Pink Paper Peppermints ♥ Life is Sweet ♥

crochet makes me happy

My mom gave me a copy of the awesome book "200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets Throws and Afghans" * by Jan Eaton for Christmas.  I have just started working though the book and practicing the squares and it is sooooo fun!

I love how she has color suggestions with each square and the directions are really clear and concise so I don't get confused as I'm going along.

This one is called Chocolate Box. ♥   

I'm really enjoying the color gray mixed with bright colors lately, so I used that in place of her brown.  Next I want to try it with some pastels.  I like this square so much, I don't know if I'll be able to move on to another square!

 

What have you been making this week?

 

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~

 

*P.S. I'm experimenting with the amazon associate program so the link to Jan's book is an affiliate link, which means that if you click on it and buy it (which you *totally* should cause it's wonderful) I will get a little blessing in my amazon account.  I see this as a win-win. You get an awesome book, highly recommended by a friend, and said friend (me) gets to buy more goodies to recommend to you without ruining her budget and making her hubby sad.

See?  win-win.

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"She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing." -Proverbs 31:13 (msg)

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

♥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

more stuff about me

100 things part 2

34 I used to teach scrapbook classes; first in my local store (which is now closed and still makes me sad to think about) and then at conventions like CKU, GASC and ME.

35 Because of the above I attend some crafty trade shows which really was one of the funnest things I've ever done.

36 My friend and I saw the guy from 24 at the JFK airport on the way home from one of the trade shows (the NY stationery show).

37 It was right after 911 and he was getting frisked.  He was wearing all black and looked very annoyed.

38 That's pretty much my only brush with fame.

39 My most favorite holiday in the whole wide world is Christmas (I also love valentines day a lot).

40 I don't really like wearing make up, never wear it at home, but if I'm going somewhere I'll put a little on.

41 For extra self-indulgence on a rough day I will go for a Wendy's Chocolate Frosty Root Beer Float (sounds gross, but oh so good)

42 Speaking of self-indulgence, I have never had a massage.  I'm not sure I would like some stranger's hands all over me like that.

43 My brother and his wife are both police officers I am so proud of them.

44 I normally don't watch the news, but during the elections I have watched *way* too much of it.

46 I love to go camping with my family (with qualifications, we have an air conditioner in the camper and campground bathrooms have to be semi-clean and bug free, the second doesn't always happen).

47 I think tivo and air conditioning are two of the best inventions *ever*.

48 I love going to the movies, but rarely go because they're mostly garbage (expensive garbage at that).

49 Favorite non-garbage movies: Singing in the Rain, Mr.Smith Goes to Washington, It's A Wonderful Life, (I'm sure there's more but those are the ones I can think of right now).

50 I enjoy reading, love books, my favorite all time fiction series is the Black, Red, White series (aka The Circle Trilogy) by Ted Dekker. Changed my walk with God. seriously. read them.

51 Madly in love with my husband after ten years of marriage.

52 Absolutely love going to thrift stores and garage sales and flea markets.

53 Love anything from the forties.

54 Chips & salsa is my all time favorite snack.

55 I got on an airplane eleven days after 911 to teach at a scrapbook convention in Denver, Co.

56 It was one of the eeriest and yet strangely unifying experiences I've ever had.

57 I've never seen so many determined people being so quietly defiant in all my life.

58 There was just this feeling of, "go ahead and try something." in the air. I don't think I'll forget that day.

59 I have a love/hate relationship with spell check (see #31)

60 My greatest desire is that people would see Jesus for who He really is and get to know God in a meaningful way.

61 It's the main reason I keep coming back to blogging.  Because I'm able to reach out to people who I would never meet in person.

62 I love reading the Bible so much.  It's amazing how God will show you something different every time you read a passage. 

 

A picture I took of my Bible while camping last year.

63 When I gave my life to Jesus, it was like I was handed this special decoder ring that makes the Bible make sense in ways I never expected. 

64 I wish *everyone* would give their lives to Jesus and get that ring! It is so cool!

65 I love anything and everything crafty.

66 I'm learning to sew and crochet and embroider.

67 I want to learn to knit and quilt next.

68 I love to cook, but I'm still learning.

69 I'm not very good at housekeeping, but I'm working on it. (thank goodness for flylady)

70 I absolutely *love* homeschooling my boys and wouldn't even consider any other option.

             

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Stay tune for the final installment tomorrow.  (If you can stand it)

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~

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"Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you"  -Jeremiah 1:5

so where were we?

