Livre de Oiseaux~Book of Birds

First pg.

Some of you may be visiting from Masterpiece Monday Welcome! I am glad you stopped by, let me know that you visited and leave a comment, I enjoy visiting with those who love the Lord, art, books and nature or any combination of those. Some of you have been curious from other posts to know what my "Bird Book"is. Here is a peak at my Altered Mixed Media Book, Livre de Oiseaux. I haven't finished it yet, it is a work in progress and something I find great joy in creating.

I was inspired by a book my friend Laura of LOC showed me called Nature Inspired by Tracie Lyn Huskamp. This book has great techniques and ideas to walk you through creating your own mixed media book. If you are an altered art fan then you will enjoy this book! My book is filled with artwork as well as poetry, bible verses and other sayings that inspire me to think beyond myself.

Become Radiant

This page features a verse from Isaiah 60:1 & 5a It reads:

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Then you shall see and become radiant and your heart shall swell with joy.

I Love the imagery. I think the birds do this every morning, don't you! To become radiant... it is only with the glory of the Lord that I could ever hope to be this way.

I have been building this book for some time but recently have come back to it and I have found great pleasure in it's creation, I almost can't stop making pages for it. I intend on using my own bird sketches for another 2 page layout but haven't decided on a color scheme just yet.

For the cover, I am using an old rummage sale book. I have taken out the insides so that I can use the cover and spine. And because I am so cheap, I use canvas drop cloths from the hardware store for the substructure. Then I start building the pages.

The Mockingbird details

The Skylarks details

I am a collector. My friend Laura and I call each other little squirrels, because of our gathering instincts. I tell you what, it is hard for me to throw out stuff I know I will use on projects like this. So consequently, I have drawers and baskets, pockets and piles of treasure all around my studio. I tell myself it is one of my best character qualities...hey, not everyone can turn trinkets and trash into soulful treasures from the heart, right?(I say that humbly)

This page is called Mrs. Robin

To be continued....Thanks for visiting.

Making a Memorization Book

Here is a Patchwork Heart Version of the Memorization Book. Feel free to download your copy and directions here. I pray that you will hide God's word in your heart so that you will live the heartfelt life of Christ. Live it, by learning it!

Wee Little Spring Basket For Easter -Instructions

Happy Spring everyone! As promised the recipe how to's for my Wee Little Spring Basket.

This isn't a traditional tutorial with all the photos but more of all the instructions and supplies needed to make your own.

Let's get started! Yippee are you skipping with glee?

Here is what you will need:

• Sm. Peet pots from your local nursery or garden shop
• Robin Egg blue crepe paper Opaque Shrink Plastic
• Mocha Brown Chalk Ink
• Layers of Color Vintage Rose and Acanthus Leaves Stamp Set
• Silver German Scrap
• Teal blue Binding tape
• 5 in. your favorite robin egg blue wired ribbon
• Embossed wallpaper
• Robin Egg blue paint
• Brown paint
• Teal blue watercolor pencil or other coloring medium
• Glue
• teal glitter glue
• sm. hole puncher
• Something for the handle-I used bark covered wire- I know way cool stuff!

Step1: You will want to stamp image onto shrink plastic with brown chalk ink. At this step you could also color in the image as you please. I just left it plain-jane. Then shrink according to shrink plastic directions.

Step2: Using your embossed wallpaper cover the peet pot. Do this to your liking. I lined mine up at the top and then wrapped the paper around the pot, glued it. Then I took scissors and cut slits around the bottom and folded tabs towards the middle of bottom and glued down.

Step3: Make a paint wash by using a small amount of paint and double or triple the amount of water. Paint evenly over pot, then with paper towel dab off the excess so that the paint stays in the crevices but not on the raised portions. Let dry. Do the same with a wee bit of brown paint but, water down even more, so it is more like a stain. Repeat process to your liking.

Step4: Make bottom of pot by taking several layers of crepe paper(I used 5) and cut a circle at least 3/4 in. larger than the pot bottom. Staple together then make small cuts all around the outside of your pot. glue to the bottom. Ruffle and poof to your liking.

Step5: Make a rosette from your ribbon by pulling one side of ribbon wire tight, then glue seam to fully encircle. Glue shrink plastic roses to ribbon

Step6: Attach your German scrap trim to the top edge of pot and punch holes for handle.

Step7: Make a fringe fan with crepe paper and glue to the inside of pot where you want your rosette to go. Attach cut out of colored and glittered Acanthus Leaves on the diagonal as a back drop to your Rose vignette.

Step 8: Glue Rose vignette to front of your pot. Next attach handle and tie with binding tape.

Voila a wonderful Wee Little Spring basket to fill with goodies to give to a friend or to celebrate Easter!