The Building of a shrine - part deux

The shrine and I continue on our creative journey - through the papering process, as seen above. It was indeed a sort of peaceful thing to do - the papering. It was quiet, contemplative time as I thought about where each piece would go and what treasures the niches might hold.

What's new

One cannot live by cards alone - I have started to build my first shrine -
I want to document each step of the process and being me- got a book - one can do anything with a book or internet instructions - right?
Anyway - first step - cut the pieces from foam core - why not balsa wood? Heck if I know, but I was following instructions - so here are the pieces cut and put together -
Step 2 - cover each of the pieces (about 25 of them) with rice paper. The rice paper will presumably keep the foam core from warping when the layers of paint and glue are applied.

This is, in my estimation, madness, although as I sat in the studio last Saturday, cutting and wrapping each piece, I found a sense of peace and some satisfaction in creating each piece of this shrine. I feel like I'm really building something.
My sense of peace aside, the next shrine will be from balsa wood!
The next steps will be paint and assembly. Stay tuned for more photos

Stampin is awesome and....

Sometimes I like to shake it up a bit. Here are some dry embossed cards that I've been working on. I hope you like them.

Summer, how I love thee

Yes! Summer has finally arrived and I am loving every minute! The sun just feels lovely on my face and when I put the top down on the car, I can feel the wind and the sun at the same time!
My thoughts are on the sun, surf and sand, of late - and always on my flip flops!

I've been going a little nuts with the flowers lately, but it really is the weather that's inspiring me. Here in Cali, we have May gray and June gloom-cloudy and cool in the mornings and in the afternoons, that marine layer burns off and the rest of the day is lovely and sunny.
here are some of the flowers I've created. They are for sale. If you are interested, please contact me!

Ah Spring -

The weather has been lovely (off and on, that is) and the warmth of the sun, the blue of the sky is inspiring to me.
I've had a busy few weeks preparing for a bake sale, Easter cards and making my flowers.
The flowers, I think, are a lovely accessory for spring and summer. By Palm Sunday, I was just exhausted! I promised myself I would take a break from all of the craziness at least until after Easter.
Then yesterday happened! I was surfing for some supplies and I couldn't wait to get home and make something - ANYthing!
I refrained, but that urge to make something is still strong.
The flowers were a smashing success at the church bake sale!
Wouldn't you like to add one to your wardrobe? I'll be working on some alternative patterns as soon as my break is over!

Loss

I am still reeling from the loss of a friend's son. The list of friends that have asked for prayers seems never ending lately. It makes me so sad and yet, it inspires me to create, create, create. Doing something seems to take away some of the sting - like if I make this thing with this person in mind, I will never lose them.

I did switch gears from making cards and flowers to something that I haven't done in years - needlecraft - I am making a pillow using quickpoint (cross stitch with REALLY big yarn)
It's a lovely abstract pattern in blues and greens and it is soothing to work on during my lunch hour or in the evenings. I find myself completely lost in moving the needle in and out and watching the pattern take shape, anticipating the next color change or the completion of one pattern or section. - Escapism at it's finest.
This week I will get to turn my attention to Easter and create some cards to sell, some to send. And back to the flowers - I cannot wait to get back to the flowers. They are fun to wear and oh so much fun to make!
Pictures soon...