It's a beautiful, crisp fall day outside; my boys are finally humming along in their new learning routines and I have received what must be the millionth (though probably just the ninth or tenth) guilt-inducing (and very sweet) email inquiring about my well-being.  So I thought I had better get to posting again.

Thus:

Tuesday Ten Returns in Triumph (with an extra three and photos no less!)

*posted on Saturday for old times sake*

one

I could go the rest of my whole life without hearing the names fannie mae and freddie mac *ever again*, how about you?

two

I wish the phone book people would stop leaving their 5 lbs of instant garbage on my doorstep. 

Seriously, phone book people...have you heard of the internet? Save a tree why don't you?

On second thought, maybe I should do this with it.  heh. heh.  pure marketing genius.

three

I'm teaching kindergarten and high school this year.

four

My head hurts a lot because of number 3.

five

I'm wondering why every time I blink it's almost Christmas again.

six

I'm so appreciative of all of you who have written and left comments inquiring about my demise.

seven

The rumors of number six have been greatly exaggerated.

eight

Socialism seems to be making a comeback.

nine

My head hurts a lot because of number 8.

ten

Here's a question, has anyone read Animal Farm lately???

(If you haven't  click here and read it for free.  I have no doubt you'll find it enlightening.)

eleven

I've been thinking about starting a bakery business because obviously I have nothing else to do with my time.

Plus I have some recipes for cakes, muffins and cookies that people offer me large sums of money to bake for them. (really...huge sums....)

twelve

And I figure, as long as I don't make more than $250,000 a year I should be super successful, huh?

Ok, sorry.  I'll drop the politics now. 

*think crafty*

thirteen

I've learned how to crochet!  Oh my gosh, so fun!  I'm just at the beginning stages, but I am *crazy* about yarn now! (just what I need a new crafty supply to hoard!)

Some of my flickr crochet faves:

 

1. Crocheted blanket halfway done!, 2. Pink and white granny, 3. sweet peas, 4. crocheted ripple blanket, 5. Mitten edging, 6. Irish crochet necklace, 7. Multi-colour Moebius, 8. Crochet baby blanket, 9. Crochet flowers, 10. Crochet tea cups, 11. crochet bottle cover - detail, 12. Colorfull Cushion, 13. now comes the oh so enjoyable task, 14. Aqua red Crochet, 15. wool crochet flowers, 16. colored crochet, 17. Crochet Bird, 18. Crochet Flower Garland, 19. Crocheted Ripple Throw, 20. My favorite crochet rug, 21. crocheted heart valentines card, 22. Granny triangle blanket wip, 23. crochet scarf, 24. longer trousers

fourteen

I used these free online lessons at Crafty Daisies combined with looking up video tutorials on youtube for stitches about which I was confused.

It took me quite a few squares that came out completely crooked and strange before I figured it out, but I think I'm getting the hang of it now. 

I'm making a pink & white (of course) afghan for my first project. These are the squares I've finished so far, all stacked up & pretty.

Look at this texture!  Isn't it wonderful?  I can't wait to curl up under this with a good book.

 

If you haven't tried crochet before you really should.  It's so easy once you get the hang of it and very relaxing.

Okay that's my ten fourteen...Hope you're having a fantastic weekend! 

Thanks again for all the sweet emails.

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~

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"Jesus said to them, 'Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.' "
-John 14: 1

31 Crafty Flowers Day Three - Faux Flower & Ribbon Bookmarks for Mom

Yip-peeee Day Three!

Time for another day of makin' flowers!

Today's flowery craft would be a perfect little gift for mamas this weekend!

It's a bookmark made from loose silk (or fake faux) flowers, ribbons and buttons. 

It's super simple to stitch together, but if you have an aversion to all things "needle and thread" you could make it with a hot glue gun too. 

I think hand stitching a button is kind of soothing though and looks so charming on a project.

What you need to get started:

-silk flowers
-11/2" to 2" wide ribbon
-buttons
-needle & thread (or adhesive)

Step One



Cut your ribbon to approximately 8" long.  This might be a good time to iron it too if you are the ironing type.

 
Step Two

 
Choose coordinating flowers and ribbon.

