Stoles in Action-part 2

When you see tie dye what do you feel? Maybe times of joy, a sense of freedom, or lighthearted days come to mind? This stole in action was a perfect gift for a pastor who loves his tie dye! It was a really fun commission for us to work on.

Carrot Top Studio is now offering a tie dye stole in our online store. Find one here and one here!

What else says joy? We'd love to learn your ideas....and turn them into a stole!

Stoles in Action

Because of the nature of our e-commerce art studio we rarely get to see our stoles "in action" after they leave us. Occassionaly we are sent photos...thought you'd enjoy a few that demonstrate the diversity of the ministry leaders we serve.

This Noah's ark stole worn at a pet blessing by a pastor who has a passion for animal rescue.
The tree of life stole was the choice of this pastor for his latest installation service.

And, this ordinary time stole with fleks of golds, oranges, and reds was a great choice for for this autumn wedding ceremony.

What's Going on at Carrot Top Studio?

Summer does an odd thing to me and my time in the studio. I get this urge to clean out, reorganize and set new goals for our busy fall selling season. What does that mean for our clients? A few things that might interest you:

• our eBay offers this summer are mostly ministry stoles that we just have one left of in stock and we're offering them at rock bottom opening bids! We're on eBay as seller "carrottopstudio". What else would we be?
• we're rotating selections onto our "SALE" section on the website. Check it out here!
• the stole categories on the website are becoming more defined. Have you noticed the new "peace and healing" category and "music ministry" category?
• preparations are under way to add visitation, travel and confessional stoles to the website. We'll let you know when this goes live!

What are we missing? Is there anything you've been looking for to support your ministry visually that you can't find? We'd love to hear your ideas! Add a comment to the blog or email us at jenny.gallo@CarrotTopStudio.com.

Back in the Studio

After a week in these Colorado mountains we're back in the studio. We're relaxed and feel creatively inspired by the peace of the environment we've left behind. Thanks to our clients that were patient with shipping while we shut down for a week! Back to the drawing board...

Joy

What do you think of when you hear the word "joy?" Some people think of a favorite food or having a day off of work. Others think of the book The Joy of Cooking. The dictionary declares that it is: The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by success, good fortune, and the like, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exhilaration of spirits; delight. BMW (the car company) commissioned an artist to relate joy to their products...see the video titled "Expression of Joy" here. Joy is also of course a fruit of the spirit. God wants us to have joy and happiness in our lives. Sometimes we find joy in the most turbulent times, and sometimes joy just finds us. Other times we just need to open our hearts to being joyful. At Carrot Top Studio we often feel joy while listening to music. We enJOY a wide genre...everything from Bach to David Crowder to Miles Davis. In honor of joy and music we are introducing a new music ministry stole with Psalm 150:3 in mind..."Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet..." You can find this limited edition stole in our online store!

Prayer Flags

A prayer flag is a colorful panel or rectangular cloth often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas to bless the surrounding countryside or for other purposes. Traditionally they are woodblock-printed with texts and images and are connected to Buddhism. Prayer flags intrigue me because I see the similarity with worship banners and ministry stoles--all involve a religous message, color, symbols, and recognizing the invovlement of the visual and tactile in worship.

In my neck of the woods many churches are gearing up for a week of vacation Bible school. When my children were younger I often found myself in the art room at our vacation Bible school. If I were planning the art projects this year I think I might be apt to translate the Buddhist concept of prayer flags into mini worship banners. My home church is in the center of our community on a road heavily traveled each day. Wouldn't it be exciting to see these mini banners stretched along the roadside? I visualize the sculptural like display being added to each day....almost performance art! They would serve as a personal connection to each child as they soak in the love of God during the week and would maybe intrigue the passers by of our building to wonder what was happening inside--and maybe a seeker would even come inside to find out!

Icon of the Trinity

Russian icon of the Old Testament Trinity by Andrey Rublev, between 1408-25

We're pondering upcoming Trinity Sunday. Wondering how artists have represented the mystery of the Trinity we did a little research and found Rublev's icon of the Old Testament Trinity. This icon is based on a passage in the book of Genesis concerning the visitation of three angels to Abraham. The three angels can be interpreted as a sign of the Trinity. We love this notion that the sovereignty of God arrives in hospitatlity.

