Two Journals in Shop

I'm putting these two journals in the shop around the corner, S'More Couture, and they are long overdue.  I haven't sold many journals lately so I needed to update to get people's interest.

 Rebecca Sower has a new venture to help a small group of people in Haiti.  She was visiting there on a mission trip just a few days before the earthquake.  She came home with the idea of helping the destitute women she met by selling their handwork and brought home quite a few items.  She opened an Etsy shop and sold all of them and then solicited the help of artist friends to help fill the shop with their wares and all the proceeds would go relief and rebuilding efforts in Despino, Haiti.  If you would like to help, contact haitibyhand@att.net and ask Rebecca or go to her blog site to see how you can send your work OR click on my sidebar to take you right to the shop so you can purchase.  All proceeds go directly to the Haitians in Despino.

Matthew 25:40--"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' "

Matthew 25:45--"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' "

Another Ruffled Bible

I've been "ruffling" again.  This time it is a Cambridge Bible published in 1893 and purchased at an auction last Spring.  I forgot I had it until the other day I was scrounging through some old books and there it was--the perfect size for "ruffling."  The pages were so old and brittle that I had to use a different technique from what I had used before. (See previous post HERE.)  I've put this in my Etsy shop if you are interested.  See the sidebar, click on the photo and it will take you to the listing page.  Though some pages are torn the words are all still there except in Psalms where a burn made a hole through some of the pages.  I guess someone was too close to the fireplace.
Matthew 22:29--"Jesus replied, 'You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.' "

Gifts Just Because

Ok, I don't know where the other three pics went when I thought I had downloaded them.  Anyone know?  ANYWAY-----
I got the most surprising gifts in the mail the other day.  Here's the story.  I had an Etsy deal go wrong last Fall and my purchaser did not receive her purchase.  Instead, I googled her and found her on Myspace so I could see a little of her personality and style and then I sent her a WAD of goodies.  The last thing I need is for someone to not be pleased and never visit my shop again.  It was so fun finding little things I had that would fit the bill.  She was amazed and very pleased with what I sent and I never expected to hear from her again.  Low and behold and months later, here came this package with all these goodies.  The pic above is only 1/4 of what she sent but I've never received anything from any online person just because.  I loved everything and can't wait to find a place for it all.  I was bowled over!  She may not know this but she did something very Biblical.
Luke 6:38--"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Ice

We've had so much snow and cold lately that when we did have sunshine, the snow melted into great icicles.  Here you see "bars" of ice across my kitchen window.  You can also tell which portion of our house is more insulated than the other.  Time to call the insulation people.  This was the 12th of Jan. and the last day we've had any sun.  We've had icy fog, icy mist, rain mixed with ice and freezing rain--yuck!  I'm longing for some rays.  I have to admit that it is beautiful on the trees.  I'd take my camera outside to show you but it would get wet and I'm like a hog on ice--not a beautiful analogy but it works.
I found another snow passage in the Bible the other Sunday during the second sermon of the day--Isaiah 55:10--"Rain and snow come down from heaven."  Yep, I'm thankful God knows what he's doing.

Into Headbands

Here's another rose headband for S'More Couture.  This one has vintage lingerie (one way of saying "an old slip") and beads from a real vintage necklace (thank you, Mariam.)  Candie gave me some old hankies, some lace snips and a few buttons Sunday.  People are just now catching on that I do something with these old things--and it's been three years now.  She's one of few that bring me things she finds when cleaning her house.  I'm greatful for anything pretty, lacy, buttony (is that a word?) or beady.  Two of my winter headbands and two pair of leggings have sold.  I love my job!   It's interesting that I love making these things but would never wear them--of course, almost 63 years old might have a bearing here.
Isaiah 46:4--"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you."

Fairy Journal?

Fairy Poem at the-feathered-nest.blogspot.   I added bunches of goodies to the inside and along the edge.

Yeah,  I'm not much on fairies but I have a gob of cute photos of them, mainly from The Feathered Nest, a blog I frequent almost every day.  I had a person request a Fairy Journal and this is it, finally.  I was asked in November and she said "no hurry, whenever you have time," so here I am in January with it finished.  It turned out pretty cute and she also requested "bling" so I got to use a lot of glitter glue and rhinestones--yippee, yippee. 

I'm getting used to the new format on Blogger and things are a bit jumbled.  The photos didn't all come together as hoped.

I put a new flower in my Etsy shop (see sidebar to take you there or click on this--sallylsmith.etsy.com). The photo is below.

I used two t-shirts, baby pink for the rose and a dark taupe for the leaves--both vintage.  Matching seeds beads from a vintage necklace top it off.  I wanted to make my own signature flower and I like working with this fabric and these colors.

I'm Not In A Bubble

These are little snowflakes my granddaughter, Emma, made for me for Christmas.  I strung them on quilt thread and pinned them to my curtains.  Very cute and she did a good job, too.

