Tangled

A tangle mess of perle cotton thread. I can't even find the two ends and I've been looking for 10 minutes,

Still a tangled mess. I found the two ends, finally, and 10 minutes later the mess looks just the same as it did.

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." No it's not scripture. This is a saying from Sir Walter Scott. But the Bible has many scriptures revealing the same thought. One is found in Proverbs 14:5--"A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies." Have you ever said an untruth just to find yourself backing it up with another lie to cover the first---and on, and on, and on until you don't know what you said in the beginning? Many years ago I did just that--oh, what a tangled mess! It took a long time and a lot of embarassment to undo what I had done. Why did I get myself into that web? I entertained evil in my heart. I knew what a lie was and I jump head long into it anyway. I've learned through the years to not even go there. When I have a tendency to tell a "half-truth" I recognize it and either don't speak or retract my story and confess my untruth (a much more pleasant word than "lie" and a very difficult thing to do.) We need to be on guard all the time because the devil wants to pull us down to his level. Don't go there!

(I finally had to take the thread I needed to complete my project and leave the rest of the mess to untangle later.)

Fleur de lis

Psalm 33:12--"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance."

This is the scripture that I am ascribing to this journal. The fleur de lis symbol was suggested by Amy, the owner of S'More Couture where I have some of my art pieces. I knew nothing of the history of the fleur de lis and on researching, I found that it had some religious background in early France. Here is some of the information I found.

The symbol depicts an opened lily traditionally representing French royalty and signifying perfection, light and life. Legend has it that Clovis, the Merovingian king of the Franks, was presented a golden lily on the day of his conversion to Christianity. King Louis the VI or VII (it's still undesided) became the first to use it on his shield. Later, English kings used the symbol the times that England ruled over France. It became a common armour insignia and was incorporated into many coats of arms. Unfortunately, many times in history, religion and war have mixed. Some examples follow:

+Joan of Arc carried a white banner that showed God blessing the French royal emblem, the fleur-de-lis, when she led French troops to victory over the English in support of the Dauphin, Charles VII, in his quest for the French throne.
+The Roman Catholic Church ascribed the lily as the special emblem of the Virgin Mary.
+Due to its three "petals," the fleur-de-lis has also been used to represent the Holy Trinity.
+Military units, including divisions of the United States Army, have used the symbol's resemblance to a spearhead to identify martial power and strength.
(Information from fleurdilis.com/fleur.htm.)

The history of so many nations includes the belief in Christ, but what happened? Many are now denying that such history exists. They don't want to feel responsible to God in any way. They want to denounce that He even exists. Christians need to stand up whenever we are confronted with such heresy. We can't expect to be blessed by God if we don't.

I used a large sewn notebook, scrapbook paper, assorted ephemera for the inside covers, old lace, gleanings from an old sweater, vintage buttons, old French text, muslin, linen, old hankie and I beaded a little leaf to the background.

Best Friends Forever

John 15:13--"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

I'm not really into animals, however, I do think some of them are very cute. I love this picture of these supposed "enemies." If you've ever raised cats and dogs together, you realize that the expected reaction between the two usually doesn't exist. Like the photo above, most of the time they get along very well. Dogs seem to be more tolerant of cats than the reverse. Do you find that to be true? God made us to "get along" as well. Though we are world's different from each other, even though we're from the same family of animals, we were meant to cooperate. Why is that so difficult? When Christ said to love our neighbor as ourself (Matthew 19:19), do you think he meant it?

This little card went to the shop around the corner to be put on a tree and hopefully be sold during the Christmas shopping season. I'm glad to announce that my journal, "Unlock" sold yesterday. Yippee! Off to make another one. I'm experimenting with buttons and spoons. Check back to see what I've created.

Clothed With Salvation

Isaiah 61:10--"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

I made this little dress last summer in answer to a call for a ball gown from one of my art groups. I really like how this turned out but even as cute as it is (in my opinion) it doesn't hold a candle to the garments of God. The salvation He gives us totally covers us from head to toe. In Bible days, people were considered rich if they owned outer garments. God makes it clear that He provides it all. The garment he gives us is even covered with a robe. His salvation makes us right with him. All the beautiful clothes in the world cannot display the beauty of his salvation. Even the most shabbily dressed person who knows Christ owns his righteousness. What a delight!

I used strips of fabric, hankies, ribbon, trim and lace to make the skirt, part of a ribbon for the bodice, a silk flower on the shoulder and faux pearls at the waist.

All the Starry Host

Nehemiah 9:6--"You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host."

I spent Saturday making these little starry, angelic lovelies for the shop. I also finished a large journal, embellishing every fourth or fifth page--did that on Thurs. and Fri. Though I enjoy creating, it can get a bit back breaking and neck stiffening--especially at my age. I had a big day a church as well because, along with my music duties for two services, I also had to fix lunch for a visiting band we hosted. I also enjoy cooking and serving, but again, it means I'm on my feet most of the day. I also had to come back Sunday evening and sing in the choir that backed the band. Does it sound like I'm complaining---I little but I am very grateful to be able to do what I've done the last few days. I feel extemely blessed to have had the energy for it all. Today--well, I'm pooped! I think today will be a "day off." However, I've finished putting on hangers on the ornies, added scripture and signed them, took pictures of them, wrapped a sale from my Etsy shop, found and printed pictures to use on other projects for Christmas, and my husband and I are going to do some early voting today. Maybe that will be a few hours off.....hmmmm.

Be Glad

Psalm 31:7--"I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul."
Look closely and you can see the words "be glad." This little pixie looks so sweet and unpretentious, if not a little impish. Happy, well-cared-for children are unapologetic in their gladness. They don't mind laughing out loud and shouting with glee when they are filled with happiness and enjoying life. When did all that change? It seems the older I get, the more dire the world becomes and there is very little around us that causes happiness. I'm normally a happy person inside, but at times things just get me down. It took me a while to realize that happiness comes in a package that has to be opened--just like the gift of salvation. We have to make the move toward happiness. Even when it's dropped in our laps, we sometimes fail to open the gift. Being happy take a conscious effort at times. "I will be glad" takes determination.

This little necklace is made from a dragon domino on which I adhered a Paper Whimsy photo and other ephemera and glitter glue. I etched a design around the outside and highlighted it with gold and silver paint. Crystals from an antique necklace adorn the top and bottom.

Unlock

Deuteronomy 28:12--"The LORD will open the storehouses of the skies where he keeps the rain, and he will send rain on your land at just the right times. He will make you successful in everything you do. You will have plenty of money to lend to other nations, but you won't need to borrow any yourself."
What a promise! God gives the rain at just the right time even when we don't think so. Sometimes when an event is planned and people have come to work or have fun, we're not too sure whether the rain came at the right time or not. It's funny how things work out anyway and usually everything gets done or we continue to have fun only in a different venue. I like the fact that God will make me successful. I have to remember that success is not necessarily measured by how much money one has. I believe I'm very successful when I survey what the Lord has given me. The last sentence of the scripture above does mention money and I believe when we are blessed with money, we need to be responsible with it and not hoard it for ourselves. When we have plenty, the scripture says to share.
The USA and many other countries have been very successful in the past--enough so to lend to their neighbors. I wonder how long this will last? We need to look at verses 1 and 2 in this same passage--"If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God." Then he continues by pouring out His blessings on the obedient ones. We need to take heed, lest we fall.

This journal is going to the little shop around the corner, S'More Couture. She liked my journal and wants more for Christmas. She loved the little Christmas ornaments and said she'd take as many as I could make to cover a thin, tall tree. Wow! I've been busy more than half the day working on the journal. You know--artist's rarely get paid for the time they spend in creating... so it's a good thing I like what I do. I know, the Lord will make me successful if I obey Him and that is my intention.

