BIGGEST treasure Book

(I wanna share some blessing but I'll wait for later this week.) 

SO, I have an old book that is all torn up but I treasure it dearly.  That old torn book, really changed my life after high school.  It's my old, beat up, off the binding, first Bible and it has just been sitting on our shelf for years, so I wondered "What can I do with my book that speaks about my BIGGEST treasure?"  I began with one idea, and then it formed into something different. Either way I was just excited to experiment and make my Bible into something that I could have for a longer time!

My end product a flower brooch! 

Book Brooch

-Gather lots of pages and Cut circles (I did 4-5 different shapes)
-poke hole to each layer bundle (might have to subtract some sheets or add)
-Gather together (with largest on bottom) and insert "paper fastener"
-Use glue gun to randomly glue together pages, this helps make it more sturdy
-Also use gun to glue "finding" to backside
-Cut out several pages to makes leaves
-Fold pages horizontally (in a tri fold)
-Draw a leaf and cut
-Once you've attained desired leaf length, glue near back pages but enough to hide leaf origin
-To add a little more character, accent leaves, I outlined the leaves with a black marker

Smile {This Moment}

when our home is invaded with black birds!  Well, not like birds from Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds," but cute paper birds on a wire.

Halloween makes our family giggle.

Happy Friday Y'all!!!

Dainty Giveaway

Before Story was born I was pleasantly surprised with a fun giveaway from my kind friend Camille.  Her banner giveaway was simple, cute, and dainty.  We will display it proudly.  Thanks again Camille!

Love the fun fabric!

In Honor...

of our little pigeon friends.  Lately we've been pleasantly surprised by two pigeons visiting our balcony.  It's interesting, especially here in our LA multi-floor apartment!  My son Rock has been collecting sticks since he could walk.  Some of the sticks were pretty impressive and made me think of a bird mobil or some kind of birdie ornament for our home.  The birdies were made of felt, hand sewn, and attached to sting, the rest is pretty self explanatory.  I probably should use invisible fisherman string but haven't gotten around to.

Come back birdie friends so we can hear your pigeon sounds that we all like :)

Quilted Bib

It's no secret that there's been much fuss and love of anything quilted.  Maybe it's the year of the quilt :)  Anyways, with that mind, I made Story a quilted bib (if she decides to come out).  I hope to make another for my Story, in hope that these little gifts awaiting her will encourage contractions!

Story, please come out from your olympic size pool.

Bunting

Bunting makes things look prettier.  I made this little one for my daughter's room a few months back, and it really adds to the character of the room.  It's easy to do, and not to mention a cheap decor.  Simply cutting triangles (or any shape you'd like), sewing inside out (then reverse once sides are sewed), and then sewing some binding (I used quilt binding, can be found at any craft/sew store)...then whallah!  A cute banner :)

Have a great Good Friday and Easter Sunday!  In case you ever wondered why Jesus Christ dying is important to some, or just want to be more informed in your knowledge of others and religion, here is a short explanation.

Story Corner

As we wait for Story (that will be her name) I've been organizing, decorating, cleaning her little corner.  I'm so excited for her to come out and meet all of us.  I decided to make it more refreshing for her and me, I know she'll be tired, and shocked from her long journey, but I'm sure she'll come around to loving planet Earth :)  I'm not done with her corner yet but I wanted to share in case I didn't get around doing the other stuff because of labor (yikes!).  I also want to share the darling baby shower that was thrown for Story this past Saturday...So cute and lovely!

I made a cover for the pack n' play we used for the other two kiddos, and it makes it look more elegant, I like it, hopefully she does too!

The canopy I got from this site, and it worked perfect!  IKEA curtains + embroidery hoop--easy and cheap.

***Make sure skirt is secure and NOT to be used when child is old enough to use pack n' play with mesh at bottom. This is secure and going to used for a newborn.

Book Packaging

So many people, including myself, love pretty packaging.  As a gift to a friend, I choose to use book pages.  I made a project for the new baby (which I intend to share), using the same book pages, so it wasn't a big deal ripping out pages.   I don't remember if I saw this somewhere but I wouldn't be surprised.  So, in case you run out of wrapping paper, try that book sitting there that no one is gonna read  :)

Marriage Is Funny

Marriage is funny.  

