Something Sublime

A Gifting We Will Go

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

Sir Winston Churchill

I've been out antique hunting this weekend and came across something I'd like to gift my readers with.  There's a little peek above.  To see more, visit my blog at Artpub.  Make sure you visit the other artist's blogs while you're there.  Several are offering great tutorials and other freebies.

I got a fabulous, surprise boxful of goodies this weekend from my sweet friend Mija, my fellow Oregonian...for no other reason than simply to encourage me and thank me.  This crucifix was one of the treasures in the box, along with a length of vintage ribbon in my favorite color.  (As you can see, I'm still doing the macro love dance with the new lens!)

The thing I love about what Mija sent is that each object in the box is perfect for me.  Even though we've only met in person once, Mija knows exactly what I like!  She's very intuitive and you can see that sensitivity in her artwork.  (Make sure you check it out.)  Or, maybe she's just really generous and really smart.  I think she's all of the above!

prayer cards...

vintage religious medals...

an antique key...

old books, filigree metal thingies and...how does she know I collect vintage butter knives?!

Oh, and look at this awesome, old, serving spoon my friend Colleen gave me.  It's a Christmas pattern...maybe from Germany?

And, from my sweet friend Katie Kendrick, this gorgeous, vintage, silk kimono!  I've been overly blessed with material gifts this year but the best part is the care, love and support behind the gifting.  For that, I am very thankful!

The Spirit of Inspiration

"Spirit" by Deryn Mentock

One of the projects I'm getting caught up on over the holiday break is this "spirit card" swap hosted by the lovely and talented Susan Tuttle.  We all have times when we wish we could pull inspiration out of the thin air.  Knowing that ideas don't come from thin air, Susan thought it would be fun to get a group of artists together to make small packages (atc size) filled with inspiration.

my folder

Each artist designs a folder to be embellished by all the other artists working in the project.

Ruth Rae's embellishment to my folder

my embellishment to Ruth Rae's folder

Ruth Rae's folder (more of my embellishment)

Trudy McLauchlan's folder (my embellishment)

The folders are passed through the group and each person creates an atc according to the theme of the folder.  For instance; my theme was "fruits of the Spirit" and I listed "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" as the words for each artist to incorporate into her card.

"Love" by Trudy McLauchlan

"Peace" by Ruth O'Connor

"Patience" by Marilyn Healey

"Goodness" by Liz Smith

"Faithfulness" by Susan Tuttle

"Joy" by Caren McNee

"Gentleness" by Christine Shebroe

"Self Control" by Fiona Mortimore

"Kindness" by Ruth Rae

When I need a little inspiration, all I have to do is reach for my packet of artwork!  Here are the cards I did for various folders:

"A Pure Heart"

"Be"

"Challenge"

"Flutter"

"Ruth's Virtue"

"Sacrifice"

"Prayerful"

"Vision"

"Wish"

Thank you to everyone who contributed to my folder and especially to our fearless leader, Susan!

Gifted

Well, Christmas day has come and gone but, I swear, I'm still feeling the love.  At my house, it was a wonderful Holiday.  Of course, Christmas vacation means the mini men are home from school and that always makes things interesting and fun.  Son Number One passed an important milestone...popping his first champagne cork.

Into the neighbor's yard...naturally!  He's not old enough for mimosas but learning life skills is important to us.

There were other exciting activities afoot...

Wife Whisperer is a great shot...

Number One is even better!  I searched far and wide for those red replacement bulbs.  Hmm...

Targets that spew foaming liquid into the air are even more fun.  But seriously...I was truly gifted this year not only with presents under the tree but with time, well spent, with my guys.  They were extremely thoughtful in their Holiday gift giving and a few special items brought tears to my eyes (and I'm not one for crying!)...

The mini men gave me this beautiful Tower of David to go with my "Little Town of Bethlehem" village.  They were so excited to watch me open it!

Oh yeah...squishy bowls and backpacking flatware.  Yes, this definitely brought a tear just thinking of the pain that  backpacking trip down the Lone Star Trail is going to cost me.  I've managed to put it off for most of the year but, I think my couch potato days are almost over.

Ok now, this one really did make me cry!  Not only that, I skipped around the Christmas tree doing the happy dance and looking foolish for the better part of the morning.  I've wanted a macro lens for oh...about 12 years or so!  Yippee!

Another serious tear jerker.  This one was from my mom.  Her class ring.  Very cool because we graduated from the same high school (not the same year, of course!).  When I called to thank her, there was another round of blubbering...  Thanks mom, I adore it!  (Wow, that macro lens really works!)

These didn't produce the Niagra of tears that the class ring did but still, very touching!  My great-grandmother used to make this type of knitted slippers and I love them.  Mom knows that about me and gifted me with this ultra-cool, blue and green pair.

This has nothing to do with Christmas gifts except to say that the new macro is incredible!

Another non-Christmasy shot but, dang!...this lens is awesome!  Anything is fair game now...

Ummm...my pink poinsettia...

Ok, enough with the macro shots for now.  I hope you all don't mind joining in on my macro adventures.  I think I'm addicted!

Just One More...

I was just visiting my good friend Sally's blog and realized that I was a total shmoe in neglecting to post the beautiful Christmas card she sent me!  As in all of Sally's work, this card is stunning.  You know what I like about her stuff?  It's always colorful and always intriguing.  With Sally, you'll always get a little taste of the unexpected.  Peek inside her studio, shown on her Artpub blog, and you'll see where her creativity takes flight!

Deck the Halls

The Christmas rush is almost over...it's practically here!  Welcome to my holiday home!  Come on in, have a mimosa or a cup of cider and I'll show you around.  Last week it was 82 degrees here but early this morning everything was covered with a silvery layer of frost.  The fire is roaring, the Christmas carols are softly playing on the stereo...so, let's get started!

Decorations on the tree...

The most gorgeous pink poinsettias I've ever seen...  This particular variety has small, round, pink and cream flowers that look like someone crunched them up in their fist then turned them loose.

Vintage bottle brush trees, of course!  Believe it or not, one year I found a box of these at a garage sale for three bucks.  The vintage ones are getting more scarce every year.

Jingle bells...

Handpainted Christmas village (bet you didn't know, I have a past life as a decorative painter!) And, a forest of bottle brush trees.

Cherubim and Seraphim...complete with lamb...

Vintage ornaments adorn my fabulously chic, vintage, tinsel tree.

About half the ornaments on my splendid tinsel tree belonged to my beloved Grandma.

White porcelain ornaments...a big part of Christmas at my house.  My mother has been gifting me with these every Christmas since I've been married.  Over 22 years...count 'em...22!

 

A very special, lighted Santa.  I found him last year at an antique mall.  He's exactly like the one that spent every Christmas on the front porch of the home where I grew up.  I was so excited to welcome him to my own home now!

Angels we have heard on high...this one from Mexico.

What would Christmas be without packages, boxes and bows?

Part of my collection of sugar Santas.

Jeweled Christmas birds nesting on my front porch.  This fabulous nest blew down one windy autumn day.

 

More of the Jolly Old Elf...a giftbox-turned-ornament that was made by a friend.

Twinkling Christmas lights...

Yuletide by the fireside...  As much as we enjoy the fire, my little dog is who you'll find here.  She loves to lay on the hearth.  She gets so close to the flames, and so hot, it seems she might spontaneously combust!

 

And, the reason for the season, the Holy Child.  The real meaning behind the giving of gifts, the shining lights and glorious tree...the King of Kings, come to earth in the form of a tiny baby!

For my family and friends who are far away, for friends who are near and for my kind readers, I hope you enjoyed my little tour.  Happy Christmas!  I hope your holiday season is blessed and your new year bright!