Step Three

If your flowers are still attached to the stem, simply pull them off and pull the centers out (you can see the stunning quality of flowers I'm using in this shot, heh-heh).

Step Four

Arrange the flowers on the ribbon and choose coordinating buttons.

HINT:

It's a good idea to take a quick digital picture at this point so that when you remove them for sewing you'll be able to remember the order you chose. 

If you don't have a digital camera you could use a fabric marking pen or chalk to mark the placement.

Step Five

Attach your flowers with needle and thread.

You many want to sew the button to the flower first and then use a hot glue gun to attach both to the ribbon bookmark in order to avoid having stitches show on the back of the bookmark.

(I personally don't mind stitches showing...I think it's sweet and handmade looking.)

If you choose to sew the button flower to the bookmark, but still don't want the stitches to show on the back, you can sew or glue another piece of ribbon to the back of the bookmark to cover the stitches.

Once you've finished sewing your flowers on, your crafty flower bookmark is finished!

Have fun making these and maybe tuck one in your mom's Mother's Day card this year!

See you tomorrow,

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"Thirsty deserts will be glad; barren lands will celebrate and blossom with flowers."
-Isaiah THIRTY-FIVE verse ONE

ten on tuesday - the fabric edition

ten random thoughts on tuesday (on wednesday night)

one

Easter was lovely and long.   We had quite a fun (which translates to exhausting for mama & daddy) three-day extravaganza.  I won't bore you with tons of photos, but I do have to show you this one:

I found these little plushie peeps and I cannot stop taking photos of them.  They are so cute!  I always buy peeps for the kids Easter baskets because...well..it's tradition...but you know...they taste ...um...  disgusting! 

And we almost always throw them out *unopened*.  *ugh*  I really don't like that, so when I found these little stuffed peeps this year I was so excited!  These will be the new tradition. Yay.

two

After the egg coloring was finished hubby was cleaning up for me (yes, that's right, I have *the* best husband in the world - see number 4 for more proof), and he asked,

"So can I throw this egg dye out?" 

I don't know why, but the words "can I throw this out?" just trigger something in me and my natural reaction is to say,

"No way I can make something with that!"

I got that *I can make something* gleam in my eye and Oman looked just slightly annoyed so I knew I better jump up and make something immediately to prove that I wasn't being the ultimate pack rat. 

The first thing I saw on my desk as I went into the kitchen was a little stack of manila tags...so into the dye they went!  And you can't believe how cute they turned out!

I also experimented with the little white wax crayon that came with the kit for the eggs and that looked even cuter!  See my little birdie?  (can you tell that Molly Chicken is influencing me?)

So now I have quite the collection of tags to use for projects.  I'm thinking of adding some stitching to them too.

If you like these and want to try it you should run to the grocery store right now and see if they have the egg dye kits on clearance.  I usually pick these up the week after Easter for less than 50 cents!

And if you *really* like them, but have no desire to make them yourself then check my etsy shop in a couple days because I'll have some listed there. :)

three

Things you hear frequently in a house of boys:
"Ha-ha...you will never defeat me!"
"Why can't I just wear *this*?"
"What? I don't smell anything."

Things you don't hear:

"Would you braid my hair?"
"I think we need more pink around here"
"Wanna play barbies with me?"

four

My husband can fix anything.  Really, he is a genius.  He has fixed everything that's ever broken in our house or figured out a way to replace it with almost no money. 

Last night the dryer made the most awful sound and it wouldn't stop.  This morning he opens it up, does some tool-y things to it and now it works better than before!  Really, it had gotten so loud and now you can barely hear it.  I {heart} my handy hubby.

(and also, tonight when I told him supper was ready he said "yay!" as if he was about to go on vacation...and that is even better than handiness to me.)

five

Let's talk about the quilt show some more shall we?  I didn't get to finish showing you everything anyway.

There was so, so much beautiful fabric.

Did I mention the fabric was beautiful??

Lollipops of bias tape.  yum!

Cutest pillow case kits *ever*.

six

Mom bought me this one for LittleO's room.  I'm going to be re-doing it this summer and I just fell in *love* with this!  It's so sweet and retro and I just love all the little sayings about the Lord.  I want to do a mural with those little birds and sun!  Can't wait.

seven

My mom bought me the pattern for this one too!!  I'm so excited, my first quilt!  Isn't it gorgeous?

