Review ~ A Charm of Goldfinches and Other Wild Gatherings: Quirky Collective Nouns of the Animal Kingdom by Matt Sewell

Published September 5th 2017 by Ten Speed Press

About the Book

A charm of goldfinches, an ascension of larks, a bask of crocodiles, a cloud of bats, a wake of vultures--all of these colorful collective nouns and more are showcased in this enchanting illustrated book by beloved artist Matt Sewell.
Accompanying each illustration is a playful description of each group of animals' personality, quirks, and habits. Sewell's uniquely witty take on the subject and delicately vivid illustrations make for a lovely new addition to his series of collectible books including Owls and Penguins and Other Seabirds. Playing on the theme of collective nouns for animals and illustrated with Matt Sewell's inimitable watercolors, this book makes a great gift for nature and art lovers everywhere.

My Review
5 STARS!!!

A Charm of Goldfinches and Other Wild Gatherings is filled with entertaining depictions of animals and lovely watercolors. I found myself chuckling at the morsels of humor the author incorporates in each rendering but also learned a few things I did not know. Anyone who loves nature or is an artist at heart will enjoy this collection of illustrations. It is truly one of the most charming little books I have had the pleasure of reading. It would make a wonderful gift to share with others and more than likely bring some extra smiles and joy to their life. 

I was given a copy of the book from the publisher through the Blogging for Books program. No compensation has been received. 

~Happy Reading, Y'all~

Faith-based Art Journaling

With two major moves in a year, I've been a little stressed out. My art supplies have been pretty much packed away because there was no place to unpack and set them up. I stuck to coloring most of the time. It's a great stress reliever and doesn't take up much space. 

But lately, I've had the 'itch' to do more. While digging through a box a week ago, I found my 5x7 Strathmore mixed media book. That led me to open more boxes and pretty soon I had accumulated a few supplies to help me with my 'need' to illustrate my thoughts on paper. I created this art journal page using Gesso, liquid inks, a Prismacolor marker and paper flowers w/ stick on centers. Since my handwriting is not anything to praise, I printed out the lettering using a design I made with Picmonkey.

taken with phone camera so quality is not good

These words resonate with me because ofcircumstances that have arisen in my life recently. They are based on numerous Scriptures I've read but mostly Proverbs 16:24 where it says ~

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, 

Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Father, make my words pleasant.

Amen.

: : : 

Do you ever feel the need to illustrate your feelings/thoughts on paper? If so, what's your favorite way to express them? Please share, as I am always looking for new ideas. :)

How Great Thou Art

I used one of my son's paintings that was accepted into an art show recently as a backdrop for one of the verses from the hymn, How Great Thou Art. 

The name of the painting is 'Loss' by Coan B Payne.

The painting actually looks much better than the graphic turned out. For some reason, it depixilated (?).

Journal 52 {slightly} Out of Order

Becoming completely stumped by one of the Journal 52 prompts, I had a tough time getting back into the challenge. Finally, after much encouragement from the group and my friend Pat, I have completed a few more pages. 

This prompt is actually from Week 8: Found Poetry, which means that I am doing them out of order but at least I am doing them ;)

This one came together in a snap. It must been because I love finding poetry! I did not prep my page with Gesso. I used watercolor paints straight onto the watercolor paper, mostly Cerulean Blue with a tad bit of Green Light for some faint highlights. 

- not sure why this photo has a greenish tint - 

I also painted over the water areas on the map page that I cut out of an old 1957 National Geographic, shaking it a bit to give it the run look. Not caring that the adhesive bubbled was fine because it adds texture and dimension to the water, as well. 

Using my fingertip, I smeared a little Gesso around the edges to give it a softer, cloudy feel. It just looked harsh without it. 

So there's my Week 8: Found Poetry.

I think I have three more weeks completed but need to edit my pictures.  I do hope you're having some fun crafting or painting or whatever creative outlet you enjoy.  

It's a gorgeous time of year to start gardening, too. Pat is giving me some strawberry plants this week, so you might end up seeing how I decide to plant them this year. Pinterest is great for getting new ideas. 

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

The Art of Embroidery

In our family, my mother-in-law is known for her expertise in needlework. 

From sewing to quilting to embroidery, her art is superlative. 

 (Clicking on photos will enlarge them so you can see even more detail.)

Here she is adding finishing touches of grass to an embroidered *barn. 

Y'all know I ♥ barns, right? 

And she has incorporated a Cardinal in the design, too. 

Oh, I love birds!

I love how authentic the Pine Tree looks.

