Medium: HB Pencil

I'm actually a little disappointed of this sketch, I had pictured the couple being more mature looking - but it turned out like some teens smooching in the movie theater... oh well.
This is my first "romantic" type sketch, and lets just say I had fun with it - giggled the whole way through it actually. (You can partly see all the notes I put around it, criticizing myself and taking down notes).

Anyhow, I'm posting this because I need to post something, and also this picture reminds me somewhat of the holidays - the way that those in relationships feel, those special moments under mistletoe...? Do people even notice or put up mistletoe?? I wouldn't know... random!

Merry Christmas, one and all!

The Need

I have the need to put the lyrics to this song up - maybe it's just for me but I hope others can be touched by it too. Blessings on you all, have a great week.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Christmas is almost here...

And music is one the only things that really shout out "holidays!" to me, and also one of the few things that we have around the house (never had many decorations up and haven't done trees for a while. Sad I know, but it's our way of trying to focus on the things that need attention the most...) With that said, I've recently discovered this group, The Annie Moses Band, made of a family Juilliard trained (jealous yet?), and quoting nearly every summery on youtube out there: 

"Weave a spectacular blend of pop, classical, and jazz influences to create a new and exciting sound."  

 Yeah, sound awesome? They're even better, I'm loving listening to them while doing whatever - maybe it's my own way of fantasizing of one day (in another life obviously) going to a school of music and loosing myself (TMI???) in it (I've watched Fame -new and old one- one to many times ;)
Here is me sharing some of my fav's. Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Something I love, something I hate

Something I love, When my baby brother crawls into my bed one morning and falls asleep in my arms.

Something I hate, When that adorable little boy throws up all over me and my bed...

Very odd morning...

SS catch up

Medium: general pencil

Here is the nearly finished project that I showed on a Sunday Sketch post a while back. All that needs to be done now is some clean up and adding watercolors to it (which I can't do until I get some more paint=)

Also, this is one of few that I actually name... Consider yourself lucky for seeing with a title. I'm very camera shy. =P

Happy Sketching!

who needs sleep anyway?

I mean, really?

Musician watching commencing...

Medium: HB Pencil

About a week back, I went to a Musician's conference in Redmond, Washington. While there for the weekend, I hung out with super awesome music makers and singers. I got to listen to (and watch!) Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster, Norm Stockton, Jonathan Lee, Carl Albrecht, Doyle Dykes and Phil Wickham. If you didn't recognize any of these names - look them up (and Phil Keggy - he was there last year and was AN-MAZ-ING). But with all that said, I didn't really have time to pull out my handy sketch book, but I was able to get this amazing person' (one of the problems with musicians is you can't hardly tell the sex of the person from the back...=P) style. Long overcoat, beanie, scarves, colorful skinny jeans, messengers bag w/ pins and beat up converse, is the theme of all musicians (and yes, for one of the days I wore my own -very beat up- lighting blue converse high tops =)

(sorry for the poor quality of the photo, cellphones are lousily photo-takers)

Chilling thought

Here is a quote that my sister shared with me recently.

What if we woke up tomorrow with only the things we thanked God for today?

 It is such a chilling thought for me because I've come to realize that I am a complainer and whiner when it comes to prayers, asking why did that have to happen, what can't this, whine, whine, whine. I don't thank God for my family enough, for the sky, for air, for arms! And he's the one who gave me all, even though I'm such an ungrateful wretch that is like a spoiled animal that takes and takes and never gives back. This will change. It must. I'm posting this because it's good for me to put this out there and have it public, but also to share this and open eyes of others that have been doing the same thing as me. With my ever merciful savior, I know that there is a way for me to be saved.

Don't forget to give thanks.

explore!

Yesterday morning was like any other, woke up early, shoved three pills down a fighting dogs throat, did some school work, tidied up my room and then went to the library.

But I didn't go to the library for the usual reason, not to return books (which I did but they weren't mine), not to pick up a new, exciting novel, not to search for books retelling all the art of history... no... I went because they were having their twice a year book sale.
 My heart flutters and skips a beat when I her the words 'book sale'. Something about it, jostled with so many people in a too-small-room (I'm sure a fire-safety inspector would have fainted dead away), amongst old and new bounded books, faithfully searching every nook and cranny for the great find. Oh, of course, I wasn't the only one (as you've gathered I'm sure), and so it became a race... and when ever I say that I think of this and want to be him, and roll every r with my tongue. =)

So being a race, I skipped from on bookshelf, to the table, under the table and and on top of some preciously stacked cardboard boxes. Only to see that two, different men were hoarding all the books! The Horror! The first had a large box in hand, and was going through the children' table, hardly sparing a glance at the title before rudely tossing it into his prison box. He was there before me, and I left before he did and by that time he had six, extra large cardboard boxes filled overflow with any sort of books he could get his hands on. The other guy... he had one of those scanners that you can see the value of the book before you buy it so you can sell it later... the nerve!

But now, I'm going to put those men out of my mind... no need for me to get grumpy anymore. So - anyhow, I got this really awesome book on botany, has lots of great pictures, got the complete series of Narnia in one volume... and I got a telescope for five bucks there too... YES! I GOT A TELESCOPE!!! It's so, so awesome... not sure if it works yet though because of cloudy weather but it'll be fun to find out and explore! Merry Friday and Saturday to you all.

This post and my love is dedicated to Sarge, one of the best dogs to ever live. I love you Grace and Sophie.

Work in progress

(I've updated this project further, see here)

Medium: HB pencil

This is a work in progress (as you already gathered from the title of this post, and most likely looking at my little, unfinished sketch. Also, this is really, really blurry and bland looking, that would be the 7yo cameras falt), I want to go farther with it and add some background to it, as well as complete her hand... any ideas of what I can do with it? I'm thinking now her hand can be touching something (tree... reaching for the sky...)... Something like that. Happy Sketches everyone!


Up Date:
Reignie is on the mend, starting to look like herself again. Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. They are working.

Up date

Reignie is doing better - not completely healed but better. After $815 she should anyhow (shocking huh... I don't know how we can afford this - so many mixed emotions!). She is home which takes a huge burden off of my shoulders and on meds.

She's not out of the woods yet, is still not her self but I have hope. Thanks for the prayers.

Sweet dog, stay with us

Reignie, I love you, you silly, silly dog. Please - don't go.


Reignie, my five-year-old puppy (she's super hyper usually) has been diagnosed with Salmon Poisoning - which is usually fatal in dogs. I had to search for two hours to find her in our woods, she had just gone away to die she felt so awful, wouldn't respond (I had passed her four times and she didn't say a peep). She is now at a animal hospitable for treatment. The vet said he is hopeful but that there could be complication because we didn't catch it soon enough (she is in the close-to-danger zone).  Prayers would be appreciated, she's my best friend and an amazing listener.

Sunday Sketch

Medium: HB pencil

This is my boho girl I spent giggling with while mornings dawn came upon me a while back. Haven't had so much fun doing a sketch of an adult in a very long time since mainly focusing on things for children. Linking up to Blue Chair Diary's weekly Sunday Sketch get-together of sorts. Never done anything like this but Sophia has the cutest paintings ever and her writings inspire and move me.

Heard this song called You Take My Breath Away by Eva Cassidy. Such an amazing, beautiful voice.

Just a warning to those browsing through...

After this post, there is no more art related post - just rambles of a young adult that just go on, and on, and on, and on. But I haven't the heart to just delete them. =)
-Bethie (June 13, 2012)

*sighs*

Inspirational (quotes) sayings are some of the most amazing things.

Beware

Those who leave their Mac's in my fathers house will come back to something unexpected. As our friends The Wintons found out last week.

Medium: Sharpie and exacto knife =)

An amazing quote

Makes me sit back daydreaming, a whisper of a smile on my face.

"October's Poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter". I'm not sure who the author is. (another quote polyvore set coming tomorrow)

Phil Keaggy

For sure one of the best guitarist ever. Hearing him in real life is so amazing (last year at CMS)

Woot! CMS is coming!

Myself and my bass will be going to Overlake in November for this. Hurrah!

I am on the verge of crying

Volume must be up. Amazing song, amazing voice.

Déjà vu

Happened to you?

Yes!

Read THIS article.

