enJOY Saturday . . .

Do NOT read enJOY Saturday posts unless you would like more joy in your life.

While surfing, and browsing, and going off on little cyber-rabbit trails this morning....I found a GEM,  I wasn't looking for it , but God  is good, and there it was. I found out that one of my favoritist people, Elizabeth Eliot,  has a daily devotional online. I am now sooo looking forward to a daily dose of godly wisdom from such a mature, beautiful, wise, woman!

So the first devotional I read today seemed to be about boredom. Oh. a bit dissapointed, but only at first. I mean after all, I can be accused of alotta' things...but being bored is not one of them! I read a list of artist's blessings once and on top of the list was that an artist is NEVER bored! Too true! 

But, as I read on, I realized that she was also speaking of joy and contentment, and the lack thereof. Now, the lack of those two virtues is actually on the list of things of which I can be accused!

And not by coincidence, but by my sweet Father's design, Elisabeth was repeating to me some thoughts I had....just this morning.  BEFORE I sat down w/ my coffee and computer, before the surfing, and rabbit trailing, before I came across Elisabeth's website and devotional, as I was drying my hair, I was thinking about my default attitude towards trials. My response to health, financial, workplace, relationship TRIALS  is all too often off, way off center, that center being the fixed mark, Christ. I want to get by the trial, passed it, around it, avoid it, whatever, so that I can get back to "normal".  But,  my "normal" should... and CAN be a heart stayed on Jesus; my "normal" CAN be a life focused on ushering in the kingdom of God;  my "normal" CAN be waking up and saying "Good Morning dear Father", rising, and walking with him every moment until  I lie down and say "Good Night  dear Father."

So, yes, coming across Eisabeth's website, sweet!...finding out she has a daily devotional,  awesome! Having my own thoughts reinforced a few moments later by no coincidence, amazing (Thank you, Father!). Remembering I CAN have joy, true joy in the midst of trials, priceless. Please dear Father, keep my heart stayed on Christ today.

Renew Thursday. . . recylced art

In much of my art I use recycled materials. I love love love taking old every day objects and renewing them as art pieces! I made these butter and cream pieces recently from old bingo cards, my clay doll heads,  and other old, vintage papers and such. Each piece is brushed in beeswax. I am also in a butter and cream phase- I find working in simply various shades of white calming, and yes renewing.  Feel free to  comment and share a link to recylced, renewed art that you have found or created!

crEate wEdnEsday....

My daughter, Grace had some fun yesterday with  the cAmeRA and PiCAsa 3 and vInTAge pRopS (found in and about the house and art room) and with her little sister LiLY (the model, i.e. the ham).  Love my girly's!!!

ps...don't forget to check out this weeks previous posts, simplify Monday and enrich Tuesday! Thanks for stopping by!

Enrich Tuesday ~ Tasha Tudor

beloved author and illustrator

I first"met" sweet Tasha Tudor  in the pages of Victoria magazine back in the 90's as a young mom of 3 little ones. . . what a treasure I had found. I check every book out by her and about her at the Library; I searched high and low for as many of her books at used book sales (young mom w/ tiny budget). I fell in love with her lifestyle, illustrations and sweet quiet spirit. Just recently found a like-new copy (still shoppin' on the cheap)  of The Lord's prayer, so beAuTIfuL. Maybe just one flaw had sweet Tasha. I remember reading about how she dyed all her own wool. And to this young mom and germ-phoebe's chagrin. . .I read that in order to make one of the colors she collected, umm...eeeewe...pee. Well. ok, anyways, that small factoid withstanding...please,oh please . . . if you have young ones, please find at least one of her books to read with them. I promise, you will be blessed! 

visit today... Tasha Tudor and Family

Simplify Monday... Raw Recipes.....

Simplify Monday....

 Let's stop cooking EVERYTHING TO DEATH!

More energy, better health, and a healthier family...SIMPLE SOLUTION- MORE RAW FOODS!!

    100% raw diet is um, well a little scary, and sad...I mean, how can I ever give up my favorite recipe in the world- Grammy June's Fried Chicken (will share on a future  Enjoy Saturday!!)  BUT...the most energy I have ever had was when I tried the raw diet! Fell off the wagon though :(  Going to give it another go! So let's not go whole hog...you can't eat that raw either. Lets try like  50% raw 50% cooked, or 1 meal a day, or 1 day a week! Simple start! 

There are a lot of wonderful and SIMPLE raw food recipes out there. Packed with enzymes and vitamins, and pure goodness!! My all time favorite...RAW marinara sauce, you will never go back to the jar! Small note...I am not an exact recipe follower chicky...so most of my raw recipes tend to lack...measurements...Sorry, I will work on that. But you're probably pretty web savvy...so if you are an exact recipe follower chicky, I am sure you'll google raw marinara recipes, and find one or two complete with those pesky measurements ;). And while you are googling, find a recipe for raw walnut meatballs to go with the sauce! YUM!!!!

 Now for the SIMPLE RAW MARINARA SAUCE

 BLEND

1.fresh tomatoes (oh pleeeeease try and find organic!!)

2.dried tomatoes (in olive oil or add a li'l bit o' olive oil)...and yes some dried tomatoes are super           important! they add depth and richness you would miss from cooked sauce!

3.italian seasoning or garlic cloves and basil leaves 

4.sea salt to taste .....

dump it all into the food processor or blender and push the go button. 

WARM 

on the stove up to somewhere between 105 and 120 degrees (depends on who ya listen to) and it is still considered raw.

SERVE OVER....

1. organic pasta (good) or

2.organic whole grain, spelt pasta , spouted pasta (betTER) or

3. raw zucchini pasta (BEST!!)
   using a spiralizer is best..do ya have one of those tucked away somewhere??  If not, you CAN cut zucchini by hand into noodles, toss in a bit of olive oil and sea salt...and there ya go!! You are in for a pleasant surprise...looks and tastes like PASTA.

there ya go...simple and yum! See ya tomorrow....ENRICH TUESDAY !

Take a Word...numbers

Take a word challenge for this week...numbers..what an easy challenge when one ya love to create on a bingo card canvas...anything goes! This little piece is now part of my butter and cream collection on etsy, come visit my shop to see more butter and cream pieces with my little baldy babies!

I was at a yard sale....ha, so many of my art   that way...anywho, like I was sayin'...I was at a yard sale and found this box...big ole' box of vintage sturdy- chipboard-like  bingo cards and got them for a song and a ...I believe a dollar because, after all...it was getting late in the mornin' they probably figured get rid of 'em or we'll have to haul 'em back in and store 'em in the garage.

  Well, 'tis the season for giving...so I want to give ya some bingo cards!!

To the first 10 of ya to become new followers of my blog...

I will send 2 free bingo cards in the mail :)!!

  If you are on facebook, like my sundappled nest page 

and I will throw in an extra bingo card! 

Favorite my sundappled nest etsy store and...

you guessed it, I will add another card!

You can email me your address, and I will get them to ya in time for holiday creating! C'mon, it'll be fun! Whatcha got to loose?

I am at 40 followers to start...help me reach the big 5-0!!

And PS...if you didn't make the 10..please follow my blog, like my fb page, and favorite my store anyway!!! I plan to make giveaways a regular fun practice, along with altered art tips...and more fun stuff...for my followers, likers and favoriters...so you won't miss out!!!

Merry Creative Christmas Everybody!!

SPA Christmas Fairy

just one more artistic endeavor before I go off to dream land.... Sunday Postcard Art's challenge "Christmas Fairy". Fairies are a tried and true altered art favorite :) cannot wait to see all the other creations...you can look too... click here to be inspired and enchanted by many Christmas Fairies! Also may be adding this tiny work  to my butter and cream collection on my etsy page...loving the winter whites! Merry Creative Christmas my sweet art friends!

