Pirates sail the big blue sea, encounter unfriendly sailors and pursue treasure to explain a message of love for God and others in Victoria Osteen’s new picture book, Unexpected Treasures (978-1-416-95550-4, $16.99). Little Simon Inspirations, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, publishes the picture book for children aged 3 to 7 this month.

The main characters in the story, “Captain” Jon and “First Mate” Sue, encounter a pair of quarreling pirates. Extending friendship, Jon and Sue invite the two aboard, sharing their food and treasures with the grumpy guys. The pirate pair offer their treasure map in exchange, and finding the jewels and gold, discover that real treasure is more than glittering possessions.

With patriotism flying high following the November election, the presidential inauguration this month and the upcoming spring holidays, Blossom Bucket introduces in February three resin patriotic-themed figurines from artist Barbara Lloyd.

Combining classic Americana and spring motifs, the Crow on Flag Block could stand alone as a decoration or fit into a collection. The flag reads “USA.” It stands 3 inches high and retails for $5.99.

Demdaco has announced the new license of artist and world-renowned naturalist Marjolein Bastin, beginning with the January release of “Nature’s Journey,” which includes five new collections of gifts and home accents with more than 150 items. It is Demdaco’s largest release ever, even surpassing the number of pieces included in its popular  “Willow Tree” launch by artist Susan Lordi.

A Hallmark designer discovered Marjolein’s artwork while on a trip to Holland in the early 1990s, initiating a relationship that has spanned nearly 20 years. Today, stationery, greeting cards, home décor items and gifts in Hallmark’s “Nature’s Sketchbook by Marjolein Bastin” line are among the company’s best-selling offerings.

Artist inspires with stone-filled wire design celebrating ‘colorful gift’ of life

Hand-finished, hand-painted home décor items take on a one-of-a-kind look for artist Elizabeth Blome, whose designs are available from E. Blome Designs.

Blome, who taught herself to paint as a form of therapy when her mother died of cancer in 1993, introduces Life, a 12-inch silver cross in the “Whimsey Cross Collection,” this month. Life ($24.95) is hand-sculptured and inspired by Romans 6:4.

With a raspy voice and a New York accent, Heather Headley is a Trinidad-born Broadway star set to release her third album, her first gospel recording, Jan. 13.
Headley has appeared in starring roles in Broadway shows like The Lion King and Aida (the Tim Rice-Elton John version), and is now set to release Audience of One (5-09992-26512-2-8, EMI Gospel/EMI CMG), a return to her gospel roots.

In talking about her musical career, Headley is a strangely private person for someone in such a public industry. But the bright lights are nothing new. She was born a pastor’s kid and has always had to deal with the scrutiny that comes from being in the spotlight.

RED is a GRAMMY-nominated rock quartet that releases its highly anticipated sophomore album Feb. 10, and is perhaps the hardest-working band in Christian music.

The members answer all fan e-mails themselves and play about 250 shows per year—a staggering number for any band, but especially so for one with married men in their late 20s, two with children.