Completed Nest Assemblage and Fiber Bird's Nest Tutorial.....

"To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring~these are."

~John Burroughs~

(Click on any photo to enlarge for better viewing)

I finished up the Nest Assemblage from my last post and thought I would share the results with you. I added a piece of glass to the front so it made it really hard to get a clear photo without the glare.I cut a piece of glass the exact size of the outer measurement of the drawer opening and covered all the edges in copper foil tape, burnishing it down with a bone folder. I ran a bead of clear drying glue around the edge of the drawer and placed the glass on top, weighting it until it was dry.I used a old rusty handle, brass corners, a tin heart, and some old brass tacks to further embellish the assemblage. I sprayed the brass corners and tin heart with some Hammered Copper spray paint (RUST-OLEUM brand). After the brass corners were dry I used a E6000 to adhere them to each front corner. I could not nail them on because the drawer sides are very thin, even tiny nails would go through. To cover all the holes where the nails should have gone I snipped off the back of some old upholstery tacks, gluing them in place with E6000 also. I was able to nail the handle on with the tacks.The tin heart was embellished with a bit of the left over Queen Anne's Lace print and a few sentences from a copy of an old book page. All done and ready to hang!I thought you might enjoy learning how to make a simple fiber nest for use in your artwork too.MATERIALS:

*Wire, brass (24 gauge), copper(26 gauge), and burgundy(20 gauge)*Wire Cutters
*Scissor
*Yard Stick or Measuring Tape
*Various Fibers of your choice, suggestions are: yarn, thread, embroidery floss, shredded paper, jute, twine, raffia, etc.

INSTRUCTIONS:

* Cut 3, 30 inch pieces of yarn.*Cut 2, 30 inch pieces of yarn in a different texture than the first three.*Cut 3, 10 inch piece of three ply jute rope.*Unravel each of the pieces of jute and separate the ply.*Cut 7, 30 inch pieces of various threads.*Cut 1, 30 inch piece of embroidery floss.*Take 2 stands of raffia and pull them apart making several thin pieces.*Layer all your fibers, mixing the materials until you have them all laid out stacked together; add your 30 inch wires to the stack.*Cut a 20 inch piece of copper wire gather one end of your stacked fiber and wire mix and wrap the end with the 20 inch piece of wire to secure the end together.*Lay three of your unraveled jute stings below where you just wired.*Layer in bits of shredded paper, sheet music, tissue paper, Spanish moss, or gift basket filler, you only need a few pieces.*Wrap the copper wire around the stacked materials making sure you do not bind it too tightly, continue wrapping and adding jute and paper bits until you reach the opposite end of the strand. You will need to add more copper wire as you go, simply twist it to the previous wire and keep wrapping. Once you reach the end, tightly wrap the wire to secure.*Cut a 20 inch piece of copper wire and secure it to the end of your wrapped bundle. Twist the end into a tight circle. Wrap the loose wire around the outside of the circle bringing the end up through the center of the circle, pulling tight.*Continue to wrap in a flat circle, securing with wire, until you approximately a 1 1/2 inch base.*Begin to build up the sides of the nest by layering the bundle onto the flat base, using the wire to secure by pulling it through only the previous layer. Continue to shape, mold, wrap, and wire until you have formed a nest. If you run out of wire before finishing, just cut another piece and twist it together with the one ending and keep securing.*Once your nest is complete it will more than likely need a trim.

(Nest Top)(Nest Bottom) Trim away any excess fiber but be sure to leave it natural looking with some little snips sticking out, after all, it is supposed to look like a bird built it!Add and egg, display, and enjoy!

Blessings,

Miss Sandy

P.S. This tutorial as well as others featured on my blog has been added to my tutorial link on my side bar. I have recently added sites that provide free graphics for use in your artwork. To check them out just click on the little birds nest photo on my side bar listed under Quill Cottage Tutorials, Tips, and Techniques. Enjoy!

Applying Principals of Design to Your Artwork (Nest Assemblage).....

assemblage: a gathering or collection of several things grouped together in one place or considered as a whole

