A gift for baby Chase!

A friend of mine (and her husband) just had a precious, beautiful baby boy!  His nursery is FABULOUS!  Check out Cristi's blog, Charm Home, to see pictures of Chase and his awesome new digs!

As soon as I saw pictures of the nursery, I wanted to make a gift for Chase that would tie in with his nursery.  I knew I either wanted to do a paper cut or try what would be my first attempt at hoop art.  I decided to go with what I know and stick with a paper cut...an owl for baby Chase!  I tried to draw a template, but just was not satisfied with how that was going!  On an unplanned trip to the mall for an eye glasses repair for my husband, I walked into the little shop next door...and there it was!  The PERFECT template...on a PURSE!  At that point, I probably did something that will make some people mad - I took a picture of it...I didn't buy it!

Pretty cute, huh?  I increased the size, printed the image on plain typing paper, and stapled it to another white sheet of typing paper.  Then, I whipped out my self-healing cutting mat and Xacto knife and settled in for a 5 hour project of cutting...cutting...and more cutting. 

When I was done cutting, the print out looked like this:

And Chase's present looked like this:

  

And now it looks like this:

Yes, the pictures are horrible - that's what happens at 1:00 in the morning when I am bleary eyed and using my iPhone to snap pictures. 

I love how it turned out!  I love owls!  And I LOVE that baby Chase is here and healthy!  Congratulations to Cristi and Billy!
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With this post, I am participating in my first ever link party!  Please pop over to Carolyn's Homework and check out all of the other linked projects!

Remembering...

Today we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Today we honor those who actively serve or have served.

Thank you for your selfless dedication to ensure that the USA remains a free country!

God bless America!

Just in our family:
Grandpa Clarence, Daddy George, Daddy Jerry, Butch, Greg, Grandpa Don, Uncle Roger, Uncle Buck, Uncle John, Uncle Wes, Uncle Ron, Uncle Donald, Uncle Joe, Uncle Leonard, Paul, Eric, Ron Jr., Adam - I'm sure there are more that I can't remember right this minute! 

Something for the Little Ones

I have quite a few family members and friends that have either just given birth or are preparing to do so.  So, I have been inspired to put together a list for the little ones.  I have no idea if I'll be able to attach it to this blog, but I am going to try.    

I saved this in Word and .PDF format in a variety of colors (though BE is grey in all of them). I think it would look nice printed on crisp white cardstock and put in a frame.  If you would like one, I am happy to e-mail it to you.  Let me know what color combination you would like.  This could be really cute using a child's name, too. 

Be Focused

Our Sunday School lesson this week was entitled, 'Be Focused.'

The scripture reference was Colossians 3:1-17, a letter to the Colossians from Paul. 

Read it.  It will change you.  At minimum, as a believer in Christ, it will change the way you think!

This really HIT HOME with me!  I have believed in Jesus for as long as I can remember.  I have even been saved and baptized, but I am realizing more and more that I haven't had the relationship with Him that He desires and deserves.  I am not living up to my full potential in Him.

What do Christians need to put off, and what do they need to put on?

Put OFF the sinful, earthly things lurking within you! (v 5-9, 13)

• Sexual Immorality
• Impurity
• Lust
• Evil Desires
• Greed, which is idolatry
• Anger
• Rage
• Malicious behavior
• Slander
• Lying
• Dirty Language

I'm having MAJOR problems right now with anger toward another person.  This anger can put me in a quiet rage, and, sadly, a loud rage at times.  And can trigger at litany of foul language and a strong need to hurt that person.  I never say anything to the person.  I vent to my husband, which is so unfair to him!  I need to turn to my Heavenly Father and ask Him to help me and guide me.  I need to get in His Word and deal with myself, my anger and that person according to God's directive.

Put ON your new nature, be renewed in Christ!  (v 12-14)
Clothe yourself with the following:

• Tenderhearted mercy
• Kindness
• Humility
• Gentleness
• Patience
• Forgiveness
• And above all, LOVE!

I feel like I have several of the characteristics He expects of me, but not all of them and not all of the time.  Jesus knows that I, as a human being, will struggle with living up to His expectations.  And He knows that I sin...daily!  He expects my confession and He deserves it.  I owe it to myself and to Him to acknowledge my sin and learn from it...and hopefully not repeat it!

In verses 15-17, we are told to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and to be thankful.  Share the message of Christ through teaching and admonishing one another with wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit; singing to God with gratitude.  We are to do all things, whether in word or in deed, in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God. 

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Luke 6:32 (Jesus speaking)
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners love those that love them.

So, with this post, I ask you to pray for me.  I ask you to pray for my family.  And I ask you to look into your own heart and ask yourself if you are living the life that Jesus expects of you.  If not, I invite you to join me in focusing on His expectations for our lives as Christians.  And, I beg of you to hold me accountable.   

