Pink Paper Peppermints Sweet ♥ Crafty ♥ Goodness

cardboard castle

I am surrounded by boxes. 

 

This is what it looks like here right now:

cardboard overload

 

Here is what makes the agony of moving [for the third time in a year] worth it:

 

   
     house love.

 

Our sweet little 1950's ranchy-bungalow surrounded by ancient oak trees.

 

happiness.

 

 

 

Two posts in four days....can you tell I'm procrastinating?

 

I wish there was an instamove app.

 

Peace & Grace,

 

♥ Melissa~

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"You need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion." -Hebrews 10:36

if i could save time in a bottle...

Source: makincuteblogs.com via Madison on Pinterest

 

We found a house!

Source: penguin.com.au via Antje on Pinterest

 

 

So we are moving...again!

Source: nataliedee.com via Lillian on Pinterest

 

It's a super cute, 1950's ranch and I can't wait to show you!!

Source: etsy.com via May on Pinterest

 

 

And move furniture around endlessly and decorate...

Source: urbanbarn.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

And make cute moving announcements!!

Source: etsy.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

 

 

I am packing now...we close (Lord willing) in twelve days...happiness!

Source: google.com via Cathrin on Pinterest

 

I miss blogging, but there is just no time right now. :(

 

Hope you are all well!

 

Peace & Grace,

 

♥ Melissa~

PS New embroidery patterns are coming!!

PPS Anyone want to come help us move? :D

Source: unplggd.com via Lora on Pinterest

 

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"If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks." -Psalm 127:1

 

 

 

<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/109743118/' target='_blank'><img src='http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/109743118_M21pO6wG_c.jpg' border='0' width='400 height ='500'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://makincuteblogs.com/2011/07/just-what-i-needed-today/'>makincuteblogs.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/mthorpe2/' target='_blank'>Madison</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>

Free Embroidery Pattern Series-March "12 Things God Wants You to Remember"

The March pattern is here!

 

One of my favorite scriptures (which is silly, because they're *all* my favorite) is Romans 5:8,

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

The Message puts it this way:

"Christ arrives right on time...He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented Himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready.

And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway.

We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice.

But God put His love on the line for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to Him." -Romans 5:6-8

I think that was God's way of saying, "I believe in you". 

Not in the, "I think you're so great you can do anything" way, but in the, "I see value and worth in you, you were worth dying for when there was no indication that you would return that kind of love to me."  way.

So the next time you're feeling not that great about yourself...remember how valuable you are to God, the Creator of the Universe.  K? 

And then go work on your embroidery.  :)

And listen to this song...

 

The Stitches:

Split Stitch- I used the Split Stitch for the cloud, bird, kite and string as well as the lettering.  As before, I only used 2 strands of floss because some of the lines are so tiny. (a little french knot for the birdie eye and wing)

 

Scallop Stitch-  On the little scallops around the kite, I thought I actually made up this stitch based on the lazy daisy, but I found a tutorial on how to do it, so clearly, I did not make it up. heh-heh 

I couldn't find a video but here is the tutorial I found at Crafty Daisies.  She's great!

 

I used a Satin Stitch to fill in some of the letters and the heart.  You can find info on that stitch in the January Pattern Post

For the Kite Tails I just snipped little tiny rectangles of co-ordinating fabric.

Next I pinched them in the middle and took a couple of stitches through the fabric (where I pinched).

And finally, I attached them where the X's are on the pattern.

 

 

March Free Pattern Download

(it's a pdf so you'll need Adobe Reader installed.  Get it here for free)

 

 

If you're just joining in, here is the link to the overview page:

12 Things God Wants You To Remember

 

Lots more stuff coming soon.  Still playing catch up (and playing with my iPhone!).

Hope you are all doing well!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8

life is good

I only have a minute so some random bullet points:

- We sold our house!  Yippee! 

bye-bye little house

- We are in a rent house in our new town. Some "getting used to" to do, but I'll be ok.

- House hunting, car shopping, birthdays and graduations, senior prom, end of the school year and lots more has kept me away from the computer (we have a *wonderful* new homeschool group!).

 
Little-O's birthday cake.                  Teen-O's Senior (homeschool) Prom

- Embroidery patterns will be coming now that things are beginning to settle down.

Sneek peek at the somewhat tardy March pattern (could we call it fashionably late?)

 

- I got an iPhone!  It is amazing! 

 
  i {heart} my iPhone.

