The Grey Bracelet Has Sold!

Hand Beaded Cuff Bracelets

Please note that the GREY BRACELET (2nd from right) has sold!  Feel free to contact me if you wish to purchase any of the remaining bracelets...flame52sl@mac.com

What fun to be in the creative mode! 

Just completed this pendant necklace and earring set in natural mother of pearl, 

Swarovski glass pearls & sterling silver with the 

Jasper pendant... my own design.

Created By Sandie Luck

Handbeaded "Pathways" Bracelets For Sale...

As of now I have completed five "Pathways" beaded bracelets. 

They are for sale for $55.00 each! 

They would make a lovely Christmas gift for some special lady in your life. 

There is a choice of different colorways.

The center bracelet is made with TILA beads instead of the super-duo beads.

The feel and the drape upon one's wrist with these beaded bracelets is fabulous!

"PATHWAYS" hand-beaded bracelets by Sandie Luck

A Healing Thought to Live By...

Deb Wolf, on her blog..."Counting My Blessings ~ at the intersection of faith and life",

shared this thought that touched my heart today...

“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control

 of all the details of my life, 

 the quiet confidence that ultimately 

everything is going to be alright, 

 and the determined choice to 

praise God in every situation.” ~Kay Warren

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

 Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—

not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love . . . 

nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.      Romans 8:37–39

Strathmore/Steve Mitchell Watercolor Painting Tutorial

What delight I have in finding the many watercolor painting tutorials available online. Strathmore recently offered some "classes" by current artists that are such a great help for me in learning the many wonderful facets of watercolor painting. Be sure to check out Strathmore's website and that of Steve Mitchell's! Here's what I recently learned and created following Steve's instruction for painting a botanical rose... (Mine is a peony picked fresh from my garden!)

Sandie's Hand-Beaded Cuff

What fun to complete this hand-beaded cuff this past month!  It has such a lovely drape yet holds it's form so well.  A pleasure to have it adorn my wrist!  

Pattern and beads come from Beadshop.com. 

Sandie's Hand-Beaded Cuff 

Time For Learning Watercolor Techniques....

From October 2014 'til now my life has been ever so busy with many other activities(such as enjoying my sweet 3 year old grandson as much as possible) ~ alas my blog has been VERY quiet!  I'm still here...alive and well!

My quiet time has found me using a few spare moments to learn the basic techniques of watercolor painting!  Soon I will share from my stash of practice pages.  Love the experimentation & being able to use it in my mixed media projects!!  

The following are little snippets of birds from Dina Wakley's "Scribbly Birds" ~ stamped images with Tim Holtz's Distress Ink on 140# coldpress paper and then I watercolored the images.  SO FUN!!!  One can color each bird in any way one's heart desires ~ realistic or not!

YouTube has so many talented watercolor artists that willingly share video tutorials for watercolor painting techniques.  As if you have your very own personal instructor!  AMAZING!!!

With today being a celebration of my birth 63 years ago, I am SO VERY EXCITED to have this opportunity to apply many things I have artistically learned over my lifetime to this recent endeavor!  Truly one is never too old to learn!  OH YAY!!!

Sweet blessings to each who read my infrequent & quirky posts....Joyfully, ~Sandie

Accordian-Hinged Autumn Journal

Warm Autumn greetings, my friends!

AUTUMN has moved in so quickly it seems!!  God shared some of his glory today in the clear azure  sky, trees and shrubs in a multitude of glorious colors all around, with leaves drifting on the breeze, and a crunch under foot.   A sweet warmth to the air made the day so lovely!  MAGNIFICENT!!

After enjoying some time out of doors I couldn't resist playing with a lovely autumn-hued papercrafting kit from ClubScrap that a dear friend gifted me earlier today.  WHAT FUN to receive and to have a hand in creating something special from it....

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Using Tim Holtz Wallflower Vellum for the front cover helped to coordinate the 

four pre-cut 

colored cardstocks used.

Accordion Hinge With Beaded Cord Added

Autumn Journal Interior Pages

Truly it was an enjoyable and quick way of completing a photo journal.  New ways of creating the spine of a journal always fascinates me!  This one is particularly fun.  It does require one to be accurate in your folding.


Now I'm off to decorate the
multitude of interior pages.....

SUMMER BOUQUET COLLAGE

What fun to have some creative time again!!!  After watching a tutorial video by RACHO113 on YouTube I found I had similar products to follow her guidance in creating my SUMMER BOUQUET collage!

