Look What I Got!

I've been anxiously awaiting a package in the mail. I'll admit I was starting to wonder....

Then the hubby and I started to conquer all of the piles of papers that have been accumulating around the house the last couple of weeks. And my precious package was uncovered! It'd accidentally gotten stuck in a pile of hubby's things, (grrr) and I didn't even know it had come! It made my day! I had won a drawing on Julie Bagamary's blog and this is what I won!


It's a beautiful original fabric post card! But no way am I sending this baby through the mail. It's mine, all mine, and it's going to get hung in my work room, so I can see it all the time. She makes all kinds of scripture-inspired quilted art. Makes me wish I'd learned how to sew.

Thanks Julie, I love it!

Knock, Knock.

(House, $68)
Just finished this big piece for our Spring Art Open House. Yep. I said it. Now it's 'out there'. the cat has left the bag. Mom? Jill? We're having a Spring Art Fling. Get ready.

Just remember this quote as you think about how annoying it was that I just announced that we were having an open house without really for sure confirming that it was going to happen... for sure. I know it will be hard work. And a lot of it. Just think of the love, guys. The LOVE that I first LEARNED from you. (KNOCK. KNOCK.) Excuse me, I have to answer the door...

Oh, look who it is! It's my HEART. She's hear to remind us of LOVE. GRACE. MERCY. KINDNESS. And might I be so bold as to add...FORGIVENESS.

Well, that was exhausting.

Lydia the Six Fingered Lady

I've been looking at other people's art blogs alot recently and Martha's Art du Jour blog struck me as funny when she mentioned that she'd painted a girl who's hair was supposed to be blowing in the breeze, but instead ended up like she had a moustache. Unfortunately for us, she didn't post a picture of the moustached lady. Since I'm all about keepin' it real around here, and I'm too lazy to start over on a piece like Martha did (yes, I'm really leaving it like that and somebody will love her anyways,) I'm going to reveal a little secret you may find more than once in my own artwork:Hands are hard for me. Remember this post? It's all about the various types of hands that show up in our artwork - and it's darn funny.

Now that I've pointed out all of Lydia's flaws, I'll announce that she's for sale for $35. Don't let her six fingeredness scare you off. We all have our weaknesses.

Alit in the Yuccas!

I doubt she stays on the ground long!!!

These are New!

There are two more new things in my etsy shop today!

"Look For Joy" ($16):

"Little Moments" ($25):

BFF

They are best friends forever . . . . well, at least until I sell them off to various families.

New Etsy Pieces!

These two pieces are now available on my etsy site! Click on the Paper Prayers' etsy link over on the left to view more pictures.

("Love is Patient" is SOLD!)


Be Still and Know - $16

"Shine!" was inspired by a friend of my sister's (and now mine, although we've never met face to face) who's favorite word is "sparkle." The more I'm thinking about it, the more I'm thinking that she might be getting this baby in the mail, just because. sshhh, don't tell her.

"Have You Made the World Better?" Well, have you?!
($22)

Sailing...

As you can tell, I have no idea how to really draw a boat! But I made an attempt anyway, because I was inspired by the hymn that I used for the background paper. Oh well. She's cute anyway. I found the cool plastic vintage frame at a consignment store and knew I had to have it!

($22)

Shine!

($22)

Wherever You Go...

No matter what the weather...always bring your own sunshine.

($65)

Happy Day ($29)

Sweet Home ($29)

Just finished these signs and am trying to re-embrace my handwriting again :) I went through a phase where I tried to avoid it at all costs because I was just not ever happy with it. It just makes or breaks a piece, in my opinion. Can't tell you how many times I would make something cool and junk it out when I wrote a message on it...so frustrating! (But I'm pretty happy with how these turned out!)

Change is good ($29)

Girl with wings ($29)

These will go to my Etsy shop soon. I have 4 of these girls and one in particular was giving me fits. I didn't post a picture of the 'problem girl'. I'm just going to be honest. Everytime I looked at her, I saw Michael Jackson. I'm JUST being honest. We're not talking about cute like Michael from the Jackson 5 days, we're talking scary Michael. I think it was the nose. I actually threw her in the garbage because she disturbed me so much. Then I pulled her back out....reworked her and am trying to give her a 2nd chance. It's not HER fault, after all.

The Lord is Good!

My grandmother turns 80 tomorrow and so I made this for her:





In the interest of time, I purchased a pre-made, unfinished chipboard book from the craft store. I've done some altered books in the past, using old children's board books. That involves sanding and gessoing, and I didn't have time for all of that messing around, so I went the chipboard route. I love the different shaped edges and how each page is a bit bigger than the previous. I think it turned out swell.

Like Mother, Like Daughters!

Do you know who's who? (My mom made this for me for a birthday present.) Let's hear your guesses.

Head Full O'Birds.

We were all together today at lunch and joked that we need to get a new post up fast. Jill and I were lecturing Mom about putting her lump on the artblog. Just kidding, Mom! You know how we like to give you a hard time. We're all happy about your lump, now lets move on to some art. :) I'm liking how this girl turned out. Let's not think about the logistics of having this many birds in your hair at one time. Let's just 'go with it' in the name of art, shall we?

My Artsy Lump/not brains

The growth that was removed from my scalp last week (or so) was a benign tumor called a: Are you ready for this? trichilemmoma Ta-Da!!!! Kind of like "tickle your momma!" Anyway Dr. said google it and here's what it said: a benign neoplasm with differentiation toward pilosebaceous follicular epithelium. So there you have it. All you ever wanted to know about the lump on my head. Benign, being the key word. Thank you, Lord, I am free. Thanks to all who prayed me through this. So I guess I still have all my brains after all, who knew?!?

Done!

I'm pleased to report that the Psalm 91 project is finished. I've discovered that I'm not all that good at planning ahead when it comes to this many words. It took me 4 tries to do it before I was finally satisfied! Hope they like it!

Ilustration Friday

I want to start submitting to Illustration Friday, so here's my first attempt. The topic of the week is "Time" -

"It's never too late," (to believe.)

Spring Fever!

OK, I realize it's only February...and lets face it...this is Iowa. And I also realize it's only 48 degrees outside, but I dare say, it feels borderline tropical! Not quite slip-n-slide weather, but no coats for sure! The spring fever hit me...and these flowers popped out! I've got a few of them that I should be putting in my Etsy store soon.