It's called French Roses by Heather French.   I just love the way the flowers are all rustic looking and fuzzy around the edges.

I like the colors they've used here, but the fabric I want to use is the Ginger Blossom collection by Sandi Henderson. 

I am *so* in love with that fabric.  Gotta sell some stuff on etsy to raise the money to buy me a whole lot of Ginger Blossom! 

And then you will get to see the journey of a first time quilter which may or may not be pretty.  I don't know...*LOL*...

And here is all the beautiful fabric she bought me:

Notice a color trend at all?

I just love the birdy paint by number one...

eight

Can you guess what these are?

They are these:

Gorgeous quilted hearts cut from all sorts & styles of vintage quilts.  They are so beautiful. 

I'm making all kinds of wonderful things with them that hopefully will end up in my shop if I can manage to let them go!

Each one is so sweet and unique.  I just love them. I may put a few of them all on their own in the shop so you can play too!

nine

Here are some of  my first sew-y things.  I am trying not to be too pefectionistic about it, but I do see a lot of flaws when I look at these.  I still love them though and I'm falling more and more in love with fabric everyday!

The first one is this little bunny.  I made him from an old bandana because I wanted to practice on something besides my lovely fabric.

I found him at Crafty Carnival.  She has a wonderful tutorial for him and a little pillow to put him in as well!  You have to go see, they are so cute.

He didn't come out looking like the pillow type to me though.  He kinda looks like he has an attitude...you know?  Like he's saying..."you want somma this?" 

This is my angel baby:

She is from a pattern my mom gave me called "Small Snippets" from Mary's Patterns.  I have to say even with her imperfections I am really crazy about her.  I have never made anything like her before and I just can't stop picking her up and looking at her. It's so amazing to take little bits of thread and fabric and create a beautiful little thing.

She is *very* tiny.  I should have put a quarter in the pic with her to show you.  It would have taken
up her whole dress, that's how tiny she is. 

And I just love her.  Did I mention that?

I want to make lots more of these little snippets.  Oh if only there were 48 hours in day. (24 of them occurring after children went to sleep...wouldn't that be fabulous??  Oh...but then I would miss the children....a little...)

ten

Look what my library just got in!!!

I am so excited!!!

I must go fall asleep reading these now and dream sweet, fabric-y dreams...

Hope you're all having a fantastic week!

Grace and Peace,

♥ M~

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"She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing."
-Proverbs 31:13 (the message)

ten on tuesday - 8

ten random thoughts on tuesday (night)

one

I have been tagged by three sweet friends!  Deanne, Marianna and Quirky.  I  just wanted to say thanks ladies and I am working on these!  There is so much to post and so little time! 

two

We made Glazed Lemon Scones the other day.  Oh what fun! They were yummy too, only I think I flattened them out a little too much so they weren't quite as high as I think scones are supposed to be. I'd never baked scones before though, so I was pretty happy with the way they came out!  The lemon glaze was *dee-licous* I could just eat that with a spoon - yum!  I found the recipe in the most recent issue of Family Fun Magazine. 

three

Here's the recipe and some visuals:  (you can also get the recipe here)

Ingredients:

Scones:
2 cups flour (I used cake flour and this made them very moist)
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Finely grated zest of one lemon
3 Tbsps cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 cup heavy or whipping cream, plus a little for brushing
1 egg yolk, beaten slightly
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Lemon Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp lemon extract
1 Tbsp melted butter
2 Tbsp heavy or whipping cream

1. Heat the oven to 400°. Grease a large, heavy baking sheet (preferably not a dark one) and set it aside.

2. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Add the lemon zest and toss the mixture with your hands.

3. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

4. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the cream, the yolk, and the vanilla extract and use a fork to blend the liquids within the well. Then use a wooden spoon to combine all the ingredients, just until the dough holds together.

5. Scrape the dough onto a flour-dusted surface and then, using floured hands, knead it gently three or four times to form a ball. Flatten the ball into a disk about 3/4-inch thick, then cut it as you would a pie into 8 wedges. Transfer the pieces to the baking sheet, leaving at least 1/4 inch between them. Brush the tops lightly with cream.

6. Bake the scones in the center of the oven until golden brown, about 16 to 18 minutes. Allow them to cool on the sheet for a few minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack.