When she is finished, there will be four designs and she will quilt them 

together to form the wall hanging. Isn't this awesome?! The first square is finished. 

It's so much more dramatic in person. I can't wait to see all four pieces put together.

 Did you know the earliest surviving embroideries are Scythian and date back to the 5th-3rd centuries BCE? There's a form of embroidery called Blackwork, where they only use black thread to make the designs and twist it in a certain way to give it dimension. I'm not sure what technique my MIL used on the barn but it seems awfully close to Blackwork. 

And look at this finished wall hanging...

Isn't it phenomenal?!

It's an ancient art form of Embroidery called Thread Painting or Needle Painting.

And the detail is absolutely stunning.

Can you tell that my mother-in-law's reputation is well deserved? 

But being the humble woman that she is, she'll be the first to tell you that it is a gift from the Lord. 

: : : : :

When I started writing this post I was only intent on sharing how much I admire and love my MIL's ability with a needle. I was going to attach a Scripture verse here but I have to say that after knowing her for 33 years, she is truly the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman. She is an awesomely dedicated wife, mom, MIL, grandmother and great grandmother who aptly fits the description. She has always put the welfare of her family first. Her faith in the Lord and love for hearth and home is what is to be admired. Her handiwork with a needle second. She may or may not read this post but I want to say Thanks, Mom. I love you. 

Have a blessed day in the Lord, my friends!

*The barn pattern is by Beth B Dix/ Primrose Lane, Black Mountain, NC. 

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Journal52 Week 3: You Make Me Smile

Can I just say that I am LOVING watercolors?!

I'm so enthralled with all the combinations and textures you can get mixing the colors. I've been watching some Youtube tutorials this past week and WOW...there are gazillions of them out there! 

I found one that was right up my alley. The artist's name is Samie Harding. She blogs at Journal Girl. What I liked most about her video series is that they are short, and she gets her hands messy! I mean messy!!! I loved it! And after watching, this is what I came up with for this week's prompt:

This is a closeup of the right hand corner. I'll list the colors I used but I can't remember the exact order, other than I know I started with a base layer of Prussian Blue and Crimson Red, adding Orange Yellow and Lemon Yellow with a tad bit of Yellow Ochre for some subtle 'sunny' highlights. I used some White along with the Crimson Red to get the pink tones at the top. 

BUT FIRST!!! I applied an all over coat of Gesso with a plastic card, then took another sheet of card stock and laid it on top, smoothing it with my hand. Then I carefully and slowly peeled it off to reveal those fantastic ripples!!! Leave to dry for 24 hours or use a heat gun, being careful not to burn the paper!

To make my faux flower design, I used a journal card from Making Memories and carefully outlined the shape. Tracing over it with a Prismacolor Premier marker in black really helped make it pop! I snagged that marker from my son's art supplies but don't tell him. Maybe he won't notice ;)

I drew the flower stalk and leaves (I don't draw well but it was fun trying). The paper flowers are some I had in my stash from Making Memories. I added some rhinestone bling so they would sparkle because you can never have too much sparkle. Right, ladies?

(The page really has more green tones than showing in this photo. You can see them better in the one above.)

Following along with the theme of someone who makes me smile, I immediately thought of my husband. He is the one person guaranteed to coax a smile or a laugh from just about anyone! He truly has a phenomenal sense of humor and quick wit. He is my SUNSHINE! I drew the sun on a separate piece of card stock after water coloring it with the yellows. Plus I spritzed it with some Sheer Shimmer Spritz in Frost. I glued it down with Tombow Mono (my favorite adhesive) and outlined it with the Prismacolor marker. After contemplating the emptiness of the sun, I then chose to journal some in the rays, which I think is kind of cute. I will journal more about him in the flower area that I left blank but that will be private :)

A few things I decided this week:

Use watercolor paper and not card stock. Maybe then it won't curl.

Start early. I get jittery when the end of the week gets close and I haven't even started.

Clean up my craft area while I go along, otherwise I can't find a thing.

Shop with a coupon at the craft store.

Be me and don't compare myself to others.

Thank the Lord daily for the ability to create!

So there you have it! 

I sincerely hope each of you have a blessed week in the Lord!

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Who makes you smile?!

Journal52 Week 2: Somewhere, A Simple Place

Allow yourself to feel the wonder, to drink in the beauty and to experience the special time and place where you are.

- Ralph Marston

The prompt this week was to think of some thing or some place we love whether it is home, in the kitchen, at a library, a favorite vacation spot, just a place we enjoy being.

