Room to Flourish

I often think about the days of Creation, the VERY day, and days, that everything was created, and what those days must have looked like. I believe what the Word says, if God is Almighty, Sovereign, All-powerful, then of course he can build everything in six days. He is who he says he is. The I Am is the I Am. I often wonder about the shades of our skin, and how they all came to be from just one Adam, and one Eve. If we all came from these two, then what was their color? What did they look like? When I imagine what things may have looked like, I love to explore ideas in my mind. My ideas are simply that - ideas. There is no proof of them, they only exist in my imagination. I believe the ability to have and use our imagination is a gift from the Lord, and so, I'll describe what I see. In Genesis chapter one, on the third day of creation, it says that God made the earth produce vegetation, plants, all kinds of all things. Plants hadn't yet sprouted, but they would! They w...

This is how I prep for market: Rice Fish Bento Bags Watercolor Fridge Magnets Giant Crochet Blanket

Have you ever squatted for a photo? Perhaps you've been in the front, people are standing behind you, surely it would be better for the people in the back if you squatted? Maybe you are tall, or just taller than the others in the group, and you think it's much more polite to squat for that group photo. Here is my potentially unpopular opinion: squatting for photos should never be done. Do not be ashamed of your height! Do not squat! Move to the back if you're taller than most, move to the front if you're shorter than most. Have you noticed that it's mostly, almost always, women who squat in photos? Aside from the act of squatting in photos being truly ridiculous, the squatters also look truly ridiculous. AND! They're letting someone take a photo of the ridiculousness for everlasting proof! Please. Stop. Don't do it. I can not recall if I have never squatted for a photo or not, therefore, I can't say I've never done it. But, from here on, please commi...

Do you have a reading log? A place to record all the books you've read in a month/year/decade? When presented with the idea of a 'reading log', all I could think of was a page with columns, and spaces for titles, authors etc. In a word: boring. After seeing some actually-interesting reading logs online, I decided to draw my own. I know this isn't the first bookshelf reading log, and it very likely won't be the last. By all means, draw your own! If you click on the link below , you'll be taken to google docs where the 8.5x11" pdf is available for FREE. Holly May B of Room to Flourish Reading Log It fits 28 titles, and I imagine the top banner to say something like, "Holly's Reading Log 2022," or "Holly's Book List Jan-Feb," or "Books Read ___/___/___ to ___/___/___," if one needs less commitment. I see that hand. You can use this, your kids can use it, your Grandma can use it... Enjoy reading! Please note: This reading l...

  My son drew a picture in his spelling book... I noticed how the cloud looked like a heart with an extra 'bump' at the top. Immediately, I knew. When I look at the clouds, I can see our awesome Heavenly Father saying not just, "I love you," but instead, "I L O O O O O V E you!" Or, "I love love love you!" Each bump at the top of the cloud is another LOVE. How fitting for Valentine's Day coming up. My sock knitting is going along nicely - I have finished one and I'm about half-way through the next. I can't wait to wear them. If you've ever wanted to try sock knitting, and you can knit at a beginner level, then please do give it a try! We had a Ladies Night at our church last week and everyone was given a small bouquet to take home. Each piece had a meaning. There were two unusual flowers that caught my eye - one had rounded little ball-shaped petals. I watched over the next few days as each one opened up like a mini flower of its ow...

I tried a new thing this week, sock knitting! I have a friend who knits all. the. things. and does the most beautiful job of it. I am so blessed to own a pair of her beautiful hand-knitted socks! For a while now, I've had the idea to try knitting socks. So, now is a good a time as any, especially since I had the yarn, but only needed to get some sock-needles. I also finished a big beautiful crochet shawl this week, the same color as my first sock - actually, the shawl was finished before I started the sock - the yarn was made for sock knitting anyway, the right mix of wool and nylon, with a teeny bit of acrylic, so it's a great place for a beginner to start, well I hope it is! Haha. I love green. I always have. From when I was a teenager, lime green was on everything, I painted things lime green. I have grown very fond of many other colors since then, though. When the yarn runs out on this first sock, as it will very soon, I plan on getting another ball of yarn in a very bright...

I just realized I had left last week's post titled as 'NEXT POST.' That was an oops, haha! I changed it to 'Beauty for Ashes' to align with the artwork I shared. I'll try to pay more attention from here on. Have you ever used a dip pen? You know the kind that you dip in ink and write all fancy? I wanted to practice with my dip pens... and you know what happened? I got bookmarks! Sure, 'practice makes perfect' or 'practice makes better', but in this case, practice makes bookmarks. I added crochet string and cut round corners on some of them. It was a fun creative outlet. Did you notice that I've been posting consistently for four weeks? Thanks for following along! Check out my latest shop updates at www.roomtoflourish.bigcartel.com I have reduced the price of the 2021 scripture calendar and I've uploaded a BUNCH of original art - organized by size, which should also make them easier to view based on budget. I would be honored if you had a ...