Christmas Cards

Apparently, there are quite a few of you out there who are able to get your Christmas cards out on time (unlike myself!).  I've received some beautiful handmade cards from friends.  Here are a few...

by Angela Cartwright

by Marie Otero

by Deb Trotter

by DJ Pettitt

by Pilar Pollock

by Pilar Pollock

And this gorgeous ornament by Lorraine George.  Lorraine stitched hand-decorated paper in layers of vinyl and added a Christmas light bulb set into a bezel.  Beautiful!

I'm so thankful for friends and for my readers and I hope you all have a blessed Christmas!

Another Thing...

Whew!  I've been really busy with the holidays.  Between decorating, making cards, attending parties and forcing the mini men through finals, I've hardly had time to spend in my studio.  I did manage a few pieces.  Here's a little of what I've been working on...

"Bless"

"Bless"

""Goo Goo Good (Listen)"

I hope this little, silver dolly doesn't look too much like she's hanging from a noose!  She was created from a mold I made of an antique charm.  This project was a special commission and a bit challenging.  It was fun though and I'll be showing more of it later.

"Azure"

"Spiritual Pleasure"

"Stones"

I got these terrific, faceted, turquoise stones from my local bead shop (yes, the one I swore I'd stay away from!) back during the summer.  When I got home with the strand, I decided the faceted turquoise was so special, I went back for the other strand.  No will power!  They are gorgeous though...

No studio time tonight either...  I'm off to see the stage production of "It's a Wonderful Life", one of my all time favorite movies.  I've seen it a million times but never re-enacted in bun-o-vision.  Amazing what you can find on the internet...

And the Winner is...

Cindy in Carolina!

Remember these?  Cindy, you're the lucky winner of the amazonite earrings in my last post!

Thank you all so much for playing and for the lovely comments to my Artpub blog.  It's amazing to me how many readers I have and I'm thankful for every one of you!  Cindy, please email me with your info and I'll get your earrings in the mail asap.

Meanwhile, I've been working on a few other things...

"Spiritual Life" available on Etsy

"Spiritual Life" detail

"Spiritual Life"-detail

I've got a few more pictures of this necklace posted to my Etsy shop.  It's a beautiful piece with the links, clasp and focal all hand fabricated.  The focal uses a vintage chandelier crystal with a transfer of one of my original cemetery photographs.  I took this some years ago at Galveston, Texas.  There's an old cemetery there, right after you get on the island, and it's full of lovely statuary.  I have quite a collection of cemetery photos I've taken over the years and this is one of my favorites.  You can see some text in the background that came from an antique Bible.  The blue stones are chalcedony mixed in with wrapped, freshwater pearls.

"Wrapped" (Sold)

These were made with sterling earwires and fabric, wrapped with steel wire and iridescent, glass beads.  Red jasper and more glass dangle below.  I'm really liking these long, dangly earrings...especially for the holidays!

Speaking of holidays...my Christmas cards aren't even done yet!  I'm afraid I've been easily distracted by fun Holiday activities and preparing Christmas cards isn't one of them.  Is anyone else having this problem?!

Fa, La, La, La, Giveaway!

sterling, vintage crystal, tiger eye, gorgeous faceted amazonite

While the excitement of opening an incredible Christmas ornament every day may be over (waaah!), the fun here on my blog is not!  I'm giving away this lovely pair of earrings to one lucky reader.  Here's what you have to do:  visit my new blog at ArtPub Studios and leave me a comment.  Everyone that leaves a comment there will be entered into a drawing for the earrings.  I'll post the winner's name on Monday.  Come on...you know you want 'em! 

You can get to my other blog by clicking on the Artpub icon in the right sidebar or click this link.  Don't forget to leave a comment and make sure you visit all the other blogs there.  My ArtPub friends are offering all sorts of fun things on their Pub blogs as well!

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...

...my friend Melissa David gave to me...

...this amazing assemblage ornament!

Melissa has the biggest collection of goodies you have ever seen and she certainly knows how to use them.  Every year, I look forward to her ornament because, she doesn't just do things halfway...she goes over the top!  Her ornament is always spectacular...

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming.

Twelve drummers represent the twelve points of doctrine or articles in the Apostle's Creed.  The word "creed" comes from the Latin "credo" meaning "I believe".  It's one of the oldest creeds in Christianity.  It was said to have been composed by the 12 apostles while under the influence of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  In any case, the creed is believed to be an accurate record of what the apostles believed and is what Christians today profess.  The twelve points of the creed are:

1. belief in God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth
2. and Jesus Christ, His son and our Lord
3. who was born of the Virgin Mary
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried
5. He rose on the third day, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father
6. He will come again to judge the living and dead
7. belief in the Holy Spirit
8. belief in the holy catholic (meaning "whole or universal") church
9. the communion of saints
10. the forgiveness of sins
11. theresurrection of the dead
12. life everlasting

This is what we believe and profess as Christians but, the good news is that there is one simple way to eternal life and that is belief in Christ!

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas...

...the oh, so talented JoAnna Pierotti gave to me...

...this beautifully wrapped ornament.  The wrapping is so pretty, I don't want to open it!

Enough of the pretty wrapping...look at this!

Joanna's created this stunning Christmas baby doll!

Joanna is well-known for her lovely vintage doll assemblages.  If you haven't seen them, you really need to go to her blog and take a look.  They're incredible and now, I'm the fortunate owner of one!

As you can see, Joanna's doll faces are incomparably gorgeous!

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping.

The eleven pipers represent the 11 faithful apostles of the New Testament.  Matthew, chapter 10 lists them as follows:  Simon (called Peter); his brother Andrew; James, son of Zebedee;  and his brother John;  Philip;  Bartholomew;  Thomas; Matthew, the tax collector;  James, son of Alphaeus;  Thaddaeus;  and Simon, the Zealot.  The twelfth apostle was Judas Iscariot who betrayed Christ.

The word apostle means messenger.  These messengers were sent forth, by Jesus, to heal the sick and proclaim His kingdom, in other words; spread the word that Christ is the Messiah.  Jesus gave them specific instructions before sending them on their journey.  One of the things He told them was this:  "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven"  Mt. 10:32-33.  Also, verse 40;  "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me."  The disciples were responsible to spread the Word but each of us, in our own hearts, are responsible for whether we accept it or not!

On the Tenth Day of Christmas...

...the lovely, Jackie Allison gave to me...

...an incredible "everything but the kitchen sink" ornament!  Every year, I get excited when I open Jackie's ornament because she always uses tons of metal, which, of course, I love.

Just look at all the stuff on this baby!  To the base, Jackie added metal filigree trim on each corner, then several layers of metal mesh hearts.  But, that wasn't enough...she created a fabulous kilt pin with lots of dangly stuff, including (my favorite) a little, metal, ice cream spoon.

You may not know this about me but I have a small obsession with spoons and vintage flatware in general.  I know, it's a little odd but...I just can't resist the infinite variety of beautiful patterns.  Finding a pretty, vintage ladle or butter knife that's been worn smooth and carries the wonderful patina of age is quite a thrill!  I'm enamored with these little ice cream spoons (at least, I think that's what they were used for) and have a small collection, all from people who've generously given them to me.  Isn't this one adorable?

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ten lord's a-leaping.

 

Ten lords a-leaping represent God's 10 commandments as found in the Bible in Exodus 20:1-17.  The 10 commandments are God's law given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  God spoke directly to Moses and etched His commandments in stone.  Of course, the people were terrified but God ordered Moses to tell them:  "You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from Heaven..."  God's commandments are His laws for us to live by.  We have seen for ourselves what God has spoken through the Bible.  The first four laws of the 10 commandments describe our duty to God.  The last six laws describe our duty to ourselves and others.  Remember these?...

1. You shall have no other Gods before Me.
2. You shall make no idols in any form.
3. You shall not misuse the name of God.
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
5. Honor your mother and father.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor (fellow man).
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, spouse or anything belonging to him.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas...

...my good friend Sally Turlington gave to me...

...a sweet, filigree, assemblage angel!

She's so pretty!  And, her dangly shoes swing around to make her look like she's dancing!

Sally is one of those talented artists who can take almost anything and assemble it into something spectacular.  She's gifted, generous and a wonderful teacher.  I love being around her because she sees things in ways that I would never think of!

"Forbidden Fruit" by Deryn Mentock

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing.

The nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22.  These fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Take a look at Galations 5:16-26 which describes living by the Spirit.  Life by the Spirit does not gratify the human nature but rather, is led by the Spirit...keeping in step with the Spirit.  This involves denying the sinful nature:  "idolotry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage and selfish ambition"...to name a few!  When we live "in step", we see the results, or fruits of the Spirit.  "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other" vs. 26.  Those who live by the Spirit, inherit the Kingdom of God!

On the Eighth Day of Christmas...

...my extremely generous friend Pilar Pollock gave to me...

...this lovely paper/fabric (?) ornament!

I can't really tell if this was done on paper on paper, fabric or leather but it's gorgeous!  The front is textured, colored, and glimmered, then stitched around the edges.  It came wrapped in this beautiful, shimmering, brown paper bag, hand decorated paper so maybe that's what Pilar used for the ornament as well.  The best part is Pilar has collaged the front of the ornament with an image of the Birthday Boy and his mom!

Milk Maid by Lucas VanLeyden

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight maids a-milking.

The eight maids a-milking represent the eight Beatitudes listed in the Bible in the book of Matthew 5:3-10.  The word "beatitude" is from the Latin word "beatus" meaning "blessed".  It means "supreme blessedness or happiness" and describes the declarations of blessing made by Jesus at the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount.  The spiritual character of God's Kingdom is put forth in the Beatitudes.

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (vs. 3)  The poor in spirit are those who humbly acknowledge their need for Divine help and a Saviour; Jesus Christ.
• Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.  (vs. 4)  Near in meaning to "the poor in spirit", the meek are those who humbly and meekly bend themselves down before God and man.  The will inherit the land, which is a symbol of the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  (vs. 5)  The mourning of the third Beatitude is not the type of mourning we usually think of that comes from earthly miseries but is the mourning of a righteous man suffering for himself, and for others, as he sees and endures the suffering caused by evil in a sinful world.
• Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice,  for they shall have their fill.  (vs. 6)  This hunger and thirst are an intense desire for righteousness and the progression of moral and spiritual perfection.  Justice will one day be fulfilled by the one true and righteous Judge.
• Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.  (vs. 7)  Those who are spiritually merciful and act on it, will be rewarded with the Divine mercy of the Messianic Kingdom.
• Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.  (vs. 8)  A pure heart is evidenced by a singleness of intent towards simple and sincere good intentions, especially toward others.  It is a continual seeking of God's glory.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. (vs. 9)  The peacemakers are those who live in peace with God and man and do their best to preserve peace and friendship among mankind.
• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.  (vs. 10)  "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17  Those who suffer trouble and persecution in Jesus' name will rewarded with the Kingdom.

For more commentary on the Beatitudes, click here.

Also Appearing on These Blogs...

"Merry Christmas" by Deryn Mentock

Several folks are blogging about our 12 days of Christmas ornaments project.  Here are a few of them:  Ruth Rae,  Kelly Snelling, Sally Turlington, JoAnna Pierotti, Jennifer Rowland, Maija Lepore, Truly Spacious, Calamity Kim and..

collage postcard by Pilar Pollock

...Pilar!  Pilar is one of the most generous artists I know.  She's always sending me artwork and trinkets.  This time, I received this cool postcard.  I'm completely enamored with Pilar's grungy look.  But, that's not all...

...who knew that Pilar is a jam maker extraordinaire??  This stuff is terrific!  I've hidden it from Wife Whisperer and the mini men.  I'm hoping I can stretch it to last more than a week but...I can't promise anything!