As a young girl I began converting one thing into another. Sometimes these alterations were out of necessity but most often they arose from a simple pleasure in saving something that could serve a new purpose. In those days recycling was scarcely mentioned except by the “save the earth” people and the local scrap yard. Today recycling is the norm and major television stations broadcast shows on renovation and salvage art.
My passion for the art is multifaceted: I want to preserve a piece of history, I love to create and I feel connected to things that have been discarded, disrupted or damaged.
Often, we set out in life with an idea of who we are and what we are to become and then BAM! -- something happens that rocks our world! We find ourselves on a scrap pile wondering, “Was my life wasted? Was it all a dream? a lie? What use am I now? What purpose do I serve?”
From experience, I know that sometimes we have to come full circle-- back to the original point of the pain or injury-- before healing can begin. When the process is complete we will likely bear scars but we will be restored. Just as one object can be transformed or used for another purpose, so will we be able to serve in a renewed capacity. Our Creator is not finished with us yet!
I am excited to share with you Full Circle Gifts & Gallery! Space is designated for salvage art, novelty gifts and antiques as well as highlighting our community’s best artisans.
The Story Behind "Full Circle"
The past is not forgotten
Full Circle opened it doors and cornfields in 2006. Here are our PAST corn mazes and their pictures (click on the picture to the right to see all past maze pictures):
2007 - Live!
As we move into the new season at Full Circle Gifts & Gallery, people are asking “What is this year’s theme for the corn maze?” I’ve had fun keeping everyone in suspense, including my husband, but the cat is out of the bag so to speak. Air planes are already flying over our heads, circling the farm. The theme is “LIVE!” We will be using the same 14.5 acre field as last year's maze and it will be divided into two mazes. However, this year the trail has increased by 1.1 miles. This year's theme is my passion. I believe that we were put here on this earth to LIVE, not just survive!
I couldn’t think of a better way to depict living life to its fullest than the example of the Monarch Butterfly- so this year's design is a beautiful butterfly with information points throughout the maze correlating our lives to that of the Monarch Butterfly. This is a subject that everyone should enjoy. . . For too many years, I based my self worth on the wrong criteria, suffering from low self esteem that bordered on self loathing and suicidal tendencies. Today, I realize that there is only one idea that needs to be understood in order to love oneself: "I am alive, therefore I Live!" I’m encouraging teachers, ministers, youth pastors, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders and anyone else interested in the development of a higher quality of living to take advantage of a visit to the maze prior to their group's visit.
2006 - I Believe
If there's anyone who doesn't believe in angels all you have to do is fly 3 1/2 miles west over Cresco, Iowa and you'll see a mammoth of an angel, etched into a 14.5 acre green canvas. The statement "I Believe!" stretching from wing tip to wing tip captures the viewers attention and causes one to ask, "Believe in what? Angels? God? The devil? Good? Evil? The answer, all of the above.
Today’s society has had a tendency to minimize angels, making them into cute little figurines, or beautiful feminine statues. The devil is merely a little guy in a red fork tailed horned suit, who sits on your shoulder and tells you to do naughty things. God, "the main man", "the big guy in the sky", or whatever title we give him, has become everybody’s friend and the one who takes us all to heaven. Most however, don’t want to believe in hell. The Earth, they say has been hell enough. All the while an unseen battle is raging for our souls.
The "I Believe" corn maze will challenge those who dare to navigate its passages. If you've been walking through life with your spiritual eyes closed, you'll be awakened to a side of life you never knew existed. Things will become black and white and gray is likely to become your least favorite color in the box.
The maze, like life, isn't something you want to try on your own. Two heads (or more) are definitely better than one. The angel is divided into two separate mazes, of which consist 1.5 and 3.4 miles of trail. How many miles you cover is strictly up to the paths you choose. A map will be provided for viewing prior to entering the maze and others stationed at (Here You Are) points throughout the maze, along with other challenges and information. This is definitely a "one of a kind maze!" "GET LOST!" "GET FOUND!" I believe you'll have Fun!!
2007 - Live!
As we move into the new season at Full Circle Gifts & Gallery, people are asking “What is this year’s theme for the corn maze?” I’ve had fun keeping everyone in suspense, including my husband, but the cat is out of the bag so to speak. Air planes are already flying over our heads, circling the farm. The theme is “LIVE!” We will be using the same 14.5 acre field as last year's maze and it will be divided into two mazes. However, this year the trail has increased by 1.1 miles. This year's theme is my passion. I believe that we were put here on this earth to LIVE, not just survive!
I couldn’t think of a better way to depict living life to its fullest than the example of the Monarch Butterfly- so this year's design is a beautiful butterfly with information points throughout the maze correlating our lives to that of the Monarch Butterfly. This is a subject that everyone should enjoy. . . For too many years, I based my self worth on the wrong criteria, suffering from low self esteem that bordered on self loathing and suicidal tendencies. Today, I realize that there is only one idea that needs to be understood in order to love oneself: "I am alive, therefore I Live!" I’m encouraging teachers, ministers, youth pastors, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders and anyone else interested in the development of a higher quality of living to take advantage of a visit to the maze prior to their group's visit.
