Do Overs

First of all let me give you a little peek at what we have captured.... Shhh....

Now aren't we lucky??? Our special leprechaun trap has worked!!  We are so excited to have our little visitor.  You have to be very sneaky when going after the wee people.  We made a rather enticing hot tub for our fairy friend.  I will show you more of him in a minute.

Do Overs

Do you believe the we choose our own lives, do we manifest our destiny?  Do we actually control where we are today and how we got here?  What if your life has not turned out the way you had intended?  If you had made the right choices, wouldn't you be exactly where you had the desire to be right now?  Or do you begin to question if you ever really had a choice or not?  What if this is just the way it was meant to be?  Just how much of our situations in life can we direct and how much is just the way it is or who we are? 

Sorry for all the questions!  Whew!! 

If we do not feel like we have any control over where our lives are or where they are headed, isn't that a hopeless feeling?  We always have choice.  Sure sometimes we may tell ourselves that there simply is no choice, but in truth there is a choice for every situation.  That choice may not be the path of least resistance or the most attractive option, but we have to set our hearts on driving our passions toward OUR life. 

So right now, maybe your life is not where you want it to be.  Maybe you got off the path to those dreams.  It's ok, if you are breathing there is still time.  Decide what your passions are and go for them.  God allows for DO OVERS.  What else is His mercy and grace all about?  Every morning we can awake with a new chance.  It is our choice... but it is also our life!  What a beautiful life!! 

So now on to our wee friend! 

I won't do a full tutorial here, in truth that would take a long time.  To begin with, I used Maureen Carlson's book, "How to Make Clay Characters" to get the instructions for the leprechaun.  This is an amazing book that I have had for quite some time.  Here are a few pics of the process -

Hands and head

Leprechaun in teacup supported by foil

 I used Sculpey clay for all parts of the leprechaun, clothes, sign and flowers. 



Once I completed all the steps in the book, I went on to our 'staging'.  I used a terra cotta pot that I already had available and painted it green.  I then stuffed the pot with newspaper.

Next, I covered the newspaper with green felt. 

The hubs purchased me some Styrofoam rocks covered with fake carpet moss and hot glued them on top of the felt and had my son find me some small stones for a path to the hot tub.  My lil' guy also found me a stick for the sign.  It is great to have all that help!

I used some sticks we had and made a ladder (the leprechaun has to have a way to get up in the pot right?) 

He must have appreciated the help, he left his cane at the bottom and a little present for us!

He seems very content in his little hot tub!

He left his shoes and socks along the way...

He even left his pants lying around!

He did manage to hang up his shirt, coat and hat on the tea cup handle.

Here he is with his rubber duckie.  Always a necessity for any good hot tub!

And a view from the top...

We are enjoying our wee friend. I hope you do too!!

A very special thank you to my daughter for the mucho better looking pics of our little friend!  She is so talented!


Have a blessed weekend!!!!!

I am sharing this at

http://www.thegypsyscorner.com/

Mountain

When you look to the future do you see mountains?  Mountains of trials and mountains of tribulations?  It is time we hook up and do some mountain climbing!  Let's decide to not just see the mountain, but rather imagine the mountain top.  The view from the top is majestic and so freeing.  Let's conquer our mountains, let's learn how to climb!!!! 

I wish we could sit down together for some chat and share with each other the mountains we see and how plan to get to the top.  Find someone that will encourage you along your climb.  Let someone be coach or your cheerleader as you climb.  Let them lift you up and carry you when you feel like you can not climb any longer. 

I recently wrote about dreams herehttp://barbwired0117.blogspot.com/2011/02/always-dream.html.   I found some quotes today that fit today's Mountains and the Always Dream post. 

• The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt
• Every Great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. - Harriet Tubman

I have a new mountain I am just beginning to climb that I want to share with you.  I have become a Blessings Unlimited Independent Consultant.  I am so excited about this opportunity.  I am sure you have all heard of Day Spring, the card and home decor company you may find at most christian bookstores, Blessings Unlimited is a division of Day Spring.  Take a look at some of the things they have to offer....

Set of Crosses

Pillow Cover Set

Canister Set

Ever Grateful Collection

Hurricane Set

I love this stuff!!  I want it all!  What do you think?  If you want to look at a catalog... or even host a party, let me know.  I am super excited about being involved with this Christian company!

LUCK


Now it is time for our crafting!  I created this sign for more of our St. Pat's day celebration. 

The supplies used for this are super duper cheap!  Foam board, which is a scrap from Valentine crafting.  The size is 12 x 6.  I also had printed out some vintage St. Patrick's Day postcards, from Graphics Fairy.  I used some green and brown card stock also.  If you have green glitter, you can use that too, not necessary but I love glitter.  I had some green rhinestones that I wanted to use, Yes bling is my fav too!

I covered the foam board with a lime green graphic card stock.  I chose to glitter the ends but wrapped the paper around the top and bottom of the board.  Like this....

I then used my Storybook Cricut cartridge to cut out the letters LUCK in three inch and then OF THE IRISH in one inch.  I used the shadow button for each letter and I used the accent button for the LUCK. 

Once these were cut it was just a matter of gluing it all together and on the board. 

I then used the Cricut cartridge from yesterday, A Child's Year to again cut a shamrock in the three inch size and I covered it with glitter.  I glued it on the board and glued a cute little bow on it. 

To finalize it, I placed some green rhinestones on the LUCK letters.  Super easy and super cute!