Yesterday I made time for some creative play. I recently purchase a couple of tutorials from Dawn and I wanted to try one of them out. Even though my project is not yet complete I thought I would give you a peek at it thus far. I also thought it would be fun to break down the design and show you how a few simple principals of design visually enhance your artwork.After printing out Dawn's clear easy to follow instructions, which include wonderful images for use in the project, and assembling supplies, I was set to go. I have had this small drawer for quite some time and I thought it would be perfect for creating the nest assemblage in. For a background I chose to use a scanned image from an old flower drawing book that featured Queen Anne's Lace. Here is the background I used, feel free to save it to your computer for use in your art work.TIP: You know how when you buy something fragile at Hobby Lobby and they wrap it in that off white thin protective paper? Don't throw it away. Cut it into 8 1/2 x 11 in. pieces. Using a low tack removable double sided tape, secure it to a piece of card stock. Print your background or image on it just as you would any paper you run through your printer. Allow the ink to dry and gently peel it away from the card stock. The outcome has the feel of a beautiful thin old delicate book page. If you want it to be more sturdy, you can use a spray glue and adhere it to another piece of paper or card stock before printing.I made one little alteration in Dawn's design when covering my box, choosing to leave the inside top and sides uncovered, instead, covering the outside of the box due to some unsightly scribbling on the exterior of the drawer. I intentionally left a border around the exterior paper because I rather liked seeing the nail heads which to me gave it a more rustic appearance.TIP: Don't throw away those fake plastic credit cards you get in the mail or save those old used plastic gift cards. These make a great tool for smoothing out your paper backgrounds. They get out any excess glue and air bubbles while adhering your paper to your project!I used parts of several of the images she provided to decorate the box inside and out. Little speckled eggs float around the outer sides and bottom of the box...Even the back is decorated with a sweet little wren, egg, and one of the quotes included in the tutorial.I didn't have a nest the right size to fit my assemblage so I made one from wire and various fibers using a basket making technique I learned years ago. The flower pods, twigs, and dried hydrangea blossoms were gathered from my grandmother's garden from a recent trip I made up there. I found the feathers in my yard.The persepctive of this artwork would be considered Nonlinear Perspective. This method uses techniques of position, overlapping, size variation, color, and value to show depth.If you notice, there is a triangle to the design, dark dried flower pods in the upper corner, mini pine cones in the lower corner, with the nest resting in the opposite lower corner. In the elements of design this would be called an implied line which means that the shape or line is not actually drawn but created by a group of objects. The colors in these elements used in an odd number are similar and balance each other out. The same design principal applies to the placement of the photo and feathers which are all similar in color family.Applying simple design principals to your artwork makes it visually pleasing so that your eye does not have to make the uncomfortable jump to link the groupings. The over lapping of these two triangles gives the artwork a symmetrical balance, which means equal weight on each side of the focal point object. The focal point, an object or area where you want the viewer to look first, of this design is the bird image. There are also three color sources to round out the design; the speckled eggs, the dried hydrangea blossoms, and the bird image. The color harmony, certain combinations of colors that create different looks or feelings, for this grouping are cool colors. They give the feeling of coolness for example blue and violet are the color of water and green is the color of cool grass. Color is the most expressive element of art. It reflects light, creates depth, and draws attention to your artwork.Value, the range of lightness and darkness used in your artwork, creates interest through highlights and shadows. This piece uses value contrast, where light values are placed next to dark values to create a strong contrast or difference, by placing pops of color next to the dark or neutral colored objects.Since I wanted my assemblage to be dimensional I added an odd number of layers to make the box interesting and to draw the eye forward. The background of Queen Anne's Lace layered with the little egg print serve as the first layer. A curled copy of an old photo at the back of the box serves as the second layer. The third layer that fills and balances the box are the little handmade nest and egg on one side and the wooden spool filled with dried naturals on the other. The bird image draws the eye to forefront in the forth layer. Lastly, the little trio of mini pine cones and moss serve as a stopping place for the eye. These layers serve as texture and are a very important element in artwork.This design has both physical and visual texture. Physical or Real texture is texture you can actually feel with your hand for example the smooth photo, the rough pine cones and pods, the soft moss and nest fibers. Visual or Implied texture is the illusion of physical texture created with the materials you use, in this case it is the staggering and layering of objects that gives visual texture.By playing with the composition, the organization and placement of the elements you are using, and creating a focal point surrounded by color and texture, you will be creating unity in your artwork. Unity refers to a sense that everything in the artwork belongs there and makes the piece whole even if the objects used are unrelated.While these principals can certainly be practical applications in your artwork, don't forget the most expressive and creative principal of designing by experimentation. Experiment with different shapes, objects, textures, materials, and methods to create a work of art that is uniquely you.

Blessings,
Miss Sandy

T*E*C*H*N*O*L*O*G*Y Make Me Crazy.....

"It is difficult not to wonder whether the combination of elements which produces a machine for labor does not create also a soul of sorts, a dull resentful metallic will, which can rebel at times."

~Pearl S. Buck~(image source)

Technology, love it or hate it, it is a huge part of life these days. I grumbled just one too many times last week about missing the days before cell phones when I could actually go out and not be tracked or strapped down with a phone. Mine died, much to my dismay and to the delight of my family.

They were tired of it cutting them off while they were talking to me. They were tired of trying to reach me only to find that my cell phone was as tired as me of taking calls so, it did the logical thing and shut itself off. They were tired of yelling into the phone because my wicked little cell phone made the volume go up and down at will. Her joints had gone slack and her disc slipped causing a bit of disconnected confusion from time to time.

I really think the poor old dear just wanted to live a useful but peaceful existence and not be bothered by the trivial things in life. Now in an emergency, she would come through every time. She was also an excellent receptionist, recording word for word any message left to her. The only problem was that she often forgot where she put them and that made them a little hard to retrieve, especially when her little blinking message light was on the fritz and I did not know there was one. She was also an excellent time keeper. As you can see, she had many fine attributes, she was just a little cantankerous.