Thinking of that place wasn't what was difficult for me. Putting it on paper was agonizing! I was ready to quit but decided I am not going to give up. I will persevere through this in the hopes that I learn some new techniques, and maybe even how to draw a little bit. 

My first step was covering the page with Gesso by using a plastic card and hoping I was actually giving it some texture. My sister gave me some advice on how to use watercolors I bought at Walmart. After I borrowed some brushes from my son (who is a real artist), I swished those on,  stamped a floral design all over, then painted around the border with some acrylic paint, and applied a cardstock embellishment for a frame. I searched across the internet for whimsical line art and found some of teapots, cups and books. I sat with my watercolor sketch pad and, using the clipart as a guide, sketched out my own pieces. Next, I applied watercolors then sketched back over the outlines using a black pen. After cutting them out, I adhered them with Tombow Mono (it rocks!). I also used some rub-ons I had in my scrapbooking stock that incidentally matched my whimsy theme pretty good. The flowers are gel-like in substance and I outlined them with a black sharpie so they would stand out.

Obviously, a simple place to me is anywhere that I can have a cup of tea and read one of my favorite Regency Era books, which I wrote on the covers and tried to decorate. Not being very good at doodling, I made some weird doodles and that's the one thing I hope to really learn how to do this year. I ordered a Zentangling book for beginner's so I'm looking forward to trying my hand at that. *pun intended ;) 

Our Journal52 group gained some new members this week, so it's not too late to join in the fun!

So tell me.. 

Where is your 'Simple' place?

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Journal52 ~ Week 1: Up Up & Away

I have to admit that I struggled at the beginning of the week with this prompt. The first thought seemed to be balloons or birds of some kind. After several attempts that ended up in the trash, I finally settled on using a photo I took of a Willow Tree Angel given to my family when our Amy passed away a year and a half ago. 

I love the song You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban (I know he didn't intend it as a 'spiritual' song but it works well in this instance). With a slight alteration, I stamped You Raised Me Up Up & Away then cut out a pocket watch from the paper that says 'Perfection' because Amy is now perfect.

Taking it a step further, I printed out this Scripture verse from Psalm 45 onto a piece of parchment paper, then tore and inked it for a vintage look. The verse has special meaning for our family, as our nephew posted it on my FB wall after Amy's death. We knew we wanted to use it during her memorial service, and my BIL, who preached the service for us, read it aloud. 

Here's the completed page in the journal. So far, I've used the Rosewood paper pack from Colorbok. I think I'll try and find some more papers that coordinate so I can change it up a little as I go along. I'm sure each weeks prompt won't be conducive to these particular papers. 

I always have a hard time writing on the pages so I journaled on the back. What I should have done was make a pocket area behind the photo to slip a journal card in. Next time, I will remember this :)

It's not too late to join the group and start your art journal! The more the merrier. There are some fantastic artists in this group and I know I will be learning some great techniques this year. Also, the workshop is FREE so hop on over and check it out at Journal52.com.

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

52 Weeks of Journaling

I'm so excited! I joined Journal52, an online Art Journaling group. One prompt, every Monday, for 52 weeks. I wanted to get back into my scrapbooking and also learn some new techniques using paints. I think this might be the right place! So at least one blog post a week will be my current page.

We were challenged to make our journal covers over the weekend. I chose an 8 x 11 1/2 chipboard cover and went through my materials. I ended up using some of the supplies I bought to make a memory book about my daughter, Amy, who passed away in 2012. I really like the colors and patterns, plus I lean toward vintage in all my creative endeavors.

I went ahead and got my feet wet with a new technique and medium. Using Gesso, which I purchased at Michael's using a 50% off coupon, I papered the chipboard and swiped the Gesso mixed with some acrylic paint over it with a plastic store card (advice from my sister @ Sunshine & Lollipops), then went back and used the plain Gesso to get a two-tone effect. Stamping imagine in the lower right corner and outlining it with a dark brown marker really made it stand out. Adding the butterfly trail (which I have never done) up to the Butterfly embellishment was very whimsical for me but I like it! I found some Sparkle Spritz in my stash and decided to give it a go. It was fun to try something new, and since this is the back of the journal, I am okay with it. I like the glittery look. So, of course I had to go back and add some to the cover...

It's just a little glitz but it really looks pretty in person!

As the weeks go along, I want to incorporate my faith into the journal. I might even make some additions to the cover and back. Any project of mine is always a work-in-progress, right up until I put it in a box and call it done :)

It's not too late to join in, if you are so inclined. Just hop on over to Journal52 and you can get signed right up.  Really. Come on and give it a shot. 