I found my little Key very quiet on my bed, playing with lotion.  I've known she loves playing with lotion, but upon closer inspection this time, she was literally trying to shower in it!  Although she did smell very nice :)  As I was crafting away she was quietly playing.  When I finished my elephant project I was not satisfied with it, and actually disappointed of how it came out.  Perhaps I didn't plan well for it, but whether I did or not, it came out icky.  I wanted to make Key a cute elephant. We got inspired after visiting the zoo several times.  

Anyways, the reason I said marriage is funny is because usually we all have this view of marriage, the happily ever after kind, and sometimes in marriage if we're honest, it's not happily ever after all the time.  Sometimes there's arguments, disappointments, sadness, etc.  So upon "closer inspection" we see marriage is a progressive, life-long, kinda work.  We can plan all we want BUT the reality is, marriage takes many shapes and colors.  Love goes up and down, many people say when they get divorced "I don't love you anymore", but if you base your marriage on love, love is a roller coaster!  I love my marriage.  I love my husband very much, but we both have feelings of not wanting to the love the other because of an argument, or a disagreement, but what keeps us together is our commitment be together "til death due us part" we both know we mess up and we will continue to, but if we can forgive, humbly rebuke each other, communicate, desire good for one another, spend quality time together, up in each others business, and love God together and individually, we can grow in dealing with problems/trials.  I love my hubby, he truly is a blessing, and I know we'll hit bumps in the road (because we have) but I want THIS still and by God's grace I will continue to, if we walk near Christ.

Keys

Anticipating our future move, and finally being able to decorate how I envision somethings, I began working on a little project for my daughter, Key's room, hence the skeleton fabric keys.  This was just an experiment. Anyhoo, I like them. 

Since I really want to move, God has been teaching me to be patient and not be so antsy.  I feel like I'm in the "nesting mode" and I want to fix stuff, but to be honest I don't want to go through all the trouble of decorating IF we'll be moving soon.  I guess it was my fault to begin with since I never wanted to stay here too long, and never wanted to decorate our place.  I should have, it would have felt more homey to me.  It's okay now,  it's a learning process.  I will still plan, create, and dream of things I'd like done, but for now patience is what God is teaching me :)

Rainy Day Schedule

Rainy day schedule calls for...

the family taking a morning walk, to be happily greeted by rain, in which mommy stands in the middle of it, and beckons for the fam to join and enjoy!

a trip to the library...in our pj's :)

some prep for crafting...

Rock building a monumental home out of anything he can find.

Rain is just grand.  According to my mother, I was born when it was raining, that's why I think I was born for it ; )

Gift Wrapping

Wrapping gifts is fun, but it takes time. This year I'm SO excited for my family to open their gifts from us , and see what little surprises await them. I think I'm way more excited for them, then they'll actually be, but that's okay--it's the thought that counts, right? :) I'd love to share all of my handcrafted gifts but I don't want to spoil some surprises.

a tote bag...
small messenger bag...

a small backpack...

a tote bag...

an apron, one of my favorites.

Merry-Early-Christmas! Tomorrow's my birthday too, YAY! Hahaha, sorry I shouldn't be cheering for my own birthday :)

Christmas Time Favorites

Christmas is coming around the corner and I have not set up ALL that I want to, but soon enough, I'll be up and running. Hopefully you are or you will too! A string of cheerios brings a smile to my face. Which kid can't remember making these? :) Super fun! Rock was helping out, but at times was having a bit trouble with the small cheerio holes. Have a great week preparing!

Christmas Time Is Here!

Christmas time really does make people feel gitty, I sure am! We've been decorating and getting some crafting done this year.

The kids loved decorating the tree, and frankly, so did I.
This year, I made stockings for all of us, including the little girlie in my tummy. The front side is made of potato sack material, and the other of various fabric that distinguishes itself from the others. Can't wait to start stuffing our stockings!

"Hello Joleen"

I finally had the time, and the encouragement (congrats again!) to set these cuties up in the shop. We'll see how it goes...but God is still good and he is always in control.

(visit here to see the adorable doily clock giveaway)