7. While the scones continue to cool, make the glaze. Combine all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk them until the mixture is smooth. If necessary, you can thin the glaze with water, stirring in no more than 1/2 teaspoon at a time. When the scones have cooled for another 10 minutes, drizzle each one generously with glaze. Makes 8 scones.

(can you see my banner in the tea kettle?? heh-heh - love that - can you see the fridge open?  LittleO was getting a snack...)

four

Okay, if you've been reading my blog for any amount of time you know that I have a squirrel thing (not like a "thing" for squirrels - that would be weird - a squirrel thing - click here to catch up). 

Well yesterday when taking a peek at what people were searching for when they came across my blog I found the most hilarious search term ever.  Someone was looking for "squirrel bureaucracy".  I kid you not.

five

After I finished laughing I thought...what in the world were they looking for? What human being would want or need to know about squirrel bureaucracy?  I mean, actually, I thought I made that term up...you know?...I don't think there really *is* a squirrel bureaucracy..is there?...

Wait a minute...do squirrels get internet?  Maybe the *squirrels* were doing some research....

six

Congratulations to Lisa at The Scrap Princess Blog she won my prize at The Ultimate Blog Party! Look here to see what she won!

seven

Speaking of prizes I won *two* prizes during the blog party.  How cool is that? 

I won an Arbonne goodie bag from Stacey at The Truest Thing and some *fantastic* felt pins from Katrin at Cuteacious (you must go check her etsy shop, Kaleidoscope Style - so pretty). New bloggy friends and prizes!! What a blessing! 

eight

The quilt show was fabulous.  amazing.  I really can't describe it with words. 

I've always been a paper girl myself, but my mom has been wanting me to sew and a friend or two have encouraged me in that direction so that I was feeling kind of fabric-y already when my mom called and invited me to the quilt show.

nine

I am *so* glad I went. There was so much color and design and texture, everywhere I looked.  It was astonishingly inspiring!  Look at this!!!

This quilt was so tiny!  No bigger than your hand (those are the mini-binder clips holding it up)!

 

Felted cupcakes!! Can you get over it??

ten

My mom bought me fabric and goodies that I can't wait to show you tomorrow (plus more quilt show pics).  So much pretty!

I can't stop touching all the fabric.  Is this normal? 

I never liked the term "fat quarters" before because...you know... it had the word "fat" in it ...heh-heh...but now I {heart} the words "fat quarters"!

You know what they mean to me now?

"Here is some very expensive fabric that you cannot normally afford, but we are going to cut you a little, fat piece of it and only charge you $2.00!!  Now you can have some.  Aren't you happy?"

Yes! I am so happy!

My mom also got me a book on how to make fabric yo-yo's and ideas to use them *and* a heart-shaped yo-yo maker!!

I am so excited, I want to cover *everything* in heart-shaped yo-yos!!

But then

will I have to cut my fabric to do that?

Because I don't want to cut it.

I just want to touch it,

and hold it

and love it.

I have to go now, the fabric is in the other room and I can't reach it from here.

♥ M~
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"All you who fear God, how blessed you are! How happily you walk on His smooth straight road!...Enjoy the blessing! Revel in the goodness!"
-Psalm 128:1 (the message)

fun that is funny

Did you know March 2nd would have been the 104th birthday of Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel)?

I've always loved Dr. Seuss books.  I have a very distinct memory of my mom reading a giant version of  "If I Ran the Circus" to my brother and me when I was about 8 years old. 

It was a library book and I loved it so much. We were in the process of packing up and moving back to Dallas from Mississippi at the time and I guess in all the moving confusion the book somehow got packed in our moving boxes. 

When we were unpacking in my room and I found it, I was so thrilled and also guilt-ridden that we had kept it.  I thought we would have to drive back to Mississippi to return it and dreaded the long drive!

I don't actually remember what happened to that book.  I guess my mom probably mailed it back.  To be honest, I kinda wish we still had it  (which makes me feel a little guilty).

The very first book my oldest son ever read to me was "Green Eggs and Ham".  I will never forget that.  I was so enamored by how he emphasized the words, "I Do Not like them, Sam-I-Am!" as he was reading.  I remember thinking what a fabulous reader he was going to be.  And now at almost sixteen he reads books to his little brother with that same dramatic voice.
 

