Gifts, in all shapes and sizes ...

Yesterday was a day of gifts.

A day of surprises and Thankfulness.

Two of my mixed media pieces are in the Winter 2013 Artist Spotlight pages of Somerset Studio Gallery.

I Heart this Earthly Life has been on my blog side panel for a while,  Fox Sparrow singing to my soul ♥

I've picked up many discarded books over the years, the majority have pages torn out and are scribbled in making them perfect for Art Journals.

One day, an idea for a painting came to me, but I had no canvas available.  Suddenly, I realized that the covers from these books made for an instant canvas!

You can paint directly on the paper. Depending on how old your book is, the paper may be thin, in which case you will not want to add a lot of water to your paints.  If you'd prefer, you can glue on a piece of watercolour paper.

Birds, especially Sparrows hold a special spot in my heart.

Also in Somerset Studio Gallery are some of my Dear Friend Mini Bags.

Our little picket fence enclosed country cottage front garden was created with the birds, butterflies and bugs in mind, is completely chemical free, and almost maintenance free, left to it's own doing.  Even the spent flowers look lovely to us, and we leave them as long as possible for the Yellow Finch to have one last feast on the Cosmos.

Since I love to send friends home with gifts (from the kitchen and garden) I make up little mini bags to hold the seeds.  Super easy, recycling brown paper shopping bags and adding a little watercolour painting and garden themed quote.

In the Winter 2013 issue of Sew Somerset, is my Power of Words Offerings Pouch.

Following a serious car accident, I turned to my books of quotes often, finding myself gravitating to the positive messages.  I began writing out favourite affirmation quotes and carrying them with me.  They found their way in my purse, my pocket, I had them tucked in the corners of mirrors around my home, and placed them on the dashboard of my car, reminding me to live life in the present.

I truly believe in the power of the written word which is where my idea for a little "offerings" pocket came about.  An expression of my belief that a few kind words speak volumes.

Made from a recycled pocket from jeans and 2 of the waist band loops, slip through a belt and fill with inspirational water coloured cards.

Share your cards freely ~ you never know who may need to read an uplifting message xo

Thank you so much to all those at Stampington who help make Artists dreams come true ♥

***

Keep your hands open

and all the sands of the desert

can pass through them.

Close them

and all you can feel

is a bit of grit.

~Taisen Deshimary~