"Sew Many Blessings"

It's been awhile since I posted pics of a work in progress, and since I'm having sooooo much fun with this one, I thought I'd share. The piece is a wood sewing chest, which I'm hoping will find a home with someone who'll use it for organizing all those special and ♥heartfelt♥ Christmas projects. :)

After sanding any sharp corners, the background is completed first, with checkers and a touch of shading around the top, and swirly winter "clouds" below, avoiding the areas I've sketched in for trees and angels...

Next, a bit of detail on the angel scene is painted in...

This is as far as it's come - so far. :) Today, I'll work on painting further details, and on filling in all those tiny squares around the top with decoupaged papers, buttons, baubles, ribbon and maybe a few sparkly crystals. There's also a tray which sits inside, which will be decoupaged with vintage looking Christmas paper.

I'm generally pretty good about sending my creations out there into the world, but every once in a while one comes along I truly wish I could keep - and I already have a feeling about this one! (Unfortunately, my mortgage company would disagree, hehe) So sell it I must, and I'll take consolation in the hope it will become a treasured heirloom, perhaps even handed down from Mother to Daughter, and will be the keeper of someone's loving handiwork and the home of "sew many blessings". :)

(Pics of the finished piece coming soon!)

♥ Carolee

Counting Our Blessings

It's just after midnight here as I type this, so officially Thanksgiving. :)

We have so very much to be thankful for this year, not the least of which is John's brand new mitral valve, and his return home last week. We are also thankful for the support of family and friends, especially our daughter Courtney, and for all the prayers, well wishes and positive energy of so many people we know only here in cyberspace. Your messages, comments and emails have been a blessing through what has been a very challenging time for us.

As always, I'm thankful I have a job doing something I love. I'm thankful for whatever small measure of imagination or artistic ability I've been given, and thankful for the opportunity to use it. I'm thankful my days are spent creating something that may bring a smile, or brighten someone's day.

I'm thankful for our animal companions, who teach me about pure joy and unconditional love every day.

I'm thankful for the challenges and obstacles that help me grow.

I could go on and on here, but at the risk of sounding sappy, or worse, of boring you to tears, I'll stop, and simply wish you a joyous Thanksgiving, and a happy and blessed holiday season!

I'll be back very soon with new work. In the meantime, enjoy the day. :)

♥ Carolee

An Irish Blessing :)

Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.

~ from Ancient Gaelic runes