tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36872946786876518012024-02-19T02:08:04.490-05:00JaPerry Creations & Meesha, too!Where ideas finally become reality. The creative life equals a finished project.JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-1318423441115342962019-09-13T14:40:00.004-04:002019-09-13T14:41:41.012-04:00BOOK REVIEW: Love Changes Everything by Micah Berteau <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YlTQvtCHIYtePO-G1KQjOCmZ8jByDSQXzhFIP7vz3B83sN4T3zD_v8xQHm2o2PJEEQlMSMdHPxWn7A_CLjjWh-vFG7GO_vlQg64k9GeaHs1V32BRgjF-Q-KO8LfZxCjLVlgnq11OQApH/s1600/Love+Changes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YlTQvtCHIYtePO-G1KQjOCmZ8jByDSQXzhFIP7vz3B83sN4T3zD_v8xQHm2o2PJEEQlMSMdHPxWn7A_CLjjWh-vFG7GO_vlQg64k9GeaHs1V32BRgjF-Q-KO8LfZxCjLVlgnq11OQApH/s320/Love+Changes.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
I received this book an advanced readers copy from the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are exclusively my own.<br />
<br />
I wanted to love this book, but could not. It is not the author, the plot, or even his perspective of the story of Hosea and Gomer.<br />
That being said, I still found positives to take away.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Be true to yourself. Do not let the opinions of others change the trajectory that God has laid out for you. </li>
<li>Change is possible as long as you believe and work toward that change. Change only happens while moving forward and you can't be walking backwards while doing so and expect to change. Change will not happen if you are looking to your past for present answers. </li>
<li>Love is the answer...isn't that what "they" say? As far as God is concerned, love is the answer. It is about challenging yourself to do better than yesterday, last week, or last year. </li>
<li>We have to admit our weaknesses. Your weakness (shame, guilt, anger, jealousy, etc) will have no hold on you if you exterminate it. Your past can teach you what not to do and where to never go again. </li>
<li>As Christians, we are called to be the feet of Jesus. Feet are meant for walking, not sitting in pews looking down your nose at those that don't meet YOUR criteria. You are not God! We are called to love. Period. </li>
<li>Boundaries are healthy. Boundaries make us aware of God's convictions. You can not control people or circumstances, but you can control your response. </li>
<li>Walking with God is about being devoted to Him at all times and fills every aspect of your life and decisions. Do not become distracted by the world. Be patient.</li>
<li>Love is a choice. Change is a choice that has to be made before you feel like doing it. Feelings become emotions. We begin to believe our emotions are our truth. When we listen to our emotions we can not hear God speaking to us. </li>
<li>Learn to be at peace during every season, storm, or set back. We need to eliminate all our distractions that keep us from focusing on God. Because many of us were never shown "true love", we don't understand what it is, so love is more of a concept than a reality. </li>
<li>Loneliness is not the result of being alone, but of not letting God fill the void. </li>
<li>Quit letting that one bad decision overshadow all decisions moving forward. It was one chapter in your existance, not your life story. </li>
</ul>
<div>
If you are new in your walk with Jesus, then this is a great book to give you direction on where you may want to dig in deeper. I am not a new Christian i was searching for something to help me dig deeper to face the storm and change my trajectory - this is not the book for me. </div>
JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-67890865740093106792018-02-26T08:36:00.000-05:002018-02-26T09:28:16.269-05:00BOOK REVIEW: The Year of Fog By Michelle Richmond<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Life is about choices everyday. For every action there is a reaction. All of our choices lead us to different outcomes. Eating a nutritious breakfast and exercise will keep us healthy. Eating doughnuts and not moving will make us obese which lead to other health issues. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">The simple act of looking left instead or right can change to trajectory of your life. Even going back to "fix" the wrong you have made can't make it all right again. Atonement - it gives us closure, not a reset. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">This is Abby's story. Her minute choice. Just 5 seconds is all it takes to change her trajectory. Her course is no longer straight and forward, but circles and spirals that make her feel like she is losing control. She learns about love. What love really is. When she finally gets back to the beginning of where it all started, she was hoping that it came with a reset button - that this alternate journey paused her life - when the reality is, life didn't stop or stand still. Life went on. The journey changed her and everyone around her. She no longer fit into the original mold that was her life. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">She was whole and she broke. She put herself back together, but the pieces went back together differently.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Though i found the book slow in some parts- and possibly unnecessary- , i am not entirely sure that the book would have been as good without them. This was her alternate universe. She had to experience them to get her to her final destination. Overall i really did enjoy the book. </span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uLGvC_9zQvEzrjxtPkbfrbSGppgW70aKDIRcWbyrjXlPYP98iXwvsrMnuxNtAkITYhl7A1E8m5OkISBizFBoTa9T0bunbl1uSq_i1fbzGc-mR-DX-bUEFa9bykmzWHtAGVeyEsjgsi91/s1600/332348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uLGvC_9zQvEzrjxtPkbfrbSGppgW70aKDIRcWbyrjXlPYP98iXwvsrMnuxNtAkITYhl7A1E8m5OkISBizFBoTa9T0bunbl1uSq_i1fbzGc-mR-DX-bUEFa9bykmzWHtAGVeyEsjgsi91/s320/332348.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/332348.The_Year_of_Fog" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/332348.The_Year_of_Fog</a></span>JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-22396494213375908402014-10-07T19:27:00.000-04:002014-10-07T19:27:06.597-04:00A long time gone.Three years. Three years and so much has changed. Three years and so much hasn't changed at all. I found my voice. I had forgotten what it sounded like. I met my children. I learned what THEIR voices were in all the chaos that surrounded us. I lost my way for a while. I stumbled to find my way. For a while i just stood still. I didn't move. I just was. My creative juices were blocked, clogged, dammed up. The dam has burst. Creativity is flowing. I hear my voice. I have a pace that i need to set. One day at a time. One stitch at a time. One knot at a time. One thing at a time. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have revamped my Etsy stores. I am starting from scratch so to speak. I haven't changed what i am doing, just how i am doing it and presenting it to the world. I am happy, focused, and motivated. I want all of that to show in my work. This is my happy place and i want it to be yours too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My new store motto: Creations made with my hands to your heart. I want you to love it when you see it, touch it, love it, or give it away. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ja</div>
JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-47094114668813326312011-05-30T13:55:00.000-04:002011-05-30T13:55:27.590-04:00The MoveWe are moving 3 hours away. <br />
<br />
I have my security here. my friends, an outlet for my creative side and people that i connect with. now that goes away and I have to start over. On the bright side, there is a stronger artistic community there, but also more competition. I would be around more artistic minds; individuals that would understand my quirky, creative, and focused side.my creatively driven personality. When i am in an area with high concentrations of like-minded creative folks, it really feeds my creativity and to be honest my spirit. Though I fear leaving the "security blanket" that i have knit here, I know that this chapter is complete and I have to start another one.<br />
<br />
I have windows of opportunity that are opening up, but i feel like there is a lead ball holding me down. I followed God's instruction and made preparations for this moment, but I am still here, leaning on God, trusting him, but not myself. I think that i am my own lead ball. This lead ball is choking the creativity out of me. the question is, how do i cut it loose?JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-19922744189134700472010-09-30T15:38:00.000-04:002010-09-30T15:38:18.620-04:00Staying on TaskHow is it when things get so overwhelming to stay on task and be creative and productive? I am working a crazy schedule and find little free time to get into the studio. Between being a mother, wife, and employee, i am finding it very difficult to be me. Creatively, i am drowning. JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-42103000547364928482009-11-29T15:37:00.001-05:002009-11-29T15:37:55.894-05:00the happy scrappy quilt giveaway... again!<a href=http://mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com/mariemadeline_studio/2009/11/the-happy-scrappy-quilt-giveaway-again.html>the happy scrappy quilt giveaway... again!</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-47452542117950991942009-10-26T09:53:00.000-04:002009-10-26T09:53:46.713-04:00The Holiday RushHalloween is just a few days away and I know the rush is on. I have to say this year is one of the most creative years I have had in a long time. We moved into this house about a year ago. my studio is now in the house rather than a detached building. In ways this is bad, BUT I love it. I can be part of the family and still be working. Though my children have a way of sneaking in here. Boy does it get really creative when short people with vivid imaginations enter the space. We may have to get a bigger space when they get older.JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-14001705772377264142009-10-14T19:25:00.000-04:002009-10-14T19:25:10.220-04:00Creative outletFall is my favorite time of the year. I have a love/hate relationship with it. First of all I have to admit this is when all of my creative juices run on overload. I could look at a pile of laundry and get 3 ideas, load the dishwasher..another 2. My brain goes into hyperdrive. This is awesome. I keep my sketch book with me to jot it all down...<br />
