Putting It Together

I love blending old with new in my art. I've used new scrapbook paper on this little book and added old fabric--feed sack, upholstery, linen, open weave cross stitch fabric, an old swatch of dress fabric and lace. I put them all together making a flower (have you ever tried to cut circles with pinking shears?--hmmmm--it's a good thing I'm not going for perfection). Little glass beads make the center and I've added two pretty new ribbons with a frayed older one. Sometimes we have to just "make do" and use what we already own. I'm a big one for trying new techniques (and that usually means new materials) but I already have a pile of stuff I've not used yet. My heart says "adventure" and my mind says "frugality." It's a battle. Such is life. We're not promised that life will an exciting adventure. Sometimes we have to use the scraps and make it work.

Deuteronomy 28:12--"The Lord will...bless all the work of your hands." (the kicker here?---obedience to God, verse 13.)

Love is In The Little Things like PATIENCE

1 Corinthians 13:4a—“Love is patient.”

I could use a little patience right. I’m sick of winter. We’re supposed to have more snow tonight—only about a half inch, but still…. I guess there are people who wish for snow. As a matter of fact, around September I’m one of them but we’ve had a hard winter this year. It’s difficult for me to believe in global warming…brrrrr. My thoughts are turned toward Spring. This little card expresses my longings.

I used a 5 x 7 natural card for the background, vintage fabrics, buttons, millinery flowers and watch parts (I think). I hand-stitched with embroidery floss. I’ve put this in my Etsy shop (click on the same picture in the side bar and that will take you there.)

Asking For Directions

Genesis 24:42--"O Lord,...if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come."

This passage comes from the story of Abraham's servant seeking a wife for his Master's son. The consequence of the journey was Rebekah. If the servant hadn't asked God for direction, he may have chosen the wrong girl. When I don't ask for directions for my life's walk, in God's will ("if you will"), I many times make the wrong decisions. If God has a plan for me, why do I take the wrong path? I just need to ask for directions.

This piece of art was an art card I made a long time ago, offered it for sale and it didn't sell. I'm trying it on a mini journal and we'll see. I cut out a copy of a vintage image, painted the background, added book binding materials, decorative paper (Shabby Cottage Studio), an old rhinestone earring, ribbon and a piece of fun fur yarn. Old music decorates the inside covers. I sold the "Friends" piece I put in S'More Couture (Feb 11 post)--yeah!--trying now for this one.

Friend Fun

Philemon 7--"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers...."

Do you pray for your friends?

My friend, Deena, and I went to lunch and antique shopping today and we ran into a bonanza of wonderful items. I found some hardware and buttons, to name a few and Deena found a gorgeous old frame and some bottles, among other items. Deena is "answered prayer" walking. She's had a tremendous struggle this past year and is still healing after many surgeries and therapies. I've prayed a lot for her, as have many of her friends, family and other acquaintances from blogland. God has blessed her with his mercy and granted her healing. I continue to pray for her complete healing so she can return to a normal life here on earth. She's getting there!

Back to today--we had a great time together eating, shopping and sharing some of our purchases and possessions with each other. We've planned to decorate bottles next week so I'll show you the results when we finish. It's great having fun with friends. God gave them to us to enjoy. Isn't He wonderful?

Trying To Fill The Void

The house is quiet, the children and grandchildren are gone and I'm back to creating--if but for a while. The visits were great fun and I'm exhausted--but in a good way. The stillness is heady and I'm ready for it--but a void remains. How I love my family!

So, for now, I have my friends.



Proverbs 18:24--"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

For this mini journal I used three decorator papers and a copy of a vintage image, gold glitter glue, a rub-on, old lace, cheese cloth, ribbons, gold and blue metallic pens and gold thread.

Solitude

I was searching for the right title to this little domino necklace I made the other day and I believe the heading says it all. I've had a houseful of grandkids the past few days and I haven't seen a lot of this. You know, Jesus sought solitude after being around people all day. It was just as difficult for him to find it in his day as it is in ours though our circumstances are very different. It's important to find that time and plan for it by reserving a quiet time in your schedule. You'll find it calms you and your attitude will be better for it.

