Vol. 1 Issue 4
Behind My Mask
Expressing creativity through‌
r o l o C g n i t a e r C in Life interviews with artists
The desire one of th yearning huma 2
to create is he deepest gs of the n soul 3
A note from the editors Noun
the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. I was so excited when I noticed that it was my turn to introduce the magazine! Creativity is such a vital thing in my life. Why? Creativity seeing a blank room and having a desire to fill the walls and floors . Creativity is taking blank canvas and painting a beautiful picture. I love this quote by Emilie Barnes, “Creativity is taking a simple thing and bringing it to life.” Maybe your saying “Well, so what, I’m just not creative.” I hope that as you flip through the pages of this magazine you will change your mind. ~Katrina Swartzentruber
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Thevirtuousdaughter.wix.com/magazine Blog: Thevirtuousdaughtermagazine.wordpress.com Instagram:
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Virtuous Daughter Magazine thevirtuousdaughter@gmail.com
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ˈkäntent/
noun noun
plural noun: contents
The things that are held or 1.
included in something.
Behind My Mask-Pg.12 Artistry– Pg.26 What is Creativity? Pg. 34 Expressing creativity through….-Pg.38 Why we should express creativity-Pg.50
DIY Project –Pg.22 Artistry-- Pg. 26 Amelia Emily Jones –Pg.46 Book recommendations –Pg.54 Dine-Pg. 56
Several Mennonite girls striving to be like Jesus Christ, and sharing his love to other girls! Through this magazine we hope to connect with other girls, with a similar goal, and encourage one another in our walk with God.
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Photography by Katrina Swartzentruber
Katrina Swartzentruber– Editor, Creative Director Hello Ladies! It brings me much joy to be able share this magazine with you! I am 14 years old, and I live in NE Misssouri with (part of) my family. I have 3 older sisters (two of which are married) and one younger brother. I enjoy all things art, such as music, extravgent lattes, and photography. I also love babies and children, telling stories and writing on my blog and for the magazine. Trinagrace.wordpress.com
Cecilia Brown– Editor, Creative assistant
Hey there! I'm so excited to be working on this magazine with the other lovely girls on staff! I am 17, and I have 2 older brothers, which are both married, and one younger brother (he's my sidekick). I love hanging out with friends, playing volleyball, hunting, and big cups of chai. I enjoy photography, especially newborn and still life. Check out my blog @ www.ohcecilia99.wordpress.com
Juliana Ebersole– Editor Hello!! My name is Juliana Ebersole. It is an absolute delight for me to be able to make this magazine happen. I have lived in Mongolia with my family ever since I was 5, so I have enjoyed growing up and living my life there for the past 10 years. I look forward to see what God has in store for me and my life. I enjoy doing pretty much anything concerning children. They bring me joy and happiness. I also enjoy keeping in touch with my friends back in the States and pretty much all over the world. I hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our magazine. God bless you all as you shine bright for Him! Stopbyforcoffee.wordpress.com
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Meet everyone who helped out with this issue
Kimberly Amstutz– Staff Writer My name is Kimberly Amstutz. I am 16 yrs. old. I live in Jonesville, Michigan. A friend of mine asked me to be a staff writer for The Virtuous Daughter Magazine. I felt like this was something God wanted me to do, and I have enjoyed writing the articles SO MUCH! As far as hobbies go, I enjoy writing, reading, (mysteries, mostly) and baking. My favorite is probably riding my horse! Cats also hold a special place in my heart!
Andrea Powell– Staff Writer My name is Andrea Powell and I am from Lake Butler, Florida. I am 14 and I have enjoyed writing ever since third grade. I enjoy other things, too, like swimming, riding horses, babysitting little kids, playing volleyball and also I love to sing (just ask my family). Overall though, I am just a normal girl, trying (like the rest of you) to be like Jesus and to reach out to others. I hope to encourage and inspire you to love Jesus with all your heart and to give your life to Him if you haven’t yet.
Alaina Burwell– Staff crafter
My name is Alaina Mae Burwell and I am 13. My mom and dad and my four younger siblings moved to Mongolia when I was nine and we are missionaries to the herdsmen here. :) I really enjoy arts and crafts and writing!
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Melody Zimmerman– guest writer & Photographer I am 20 and live in the heart of the Midwest in Cantril, IA with my husband and best friend, Jay. The Lord has given me the personality and gifts of an artist and I am learning to use my art--whether it be in exceptional coffee, lifestyle photography, professional baking, or a host of other outlets--to bless and show Christ's love. I am a broken free-spirit learning what it means to be a bond-slave to Christ.
Cali Kline – Guest Photographer Hey there, my name is Cali,and I live in a multi-cultural area of Maryland. I am 14 and have 7 younger brothers. I am a Christian and I love the Lord! I am working on memorizing John 13-21. Other things I enjoy are playing clarinet, taking pictures,and running. I enjoyed taking pictures for the VDM and hope that you enjoy seeking the Lord!
