Flower Experiments

I did some experimenting yesterday.  I had seen some of these flowers around town in other shops and on-line so I thought I'd try to make some.  I bought a few dresses at the Salvation Army on Friday--ones with organza overlays and it's from this that I made these.  I have a way to go and am learning from my mistakes but I still think these are pretty cute.  I also learned that some materials burn instead of melt and some melt and burn at the same time.  I'm working in my kitchen with the exhaust fan and on my ceramic oven top--with water standing by.  I think it could be pretty dangerous if these things go out of control.  Those who know me well, know that things do go a little wonky for me at times.  I can't wait to make more though  (smiling and rubbing my hands together!)

A Few Freebie Photos For You

I thought I would gift you with a few photos taken from an album bought last Spring.

A sweet little baby.

Two women--maybe you can remove the glare.  My scanner doesn't work so I have to take pictures of pictures.

A bright-eyed yound man--photoshop could cure this glare, I'm certain.
Help yourself to these copyright-free photos.
Have a great day.
Sally

New Bottle

I needed to make another bottle to replace the one sold in S'More Couture, the little shop where I sell some of my arts and crafts.  This one is called "Pure."  It took me a while to finish this as I was getting sick the day I made it.  So over a few days I'd add more elements until I came up with this.  The tag behind the bottle reads:

Message in the Bottle Reads:

"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.

Philippians 4:8

I used a tracing paper base and added a bordered paper with the verse printed inside, rolled it up and stuck it in the bottle and tied it with some trim.  Below is a close-up of the focal point.  The bubble is backed with an elaborate "P" (thank you,   Shabby Cottage Studio) and glitter-trimmed and gathered crepe paper back that.  A blue crystal, a key,  and an old jewelry finding with added rhinestones are the dangles.

No Snow Day--Really??

I measured 7 1/2" in the back (as you see here) and 9 1/2" in the front of my house today and the school's here didn't close!!!  Please,.....the snow plow didn't reach my house until 7:30 this morning and, of course, it obliterated my driveway entrance.  Good thing I'm not going anywhere today and that my husband has a 4-wheel drive truck!! ( You can see my dog's little face peeking out of the right hand corner of the picture.  He loves snow and it's a good thing.)

"As long as the earth endures,

seedtime and harvest,

cold and heat,

summer and winter,

day and night

will never cease."

 

Genesis 8:22

Rethinking Books

I sold this Ruffled Bible last weekend and hope it gets to its destination like this.  I packaged it in a closed position so I hope all the pages fall back into place.  I'm working on another book now, a collection of Chaucer's works.  I can't think of anything better to do with it than recreate it into an art project.  I've been folding away on this one but can't take pictures of it now until I get my USB cord replaced, or whatever is wrong here, which means I can't take pictures of anything new--thus a repeat of a previously posted photo.  I have been busy this past week working on some exchange projects (I got a jar of jewelry, she gets flowers), sorting said jewelry, working on a new bottle (the one in the previous post sold), a decorated purse (mine--I used a strip of black gauze, ruffled and sewn on a little black purse--cute, pics to come), a decorated camisolle (sp, but I don't want to look it up), pics for Etsy (which I can't download now), a funeral, meetings with two friends, a concert with the Bradley Symphonic Winds (I played handbells with our choir with them), usual church activities--choir practice, Wed supper (I cooked), three Sunday services and associated music for each, mailing Etsy and Ebay sales (long story of a package sent to the wrong person), getting sick for two days (better now), mailing a birthday present, webcam visits with Hannah and Seth (two of my thirteen grandchildren--and another on the way),  minimal housework--basics only (I hate housework!), Preschool music two mornings, paying bills, going to the bank, going grocery shopping, and other assorted wonders of the retired college music professor.  The Lord is Good.

Hope on a Bottle

This bottle sold recently in a little shop near my home.  Deena and I got together today to create a bit and she completed a bottle that will be sold in her Etsy shop, Sweet Annee.  Check in a few days for it--way cute.  Also check her blog, Deena's Story, about her survival--great praise to our God.

My Hearts Are On Hold

We're going to visit grandkids for a short few days and then I'll be back for more Heart Sessions.  Have a great week.

Sweet Thoughts

Because Preschool was cancelled today due to the snow (Yippee, yippee!!) I got to stay home and stuff Valentine sacks with mucho candy.  And because I had more time than usual, I personalized every sack.

