First, I’m so sorry if my side bar is looking a little funky or if you notice other technical glitches. We’re in the process of moving my blog over to WordPress and it’s a bit more involved because my website was on the URL my blog is moving to. A lot of my graphics and sponsor buttons were stored there, so just hang in there and we’ll get it all sorted out soon.
This January, I had the pleasure of attending Blissdom, my very first blog conference. The best part was meeting and hanging out with bloggers I knew well and getting to know those I had only “seen” in passing. One night at dinner, I ended up sitting next to Dee Kasberger, the artist and designer of Red Letter Words. I had seen her work all over the place and so many of her pieces struck a chord with me. Just a simple phrase printed on a canvas, “She knew that she was created in His image.” Such a powerful statement.
As we chatted at dinner, I knew I wanted to work with her on a custom project. I wanted a canvas with “my” verse on it. I was able to pick the color scheme and paraphrase of the Matthew 17:20 verse that inspired my business name and tag line. Here’s what came in the mail a few months ago…
I get the chills reading it. It took me so long to share it, because I had to wait until it was hung in the perfect place. I’ve had it on a wall in our home office, but it wasn’t perfect there. It’s now found a proper home on the newly clad wall in my office/craft room.
I hung it next to the framed covers and insert pages of my two first magazine features. I had extra copies, so I cut each of them apart to frame. It was a dream of mine for almost ten years to be featured in a magazine, so this was a big deal for me.
You might think I spent a fortune on custom framing (well, unless you read the post title), but I only spent $4.50. I have a mat cutter, so that might be “cheating” a little. I got it for Christmas a couple of years ago. The mat board cost $3.50 and the frames were $1.00 at an auction. I used gold leaf to transform the plain wood frames and make them match. I like that the sizes and styles are a little different, though.
I made a glitter letter banner for myself and hung it over Dee’s art. I can’t wait to show you the rest of the office, but it’s not quite ready. Until then, here’s a peek at the French armoire my parents hauled up from Florida for me.
I also got my new camera bag in the mail today. This is proof that giveaways drum up business. I saw a giveaway on Funky Junk Donna’s blog and salivated over Jeanne Oliver’s Ellison Camera Bag. So, I waited until more were available and bought one for myself. It’s bigger, cushier and even prettier than I expected.
I spent a lot of money on my camera and lenses and I need a chic way to protect them when I carry them around with me. This is perfect.
Speaking of cameras, I’ve had a lot of requests to share what kind of gear and processing I use on my pictures, so I’ll be sharing that soon. I’m headed to Lucketts again tomorrow to drop off some new furniture, get some art on the wall, pick up some new pieces in need of my help and do a little shopping. I’m going to let Mini Mustard Seed tag along as well, so it should be a fun day.
55 Responses
that is just beautiful! love the custom piece, and the frames too!
Well that is beautiful! I love it, and it's got me thinking about what "my" verse would be…
Can't wait to see your office space 🙂
So beautiful… such a dreamy looking office.
maddie
I just love your Mustard Seed wall! It is just beautiful!
Love, love, love the art that Dee made for you! It looks fantabulous!!
Hi Marian,
Just awesome, so personal… The office is looking great, what a new creative space! Congratulations on your magazine features they look amazing!
All the Best,
Christine
Just lovely! Love the sign, its my favorite verse.
Thank you for sharing.
Vanessa
red letters are the best … you found the perfect spot …
I'm sharing this my facebook page … savvycityfarmer
Everything looks great! Keep up the good work and the bag is to die for. Any expensive camera would be proud to be carried around in that chic bag 😀 Add a luxury watch to your style and you will look luke a boheme photographer looking to get a snap shot of life's interesting and curious glams of light 😛
Oh Marian…this is hands-down the coolest thing I've ever seen on a blog. Well done.
oh my goodness i love the WHOLE setup! it looks amazing!!!
Suzy
http://joyisathome.blogspot.com
I love your beautiful sign. And If I were ever to be published anywhere it would be framed for sure!
I don't think it's legal to take furniture from one state to another. You better bring it back here to Florida before the authorities find out. Just bring to me, I will keep it for you…hehe
Oh my….the verse is wonderful & the format is stunning…Thank you for reminding us of Dee…I shall be over to her site to check it out!
Your armoire (from what can be seen!) looks very very beautiful!
Thanks for always inspiring!
Thanks so much for sharing your meaningful and beautiful craft room so far. Love your verse plaque. My verses have always been Prov. 3:5-6. I need to make a plaque, too. It's good to be reminded. 🙂 I'm trying to work on my craft room, too, although it is just a closet right now, but you've motivated me to keep at it. Oh, bliss, to have a beautiful office/craft room!!! 🙂
OH, you tempt me so! I would love MY verse on a canvas. I guess I'll better start looking into how to DIY it, or start selling a LOT more furniture!
Love your bag too. I just found a vintage camera bag to carry my camera in. I should blog about it. Thanks for the idea!
I absolutely LOVE your new wall hanging! Your office is looking amazing! 🙂
blessings.
wow Marian… that is just perfect!
Thanks for sharing such beautiful ideas! You have motivated me to get creative again.
Oh my… that office! That WALL. And that verse. Total chills here too.
And I LOVE your mag display too! Mine are still in piles so your inspiration came at a great time.
And congrats on your purchase! Well chosen. 🙂
Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
Marian — hope Miss Mini knows how lucky she is! Can't wait to see the reveal of the kumquat (long story that I'll tell someday when I start a blog, but it involves my dear dad not ever remembering the word armoire).
Such a beautiful sign! I'm glad you found the perfect place for it. The magazine display looks great too – I think I might have to hang one in every room if I was ever featured in a magazine! Funny about the camera bag – I had to buy one too after seeing it on Funky Junk. Still waiting for mine though. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Jenn 🙂
Wow, that is a beautiful personal statement you have there. What a great inspiration for you business. I can now see where you get the energy to do all that 'mountain moving' you do al the time from.
It looks like everything is coming together great! I love the simplicity of the wall, because the content of the pieces are so meaningful. 🙂 And super cute bag!!!! I'm thinking maybe a Christmas gift for my photographer sister! 🙂
I really love your verse, the layout and colors are truly inspiring. Also, the dream in glitters, next to the magazines, perfect in my eyes!
Thank you for the link, I knew about her work but never her website, so thank you.
All the best,
Maureen x
I just love it! So soothing & inspirational at the same time! I'm sure it will continue to bring you joy for years to come!
Cheers, jess
All of it is beautiful, but one thing really resonated with me. Dream. DREAM! It's written on my heart and I'm sharing it with my boys…
Love the board that you had made just for you! How perfect is that! I do believe that dreams come true-even if it doesn't happen immediately. You just keep your eye on the goal and do the footwork and God will provide the reward. Congratulations..you did good-very very good! xo Diana
I just ordered this same bag and received yesterday in the mail. I love it!
Sherrie
Beautiful! Can't wait to see your office.I'm starting to organize mine and I just walk in and try to plan it out ,then walk back out.If I was doing it for someone else or my sisters store I would have no problem.UHM….I always seem to point out my mistakes to myself even befre I make them.As Joel Osteen says"Keep pressing on".Wish me luck.
mary
RENONFL@YAHOO.COM
Dear Anonymous,
Your comment above was rather harsh… I am quite sure that Marian was only saying, "let Mini Mustard Seed tag along," as a figure of speech. If you have truly followed this blog (as I have for almost six months now), you can tell from previous posts that Marian is very grateful to have Mini MS around. On top of that, her husband is a youth pastor, and she seems to be very involved with the youth in her community/church – i.e. having them over for dinner, etc. etc. I do not know Marian on any personal level, other than reading her blog on an almost daily basis, but I can see big heart and compassion through her writings. I think most of her readers will agree.
Respectfully,
Elizabeth Moore
Huntsville, AL
Oh, Marian, I am kicking myself now. I passed up a mat cutter at Goodwill a week or two ago. Grr. I have always loved 'your' verse, and I know God honors the dreams of our hearts. Thanks so much for sharing.
I love the canvas with the verse on it. My favorite verse is Jermiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for good not for evil, to give you a future and hope."
I love your canvas and the verse! Great idea for the magazine pics. too! That is a dream of mine also…You inspire me!
Oh my gosh that verse is wonderful, I just dont have words to tell you how I felt, maybe chills, I love, love, love it. The fames of the magazine freature are wonderfull too. I was in A Primitive Place this spring and I have been trying to decide what to do and now you have solved the problem for me!! Great post!
hugs,
Donna
I really love personalized art! You've been getting a lot of art lately 🙂 Everything you have chosen to have made has looked beautiful. So lovely!