Melody Zimmerman, Kaitlin Shank, Elycia Good, Katrina Swartzentruber, Cecilia Brown – Interviewees Staff Photographers Katrina Swartzentruber Cecilia Brown
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Behind My mask
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Written and photographed by Melody Zimmerman
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What's really behind that Instagram feed Everybody looks so perfect. Every im-
lonely and miss my close friends. You
age, pristine. Every face, smiling and
wouldn’t know that sometimes I drive
happy. Everybody has friends
to the state park because at least
they love, good coffee to drink, pretty
there’s something to photograph in the
houses, great photography, stylish
woods. You wouldn’t know that some
body but me, right?
n’t know that sometimes I just want to
clothes, happy babies (or at least cute days, I pick up my pencil to handletter grumpy babies), and good lives. Every- something, but I just can’t. You would-
Oh, you wouldn’t know it by looking at my page. You wouldn’t know that
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many days I get really
stay home from somewhere because I can’t find anything to wear in a closet full of clothes.
You wouldn’t know that I’ve wasted a lot of my time. You wouldn’t know that I’ve lived through shame and regret to get here. You wouldn’t know that there are times when I want to throw my
ble their life is, etc. I’m not trying to say
phone in frustration because I feel like I
that’s what we should be doing. This isn’t
could never be as good as ‘those people’. to talk about what we should be posting. Let’s be honest. Nobody likes the person
It’s to talk about how we’re viewing other
who is always posting about how lonely
people and how we’re viewing ourselves
they are, how bored they are, how horri-
through the mask of our Instagram
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feeds. Pastor Matt Chandler says that there are two sins that are
There are two sins that are mainly womenspecific and that nearly all women struggle with: comparison and perfectionism.
mainly women-specific and that nearly all women struggle with—comparison and perfectionism. Oh, I feel it in my bones--the desire, the pull, the need, to be perfect. He states, speaking about comparison, “You want to have an identity. It’s a desire for approval and acceptance and validation. It is, ladies, an identity gone bad. It is a veneer, faux identity, that is built around a false strength and a false ‘I have it all together,’ that has us constantly comparing, constantly trying to better ourselves, not based on any universal Biblical standard but actually by the standards of our current age.” He defines comparison and perfectionism by saying, “Comparison is the disordered desire for approval and validation. Perfectionism is the disordered desire for righteousness and perfection apart from Christ.” Have you ever felt it before? The need to be perfect, to make it look like you have it all together? I have. And you know what? I think I’m pretty good at it. With the rise of Pinterest and Instagram, it seems to me that the areas of creativity and artistry have become some of the best ways to paste on a false veneer, a good way to receive validation. At times, it seems like it’s become a competition. It’s become a way to be better than others.
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Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying
devil? To twist something that was
that everyone who posts something is
meant for good. In every area of life,
posting it to make themselves look
that is his goal. To twist what was
cool.
meant for beauty, holiness and perfec-
But I am saying that it is a real tempta-
tion--even here in our creativity.
tion. It is a real trap. It is something that We work so hard to make ourselves incan completely ruin the reason why
to the certain image we want to portray.
you started what you are doing in the
We wear the right clothes, have the
first place.
right hobbies, say the right things. I am
Why do I bake, and why do I try to be-
caught in this trap all too often. The
come better? Is it because I love it? Or
problem? At the end of the day, I feel
is it because it is a way for me to re-
more empty than ever before. I bake
ceive validation and approval? Why do yummy food to show it off rather than to I hand letter? Is it because I think it’s fun fill hunger. I draw to show it off rather to express myself in that way? Or, is it
than to express myself. I take a photo to
because people often say, “Wow, that’s show it off rather than to capture the so beautiful! How did you do that?”
moment. I open my Bible to get that
Why do I take photos and study pho-
spiritual ‘latte and Bible’ photo.
tography? Is it because I love finding
What would happen if instead, I spent
beauty? Or, is it because I love how many ‘likes’ I get on a beautiful image? Do I truly like these things, or do I just like that people think I’m cool if I do them? Let’s step back to the Garden of Eden
the time and energy I have for making myself look good, on my knees praying? What if instead of hours spent on tutorials, I spend it reading the Word, and studying it, taking courses to understand it better? What if instead of liv-
for a moment. What was the ploy of the ing for the praise of man, I lived
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for the praise of God? I don’t want you to think I’m saying that we should stop being creative or creating beauty. I believe that we are mimicking our Creator God by doing that very thing. And there is nothing inherently wrong with sharing the things we’ve created with the world—there is nothing wrong with getting likes, follows, re-pins, sales. God has gifted us each with talents, passions, and brains—we need to use them! But, I want to challenge you to look at your heart. Honestly, I can often get into the mentality that I don’t sin very much and that there aren’t really any sins that ‘have a hold’. But when I search deep, or rather, when I ask the Lord to “Search me and know me,” I find that pride runs deep. And pride specifically showing itself in comparison and perfectionism. It is this, my friends,
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which brings me again
and again to my knees before the throne how is it that everyone else here at BMA of grace.
