Simple, Creative Ways to Express Your Faith: Jeanne Winters Interview and Giveaway

Jeanne Winters is a wife, mom, artist, blogger, and author of Inspirational Home: Simple Ideas for Uplifting Décor and Craft. We share a passion for creativity (although she’s quite the crafty girl and I’m not allowed to have scissors). We also love finding new ways to share our faith and encourage others. I know many of you are the same way. So when Jeanne agreed to let me interview her for my blog, I was thrilled. 

 

To kick off our interview, do you have a simple and creative idea for us?

Yes! My sweet husband picked some wildflowers for me on his way home from work yesterday. :-) I popped them into an espresso cup to dress up a side table. Some leftover fuzzy purple ribbon and a sterling silver "Jesus" charm add the finishing touch!"

It’s fun to see how who we’re going to be shows up even when we’re little girls. Share a story with us about being creative from your childhood.

Hmmm, like the time I drew all over my sister's and my dressers? Definitely artistic expression, but unfortunately, it didn't end very well.  :-)

I was always drawing, coloring, and painting, though. Some of my earliest works were cartoon characters copied from an old collection of comic books passed down to us - Daisy Duck, Minnie Mouse, Archie's gang, etc. I moved on to portraits of my little friends, but I've never done people professionally. I love when I can get away from the computer and draw or paint "for real!"

For those of us who are intimidated when it comes to trying to make our homes beautiful (like me!), what insights can you give us to make it a little less scary?

I think you should first ask yourself if your home is a loving & safe haven for you and your family. If the answer is "yes," then relax! It's already a beautiful place to be!  :-) 

Anything beyond that - like improving the esthetics - is icing on the cake! Now, if you enjoy a little frosting ... read on. :-)

My advice is to think of decorating as making your home "Holley Beautiful" [or Holley & Mark Beautiful]. For example, do you think flea market chic is charming or do you cringe at the sight of peeling paint and distressed wood? Are you obsessed with mid-century modern or do you get a chill from the stark, perhaps un-cozy furniture? Start with knowing who you are and what works for your lifestyle. Are you outdoorsy, elegant, fun, casual, colorful, quiet, modern, social, etc? Your home should reflect that. Be true to yourself and people will see your beauty reflected in your home.

A very simple rule is to be conservative with the big ticket items, and have fun with the rest!  Scatter throughout with unique touches to give your rooms personality: The mementos from your childhood captured in a shadowbox, the vase from the art fair as your dining table centerpiece, the collection of family photos lining the staircase, the dishes from your grandmother on display in the hutch, etc. Surround yourself with beautiful memories and items of your heritage, your interests, your hobbies, your travels.

If you dare, share a beautiful anomaly with us.

The fact that the ideas I share are simple, inexpensive and easy to do is no marketing ploy—I love to design & create, but am sorely lacking in patience! ... not to mention time and money to do things any other way!  :-)

What are your dreams for the future?

When I think about the future, my children come to mind first - for them to be healthy and joyful and tight with mommy & daddy - then I pray I'm able to continue to bless others through my arts & crafts without taking anything away from them! I have many more products, paintings and ideas on the horizon!

 

If you’d like more great ideas from Jeanne, be sure to buy a copy of her book Inspirational Home: Simple Ideas for Uplifting Décor and Craft. Please also take time to visit her delightful site and blog. And look for her new gift line in Hallmark stores now!

This week I'm giving away a copy of Jeanne's book...

AND just in time for summer sipping or displaying flowers, this gorgeous "Living Water" (John 7:38) carafe she designed for DaySpring...

  

To enter, leave a comment sharing one simple idea for creatively expressing your faith by midnight on Thursday. Or if you’re like me, you can tell us about a crafty friend of yours and what she does. And if you’ve got a blog post or link to share be sure to let us know so we can visit!

Thank you, Jeanne, for sharing your heart and ideas with us.

Let's all pass along this post to others so we can help our new friend creatively encourage even more women!

