Technology!

Yes, yes. My computer is down and I don't have access to my pictures so I can't finish what I had planned for the next few days:( It won't be fixed until after Christmas so I can't even hook up my new printer. Oh, well, there are much worse things in life. I'm just on hold for a while. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Be safe and God bless you.

Three More Freebie Cards

This little card was sent in 1929.

This is a beautiful card from 1932.

This is another colorful card from 1937.

Maybe you can use these in your art or craft projects or even copy them to use for Christmas cards or clip art. Help yourself.

2 Corinthians 9:7--"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

This is a good lesson to remember at Christmastime. Merry Christmas shopping.

New Journal and Two Free Postcards

Cover of "Languages Journal."
This is one of my two commissions I received in the last two weeks. The other one I posted yesterday. This is not my style because there are few pictures from which I can gain inspiration. This little girl for whom this journal was made loves all kinds of languages and knows how to speak a little of ten and she's only 9 years old. She has loved looking at the journals I bring in the shop and her mother ordered this one for her for Christmas. I've included two more photos below.

German word for study.

Here are multiple tabs that include some flags from other countries that are also dispersed throughout the book along with foreign postage stamps and other vignettes.

The scripture I chose for this journal is from 1 Corinthians 14:9-11--"Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me."

Below you'll find two postcards from 1918.

Enjoy using these if you wish, however, please do not copy the photos of my journal but feel free to use any ideas you wish. A link back here would be appreciated.

A Couple of Christmas Cards for You

This is one of the commissions on which I have been working. It's for an 11-year-old girl, the daughter of the shop owner where I sell my art stuff. I used a number of pictures of horses and women with horses and other little doo-dads related to the theme. There are about 25 vignettes along with the tabs on the side.

Genesis 1:25--"And God made..., the livestock according to their kinds,.... And God saw that it was good."

The date is omitted on this postcard but it has an old green 1 cent stamp so it's pretty much an antique but it is still in great shape.

This old postcard was dated 1931. The sentiment remains.

Playing Catch-Up

This a 1929 vintage Christmas card. Take it if you want.

This card was sent in 1931. It still has it's wonderful texture. It's yours.

This is a 1930 vintage Christmas card. Please use it if you can.

We got back from celebrating our granddaughter's two-year birthday and we had a great time visiting and loving on our newest grandson as well. I can't believe she's two and he's 3 months now. Our daughter-in-law is expecting her 7th child the end of Jan. or first of Feb. and we'll probably be going to help them through the first five days or more--just depends on my husband's work status. I'm finishing up two more commissions and then I can shop! Whoa! I'm late and the weather is horrible. That's what I get for procrastinating.

Proverbs 6:9-11--"How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man."

I don't really feel like a sluggard for I have been very busy with my art stuff, but I'm afraid that the "scarcity" stuff will hit me hard this late in the season. I'm praying that I can still find what the kids want.

New Ezine coming in March

Take a look on my sidebar. I've included Romantic Living Magazine that will be coming out in March. It looks wonderful; see what you think.

A Sweet Blanket and a Freebie Card

I saw these little mini blankets in the shop where I sell my art works and crafts and thought I'd make one. I don't know whether this is "the newest thing" in baby stuff, but it looked easy to make and actually was. I used an old hankie and a new piece of super plush fabric, sewed them together and made little crosses in the middle to quilt it together. This is a great shower gift for the new mother--very sweet.

Here's an old postcard for you. I love the look of this artist's work. There seems to be a rash of it around this time period. I don't know this artist; do you? This vintage card was sent in 1929 and I hope you can use it. Regardless, enjoy.

The night Jesus was born there probably wasn't anything much in which to wrap his shivering body. The custom was to use strips of linen cloth, holding the baby tightly as if still in the womb. This was for warmth and comfort. Today we have every imaginable kind of wrapping but we still are seeking warmth and comfort from things--from food to luxuries. We are a needy people but what we truly need is God in the form of Jesus to fill the "God hole" in our hearts. Warm up with Him today.

Luke 2:6--"While they were there (Bethlehem), the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Meet The Boys

I started working on these guys about 5:00 a.m. and finished about 9:30 a.m. All that needs to be done now is the drill pressing (my husband does that) and adding the cords for hanging. I made some like these about 10 years ago--sure doesn't seem that long. Time flies when you're having fun. Click on the picture to see the personality of each. Though I draw the same style face, each is his own little being.

A Card for You and Something in the Making

Here's an old Christmas card from my stash belonging to my husband's family. The vintage is 1931 but the art is "Dickens-style." I hope you can use it.

