Still beating down the Texas crud

Monday, January 7, 2008

Arghhhhhh. I am still fighting the Texas crud and have not made it into my studio for several days. My DH just brought home another bag of medicinal supplies. He has it too. It is very tenacious once it arrives, but we are fighting the good fight and I am sure we will be kicking up our heels again in no time.




Thought you might like to see my first attempt at making a paper bag book. This was done in a class with Lesley Riley from Cloth, Paper, Scissors. She is awesome. When artists still have paint in their fingernails when they shake your hand, you know they are passionate about what they do! No fancy clothes or manicures when its play time!

We folded, glued, painted, collaged, did image transfers and embellishment. It is so lovely to just let your heart take over and speak to you while your hands move about. I wanted my book to kind of tell a love story of sorts with the musical score, her tender glance as if lost in wonder, a rose, bits of fabric, buttons, charms. The green in the bottom right is a dyed silk rod just for some fun texture. The layering was really fun. Layers of paint, layers of fabric, layers of paper. I am not really sure when you know your book is done - it just sort of said - "enough". Being someone who adores silk ribbon embroidery and crazy quilting, we embellish, embellish, embellish. So, this was an experiment for me to see if I could stop. I am definitely one of those who can muddy up colors quickly because I don't know when to stop. It obviously takes practice, but I think I am learning....again, baby steps.

Well, speaking of baby steps. I got some wonderful news today. My adorable niece is going to have a baby boy! Jacob Henry. Here is Jacob Henry when he was 15 weeks in gestation. He will arrive sometime in late May and we are anxious to meet him face-to-face. Aren't you glad we have professionals who can read these things?

Well, even though I have not been in my studio for a few days, I have joined a Valentine SRE Swap to get my motor up and running. It must be done and mailed by February 1st. Pinks and reds are not my usual colors so it will be a bit out of my box which I will find fun and challenging. I will let you know what I decide to do - I have my thinking cap on :-)

My Bible study today was Matthew 12. It was so good to get back into my regular routine with my studies. It really amazes me how things you read in the Bible can parallel events that are taking place in today's world. The world changes, but stays the same in so many ways. Our speaker made an interesting point - the Pharisees were upset that Jesus had healed a sick man and a demon possessed man on the Sabbath. This, the Pharisees interpreted as work which was outlawed on the Sabbath (at least their interpretation of work), condemned Jesus for it and immediately went to plot His murder. So....is it OK to plot murder on the Sabbath, but not heal? Isn't it amazing how truth can be twisted? I think this is one of the reasons I have chosen "SIMPLIFY" as my word for 2008. (It was my word for 2007 as well - it is a tough thing to do in the world of today! It will take time.) I want to simplify my life, get rid of unnecessary clutter, noise, distractions, and focus on what is true. I hope the same for you - that you too can limit the clutter and distractions and be able to discern what is true.

2 comments:

Rissa said...

Sorry you have cooties, but I am thrilled for your niece! How did I not know you had a blog?

allie aller said...

What a great project you did with Leslie. I don't always relate to this genre...it is too haphazard and cluttered for me. But yours is delicate and really does tell a story.
VERY funny, your picture of your cold meds!
...and big congrats on the impending arrival of your great nephew.

 
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