Where do you find God?

I believe Heaven is different for everyone. My Heaven is at the lake with a beautiful sunrise, a cup of coffee, peace and quiet. God painted my world purple with bits of orange and yellow this weekend, it was gorgeous. It's been so cold but this weekend Mother Nature kicked some behind. We waited to see if someone would venture into the water and do some water sports but no one was crazy enough, the water was 60 to 63 degrees. This is where I find God. He is all around me and I am drawn to him. Have you ever sat in the sunshine and felt the sun's rays sink into your whole body? That is how I feel when I'm at the lake but it's not the sun's rays it's God's greatness. I feel sorry for people who don't know how great God is. He is everywhere in my life and I thank him for that. The Lord is my Sheppard, I shall not want, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside still water, He restoreth my soul.

Fabric Flower

I saw this fabric flower on polkadotchair.blogspot.com under the category easy gift ideas. She put hers on a necklace but I prefer it as a brooch. Cut out 6 flower shapes and fold 5 of them in half and then in half again. I pushed the needle up through the bottom and tied a knot, make 5 of these. Now she sewed all of hers together but I decided to hot glue mine, I know it sounds lazy and I'm OK with that. Now hot glue 4 of these onto the one you didn't fold, then glue the last one right down in the middle. I added more glue around the side to make the folded flowers touch. The hot glue makes the flower firm to hold the pin on the back. I could add some pearl beads down in the center or maybe a leaf or two behind the flower. Too cute.

Make your own Iron-Ons

I ironed heavy duty fusing onto the back side of the heart and cross material using the manufacturers instructions. I traced the shapes onto the paper side of the fusing and then cut the shapes out. I bought the heavy duty fusing at Walmart in a roll and tried sewing through it and it really gummed up my sewing machine (don't try this at home). The iron-ons are washable but you should hang dry, the heat from the dryer might loosen the adhesive. Then I found this cute little gadget "The Mini Bedazzler". I set all of the rhinestones with it but you need to push the prongs all the way through the material before you Bedazzle it. If some of the prongs don't close completely just press on them with something hard like a thimble or with the tip of a screwdriver. I'm making one for myself but I want to use silver studs and the store was out of them, oh well, guess I'll have to go to the hobby store again, darn.

God's Boxes

I have two boxes which God gave me to hold. He said, "Put all of your worries and sorrows in the black box and all of your joys and happiness in the gold box". I heeded His words, and in the two boxes, both my worries and joys I stored. But though the gold box became heavier each day, the black box was as light as before. With curiosity, I opened the black box, I wanted to find out why....I saw, in the bottom of the black box, a hole, in which my worries and sorrows had fallen through. I showed the hole to God, and asked where could my worries and sorrows be? He smiled a gentle smile and said, "My child, they're all here with me". I asked God, why He gave me the boxes, why the gold box and a black box with a hole? My child, the gold box is for you to count your blessings and the black box is for you to let go.

I bought this box at the store, dabbed on some decoupage and wrapped it in brown ribbon. The ribbon wasn't on straight so a little more decoupage and a pink ribbon and no one will be able to tell. I made some pink felt flowers that I found on mrspriss.com. I cut the felt to 1" x 11", rolled, tucked and stitched. She has better directions on her site, check it out. I saw these felt roses and it looks pretty much like the other flowers without the tucks, try some. I made this worry / happiness box for our Sister Circle meeting. There's nothing greater than a group of Church women prayin' for something, Satan better step aside, Momma's prayin'.

Camera Strap

I saw this cute camera strap on makeitandloveit.blogspot.com and decided it was time for a new strap for my camera. My old camera strap was plastic with some material on it but it was uncomfortable wearing it, so I didn't. She covered her original strap but I wanted a soft fabric only strap. I wanted my strap to be 1" wide x 34" in length. I sewed another piece 3/4" wide x 42" long and gathered it right down the middle. I sewed the 2 pieces together and added clips so it can be removed if needed. Maybe now I will wear the strap and with the camera around my neck I will take more pictures.

Paper Clip Bookmarks

It rained almost all day Saturday so I did what most craftaholics do...craft. I started with paperclip bookmarks; paper, paper clips, buttons and hot glue. I punched the paper (broke my 1" circle punch, wah) and inked the edges with brown and black. I dabbed hot glue onto the center of the largest paper circle and placed the end of the paper clip into the glue. Make sure you glue the end of the paper clip with only one loop. I sewed some buttons onto the smallest circles and hot glued everything else on top of the clip. Bam, you have bookmarks. I should have used some jewels, maybe next time.

