A Tutorial for Inexpensive Holiday Ornaments

Hey everyone are you getting into the Holiday Spirit?

We had a great time visiting all the

cowboys family in South East Missouri.

Of course

All I did was eat!!!

Yikes!!!

ANOTHER STROKE OF

 THE BRUSH...

Tutorial

Holiday Ornaments....

So simple and fun to make.

Joy to the World Bird Ornament

All you need...

 You probably have on hand in

your studio.

 Lets get started...

 Holiday craft paper or wrapping paper

Diamond Glaze

Scissors

Exacto Knife

Brush

Ribbon

Foam Core

Embellishments

Lets get started....

First trace the shape you want to make

onto the foam core, I used scrapes.

I used a wooden ornament from our tree

 to make my shape.

Cut the shape out with your exacto knife.

Trace the cut out

shape onto the decorative paper or

wrapping paper.

Glue the foam core to the paper

of your choice.

Cut the paper to match shape and

Leaving about a 1" edge around the shape.

Use your scissors to cut

about a 1/4" slits

all the way around the foam core shape.

Start gluing the slits to the back of the ornament.

Slitting the paper makes it lots easier to

do the round shape.

You may have to trim the paper a little

here and there to cover all the foam core.

It is all glue up and dry.

I like using the diamond glaze

because it drys so fast.

To finish the back I traced and cut the shape

with some construction paper and

hot glued it to get a finished look.

I added ribbon with the glue gun

and

I added some BLING 

& embellished letters.

&

BaMm OOO! 

 Then I came up with another idea.

I used scrap piece of denim and painted

 a cute little snowman on it. I finished off the back

with a round piece of denim sized to fit

and added a bright red bow.

I used acrylic paint with fabric medium

to paint my snowman.

I used all the same steps noted above

after my paint dried.

Easy...

Fast...

Fun...

Once I got these going...

 MORE

 ideas started reeling in my head.

 How about using...

decorative fabric...

 cookie cutters for the shape...

news paper and paint a design

on it.

You could embellish these to your hearts desire.

Foam core is inexpensive and if your

anything like me you have scraps

of everything lying around the studio,

decorative paper, fabric, newsprint, wrapping

paper or felt.

Make sure your exacto knife is sharp!

 I hope you"ll give it a try...

 If you do give it a go?

Use your imagination!

 I hope you'll share what you come up with...

Have a creative day!

Many Blessings,

Deborah

Jesus is the reason

for this season!

Art, Seeds and Petals Series and The Brave Girls Club, Go Now and Check them out!!!

Seeds and Red Petals

Art and Soul

Loves...

Creative souls...

Women Inspiring each other...

Growing in my Creativity

 and

Sharing...

My Creativity

My Faith...

My Experiences

 and

New Blog Finds....

I found a great blog a couple months ago and I wanted to

share it.

These Sisters are creative and inspiring...

They offer

mountain retreats and are getting ready to

 launch their  first online

 workshop, which will be 6 weeks long.

http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/

I myself would looooove to go to one

of their retreats in the Idaho Rocky Mountains...
the perfect setting for 5 days of life-changing fun!
It is officially on my bucket list!

Click on the link to check it out...

I know you will love them too!!!

Another Stroke of the Brush...

I have been busy getting my art into some

local shops for the holidays!

 

My family and I are getting ready to go and

visit family in Kansas City and Sikeston, MO

For the Holidays.

Praying for CLEAR weather!!!

Amen!
(not leaving the house if there is even a hint of band weather)
Here is Why?

2 years ago we attempted to go visit my cowboys/husbands

family in Sikeston, Mo. 2 hrs south of St. Louis.

We were about an hour and a half out of town

when we came upon some sleet on an overpass.

All at once the car in front of us hit their brakes

and in turn we had to hit ours. We had our Ford Excursion

filled to the brim with luggage and all 6 of us...Plus our little

white dog, a Westie. We proceeded to roll down an embankment

3 times, Yes 3 times. Our little dog was air born in our truck like Toto in the

Wizard of Oz. We were all shaken and a little banged up

but, NO one was seriously hurt...It Was A Miracle!
It all happened in slow motion....
 No.....

Really,  A real Miracle!!!
 Not only was our dog flying around

but there was also a ball hitch airborne. For those of you who don't know

what that is...It goes in the back of the truck under the bumper to

attach a trailer. Don't ask why my cowboy needed

to bring an extra one for this trip? But it was now located

on the dash board in the front of our truck.

