Insights & Inspiration
The Carrot Top Studio blog is where art, faith, and storytelling meet. We share reflections, creative sparks, and behind-the-scenes glimpses to inspire your journey—whether you're an artist, spiritual leader, or curious soul.
All Saints’ Day: Symbols of Faith and Remembrance
Explore the rich symbols of All Saints’ Day—from candles and crowns to white stoles and memorial displays—that make this holy day meaningful in worship. Discover creative visual connections for churches, including altar textiles, clergy stoles, and intergenerational practices. We also highlight Wassily Kandinsky’s public domain painting All Saints Day I (1911), offering thought-provoking questions to deepen reflection on the communion of saints. Perfect for pastors, worship leaders, and faith communities seeking inspiration for All Saints’ Day worship planning.
Creative Rituals for Cooler Days
As autumn arrives, embrace creative rituals that bring joy, stillness, and connection. From journaling and sketching to handwritten note cards and seasonal tea towels, these simple practices turn ordinary moments into sacred rhythms. At Carrot Top Studio, we believe art and faith intersect in everyday life, helping you slow down, nurture your spirit, and find beauty in the cooler days of fall and Ordinary Time.
Visual Connections for World Communion Sunday
Celebrate the unity of the global church this World Communion Sunday with meaningful worship visuals. From clergy stoles featuring wheat and grapes to altar textiles inspired by cultures around the world, discover creative ways to make the Lord’s Table come alive with beauty and symbolism. At Carrot Top Studio, we design Communion stoles and liturgical art that help pastors, clergy, and congregations visually express themes of belonging, reconciliation, and hope.
Holding Memory, Holding Hope
A reflection on remembrance, loss, and hope through art, faith, and community. From quilts to stoles, discover how memory and gratitude carry us forward.
The Garden: Growth Takes Time
Discover how Ordinary Time in the church calendar invites slow, sacred growth—like a garden tended with faith and patience. This reflection explores spiritual growth, the meaning of Ordinary Time, and how the rhythms of nature mirror our walk with God. Perfect inspiration for those seeking Christian encouragement, seasonal faith practices, and reminders that growth takes time, leaf by leaf.
Favorite Public Domain Art for Ordinary Time Worship Visuals
Explore public domain art perfect for Ordinary Time worship planning. This curated list features sacred imagery and seasonal symbolism from different periods in art history to visually enhance summer sermons and church liturgies. Image pictured, a detail of “The Angelus” by Jean-Francois Millet
Tending the Soul: How Ordinary Time Cultivates Spiritual Growth
Discover the beauty of Ordinary Time in the church calendar with Carrot Top Studio’s newest collection of green clergy stoles. Explore how this season of spiritual growth, faithful ministry, and slow transformation is reflected through meaningful design and visual storytelling. AND there’s a bonus freebie for those that read all the way to the end!
Woven by Grace: A Life of Faith in Every Season
In this deeply personal faith reflection, Carrot Top Studio’s founder shares how a life rooted in Christ has been shaped by community, creativity, and God’s steady presence through every season. From childhood prayers to ministry in Haiti, from laundry room worship to launching a liturgical art business—this story testifies to God’s grace woven through both extraordinary and ordinary moments. A meaningful read for anyone seeking encouragement in their spiritual journey, creative calling, or role in faith-based service.
Extraordinary in the Ordinary: Designing Stoles for Ordinary Time
Discover the beauty and depth of Ordinary Time through handcrafted clergy stoles that reflect themes of creation, spiritual growth, and everyday faith. At Carrot Top Studio, we embrace the creative freedom this liturgical season offers—designing green stoles rich in symbolism, texture, and meaning. Whether you're preaching on discipleship, justice, or the sacredness of daily life, our Ordinary Time stoles are created to visually support your message and ministry.
Flames, Flight, and Faith: Marking Milestones in Ministry and Creativity
Celebrate 21 years of faith-inspired creativity with Carrot Top Studio. In this reflection on art, ministry, and the movement of the Holy Spirit, we share how our handmade clergy stoles and liturgical art have grown from a single idea into a creative calling. Discover how Pentecost themes of wind, fire, and renewal continue to shape our studio—and how a big move to Wisconsin marks our next chapter.
Spirit in Color and Form: Celebrating Pentecost Through Art History
Looking for inspiring Pentecost resources that combine theology, history, and art? In this blog post, we explore three beautiful public domain artworks that visually represent Pentecost and the work of the Holy Spirit. Perfect for pastors, worship leaders, artists, and church creatives, these diverse pieces span styles and centuries—offering rich visual symbolism for sermons, liturgy, or personal reflection during the Pentecost season. Whether you're preparing a worship space or seeking new ways to connect with Acts 2, these timeless images bring the story to life.
Inside the studio!
