For Lent Fasting and Feasting

I created this for my studio

FASTING and Feasting

During Lent and always fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from complaining and feast on appreciation.

Fast from bitterness and feast on forgiveness.

Fast from idle gossip and feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from judging others and feast on the Christ within them.

Fast from emphasis on differences and feast on the unity of life.

Fast from apparent darkness and feast on the reality of light.

Fast from thoughts of illness and feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute and feast on phrases that uplift.

Fast from anger; feast on patience;

Fast from pessimism: feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on divine order.

Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressure; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; feast on nonresistance.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion to others.

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from shadows of sorrow, feast on the sunlight of serenity.

Fast from discouragement and feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress and feast on anything that inspires.

Fast from lethargy and feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from suspicion and feast on truth.

Fast from problems that overwhelm us; feast on prayer that gives us the strength to get through.

What will be your fast? What will be your feast?

~Anonymous

What Have I Been Up To?

Good question!

Oh blog land I have missed you so! I have spent quite a bit of time taking care of business at home. I have found that I am only able to do so

many things at once. Can you relate? So rather than fight it and collapse in frustration and defeat, I am choosing more wisely. This means less time on the computer and more time in real time- kapish?

But, I have been up to some fun projects that continue to keep my creative heart pumping. Remember my mixed media altered bird book Livre d'Oiseaux? Well it will be exhibited with the Puget Sound Book Artists! If you are in the Pacific Northwest in the South Sound Region please come and visit!

Puget Sound Book Artists Opening Reception

Thursday, June 2, 2

011, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Exhibition Dates: June 2 –July 31

Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, Washington

http://pugetsoundbookartists.org

Please note: This summer, the library front entrance is closed for construction. Temporary access will be
on the east side of library building, in the library parking lot by the loading dock. Entrance is down the ramp.
Library Hours: http://www.pugetsound.ed/libraryhours.

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.

Christianity and Art-Books

Books are my favorite treasure! If I found a treasure chest full of books I would be the richest girl in the world, truly!

Lately, I have been filling my mind with words by authors who have written on Art and Christianity. Two of my loves! Imagine my delight when I found them together in several books. Two books that I devoured due to their subject matter are entitled Art for God's Sake by Philip Graham Ryken and Art and the Bible by Francis A. Schaeffer . If you are looking to devote your artwork to the expression of worship and testimony of the Lord then these are" must reads"!

Here are some brief thoughts on these two books. I enjoy sharing the things of my heart:

In Art for God's Sake Ryken takes us on a biblical journey back to the Old Testament and the building of the Tabernacle as directed by God. This takes us to the roots of art and how it is ordained by God for His Glory. Throughout history the relationship of the Christian faith and art has been misunderstood. I believe that currently there is a rediscovery of the arts and the Christian artist! This short little book is the perfect "primer" into such a subject. I believe the author is teaching Christians that there is hope for the Christian artist, that art can be used to express devotion, adoration, and worship of our Divine Creator in a fallen world. How exciting!

Art and the Bible talks about the Lordship of Christ over, even the arts. Shaffer also give us a biblical formula for critiquing and looking at art with a subjective and objective eye. This is really useful especially when looking at abstract artwork today.

If you are interested these are available through The Patchwork Heart, Co. Library Bookstore .

Christianity and Art

Simple Transformation

I have had the delightful privileged of being on an art discussion panel with 3 other very accomplished artists in my community, at an event called Celebration of the Arts, held at my church. What a pleasure to listen, learn and share with them. Here is some of what I have come to know about my art and how it is interwoven with my faith.

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are (transformed) much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

2 Corinthians 3:18 ~The Message Bible

Parentheses mine

In the art piece, Simple Transformation, I have used a mixed media style to represent my own fibrous existence- layered, tattered and textured, plain as it is. This piece represents my own transformation into a creature created by God. The beauty and freedom of a butterfly reflects the qualities that God sees in me. It is with the ever presence of the Holy Spirit that I am able to emerge each day and reflect the iridescence of my own winged-spirit and give my praises back to the King of Glory.

