SCS Designs Co. – Handcrafted Art & Creative Journey

"Learning to Trust the Creative Process: A Self-Taught Artist's Perspective"

recent posts

about

Author: Samantha Spencer

  • When the School Bell Rings: Finding Sacred Pause in August’s Rush

    When the School Bell Rings: Finding Sacred Pause in August’s Rush

    September signifies back-to-school and busy schedules, prompting a need to balance life’s demands. Emphasizing sacred pauses and personal pacing helps navigate chaos without losing one’s grounding and well-being.

  • When Meal Plans Meet Real Life: Finding Your Family’s Food Rhythm

    When Meal Plans Meet Real Life: Finding Your Family’s Food Rhythm

    Balancing meal planning with busy lives requires simple swaps and accepting imperfections. Nourishing connections matter more than idealized family dinners.

  • When Art Becomes Prayer: Creating for Joy vs. Purpose

    I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why I create. Not the surface-level “because I love art” answer, but the deeper question that keeps surfacing during my Thursday night live sessions: Am I creating for joy, or am I creating for purpose? It’s a question that’s been dancing around my heart, especially as I’ve shifted…

  • Escaping to the Ozarks – Finding Magic in the Mountains

    Sometimes the best lessons come disguised as vacation days. Our recent escape to the Ozarks wasn’t just about getting away – it was about remembering how to breathe, how to notice, and how to let life unfold without a rigid schedule dictating every moment. ## **The Journey & Mountain Magic** The drive to Branson felt…

  • Slowing Down Is Hard to Do

    The author reflects on the struggle to enjoy projects while feeling pressure to complete them quickly. They emphasize the importance of patience, breaking tasks into manageable parts, and finding joy in the process of growth.

  • A Trip Into the Garden

    Some of my most treasured childhood memories are painted in the vibrant colors of my Opa’s hillside garden. This wasn’t just any garden—it was a masterpiece that took years to create, transforming a steep slope into what felt like my own personal Disneyland. 😂 Picture this: winding paths that led you through completely different worlds.…

  • Finding My Voice Through Music and Faith

    Growing up as a military kid meant my musical foundation developed in patches across different bases and countries. Not every school had a dedicated choir program, but music found me anyway—through radio waves and the carefully curated cassette tapes we carried from station to station. I still smile remembering the agony of choosing songs for…

  • Art as Prayer: Finding Sacred Rest in Life’s Pauses

    Sometimes the most spiritual decision we can make is to stop trying to do it all. This past week, I found myself caught in that all-too-familiar whirlwind of commitments. Between my church responsibilities, family needs, and creative pursuits, something had to give. I missed posting about our Thursday live session being postponed, then completely forgot…

  • When Art Mirrors Faith: The Beauty of Unfinished Seasons

    There’s something deeply humbling about standing in front of an unfinished canvas. As I work on my latest mixed media piece, I find myself in that familiar space between vision and completion – that “ugly stage” where nothing quite looks like the picture in my head. You know that moment? When the layers aren’t quite…

  • When Serving Others Empties Your Cup: Finding Sacred Balance in Leadership

    There’s a beautiful paradox in servant leadership that I’ve come to know intimately. When we’re called to pour into others’ lives through service and leadership, we sometimes forget that we too are vessels meant to be filled, not just emptied. Recently, my journey through leadership and creative ministry led to a profound realization, sparked by…