Food Drive!

Fundraising with Joy!

Supporting Local Causes!

Providing the Context

These are my favorite additions to Embellish Your Story--my licensed line of hand painted magnets. These are what I call Contexts. They are printed canvases with a magnetic back--allowing you to create the perfect memo board. At our studio in Grand Rapids, we painted the original canvases--covering them in words and patterns that are precious to me. The square memo boards have the words of the hymn "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and the long phrase boards have the words of my favorite psalm, Psalm 139.

I call them "Contexts" because, for me, the words of this song and this psalm are the context of my life and the context I pray for. As I put my family photos on these canvases or hang my long list of "to do's" I am reminded of my context, the context of my family, and the context of all that we do.

"All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all."

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139: 9-10

I hope you see your context in these words as well.

Blessings,

Carol

The Book Signing was a Success!

On November 13, Carol Roeda Studio at Breton Village hosted a book signing for Faye Knol, author of Receiving David. Carol designed a hand-painted pineapple for the occasion and had the word "friends" available for purchase. She donated 100% of the proceeds to Friendship Ministries, a organization dear to Faye. Friendship Ministries seeks to share God's love to people with intellectual disabilities. At the end of the day, we donated $1,122!

Faye's son, David, was born dangerously premature in 1982 and wasn’t expected to live more than a few hours. Remarkably, he not only survived but also went on to live a life full of joy and blessing, despite severe physical and intellectual disabilities.

Now, years later, David’s mother tells his story. Through touching anecdotes and poignant recollections, Faye Knol shares the lessons that David taught those around him during his twenty-two years, reminding all of us that one person — even facing great obstacles — can profoundly impact a family and a community. Warmth, laughter, pain, and passion shine through this mother’s inspiring memoir about her son.

Carol and Faye just before the doors opened!
We served pineapple, David's favorite food.

"David loved pineapple for the sound of the word, and, for the fact that it came in different forms. Chunks, slices, tidbits, crushed......he thrilled to hear, and say each of those words. Although he wasn't much interested in eating pineapple, smelling and feeling and talking about pineapple brought him great pleasure! Saturday was Pineapple Day at our house for many years - the day he could make his weekly choice, after discussing and debating the coming decision for days.”

It is also a symbol of hospitality.
Carol greeted people at the door.
We sold 82 books and many people brought several of their own copies for Faye to sign. Faye signed non-stop for 2 hours! We still have some signed copies in the store! Come in and get yours. The book is wonderful.
Carol's granddaughter, Natalie, made bookmarks for the occasion!
The store was packed with Faye's fans and supporters of Friendship Ministries!

The Transformation! Carol's new store!

Can Carol create Whimsy out of Chaos? We shall see!

Stephanie, one of our great sales associates, unpacking boxes. There were lots of them. We kept her very busy!

Carol's son, Paul, painting the sales counter.

After a couple weeks of hard work, the doors are open and we are ready for business!

This is Carol's mission. She hopes you'll make it yours too.

The finished sales counter!

The store is full of wonderful things to see. Come explore!

Amazing photographs by Melissa Diekema Photography add drama to the store.

Two hard working women: Marie and Carol. Food and Craft. Could you ask for a better combination? The big question is: do you shop first or eat first?

Anne, the store manager, with our first customer, Kristen! Kristen stopped by after getting her morning coffee at Marie Catrib's.

Carol's Art at Mary Free Bed for ArtPrize!

Many of you remember the amazing story of Carol’s friend Kate.

A year ago Carol designed a new metal magnet to support her friend Kate Clark, who suffered a devastating spinal cord injury while volunteering at her children’s school in Grand Rapids. She was paralyzed from the neck down. The magnet said “Great is thy Faithfulness.”

As Kate describes her experience: “The days that followed were filled with physical pain, deep sadness, profound love, bold prayer, rebellious hope, and God’s great faithfulness. Everyday the diagnosis of quadriplegia seemed to fit less. We praised God for every ounce of progress. My husband described me as ‘a trophy of God’s grace.’ My surgeon saw me on my feet eight weeks later and said, ‘I can take no credit. God did this.’”

Many of you came to Carol’s stores and bought that magnet. Because of you, Carol raised more than $5,000 for Kate’s continued care and therapy. We are happy to report that Kate and her family have moved to Chicago where her husband is happily teaching college and she is continuing to heal and take care of her kids.

What you may not know is that Kate went to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation after her accident. Mary Free Bed is a rehabilitation hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is a wonderful place and, fortunately, it is within the territory used for the art competition, ArtPrize. ArtPrize is an incredible art competition where artists have to find a place to display their art within a certain area within Grand Rapids. Visitors to ArtPrize wander the city to see and vote on all the artwork. The entry with the most votes wins $250,000—the largest art prize in the world.

To make this happen, artists and “venues” do a sort of speed dating. This year, Carol made a great match. She is going to install her art project at Mary Free Bed. She has painted with Kate and other patients of the hospital, and together they have created Walk With Me, Carol’s entry to this year’s competition. Walk With Me is 7 totems that will be on display outside of Mary Free Bed near the hospital’s therapy path.

Carol’s idea is that she will walk alongside Mary Free Bed to raise awareness and even funds. During certain hours of ArtPrize, people can purchase Carol’s designs of the words “hope, “freedom,” and the symbol for female (because the hospital was started by women). Patients painted many of these pieces. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Mary Free Bed. And, should Carol be a winner in this year’s ArtPrize, she intends to share the prize money with the hospital.

So, head to Grand Rapids, celebrate art, and vote for Carol and Mary Free Bed!