CAST Secret Sister Gifts

I participated in the Christian Artist Street Team on Etsy Secret Sister gift exchange this year. It was very fun! I got to send gifts to Becky of Good Neighbors Candle Shop. I love Becky's candles they are wonderful and she has great customer service! And I received gifts from Kelley from Little Elfs Toy Shop. Kelley sent me two items that she made by needle felting wool.The are so tiny and precious!  I love them!

And Kelley added to my Noah's Ark collection with this adorable carved wooden Ark set.

Enjoy this last week of 2011

blessings, Zuda Gay

Merry Christmas Eve!

Twas the day before Christmas and all through the room the whirr of the sewing machine creating a gift to be wrapped soon. :) I mentioned that I was going to shrink some sweaters and make some hats and mittens. I just finished up the last pair of mittens this morning so I thought that I would show my handiwork.  I had a terrible time taking pictures, but you can get the general idea. :) I think they turned out very cute. :)

Amber's new coat is green and gray...a deeper green, but I think they will go well. If you can't tell, the hat and mittens are creamy white, grey and light green with brighter green and purple buttons and embroidered accents.

Brianna's new coat is turquoise and gray so I used the creamy white and gray and a bit of black and went with an owl theme. :)  I made appliqued owls on the left mitten and a branch on the right so when she puts her hands together it looks like the owls are sitting on the branch. hehe.... I hope they will like them!!

The other thing I've been working on today is trying to clean our shower. I HATE cleaning the shower, it makes my back hurt. I just can't seem to find anything that works well that I can stand to use without coughing.  AND, I get soaked and the cleaning stuff all over me. I found this recipe: Equal parts white vinegar and Dawn dish soap: heat the vinegar in the microwave then add the Dawn, stir gently then put in a spray bottle - spray on, let set for 10 minutes or so, scrub and rinse off.  It seems to work pretty well!! I'm going to do a wall at a time.And the only fumes are from vinegar. Yay!!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!
"So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough-because there was no room for them at the lodging place. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.
 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough." Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!"

May you have a blessed Christmas!


Zuda Gay

Give Away Winners!!!

I am running late. I had to run to the thrift store...I'm looking for wool sweaters that I can shrink to make mittens and hats. Then I was wrestling with Blogger trying to get videos to load...never did get White Heart. If they turn out I will blog about it. I enjoyed reading everyone's favorite Christmas songs and movies, that was fun. I guess I should share mine as well.  I have lots, but I'll just share a few. hehe... I love Bing Crosby and David Bowie's Little Drummer Boy/ Peace on Earth duet...

And White Heart's version of Little Drummer Boy and Mark Lowery's Mary Did You Know.

I love singing, O Come, O Come Immanuel and The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting) and Carol of the Bells...and the Messiah. I love a lot of Christmas movies as well, but my favorite is White Christmas....and Holiday Inn, and It's A Wonderful Life and I really like The Santa Clause movies.

Now to the serious business. I wrote all the names down on little slips of paper and wadded each one up into a little ball then put them in a bowl. Stirred them around and drew out....... Eileen, for the Blue and White Flower, then the second and third ones I drew out Clay It Again, and Ginger Peach.
Congrats to all of you!

blessings, Zuda Gay

Winter White and Blue Giveaway

It is giveaway time!! WooHoo!!! And today is perfect to get me in the mood because the sky is that gorgeous sunny December blue and there is snow on the ground, my favorite scene for this time of the year. Yesterday when our 4 year old grandson got up and saw snow, he was sure it was Christmas time. I want to give this wintery flower pendant away and if you would like an opportunity to win it all you have to do is leave a comment and tell me your favorite Christmas song(s) or movie(s). EASY!! I like easy.

I will also draw two names for these small star/snowflake pendants. 

The three names will be drawn on Tuesday, December 13th around noon Illinois time.

Blessings, Zuda Gay

Winter White and Sky Blue

Recently I've been loving the combination of white and blue. Isn't funny how a color or a color combo just kind of tickles your fancy for a while. I guess that is partly the making of trends. I decided I needed to make up a cane to appease my newest color crush. I really like how the flowers came out. I decided that I would like to offer one as a give away, because well, Christmas is coming and I like to give things. But, before we get to that...I would like to share some pretty white and blue things that I found on Etsy from some of the teams I am a part of.

Vintage Ice Skate Decoration by My European Touch

Flower Embellishments from Cards by Jeweleigha B

Pocket Mirror by emh Graphics

Blue and White Square Pure Silk Scarf by Colours and Textures

WoooHooo it's snowing by Peggers

Miniature rose fairy home by Fizzy Claret

Ooops, I waited too long to take pictures of the necklace.  Look for a giveaway post this week.

blessings, ZudaGay

Gratitude = Grateful Attitude

The older I get the more I recognize the importance of attitude. And that my attitude is something that I can control. At this time of the year we concentrate on being grateful and seeing the farmers harvesting their crops we have an example of God's provision. I've been trying to have a grateful attitude everyday in all seasons, not just this one where we are reminded to be thankful.  No matter my circumstances I can strive to have a thankful attitude. Also, I've been trying to be specific in my gratitude thoughts. It is so easy to say "Thank You, God, for everything" and I am thankful for everything, but I think I need to look at the small pictures in the practice of being thankful. I am thankful for my husband Danny who loves me, I am thankful for our daughters who are so precious to us. I am thankful for our sons-in-law who love our girls and work so hard to provide for them and their children. I am thankful for the grace shown to me most especially from God but also from people who extend their grace to me. I am thankful for tea, for peanut butter, for heating pads, for computers and for kitties. I am thankful that I live where the seasons change and the weather is rarely boring...(well except in the summer when it is too hot for too long, I have to work on that one)

Gratitude Book by Mister Pen Quin

ACEO Print of Original Artwork by V. Elish Art Work

Five Autumn Blessing Bible Bookmarks by Karla Dornacher

 

 

Have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgving!

