Things have changed!

I have moved to Utah and have been working on lots of pieces for A Community Christmas Boutique in Highland on December 5. (Details to follow!) I have let my Etsy shop go, as it didn't work out for me and will be putting up a website after the first of the year. If you want to order a custom designed piece, email me directly at ootwdesign@gmail.com.
Here are a few of the pieces I have created:

Miracle Table

Last summer I devoted many hours creating a table to be entered into the 10th International Art Competition sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I entered this competition the last time it was held three years ago with my Temple Chest. It was an amazing experience for me and I was eager to do it again. This year's theme is "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". This is the name of an old Primary song that our children have sung for many years. I gathered my family members' favorite stories of Jesus and tried to incorporate those stories in the design. I also asked family to help me with ideas of other aspects of the design. My husband, Michael suggested that the legs could represent the four standard works of our church: Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of Great Price. I thought that was a brilliant idea as that is where the stories of Jesus come from. My daughter, Gloriana and I designed the top of the table incorporating everyone's favorite story, and I designed the legs and burned and painted the table. In the making of this table, I received frequent and burning moments of inspiration as to how to proceed. I felt Jesus's spirit with me so strongly that I could actually tangibly feel his presence in the room with me, and members of the family could, too. I was especially touched with the olive branch and olive press design that my son, Murphy suggested. The olive branch symbolizes many things: peace, forgiveness, gladness, and joy. The olive press is a tool used to make olive oil and it is quite a violent process to glean the oil.  Gethsemane has been called the Olive Press in that Christ suffered and bled from every pore to atone for our sins. In a talk by Truman Madsen he said, "Jesus is the veritable tree and olive beaten for the light, and that there flows from Him unto this whole earth, and beyond the redemptive power of healing and soothing and ministering to the needy." The olive branch motif that is surrounding the top of the table was a particularly inspired design.

I was so pleased with the outcome of the table and I couldn't wait to enter it into the competition. I have been notified that I have passed the first round of judging from photographs and so my kids in Utah took the table itself to the museum for the second round. I should be hearing any day, so it is a very exciting time. But whatever the outcome, I will never forget the closeness I felt to my Savior as I created a table dedicated to Him. Here are some photos taken by my talented daughter Jylare.

Weddings!

I attended three wonderful weddings in the past couple of months and was so happy to have been able to make plaques for all of the couples. It's such a special feeling I have when I design these plaques with my friends in mind. 

This plaque was made for a special couple who have had a long distance relationship and were finally able to arrange a wedding in the Washington DC temple. You can find it on my Etsy shop here

 This sweet plaque was designed for two friends who were getting married after a long relationship. This cottage is their special place and from pictures on Facebook, I was able to design this plaque for their very happy occasion. You can find it on Etsy here.

I really love this nautical plaque I designed for my cousin and her new husband. A beautiful, young couple who were married on Cape Cod at a gorgeous wedding. You can find it on my Etsy shop here

Monterrey Temple Experience

My brother and his wife returned recently from serving a mission for the Church of Jesus 

Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Monterrey, Mexico temple. My brother wanted to give his wife a special birthday present and commissioned a plaque which included the temple, but also many of the natural wonders of the Monterrey area that they came to love so much, including Saddleback Mountain in the background. It was such a joy imagining the two of them experiencing these beauties as I was researching and painting them. I hope it will be a permanent reminder of their time there.

Cutest New Baby Plaques Ever!

My daughter and partner just sent these adorable owl name plaques to some friends who had new babies. I think they are so adorable. I love how they are both owls, but have their distinct personalities. Especially the hipster boy. The color palettes are so wonderful, too. 

She created this new fox plaque for another baby, also. It's a different take on her previous fox plaque, and so fun. Lucky babies, these.

New bathroom means new plaques

We have lived in a home for 29 years with a 1965 pink and gray bathroom and always said we would update. Finally, this month, we had the pink tub and trim reglazed and it looks amazing. So, removal of gross shower doors, a new paint job, new shower and window curtains and wow! a beautiful new room. So, of course, when I wanted some finishing touches, I designed some plaques.  "Choose Happy" seemed a perfect sentiment to wake up to every morning and to read before going to bed, so I created this fun plaque for over the light fixture.

Unfortunately as I was finishing hanging this happy plaque, I dropped the hammer on our sink and broke it. So, now we not only have to get a new sink, but get the guy who installed it for us to come back and install the new one!

But, that didn't stop me from hanging the other three plaques I had created for another wall.

Once I get my new sink, I will have the bathroom I have dreamed of for many, many years.

As For Me and My House

For awhile I have wanted to design a sign for our front door and have always loved the scripture, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". So I came up with this:

I'm pretty happy with it.