Gifts From My Mother

My gift and love for creating really came to me from my own mother. Probably all have experienced at some point in your life being embarrassed of your parents, mainly during your teenage years. But I think that feeling of embarrassment was sourced in our own insecurity of not knowing where we fit into the great big world yet. Now that I have found my place in this world I am now proud to admit that the gift of creating has come from my mom. I love my mommy. My mom used to collect seeds in national parks, and when my dad told her not to do it, she'd hand us the bag. We used to go for walk and pick what we called curly weeds and caterpillar weeds in Senegal. We were always hauling home rocks from any camping trip we were on. We even packed to accommodate and expect it. We dug up beautiful plants and replanted them in our yard. We picked giant bouquets of wildflowers and enjoyed them on the dining room table sometimes even with a baby chameleon as a live exhibit that we found along the way.

So I am proud of my mom, and now I have come to a full appreciation and love of the art of collecting beautiful treasures and celebrating the glory of God's creation in our own home. I have come full circle. I've truly become my mom in some sense of the word and I'm not embarrassed to admit it now. Now my kids get to be embarrassed of me.

This is a wreath made out of acorn tops. I collected them with the intent to create beauty to celebrate God's magnificence in our own home!

Home Made Beads

The girls and I are making homemade beads today. Today we followed the recipe, rolled them, used straws to poke holes in them and then set them in the sun to dry. I followed the recipe but put about 1/2 cup or a little more warm water in, and then just kneaded in the proper remaining amount of flour to make them easy to roll out. I think we'll put colored paint in separate containers with lids and let them roll the paint on. Then we will let them dry again, spray on a seal/polish and then string them when dry. Will post pictures when done.

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,169,152167-242203,00.html

Embellished Felt Bag

I've decided to redesign the hangles on the felt bag more to an over the shoulder bag. The felt will be gray and I have teal, sunset orange and fuchia pink silk that I will make the flowers out of. I'm thinking that they will take on a poppy flower shape. These will be secured to the front of the bag through the center with little irridescent beads. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Very excited. Like all of my designs it's going to make someone else's day a little brighter. This is what brings me joy in life, brightening other peoples lives with handmade love.

http://www.marthastewart.com/273303/felt-tote-bag

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/create/5-days-of-favorite-projects-day-1/

Felt Bag

Here is an idea for a felt bag I just finished. I embellished my bag by sewing 3 colorful giraffes on the front and then adding another felt color to the inside of the back so the bag ended up being a double layer. I was not crazy about the design of the handles. It makes it awkward to hold, so next time I think I'd trace out my own hand holds and sew it again. But for a first try at making a bag it turned out rather adorable and sturdy.

http://www.marthastewart.com/273303/felt-tote-bag

Citrus Coasters

This has been a fun splash of color help celebrate summer and all it has to offer.

http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2011/6/23/mollys-sketchbook-citrus-coasters.html

Button Flowers

Check out this absolutely adorable way to make flowers to add color to your table during long winters, or just brighten your day. Your kids could help you too. Emily immediately knew what they were and yelled FLOWER, and she's just 2 years old.

Here's my try at sprucing up my African violet that doesn't want to bloom at the moment.

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/flowers/button-flowers-tutorial