Heads Up!

   Hello everyone! Marianne, here! Just wanted to let you guys know that we are going out of town, so there won't be any posts for a few days... However, after we return, we will be posting some posts such as a Movie Review on The Hobbit, a Book Review on Growing Up Duggar, and the first post to a brand new post series that is going to go on next month! Any guesses as to what it may be? Thanks!

Quick Encouragement #28

Image created by Elinor

Encouragements and Reflections #4

All images created by Elinor

Quick Encouragement #27

Image made by Marianne at PicMonkey

By Marianne

   Unfortunately I have done this way too many times. I've put on a shirt and thought "Man, this makes me look fat." Or I've looked in the mirror and thought "My teeth are so big!" But the truth is I was made in God's image. I read that passage in my Bible the other night and thought "Why? Why have I allowed myself to think that I am ugly?" God created me. God created you. The next time you find a flaw in your appearance, PLEASE, remember these two things.  

1. Remember that God created you in His image.

2. Remember that your outward appearance isn't what matters.

I know it's hard. Believe me, I do. But if you remember these things I pray that you will find the comfort I did. 

   

Book Friends #4

Marianne's Choice:

Princess Una from Heartless

By Anne Elizabeth Stengl

   I would LOVE to be friends with princess Una! That was one thing I noticed while reading her story. That she didn't really have any good friends and sometimes, (quite often actually) she just needed someone to shake some sense into her (a good friend will always be happy to do that for you)! She was sweet but she had many lessons to learn from the beginning of the book, and matured quite a bit throughout the story. 

   Like it sometimes turns out, she didn't realize how blessed she was until she lost everything. Not only was her every need met, but nearly every want she could ever have was met. She had an amazing home and many people loved her. It took her quite awhile to come to her senses but when she did, she was quite a beautiful character. She, for many reasons, was an unforgettable character.

  You can read my book review on Heartless HERE! You can read Elinor's book review on Heartless HERE!

Elinor's Choice:

Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings

by J.R.R Tolkien

   Ok let's be honest here, who has seen or read The Lord of the Rings and not loved Sam? Who wouldn't want to have him as their best friend? Sam is kind and gentle, but willing to fight for what matters to him. He is the friend that doesn't give up on you even when you give up on yourself. He is incredibly loyal, and someone you just couldn't say anything bad about.

  Sam is one of the most endearing characters ever. There just couldn't be a better friend to have. He's someone that you can grow close to pretty quickly. He is just someone that perfectly portrays true friendship, and that's all there really is to it.

Quick Encouragement #26

Rend Collective - Joy

"The dark is just a canvas for Your grace and brightness"

This line really stood out to me, it just made me pause and think for a minute. It's something to remember when things are hard, and when the future seems bleak. God's going to use it as a canvas to bring more joy to you than you ever imagined.

Saturday Fun!

  By Marianne

 Hello, everyone! How was your Saturday? I had an awesome day! Seeing that the weather was AMAZING today, we decided to go on a hike. So this afternoon, we all climbed in the car and drove off! It was so pretty!

Although there weren't too many flowers out yet, the ones that were, were absolutely beautiful!

The leaves were such a bright green! They're beginning to give me an idea for a painting...

The waterfall was really pretty too! In the summer there is not as much water in it, so we went at the PERFECT time to see it!

We had an amazing time! After we got back home, I enjoyed a delicious strawberry-banana smoothie, got my clothes ready for church in the morning, and wrote this post!

How was your Saturday?

Quick Encouragement #25

Image made by Marianne at PicMonkey

How was your day? Today Elinor and I picked up a copy of the new Rend Collective CD, The Art of Celebration. It is AWESOME!!! My favorite songs are Burn Like A Star, Joy, Joy (remix), and My Lighthouse... Create In Me is pretty great too! :)

Favorite Music #5

Jamie Grace - Do Life Big

Rend Collective - Burn Like A Star

Britt Nicole - The Lost Get Found

Royal Tailor - Make A Move

Frozen - Let It Go :)

Watercolor Card and Bookmark!

   Hello! Elinor recently made a bookmark for our friend Cheryl from the blog Simply Shoe Boxes. Cheryl reads our blog, and seeing that Marianne loves watercolors, she asked her to paint a gift-card that would match the bookmark! She asked for the items to be Amish-themed and this is what we came up with! If you are interested in purchasing a bookmark please go to Elinor's Blog and read the details.

Marianne: 

After selling that card to Cheryl, I decided to make a few and put them in the same gift shop that my sis sells her items in. I'm just waiting to see how they do, but if you're interested in possibly purchasing one, please e-mail me at this address:

thedashwoodsisters68(at)gmail(dot)com
I would be thrilled to help you! I sold the Amish one for $5.00 (plus shipping), and they are 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

These are the cards that I have just made to use as "trial cards".

I made them very Spring-ish and used bright colors, but I would be glad to make you one however you'd like!

The front of all the cards has a painting done by me and the inside is blank so that you may write whatever you want to inside! They also come with an envelope that matches the background color of each card. (I only have black and brown right now.)

Although I'd be thrilled to make you one with whatever image or theme you would like on it, 

please keep in mind that I am an amateur so I may not be able to do something extremely detailed or extravagant, but I will do my best! Thank You!