Show Me MO Creativity

 

My husband collects tack pins and he bought this pin for me at a thrift store in Eldon, because he thought I would like it. It intrigues me and I'd like to find out why and who it was made for, so Missouri gals and guys, if you know, give a shout out! It's metal, about 1 1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. Missouri's state motto is "The Show-Me-State" and it is represented as a halo above the fellow's head. Inside the, what I assume are binoculars, is Missouri's state outline and MO, the postal abbreviation for Missouri, inside of that. Then on the T-shirt of this fellow is the word "creativity." All the enameled colors are correct except for the outlines, which in the scanned form shows up black for gold.

Lemons

"be transformed by the renewing of your mind." ~ Romans 12:2

Several years ago, as a white elephant gag gift, I gave my nephew a bundle of sticks for Christmas. I'm sure I gave him another gift earlier in the day, but he only remembers the sticks and this season told his mother that the worst Christmas he ever had was when his aunt gave him sticks. At the time, nobody said anything to me about it as it was in the spirit of the giving at that time, but I sure heard about it through the grapevine this year!

 

As I thought about it, I wondered if perhaps his focus on the negative aspects of the sticks was a reflection of some guilt on his part. I also thought of the opportunities he wasted because he only focused on the negative instead of the positive. How many times do I do that too, when somebody hurts my feelings?

 

You've heard the saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!" As I pondered this, I wondered what wounds I could sweeten up? I could open my hand and let the negative flow out and turn my hand to make something better from it. Humm! Sticks, creative opportunities here! They could be burned to keep me warm, made into a log-type birdhouse, made into chew toys for rodents or large birds, chipped to make paper for cards, etc.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for forgiveness and grace between nephew and me. Renew our minds too. Amen!

 

 

Today's Quote: "I'd like to encourage you take off your blinders and see the whole spectrum of possibilities." ~ Annie Lockhart.

Jesse Tree: 24 Tags of Christmas

Introduction = This is my launch into Tim Holtz' vintage/grunge technique and idea of "21 tags of Christmas," however, I will be using the symbolic images for a Jesse Tree along with scriptures from a new Advent devotional book called Anticipate written by Paul Shenemen and published by Beacon Hill Press. I believe I have many of the rubber stamps required for the tags, but a few I will probably have to use digital stamps to replace the ones I do not have from a resource mentioned in the book -- Advent Experience. As I do not have access to a computer on a daily basis, unless I visit the library every evening, I will post each tag below on the same day until all have been made, so please be patient with me. Thanks!

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Day 1: 
"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord--and he will delight in the fear of the LORD." (Isaiah 11:1-3)



Tim Holtz' Techniques: Wrinkle Free Distress, Distressed Edges and Hammered Grunge Board
Stamps: Laura Ashley Woodville Leaves Background Stamp, River City Rubber Works 3 Inch Ruler Stamp, Dress It Up Autumn Treasures (Tree)
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Day 2:
"Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, my soul. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--he remains faithful forever. (Psalm 146:1,6) 



Tim Holtz' Technique: Scribble Stain Distress
Stamps: thread spool "stamp," Rubber Stampede "Let's Save the World #A1756 F" Stamp, Recollections Alphabet #171816 stamps
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Day 3:
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2) 



Tim Holtz Technique: Dauber Resist (I really, really like this technique!)
Stamps: Autumn Leaves Swirls #AL2587; Hero Arts Sentiment, Posh Duet Apple

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Day 4: 
"Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
(Psalm 5:1-3) 

 


Tim Holtz' Technique: Wrinkle Free Distress Background
Stamps: Waves = Stampabilities Swirly Border, Dr1012; Ship = PSX G-3004; Anchor = PSX B-1095
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Day 5:  
"I see you with all my heart: do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, LORD; teach me your decrees."
(Psalm 119:10-12)




Tim Holtz' Technique: sponged background with stamped & embossed stars, similar to his Inking Grunge technique except homemade tag is

constructed from heavy cardstock

Stamps: Star = PSX A-262; Sun = Hero Arts Serene Sun F253
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Day 6:  
"I love you, LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold."  (Psalm 18:1-2)



Stamps: Ram's Head = digital stamp (I didn't want the ink to run, so traced the head over a light box on another sheet of cardstock with a permanent fine line sharpie marker.)
Harlequin = Hero Arts Single Harlequin D3415
Music Notes = Posh
Sentiment = Michaels Wishful Thinking
Sheep = Stampabilities Lambie Pie D1154
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Day 7:  
"LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:5-8)



Tim Holtz Techniques: Masking (I made my own mask using a piece of clear flat packaging and a square punch) and finger glitter glue.
Stamps: Autumn Leaves Swirls AL2587

My niece married this last weekend and her colors were lavender and silver, so the colors on this tag and next is in commemoration of this event!
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Day 8:  
"Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:6-7)



Tim Holtz Technique: Inked Background and Layered Stamp Images
Stamps: Background Script = Stampin' Up; Filigree = All Night Media/Anna Griffin 580D06; Filigree = Autumn Leaves Swirls AL2587, Sack = Anita's; Sentiment = Inkadinkado 8386-J;
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Day 9:

Postscript: I did not get to finish this series as my craft barn did not have a large heater
at the time and it became t0o cold to work out there.