From A Sincere Heart

Job 33:3--" My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know. "

Isn't it refreshing to hear the truth? I can tell when someone is telling the truth by watching their body language. It is so uncommon to find a sincere person. All around us is hipe and blah-blah. One can always find truth when looking to Christ, who called himself "Truth."

I'm giving this old ATC a new life on a mini journal. Hope it sells. It's already had two chances. We'll see....

Heart Song

Psalm 108:1--"My heart is confident in you, O God; I will sing."

Even in our confidence in the Lord, we sometimes don't feel like singing. Singing takes mental, physical and emotional strength. It takes concentration, ability and willingness. It takes a conscious effort--a determination--especially when we don't feel like it. It also takes a conscious effort to praise God no matter what is happening in our lives. It's in troubled times that I don't feel like singing or even listening to music so I must make myself--I WILL sing. Don't you love people who demonstrate this amazing feat?! I wish I were able to do more of this.

I made this little ATC last year or so and was not able to sell it, though I offered it two times on Etsy. So, I kept it myself and put it on my refrigerator. Now I'm ready to let it go so I put it on a panel of lace on a little mini journal I'd covered with scrapbook paper and added, buttons, ribbons, cording, a bead, open-weave binding fabric, book binding material and old text. Now it's ready to "sing." I put it in the little shop around the corner and I'll let you know if it sells.

Precious Treasures

Psalm 127:3--"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him."

Yes, a REWARD! Some days don't seem very rewarding, especially when you've had a bad day with the kids. Junior cries ALL day. Missy has been potty training and has had a poopy diaper three times already today. "The Big Kid" has called from Jr. High and has been throwing up and you have to drop everything, pack up the younger ones and treck through snow (you knew you shouldn't have sent him today) 15 miles to the school. He throws up twice more before you get home. Yes, a "reward"ing day. I do believe God looks on us when we have days like that one and gives us another star for our crown. We deserve it if we ask God to help us not get angry and loose our temper, if we ask for strength to fix a pot of chicken soup, if we ask to not give in to our desire to criticize Missy and encourage her instead and if we ask to keep on keeping on during the crying spells of Junior. If we are truly blessed, Daddy will be home soon.

I altered this medium sized journal (5 3/4" x 8 1/4"), a Hallmark Bride's Book reject found at Big Lots. It has beautiful brown and blue pages and a large pocket in the back. I added scrapbook paper, sanding it to look old; grided even-weave fabric for the binding; and used two old blue hankies, pieces of lace, old buttons, edging from an old hankie for the tie, a copy of a vintage photo (thank you "playingwithbrushes" on Flickr and complements of her site), cardboard, stickers, old text, perle cotton thread, beads, and old music for the inside covers. I stained the edges with an old ink pad.

Look At The Birds

Matthew 6:26--"Look at the birds of the air;...your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

If you've followed my blog for very long, you know I like birds and this verse is one of my favorite ones. It took me many years to believe that I was valuable to God and that He did have a place for me in His work and plan. Now that I am older and a little more wise, I believe this verse is true and it is a question that each of us should ask ourselves. How valuable are you to God? His plan for you is customized and fits you to a T. Are you in His plan or your own? I constantly ask if I'm still doing His plan for my life. I so love my life right now; I love my husband, my family, my church, my friends and my jobs (yes, plural, because I'm a musician and an artist.) This life is so good that I don't feel that I deserve it and, yet, He wants the best for me and why shouldn't I just let go and enjoy it? OK--I will!

I made this little mini journal for the shop. I used a small notebook, copied vintage paper, scrapbook paper, copies of vintage birds, a paper flower, ribbons, old text, a brass heart charm, beads and velvet rick-rack.

Heart Thoughts

I finished the cover of this journal last Sat. and completed the vignettes and tabs inside yesterday and today. This will go in the shop. I used Aida cloth, an upholstery sample, an old handkerchief, a piece of open-weave cross stitch canvas, embroidered ribbon, floss, a heart charm, letter beads, old text, wired pink ribbon, a leaf shell button, a copy of old music, assorted ribbons and scrapbook paper. Keeping with the Valentine theme, I decorated the inside using "heart-y" pictures, assorted ribbons, envelopes, word stamps, rubber stamped images colored with pencils, an old hankie, and copies of antique flourishes.

1 Samuel 16:7--"Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Sometimes things aren't what they appear to be. That smile may cover a broken heart. That laugh may be forced and an escape from inner "heart trouble." That friendship may be a cover-up for a hidden agenda. We can't hide from God, though we may fool others. He knows our true selves--nothing's hidden from Him.

Paradise Found

Luke 23:43--"Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.' "

This was the answer Jesus gave the thief that professed faith in Jesus as they were hanging together on their death crosses. The words of Jesus are filled with promise and comfort. The world is anything but a paradise however, Jesus has given us hope of eternal joy in this statement. I wonder what it will be like--women with wings? birds that look like butterflies? Who knows, but we can imagine!

This little mini journal was made for the shop in which I sell my artworks. I used a small notebook, added some printed-over text, copies of vintage images, beautiful ribbons and trim from Deena (thank you), and an old earring. I painted the inside of the covers and added the scripture above.

Hope

Job 11:18--"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety."

We are all searching for safety for ourselves and our children and their children. We make all kinds of laws to insure our safety. We hire people to "protect" us from the evil that lurks in our world--to provide us with a sense of security. Yet, we do not feel secure. The writer of these words, Zophar (a friend of Job), was telling Job to trust in God and put away any sin in Job's life. Then he would feel safe. I often take things in my own hands or pull the covers over my head for comfort when all I need to do is look to God, my protector and comforter--and hope in Him to give me a sense of security. He promised; will I heed?