<br />
then comes the hate part.<br />
<br />
I have so many ideas that there just aren't enough hours in my day. Not only are my juices in overdrive, but it would seem that me non-crafty friends are too, because they will ask me to make something for them (to give as gifts), boy talk about pressure. Do I sound like I am complaining? Really I am not. I love the challenge of learning and doing something new. <br />
<br />
But who needs sleep anyway? There is always the Thanksgiving holiday to catch up on some zzzzz's. I will just use the turkey as an excuse. :)JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-73137671257678408852009-09-11T16:29:00.000-04:002009-09-11T16:29:36.908-04:001st ShowSo tomorrow I have my first fall show of the season. As always I am NOT ready. I may be,but always feel that I am not when the first show of the season starts. I have not even started on my "wanna, wanna, wanna" do things. I have been watching Project Runway and I have become very inspired and creative. I have sketched out a few things, but haven't actually gotten to do them yet because I am still "working" on other stuff. I am not complaining. I love my "work". There just aren't enough hours in the day to do all i want to do.JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-50384161608852843132009-08-31T13:20:00.006-04:002009-08-31T13:32:34.904-04:00BeginningsSo the school year offically begins tomorrow and that means I have to start back to "work" on all things creative. YIPPY. What this really means is that I have several hours of "uninterupted creative juices flowing" time to play, because lets me honest. What I do isn't really work, I enjoy it too much.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by.<br />JaJaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687294678687651801.post-988309540023596372009-08-31T11:54:00.001-04:002009-08-31T11:54:35.637-04:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bHQ9MTI1MTczNDAyOTAxNSZwdD*xMjUxNzM*MDcwOTY4JnA9MTU*OTQxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTE=.gif" /><style>/* Webfetti Layout Begins Here */h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {margin:0px;}#content {width:740px;margin:0px;text-align:left;}#main {width:485px;float:left;margin:0px;}#main2 {float:left;width:100%;padding:0px;}#sidebar {width:240px;float:right;margin:0px;}body {text-align:center;background-color:transparent;background-image:url(http://ak.webfetti.com/assets/layouts/g/excite_282.jpg);background-repeat:repeat;background-attachment:scroll;background-position:left top;}body, p, .post-body {}a:link, a:active, a:visited, a.username_dark:link, a.username_dark:active, a.username_dark:visited, a.link_blue:link, a.link_blue:active, a.link_blue:visited, a.link_profile_left:link, a.link_profile_left:active, a.link_profile_left:visited, a.link_profile_left_small:link, a.link_profile_left_small:active, a.link_profile_left_small:visited, a.link_white:link, a.link_white:active, a.link_white:visited {}a:hover, a.username_dark:hover, a.link_blue:hover, a.link_profile_left:hover, a.link_profile_left_small:hover, a.link_white:hover {}.post {margin-bottom:20px;padding:10px;}.date-header, .sidebar-title {}#blog-title {padding-left:10px;padding-top:5px;}strong, b {}.post-title {}.date-header, .comment-timestamp {}#blog-title {background-repeat:no-repeat;background-attachment:scroll;background-position:left top;height:115px;width:768px;}a:link img {}a:hover img {}/* Webfetti Layout Ends Here */</style><style type="text/css">.button_size {border-style:none;border-width:0;height:46px;width:106px;}.wfbutton {background:url(http://ak.webfetti.com/badge_01.gif) no-repeat left top;display:block;height:46px;text-align:left;width:106px;position:absolute;top:30px;right:10px;z-index:10000;}.wfbutton a:link,.wfbutton a:visited {display:block;background-color:transparent;}.wfbutton a:hover,.wfbutton a:active {background:url(http://ak.webfetti.com/badge_01.gif) no-repeat left top;display:block;height:46px;width:106px;}</style><div class="wfbutton"><a href="http://www.webfetti.com/dl/index.jhtml?partner=ZKzeb030_ZKxdm295WFUS&utm_campaign=wf_layout&utm_source=backgrounds_1052258&utm_medium=wf_blogger"><img src="http://t.webfetti.com/images/nocache/tr/wf/test/rdb/01/la/bl/backgrounds_1052258.gif" name="click_here" class="button_size" /></a></div>JaPerry Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16755317576745717519noreply@blogger.com