- If you have one, do you know about instagram?  This is my new love.  As soon as I can figure out how I will put the stream of my instagram photos in the sidebar. (I am @onehappysahm there, come find me!)

my new (temporary) patio.  hubby put up garden string lights for me *swoon*.

-Martha Stewart is wearing a tiger striped shirt, tied at the waist today.  I find this disturbing.

no.

- I am working on a new version of the blog....maybe up by the end of summer?

- I have missed you!

 

One more of week of busyness and then I will be back to posting regularly.

Thank you for all the sweet emails!

♥ Melissa~

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"Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!" -Psalm 51:12

My notebook, My quote book, My look-what-I-wrote-book - Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

I found this spiral notebook at Hallmark one year and have always loved it. (I heart the Cat in the Hat!) It gave me the idea to create a little mini book with a Seuss-ish theme.

I started by sketching out a template reminiscent of a certain cat's hat .

Then I just cut the template apart creating a paper-piecing pattern (tutorial & pattern below).

Next I glued everything together and attached it to a folded mini-book.

I think this would be really fun to use in a lapbook for homeschoolers, for journaling or a tag for scrapbookers or even a little book in which to collect favorite Dr. Seuss or other quotes. 

Since Dr. Seuss's birthday is this month, I thought I'd share this tutorial from my ezine a few years ago.

 

What you'll need to get started:

-Hat Pattern (download here- you'll need Adobe Reader - available for free here)
-Red & White construction paper or cardstock
-20 lb copy paper (if making a mini book)
-Black or gray chalk and cotton balls (optional-to add dimension)
-Adhesive
-Pencil
-Scissors

 

Step One

The first thing you’ll want to do is print the pattern and cut it out.

Fig.1

 

Step Two

The next step will be to trace the pattern on white cardstock in order to create a “base” for your design.

Fig. 2

Cut this out and leave it blank as in Fig 2. We’ll be cutting the pattern apart so we want to have backdrop to simplify putting it back together.

 

Step Three

Now we’ll cut apart the template to create six separate pieces (as shown in Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

 

Be sure to number each piece (as shown in Fig. 3a).

Fig. 3a

This makes it much easier to put the pieces back together, especially if you get interrupted while you’re working (but what are the chances of that happening, right? heh-heh).

 

Step Four

Now we’re ready to start creating our pattern pieces.

Using red & white cardstock trace three alternating pieces on white cardstock and three on red cardstock.

Fig 4

Flip the pieces over backwards to trace (Fig. 4) so that when you’refinished cutting them out, the pencil lines will be on the back, and you won’t have to erase!

Again, be sure to number the pieces so that you’re able to easily realign them.

When you’re finished cutting out all of the pieces you should have something similar to fig. 5 below.

 
Fig. 5

 

Step Five

Next cover the backs of your pieces with the adhesive of your choice and attach them to the base you created in step 2 (Fig 5a).

Fig 5a

 

Step Six

Make a Top-fold Card or Tag

To make a card, folded tag or journaling flap simply fold a piece of cardstock in half and lay your design on the paper with the fold at the top (Fig 6).

Fig. 6

Trace and cut out being sure not to cut the fold and attach your hat to the front.

Fig. 6a

Fig. 6b

Make a Mini-Book

To create a mini-book, fold several sheets of 20 lb copy paper in half (depending on how many pages you’d like your book to have) and trace your pattern on the side fold.(as in Fig. 7).

 
Fig. 7

Cut out your book and attach the hat design to the front. (as in Figs. 7a & 7b)

Fig. 7a

Fig. 7b

 

Step Seven

As a finishing touch you can add depth to your project by rubbing a cotton ball in a little black or gray chalk and running it lightly around the edges of your hat.

Fig. 8

You're finished!

 

Hope you have fun and make some of these this month!  (If you do let me know, I want to see!)

 

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~

PS  Thank you all so much for all your comments and emails about my slideshow woes. It was so encouraging and I could *feel* your prayers.  I was able to finish the slideshow that day with minimal tears and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Love you all!
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"So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it." -1 Thessalonians 5:11

pomp and circumstance wreak havoc

 

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."
~Elizabeth Stone

 

I am a wreck this week.

I'm working on a slideshow for Teen-O's high-school graduation in May.

Watching him go from infant to graduating senior in 3 minutes

over

and

over

and

O V E R

while I work on the slideshow is emotional torture to a mother's heart.

 

who thought this was a good idea?


can you guys please pray for me? 

