Decorated Comb

This beautiful vintage comb was given to me by the S'More Couture shop owner, Amy Irving, to decorate with my little handmade roses. I think it turned out cute and they match the peach strip already embedded in plastic. Tiny little rhinestones dot the edge--so pretty! They really knew how to make jewelry to last back then and I'm hoping to give it a new life with these roses.
Isaiah 40:24--"They are like flowers freshly sprung up and starting to grow."

Second Guessing

Have you ever made something, put it aside and then gone back and completely reconstructed it? It did so with the choker I posted last time. It just didn't look complete and when I took it to the shop, Amy suggested I add a lace medallion or something. I opted for the "something" and this is how it turned out. It's a bit Victorian but I think it turned out cute. We'll see what the shopkeeper thinks tomorrow. What I have here is a new creation--and you know I like this verse: 1 Corinthians 5:17--"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

Flower Necklaces

Here are some little necklaces I made last week--all on seam binding.

I made the flowers of the one above out of dyed coffee filters.

These flowers are paper from a wreath that cost me twenty-five cents at a yard sale. I added pearls from an old necklace.

The flowers above are paper sticky embellishments coated with a glaze to look almost translucent. These all go in the shop.

Now if we would wear the laws of God like we do these necklaces, we'd be in good shape.

Deuteronomy 6:6 and 8--"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts....Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."--or around your necks.

All the Little Angels

I have been busy this week, though quiet. These were made for Christmas to sell at the shop, S'More Couture.

I used copies of angels from an old twenties book of sympathy poems (in my Etsy shop--see right hand side bar) and added quilted layers of fabric, feathers and a little computer-generated banner. I'll add perle cotton thread hangers a little closer to display time.

I'm trying to make my house baby proof as my next to youngest grandchild will be visiting next week. Yep, it'll take me at least that long to do it. I'm not the most organized grandma alive. I believe I'm realizing that I'm a hoarder. It's not easy to admit that but I do hoard items I think I can use or sell. I'm working on that one as we speak.

Matthew 6:19-20--"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

We Found A Nest

It had stormed the night before and my granddaughter, Hannah, and I were walking the next morning. I looked down, as I usually do when I walk, and there was this cute little nest that had been shaken from the tree above. Being the nest and bird lover I am, I picked it up and we examined it. Such a sweet, tiny nest it was and it had a bit of blue fuzz inside that the bird had found to make it soft for its eggs. Some little birdlings had a great place to hatch. I don't think my little birdling was very impressed with it but we had an adventure anyway. I love it and put it in a creamer I've had sitting in the corner of my bedroom for a long time. I was going to sell this creamer (Made in Occupied Japan) but I've decided to keep it since it has a purpose now--Nest Holder. I hope you find a treasure today in something.

Challenge: Pink and Brown

I was asked to make a pink and brown cufflet but I didn't have enough cute pink buttons, plus, I don't have very much brown fabric. I had to dye my own feed sack fabric with walnut ink and I had to use some pink beads to fill out the length. A brown hankie sacrificed its lace. I think it turned out sweet; I hope she thinks so, too. Going to see two grands tomorrow--yippee! No art or computer for three days--hmmm, am I addicted?

Proverbs 13;4--"The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."

Cones in August

Christmas cones, that is. Yep, Christmas in August. What a way to think "cool"--make ornaments for the Christmas tree. These will go in the the shop, S'More Couture ,

in October. Until then, (humming tenderly), "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas." Do you feel cooler yet?

1 Peter 4:19--"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." I don't know why this verse jumped out at me today, but it did. I share it with you.

Don't Throw Away Those Coffee Filters!

My offering for today: A used coffee filter, watercolor pencils, scissors and glue--that's all you need to make these little rosettes. I think they're very sweet and will use them in some Christmas art and maybe some other stuff as well. Have a great day.

Offerings

Exodus 25:2--"You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give."

Yep, I'm giving away (well, sacrificing at a cost) some of my ribbons and jewelry on little Lotto cards (early bingo). It takes a lot for me to part with my stuff but I have so much. I think the worst thing is letting something go that I actually use in my works such as the tulle, lace, doll dress scrim and sheer ribbon, rhinestone pin, pearls and flower sprigs that you see above. I'm just hoping someone else sees value in these items. Off to find more--am I obsessive?

Purely Whimsy

I know. There are no such things as fairies but I can play, can't I? I scratched her wrist a little while wrestling her into this old mayonnaise jar but she still held on to her wand. Though she's a bit downcast at the whole ordeal, I'm sure when given the right spot on a shelf somewhere, she'll be perfectly happy. She's headed for my Etsy shop today.

