Room to Flourish

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...