Jewelry that builds a Culture of Life....

When I recently did a search on Etsy using the term "Pro-life", I discovered a wonderful artist named Sarah and her beautiful shop, Maine Coast Creations. I was really excited to see a large selection of precious feet pendants and necklaces but even more delighted when I read the description. Here is what I found:

**This is a white, freshwater pearl. It will come to you on a silver chain! It may differ slightly from the one pictured, but will be a round, white, freshwater pearl!

I was adopted 28 years ago by a WONDERFUL family who took me as their own. Had my birth mother not made the decision to save my life by giving me up for adoption, I wouldn't be here!

I paired these cute little feet with a pearl. The pearl is considered a much valued jewel & I consider every little baby a jewel from God. Won't you join me in saving lives??

I finally feel like maybe I can contribute to the worthy cause of protecting life! Half of the money I make by selling this line of jewelry will be donated to ACLJ.org I encourage you to check it out & buy your piece of Pro Life jewelry today!!

JEREMIAH 1:5
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.

If you'd like a special colored pearl or ANY other bead/stone/crystal added to your tiny pair of feet, please convo me ~ anything is possible!!

I'm sure you can see why I was delighted! What a gift Sarah's mother has given to the world through her sacrificial love...And Sarah, in turn, has allowed her joy and gratitude for life to give hope and beauty to others through her work.

I have held this pretty little pendant in my hands (the one that Sarah so generously donated to my local pregnancy center raffle) and I hope to purchase one of my own someday.

www.MaineCoastCreations.etsy.com
You'll find that Sarah's talent covers a multitude of arts from sewing to jewelry to apparel accessories. Please take a moment today to visit her shop...Pour a cup of tea, pull up a chair and enjoy!

Pro-life Books for Kids...

We are a family of book nuts. When it's time to clean house, the books even merit their own category on the chore list. We have also been forced to dedicate one of the rooms of our home as "the book room" in order to maintain some biblio sanity.

So, we've certainly seen our share of books that encourage in children an understanding of the sanctity and dignity of life...And those that don't!
Today, I'll share with you a couple of our top favorites in the former category...Just in time to shop for Easter:)



Be Good to Eddie Lee by Virginia Fleming introduces children to a boy with Down's Syndrome. It chronicles the reluctance of the neighborhood children to embrace his differences and treat him with patience and care...And their ultimate choice to treat him with the love and compassion that every person deserves.

Amazon categorizes this book for ages 4-8 but I have seen children of all ages touched by this story...And their understanding of what it means to be pro-life expanded. The illustrations are lovely. We received this book as a gift but found it for sale at Amazon.



Angel in the Waters by Regina Doman is the story of a tiny baby growing in his mother's womb. A beautiful and entirely age-appropriate account of a baby's journey from conception until birth. The illustrations by Ben Hatke are stunning and will delight your entire household.

You are able to see the entire book online at www.angelinthewaters.com but there is no replacement for being able to hold your child in your lap with this one! Seeing the contents will only make you want to purchase it all the more. It is available at Amazon as well as a number of Christian booksellers.

Abba's Girl...

One of the great delights of this Handmade for Life adventure is having the opportunity to work with very talented people with hearts of gold. Catherine Lough is one of those artists whose outpouring of enthusiasm and generosity has blessed this project from the very beginning.

I'll let her introduce herself a bit (taken from her Etsy Profile):

Hi, my name is Catherine. I am a Christain decorative artist living in the Pacific NW.

I live with my hard working husband who indulges my artistic needs, a spoiled cat, and a big scruffy dog (also spoiled).I also have two gorgeous grown sons living nearby.

I specialize in affordable handmade gift items,and quite often (but not always) incorporate scripture into my work. My images are vintage reproductions many of which are rarely seen elsewhere. In fact I have nearly 5000 images in my collection so chances are I have just what you are looking for!

I also offer custom work such as favorite scripture, saying, photos, colors etc...talk to me and let's see what we can do to make you smile.

You will not be disappointed with her work for she takes the utmost care in every detail of your purchase, treating every customer as an individual worthy of respect and care.

Her work is featured as one of the many beautiful items being included in my local Handmade for Life basket raffle and you can find her collection of offerings at her Etsy shop, Abba's Girl.

Thank you, Catherine, for being a source of joy and comfort to so many and building up a Culture of Life!

Heroes...

The Survivors Campus Life Tour team exists to equip and activate the youth of America for effective pro-life activism, encouraging youth to actively engage the culture in a bold defense of the preborn. The Campus Life Tour team consists of 8-10 young men and women (18-30 years of age), traveling throughout the United States with educational displays designed to introduce the abortion debate to high school and college campuses.