Tinker Bell Dress and Wings

Sam wanted to be Tinker bell for a party so we had to make her a dress and wings. She has an old green dress that we cut a layer of ruffles off and sewed on green tulle to give it that wispy look. For the wings I watched the video I found at this web site, www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/fairy_wings. I bought 10 feet of 10 gauge wire; I like the thicker wire so the wings won't lose their shape. I found the shape of the wings I wanted and enlarged them on the back of some wrapping paper that has grids on it. I love the wrapping paper that has the grids on the back. Then I began shaping the wire to my form, this was a bit tricky. Bend, shape, re-bend and then re-shape. I used the wire in one continuous piece and the used duck tape to hold it all together in the center. I bought 2 pairs of little girls white tights, no seam would have worked better, and cut the legs off at the crotch. I stretched the hose over the wire, cut off a little more hose and sewed them all together in the center. I used 15 feet of 1 1/2" ribbon, I cut the ribbon exactly in half and crisscrossed it in the center. I sewed them to the center of the wings and then added the cute stuff. Glitter on the edges and a piece of a boa and some wispy feathers covering the ribbon in the center. Note to myself, no glitter on the inside, it's scratchy, so I had to add white felt so it won't touch her back.

Washer Charms Personalized

I made some personalized washer charms. I printed on patterned paper to fit the shape of the washer and then repeated the washer charm instructions. I tied rope onto mine and will wear it as a necklace to remind me to let God handle everything.

Wood Plaques

I saw this plaque on another blog but for the life of me I can't remember where. It was solid white with black letters but I thought it was to plain so I printed "Lost Socks" onto patterned paper. Then with a black sharpie I drew a border on. I spread decoupage onto the wood and then placed the paper onto the wood, then another coat on top of the paper. I let it dry overnight and then I inked the edges and sides with brown ink. Another coat of decoupage on the top and sides to seal it. I repeated this method on the clothespins and let them dry completely. Hot glue the clothespins onto the front of the plaque, add tiny eye hooks and ribbon. Clip lost socks to it so maybe the owner of the lost sock will recognize it, probably not but it's cute anyways.

Pipe Cleaner Shamrock

Hmm, what will I wear for Saint Patrick's Day? I have shirts with green in them and I have a long sleeve turtleneck shirt that is green, but what if it's hot. I have an idea....how about a green chenille pipe cleaner shamrock? I got this craft from marthastewart.com and she has the instructions for paper boutonnieres also. You need to buy the green

chenille pipe cleaners like the one in the photo above. I used a highlighter to curl 3 of the wide parts of the pipe cleaner. The last wide part will be the stem, fold and squeeze together. Glue a charm (button, coin, charm or maybe a flower) onto the front and add a pin or 2-sided tape on the back so you can wear it. This is a pretty easy craft and cheap too. Place some charms in a bowl and let the kids pick which one they want for the shamrock.

I need a Pair of Red Shoes

Would you believe me if I told you this shoe was green when I bought it? Well it was, see the red over spray paint on the inside of the shoe. I bought this shoe for $5.00 and it is the cutest red shoe I own, (it's the only red shoe I own), but it is so darn cute. But wait, I didn't stop there, I

added red glitter to it with Mod Podge. This was a very slow process but WOW. Paint on some Mod Podge, sprinkle on glitter, paint on, sprinkle on, you can't let the Mod Podge dry before you get the glitter on. I did the whole shoe and every Princess should have a set of these shoes. Bling, Bling, Bling.

Washer Charms

I found this project at thecreativecrate.blogspot.com. They have a video you can watch. First you have to find a washer; I went in the sacred place "The Garage". My husband does not need to know I was in his garage, but he has plenty of washers. The ones I found were 1 1/4" wide with a 1/2" center. I placed the washer on the paper and traced around it. I cut the outside first just inside the lines, then I punched a hole in the center and very slowly with baby cuts, I cut the center out. With my finger I rubbed a small amount of Mod Podge onto the washer, place the paper on the washer and rub more Mod Podge on top of the washer. The paper will wrinkle up and look terrible, but it will flatten out, just leave it alone and let it dry. After it dried, about a day, I took some brown ink and inked the edges. I took the Glossy Accents (dimensional goo) and spread it on top of the washer. This will give it that bubble look. I did the same technique on the wood disc. I should have drilled a hole in it before I put the dimensional goo on it. I'll just put a magnet on the back and stick it on the fridge. I think I'll hang it on the Frienship bracelet I made or maybe I'll try to print on paper and then stick it on a washer.