Zuda Gay

ABCs of Me

 I got this meme from my friend Judy which she did on her blog This Creative Journey. Thanks Judy! These things are always fun.

Vintage Crewel Embroidery Sampler Needlework, Ratty and Catty Shop

A – Alumna of Quincy Senior High School
B – Bible reader
C – Creative
D – Doodler
E – Etsy-er
F – Fantasy fan
G – Guitar plunker
H – Helpmeet of Danny
I – Illinois resident
J – Jewelry component creator
K – Knitting admirer
L – life-long learner (this was too good not to steal)
M – Mom to Kristin and Jessica
N – needleworker
O – Organizationally challenged
P – Polymer Clay artist
Q – Quiet
R – Red lover
S – Secretary
T – Teetotaler (jasmine green)
U – Unbiased Gramma (Ha!)
V – Versatile
W – Wisdom seeker
X – XOXOXO
Y – Yahweh's kid
Z – Zuda

I would like to see yours if you decide to do this ABC meme. Just put a link to your blog in my comment section.

blessings, Zuda Gay

String and Sticks or a Hook and Line

Have you looked at yarn recently? Oh my goodness, there are some beautiful yarns to be had. I want to touch them and buy them, but I know that I could never do them justice. I can knit and I can crochet, but I hate following patterns and I'm really not good enough at either to make up a garment out of my head. When I have a desire to knit or crochet I usually make washcloths which is enough to quench my creating with fiber thirst when it hits.  My sister is an amazing needle worker and has passed that talent to her daughter. In this post I am sharing  work by some of my Etsy friends and an adorable hat made by my niece, Lissa.

Deep Red Tall Trapezoid Bag by Robin's Flight

Knit Baby Hat by Baruch's Lullaby

Hat and Scarf Set by Krafters Korner

Beautiful Adult Handknit Turtleneck Poncho by Stitches by Julie

 

Hand Knitted Ballerina Mouse by The Slip Stitch

Enchanted Garden Felted Wool Needle Book by JN Originals

Crochetted Perry the Platypus Beanie by Read Write Knit

I hope you enjoyed these lovely and adorable yarn goodies!

blessings, Zuda Gay

 

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...

I love cats! Although I love most any animal that has fur...with a couple of exceptions..I have to admit that I am a cat person. One way I can tell that my husband loves me a lot is that he puts up with my kitties. He is not a cat person. I found some cute kitty items from a couple of my Etsy teams.

Brown Cat Face Pendant by Artsy Clay

3 Miniature Kittens Needle Felted Figures by Little Elf's Toy Shop

Kitty Cat Lovers Personalized Ornament by Button Willoe Design

Kitty Mask by My European Touch

Regal Siamese Cat by Glass Art by Cheryl

 Grey Kitty Original ACEO Watercolor by Six Sisters Art

Original Painting Fine Art Silk - On the Prowl by Mystic Silks

Mouse pad or hot pad, crazy cats by Scotty Acres Boutique

I can't have a post about kitties and not share my kitties.  First is our Rusty who is the sweetest and softest kitty. My foot warmer and my snuggle baby. 

These two kittens are half of a litter that was born in our garage last spring. We tamed two of the kittens and gave them away and these two were left. We have been working on them. The gray one Smokey, is pretty tame now.  The lovely little lady is Butterscotch and she will come inside and occasionally let us pet her so we are making some head way with her.

Blessings, Zuda Gay

Draw, Doodle and Sketch

I love art...most any kind really. Although I focus on working with clay, and an occasional wall mural I have done many different crafts in my lifetime, I love looking at artist drawings, paintings and collage work. Here are some that I have taken joy in recently.

  Truckee River Bank Black Ink Drawing by pfd Original Artworks

Original Illustration in Ink, Dancing Girl by Arona Designs

Personalized Sketches Portrait by Maria Sambs Botelho

Zentangle Doodles 4 ACEO by Watercolors N More

Tree Autumn Landscape Original Pencil Drawing Collage by Niki

Within Original 5 x 7 by Em Bound Art

ACEO Tree 2 by Black Ink Cards

Celebrate Fall Colorful Contemporary Paper Leaf Collection by Mechelle Designs

I decided that I wanted a sketch pad and some Micron pens for my birthday.  We had some errands to run in town (town is Quincy, IL and about 25 miles from our little village) so we made a stop at Hobby Lobby and I picked out my pad and pens. :) I can't tell you the last time I had a new sketch pad. I haven't concentrated on drawing for decades, other than the usual doodling while on the phone...or on my sermon notes. (shhhh...) I've been seeing some pictures of drawings that looked similar to my doodles and found out they were called Zentangles...how cool! So I've been tangling and here are a few examples. :) SO FUN!

I hope you enjoyed this little art show!

Blessings, Zuda Gay