wishiwas

Do you ever get the "I wish I was's"??? I sure do. Especially when I am checking out all my favorite blogs and copying all their ideas for my crafty moments. I know the majority of the blogs I follow are stay at home moms that blog for income. I really want a job like that. I LOVE to sew and create but I just don't think it would work for me.

There are a lot of things I'd like to be: in fashion, more compassionate, selfless, more confident, and skinny. Ok, let's don't go crazy. Seriously though, I know God made me just like this but I know there are things I HATE about myself too. I think some of them are just me wallowing in mud but I also have a sin nature that I'd LOVE to shuck. It causes me most of my personality flaws so I could just go without . . . . I'll have to wait for heaven on that one, I guess. :(

1 Corinthians 12 talks about the body of Christ and how we all have our part. The author, Paul, says we should not wish for other gifts because our role is exactly what is needed to fulfill the cause of Christ but I can't help but wishing for some other talents. My gifts lie in areas of leadership, administration, and teaching, and I like all those things. However, I'd like a few other perks. Know what I mean??

Most days I feel very secure in what I am and what I'm not. I meet so many people that could really use this sense of security that only comes from Christ, especially women. What is it with us?? Why are we always comparing ourselves to each other??

I'm having a weak day but let's ban together on this, ladies, and do our best to be satisfied with who we are. We are wonderful women that God sculpted with His very own hand. We would want our children (especially our daughters) to be confident in who they are. Let's face the mirror and be strong for them. We are who we are for a reason and when we are in our sweet spot, we will see everything so clearly.

Not looking for pity . . . . Just some thoughts of the day, I guess.

Check this one out!

I just stumbled onto a few cool blogs lately and I wanted to share one of my new fav's. It's giverslog.com. Click the button at the bottom or this link and check it out. Enjoy!

Headband Crazy!

We are going crazy around here for headbands and flowers! I made this headband with attached flower in a matter of minutes (and, as you know, that's all I've got). In fact I've made 3 headband covers and 5 flowers over the weekend! You can find the headband cover template and directions from mmmcrafts and the flower tutorial from The Secret Stitch Club. Click on these links and you can see it for yourself. (BTW- I just learned how to link this stuff and I didn't even have to ask anyone. Wahoo!)

Blueberry Picking

Today we went blueberry picking with a couple of friends. It was so much fun but it didn't take long to fill our buckets with wonderful blueberries. "Only pick the blue ones!" YUM! We already made a list of the yummy things we are going to make with our catch. Pancakes and muffins top the list!!

Family Photo

Yay! My first tutorial!!! I saw these little people at Hobby Lobby last week and HAD to make something with them. I thought about the stickers I see on so many cars around me and since I'm not wild about stickers on my van, I thought I would make a little home decor.

Here goes . . . .

I found these thin, wooden people in the aisle with the wooden letters. They were about $2 per package and there is 2 men, 2 women, 2 boys and 2 girls.

Using black spray paint, thoroughly spray the front of all the people you need to use. I chose black because that matched the fabric I wanted to use. I think it would be really cute to do some other colors. If you miss some of the sides, you can use a marker to color it. I didn't think of this until all my fingers were totally black! (No pics of that tho :) )

Use the paper from inside your frame to cut a piece of material big enough for the back. Don't worry about ironing it. The frame will flatten it out.

Place double stick tape on the back of each figure. (Make sure it is not visible from the front.)

Arrange the figures like you want them.

I like the mom and dad on the ends and placed my kids in birth order but feel free to arrange them however you like.

Finished products!!! Both are 8x10 but that's because I couldn't find a 5x7 I liked. I am using the matted family as a new baby gift.

BTW- Some of you may see these again in December because I think they will make great (and affordable) Christmas gifts!!!

I would love your feedback on the idea and how smoothly (or bumpy) the tutorial went. I want to do more tutorials in the future so let me know how this one went.

Green Thumbs

For their birthdays, Jayci and Cade got Sesame Street seed planting kits. (A really great gift. See previous post!) So today we decided to plant some seeds . . .

Jayci planted "Abi Cadabby" Pumpkins.

Cade planted "Oscar the Grouch" Green Beans.
I'm hoping this will help them eat vegetables. (Fingers crossed!)

Birthday Frustration

So I have a little venting to do -

Birthdays. More specifically, Birthday Parties.

My kids have spring birthdays so we are in full swing of birthday season. I am happy to report that we are surviving with one more birthday of our own to go, but my problem is all the parties we are invited to. Jayci is just now getting to the age that her friends are all having parties and of course we have church friends that invite us too.

I never mind going but we CANNOT afford to give people the kind of presents we are receiving from people. Make sense? I would LOVE it if our party guests would limit the amount they spend on my kids but I'm not sure how to say this in an invitation, etc.

Then I feel cheap because we show up with a small, inexpensive gift among MANY pricey presents. I know that is my issue and I shouldn't feel like I have to measure up to someone else's standard. Yet, I do. I set a price limit for myself but even that cannot last for 3 kids' friends over the years. I try to buy on clearance too but can't afford to buy a years worth of gifts even on clearance.

I want to bring inexpensive gifts but not CHEAP ones. Make sense?

Any suggestions???