heaven following Mary is not new, but it's tried and true. Faith Fostering livestream:

Thank-you for visiting my blog. I'll show you my favorite.

What is humility?

 

Divine Mercy 

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday.

This is my artwork.

inspired by the original.

"Jesus I trust in You."

Just would like to share with you a lesson that I learned about God's great mercy.

Imagine how much God loves you.

There is nothing you could possibly do that would keep God from loving you.

Now imagine that you are a glass.

God wants to fill your glass up with His grace and goodness.

That is how it should be.

But, sadly sometimes our glass is filled with something else.

Or maybe our glass is laying on it's side, unfortunately.  

Sometimes our glass is entirely upside down.

Those are the times when we flat out refuse God's mercy and love.

I can't imagine why anyone would refuse the Lord's love.

Then I look at what I did.

I refused Him.

There He was pouring out his love on me all the time but I chose to sin.

After my sin...did He stop pouring His love on me?

Never...He said... I will not abandon you.

So I empty my glass out and make sure it's standing upright.

Then and only then .... can God fill me up again with His loving grace.

Well, thank-you for visiting my blog.

I hardly ever get here myself nowadays.

Until the next time ~ 

Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Living God,

have mercy on me a poor sinner.

 Please fill my empty glass with all that is good.

Childhood Home

My friend told me today that I'm stuck in the past.
That got me thinking more and more of ...... the past.
How far back can I remember?
I pulled up this photo and stared at it until I could almost picture my large, lively and beautiful family filling all the rooms with love, laughter and sometimes fighting. There is my little self running up and down the wooden front steps.
 I like to gather the tiniest flowers to decorate my dollhouse. I designed it from a cardboard box. The wrap around porch is perfect for hours of enjoyment. Sometimes on rainy days, I may climb all the way up to the old Victorian attic and have a bird's eye view. It was a fun place for a child to explore.
Such happy memories of those long gone cherished days of my childhood.
Time is so fleeting. I'm not really stuck in the past as my friend thinks.
I'm right here and now very much in the present. I'm aware that the Lord makes each moment new.
But with such a grand history.... ah the memories.

Roadside Find

The set of drawers.

The bottom drawer was smashed.

It was raining and snowing...

actually that's called sleet.

It was sleeting that day.

My friend Doug helped me lug it home.

He was worried that it might not be free.

But, I assured him this is common.

I find enough things free on the roadside to know it's ok.

That's what people do.

I also have left things by the side of the road...FREE.

The thing is, most things I see free are not for me.

Anybody who knows me well and is with me while I drive.

Well, they know that I will stop for yard sales and free things.

But even though I may stop and look...

I have no trouble knowing when an item is not right for me.

So anyway....

With a screwdriver - boom boom bottom runners off.

Now there's nice deep storage 

for a couple of blankets and pillows.

That thing is heavy.

I'm so grateful to the one who put it out.

I'm thankful to have been with a friend 

who could help me lift it.

And of course I thank- My Lord,

God knew I needed a place for my art supplies.

***

One early morning.....

I woke up at the break of dawn. 

The most beautiful light filled my front room.

A sight I don't normally see because I'm usually asleep.

Young Folks

There is one less of these in the world today.
....it hit the floor and broke.

............sigh...............

Jesus blew me a kiss. 

It happened last year but I think of it often. I really want to share it with you. 

There's a famous quote that Jesus made on the night before He was crucified.  It had to do with all His close friends falling asleep during His time of need. It was that lonely Holy Thursday night when He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Well, o.k. I don't have the exact quote but it was something like... Hey come on people wake up! It's crunch time. Won't you keep me company for at least an hour? But anyway, as it turned out they didn't. They were tired and oblivious. So because of that night we have a tradition to go to the church and spend at least one hour of  undivided attention in front of the exposed Blessed Sacrament. A time to reflect and pray.

So last year I went to the church to pay my respect and sadly I just could not concentrate. My mind was bouncing all over the place. I even felt myself getting drowsy. So after only a very short time I decided this is crazy. I might as well go home because at least when I was home I had my mind on the Lord. Here at church I have my mind on everything else.  I felt very guilty but ....with reverence, still I turned and walked away. I opened the door to leave. But before I left I turned around and assured Jesus that I know when I leave His house that He will still be with me. I understand You are in my heart Dear Lord. Right?  Right then- I kissed my hand and blew the kiss up to the Monstrance sitting on the altar.

This kiss thing is not what I have ever done while leaving church.

The next day was Good Friday. That's the day Jesus hung on the cross....for sinners like me. 

He is the Lamb of God.

 So generally we fast and abstain from meat. Later, at suppertime I was with my oldest daughter and the grandchildren were hungry. I took us all out to eat. We went to Seafood Sam's down by the water. I let the family decide where to sit and I just followed along. A little girl saw us enter the room and she got pretty excited. That was cute. She was such a little child, but very aware. She looked about 2 years old. She was with her Mother. As they were getting up to leave, we were coming in the room. So we had to pass each other. And as we meet, the little girl kisses her hand and blows it right up in the air in front of me. I reach out, catch it with my hand and press it gently on my cheek in a soft, tiny little circular motion. As soon as I do ....tears well up in my eyes.

I suddenly KNOW in my soul that was JESUS!

The Mother smiled and they were gone from my view.

Think about how many times we see Jesus and don't know.

Thinking about Computers, Minds and God

hi,
     Thank-you for visiting my blog.
 That picture up above is my latest artwork.
 ( Inspired by the Holy Family)
        It's over in my etsy shop.

                                                                        
     One of the reasons I have a blog, besides shamelessly trying to promote my own art.... is that I
have ideas I would like to share with someone. But, I don't know who in the world would like to listen.
     Would you listen for awhile?
      You're still here so thank-you.

     So here's the thing. I've heard that God knows every detail about us. So much as how many hairs are upon our head. The devil also has quite a lot of information about us too. Because he has been around learning all about us from the moment of our conception. God on the other hand has known us since before our conception. It's hard to understand so I try to wrap my head around the idea of it.
     A computer knows a lot. It's been fed information. Our DNA feeds data too. Okay ... so our brains are like computers. With that analogy in mind I imagine the devil being like a back ground malware or virus. And isn't it true how that evil tracks us and is always lurking upon us and waiting for a vulnerable time that would be worthwhile to cause trouble. Hmm....
 But yet God's system of operation is so almighty that He has us very well protected. He is our manufacturer. We are the administrators. The devil can't access our hearts. The data of our hearts is so well encrypted that only God Himself can access that information. It's so amazing.

Oh and one more thing....When I go to church it's as if I have many tabs open in my head. Someone calls over the loudspeaker to please silence your cell phones. I have to make an effort to silence my head too. That means closing all tabs and leaving only the one open that is right in front of my face.
                Know what I mean?

 
Well...time for you to close this tab. Thank-you so much for visiting. bye for now ~Elaine

2017-2018

 Noel

   I feel like bringing this blog back to life.

Happy New Year !

Today is the first day of a New Year. Happy New Year! The weather is cold now. Winter is here on the east coast. The high is about 38F today. I don't mind it ... much. I got a flat tire today. I'll deal with it tomorrow since it was getting dark as I noticed it. Little things like that make me thankful. I'm not glad that my tire is flat! But, I am aware it could have been a blow out or an accident. It happened at the end of my errands and I was able to be safely home.

 May 2015 be filled with Blessings!

Thank-you for visiting.

Up on the block

Needle Felted Baby White Whale Pin Cushion

Needle Felted Bluebird Hopscotching

 

 

Sometimes I look at my own art work and smile at what a big child I really am.
Only thing is I have to take care of business!

Mother Mary

 

 

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy!
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished
children of Eve, to thee do we send
up our sighs, mourning and weeping
in this valley, of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us; and
after this our exile show unto us the
blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus;
O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

 Pray for us, O holy Mother of God

That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.