These ball hitches must weigh at least 5 to 10lbs. I can not

believe it did not hit someone in the head.

MIRACLE!!!

Needless to say our truck was totaled and we had to call our friends to come and pick us

up and take us back home. All this happen the day before Thanksgiving, I did not

have any groceries to cook a Thanksgiving meal, we weren't supose to be home.

Another Miracle... Neighbors brought us all their left overs after their main meal....

We sure had a lot to be THANKFUL for that year...

Hence the prayer for good weather!!!

We have not been to see the cowboy's family

since the accident and it is a 9 1/2 hour trip.

Thankfully going south is a good thing because

the weather gets better the further south from Iowa we go.

The crisp colors of fall...

Here are some pictures I took

in one of the shops my art is currently in....

I though it would get me in the spirit of

of Giving Thanks!!!

I also thought I might do a still life???

What are you thankful for?

May you be thankful for family and

friends and share your many blessings
with others.

Deborah

 



The Gift & New Glass Tile Watercolor Pendants

"The artist is nothing

without the gift, but

the gift is nothing

without the work."

Emile Zola

I can not describe the admiration I have for all the artist out there

working at their craft everyday and using

their artistic gifts.

I appreciate their willingness to

share this piece of their spirit

with this world.

They strive to stay true to themselves and

what they create.

I know God is smiling

down upon them and

saying, "well done child, well done."

Artist are Brave

Artist are Passionate

and they

share who they are in

each piece of art they create. 

I am an artist and the journey is never ending, it took me

along time to put myself out there and believe in myself

as a artistic contributor.

I have taken a leap of faith.

I have been blessed.

I am living the dream God placed upon my heart.

I believe all the roads on this journey have been guided by my creator, God.

He has put wonderful people in my path to encourage me.

He has blessed me with a family who inspires me to follow my

dreams.

He has blessed me with wonderful christian girlfriends

who help me to grow in faith daily.

I want to pass this on to all you artist out there, I believe you

were created to create.

I know this,

 all of the artist out in blog land that I

have had the pleasure of meeting

through blogging, have inspired

me daily.

I want to encourage you to never...never give

up on the dreams in your heart.

Keep the faith,

Lean on your girlfriends,

Lean on your family,

(you only have one)

But most of all lean on the one who

will never leave or forsake you.

LEAN ON GOD

ANOTHER STROKE OF THE BRUSH...

NEW PENDANTS ON ETSY...

WATERCOLOR BACKGROUNDS

& WORDS.

ALL PACKAGE PRETTY AND READY TO GO....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DLRubyspalette

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Thanks for stopping bye,

be blessed and inspired on

this day our Lord has made.

I love your comments,

I appreciate each and everyone.

Many Blessing, Deborah

Fresh Paint from the studio...Fresh Water from my Soul...

New Art

Fresh Painting

This piece is another Acrylic and Plaster..

Mixed media

Title "Moon Light on the Water"

It is an 8"x10" canvas Gallery Wrapped

Sides are painted Black.

I just love how the plaster gives the

art & water

another

Dimension,

Texture,

Depth

and

Movement.

I am really having fun with this plaster technique...

It is a medium by Golden products.

This time I intentionally manipulated the plaster.

I had a vision in my mind.

I will be listing this later today on

ETSY

http://www.dlrubyspalette.etsy.com/

Fresh Water... For the Soul

I painted the ocean because..

I love the ocean, it calls to me..

Come and rest by the shores,

come and listen to the waves.

Come and you will find peace

on the edge of  God's vastness.

The waves come forth and

touch my toes and my soul.

The waves can be calm and

cleansing,

washing away the weariness

within my soul.

So cool and refreshing,

so alive and invigorating.

Reminding me how small

I truly am.

Reminding me how

BiG

 God IS.

For just as I can not perceive the depths

of the ocean.

It can be equally hard

to perceive the depths of Gods

LOVE.

From the shore the waters of the

ocean appear never ending.

From the foot of the

cross I can see God's Love

IS never ending.

The rhythm of the waves

remind me of the

rhythm of life.

The rhythm of

give and take,

the rhythm of

the storms in life and

the times when life is

peaceful and calm.

Water...

Water Gives Life

Water washes away the sins

of the world.

Water restores

the dying seed.

Jesus is the Water Of Life.

The ocean reminds me

of the peace

I have found in

Jesus.

And that my friends is why I love the ocean.

I hear it calling me.