I used a dragon domino, a copy of a painting pieced together, a tranparency, gel medium, gold paint, beads and waxed linen thread.

Happy Valentine's Day

Psalm 13:5--"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation."

I don't have a love trust with anyone else like this--there are none on this earth.

Have a happy day/night.

My Alabama grandkids awoke to an inch of snow today and were so excited. They played outside at 7:00 a.m. until they were too cold and then came in for hot chocolate. I'm such a good grandma. And God was so good to provide such a Valentine's treat. Not even grandmas can make snow!

The Seeker

"If you look for it as for silver and search for it as for
hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of
the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Proverbs 2:4-5

Who can understand God? Who is actually in awe (fear) of him? If we believe what this scripture says then we can learn to know God better. It takes effort on our part, we have to treat our search like we would if we were looking for buried treasure. It's there and we just have to look for it. Now, am I willing to search?




I used an old domino, added a copy of an old ad as the background and added a silver leaf sticker and a transparency. I decorated the sides by drawing a

design in gel medium, letting it dry and then dry brushing with gold paint. I used a waxed linen thread for hanging and added glass beads. I gave this to a friend at church who wears the coolest pendant necklaces. I hope she likes this.

A Loving Friend

Proverbs 17:17--"A friend loves at all times."

All the time? Every day? Every circumstance? Yes. Sometimes friendship is better than a family relationship. We need friends and in order to have them, we have to be one--easier said than done for me. I'd rather hide in my hole and not worry about relating; it's more comfortable that way. No time spent listening to each other, planning a time to meet, taking time from doing our own thing--no, it's a lot easier not to have friends. But then, there's the lonely part--the part that needs nurturing, the section that needs someone to hear my heart, the room that needs to know someone really cares for me. I need that. So, I listen, I plan, I take time away from my wants and be a friend. You know what? It's worth it!

I made this little ATC about 2 years ago and it didn't sell so I put it on the cover of a mini journal and I'm offering it in the shop around the corner. Maybe the second time around will do it (actually, I think it's the third time.) I used a playing card, copied vintage image, charm, ribbons, scrapbook paper, ink, waxed linen thread, book binding materials and torn letters.

I've Been Published Again!

In Somerset Studio's Gallery Magazine, Winter 2009 edition, you will find....

this little Santa Doll I made in the spring of 2007 submitted for the 2007 Fall edition. They contacted me that I would be in the winter 2008 edition of Gallery, but it didn't show up in the magazine. I contacted them and asked and they vaguely said they had troubles getting it in that issue but that it would appear in the next year's Gallery issue--and it did. Yeah! It's funny seeing a Santa in Jan/Feb, but who's complaining? Some of the works of artists who straddled the line of making it in the regular Somerset Studio Magazine appear in the Gallery. At least I was noticed--and my instructions appeared this time, too! I have another work entered that hasn't been returned yet, so we'll see what happens to it. Thank you, Lord, for the thrill of getting my work noticed, even if it is a Santa.
1 Chronicles 16:34--"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His love endures forever."

Heart Thoughts 6

Psalm 16:8-9--"I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure."

Isn't it a great feeling to be secure? How often I've lain awake at night wondering, "What is going to happen if...?" Then I remember, "This is out of my hands. There's nothing I can do about it. It's all up to God." It's at that point that I'm able to rest. He gives me sweet peace and a restful night. There are so many "ifs" in my life right now--so many people with problems who have come to me to vent. I become agitated wondering how I can help them and what can I do. I realize that I'm becoming addled and my brain is about to explode. Unfortunately, I let myself go beyond the brink before I cry out to God to handle all these situations. I MUST remember that the Lord is always before me and has things already worked out; I must not be shaken.

This is another in a series of little books called "Heart Thoughts." I used scrapbook paper to cover the front and back, old music stained with ink to cover the insides, ribbons, a piece of old feed sack fabric and old buttons sewn and tied with embroidery floss. I condensed the scripture in the back of the book to read: " I have set the Lord always before me...therefore my heart is glad. Psalm 16:8-9."