{nearly}No words.

I've never, ever been so impacted by a movie. Seriously people, consider watching THIS movie. All of those that don't have active fathers in their lives, and even the ones who do, will be inspired, awed, and healed by this movie... as well as some good laughs too. 

After some very strong emotional struggles and sufferings of late, this was a very well place film in my life (not the message of needing fathers, but of the constant reminder that God. Is. Here.). Amazing.

God bless

The duckling speaks for me...

Who is always watching? ...

 The Ninja Nail.

My poor thumb has to deal with me in times of boredom...

The Hunger Games

Trailer here.
Coming out March 23, 2012...

end of a short summer

Summer is adventures at dawn and dusk,
Summer is flowing dresses, large belts and straw hats,
Summer is chilly snacks,
Summer is digging bare toes into cool grass,
Summer is loosing track of time and direction,
Summer is reading books in trees and flowers in hair,
Summer is sketching and painting the days away,
Summer is wishes made and wished found,
Summer is cooled iced tea and refreshments galore,
Summer is life, summer is beautiful, and summer is ... gone ...?


I wrote this at the beginning of summer this year (The last line read "Summer is life, Summer is beautiful, Summer is here" at the time), and I thought it was suited for the end of summer as well. It does feel though, summer ended in August. The Washington Seattle area just didn't get a summer this year. The hottest it ever got was 85°F and that was only three or four days of it (spread throughout about two and a half months... I know - pity me). And with my own self and schedule (I was the weird summer student this year =P), I started my Senior year of high school at the beginning of August... so to all of you who have only just recently started school... I ignore you. =P No, not really. It was my choice, and I am glad that I did. It was probably the best summer of my life to do so too (I do not even live in Winter - only in Summer do I really feel alive).

Enough of rambling? Okee dokes. I have to fully wake up anyhow now.

See the life

Ten years ago, I had just waken up from a long night. My baby brother was just hours old - Born Five minutes before midnight on September 10th... I woke up that morning on September 11th, 2001, to the phone ringing, it was answered from across the hall. Not more then a minute had pass before I hear my dad rushing towards our old television, and hook up the crooked antenna to it. I sleepily crawl out of the sleeping bag I had spent most of the night in (I got to see the birth), and shuffled out to our living room. My mom was sitting on the couch, with little Timothy not even a full twelve hours old. The TV stuttered to life, and I slumped to the floor, next to my mothers feet. The TV showed a women reporter (I remember that), in front of a smoking construction site... Or so I thought. It then showed clips of the buildings falling... and the people that had so much desperation to get out that they would jumped to their deaths. My mom's hand covered my eyes, I turned my head to look at her. She was staring at the television, holding her new born, precious baby in one protective arm, tears running down her face. I was only eight, so I don't remember much, not sounds - Just the pictures, they linger in my memory to this day. And the look on my parents faces. And the way they tenderly held that baby - that held so much joy, love - and life in him - Even as it seemed the whole world fell around us.

And today? My friend (and peer) has enlisted in the US Army because of that day, my once little brother is now ten years old and I thank God for the life around me. That even when disaster strikes it's cold, cruel hand - God gives grace and mercy to us. God gives life, and death. But haven't you noticed, that when we see death, life is ten-times magnified in our lives?

Remember, don't forget. See the life.

911

Medium: Polyvore Design

Confessions of a scattered brain

Something I love... Summer mornings, the golden yellows and sparkling, silver dew

     

Something I dislike... Splinters, tiny ones, in my little toe.


Something that makes me giddy... Blindly walking through the dark house (I'm weird that way).

Something that makes me sad... Tripping on my (very old) sweet doggie in that dark hallway.


Something that terrifies me...swimming in lakes and oceans. I scare my self silly just imagining things. (I've very odd at times)

Something worthy of note... (*crickets sound*)


Something not... I stayed up very late last night reading this book titled The Trouble with Tulips... =P

Something done... Taught five-year-old sister how to trace the linoleum with a crayon and paper (yep - it was on my bucket list, between Skydiving and being kissed in the pouring rain)


Something in need... Writing to pen pals.


Something I want... this skirt =D

Something I need... Watercolor paper

Something I'm thankful for...