Yesterday, nine of these college-age men and women, members of the Survivors Campus Life Tour, were arrested at Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama, while distributing literature to students from a public sidewalk.

Since the group was assembled peacefully on a public sidewalk, the justification for their arrest is unclear. When one of the students reminded the officers that their actions were protected by the United States Constitution one of the officers replied, "You're in Alabama, now."

The city of Birmingham sent a dozen police cars to arrest the Survivors. The students were not informed of the reason for their arrest. They were handcuffed and imprisoned. Their electronic equipment was confiscated and at last report, not yet returned. The group's van was impounded. One of the young men also had shackles placed on his ankles at the jail.

You can read a full account of this gross violation of civil rights here: http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=32135&page=1

We have seen a dramatic erosion in our God-given and Constitutionally protected Right to Life. Are we now to see a complete disintegration of our remaining Civil Rights as well?

I honor and applaud the courage of these young men and women who are willing to give all of themselves to protect the most innocent and defenseless of society. They are true heroes.

Please visit their website to find out more about what they do.
http://www.survivors.la/campus-life-tours.asp
I spent some time there this afternoon and was struck by this statement:

If Abortion is murder, Act like it!

We can be heroes, too...And support those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for others. Go to the website to find out ways to get involved. And most of them don't involve getting arrested...At least not yet!

Cherry's Creations

Handmade for Life is all about using our God-given gifts to build up a Culture of Life. Cherry is one of those artists whose life and work exemplify this mission. In addition to lending her whole-hearted and generous support to Handmade for Life's efforts, she also uses her talents to raise funds and awareness for many others in our society who need our special care and protection. I'll let her tell you about it in her own words.

I am a busy wife and mother of four children, (one with an Asperger's diagnosis). Art is my passion and I use many different mediums to express it. My favorites right now are beading jewelry, wire wrapping, painting and collage. I combine them all in some of my pieces for some interesting mixed media. I love to make things that are a bit different using found objects and off beat items in interesting and different ways. I also enjoy using my talents to help other people or non-profit organizations especially those involved with promoting Autism Awareness. My faith is also an important aspect of my art.

Please visit Cherry's Creations to see her delightful collection of handmade items. It is a privilege to showcase her work here for she is not only talented at what she does but also a delightful person.

Thanks, Cherry, for all you do for those in need of some extra TLC!

Hope and Change?

http://townhall.com/cartoons/cartoonist/GlennMcCoy

Triumph of Love...

(handmade card available at www.holmescraft.etsy.com)

Looking for something a little more meaningful than chocolate this year for your Valentine? Okay, almost everyone finds chocolate "meaningful" in a loose definition of the word (dark chocolate covered cherries? *hint..hint*)! But it's easy to find a good piece of chocolate...Finding something a little more unique and calorie-free that supports the building up of a Culture of Life takes a bit more care.

Check these out these sweet treats from pro-life artists...

This sweet silver pendant with freshwater pearl is customizable just for your loved one. I have held one of these pretty necklaces in my hand and can tell you that it is on my wish list. It is delicate and feminine and the photo simply does not do it justice. In addition, 50% of this purchase will be donated to www.ACLJ.org. Please check out Maine Coast Creation's for more details!


Need multiple Valentine's for classmates or friends? These cards have a beautiful secret...They are backed with plantable paper that will grow into poppy flowers when planted! What a sweet way to share Life and friendship. See Anna's shop at Greetings that Grow for more information and selection.



This Valentine cross expresses the perfect sentiment of a Christian holiday...Christ is the Lord of my heart. In imitation of Him, I offer my love to you forever. Absolutely perfect for any Christian friendship or sweetheart. Totally Crosses also has rustic crosses that would appeal to the manly Christians in your life:)



I've only listed a few of so many fantastic options so please explore the links and photos on the sidebar of this blog to find the perfect, life-giving gift for that special someone. Every artist linked here has expressed a strong desire to contribute to the cause of Life and gives of their time, talent, and treasure to do so. I am so blessed to have worked so many of them!

Civil Rights for all Americans?

Terry Shiavo's story may seem like "old news" to many but it is one that people around the world are living every day. Not all people are as beautiful and as easy to fight for as a healthy newborn baby. Are we willing to embrace the "lepers" of our society as Christ did and stand up for the sanctity of all life?

http://www.terrisfight.org/

Seeing His Work in Glass...