Are you going to explain why you are moving to Word Press?? Would love to know.
I love your Red Letter Words print. So perfect for you and what an inspiration to look at every day in your office. Which by the way is looking amazing. Wish I had an extra room (or corner) to make over for an office. I may have to steal some space somewhere.
(by the way..ignore Anonymous. We all know what you really meant. Elizabeth hit it right on the head.)
Trust me, as MMS’s Mom and having known Mini MS for 4 years that they have a great relationship and Mini MS would not be in any way offended by the comment stating to “let her tag along”. In fact she probably has some appropriate comment in response. Mini MS just graduated from HS and has been in their Youth group ever since they have been in PA. She often stays over night in their home and is like an older sister to their boys. They taught her how to drive and the birthday celebration that Marian had a couple of weeks ago and blogged about the homemade pasta was for Mini MS. They have a super relationship and Mini MS would laugh at the comment to “let Mini MS tag along”. She is not just an “intern” to MMS. They have invested in her life and she has been a huge part of their lives. One thing about reading a post is that you don’t hear the tone of the person’s voice with the post. I can assure that MMS only meant it in a humorous way and that Mini MS would definitely take it as such. Perhaps she will leave her own comment. Miss Mustard Seed’s Mom
I have read that verse many times before, but seeing it written the way it is with the boldness of some of the words rang right in my heart. How wonderful that is to see it everyday and be reminded what faith can do in our lives.
How wonderful that you are achieving your dreams! I know how rewarding it is for you to reach each goal after working so hard to achieve it, and we benefit so much each time you complete one as you share your gifts & talents with us thanks Marian. P.S. I'm drooling over the sneak peek of the armoire and your verse is one of my favorites.
Love the verse, the vignette and the "dream" just caps it all off, lovely.
I am lusting after your Red Letter print! Beautiful…although everything that girl does is beautiful. I saw your link on her facebook page and am now a new follower 🙂
Question: Why are you moving to WordPress? Im new at blogging and my husband kept on convincing me the best is wordpress but as usual I did what I thought it is the right thing :)))) If he will know that Im askign you he'll be so teased lol but really why is it better ? I Turst you woman 🙂
I lOVE your verse too, it's wonderful! and, it looks absolutely beautiful on the wall. The colors are perfect, and it looks like your office is going to be amazing.
Ummm, i think the armoire is going to make me faint and die when i see it, even the little edge looks so pretty…
Cindy
I love your custom red letter words. Inspiring. Now, I'm super preggo and hormonal, and emtional… but I just love it. Gave me chills too. Good job on all you've created.
I have a Red Letter Words piece, called "It Is Written," and it resonates my heart every single time I read it. I truly believe Dee is doing God's work.
Her "Consider the Lilies" is my 2nd favorite–it takes a passage I've never understood and turned it for me to see the important part.
I love yours too, Miss Mustard Seed! Some Scripture, I believe, is meant for "little things," and others are to remind us of the Power of the Lord–which yours does.
I highly, HIGHLY, recommend a purchase from Red Letter Words!!
Would you do a tutorial sometime on the gold leaf? I have a package and just don't know how to use it. Love what you did with the frames!
It's wonderful to have visible reminders, such as found in your framed custom piece. Good stuff!
Beautiful!
I love that you are not afraid to share your faith and love of Christ! He is my ROCK as well! Your office/craft space looks great! I can't wait to see the armoire!!
Marian, I love your life verse! I knew that was why you are Miss Mustard Seed. Your beautiful spirit shines through, that is why we all love you! Your wall is inspirational. I just ordered a camera bag for myself and one of her cute dresses!!! Thanks for the info! can't wait to get mine!
It is fabulous and so powerful! Looks great in your office space!!
Love the banner over it too!
Hugs
SueAnn
the scripture IS so powerful. and that blue is heavenly, marian.
git down.
michele
Oh that is a great bag. I drooled over it too. Perhaps some day.
I love the way you framed your magazines. They look great next to your new sign!
I absolutely love what you do, I haven't seen anything I didn't fall in love with. I have to agree with you about where you live, PA was my favorite place in the world to live. I miss it everyday and I have gone since 1999. I fell in love with Gettysburg, you are truly blessed. Thanks for the awesome giveaway opportunities. Good luck to everyone!