Are you working on any special projects this year?

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

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Clever Chicks Blog Hop

A new Etsy shop has opened!

Courtney Fassler Walsh, creative mastermind in scrapbooking and mixed media art, is selling prints of her whimsical artwork in her new Etsy shop CourtneyWalshArt.

YEAH!!!

To celebrate, she is having a GRAND OPENING GIVEAWAY! 

Click the blog link here to read the details.

Have fun checking out all her gorgeous ART!

(You cannot enter here at Stuff & Nonsense. You MUST go to Courtney's blog to enter!)

♥ Happy Resurrection Sunday ♥

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

~Matthew 28:1-7

On the Cross...

Praying you have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Guest Post ~ Susan Ernst, Journal Keeping and Blogging

I'm so delighted to introduce artist Susan Ernst. I met Susan through a Gratitude journal challenge last year during the month of November and I was so impressed with her artistic gifts (she makes her own paper for one thing) that I wanted to spotlight her on my blog. Be sure and visit her blogs for inspiration in multiple areas and leave her some comment love :)

Journal Keeping and Blogging

Since my early school days I have been enamored with notebooks, pens and pencils. Opening the stiff binding, touching the smooth lined pages, making notes with my best handwriting in bright blue ink or with the sharp point of a pencil has always been a thrill. Even today, blank journals with beautiful covers allure me. I keep a journal for almost every aspect of my life: gardening, travels, day to day events, prayer, bible study, general research on various topics. All of these are on-going.

Then there are visual journals. About a decade ago, I took a visual journal workshop at the BrookfieldCraft Center, taught by CharlotteHedlund. It was so much fun, thought expanding and creative, I have been making and working in visual journals, altered and handmade books ever since. Not to say that I have amassed a huge collection. Most are still works-in-progress. When time allows I return to them. Each time I thoroughly enjoy the experience and tell myself I need to come back to it again soon. But then something always seems to pull me in another direction…

Blogging is an extension of physical journal writing with the creativity of a visual journal, but is even more dynamic. Photos can easily be inserted and written about. Much faster than putting together a physical photo album. Hyperlinks can be embedded into the blog post keeping information easily accessible. No photocopies or notes need to be written to summarize articles read elsewhere, places or events visited, movies or videos seen. The internet has information on all these topics and a click on a link takes you there, providing a more complete experience.

And the fact that someone may actually be reading what it is I am writing adds another dimension. No longer am I writing for myself, but also for a potential reader. I believe this helps me write more completely, wanting the reader to understand what it is I am trying to say. In personal journal writing, a type of shorthand can be used since I know what it is I am thinking. Whatever words are put onto the paper will be reminders of the thoughts, feelings or questions I had at the time I wrote them. Specifics aren’t always necessary.

Just as I keep separate journals for separate topics, I have four blogs for different interests. The decision to create separate blogs was made with readers in mind. If this was to be a private blog, chronicling the adventures of my life, I believe I would have created only one. As I read the blogs of others, I do appreciate the authors who stay on topic. For instance, if I am following an artist who writes about her work, adding recipes for chicken soup is a little distracting. Likewise, if a follower is reading my art blog for information on papermaking or printmaking, he may not want to read about caterpillars on fennel plants or childhood memories.

My blogs are:

HoneysuckleCottage and Wisteria Studio - my first blog, this is where I post most often. I discuss the art I create - the process and the inspiration behind it.

My Big Backyard: The Diary of An Amateur Naturalist - here I post photographs and write about birds, small animals, butterflies, dragonflies, bees and other insects and natural phenomena occurring in my little world.

HortusConclusus – Literal as well as figurative, this blog explores the physical gardens which I cultivate, the spiritual garden within, and the intellectual garden of horticultural knowledge gathered through decades of study, observation and practice.

StoriesMatter - a blog about the family stories I heard growing up and stories about my own life. This blog is new and does not contain much at the moment, but I have great aspirations for it!

The difficulty for me comes when my interests overlap. My horticultural experiences often inspire my art. Planting flowers that produce seeds attractive to goldfinches is a post fitting for both my nature and gardening blogs. I suppose the important thing isn’t so much how to organize experiences, but to enjoy them and to share them with others.

I thank you for taking the time to read my guest post and I thank Anne for giving me the opportunity to write to you. I hope that you want to read more on one or all of my blogs.  