Comments

[Sarah Markley]

I'm so not crafty. At least not in the home decor way.

But my mother in law has a hobby of caligraphy. she writes bible verses on colored or pretty 3 by 5 cards and sends them to me and my sister in law. we put them on the mirrors in our bathroom or on the refrigerator. just a nice reminder. =)

miss you holley!!

[Mrs. H]

oh wow - I really like that carafe!
For displaying my faith... I really enjoy having scripture around my home. I have a few paintings/decorations that contain Bible verses, with my most recent purchase being a simple wooden, distressed block that states "By Grace Alone" on my mantle.

[Mrs. H]

p.s. I framed in a simple frame the "10 blessings for your home" card/advertisement that came with your dayspring package that I won from you (with the journal) and put it on a table in my entry!

[Cathy Davis]

I'm a follower of Ms. Jeanne! Her designs are beautiful! I really wanted to try and decorate eggs the way she had shown on her blog, but I didn't have the time this year.

I like to pretend I'm crafty but I don't really have anything crafty I've done yet to show off my faith. I'm just starting to work on a faith scrapbook. My blog is a reflection of my craftiness in my faith! (Or, I think it is!)

http://lattejust4me.blogspot.com

[Connie]

For me I am not very crafty I keep my scripture mini calanders with bible verses for everyday of the year including all holidays on my table next to my picture of JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD I ALSO PLACE A LAMB AND MY MUSICAL SNOW GLOBE THAT HAS JESUS INSIDE THE SNOW GLOBE THE MUSIC IS HOW GREAT THOU ART.IT IS A TREMENDOUS EXPRESSION OF MY FAITH AND HOW GOD IS TRULY THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD.AMEN! Thank You Connie

[Sulwyn]

I am a dedicated crafter, but find that my faith shows through in less obvious ways. I have made prayer shawls and blankets for dear friends going through difficulties, and am enjoying making things for our home now that I am married and we are making a nest together. All of my crafts are sincerely prayed over, and in fact, I find that crafting often encourages my prayer time by slowing my mind and letting it drift.

[Jeanne @ Inspiring Ideas]

Thank you for your kind words and sweet post, Holley! I'm looking forward to getting some tips from your readers! :-)

[Kristina]

I love to display nature. I blew up a picture of my daughter standing in the distance at the beach and framed it. Surrounding myself with nature makes me feel special. God created it for us and it reminds me of how much He loves me.

[Jennifer]

What a great interview, thank you for sharing with us. I express my faith through my art. I just put it online last month. If you'd like to see it... http://www.artfire.com/users/StudioJRU I am also new to blogging, where I try to share my faith. Love for you to check it out... http://www.studiojru.blogspot.com I love all the ideas so far, look forward to reading more!

[Mary Lynn]

I have a plate that I painted the center with chalkboard paint. I write scripture or some other encouraging quote on it.I display it on decorative plate stand in my kitchen.

[Jennifer Saake (a.k.a. InfertilityMom)]

I don't know if this counts as "crafty" or not (probably not!) but I love to repurpose things I pick up at garage sales and thrift stores. For instance I'll gather up pretty baskets and bowls then use them around the house for in-plain-sight storage. Stacks of library books find a home in our front hallway, finished ones near the door, ones still in use just outside the office. If they were stacked there they would look cluttered, but in a basket, they no longer look out of place, yet stay in handy reach. Napkins sit in a pretty bown on the kitchen counter, always handy, but uncluttered just by vurtue of their container. That Living Water carafe would make a cute vase, by the way. ;)

[Kirstin]

I'm a visitor from Jeanne's blog, and I would love to own her book and the lovely carafe. My landlord has various statues from Eastern religions around the grounds where I live, so I have three rustic/shabby chic crosses in the porch area outside my door. I hope that I'm expressing my faith to him and to others in that way. : )

[Sarah Mudd]

I LOVE taking pictures of people important to me, but often struggle finding a way to display them. I purchased a canvas, painted it, and then decoupaged photos of a particular group of students I spent a summer ministering to onto the painted canvas. Once the decoupage was dry, I used a paint pen to write the verse that thinking about them reminds me of: "I thank my God every time I remember you." Phil. 1:3

The canvas hangs in my guest room and brightens my day everytime I see it! Plus, it's a great way to talk to guests about the work god did in my heart working with them!