Hope you day is sprinkled with blessings!!!!

I shared this on

http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/

Visit Amanda on her blog!

Being Refined

re·fined  [ri-fahynd] –adjective

1. having or showing well-bred feeling, taste, etc.: refined people.

2. freed or free from coarseness, vulgarity, etc.: refined taste.

3. freed from impurities: refined sugar.

 

 

I am not sure how many of you know that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).  It is an autoimmune disorder.  My immune systems goes into overdrive and begins attacking my joints.  Today the main discomfort is my jaws. 

 

To be perfectly honest, I have struggled physically but also emotionally, with RA.  It feels like everything that happens in my life is governed by this disorder.  My children catalog memories in "when you could walk" and "since the wheelchair".  It breaks my heart to know I have affected their lives in a negative way.  My time with my kids or my husband is briefed by RA, there is a lot of days I just do not feel well.  Today is one of those. 

 

Psalm 66:10 (NIV) says: "For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver."  I have tried to grasp the concept that God is refining me, trying to remove all my impurities and make me stronger.  The process of refining silver, removes the dross and leaves you with pure silver.  The pure silver is stronger and more beautiful.  I pray I am being refined. 

 

Do you have any struggle you are facing?  Are you being refined for a purpose, regardless if you know what that purpose is?  Could God be placing you in the fire to purify you? 

 

 

 

Well it is drawing closer to St. Patrick's Day, time to prepare for the Wearing O' the Green!!  I do not do a ton of decorating around the house for this, but this idea popped into my head and I had to try it.  You crafters know what I mean!!

 

I began with a wreath I already had.  It is a wreath from the Dollar Store.  I also used scrap paper in shades of green, these were left overs from other projects. 

 

 

I looked for a shamrock in my Cricut cartridges.  I found one on the A Child's Year cartridge.

 

 

Next I used the scrap papers and cut out every possible size of shamrock.  I glued them to brown paper and laminated them. 

 

 

After this step comes the arduous task of cutting all the shamrocks out.  Luckily, I had my daughter helping me.  We finished with shamrocks a plenty. 

 

I then wrapped my wreath in a sheer green ribbon.  If you want you can skip this step.  I did not discover until later that you can not possibly see the wrapped wreath. 

I then just hot glued the shamrocks on the wreath in random order.  I began with the larger and went smaller with the shamrocks, but basically just random.  I then took the remainder of the sheer green ribbon, I already had and made a bow for it.   Here is the finished project again. 

When my husband came home he wanted to know if I had been to Hobby Lobby or Michael's.  I guess that is a good compliment huh?  He thought the laminated shamrocks were metal. 

Using things I already had, I did not spend anything on the wreath itself.  But if you totalled past purchases, it still is going to be very minimal out of pocket. 

Have a day full of blessings!

http://wmcraftgoodies.blogspot.com/

Stand On Your Head

Hello My Friends!   I hope your day is all sunshine and joy!!

Determination....

When I was in the 3rd grade, I began an obsession with being able to stand on my head.   My days were filled with attempts at becoming a champion of standing on my head.  Each time I would begin to see the world from a new angle, I would end up on the floor.  Failure.  Why I needed to succeed at this upside down struggle, I can not say.  My Dad watched these endeavors.  One Saturday, Dad left early for a day trip.  He challenged me, "Sis, when I get home tonight, I want to see you stand on your head.  I know you can do it.  Just keep trying.  Stand on your head!" 

With new dedication, I took the call to succeed to heart.  I finished my Saturday chores and started the many tries at standing on my head.  After a new cluster of failures, I set in the middle of our living room floor and planned a fresh approach.  I began by using the hearth of our fireplace to help me balance my back.  I used this time and again until the balance felt natural.  I moved to a small step that wouldn't provide as much false balance to me.  Ultimately, I was in the middle of the living room again, no assistance of hearth or step alone.  I had made it!  I was standing on my head, for a very long time.  I was so proud and could not wait to show my Dad when he returned home. 

I ran to meet him at the door, announcing I had a surprise.   He may have remembered his recent challenge or not, but I was going to remind him.  I made sure he was sitting in his favorite chair and had a full view of my 'stage'.  "Watch Daddy!"  I am not sure if grinning helps your equilibrium or not but it did that day.  I turned fully upside down and stood on my head.  Dad cheered and gave me every encouragement and praise.  "I told you that you could do it!  I am so proud of you!"  I was also full of pride, sure at standing on my head, but mostly at making my Daddy proud. 

That for years has been our championing call.  "Stand on your head!"  When I faced finals at college, Dad would say, "Stand on your head, Sis!"  When I was facing cancer, "Stand on your head!"  When Dad almost cut his finger off, "Stand on your head, Dad."  It has been our rallying cry.  As I face a new career path, new conflicts and confrontations, new decisions and ultimately new victories.... I feel the words, "STAND ON YOUR HEAD!"

SEW 4 HOME

I have found a delightful website I wanted to share with you.  I have been looking through it this morning and found a ton of things I want to make!!  Like I need more projects...teehee!! 

Here is the link for SEW 4 HOME  http://sew4home.com/projects   Take some time and look around.  I think you will find some thing you like too.  The projects are not complicated and have some beautiful ideas.  I thought these towels were so cute.  I am going to get on those! 

Aren't they sweet?  There are several items for baby shower gifts and home dec, along with some accessories.  Too Fun!!

Have a blessed day!!