small things

In the Loft {Preparing for Lent Giveaway}

Today’s giveaway is from Sue, of In the Loft.  Sue paints the most beautifully detailed figures, perfect for your home or Atrium.  She has wonderful tools and ideas for celebrating Lent, and her figures are perfect in an Easter basket or for First Holy Communion gifts!

Hello. I’m Sue. I live in southern New Hampshire with my husband of 37 years and 4 of our 6 children(who are now ages 16-36).  I am the proud Meme to 6 grandchildren and homeschool mom to 1 high schooler, lover of coffee, books, baking, and rearranging furniture.

I am owner and artist of In The Loft, a home based business and Etsy shop selling hand-made, hand painted, religious wood figures, ornaments & icons.  I design and make all my items start to finish…which means lots of time in the wood shop cutting and sanding…but my favorite place to be is in the loft painting.  This business has grown to a full time job in a few years and now my 16yo son helps with the wood cutting so I can spend more time painting. I am grateful to be able to be doing work I love and using my gifts to offer beautiful materials that bring a bit of beauty to the home and help others celebrate and teach the faith. You can follow me on Instagram & Facebook.

Lent is fast approaching (Ash Wednesday is February 14th) and I am happy to be in the loft working on items for this season.

The Lenten Table Runner is a favorite. I created a paper Lenten path to mark the days of Lent when our children were young.  This was a wonderful lent activity and I began to think about ways to create a path that would have a prominent place, be beautiful and last for years.   So, I designed and  created a one on canvas.   This became a favorite Lent activity for our family and we’ve used ours for over 10 years. I am pleased to offer this item to you in my shop! It is a lovely way to mark the days of your Lenten walk and teach your children about the beauty of this season. This double-sided runner is durable and beautiful, sure to be used year after year.
+As you celebrate Fat Tuesday(Mardi Gras), place runner with the “Alleluia, Alleluia” side showing.
As you end your celebration, turn over the runner to hide the Alleluia, showing your children that the Alleluia is hidden (not sung) during Lent, revealing the image of the stone path leading through the Lenten desert to the Tomb of the Resurrection.
+A grapevine wreath with thorns (toothpicks provided) is set in the center of the runner. You may wish to have your child/children remove a thorn each time a sacrifice, prayer or act of charity is offered.
+Each day during lent you will move the small wooden cross or mini wreath (your choice) one stone forward on the path to mark your progress toward Easter.
+Optional – use a tealight (provided) on Sundays
+ On Holy Saturday, remove any remaining thorns from “crown” and decorate with ivy and colorful, spring flowers, symbolic of the Resurrection and new life.
+At the Easter celebration, the table runner is once again turned to the Alleluia side to grace the table with a beautiful and festive reminder of the Easter season. Place your decorated wreath in the center space provided.

Easter Sunday falls on April 1 and my saint figures are perfect for tucking into Easter Baskets, gifts for birthdays, baptisms, First Holy Communion and more.  If you don’t see the saint you’re looking for in my shop…there is a custom order saint item and you may request any saint.  You will also find many items for use with The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program (www.cgsusa.org).

I am excited to offer one Small Things reader a chance to win a $75 Gift Certificate to my shop!

***In addition, I would like to give a 10% discount on all orders placed through January 19.   Use code GINNY10 at checkout to receive the discount.

For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post. Comments are closed and the winner is Katherine, who commented, “Her saint figures are beautiful! My go to gift for baptism’s and first commuinon’s. My son has the St. Nicholas figure – it is so well done.”

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. So beautifully stunning. Thanks very much for updating us on your magnificent journey. Hoping to win this giveaway for my gorgeous friend with 5 children. My fingers are crossed. Thank you! Katie x

  6. Your work is stunning. I would love to use your products in my Catholic Kindergarten Classroom. Thank you for the opportunity. Blessings to you.

  9. I have loved her work since you first introduced her to us a few years ago. Would love the opportunity to own one of these beautiful creations. Thank you!

  11. The figures she paints are so lovely. I like the idea of the table runner to mark the days of Lent as they pass: what a tangible way to help children understand our faith more fully and know when Easter is coming.
    God bless!
    Melisa

  13. My children would get so much use out of these beautiful figures! Thanks for the chance to win!

  15. Sue, I have always loved your work, but not been able to afford them. Your cenacle figures are gorgeous, and I would be blessed to offer them to the children in my atria were I lucky enough to win a certificate to help towards their purchase. Even if not so lucky, I will always love following your Instagram! Kay

  17. I have always loved your figures, but can never squeeze enough out of the budget! I would so love to win!

  27. So pretty! I’ve admired these for awhile and would love to be able to get one for our table…

  30. I have looked at and loved your shop for years and would love something for my own family! Beautiful x

  33. Lovely pieces. I like that they are so beautifully made and is perfect for my older children. They are definitely Growing out of our little Lenten figurines from their toddler years. Been looking for something like this runner and figures for a long time ❤️

  38. The Lenten ‘runner’ is a lovely execution on a brilliant idea. I am Eastern Orthodox, Russian specifically, and will now search for an equivalent for our Lent – we have slightly different commemorations on the Sundays and so forth.

  39. Happy New Year! Thank you for a chance to win this generous giveaway. I’ve been eyeing this table runner for a while.

  46. Those are absolutely beautiful-what a gift you have been given and are sharing with all of us. They would have a very special place in my home, and would be a great story and sharing tool when our grandchildren visit.

  47. Your work is so beautiful and creative and thoughtful. Thank you for the opportunity.