Convention looks so cute and stylish?! I
Another aspect to this, is how we view
am such a country bumpkin!” Some-
other people. There have been times when I compare myself to others, thinking things like, “How can she do that?! I try so hard and mine never looks like that! She’s younger than me, but her talent passed me up years ago. Does she
times, I can even begin to be jealous of someone else spiritually, thinking, “She is so sweet and full of Christ’s love! She knows just how to encourage people in the way that they need. Her prayers seem to just connect with God. When I
ever have a flop? It’s so not fair!” Or,
pray…it sounds so awkward! What is
love, and her day is coming when she’ll
You can’t see the other side of the
“Oooh look at her with the perfect little re- wrong with me?!” This is what we must remember: you can’t see behind the feed. lationship. She’s so young! It’s puppy wake up with a broken heart.” Or, “Agh,
screen. You don’t know the struggles, the
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pain, the frustration, the desperation, the dark valleys that she has walked through. You don’t know and haven’t lived through the things that have shaped her into who she is. Who created you? The same God who made the UNIVERSE. The same God who said in a parable, “Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious of them because I am generous?” (Matt. 20:15, my paraphrase) In the end, when we stand before Christ, what will it matter? What will it matter who bakes a better cake, who has better hair, who has the most eloquent prayer? It will matter only that we are redeemed. That we are bought with a price, that we have accepted His blood and laid down our lives in return. So this is my challenge to you: create beauty. But, as an exercise, create something for no other reason than to show it to God.
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Put your full effort into it--don’t make
bless other people. Don’t feel like you’re
something mediocre because no
defined by your creativity (or lack there-
one else will see it.
of). Ask for grace to break the cycle of
A quote from my favorite poem is this, “Technically, nothing we do is original
pride and comparison. And above all, live.
and that’s not a dis, all I’m trying to say is this: even our own creativity is nothing more than an outflow of His.” (Jefferson Bethke) Remember who you are—a child of God, a stranger and alien in the world. Use your creativity to
Have a question or comment on this article? A certain way it struck a chord in you? We would really love to hear what you think! Please send us an email, or go to our website, click the questions and comments tab, and send us a message.
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Note card
Supplies: Glue Scissors
By Alaina Burwell
One piece of white paper
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These are really fun to leave in random places with encouraging notes or Bible verses for people to find!
One piece of colored or patterned paper (I didn't have any so I made my own pattern) Pencil
1.Start out by folding both of the prices of paper in half. 2.Take the white paper and on the outside of it draw a triangle. (It also works to draw other shapes!)
3. Cut out the triangle.
Your paper should look like this...
5. Glue along the dotted lines.
4. Put the white paper inside of the patterned one.
6. Repeat on both sides and when it dries just stick a note in!
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. 7. Fold it in half and tie it with a ribbon!
d e
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y r t s i t r
A
Creating color in life Welcome to Artistry! Here I will be sharing different ways that I like to express creativity and art, and how I go about doing that. I hope you find inspiration from this and that you will enjoy it very much! - KATRINA
Hand lettering
is a com-
mon art today. We see it all over Pinterest, Filling people’s Instagram feeds, and covering people’s walls. And there’s a reason too. Words have a way of speaking to the soul. Look and see what makes music so powerful. When the art of music and the art of words are combined, you come up with something that is extremely powerful (whether it is for good or bad). So, in hand lettering, you mix the art of words with creative sketching/drawing, and you get
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something simply gorgeous.
What is hand lettering? Frequently, hand lettering is confused for typography, which is the art of digitally taking words and forming something beautiful. Hand lettering is the art of creating something with a pen and paper. There is a very big difference. Hand lettering can sometimes look a lot like typography, and sometimes typography can look a lot like hand lettering. But there is a difference.
How to get started If you really would like to try out hand lettering, you probably have a lot of questions as to where/how to get started. First of all , hand lettering, like most other arts, takes time and practice. I know, it’s annoying to hear, but it’s true. Find a time that works for you, and just sit down, relax and enjoy it. For me, it works best to do it in the evening before I go to bed. I have a wall in my room where I hang a lot my completed hand lettering projects, and this gives me the gumption to keep working on a project each night. Of course, this isn't the only time you can do it. Try out different times of the day, or just do it whenever. Find what works best for you, and go from there. Another thing that can be helpful is taking a course on hand lettering. Whether it is online, or just a friend showing you some pointers, any advice can be useful. Another thing is to learn the anatomy of hand lettering. This helps you remember what different things are called, therefore making you more knowledgeable about how hand lettering comes about.
