Mixed Media using Color Burst

Introducing Covered Bridges by Ken Oliver Crafts!

I absolutely am enjoying this line of papers and last week when I was creating all of those leaves I could envision them drifting through the air over one of those beautiful bridges and hence the idea was birthed for a mixed media canvas. And just for the record this canvas did not come together like I imagined it, but that is what I enjoy about mixed media is just creating layer upon layers! It is the process that is fun! Not really sure if I am finished with this one, but for tonight I am calling it good!

This past week one of my scrapbooking friends, Patrice, lost her battle to cancer. I will always treasure the hours, the retreats, the memories we made! Crafting, like the quilting bees of days gone by afforded us the opportunity of spending quality time together. She was a blessing to all who knew her! She fought the good fight and maintained her faith until the very end of leaving this earth. Friday afternoon we gathered for a memorial celebration of her life and we sang a song I was not familiar with. 

Hymn of Promise 

by Natalie A. Sleeth

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;

In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;

In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. 

I originally had no intentions of adding a butterfly to this canvas, but the words of this song kept coming to mind as I was painting. I kept thinking how "free" Patrice is today and the celebration she is reveling in! Her pastor even brought a great round of laughter when he mentioned that James, Peter and John were now having scrapbooks made of their lives now that Patrice had made it into her eternal home! As I was placing the leaves about the canvas I loved the way it came together. Leaves are in their finest colors of brilliance as they depart from the tree and drift downwards to their death. The butterfly is free and is drifting upwards! 

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed! John 8:36

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. Rev. 22: 1-3

Patrice dancing with Elvis at NSD ….
Today she is dancing with the King of Kings and is healed!

Thank you for meeting me at Studio 52

  where serendipity moments happen!

 Teresa