creative tea time

It's high time for a little recap isn't it!

Back in October one early morning.

I set my alarm.

And had my computer up and running.

Ready to click away.

The  -  very  -  second 

the creative tea time

tickets went on sale.

And within mere minutes they were gone.

But not before I was able to get three for me and two friends.

I knew that everything about the day would be an absolute treat.

And it did not disappoint.

I loved every second of it.

The tea, and yummy food.

The creative bliss.

Just finishing … finishing...

Can I say that again, FINISHING

four crafts in one day

was so rewarding on so many levels.

And the fun time with girlfriends,

no interruptions…I'll say that one again too.
NO INTERRUPTIONS.
Ahh.  Spoiled I tell you.

With all the supplies a girl could ever need.

Wearing a party dress and heels

and rolling up our sleeves to paint and glue gun 

to our heart's desire. 

Now that's my kind of girl's day out.

(photo courtesy creative tea time

And so many crafty kindred spirits

to teach and advise on things

I didn't know how to do.

The day was perfect.

And coming home to discover all the goodies

from all of the sponsors.

I felt so blessed.

Thank you creative tea time ladies

for all of your attention to detail.

None of it was taken for granted.

And the entire day was oh so therapeutic.

More than you will ever know!

You can bet my alarm will be set

when the next tea time tickets go on sale.

Tooth Fairy Pillows

Any day now, the tooth fairy will be visiting for not one, but two of our children.


For our daughter Ava, it'll be her first lost tooth.


My talented sister, the creator of CurlyQDesign, made this adorable pillow for her.


The white part is a little pocket for the child to put the tooth and then hang it by their bedside


or doorknob.


She has been making them since my son started loosing his teeth.


But this little fairy design is new.  I love it and so does Ava.


It also perfectly matches her room.


Thanks Aunt Shell Shell!


If you're interested in having one custom made, visit her etsy shop.

Creative Therapy & Free Banner

Taken With My Phone (excuse the blurriness)

Have I mentioned how much making things is therapeutic for me?

And of course deadlines help.  Because sometimes when you're sad you just don't feel motivated.

But once a month it's my job to update the Good Citizenship Board at the school my older two kids attend.

The first friday of the month they have an assembly where they recognize a couple of students from each class and then one from each grade is recognized for a special character trait.  This month was kindheartedness.  They also can be selected for good sportsmanship and for getting caught being good.

Then the following week it's my job to change out the board, giving it a new look with the new kids being honored.  I've chosen to go with the theme of the month.  

So this month is Happy New Year!  

I found the number paper at paper source.  We're lucky enough to have one of their stores near us.  It's such eye candy.  I could get lost browsing for quite some time.

I wanted to offer the banner I created as a free download for anyone who'd like it.  It should fit perfectly onto an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper.

You simply download and then print onto an 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock.  Cut out the triangles.  I used a cutting board, but scissors would work.  I then taped the little flags onto bakers twine.

The map background is a free download from Designer Digitals.  The polka dot and orange damask papers are from Shabby Princess, the Plentiful Collection.  It's also a free download.  The graph paper and circle letters I created myself.

I hope you enjoy a little creative therapy this week.

Now I must get to work on the many details of Ava's party.  It's a little over a week away.  I want to have fun with this, but am feeling a little overwhelmed.  

Focus Jackie, focus!


Oh and p.s. I'm linking this to You Create at gitzengirl.. so head over there to find more creative inspiration.

Joy In Every Day Things

Joy #86 in the 100 Reasons For Joy project:
The day started with a delivery.  One we get every year that brings us joy.  A Harry & David stack of boxes filled the with juiciest pears, nuts and of course some chocolate.  Those little cherry treats on top, they bring me back to one of my first dates with Neal.  We had gone to Starbucks and shared a little package like that.  That time in my life is sealed in my memory and those little treats send me right back.

Joy #87 These girls having a quiet pow wow in their fort with our family friend Maria and of course Miss Bella.

Joy #88 These kids dancing to the Christmas music in my car.  It was feeling a lot like Christmas on our drive.  The excitement they feel is palpable.  It's enough to make any adult stress of things unfinished melt away.

