Ladies tea

A few weeks ago we hosted a ladies tea at our church. The topic was God's perspective on health and beauty and we had two amazing ladies from our church speaking to us. I was in charge of the decorations and although the budget was limited it was loads of fun.

Here are some photos.

  Having these women in my life has made my time in Korea so much easier.

I hope  you enjoy your last few days of 2011.

Blessings

(thanks to Katy Doerksen for all the photos)

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Monday Inspirations

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I definitely did. I am so thankful that Jesus was born, that God became man. I wouldn't have made it if He hadn't taken the initiative to come down and make a way for me to get to Him. 

Here are a few quick inspirations for this Monday - hopefully you aren't sitting at your work desk like me. If you can you should use the opportunity to spend some time with your family :)

The DIY book cover and bookmark is from Twig & Thistle.

The chalboard mug is from wit & whistle.

The heart cards are from good old Martha Stewart.

I hope that you have a really blessed holiday time this week, and if you are in the office, like me, then know that you are not alone :)

Happy Monday!

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Monday Inspirations

Last weekend we had a tea at our church and afterwards I ended up with a whole bunch of empty jars. I love glass jars so I don't mind :) 

Here are some ideas for you if, like me, you find yourself in the week of Christmas with some much needed, last minute, gifting and quite a few glass jars ;)

1. Oats, Choc chip, pecan, pink m&m cookies from Bakerella.(You could do this with many cookie recipes, just make sure you layer the ingredients for extra prettiness - and add the recipe;)

2. Divine caramel sauce from mel's kitchen cafe - I REALLY WANT THIS RIGHT NOW!!

3. Some bottled hot chocolate & mini marshmellows - idea from Naturally Chic

4. Vanilla Chai Sugar Scrub from take the side street.

5. Gingerbread Playdough (for kids) but I'm sure making Gingerbread cookie dough would go down just as well :) from Sweet Sugarbelle

6. And although this has nothing to do with jars or gifts, this DIY Santa ornament was too cute to leave off the list. Thanks How About Orange.

Enjoy all the festivities building up to Christmas and if you are on vacation (unlike me:) then please enjoy that too :)

Happy Monday!!

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Monday Inspirations

The past few weeks have been SUPER busy, so I'm pooped today, happy pooped (I will post some photos of what I was up to later.)   I thought I'd give you something to smile about today with my favourite pinterest signs and sayings... I mean what better inspiration than a happy heart?

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Monday Inspirations

Todays post was inspired by the following conversation that I had this past weekend.

Me: "Look at all this wonderful cheap washi tape I found at Diaso yesterday."

Friend 1: "I KNOW!! It's wonderful isn't it, I bought a few rolls as well."

Friend 2: "So what are you going to do with it?"

Me: "Well, (pause) umm... (pause and look to friend 1)

Friend 1: "Well, you see...(pause) Umm.. Well its pretty and pretty things always have a use, we will think of something eventually."

So I went ahead and did some washi tape research for those of us who buy stuff because its pretty :) 

Washi tape originated in Japan, it is a pretty (we have established this) tape that comes in different colours, patterns and widths.  It can be similar to regular sticky tape (translucent) or masking tape. It is generally used for scrapbooking but it can be used in many other projects.

Well here are some ideas for your pretty tape :)

1. Use washi tape to recycle an old glass bottle into a vase by sweet paul.

2. Mini bunting from the red thread.

3. Bunting for homemade cards from sideoats & scribbles.

4. Washi tape coasters from japanistic.

5. Cocktail stirrers (but you could use these as cupcake toppers too) from Martha Stewart.
6. How to customize plain ceramics from how about orange (one of my favourite blogs.)
7. A washi tape table from Kelly Oshiro Events.
8. Some super cute soap wrappers by Prunella Soap on etsy. 


And then lastly, if some of you can't get hold of washi tape and need to look for alternatives  - here is a tutorial by just something i made for handmade custom paper tape.

Happy Monday!

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Monday Inspirations

(The internet at my work crashed yesterday - so today's post should be considered better late than never ;)
I accidently found some amazing free printables earlier today and I thought I would share them with you. 

The first one is my pretty fix for the day and the second one is my definite favourite for today's inspirations. If you look at the 2nd site you will see there are other printables too - from cowboy hats to a batman mask that you can use for a home made photo booth.
The rest are for general Christmas merriment :) 
Have fun.

