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.”
Colleen says
Just beautiful!! Thank you!!!
Kathy Benitez says
Your figures are so beautiful, Sue! Thank you for sharing your talents.
Sarah says
Her work is just lovely! That table runner is such a wonderful idea!
Courtney says
Your work is beautiful. Thanks for the chance!
Christina Chapman says
Wow, I love this table runner! It would be such a beautiful Lenten activity for my kids (I may too late for the giveaway, but thought I’d at least try).
Cristina Drego says
THe table runner is such s wonderful idea; And I won’t have to try to remember where we buried the Alleluia rock!
Lynn Osborne says
How beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win!
Nicole says
These are absolutely beautiful…thank you for the chance to have one!
Pam says
Simply lovely, thank you for the giveaway! If won, I would request a custom order saint of St. Cecelia. The selections of statues are so few and she’s one my daughter’s favorite saints. Blessings…
Sue says
Any Saint can be ordered!
Kathleen G. says
Your saint figures are beautiful. Thank you for the chance to win.
Janelle G says
Beautiful and meaningful pieces!
Summer says
These are so beautiful and I have admired her work for a long time!
Libby says
Such beautiful figures!
Megan says
Beautiful!
Melissa Nichols says
Her things are always so lovely.
Katie N. says
The table runner looks really great! Thanks for the giveaway.
jill says
I am a long-time admirer of her etsy offerings!
Lee Winemiller Cockrum says
Such lovely painting of the figures!
Hannah Carlson says
Beautiful! My sons would get so much from these things.
Lorena says
Such beautiful items! Thank you for the chance to win!
Ann says
Such a beautiful way to live our Catholic faith in our homes. Thank you for sharing. God bless.
Ann says
Such a beautiful way to live our Catholic Faith in our homes. Thank you for sharing.
Elisa M Gray says
Even though my children are grown and moved away, I am looking for traditions that build our faith and remind us daily of Jesus. Lent was the second thing I started “celebrating” (after Advent), but my practice is private. I’d like to add a more public observance.
Amanda Fortman says
Simply stunning!!! What a tremendous artist! Thank you for your inspiration!
Emily says
How beautiful! And how very talented 🙂
Julie C says
I love this. I am always looking for ways to further celebrate the church calendar.
Sarah says
I love that table runner set abs would love to incorporate it in our Lenten traditions. After a decadent Mardi Gras season, it would be nice to help the kids refocus for the Lenten season.
AnnyM says
Yes please!!! These are so beautiful!
Alyson Rodrigues says
Beautiful painted figures! I especially love the display of the Mass and the Saints alongside….a wonderful tool to teach the Mass.
The table runner is a great way to put Lent at the front and centre of daily life for the family. Your ideas are inspirational.
God Bless you as we make our way along the Lenten Journey starting on Valentine’s Day.
Ally
Julie Hohenadel says
I would love this for teaching my grandchildren. Thank you for the opportunity!
Sara says
I would love to use this table runner. Thank you.
Liz H says
Love that Lenten table runner
Melanie says
Beautiful. What a wonderful way to make a meaningful season. Thanks for the chance!
Kelly Favre says
So beautiful! Will definitely share this with my friends.
Monica Bernstein says
Everything in the shop is just beautiful!
Amy Zack says
Oh my goodness, I would love the table runner! My 5 and 2 year old got so excited about our advent wreath and candles this year.
Laura says
These are so lovely.
elizabeth says
I have loved these for several years . The painted saints are beautiful!
Meghan says
Beautiful products!
Abigail English says
Oh how lovely! I am trying to start new traditions and this one looks perfect for lent!
grammy kane says
Beautiful! I would love my grandchildren to have figures of their saints.
Melissa Lessard says
The table runner is such a neat idea! Thanks for the giveaway; fingers crossed!