Butter and Cream Art

Hmmm,  sooooo many shades of white, so little time! I think maybe my favorite color this season is white. I have a new little section of my etsy store...butter and cream...please come visit! sweet, soft, rich, warm and yummy shades of white, butter and creams for the winter.

Please post any comments and links to your own art in your favorite shade/s of white!

My pieces pictured feature my new little baldy baby heads and are available in my etsy shop! And more butter and cream art to follow!

Shades of white
Anti-flash white	Antique white	Beige	Blond	Cornsilk	Cosmic latte	Cream	Eggshell	Floral white	Ghost white
Honeydew	Isabelline	Ivory	Lavender blush	Lemon chiffon	Linen	Magnolia	Mint cream	Munsell	Navajo white
Old lace	Papaya whip	Pearl	Seashell	Snow	Splashed white	Vanilla	White	White smoke

uPCyCLed CHriStMAs!!!!!

candy coated Christmas altered art handmade  upcycled bottles....say that 3 times fast!!For Christmas this year I announced to my fam that I wanted to have a hadmade Christmas this year...my knit-a-holic daughter thought it was a wonderful idea!! In fact, she started knitting away.... The other kiddo's, not so much. Maybe not too concerned w/ what to give as they were what they would or wouldn't get...biggest hang up- electronics- you cannot knit an ipod, you cannot carve a ps3 out of pine. sooo, we shall cOmProMIse!! Mom and dad buy gifts for kiddos, and kid to kid= handmade.

Do me a fun favor and leave a comment with your favorite upcycles and or handmade gift idea!

ps..my Christmas altered bottle now in my etsy shop!!

Have yourself a merry handmade upcycled Christmas!

Candle, Christmas, and a baldy baby ;)

a favorite challenge...Sunday postcard art (this week-candles), a favorite Christmas song, and my new favorite things to create...baldy babies...stay tuned for more!

me...published...yay!!

Here it is.... my very own little corner of a Somerset Studio Magazine... Page 46 of Somerset Studio Gallery Winter 2012! I have loved Somerset Studio publications for years, I save issues and look at them over and over! One day last April I recieved an email form Jennifer Jackson, one of the editors. She had visited my sundappled etsy shop and asked me to submit 2 pieces for publication....and here they are page 46! Giddy as a school girl am I...about my little corner...page 46!!

oh..and PS! I have similar pieces to these listed in my sundappled etsy shop, and much more...please come visit!!
oh...and PPS! Please visit...and like if you would like ;) my sun dappled nest page on facebook!

Sunday Postcard Art Challenge:Poppies and Remembrance Day

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Click Here Sunday Postcard Art to see more poppy & remembrance day pieces!

Swirls

Came across a wonderful challenge Crazy Amigo Challenge creating a piece of altered art with swirls. Well, how exciting for me...I am in the process of completing an entire altered book "Count it all Joy" ( taken from the book of James) and each page is decorated with..can you guess...swirls! Here is the page I have chosen to show for the challenge...and this post can double as a sneak peak of the book! Click on the crazy amigo link to see other artists swirly works!

Little Bo Peep, and her sheep...shabby chic ;)

Have not been able to do any altered art challenges for some time, so happy to get back to it! Here is my entry for two challenges, a vintage collage/ memories, shabby chic postcard for Three Muses challenge (vintage collage/memories) And SPA (shabby chic postcard). My version of childhood tale, Little Bo Peep. Have always loved the shabby chic style, pretty, pinks, but delightfully imperfect :). Please take a moment to view all the entries on these blogs,all the creativity and unique takes are wonderfully inspiring!!

kids+art+ home+autumn= happy me

back to art, etsy, and blogging after a not so brief hiatus....happy me :). listed 4 new pieces today in my etsy store...please stop by etSy sUnDappLed nEst. enjoying a Saturday at home with just my littles (Darby and Lily), love days like these. Thank you Lord.

All Joy

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4

Joy in trials, bright beautiful colors w/ braided, tattered ribbon, soft fabric, vintage flowers on an old worn child's book cover. Life is imperfect and beautiful. True joy is joy that can be found in the worn and tattered times of life. it is joy that overflows form a heart and life that trust in God's goodness It is joy that comes with the wisdom and patience of age.

Do you see the cross in the middle? I wanted it is symbolizes the source, the middle of true joy, true peace and comfort!

4 1/4 in, x 6 1/2 in child's book cover, hung by a handmade "gypsy ribbon braid"
to purchase this piece and to see more of my "porch art style" little pieces, please visit my etsy shop. Thank you.

if my art were a person...

My porch art...If art were a person, maybe my art would be a sweet, wise old lady sitting peacefully on her front porch swing with a brightly colored, gently tattered quilt on her lap, on a soft rainy morning.

listed 2 little pieces today on etsy....please come and see.

clean art porch= yay :)!!!!

May 1st ?! Where did that month go?! Anywho, I happily created in my clean art studio (so, guess what I did all day yesterday....came home from my am run and spent almost the entire day cleaning my art porch!). Well worth it though! Tee hee, have to laugh because if a non media/ non altered art buff entered my porch they would not quite see the clean ;)

So today, 3 art challenges:
Theme Thursday: Vintage (woohoo!!)
Love vintage babies, this one a tiny bit steam punky...
Sunday Postcard Art theme:Weddings (went w/ the bride)
used one of my handmade doll heads, brushed it w/ beeswax
and Every Inchie Monday: hearts (used one of my fave stamps- bleeding heart.)
stack of 1" squares of vintage paper, brushed w/ beeswax.

Click on any of those challenge links to see many other artist's creative takes on those same challenges!

Stop back soon! I feel a creative month of May coming on!!

pOrch aRt

I create my art on my enclosed front porch, it is my humble (truly HUMBLE) art studio. Our, um, shabby chic (emphasis on the shabby) Maine farm house rental came complete with a long, narrow closed in porch, with a wall of windows across the front (most of them still have the panes!) My favorite decor feature- A set of white Christmas lights I have across the ceiling...creating a warm, magical, vintage glow in the evening, and early morning too.

The more objects I collected on my antique market ventures, and the more art that I created with these finds, the more I noticed that my art was beginning to resemble my porch! The backdrop unashamedly old, weathered, gray, chipped, scratched, dented, faded...then here and there tiny random bursts of color, like the few yellow, pink and blue buttons in a jar of weathered grey and white ones...or my gypsy braids...ripped strips of bright vintage floral fabric, wrapped around a stack of antique grey and brown school books.

There is freedom in creating porch art. Stain spots, rips, tattered edges, all featured and loved for their age and beauty! random pencil jottings I have discovered inside antique book covers...thoughtful words ALMOST lost and forgotten, now featured as treasured writings adorned with bright flowers, birds, and butterflies.

There is lovely truth in porch art. Life is not precise (I hate measuring), perfect, or pristine. The grey and the colorful coexist in beautiful, honest, reality. The dark moments and the bright moments of our lives make us who we are. Porch art is a simple honest extension of the life I love- my life, my porch, grey and bright and beautiful.

spring quilt and art sampler

...found an old quilt..in the corner of a booth ..at an antique market...discounted 50%. Yes I bought it, and am now using it in my art. Lovely colors and fabrics! What a find- 1" x 1"...perfect for my new found love of making assemblage samplers as seen above and unique inchies. Never tried inchies before, check out my inchie w/ my handmade doll head a few posts down.


This piece pictured in this post is for the monthly Creative Paper Artists (CPA) blog, please check out the rest of the design team's take the spring color palette pictured. I love color challenges! It is always fun to go on a scavenger hunt through my art drawers, tins, bins, and boxes to find fabric, found objects, & paper ephemera that match the color challenge!

The best part is, that you can join the challenge too! So hop on over and check out the CPA blog and create some art with us!

I am now offering this piece on my etsy shop page sun dappled nest, please stop by to see this and other pieces from previous posts!