Carrot Top Studio's 4th Anniversary!

It's been such a fun four years at Carrot Top Studio we felt the need to celebrate! We are so grateful for our many clients that traverse the globe and celebrate what they believe in many different faith communities. You are great encouragers, are full of wonderful ideas, and are fun to collaborate with on designing ministry stoles and worship banners.

This year's celebration stole is being offered at $40.00 + 4.44 S&H. There are only FOUR available so don't delay your order! Buy it here.

The celebration continues with FOUR additional stoles hidden throughout the website with their price reduced to $40.00 + 4.44 S&H. These are only availabe at this price until June FOURTH. Search for them throughout our stole selection here.

And if you follow our blog or our Twitter posts you know that our staff has a sweet tooth.  So we'd like to share our favorite Carrot Cake recipe (what else would we make for this celebration?) from the King Arthur Whole Grain Baking Book. Enjoy the recipe!

• 4 large eggs
  
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 2 t. vanilla
• 1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed, light brown sugar
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 t. baking soda
• 1 1/2 t. baking powder
• 1 1/2 t. salt
• 1 T. cinnamon
• 1/2 t. nutmeg
• 2 1/2 c. finely grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 cup shredded or flaked coconut, sweetened or not
• 1-8 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 9" round cake pans.

Beat eggs with mixer and add the oil while the mixer is running. Add the vanilla, then sprinkle in the sugars. You will have a thick, foamy, lemon-colored mixture. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices in a medium bowl. Add these dry ingredients to the eggs and oil in your mixing bowl, mixing to make a smooth batter. Add the carrot and nuts, then the coconut and pineapple. Pour the batter into the prepared pans.

Bake the cakes for 35-40 minutes. The cake is done when a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack, then dust with confectioner's sugar or frost with cream cheese frosting (recipe follows).

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 6 T. unslated butter, at room temperature
• 1-8oz. pkg. cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 t. vanilla
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar
• 2-4 T. milk

Combine butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in mixer and beat until light and fluffy. Add the sugar gradually, beating well alternately with the milk until frosting is of a spreadable consistency.

Red for Pentecost

Pentecost Sunday approaches so I'm thinking about the color red. Technically, red is used only for the Sunday of Pentecost, although some churches use red for the Sundays between Easter and Pentecost Sunday. The red symbolizes both the fire of Pentecost as well as the apostles and early followers of Jesus who were gathered in the Upper Room for the empowerment from God to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.Here are a few other interesting bits of 'red' trivia:

• As a former painter I know that the pigment in paint is a special one. Originally the pigment was squeezed out of insects and because of this tedious process there was an industry that traded and bartered for this precious item.

• Wearing red coats was the exclusive right of the nobility in medieval times and the red robes of kings, cardinals, judges and executioners announced their power over life and death.

• The hair of the Virgin Mary and the robes of Angels were depicted red in medieval paintings.

• Red is included in some colorful phrases: Paint the town red, to see red, in the red, red-letter day, red-neck, red tape, red-hot, not worth a red cent, caught red-handed, red-carpet treatment, better dead than red.

• Pentecost stoles are our second best selling item at Carrot Top Studio. Because they are typically only worn once a year we've found this very itneresting. Maybe it's because psycholigcally red is teh most emotionally intense color?
  

Happy Pentecost!

Commissioned Ministry Stoles

Last week we blogged about stoles that had been commissioned as sets. We of course also accept commissions for single stoles. Here are some of our past projects. We hope they'll inspire you!

An Ordinary Time stole designed by the pastor's husband who is an artist...we translated his drawing onto fabric.

A baptism stole that was used in a worship service for a child adopted from Guatemala.

A stole for a wedding officiant that includes a poem she wrote.

Another wedding officiant stole. The butterfly images echo her business logo. 

A communion stole for a children's ministry pastor to wear when she teaches about the sacraments.

