Terrariums

Since working at a greenhouse for the last few months, I have been inspired by all the beautiful plant life  out there.  What has caught my eye and many others these days are succulents, easy to care for plants.

I love the book, Terrarium Craft by Amy Bryant Aiello and Kate Bryant, it has fabulous ideas and is a source of fantastic inspiration.

Here are a few of my projects.

I used a variety of materials.  Reindeer moss, colored sand, a variety of rocks, glass containers and of course varying succulents.

This is my "Green on Green" display.

 Supplies used: vase, reindeer moss, green sand, succulent and rocks.

I love this one! The "Tree Display".

Supplies used: vase, colored sand (in 2 different colors), and a succulent. So simple.

I like the different heights of the succulents.

"The Oasis"

Supplies used: vase, colored sand, river rocks, colored stone, and 2 succulents.

"Simple but Lovely"

Supplies used: vase, colored sand, colored rocks (2 sizes), and a succulent.

The "Rock Garden"

Supplies used: vase, colored sand, river rocks, reindeer moss and a succulent.

The Vintage Suitcase

My mom brought the train case that still held old doll clothes, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, but knew it needed updating.

It sat in a room for six months before I was inspired to turn it into a traveling craft case. So the search began for different ideas on what to do with it.

I decided to paint it a burgundy/red. I used the Krylon Fusion spray paint for plastic.

I wanted a little detail added to the case, after all this is my traveling craft case. So I painted some detail and add script to it.

The script is "cre ate (kre'at)  - to produce through artistic or imaginative effort".

Of course the inside material was an old mustard yellow to go with the avocado green, so that needed updating.

I added a pocket and elastic for different tools that I would require.

Also, thanks to a friend's suggestion, I added a removable insert with handles that could hold other items that I would want separated.

The finished product. I love it and can't wait to use it!

The Season of Lent

What am I going to give up?  What is my plan for lent?  I am excited about the Lent season, to move in a closer relationship with God, to experience the Holy. I am anticipating walking forward with the Lord. Lent gives us the opportunity to rebuild, reconnect, and renew our relationship with God.

I have been researching Lent for the past month, trying to figure out what it means to Christians, and how it should be observed. Read on and see what I have discovered.

The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world.  Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice.  But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice.  ~Henry Knox Sherrill

• This liturgical season is all about asking for directions-going into the dryness so that we can show up transformed at the spring of new life. I pray many different ways during this time of preparation, and most of them are quite fun. For me Lent isn't about being somber or morose. I have enough of that in my life. It's about using everything in my life to better connect me with God.

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/12-Ways-to-Pray-During-Lent.aspx#ixzz1EuWmynSw

A Lenten Reflection

Give up complaining——focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism——become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments——think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry——trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement——be full of hope.

Give up bitterness——turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred——return good for evil.

Give up negativism——be positive.

Give up anger——be more patient.

Give up pettiness——become mature.

Give up gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy——pray for trust.

Give up gossiping——control your tongue.

Give up sin——turn to virtue.

Give up giving up——hang in there!

I am inspired by this Lenten Reflection, I have many character flaws, that I need to continue to go to the Lord on humbled knee, in prayer, to guide me through -- all year long.

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time.  
~Martin Luther

• Lent is about regaining self-control, especially in those areas that damage others. We don't admire those whose appetites or habits lead them by the nose. A pure heart create for me, O God. Put a steadfast spirit within me.

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Lent/Lent-Bible-Verses.aspx?p=2#ixzz1EuVqiaMj

 We live and die; Christ died and lived!  ~John Stott

I wanted to have wreath or something that represented Lent, that would guide me through Lent.  Wreaths and candles are just not for Advent, we need to be reminded of God's greatest sacrifice, for us. Humbled and low.....

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  John 17:17

My Lenten reminder as I travel through the season. 

• Burning candles is a reminder to me that Jesus is the light of the world.  "... I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
• The rocks represent the wilderness or desert that Jesus was led into to be tempted by Satan for 40 days and 40 nights.
• The six "purple" candles are to represent repentance and to be lit each Sunday on the renewal days. The white candle is for Easter Sunday, representing Christ who has risen.
• The verse "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17 written on the side as a reminder that amongst all the lies and half-truths out there, Yours is reliable. Because of Your truth, temptation can be overcome.

So what am I giving up for Lent?  -- Potato chips, when I am tempted, I will have to go to Jesus because I do not have the willpower on my own.  I know you must be thinking, "really potato chips". Yes I have 10am cravings for them, and if a bag is in the house, it is not safe.

I am also giving up some TV time, I say "some" because I am making room for devotional time and prayer.  All is not realistic, I would watch some and then feel guilty and feel like a failure, and I would not be achieving my true objective, which is to walk closer with Christ. 

Instead of beating ourselves up, we are called to be encouraged, to rely on, and to turn to the Lord.  We are setting aside our own "idols" and learning to trust in God.

Rest

Well like most people in the area, September has brought back "the routine".  The routine of everyday life, kids back to school, moms back to running kids from one event to another.

