Eclectic Offerings

I've had a crafty and busy weekend beginning with the annual Centenary College Book Bazaar and got some fabulous finds which I will share with you in a few days, but in thinking of books, a few weeks ago, my blogging galpal, Ellie from Almond Branch Studios posted a picture of her open Bible as she quoted a verse and I was so taken by her little tabs because it takes me forever to find some books while Shari and I are in our Bible Study that I can't keep up so I decided to find a set. I got the cute little Noah's Ark tabs which are pastel and have tiny animals pictured on each one. And I dearly love them. You don't have to be a "kid" to like Noah's Ark. Right? After all I am a kid too. A big child with long grey hair. Whoops..I meant long Strawberry Blonde hair. lol
And it was then I decided that my new Bible needed dressing. Literally. I've been thinking about a cover so I went to work on a Shabby Chic Bible Cover. Using some coffee dyed canvas and a vintage baby dress this is what I came up with.

I used one of the little sleeves at the bottom left to create a tiny pocket to hold a book mark which I fashioned from an inked tag and my pen also fits in there. Ready to go.

I like being able to tie it shut for some reason, so I used tan antique lace and took the tiny buttons from the back of the little dress and sewed one on the front and one on the back to keep the lace intact and the front one also is a place to hang the tag from. I told my daughter Shari on the phone last night she was going to be jealous because I had a new little OOAK Bible Cover and she said, "Momma, I'm already jealous" so I will make her one from another little dress. I have a pink one saved for her. I'll have to send a link to this post to JoAnnA from Mosshill Studios because she has always been such an inspiration and influence on my art.

And on the heavier side, I finished my first cold connection jewelry piece. I do apologize that I wasn't able to photograph it better, because the glare would not go away! I used copper and brass. I still have a long way to go in my learning but with everything else, practice, practice, practice and I intend to keep on learning, I love the look of these metals and it was just plain fun working with all those tools and pounding metal like a guy!

Another view still trying to get a better shot. It is attached to a 30" length of "gold" chain bought from Home Depot, so the entire piece is not dainty but very medieval in look and feel . Sorry girls. Just use your imagination here ok? and I'll do better next time.

That's it, but you ladies have a great week ahead. Stay well, stay busy, and stay happy. See ya in the funnies, Mollye

Not your baby's puzzle

Well this used to be a baby puzzle BEFORE I laid claim to it! A spiritual theme took over and it became "Saved by Grace" which is engraved in the copper tape at the top. I soldered all around the finished piece and added a copper then black patina for a really old, dull metal look. The border of the puzzle was made to resemble leather and the pieces though meant to be separate in themselves still came out looking very similar. I hate when that happens! But it was a fun piece to do. The glare made it hard to actually photograph well.



I had a fun day yesterday with friend Toni from Art Journey who came over and graciously taught me how to make Cold Connection Jewelry. It is fascinating as there is no soldering done at all. Every element is attached to the metals with hardware such as tiny nuts and bolts. I am working on a piece now and will show you after I finish. Maybe this weekend will be a hunting woods weekend for Punkin and I can gitterdone! Take a look at Toni's jewelry. I think you will love it and she will also soon be teaching an online class on this artform and best of all...........it is FREE. So I will give you more details as I have them.

Thanks to all of you for your lovely, kind and loving remarks and commments to my writings. You know I am not trying to get an award, win a contest or be published. Most of what I write about is 100 percent true and that's not always to say it is nice or admirable but it is what it is and a part of my life I like to share with those who share with me.

Isn't that what our lives are all about.the sharing and then the caring. Peace and love to you my sisters! Mollye