May 25, 2014 I Am

I exist and therefore I Am.

 

 Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life is or where you are going? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself "who am I?" Have you ever stopped and said "I want to go here" when here is somewhere clouded in mystery or unclear? Is it a destination that someone else has achieved or is striving for? Have you set your sights on something invisible or undefined? We all have our dreams and expectations in life. Some are realistic some are not. Some will achieve what they perceive as their "goal" and are not happy there. Some have gotten there at "all cost" and have found the prize wanting. Actually most of it is empty. What we expect in life is constantly changing and our goals will never be fully realized. That may be an uneasy or even defeating realization and feeling. I have looked at many things and said that would be nice or that would be great. Is that where you are happiest, in the world of dreams? My word study brought me to a surprising place. In scripture Moses asks God to tell him His name. Depending on what scripture you read it appears in different forms but they all stem from the same place. "I AM WHO IS." What God is telling Moses is I Am and therefore Who I Am. The past, the  present and the future. The happiest people I know are those who just know that they just are. The past, present and future will take care of itself and they are here in this moment. They are those who would tell you if asked, "I just am." I Am, are you?

Moses then said to God, ‘Look, if I go to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,” and they say to me, “What is his name?” what am I to tell them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am he who is.’ And he said, ‘This is what you are to say to the Israelites, “I am has sent me to you.” ’ God further said to Moses, ‘You are to tell the Israelites, “Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” This is my name for all time, and thus I am to be invoked for all generations to come.

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Ex 3:13–15). New York: Doubleday.

This past week has been a struggle in some ways. Through all of it we all must endure. Today is the here and now that is to be lived. The card I am sharing tonight has been one that most of you can relate to. It started out easy and turned into mistakes, mis-queues, errors, cover ups and just about everything that can go wrong with a card. I am not going to tell you what they are since I have jabbered enough already. Here is the card. 

The Image was colored several months ago. It is from Inky Impressions. Meet Nickie. This is a fairly new company and has some of the nicest images around. Give the a look. This image is a sweetie don't you think?

  I am fairly happy with this card. I did this over several days when there was time. There is  a lot going on here as you can see. I have to confess it is nothing like what I wanted to do but if it could go wrong it did. 

The list of materials is rather long so here it is.

Image "Shy Little Nickie" by Inky Impressions
Copic colors: G02, R43, B24, B91, E0000, E000, E00, E25, E33, E57, E95, E97, E99, R000, RV000, RV11, RV13, RV95, T3, T5, T8, 100
Copic Multiliner Maroon 0.03 & Black 0.05
Verifine Black Onyx stamp ink
Glitzy Glitter Cardstock Stack
Tim Holtz Doily Stencil THS018
IO Die  172-1
Gary M. Burlin & Co Clear Embossable Window Plastic
Spellbinder Oval Nestabilities Die

Well that is it for today. I will post again toward the end of this week or the beginning of next week God willing. Until then the LOVE THE DETAILS.

May 18, 2014 Ageing

Aging is that time in life where everything is wrinkled.

