Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Doing Missions

No, making shirts is not a mission for God but I believe God has given me abilities to use for him.  I believe that work, chores, jobs, whatever you want to call them, can be blessed by God if we do them with the right attitude.

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."

I'm off to do a little mission work.

Monday, June 21, 2010

A New Week-A New Shirt


This little flower reminds me of a little nest with three matte-finish pearls.  I've used a little black lace to offset the plain black ruffle.  I'm off to work on more.  Have a great evening.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Third and Fourth Days Done

I'm exhaused.  The last two days of VBS have been good but rocking out every day at my age is not something I normally do.  "Rocking out?" you may ask.  Yes, and it's a good thing that I've been excercising for the past month.  Though I haven't lost but a couple of pounds, I am more strong and have more endurance and that has been a good thing.  One more day--no, no I'm not counting the days--Well, maybe, a little.

The rose corsage was made a while back for a mother-of-the-bride.  She was to wear a gray dress and wanted pale yellow and cream flowers.  I used a combination of fabrics, combining some, folding, searing some, and sewing, added green leaves and gray crystals, pearls and a touch of gold.  She was very happy but it seemed an odd combination to me, though it did turn out well.

Our Bible verses for the past two days were:
Psalm 119:18--"Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful truths in your instructions."
Psalm 119:37--"Give me life through your word."

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Second Day of Bible School


Yes, the second day went better than the first.  Yesterday I was hoping to not have a bladder infection--I was having twinges--and I drank about a quart of cranberry juice yesterday and today I'm much better.  I also had way more energy today--and I needed it.  It was a great day, though.  Everyone is doing a good job and the kids seem  to enjoy it. 

I made the two shirts in the last five days--the rolled flowers was last weekend and the ruffled one was yesterday.  I sat on the couch most of the day yesterday and here's the outcome.  I made more money at S'More Couture in May than in any other month since I've been there so I need to keep making these shirts.  Yay!  If you'd like a shirt like what you've seen here or any you may see on my blog, please contact Amy at the store's link address or phone number or contact me via my email: sallylsmith1@yahoo.com.  They are $22.00 each from me and that includes shipping within the Continental USA.  They are more at the shop--remember Amy needs to keep her doors open.

The scripture for Bible School today was found in Psalm 119:50--"Your promise revives me; it gives me comfort in all my troubles."  I hope all your troubles are miniscule today and if not, call on the Lord.


Monday, June 14, 2010

A Busy Week


Yep, busy.  Vacation Bible School is this week and last week was spent pulling things together so I have only one creation to account for my creating time last week, though I spent bits and pieces of minutes here and there working on two more journals.  I'll post my shirt tomorrow after I take pics today.  I have to create so I grab what I can while the water boils---or whatever.  I thought I'd share some graphics from an old cookbook I sold on Etsy a while back.  I love the black on cream look.

Today's VBS Bible Memory Verse was from Psalm 119:151--"But you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true."  When in doubt, turn to God's word to straighten out the situation.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Hardware: Historical Beauty

I don't have a lot of time this week so creativity is at a low ebb but I thought I'd share some Victorian beauties with you that I sold in my Lydia's Lineage Attic shop on Etsy.  I love the detail on these old hardware pieces--door hinge, door plate, drawer pull, pocket door plate.  Just lovely.  There are so many ways to use artistic talent.  Even the people of the Old Testament were called to use their God-given skills in His work--building the temple.
Exodus 36:1-7 tells of God calling skilled craftsmen to do all kinds of work on the temple and the members of the congregation chipped in gold, silver and other metals, fabric, wood and whatever they had to the degree that they had more than enough to finish the job.  So much that the craftspeople called off the donations so they could get to work.  Wow, if we only had that much cooperation in our churches, what could we accomplish for the Lord?
I'm blessed to be in a congregation similar to this.  Not everyone gives, grant it, but we do have a large percentage of givers.  Usually we don't go wanting if there's work to be done.  Like I said, Blessed!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Special Little Journal


One of the families in my church is hosting a Samaritan's Purse Heart Project child, her Mom and their interpreter. I went to their house yesterday to show the ladies how to make the flowers that I put on t-shirts.  The little girl is recovering--finally.  She had quite a battle after extensive surgery on her heart and abdomen and this little journal went to her.  She was admiring my calendar that I keep in my purse and I thought she would like all the ribbons on this one and she DOES like pink.  We had a fun time.  Today I'm taking them supper after decorating for VBS this afternoon--quite a full day but I enjoyed it---then off to practice with the band for the block party we are having at our church Saturday--a VBS kick-off.  Never a dull moment.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Finally Finished Journal


I made this journal last summer, put it on Etsy and it didn't sell.  It's been sitting around here since that time and I've been experimenting on it since.  I gessoed the cover and wiped off most of it and wound up gessoing the whole book cover but didn't like it.  I sanded it a little and added glitterglue and it was ok but it sat around a few more months.  Today I stained the cover with Color Box's Brown Ink by daubing it on with a stiff brush so I could push down into the crevices of the cover design.  I turned out a brownish maroon and is much better than the bright red of the original cover.  I also added ribbons and buttons.  I'm planning to put it in the S'More Couture shop around the corner, however, my journals aren't selling now there either.  Oh, well.  I'll try.