My husband makes bows and his saying is "God puts a new adventure in every stick." Well, there's something in these sticks--maybe not bows but check back as they are transformed today (if God allows.) Have a good one. Psalm 118:24--"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Deck the Halls

"Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa,la,la,la,laaa,la,la,la,laa." This is the inside of a Christmas envelope from 1932. The envelope was way more intricate than the card. I don't know how useful this would be to you since my photography is so poor, but it's interesting none the less and you're welcome to it.

" 'Tis the season to be jolly, fa,la,la,la,laaa,la,la,la,laa." "Deck your neck with jolly Santa (Snowman)" was the case this week at my house. I had a commission to make 8 adult-sized necklaces like the childrens' ones I made last week but with a cord instead of beaded elastic. Seems I got a bit carried away. I've never had so much fun as when I found glitter glue. Wheee, that's a blast. The Santa images are from Shabby Cottage Studio.

"Don we now our gay apparel. Fa,la,laa,la,la,laa,laa,laa,laaaa." I used both colored dot and white dot dominoes and glitter-glued the dots. They turned out very sparkly. "Troll the ancient yuletide carol, fa,la,la,la,laaa,la,la,la,laa." How do you "troll and what is it?

Happy Lord's Day anyway, everyone.

Loving Thoughts and A Christmas Candle Card

1 Chronicles 28:9--"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."

I think that's pretty plain.

I made this little journal from an old ad and added buttons, velvet rick-rack, ribbon, lace from an old hankie and a rhinestone pin found in an old button box.

Here's another Christmas card for your art or other avenues of creativity. (Click on picture and right click on enlargement>click "save picture as" and add it to one of your files.) Have a good day.

Freebie Card and Wonderfully Made

I hope you can use this card from 1918. It's amazing the good shape it is in being that old. The graphics are very clear and my "sincere good wishes to you" still resides today.

Fleur de lis journal cover number one.

Fleur de lis journal cover number two.

Have you ever had to recreate something? I think it took almost twice as long to do the second journal for I tried to recreate every page just as the first. (I've explained the problem in a previous post.) I thought it would be easier but it wasn't. Though each journal is slightly different, each is wonderful in it's own right. Maybe that's why God created us each differently--it's just easier that way. Even identical twins are different in some way or another. You know, each of these journals is very special to me because I put time and effort into the making of each. How much more special am I to God? He made me unique and valuable and gave me a purpose in life. I am so grateful for what He continues to do in my life. He's given me more than I deserve.

Psalm 139:14--"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Two Freebie Postcards

Well, this isn't a Christmas card, but the wishes are still extended to you. I hope you find a use for this in your art. The vintage is 1921.

Isn't this adorable? I love it. I hope you can use this in your artwork or something else--my gift to you. It was sent in 1934.

This week, the first of December, has already proved to be very busy. I have two commissions to complete--5 children's necklaces and 3 adult necklaces with a Christmas theme and 20 Santa sticks. I finished the children's necklaces and my friend loved them and now wants 4 more adult necklaces by Sunday! Wow, I need to work even harder. My Santa sticks aren't due until the 15th so, Whewww! I have some time there. The shop owner that sells my art projects had a problem--she put my Fleur de lis journal on hold for a customer, who didn't show up or call after more than a week, and wound up selling it to another customer. The next day the original customer called and said she'll be by to pick it up Friday (tomorrow.) She asked me if I could duplicate the original journal. Fortunately, I took a picture of every page I decorated, but I told her that each was a one of a kind and I wouldn't be able to reconstruct it exactly--I don't have another fleur de lis napkin or a green glass button--things like that. I finished the covers and 10 pages and they are close. Hopefully, it will work--a lot of time goes into a reconstruction, even more than the original because I have to find everything again. Soooo, I'd better get busy and get to work--or just wiggle my nose and it would appear--and that' not going to happen. Only one can do that.

Psalm 148:5--"for He commanded and they were created."

Santa Claus

Is believing in Santa Claus wrong? My children grew up believing there was one and we did too. Both my husband's and my family didn't discourage this belief. Where did they go wrong? Were we incorrect in assuming that this belief was ok? What's wrong in thinking that there is a person big enough to give us our desires, to satisfy our deepest longings--someone in whom we can confide and trust. Did you ever notice the correlation between Santa and God? Maybe I'm stretching it a bit, but I see it. My children believe that they must be honest with their children and not allow them to believe in a myth. They want them to know that what is under the tree (and the tree belief is another story) is from them. Actually, honesty would have solved a lot of our problems when we were raising our children. My Mom and Dad gave us money to buy for our children because we just didn't have any extra. Those gifts were the "Santa" gifts and ours paled in comparison. How come Santa got to give the good gifts and not us? Why did we have to give the socks and jeans when Santa gave them toys? Oh, well, the questions abound and my kids have made their own decisions and all is well with the world. Just thought I'd vent.

Anyway, here is a freebie 1934 Santa postcard from my family collection. Hope you like it. Who started the Santa kick, anyway?

Happiness is a Freebie

Free 1913 postcard from my personal collection of family cards. Use as you wish and Merry Christmas.

Psalm 68:3--"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful."

"The pursuit of happiness" is a US Constitutional right along with life and liberty, however, true happiness comes from God. Many are sorrowful at holiday times due to life's losses. How do they do it without the joy of the Lord? Even in sorrow a Christian is joyful because his Lord loves him enough to share His goodness and mercy with him. Find true joy this Christmas through a deeper knowledge of the Almighty God and his son, Jesus Christ.

Through the next 24 days, I plan to share some postcards and Christmas cards. These come from my personal collection, from my husband's grandparents and great aunts and uncles. I hope you enjoy them and feel free to use them as you wish. Use them in your art, copy onto card stock and use as personal cards or just put the copy on a little easel to display throughout the season. Click on the photo>double click on the enlargement>save as picture to your file. Enjoy the holy-days.

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

We have a short lull before the storm as we gather as a family to celebrate Thanksgiving. I hope yours is as great as ours. We actually like being with each other. Lord, thank you for your generous gifts and your abundant care for us. I give you praise. Amen.

Please, use this postcard from my collection in any way you choose. Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

This is my grandmother L. I didn't get a chance to know her well. I was only two when she died. I believe she died from a heart attack, but I'm not sure. It could have been from exhaustion from raising three very "busy" boys, caring for a grouchy husband, caring for her live-in mother-in-law, working as a cook for a wealthy family and then coming home to make supper for her family. I understand she had a tremendously sweet spirit and never complained. Unfortunately, I'm not like her. Look closely--she's on her knees lifting out that turkey.

I have so much for which I'm thankful--mostly, my lovely family--a considerate and loving husband, three wonderful children and their equally wonderful spouses and twelve very loud, but adorable grandchildren (and one on the way.) I have a warm home, plenty of food, money for gas, good part-time jobs and the ability in my retirement to make art and sell it--to name a few. For what are you thankful? Comment here and on my return from my Thanksgiving break, I'll enjoy reading all about you.

Please, feel free to use this photo for your art or for any other respectable reason. Just mention my blog, if you will and I'd also love to see how you use it. Thanks. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Preparations

My son and daughter-in-law and their six children are coming to visit tomorrow. Today will be spent cleaning my house and child-proofing for my 20-month-old granddaughter. They will be able to come to our church's Thanksgiving dinner Sunday night, staying through Monday and leaving on Tuesday. We're all (my daughter and her family will be there too) meeting together at my in-laws house on Wednesday to butcher the deer my husband is supposed to kill this
weekend. We really know how to have fun, don't we. It is a tradition that the day before Thanksgiving we butcher. My husband's family has been cutting up their own meat all their lives and his dad is a superior butcher. We really save money and get all the meat we can and our whole family shares it. All our Thanksgiving food is purchased before that day and then prepared on Thanksgiving Day. It's all about family time. If you've never worked together as a family, you've missed out on a great time. There's something about working together that brings us together. Try it, you may like it. 1 Corinthians 3:8--"The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor."

The little art piece above started as a plain mini frame. I decorated with glitter glue, a vintage image (complements of Paper Whimsy), and added a green grosgrain bow, a beaded sprig and glittered leaves.

First Things First

I made these little bottle ornaments to put in the shop around the corner, S'More Couture. It was fun making these little precious things. I have a few more colored bottles around here somewhere but Christmas will be over by the time I find them. I've sold two of my large journals and a few ornaments and necklaces so I am pleased. I'm certainly not going to make a living at this rate but I am so grateful that someone finds my creations acceptable enough to purchase. Again, I have to be careful not to put my trust in my creations but in the Great Creator. I'm beginning to see that though I want to succeed as an artist/crafter, it takes enormous blocks of committed time at the art table--time that I have committed elsewhere. Since this is a hobby, of sorts, I put God's "divine interuptions" first--playing the piano for a senior group, transposing a piece of music for a friend who is singing for her friend's funeral, practicing it with her and then recording it so she can take it with her to sing, buying Christmas presents for 12 grandchildren and 3 children and their spouses, spending quality time with my husband, listening to a friend who is having trouble with her children, waiting with a friend while her husband has surgery, posting art-related devotions on a Yahoo group. That's a taste of my past week. I'm thinking that what's on my list is more valuable than my art projects even though it's frustrating for me to find the time to create. First things first. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."--Matthew 6:17.

