WOW! Fluted sconce

This is so yummy, you want to eat it! Stained in a color similar to that of deep, dark chocolate, it is one of a pair that I love to gaze upon and admire Ben's handiwork! Like so many of the frames at our house, it is made from alder, cut on angles to produce a fluted sconce. right now, it is beautiful as it is, but will soon hold framed photographs of our children...the minute I can get Gabe to trim his hair!

South of France

This piece was inspired by a tapestry with which I fell in love at first sight...Ben has made a lovely frame for this, as well, and it is waiting to be stained and varnished. I love that this scene "takes you away", and I had a woman walk into my home once and say it almost brought her to tears, as she imagined a lovely, secluded spot where she could go and pray. It used to have a home in our daughtrers' room, but Ben feels it is too hidden there...I am not sure where I will put it now!

Greek to me...

These are 3 panels on the dining room wall...that, in Greek, say "Yesterday, Today, (and) Forever" Luke, who has done some Greek studying with his dad, so sweetly researched and described the letters to me. They are done on a faux-aged copper background, with 3-dimensional leaves antiqued with a verdigris finish, ben custom-built the frames, which have nearly a 3-inch depth from the wall, and make the wall "pop"! (It should look better when the wall is painted.) Below is a close-up of some of the acanthus leaves that grace the first and last panels. I love how unique this is, and the frames are GORGEOUS!! Thanks, honey!
shown next is some detail of the alder wood frame and its unique grain... SO PRETTY!!!

Refined by Fire.

This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'" Zechariah 13:9



A faux granite background portrays the strength of God, as a family went through, and was refined by, fire. They came out of that fire as gold, having been tested, and having stood strong. Always pointed toward Jesus, the cross, and the Word of God, which is a double-edged sword. Headed toward the light of God, and the light of living in holiness, being an example to a lost and deceived world around them.

Gifts from afar

So far beyond comprehension...that noble, learned, esteemed men would travel a great distance to see a newborn child. With faith, they believed that He was the son of God, and had come to save the earth. They traversed desert and rocky plain, bearing valuable gifts, trusting that their long journey would take them to the Christ child.

If only we could give of ourselves with such faith.

Sacrifice...He has risen.

historical accounts of crucifixions describe upright portions of a cross that remained in their place, while the horizontal cross-bar was added or removed as guilty persons were hung or had died. This moving illustration signifies that Jesus was removed from that cross, not left there dying...His crown of thorns rests on the ground, as He no longer needed it once He had risen again. What a glorious thought, that our Lord and Savior lives that we may spend eternity with him. What a precious sacrifice.

Guiding Scriptures.

Antiqued in terra cotta, chocolate, and earth tones, rugged plaster mounds secure a hand-calligraphied verse from Genesis. The scripture spoke to a family moving to a new land in a profound way. Please click photo to enlarge.

Here is the same picture, framed with eggplant-hued stain in a rich moulding.