"SUMMER BOUQUET" collage by Sandie Luck

"SUMMER BOUQUET" collage by Sandie Luck

Here in Minnesota my gardens have been filled to overflowing with vibrant colors and textures during our cool summer!  So thrilling!  This collage brings to mind my memories of the pleasure I have enjoyed in my gardens.  Hopefully we will continue to enjoy them a while longer before winter's chilling temps put everything to sleep!

1 hour 6x6 Mini Album ~Instructions on "Dawn's Inspirations" Youtube Video

Here is the mini-album that I made today after watching Dawn's video through twice.  

It's a good idea to do that so that you know where you are headed as each step progresses!!  

This project turned out so well!  

More of these will be made in the near future!! 

There are many creative possibilities to embellishing this album. 

Using coordinating 6x6 papers makes the prep work so easy! 

Designer Papers I used were from Kaisercraft's "Secret Bird Society" Collection
This is the beginning of assembling the pages with the added hinges that create
space for the photos & embellishments. 

I used Delta's Blue Spruce & Martha Stewart's Champagne Metallic Acrylic Craft Paints on the covers & the spine. 

For the covers it worked well to use the thick chipboard that I keep on hand.

Inside Pages

The Spine

On the spine I changed the way that the paper wrapped the area ~ placing the vertical edges on the inside instead of covering the outside of the covers.   

OOPS!!  The photo was taken before the glue totally dried!  It is now sealed tightly.  

Allene's Fast Grab Tacky glue is my favorite liquid glue.  

It gives just a bit of time to make adjustments before it adheres securely.

The finished album awaiting embellishments!  With our sweet grandchildren
I have many photos that need a home where they can be seen & enjoyed.

It's Time to Get CREATIVE!

It's time for Creative Jumpstart 2014!!!

Welcome, my friends, as I begin again with my blog!  It has been a busy year with family, friends and work.  Grateful that it all has been good!!  My creativity waned a bit BUT I am ready to try anew! 

As a "jumper" on CREATIVE JUMPSTART 2014 I am eager to join the group to stimulate my creativity in this New Year.  HOW EXCITING!!   My heart and mind are ready to CREATE and to see where God leads me on this journey.

As you enter.....

Here is where I will be eagerly delving into my creative inspiration:

Welcome to my "Creative Haven" studio.....

My "CREATIVE HAVEN"

My desk is neat and tidy for the moment!!

I so enjoy that I have everything for supplies, tools and technology at the ready!!

Well wishes to each of you as you begin YOUR journey into your New Year!!!

Joyfully.....~Sandie

Joining bloglovin...

With Google Reader leaving us I have subscribed to BlogLovin for keeping the inspiring blog addresses that I subscribe to.  Please join us!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/8698065/?claim=kwherug5262">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

GOD-SIZED Dreams!

Just have to share what I read this morning!  Holley Gerth has such wonderful encouragement for each of us as we travel this life's journey.  
Please go over to (in)courage BLOOM by copying and pasting...http://www.incourage.me/2013/04/im-cheering-for-your-god-sized-dreams-today.html#comment-180481.

APRIL 17, 2013

I’m Cheering for Your God-sized Dreams Today

Tags:  Book Club

I’m Holley Gerth–God-sized dreamer, cofounder of (in)courage, life coach and a friend who cheers wildly for you and all God has created you to do. I’m so glad I get to be here with you this week on Bloom. I wish we could have coffee so let’s make this the next best thing. XO

Sweet Irish blessing for the day!!

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fileds.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

My Mid-Winter DREAMS.....

Mid-Winter Dreams....
OH MY!  With all the slick ice that covers our sidewalks, driveways and streets do you think the days of sweet breezes wafting through open windows, colorful blooms overflowing their pots and garden plots, and freshly laundered linens gently drying on the line will return soon enough???
 
How wonderful that each new day is gaining in daylight and we can look forward to SPRING in a couple months time!!  One must remain HOPE-FULL!  I, for one, know that I will appreciate the warmer days and having the freedom to walk on sidewalks clear of ice most passionately!

Early Summer 2012 view from my kitchen window.

This time spent indoors is wonderful for me as I am now taking another online tutorial from
 Christy Tomlinson and Junelle Jacobson called...
"ART OF WILD ABANDONMENT  #2"
What FUN I'm having as I take the time to sketch,  color and journal as I go along my way each day!

Be sure to let your sweetness shine as VALENTINE DAY is soon here!
With care and joy......~Sandie

"BLOOM" Collage 1/2013

What fun it is to be learning collage techniques.  Christy Tomlinson has some inspiring tutorials on Youtube that have been so helpful for me.
Here is my 2nd collage which I named "BLOOM".  At this time in my life I feel God's radiant "sonshine" warming my heart and life in such an intimate reality.  He brings about growth into my personal life that creates peace and a deep joy, happiness, heartfelt family ties, sweet friendships, memories to savor, and a sense that I am in FULL BLOOM!!!


  

"Be you…it's the best thing you can be."  What wonderful encouragement!!!  This rub-on was just the finishing touch that made me SMILE! 

Throughout the month of January I have had the exciting experience of learning from the talented mixed-media artists involved in Nathalie Kalbach's online Creative Jumpstart Summit 2013.  What FUN to learn about mixed media products that are new to me and how to use them in multiple ways.  It was just the boost I needed to creatively explore the use of papers, stencils, paints, water-soluble crayons, gesso, etc. in making journaling pages, paper crafting projects and collages.
What a perfect January distraction to enjoy with a hot cup o' tea while the temps have plummeted, winds have howled and what little snow we've had has swirled all around!
Tomorrow we flip the calendar to February…..
Sweet love and blessings to each of you……..~Sandie

NEW YEAR'S wishes.....

With a NEW YEAR ahead of us I find it so exciting ~ as if opening a very precious GIFT!!

With a fresh outlook on the days ahead I feel rejuvenated and inspired. Winter's days are now gaining in daylight once again which certainly delights me!

With having had two surgeries during the second week in December I am READY for renewed health and energy in the days ahead.  I feel so blessed to have had good medical care, and friends and family that have looked after me, generously giving of themselves during this busy time of year.  

(Reprinted from the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/)

May God's richest blessings be yours as you celebrate the beginning of this new year!

2 Corinthians 5:17 comes to mind..."Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!"

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."      Romans 15:13

Christmas Gift Wrapping and "This art that makes me happy: Ready for Creative Jump Start 2013"

I'm STILL HERE!!

After not feeling well for awhile, and then having two surgeries in two days last week, I am looking forward to returning to my blog with gusto in the new year ahead!  It will feel so good to be creative once again!

Working on handmade Christmas gifts is lifting my spirits immensely.  It helps to keep me settled in one spot using my hands, mind and heart to feel like I am accomplishing something worthwhile!  

Here are a few photos of what I am accomplishing:

 

EXCITING!!

  CHECK THIS OUT!!!

    

What an INSPIRING creative resource for the NEW YEAR!  

Click on the following link:

This art that makes me happy: Ready for Creative Jump Start 2013: 

 Oh!... I'm so excited to be included in this exciting adventure coming in the new year!!!

Sure hope you will join me and then share throughout the new year as to your inspired projects!

WHAT FUN!!!

Give Thanks To Our Lord and Each Other...

 What FABULOUS weather we are enjoying here in Southern Minnesota!  It is in the 70s with plenty of sunshine and a gentle breeze that teases my hair and eagerly blows in through our open windows!  JUST FANTASTIC!!!!  Feels so good to air out the house again before winter winds blow cold.

Right now it is hard to imagine that I will be adding Christmas decorations to our home in just a few days!  Instead of frantically shopping this Friday I will enjoy a peaceful day at home creating a cozy winter home scene indoors to share with family and friends.  That sounds so wonderful to me!

           (Catherine Klein)

In all things,

give

thanks

                                                I Thessalonians 5:18

With joyful prayers and loving Thanksgiving wishes to all as you share time with family and friends now and throughout the closing of this year.......~Sandie  

Handmade Pottery Yarn Bowl

My current project is keeping my hands busy with knitting.  As a long-time "novice" I am trying to learn to be fluent with the knit and purl stitches!  It is great fun using these size 13 needles!!  The project (can't say just what that is at this time as Christmas is not that far away) moves along quite rapidly.
More than that I want to show you the BEAUTIFUL handwork of Ning's Pottery in Owatonna, MN.

This artisan was selling her lovely pottery at a local craft show that I attended this past summer.  Much to my delight I was able to purchase this fun to use yarn bowl to use when I knit or crochet.  The colors are lovely.

The following photos show the detail Ning adds to her unique pieces.

 

 

More of Ning's creations can be found on her website:
ningspottery.weebly.com