Monday, August 30, 2010

Crayon Roll

After seeing pencil rolls, I thought it would be fairly easy to make a crayon roll.  While it was fairly easy, it was a little time-consuming because I went all-out and made one big enough for 24 crayons, all with matching colored fabric.  Heck, I have to use my scraps somehow!  Anyway, I've blogged a tutorial for thinkcrafts.com and will let you know when it comes up.  In the meantime, run to Office Depot for your 25 cent pack of Crayola Crayons. 


Thursday, August 26, 2010

Eat Pray Love

I've been thinking a lot about this movie since I saw it on Sunday.  At the risk of people hating me, I have to write down my thoughts.

Did I like it?

Mmmmm, I'm not sure.  To tell you the truth, I feel a little guilty that I only saw the movie, but never read the book.

After a failed marriage, disappointment with life, and another failed relationship, Elizabeth Gilbert goes on a quest to "find herself."  First, she goes to Italy and finds the joy in family and enjoying every moment of her life.  I loved this part!  Italy has been #1 on my list of places to travel for quite some time now, and I am even more convinced after seeing this movie.  Second, she goes to live in India and learns

"God dwells within me, as me."

This is the moment I cringed.  

If God dwells within me as me then I am in big trouble.  If everyone does what they feel is right (and whatever they feel IS right because they are gods), then peace among people really is impossible.    Unless there is a bigger, higher Power and unless there is a greater law, chaos rules.  If the only hope I find is within myself then what happens when I am disappointed with life?  Depressed?  This "discovery" that Elizabeth uncovered was untrue, depressing, and hopeless.

Third, she goes off to Bali to visit a medicine man that she had met on a previous trip.  She promises to teach him English if he teaches her all he knows.  He teaches her the importance of balance and how love fits into that balance.  La la la.  Happy good feeling.  "Smile from your liver."

After watching this movie, I was saddened.  I was saddened because there are people all around me, in cars, their homes, shopping at Trader Joes and Target, who are hopeless.  They are in the midst of vasts arrays of pain, from cancer to divorce or abuse to joblessness.  Like Elizabeth Gilbert, they may be, for the first time, crying out to an Unknown God for help and then searching in all the wrong places for something to fill that emptiness inside of them.  

And what does that mean for me?

Am I better than those around me because I have hope?  NO!!  I'm in their shoes.  By the grace of a loving, Almighty God I have been given hope through Jesus Christ who is the power of God for salvation for all who believe.  This God's law is love and it is something that gives hope and light and life.  By that law, I have freedom.  Freedom to live a life that pleases God by loving Him with all my heart, soul, and mind and loving my neighbor as myself. 

God dwells in me, giving me life through His Spirit.

 God also could write a book called Eat Pray Love.  The difference would be the definitions.  Jesus said, "I am the bread of life."  Praying is all about dependence on God, believing Him and His provision for our lives.  Love.  There is no greater law.  God is love.  Love for Him and love for those around us is what He modeled in Jesus Christ and what He calls us to do.  

So . . . all that to say that I'm ready to get off my behind and start showing people the love of God is the hope they can have in their lives.  For God's sake . . . people don't need to travel to India and Bali chasing their tales. 

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Pillowcase Challenge

My friend Summer lost her dad over a year ago to cancer and has invited her friends to be part of the Pillowcase Challenge, donating 1 million pillowcases to hospitals.  I want to invite you to be a part of this awesome effort.  Please read Summer's blog (click here.)  I decided I would like to do 2 things to help in this effort.



First, after reading Summer's story, read my tutorial on how to make a simple pillowcase HERE.  Then, make your own, sending one, two, or however many you want to make to Summer (her address is in her post above.) 

Second, if you are local to Eugene and want to make pillowcases with a bunch of other women, I'm going to set up a time in September for us to make pillowcases at Our Sewing Room, a wonderful place set up with sewing machines, sergers, and cutting tables.  The cost would be minimal for our use, you would bring your fabric, and I could help those of you who are less experienced sewers! 

Please email me or comment here to let me know how YOU are going to participate! 

Thanks & good luck on the pillowcase challenge!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Friend's Birthday

Saturday was Bee's friend "Soki's" birthday.  As per usual, her mom had beautiful decorations and fantastic food. Here are a few pics that captured the excitement of the day! 


Cute decor

 Soki's miniature cake her grandmother made.

Bee loves to eat!

Bee's friend "Brodi" in her adorable dress.

Soki's little brother "Aki" quite enjoyed the cake.

 Soki modeling the apron I made for her.

Bee modeling Soki's new princess hat!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Blueberry Coffee Cake



While this morning is absolutely gorgeous, the past few days in Oregon, I've woken up to overcast skies.  It has seemed cold and fall-ish, which has given me cravings for comfort food. I really wanted to make a coffee cake, and since it's berry season, what's better than blueberry coffee cake?  I tried a recipe on allrecipes.com, which was quite good, except I made a few adjustments, including lowering the sugar (you could probably use 1/2- 2/3 cup and be fine), using butter instead of shortening, and adding a little cinnamon & sugar on top with the coconut.   

It's not really good for you, but it could be worse.  :)  Try it!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  •   3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
  • cinnamon and sugar mixture

Directions

  1. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.
  2. In a small bowl, combine eggs and milk; stir into crumb mixture just until moistened. Add blueberries. Pour the batter into two greased 9-in. round baking pans. Sprinkle with coconut, cinnamon & sugar.
  3. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Magnet Board: tutorial

 
So I got this plain ol' magnet board from the craft store, all inspired to make a cute one for my sewing room.  I love the way mine turned out, so I thought I would share this super simple craft with you.

You'll need:
Ribbon & Magnetic Board (I bought my board with ribbon already attached)
Small magnets
Bottle caps (use your own or buy them at the craft store)
Scrap booking paper
Hot Glue Gun
Mod Podge

1.  Heat up your hot glue gun!
2. Measure your board and cut out the paper accordingly, keeping in mind the way you want it to go on your board.  

3.  Glue pieces onto the board.

4.  Since your glue gun is hot, save time later and glue the magnet on the back of your caps.  Let the glue dry.

5.  Take your bottle caps and trace a circle on to the paper you want to use inside the caps.  Cut out the paper.
 6.  Use a brush to Mod Podge under your circles of paper and push it down into the cap.  Let dry.

7.  Mod Podge over the top of the paper in the cap.  Let dry.

Now, hang up your magnetic board and take a picture, post it on your blog & leave a comment here with a link! 

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Decorating the Pillow

I finally got around to decorating a burlap pillow. 
More info to come on thinkcrafts.com. 
I'll let you know when! 

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Burlap Pillows

If you want to try something a little different, make some burlap pillows to add some dimension and texture to a room.  Check out my post on thinkcrafts.com

Monday, August 2, 2010

I Made A Tutu!

I made a tutu and didn't sew a stitch.  After learning to do it, though, I would sew just a few stitches to secure the waist, but overall, it was super fun to make.  I'm not going to give away any secrets yet, but look for "how to" info soon on thinkcrafts.com.  In addition, I'll be selling these in my shop soon.  For now, enjoy the pic of my super cute Bugs modeling in this photo: