Harvest Gatherings Swap Projects

These are things that I made for the Harvest Gatherings Swap hosted by Amy at Bumble Bee Lane

This is a burlap bag with an appliqued crow.  The bag is filled with weeds and apple cinnamon potpourri 

This candle mat made from calico has appliqued felt apples in the style of a penny rug.

Ditty Bags

Amy at Bumble Bee Lane hosts primitive swaps that I enjoy participating in.  The theme this time was Ditty Bags.  I saw a picture of a similar ditty bag and recreated it.  The muslin bag has a calico pocket that the little prim doll will nestle in.  It was a fun project and would be perfect for a little girl to take to church to keep her occupied.

I also included an antique cheese slicer that would be great for slicing beets or carrots in a wavy pattern.

Land of the Free

I love America!  To celebrate Independence Day I made this book.  It reminds me of some of the symbols of our freedom.

Front Cover

Constitution--Statue of Liberty

Liberty Bell--National Bird, the eagle

Liberty Bell seen through window--The right to bear arms

Close up of previous page

Freedom of Religion--Freedom of the Press

Washington Monument resting on copy of music for Star Spangled Banner (national  song)--Lincoln Memorial , White House and pledge to the flag

Back Cover Preamble to the Constitution

The chipboard book is from Bo Bunny, Images--stock photos, Embellishments--Bo Bunny, K&C Company, LaPetites, Stickabilities, and Hobby Lobby.

Happy Birthday America!

Penny Rugs

I love trying new techniques, although the penny rug is an old quilting method.  In the 1800s, starting around the time of the Civil War, thrifty homemakers would use scraps of wool or felted wool from old clothing, blankets and hats to create designs for mats or rugs. Using coins as templates, they created circles and each piece was then stitched in blanket stitch fashion. (Thus, the name "penny" rug). Sometimes, the mats or rugs were backed with old burlap bags or feed sacks. Sometimes a penny was stitched inside the mat to make it lie flat.
Penny rugs are not actual rugs for the floor, but decorative coverings for beds, tables and dressers and mantles. Sometimes they are used as wall hangings or pillows. Most designs include circles and some include images from everyday life such as cats, flowers, birds and shapes such as stars and hearts.

Amy at Bumble Bee Lane hosts primitive swaps that I enjoy participating in.  The theme for the summer was Bee Happy--bees, and flowers.  On a felt background I appliqued felt hollyhocks with a bee hive, bird and sun--a modern feeling pattern that I made using old techniques.

Sweet Liberty

I just finished another fun swap with Amy at Bumble Bee Lane.  The theme of this prim swap was Sweet Liberty.  I made a set of coasters using the patriotic colors, and a matching pot holder.  I found an antique crazy quilt piece and made a pin stick with it.  A little chenille  lamb complete my projects

Is there a do over?

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2012

Is there a do over?

This picture is of a Chihulie glass sculpture shown at an exhibit in the Desert Botanical Garden. His work reflects the original subject, as seen through the eyes of an artist. The subject is changed, transformed. The ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Dale Chihuly, who was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1941, has become an internationally celebrated personality in contemporary art and design whose prominence in the field of contemporary studio glass is unmatched. Chihuly’s most recent installations have focused on the idea of the garden, which stems from his first outdoor works at Pilchuck and his later, monumental Persians installations. The garden is a place of physical and spiritual delight that represents the perfect world, or paradise, 

I was amazed at how the sculptures blended in with the landscape. The marrying of beautiful glass and spiny cactus made it seem as though his work had grown there.

This quote was on a friends post--On this day, God wants you to know...
that change is the very nature of life, welcome it. No glass ever became sand again; No bread ever became wheat; No ripened fruit ever became a flower. Welcome change, and choose what kind of glass you create, what kind of bread you bake, what kind of fruit you harvest.
We can't erase the past, but we can mold our future.  We can learn from the past, and be wiser in the future.  It is a daily process.  We shouldn't dwell on the past, but push on to a more excellent future.
Philippians 3:13  No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. NLT

Book of Love

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Book of Love

On this Valentines Day, I thought I would share a memory book that I made that features some of the things that I love.  So I hope that you enjoy my "Book of Love"

On the left is a page honoring God with the hymn "Love Divine", on the right a tribute to my parents with their picture and a valentine poem.  The first and last verses

My mother made a Valentine

So very long ago

And decked it out all prettily

Like for a special beau.

....

I felt like laughing out for joy

My childish heart was glad!

Mom's special valentine would go

To a special beau named "Dad". (Lucille King)

Next I salute my children on the left and my grandchildren on the right with thoughts and poems

The wonder of a miracle

From which this love began..

There is so much found in the touch

Of holding a grandchild's hand.

 Of course, I have to mention my dog and things I love to do--create, sew, craft, express my feelings in art and poetry

And I acknowledge my love of the beauty of creation, the wonderful sights I have witnessed, and the beauty that is around me.

 I had just one more poem to include in this salute to love. It recognizes my heritage and honors my grandma.

Grandma's book of valentines

Rekindles memory's flame

Of days when she was just a girl

And life a happy game...

A book of antique valentines

That reaches back in time

To tell the tales of yesteryear

In illustrated rhyme. (Shirley Sallay)

Book of Love

Comforting Thoughts

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012

Comforting Thoughts

Hand made sympathy cards are always hard to make.  As you are constructing them you feel the pain and loss of the recipient.  But it is important to acknowledge the loss.

This card with a Victorian feel will convey your thoughts.  The card is navy with a white picture frame die cut.  A light blue angel print is placed inside the corners. Out of a square white lacy paper doily fashion an envelope, trim the bottom flap with a pearl button and embroidery floss.  The message stamped on a little card fits inside the envelope.

Inside the card, a sentiment is stamped on white and adhered to the card.

Another loss besides death is the person going through divorce.  That loss hurts as much as death.  And although it may be hard, it is so important to keep in contact with that person after the obligatory casserole is delivered.