"Wonderfully Made": July 2013

Friday, July 26, 2013

Tissue Transfer and God's Faithfulness

I've been experimenting with using tissue to transfer graphics to wood. Rosemary at Villabarnes has a great tutorial that inspired me to begin working with tissue paper transfers.

I began by applying a paint wash using watered down, flat, gray paint onto some pieces of reclaimed wood I have. No real recipe here -- just more water than paint so you can still see all of the details of the wood.

I printed out the words on my computer (I had to play around with placement on some of these to work around the holes) to make sure they fit where I wanted them. The tissue paper is attached to the top of the paper (you can use any piece of paper, I just used the one I'd already printed on) using double stick tape (I have a 1/4" tape, tape gun). The tissue attached to the paper is run through the printer and then I gently removed the tissue. The third image shows the tissue with torn edges applied to the wood using the same water/paint solution. Work gently and then go over it distressing/tearing holes where you want them, etc. and let dry.

Once it dried, I GENTLY rubbed on some stain 'here and there'. Finally, I applied a matte, clear acrylic spray paint to seal everything. The paint wash adheres the paper for the most part but it would not stay on forever unless I sealed it.

I love to use music lyrics in my work as well as Scripture verses.

This one is for our son and has special meaning. He has gone through a rough year but has remained faithful to the Lord through it all. Recently when I visited him, I played this song for him. It speaks so clearly of how the Lord is with us 'even when the rains fall' and the 'floods are rising'. Isn't this Bible verse a perfect fit? The Lord is already changing our son's desert into pools of water -- AMEN!

I had to include this. My "little boy" made this handprint stone nearly 20 years ago. How comforting to know that the Lord knew all he would face even when this little hand print was so tiny and has promised never to leave him or forsake him! Please enjoy this video of the song:

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Four Season Art

I love creating things that can be used for multiple seasons. Taking a plaque I bought for pennies at a thrift store I created this artwork that can be changed out for four different times of the year.

Using 1/4" plywood, I cut pieces to fit on the plaque (which I painted black and distressed). For the lettering, I printed my quotes on paper and sandwiched graphite paper between the word sheet and the wood, tracing the letters with a pen. Using a FINE tipped brush and watered down acrylic paint, I painted over the letters.

Use any piece of metal (not too thick) and use E6000 glue to attach to the plaque. I bought these super strong, super small magnets on Ebay and attached them to the word pieces.

Each quote piece was lightly distressed after I painted the letters and then waxed with clear wax.

I was hard-pressed to find a quote I liked about winter since I absolutely DO NOT like that season so I thought the Winnie the Pooh quote was the best for me! Lots of possibilities with this idea -- seasons, holidays, Bible verses, etc. What would you put on them?

Linking to these parties this week . . .

The DIY Showoff http://diyshowoff.com/

Knick of Time Tuesday http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/

Marvelous Mondays http://www.jamscorner.com/

Uncommonly Yours http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Cedar Hill Ranch http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/

Savvy Southern Style http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Ivy and Elephants http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

From My Front Porch to Yours http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/

The Brambleberry Cottage http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

French Country Cottage http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

The Charm of Home http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

While He Was Napping http://whilehewasnapping.blogspot.com/

Funky Junk Interiors http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/

Under the Table and Dreaming http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Nutella Cheesecake Pie

I love quick, easy desserts, especially in the summer. This one meets all of my criteria not to mention that it is SO SO good!

This dessert takes no more than 15 minutes to put together and just two hours in the freezer and you're ready to enjoy.

Here's the recipe:

2/3 c Nutella

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened (you can use light cream cheese as well)

1 8 oz. container Cool Whip (I used fat-free)

1 t vanilla

1/4 c mini chocolate chips

1 chocolate cookie pie crust

Combine the Nutella and cream cheese; add the vanilla; mix in the Cool Whip and pour into the crust. Top with chocolate chips, cover and freeze for at least two hours or overnight. To serve, let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. Return leftovers to the freezer.

I'm finally able to start bringing in some of the flowers from the garden. Our summer has been cool, gray and wet so the flowers are WAY behind schedule here.

I thought they made a nice backdrop for my pie :)

So this evening we'll enjoy our Nutella Cheesecake Pie with a vase of my favorite flowers to decorate the dinner table. So what are YOUR favorite summer flowers?