I used a little 4"x 4" canvas I bought at Michael's after Christmas. It was intended to be used by children to paint and included a brush and two or three plastic cups of paint. I was just saying, after looking at the artist canvases, that I wished someone would create a 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 cheap enough for me to use--and there they were--right around the corner. I reconditioned it to remove the black lined drawing and here it is. I have a few in my sallylsmith.etsy shop. I loved doing this and used real feathers that I had found on my walks. What fun! I put it in the shop around the corner to "hopefully" sell.

Masterpiece

Ephesians 2:10 is a favorite of mine. This verse tells us that we are God's workmanship. The word, "workmanship," is a little over the top--a little too Victorian. The New Living Translation interprets the word as "masterpiece." Now that makes sense to me and it's a bit daunting to realize that is what I am to God--his masterpiece. Whew! That makes me pretty special to him so I must be worth more than I think!

I made this mini journal for the shop. I used a notebook covered with background papers, a copy of a vintage image, old lace, old sash, poly and silk ribbons and an edge to the sash, and an old piece of rhinestone jewelry. I'm not liking the hand-written word, though. I'll have to replace it.

Loved

Isaiah 54:10--" 'My unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord who has compassion on you."

What a great pronouncement the Lord has made to all of us who revere him! Sometimes it's just good to know that someone really loves us, truly has compassion for us and will give us peace in a troubled world. As we approach Valentine's Day, let someone know about True Love--the love of God for them. Have a happy day.

I made this mini journal by using a collage sheet printed over a background sheet
(Shabby Cottage Studio), lace, ribbons--velvet and silk, an old edge of a blanket, buttons--old and new, an aged safety pin and an old heart-shaped earring.

A Busy But Happy Week

My husband and I went to help our Son's family welcome little Grace Emily, our thirteenth grandchild, last week. She's the seventh child and, they say, the last for them. She may be last but she's not the least (though she is very small--4 lb. 12 oz. when we saw her last week.) Now if she'll just sleep a little more at night instead of in the day her Mom and Dad will be happy campers. She's beautiful and sweet and we're very proud, though exhausted from the week of keeping a family of nine in food and clothes. I do have enormous respect for my daughter-in-law who also home schools them all. We had a great time. Now back to work of a different kind.

Psalm 127:4-5--"Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are [children] born in one's youth. Blessed is the man (and woman) whose quiver is full of them."

True Beauty

Poverbs 31:30--"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
I made this little journal to put in the shop. I've been able to sell every mini journal I've put in there because they are unique and each is one of a kind. So are all of us. God made us each unique--different from one another to complete the purpose He has for us. I can't do what another Christian is destined to do unless that Christian says "no" to God and God reassigns His plan for that person to me. I believe that has happened in the reverse in my life. I've said "no" to God before and the mission was accomplished by someone else. God's plans never fail!
The scripture above was to be my message today, but God had another plan--I started typing and the above paragraph came out. Take it and run with it, please.

A New Year--A New Creation

I actually decorated a complimentary desk calendar for myself! It's rare when I make something for my use. I used the idea from a past Somerset Studio cover, a work by L. K. Ludwig. I happened to have a book cover similar to the one she used. Of course, she's making the big bucks and I'm still at square one, but I enjoyed making this and that's what's important. It's a new year and I'm going to try to keep my books a little more faithfully. Maybe the incentive will be using this book. Hopefully, I made a profit last year. We'll see. I have yet to get to the accounting for the year-another resolution to make.
But---first things first. This is the scripture I've written inside the front cover of the book:
"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."--Matthew 6:33.

A Gift From God

Our daughter-in-law had her little one a month early. Yesterday at 11:45 p.m. little Grace Emily was born. Momma had to have a Caesarean but Mom and daughter are fine--praise the Lord! I can't believe we just left their house 6 days ago. I never dreamed our DIL was so close to delivering. She looked wonderful--a little out of breath maybe--but with 6 children, that's expected. Gracie makes seven. We'll probably go help out next week because she's going to need a little extra dish and clothes washing for a while. What a gift---better than anything on earth--the birth of a child. We now have thirteen grandchildren. How blessed is that?!!!

Nostalgia Journal

The owner of the shop where I sell my small art journals requested more. They seem to sell well so I started making more yesterday. I used an old postcard that was literally falling apart to make this journal. I added buttons, glitter glue, and lace from an old hankie. The text is from a French/English dictionary (also old). The bit of lace at the top is a piece from a badly damaged lace coverlet. I've made something new from something old. I plan to make more this morning; my afternoon is booked with a birthday party for a church member and a hair cut appointment.

2 Corinthians 5:17--"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" God can make us new if we want and if we ask.

Vacation Is Over: A New Year Has Come

All the gifts are given and the family visited. I'm about two pounds heavier than before Christmas but much happier. Above are some presents wrapped and ready to be given to the preschool teachers with whom I work. The sheer, lovely polka dot paper came from Target and I must get more! I made the tags and inside are the snowman domino necklaces I made for them. Now to find my house! I have a lot of organizing to do and have to find a place for my Christmas gifts. The pictures of my children and grandchildren adorn the top of the tv so I can look at them every evening. I couldn't have asked for a better gift--maybe I did ask for pictures (?) Off to work. It's another year and I'm blessed with good health to work. What a gift!

Ecclesiates 5:19--"When God gives any woman wealth and possessions, and enables her to enjoy them, to accept her lot and be happy in her work--this is a gift of God." (Hopefully, God will forgive me for making this gender-specific. I read "man," as written in the Bible, as "mankind" anyway so this fits.