Fortunately for us we had a very relaxing 4 days before the return to "life".  It is a wonderful feeling to be sitting around a campfire, sitting tilted all the way back, and enjoying star-gazing.  No cell phones, no talking, just watching.  How can we bring more of these "slow" periods into our life?  The need to relax in today's busy world is becoming more needed, there are some that don't even know where to begin.

Rest takes place in the early morning hours, when it is still dark and no one else is moving. Everything is peaceful and quiet for a time of reflection and devotion. Sometimes He wakes us up so we can rest in His word, quiet the everyday worries and troubles. Only then can we be renewed. These words were provided from above.

Thank you for the quiet moments.

Alternative Recipes - Not Always Food

I am tired of all the toxins that are put into our products and then we go and slather them all over ourselves and our kids.  We wonder why more and more people and children are developing allergies and asthma.  Why do we choose to buy products that are covered with warning labels and "danger" messages?  I am tired of all these products, aren't you? There are safe alternatives available. You can still clean your house, the only difference is you don't need the safety glasses and rubber gloves to handle your "cleaning" supplies......

 

Looking for an alternative to your bug repellent? 

One that is non-toxic and safe to use?

Bug Repellent

• one small spray bottle 12oz.
• 1 capful of Sol-U-Mel
• 10 drops of Mela Oil
• 1 capful of kids body wash
• 1 capful of Renew Oil
• top up the bottle with water

Clogged drains making you crazy? Try this alternative..... 

Clogged Drains

  

• Take 1/4 cup of Tough and Tender
• Mix with 2 or 3 tsp of Sol-U-Mel
• Pour down the drain
• Rinse the measuring cup out with about 2 cups of boiling water
• Let stand for a little while (at least 30 minutes).  Then pour another whole kettle of boiling water down.

 Looking for some great products that actually get your car clean and shiny? I use them and love the job they do.

 
Rustic Touch Furniture Polish to clean leather, dashes, and interiors.  It gives it a nice clean look but is not greasy.  It also contains Melaleuca Oil which will condition your leather and dashes and help keep them from cracking.
 
Tough and Tender is great on your wheels.  It will really shine them up so you can have some bling!  Also spray it on your grill or wherever you have bugs and they will wipe right off without having to scrub.   The Tough and Tender Wipes are great to have in your car all the time to clean up a mess, wipe off the dash or some mud.
 
Sol-U-Mel and/or PreSpot are great for all your carpet or upholstery. It will remove the stains and give your interior a nice clean smell.
 
Lemon Brite is great for soaping up the outside.  Just put a couple of drops in a bucket of water.

Looking for a Bleach Alternative that won't eat through your clothes?

Save your old 96 load MelaPower container plus pump. It works great for this heavy duty Laundry Whitener :

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup of Diamond Brite Gel
• 1/4 cup Tub & Tile
• 1/4 cup MelaMagic
• 1 bottle of PreSpot

Pour into container and fill the rest of the way with water. Shake well before using. Use 2 pumps of this Laundry Whitener in place of bleach, per large load of extra dirty whites.   

If you need anymore information about these recipes please do not hesitate to contact me.

The Healthy You  

Paper Crafts

When I started this blog I mentioned that it would be about everything or nothing. What's Left Out? So here is an entry dedicated to a passion - paper crafts.  Be prepared for more down the line.

I just recently re-purposed a table from the farm and made it into a long awaited craft table, which means I get to set out my stuff and leave it out if I want to. --- so there!  It is not such a chore if your items have a place to be, instead of tucked away in a cupboard. I should clarify that the "chore" is putting everything away after you have used it. Where is my maid?

I am so pumped, after getting my new computer and printer last July, I finally figured out how to use the scanner.  Which means I finally sat down and actually put some effort into finding out how it works.

So in the celebration of the scanner, here are some projects I just finished recently:

This is a card I did for boy birthday. I have started doing 3x3 cards for kids, because the card is not what's important to them, they want the friends and the fun. 

This little princess card was made in celebration of my niece's birthday.  You have got to have pink, fluff and shiny baubles for a two year old.

This is one of the travel journals I prepared for my kids, in anticipation of a trip, can you guess some of the sights we will see? lol

Rantings

Have you ever felt like you were meant for something? You just don't know what.  It's out there, it's so close I can almost taste it, I can almost see it.  What am I meant to do?  I have so many images running through my head, but that could be the "spacey" factor.

I am so excited I am going to a course in June, maybe by then the picture won't be so fuzzy.

How did you discover what you were meant to do?  Did you just fall into it?  Did it just happen?  Is it your passion?  The "experts" all say, "love what you do".  My passions are crafts, and I love editing movies and pictures.  --- How do I turn that into a business? or Do I just leave them as a hobby?

From my to do list last week:

• I worked on promoting my business, I love not having the "dragging" feeling I use to have
• still working on the trip
• organization is on, plus I love the fact that my house is clean without the use of many harmful chemicals

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. --- Albert Einstein

If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in every day, and do it really half assed. That's the American way. - Homer Simpson