I just punched out scalloped disks from plain white card stock, stamped them with a rubber stamp from the dollar bin at Michael's and gave each disk a name.  I used cotton embroidery thread, 7" length, and put it through a hole I punched.  It just so happened that I had exactly the same color ink, pen and thread.  I'll put them in the mail today and hope they get them on Sat.  One can hope, can't one?  I'm always a day late and a dollar short, but they'll still get their candy and they'll know I was thinking about them.
Psalm 119:103--"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

A Gift with a Heart

Saturday a church friend gave a small tool box-sized load of costume jewelry to me.  I was in Hog Heaven!  In that box was this little 1 1/4" silver heart charm on a braided cord necklace.  I thought this would be perfect for Rebecca's Heart Sessions.  She has a number of people posting heart images through the month of February so run over their and take a look at the diversity.   It's fun looking for another heart or making one and here was this one just waiting to be posted. (Smile....)
DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE 743 REFERENCES TO THE WORD "HEART" IN JUST THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION OF THE BIBLE?  wow!

In the Style of Rebecca

I made this little heart journal after the style of Rebecca Sower's "Moments" embroidery.  It was put in a silent auction recently.

I embroidered on an already made panel of vintage embroidery that had been sitting in a drawer.  I sewed on all the objects and added ribbons and buttons and a hand-made velvet rosette.  The journal is one I found at Big Lots for two dollars and was intended for a bride's book with pockets in the back for rememberences. (I dredged this photo up from last October's post because my camera is down now and I wanted to post something "heart-y" everyday that I'm in town during the month of February.)
HEART--"something resembling a heart in shape; esp., a conventionalized representation of a heart."--Webster's Collegiate dictionary, third edition, 1925.

Heart Box and Heart Goodies

Following Rebecca Sower's Heart Sessions, I was sent a tiny red velvet heart ring box from a friend so I went searching for hearts to fill it.  This is what I found and that's not all of what I found.  I can't believe I have so much stuff--stuff collected over four years since my interest in mixed media art. I loved searching for little heart goodies and this treasure trove is winding up in my Etsy Shop.  Now I'm off to take pictures of tomorrow's Heart Sessions entry.  I leave you with this:
"Love is not found in the ring box but in the heart that gives it away."--Sally L. Smith, 2010

Heart Sessions with Rebecca Sower

Here's a little heart journal I pulled out of my picture files that I made and sold last year.  I'm planning to create a series of heart objects through the month of February by jumping on the band wagon with Rebecca Sower and a group of crafty artists (If she'll have me.)  I love working with hearts and I plan to continue the theme of "Heart Thoughts" as I create.
Deuteronomy 6:5--"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

Creations for the Shop

Here are a few things I put in S'More Couture yesterday--a pair of leggings decorated with my little roses, a warm winter headband with a flower from a vintage sweater and a little journal.  I'll be getting my things together today and tomorrow for a workshop on how to make a journal like this.  It will be next Tuesday night at the Metro Center in Peoria, IL and it's sponsored by RE-, a shop that specializes in all things re-cycled, re-purpose or re-claimed.  Most of her things are from other countries but she has about 5 locals and I'm one.  I have domino necklaces there but she thought the little journals would be easier to make--and she's right.  Now.. to gather supplies.

Giving and Birthday

I put together a few collage kits this week and this one is going to Haiti By Hand to help a tiny corner of Haiti with relief and rebuilding.  This site was begun by Rebecca Sower after a mission trip she made just days before the quake--a site by which to sell items made by the Haitian women troubled by abandonment and abuse.  All the items sold out almost immediately upon people hearing about the quake.  Though Rebecca made it home, so many others were lost in the rubble or left homeless--even worse than the misery in which they had lived.   My heart has gone out to those poor souls.  I've given money through my church association for relief efforts but I still felt a need to personally help in some way and this venture fit the bill.  A small gathering of lace I put together was purchased last week by an artist and I hope someone will see this as something they "need."  Collage kits are great ways to jumpstart waning creativity.  There are just enough bits of things to use in mixed media or fiber art or trade with others.  Rebecca handles all the expenses on Etsy and Paypal and the individual artists give their time and pay the shipping/item expenses.  After effects of situations like this quake can last for years so I've committed to donate somethings every week until people quit buying.
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."
Oh, and by the way, it's my birthday.

Mending

Picture A

I know when something doesn't feel right and I couldn't let this piece go without doing something about the tear in the image so......

Picture B

I mended it.  I think it's a little better and now I'm able to sell it.  What do you think--Picture A or B?