He gives beauty for ashes, strength for fear, gladness for mourning, and praise for despair. Some things are just too big for us to understand, and that's ok. I don't have a lot of words this week, I am rushed - I left this to the last minute. I'm re-learning about posting regularly. So, for week three (?) I think I'll take it in my stride. Bible in a year, chronologically... we finished Job, and now we're back into Genesis after the flood. I didn't want to leave the book of Job, to be honest. It was powerful and beautiful and I enjoyed seeing a few times where Jesus was there - where Job cries out for a mediator between him and God, for example. I love reading about God's power, how he tells the rain where to fall. He placed the stars, he knows them all by name. Now we're going through the part where Abram and Sarai make some bizarre choices, how Lot is rescued and the priest, Melchizedek, is a foreshadowing of Jesus. I mean it when I say that I love re...

I've started The Bible Recap, where you read through the bible in a year. Honestly, the thought of it was a little daunting to begin with, but it's designed around reading through chronologically, and so far it's not too much of a chunk to read each day. Very doable. I have found that I need to be intentional with my bible-time though. I'm so enjoying going through it with a friend or two - you know, accountability and all that. I appreciate them more than they know.  One of my goals this year is to practice brush-lettering more. Yes, I do need practice! There is also a big difference in the way some types of brushes 'work'. You gotta find the one that's just right!  I *used* to blog all about the crafty makes that I had been up to "since the last post" (see www.hollymayb.com ) , so I shall try to be more intentional to take photos to share here. I still make a lot of different things every week and I love to show them off. Today, though, you get t...

There are a couple of verses in Chronicles that stood out to me this past year. I wrote them on my bookmark and they encouraged me again, and again. I was reading through 1 Chronicles, chapter 28, where King David was soon heading to be with the Lord. He was talking to his son, Solomon about building the temple. King David wanted to build a house for the Lord, but God told him that Solomon would be the one to do it. King David tells his son in verse 10 to "Be strong and do the work." And, again in verse 20, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work." He continues with the words we have also heard before, "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished." I love this! I feel like it's setting the standard, for me, for this year. Last year was hard, just like training is hard. Now, with these words in mind, I feel the Lord...

Many of you know that the Lord put it in my heart to put beautiful scripture on the walls - where we can memorize it, have it encourage and speak to us - in only the way the Word can - when we see it everyday. The first year I made calendars (in 2015) was for the year 2016. Then 2018, then 2020... it seems I had a 'gap' year each time. Not this time! The 2021 Scripture Calendars are HERE and they are in a brand NEW style! Yes. I am very excited! (Add a few more exclamation marks!) They're 5 x 10 inches, there is an area for notes AND (the best part)... you can trim off the bottom 3 inches after each month so you're left with a 5x7 frameable piece of Room to Flourish scripture art. Awesome! Coming soon: more hand painted journals. They were a hit last year, so watch this space. Or, better yet, put an order in now and I'll paint your favorite verse on one. Order now! Shipping is always delayed a little at this time of year and especially since the global thing-that-mu...

Hi, my friends! I trust you are well and staying joyful. My antidote for sadness is a playlist of praise songs - especially ones that I know the words to. Sing for joy! Just a quick note to let you know there are a bunch of new items available in my shop ranging from Christmas ornaments, to miniature rice packs, fridge magnets and water bottle carriers, and more. If you're local and I can drop an order off to you in or near Franklin, Tennessee, use the code SEEYOUATCHURCH for free shipping. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you would like something made special: [custom examples on Roomtoflourish.co] [custom examples on Instagram] or if there is anything you would like to see re-stocked - I would love to hear from you! No photos in this post so you can check out the latest pretties up in my shop all for yourself. I hope you've had a peaceful weekend. I spent my Saturday afternoon painting walls and my 'happy' tank was filled right up. So much joy! Praise t...

You know those final moments when you're finishing a big puzzle? There's only one piece left to go but- it's MISSING! Noooo! Well. I confess, I have had the opposite mindset. I've SO wanted to have the opportunity to replace a puzzle piece for the longest time! A friend was clearing out their stash of puzzles and we were so blessed to be given some. So, we got to working on the puzzles right away. All of them 1000 pieces, all of them whole. Ok, one puzzle was 1500 pieces. We left that one until last. You guessed it. the puzzles were whole. Yay! Then, the enormous 1500 piece puzzle was cracked open. It was probably the hardest puzzle of them all. It took a long time. It was one of those ones that had so much detail in it that you had to keep referencing the picture. Thankfully, this one not only had the cardboard box to look at, but it came with a printed picture, too. You guys, this puzzle ended up having, not only one but, three missing pieces. YAY! My puzzle-piece-rep...

Hello, my friends! I must keep this brief-ish, I have a date with my husband. We recently were given bunch of 1000pc puzzles! Fun! How are you? Really? With everything that has been going on, I'm here to 'change the subject' for a little bit. You are important. I've been crocheting, painting, taking all the cloud-photos, sewing, you know me. Yesterday I bought some fabric online and I can't wait to for it to arrive. Just a few packs of pre-cut 5x5 (stunning) fabrics. Can. Not. Wait. Oh, actually. I can wait. If I can't, then, I'm not sure what the last month has taught me. Right? Patience. Trust in Him. Peace. Thank you, Lord, for the PEACE you have given me so generously! I was inspired to paint-out the Lord's Prayer, from Matthew 6:9-13. I felt the NASB had the easiest to understand version. So, here is me beginning to paint it on a sheet of 18x24" watercolor paper. I was so pleased with it, that I got it printe...