Get the tools While we all know that tools do not a craftsman make, they certainly help. Almost all your professional hand letterists will recommend the use of Pigma Microns, which come in various sizes and colors. There is a reason almost all your hand letterists use these. One of those reasons is Pigma Microns won’t to bleed or fade like other mechanical pens. Other things that are essentials are a good mechanical pencil or sharp lead pencil, a good eraser, and a ruler.
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Creativity starts here Begin the process So when you first sit down with a blank
So I have shared how I like to get started,
piece of paper, it might be hard to come
what tools I use, and where to find things to
up with something to hand letter, and even
hand letter. So let’s get down to work. First,
greater, how to hand letter it. Just doing a
I think it is vital to find a very comfortable
Google search for “hand lettering inspira-
place. And a cup of coffee or tea to boot.
tion” brings up lots of things you can hand
Like I said earlier, I like to hand letter just
letter. Bible verses are a great place to start before I go to bed, so I pile my jillion pillows when trying to think up something to hand letter. Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram also have a lot of creative ideas.
around and get to work.
This is my process:
1.Find a comfortable spot. 2.Get inspiration Like I said earlier, it’s sometimes hard to come up with something when you look at that blank page, so find something online, or some other place, that you really love. Just remember that if you are redoing someone else’s work, that it’s not polite to post it publically on social media…save that for when you come up with something on your own . 3.Grab your tools. Because I hand letter in my bed, I use a clipboard to create a flat surface. This is very helpful. 4.Pencil sketch it. Like other art, it is easiest if you sketch it out in pencil, so you can erase any mistakes. It will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
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The anatomy of type
2. 1. 4a. 3. 4b.
3.
5.Light pen over it. If you’re using Pigma Microns, this would be in the .02, .03 range. Whatever works best for you. At this point I would add some detail, but if there’s a lot of filling in or details on the letters, I would wait till step 7. 6.Erase the pencil. This will often show where you have missed a little bit, or didn’t write the line on your t. You can go back and fix those with your smaller pen. 7.Deep, final pen over. I know, another step, but it really improves the sharpness of your final project. You can also fill in large spaces here as needed, or add extra embellishments. 8.Add color. Adding a little bit of paint (or colorful nail polish is my favorite) really makes your hand lettering pop. If there are some places you could fill in with color, go for it! Just use your judgement as to how much to use, where to use it, or if you should use it at all. 9.Put it where you can see it.
This is how I like to do my hand lettering. You know, hand lettering reminds me a lot of my life. It’s a long process, in which God is constantly refining us, so that it will grow into a beautiful piece of art. No hand lettering piece is the same. In the same way, not one of God’s creatures is the same. Hand lettering should reflect your personal tastes and styles, so should my life reflect Jesus Christ and His love for us. Keep on creating color!
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-Katrina Swartzentruber
7.
5.
6. 8. 9. D’you create something with directions from Artistry? I would love to see how it turned out! Also, feel free to share any questions or comments !
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Written by Andrea Powell Photography by Cecilia Brown
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just to make life more exciting and exotic! :)
the use of imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of artistic work.
Creativity is something a lot of people have and a lot of people feel hopeless in. I know both kinds of people. Don’t feel like you need to come up to another person’s level of Creativity…. when you hear that creativity. Maybe in art class someword, what comes to your mind? one drew a perfect profile of your Something old made into something classmate and yours turned out to new? Something useless made into look more like an animal instead of a something useful? Something boring human. Or maybe they figured out made into something exciting? Somehow to turn an old tin can into a thing ugly made into something beautiful pen holder that everyone beautiful? exclaims over and you know you Well, that’s what I think of. People would have never thought of that. that are creative are so fun to be Don’t let it bug you. God created around, aren’t they? They have an everyone different and that’s ok. I open mind with a wild imagination. know, it’s way easier said than done, They have vision for how they can huh? improve things or encourage people. Creativity is using your imagination They are exciting and unpredictable. and your own unique taste to create Yes! I love people who are creative. I something unlike anyone else’s. It’s continually try to be creative and to thinking outside of the box and thinkuse my imagination to make things ing up things no one else would have. around me better, more beautiful, or
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It’s being different, having different opinions, and being ok with that. Now yes, sometimes it’s hard to just be you and to be ok with your opinions differing from everyone else’s sometimes. But people who are creative and are ok with being different are simply great people. People who use the incredible brain God gave them to come up with incredible things or to figure out problems unsolvable to others are extraordinary. They are incredible. For example, George Washington Carver discovered 300 uses for the peanut. All because he used the creativity God gave him. He saved crops and money and gave despairing farmers hope all because he was creative. You can be creative too! You might not find 300 uses for peanuts but there are other incredible opportunities for you to show your own, unique creativity.
