Clothed With Humility

1 Peter 5:5--"All of you, clothe yourself with humility toward one another."

If we followed these words, the world would be a better place. Unfortunately, even among Christ's people, these words would fall on deaf ears. I'm very "my-me-mine" centered. If I'd step outside my own box and put others before me, I'd be blessed for it and I would be doing as Christ did. I know, because I've done that before...but not often enough.

These little dresses are part of a swap for one of my Christian Yahoo groups. We were to make eight paper dresses, the same or different, to be swapped amoung eight people (those who signed up for the trade.) I made mine from selected wallpaper swatches and scrapbook paper. I then added lace, crocheted trim, pieces of old hankies, buttons and ribbons. They measure 4" x 6" each.

Embroidered Linen

Exodus 26:36--"And you shall make a hanging for the door of the tent...of fine twined linen, embroidered."

For centuries embroidery has been popular. I love to read in Exodus how God gave certain people the expertise to do handwork on fabric. God gives everyone a job to do and the ones who were given the gift of embroidery were to put their skill to use. That encourages me to use my skills to glorify God, no matter what they are.

I've been sick the past few days so I'm pulling out some of my pre-mades for my blog. This little linen "egg" was made a few years ago. I did cross-stitching, pulled thread work and beading on linen, cut it to the shape desired, added old crocheted lace and added a ribbon hanger. It measures about 4" x 6."

Precious Treasures

Proverbs 21:20--"Be sensible and store up precious treasures--don't waste them like a fool."

It's so fun to make something useful out of junk. I would imagine that if you looked in your desk drawer and jewelry box and top dresser drawer, you would find much "junk." Oh, I'll have that repaired. I might need that one day. Maybe someone in my family could use that. I'd better keep it....just in case. I don't think the writer of Proverbs had these things in mind when he wrote about "precious treasures." What is most precious to you? Things or people? How are things wasted? How are people wasted? Are you a fool? I hope I'm not.

I made this little "Treasure Chest" a few months ago from junk from my desk drawer, jewelry box and top dresser drawer. I painted it gold to start and then kept adding "junk" until it was all covered. It was a lot of fun to make. I'm putting it up for sale on Creative Call Studio beginning March 10 (click on the side bar at the right to see my store.)

If You're Sincere

Romans 12: 9--"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good."

Can you tell when someone is sincere or not? Usually I can see it in their eyes and body language. Do they look you in the eyes? Is their body turned toward you? Is their head straight in front of you? Do they lean in when they speak? Watch out when someone says they love you and do the opposite of the above. Don’t be deceived.

This is an altered small notebook, 3 ½’ x 4 ½”, on which I painted, adhered a copy of a vintage image and other ephemera, etched in gel medium on the wings and highlighted with stain. I used an acrylic protection and added ribbons, tulle and vintage buttons for fun. This will be in my Creative Call Studios shop on March 10 (see the sidebar for what I have there now.)

Pray

Psalm 27:8--"My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face." (Contemporary English Version)
Have you ever been "pulled" into prayer? Something inside you demands that you pray. When people or situations come into your mind, stop and pray. When you remember a loved one, pray. When you think of your church, pray for its leaders. When you think of your country, stop and pray for all the government officials. The Holy Spirit is the one who reminds us to pray. If we're in too much of a hurry, we're following satan's leading, not the Lord's leading. We can still pray, because God equipped us to do so, even when we're working or driving. How amazing is that? Just PRAY.
This is a 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" small journal on which I painted, etched in gel medium, highlighted with gesso and adhered a copy of a vintage image and other ephemera. I added ribbons, cording and sheer fabric and wrapped them around two vintage buttons (one is irridescent glass) that have been tied on with heavy thread. The inside of the cover has old music and is stained with ink. You can find this on Creative Call Studios site on March 10 (see side bar.)

Complaining

More snow! We have 4-5 inches more snow today and it's still snowing. The blowing and colder temperatures come later today. Nothing's closed today! That's what we get for living in the cold North. We still have to go to work and school. Oh, well. Some of you wish for this and we who have it would like to ship it to you. So, I guess I'll have to do what the Bible says and go on and like it--Philippians 2:14--"Do everything without complaining or arguing."

In Your Care

Psalm 22:10--"From the day I was born, I have been in your care, and from the time of my birth, you have been my God."
Babies are so resilient. They have to be to take all the falls and bumps involved with learning to walk. Their little heads get bumped when they stand up under something they stood under a month ago, but it doesn't fit them now. They stumble and trip as they learn on what they can walk and where they can't. It's also easy to teach them about God because He has been there all the time. Children are innately spiritual. They are like sponges as they soak in the truths about God. Every day is a new experience for them. We need to be more like children and allow God to saturate ours lives with His goodness. We need to trust him to catch us when we fall and nurture us as we grow in Him. After all, He's been there all the time.

This is an old book cover altered into a piece of art. I've adhered a copy of an old photo (Thank you, Tanya), other ephemera and I etched in gel medium and painted it with old gold paint. I added buttons, an old window shade pull, ribbons, lace and charms. I'm adding it to my Etsy Store today.