Joy #89 Settling in for a rainy day painting expedition.  They were all so excited to work on gifts for family.  I loved their concentration.

This one has an attention to detail that is so special.

And this one is just starting to express her creativity with circles made into flowers.  

She was insistent that this mug go to me, not someone else.

I will treasure it and this day captured in time.

And our friend Maria made a steak plate for her Uncle who she says they call the steak master.  

Quite a cute idea don't you think.

My son's has the snowman on one side and a surprise on the other.  I'm not showing all of their mugs because of eyes that aren't supposed to see them yet.

Joy #90 stopping at the toy store in the same center just to look.  And this sweet thing, in her always eclectic layered look, trying her hardest to hoola hoop.


Joy #91 Not feeling tired while out and about with all of them.  Having the energy to keep up with them.  I don't take this lightly or for granted at all anymore.  After months of feeling like the blood just wasn't flowing right through my body and feeling so fatigued,  I notice when I am doing a lot and I feel good and I praise God for it.


Joy #92 A husband who did bath and put the kids to bed so I could have a break tonight.

Nail Art

Who knew painting nails could be so fun, and so sweet!

A few years ago we found out about the pumpkin fairy.


Here's how it works, but the secret is you have to know about her.

After the child picks out their favorite few pieces of candy they leave their bucket out for the pumpkin fairy.  In the morning they excitedly find a present in its place.  Kid's are happy and mom is happy because candy isn't lingering around the house for weeks and weeks.


Ava, my artistic five-year-old, received this really fun nail painting book complete with polish and how to directions for all kinds of nail designs.


She's a patient child and had it in her to sit still while I did her fingers and toes.  Making a decision was the hardest part.  There were so many cute designs to choose from.  But she finally settled on chicks for her fingers and watermelon for her toes.


I know they're not very seasonal, but they were her favorites for now.  I'm sure in a few days she'll be begging me to try something new. 


I'll happily oblige because it was nice spending the one on one time with her.  She was beaming with joy and pride over the cuteness of her nails, and I know the special attention meant a lot to her.  Priceless!

Pumpkin Carving Parties

 I know lots of Christians don't celebrate Halloween.  We don't celebrate the dark and scary side of things, but do take part in the fun and festive things about this time of year.

Last night we went to a pumpkin carving party.  It was a family affair and one that my kids wholeheartedly were into this year. 

 It was the first time that my eight-year-old son designed and carved his own pumpkin completely on his own, and the first year my five-year-old drew her own designs.  The three-year-old very intently worked on scooping out the insides for everyone.

And I had fun helping the girls cut out their cute little faces.  This is another one of those ways that creativity brings joy and bonding for families and friends.   Sometimes I put it off because it feels like it's going to be messy and a lot of work.  But once you're in the middle of it, you realize you're having so much fun, and making a party out of it is even better. 

At the end of the night many of the pumpkins were lined up and lit inside to see the beautiful designs.  Pretty cool aren't they?  The kids then played and the parents chatted.  It was a fun way to kick off this weekend of celebrations.

Here is our little collection at home, with our dog Bella making a cameo appearance.  :)  She's actually wondering what it is I'm doing out here.


To bring this activity back to our faith and to make it a teachable moment, a friend gave me this pumpkin carving devotional.  In case anyone else would like to do this, I'll copy it here.

You Are God's Pumpkin 
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden 

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "If you boast, boast only about the Lord." —1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NLT) 

For most of the country, the crisp cool air of autumn is upon us. A sure sign of autumn is that Christmas decorations are popping up everywhere in retail stores. Halloween costumes and disguises are selling out in stores as trick-or-treaters are ready to take over the streets. A popular symbol of both harvest time and Halloween is the pumpkin. I was thinking recently that being a Christian is a lot like being a pumpkin. Perhaps you are visualizing this orange, round vegetable and wondering how you could ever be compared to one of these squashes! Simply put, like a child chooses a pumpkin to carve and mold an image upon, so God carves and molds His own unique design in you.