I hear God calling me into

 his vastness of LOVE.

And God Loves YOU Too!

John 4:14 (New International Version)

14 but whoever drinks the water I give him

 will never thirst.

 Indeed, the water I give him will become in him

a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Have a creative and blessed

weekend.

Remember God Loves You and He will

meet you where ever your at.

All you have to do is reach out,

His arms arms are open and waiting

Just for YOU!

PENDANT GIVE AWAY...Last chance to enter, Exending till tomorrow.

I decided since Blogger was down
for a bit today
To EXTEND THE
GIVE A WAY!!!!
TILL 12:00 TOMORROW.
hurry up and sign up!

When we use our gifts and talents we illuminate Christ.

When we use them for His Glory we

are being transformed into

the Likeness of Christ.

As, Paul wrote,

"16 But whenever anyone turns

 to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the

 Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect

 the Lord's glory, are being transformed into

 his likeness with ever-increasing glory,

 which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

The more we seek Christ,

The more we reflect

who He Is.

Consider being a bright

reflection...

Consider being a Mirrored

 image...

Consider reflecting all Gods Glory...

"Let your light shine, before men

that they may see your

good deeds and Praise your

Father in Heaven."

Matthew 5:16 NIV

Another Stroke of the Brush

Give Away!!!

Beautiful Pendant!

Original Art

By me of course..

This is an original not a print, It is titled,

"Moon on the Hill"

Sliver Bead Chain or Choker... your choice!

You know what to do...

Leave a comment

and Follow me on

Google Friends.

I am celebrating having 51 followers.

My intention is to inspire others and touch their

Hearts with His Words and my art.

Winner...

 will be announced

Monday, June 7th

Good Luck and God Bless...

If you already follow just leave a little comment.

Consider passing this give-away onto your friends and followers.

I WILL NOT BE MOVED, NEW ARTWORK FRESH FROM THE STUDIO

If you find yourself creatively blocked...

Try something new!

I have been so inspired by other creative

artist in the blog community...

But sometimes the devil attacks me and

I get side tracked... Thinking if I could

only do something different, better or a little more

marketable.

I would have a better chance of sales!!!!

 So... I venture out into the blog world and

all the beautiful ETSY shops and

see what is selling...

Not always A good IDEA!!!

That is when the negative voices (the devil) attacks!

"your not good enough"

"your wasting the day"

All Lies I am sure!

But just the same , Sometimes

They bring ya down.

SO I TURN UP THE MUSIC

AND DROWN OUT THE VOICE...

So Here is what playing in my studio today...

"I Will Not Be Moved"

By Natalie Grant

Lyrics

"Will Not Be Moved"

 I have been the wayward child

I have acted out

I have questioned Sovereignty

And had my share of doubt

And though sometimes my prayers feel like

They're bouncing off the sky

The hand I hold won't let me go

And is the reason why...

[Chorus:]

I will stumble

I will fall down

But I will not be moved

I will make mistakes

I will face heartache

But I will not be moved

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart

Many times before

My life has been like broken glass

And I have kept the score

Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed

That I was far too gone

My brokenness helped me to see

It's grace I'm standing on

[Chorus]

And the chaos in my life

Has been a badge I've worn

Though I have been torn

I will not be moved

I'VE GOT MY ARMOR ON NOW!!!

Another stroke of the brush...

New Art Fresh from

Art n Soul Studio...

Titled "Peaceful Dove"

I used plaster first on canvas 8"x10" and then with out a plan...

I just

started painting

and found

 this peaceful dove.

I used the same technique on this one...

It does not have a title yet...

Any suggestions?

All suggestions welcome!!!

"Let no one ever come to you

without leaving better and happier.

Be the living expression of God's kindness:

Kindness in your face,

kindness in you eyes,

kindness in you smile."

MOTHER TERESA

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL, CREATIVE AND

BLESSED DAY!

Sowing, Growing and Sharing & A new watercolor...

It is planting time in Central Iowa and

the farmers are busy sowing seeds

in the fields surrounding my home.

The tulips are just beginning to bloom

bright vibrant colors, red, violet and yellow.

Thanks to the lady who lived here

before we bought our place.

You see, the truth is, I can paint flowers

but, I really really can not have grow them,

not a green thumb

on either hand.

That is unless I am painting with green....Smile!

If I leave the flowers be, they seem to grow.

If I tend  them, they go....never to grow again.

So I just let nature do its thing!!!

And I do mine...