One of the great responsibilities God bestowed to the the butterfly is pollination. In a symbolic way as a Christian, I am like the butterfly. I am called to drink in the nectar of God's word and His grace and then spread that essence to others through my own life, by my actions, my words, through grace and with love. I freely fly and give to others, for this is what I am called to do. This is why I was transformed and broken from my cocoon of sin and shame. I am to take this pollen of truth to others. Regardless of the type of flower. Regardless of where you come from, what your background is, how you have gotten to this point in time. Here, let me share with you what you need to emerge from your cocoon of sin and live transform into the creature God created you to be.

I have come to learn that for me, my art and my faith are inter-dependent. For without one I would not have the other. Alone they are ineffective. Together I can use this gift to spread the love and Gospel of Jesus and to bring beauty to a world in desperate need of knowing the Savior.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 NIV

Sneak Peak Spring Release-Fleur de Leaves

I admit it .... I was being sneaky.... well, you can hardly blame me since it is sneak peak week at Layer of Color! Here is how I used the Fleur de Leaves set along with the Vintage Roses set on my Wee Little Spring Basket. I think it frames it rather nicely and gives it the bling factor it needed.

Make sure to stop by the galleries and Abby, Kristine, Linda, and Patter's blogs, these gals are all cooking up magnificent inspiration just for you!

You're Invited

**WOO HOO!!**

We’re throwing a huge party and you’re invited!
November 14th – 15th, 2009

Layers of Color

is celebrating their

*Autumn 2009 stamp release*
and revealing 9 new fabulous clear stamp sets
totaling over 80 original art stamps!

Everyone who joins us will get FREE DIGIS party favors!
With a drawing and contest offering $250 in PRIZES,

blog hopping with Faith Perspective,

a unique challenge from Stamping Sisters in Christ,
mingling with over one dozen talented stamp artists,

including Layers of Color Design Team
you won’t want to miss this fun event!

Let’s Mingle:

I’d like to introduce you to some talented and wonderful gals at our party!

Welcome, Layers of Color Special Guest Designers:

Abby * Danielle * Deb * Erin * Jennifer * Linda
Liz * Lorraine * Nancyruth * Rebecca * Susan * Vicki

And, it wouldn’t be a party without our very own, Layers of Color Design Team:

Denise * Heather * Linda * Patter

Please visit their blogs, I know you’ll meet new creative friends and discover lots of inspirational artwork! And, Layers of Color has galleries brimming over with more than 1000 wonderful ideas for you 24/7! Enjoy!

Party Favors:

Everybody gets a free party favor! Here’s how:

1. Just go to Layers of Color Art Stamps boutique Nov 7-13, 2009, and grab your FREE ORIGINAL ART STAMP DIGIS, hand drawn by Laura! (No signing up or participation required.)
2. Return for the party Nov 14-15, 2009, and we’ll have more FREE DIGIS, that weekend only, as our way of saying, “Thank you for joining us!”

What a fun party! See you there!

Tea Time Celebration Favors

Spring is a time to celebrate Easter, Mother's Day, and Spring Teas! It is a time when we start to linger longer outdoors in the evenings because it is still light out. It is also a time when it rains and winds blow in tumultuous clouds and spring storms. But I have the solution for the rainy, stormy, spring days.


Make some celebration favors. I used Layers of Color Flower Child stamp and dressed up this pre-punched purse from K&D Company. Add some glitter, antique buttons, paper lace and crocheted trim and voila! Cuteness!

Great News I Just Have to Share!

My heart is singing and I am laughing a bit louder today!

Why you ask...? Well I will share my news with you.

Article spread inset of choker details

I was published to my delight in a wonderful magazine called Belle Armoire. This magazine features "The Artistry of Clothing and Accessories". This is such a wonderful honor to have my sewing artwork included in this fabulous publication!

Letter inside secret pocket on choker

I submitted two pieces for an art call: "Becoming Jane". A light blue velvet choker and matching handbag highlighting our heroine herself. The choker features a hidden pocket where Miss Elizabeth of Pride and Prejudice keeps the words of love professed to her by Mr. Darcy. The handbag features a small diary attached to the front with, smokey light blue rhinestones, antique shell buttons, a lady figurehead and hand sewn medallion lace attached to the bottom of the purse. This feature article is by Amanda Crabtree and to my surprise she even wrote a lovely description of my work in her article, thanks Amanda!

Details of purse

The spread is stunning and features other fabulous and talented artisans too, who submitted handbags, hats, an Edwardian style dress and jewelry. I am honored to be among you. I hope you will check out this edition of Belle Armoire you will not be disappointed!

