Guest Muse Cathy Frailey- My Word Is My Bond

I would like to say how honored I am to be here, sharing this cross I made using Sandra's wonderful products. 

 A dear Christian friend of mine passed away in March - he was a Navy Seal during Vietnam and an American hero in my eyes. I wanted to make something for his wife and family that would convey his love of country with his Christian faith. I knew I had to use the Eagle Totem and the large heart from the Santo Domingo Sacred Heart Set. It was the perfect melding of the two messages I wished to convey. 

 The heart with the cross signifies Christ's suffering during his crucifixion, wearing a crown of thorns. I wanted it to also reflect the Purple Heart - the oldest military award given to US service members. 

 I used Finnabair's Electric Violet and Aged Brass waxes to reflect the colors of the Purple Heart Award. I used a stippling brush but didn't get it in every book and cranny. I also went over the gold parts lightly with my finger dipped in Liquitex Liquid Acrylic Ink in Gold Metallic. 

The eagle is our nation's emblem and, thus, also a symbol used by the military. It is prominent on a Navy Seal Trident Pin. It's also mentioned 34 times in the Bible, one the most well-known verses being: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). 

 I used Finnabair Charcoal Black Matte Wax for the feathers. I again used the Liquitex Liquid Acrylic Ink in Gold Metallic and Black for the eyes and beak. It's colored on both sides.

The sentiment - My Word is My Bond - is part of the Navy Seal Creed. It also reflects God's promises in the Bible. His Word is His bond with us. 

The cross itself is a good size and made of wood: 5.5" x 9.5". I covered it in Finnabair Paper Texture Paste and went around the edges with Gold Rub 'n Buff. I draped a piece of cream-colored Sari silk ribbon around it.

On the back, I put his name and other personal info which I won't show. Navy Seals don't want to be known or found. They serve their country in stealth and don't do it for personal honor or recognition. Coming from a military family, I want to honor those traditions. 

 Again, I want to thank Sandra and David for this invitation to show my work and to thank them for their beautiful products which I love to work with! 

 Cathy Frailey 

 It's Oddly Appealing

Christmas Time Is Here, An Ornament Project by Kent Mullens

Christmas is one of my favorite times of years.  It is a time of being with family and friends.   There also seems to be a sense of hopefulness around this time of the year.

Christmas is important to me because of my faith.  When Sandra asked me to be a guest on the Muse I  had the perfect idea of what I  wanted to make.    I love to make and create ornaments to give to my family especially my wife and daughters.  I had seen a couple of new releases that I knew I wanted to utilize to make a Christmas ornament.  This Chiristmas ornament will not be given away. It will be something  that I will save for myself.  It will be a reminder to me about the true meaning of Christmas. 

I chose one of the Cathedral windows to use for my piece.   These windows remind me that the past always holds the keys to the future.  The windows can be a shining light illuminating the future by looking at the past.  I used water colors in shimmering platinum and and grey. On the roof I added a touch of green to help create a patina.  I then took granite pencil over all the raised areas so that the texture would be exposed.  I used swarovski crystals and pearls  to give the window a sense of opulence 

I also chose the crown from the Mini Santos collection.  The crown is a symbol of royalty and power. I colored it with watercolors in gold, yellow and pewter so to give it depth.  I then embleshied it with Swarovski chrystals and pearls.  

I then used a star stamp from Tim Holtz set Christmas Time 2 CMS 389.  I embossed it on Yupo paper with shimmering gold embossing powder.  I cut it to fit the window pane and adhered it with glue.  

I then took the smallest doll in the tribe series and wrapped it in Tim Holtz Mummy cloth and glued it so that it looked like swaddling cloth.  

I attached the crown to the bottom of the window upside down and then glued the baby to the bottom of the crown.  I then attached a gold ribbon to the back of the ornament so that it will hang from the tree.  

I love the symbolism of this piece.  As a follower of Christ I am constantly reminded that Jesus came to turn power upside down and is a reminder to us that love, hope, compassion are the way in which people will know who are true followers of Jesus Christ.  I hope you have the merriest of Christmas and a hope filled New Year.