This is a little something I've recently completed. It's actually not little. It's approximately 16" x 20" watercolor and ink. I'm reasonably pleased with the outcome. Although if I could rework the temple spires I would. It's okay though. It'll do.
There is a bible verse that follows the perimeter of the inner circle. "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:20-21
It is a constant reminder to me of what is really important and on what and whom my life should be centered always.
Sooo, whenever I head down to the basement, to my little corner, by my sewing machine and other crafty stuff, I hear a little voice call after me, "Can I do a craff too? I want to do a craff..." I think Pumpkin just likes to do whatever I am doing.
I know this because when I go down in the basement to run on the treadmill, she will trail after me with her tennis shoes on and ask me if she can run first. When I'm doing the dishes, she will pull a chair up to the sink and ask if she can do them too. (I know THAT won't last long.) She is my little buddy. Where ever I go she goes. Whatever I do she does. It makes me smile...
This is the "craff" we did the other day. Pretty easy stuff. You know those fleece blankets you make by tying together two big pieces of fleece? Well, we just cut two hearts from an old pink fleece blanket of hers. Then I made cuts all around the edge of the hearts.
Pumpkin tied most of the strips in knots all along the edge leaving a small portion of them untied. We stuffed the pillow and then she tied the remaining strips. And there you have it! The easiest pillow you'll EVER make! No sewing required.
That is one of Pumpkin's all time favorite songs. Have you heard it? Personally, having grown up in the eighties, I actually did play with Strawberry Shortcake and her friends. I had some. They were great. Cute, fun, sweet smelling, adorable little dolls. I do not remember that song however. I do not think that song existed when I played with my dolls, and it's probably a good thing, as I would have driven my mother crazy singing it over and over and over and over again just as Pumpkin drives me crazy. (My mom thinks it's funny. It's amazing how much Grandmas can tolerate as opposed to Moms. She sings along with Pumpkin. Sooooo funny. Not.) Anyway, this post is not really about that song. It's about this little string bag that I got in my mailbox at work from a textbook company. It is bright red and has a company logo on it...and I was going to throw it away. I have many bags, much more functional ones at that, and certainly don't need any more. BUT, it's bright red. And perfect for this:
Her very own Strawberry Shortcake bag! I used some of my fat quarters to make a big strawberry applique. Easy peasy.
And very well received. She loves it. I'd say that's a win-win.
That, my friends, is a quote from one of the greatest heroines in literature. Of. All. Time. Actually the exact quote above is not from the book, by L.M. Montgomery, but rather is stated matter-of factly by Megan Follows, the actress who played Anne in the 1985 version of "Anne of Green Gables". (In the book she says something a little different but the sentiment is the same.) She is my absolute fav. By far. She was so wise.
As we look to another year on this great big ball we call Earth, I'm hoping we can LOOK FORWARD, in hope and love. I'm counting on humanity to have a little, well, humanity. Let's be better this year than we were last. Let's be more loving, more generous, more gracious, more forgiving, more tolerant, more humble, more compassionate. Let's find more pleasure in the simple things, find more humor in fumbles, find more light in the darkness. Let's ROCK 2013. I'm serious. Let's do it. Let's not hold anything back. I'm not even exactly sure what kinds of goals and resolutions I want to put down in pen, but I do know that I want more. And I want to give more. When I solidify my goals and resolutions maybe I'll record some of it here. We'll see. For now, here's something to help light the fire and get you started. Let's look forward together, with a perfect brightness of hope...
Just wanted to quickly post this...we will not be getting our cards out in time for Christmas but here's a peek. We love you all. So much. Our hearts are full this Christmas. We know we are blessed beyond measure and look for ways daily to share with others. Hold your loved ones near this Christmas. Count the many blessings in your life, not the least of which is His unconditional and boundless love for you. May it be merry and bright at your house all year long...
P.S. Just noticed this. We will definitely fit some time in over our Christmas break to share some love and some snowflakes. It seems like such a small thing, but I think it could have a big impact for good.
Well, school has been in session for a whole nine weeks now. I know this because not only am I a teacher (which is still the best. job. ever. thank you very much. other than motherhood of course, but that goes without saying) but because Sweet Pea is in school now. 4K. It's the big time. She's not full days yet but she's every day and she is into it in a big way. And I am glad. I hope she keeps that "I'm so happy to be going to school because learning is fun and I love my teacher" feeling for as long as possible. I work with too many kids who have decided to quit. At everything. Yes, I do work in a high school and some may say that high school students, teenagers specifically, are like that. But I think that's still way to young to give up on life and your future. Maybe I should take this picture to school with me. I could project it on the smartboard. Maybe they could take a lesson from my Sweet Pea. School is AWESOME. Learning something new is FANTASTIC. It's okay to LOVE books, and numbers, and letters, and playtime, and craft time, and gym, and friends, and teachers, and even homework! It's COOL to know things! YAY for school!
This is a little something I've recently completed. It's actually not little. It's approximately 16" x 20" watercolor and ink. I'm reasonably pleased with the outcome. Although if I could rework the temple spires I would. It's okay though. It'll do.