We'd be glad to help you with a commission--simple or complex. Please contact us for more details at jenny.gallo@CarrotTopStudio.com.

Another Commissioned Stole Set

Here's another example of a commissioned set of ministry stoles. These were created over a year's time and were presented to a newly graduated seminarian. The stole designs were all connected with the use of the circle as  symbol of God's eternal love.

Advent stole: the light of the world.

Christmas stole: the birth of a king.

Lent stole: a different type of crown for our King.

Easter stole: Christ reigns the ruler of the world.

Pentecost stole: the Holy Spirit dwells among us.

Would you like more information on how to commission a stole? Contact us at jenny.gallo@CarrotTopStudio.com. We'd love to hear your ideas!

Commissioned Ministry Stoles

When Carrot Top Studio began four years ago we didn't visualize commissioned stoles as part of our repertoire. But when clients started ask for unique, one of a kind stoles we were thrilled with this type of creative challenge. Occasionally we have the added treat of doing a series. The following collection was commissioned by a seminary student preparing for minstry. The collection is bound together visually by the use of silk that is hand dyed by woman entrepreneurs in a ministry connected with our home church in Pittsburgh, PA. Every time we use this colorful, silk we make a donation to La Femme de la Croix to help grow their project which in turn goes to further their education so they can rise above poverty. We hope you'll be inspired by the follow:

An Advent/Lent stole symbolizing the story of the old and new testament and life cycle of Jesus.
This stole celebrates God bringing order out of chaos, the seven gifts of the Spirit, the anointing power of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit descended as a dove.  
A joyful stole for Christmas and Easter that includes hummingbirds as a symbol of the Resurrection and a recollection of its imagery in the Native American culture.
And last but not least a stole for Ordinary Time that celebrates creation.

Curious about commissioning your own stole or set of stoles...or maybe this would be the perfect gift for the newly graduated entering into ministry? Contact us (jenny.gallo@CarrotTopStudio.com) with your ideas and to inqure about details of the process.

Pentecost Banners

Looking to make a Pentecost statement in your office, chapel, or mediation area at home? Carrot Top Studio currently has two small Pentecost banners in stock. More details here.

Baptism

If you follow the lectionary you know that this week one of the themes that emerges is "baptism." It is found in Acts 10: 44-48. As an artist I tend to think visually. So I've searched out a baptism piece of art from history. This is "I Baptize Thee" by William Johnson. It was painted in 1940 and rests in the collection of the Smithsonian Museum of Art. The preacher and congregants stand in a creek or a pond to symbolize crossing the River Jordan into a new life.   I think the energy in the forefront of this painting matches the excitment felt by Peter and Cornelius when it was discoverd that God's plan included both of them--two people from very different backgrounds. That is Good News!

In need of a stole for baptisms? Find the collection at Carrot Top Studio here.

When Did You Draw Last?

The former art educator in me loved listening to a recent NPR interview with author and illustrator Mo Willems about getting adults to draw.Why do we stop drawing? It's such a natural expression as a child. It's a prewriting activity...and we certainly don't stop writing! Mr. Willems has interesting suggestions on how to keep adults drawing. He speaks about having "family draw night". This involves  the family around a table with paper in front, someone dictating a theme and then the drawing begins. Thinking about this I get a lovely vision of time spent together. I bet a lot of good things come from this activity beyond the creative activity of drawing...family bonding, great conversation, learning more about each other, and a time of relaxation and sabbath. How does this apply to our faith communities? I see drawing time incorporated into Sunday School classes of all ages, Bible studies, confirmation lessons, leadership meetings, staff meetings and MORE! An added bonus for those of us that crave a simple life....the supplies for drawing are so easily attainable! Go dig through your drawers and set out the pencils, pens, crayons and paper (you can even go green and doodle on your unwanted junk mail!) O.K. I feel I can put my soap box away for the moment. Happy drawing!

Liturgical Orange?