The Scriptures tell us that the Lord chooses us. He lifts us up and washes the dirt from our skin. Then he opens us, connecting deep inside to scoop out all the slimy, yucky stuff, including seeds of doubt, spite, lies, and fear. Then He carves a new creation, and makes our faces shine by putting His light inside for all to see.


Sometimes I feel like I don't want my light to shine because I am ashamed of a thought or action or pattern in my life. I try to hide the light Christ has put in me, and blend in with the crowd. What I forget is that when God carved me, created me, and gave me His Son, I no longer had to count on my own strength. I can count on the Lord's. It is He who washes me clean; it is He who gives me a spirit of strength and perseverance; it is He who makes me pure; it is He who frees me from sin; and it is He who gives me hope. When I realize that my part of the equation is to rely on His strength and power, then I can do as Scriptures say, and shine His light through the power of the Holy Spirit.


What starts as an everyday squash turns into a lantern of light. What starts as an everyday person turns into a beacon of hope for all to see. Through our union with Christ, we are given the light and wisdom of the Holy Spirit who enters and dwells in our lives. It is He who picked you out and carved you just the way He wants you. So make sure you keep your lantern lit for all to see.


GOING DEEPER:


1. What sins are in your life that you need to release and allow the Lord to scoop out for you?
2. Each time you see a pumpkin this autumn, think through why it is so important for you to be a vessel of light representing our Lord.


FURTHER READING: Psalm 19:7-10; Colossians 2:3


May you have a blessed weekend with your family, celebrating and enjoying this harvest season.

Edible Art

 (from Happy Little Bento)

I recently bought some of these bento boxes from amazon.  Last year I used those fabric/washable baggies, but they got too yucky.  This year I've been meaning to buy more, but in the meantime have been terribly un-eco friendly.  

Is that proper English?  No.  But we'll let it slide ok.  

So I decided instead to do the bento boxes.  My friend recommended them to me.  They're on their way and should be here by Tuesday.

Man I'm excited about them.  They're bpa free and this site, Happy Little Bento,  I can't stop clicking from one post to the next. 

So adorable and scrumptious looking.  And her post says this one is all raw.  

My three year old's review, "That looks really yummy."

 (from Happy Little Bento)

I think these works of art would entice any 3, 5, 8 year old to dig in and try some foods they haven't before.

It makes me want to make one for myself!  Do I have it in me to be this creative at seven in the morning?  Probably not.  But maybe with some preparation I can do it every once in awhile.  

In the meantime, I'll just keep clicking and oohing and ahhing over her amazing designs.  My kids are right alongside me saying, "look at that one, and that one!" 

What a creative way to make food appetizing 

to the eye and the tummy!

Perspective

I have been thinking a lot about perspective lately. I'm in awe of some of the women whose blogs I read where they are so postive through such life changing circumstances. Their perspective is one of choosing to remain positive and to rely on God's strength through the trials.

I'm also currently re-reading "Battlefield of the Mind" as a bible study with a friend. When we sat down to talk about what we should do together I said that I really believe most things come down to how we think about them. How I look at things and what I allow to ruminate in my mind can completely affect my perspective.

When I get caught up with something I think is wrong or try to figure out something that I can't wrap my mind around, or feel like a failure at something I often times wind up going down a slippery slope that doesn't lead to truth. It's filled with those darts that immobilize me. The key is realizing they're darts that come from the enemy, to resist them and replace them with what is true. It takes practice. And sometimes it isn't easy, it's a constant reframing. But when I do it, my perspective is back on track.

In terms of creativity perspective is important too. It's important for balance and for alignment. In this case being detailed and seeing the minute is important.

But I've realized zooming in on the problem or what is off in my life too much or for too long generally isn't good. Too often it means I'm not going to God and releasing it to him. I'm trying to figure it out in my mind.

It's interesting to me how something that can be a blessing in one area, can be a curse in another. I think it's all about staying balanced. Knowing when to let it go. In the last year I've been forced to practice the letting go and trusting God in new ways. I think I'm finally really getting it. My perspective is one of looking up instead of looking in.

"But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head." Psalm 3:3