Girl Time Tidbit #2

#2. Get your daughter involved!

Have her be in charge of gathering the materials for your craft, setting up the table, or making the tea! Let her set things up. This allows her freedom to begin to set her eye for decorating her home and practicing the gifts of hospitality. What a simple and delightful way to try new arrangements. Remember we don't always get it right the first time, so gently (if at all) guide your daughter as she learns these new skills!

At our table we usually have a pretty table cloth, lace doily with a candle lamp(this is a large candle with a shade for the top, ours is clear glass). My daughter also likes to be in charge of making the "tea tray" which she lovingly decorates with a doily, our tea cups, sugar bowl and teaspoons. I love watching her to see what she comes up with. My heart swells with joy to see her sense of hospitality and attention to detail blossoming forth. I could have told her to do all these things, but now, I get to praise her efforts! This is a wonderful and eternal way to bless her. This is a large part of "Girl Time" in our household. Intentionally making time to praise my daughters and teach them something in the process!

Next time I will share how to make a special tea light for your table!

A Thousand Gifts

I am grateful for:

A quiet room to be in my own brain with my own thoughts

The sad eyes of chastisement which tell me I am getting through

A husband who focuses on the big picture goals

A daughter happy to be home from college(how huge is that?! :o)

Sleepy loving good-night kisses

Pillow-top king size bed aaahhhhh!

Salt Challenge: A Heart Filled with Contentment

Contentment.

Philippians 4:11-13

When I take time meditate on these verses, I really have a heart filled with contentment. Mind you, it is only because of the Lord working constantly on me, but what a joyful process! Thank you God...May my artwork bring you glory. Here is that verse created into the tangible. Great Salt Challenge Girls!


For this skinny (3x5) I used stamps, oil pastels, mod podge, and shimmer powder.

Endless Gifts in a Journal

I have often used gratitude to re-adjust my attitude. How about you have you ever started a list of things you are grateful for and realized that whatever is going on in life really isn't as overwhelming as it first seemed. I have just joined one of my favorite bloggers Ann Voskamp of Holy Experience in One Thousand Gifts, the Gratitude Community.

Actually, I started doing this a number of years ago, listing things I'm grateful for. I actually have a journal that is specifically for this purpose. A place where I have written the outflowing of a heart of pure gratefulness. How good it is to revisit these pages, my old friends. With a heavy sigh I realize,I have grown away from this habit. I am realizing as I read these entries that not only does my attitude change but so does my focus of life. My eyes focus heavenward to a God who is endless in comfort, mighty in His pursuit of me, and oh so loving when I am, oh so unlovable. What a wonder!

Here is an entry from this Gratitude Journal, it seemed appropriate for the restarting of my pursuit of gratitude. I encourage you to try it, I know He will forever change you and one day you will find that you look more like Jesus and what a beautiful image that will be.

Oct. 18, 2000

... I so need this Grateful Journal- It puts me back in the place I am best suited to serve my Savior humbly broken and sitting at His feet with unspeakable joy and gratitude for loving a sinner like myself. We don't often talk of gratitude like we should. We are selfish and often take the credit for things we could never orchestrate or even worse, we choose not to acknowledge the accumulation of all the little things which point us to our Maker.

There are 3 areas that I am grateful for:

1. Heritage: For me this isn't the earthly heritage most of us are grateful for because my family is dysfunctional and blended. But I'm grateful for the vision God put in my husband and my heart to aspire to our Godly heritage and to be "Repairers of the Breach."

" Those from among you Shall build the old waste places, You shall raise up the foundations of many generations and you shall be called the Repairers of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In."

Isaiah 58:12

We will do all that we can to start and repair the Godly heritage that has been broken in our own families of origin. We are new creations in Christ and therefore we no longer need to be bound by what used to be, righteousness and strength of Godly character can begin with us, intentionally.

2.Simplicity:Life is complicated! BUT I don't have to choose to add to that equation. In fact I can choose something else entirely... This is a tangible blessing to us from the Lord this is His doing in our lives with out His guidance all this could be much different in our lives and I am so grateful for each day that we get to do what we do.

