5 Gifts...

I titled the picture "5 Gifts" because each item represents something I treasure and we all need to live our lives:

the feather - our gifts and talents that we have been given, launching us out into the world...
spoon full of seed - faith and provision {found in Jesus}
egg - hope and new beginnings
tree {on the stone} - growth, and especially growth founded on the solid rock of Christ
nest - relationships and a place to call home...

Join other creatives at StudioJRU and Sneak Peek Friday

To Texture Tuesday

Something new in the etsy shop...

I'm so excited - this is a photo I DID take!  I might be getting the hang of good photography {with minimal help from photoshop}...

Fiber Art Bird's Nest and Paper Weight - Desk Accessory or Home Decor

An artisan fiber bird nest and coordinating paper weight are ready to add beautiful functionality to your computer, on your desk top, on a book shelf, or near your favorite chair.

The nest, assembled by hand using reclaimed materials, has a delicate 3 inch diameter and 1 inch deep interior which can hold a favorite treasure or remain empty as its many textures and colors are a feast for the eyes. A coordinating riverstone paperweight with a tree hand drawn with acrylic ink and sealed for longevity, holds your important papers in place or can be a simple reminder to think about the peacefulness found in nature. The riverstones vary in size and shape, but are usually about 3 inches by 2 inches.

Each nest is numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Rocks are initialed and numbered on the bottom.

An Easter place setting Sneek Peak

I love thrifting, and about 6 weeks ago I was in another small town and stopped by the thrift store - I can't remember what I was really looking for as I write this post, but I do love vintage dishware so I stopped to look for something (oh, I remember what I was looking for now! And it was a certain cup...*sigh*) But these plates with the robin's egg blue rim caught my attention, and then the china with the delicate rose pattern. They looked great together in the store, and there were enough of each to find 4 that were not chipped or too stained...I love the worn look, like they have been in our family for generations and loved and used!

Since I also have had nests + eggs + birds on my mind, I thought adding some artificial nests with word eggs (inspired by Jennifer at apoemlife) would be so pretty for spring table settings...I think they would be perfect for an intimate Mother's Day luncheon with favorite mothers?

I had two sizes of nests, and though I needed the larger ones to fill the plates more, they looked a little "uncozy", even with 3 eggs nestled in them. I just tried stacking the nests to see if the small ones would fit inside the larger - I love the look!

Another assembly:

Next week we will be preparing for Easter Sunday...

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU's Sneak Peek Friday

Unveiling "Finding Sanctuary" an E-class

Watercolor dove in window

I discovered one wonderful aspect of painting with water colors this week that really has me eager to do more...when I get interrupted, I can just walk away without worrying my paint will dry up...I have loved my watercolor experiments of late {smiles}...

I've had birds and nests and eggs on my mind lately - 

as the Lord has had me "contemplating" on the word 

Sanctuary...

and the idea of "Finding Sanctuary"  ...

He has been patiently encouraging me and nudging me forward...

I am so amazed at all the different ways 

He has brought verses through my email inbox 

(you know how you can read the "same old verse" and all of a sudden it is rhema?)

And He knew which images I would be drawn to when reading favorite blogs...

2 Timothy 2:2

Zechariah 2:10 (on an image with a nest)

Psalm 84:3 - the one that always says "sanctuary" to me!

and so many more as I have asked "Is this really you?"

And so this week, with that inner witness so strong my heart was pounding and His promise that He rejoices to see the work begin, I committed to reveal - tho' all the little ducks aren't in a row quite yet and I am feeling very small (which means it is all up to God).  All of that being said, a quiet excitement is growing...I am on this journey too, and I cannot wait to share it with you (and those of you who join!).

Feel free to grab the button from my sidebar and click HERE for more information about the class

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Sneak Peek Fridays

The Shelter of Sanctuary - Little Bird Nest tutorial

Maybe it is because the frogs are singing every evening already,

or because the temperature is in the 60 to 70 degree range, 

dangling thoughts of spring around my eyes and ears and nose -

(that warm sweet smell of moisture-rich air tempts and lures me towards the out-of-doors each morning).

   It's simply the luxuriousness of nature - all that texture and freshness (the grass is greening already) -

colors and sounds, promises and hope,

awakening the senses - both physical and spiritual...

to the simple treasures of these moments linking to hours and piling together into days...

of life - of being - of growing and creation glorifying the Creator...

These things, these simple things, 

the ones that mark the quiet momentum of life emerging...

the rhythm of time keeping -

all just compliment His leadings of late...His gathering together all the threads of His latest weaving...

that birds and nests and sanctuary really do form a parable of His love;

so it isn't really a surprise that we love them so well!

Be looking for registration to open for a mixed media exploration

on this topic, titled "The Shelter of Sanctuary" ...

The Tutorial...

I have a collection of little mint tins...waiting for me to really tackle the ideas that flock to me as I visit around the web!

Step 1

I finally decided to make a needle case, as I am always mislaying needles at the smocking guild meetings AND I love re-purposing things...

I will be making Miss Tweener one of these as soon as she decides what she wants on the cover...

         

Step 2

You can see the scratches from the sand paper...

Step 3

Step 4

You can see dents in the lid - oh well ☺.

Step 5

I can paint blobs (!) - no perfection needed...
in fact, nests look better if they are imperfect.

Step 6

More imperfect blobs as eggs...

Step 7

I used a shade of green craft paint called "Clover"...I liked the muted tones.  Another tip is I alternated size of brush with different colors...no exact way, just to add variety...

Step 8

I used a small liner brush to add the squiggly lines in the upper right of the nest...it just seemed to need something there to balance the leaves around the nest.

 

A little fuzzy, but you can still see it....

The case is small, about 1 1/2 inches by 2 inches, so this didn't take long to do...another plus!













Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU