Blog Button Freebie and Scripture Project

Well I made a shabby blog button for you, or you may like to use the image in your digital scrapbooking or artwork.  Yours to use as you'd like.   I love the sepia and distressed look of this little gem.   A good reminder for us that no matter what happens we can always have Faith, Hope and Love.

It is based on this scripture:

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  I Corinthians 13:13

As you may know I Corinthians 13 is known as the Love chapter.  Which makes it the perfect scripture to use at weddings.  I'll share with you a project I make often to give as a wedding gift using this scripture.   I typed the scripture in "Word" using a fancy font and placed the bride and groom's first names along with their wedding date in the middle of the scripture.   I used my wedding date and name as an example below.

 The colors and method I use for completing this project depends on the bride and groom's taste.  If you use photo editing software, you could digitally add a background before you print it out, or print it on paper that already has a design (would need to be light).  The last one I made, which is pictured below, I printed on vellum with brown ink, had a bright pink scrapbook paper under the vellum, matted it and framed it.  I usually do a 5x7 picture with an 8x10 frame. 

The silver frame included the mat and my choice of monogram letter.  I often find my frames and mats at "The Christmas Tree Shop".  They are inexpensive and usually have a selection of distressed frames which I like.  It's probably my most favorite place to shop, although thankfully (for my husband) it's quite a distance from my home and I don't get there that often.

Hope this idea inspires you.  

Vintage Heart Freebie

I'm under the weather today so have been playing on my computer.  I made this heart to share from a vintage quilt in my textile collection.  The quilt pattern is postage stamp.  Tiny little squares are sewn together by hand.  I love the combination of fabrics in this.  I scanned the quilt and used the tools in my computer software to make the heart.  If you love to play with digital graphics like I do, don't forget your scanner.  I scan fabric, textiles, flowers, feathers, whatever I think of.  Just be sure to not scratch the glass on your scanner.  This image is yours to use and enjoy as you'd like.   Click on the heart for a larger size image.

Vintage Rose Postcard

Here's another freebie for you.  A vintage postcard from my collection picturing a large pink rose.  This one is fun as it has To and From boxes on the top.  Yours to enjoy as you like. 

It is Well with my Soul

I played the piano today for a memorial Service at our church.   One of the hymns we sang was It is Well with my Soul.  This hymn was written in 1874 by a man named Horatio Spafford following the loss of his four children at sea.  His wife was spared and sent him a cable which read "saved alone".

Despite this tremendous heartache, Mr. Spafford knew that whatever his lot, God had taught him to say, it was well with his soul.  I think Mr. Spafford would be quite pleased to know that people are still being blessed and encouraged from the words he wrote over 130 years ago.  

I made the image above with some vintage graphics from my personal collection.  I'm sharing it with you to use as you'd like.  I just ask that you don't alter it.   You can click on it for a larger image.

If you don't know the lyrics of this old hymn, take a look below, the words are quite powerful.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought—
My sin—not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
“Even so”—it is well with my soul.

Sew Sew Sew

I learned to sew when I was in Jr. High School from my Home Ec. teacher.  I can still hear her voice "don't drop the presser foot", "no speeding", "only use dual duty thread", "you're going to have to take the seam out".  She would walk around the room behind us while the hum of the old sewing machines sounded.  Each year we would make a garment of our choice and have a fashion show in the spring with our new outfits.  We proudly walked out modeling what we had made while a classmate would give a little commentary on the details.  "Here comes Abby in her new corduroy jumper......."   Well  I'm not making corduroy jumpers anymore, but those days in Jr. High paved the way to a lifelong love of sewing.   My mother and sisters all sew as well.  

Here is a small wallet I made using a vintage quilt square.  I lined it with muslin, sewed a vintage button on the outside, and made a velcro closure on the inside.  I top-stitched the outside using an embroidery stitch on my machine.  Tip.  Sew your velcro in place before stiching up the sides or sewing on the button.

This bag was made for a dear friend of mine who loves the color purple.  I made it from a vintage bedspread.  It's lined on the inside with a cotton floral print.  There is a pocket inside the bag and it is reinforced with iron on interfacing to allow it to stand.  The corners are boxed and there is a slight taper from the top to the bottom of the bag.  I also made a cardboard insert for the bottom of the bag and covered it with matching fabric of the outside of the bag.

When I make the bottom of my bags, I cut the cardboard (I use matboard) to the appropriate size, and make a pillowcase type covering for it by sewing up three sides and turn.  Leave one of the short ends open.  Tuck the raw edges inside and zig zag the outside edge to finish.  These bottoms make a nice finishing touch to bags, and is shows you care about the person you're making it for.

Vintage Postcard Image ~ Freebie

Here's a vintage postcard from my collection, with a scripture verse.  A reminder that we could all use from time to time.  Yours free to use in your artwork or digital creations.   Click on image for larger size.  Enjoy!!

Welcome

Greetings ~ Welcome to my first ever blog post.  I've been enjoying all the wonderful blogs that others share, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  Why "Little Birdie Blessings" you might ask.  Well, I've always loved little birds, they are delicate, innocent, graceful and so sweet to watch and listen to.  The blessings part comes in because I want to encourage others to focus on their blessings.  They are everywhere, sometimes we just need to look a little harder to find them. 

If you like to journal, or even if you dont, try keeping a blessings journal.  Each day look for something to write in it.  Something cute your kids or grandkids said, some solitude you didn't think you'd get that day, sun, waking up to birds chirping, someone else taking out the trash (AND replacing the bag), unconditional love, etc.  Whatever it is jot it down, look back over it from time to time and see that there really are blessings to be found.

Like the hymn says... Count Your Many Blessings

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

If your life is on screech, slow down long enough to see the blessings of the day.  They are there for you to enjoy.