I've Been Playing

There's a new subgenre of art out there where the old, Victorian style is mixed with the new. In this piece, I've mixed the two by using an old pewter mini frame, twisted wire, glass beads and the insides of a watch. The pendant hangs from a sheer ribbon. I used music background paper.

This next example is built on an old dragon domino--remember them? I used another chunk of watch insides on the top and filled in the depression for the battery with thread and pearls for the eggs and nest. I cut out a bird and used a foil filigree limb. The text is from an old dictionary. I decorated the sides with a floral etching and highlighted the dragon on the back. It hangs by a waxed linen cord. I'm calling this line "Yesterday, Today and Forever" from the scripture in Hebrews 13:8--"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." They are both making their debut in my Etsy Shop (see the side panel to visit and see more pictures of each.)

Heart Thoughts 5 More Celebration And An Idea

The idea first: I purchased this GORGEOUS reamer/juicer last Monday on my birthday as a present to myself. When I got home and was washing it, I noticed the holes looked just about right for some of my paint brushes. The old jar was one my husband and I dug up many, many years ago looking for "treasures." It says "Crisco." Did you know Crisco used to be sold in pint jars? Yep.

I bought this beautiful card for $1.00 at the Antique Mall. Deena and I were looking for treasures and I found quite a few. I'll share with you. Use it as you will for your art or whatever.

This is the fifth in a series of mini journals I've made the last couple of weeks. I used scrapbook paper, brocade ribbon, brocade fabric, open-weave ribbon, sheer puckered fabric, costume jewelry pearls, a shell leaf button, a selvege from muslin with computer-generated text and assorted ribbons for marking. The scripture I used for this comes from Psalm 9:1--"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of your wonders."

This little journal is for sale today in my Etsy shop (have a look if you want in the side bar at the top of the page.)

Heart Thoughts 4 Continuing the Celebrations

This beautiful postcard was found in an antique store last month. I'm sharing it with you because I'm celebrating two years of blogging and my birthday week. When you get old, you can have a week of birthday celebrating! Don't you wish you were old?

Yesterday was busy so I'm adding another postcard I found last weekend on a junk store/flea market spree. Hope you can use these. If not, just enjoy their quaintness.

Psalm 75:10--"My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright heart."

Upright means "righteous, sincere or honest"--qualities lacking in most of us in this ol' world--and I include myself. And we wonder why we are bombarded with temptations, evil thoughts and lies. Where's our shield? I'm afraid we need to look at our hearts.

This mini journal is part of a series I'm making to celebrate Valentine's Day. I used a small notebook, scrapbook paper, part of a hankie, a pink ribbon background, old buttons, assorted hanging ribbons and a strip of fabric, a chipboard flower, old tatted lace, a heart button and perle cotton thread. This little book is for sale in my etsy shop (see the side bar at the top if you wish.)

Heart Thoughts 3

Job 22:22--"Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his word in your heart."

I need to depend on God's word in every situation in which life presents itself. I go off on my own tangent and expect God to bail me out instead of going to Him first and remembering what He has already taught me. Though I find scripture difficult to memorize, I need to read it more to ingrain it inside of me.

I made this little mini journal by using an inexpensive notebook, scrapbook paper, ink, velvet ribbon, a brass heart charm, perle cotton thread, a piece of old hankie and a pink ribbon. I added words to a selvege edge of fabric.

Celebration Week

My birthday is today and I've also been blogging for two years as of January 25. I'd like to celebrate this week by sharing some of my photos and postcards with you to use as you wish--just don't include them in a collage sheet for resale, digital or otherwise. A link back here would be appreciated should you use it. Thank you for your respect.

I bought this postcard a couple of years ago and made a Valentine card for my husband from it. You could do something cute, I bet. Go ahead!

Heart Thoughts 2

Job 22:22--"Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart."

I've been making these little books for the shop and since Valentine's Day is near, I've been using the "heart" theme. I've entitled each book "Heart Thoughts." Do you know how many times the word "heart" is mentioned in the Bible? I don't either, but it's a lot! I use a scripture in each of my pieces of art so here's one for today.