Art heals, or, my birthday card to myself

-
I was feeling melancholy in a BIG way last night; thankfully I had some free time and a table still arrayed with art supplies that I'd been reluctant to pack away from a couple of weeks ago.  I sat down and worked quickly and non stop on what I have come to think of as a birthday card to myself.
My birthday is later this week.  It's not a big-deal birthday or anything...just another day but for some reason I have really been feeling it.


Not coincidentally -- yesterday happened to be the birthday of my dear friend who died from colon cancer a couple of years ago, at 42.




By the time I reached the last page I felt so much better about everything.

Art heals.

Comments

Dee in N.H. said…
I just absolutely love your card to yourself. It's beautiful as are you! Happy Birthday sweet girl.
September 15, 2013 at 12:33 PM
JoJo said…
That is awesome. I love every bit of it! You're right, art does heal. Happy Birthday! :)
September 15, 2013 at 1:02 PM
Linda Sue said…
nothing like a day of glueing to brighten one's spirits! LOVE the Blow me card! Excellent!I am blowing you....a big kiss!
September 15, 2013 at 1:30 PM
Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said…
Creativity is good for the soul. Sorry to hear you were feeling down, but your beautiful card picked you right up. Happy early birthday!
September 15, 2013 at 4:26 PM
Kathy said…
Happy early birthday, Laurie! Yes, art-making is VERY good medicine and I'm glad to hear you feel better. I am not surprised about feeling a little down after all your poor state has endured recently!
September 15, 2013 at 4:30 PM
Sami said…
Happy birthday Laurie. Your card is lovely, and art does heal the soul.
September 15, 2013 at 7:53 PM
Unknown said…
What a wonderful card! Appropriate for any woman. I just love the sayings you and the images you paired them with. Happy Birthday!
September 15, 2013 at 8:24 PM
Createology said…
Happy Birthday to you. Your card is amazing and very special. Art really does soothe our soul. Blessings and celebrate every day...
September 15, 2013 at 8:37 PM
Lorraine said…
How wonderful. Like a little present to yourself. Happy Birthday early!
September 15, 2013 at 10:21 PM
Kelli Davidson said…
how beautiful! happy birthday I know you will enjoy yourself. I love this card and the oddest thing happened. I remembered why I am so drawn to the work you do! When I was a little girl, my mom's dear friend and hair dresser, Naomi, used to send us a Christmas Letter somewhat like the art you make. I think my mom still has a few and if she will dig them out, I will take pictures to share with you...she used pictures from, magazines and glued them the construction papers then wrote family info under the pictures. I love those as much as I love yours!!
September 16, 2013 at 3:29 AM
Unknown said…
Love the card, glad it helped your mood.
Happy Birthday to you!
Michele
September 16, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Unknown said…
;) Happy Birthday to you! Eat a cupcake for me! Very nice work dear...take the time in your new busy life for YOU!
September 16, 2013 at 3:53 PM
Pallas said…
Happy Birthday - Your card is charming. Missing a friend who has died is a tender spot for a long time. Thinking about them makes them seem closer.
September 16, 2013 at 6:16 PM
The Junque Seeker said…
So glad you were able to take some time to create, and with wonderful results. Take care, and enjoy your birthday!
September 17, 2013 at 12:09 AM
Lani Robertson said…
I love, love, love your creation! You are so very talented and I hope you had a great birthday! :)
September 17, 2013 at 8:54 PM
Lani Robertson said…
I love, love, love your creation! You are so very talented and I hope you had a great birthday! :)
September 17, 2013 at 8:55 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Baby Jesus Candy Cane Christmas Ornament How-To

-
Image
Here's a tutorial to make sweet baby Jesus ornaments: Materials: 3/4" round wooden balls blue felt like-sized small wooden stars flesh-colored acrylic paint yellow acrylic paint black permanent marker small button as star decor raffia natural excelsior "moss" silver thread or coordinating yarn candy cane You'll also need glue or a hot glue gun, paint brush and scissors Begin by painting the wooden balls with flesh-colored paint and the stars with yellow paint. When dry, draw two sleeping eyes on the ball. Meanwhile, cut small pieces of felt and make little rolls to represent the baby's body; tie with a tiny piece of raffia. Next, glue the wooden ball onto the top of the body roll of felt; if you wish, you can also cut a small wedge of felt to glue over like a little swaddled hood on the baby's head, but I think it looks cute without it as well. Glue the l...
Read more

Flagler College in St. Augustine: the Tiffany connection

-
Image
We visited this wonderful building that began its life in 1888 as a lavish hotel built by Henry Flagler, one of the founders of Standard Oil, and now houses Flagler College . It is such a beautiful old building and in it we saw: these fabulous Tiffany chandeliers... on a spectacular painted and embossed ceiling in one of the hotel's drawing rooms.   I apologize for the quality of the indoor photos -- it was quite dark in the building. I had to laugh at these painted cherubs on the ceiling... and the way their ribbony robes encircle the chandelier mount! This large clock over the mantle is special because it's a Thomas Edison clock and because it is made from one piece of rare onyx.  We were told that Edison's "signature" on his clocks is the use of the incorrect Roman numeral "4". But the most spectacular feature of the building is that Louis Comfort Tiffany himself made the stained glass windows. Most of Tiffany's windows a...
Read more

O Christmas tree, jeweled Christmas tree...

-
Image
Earlier in the season Rebecca and I went to a craft fair at a local high school, and there was one booth with the CUTEST little jeweled, framed Christmas trees! The gal was nice enough to let me photograph them.  Sorry it's kind of blurry, but it was dark in that high school gym! I know it's an older kind of craft (from the '60s and '70s) but she made them sweet -- not gaudy at all.  We were both SO inspired. So, last week we made it happen.  I brought a bunch of my old, broken vintage jewelry, some velvet, glue,  old frames, and we sat in her dining room and made a forest of little trees! It was so simple: first, we took a vintage frame and covered the backing with velvet.  We just glued it on. Then, we took our time arranging bits and pieces of jewels into a Christmas tree shape. When we were happy with the arrangement, we committed and glued the jewels down!  I love this avocado green velvet! And then we did it again.  We h...
Read more