It All Started With God, Me and a Gingko Tree

We moved into a new home almost 4 years ago. It was an adventure in more ways than one. We have a large yard with lots of different plants, bushes, trees, etc.I felt blessed because I really love plants and flowers of all kinds.  I felt like I was on an expedition to search out things I wasn't acustomed to. And wouldn't you know it, right in our front yard sat this beautiful Gingko Tree. I had never seen one before. I was thrilled.

I was in awe of how God makes so many wonderful, beautiful and unusal things. I fell in love with my Gingko Tree. The very first year I pressed a huge amount of "her" leaves. I knew that I wanted to keep them somehow......for some reason. and, then it hit me.....I could preseve them. So. I experimented and found a way to keep them and actually framed several.

And, God being God, kept this passion inside me and actually made it grow. Then it hit me!! I could do so many things with these beautiful leaves.....any leaves......and flowers, too!! So, God placed in me the desire to make greeting/note cards that would allow me to share these beautiful things with others.

But, that is seemingly where that dream ended. I had gotten all of my materials around.....but there they sat...for 2 years. Nothing.

If you'll remember, in last month's blog I mentioned that I have this deep desire to be creative. Doesn't everyone? Well, maybe not. But, for some reason it has been gnawing at me....alot. And over these past 11 months....since my New Year's resolution....God has been bringing people and situations into my life to encourage me to do something with these feelings.


I have an old friend from school, Susan Miller-Cormier, who is herself a very talented and gifted artist in many ways. She has taught me to find my "inner swan". Because of her I have stepped out of my comfort zone and actually attended a local art class and and open art night at our Wassenberg Art Center.

Of couse, I was plagued by doubt and fear of failure.But, I was able to share with Susan my ideas and she encouraged  me to "go for it". She has been so helpful and supportive!!

Today I made that next step of displaying my creations and putting them up for sale at our local Art's Factory. I am so excited!! And it was like once I made that first step God turned on the faucet of ideas in my head on other things I can be creating!!

Only time will tell just where all of this may lead me, but as Susan reminded me...I won't know unless I try.