[Debbie]

I have a beautiful needlepoint of a Bible and a cross that my grandmother did. I found a perfect frame and I have it displayed prominently in my office at home. I also have a sculpture of Jesus with the little children and a few crosses in my home.

I often visit Jeanne's blog and get wonderful inspiration from her. I would LOVE her book and of course, the carafe is also very lovely.

[Tammy]

Jeanne is a great person who happens to go to my church! She is very talented and helps with art classes at our Christian school. I used to do lots of crafts but now that I'm working really don't have time for a lot. Which is why I love the simple things Jeanne does. When I have the time I like making cards with creative things around the house and also using old cards given to me.

[Linda]

This is the special way I share my faith: On special occasions I purchase blank cards with beautiful pictures on the front and ask God for the words to write to each person that He places on my heart. Afterward, I rest my head on my desk, listen to His sweet voice and write what I hear inside the card. He is such a wonderful Father!

[Victoria]

Oooooh I'd love to win her book!

I don't feel like I am all that crafty. :( My sisters are though!!!

[Lisa Garbee]

I don't consider myself artistic, but I did purchase a small easel and frame (4x6) and each week I try to creatively display a verse (using clip art and various fonts) about thankfulness, family, or blessing on our dining room table where we eat each meal. As a family we have started reciting the verse at each meal and by the end of the week we have memorized it!

[Natalie]

Not really a crafty idea, but I collect tea cups and decorate my kitchen with tea paraphernalia. The cups aren't show pieces; they are used for parties in which my girls and I try to be a blessing to others. We allow even very young girls to select which cup they would like to sip tea from and feel so honored that they are allowed to use my treasures.

[Rebekah]

One way I try to creatively express my faith is in the jewelry and clothing I wear. For jewelry I have cross necklaces and a phrase or verse from the Bible on a necklace pendant or bracelet. I also have many shirts that have Scripture incorporated into the creative design. I love the shirts that Wild Olive Tees (www.wildolivetees.com) has put together recently. I really like their beautiful designs that share just the right Bible verse. I don't always have the opportunity to verbally share my faith with those around me but wearing shirts like those made by Wild Olive Tees is a way that my beliefs, my faith in the Lord can be expressed in a creative way.

[Karen Lindsey]

Wow! I would love to win Jeanne's book. My favorite Christian art in my home are the verses my grandmother cross stitched and framed for me.

[Mandy Baker]

I like to take clear, plastic id/badge holders and stuff them with pictures of my kids, quotes or verses, and prayers. Then I attach them to a ring, add ribbons, and I have a mini picture album, bookmark or prayer book! I put some pictures of them on my blog.

http://mandytharelbaker.blogspot.com/2009/04/creatively-sharing-my-faith.html

[Beverly]

I enjoy displaying mini flags outside our home for different seasons and holidays. Some even have a Christian message that is a witness of our faith in Jesus. I also sew and am involved in a crocheting ministry at church. We make preemie blankets for a hospital, prayer shawls, and hats for the homeless.

I would love to win Jeanne's book and enjoy her blog. Thanks.

[jane]

since alot of my friends have been having babies (tons of them), i've started to fall in love with making diaper cakes. you can throw in any cute christian baby items or words on to decorate the cake. i also like to use a poster to allow guests at the baby shower to write down words of blessings for the baby to read when he/she is older, then frame it up for safe-keeping. i love babyshowers :D

[Heather]

I like the idea from Karis & Kijsa, to frame your favorite bible verse in a pretty frame & hang on the wall or display on a shelf.

Heather
The Gift Closet