3. Forgiveness and Grace: There some relationships in my life right now that have shake me personally. I am so grateful our Lord loves us even when we are unlovable. Not only that he pays a debt we could never repay. His death on the cross is so hard for me to get my heart around. I'm learning that there is nothing with greater eternal value-nothing than God's grace and love. But its the process of learning to be like Christ that humbles me everyday, because I am SO NOT like Him! I'm so glad that His mercy is new each day. May I strive each day to treat those I love and care for like my Master and Creator treats me.

So change me Lord, from the inside out. Rub the grains of gratitude and rough away the hard edges of selfishness and self-absorption. I desire to see your fingerprints on my life Lord and in return I will praise you in acknowledgement that you are all I need. Amen

A Time for Everything

This is my entry for the Layers of Color Art Challenge

I have two friends I have known most of my life, well since the seventh grade anyway! Wow isn't that something? They are both so precious to me. I don't get to see them that much but when we do, we never skip a beat. And we have been there for each other and all the important stuff, weddings, funerals, and the births of our babies and newborn-recovery-month. We try to vacation together once every couple of years too!

Anyway, when we were in high school one of our things was to eat cheesecake together. Broke up with a boyfriend, oh bummer I didn't like him anyway!... let's get cheesecake! Quit the band... aw that stinks, time for cheesecake! Ace a math test- who hoo! Cheesecake time! Flunk an english test, NO WAY! Hey, I'm thinkin' cheesecake anyone? I think you get the idea! Now that we are older, its become cheesecake and a glass of wine :o)

There is a time to laugh and a time to cry

AND a time to eat lots of cheesecake with your girlfriends! ~Annonymous

This quote reminded me of my life long gal pals and this is a tribute to them. I hope this makes you laugh...for me it brings me tears of joy! Two friendships for almost 30 years! God has blessed me with so much... NOT to mention the extra fat dimples on my hinie! :o)

This is a 6x6 canvas board. I used paint, stamps, Layers of Color- Fleur Signature Art stamp set, and color pencils for the background. Altered photo, embelishments, ribbon, buttons, ribbon leaves, craft pearls(for hanger) and glitter glue for that girly touch!

Girl Time Tidbit #1

I have two daughters, one has left the nest and is in college, the other still at home :o) The younger one and I enjoy what we call "Girl Time". I don't know how we coined the name. I think it was to deter any brothers from wanting to be in on the action... anyway, I thought I would start sharing some of the things that we do together. I will share "Girl Time Tidbits" and projects too. My hope is that it will encourage you or spark your creativity to start a "Girl Time" in your own home with your daughters.

Building healthy mother/daughter relationships is a heartfelt desire of mine actually, all relationships among women are; in friendship, as mentors, family relations. I also have a great love for the womanly arts of sewing, hand work, crafts, writing, hospitality, cooking and caring for my family. I want to share the things of my heart with my girls so I started spending special time with them, talking, sharing and having tea with them. What fun this has been! The wonderful by-product of this is that my daughters have also grown to love this time and lovingly share their hearts with me!

"Girl Time Tidbit #1"

One of the great things we decided was to make up a special place where we would have "Girl Time". For us this is the living room our nicest room. We sit by the front window at an antique table that I inherited from my paternal grandmother. She is who my younger daughter is named after. This table is extra special for me because there are many wonderful memories associated with it. Recipes I wrote down as my Mimi (my grandmother's nickname) dictated them, heartfelt talks, card games, I would eat fresh raspberries and milk with a sprinkle of sugar on them, that my Papa had picked from his garden that very morning. I even learned to crochet at this table.

This is our "Girl Time" spot

This special spot doesn't have to be fussy make it suit your style and decore! I have created it so that it can stay that way all the time. If you don't have a space to do this in, not a problem you can creat a "Girl Time" box (a plastic tub with lid or wicker basket) and put your special things in it. Then when you want to have "Girl Time" have your daugther get it out and set out your sweet smelling candle and special table cloth, tea cups and devotions or projects. When you are done it can go back in the plastic tub and back into it's storage spot.

