Fabulous Trompe L'oeil Cakes by Laura Loukaides

Wow! You have to look very closely to realize that this pizza is not a pizza!

It's really a cake, created by award-winning cake artist Laura Loukaides.

Laura, of the UK, is self-taught! How's that for inspiring? 

She's made several cakes that are excellent examples of trompe l'oeil,

representing any part of a meal but the luscious desserts they actually are!

View more of Laura's work here:

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Making the World Mobile with Mobility Carts!

This post is about a non-profit organization called Mobility Worldwide, 
specifically, their affiliate in Stow, Ohio, with which I am very familiar.

Mobility Worldwide is a faith-based group of volunteers who devotes
their time, talents and resources to build and distribute Mobility Carts.
These hand-cranked, three-wheeled carts are given freely,
along with the Good News of Jesus Christ,
to leg-disabled men, women and children in developing countries.
Their disabilities may have resulted from birth defects, disease,
or injury -very often from land mine accidents.


I'm featuring this moving video that really gives 
a great example of what they're all about.
Please take a look~

Your prayer support is welcomed and appreciated.
You can make any size donation to Mobility OH-Stow on their website.

A gift of $300 sponsors a cart in honor of, or in memory of, a loved one.
A decal similar to this one will be placed on the cart!

Here are links to my previous posts about Mobility OH-Stow:
The PET Brings Mobility and the Love of Christ to Developing Countries
PET® Carts Head to the GAiN® Distribution Center
Touring the Global Aid Network Logistics Center


Elsewhere on the WEB:
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Custom Wedding & Baby Embroidery Hoop Art by Bug & Bean Stitching

Wouldn't a custom embroidery hoop like this one make a 
fantastic, thoughtful gift for a loved one's baby daughter? 
Sure to become a treasured keepsake, these hoops are stitched 
by Marley of Bug & Bean Stitching in Minnesota.

I say look no further for the perfect, memorable gift! 

Other ideal reasons to gift one of these is for an engagement or wedding.

Add a personal touch by requesting that the embroidery copy the

pattern and typography of the couple's wedding invitation.

See more Bug & Bean on Etsy and Instagram.

Images used with direct permission from Marley of Bug & Bean Stitching.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Amazing Fallingwater

A high point of my recent trip to western Pennsylvania was a tour of

Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece, Fallingwater.

Built in 1937 for the Kaufmann family, the home is situated over a waterfall,

melding the structure and its furnishings with the idyllic mountain setting.

Cantilevers and terraces are only two of its highly recognizable design features.

I wish I could have taken photos of the interior, but photography was not permitted.

Please put this unique landmark on your bucket list; you'll be totally infatuated!

"The concept at the heart of the Fallingwater experience-
the vision of an architecture embedded in the landscape-
evokes a powerful, spiritual connection to the natural world."
-Edgar Kaufmann, Jr.

Enjoy this 4-minute video from YouTube by Frank Carmi.

You'll like its peaceful piano accompaniment.

Learn more at the Fallingwater website.

Laura Garcia Serventi's Green Thumb: Paintings of Plants

These paintings caught my eye and I knew I had to share them-

potted plants, tropical foliage, succulents and cacti.

Fresh, lush, back-to-nature, airy, healthy!

Laura Garcia Serventi, of Art and People, 

paints with artistic talent and a true green thumb!

Laura draws inspiration from memories of the tiled patios 

and potted gardens in her hometown of Buenos Aries, Argentina.

She studied painting there and then moved to Italy to study photography.

She currently calls Brooklyn, New York home.

After seeing these, you just may be inspired to up your house plant game.

Lots more of Laura's work here:

Etsy

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Images used with direct permission from Laura Garcia Serventi.

Tiny Polymer Clay Sculptures by Svetlana Pavlova

Ukrainian Svetlana Pavlova is self-taught artist.

Her specialty? Polymer clay miniatures.

Teeny, tiny works of art that are so realistic, you'll do a double-take!

Inspired by her children, she turned her hobby into a business,

calling it Sweet Mini Doll House.

Take a look at these amazing mini sculptures!

Much more of Svetlana's work here:

Etsy

Instagram

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How I'd Love to Witness a Starling Murmuration!

Have you heard of a phenomenon in nature called a "starling murmuration?"
It's the uniting of thousands of birds, flying together in swirls across the sky.
They practically become a single living, breathing organism,
swarming and swaying in a precisely choreographed dance.
Other-worldly! A surreal cloud of unbelievable beauty!

How does this happen? 
It has to do with a bird's ability to balance cohesion with uncertainty. 
Each one actually focuses in on 7 of its neighboring flyers to find this balance.
If you have a bent for ornithology or physics, you're welcome to explore this further.
As for me, I attribute it to the glory of God our Creator!

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Psalm 19:1

Enjoy this National Geographic video from YouTube~

Paper Artist Diana Beltrán Hererra's Gorgeous Bird Postage Stamps

When it comes to paper art, it's tough to top the 

exquisite work of Diana Beltrán Hererra.

Her paper bird sculptures are so detailed, you'd expect them to take flight.

I'm showing off her bird postage stamp project. 

A shout-out to Jessie, who did mission work in Papua New Guinea.

And this one is for my friend Ruth, who rises with the roosters.

Want more? Read this previous post I wrote on Diana's paper birds!

Also, you can check out her website and Facebook page.

Images used with direct permission from Diana Beltrán Hererra.

A Patriotic 4th of July in Charming Lititz, PA

This July 4th, we were invited by our good friends Lisa & Wes

to join them for their festive luncheon at the popular JoBoy's Brew Pub.

While in town, we strolled around and took in the sights.

This town oozes charm! If quaint shops and eateries are 

your idea of a delightful day, then Lititz is a must-see.

Enjoy my snapshots and then plan a visit there for yourself!

How about a tour of the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery?

Hope to stay at the Alden House B & B some weekend!

The grand fireworks and festivities at Lititz Springs Park

attract lots of attention every year!

Girlfriends are treasures!

Head over to my Series page for links to several more
 posts about Lititz, and Lancaster as well!