Little Soles...

Creative inspiration comes in so many forms and I was recently introduced to a very special pro-life work of "art" that is unlike any I've seen...And touched me deeply.

Rosemary O'Connor and Ron Van Tassel of Kankakee, Illinois are the creators of the "Little Soles" display of 3500 baby shoes representing the number of innocents slaughtered each day by legalized abortion. Originally inspired by a display of shoes of the victims of Auschwitz, Rosemary and Ron have been presenting their work for the past eight years throughout Illinois churches, schools, and conferences as a "Project of Love, Forgiveness and Healing".

The goal of Little Soles is:

... to bring about changes to not only the hearts of women who may be contemplating an abortion, but also the hearts of men who may be encouraging them to have an abortion. We are interested in affecting people of all ages with a greater respect for life. In addition, we also reach out to women who may have been misled and are now struggling after having an abortion. We want them to know that there is hope and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

How does one come up with thousands of baby shoes? Each pair of shoes has it's own history and have come from all over the United States. They have come singly and in groups and Rosemary and Ron have been privileged to know the learn about many of the little ones who wore them.

One sad grandparent donated two sets of shoes – a pair for a girl with a girl’s name tucked inside and one for a boy with a boy’s name tucked inside. She related that her grandchild was aborted and these were the names that had been selected for the child.

This donation included a shoe for a handicapped child with a brace...


Many of the shoes tell of generations of family history...



Although Rosemary and Ron do not travel outside of Illinois with the Little Soles display, it is their hope that others will be inspired to take a similar work in their own communities. Other ways to help this effort can be found on the Little Soles website.



My gratitude to Arlene from the Coalition on Abortion Breast Cancer for introducing me to this beautiful effort.

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!

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!