The Keys to Life

1 Corinthians 13:13--"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. but the greatest of these is love."

This scripture always makes me think even after reading it scores of times. It's many times used as a devotional scripture reading at weddings. Because I am an organist, I play for weddings, so I've heard this many times as well. Every time I read or hear it, I am always convicted that I don't love enough. This scripture brings out the fact that I'm too selfish to love enough. I get carried away in speaking, clanging, obtaining knowledge and, yes, even having faith (to name a few). Oh, for the love of Christ to permeate my soul to the point that I could portray even a tenth of what is in this chapter! Am I willing to give this much? Christ did.

This is a chipboard tag on which I collaged, stamped, stained, painted and added other ephemera. I stained some old keys and added the words, "faith, hope, love." The tag and images come from Shabby Cottage Studio.

The Shelter of Your Wings

Psalm 61:4--"I long to...take refuge in the shelter of your wings."

I love the "wings" scriptures! Life is difficult at times and I try to seek comfort in worldly things like people, food, art, books--to name a few. Why don't I turn to the only one who can give me true comfort......the Lord, Almighty? When I do, I feel his protection and care. I feel calmed and still. I feel like I can go on. He is the refuge-giver, the Prince of Peace.

I used the idea of a piece I did quite a while ago. I used the same vintage image and a different set of wings. I collaged on a 6 x 6 artist's canvas, added textures and painted it. I adhered the wings and painted the girls dress, blotting out the flowers on it (the original had the girl holding a bouquet and a basket of flowers.) I bended the wings and placed them in her hands. I added glitter glue to the wings and various other things and glued flowers and butterflies in place. I cut the words from an old children's dictionary. I'm going to put this on Etsy so I'll have four other angles to this picture on that site.

Think On These Things

Philippians 4:8--"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

These words appear toward the end of the letter Paul wrote to the Philippian church and these still apply to Christians today. We are so involved today- family, church, friends, work, recreation, sports, hobbies--that we don't begin to think on some of the most important things. How often do we think of TRUTH? "I am the way, the truth and the life," said Jesus. How often do we think noble, right and pure thoughts? Have you seen anything admirable lately or thought admirably about someone? When was the last time you ever thought of something lovely? Is anything excellent or praiseworthy in your life? We live in a fallen world and even if some of these did surface in our busy lives, would we think about them? I barely get my Bible readings done, let alone take time to think of such things.

I am thinking of making a book or a series of "thoughts" notebooks like this one. Hopefully this alines with the LOVELY thoughts mentioned above. I used a refill notebook with fine lined pages, 50 per book, measuring a little shy of 2 1/2" x 4 1/2". I added wallpaper strips, a vintage image, stamped a background with gold and added gold glitter glue. The word, "thoughts," is glued to some book binding material.

Change

Daniel 2:21--"He changes times and seasons."

Times--they are a-changin'. All of life incurs change so we need to get used to it. I do love this time of year. Autumn brings about change. Things have to die, lie dormant and be brought back to life in the Spring. This change reminds me of Christ who had to die, lie in the grave and be brought back to life by the Master of Change. Even as things begin to die we have the promise of new life if our faith is in Christ. The old has passed away; behold, all things have become new. Read Revelation 21:4-5 and believe that God can do what he promised he would do.

This was the only piece of art I finished while helping my daughter and her family after the birth of little Seth. I used a playing card to measure my scrapbook paper and I added a copy of a vintage image from Shabby Cottage Studio. The weeds were from the back yard and stamps from the bargain bins at Target.

Breaking Through the Facade

1 Samuel 16:7--"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

We put on a front; we smile when we're really sad; we can't let people really know what we think. We can fool some of the people some of the time, but we can't fool God. He knows our true thoughts and feelings. He knows if we really love him. He knows how we really feel about our neighbor/friend/family. He knows our past. It's very difficult to break through the facades we build for ourselves, but it is freeing when we do.

I used a vintage image on a playing card and typed a bunch of words that used to go through my head that come from my past. I stained the words but it didn't turn out the way I wanted (I've really tried to loose those words and don't want to revisit them so it's just as well.) So, I thought using flowers through which this girl is trying to emerge would be appropriate. I rolled back some of the cut paper, the under side of which I had painted black.

New Book of Scripture Art Finished Today

Cover: I used a transparency over printing on colored paper. I added seam binding with a buckle, the edge of an old quilt, a coin charm, an antiqued bell and sheer ribbon to the edge.
Page 1: I used metal strips and a brass heart to make the cross and added lace to the bottom of the page.
Page 2: I used old buttons and added blue perle cotton thread. I added glitter glue and paper flowers on the left and decorative glitter and paint on the right.
Page 3: I stamped the design using gesso and added a piece of measuring tape, frayed ribbon, old lace and paper flowers. I added a bead dangly on the edge (that can't be seen.)
Page 4: I used glittered baby's breath, transparencies, old lace, a button, a velvet leaf and flowers, ribbon, a charm on a safety pin in cloth and a letter sticker. The photo is from my private collection.

Page 5: The bird is raised by a glue dot and I used glitter glue to highlight the roses.
Page 6: I stuck little odds and ends in the "pot" on the left and added a praying hands charm on a safety pin in the right. The child is raised off the page by glue dots. The bracket on the right extends off the top of the page by 1/2".
Page 7: I added buttons with original thread on the left. I used a transparency of a tree on the left and of a hymn and an angel on the right.
Back: I used decorative paper and a transparency of the scripture on the back and signed and dated the book. Waxed linen thread holds the pages together.

The scripture used is from Philippians 4:1-7:
Stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
I plead with [you] to agree with each
other in the Lord….Rejoice in the
Lord always….Let your gentleness be
evident to all….Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all under-
standing, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:1-2,4-7

Each page illustrates the scripture and each verse is placed on the page to the left of each picture. I enjoyed doing this book and it was good to get back to creating with all my equipment. I did a little creating while I was gone but I was limited in what I could do. I wouldn't trade my time with my daughter and her family for the world but it is good to be home.

This book can be purchased in my Etsy shop. See the side panel on the right of this blog and it will give you easy access by clicking on the picture of this book. I hope to sell it but if I don't, I'll enjoy it or give it as a gift to one of my family members. (They all expect my art rejects for Christmas or birthdays anyway.)

Let's Make It a Dozen

I was finishing this blanket on the day Seth was born, but it's done and he has enjoyed it, I'm sure.
It was difficult for me to leave this little face. Her sweet personality matches its sweetness. She's a great "big" sister to this little cutie....
Seth William was born Sept 8--a long awaited treasure to add to our family. Seth makes 12 grandchildren for us, two children for my daughter and son-in-law. Now I come back to the hum-drum of life....and sleep.

Genesis 4:25 "...and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth."

New Grandson

My 12th grandchild was born today (a week overdue, but still sweet). His name is Seth William, 8 lbs. 5 oz., 21 1/2" long and a big cry. Mommy and baby are doing fine. I'll get to see him tomorrow and will have pictures of his introduction to his "big" 20 month old sister, Hannah. God is so good.