Worth Passing On

Every so often I read another's blog post and feel compelled to pass on their wisdom because it really is that good. So good, in fact, I wish I had written it. But, even if I had, it wouldn't be as good as the person chosen to deliver that specific message. So, when these instances present themselves, I share what I read and I hope you, in turn, share what I share.

Janell Burley Hofmann wrote the post To My 13-Year Old, An iPhone Contract From Your Mom, With Love. It appeared in the Huffington Post and received much love from many readers. Although our home has yet to face the cell phone dilemma, it'll only be a few years until we have to have the discussion. Kiddo will be turning 11 this year and by 13, he'll be participating in after-school sports, heading out to games, etc. If there's a game cancellation, I'd like Kiddo to call or text the details before I head-out. That's just one example, but you get the point. Today, at the tender age of 10, his schedule is pretty much in my control. I know where he is at all times and an adult is present in every case; an adult with a cell phone, should the need arise. So, sorry Kiddo, no cell phone right now. But, I'm keeping this contract in my back pocket until then. Enjoy!

What I Made Wednesday {Valentine's Rag Heart Wreath}

Pondering on the month of hugs and smooches that lay ahead and I thought I'd share some inspiration with this eco-friendly wreath. I guest-posted it last year at the Fine Craft Guild but I never shared it on my own site! What was I thinking? So, for those of you who missed this super-easy, too-cute wreath, here it is. I hope it inspires you to start speaking the language of love as February begins next week! xxoo

What You'll Need
Dry Cleaner's wire hanger
Old T-shirt - color of choice
Scissors (not shown)
Wire Cutters
Starch (optional)

What You'll Do

The hardest part of this project is bending of the wire hanger. Carefully unwind the wire hanger at the hook area and shape the hanger into a heart. You’ll have the hook portion at the heart’s center. Wrap the two wires into one. Take wire cutters and cut off the excess wire. You may need stronger wire cutters than those pictured. Be sure not to cut too closely to where the wires come together as you don’t want to break the connection. I actually cut the excess wire off after I tied each rag strip.

Next, take the old t-shirt and cut the bottom right above the sew line. This strip will act as your hanging strip. The sewed seam will help this strip’s role from unraveling while it hangs your Rag Heart Wreath. 

 

Begin cutting strips starting at the bottom of the t-shirt. I made my strips between a half an inch to an inch in width and between four to five inches in length. It’s not an exact science and the variation adds character to the final result. This width and length worked so well when I tied the knot that I did not need to use the starch to force the rags to lay outwardly.

Begin knotting each strip to the wire and follow along until the entire wire is covered. It is not a double knot, just a simple basic tie. When you get to the center of the heart where there are two wires coming together, take a rag strip and knot both wires together. Continue along until the entire wire is covered. Push each knotted strip together tightly.

 

These photos show the heart’s center and knotting both wires together.

What You'll Need to Know to Finish

Remember that rag strip you cut from the bottom of the t-shirt? Go ahead and figure out what length you need based on where you’re going to hang your Rag Heart Wreath. Tie each end to the Rag Heart Wreath around the area where the heart begins to curve upwards. Try to make that knot blend in with the rest of the knots already tied on to the wire by positioning it between the knotted rag strips already there. All done!

Go hang your swoonie Rag Heart Wreath and be proud; a Valentine’s Day craft that cost nothing, nada, zilch! Good for you and Happy Valentine’s Day, you savvy crafter, you!

 LOVD tidings, Lilly

 

Snow Day

I wish I could show you tons of snow outside, but there's only a dusting. It's cold, yes, but not too bad. As you may know, my son's school is 30 minutes away so, as the snow gods would have it, the snow system dumped tons over the school! Woo-hoo for kiddo! There are no friends to call locally, though, as they still have school today.

This is so great, really! We'll have another day to work on the Panama project and it looks like kiddo's field trip on Thursday is a go. You kinda need snow for skiing, snow-shoeing, and sledding, right?

Source

Ahh, I love it when things work out.

Hope you're safe and warm where you are. 

Gratitude Journal Monday

Is there such a thing as too much gratitude? Only if you believe it's possible to have too many blessings in your life. Gosh, I hope that's not the case. You are worthy and don't you ever forget it! My own eyes get blurry at times while I squint to see the good that is in my life. But, simple declarations clear up the view quite nicely. When I'm having one of those days, I go for the simple.

386. I am grateful for all my working senses; sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, and common.
387. I am grateful for the feet I stand upon and the heart that guides my steps.
388. I am hopeful for the promised blast of winter this week (as I know an entire 5th grade class that would be most grateful).
389. I am grateful for a full refrigerator.
390.I am grateful for a cozy, warm abode.

When I began my Gratitude Journal, I started small, click here. I hope you choose to join in on the journey.

