Useful Books (for putting things in)

My sister recently named her favorite thing in all the world as skies. When we're together, situating ourselves in a beautiful spot where we can watch the sun set, hopefully with a refreshing beverage in hand, is a Big Deal. She often notes that she doesn't get skies in Texas like we get here in Georgia. Sitting on my deck at dusk recently, I decided to take special note of the skies overhead. Here's what I saw:

• many chimney swifts, chattering loudly, darting after one another, ravenously gobbling mosquitoes (I hope) at every breakneck turn;
• quite a few bats, equally hungry, less gregarious and just the tiniest bit creepy;
• several airliners (full of people going somewhere for as many reasons as there are people), climbing to altitude after leaving Atlanta, one catches the sun and shimmers brilliantly in the darkening gloom, contrail flowing behind;
• a handful of quietly emerging stars and planets, reminding me how small I am and yet how blessed to share with the angels in enjoying the beauty of the universe;
• one moon, the same one visible tonight in Dallas, Florida, England and Iraq, anywhere a person takes a moment to look up and observe.

I read some verses in the Bible that I think explain why the skies never cease to draw us and inspire us to awe and wonder:

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. Ps. 19:1-4.

They're telling us something that we all instinctively, whether we acknowledge it or not, want desperately to hear.

Posted by Useful Books at 1:08 PM | 4 comments Links to this post  

Thanks to the four friends who entered my first giveaway. Since I can't bear to leave anybody out, everybody will choose one! Don't you love when everybody wins? Thanks for playing.

Posted by Useful Books at 10:32 AM | 1 comments Links to this post  

I saw these pendants made from vintage poker chips and old dictionary illustrations on Etsy a while ago and really liked them. I had been reading about how important it is to diversify your shop and get things in that will appeal to all kinds of people and at all different price points. These were "bookish" and made from cool old stuff, so I figured it was a perfect fit. I've seen them in several places, so it wasn't stealing somebody's singular idea. Besides, I put my own spin on them, so I felt good about it. I had fun making them.

But when it comes down to it, I make books. That's what I'm passionate about. I don't make jewelry. I can do it, and I've sold some, but it doesn't really make me happy. So before I put these on clearance and make my shop all about books again, I figure I'll give a couple away. Next Monday, June 15, I'll draw two names, and the winners will choose a free pendant of their choice from my shop. Just comment on this post to enter. Click here to see the current choices. Of course, any of these could sell before Monday, but you'll have your choice of what's in the shop at the time. Be sure to leave your email address if you aren't logged in to an account that I can contact you through.

If you're a fan of handbound books, be sure to visit my other blog and check out some cool books from all over Etsy.

Posted by Useful Books at 5:37 PM | 4 comments Links to this post  
Labels: giveaway jewelry pendant dictionary vintage book

A young friend of mine passed away in her sleep a couple of weeks ago. There was no warning, she had no known health problems and had not been ill. Her husband went to wake her one morning, and she was gone, leaving him and three young children to face a new world without her.

Everyone that experiences this kind of sudden, unexpected loss is faced with a stark reminder of his own mortality. There are no guarantees. Eternity awaits each of us. I don't fear death because I am reconciled to the One who waits there through the blood of His only Son, Jesus Christ. My friend is with Him now, and I'll see her again, and my sister, and my mother. But here on earth until then, I'm reminded to live in a way that will matter at the end, to leave an eternal legacy in the lives of the people around me. God, help me to remember.

I made this book with many tears to serve as a book of remembrance for guests to write in at her memorial. I hope the family will treasure the memories of friends who gathered to honor her.

While I was making this book, I received an email from a customer who had purchased a journal from my shop. She is going to use it as a guest book at her wedding for people to write their best wishes and advice. What a striking juxtaposition of the place that books can have in our lives.

Posted by Useful Books at 5:16 PM | 1 comments Links to this post  

I very much enjoyed participating recently in a journal swap hosted by the Yahoo group Christian Paper Artists. The challenge was to recycle a cereal box into a journal. I could tell by the enthusiastic chatter amongst the group that people were also making a point to include other recycled elements in their entries.

I went small, using a couple of colorful individual size boxes. I really enjoyed using some fabric into these! (Gotta get a sewing machine.)
I zig-zagged around all the edges so the lining material wouldn't fray too much, and stitched in candy wrappers from Easter candy. I even used some bigger plastic candy bags for a couple of pages. I like the "hairy" effect created by leaving the ends of the threads long. Can't have too much texture!

These were so much fun to do! I'm hoping they make the recipients smile as much as I did while making them.

Posted by Useful Books at 2:09 PM | 3 comments Links to this post  

I realized a few weeks ago that it's been super hard, actually impossible up to this moment, for me to post on my blog because it would push my dear sister out of the top spot. She would so slap me for that! She'd roll her eyes and tell me to GET OVER IT and move on! So here I go.

It's been six months, and I must say she's still uppermost in my thoughts many times during the day. But with the new life of spring, the wrenching sadness is being replaced by so many happy memories. Travel, laughter, cutting up. THAT's my sister. She didn't have time to dwell on sad things. Her favorite phrase when tempted to be gloomy was, "Life's too short." So I'm going to move on here in cyberspace, anyway. Here's a poem she wrote about Springtime in the Smokies:

The juxtaposition of rock and tree
of green and granite sure pleases me.

Add to that the beautiful sight
of a delicate dogwood in reborn white
peeking out from winter's grey leftover
confirming the promise soon spring will take over.

Though summer's oppression's not far away
for now the forest wakes up more each day.
And I will enjoy the green shady patches
as flora re-leafs and fauna hatches.

Posted by Useful Books at 7:59 PM | 2 comments Links to this post  

February 29, 1948 - October 6, 2008

Intrepid indomitable cantankerous straightforward untamed hilarious independent generous frank brave unpretentious loyal tenacious adventurous fearless gracious inquisitive impudent irreverent nonconformist stubborn childlike eccentric solitary creative confident-in-God tenderhearted anglophile dog-lover particular leader motivated efficient organized opinionated detailed accepting industrious optimistic self-reliant impetuous encouraging rocker quick-to-laugh flamboyant loving beautiful

SISTER DAUGHTER FRIEND

Posted by Useful Books at 6:27 PM | 4 comments Links to this post