Sing For Joy

Psalm 5:11--"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."

Refuge. Protection. Sounds like there's trouble. Well, of course, there is. This is life, isn't it? Silly me. Why do I not seek refuge? Why do I not ask for protection? He's there to provide it and I take it for granted. I love your name, O Lord. I rejoice in your presence, O God of All Creation. I am glad when I'm in your safe place. I do sing for joy when I realize I've been protected from harm. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King.

This jewelry is made on an old dragon domino on which I added assorted ephemera and text, a transparency and glitter glue dots. I've etched around it and highlighted it with gold paint and added two key charms on the waxed linen thread.

Christmas is A-Comin'

Victorian Christmas Cone
Victorian Christmas Star
Victorian Christmas Tag

I've begun making Christmas ornaments to sell. Hopefully the lady at the shop will accept them from me. I'm behind on this. Usually artists start earlier than I, but it's difficult for me to think Christmas when it is still hot. The days lately have been cooler and Fall is fleeting. Thoughts of hot chocolate and s'mores fill my mind. Speaking of s'mores--the little shop of which I have been speaking opened last week and it's called S'More Couture. Lovely little things live there.

The birth of Christ was foretold centuries before he was born. The prophets of old told the people to expect a King. Isaiah 40:1-5 says, "1Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 3A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.' " God had really been blasting Israel through his prophet, Isaiah, so to hear these words must have been soothing to both Isaiah and his listeners. Comfort, tenderness and paid-for-sins were given by God to everyone--both then and now.

I used scrapbook papers, hand drawn star, tag and cone, wired star garland, feathers, copies of vintage photos, an old angel calendar, wired snowflake garland, glitter glue and background papers from both Paper Whimsy and Shabby Cottage Studio.

Hope and A Future

Cover of Journal, "Hope and a Future" based on Jeremiah 29:11--" 'I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This is a wonderful verse for us as we travel through life. This journal will hopefully help someone else in their travels as it contains scripture thoughts, snipets of quotes, vignettes of years-gone-by and much more. I started it yesterday afternoon. The cover is an old altered book cover I did last year and adhered it to the cover of a notebook, added ribbon, scrapbook paper and lace and changed the label to "hope and a future."
I've given just a few examples in this post of the vignettes I put in the journal but the lighting is poor since I took this before sunup inside under just a ceiling light. I love this old photo. They look so nice and dressed up. I wonder what they were thinking as they sat for this shot?
I love putting little pieces of ephemera on the side of the page like this. Notice the old trading stamp. I collected stamps like this in my early years of marriage and my husband and I traded them for some things to decorate our first home.
This is an old plastic buckle into which I pulled some ribbon and scrim from an old doll slip.
Isn't this little one adorable? Paper Whimsy is a great place for gorgeous photos to use in art and scrapbooking. I also used a quote on vellum and a snipet of scrapbook paper. I'll post more tomorrow, maybe. I woke up early this morning, about 4:00, with thoughts of this book swirling in my head and I couldn't get back to sleep planning what I was going to do to finish this book. I worked on it for a couple hours and just stayed up since I have to play for a funeral this morning. Guess I can sleep this afternoon. Off to greet the day.

Fleur

Exodus 25:31-"Make a lampstand of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms shall be of one piece with it."

It's interesting to me that the temple pieces had flower decorations. Do you know that God chose specific men to make them and their blossoms were even put on lampstands? Even in the old Bible times, flowers were to be used as objects to bring people to God. Their beauty revealed the wonder of creation and the promise of hope. Yes, their time comes when they are withered and gone, but while they are here, we are to enjoy them. I love putting flowers on my artworks. They give me joy and in some way I'm preserving their beauty.

This little domino necklace is a way to preserve the beauty of flowers. Notice that the lavender flower is part of an old hankie. I used a tiny bud from a Shabby Cottage Studio collage sheet.
The little girl, from Paper Whimsy, is a little adoring flower. Children, like flowers, aren't children for long. Enjoy them while you have them. Preserve them for eternity by introducing them to their Creator.