We have made our spot inviting and special with candle and special books on poetry, our bibles, devotionals and our Girlhood Home Companion publications and a basket filled with our stitching and handiwork. There are many days that I long to just sit and spend time with my growing girl. The time is short make it count even if it is lots of small times they will add up to big memories and cozy feelings of love. I would love to hear your "Girl Time Tidbits", tales and memories, so please leave a comment.

This is some of our favorite tea!

In His Presence

Hi all! One of my art friends recommended me to this site Salt. I'm really excited about it because it is an art challenge site. Those at this are dedicated to encouraging christians and their art and their walk with God. They post a theme and then you get to link and post comments about the art for that challenge, it is awesome!My first entry is for the theme: In His Presence how could I resist doing an ATC (artist trading card) with this sweet one in prayer! What better way to be in God's Prescence then when in prayer! Enjoy the site and lift someone up by commenting about their artwork or by saying a prayer-better yet!

Love Squared

182 artists and 180 squares later isn't this something! Her name is Loved Squared, she stands 40 in. tall. She is the workmanship of several artists, 182 actually, and doll artists Monica Magness.

What a face!What a crown! The artist who designed the crown also made the crown to be worn as a bracelet cuff. Very clever don't you think!

A while back I blogged about this wonderful project I had the privilege to be involved in. I submitted a 2 in. x 2 in. art square to be sewed onto a doll. This doll was going to be submitted to the Somerset Doll Quarterly Publication and then put up on eBay for auction. The proceeds will be donated to breast cancer research. This is the result of artist working together on a common goal, collaborating, encouraging, praying, teaching, and sharing. What a fulfilling way to spend my time! I hope that you will visit the Pink Project portion of Monica Magness' blog and you can get the full story and see all her progress. You can get there by clicking on the Pink Project link at the right. Anyway, I wanted to show you all the small part in which I played. This is my submission If you would like to know the symbolism behind my square click here.

My square went for this to....This!

To this...

And finally to this... Isn't she wonderful!

I can't wait to see how the Lord will use this project to bless someone with love and hope. I hope that you will join me in praying that this project will ripple outward and touch many lives with the light of hope. That the auction will be a success and that what is donated will support the continued efforts to find the cure.

What a Blessing

My friend Amy at Razz Pizazz Boutique just sent me this and I am really blessed by it. Thanks Amy. This is a wonderful opportunity to bless someone else too. I love being able to share the blessings and joy that God is bringing into my life. There are many wonderful women and connections that I have been making this year that the Lord is using to teach and encourage me! You girls are awesome! Your willingness to share information, encouragement, your faith and prayers with me have meant so much to me, you truly have lit up my life!

For those that are wondering, this is how the blessing candle is spread:
The idea…it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for 3 blog friends. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to. If you receive a bloggin’ blessin’ please leave a comment on this thread here so that we can rejoice in just how many blessings have been sent around the world.
I will now pass this onto a few other ladies.

Laura of Layers of Color -You inspire me with your art, friendship, faith and generosity

Jill of Remembance Press-You have lifted me in prayer and have been my teacher, encouraging me in my writing and givng me a place to do that

Nancy of Homeschooling is Life-You are just a ray of sunshine and give your heart freely

Ali of Miss Ali's-I wouldn't have a website without your beautiful design work

Alice of Painted White-I love your style and sweet heart, thank you for our recent interview exchange that was fun!

Thanks girls my life is changed because you are in it! I hope you will stop by and visit with these wonderful ladies...if you do, you can't help but be blessed!

Spring Sale

Spring is Bursting into Bloom with some great sales!

I have been a busy bee trying to get all things ready to burst forth alongside of spring and I am really excited to bring to all some New items available at my website The Patchwork Heat Co. I hope you will grab a cup of tea and come on over for a visit. But in case you are short on time here is a sneak peak at what is New for Spring.

Wouldn't it be lovely to give your Mom a special corsage for Mother's Day that would last for years to come? Well, you can! For the month of April in plenty of time for Mother's Day, all my Ribbon Rose Pins are 20% off!


Here is another great sale beautiful reproduction vintage needle cases for the special Mom that sews or quilts! Vintage needle cases will be on sale for the month of April at 10% off. Happy Spring! I hope you will come by for a visit leave a comment! Happy Spring Blessings!