Something Sublime

The Christmas Scene

⁶ For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
   there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
   and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
   with justice and righteousness
   from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
   will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:5-7

Everything's shrouded in frost, fog, sparkling lights...

...and Santa hats.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas, from the bottom of my heart!

Class Time-Of Towers And Turrets

THANK YOU! to those of you who have joined our Of Towers and Turrets online class.

Sharon and I have been SO very pleased with the excitement this class generates!

The first day of class was the 15th and we're going fast and furious but if you'd like to see what it's all about, click here.

Our students are now working on learning how to create their very own Towers collages. Sharon is superb at teaching this part of the class.

And then I show you how to make these...fabulous handmade soldered bezels, with cold connected embellishments; poured with resin.

Registration is still open...click here. We would LOVE to have you come play with us!

Oh, and here's a silly little video I dug up for you to see. We were goofing around, having fun, in the planning stages of this class but it gives you a peek into my jewelry journal....which is a whole different class I have in store for you!

 

12 Days Of Christmas Ornaments-The Twelfth Day

Here it is...the very last day of this year's 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments swap. Today is my friend Jackie Allison's day. Jackie was one of the original ornament swappers, way back in the day. She's made some amazing mixed media artworks, over the years. Her kindness and goodness shows through in everything she does.

I'm afraid this terrible photo I took doesn't do Jackie's ornament justice but it's got SO many interesting elements! Jackie cleverly used a vintage salt shaker, filled with green German glass glitter, as the base of her ornament. The last few years she's given us lovely things made with frozen Charlottes and china doll heads. Just look at this...

The tiniest, sweetest, little Charlotte you've ever seen!

It's hard to believe our ornament exchange is over for another year. But wait!...I haven't posted my ornament. Yes, I'm still working on them, slowly and surely, as my shoulders allow. I'll post them when they're finished but I can't make any promises that it will be before Christmas! It's been a fun swap...thanks for tagging along!

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, 
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 ²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Luke 2: 14-21

"Adorn" ornament swappers:

1  Ruth Rae                             www.ruthrae.com
 
2  Kelly Snelling                     www.soulhumming.typepad.com

3  Joanna Pierotti                  www.mosshill.blogs.com

4  Pilar Pollack                       www.pipnotes.typepad.com

5 Melissa David                     www.cheydogstudio.blogspot.com  

6  Crystal Neubauer              www.otherpeoplesflowers.blogspot.com

7  Sally Turlington                 www.sallyt.typepad.com

8  Lou McCulloch                   www./loumetamorphosis.blogspot.com

9  Danita Art                           www.blog.danitaart.com

10 Diane Cook                        www.rosajosies.com

 11 Maija Lepore                    

12 Jackie Allison

 

12 Days Of Christmas Ornaments-The Eleventh Day

Day Eleven belongs to my sweet friend, Maija Lepore. I love this woman! How could you not? She's a friend to absolutely everyone. She can be seen schmoozing at the many art retreats across the nation. She's been a wonderful, loyal and protective friend to me and flattered me by buying one of my favorite (and most personal) pieces of jewelry, right off my neck! She's a gem of a lady and I'm SO glad to know her.

This year, Maija sent us these adorable, sparkly, retro houses created by her friend, Jenny Holiday. They remind me of those adorable Japanese, paper Christmas villages from the '60s. The white painted bottle brush tree on the side is such a cute touch!

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about^[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet^[e] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

 ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^[f] because he will save his people from their sins.”

 ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”^[g] (which means “God with us”).

 ²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵ But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1: 18-24

Peeps:

1  Ruth Rae                             www.ruthrae.com
 
2  Kelly Snelling                     www.soulhumming.typepad.com

3  Joanna Pierotti                  www.mosshill.blogs.com

4  Pilar Pollack                       www.pipnotes.typepad.com

5 Melissa David                     www.cheydogstudio.blogspot.com  

6  Crystal Neubauer              www.otherpeoplesflowers.blogspot.com

7  Sally Turlington                 www.sallyt.typepad.com

8  Lou McCulloch                   www./loumetamorphosis.blogspot.com

9  Danita Art                           www.blog.danitaart.com

10 Diane Cook                        www.rosajosies.com

 11 Maija Lepore                    

12 Jackie Allison

 

Of Towers and Turrets-First Day Of Class

Tomorrow is the first day of class: Of Towers and Turrets! It's not too late to register, click here. Registration is open until Jan. 15th. I'm excited! 

12 Days Of Christmas Ornaments-The Tenth Day

Jesus Christ...He's what Christmas is all about. Diane Cook's tenth day package came sealed in my favorite tape...

...boxed and tied with a piece of silk. Diane was so gracious to take my place in this swap, at the last second, when my shoulder gave out. I knew she would do a fabulous job.

I've had the pleasure of getting to know my fellow Texan, Diane, better over the last few years and boy, am I glad I met her. She's a kind, sweet sister in Christ. Her work speaks for itself: soft, sparkly, feminine...a shabby chic extravaganza of ribbon, rhinestones and found objects. Diane and I have a fabulous opportunity, this spring, to teach an exciting new retreat called "Art Camp at the Prairie." While we don't have a lot of info about it, just yet, I'm thrilled that it will be right here in Texas (with the Texas gals teaching!) at Rachel Ashwell's (Rachel Ashwell of "Shabby Chic" fame) amazing B&B, "The Prairie." Diane is on my short list of people I'd love to spend the weekend with. This is going to be like one big sleepover! But, on to Diane's wonderful ornament...

It's one of Diane's lovely thimble tassels. Honestly, I can't believe she made 12 of these!

Look at all the goodies in this thing...tatting, silk, lace, mother of pearl buttons, wire wraps, stones, crystals, chain...

...rhinestones and a little bitty bird (did she do that just for me with my "bird" name?)...

...and look at this, a teeny, tiny metal book with "deryn" stamped on the front. I bet those are Bible pages inside. Do you not love this awesome ornament? Tons of time, work and consideration went into it. And, it shows. I want to wear it as a necklace...and probably will!

 ²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, 
   you may now dismiss^[d] your servant in peace. 
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation, 
 ³¹ which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles, 
   and the glory of your people Israel.”

Luke 2: 29-32

 

Playaaas...

1  Ruth Rae                             www.ruthrae.com
 
2  Kelly Snelling                     www.soulhumming.typepad.com

3  Joanna Pierotti                  www.mosshill.blogs.com

4  Pilar Pollack                       www.pipnotes.typepad.com

5 Melissa David                     www.cheydogstudio.blogspot.com  

6  Crystal Neubauer              www.otherpeoplesflowers.blogspot.com

7  Sally Turlington                 www.sallyt.typepad.com

8  Lou McCulloch                   www./loumetamorphosis.blogspot.com

9  Danita Art                           www.blog.danitaart.com

10 Diane Cook                        www.rosajosies.com

 11 Maija Lepore                    

12 Jackie Allison

 

12 Days Of Christmas Ornaments-The Ninth Day

The ninth day of ornament swapping belongs to amazing mixed media artist Danita. I've been in love with Danita's artwork for a long time.

Her style is unmistakable...colorful and whimsical...it speaks to me! I always look forward to opening Danita's package and adding one of her wonderful characters to my collection.

This year, Danita's ornament is a confection of wax, paper, ink and I-don't-know-what-all. It's a gorgeous thing all done up in soft, subtle colors.

The focus is a sweet and lovely angel, protectively holding a tiny log cabin. At least, it looks like a log cabin to me. It makes me think of my family cabin in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, surrounded by forest. Lots of wonderful memories have been made at that cabin and a little bit of my heart resides there. I imagine it's snowing up there this time of year and I often envision what it would be like, tucked away in the snowy silence with the wood stove blasting. I think Danita's images have a way of evoking memories and emotions in the viewer. That's what makes her work so amazing!

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, 
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:8-14

The swappers:

1  Ruth Rae                             www.ruthrae.com
 
2  Kelly Snelling                     www.soulhumming.typepad.com

3  Joanna Pierotti                  www.mosshill.blogs.com

4  Pilar Pollack                       www.pipnotes.typepad.com

5 Melissa David                     www.cheydogstudio.blogspot.com  

6  Crystal Neubauer              www.otherpeoplesflowers.blogspot.com

7  Sally Turlington                 www.sallyt.typepad.com

8  Lou McCulloch                   www./loumetamorphosis.blogspot.com

9  Danita Art                           www.blog.danitaart.com

10 Diane Cook                        www.rosajosies.com

 11 Maija Lepore                    

12 Jackie Allison

12 Days Of Christmas Ornaments-The Eighth Day

I've been swapping Christmas ornaments with this group for, oh....maybe seven years, or so. Back in 2007, I formed an online group for us called "Adorn." Our Lou McCulloch has been with us at least since then...a long time! She's been a faithful maker of ornaments; always on time and always creating something so cute. Her work is very much marked with her style:

Lou always comes up with ideas I would never think of...so creative...and don't you love that vintage German text?

Mary’s Song

 ⁴⁶ And Mary said:

   “My soul glorifies the Lord 
 ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful 
   of the humble state of his servant. 
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 
 ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me— 
   holy is his name. 
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him, 
   from generation to generation. 
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; 
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones 
   but has lifted up the humble. 
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things 
   but has sent the rich away empty. 
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel, 
   remembering to be merciful 
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever, 
   just as he promised our ancestors.”

Luke 1: 46-55

 

Our Adorn group:

1  Ruth Rae                             www.ruthrae.com
 
2  Kelly Snelling                     www.soulhumming.typepad.com

3  Joanna Pierotti                  www.mosshill.blogs.com

4  Pilar Pollack                       www.pipnotes.typepad.com

5 Melissa David                     www.cheydogstudio.blogspot.com  

6  Crystal Neubauer              www.otherpeoplesflowers.blogspot.com

7  Sally Turlington                 www.sallyt.typepad.com

8  Lou McCulloch                   www./loumetamorphosis.blogspot.com

9  Danita Art                           www.blog.danitaart.com

10 Diane Cook                        www.rosajosies.com

 11 Maija Lepore                    

12 Jackie Allison

 

12 Days Of Christmas Ornaments-The Seventh Day

Day six...bff Sally Turlington! I love this woman. I love her creativity, her talent and her godly spirit. I've known Sally for a long time. We met at a local art store where I used to teach and take classes...years ago. For me, the affinity was immediate and the start of a close and enduring friendship. We've spent many, many hours talking, laughing and making art together. Sally is one of those friends that, no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, we pick right up where we left off. More than a friend, she's a mentor to me. She models wisdom, integrity and faith in everyday life as well as in adversity. Sally is extremely discerning and absolutely one of my go-to gals when advice is needed (and it frequently is!)

Sally always goes above and beyond in her ornament making and I was delighted when I opened this year's package:

...it's a waxy wonderment! When Sally described her ornament making process to me, I had to laugh. She took a rather circuitous route to get to the lovely end product. I was wondering how she made this beautiful star and it turns out there were about a-bazillion steps involved.

I couldn't begin to figure it out but, Sally did...and I love it!

¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15: 13-15

Our Adorn group:

1  Ruth Rae                             www.ruthrae.com
 
2  Kelly Snelling                     www.soulhumming.typepad.com

3  Joanna Pierotti                  www.mosshill.blogs.com

4  Pilar Pollack                       www.pipnotes.typepad.com

5 Melissa David                     www.cheydogstudio.blogspot.com  

6  Crystal Neubauer              www.otherpeoplesflowers.blogspot.com

7  Sally Turlington                 www.sallyt.typepad.com

8  Lou McCulloch                   www./loumetamorphosis.blogspot.com

9  Danita Art                           www.blog.danitaart.com

10 Diane Cook                        www.rosajosies.com

 11 Maija Lepore                    

12 Jackie Allison

12 Days Of Christmas Ornaments-The Sixth Day

Don't look now but it's day 6 of our 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments swap and my dear friend, Crystal Neubauer, is our artist of the day. Crystal is an amazing mixed media artist. I say mixed medium because she works, beautifully, with many different materials...paper, wax, wire, metal...to name a few. I originally met Crystal online but had the pleasure of getting to know her better when we roomed together as teachers at one of the national art retreat venues. I was drawn to Crystal's love of Christ and kindness and we immediately became fast friends. I admire her talent and style, not to mention her calm and quiet way. And all of this in a sweet and humble spirit. In spite of any unsettling waters that may swirl around her, I really believe Crystal to be a rock...the kind of person you can count on for comfort and strength...a good friend.

Crystal's ornament came wrapped in true "Crystal" style...in vintage sheet music, adorned with vintage Christmas stickers (if you know Crystal, you know she's an absolute fool for old paper which is apparent in her ornament, this year:

...a hand-painted swan (goose?) ornament...as in "seven swans a' swimming" or "six geese a' laying." 

I told you this gal is talented. This ornament is a treasure.

¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2: 1-4

The players:

1  Ruth Rae                             www.ruthrae.com
 
2  Kelly Snelling                     www.soulhumming.typepad.com

3  Joanna Pierotti                  www.mosshill.blogs.com

4  Pilar Pollack                       www.pipnotes.typepad.com

5 Melissa David                     www.cheydogstudio.blogspot.com  

6  Crystal Neubauer              www.otherpeoplesflowers.blogspot.com

7  Sally Turlington                 www.sallyt.typepad.com

8  Lou McCulloch                   www./loumetamorphosis.blogspot.com

9  Danita Art                           www.blog.danitaart.com

10 Diane Cook                        www.rosajosies.com

 11 Maija Lepore                    

12 Jackie Allison

 

Reminder: registration is still open for my online class Of Towers and Turrets. Class begins Dec. 15! Click here for registration.