"Providence"

Oh, my, it has been a long while since I posted!  I have been anything but bored.  Very busy creating things for my home and for the upcoming craft booths.  We have already participated in one booth locally, with plans for two more next month.  In the meantime, I have painted my living room, slipcovered a chair and hassock, gone camping, tiled a laundry room, made cards, more collages....the list goes on and on.

 

I have just finished this collage, based on the inspiration of Phil 4:13...

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

The colors requested were butter, salmon, red and neutrals.

It measures 36 x 48.

I chose a quilt block called Providence.  By definition it means "the foreseeing care and guidance of God."  It is by His provision we do His will.  The center block, in whites and pale golds, represents Jesus, the Bright Morning Star.  The block is executed symmetrically and as exactly as one can be with handcut papers.  The tree is rooted in Jesus and grows long and tall.  At times, pruning has occured, just as we all experience.  

Scattered around the collage, are stamped words, suggesting all we "can do" through Him, such as grow, worship, love, play... 

This piece is composed of over 600 handcut pieces, using over 30 prints of paper, including vintage worship music. 

I would love to hear what you think.

Sofa Table with a story

Don't you just love a good story?  This table has many years under its belt, but it was built just last week.  I come from a long line of creative homemakers who see beyond what something looks like in the moment to what it could be. 

A few months ago, my mom was watching the ruins of a burned out old house in hopes of talking with the owners.  She walks the area every day and knows the goings on, if you know what I mean.  Finally, she had a chance to talk with them and got permission to salvage a few of the porch posts.  I buzzed over there with my truck and my wonderful husband and these babies came home. 

The top shelf is barn wood, complete with red paint, from my daughter's new in-laws.  It was used as siding on their wedding wagon...long story.

The bottom shelf came from my grandmother's barn before it was torn down.  I guess there was salvaging in my blood way back then...almost 20 years ago...just waiting for the right moment to shine.

A couple of years ago, another local barn was being torn down and my wonderful husband salvaged some hickory posts and beams.  Today, a few pieces make the feet of this table.

So, when you look around your home, what story does it tell?

Hope you have a blessed day.

Linking up to Miss Mustard Seed FFF  and Addicted To Decorating

Playing with Photoshop Elements

In some of my blog surfing, I ran across Kim Klassen and her cafe.  She offers really amazing tutorials on using photoshop and is a wonderful teacher.  Oh my...I have so much to learn! 

Blessings ;)



Asheville, NC

 For our 24th anniversary, my husband and I went to Asheville, NC.  What an interesting town!  It was quite "environmentally friendly" and "creative."  Of course, the Biltmore was really something to see.  I was blessed to learn that the couple was quite in love. 

 We were nearly the first visitors in the gate and we spent the cool of the morning in the gardens.  My darling husband was VERY patient as I played with camera settings and my tripod. 

 There were many "take-aways" from this visit. I loved the plantings in the suitcases.  It was unexpected in such a manicured place. 

I promise to post more on my projects...several things are now checked off the list. 

Blessings.



My kind of Birding

Looking around our house today, I realized I have something "birdy" in every room in our house!  We live in the woods and they are alive with the sound of bird calls.  That is one of our home's best features. 

I made this little fella from scraps of an old quilt.  It combines a few of my favorite things in life: quilts, birds and all things vintage. 

Blessings!

Present for Baby Girl

I have been wanting to make some baby shoes for ages.  At last someone in my circle is having a baby girl and this is the set I came up with.  I had a pattern for the shoes.  They are lined with regular felt.  The pattern called for wool felt but there was no white available.  Anyway, I came up with a ribbon embellishment in lieu of buttons (choking hazard).  The onesie is a $2 purchase at Walmart, embellished with a ruffle "skirt", embroidery and another ribbon flower.  I had such fun and so many more ideas for this personalized baby gift. 
Ah, someday I will be a fun Grandma...not too soon though!
Blessings,
 

"The Narrow Gate"

"Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  Matt 7:13-14

"Known"

 Psalm 139
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways."

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

    

"You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." 



I love to create paper collages.  Usually they begin with faith.  I love this Psalm...I am comforted to know that I am "known".  If only all young women could keep this reassurance close to heart.

Blessings

Quickie Bathroom Update

I have been quite remiss in posting my projects the last couple of months- I have been SO busy DOING them!  I always overload my to-do list around the holidays and it takes me awhile to recover.  For example, ten days before Christmas, when college students come home for the holidays, I decided to paint their bathroom and give it a fresh face.  It cost less than $150, mostly paint.  It was a deep satin red...

 I primed and painted two coats of color plus the ceiling.  I am loving the "robin's egg" blue and white decor with a running bird theme.  The picture is a paper collage with a sparrow in a snow storm..."His Hand is on the Sparrow."  We also got one of those nifty curved shower rods and a snap over the rod curtain.

I finally downloaded my camera and have lots more photos of projects to share.  Hope you all are safe and warm in this cold, snowy winter. 

Blessings.