In His Mercy and Grace,

♥ M~

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"For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for others...as you still do." -Hebrews 6:10

Free Embroidery Pattern Series-February "12 Things God Wants You to Remember"

 

   

 The February pattern is ready! And it's still February! Yay!

This one is a little love note from God.  I wanted it to look like He carved us a note in a tree of luuuve. :) 

 

(Although if He had I think His handwriting would be way better than mine, but that's ok)

I thought a fun addition to the monthly reminders would be a song to listen to while we're stitching! 

This month's song is by Kari Jobe and is all about her discovery that God is *for her*. 

If you haven't heard it before you should take a minute and listen.  There is something supernatural about this song.  It will move you. 

February Song - "You Are For Me" by Kari Jobe

(the actual song starts at 48 seconds in if you want to skip the intro.  The song is * a. ma. zing.*)

I've also made a page dedicated to the "12 things" so we can have everything  more organized.

I put a little map of what the finished project will (hopefully) look like as well as links to all the patterns and photos and more.  If this is your first month to join us, you'll want to check it out!

12 Things Page

 

I've received lots of questions about the finished size of the project etc.so these should all be answered there.  If not, please email me or leave a comment and let me know what I can help you with.

 

And of course I had to make a button:

<a href="http://kindawonderful.typepad.com/pink_paper_peppermints/12-things-god-wants-you-to-remember-a-series-of-free-embroidery-patterns-and-encouragement.html.html" _mce_href="http://kindawonderful.typepad.com/pink_paper_peppermints/12-things-god-wants-you-to-remember-a-series-of-free-embroidery-patterns-and-encouragement.html"><img border="0" src="http://kindawonderful.typepad.com/12%20things.jpg " _mce_src="http://kindawonderful.typepad.com/12%20things.jpg "/></a>

which you can snag for your blog by copying the code in the little window above and pasting it in your blog's code.

And now for the pattern!

This month's pattern really only has two stitches to practice.(tutorials are linked in the stitch titles)

Stem Stitch -  I used the stem stitch for the tree and the heart.  I think I still need some work on this one, but I like how knubby and tree-ish it looks. 

I only used 2 strands of floss for this because the lines are so small and I didn't want it to be too bulky

 

Backstitch - I used the backstitch for the hearts, leaves and words.  I used 3 strands of floss on the larger hearts and only 2 on the small hearts and leaves.

I just took one long stitch down the middle of the leaves with a darker green floss to give it some depth.

If you wanted to you could fill in your hearts with the Satin Stitch like we learned with the Penguin pattern.

 

I only pinned my pattern on one side when I was tracing it, so you may notice some of my leaves and hearts are a little too close together, compared to the actual pattern, because it slipped without my knowing it. *ugh*  Next time I will pin both sides for sure.

Februray Free Pattern Download 

(it's a pdf so you'll need Adobe Reader installed.  Get it here for free)

I hope you have fun stitching this one!  Please send me links if you post photos, cause I would love to come visit your blog or flickr and see!

In His Love, Peace & Grace,

♥ Melissa~

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"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  -Jeremiah 29:11

My Sweet Valentine Secret

 


"The secret of the sweet, satisfying companionship of the Lord have they who fear, revere and worship Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its deep, inner meaning."     --Psalm 25:14


Happy Valentines Day Friends!  Hope yours is full of love and blessings!

 

♥ Melissa~

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"We love because He first loved us." -1 John 4:19

Free Embroidery Pattern & the first of "12 Things God Wants You to Remember"!

 

I'm so excited about today's post!

This is the first in what (Lord willing) will be a 12-month series of free patterns with the theme "12 Things God Wants You to Remember".  (I posted more about it here if you're interested. Scroll to #4)

This is January's pattern...um...in February....because well,  I had *no* idea what I was doing and it was a little harder than I anticipated.

I had so much fun and learned a lot so I think it will get easier as I go along.  February's pattern should be up soon. :)

Edited to Add: It's up here!  Also there is an info page with all the current patterns here now.

What you'll need to get started:

-A copy of the pattern (see below)
-Transfer pen or carbon paper & stylus
-Some type of fabric to stitch on (I used muslin, but you can use any fabric or even recycle a pillow case or piece of clothing)
-Embroidery Needles
-Embroidery Hoop
-Embroidery Floss (It comes in six strands, but I separated out 3 strands to use)
-Scissors

 

This month's pattern has four stitches to practice. 

I'll link you to some super, awesome embroidery stitch tutorials so if you're learning along with me you can have someone "show" you via the magic of  the internet.