***

 

     

      The first public miracle Jesus ever performed

was because His Mother requested it.

The Wedding In Cana - Jesus' First Miracle

John 2:1-1       Having Mother Mary in our corner is always a good thing.

 

 

 

It's my blog and I'll cry if I want to.....

These are my Rosary beads that don't get used as much as they should.

My Aunt Mary asked me to try and pray at least one decade a day.

That's not very much to ask.

Is it?

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

 

Home Sweet Home

I moved out of my cute little house and now live in an apartment downtown Hyannis. Crafting is still what relaxes me and I still try to sell things on etsy. Business is slow, life is hard and winter is long. Boo Hoo ---  Anyway, I'm keeping my eyes on the prize and making the best of all that I am.

  I wish you a Happy New Year!   I'll be back.

Labor of Love

I'm always on the look out for pretty vintage buttons that would make awesome halos for my Madonna and Child ornaments. I like to use silver and gold tone and even mother of pearl. I have almost exhausted my household supply.

So, as my own dear Mother taught me, "Neccessity is the mother of invention."

Since all of my efforts at needle felting are basically just doodling with wool and having fun while I create. I've added a splash of color to the halos in this new group of Madonnas. Also I started to add my name tag to the Madonnas now, as well as to all my other little creations. I think the tag gives my fuzzy, unfinished looking artwork a finished look. I could happily concentrate on this Mother and Child theme everyday and not get bored or tired of it. It's a labor of love. My goal is to bring to mind the beautiful, close relationship Jesus has with His Mother (Our Mother) and how it all began. My art is making it's way around the globe like good news!

A Telling ...Tail

O' Holy Night

O holy night!

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night

Of the dear Savior's birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till he appear'd and the soul felt His worth

A thrill of hope

The weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks

A new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees

Oh hear the angel voices

Oh night divine

Oh night when Christ was born

Oh night divine, oh night, oh night divine

........good-night all.

Love you.....Elaine

10 Ways to Love

Life Lesson

When you love someone, you tell them everything there is to know about you... the good and the bad. And then you let them decide if they will still choose to love you. If they do, then good for them. If not, then good for you."~ Mary Anne E. Delos Santos

Oh Dear...

This is my newest creation. I was inspired by a vintage plastic deer. She's needle felted from 100% pure wool roving. Now I'm working on a pretty little felted Christmas tree. Thanks for stopping by!

Antique German Doll Furniture

I'm such a kid at heart.

When I found this antique doll furniture, my heart swooned.
The armoire opens and the table is actually a blanket chest.

I especially love the sweet baby cradle.

Hillbilly Art

Nuf' said.

Getting Over It...

I'm always glad when Halloween is over with.

Halloween makes me dizzy, much like this video.

Father Mychal Judge, Patron Saint of 9/11/01

I went to church today. It was a commemorative mass for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
Now in all this time I hadn't heard about Father Mychal Judge.
He is thought to be the first person to die and is indeed the first body to be carried out at Ground Zero, September 11, 2001
A New York priest known for his ability to love.
I can't think of any greater honor.
Our pastor Fr. Mark gave an eloquent homily and in it taught us the prayer of Father Mychal.

MYCHAL'S PRAYER
Lord, take me where You want me to go.
let me meet who you want me to meet,
tell me what You want me to say,
and keep me out of Your way.
***************************
How funny is that? I love it. I can totally relate.
I'm reading up on Father Mychal Judge and have come to learn that he is indeed a saint.

He himself clamed he was the happiest man on earth.
He didn't need a thing in the world.
He felt so blessed because of all the things he had and yet he had nothing.
What's more he also felt so undeserving for having such abundance.
He wasn't counting his blessings of material things...
Father Mychal Judge's cup runneth over with love.

He died doing the Lord's work...he laid down his life for another.
I never met you Father Mychal, but feel your love right through your death.
I love you too. Thank-you.