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Take note of things around you and think of ways you could make it look better.
Use the old markers laying around your house and make an inspirational poster for your bathroom door. Then change it once a week. Or maybe you have an extra chalk board laying around that you could use to write down a scripture to memorize. Use your fanciest hand writing!!
Use old jelly jars or ones about that size to store q-tips or cotton balls in your bathroom. Anything you use a lot maybe…bobby pins, clips, hair pins, pony tail holders, or whatever you want. It’s cute, vintage, and shabby-chic and you could even add some burlap or ribbon.
If you have a lot of bags, purses, and clutches, try putting all the small bags into the bigger ones and it will save a lot of space.
If you would like to lose weight
the trials and struggles, too, be-
or you have problems keeping
cause they are making you a
your weight down, use your week-
better person.
ly planner and write down your meals for each day. Every other day, write down your weight and then you can keep track of your progress.
These are just a couple of things I have done or heard of. Use your imagination and come up with your own ideas and life hacks.
You are unique and different from others and that’s what makes you so special. Don’t be normal. Be above average. Be different. Be BOLD or ITALIC, never REGULAR. Be happy with who you are and make a difference. Use your creativity to bless, encourage. serve, and love others. You will be Decorate a jar and on the front blessed abundantly. But most imsomewhere put the words portantly you will know you have “Grateful Jar”. Every day make it a blessed God’s heart and He is priority to write down something proud of you. That, my friend, is you are thankful for and drop it in. the best feeling in the world. Offer to set the table for your mom and switch things up. Put a pretty table cloth on and light a candle. Complete it with prettily folded napkins and fancy dishes. Or just anything you think of to make your family feel special and loved.
Then when you are feeling down and out, pull out your grateful jar and read about all those things God has blessed you with. But don’t limit it to only the good things in your life. Thank God for
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Expressing creativ
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questions about a wa
creativity! We hope this w
that you will relate wit
artists. We also hope this
other ways you migh
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Expressing creativity through
Elycia Good
1. Tell us a bit about yourself. My name is Elycia Good, and I am a newly-married bride of a year and a half. My husband is a crop farmer and also raises beef cattle. I enjoy the opportunities that farming gives me to be with him and to be in the great outdoors. 2. When/how did you discover that sewing was a way for you to express creativity? My first memory connected with sewing is when my mom would be sitting at her sewing machine, and I would pull up a little chair right beside her and wait for the fabric to suddenly 'transform' into something recognizable :). Before long, I was using the sewing machine myself, making little bags and pillows. I had to sit on the very edge of my chair to be able to reach the pedal. The first time I sewed a dress, I believe I was 10 years old. My mom had promised me a new dress, but she wasn’t getting to it as fast as I thought she should :). So I asked if I could give it a try, and she agreed. To say it wasn’t as easy as she made it look would be an understatement! I begged her to finish it for me, and while she gave me tips and advice, she wouldn’t finish it for me. She would say '“You have to learn to finish what you started.” Though I didn’t appreciate the advice at the time, looking back, it was invaluable training. And not just in the area of sewing. So all of that brought me to where I am today, a girl that loves to sew; to create beautiful things out of a flat piece of material. 3. How have you been able to bless others through sewing? One of my joys is to give my sewing as a gift to others. Many people that don’t sew, don’t realize how much time and effort can go into a project. So I enjoy sewing as a gift from the heart, more than sewing for a fee. Some things don’t have a price tag. 4. How does sewing draw you closer to God? When I'm sewing is a good time to think and pray—just me, God, and the sewing machine:). God is so good! And I am beginning to see that if He brings me through a tough time, He always has a reason. And when I feel like everything’s out control He is right there, and I can tell him my troubles. Not only can I tell him my troubles, but He wants me to leave them there with Him! He has the whole universe in His control, so He can take care of my little world just fine. 5. What challenges have you faced while expressing creativity in this specific area? Here are a few: making mistakes and having to backtrack, cantankerous sewing machine issues, running out of bobbin thread:), oh—and getting bored with sewing the same thing twice. Have you noticed most articles of clothing seem to have one of everything, but TWO sleeves! :/ (I mean, whose idea was that?) ;) 6. Do you have a quick tip or technique that has helped you in sewing? One tip I would have for you, if you realized you’ve made a mistake when you are working on a project, fix it right away! It won”t get better on its own, and it will only be more frustrating later! And the thing that keeps me going, is that I love to see the finished product! So don’t give up, it will be very worth it!
Expressing creativity through
Kaitlin Shank 1. Tell us a bit about yourself I am 17 and in twelfth grade. I have 2 younger brothers, 2 younger sisters, and my family is taking care of a foster baby girl. We live on a small farm in rural Missouri. I enjoy reading, drawing, and hanging out with friends. 2. When/how did you discover that drawing was a way for you to express creativity? Several years ago I received a couple of pencil drawing books for Christmas, and it kinda took off from there. 3. How have you been able to bless others through drawing? I’ve drawn pictures for VBS teachers to help out with their class. I also help my youngest brother on occasion. 4. How does drawing draw you closer to God? Drawing gives a new perspective to God”s wonderful creation. To draw as realistically as I can, I study things very closely to see exactly how they are - petals on a flower, needles on a pine branch, even the lips of our foster baby! It gives me a new appreciation for all the careful details God created. 5. What challenges have you faced while expressing creativity in this specific area? It may be hard to believe, but getting started on a drawing is somewhat difficult. I see all sorts of things to draw, babies, dogs, castles, plants- but getting started on them? I look at the image and think, “Oh wow, this will take a lot of tedious work!” But when I put my mind to it and start, it gets a lot easier. 6. Do you have a quick tip or technique that has helped you in drawing? One thing that is really important, is to draw the first outline(s) lightly. I don’t know how many times I've used a heavy line to begin with, only to find that it is hard to erase later. Even if I get the lead off the paper, there is still an indention. Using light strokes to begin with, and heavier ones later on saves a lot of trouble!
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Expressing creativity through
Melody Zimmerman 1.Tell us a little about yourself Pieces of my heart: Married. Artist. Broken. Laugh. Ponder. Baking. Coffee. Photography. Connect. Alone. Timber & pines. 2. When/how did you discover that baking was a way for you to express creativity? I've always loved baking, but in my teens, I discovered how much of a drive and desire I had for it. I started baking when I was bored, and it progressed from there. 3. How have you been able to bless others through your baked goods? I love to give baked goods to the people I clean house for. An image forever on my mind is the disabled lady who couldn't get out much, holding a loaf of cinnamon swirl bread, a smile filled with delight saying, "Oh, this is heavenly!" 4. How does baking draw you closer to God? It, along with my other passions, remind me that God is the one who gave me my gifts, and that I should use them for His glory and not my own--I'm especially reminded of this when I get upset about a flop that might make me look bad. 5.What challenges have you faced while expressing creativity in this specific area? Discouragement due to comparing myself to others and being too perfectionistic. 6.Do you have a quick tip or technique that has helped you in baking? Not being okay with a mediocre recipe, but also knowing that it's okay if your creation isn't perfect.
Expressing creativity through
Katrina Swartzentruber 1.Tell us a little about yourself: I am 14 years old and I live in the hills of northeast Missouri. I love music, photography, coffee, and hand lettering. I love art in general, but these are the areas I love to express creativity in. 2.When/how did you discover that music was a way for you to express creativity? I have played piano ever since I was 5 years old, and since then I have learned to play guitar and flute, also. Singing is also something I enjoyed. Music just came naturally for me, for as long as I can remember. 3.How have you been able to bless others through music? Things such as singing with my sisters and Mom at Hymn sings and revivals are one way. Another way is by playing piano for my sister’s wedding. 4.How does music draw you closer to God? Singing a worship song while playing piano on Sunday morning, or singing with my guitar on any day. Music has a way of putting you in a frame of worship, and therefore draws you closer to our Creator. 5.What challenges have you faced while expressing creativity in this specific area? I took piano lessons several times throughout my life. This is when I disliked piano. I hated playing the little “Have You Been to the Fair” songs and such. It was really hard for me to look forward to lessons. 6.Do you have a quick tip or technique that has helped you in music? Only compare yourself to the musician you used to be. If we look around at other musicians that are crazy good, it makes us look bad. So don’t compare yourself to them, but look at how far you’ve come from when you started.