    The wife and I were discussing life and getting old the other day and generally agreed it sucks like sour grapes. Getting old means standing together in front of the bathroom mirror and comparing medications to see who takes the most or who has the most wrinkles. My mother had an index finger with arthur's ritus that caused her finger to point slightly downward. If she pointed at you and didn't say anything you would check to see if your fly was open. Lot's of fun at parties I'm sure. Getting old sucks!
    I used to make fun of age spots and didn't understand what they were. One day I notice a spot that was in a place where it was clear skin but now is occupied by a brown spot. Each day it seems to be more prominent. Bleach doesn't remove it so it isn't a stain. The doctor says its an age spot. Getting old sucks.
    Have you ever noticed that you have some hair on your shoulder but it was the wrong color so it wasn't yours. When you look next to you there is a gent wearing a rug that does not match the hair around the sides but does match the hair on your shoulder. A shedding hair piece? Uh, OK! Getting old Sucks!
    Have you ever sneezed and realized your partial has departed. After a VERY discrete search you spot it leaving the premices stuck to someone's heavy cleated shoe. Now what? Getting old sucks.
    We all have gotten up and left a room only to forget what you were going to do. Upon returning through that very same doorway you suddenly remember what it was you were going to do. Now you go through that door way and halfway to where you were going, YEP, forgot again. You go back thinking you are going crazy and, Yep, now you remember. THE DOORWAY DUMMY. IT'S THE DOORWAYS FAULT. Solution? Write it down so the doorway can't make you forget what the heck you wanted in the first place. Grip that little piece of paper like it was your last ten bucks until you make it to the next room and if you still remember keep it until you get to where your going and drop to your knees and hold it to heaven and say "THANK YOU LORD, I REMEMBER, I WROTE IT DOWN."  Getting old sucks!
    My dear wife is always asking me if we are having fun yet. I always tell her that no one has explained to me what fun is. Some times I laugh just because everyone else is laughing. To this day I still wonder what the punch line was. Punch line? What was the joke? Fun huh? Hope my fly isn't open! Getting old sucks. 

       "This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

The Revised Standard Version. (1971). (Ps 118:24). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

 Now that we have that out of the way I need a nap. Old age you know. LOL. That brass plate that I mangled. It is now a mangled card. I should take my nap and make you wait but that wouldn't be Kosher...er...Christian. TADA. What were we talking about? OH yeah. Its on my little sheet of paper. Lets see......" show them the card DUMMY." Here it is......
 

 This was the foil image before attempting to make a card. It was surprisingly easy to do a card using this image. 

I used paper from The Mariposa Matstack for the cover. Used an oval Spellbinder die to provide the window for the image. Scor-tape was used to attach the image to the rear of the opening temporarily. A 9"X6.5" piece of card stock was scored and folded to make a top fold card measuring 4.5" high X 6.5" wide. Scor_tape was used to firmly attach the card face to the card. The tape was run across the back of the foil several times to insure a firm hold and attached to the card body.
A second designer paper from Lost & Found #2 was used to create the inside of the card. 

  Peel and stick silver chain and strips were used to finish the inside of the card and to create a highlight frame for the front image. The two spellbinder die cut feathers were colored with Copics and added as embellishments. T colors are E35, E37, E50. There is a bit of detail that I figured out how to bring out by positioning the two lights used for photographing the the card.

 As you can see there is some detail visible that is not visible on the other photos. That is it for now. As long as I don't have to go through any doorways or forget to write down what I want to remember I will share more next time. Remember to LOVE THE DETAILS.

May 14, 2014 Hidden Treasures

Our days are filled with hidden treasures if we dare to look for them.

When we speak of treasures the first thing that comes to mind are treasure chests filled with gold or finding a long lost major art piece at a yard sale or in the trash. Really? Those odds are not in the millions to one, they are are in the billions to one. That is not long odds, that is to the moon without a space ship. There are better treasures than that and at a cost anyone can afford. The COST? Yepper! There is a cost. Time and an open heart. I have decided not to join in on challenges or get myself tied up in clubs or clicks. If that makes me different, GOOD. It is more important to realize our treasure is in each other and that we share that specialness through what we share. Have you ever heard anyone say, "But, but they get on my nerves, and, and I don't like what they create!" or "That isn't my taste in creating things." or "They never stop by and comment." REALLY?? As you judge so you shall be judged. If you say there is nothing positive to be found you haven't looked hard enough. I admit there are times I feel that way, at which point I must pause, back up and take another look. If I see nothing, I move on. Be sure that I will return because nothing is without merit. Only evil is without merit. Where do your hidden treasures lie? Psalms 119:11-12 "In my heart I treasure your promises, to avoid sinning against you. Blessed are you, Yahweh, teach me your will!"

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Ps 119:11–12). New York: Doubleday.