Backstitch 

-I used the backstitch on the snow hill, snowflakes, wind, and penguin outline.

-It's pretty easy and one of the basic stitches you'll use a lot for outlining.

-I also tried to use some metallic thread for the snow, but couldn't get it to work very well, it was really wiry.  (This could be user error.)  So instead I used one strand of the metallic with two strands of plain white and that gave me the sparkle I was looking for, but also worked more smoothly into the fabric.

Chain Stitch

-I love this one for the texture it creates. I really wanted his scarf to look like a warm, fluffy, crocheted scarf so I used the chain stitch in multiple colors to create stripes. I changed the direction of the stitches on the knot part of the scarf so it would look tied.

-At the end of the scarf I didn't like how the little ribbony ends were looking so I just stitched some loops and then cut and frayed them to look like fringe.

-I also used the chain stitch on the lettering. I just love the texture, doesn't it look like icing made of floss?!

Satin Stitch

- Satin stitch is used to fill in areas.

- I used the Satin Stitch on his head and wings and a padded satin stitch for his beak.

- The tutorial linked above is from Jenny at Sublime Stitching.  She is amazing!  And the tutorial comes with it's own free pattern so don't miss it! But if you need a video, this one is good.

 

French Knot

- These scared me, because I have never been very good at them, but I knew I needed to practice so besides his eyes, I filled in the heart with lots of little french knots!

- The tutorial I linked you to is so fantastic, I learned it pretty easily from that and didn't feel scared of French Knots anymore after making the heart!

So here is the pattern!  I inlcuded an extra one that is blank, so that you could add your own verse or quote if you like. :)

 

  

Click here to download the pdf of the pattern (you'll need adobe reader)

 

There are lots of ways to transfer a pattern to your fabric, but I found that good old fashioned carbon paper worked best for me.

-------

(You may think that disappearing ink paper used for dress pattern transfer, would work well.  In fact you may say to yourself, "hey, it would be great if it disappears when I'm done", but guess what? 

It won't wait until you are *done* it will disappear in 24 to 72 hours, so when you go back 24 to 72 hours later to work on your embroidery....your pattern will be bye-bye and you will be sad.

I'm just saying that this may happen to you...I don't know from experience or anything.  So you know..go with the carbon paper.)

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Another thing that worked really well for me was to use the stylus from my old palm pilot instead of a pen or pencil.  I was able to control the weight of the lines better this way and also didn't accidentally go through the paper.  You could also use an embossing stylus.

Next week I'll share some of my favorite embroidery links!

I hope you'll join me in working on these every month!  And I would *love* it if you show me a link if you do.

Hope you are having a fantastic week.

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~

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"The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy your soul in drought." -Isaiah 58:11

Doily Mini-Book Valentine {Scrapbook O' Love}

Here is the little Valentine mini book tutorial I told you about.  I decided to do a small, heart-shaped book of love notes for O-man with the theme of  "10 Things I Love About You". 

Because it's small and essentially uses scraps from your messy art desk, your neatly organized scrap box, it's a pretty quick & easy project to do. 

So here's what you need to get started:

(click on any of the photos for a larger view)

-paper scraps, cut into strips
-memorabilia
-tiny photos
-embellishments such as sequins, ribbons, buttons etc.
-scrapbook cardstock
-3 doilies (size of your choice, I used 4 inch)
-scissors
-pencil
-adhesive

Step One

The first thing you want to do is trim the ruffled edge off one of your doilies so that you can use the doily as a pattern for your book covers.

(I'm saving the part I cut off to use for something else.  Doesn't it look like heart-shaped ric rac?!)

Step Two

Next use your doily as a template to cut out a front and back cover for your book from cardstock. 

I used double-sided cardstock so both sides would be pretty.

Step Three

Now for the photos.  I'm doing a mini-book so I wanted to use mini photos. 

You could just resize your photos on the computer and print them, but I've been saving leftover photo Christmas cards for awhile (the one in the pic is from 2008!) because I knew I could do something fun with the photos, so that's what I used.

Step Four

For the pages I used various bits and pieces of leftover projects, cut down (if necessary) to strips  that would fit in between the heart-shaped covers wihthout sticking out too much.

You can see some of the things I used in the photo above (click to enlarge). I used a piece of a library catalog card to stamp the author (me) and the date for a title page.

(Gratuitous macro shot of pages.  Don't you just love sewn sequins?  I do.)

