Archives for February 2011

I heart valentines day. The simplicity of celebrating the ones I love and the season of love warm my heart. The Bible has so much to say about love: “Above all virtues put on love” “If  I have not love them I am a clanging symbol” “but the greatest of these is love”. 1 Corinthians 13;1,13

This year I wanted to do some family activities to demonstrate how to intentionally show love to one another. This topic has made some great meal time discussion! It also stepped on my toes as I evaluated whether my boys observe me showing intentional, unconditional love to their father. Which do they hear more often in my voice- love, frustration- nagging? not an easy question to ponder. One way we are going to increase our demonstration of love is by composing notes for the Lewis Love Mail Center which we constructed together this week. Since the boys aren’t avid writers yet I purchased lots of stamps: letters, phrases and symbols.

Dislaimer: This is not really a step by step tutorial or DIY- as I am not highly skilled in that area- Secret- I don’t follow recipes.  However I do hope it brings inspiration and a wealth of ideas into your mind!

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1. I bought tons of fun valentine makings at the dollar sections of Target and Michaels. The boys had a ball using these heart punchers to cut hearts out of fun paper.

2. I tried the large white newsprint paper for the heart bags but it was too flimsy. so I used what is becoming one of my favorite crafting items: Paper bags from the grocery store!

3. The mister and I cut out the bags, stapled them and loaded the table with glue, crazy scissors, stickers,a bowl full of heart punch- outs and stamps.

4. Look at the cute little fingers just-a-creating. They really enjoyed this. They were so engaged.

Next we hung them up on our newly made artwork display. I had an empty spot on the wall and I simply got a large yardstick from Lowes, (.59 cents) painted it, painted wooden clothespins and hot glued them and then attached to the wall. This has been a great place to display art and school work.

The boys loved stamping and delivering notes at the Lewis Land Mail Center.

I know all of this might sound cheesey but it has been crazy rainy and cold down here in south Georgia and this project saved a few crazy afternoons. I am still in awe of the mood changes that occur when we decide to do an art or craft project. I mentioned that in my last blog post: hand-made -Hope.

and so I close with a few pics of those I love the most crafting their heart out. Oh Wait- is that my HubbyLove cutting out hearts?  I do believe I heard him say these things ” Hey, where is the Bee- Mine Stamp ?”,  ” Wasn’t there a bird stamp?”  ” Oh stamps are so fun”.

Yes, even the songwriting-recording genius of the house enjoyed a little crafting.  P.S. if you do anything like this in your home please do share, I enjoy seeing others ideas. Happy Monday!

I stopped by my sisters house yesterday, I could tell she was a little sad and I later learned that the day had brought a bit of disapointment.  Within five minutes of my arrival, she and I were throwing out new ideas left and right,  she showed me all of her new creations. We talked about visions and goals, some really neat insights about what the Holy Spirit was doing in and through his people by way of creativity.

Then I noticed something was happening. The mood and general sadness was lifting and excitement was abounding. Creating is good for the soul. The one thing to remember is that perfection is a key to keeping you locked up. Let it go. I have some creations I would never let anyone see-they are that bad! But I guarantee it was therapeutic for me when I was creating it.

Here are some things my sis has been making.  A logo and website are on their way for Honey B. designs.

1. hand- stamped, hand sewn, burlap sack pillow. I love the verse and I really want to keep this for my porch!

2. Mr. and Mrs. Pillow- she made this for a wedding gift.

3. hand- made earring display. I got one of these for Christmas and it is very useful- plus it looks nice on the wall.

4. a cute little burlap hand purse with a precious yellow flowered birdie on the corner.

She made these cute tags and tied them with jute string and dried oranges. They were adorable!

Here are a few things I made for Christmas gifts…

glitter starlit head wrap on satin ribbon. You can’t see the glimmers but they are there.

We hand sculpted and baked these doves, making them into pens. They went to teachers and some grandmothers and mothers.  The dove was so special and meaningful this year.

Last year, I was planning to make some burlap wreaths, I was inspired by this post from tater tots and Jello in January 2010.  Life happened and this project didn’t until November 2010.

The Prestons- The Sis and Bro-in-law: I asked them what theme they would like for the front door, they said the world since they feel called to missions. So this is what we came up,  lil sis specifically asked for the burlap to be messy.

The Tuckers-The bro and sis-in-law: My bro stated that the New York skyline best described them and would be great for their front door. I laughed and said ” I don’t think we can do that”. The hubby overheard me and said ” sure, we can”. so we did. My brother and sister in law were engaged in New York and it is a very special place to them. They are only 2-3 hour from the windy city-  making romantic day trips possible… how nice.

If you are reading this and think I can’t create things, let  me ask you if you are capable of following a recipe? If you answered yes,  I challenge you to search the web for do it yourself projects. Go buy the materials and follow the tutorial. You will proud that you made something and it will give you confidence to make more! Happy Friday…..