Step inside Carrot Top Studio for an exclusive behind-the-scenes video tour! Explore the creative workspace where faith and artistry come together to design unique clergy stoles, inspiring artwork, and meaningful faith-based products. See the materials, tools, and process that bring each handcrafted piece to life. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or art enthusiast, this inside look at Carrot Top Studio will deepen your appreciation for the craftsmanship and spiritual storytelling behind our work. Watch now and discover how creativity and faith intertwine in every stitch and brushstroke!
Rejoice! Embracing the Beauty of Easter’s Promise
Celebrate the joy of Easter Monday with a reflection on renewal and hope. Our latest blog post features a beautiful illustration of a floral wreath, a butterfly, and the word Rejoice!—a reminder of the resurrection’s promise. Embrace the spirit of new beginnings and carry the message of Easter into the days ahead. #EasterMonday #HeIsRisen #FaithandArt
Resurrection in Thread: The Meaning Behind Our Easter Stole Collection
Discover the beauty and symbolism of our Easter stole collection, designed to reflect the themes of resurrection, renewal, and hope. Each stole is crafted with thoughtful details that honor the joy of Easter Sunday and the liturgical season that follows. From vibrant colors representing new life to meaningful imagery like crosses, lilies, and rays of light, these stoles are created to inspire both worship and reflection. Whether you're a pastor, priest, or church leader, explore how these vestments can enhance your Easter celebration and visually proclaim the message of Christ’s victory.
A Lenten Reflection Prompt: The Memory of What Was Lost
Reflecting on what we’ve lost can be a powerful exercise in gratitude and spiritual growth. What emotions surface when you think about this item? Does its absence create space for something new? In this Lenten season, consider how loss—whether intentional or unexpected—shapes our faith journey. Use this prompt to journal, sketch, or pray, allowing your reflections to draw you deeper into the themes of release and renewal. For more guided reflections like this, visit my Substack, where I share additional insights and an audio version of this prompt.
Sacred Stillness: Why Seasons of Quiet Matter in Our Spiritual Journey
In a world that celebrates constant activity, embracing seasons of quiet is essential for spiritual growth. In this post, we explore the importance of sacred stillness, especially during Lent, and how it invites us to step away from the noise and distractions of daily life. Through practical tips and reflections, we’ll discuss how finding moments of solitude can renew our connection with God, deepen our prayer lives, and guide us toward inner peace. Learn how to embrace quiet as a transformative practice in your faith journey.
Books for the Lenten Journey: Meaningful Reads for Reflection and Renewal
For those seeking a deeper connection between art and faith during Lent, our curated list of books offers a beautiful blend of reflection, inspiration, and visual storytelling. Featuring works like Prayer: Forty Days of Practice by Scott Erickson and Lenten Meditations by James Janknegt, these books invite readers to explore spiritual growth through the lens of art. Each one combines powerful imagery with thoughtful reflections, offering a unique way to engage with the Lenten season. Whether you're looking for a personal devotional or a resource for your congregation, these books provide the perfect balance of visual art and faith-based meditation. Explore our recommendations and enrich your Lenten journey with these thoughtfully crafted works.
Adorning Worship: The Symbolism of Our Lenten Stole Collection
Discover the depth of the Lenten season through our thoughtfully designed clergy stoles. Each stole in the Carrot Top Studio Lenten collection weaves together meaningful symbols—palms, crosses, wilderness imagery, and rich purples (and more!)—to reflect themes of sacrifice, renewal, and spiritual preparation. With handcrafted details and intentional storytelling, these stoles are designed to enhance worship and visually connect congregations to the journey toward Easter. Explore the collection and find a stole that speaks to the heart of your ministry this Lent.
Prompt: A Week of Gratitude Letters
Discover the power of intentional gratitude with "Prompt: A Week of Gratitude Letters." This guided practice invites you to reflect on the blessings in your life and express appreciation through handwritten notes. Whether you're thanking a mentor, reconnecting with a friend, or acknowledging everyday kindness, these prompts will help you cultivate a heart of gratitude. Perfect for personal reflection, faith communities, or creative journaling, this simple yet meaningful practice can deepen your connections and bring joy to others. Join us in embracing the art of gratitude—one letter at a time.
Using Public Domain Art in Church Worship: Inspiring Visuals for Bulletin Covers and Screens
As Lent draws near, it’s an opportunity to deepen our worship experience through both word and image. One powerful way to enhance the Lenten season is by incorporating art into worship services. Public domain art offers a wealth of visual resources—ranging from classical masterpieces to lesser-known gems—that can elevate our reflections on the themes of Lent. In this post, we’ll explore how to use public domain art in worship, particularly on bulletin covers or church screens. We’ll also highlight three impactful works of art that can inspire reflection, prayer, and contemplation during this sacred season.