have a safe and happy halloween!

one fall day

we had the most perfect fall weather today! you know the kind...a cool air temperature, a shining sun, and the smell of fall all around you. after lunch with mark, I enjoy these wonderful sights on this one fall day.

words for wednesday

There is nothing so rewarding

as to make people realize

that they are worthwhile in this world.

-Bob Anderson

words for wednesday

you know you knit too much when...

...you've worked out that the smartest

thing to knit while you have a bath is washcloths...

because it doesn't matter if you get them wet.

-Stephanie Pearl McPhee

mrs. quick (project 5)

ever feel like your world is spinning faster than you can keep up with? like you want everything to just stop, so you can catch up? that pretty much describes me and my world the past few weeks. I've had to be away. I've so wanted to stop by and chat with you, share something inspiring (like so many of you are doing), or just visit you in your spots, but that just hasn't been possible. I have some light shining in on my schedule this week, so I hope to share a bit of what's been happening with me.

but before I do...I have to finish the little 5 in 5 series I started. my fifth and final project from my crafting weekend was a teacher gift for lisa. you already know she's the most awesome homeschooling mom I know...and sometimes homeschooling moms don't get all the cute teacher gifts the public school teachers receive throughout the year. now, some of you teachers may think this is a blessing :), but I think they're fun, so I created a back to school present for her.

I waited until the school room redo was finished, so I could match my frame choice to her room colors. this is what I came up with:I started by lining up and gluing the crayons to the white card stock with mini glue dots.

I added her name, the frame, and it was complete! super simple and super cute! because I don't have many original ideas, I'm sure I saw this or something similar somewhere, but have no idea who to give credit to.

yesterday I touched my knitting needles for the first time in four weeks! It was so good to relax and knit. I hope I'll be doing more of that this week.

words for wednesday

what we love to do

we find time to do.

-John L. Spalding

words for wednesday

Sweater, n: garment worn by child

when its mother is feeling chilly.

- Ambrose Bierce

cards, cards, and more cards (project 4)

I love writing note cards. I love buying notebooks. I love journals. I just plain love paper! and one of the fruits of this love of paper is a love of blessing others through correspondence. whether birthday cards, thank you notes, get well greetings, or just hello notes, I enjoy them all. and as I've said before, if I allowed Hallmark to create all my cards for me, it would cost me a pretty penny. so out of necessity and now out of a love of the process, I make cards.

and while I can't seem to put together a tutorial like larissa or lisa, there are a few basic tools that I think are necessary if you have a desire to do basic paper crafting. as with any craft, having the "right" tool for the job allows you the freedom to create without boundaries.

so here are few of my favorites:
1. quality cards- I prefer the white note cards sold at Michaels over the cards offered at JoAnn's.
see the tool belt:
2. paper trimmer-one that is easy to use;
3. great adhesive- I use a tape runner and these awesome glue dots;
4. sharp scissors- these from Creative Memories are the best $5 value around!
5. a "pick up square" from Creative Memories. this little square looks like a gum eraser, but is a work horse for removing any stray adhesive. love it!
I can't give you a specific formula for creating the perfect card. I usually start with a type of card (birthday, get well, etc) then move into a favorite paper or sticker. I use up what I have cutting, bordering, and embellishing.

go make a card!

today is National Make a Card Day!

so go make a card for someone special!

and go to Be Creative to enter an awesome giveaway!!

wellness (project 3)

a few weeks ago I checked in on molly irwin's wonderful blog and read the most timely post. what I found was someone who feels similar to me. someone willing to share, so honestly. like molly, I've been feeling a little out of step-tired, emotional, lacking confidence, just plain luke warm. I don't want to be luke warm any more. I have been blessed with so much. I want to be and feel happy! so I took molly's lead, her wellness journal idea and made one step toward wellness.

you'll recognize the color scheme...it's the same as my truth journal, and you'll see more of these colors tomorrow when I share some card creations.

you'll also recognize the binder...it's the same as my recipe binder.

I started by making a divider page for each of the next six months- october through march. currently behind each tab, is simply lined paper and and one of molly's pdfs with "thinking, doing, feeling" sections. I'm not sure what will eventually be added or recorded in this journal, but I'm looking forward to recording how I take care of myself, how I can do that better, and how feeling better comes from honestly feeling.

I cut decorative paper and slid it into protective sleeves. I added emblishments and stickers marking the month along with the butterly clips as page tabs.

the pink envelopes may hold special clippings, verses, and encouragements that help keep me on the right track during the month.

if this idea could help you or a friend, i encourage you to visit molly's blog and download her pdfs and then take one step toward wellness.