If you follow this blog, you know that Carrot Top Studio is fairly traditional.We love following the liturgical calendar as we offer ministry stoles to help make visual connections through color and symbol to those that you minister to.  For example we've just finished prepping our Pentecost inventory.  Our website has a few new offerings and the fun bargains are always on eBay. We think we're fairly creative but I don't think we've ever figured "orange" into the liturgical line up. But never fear! Someone else has come up with a way. If you need a good laugh you should check out the swine flu vestments here. I actually laughed out loud...hope this has provided a little joy moment in your day also!

Rainy Days!

It's raining outside our studio...has been off and on for a few days and we have a few more ahead of us.  Our raspberry patch loves the rain at this time of year. So we're thankful. We like being inside to get a little more stitching done on new Pentecost designs. So we're doubly thankful. Abby, the studio dog, is really the only one that's not too happy--she'd rather be basking in the sun. The showers do though make me wonder what it really would have been like for Noah and his family on the ark.  ....and as the clouds periodically break I'm always keeping an eye out for a rainbow!

*Only one Noah's ark stole left in stock....a portion of the proceeds go to an educational fund for women in Haiti. Buy it here!

The Top Five Reasons For Using Confimration Stoles from Carrot Top Studio

5-The banjo sing-a-long for confirmation 2008 was a flop!

4-The confirmands slept through their last lesson because it was just a lecture!

3-You’re a last minute planner and you know Carrot Top Studio will ship quickly!

2- The pictures on Facebook of the kids in their stoles will be awesome!

1-You know that people usually remember the dessert no matter how great the meal was therefore creating confirmation stoles at the end of confirmation will be the ultimate culminating activity! 

Happy Earth Day!

This quilted wall hanging was spotted years ago at Camp Crestfield. A lovely statement for Earth Day--which is really an everyday celebration. How are you celebrating today?

Wellness

As many of you are, I'm at a point in my life that there is so much I'd like to fit into a day! I know that I can conquer what I'm called to do with peace (not frantic anxiety) if I take care of myself by eatting well, exercising and finding daily quiet time with God. One of the little things I do is to eat an apple for my morning snack.  Beyond an apple a day, my friend Kathy is loaded with great ideas for getting through your day with optimal wellness.  For years I've watched her grow in her faith, maintain a solid marriage, and parent her four children (one with special needs) by His grace...and eating well and exercise.  She's taken her passions and is sharing her experiences at Wellness Roadtrip.  If you strive for encouragement on how to "fit it all in" in a day, you will absolutely enjoy her perspective. 

Lent Art Station #8-Jesus is risen!

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women the women bowed down their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! (Luke 24:2-6)

Do you look for Jesus among the living? Do you expect him to be active in the world and in the church? Look for signs of his power—they are all around you.

Lent Art Station #7-Jesus cares for His mother

And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. (John 19:25-27)

Who is your family? Our families are precious gifts from God, and we should value and care for them under all circumstances. What can you do to show your love to your family?

Lent Art Journey Station #6-Jesus is nailed to the cross

When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:35-37, 45-46)

Jesus raised his voice to God with words from Psalm 22. When we feel the sting of rejection we too must keep in mind the hope and victory that God promises us.

Lent Art Journey Station 5-Jesus is stripped of His garments

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." And that is what the soldiers did. (John 19:23-25a)

A prayer suggested by the writings of St. Augustine

Father, we pray on behalf of those

who cannot reach out to you at this moment.

Protect those who are facing adversity.

Strengthen those who need courage.

Keep watch over those who weep.

Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering.

Dear Lord, let the victims of cruelty and oppression

know that you are with them at this moment. Amen.

Lent Art Journey Station 4-Jesus Speaks to the Women

A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (Luke 23:27-31)

The tears of the women were nothing compared with what was to come. How can we assist in giving life to all, developing individual natures and encouraging each person’s inner strength? May the Lord grant us freedom from our selfish concerns and let us join with our sisters and brothers in a partnership of living.

Lent Art Journey Station 3-Simon Helps Carry the Cross

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull. (Mark 15:21-22)

Jesus always welcomed the help of very ordinary people.  And yet we remember that he said to take up our own cross and follow him. He said something about becoming a servant of all, of putting ourselves last and others first.  Is this what it means to be a servant?  Is this man from Cyrene modeling for us the path of discipleship? How can we be useful to our Lord?