Unique Valentine Holder

I found this template in a bunch of old stuff I had lying around so unfortunately I don't remember where I got it from, bummer. I have been trying to clean out my studio for months literally. Sadly, it just isn't happening.


On the flip side, as I trudge through piles and containers, I end up finding all kinds of treasure I forgot I had! Does that ever happen to you? Well this template was one of those finds, it reminds me of a french fry box.


Who knew a greasy fry box could become a beautiful Valentine Tag Holder. I used Layers of Color Renaissance Hearts stamps to embellish the front along with a bit of gold glitter. Then for the tags I stamped with Regal Wings and Royal Birds, Old World Flourish, Fleur Hearts and Beaded Frames. These tags are ready to be personalized and embellished.

Great News I Just Have to Share!

I am so thrilled to be published in Sew Somerset! What a great honor to see my artwork on the beautiful pages of a top sewing and mixed media magazine! My heart is just singing! I submitted work this last spring when I had some time to devote to it. So what a wonderful surprise to find this magazine in my mailbox, only to discover, as I poured over the pages,that I had been accepted!
Here are some pictures enjoy...

I feel like a real Artist now!

Altered Art Thankfulness Book

This is my Grateful Book for the Layers of Color Designer Challenge. The challenge was to take a chunky child's book and alter it, the theme being what we are thankful for. Doesn't this theme lend itself nicely to the Fall season we are in? I used a big board book the kind that has flaps to open. I thought this an interesting element that would lend itself to the wonderful world of altered books. That is one of the things I love the most about altered books- the unexpected treasure that you find along the way, as you explore each page. Flaps are perfect for that! This is the cover and first inside pages, there will be more to come as they are completed. It is entitled: The Wondrous Gift. I got this out of an old 1883 Gospel Hymnal.

The first page is Faith and without it I am truly lost. This is true in all areas of my life. When I married and had my first child I turned a corner in life and followed a different path. On this trail I realized that I simply could not live my life separate from my faith...

and I am grateful I have never looked back.

There and many uses of symbolism, the colors gold, brass and copper. These metals are so beautiful when they are aged even thought they may tarnish on the outside the inside still glows with warm light when polished. Its reflective properties are reveal too. I often feel this way when I think about how God sees me. He is the one that rubs away the tarnish of my soul to reveal my uniqueness and who He created me to be. I am also able to glow with the peace of Christ. Sometimes in life others don't see this or don't even bother to look, its old, tarnished... no good. I think that is why I like things that are old and worn in all the right places. It reminds me that what I see isn't all there is in the journey that has been traveled.

There are words and music which are part of who I am, without them I am lonely. The jewel and key: reminders of how being grateful is such a jewel of character and is often the key to changing our perspectives in life.

I hope this inspires you to remember all that you have to be thankful for, letting all that you have overflow into generosity! That is my desire this Thanksgiving. I have so much to be grateful for....I hope my art expresses the gratitude of my heart.

2 Corinthians 9:10-12

10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Layers of Color Challenge- Farm Animals

Of course I had to do chickens! Here is my entry for this weeks Layers of Color challenge! Be sure to check out my gallery too for inspirations.

On-Line Designer Gallery Opening!

The Layers of Color Gallery is open and I would like to cordially invite you to visit the on-line gallery click here. What a privilege to be part of this wonderful group of designers, I am inspired by each of them. Each of us has a distinct style and the great thing is, we all use the same Layers of Color stamps as part of our artwork! I hope you will stop by and be inspired!

One of my Favorite Treasures-Books!

Books are one of my favorite things, aren't you thankful that you were given the gift of literacy? Another treasured kind of book is an altered book, they fascinate me! I have always had within me the spirit of exploration. As a girl I loved to wander the forests of my girlhood home and find special places just for me. Altered books fill this requirement for my soul. I love all the pockets and tags and flaps. They just beckon to me to explore and find the treasure within it's cover. I think I would have been a great pirate!

If you don't know by now, one of my dearest friends is our LOC challenge hostess Laura. Our first artistic project together was an altered book for each other. We used the letters of our names to guide our pages. This is an example of what Laura gave me.

