Greetings! ...from Kimberly Shaw

Teacup Shelf

Here at Kimberly Shaw Graphics, every guest is offered a cup of tea. Art Studio teacup shelf of previous models, future models, inspirations and personal favorites.

Save

Greetings at the Front Door

As a designer I'm always thinking about what I can create. I had a very nice door plaque by the front door welcoming visitors, but wanted something that picked up the nuance of my 1919 Craftsman home, something reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts Movement.  "Greetings" seemed appropriate for a greeting card designer.

The text in the upper left is a beautiful picture of Jesus' nature of meeting and greeting people.  In response the people run to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. See Matthew 28:9

Partridge Ornaments

This year I started a new tradition. Based on the song and the story of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" I made Partridge ornaments for my kids made from vintage hankies I've collected. The Partridge in a Pear Tree represents Christ. For the next 11 years, I'll create ornaments from the rest of the songs charactors. So you're thinking, wow, that's a long time to plan. But why not, how often do we repeat other traditions? And how often are those traditions repeated for a lot longer? So I say, go for it!

The sticks were found while on a walk with my neighbor. As the wind picked up the sticks were blown from the trees. So, you may be thinking, who can cut up a charming vintage hanky. I admit, it was hard cutting the first one, but I think the outcome is better than leaving the hankie folded on a shelf. Besides, who doesn't love their kids more than an old hankie?

Eden Roses

"Eden" Roses from my garden, a climbing rose with large, old fashioned cupped blooms.

"God planted for her a garden, and gave to her gentle care, all of the lovely flowers, that He had planted there." -Author unknown.

Tea Towels

Who doesn't love a new tea towel to make cleanup a bit more fun? I enjoy making my own tea towels with a double layer of soft flour sack fabric and a ruffle of cute fabric accented with rick rack or vintage trim.

 

Take me out to the ball game!

My son's high school team in action! & what a game it was! With moms and dads jumping up and down in the stands high-fiving each other, and doing the wave (well, just two of us moms anyway) as we watched our sons round the bases. The momentum picked up when my son (only his second time up to bat this season) hit a slammer out to the fence on the college size field. They scored so many runs, my son was back up to bat the same inning as the alumni players yelled, "Pick a fence, Brad!!! Pick a fence!!"

Fabrics in Full Bloom by Bari J

I know I don't even need to ask, but aren't these fabrics by designer Bari J gorgeous!?  Her line "Full Bloom" arrived at my house this week.  I was so excited I wanted to hug the UPS man, but he wasn't amused.

Bari graciously offered these as a Give Away on her blog and I was blessed to be a winner.  Her Teacup & Teapot design is the best I have ever seen.  The little bird, strawberry, and pretty blossoms are perfect details to inspire endless creativity.

Some of the became a valence in my studio, and the rest made into a quilt.

Need More Cents

It now cost 44 cents to send a letter, and with the increase comes a new challenge.  By placing the 1 cent stamps closer together horizontally, I was able to leave a narrow space through the center to add a name and address.  I'll send this one to my Pop, which is what I call my dad.  That way Pop will have a matching set with Mom's letter.  They moved out of the city to a very small town, where I'm sure there will be a fun discussion with the Postwoman.

Good Cents

For some reason we ended up with a lot of 1 cent stamps.  60 sheets, actually.  I didn't know this before, but the Post Office doesn't exchange unused stamps for stamps of a different value.  So I asked the Post Master if I could send a letter using all 1 cent stamps, and he said, "I guess so."  In the little rectangular space left over I wrote my mom's address. She said it arrived with each stamp hand stamped.  Now that the postage rates went up again, I needed to get creative when sending my Dad's letter.

Beeing Thankful

This little bee paused for a moment just before going into the center of this rose, as if to give "Thanks" to its Creator.

Once inside, it buzzed and wiggled in the pollen, like a small child's first jump into  multicolored balls at Chuck E. Cheese.  

Oh, to be able to say, "I work all day in the center of lovely fragrant blossoms."

She was a joy to watch, and I gave "Thanks" to our Creator that she came to visit my garden.