Expressing creativity through
Kimberly Amstutz 1. Tell us a little about yourself. My Name is Kimberly Amstutz; I am 16 years old. I live in Jonesville Michigan. I have 4 siblings: 2 brothers and 2 sisters. We live on a farm, and I love being around all of our animals! I enjoy all kinds of things—like reading, writing stories and articles, riding my horse, and I really enjoy little kids. 2.When/how did you discover that writing was a way for you to express creativity? Such a tough question, because as far back as I can remember I’ve been writing! I even have poems that I had written in 2nd and 3rd grade! They were very amateur, but it’s a reminder that we can always improve our talents! :) I don’t remember exactly how I fell in love with writing except that it was always my way of being me. I have written in a diary for years. In fact, the oldest one I have was kept when I was 7, in the year of 2007, and to this day I have always kept a diary. I have close to 8 diaries filled up already! My thoughts, ideas, problems, and everything I was feeling were always written down. Even if it was just the events of the day. It was still important that I wrote it down! That really formed my passion for writing! Now it’s natural! : ) 3. How have you been able to bless others through writing? I guess for me, writing stories is my own way of creating a whole new world! You can create a character, and she can be just how you want her, and after a while, you start to feel what that character is feeling, and you pretty much just step into their world! Their feelings and emotions are completely at your mercy. You begin to feel like your character is a living being, that you know everything about them, and that you are best friends with them! It’s hard to understand if you aren’t very interested in writing, but it is very rewarding! 4. How does writing draw you closer to God? I can easily say that writing DOES bring you closer to God. Especially writing the articles for VD! For the articles, I always look into His Word, read it, study it, and you learn and grow SO MUCH! It is such a blessing to be reading the Bible and all of a sudden everything just makes sense! In that moment, you know exactly what you need to write and say about the topic. I can honestly say that I have grown through these Virtuous Daughter assignments! 5. What Challenges have you faced while expressing creativity in this specific area? Umm, I would say it is a challenge to immediately have the inspiration when a topic is given to you. When you write an article and it’s your original idea, the words just flow. When someone hands you a topic and says, “Write an article about this,” it takes a lot more concentration to bring it all together. Thank the Lord we’re not asked to do it without God’s help! He is ever-present and ready to help! 6.Do you have a quick tip or technique that has helped you in writing? Yes! Prayer! It is the source of inspiration! All you need to do is ask, and God is ready with ideas for you. I couldn’t write without His help! Aside from that, I like to have it quiet, and a cup of coffee always helps! ;)
Expressing creativity through
Cecilia Brown 1. Tell us a bit about yourself. Hi! my name is Cecilia Brown, and you probably already know a bit about me from the staff introduction page, but I’ll elaborate a bit more :). I love all things creative! Painting, drawing, sewing, photography, handlettering, crafting, embroidery, and pretty much any other artsy thing I've tried. But since I was asked about photography, I’ll expand on that ;). The two types of photography I enjoy the most are newborn & still life photography. I like that with both of them, I can pretty much take as much time as I need, cause they don’t blink or move around too much :). 2. When/how did you discover that photography was a way for you to express creativity? When I was little, I always loved getting my mom’s camera (a point & shoot), and taking pictures of everything! But when I was 12, I got to try out my uncle’s DSLR. I loved it! I immediately started dreaming of buying one for myself, and I eventually decided to invest in one. 3.How have you been able to bless others through photography? I have been able to do a few newborn shoots, some shoots for friends & siblings, and I have also gotten the opportunity to be a second-shooter at some friend’s weddings. I hope that they all feel blessed :)! I think photography can be a huge blessing in itself! To be able to keep and look back at a moment in time is so amazing! I also hope my help in the photography in this magazine has blessed you:) 4. How does photography draw you closer to God? This is one of the reasons I love still life photography! I take so much more notice to everything God has made! Instead of just seeing things when I look around, I see details. I've definitely gotten a whole new perspective on God’s creations since I've started messing with photography! 5. What challenges have you faced while expressing creativity in this specific area? The biggest challenge I have had with photography would be that I can't always capture with the camera what I see with my eyes. Or that the picture just doesn't hold as much emotion I'd like. I've also had trouble while photographing a person, figuring out what exactly my subject is wanting and then trying to capture that. Editing is also a challenge for me. To take the time to sit down and do it while I want to do other stuff just makes it seem to take longer. 6. Do you have a quick tip or technique that has helped you in photography? Pick up your camera and use it! The more you do, the better you'll get. I often take lots of pictures (hundreds!) using different settings and trying different things. Then I delete all but my most favorites, so I have more memory to take pictures again. Another tip someone told me about that has made the editing part SO much easier (only for Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom users) is downloading preset actions. And then adjusting them to your own personal taste. This has sped up my editing so much and my pictures look better than before. I download my actions from TheCoffeeShop blog
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Amelia Emily Jones Chapter 3
Amelia rolled her eyes in disgust.
a new dress. It’s just Easter!”