I sold my "Emerge" necklace today after changing the copper to silver wire. I'm glad it's going to a good home, too. Enjoy, Julie.

Romans 12:12--"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Birds Are In The Wood

This is the first time I have made "real art" in a long time and am using Dawn's print and one of her Bird Songs from The Feathered Nest. I'm so glad God made birds and flowers. They are so beautiful and I love to use them in my works. I have been making art to please other people and am deciding that my heart is not in it if I don't do what I like.

Colossians 3:23--"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

More Little Bottles

Here are some little bottles I put in the shop the other day--another example of my forgetting to take pictures of what I do. I'm still busy making little roses--so cute with pics later. Have a glorious day.

Psalm 145:5--"They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works."

Headbands Galore

You might say I got on a kick this weekend.

My first one was from an old doll dress--taffeta with a great frayed edge. I added real crystal beads.

The second was from a black slip--no fraying but it made lovely ruffles. The third was some old lace gathered and beaded.

Then three more--crushed gauze with a great frayed edge, real gray silk and a nightgown.

Well, I couldn't stop. I purchased some more slips from the Salvation Army store and they just multiplied. Each was so fun because they all turn out differently. This was another Old To New, repurposed craft. I love doing this type thing and they actually sell! But, of course! They are beautiful."God makes everything beautiful in its own time. " Ecclesiastes 3:11
{Ok, because it's Blogger, it won't accept my editing so you have to read divided words--sorry)

Renewed

If you've been following my blog, you know I love making old things new again. I did this by using an old leather-bound notebook (yes, they used to give these away as promotional items), circa 1930's, an old doll dress, a leaf from an old hat, burlap, old buttons, a feed sack and text from an old dictionary. The only things new are the beads, narrow ribbon and seam tape. You can find this little lovely in my Etsy shop (visit by clicking on any photo in my right side bar.)

We can have another chance with each new day and God has given me this one to be what he wants me to be. Will it be the same old day or will I make it a new one?

Psalm 51:10--"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Devotion

I made this little journal for a friend who just had a 50th wedding anniversary celebration. I used old text, an old hankie (loved this one and this is my last corner of it), old beautiful buttons, a piece of old satin looped trim, ribbons, seam binding and a leaf charm. I decorated the inside of the covers with gessoed music.

I made a pouch for it out of an old feed sack and used embroidery floss and straight stitched it across the top to close. I added a metal trimmed round tag, stamped the number 50, glued a paper flower and added a rhinestone button to the ring making it look like an engagement ring. I think it turned out cute. I cut out the word, devotion, from an old dictionary.

Romans 12:10--"Be devoted to one another."

Emerge Domino Necklace on Etsy

This little necklace is made from an old domino on which I used papers, nails, wires and beads. I used matte medium for protection, and glossy medium to bring out the face and windows. Did you know that dominos are made from HARD wood? I had to have help from my husband. This was one of those pieces of art that I just sat down with no thought in mind and it just happened. It's so cool when that happens! Hopefully it will speak to someone like the wings of yesterday. A lady bought one at the shop yesterday. Her daughter had committed suicide and the one with "sorry for your sorrow" touched her. Little did I know when I made it that they would speak in such a way. Thank you also, Tammy, for your sweet comments about the wings.
Psalm 36:7--"How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."

A Wing and A Prayer

I made these cute little quilted wings the other day, an idea gleaned from a magazine I bought. Each has a little message under some netting and each is adorned with old buttons, beads and lace. I machine stitched around the edges and added more stitching for the tip. A narrow ribbon is the hanger for each.
Psalm 17:8—“Hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

Another Friendship Journal

This little journal is at S'More Couture. Amy makes these lovely little headbands by using vintage jewelry and feathers. They are adorable but I would look silly if I wore one. They're for the younger generations (yes, plural now at my age.)
I used a small composition notebook for this journal and added scrapbook paper, roses from Joanna's collage sheet, text from an old dictionary, a copy of a Godey print, lace, ribbons and an old rhinestone earring.

1 Samuel 20:42--"Jonathan said to David, 'Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord.' ”

Another Forgotten Piece

Here is another little journal I made. I had forgotten to take pictures before taking it to this shop, so I had to go there for a photo shoot. I used an old hankie, lace, ribbons, rose cut-outs from Shabby Cottage Studio and a mother/child photo from Dawn (thank you) as the focal point. Looks like I'd learn, but alas, age is a deterrent to productivity at times. I made three little bottles yesterday and forgot to take pictures before I took them to the shop. I'll have to whip something up today and take it there and take pictures so I have something to post--and have an excuse to visit that cute shop. Why do I do forget?
Thank goodness God doesn't forget:
Psalm 137:5--"If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy."