Creative Home Touches

I love decorating my home and I love making old things new! Recently, I took a pillow sham I have covering a throw pillow, and gave it a bit of creative new life. I love this fabric and its soft tones but I thought it could use a few more subtle details to add some texture and dimension.

I used a new stamp design from Layers of Color called Nature Walk. I used the largest stamp in the set, the flourish, and VersaMagic multi -surface chalk ink pad in Jumbo Java and stamped directly onto the fabric. This is my favorite ink ever. I use it so much I am due for a new ink pad soon. See how the stamp gives an added dimension and texture. Just enough to make it new!

Old World Meets My World

I have been dying to have a chandelier. Not just any chandelier but an antique one, with Fleur de lis and crystal drops and etched metal with lots of patina... yes the expensive kind. Well, I'm just to thrifty for that, must be my Scottish heritage showing. They are seriously hard to come by unless, you want to pay out the wazoo for one, which I don't... So I decided to try my hand at making a paper replica to tide me over till the day I discover "the one" under a bunch of junk at a garage sale.

Here is what I get to enjoy in the mean time. I used Layer of Colors new stamp line called Old World Flourish. Laura also has other new and wonderful stamps sets to choose from and tons of great ideas and inspirations to get you started on your own valentines go check it out!

For my Old World Flourish Chandelier I used the colors in my studio and lots of glitter and crystal-like beads. It hangs from a sheer ribbon right over my desk by my computer and brightens my day.

Simple Beauty ~ 2009

I have been staying indoors and slowing down lately, due to an abundance of snow in our area. I was looking at this bright red Amaryllis flower that was given to me by one of my dearest friends, and it got me thinking about growth. Such beauty growing while the world is frigid and dark. How does it know that it is safe to grow and break out of the norm? What causes the roots to reach deep and the stem to soar? How do the petals get so red and know when to open it's opulence? Mysterious...what a wonder!

It got me to thinking about my own growth? An Amaryllis is unique because man takes steps to "force" it to grow...intentionally. Rather than waiting for nature to take its course in due season. Do I "force" myself to grow intentionally? Do I stretch my roots deeper to steady myself? Do I reach and challenge myself to do something different, break through life's hard, dark, wet soil?

Sometimes I think I achieve this and other times I feel lost and throttled by the winds of life. I don't want the later to be the norm for my life, maybe the exception. So, how can I nurture a life of beauty and opulence that I see in the Amaryllis?

God is the ultimate gardener and He will be the one to "force" this life into growth. I am grateful I can be tethered to His stake and lean on Him. For me, this new year will bring nurturing, breaking new ground, pushing past obstacles, and reaching high, all with a spirit of intention! I will yield to the hands of the gardener as well and,

I might even... wear more red!