That was the good news.  No, I'm not in a bubble.  I'm very much aware of what is happening in Haiti.  Am I bad for not wanting to follow the news?  Even the weather station, one of my favorites ( yes, I am a Nerd), is carrying the horrific reports of devastation and loss of lives.  All of that becomes so overwhelming to me that I can't function if I hear too much.  We will be giving money through our church to the Haitians and our church, in turn will funnel that into our State Convention and then into the National Convention.  We have Disaster Relief Crews on the way and all our money will go to them.  We're also a very mission-minded church that meets needs so I'm imagining that not far down the road, we will be sending other units of help in various ways--from construction and food to daily supplies.  Why does it take a disaster to meet the needs of the poor?  They've been poor a long time--and now--after all this--something has to be done and people respond.  God's power to them!
Matthew 25:35-40
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Very Simple

It's very simple--just an after-Christmas sale bronzed paper gift bag embellished with a cut-out snowflake, and that done very quickly (don't look closely) and glitzed with a glitter pen. I'm carrying this and that everywhere and I can just leave the sack this way with my stuff--inexpensive but nice all the same.

Coffee Filter Roses

I've been making coffee filer roses for some time now and wanted to show you what can be done with them. I love creating something from a discard. One of my favorite Bible verses speaks along this line.

2 Corinthians 5:17--"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

I love the exclamation point after this verse. I believe Paul meant what he said. What a great verse to start the new year. Have a good one.

Winter Headband

Sadie is wearing my newest creation--a winter headband. I've put three others--winter white on black, charcoal on grey and dark pink on grey--in S'More Couture but this one goes in my Etsy shop. I used a new acrylic stretch headband and a vintage pink sweater. Here's a close-up. I love them, however I'm way to old to wear one--not gutsy enough is a better description. I loved making this one--pink's my favorite color!
Have a great winter day.

Three New Year Domino Necklaces

I'm removing three Christmas necklaces and replacing them with these. Click on photo for a close-up. Valentine's day is approaching--#1, digital background with hand-drawn tree--#2, collage sheet from Paper Whimsy with copy of old postcard in window wrapped with copper wire and beads--#3. I spent most of the snow day making these and the others in yesterday's post. What a great day of creations. Today is delivery day to three shops :+) in 7 below temps. Brrr.
Have a blessed day.

Use of a Snow Day

Here are a few of the things I made yesterday on my snow day at home. I bought the wood heart long ago, spot painted it white and added a charm I purchased for 30 cents, and added a pretty pink seam binding bow. It took a while to figure out how to hang the charm.

I purchased red gift bags at 50% off in the Christmas section last week, free cut hearts from old music and "love" vignettes from copies of old postcards, added pretty ribbon and Voila--Valentines Day gift bags. I don't know what I'll do with them yet. Anyone want one for $3.00 a piece? I'm not having much success on my art website sallylsmith.etsy and the shop owner doesn't want red in her shop--just pink and pastels. I like red for Valentine's Day myself. Hope your day goes well.

--"and the greatest of these is Love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

Snowed In

Peaks on the fence.

Our backyard.

Barbeque, anyone?

Solitude.

Simply beautiful.

Job 37:6--"He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth.' "

Calendars

I made three calendars to put in S'More Couture. I can't do without one. Now if I'd just look at it I wouldn't miss my appointments:+) I put the following verse in each.

Psalm 90:12--"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
I have so many things I want to do and none of them are earth-shattering--not that I want to shatter the earth but they do seem mundane in the view of eternity.

Dear Lord, help me to live today as if it were my last. Amen

Starting the Year with Small Journals

I've started my year creating small journals, the ones above. Both are from inexpensive sewn notebooks on which I've decorated copies of old photos and paintings with lace, measuring tape, old dictionary words and definitions, scrapbook paper, and buttons. Charms, crystal chandelier drops, curtain rings, keys and handmade medallions--all dangle on ribbons or cording. I've stamped swirls along the sides and stickers to add extra layers. These will go to RE, a shop in the Metro Center in Peoria, IL to advertise a workshop I hope to be doing soon.

Thank you, Lord, for good health, time, resources and the ability to work. Amen

Happy New Year!

I hope your new year has begun on a pleasant note. Today started very cold with snow on the ground but the sun is shining brightly and it's a glorious day. I began my creative year making little signature flowers for the shop, Relics. Unfortunately I won't make much money on these because I quoted her a way-too-low amount for the time that it takes to makes them. Each takes about 15 plus minutes and 75 cents each is mega low. I'm a poor business person and don't value my time enough. Music and art are not valued highly, in my estimation. Hopefully this year I will be bold enough to expect more for my time. I'm looking forward to the year and hope you will follow me as I serve the Lord with my abilities and time.
Hosea 10:12--"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord."