Less than 90 days ago, I set an intention to bring order out of chaos in an upstairs room used for storage. And now I have a textile studio! 🥰🥰🥰 I look around this space and simply marvel at the power of taking something out of the realm of dreams and wishes, and making it a real priority. Wow, has it made a difference! I just released a video that includes a short studio tour on my YouTube channel if you’d like to have a look around. 🌷🌷🌷 And while we’re at it, what have you been dreaming about that you could turn into a priority? Give it some thought because from where I’m standing in my new textile studio? A priority is a beautiful thing!! 💚💙💜 Dreams do come true when they are made into priorities!! 💚💜💙 #transformation #textilestudiotour #textilestudio #artstudio #craftroom #interiordesigninspiration #studiointeriordesign #makerspace #dreamersanddoers #dreamersanddoersofinstagram #makercreativeartist #faitharttinyhouses #wearethecolorsofgod #stauntonva #stauntonvirginia #shenandoahvalley #virginiaisforartlovers #virginiaisforlovers (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG-jK2XnyId/?igshid=1kyn4t28xh2sg

The inspiration fabric has inspired. The yarn has been chosen. Next: wind some shuttles. I’m on it! #weaversofinstagram #choosingyarn #colorchoice #rigidheddleweaving #rigidheddleloom #rigidheddleloomweaving #textileartist #faitharttinyhouses #minimalistweaver #yarnlover #weaveandmend #weaving #iamaweaver (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFzpiohnO7Y/?igshid=piomsd81m1zm

Today is May 20, 2020 and as I looked at the date this morning I sensed the Lord say that today he is blessing us with extra-vision. The insight and understanding you have been looking for is here, take some time and focus in on God, the giver of every good gift. Be blessed with wisdom, depth of understanding, and mindset shifts that set us free from the old person and deliver us into this brave new world of grace, healing and hope. Sending love your way this morning! 🧡❤️💜 #prophetic #vision #bethoumyvision #ohlordofmyheart #insight #propheticinsight #womanofthecloth #prophetic #innerknowing #spiritualwisdom #dailyprophetic #lightinthedarkness #blessedtobeablessing #womeninministry #shespeakstruth #staunton #lovestaunton #virginiaisforlovers #shenandoahvalley #graceandtruth #faitharttinyhouses #binoculars #may202020 (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAauPF5nPhk/?igshid=16odypfegjitj

New #faithfriday podcast episode is up now. This one is a look behind the scenes at the quiet side of creating a podcast... the work that I have had to do to even be really or willing to share my story - or indeed to even believe that I have something worth sharing. If you have some emotional baggage (or even a whole matching set of luggage) like I do, then you might find this one helpful. ⚜️ Link in bio to the YouTube video, but the podcast is available on whichever podcast app you prefer, just search for Faith, Art & Tiny Houses, or my name. ⚜️ A surprise theme in this episode was about the way God is in the transformation business. Isn’t that good news? Yep! . . #faith #faitharttinyhouses #art #tinyhouses #butterfly #pupa #cocoon #chrysalis #staunton #stauntonva #virginia #virginiaisforlovers #augustacounty #faithoverfear #waymaker #miracleworker #preacher #thelordblessyou #heisforyou #blessedtoserve #blessedtobeablessing #prophetic #propheticinsight #dailyprophetic #beencouraged #jesuslovesme #dreamersanddoers #mennonite #mennoniteyoutuber (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-0JrVUHNiQ/?igshid=a0px293rj818

Today’s podcast episode features a conversation I had with Brenda Mason of @smallerlivinghugelife. She is another great example of the interesting people in the #tinyhousemovement !! She downsized from a 3100 sq ft home in Utah to a 310 sq ft #tinyhouse in Virginia! And here’s the kicker... she did it in 31 days - including an estate sale! Now that is some serious bada$$ery! Check out our conversation on my podcast or visit my blog or YouTube to watch our conversation. #linkinbio Part 2 will be coming your way next #tinyhousetuesday as well, so keep an eye out for that. #tinyhouse #downsizing #rightsizing #liberateyourself #setmefree #simplifymylife #faitharttinyhouses #podcast #podcastersofinstagram #interview #author #speaker #tinyhouseauthor #guru #tinyhousespeaker #tinyhouseguru (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9jq_Bln-24/?igshid=pm8a3b8i4z7s

Today on the podcast I talk about the dangers of losing ourselves to conformity and how we can fight back and become our better selves. Link in bio. PS, this episode includes a song that has really been meaningful to me as a tiny house person, I think you will also enjoy it. #faithfriday #benotconformed #lookforthehelpers #compassion #faitharttinyhouses #faith #art #tinyhouse #tinyhouses https://www.instagram.com/p/B9HZK44Hn3Y/?igshid=1begmasy5v03f

My guest on the podcast today is Alexis Stephens, documentary filmmaker and co-founder of @tiny_house_expedition 🧡❤️💜 She have some great suggestions on ways to simplify and then we talked about living tiny legally for a while. Always a pleasure! 🧡❤️💜 #linkinbio #faitharttinyhouses #podcast #tinyhouseexpedition #tinyhouse #tinyhousepodcast #tinyhouseguru #homeiswhereyouparkit #vanlife #buslife #tinyhouseonwheels #movabletinyhouse #adu #livingtinylegally https://www.instagram.com/p/B9AGIFrHGxG/?igshid=1ow9p2r3n7zm1