Incidentally, she made this for me and gave it to me for my 40th birthday. What a gift, it still makes me tear up to think about opening this package I got in the mail. No one had ever made something so special for me, ever! A true treasure, just like our friendship! I know this isn't my art work but Laura's(I got permission to post this way) however, I thought it only fair to show her book since she used mine for the challenge inspiration!

So I guess in a round about way you eventually see my work and hers, just not in the conventional way-which is just how we like it!

Layers of Color Challenge- Roses

Here is my entry for this weeks Layers of Color challenge. I know this isn't the traditional way to use roses but I thought that I would try something different. I was too excited to use this thriftstore find! It only cost me $2.00, a real steal! It already had this wonderful gold and cream patina to it. My kind of treasure!
I used some old hardware and of course added one of my signature roses to it in antique
brown-blue. I am using this treasure box to house all my ATC's. I used the fleur heart stamp and pearl boarders from LOC too, I think they add a wonderful textured detail to the edges.

Parading Prideful Peacock

Here is my last entry for a few weeks for Layers of Color Challenge:Exotic Birds. I will be vacationing with family at the Oregon Coast. My absolute favorite place to relax with my family.

The Peacock has been a symbol of pride and vanity, but I thought he was the perfect subject for the Exotic Bird theme this week. The Bible has lots to say about pride for example:

Proverbs 1:11-3

1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales,

but accurate weights are his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,

but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity

Genius and virtue are to be more often found clothed in gray than in peacock bright.

~Van Wyck Brooks

Be back soon!

Patience

Here is my entry in the Salt Challenge this week. I recently did a personal swap with a friend and we did a Fruit of the Spirit books out of ATC's. I thought it would fit nicely with this challenge theme. Each page was an attribute of the Fruit of the Spirit. Each page had a verse from the Bible on that quality. I chose for the patience page this verse:

Colossians 1:10-12

10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

I am constantly checking myself on this one. I tend to have a shorter supply of this and it is a part of my character that I constantly work on. The Lord continues to teach me so much in this area, and having four children certainly helped in the efforts for me to see the light :o)! But I so love this verse! I love how patience is coupled with endurance, what a happy marriage that is. To me patience is the internal and endurance is the eternal.

Father in Heaven... I hope and pray that I live a life worthy of You, Lord and that it may please You in every way. That I bear good fruit and grow in the knowledge of You. That I will be stregthened in all power according to Your glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience! Amen

Fruit of the Spirit - A Swap

I did a personal swap with my friend Sally S. She came up with this great idea of doing a Fruit of the Spirit book-I was totally on board with this idea! In the Bible there are nine attributes that come from having the Fruit of the Spirit, they are: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. We each created a page with the attribute and then references a verse from the bible to go with that character quality. Great idea Sally!

So, how many of us don't need more of these attributes in our lives? I know I do, especially in the areas of Patience, Faithfulness, and Self-Control! Listen to me it sounds as if I have the others all figured out doesn't it?...don't get me wrong, there are plenty of days that I run out of these too. It seems as if these others are qualities that come easier to me, you know the ones I don't have to work so hard at :o)! But alas, I'm a fallen soul and I will always come up short. So, the Lord's grace means so much to me, you see, I don't really deserve it and I get it anyway! Incredible.

This is just part of this wonderful little treasure that I received. I wanted to share Sally's work with you because I think it is so beautiful and what she created very much represents me! She captured the feel of the things that I love with great detail and care. The wonderful thing, is that Sally and I have not met face to face and have known each other for only a short time. That is the Lord, isn't He good! I hope you will visit Sally's site Lydia's Lineage. She is so insightful and filled with the love of our Lord. After your visit you will feel blessed. May your heart be filled to overflowing with the Fruit of the Spirit Sally! ~Keep looking Heavenward, Heather

I've Been Making Lavender Wands

This is my version of a lavender wand. You have seen the traditional wands made from fresh lavender and woven with beautiful ribbons. I have some of these and have made some of these too. Here is my entry for Layers of Color Challenge, this weeks theme is, you guessed it one of my favorite things: Lavender! Well of course I have added a little bling that is sure to make any Lavender Sprite squeal with delight!

I used Layers of Color Fleur Heart stamp and enlarged it. Outlined it with purple glitter, added fibers and ribbons, silk flower, silk and beads, silver stars, tulle and glittery velvet leaves. I took these pictures outside by my lavender so it is hard to see the glitter- all the dark lines are glitter.