1. Kitchen printables from the handmade home.

2. Photo booth props from oh happy day.

3. Christmas labels by World label.

4. A holiday gift tag round up from creature comforts. (some of these are unbearably cute)

5. Gift tag printables from yellow heart art.

6. Holiday gift tags from orange you lucky.

Happy Monday (Tuesday)! 

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Monday Inspirations

Today my Monday was sneaky. It snuck up on me, caught me unawares and then disappeared too quickly for me to grab hold of it.

Nevertheless here is my inspiration fix for the day :)

1. DIY Paper lanterns from Martha Stewart's Craft Department.

2. Earwarmers tutorial from delia creates (my favourite one for the day)

3. An ice-cream shoppe wedding dessert table and many more party ideas from Kara's Party Ideas.

4. Cupcake cookies from Bake at 350. (I LOVE her blog) and I might have used these before, I can't remember - but if something keeps inspiring you, then why not? :)

I hope that you have managed to get a hold on your Monday. If you see mine anywhere please tell it I'll be more prepared next time round.

Happy Monday!

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Making a photo mosaic.

I thought I would post a different type of tutorial today because although I enjoy crafts I often struggle with the technical side of blogging.

So I thought I'd share a bit of info that I do have because we bloggers should stick together. 

To make a mosaic on the specific programme that I use you need square photos so let's first do that.

First choose a photo that you like and make sure its saved somewhere that you can get hold of it.

Monday inspirations

I love it when bloggers make a tutorial or 101 series and so I was overjoyed on Friday when I found the following two blogger series.

The first one is called: Welcome Baby Tutorial Series from Clover and Violet.

It just started and the first tutorial is on baby bibs done by guest blogger Kim from My Go-Go Life, they are super cute.

The second one finished in Sept this year (which means you can go through it at your own pace:)

It's called the sewing back-to-school guest post series  and it's from Sew Sweetness.

The series is for people that are new to sewing and there is something in it for everyone.

Go take a look - I will be wondering around there too :)

Just to give you a taste; the first guest post, of 24, is about pairing fabrics. It was done by another Kim but this time from Poppy Seed Fabrics.

And remember...

to have a WONDERFUL Monday!

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Monday Inspirations

I was so excited yesterday when I found Oh, Sugar! Events. The absolute genius behind Oh, Sugar! Events has created my favourite cookie to date. Its a Mr. Potato Head cookie with your own choice of cookie parts. 

Take a look! These particular cookies seem to have caused quite an uproar. If you have a second go over to the blog and say hi :)

I think this cookie deserves some kind of prize - it makes me happy just looking at it.

And then here are some DIY's for you on this lovely Monday.

1. Alphafantastical insta-decor (free printables) from the handmade home.

2. DIY Jam heart cookies from the pretty blog.

3. DIY paper cubes for fairy lights from who-knows-where, because the link goes nowhere:( thankfully the whole DIY is here on pinterest. If you find the owner please let me know.

(I think we need to start a "lost and found" section for blogger ideas.)

4. DIY favor bags from DIY Wedding

Happy Monday!!

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I promise I'm not sleeping over here ^.^

Just in case you thought I was relaxing on this side and sipping a cup of tea or playing in the falling Autumn leaves...I'm not only doing that.

I have been doing a few other things too: Here are 3 of them ^.^

I made a birthday bag for a friend :)

I also made my first zippered pouch.

I inserted my first zip ever.

Then unpicked my first zip ever.

Then I shortened my first zip ever.

And then broke my first needle ever.

I did needle felting onto fabric for the first time ever (the cloud)

And then I finished making this:

I needed a handbag that was cheap and big enough to act as an overnight bag. So I bought a plain (cheap) bag and then hand sewed some of my heart on to it (Africa).

Hope you have been having some creative fun too.

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Monday Inspirations

I love blog land but I need to get something off my chest today; why do people link to a link that links to a link that links to another link.  A link to a link is fine - but sometimes the trail gets so long that you get lost.

Take this cute robot for instance.