Step Five

For the "ten things" part I stamped each "thing" across the mini page.  You could also just hand write it or print it from the computer and add it to the page for a neater look.  I like the messy look myself. :)

Step Six

 

Next you'll want to stack the pages neatly inside the book, and add the cover.  Make sure your pages are lined up like you want them.

You can use a small binder clip to hold the stack in place while you sew.  (Put it on the opposite side that you will be sewing.)

I wanted the ribbon from the tag page to stick out of the side of the book so I pushed it in a little further in the stack.

Step Seven

Before you add the doilies you'll want to go ahead and stitch across covers.

(If you stitch after you add the doily it might tear and you might get really sad and almost throw your whole little book in the trash until you decide that you can just take the torn doily off and cover it up with a new one.)

I mean, that could happen.  So just sew the covers & pages first, k?

Step Eight

Now attach  your doilies with adhesive and your beautiful little mini scrapbook of love is finished!

I hope you have fun making one or lots of these!  Let me know if you do, I'd love to see!

Have a great day!

Grace & Peace~

♥ Melissa~

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"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."
-Psalm 20:4

brrr & paper & embroidery & a little Christmas shame

 

 The view out my kitchen window yesterday morning.

~

Seven on Wednesday  

(or something that sounds clever and involves some sort of alliteration)

 

One

  

{that's me trying to impersonate Susan Branch...not happenin'...but it's fun to try.}

 

Two

It is entirely too cold here in Texas. 

I think winter may have lost it's way.  I'd like to hand it a map back to Wisconsin.

"Here you go little winter.  I think your mama is looking for you.  Scurry on back up north now, k?"

Three

I've been working on some Valentines day ideas.

I bought some doilies and made a little "10 things I love about you" mini book for my sweetheart. 

Still have to finish it, but I thought I'd show you how I put it together in case you'd like to make one.

I'll be posting the how-to later this week.

Four

I'm also working on some embroidery ideas.  I've had a magnet for years that says "10 things God wants you to remember."  It's always encouraged me. I actually posted the text from it awhile back.

I was thinking it would be so cool to do an embroidery sampler of a different thing God wants us to remember each month to practice some stitches. So I sketched out some ideas.

 

I had to add a couple of things to make enough for 12 months and I changed a couple and added scriptures.  I'm still working on it but I've already made my own pattern for January and started stitching it! 

I thought I'd share that with you too.  Maybe one each month and we can learn embroidery together! 

And those of you who know embroidery could maybe help us along! What do you think?

 

 

Five

I often get questions about how I achieve certain effects on my photos.  I use a combination of things, but recently I found a fun site called Be Funky. 

Here is a before and after of the window photo above. 

   

 

The first one is the original photo.  The second is the one I edited in Be Funky.  I used the "Vintage Colors" effect.

Give yourself time if you go over there...you won't be able to stop playing!

 

Six

I  have a pile of Christmas stuff *still* sitting in the corner of the living room waiting to be packed away. 

I think by posting this here I might shame myself into finally doing it today. 

I'm not sure though because I'm getting quite comfortable with you as friends and sort of think you wouldn't judge me at all for it so I may need a new strategy....wanna come over and help me?

Seven

This post is really just a creative way of saying, "I have a lot to show you that isn't ready yet."  heh-heh.

 
Hope you are staying warm.  We are off to a homeschool group day.

Grace & Peace

♥ Melissa~

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"Let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't." -Romans 12:6

Frame the One You Love with a Paper Towel Tube!

I was about to throw this paper towel tube away when Little O came in the kitchen and started chatting with me about his latest adventures climbing our backyard tree.

I was fidgeting with the paper towel tube when I accidentally made a heart.  I looked through the tube at Little O and said, "I {heart} you."

{he gave me one of those half smiles that little boys do when they love their mama and don't want to say, "you're weird mom".}

And then I remembered seeing my friend Mindi take a picture through a paper towel tube (just in the round shape) and wondered if it would work with a heart! 

{Well, I *think* it was Mindi, I can't really remember.  I emailed her, but haven't heard back yet.  But go visit her blog anyway, because she is *so* funny and takes the most amazing pictures and is just sweet and honest and inspiring.)

Update:  I'm not crazy, it *was* her!  Here is the link.

 

Anyway, it *did* work!  So cool. 

If you want to try it just take an empty paper towel tube and pinch it in at the top of one end like this:

 

 

And then take a photo through the other end! 

I found it helps to be further away and then zoom in through the tube (the one below was taken from the kitchen and Little O was in the backyard tree). 

