Serendipitous Friday

In art, as in life, serendipity often plays a part...

On a prowl through local thrift shops last Friday, I came across a chunky picture frame. It had no glass, but was the colour of fresh cream, and was beautifully and intricately carved. At the price of two dollars, I considered it a bargain. In the next shop I visited, only a small bag of sphagnum moss caught my eye. As it was just ninety-nine cents, I decided to buy it, though I had no plan in mind to use it.

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I’ve developed a passion for chubby brown birds, so upon finding this lovely girl in a third store, I was quick to pay the dollar she cost, and nestled her into my carry bag with the frame and the moss. The beginnings of an idea began to form in my head…

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Since it seemed a meager day for treasure hunting, I headed home, stopping by a little nursery on the way just to have a peek.
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As I went by the counters, my eye caught sight of this adorable baby. Instantly, I knew I had a project! At four ninety-eight the tiny bird was more than my other three purchases of the day combined, but worth every penny.
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Once home, I gathered up coordinating paper to cover the edges and insides of the frame. A seedpod picked up from under my neighbour’s Japanese maple tree, and my standby matte medium were all I needed after that.

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In no time at all, this shadowbox came together. To finish it off, I wrote ‘fly’ in scrabble tiles over my little family, demonstrating the compelling mix of pride and sadness we all feel when it’s time for our own little ones to leave the nest!
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My nine dollars spent gave me a fun project to make, and brings a smile to my face each time I pass it.

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It is also a good reminder that not only do children have to fly; we momma birds must also spread our wings and soar as high as our imagination can possibly take us…
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