Extraordinary in the Ordinary: Designing Stoles for Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time might sound… well, ordinary. But for us at Carrot Top Studio, it’s anything but.

This season in the liturgical calendar—the long stretch between the high holy days of Easter, Pentecost, and Advent—is rich with meaning. It’s a time for growth, for listening, for being rooted in faith and grounded in community. And creatively? It’s a wide-open canvas.

Designing stoles for Ordinary Time invites us to explore a beautiful range of themes: creation, justice, discipleship, everyday miracles, spiritual growth, and more. Nature’s greens often guide our palette, but within that, we find endless variety—from vibrant leaf motifs to symbols of fruitfulness, community, and spiritual transformation.

Some of our stoles feature hand-painted elements. Others use intricate quilting techniques or unexpected fabrics to reflect the complexity and richness of the season. We’ve stitched bees and wheat, rivers and trees, spirals and seeds—all reminders that God’s presence is found not only in the mountaintop moments, but in the quiet daily unfolding of life.

In many ways, Ordinary Time mirrors the creative process itself: slow, steady, and full of grace. It calls us to notice, to tend, to honor the sacred in the everyday. That’s the kind of work we love to do.

So if you're looking for a stole that reflects the depth of your preaching and the heart of your ministry—not just on special days, but through the rhythm of the ordinary—we’d love to help you find (or create) just the right one.

Want to see our latest Ordinary Time stoles? Browse the collection here →

Jenny Gallo

Jenny Gallo is the artist and founder of Carrot Top Studio, where she has been creating story-rich clergy stoles and meaningful art since 2004. What began as a love for making and serving faith communities has grown into a studio practice rooted in season, symbol, and care. Trained as an art educator, Jenny taught art in Chicago, Houston, and Pittsburgh before devoting herself fully to studio work. She holds a B.S. in Art Education from The Pennsylvania State University and now lives and works in the Madison, Wisconsin area.

http://www.CarrotTopStudio.com
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Woven by Grace: A Life of Faith in Every Season

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🐞 The Little Beetle with Big Meaning: Exploring the Spiritual Symbolism of the Ladybug