In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

- by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918), Canadian Army

Read the story behind the poem here. 


God bless,
Lana

Doing What You Love

 That's what I'm doing right now. I am painting more than I have in the past and I love it!

                                                                                                                                                                  

I'm self-taught, so much of what I do is intuitive and by trial and error. But that's okay. I am learning to loosen up and not stress if something isn't like what I perceived it should be or how everybody else is doing it.

I'm finding my way, discovering my style, and think it's pretty awesome! Not my work, although I am loving what's coming from my brushes, but the freedom one feels when they finally are not worried about fitting in, about staying in the lines, or wearing white after Labor Day! ;)

I am finding JOY in my art and I hope it spills over to you and to others as I share it from time to time.

I'll be back in a few days to let you know why I'm not doing needlework for the Lavender Festival and share what I am doing instead.

Blessings ~
Lana

And the Winners Are...

Friend

Heidi! Her favorite was the Friend print as seen above.

Ask, Believe, Receive

Sue! She chose Ask, Believe, Receive.
 
and Judy! She also wanted a Friend print.

Ok, ladies, I'll be emailing you in a little while to get your mailing addresses.

Thanks so much to everyone that entered the art print giveaway!

Take care and God bless,
Lana

Don't Miss Out!

Have you signed up for the Lana Manis Designs newsletter?
Thursday I'll announce a customer appreciation giveaway in the newsletter, for newsletter recipients only. Don't miss out!
Sign up here.

Blessings,
Lana 

You Have to Start Somewhere

I'm glad I found that quote (as seen the photo) by Mr. Haskins this morning. It can mean different things to different people, depending on where you're at in your life, but for me, at this moment, I'm reminded that even the smallest of things can become grand, but they start out small. Even the least important aspects of our lives can have great meaning once we see the bigger picture... although that can sometimes take a long time to happen... but on their own they seem insignificant.

I'm struggling (again) with what I'm to be or where I'm going with my creative life. I thought I was back on track especially after I announced that this was the year for me... that I could just feel it. And then I stalled. I know in my heart I'll figure it out... but boy, is this road hard! Lack of self-confidence, thinking what in the world am I doing, wondering why I'm stuck when in the past I could start something new and it would just take off... it can really make you doubt everything you are doing. Self-doubt is not a fun thing.

But I'm going to keep going. Why? Because I find joy in my art, in making new jewelry pieces, in handwork, in cutting and folding paper love tokens for others to share their love... and somehow it will be all right. I keep reading over and over from different authors that if you do what you love and love what you do, you will be a success. Well, Success, here I come! :)

If you could give one piece of advice about following your dreams during a dry time, whether it's dry creatively, financially, emotionally, etc., what would it be?

I'm so glad you came by!
Blessings,
Lana

P.S. Here's my little temporary website with photos of past work and links to where my art can be purchased. I'm hoping to have a fully functional website designed and up and running later this summer. I've already found a wonderfully talented person to do it!

What to Eat?

Here's a fun little piece I made from leftovers. Both the book cover and page are leftovers from my wreath-making. I'm not sure which book the cover came from but the page was from an early 1900s Physiology and Hygiene health book.

Working from the chapter title and page content, I decided to paint a cake on a stand. It actually says, "Candy is a perfectly proper food if it is eaten at mealtime."
Hmmm, my kids were right all along! ;)

What materials do you like to recycle in your art?