The Gifts

In this complex season
we disregard the reason
to honor why we unify.
Again, I sigh.

Shoppers tramp in bunches.
Granite sidewalk crunches
under cloudy sky.

Swipe that plastic card
to buy without regard.
From shop to shop we scurry,
then leave in frenzied hurry
to beat the crowd.

A knitted shawl for granny,
tart apples for the nanny.
(or was it pears?)
We push and shove to snag
that toy for little Mag.
(Somebody swears…
so very loud.)

Once long ago in a stable,
baby sleeping, starry gable,
there was no rush to purchase gifts,
no frantic dash nor angry rifts;
just shepherds and three men who were
offering gold, frankincense and myrrh.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE!

New Etsy Shop

I've opened my second Etsy shop titled ArtisticButler.  I have moved the cake stands from RecycleRoom to ArtisticButler.  Not many on there yet, but I'll be adding more soon and will include candle holders, soap dishes, jewelry dishes and other miscellaneous items.  If you're interested go to the shop and watch for additions.  I'll be offering promotional discounts when I get more inventory listed.
www.etsy.com/shop/ArtisticButler

Autumn Rains

autumn rains
fall's foray

skies so low 

misty gray

leaves drip gems

hues transpire

brilliant flames

autumn fire

raindrops kiss

cayenne red

dijon gold

gingerbread.

endless mist

window panes

washed with fresh

autumn rains

              Laura Crumm  2013

The One I Wish I Hadn't Made

I had a ceramic piece that looked like the perfect one for a garden person.  Love making those.  Well, this one didn't turn out to look as cute as I expected it to before I started.  In fact, it's downright ugly!  One more reject to go in one of my flower gardens or on my porch....or wherever.

...and I could have been spending my time making beautiful glass flowers or bird baths.  Oh, well!

Autumn in the Air

Autumn has been slow getting here in the Pacific Northwest this year.  Usually the leaves have totally turned autumn colors by mid September.  This year they're just beginning to turn.

I love this time of year. I like the bright spring and summer colors, but autumn has a special charm.  The gold, red and orange among the green fir and cedar is awesome.  Here are a few photos that I've taken in previous years.  I hope you enjoy them.

 

New template, etc.

I'm in the process of redoing my blog:  New template and a lot more.  Just need time and a sharp mind to figure it out and decide what I want.  In the meantime here's this boring template.  I had to give up and contend with housework, etc. before I got very far with the revamp.  If any of you have any good ideas or tips to make the transition easy I would appreciate it. 

More Bird Baths

I'm still recuperating from knee surgery, but find the energy once in awhile to work on my garden art.  Last week I finished two bird baths.  As you can see in the photo one has a solar light in the bowl.  One of our local nurseries purchased six items about a month ago and the manager has asked me to bring in more.  I'm so glad I've found a place for them.  They're so large and heavy that I've been reluctant to list them in my etsy shop.
 



Working on these decorative, but useful, items is so therapeutic.

I can spend hours looking at my stash to see what would look best together.

The Songbird

The precious wife of our pastor went to Heaven on June 21st.  She had one of the most beautiful singing voices I have ever heard.  She was our music director for many years, even after she had to go on oxygen 24/7.  To see her and hear her melodic voice every Sunday when she had so little air in her lungs was strictly a God thing.  Her memorial service was attended by more people who knew and loved her than any other such service I have ever attended.  My husband asked me to write a poem in memory of her.  He read it to the congregation at the Sunday, June 23 worship service. 

The beat of the heart went quickly still,

but silence of the voice was not God’s will.

The songbird is singing in the heavenly choir.

Though her weary body too early grew old,

the silver voice flows along streets of gold,

her new body draped in heavenly attire.

Praises are offered at Jesus’ feet,

swirling and rising, never to retreat.

The songbird is singing in the heavenly choir,

her new body draped in heavenly attire.

 copyright 6/13  Laura Crumm

I've been treasured

One of my glass garden flowers has been featured in an etsy treasury. Thank you, Beth.

'Golden Times' by bethglass

Fine Art Photography - color... libertadleal $30	Dichroic Sparkle Bead Lampwo... glasslight $36	Vintage 60s 70s Watercolor F... CkshopperVinta... $25	Handmade lampwork glass foca... dancingstarbea... $16
Water in the Desert Handmade... ninaeagle $20.99	Alive Glass - Ivory Notos B... aliveglass $200	Mother and Child necklace Gu... RainforestNeck... $14.5	Hollow Stoneware Tribal Bead... Clayworksnh $15.95
Garden art, glass flower, pl... RecycleRoom $30	Landscape Painting: Red Hori... JuliaDickensAr... $200	Lampwork Beads Art Glass Han... HeatherBehrend... $13.99	Felted wool egg or ball G Kl... astashtoys $12
Swarovski Chili Pepper Coppe... NataliaKh $23.77	Turkish Blackgoats Cicim Kil... Istanbulcolors $320	Golden Dichro Butterfly: Le... PrincessPeggy $22.5	espresso cup duo, black gold... LightaFire $24

Sponsored by send bulk email from excel.

