Friday, February 28, 2014

New Simple Seashell Necklaces

In anticipation for beach season (I know, it's still a long ways away), I've created some brand new seashell jewelry. These are a much more simple version than my hand painted necklaces. Each shell has been hand drilled, wire wrapped, and attached to a simple cotton string that is approximately 30" long. They are carefree summertime accessories and extremely affordable!

Check them out at https://www.etsy.com/shop/WatercolorSubmarine?section_id=15104818


Thursday, February 27, 2014

Handmade Lenten Crosses

Today I'm making a special post for something great that my husband made. The catholic church in Randolph used to make Lenten crosses that featured a new symbol each week of Lent that related to Jesus' journey on the cross. Jason wanted to recreate one of these crosses for our own home, and I love the result.

Using a salvaged tree branch and a  little whittling skill, he created a rustic wooden cross secured at  the center with twine. Epoxied gravel makes up the base of the cross. The cross is meant to be displayed beginning on Ash Wednesday, and a new symbol is added each Sunday of Lent.

Jason would love to create more for anyone interested in purchasing one for their home. Each cross would vary slightly, because they are handmade from natural materials. The crosses along with all the symbols are available for $40. Included with your purchase is a small booklet describing each symbol and suggestions for spiritual reflection each weekend of Lent. It's a great way to remind yourself about the sacrifices Jesus made for us throughout the Lenten season and a fun tool for discussing Lent with children. Scroll down to check out pictures of my Lenten cross, and read an excerpt from the booklet included with the cross.

Lenten cross with all it's symbols in place.

The Lenten cross symbols are: cross with purple cloth, crown of thorns, pouch of pieces of silver, sponge, dice, nail, and stone. Each one represents a moment of Jesus' crucifixion.



Here is a portion of the booklet from Ash Wednesday. Each Sunday of Lent also has a similar section:



Ash Wednesday
Symbol: Cross with Purple Cloth

Ask Yourself: Jesus is made to bear His cross. Jesus shoulders his cross. How many times do I grumble? How many times do I complain about my own cross?

From Scripture: “If any want to become My followers, let them deny themselves and lift up their cross daily and follow Me.” – Luke 9:23

Reflect On: During Lent, focus in a special way Jesus’ call to repent, to change your point of view and way of living. Try to respond more faithfully to God’s self-gift of grace. The most basic way to repent, of course, is to grow in love of God and neighbor, and to that end, embrace exercises that help you “die to the old self”. Traditionally, fasting, sharing with those who have less, and give extra time to prayer.

Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, by the grace of our baptism my each of us follow you along the way of the cross, sharing in your death that we might share in your resurrection.
 


Lenten crosses are available on my Etsy shop TangentsbySHS.Etsy.com or through me personally if you live in the northeast Nebraska area and would like to pick yours up.


Friday, February 21, 2014

Plant Season Begins

I couldn't wait any longer to post some photos of my plants. Spring comes a few weeks early when you own a greenhouse, and I love it. Jason calls all of the seedlings my "babies". He says things like, "Did you check on your babies yet today?" and "How are your babies doing?" It's a lot of plant babies for just one greenhouse mama, but somehow I manage. 

These guys are gerbera daisies. They happen to be my favorite seedlings to transplant. They get this special status, because they remind me of lettuce, and I just really like vegetables. It's kind of an unreasonable reason, but that's just the way I think!


Monday, February 17, 2014

100th Post!

Today I am excited to announce my 100th blog post! In celebration of this milestone I created a collage of 100 things that I've made since I started this blog. Count them if you must, but give me a little bit of break if I counted wrong - that's the biggest collage I've ever made!


Thursday, February 13, 2014

Bugs 'n' Slugs

I've been in an especially "spring-y" mood lately. Some of our ice started melting into the streets yesterday, because the temperatures finally crept above that dreaded freezing point.

The greenhouse is also back in order after serving as a temporary storage facility all winter. I can not begin to explain my excitement about planting season. I've already started a few trays of seeds, and this morning  I noticed some little green specks reaching through the soil. I involuntarily clapped my hands at the sight. You know what they say, "If you're happy and you know it..."

This past month I've been on somewhat of an art hiatus due to a terrible case of "the blahs". But all this new springtime excitement finally got my creative juices flowing again. I'm working on a few new characters of the bug 'n' slug variety. I made a tiny set of paintings yesterday as a little bit of a test run. I want my creepy crawlies to have mismatched antenna and eyes to make them more cute than creepy. I also want to dream up a little abstract world for them to live in. I made my tester paintings using acrylics on 4"x4" canvases (I adore tiny canvases). They feature three characters; a beetle, a snail, and an inchworm. Their little abstract habitat is composed of trees with fancy filigreed roots and a sky filled with swirly white clouds. What do you think? Are they keepers?




Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Spirit Animals

My sister, Katie, my cousin, Jennifer, and I like to assign spirit animals to ourselves and others that we know. It's the most fun when you know someone who kind of looks like an animal (you know, like that one relative you have who looks a bit like a cockatoo.) For Christmas, I wanted to paint a picture of each of their spirit animals for them. Of course, since I'm addicted to painting on wood slices, they ended up on little, rustic salvaged wood circles.

Katie's spirit animal is the wolf, I painted a full moon in the background to add a little mystery :)


Jennifer's spirit animal is the sun bear, which, of course, required me to paint a sun in the background. I really love how much of a cutie this sun bear turned out to be.