Disintegrating bundle project

I have been thinking a lot about my blog... about what's happening in this little corner of blogland.The fact is that you don't need to see any more pictures of fresh bread or fresh flowers/vegetables. Sooo, I'm ditching pride. That's a fast ride to nowhere. I'm going to use this space to show what I'm discovering as I try to grow my creative side. What I need from you is helpful (i.e.specifically negative/positive) comments along the way. Love (or hate) a color? Have a better idea for guerrilla art? Think that something just doesn't work? Tell me... please. (Don't want your comment published? Tell me!)

Yesterday, I started a 90-day experiment. It's called a "disintegrating bundle" - a bundle of  random papers, wired to book board and hung outside to be battered and beaten by the elements, the animals, whatever is out there. On October 26, I hope to be in possession of distressed papers that will add interesting character to any project.

The bundles are hanging on a post-season mulberry tree. (Would have been interesting to see the added color during the berry season, huh?) 
 

If nothing else, it may give the woodchucks something besides our cars to chew on. What a novel idea.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

Haircut week> haircut day> guerrilla!!

This is haircut week... "haircut day" being one of my favorite days of the month. It is one day that I can count on being a sneaky depositor of guerrilla art. I mean... when I'm at home the audience is pretty limited, and frankly, no one is surprised! So, haircut day is pretty special.

This week I planned to have my purse loaded with "goodies", but you can't make paint and glue dry faster by glaring at it. (I tried... it does no good.) By Wednesday, there were two dry, finished pieces of "art" in my purse ready to find new homes.

                                          

I never dreamed that the combination of a vintage Bingo card and Psalm 62 would work so well. This was my first stab at using the Bingo cards for guerrilla art. It was fun.

And then, my supply of library cards continues to satisfy. I am careful in my use of these cards.... I only have about 1800 left.

Somewhere out there, two verses are accomplishing the mission God has intended. Or, maybe they are still awaiting discovery. In the meantime, I need to put final touches on the now dry, half finished projects on my worktable. My purse is feeling pretty empty right now.

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Psalm 119140

Buy one, get one free

It always takes two cars to deliver one car to the repair shop... and since we were both out, together, my dearly beloved suggested we check out the best of our local shopping possibilities... a thrift shop. "Thrift shop" in my world means books! so of course I happily went along with the idea.

I was rewarded for being such a good wife. The first sign I spotted on the bookshelves said, "We are being overtaken by books! Help us solve the problem. Buy 1 book for 29 cents, get the second book free!"

When I am shopping, nothing lights my fire faster than the absence of a dollar figure in the price. Add "free" on top of that? Icing on the cake! I was determined to find two good books.

The first book was a picture dictionary. Cute, colorful. For 29 cents? Yep - mine. Now to find the free book.

Nothing... nothing.... how can there be nothing? I'm not even being picky!! We're talking free!

And then... there it was. Mother Goose and Nursery Rhymes. With wood engravings by Philip Reed. It is a beautiful book. A special printing by the artist for his friends for Christmas 1970. Look at these
samples of the artwork...

Nearly every page begs to be framed. I love this book. Yesssssss!

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God... I John 3:1

The Fourth of July arrived and disappeared with the sparkler speed... just slow enough to really enjoy the bright events throughout the day. As many of our kids (and their kids) that could, met in Toledo for our annual bash.

We had a great time eating and swimming and then river walking. What? You thought I meant along the river? No, this was Bytwerk style... in the river!

All that exercise demanded more eating and then the usual birthday cake - for birthdays, both early and late.

For me it was a hilarious, wonderful, joy-filled day. Everything from a dog rolling across the driveway in her portable kennel to hugs to hearing a grandson tell me of his current preoccupation - "loving God." 

A day like that is a treasure indeed.
                    

To think all this started with two simple "I do"s on July 4, 1968.

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1

Poles and power and prompting

A couple of days ago, the work of replacing the utility poles on our road finally reached our house. A harried, orange-shirted man banged on our door and announced that our power would be off for 2 hours, then dashed away to get his crew on the job.

If the power has to be off, that was the perfect day - cool, breezy, sunny. I had nowhere to go, so I watched.

With a thud(!!) the pole landed on the grass.. a perfectly executed maneuver between trees, existing poles and vehicles. I felt like I was watching "Bob the builder" in fast motion - aka undercranking, who knew? (Actually, I haven't ever seen Bob the Builder so I'm doing some assuming here.)

The scene was vivid with green and orange capped in blue and white. I took pictures through our ancient wavy glass in the kitchen.

I have read about artists who carry a sketchbook to capture inspiring scenes. That morning, the bug bit me. I grabbed my book and scribbled... really... I scribbled. It's addictive... it makes me wonder about the fire that has been kindled.

Apparently, utility pole work crews have the same sense of timing that my it's-a-5-minute-job dearly beloved has. Four and a half hours later the power was on again.

What an interesting day.

I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop. Psalm 102:7

Paint and paste to the rescue

I wish now I had a before picture. It would explain why I had to spend 2 days re-decorating a box of the Sam's Club version of saran wrap. It is b-i-g... 3000 ft. of food wrapping handy-ness.

You may ask, why did you have to have this product? My answer is instant. What sold me on this b-i-g, blue and white and wordy box is the slide cutter.

No more fighting the packaging to try to get a piece of clear film that isn't a tangled mess. Now I can use both hands to dispense as much as I need. This chosen length then lays flat along the front of the box (and counter), freeing both hands. With just a push from one hand, I move the slide cutter, pick up the perfectly flat, perfectly cut piece of film, and cover whatever I want!

I love it!

The only problem is the box. It won't fit in a drawer or cupboard, so it has to sit on the counter. But it's just so b-i-g... and blue and white and wordy. Yep, it's just plain ugly.

So, I did what any self-respecting home cook would do. I painted - brilliant streaks of all the colors in my kitchen. I ripped some great photos/recipes out of an ancient Gold Medal Flour cookbook and pasted them over the paint. Today, tucked away on the bookcase window, my ugly box looks OK.




One of life's little struggles that won't bother me for at least another 2997.5 feet.

Life is good... and good-looking!

The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. I Samuel 16:7

Summer storm

A predicted storm rolled in tonight.

Even though we are in the middle of the extended daylight of summer, the house grew dark around 6:00 pm. Thunder began to rumble in the distance about the same time. Wondering if I should shut down the computer, I looked out the west window... grabbed my camera and ran outside.

I'm sure I looked pretty foolish dashing around the yard with my camera pointed heavenward, but the pre-storm sky was incredible. (I am very fortunate that I don't have any neighbors that monitor my behavior.)






After a few hours, the rumbling thunder turned into wild, sideways rain. It's all over now and once again, I'm thankful. Thankful for the clouds... and the ever faithful reminder of a promised meeting in the sky.

Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it. I Thessalonians 5:24

Moments

Things have been quiet... at this location anyway. But, while my beloved blog was neglected, the real time, duty filled hours of life were overflowing.

So, where do I start?

How about with the little "stuff"? Bright moments in hurried days. The unexpected breeze that refreshes the soul.

An altered library file card that just wasn't right, until it stood on its head.


A rainy construction scene that somehow spoke peace.


An author who reached through the decades to remind me that I am not my own.

Praise God for the moments. Be sure to notice yours.

Be still, and know that I am God... Psalm 46:10