Happy Monday!

Goodbye Week. Hello Weekend. Lessons Learned: Take 78.

Goodbye short school week just when we were getting back into the swing of things.
Goodbye finding rogue Christmas decorations that have blended in too well with my clutter that I hadn't noticed to put them away during the big holiday clean-up.
Goodbye finally realizing that country life out in the sticks may not be for me.
Goodbye trying a new schedule that keeps my time on the computer to a minimum while being super-efficient - I'll share if it works 2-weeks in a row.
Goodbye scoring big at Target on 2 awesome cable-knit sweaters for $7.50 a piece!

Hello long, 4-day weekend.
Hello diving into Panama with my son for his school Spanish project - ay caramba!
Hello glue sticks, X-acto knives, scissors, tape, foam core, markers and poster board all weekend-long.
Hello wishing, hoping, and praying for snow, snow, and more snow so the school can go on a field trip that involves cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and dog sledding - how cool is that, but it needs to SNOW!
Hello celebrating my family's Slava in honor of our family's patron saint, St. John.

There is lots of tradition and symbolism in celebrating Slava. Pictured: Slava bread.

The lesson I learned this week is how much of a suburbanite I am. Trust me, I'm not proud of this revelation; disappointed, really. I thought I longed for a country-life, one far away from neighbors, busyness, and down-right rudeness. Simplicity is my goal. I've been visiting my grandmother over the past several weeks. She lives out in the middle of nowhere. Not a Wal-Mart, Target, or even a fast food joint to be found. I've shopped at the local grocery store - bare necessities. Although their customers and employees are some of the friendliest people I've come across, there's not a gourmet item to be found on any shelf. Instead of a variety of coffees to choose from there are only two: Maxwell House and Folger's. Stores aren't open early, the banks around there are living in the 1980's as far as hours of operation, and even the post office doesn't open until 9:00 am - shocking to me!!!!

One day, just not today.

If I ever did up-and-throw the towel-in on my suburban life and actually fulfill my dream of more land, more space, more time, and more fresh air, I realize I'd have to make a ton of adjustments. I'm just not ready to do that just yet. I need my current surroundings in suburbia because it's those conveniences that make my life more simple right now.

Happy Weekend and Sretna Slava!

 

Out of Service

The qualities that make us great women are the same qualities that curse many of us, simultaneously. We give our whole-selves to our children, our husband, our parents, even the school PTA, when there is nothing left to give. Our unselfishness is snatched happily by so many, sometimes leaving us thinking whether or not we invited the mugging, holding our emotional purse open in some alley yelling, "Come and take it all!" Be forewarned, friends: not all thieves come in the night. Sometimes they pop up in car pool lines, grocery aisles, even corners of local coffee shops where you were sure no one would find you.

Time to take stock and take a break. See the picture above? If a police car can put an Out of Service sign on his vehicle, why can't you? It's not forever. I know you've got responsibilities. We are, afterall, public servants ourselves. But, every so often you've got to put up your Out of Service sign for all to see. That doesn't mean if you saw a bank robbery you'd just point to your sign and keep driving. It does mean that you'll be taking a breather for just a little while. Justice will remain in good hands, even while you are away.

What I Made Wednesday {Shares on Display IV}

Wow! Where does the month go? Time, once again, for another Shares on Display window case theme. Have no idea what I'm talking about? It's something I'm doing each month for my son's school. I've taken over a display case in the 5th grade hallway and I've developed themes for each month to which students can bring in items to share with each other while displaying their "shares" in the case. Here's some links to catch-up:

October

November

December

As many month's as there are in the school year, that's how many themes I came up with. Unfortunately, I wasn't thinking about all the lost time with Winter Break, Spring Break, etc. Just between those two holidays, I lose one month!!!!! So I had to get daring and creative. This month's theme is a melting of two themes: Hobbies AND Collections. Hey, if you're going to merge two themes into one, those seemed like the logical ones, right?

No, you're not seeing things. I added the buttons to cover up the kids' names. Not all items are displayed, yet.

We had already lost a week since we didn't start school back up from break until January 7. I had to think fast, create fast, and still have it be cool. What to do, what to do? Well, I found some old 8x8 scrapbook paper and I started stapling away. I think it looks a lot better in person (you'll have to trust me on that one).

After the holidays, Michael's had this mega-sale on these unbelievably adorable laser-cut picture frames. I bought 5 and pinned them to the back of the display. Each one reads "Hobbies and Collections" in different languages. The verse for this month: "5th Graders Are Interesting" (I had no room for the exclamation point this time around).

 
Kids are still bringing in their items, but so far we have Rock Collections, LEGO Collections, Baseball Card Collections, and some Drumsticks!!!! Man, these kids are busy and talented!

Another month down, 3 to go!!!