Lent Art Journey Station 2-Jesus Accepts His Cross

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"  They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.  After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:27-31)

Contemplating the suffering which is unbearable to us, and is unbearable to others, too, can produce awake mind, which arises from the compassion that wishes to free all living beings from suffering. (Dalai Lama.) 

Lent Art Journey Station 1-Pilate Condemns Jesus to Die

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?" But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. . . .So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." . . . and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. (Matt 27:11-14, 24, 26b)

We find it easy to condemn the moral cowardice of Pilate. Have you ever given into pressure from others to take the easy path rather than the right path?

This is the first piece in a Lent series. Read about the series here.

World Day of Prayer

"In Christ There Are Many Members, Yet One Body" is the message that is constant each year at the World Day of Prayer worship service. I had an opportunity to attend my local worship service on Friday. I look forward to these ecumenical community wide services each year that provide focus on areas of the world that I'm usually not familiar with. This year the focus was on Papua New Guinea and it allowed us to learn about the strength of women and their many needs. The Old Testament focus was the story of Moses being resuced as a baby...women coming together from different cultures and different levels in society to work together for a common goal.

Beyond the message I always look forward to worshiping in the sancutary of the church that this service was held at this year. The space was designed with all the senses in mind. It is circular, has multicolored stained glass surrounding half of the spacewhich is a visual feast. The other part of the circle is surrounded with bas relief scultpure. You can't actually touch it but you can easily image what it would feel like. But, my favorite aspect is the baptismal font that has running water in it that you can hear throughout the service. A gentle reminder of living water and the sacrament that is so near and dear to our faith.

Lenten Art Journey

One of my favorite volunteer activities is curating the Gallery at my home congregation, Westminster Presbyterian Church. It's a wonderful challenge to seek out local artists that are willing to share their work. The goal is to encourage artists, individuals, and the congregation to engage the visual arts with the spiritual life of the church.  I'm thankful that this congregation values the significance of visual imagery in spiritual formation and the development of faith. The exhibits change monthly and I've put myself out there this month by sharing a series of Lenten art quilts (they're like small worship banners) from my own studio.  Each piece is accompanied by scripture and a prayer, a thought provoking quote or a life application question. Beginning next week I'll be posting each piece on this blog--several each week.  I hope that they will enhance your Lenten journey.

Tomorrow is Donut Day!

I grew up celebrating German Fastnaught Day. The tradition of eating donuts the day before Lent began stems from the need to use up fat, eggs and dairy products before the fasting and abstinence of the Christian season of Lent and the desire to have one final "sweet treat" before that period begins. Today I live in a different hometown and the bakeries alternatively promote this day as the Polish Paczki Day. I cherish times of preparation such as Lent but I must admit that my sweet tooth looks forward to traditions such as donut day...no matter which country of orgin it is connected with.  I'm off to the bakery to stock up for tomorrow so I can relive my childhood and recall the story of this tradition with my children.  Hope you'll join me!

Preparing for Lent

While preparing for Lent, personally and by outfitting clients new and old with purple stoles, I came across this thought...

“The spiritual goal of Lent is to admit our need for Lent.” Donna E. Schaper, Breathing New Life into Lent.

Something to think about.

Preparing for Lent

I'm preparing a "Lenten Art Journey" for my home church's art gallery.  Therefore I've pulled out some favorite readings for Lent and discovered some new ones.  

Seven Lasting Words, by Christopner Seitz is an old favorite. The vingettes are simple and clear yet powerful inspiration during Lent. The wood carving illustrations by Helen Firth are the perfect accompaniment.

A new read for me is The New Stations of the Cross by Megan McKenna. Mckenna suggests that if a church has no stations then stations that represent symbols of the Lent to Easter story can be used.  These might include: collections baskets for food for the poor, clothing items, green cards, barbed wire, stones, collages of faces, crosses with names, candles, banners of color. She subscribes to using less than more to make the statement of the symbol.

If your church does not have permanent stations what have you done that has proven meaningful to enhance the season?