Alice frowned. “It’s not ‘Just “Alice is so immature” she thought to herself. Right in front of her, Alice Easter’! Easter is a very special day! twirled her new dress in front of the Jesus rose from the dead on Easter, mirror. The dress was light pink with and you should be at least a little excited!” Amelia white and yellow sighed again. As flowers, and a big she left the room, sash with layers she heard Alice of frills swooping humming the down over the tune of one of skirt. Amelia her favorite couldn’t ever reEaster hymns. member being so fickle over a dress Amelia decidwhen she was a ed to go for a little girl. I walk to clear her head. As she Alice twirled stepped out into around to face the sunshine, the Amelia, and her warm rays hit her grin disappeared with one look at Amelia’s expression. face. She tilted her head back, soak“What’s the matter with you, Ame- ing in the beauty. The ground was squishy and muddy with signs of lia? Don’t you like my new dress?” spring everywhere. Amelia glanced Alice asked hopefully. down at the flower bed lining the Amelia sighed, “It’s alright I sidewalk and noticed a daffodil was guess. I just don’t see why you need just beginning to peak its head out of
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wore bright clothes on Easter! She As Amelia looked at it, her mind finally realized why there were wandered back to the fall when she Easter lilies at church on Easter! They represented New Life!!!! had helped her mom plant the daffodil bulbs. The bulbs were dirty, Amelia jumped up and raced and they looked dead and worth- inside to find Alice. Sure enough, less, but mom had urged her to Alice was still admiring her new plant them anyway. She said Amelia dress in front of the mirror. Amelia might be surprised by what could burst into the room, and Alice come from an ugly bulb. Amelia looked up at her with a puzzled had doubted her mom’s idea’s, but look. had planted it just to keep peace. Amelia smiled and said “Alice, I Now, here it was, poking out of the think your dress is LOVELY!” ground, green and full of life, with Alice burst out laughing and said, promises of a beautiful yellow “Amelia, you are so STRANGE!” bloom! Amelia knelt down beside it and brushed her finger over the green leaves. Her mind wandered, this time to a picture she had seen on last week’s bulletin at church. It had 3 crosses. The one in the middle was empty, and it had read, “He is Risen”. the mud.
Those words pricked Amelia. Just like that, flowers could come from an ugly, dead-looking bulb. Something beautiful came from death. Christ had risen! Amelia looked back at the daffodil bud. She finally realized why Alice was excited! She finally realized why people
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The Importance of expressing creativity
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How many times have you heard someone tell you “I’m just not creative”? How often do you tell yourself, “I’m just not creative”? I do, all the time. The problem with these phrases is that they are both entirely UNTRUE. Everyone is creative, and we all express our creativity whether we realize it or not. You chose to wear the outfit you have on right now, and you decided to wear your hair exactly
how it is now, and both of these decisions took creativity. Even the way you decorated your room, that’s creative too! You’re stuck with it! Creativity is such a special gift, and it is given to each and every one of us. Our creativity is a part of our personality and you’ve heard lots of people say that there are all kinds of different personalities. Your creative talents are
what make you who you are, and they create your personality. The important thing is that we try to express it. Don’t hide your creative ideas, and don’t ever feel like your plans and ideas are dumb or uncreative, because God gave those very ideas to you. They are yours to help you become exactly who God planned! God has such a special person in mind. Who he wants you to be and the creativity that he gave you is part of that plan. It’s unique- just like you. Use that creativity to blossom into a wonderful, CREATIVE, amazing woman that God can be so proud of!
him being so excited to watch us use everything he gave us to become who he had in mind! Don’t throw your ideas, hopes, and dreams away! They are creative; they are special. They are God-given; They are yours to use. Use them!
When I think of God, and all the fun he had creating us girls; giving us our feminine ways, our gentler dispositions, etc. -I think of
our website, click the questions
Also, don’t ever let someone tell you that you are not creative. We both know it’s not. Written by Kimberly Amstutz Photography by Cali Kline
Have a question or comment on this article? A certain way it struck a chord in you? We would really love to hear what you think! Please send us an email, or go to and comments tab, and send us a message.
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We asked and y
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Music: 6 Photography 5 Other 4 Drawing 3 Painting 3
(14. (14.
you answered
(28.57%) (23.81%) (19.05%) .29%) .29%)
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Book Recommendations
Reading someplace to go when we have to
Stay we are
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Photography by Katrina Swartzentruber
They Loved to Laugh
The Bridge (bracken Trilogy #1)
The fairest beauty (heganheim #3)
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DINE
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French Silk Pie
Original recipe by Ree Drumond Ingredients 4 ounces, weight Unsweetened Baking Chocolate 1 cup Salted Butter, Softened 1-1/2 cup Sugar 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract 4 whole Eggs 1 package Baked Pie Shell
Preparation In small microwave safe bowl melt 4 ounces of unsweetened baking chocolate until stirrable (about 45 seconds on high). Set aside to cool. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat 1 cup (2 sticks) of regular (salted) butter and 1 ½ cups of white sugar until fluffy (about 1 to 2 minutes). When melted chocolate is cooled, drizzle it over the butter/sugar mixture. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat the mixture thoroughly until combined (on a Kitchen Aid mixer, you will be using the whisk attachment). Turn your mixer to a medium speed and over a period of 15 to 20 minutes add in the four eggs, one at a time, leaving about 5 minutes between each egg addition. Once the pie filling is well mixed, pour it into the baked pie shell, scraping every last speck of it out of the bowl. Smooth out the pie filling and place pie in the refrigerator to chill for at least two hours (preferably longer).
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Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
Proverbs 31:30
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