New Garden Art

I've been busy trying to get enough garden art made to list on etsy as well as some larger items to sell, hopefully, to local nurseries.  There are times when I wish I could be cured of this addiction when I have to tiptoe through the glassware on my studio floor.  When most people see vases, candle holders, plates and dishes I see glass flowers, bird baths, totems and solar lights.  

I've been wanting to open another etsy shop for paper crafts...photos, wall decor, note cards, etc., but I can't find the time.  Maybe this fall I can slack off on the garden art a little and concentrate on the paper crafts.  

Here's some garden items that I finished this week.

Vintage amber glass solar light

Bird Bath

Solar light

Sweet Garden Lady

Slagit Valley Tulip Fields

It's been a month since I posted here.  Not from lack of interest, but mostly because I wasn't able to access my blog.  It was a simple problem with a simple solution.  Thanks, Ernie, for the solution.  

I live near the Skagit Valley in western Washington state.  This is where tulips are grown and shipped all over the world, even HOLLAND!!  Can you believe that??  Each year the area holds a tulip festival that lasts all through April.  The acres of tulips fields blooming in various colors is a sight to behold.  Over the last 15 or 20 years they have grown into a worldwide attraction.  According to an article in our local newspaper there were 50 states represented by visitors and 81 other countries this year.  Feast your eyes on a few photos I took.

Jigsaw Puzzle Picture

My husband received a jigsaw puzzle as a gift.  He spent quite some time last winter putting it together.  It was so beautiful when it was finished that we decided to frame it.  We hadn't framed a jigsaw picture before so I searched the web to get instructions.

First we had to get all the pieces stuck together.  I used Mod Podge for this step.  I poured it on in strips across the finished puzzle.  Then I used an old card, similar to a credit card to spread it evenly over the puzzle.  Any excess was scraped off.  I put a second coat on after the first one was dry. 

Next he went to the lumber yard and purchased lumber to make the frame.  After he had it built he brought in stain samples to get my opinion on the best one to use.  When he showed me the one you see in the finished product I told him THAT WAS THE ONE!  I thought it was perfect

I purchased a foam core to to fit the frame.  He slipped the puzzle onto the foam core and attached the frame.  It's now hanging on our living room wall.  This project was so rewarding.  If you have a jigsaw enthusiast in your family, give it a try.  It would make a great gift.

Garden Art

I've really been lax in posting here lately.  Still fighting fatigue from 'the bug'.  So many things to do and so little energy.  My energy level is about minus 10.

Today I did get some of my garden art pieces to a nursery that was interested in purchasing them. I took 3 bird baths and 2 garden totems.  They purchased them all.  If they sell I'll be taking more to them.  I just need to get more made.  I want to make some solar lights and garden ladies. Here are a couple of the bird baths.  I'm searching for photos of the other one and the two totems.  I thought I had taken photos of all my garden art, but maybe a missed a few. 

  

Eyes On the Son - poem

When dark clouds gather

keep your eyes on the Son.

Miracles of healing

have only begun.

Fight the hard battle

until it is won.

Place faith in the Father,

keep your eyes on the Son.

                                  Laura Crumm 2011

Bad Bug

There's a bad respiratory bug going around in my area!  It caught up with both my husband and me.  I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.  It doesn't last a week or so like the common cold.  What I'm hearing from other people who have had it is 2 weeks - 2 months to fully recover.  That's certainly a big chunk out of my life! 

Supposedly spring is here.  I haven't felt anything like spring in the air so far.  We've had a cold, wet February and March here in the Pacific Northwest.  I know I shouldn't complain when I see what other areas in the country have been through, but I sure am tired of rain!

To all of you out there....stay well and stay dry....except you who are in the drought areas.  I wish for a few good downpours in your neck of the woods.  

Garden Lady

About a year ago I sold one of my garden ladies on etsy.  The purchaser had gotten it for a gift for a friend.  When she received it in the mail she hated to part with it.  In a short time we developed a bond.  I told her I would make her one at no charge if she would pay the postage.  Well, with all the stuff going on in my life I was a little slow in getting it made, but it's finally finished and ready to mail.  It's the first one I have made for awhile and I have become excited about creating more again. 

Here she is. 

I'll Walk the Line

This is my latest Etsy treasury.  I love searching for just the right items to feature.  The Etsy artists are so talented.  Enjoy the show.

'Walk the Line' by RecycleRoom

I can hear this song in my head.

Because you're ... CharmingLyrics $18	Because You're ... tidingssupply $35	JOHNNY CASH I Walk ... ItsOurEarth $24	Because you're ... reimaginationp... $10
I Walk The Line TamlarDesigns $30	Walk The Line Upcyc... lulumagoo $8	Johnny cash walk th... CharmingLyrics $18	Walk the Line-Custo... TheLandlockedD... $16.99
Porcelain creamer -... wapa $45	Walk the Line Dog S... RevelZoo $30	Walk the Line 8x10 JulianaMPhotog... $27	WALK THE LINE- Bott... Leightopia $185
I Walk The Line ashleybarlow $13	Card - Love - Luxur... KylieFogartyFi... $5.5	shoes clothesline p... boopsiedaisy $22	Smart Mouth Series:... FrenchBoundary $30

Treasury tool supported by the dog house