Beauty

Proverbs 31:30--"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

My mom always told me, "It's what's inside that counts." She encouraged me not to stew about how my hair looked or what I was wearing. "If you have a smile like that, no one is going to care about what you're wearing." She was so right. It really doesn't matter. It's the heart, the seat of emotions and love, that matters. So often the Bible tells us that "the Lord looks on the heart" and what comes out of the mouth has come from the heart. People know if we're genuine or fake, if we truly love them or just want something from them. Children, especially, can see right through us. I can tell a Godly woman by looking at her eyes. I see gentleness and peace there. I honestly want to be like that woman.

I'm making domino necklaces like this to hopefully sell at a sweet little store that just opened around the corner from where I live. I'm to take them in and let her look at them and she will let me know whether she can sell them or not. I'm excited about the prospect. I used a vintage domino with colored dots, ephemera, gel medium, gold paint, old text, beads, shell buttons and waxed linen thread. The photo is from Paper Whimsy.

Lovely Thoughts

Philippians 4:8--"Whatever is...lovely...think on these things."

There is so much violence, abuse and ugly in this world that the thought of such bombards the brain. What a pleasure it is to just appreciate the "lovely" that God has created. This time of year screams "LOVELY." Look. See. Appreciate. Only God, the Creator, can provide this kind of loveliness. Look at a baby. How can this be? Yes, yes, I know the procreation part, but what about the product of creation? How can a little being do all those little things? I bonded with my youngest grandchild last weekend. I got to hold and love him for two long days! What a joy--how lovely that was!!

I made a fiber art creation using a spiral-bound sketch book. I decorated the covers with scrapbook paper, added fabric from an old doll dress, antique lace, ribbon, text from a French/English Dictionary, a copy of a vintage image (Paper Whimsy), book cover fabric, a curtain ring, perle cotton thread and part of a costume jewelry pearl necklace. I added old foreign text to the inside of the covers and muted it with gesso. It's on Etsy this week. Click on any picture on the right side bar and that will take you to my shop.

Always Have Hope

Psalm 71:14--"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."

Where there is life, there is hope. Sometimes the approach of Winter puts some people in a tailspin. My husband, for one, starts to hibernate. As the days grow shorter, he grows more tired. He wants to quit his day at dark and sleeps in much later than in the Spring and Summer months. Many people go into a depression when secluded by the weather. I love that there are winter birds that give me the hope of Springtime. I'm brightened by their appearance. This piece is a reminder that God is the Creator of such wonderful creatures. I will have hope and I will praise God (both take a conscious effort on my part.)

I used the back of an old square frame, giving it a shadow box effect. I added embroidered cloth, lace, buttons, linen, the hem of an old doll dress, perle cotton thread, a word on vellum, book binding materials, washed slip from doll dress, old text, tea bag, resin bird, copy of old lithograph, metal washer, decorative pearls, raffia, glue, mod podge and gel medium.

Going To A Wedding

We're going to a wedding of our used-to-be neighbor and a son of friends who went to high school with our daughter. It will be a joyous occasion where we will see many people we know. The best thing is our daughter and her family will be there. We're all staying at my in-laws home and we get to visit with our newest grandson and his sister. Yippee!

The Bible many times refers to the church as the bride of Christ. Revelation 19:7-8 says, " 'Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.' (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)" How important it is to be right with God and the only way is to know his Son. He stands waiting like a bridegroom for his bride, ready with open arms to receive her as a pure and holy bride. What a wonderful vision. Are you ready?

I made this gift, combining both the shower and wedding invitations. I made a handmade transparency of the couple and overlaid it on the wedding invitation, added the scroll decoration from the wedding invitation, added ribbon, flowers, plastic doves and etched in gel medium and highlighted with paint. I had reversed a frame making it into a shadow box and had painted it.