I am off on that "which way did he go George" path again. Yeah, I jumped off the horse and climbed onto the jackass and am headed off to who knows where. OH, I KNOW! Lets do something different. HEY! Stop groaning. WE are going to burnish some 3" armor plate. UUUHHH! Belay that. We are going to take a piece of 36 gage brass foil and create an image on it. What are I goin' to done with it. I dunno. But we gonna' done it any who.

(WARNING: DO NOT USE SHARP OR POINTED TOOLS. YOU WILL RUIN YOUR WORK) and I don't have enough band-aides to go around.  
It has been years since trying this. Don't ask how many, cuz I ain't tellin'. This was about 4 1/2 hours from start to finish. I thought it was fun myself. Here is the list of things you will need. There are pictures for those that don't like to read and explanations for those that don't know what they are looking at. (That would be me) If that doesn't help stop back on the next post. I'll understand.

36 gage tooling foil (comes in Brass, Copper and Aluminum. Brass shown)

Tape for the edge to prevent cuts (not Shown)

Band-aides if you don't tape the edges (Too graphic to show)

3/8" stiff foam pad (mouse pad or even a stack of old magazine will do)

Tape to hold the work to the pad (packing tape will do since metal will try to lift)

A pair of old shears or small tin snips

A burnishing set (if you have a paper craft burnishing set it will work)

Hardwood clay molding tools (some sets have the metal ball end tools)

Sharpie or other pointy marker

Tracing paper

An image that fits the foil size you will use.
(the image should not be the same size as the foil but 2/3  to 3/4 the size of the foil.)

You will also need a pencil and an eraser. If you are like me the eraser will be needed even thought it will only be used for tracing.
A ruler.

I cut my foil to a 4"X4" square. I then took Heavy Post It tape, cut four 4 1/2" strips and covered all four edges of the foil. I will not need the Band-Aides, will you? Next I laid the foil on the mouse pad and taped it down securely with 3M packing tape. Set the pad and foil aside and cut a piece of the tracing paper and tape it to the image with minimum tack tape. Trace your image. Trim the tracing paper with the image on it so it will fit the foil . My image is roughly 2 1/2" on a side so I made sure it fit in the center of the foil. Tape it fast to the foil and packing tape making sure no tape is on the image. (If you were to have tape on the image it will be difficult to impossible to trace through.

Now the fun begins. Take the smallest metal ball ended burnishing tool, Mine is 1mm, and, pressing down firmly, trace the outlines on the tracing paper. Don't miss any. It will make it harder later if you do. Make multiple passes if need be to assure a good outline. When you are sure your out line has been transfered to the foil, remove the tracing paper. Looks pretty good, huh?

From this point on it is a matter of using the other tools to press the metal inside the image to form the features desired. I used the metal ball ends to "fill" in between the outline by gently but firmly rubbing until the different areas produced the desired features. Once that is achieved I used the wood burnishing tool to smooth out the rough spots and to give a finished look. The finished product is not bad. Very much and amateur job but a good start. Have a look.

It doesn't show up well in a photo but then again neither does any shiny object. The lines are much more defined than you see here. The lines you see faintly around the image were left when I used one of the wooden tools that looks like a serrated knife to flatten the brass foil. Notice the tape is still on the edges. The 4.5 hours was needed. You need to be patient in this process. It is worth it.

This project was inspired by a very special lady and friend, Bibiana who is a very talented and extraordinary artist. Please be sure to visit her. She also does wonderful tutorials.

I am sure you will let me know how dumb and inadequate my little tutorial was. Cherokee likes it. The image that is. I will trim it and ruin it by trying to make a card with it or something. Oh well, if it gets ruined I can use it for target practice or something.

Next time the card or a chunk of metal with holes in it. SMILE. Remember LOVE THE DETAILS.

May 7, 2014 Life's Details

The details of life are only for those that live life moment by moment.