I'll just continue to trust and follow.

Animals in Heaven?

I read a devotional yesterday about the question, "Will there be animals in heaven?" What do you think. If your pet is like a child to you and means as much as a human or more, do you think that God honors that relationship enough to continue for eternity? Possibly. Read Isaiah 11:6-9 below and see if this sheds any light on the question.

" Then wolves will live in peace with lambs, and leopards will lie down to rest with goats. Calves, lions, and young bulls will eat together, and a little child will lead them. Cows and bears will eat together in peace. Their young will lie down to rest together. Lions will eat hay as oxen do. A baby will be able to play near a cobra's hole, and a child will be able to put his hand into the nest of a poisonous snake. They will not hurt or destroy each other on all my holy mountain, because the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the sea is full of water."

I guess it's one person's interpretation but I tend to think so too.

This little hanging ATC started as a playing card on which I adhered a copy of a vintage image, fancy cut text strips, vellum words, jute cording and sheer ribbon.

Buttons

Did you know that there is a National Button Day? Yes, the day I made these little pretties (ala Rebecca Sower's idea),November 16, was National Button Day and I didn't even know it then. I have a passion for buttons, all colors and every size. I've always loved them and now I create with them. I've been collecting for years and love sorting them and I have pretty tins filled with them in all different colors. I don't think there is a scripture using the word "button" but there is one that appears to be close in Exodus 26:11--"Then make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops to fasten the tent together as a unit." I do believe they even had buttons way back then. Well, what do you know? There is a special website for button collectors. When I have enough time, I'm going to check it out.

These cufflets were made from old grain sacks, bits of odd fabric and many different buttons. They could also be bookmarks. I'm not brave enough to actually wear one, but I am in my sixties, hmmmm.... and I do a lot of things I wouldn't have done in my twenties for fear of someone's critique, hmmmm..... It just doesn't matter to me what people think anymore. I think I'll put one on right now!

Cold and Wind

Job 37:9--"The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds."

Brrrrr. Sounds cold, doesn't it. Well, winter is a-comin' here in middle America. It was windy and rainy with sleet today. Brrrrr. Time to get out the mittens. It's difficult for me to break down and wear a coat and gloves, but because my hands are in either water or glue most of the day, they tend to crack if I don't take care of them. Ouch! I spend most of my winters with band-aids around my fingers. God provides just what we need and at the right time. Though winters can be uncomfortable, God sees that we have a warm place to go and food to eat, water to drink and warm clothes. He's a loving God that cares for His people. I'm grateful for what some people call the basics. I know it would take only a few hours without heat and protection before I'd get the full impact of the "tempest." Where are those mittens anyway?

This little mitten is made from wool batting and stitched with perle cotton thread. I grouped three decorative buttons near the bow and stitched a little snowflake in the middle.

Treasured Possessions

Deuteronomy 6:7--"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession."

We really make mistakes when we treasure earthy over heavenly treasures. I'm a collector and I have to be very careful not to "worship" my collections. Do I hoard? Hmmm....yes. Then I am putting too much devotion into earthly things. What good are they, except to fill jars and bottles and make pretties that are passing fancies. I've kept so many little pretties and have a difficult time parting with them. Of what heavenly value are they? I hope the scriptures I put on these bottles will touch the hearts of the purchasers and set their minds on track toward worshiping the one true God of the Universe. May the Lord bless the work of my hands and bring more people into his treasury--to be His "treasured possessions."

These bottles were either found or collected (actually gleaned from my husband's collection--with his permission.) We used to go digging for "treasures" when we were much younger. It was fun recovering old cast-aways and cleaning them up--only to put them in a box not see them again for many years. What a waste of good craft materials! I put little shells, buttons, beads and odds and ends in the bottles, sealed them with corks or buttons and rhinestone stickers, added old seam binding or ribbon, lace and a tag with the scripture reference. A rhinestone button tops them off (my very difficult objects with which to part.) I didn't like the little stickers I put on the bottles so I removed them before taking them to the shop.

