Team Love - some of my favorite things

My teammates have been listing some great items and I have picked a few of my favorites to share.  I am so blessed to get to chat with some wonderful people from all over the country and a few countries on the other side of the pond...as those in UK say. I LOVE getting to know them and learning things from them and admiring their talents.

This beautiful Envelope Pocket Album for photos was created by Judy of Mister Pen Quinn and JN Originals Judy always uses beautiful supplies and is one of the most immaculate artisans I know. No matter if the medium is paper or fiber each and every item Judy makes is beautifully crafted.

I've been sewing for most of my life so I appreciate well made clothing. Hannah from BananaOrangeApple creates adorable clothing for children as well as some lovely quilts. This patchwork twirly dress is made from upcycled fabrics and is almost as sweet as her model.

Please meet Harry Potter Parker. Isn't he cute with his owl Hedwig and the Sorting Hat. Parker is an original creation made by Katie of Kater's Acres. Katie's imagination is endless as she creates these adorable little guys and their friends.

Kate from Paintings by Kate Ladd is a wonderful artist. This beautiful painting of Two Iris is a lovely example of her talent. Kate also paints abstracts, landscapes collages and some very lovely floorcloths and home decor.

Joanna of The Dove Stop offers some beautiful floral felt brooches (and you know how I love flowers!) and some adorable cupcake ones as well as beautiful greeting cards. Since this year is Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee I had to feature Joanna's Queenie Brooch...besides, it makes me smile.

My last featured shop artist today is Kim of Clay by Kim.  Kim's shop is delightful especially if you are like me and love flowers, whimsey and a bit of fairy dust. Isn't this Cottage Fairy Door just lovely? I can imagine a fairy peeking at me through the little stained glass window...so sweet!

Many blessings!! Zuda Gay

Giveaway at Christie Cottage

Sweet Jacki from Christie Cottage blog and Etsy shop is having a giveaway of one of my flower necklaces. If you would like enter to win this:

Enter here:  Christie Cottage: Win It Wednesday

Good luck!

blessings, Zuda Gay

A Wedding

At Thanksgiving my niece asked me if I would make a cake topper for her wedding. I was thrilled and honored that she would ask me!  We talked about what she wanted and I thought that I could probably make what she was wanting....well until I got to working on the pieces. For some reason after all these years  the Gremlin of self-doubt rears it's ugly head on occasion and I can't seem to get started on a project until I set myself a deadline and sit down and start smooshing clay. Yes, smooshing is a very technical sculpting term. On February 4th we were going to travel about 2.5 hours to Bloomington, IL to Rachel's shower and I wanted pieces to take to show to her to see if they were even a little bit close to what she was wanting. That would leave me some time to make new ones before the wedding. Well, I don't have to make new ones because she loved them!! Yay!!! I brought them back home to add a veil to the bride and a bow tie to the groom. So now I am ready to show them to you before I mail them off on Monday. Please meet Miss Rachel Penguin and Mr.Bill Bear who will soon be Mr & Mrs Bear..hehe... I just hope that the bear doesn't eat foul of any sort.

OH! I ended up sculpting these critters on blown chicken eggs in which I added beads so that they are rattles which I thought was appropriate since Rachel and Bill are musicians.

blessings, Zuda Gay

LOVE!

Happy Valentine's Day! I love my God, my hubby, my girls and sons-in-law and my grandchildren...who, by the way, are the sweetest, smartest, most adorable children on earth! I love our church and I love my kitties, grandkitties and granddogs. I love a lot of people that I have never met in person....how is that possible?! Twenty years ago I wouldn't have contemplated such a thing, but what wonderful, precious people I have met on-line.  Here are a few lovely things from some of the lovely people that I have come to love...

Cloth Doll by Sheila at Sew Faithful

Pink and White tatted hearts by Sue at Sue Runyon Designs

Flower Pin Brooch by Judi at Pickle Berry Trifles

Hoodie Scarf by Elizabeth at Arona Designs

Matching Aprons for girl and doll by Felicia at Ever Sew Sweet

Pink Peonies Original Silk Painting by Tessa at Colours and Textures

Crocheted Sandals by Pamela at Magdalene Knits

Sarah's Pink Garden by Cynthia at ccvalenzo

Ruffle Scarf by Barb at Blazing Needles

Blessings and love,  Zuda Gay

February Challenge

Although I wasn't completely happy with my creative response to the challenge I set for myself in January, I think I will give it another try. Art Bead Scene Blog's February Challenge is inspired by this 400 year old illuminated page called The Conference of the Birds from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

 This picture shows one color palette taken from this page. The second one shows the colors you can see when you look closer.

But of course the birds are the stars of this piece.

Here are some birdie items from the CAST team on Etsy.

Carrier of Love by Kelly Bermudez

Blue Bird Button Necklace by Joni Couture

Red Birds in Tree Wedding Signature Mat by Inspired by Marie

ACEO Original Robin Song Love by Niki at The Vintage Artist 

 

Coffee Cozy Sleeve by Angel at BAM Crafty Mommas

Bird in the Velvet Wall Quilt by Leslie at MarveLES Art Quilting

Sandhill Cranes Art Print by Roxanne at Watercolors N More

Faux Wood and Leather Retro Owl Pendant by Stephen at Fauxhead

I could have shared a lot more great bird items...but thought I should stop.  So, I'm thinking birds.

blessings, Zuda Gay

Just a couple of things...

The color challenge I gave myself in the last post didn't seem to set off creative fireworks like I was hoping. I do have a couple of things to show and I will continue to keep working with the colors I mixed and canes I made.  First off, I made a pendant that is inspired by the Art Bead Scene challenge.

And the second piece is a flower with two of the colors from the first color combo. The center of this flower is a vintage earring....I was going to say old, but vintage always sounds so much nicer. :)

They really aren't floating in clouds. I bake on fiberfill. It is great for cushioning petals and it doesn't leave unsightly shinny spots on the bottoms.   ...my tip for the day.

blessings, Zuda Gay

Color Challenge

I have found that I need a kick start to creativity at the beginning of this new year. On Pinterest I pin color palettes on to my Inspirations board and I keep thinking that I will choose one and play with some colors. I pinned this one not long ago and I really love the soft colors.

I also noticed this January color challenge on the Art Bead Scene blog and it has a similar palette of colors....although with more of an autumn feel.

I'm not sure that I will join the challenge or anything but at personal level because jewelry design really isn't my strong suit, but it will be fun playing with the feel and colors.

I've looked for some examples that would fit in with the feel and/or color pallete and these are the items I found.

Sanskrit bracelet by Jewel Fire Designs

Hobo Bag by Robins Flight

I will keep looking for examples and will share what I come up with soon.

blessings, Zuda Gay