Always talking with my hands. LOL! I loved speaking at the Triad Home & Garden Show about tiny houses and meeting others in the community who are building tiny houses for veterans and affordable housing. I always love the connections that happen at these places! People matter, and houses are meant to be havens for our biggest dreams, and so it’s worth it to me to travel many miles with a message of freedom to live your best life - even if that’s outside the box. #tinyhouse #tinyhouses #minimalism #minimalist #simplicity #simplifymylife #faitharttinyhouses #tinyhousespeaker https://www.instagram.com/p/B89INTWnxY8/?igshid=1eeli4pnuqy66

I’m talking about Georgia O’Keeffe today on the podcast as part of my exploration of life purpose. Today’s new podcast episode just went live! Listen in, do the homework, and join M.E. Tuesday for the next episode as we walk toward purpose together. ⚜️ I don’t know if anyone will do these assignments with me, but I have done them... so I sure hope so! This is the dream and framework that took me from stuck to being an art gallery owner. That was 20 years ago, but the difference was night and day for me. I have walked with a number of people through this process over the years and I always come away absolutely besotted with what God does through this framework. It’s all based on a dream anyway, but it’s just so cool to know that it is a framework that works for more than me. And that’s the best part. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it. 🧡❤️💜 #podcast #ameliaearhart #georgiaokeeffe #purpose #vision #hope #passion #love #faitharttinyhouses #carmenshenk #tinyhousefoodie #kitchensimplicity (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8RSr3NnpA3/?igshid=1dfcp2qmw19j6

This may be my favorite bit of this project so far! I don’t weave with a pattern. I may start with a general idea in mind, but for the most part I am totally making it up as I go along in true #saoriweaving style. I can only explain it by saying it’s improvisation... like jazz for yarn. LOL! And every now and then I get a section of of the project where everything accidentally becomes especially lovely. And this is one of those times. I don’t generally weave with black, but I’m digging how this looks. 🖤💘🖤💚🖤💙🖤 #weaving #rigidheddleweaving #rigidheddleloom #rigidheddle @kromskiandsons #kromskirigidheddleloom #weavingloom #wearableart #yarnporn #yarnpornofinstagram #iloveyarn #yarnisfun #weavingisselfcare #selfcare #faitharttinyhouses #artistsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B71n7cHnT2h/?igshid=b9mek95k85xv

This is my favorite thing about #gideon ! God uses the inadequate to do the impossible! Wow, think what God can do with me?! 🧡❤️💜 #prophetic #podcast #faitharttinyhouses https://www.instagram.com/p/B7b6XlVHgS3/?igshid=jkyy5gd9ii7e

Five episodes live on my podcast now. I am LOVING being a #podcaster! #faitharttinyhouses Have you listened yet? We talk about (wait for it) #faith #art & #tinyhouses but then you probably already got that from the title. LOL! #tinyhousepodcasters #tinyhouse #minimalismpodcast #simplicitypodcast #purposepodcast #purpose #simplicity #minimalism #vision #minimizethemundane (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7b2KYEHhuC/?igshid=fsuthc33y36i

I am painting bed sheets with a cool design and then I will make them into curtains. ⚜️ #interiordesign does not need to be expensive, y’all! ⚜️ #creative #designeroriginal #handmade #artist #paint #painting #creativity #faitharttinyhouses (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvp0BSzhaNL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1v49xm6fedue4

#determination #dedication ⚜️ I am building my dream life - not just by making my home beautiful but also by looking into my spirit and working to make that a place of peace. All my love! 🧡❤️💜 #faitharttinyhouses #embracingsimplicity #expressingcreativity #exploringatransformationalfaith (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvjmEoWB3M8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3e54fol9llku

I did some recording yesterday. It was fun! That podcast is getting closer and closer! Watch for it, it’s going to ROCK! ⚜️ This is a passion project for me, something that I get to do because simple living has opened up so much space in my life! Tons of people can walk you through designing your dream house - especially your dream tiny house. My gig is helping you design your dream LIFE! #soexcited #nervousinagoodway #designyourdreamlife 🧡❤️💜 #podcast #podcastlaunch #faitharttinyhouses #sofun #talkytalky #passionproject (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvUAV_uBGku/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cprsugesfdp2

We started my podcast (mobile) studio today and it ROCKS! Can’t wait to show you the whole thing. I am waiting on two parts from Amazon and then it’s done and ready to roll. ⚜️ Some of my podcasts will also be released as videos, and I’m really pleased about that. ⚜️ Also - if I can figure out how to do it... I want to do a “ask Carmen” segment where I talk about the topics of your choice. I haven’t quite figured out how to do that. I want listeners to be able to call in and leave me a voicemail. Then I can include their message in the show. If you’ve got suggestions on how that works - please let me know. ⚜️ My new podcast is coming March 21st. Soooo stoked! It’s called Faith, Art & Tiny Houses! #faitharttinyhouses ⚜️ This lil Mennonite woman is fixen to be seen AND heard. And I have so much to say, I’ve been storing up thoughts for 50 years! I’m bursting at the seams! You should see the whiteboard in my office. #excited This is going to be so much fun! #podcast #podcaster #podcastersofinstagram #dreamscometrue (at Staunton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuSMyrtBLOx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ww6daat03yy0