 I found her on Pinterest - and under her it said DIY robot. I clicked on the link, it took me to a blog and after scrolling through 10 pages I found the picture. It linked me back to Pinterest which linked me to someone else's blog that apologized for not knowing where the original picture came from... So sadly this poor Robot has been left wandering the world wide web alone. If you find her home please let me know - I would love to link you to it ;)
(I'm adding this about 2 weeks later - BUT I FOUND THE CREATOR!!!!) Here is her etsy link: Little brown byrd creations

And without further moaning from my side, here are some inspirations for today: :)

1. A little lamb pillow tutorial from the Purl bee.

2. A DIY paper mobile from Lait fraise  (Google chrome gave me a translate option - if you have it use it :)

3. A felt flower pillow tutorial from Twinkle and Twine.

4. And my favourite one for the day: A stamp carving tutorial (with all the right tools) from Ishtar Olivera

I hope you have a wonderful Monday!

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Monday Inspirations

Human exploitation is a big problem in this day and age. I think for too long we have been blind to it or just ignoring it. 

Recently a friend told me about a documentary that was made regarding sex trafficking and the exploitation of women for sex, called: 

Nefarious Merchant of souls 

(see the link for the trailer)

 I have had the privilege of watching it. They are currently showing it at screenings around the world and the DVD should be available by the end of the year. 

Watch it if you can and get involved. 

I am planning on. 

There are many issues discussed but the one that hit me the hardest was that there are many young children around the world, and especially in Cambodia, being sold (sometimes even by their parents) to foreigners for sex. 

CNN also released a documentary this past week called "Not my Life". If you missed it here are the links.

This is part one

Part two.

Don Brewster (Founder of Agape International Missions) who speaks on both Nefarious: Merchant of Souls and Not my Life, tells you what he and his team are doing to help.

Agape International Missions from Clayton Butler on Vimeo.

 "We are going to sacrifice till it hurts, because this is an evil that needs to be destroyed and that's what we're committed to do." 
Don Brewster

They currently also have a campaign called "Treat the Tricked" - please go take a look and donate. Paying 10 dollars won't make a dent in your pocket, but it will make a difference to a child.
Let's join in and start doing something to protect God's children.

I wrote a letter to my love...

A while back I was missing my family and decided to send a small care package. I thought about what I would have liked and realized that sitting down and having a cup of tea with my mom would be wonderful. So, because that is currently impossible I went for an alternative.


 I had seen a few people from our wonderful online craft world make these, but their only use was the cuteness factor. I decided to change the concept just a little by making the envelopes from different colours and I wrote tiny letters to my mom and attached them each to a teabag. So that when she was missing me she could have a cup of tea and read my note (not exactly a full conversation - but you have to take what you can get if you are oceans apart.)

Monday Inspirations

Today I am thankful. 

Thankful that God gave people bits and pieces of His creative side. I love seeing people's creativity and  today I have gotten a real kick out of browsing through people's blog posts, old and new, and getting my inspiration fix for the week. 

I have made a few links (below the pics) for you who do not have the time to amble lazily through blog land.

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1. Page corner bookmarks from 'I could make that'

2. A DIY camera purse/bag from 'vanilla and lace'

3. A clock DIY makeover from 'wonderful joy ahead'

4. A toadstool tutorial from 'so you think you're crafty'

5. A DIY rubber mustache stamp from 'the sweetest occasion'

6. (my personal favourite of the day) Little monsters tutorial from Alisa Burke

Oh and just so you can get excited with me - I featured on scrapbook etc. recently :) and I made it on to this list :) (no. 46 under crafts and craft supplies)
 I'm currently doing my happy dance.

I hope that you have a great week.

Happy Monday!

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Of course I have an opinion...

I'm currently doing a 30 day drawing challenge - although I've decided that I determine when those days occur :)

I just did day two and it was: Draw your favourite animal.

At the moment my favourite animal is a tie between Corgi puppies and Bunnies. I went for bunnies. But I decided that these bunnies needed to reflect my personality. Something about myself, that isn't always positive, is that I always have an opinion. I really don't know everything, but time and time again I find myself in mid sentence blabbing about something I know for a fact I really don't know anything about. The person I'm talking to doesn't even need to ask for my opinion, I give it freely and often ignorantly. I also have this intense desire to fill in the silences, you know those awkward ones where no one is speaking.

And time and time again I find myself with my foot in my mouth because I said something totally stupid.

One day I'm going to find my mute button - but until then... meet the opinionated bunnies :)

 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 17:28

I hope you have a great weekend.
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