I find that if I do not take an interest in the details of life there is always something that seems to be missing. That is not to say that I sit in judgment of life but that a part of what is my life is incomplete. Often there are moments when I pause and realize I have been dreaming and not living. Even the mundane is a lesson in living. There is a spiritual side to all of this that must be seen as well. After all, our journey is one that has a definite start and finish. Our life is the classroom. If I pay attention in class I can graduate with eternal life. Think about that for a second. Does that not mean paying attention to the details of living my life? In class were you taught to pay attention if you wish to graduate? It is up to us to live our lives and allow others to live theirs. My life can only be lived by me and your life can only be experience by you.

How He Lived

    Not, how did he die?
      But, how did he live?
    Not, what did he gain?
      But, what did he give?

    These are the merits
      To measure the worth
    Of a man as man,
      Regardless of birth.

    Not, what was his station?
      But, had he a heart?
    And how did he play
      His God-given part?

    Was he ever ready
      With word of good cheer
    To bring a smile,
      To banish a tear?

    Not what was his church?
      Nor, what was his creed?
    But had he befriended
      Those really in need?

    Not, what did the sketch
      In the newspaper say?
    But, how many were sorry
      When he passed away?


Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 735). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

Today is an example, as I would hope all of my posts would be, of loving the details. I have another image from Technique Junkie called "Young Girl." The stamp was very difficult to get a good clear image. It took 7 sheets of card stock, 2 images per sheet, before I had a good image to use. I do not know if it was me, the stamp or what but here is the image.

The card is nothing more than the image on card stock. It was a case of not wanting to ruin anything and have to try again. Here is the card

Copics were used to color the image. They are as follows:

Skin: R00, Rooo, R0000, RV0000

Eyes: E42, RV000

Lips: RV23

Hair: T1,T2, T4

Shawl: Y04 and faded with the 0 blender

Blouse: E42, G40

Background: BG000

There is not sentiment in it but I had made up one that reads "Love You & Miss You" but if the card is given as a gift I want none on the inside.

I tried to use two of the bad images and they were total disasters. I thought about posting one of them but decided not to. This one was a two day project as it is. I hope you like it.  That's it for this edition. Keep well and remember to always Love The Details.

May 1, 2014 Heavens Gate

Since this is a rather long post I will dispense with my usual Bible word study and comment and get down to business. This is an off-cycle post for me and I wanted to finish this card to enter it into a Cornish Heritage Farm challenge for Thomas Kinkade. So here we go.

I posted the image some time ago in a segmented post so you could see the progress of the image as it was done. For the sake of saving time here are the colors I used.

Remember? 66 of them. Whew! Well for the card we can add one. Y28 was used on the front of the card. I created a window or aperture card. A bunch of pieces had to come together to make this work. It is a top folding card. It didn't photograph well but here it is. I got tired of pushing the shutter button.

The Gold frame and gate are fastened to the acetate with Scor-tape cut into tiny squares to keep it from showing. This is the only place the acetate is fastened to the card. The gold frame was fussy cut since I have no suitable die for the purpose. The acetate flexing makes it look like a terrible job but I assure you it isn't. The embossing frame is from Marianne Design. I altered it for my purposes. The strip across the top is to hide the tape that is holding the acetate to the card. It is an embossing background from Cuttle Bug that I found in a bargain drawer. The gate die is Spellbinders "Gilded Gate." Both the frame and the gate are fastened directly to the acetate.

The sentiment on the front and inside the card are actually from an song by Fred Blom (1867-1927) called " He the Pearly Gates Will Open", Tr. by Nathaniel Carlson (1879-1957).  I changed the wording slightly to fit the theme.

On the inside of the card the die cuts in the top corners are salvaged from scraps destined for the trash. I know, not quite a dumpster diver but I can't see throwing something out that is usable. No idea what they are from. The seemingly black background is actually deep purple. Of course it would not be complete without this on the back of the card.

I entered this into the Cornish Heritage Farms Challenge. The link is here.

 Whewee! I feel like I just ran a marathon. I hope you enjoyed this venture. Probably will be my only challenge for awhile. I hope you like what you see. Until next Wednesday at the earliest remember to LOVE THE DETAILS.