I managed to put off replacing her for almost an entire week and it was bliss to travel around without my purse ringing! The fateful day arrived when my sneaky husband suggested lunch at a new restaurant that happened to be strategically placed next door to the cell phone store. Many suggestions of, "Let's go and look at phones.", were met with excuses. After lunch we are strolling to the car and he steers me to the store next door.

"Oh bother!", I think to myself as an eager beaver salesman practically trips over himself to get to us. I tell him we do not need help that I only want to look around. I had no idea so many versions of one little item existed. When he started to follow me I turned and gave him "the look", you know, the one only a mother can give that says, "I meant what I just said!" He backed off a few steps, thank you very much, but he continued to talk, rattling off each attribute as I looked at each little modern marvel.

I almost choked over the prices. After he finished prattling from a respectful distance, I turned to him and quipped, "Does it cook dinner?" He looked a little puzzled, "Um, no." "Well it should for these prices." I am not kidding you people, I could buy a brand new top of the line range with stainless steel finish for what some of these little things cost!

I patiently explain that I don't want a phone with a little keyboard. I don't twitter, tweet, or text, I only talk. Even though I am extremely directionally challenged, I do not need a GPS because I would miss out on many fun adventures if I always knew where I was going or where I would end up. I don't need a built in camera because my other camera would be extremely jealous and might quit on me. I don't want it to play games because I prefer board games where there is interaction with other people, real live people, not just me, myself, and I. I don't want to be able to access the Internet, check emails, or blog because I need to exercise other parts of my body, not just my fingers. I explain to him that there is a real world out there to be experienced and explored and mine was not solely wrapped up in a little electronic device.

After my magnanimous speech, he directs me to the basic phone area where I tell him what I do want in a phone. I need a phone that will allow me to talk, tell time, and take messages if I am not available, to be returned at my convenience, period. I want an easy to see keypad and to not need a degree from MIT to operate the thing. And, could you please make mine green?

Much to my delight I am now the proud owner of a sweet little green phone with an easy to use/see keypad. It displays large numbers when you dial. The day, date, and time are clearly visible. I can navigate around easily and it takes wonderful messages. I was told that it does come with some basic extras but he hastily assured me that I don't actually have to use them. And, it did not make a dent in my retirement fund to purchase it, although I am disappointed that it cannot cook dinner!

Now, I know you are thinking, "Miss Sandy, where are the pictures that always accompany your posts?" Well, I tell ya, we are having a little electronic rebellion here at the Quill. Just yesterday afternoon I go in to use my printer only to find it had joined my old cell phone in the great technology heap in the sky.

A trip to town netted a new one, I'll spare you the speech this time. Somehow, this new one is very sneaky. When we loaded, (we, meaning Handy Hubby), the software, it hid some of my stuff and I can't find it. When blogger brings up the box to upload photos, my photo page is gone! It is on my computer but not on my list of choices. I can't scan anything because it says some screen has to be changed but does not tell me what to change. I did get it to print though. That is progress don't you think?

I think I will go and give it "the look" and see if I can make it understand that I mean business! Do you think it will work?

Blessings,
Miss Sandy

P.S. I hope by the end of the day to have brought a smarter than me piece of equipment under submission, find my photos, and pretty up my posts!

Serendipity Sunday: Fill My Cup.....

Serendipity: Making a delightful or unexpected discovery

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
~Matthew 5:6~(image source)

This weeks discovery was not so much on the delightful side as it was on the unexpected. As I sat down to compose this post I had no words, no tidbit of encouragement, nothing that stood out in my week to share with you here. A melody floated through my mind and sadness struck my heart. I had nothing to hand you this week because my own cup is so depleted.

Like a prayer the melodious voice of CeCe Winans floated through my mind as she sang:

Fill my cup, Lord
I lift it up, Lord
come and quench this thirsting in my soul

Bread from Heaven
Feed me till I want no more

Fill my cup,
Fill it up,
And make me whole

So many things come into our lives and require us to hand out sips of ourselves here and there in such small amounts that it is very easy for our reserves to be depleted and we have nothing left to give. I can only give honesty this week. As I have poured myself out into people and projects I failed to take in the nourishment I needed to sustain me. The good news is that this simple plea has become my prayer and I expect this time next week my cup will indeed have been replenished and I will have something to share.

"Whatever your circumstances, you, too, can hold up your cup and it will be filled.

If your cup is polished and dry, hold it out for the Lord's plentiful pouring.

If your cup is full of the old and the unsatisfying, hold it up for the Lord's cleansing.

If your cup is cracked and broken, hold it up anyway, for the Lord's resources are plentiful and can keep even leaky cups replenished.

Come to Him as you are, cup in hand, and hold it up to receive His blessings.

And then you will say, as I have said over and over again in wonder and amazement, " Surely...my cup runneth over."

~Emilie Barnes, Fill My Cup, Lord...with the Peace of Your Presence~

Praying your cups will be full and that you will want for nothing.

Blessings,
Miss Sandy