An Attitude of Gratitude Challenge ~ Day 2 & 3

Day 2

Here's the prompt for Day 2. 

I didn't use all of them, just these: 

 Starting Point:  

In the stressful world we live in, where time seems to fly by at an extraordinary rate,       

 how can you make more of the moment?

How can you become more mindful of the things that are important in your life?

Which 3 things are you thankful for today?

Bible verse:

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

Technique Challenge: 

Use circles or squares on your page 

Instead of actually journaling on my page (which I don't like doing) I made a tag to hang off the side. The front tells what I need to do in order to make more of the moment. The back gives three things I am thankful for: a loving husband, my children and grandchildren, and most of all Jesus!

Day 3

Here's the prompt: Creativity

Starting Point: 
What does creativity mean to you?
This is an interesting article.
How do you express your creativity?
What  in particular are you thankful for in the creative areas of your life?

Quote:

Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.     Edward de Bono

Bible verse:

He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.    Exodus 35:35

Technique Challenge:

Draw freehand 

using any of the media you own - a pencil, a coloured pencil, a crayon, a paintbrush and paint.

As you can tell, freehand is NOT my forte' :) But it was fun once I got started. I saw something similar on a card one time, the tree trunk thing, so I decided to write the Bible verse as the trunk. I gently wadded up some aluminum foil to dab on the red paint. It works pretty good! On the back of the page I glued a small piece of cardstock on three sides to put my journal tag in. Eventually it will be covered with paper for another day.

You can still join in. It's always a good idea to find things to be grateful for on a daily basis :)

Are you doing anything special this year, as far as keeping a journal goes, or do you have another way of focusing on your blessings during this season? 

Have a great day in the Lord!

Art Journal Challenge ~ Day 1

I signed up to participate in the 30 day An Attitude of Gratitude Challenge. There are daily prompts that you can print out to use. Of course, I am behind already as I have just finished Day 1. I hope to be caught up soon so I don't feel so rushed but life is super duper busy all of a sudden. My oldest son has decided to try and get into college in January! I thought we had until next fall so I have been frantically filling out paperwork, providing transportation and lots of moral support. This past week has been crazy, and this upcoming one will be even more so as he prepares for exams. My down time will be making my journal pages.

The prompts can be used in a variety of ways. I love that! I just pick & choose...

DAY 1 (It was supposed to be on Nov 1st)

Starting Point: 

What everyday moments in your life give you joy?

What 3 things are you grateful for today?

What changes might you need to make to see the positives in your life rather than the negatives?

Quote: 

“I now see that cultivating a Wholehearted life is not like trying to reach a destination. It’s like walking toward a star in the sky. We never really arrive, but we certainly know that we’re heading in the right direction”. Brene Brown

Bible verse:

Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving  and his courts with praise;  give thanks to him and praise his name.

Technique Challenge: 

An easy challenge today, just to ease you in.  

Use a colour you don’t like, or one you don’t use very often.

I chose papers from a paper pack that I bought but, for the life of me, I can't remember why. I don't like these colors at all! GAG!!! This whole page was a challenge for me; most of my supplies are packed away because of construction in our home. Plus, I didn't realize how difficult it would be to "create" something out of stuff I don't like. Stretching me.....

For the most part I think the page speaks for itself. I am Thankful 4 God's Word and I hand wrote the Scripture verse. Flowers bring me joy ~ always!!! The leaves are in deference to the autumn season, which is my favorite.

Personally, I think it is an ugly page but it is what it is!

It's not too late to join in the fun! Hop on over to An Attitude of Gratitude to see what others are doing.

Be kind with your comments. This is my first challenge and I am NOT an artist. I don't even like journaling because my handwriting is so bad :)

Altered Art is...

~ Collaging, embellishing, enameling, stamping or doing anything else to a book  or other household item to reflect a creative idea, theme or narrative.

Collecting items to create Altered Art has become almost an obsession. I see potential in EVERYTHING! I save tea boxes, yogurt cartons, jelly jars, plastic trays, spaghetti boxes, and cereal boxes. Have I made anything out of these wannabe trash to treasure goodies? Well, no but I'm going to. I will. I promise. I just need more time in my day. I do like to read, you know. And I have two boys that I homeschool, laundry to be done, dishes to be washed, and I like to read. I said that already, didn't I?

I have made one really super cool box, though. If you're on my Facebook then you've already seen it, but you can hang around and ooohhh and aaahhh over the photos again. Be kind. It's my first one.

Pretty, huh? It was so much fun! And I learned alot doing this one. Like what type of glue NOT to use.