Bursting Into Song

Side tabs of "Sing" Journal

"Sing" Journal

Psalm 98:4-6--"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn--shout for joy before the Lord, the King."

Do you ever find yourself singing? You're going about your business and realize that you've been singing. That type of song comes from the heart. The songs I sing usually are initiated by the songs we've been practicing for church choir. I'm the accompanist and I don't sing as I play. That's way too much multi-tasking for this little brain to handle. I do catch some of the words and when I sing, however, I find myself making up words or just humming the tune. Maybe that's a "new song" to the Lord. We are supposed to sing to the Lord and play music on instruments if we follow the teachings of the Psalmists. Far too many people don't think they sing well enough to sing the hymns and spiritual songs in church worship. What about the "joyful noises" and the "shouts for joy?" I don't believe there is any excuse, so go ahead--"burst into song."

This is what I made from the pile I showed you yesterday. Finally I've cleared that part of my work space. I used a large notebook on which I adhered old music to the fronts and backs of the covers, ink, assorted fabric, the edge of an old doll's dress, lace, buttons, old text, pearls, a key, thread and a copy of an old photo. On the edges of every ten pages or so I put different kinds of tabs. I'm putting this in my Etsy shop today.

Bringing It All Together

These items have been sitting at the side of my work space for about a month now. I wanted to used the bingo cards I bought at a sale and collected a variety of little pieces to make a design. I laid out the components and they just stared back at me for a month. I've been busy making items to sell and have ignored their speaking to me. Today is the day to bring them all together.

God sets out the design for our lives and sometimes we set it aside for our own plans. We hear God's voice tugging at us for long periods of time and refuse to answer because "more pressing things--more important things--are demanding our attention. There's a feeling of incompletion, of urgency, until God's plan is met. He keeps calling--for a season--and then He may call someone else to complete His plan. He meant it for you, but you had more pressing things to do.
Oh, that we are not like Israel--

Isaiah 66:4--"For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened."

Just Like Christmas!

I was talking to my friends at a Sunday School party last night about the kind of artwork I do. I described Mixed Media art and said that I used "found" items, old lace, fabric, buttons, jewelry and other trinkets in my pieces. Well....two of them came to me today bearing GIFTS! Wow, I was so excited to see these little wonders--Grandma's old lace and buttons from Candi and a package of "unknowns" from Mike. Thank you so much for my early Christmas presents. I'm going now to touch all of it. Am I weird, or what?

Esther 9:22--"observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents ...to one another." I just had to find a scripture describing the giving of gifts and found this one. Maybe I'm stretching it just a little to suit me but I'm certain that I don't give enough to others. There's a special joy in giving things to others and I was touched by my friends' generosity and thoughtfulness in their giving to me.

Nest Journal

Front of Nest Journal

Side of Nest Journal with Tabs

Matthew 6:26--"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

If you've followed my blog at all, you will recognize that this verse is a favorite of mine. I keep going back to it because it means so much to me. This is a scripture about worry. Jesus is teaching us here that we don't need to do that because He will care for us. Worry actually increases our stress levels. If we put all our trust in Christ, he will take care of our needs. This verse also encourages me since He values me so much.

This art is formed on a large sewn notebook. I used a collection of cream-colored fabrics, an old album page, a bird and eggs from a collage sheet, old lace, vintage buttons, paper flower (walnut ink stained), burned fabric flower and background papers (thank you Deena), a leaf charm, mini glass beads, perle cotton thread, raffia, craft feathers, and old music. The tabs are from scrapbook paper, lace, button, ribbon, old book cover, stamps, old hankie, sticker letters that spell "bird." I washed the edges in pink acrylic wash and simply decorated about 30 pages. This went to S'More Couture in Peoria, IL.

Updates

I added some pink and blue tinsel garland and twisted silver chenille sticks (thank you, Deena) and silver cord hangers to the stars I made a few days ago. I think they are ready now.

I did get the design on the squares drawn and the squares sewn together for Cassi's quilt (my 9th grandchild) yesterday, as planned. I really didn't enjoy doing it, though--wish I had. I would have rather been doing art. Quilting is something both my husband and I do for our grandchildren, but we can't seem to get caught up. We have three to go and another on the way. Guess I just need to be thankful I can still use my hands and have the time instead of complaining. If I'm not careful, I'll start wandering in the wilderness!

Numbers 14:26-29--"The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 'How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. So tell them,...In this desert your bodies will fall--every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me." Read the whole account in Numbers 14 about the rebellious people and what happens to them.