A leap of faith...

An opportunity has presented itself for me to try to sell some of my art pieces.  There are details to be ironed out, but the potential is there.  I have never, ever even considered selling anything I have done - I have only given pieces away.  I have a diverse interest but I dabble in painting with acrylics, doodle drawing, and scherenschnitte (paper cutting).  I would never consider what I do to be fine art by any stretch of the imagination - it's just fun.  Anyway...thinking about taking a leap of faith just to see what happens! 

Vacation Week

I took a vacation week April 11-14!  On one of the days, I took my mom, my niece, and D's mom to the State Botanical Gardens!  It was quite chilly, but we stayed in the tropical plant conservatory and enjoyed ourselves so much!  It was WONDERFUL getting Momma S out of the house.  She was so happy!  Of course that made ME happy! 

I made this collage using Picnik, which is recommended by Danielle Burkleo at take heart.  I follow Danielle's take heart blog faithfully.  You should too!  Go here!


I'm going to do another post of my adventures with Cassidy. We did face painting almost every day. We had ART day!! We went to the park several times. We even went to a couple of antique shops to look around.  And best of all, I got to love on my baby girl.

Life, Love and Randomness

Right now, life is a little hectic, but I cannot complain.  I am blessed far more than I deserve to be.  Momma S is having really good days and a lot of them, Praise the Lord!  My house is a wreck, but I have a roof over my head, Praise the Lord!  My laundry is piled up, but I have clothes to wear, Praise the Lord!  My job is a little crazy, but I am employed and get to work from home, Praise the Lord!

Right now, I am loved far more than I deserve to be.  My husband, D, loves me with every fiber of his being and he shows it in big and small ways.  We don't have a lot of time together because we alternate days being with Momma S, but quality is more important than quantity these days.  I love my husband and look forward to every moment we have together.

Random thoughts:

• My brain is in creative mode right now.  I want to paint, I want to sew, I want to draw, I want to cut paper, I want to take my new camera and hit the road taking photographs.  Do I sound like the girl on Willy Wonka?  I WANT IT NOW!  I have artistic ADD.  I float from one idea to the other based on my current inspiration.  One major project that I already have planned in my head and on paper is a gift for D.  The whole hectic/time thing is a bit of a road block at the moment.
• I am taking a vacation week starting April 11th.  Our sweet 7-year-old niece, C, wants to spend her spring break with us!  C is like our child and we are thankful she wants to spend her break with us.  We know there will come a day when Aunt M & Uncle D aren't so cool.  We have plans that week; art day, botanical gardens, game ranch - no swimming because her arm is in a cast until April 20th.  I am probably more excited than she is about it.
• The abundance of flowers in our area has been a real boost to my spirits!  There is an explosion of color everywhere!  I don't have a green thumb, but my planters are doing great.  The pansies are plentiful and it won't be long before the snapdragons bloom. 
• My church, Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, has a new senior pastor, Kevin Miller.  He is younger than D and me.  I have enjoyed his preaching.  It doesn't feel like the preaching I grew up with - and that is a good thing.  Pastor Kevin is challenging all of us to get out of our comfort zone, he actually says we need to get uncomfortable, and get busy for the Lord through prayer, service and invitation.  We are challenged to pray for opportunities to speak to people about Christ, pray for wisdom, courage and boldness for when (not if) the opportunity presents itself, and invite people to Christ.  Working from home presents a different kind of challenge, but social networking presents a different kind of opportunity!  If you are reading this and you are in the metro-Atlanta area, I encourage you to join me in worship at Hebron Baptist Church.  I promise you will receive a wonderful blessing.  At each service, there is baptism, Praise the Lord!  The congregation claps in celebration and I cry with joy every single time!     
• We take our dogs to Petsmart in Loganville to have their nails trimmed.  The only groomer we allow to handle our girls is Maria.  She is incredible with them and they respond well to her touch.  She soothes them with her voice and she kisses them on the head.  If Maria ever leaves, we will follow her...seriously!   
• Prayer Requests
• Momma S. - please pray that she will continue to have good days.  That all of us will stay on the same page with respect to her care.  That the hospice team will have the wisdom they need to care for her in the best way.
• G, L, and the girls - please pray for this family, my family.  They are going through a very difficult time and are so broken right now.
• C - that her arm will heal and be as good as new.
• T & R - please pray for this mother & daughter.  God knows the need.
• K - please pray for this precious child as she battles cancer for a second time - and she is only 7.  I know God can heal her and that is my prayer.
• S & J - please pray for safety and protection as they finish up their teaching year in South Korea.
• L - please pray for this little one that her cancer does not return!  Praise the Lord she was given a 'clean bill of health' recently.

So, how is that for RANDOM?  Maybe I have more than artistic ADD?  Focus, girl, focus!

Be well and be blessed!