The donations are starting to come in for the pro-life fundraiser basket and I wish you could see and touch these beautiful items. They are extra lovely to me because of the spontaneous generosity and love given by their creators. They so easily and cheerfully offered the work of their hands to support mothers and babies in need.

One of the very first artists to donate was a woman who is no stranger to pro-life work having given many years of her life to the fight. Helen is also one of the most genuinely multi-talented artists I know. If you can name a medium, she has probably worked in it and most likely very successfully! Helen's current focus is making lampwork glass beads and also selling them at Helen's Harvest. I know her talent first hand because I own one of her pieces and consider it a true work of wearable art.




Here is how Helen describes herself and her work:

I am Helen Simon, a Christian Wife, Homeschool Mom, Glass Artist, Fiddler, and Country Homesteader North of Sulphur, Louisiana.

I began making beads by lampwork (melting glass at a torch) in 2002, after half a century of fickle dabbling in other media including but not limited to... sign, canvas, and fabric painting, spinning, weaving, and crocheting fiber, designing and constructing artquilts, baskets, herbal and botanical wreaths, soaps, sachets. Satisfaction with my artwork quenched my zeal to continue, so I was bound for something different, new and challenging...until I discovered Lampwork at the Quilt Show in Houston. I haven't looked back, although I do stray a little incorporating fiber and fabric.

Setting up my lampwork studio was the second major goal (the first having taught my younger son to read) I ever achieved. Formerly distracted by other media, not so now! I was born to melt glass, that glorious and simple sand, so much more delightfully permanent than fiber or paint, coaxed and frozen into bizarre creations. I wake daily wondering if my bead dream will become reality this very day, if a glimpse at a bird, cloud, flower will become my expression. Glass is awesome, and I thank God for it.

I particularly enjoy making glass flower beads, and grow many of my models. Thanks for viewing my work. www.helensharvest.com

Helen's was the first donation I received. She didn't hesitate and offered a beautiful lampwork baby that she created with a heart and mind for the work of Life. She also works extensively to support Life in her own community.
Please take a stroll through her beautiful shop. Her work is a joy to behold and even if you don't make a purchase, it will bring a smile to your face!


Thank you Helen, you are a gift from God!

Compassion of a man...

It is often said that a man has no right to speak on behalf of an unborn child because it is not through his body that the child is born. The slogan "My Body, My Choice" is a perfect example of this exclusion. It is used as a weapon to remove a man's right to compassion, to love, to justice, and to his God-given inclination to defend an innocent life against danger.

Far from agreeing that a man should stay out of this debate, I think that a man has a very special and irreplaceable role in the life of his children. And if all women can speak on behalf of (or against) the protection of unborn babies, then certainly every potential father can be given a voice as well.

I was recently chatting with an artist on Etsy whose husband has a particular passion for Life. She shared with me a poem that he wrote and they gave permission for me to share it here. I was so encouraged as I read it. It reminded me that although the voice of men have largely been silenced by the noise of certain radicals, there are many men whose passion for life, love of others, compassion for the forsaken, and grief over injustice has not been killed. A man who has a heart for those in life who are weak and oppressed is a treasure indeed.

Thank you, David...Your voice is being heard.

Unperson, unborn,
Unseen of the morn.
Unloved and unlaughing,
A child of scorn.

No future, no hope,
No positive scope.
No choice and no voice,
Life hangs on a rope.

Unpeople, unnation,
Unwanted creation.
Unheld and unhandled,
The remnants of passion.

No purpose, no path,
No wages but wrath.
No escape from the curet
And chemical bath.

Unnoticed, unknown,
Unable t’be grown.
Unnuzzled, unnurtured,
In silence they moan.

No kisses nor caresses,
No playful time passes.
No rights and no rescue,
The discarded masses.

Too little, too late,
Too many to rate.
Too bad and too bothersome,
The object of hate.

“Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not.
For of such is the Kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14

-David Holmes

Rosey Baby...

The handmade community is particularly suited to building up the culture of life. Why? Because all artists/crafters know the difference between a disposable (cheap) box store item and a product that is the product of love and time and care...The work of our own hands. It is a question of Value. And the WalMart item is more likely to be viewed as disposable...We can get another for a buck. The handmade item is often irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind, and made with much attention and love.

God doesn't create throw-away babies. They are His precious handiwork. One-of-a-kind, not mass-produced. He wants us to appreciate and love His babies, to care for them gently and uphold their beauty for generations to come.

A few months ago, I stumbled upon this darling pro-life onsie from Rosey Baby. The shop announcement reads: Rosey Baby...Expressing that Every Life is a Miracle!

Well done, Rosey Baby! Thanks for sharing your blessings with us!