Good morning everyone; WOYWW goes all spooky I'm sure this Wednesday but grab the nearest broomstick to head on over to
Stamping Ground to see what's bubbling in the workplace cauldrons of the world
Now I don't celebrate Halloween at all though you will see some bits pop up but mainly for DT projects etc. A little while ago you will have seen the beginnings of a canvas with skulls etc; well I thought I'd share it with you today as I've finished what I wanted to do with it. So here it is on my desk (Which I photographed in the afternoon while I had some light!)
Yes, I've turned it into a book front piece. There's not much else on my desk as I've been packing stuff up as I'm at The Craft Barn for a few days so needed to get everything sorted. But, back to the book. Here it is a bit closer.
A Scripture that has been very special and dear to my heart since my army days(So a LOOOOOONNG time ago!) is Ezekiel 37: 3-10 where the prophet is speaking about dry bones being brought to life by the Word and Spirit of God. I had that in my mind when I started the canvas and once it was finished I made a book and covered the front with scrunched tissue and painted with paint dabbers and gold mica sprays. The scripture has been then written out onto the cover, around the canvas. The cover and canvas have some copper tape around too.
I know it looks a bit macabre to some but for me, rather than being that it is more my book of life; it reminds me of the dry bones of my past and how God has brought life to them by His Grace and Mercy and I look forward to using this journal to record some of the special verses that encourage and inspire me.
The other thing on my desk are these two tins just waiting to be altered but you'll have to wait and see what they become; that's another day's surprise!
Hope you all have a blessed and creative week.
31 comments:
what a perfect project and post for this time of year! we don't celebrate halloween either but you've managed to come up with a great project to show us. i love your reflection of the dry bones of your past!
At first i thought...ohhhh soo spooky and macabre...but then I read your post and it really touched me...I now think your box is just perfect for you!!! May you enjoy writing your thoughts and quotes in that journal.
Happy WOYWW. We do not celebrate Halloween anymore - used to when the kids were still visiting us (they are grown up and at university now!) and I would throw a big party complete with pumpkins, fancy dress etc. I love all the images, so do make a few items for swaps etc - but do wish that we exchanged cards in this country. Your skeleton is truly amazing. Ali x #55
Love your use of the Ezekiel Scripture. Bones are mentioned quite alot in the Bible aren't they? I have finally got round to scrapping my photos of the Craft Barn's Extravaganza last June and it is on my desk NOW duly linked of course. BJ#35
Amazing book Neil. The colouring around the skeletons is brilliant in it's detail. Looks very realistic. I'm not into Halloween either but I do love the macabre. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with using the Altoid tins. Pxx
It is really effective as a book cover, love the colours. Have a good day, Love Fracnesca #74
Great project, Neil. Hope your time at the Craft Barn goes well - I know everyone will have fun! Helen, 4
Hi there Neil how refreshing not to be greeted by Halloween in all its images here.. I actually did a post a Halloween and trick and treating the other day..as to whose trick it is..
- and must admit when first saw the skeleton a few weeks back did think it was bit unusual...
... not sure what I said but thought it none the less!
I love the way you have related it to Ezekiel 37.. always think it is a great passage in lots of sad ones each time when I read the all the Bible through - and yes, the passages in Ezekiel and Jeremiah can be bit hard going.
But how wodnerful to think of it n light of salvation as it is a picture of God's work in us by faith in Him - and the nation of Israel in prophesy ultimately too..
Thank you for sharing it so well and also I love the way you put the verse around the frame like that.
A brilliant idea!!
Oh, and thanks so much for popping over and happy WOYWW Shaz in oz.x #37
Wonderful analogy and a fabulous piece of art. Your desk is amazingly neat and tidy this week yet I know you've been creating prolifically.
Have fun at the craft barn. I'll be in touch re the angel swap.
Jo x
That superb journal would look right at home on Time Team now!! LOVE what you have done with it and that it has become so meaningful for you. Happy WOYWW, hugs Buttons #85
what a fab cover for your book
have a fab woyww
kay #75
Hi Neil, I don't do Halloween either but my granddaughter does - she's very much into the theatricality of it all. Your book cover will impress her, I'm certain. I can see a lot of time must have gone into the making of it, especially when writing the scripture by hand. I'm already imagining what you are going to do with those tins :) Happy WOYWW, Elizabeth #76
I'm sat reading my WOYWW blogs on my sick bed this week but have my mask on so you don't catch anything. I'm enjoying reading what everyone is up to this week [it's better than reading magazines :-) ]. I'm leaving a copied comment so you know I've called by because my hands are too weak and shaky to keep typing out my comments this week.
Big hugs,
A x #93
Looking forward to seeing the tins Neel.
I went to see War Horse at the theatre recently, it was very moving. Your book made me think of it again.
Enjoy yourself this week.
Lynn-One I Made Earlier Today-79
Perfect book for today! Look forward to seeing what you do with your tins, I treasure one Frankie (DragonsDream TIO) sent me, it's gorgeous. Elizabeth x
greatneness
Super book cover. Love how you incorporated the bible verse. The skeletons a bit scary. LOL
Karen 107
What a great use for your canvas, we love it. Can't wait to see the altered tins too.
The bears @#104 this week we think.
A brilliant piece of work and a great place to store those verses and pieces of inspiration.
Oooooh! At first I thought ugh! SPOOKEEE but then read what you had done and thought F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!! Now what are you going to do with those other things on your desk I wonder! Chris 126
Yes, my first thought was creepy, until I read your post. It's a very effective cover for your book of life.
Karin 127
I think that's a perfect box for you Neil and that will be a very personal and inspirations journal for you too.
But for some reason when I looked at your piece, before I read your text, I was reminded of some of the images conjured up when we studied the poetry of Wilfred Owen at school many years ago. Strange how those mental connections work in our brain!
Hugs
Brenda 1
PS. Love The Lakes too, we were married in Wythburn Church on the banks of Thirlmere, directly underneath Hellvellyn.
Love the book canvas! Saw the no glue book that you taught in a class on another blog! Great idea! Thanks for sharing and commenting by my blog! Have a great week! Vickie #37
Don't agree with Halloween at all - especially parents that allow their children to go round begging at people's doors. If I have to get up to the door once more this evening.....
Anyway, that's an interesting piece of arwork - very topical colours, lovely idea to make it into a journal for your inspirational verses
Have a good week
Caz
#137
Hi Neil, My dera friend and sister ib the Lord, Shaz in Oz, sent me this link. I did see your post on the CB blog but I too obviously don't do Halloween for the reasons I also have made clear on my wee blog. I go into the origins and present day sacred festival of it. Now I see what you have done with your skeletons I am humbled and thrilled! GREAT JOB! Bravo! Thank you for piercing the darkness of Halloween with the Word of Truth! I'm gonna have to follow your antics now methinks!
Okay I can spell! My fingers are just feeling wonky! It is dear friend and in the Lord....sigh! Got any chocolate?
Love what you have done with the skeletons Neil, an amazing book cover. Perfect for the scripture and your inspirational verses.
Happy WOYWW.
hugs {brenda} xox #143
Perfect for today! I love the scripture, It was such a wonderful way to get the message out....You have set my mind thinking of another way to look at this day...Beautiful, beautiful work. I am so happy I visited your blog today, it just made my day!
I'm so glad that my initial impression that it was all about Halloween was misplaced, Neil, and that your book depicted the Ezek. 37 passage - somehow I didn't think you'd really be into Halloween any more than I am!! Seeing your book was a timely reminder that it's sometimes good to look back on the dry bones of one's pre-believing life, and give thanks for everything God has done in our lives. The book cover has a suitably grungey feel to it, coming from you lol! Love it.
Thanks for your visit. My desk looks busy, but I'm afraid I haven't been - apart from the knitting and sorting my photos!
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi
wow, it looks awesome and I love the way you wrote the scripture around it! Truly stunning work! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)
Ah, I thought the canvas was a whole bit bigger, nice to see the scale and to read what it was that inspired you, isn't it amazing how a single piece mod scripture, verse or quote can affect you throughout your life. Remarkable.
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