My all time favorite Dr. Seuss book is "Horton Hears a Who".  I see some distinct spiritual correlations there...which I know sounds crazy, but I do.  Maybe I'll blog about it sometime.   

I haven't seen the movie yet, I'm a little nervous that they've ruined a perfectly good story, but we'll see.

I love Dr. Seuss so much I actually taught a scrapbook class about how to add "Seuss" style to your layouts.  It was one of my favorite classes and I thought it would be a fun theme for the very first issue of my reborn e-zine "heART & Soul"!

I hope you are signed up for it!  The first issue goes out today (!) went out today and includes a printable pattern and tutorial for a mini book that could be used for scrapbooking, lapbooking, and homeschooling as well as links to great Dr. Seuss sites and a collection of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes! (all for free -yippee!)

So what's your favorite Dr. Seuss story?  Do you have any special memories of his books as a child or maybe with your own children?  I'd love to hear them!  And if you're a homeschooler or lapbooker I'd *love* to hear about any fun Seuss projects you've done!

See you later today for Ten on Tuesday!

Blessings,

♥ Melissa~

P.S. I didn't know this when I first wrote this post, but Janice at Everyday Education is hosting the 115th Carnival of Homeschooling this week and guess what the theme is??  "Oh the Things That You'll Do"!  And she invited me to participate!  So head over there and check out some of the other great posts this week!
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"I'm thanking you, God, from a full heart, I'm writing the book on your wonders. I'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I'm singing your song, High God."
-Psalm 9:1 (the message)

ten on tuesday - 6

ten random thoughts on tuesday

one

It's Daylight Savings Time again this Sunday.  I am not a fan.

two

I know that there are *thousands* of pencils in this house.  I would really like to know where they are.

When I need a pencil I look in the pencil drawer.

Empty.

Except one small chewed up one with no eraser which is only still there because no one wants to use it.

I look on our supply shelf in the hall where we keep all the school supplies. 

Empty. 

Except for a green one that is really a watercolor pencil from my scrapbook stuff. (so *that's* where that went) 

I decide to use it anyway and guess what?  No lead.

In desperation I go to the extra supply drawer with the bulk packages of items I get at the beginning of the school year when everything is on sale.

Empty.

Wha...?

Where are all the pencils???

really.  where are they?

Maybe this lady has them.

three

For those of you wondering what ever happened with the angry Fedex guys.  Um...nothing.  Can you believe it?  Hubby's coworker called and was transfered from department to department all denying knowledge of and/or responsibility for said Fedex guys,

{oh, that's not my department, let me transfer you}

until finally someone took his name and number and said they'd be sure to get back to him and guess what?

That's right. Nothin'.

So be careful if you're in Texas and see a Fedex truck because there are two very angry Fedex guys driving around who now know they can commit road rage without penalty.

four

I voted in the Texas primary today!  One of the requests I had on my last contest was that I would discuss my political views.  I might do that, but they may be a little controversial.  So I'm still thinking about it.

five

I really don't like it when I'm reading the comments on someone's blog and one of the commentors commenters people leaving a comment, says something really funny and clever and seems like such a neat person and I mouse over their name and *no blog*!  *Ugh*  If you are funny and clever you need to have a blog. I want to read more about you and remember? I want to see your living room!

six

Guess what I saw out my kitchen window last night?  Snow!!!

 

Already gone today though. *sigh*

seven

I saw Claudine Helmuth on Martha today and it was like one of my *friends* was on Martha! Isn't that silly?  I don't know her personally of course (although I think we might have taught at some of the same conventions) but I *love*love*love* her books and read her blog.  She showed Martha how to make her little "sitting pretty" dolls.  I can't wait to try this!

eight


I got this book from Paperback Swap yesterday!  (it's been on my list for two years!)  I love it so far! So full of fun stuff and creative ideas.

nine
I found this cool 'sound' dictionary.  You type in the word you want pronounced and it says it for you!  Love that.

ten

I am eating these right now.  Not really good for you.  Pretty much corn syrup and pepper.  I just get this weird craving for them sometimes.  And they are so cinnamon-y and spicy and sweet.  Is there a fruit that tastes like Hot Tamales?  Maybe I could munch on that instead.

Grace and Peace to you,

M~

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"It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge."
-Romans 7:21-23 (the message)