Friendship Bracelets

This is for my niece, Laura. I hope you understand these directions but if you don't come visit me. On this friendship bracelet I'm using Floss, but I would like to make one with strips of material and see how that turns out. Anything that can be braided can be used. Yarn or twine would be cute also but floss comes in so many colors (school colors). This one is Waller Bulldog colors, silver, maroon and black. I measured off 18" of floss, my finished braid is about 16", plus you need extra for tying knots. I think 12" would be just about right for a wrist. You don't have to use these only for bracelets. How about tying it onto a book mark or use it as a key chain. First cut the length of floss you will need. Tie a knot at one end. I like to use a binder clip or clothes pin at the knot so I can hook or pin it onto something. Now you can start your braid. I have the maroon in the center, the silver on the right side and the black on the left side. Take the silver floss and lay it over the maroon (fig#3). Next take the black and lay it over the silver (fig#4) Take the right floss and lay it over the middle floss, take the left floss and lay it over the middle floss, repeat to the end. Make a knot at the end. Since this is a friendship bracelet it is meant to be given away. But that's OK, just make another one, make a bunch and spread the Love.

Fall to Your Knees Mac-N-Cheese

 This is the best Mac-n-Cheese I have ever had. I make it for the Chili Cook Off at Church and everyone loves it. I got this recipe from my sister Jessica, and she got it from someone else. She makes it when the family gets together and it will feed all of us (big family). I reduce the cayenne pepper to about 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon so it won't be too hot for the little ones and none of that green stuff (chives), I prefer it hot and green.

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups of large elbow macaroni (16oz box = 4 cups)
8 oz Velveeta cheese (cut into 1/2" squares)
8 oz white Vermont cheddar cheese (cut into 1/2" squares)
8 oz sharp Cheddar cheese (shredded)
8 oz Jack and Cheddar cheese (shredded)
___________
4 oz Cream cheese (at room temp)
2/3 cup of Sour Cream
1 1/3 cup of Heavy Cream
1 1/3 cup of Half-N-Half
1 Egg (beaten)
2 teaspoons of Flour
1 Tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon of Garlic powder
1 teaspoon of Onion powder
1 teaspoon of dry mustard powder
1 1/4 teaspoon of Cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon of Salt
_________
pinch of Paprika
Chives for garnish

Directions:
Grease a 13" x 9" nonstick metal baking pan with 1 tablespoon of butter. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare macaroni according to the package directions, but make sure it's al dente. (Huh? It should still be a little firm.) Be sure to add a pinch of salt and a dash of olive oil to the boiling water while cooking. Drain pasta well and pour into the baking pan.
In a large mixing bowl, add the heavy cream, half-n-half, sour cream, and break the cream cheese into little bits with your (clean) fingers as you add it to the bowl. Add the egg, flour, Worcestershire, garlic, onion, mustard, cayenne and salt. Combine well with a wire wisk to break up that cream cheese. It will look lumpy, but that's okay.
Starting at the corners of the pasta dish, place and push down the Velveeta and Vermont cheddar cubes. Work your way around and toward the middle (they won't push down completely, but just smoosh them down a bit). Now sprinkle the fabulous sharp cheddar over the top -- gently and evenly pour that artery-clogging mixture over it, covering all areas. Gently shake the pan afterwards for a sec to make sure the liquid is even. I know it sounds gross, but push down and make little holes into areas of the mixture with your fingers. (You're just getting some of that cheese down deeper below the surface.) Wash your hands.
Sprinkle the Jack-n-Cheddar over the mixture and sprinkle the paprika on top. Put this baby in the oven (make sure your oven rack is right in the middle) and bake until brown and bubbly -- we're talking approximately 30 minutes. It will be creamy in the center and more crusty on the top and edges. Chop some fresh chives and get those taste buds ready. When it's done, garnish with the chives.