This is the newest addition to my

Seeds & Petals Series

Titled

Seeds, Petals and Spring Tulips

This is a 5" x 7" matted original watercolor.

I will be selling it on ETSY

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dlrubyspalette

Another Stroke of the Brush...

 As I watch the farmers sowing their seeds,

It reminds me of my need to

sow Gods words into my

heart and soul daily.

We must make the time

to sow Gods words or

we can not grow

as Christians.

"The Lord your God, will bless you in all your harvest

and in all the work of your hands, and

your joy will be complete.

Deuteronomy 16:15

See as Christians we have work to do...

Sowing,

Growing

&

Sharing the Harvest.

Sow encouragement into a friend soul.

Help someone else grow in Gods Love.

Harvest and share the Love you

have found

in

Jesus Christ.

May your Blessing be many and your

harvest be bountiful.

Thanks for droping by!!! Have a great day!

A Super Big Thank YOU, Sowing Seeds & Faith...

 A Super big Thank YOU!

 sent out to

RICH GIFTS GRAPHICS

by Edie

She got my button up and running.

Something I have been trying to

do for weeks!

She has a Gift for Graphics....

I am best gifted in art.....computer skills not so much...

She has a awesome website  http://richgift.blogspot.com/

Free Christian Tags to Share.

Check it Out!

You can not tell me

God did not have his hand

in me surfing the world wide web and

finding a graphic angel.

Another Stroke of the Brush...

Seeds, Petals & Scripture Titled

"Son Shine Blooms"

The Yellow flowers represent the light of Jesus

coming into the world to serve and teach the truth.

The abundance of flowers is representational of us living in 

truth and the abundance we receive when we sow seeds in Faith.   

Enrich you soul with healthy thinking.

Meditate on the living word of

Jesus Christ.

The Power of Faith.....

Matthew 21:21-22

"Jesus answered, "I tell you the

truth, if you have

faith and do not doubt, you

will be able to do what I did

to this tree and even more.

You will be able to say to this

mountain, 'Go Fall into the sea.'

And if you have faith,

It will happen.

If you believe, you will get anything

you ask for in prayer."

Faith needs to be more than just

a Sunday event.

Love and serve the Lord

in your faith and

receive the abundance

only He can give.

Give Away!!! Give Away !!! Come and Play!!!

EXTENDED...till Monday
Who's doing a give away?

Art and Soul

Professional Pics of

 One of Kind Art Pendants!

By Deborah L. Ruby (ME)

It's my birthday month...

and the followers
can win a gift!

We all know pictures are worth

a thousand words.

And I felt my pictures of my pendants

on ETSY

were not cutting it!

Soooo, My Friend at

E Photography

By Elly J. Mullan

Help me  step things up a notch!

This one it titled, Hidden Blooms an Original Watercolor.

They have a canvas back and

each on has a name

and is signed by the artist!

This on is titled, Rolling Sea

Original Fiber Art Pendant

by Deborah

Give Away!!! Yeah!!!

Your choice of one of these  2 pendants!

All you have to do is

make sure you follow with Google friend connect

 and leave a comment.

If you already follow, leave a comment!

From today through Saturday...12:00noon

EXTENDED UNTIL MONDAY!!!!!!

In your comment tell me what you

look for in a great blog.

I will put all the names into a bowel &

my daughter Rachel will pick a name.

The winner will get to pick

between the two!

ON MONDAY IT WILL BE

SHIPPED TO THE

LUCKY WINNER.

Another stroke of the brush!

Romans 8:31

"What then shall we say to this?

If God is for us, who can be

against us?

He who did not spare his own Son

But handed him over for us ALL,

 how will he not also give us

everything else along with him?

Who will bring a charge against God's

chosen ones?

It is GOD who Equips us."

My thoughts:

 If then God equips us

with all we need to flourish,

 through his Son

 and with his enduring love.

Are we not called to

see that others are equipped

also.

Reach out,

Reach within,

Reach your arms

arround someone

who needs the

Love God. 

As much as I love my own

children, I believe it is nothing

compared to the Love

 God has for his children.

For I can truly say

with all my heart and soul,

I could not hand over even one

of my children,

for the sake of another.

I would surly give my own life, 

before giving the life of one of my children...

How awesome is this LOVE?

Everlasting,

Eternal,

Enduring

&

Never Changing...

Share this love with others and help them to

become equipped in the love of GOD.

 Receive this love by Grace through Faith.