2006 - I Believe
If there's anyone who doesn't believe in angels all you have to do is fly 3 1/2 miles west over Cresco, Iowa and you'll see a mammoth of an angel, etched into a 14.5 acre green canvas. The statement "I Believe!" stretching from wing tip to wing tip captures the viewers attention and causes one to ask, "Believe in what? Angels? God? The devil? Good? Evil? The answer, all of the above.
Today’s society has had a tendency to minimize angels, making them into cute little figurines, or beautiful feminine statues. The devil is merely a little guy in a red fork tailed horned suit, who sits on your shoulder and tells you to do naughty things. God, "the main man", "the big guy in the sky", or whatever title we give him, has become everybody’s friend and the one who takes us all to heaven. Most however, don’t want to believe in hell. The Earth, they say has been hell enough. All the while an unseen battle is raging for our souls.
The "I Believe" corn maze will challenge those who dare to navigate its passages. If you've been walking through life with your spiritual eyes closed, you'll be awakened to a side of life you never knew existed. Things will become black and white and gray is likely to become your least favorite color in the box.
The maze, like life, isn't something you want to try on your own. Two heads (or more) are definitely better than one. The angel is divided into two separate mazes, of which consist 1.5 and 3.4 miles of trail. How many miles you cover is strictly up to the paths you choose. A map will be provided for viewing prior to entering the maze and others stationed at (Here You Are) points throughout the maze, along with other challenges and information. This is definitely a "one of a kind maze!" "GET LOST!" "GET FOUND!" I believe you'll have Fun!!
Recycle the Earth: Save Yourself
It's hard to believe this is already our third corn maze season. If you've been to one of our mazes, you know I couldn't have a maze without a message. This years' theme is no exception. RECYCLE THE EARTH. Save yourselves.
I've designed a maze using the international recycling symbol encased in a circle-- hence "The Full Circle." Of course, like always, I have used scriptural references along with factual information. The main focus at the twelve information points throughout the maze is on stewardship of this wonderful sphere we call Earth, Terra Firma, or Home. Even if we don't believe in "global warming" we should all believe in taking care of the place we live.
Watch for our recycling discounts. You may be asked to bring anything from a blue/green/yellow bottle to an empty ink cartridge, to receive discounts on admission price. I'm also hoping to have a salvage art contest before the season is through and maybe even a contest to determine who will take the crown as the areas recycle king and queen. Looking forward to community involvement.
We're also adding a couple of new (recycled) attractions this year. One is a Giant Ant Farm that stands 6' tall and 3' 4" wide. You'll have to come see what we made it out of. We've converted the leftovers of a small steel bin into what I'm calling "The Playpen." It's a big sand box filled with toy dump trucks, tractors, and sand toys. Kids and parents love it! We've expanded the play area next to the horseshoe pits for kids to enjoy.
Ticket prices this year will remain the same as last, at $6.00 per person. The maze will open Aug. 1st and be open thru Oct 31st (Fri - Sun evening). We will still take appointments on all other days. Overnight camping and mazing is still an option on our off-days but only by appointment.
I've designed a maze using the international recycling symbol encased in a circle-- hence "The Full Circle." Of course, like always, I have used scriptural references along with factual information. The main focus at the twelve information points throughout the maze is on stewardship of this wonderful sphere we call Earth, Terra Firma, or Home. Even if we don't believe in "global warming" we should all believe in taking care of the place we live.
Watch for our recycling discounts. You may be asked to bring anything from a blue/green/yellow bottle to an empty ink cartridge, to receive discounts on admission price. I'm also hoping to have a salvage art contest before the season is through and maybe even a contest to determine who will take the crown as the areas recycle king and queen. Looking forward to community involvement.
We're also adding a couple of new (recycled) attractions this year. One is a Giant Ant Farm that stands 6' tall and 3' 4" wide. You'll have to come see what we made it out of. We've converted the leftovers of a small steel bin into what I'm calling "The Playpen." It's a big sand box filled with toy dump trucks, tractors, and sand toys. Kids and parents love it! We've expanded the play area next to the horseshoe pits for kids to enjoy.
Ticket prices this year will remain the same as last, at $6.00 per person. The maze will open Aug. 1st and be open thru Oct 31st (Fri - Sun evening). We will still take appointments on all other days. Overnight camping and mazing is still an option on our off-days but only by appointment.
Fall 2008 Corn Maze Aerial
Check out the Fall 2008 aerial photo of the corn maze. My friend who is also a pilot just flew me up on Oct 1st to take the photo. After I took this picture, we flew around the area for awhile and captured a beautiful shot of contour farming.If you'd like to use it for your screen saver, contact me by email and I'll forward it to you. Hope you can make it out to the maze this year. Have a wonderful fall and harvest season!