Also if your subject is sitting in too much light it doesn't work as well.  Just experiment with it with your camera.  It's fun!

I'm gonna do something sweet and valentiney with these I think.

Do you have plans for Valentines Day yet?  I'd love to hear about it if you do.

Hope you're havin' a great day.

♥ Melissa~

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"People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart." -1 Samuel 16:7

It's a Printable Menu Planner!

Help!  I'm getting organized and I can't stop!

(well 'til mid-March or so anyway, then I'll be like, "menu planner? huh?  Where's my list scribbled on the back of the Target bill?"...heh-heh...)

Ok, so here is the menu planner I'm using now.  I kinda {heart} it because I've organized the shopping list part in a sort of visual pattern of how things are laid out in my store.

I don't know about you but, I keep a running list on the fridge of what we're out of, plus a list in my notebook on my desk. 

Then I compile those two on a master list (or you know, stuff  'em both in my purse on the way out the door) and sometimes add more to the list.

Anyway, I end up criss-crossing the entire store a bunch of times because I move down the list and I see, oh, potatoes, so I go back and get them, oh, yogurt, gotta go back over there now...you get the idea. 

Well, with this I add the items to the list in their catagories and then when I'm in the produce section *all* the produce is listed in that section!  It is a huge time saver for me and I hope it will be for you too. :)

 Just right click on the link below and choose "save as" to save it or click on it and it will open the .pdf in a new window. (Download Adobe Reader for free here if you don't already have it.)

Menu Planner

I have found that Firefox works better than Internet Explorer for downloading things (well, for doing *everything* but that's another post...heh-heh) so you may want to try that if you're using IE and having trouble.

If you still have trouble downloading, drop me an email and I will try to help you out. :)

Hope ya'll are having a great week!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~

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"Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind."
-Proverbs 21:5

 If you have trouble downloading drop me an email and I will try to help you out.

♥A little set of Bookmark/Note Card Calendars for you.♥

When I read I tend to think of things...things to do, things to look up, things to make.  I usually just scribble the ideas on a scrap of paper, lose the paper and then forget.  It's fun. 

I decided what might be *more* fun is a little mini-book of calendar bookmarks for each month. 

I made one with some of my favorite scriptures and cute seasonal graphics and attached it to a ring with some ribbon. 

Now I can tuck the current month's bookmark into whatever book I'm reading and have lots of room for notes on the back.

Then at the end of the month I can put it back on the ring, hang it on my bulletin board and I always know where my "random thought" notes are. 

 

I like it.

I thought you might like it too.

Just right click on the links below for each pair of months and choose "save as" to download it to your computer. (You'll need to download Adobe Reader if you haven't already.  It's free here.)

January/February

March/April

May/June

July/August

September/October

November/December

 

I printed mine on cardstock for sturdiness, but you could print it on regular paper as well.

Hope you enjoy it.

Peace & Grace,

♥ Melissa~

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"Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me." -Psalm 103:2

Happy New Year and a free 2011 year at a glance calendar!

So, I don't know if there is such thing as a "favorite year" or if anyone keeps a record of said years, but if there is...2010 would not make my short list. 

not even close.

As a matter of fact, if there was a way to just remove it from the history of the earth, without, you know, messing with everyone for whom it was a *great* year, I don't think I  would hestitate to do so (okay, maybe I'd hesitate...but not for very long).

I am so thankful that time passes, and things change, and that everything here is just temporary.

I will try and fill you in on the last few months, about the house and the new town and the new job in a future post, but for now, let's just say I am *thrilled* to be at the beginning of a New Year full of promise and waiting for sweet memories to be made!

How about you?

I have been making *calendar-ish* and *organize-y* things and making copies of everthing for you!

First is a year-at-a-glance calendar.  I always find these handy for school planning, vacation planning etc. you know, when you need to know on what day the 24th of August falls and things like that.
 
Free 2011 Year At A Glance Calendar Download

Just right click on the link above and then click "save as" to save a copy to your hard drive. To print it you'll need a free copy of Adobe Reader which you can download by clicking here.

The quote at the top of the calendar is one of my favorites and I think it's a really good reminder at the beginning of a fresh, new year.

I have another awesome calendar-y thing for you coming soon! I think you'll like it!

My heartfelt thanks to all of you who've written and encouraged me in emails and comments.  I am always so touched by your kind words and prayers for my family and me.

May His mercy and grace cover you this year,

♥ Melissa~

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"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."
-2 Corinthians 4:16 & 17