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

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 :)

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 :)

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!

Don't Forget Your Fruits and Vegetables

I initially cut the apple shape out and left my idea stranded. I actually got back to it, and made a little cute apple. It was suppose to be a brooch but decided to make a hair piece.

Just a friendly reminder to eat your five a day! We need to fight the nasty viruses and bacteria going around. My son is sick, and other church families. Let's keep fighting these sicknesses with prayer and love :)

Maps

I have this fascination, and love for maps and globes--new maps, old maps, foreign maps, local maps, big maps, small maps, etc. I've tried looking for a really big old map (or new, depending how it looks) for a good price, but have not yet stumbled upon that big treasure. I did buy a big map but have not framed it, or figured out how I would, since it's a good size.

I thought I'd decorate Rock's room with various maps (and globes). He does like looking at them. We also thought it would be good for him (and the family) to know the various people around the world. With that said, I started collecting maps a year ago, and I finished framing five of them. I still need a couple more, but I'll see when I can get to that. I like the way they turned out, and amazingly it cost me nothing!  The maps I got for free at AAA (we're members, but not sure if anyone else can walk in and ask), and the frames were old baby wooden frames that Rock outgrew.  I simply cut the map according to the wood block frame, and then pasted it on.  I also want to make a map banner out of the maps (I'll be sure to post latter).

I made some of places we visited, lived, and where we live now. In June, hopefully we can set one up for Seattle! How exciting.

"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)

Pea-pod Family

On Saturday we wanted to enjoy the kids while they enjoyed a nice carousel ride. After a bit of planning, we had an announcement tell the kids.

It all started one day, when...

daddy met mommy. They loved each other so.

Then daddy married mommy, and took her into his pea-pod.

Soon after, a cute little pea named Rock, joined in on the fun, and oh, how much we loved him!

Two years later, a wonderful, dainty little girl pea, named Key, came into our lives, and stole our hearts.

And now, we have a NEW baby pea who has entered the pea-pod! Say hello, to the new sweet pea baby.

It was a great day in the pea-pod family :) I wonder if we'll have a boy or a girl??!!!

On a side note: Second time I missed Unique LA, at least, this time I went, but I was too late :( Maybe next time, hopefully it can be a two day thingy like the other, so I don't have to go on a Sunday. But I shall rejoice :)

Freshness Around the Neck

I was finally able to take some pictures of my necklace freshness! My niece was kind enough to model for me several things (including the tutu).

I'd like to make another one with a much longer suede chain, and mix things up a bit. I guess you can call this, my "prototype."

I'd like to sell them on my etsy, hopefully, but we'll see...

Old Bird

Upon bird watching, I encountered one of favorite birds! His name is "Old Bird"...
I tip toed to his bird hole...and what did I see? Old Bird relaxing, and waiting for me.As I came near, I was excited to see my friend, but should I disturb since he looks so content...
Anywhoo, I did, and oh what a treat! He invited me in...
But we realized there wasn't room for the kin.

It was fun making this little bird hole/nest for a special little girl, hope you enjoy it True!

In A Rut

Lately I don't wanna do anything that's art & crafty...I was working on a new brooch but ran out of supplies, and just got stuck. Hopefully I can get some juices flowing. I got ideas in my head but just feel blah about doing it. Do you ever feel that way?

Sit Down and Relax

When I ventured into pillows, I got addicted and made three back-to-back. They were so fun to make, and really did a number on our sofa. Super easy to make, and it cost way cheaper then buying from your favorite retailer.
I tried a Martha Stewart technique. It didn't turn out so well, I think because of the thin fabric I used for the white one. Better luck next time.

I got these fabrics from JoAnn's in their custom order section, they were display fabrics, they kind you have to order, but this JoAnn was going out of business so they were selling their fabric squares samples (I think I paid less .99 for each, but these were expensive fabrics). The squares measured approximately 20x20 inches, but worked well for making sofa, or even bedroom pillows. I tried purchasing at another JoAnn's, but she said they don't allow :( Perhaps if there's a going out of business JoAnn's near you, you can purchase their samples and make cute pillows!