Saturday, July 07, 2007

It is done...

I can't believe that title... I really thought it would never happen... and when I put the last touch on, it brought me to tears... this has been quite a journey - lots of ups and downs and many obsticles to overcome... but with God by my side... well what else can I say but "Thank you Lord, I couldn't have done it without you!"


God has been working on me, molding me like I molded the metal. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes smooth sailing... hopefully I will relax and follow God's lead... I know, sometimes I take it back because I want to be in control (ok, not just sometimes, all the time). And another lesson I've learned through all this: it's not always about me... case in point, these projects... granted a few know it's me (cause I told them!!) but the majority of New Heights doesn't know me... and week after week no acknowledgement of the projects... it was kind of dissappointing, but you know it's ok... it's not about me... it's about God and what he can do with "junk"...

Project # 1... The Tree of Life - ...the tree, birds nest & dragonfly represents life on earth. The quilt represents Christ and His promise of Eternal Life





When I went searching for quilt blocks I had a theme going in my head... I was doing this for God... and the top block, bethlehem star, is one of my favorites... so now the quilt represents Christ.

Quilt blocks (bottom up): Road to Heaven, Altar Steps,
The Cross & Bethlehem Star

The cross was an interesting design... I didn't have any brass - and couldn't find any, so I had to be creative! I used an old brass tissue box, cut it up and used the filigree design for the cross pieces.


For the nest I used a grapevine weath and a store bought bird's nest to start with... then worked the different weights of copper wire... as I was doing this I thought "UGLY!" but then it kinda grew on me... of course I added more wire before I was finally happy with the end result.




I had to add the dragonfly... alas I didn't create it, I just created the hanger it's hanging on - oh and I cut off it's legs (seems ghastly!) who ever sees the dragonflys feet? does it have feet? I don't know but that's how it came to me...


Project # 2... Quilt of Steel Emotions - sorry no witty name here... This one didn't come to me as well as #1... it's ok - but I don't think my heart was in it like #1... I need a redo on the vines & leaves... everytime I moved it, I knocked a leaf off.. it was just too light weight of a metal for welding... I'm going to make some changes to it for the art walk at Summer Festival.





The blocks use from top left to right: Churndash and Bethlehem star. I also added some tile to each corner - they were so cute, I couldn't resist - four different leaf patterns.



this last image was taken at the church... the lights were way too bright and the reflection a little harsh... but you can see the texture I put on the copper.



the text on the paper says:

Trudging through the scrap yard with all the muck and grime,
I search for bits and pieces that have been abandoned in time.
Scraps, seen as throw-aways, are placed together in prayer…
And becomes a patchwork quilt to adorn the garden fair.

As you’ve seen in the life of Moses and God’s love so true,

God will mold you in your life and you’ll become a masterpiece too

I am not implying that my work is a masterpiece, but God's work is!

Though this particular journey has come to an end... there are many more lying ahead... I have the creative juices flowing again and the need to create is at hand... actually I found an inspiration piece that I can't wait to get started on -
ok after I clean the house and get the garden in shape as they were sorely neglected over the last 8 weeks...
Thank you for following me on this journey... blessings to you all!

Monday, July 02, 2007

Falling on ill times...

I don't know if it was the stress of the projects or that some dear person left their germs behind just for me... whatever the case, it knocked me flat... I used my last bit of strength to finish the week 7 projects (and project 2 was rather sad, I might add)...


I have no little "wit" to add this week... the brain is out recuperating! All I can say is that God is faithful... I was only sick a couple of days, and here it is late Monday afternoon, and I think I'm going to be ok! Thank you Lord! I would have been in big trouble if I was sick all week and couldn't get the final projects done for the end - the final weekend...


I am really excited... the church asked for my images... they are going to put together a slide show of the various stages for the projects.... should be fun to watch...


Ok, Week 7

Project #1 - I've added the frame on, being careful that it hung straight. the initial border and background is on as well... I did have a little catastrophe... I knocked a limb off and a leaf... so it was panic repair mode for a time on Friday... it took quite a bit of time - just to be difficult... but yeah, I got it!!!
Project # 2 - this is really sad... I added a couple of quilt blocks as well as finishing the inside border... but I couldn't permanently attached the blocks until I have all four done... just to make sure they are all even... so they are basted on with copper wire...
Well next week is the final week and the reveal of completed projects... I sure hope I can get that done... thank goodness for Fourth of July - a extra day off to work on these... I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going to do (there goes God, laughing again) so let me say I have an idea, but the final outcome will be God's design...
until next week - stay cool, enjoy the 4th... and may God richly bless you...