Pottery

They may look like to plain mugs to you, but to me they are very special. My husband made plans for me to make these for my birthday present. I actually "made" them myself--with the help of the master potter. Yes, I had my hands in and around them, the wheel was spinning and I was forming them--with the help of the master potter. I made the mug part and the potter put on the handles and glaze later. He had given me specific instructions on how to make them, but I wanted to turn my hands in different directions. Of course, that didn't work and he reminded me of what he had said. When I followed his directions, I was successful. How often we turn to our own devices and do our thing when we should be following the instructions of the Master Potter. Isaiah 64:8--"Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."

Thank you, Larry of Lost Creek Pottery, for allowing me insight into your expertise. I know now that I don't have a passion as your do for making pottery, but I welcomed the experience. Find Larry at http://www.lostcreekpottery.com.

I Love Birds

Psalm 104:16-17--The trees of the Lord are well watered.... There the birds make their nests."

I received two bird feeders for my birthday and have loved seeing the birds eat. We have a sparrow family who makes their nest in one of our bird houses every Spring. They've been visiting the house frequently which gives me hope that Spring is on the way even though it was 10 degrees this morning. How lovely are the creatures of God.

This little journal measures 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" on which I painted the background, drew a tree, added cut-outs of birds and letters and etched in gel medium. I used an ink pad to shade the edges of the picture and highlight the etching. I added ribbons for fun.

Create

Psalm 51:10--"Create in me a clean heart, O God."

God's still in the creation business. He can make a miracle out of junk. I like to think I can create things out of junk, but when it comes to creating a clean heart, only God can do it. Notice that David, the Psalmist, asked God to do this. Clean hearts don't come by chance. We have to battle with our tainted hearts all the time. The creator of all can do wonders if we give him our junk.

I "created" this piece of art from an old book cover measuring 4 1/2" x 7" on which I adhered a 1 1/2" piece of point d'venice lace on the bottom and wrapped ribbons, tulle and an old wood buckle on the top. I glued more lace, a copy of a vintage image and other ephemera to the cover. I printed "create" on ribbon over old tea-stained music and openweave fabric. I added my gel etchings to the upper corners. It goes on Etsy today. I'm opening up the opportunity to make personalized art by using the buyer's own photo.

Guaranteed

Ephesians 1:13-14--"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory."

Sometimes Paul gets a little wordy in his explanations of God's redemption and glory. The word I've drawn out of this passage is "guaranteeing." God's giving us the Holy Spirit is the guarantee we need in knowing that we are God's. Anyone who knows Christ intimately knows the power of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives. We understand more who God is and what he does-- those things that are completely out of the realm of human control. I may never be wealthy in the world's standards, but I know I have an eternal "inheritance" with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This little card began as a playing card on which I painted and adhered a vintage image and other ephemera. I stamped the word on scrap paper using gesso. I etched in gel medium and highlighted with silver paint and black stain.

As the Waters Cover the Sea

Habakkuk 2:4--"For the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
All we have to do is look around to see the glory of the Lord. Who else can create birds? Who can put clouds high in the sky? Who can create planets? Who can create oceans that are separated by land? Only one, the only God.

I created this art by painting the background and added bronze and gold paint splashes topped with glitter glue. I used a copy of The Great Wave (Dover Publications.com) and a copy of the earth (NASA.org).

Thinking Spring

1 Corinthians 2:12--"God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. That's also why we can recognize the blessings that God has given us."

When I look at the first signs of Spring, I am thankful to God that we don't have winter all the time. When I see the first blades of the crocus pushing through the snow, my hopes soar that winter will soon be over. When the first buds appear on the trees, I praise God that he has devised a wonderful plan for new life. God has also given us a plan for eternal life by trusting in his Son, Jesus. Just think of the blessings He gives us!

This is a book cover cut to 4" square on which I have painted, etched in gel medium, highlighted with gesso and adhered bits of ephemera. I added old lace, glitter glue, buttons, dress pattern tissue, plastic rings, ribbon and tulle. The photo is a Paper Whimsy delight. I made this for an exchange for a Yahoo group.

Children's Children

Proverbs 17:6--"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."

Today is my husband's and my daughter's birthday. My daughter's family came to visit us last weekend and we had a little snow left on which to sled. My little granddaughter had not seen a lot of snow and surely not enough to sled, so off we went. She had a ball. and so did her mother. We greatly enjoy are children and theirs. What blessings! We're so proud of all of them.

The little card was a birthday present to my daughter. I made it today before she and her family woke up. She's not too fond of my art work, but she said, "I think it's pretty. But if it had a picture of someone I knew on it, I would like it better." So...there you have it. My granddaughter liked it, too.

My Strength

Hebrews 10:35--"Keep on being brave. It will bring great rewards."

It takes a lot of courage for some people to live in this world. I hope these words from the apostle Paul encourage you today. Look for those rewards.

This card started as a playing card on which I adhered wrapping paper, tissue paper, a copy of an old photo, gel medium, stain and bronze paint,