He's Talkin', I'm Listenin'

I love how God talks to me.  He will put a person, a verse, a thing in my path to let me know that He hears my prayers.

Lately, He has put a verse in my way, slap dab in front of my face every time I open Instagram (which is a lot.  I guess He figured it was a good way to get my attention since I'm obsessed with IG).

The verse is Proverbs 4:23-25, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.  Avoid all perverse talk, stay away from corrupt speech.  Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you."  (NIV)

We have been in the midst of a trying year, with particular emphasis on the present.

Any time I feel the need to fuss about our situation, God throws this verse at me.  Or maybe He hands it to me gently, whispering that I am to stay the course. 

Either way God talks to me, sometimes in the most obvious ways.  He has a way of drawing me closer to Him and feeling more at peace with my circumstances.

Pinterest Project Sunday: The End

Blogging isn't easy.  I'm just going to lay it all out there.  I'm trying to find myself in the blogging and craft world(s), and I'm doing a lot of soul searching.

I know that I enjoy crafting, and I L♥VE Pinterest, and I want to share bits of my life (not everything, as I'm very protective of the Littles and Hubby), but I feel that I'm struggling with how it all works.

I think that the time for Pinterest Project Sunday must come to an end.  While I enjoy the crafty side, I have struggled to find a project to fit into my budget or time constraints.

I will still post weekly (as a matter of fact, I'm trying to get in the habit of posting on Wednesday as well as Sunday), so please stick with me as a find myself.

There will continue to be crafts, and I am particularly excited about a certain series that I'm going to start in the next few months, so please come back and see me on Sundays and Wednesdays!  Thank you for sticking by me!!!

See ya!
Amanda

Color, Color Everywhere!!

Images courtesy of Pinterest

Last month I was commissioned to crochet a baby blanket for a friend's friend's baby shower, and I was given free reign on the design, but she requested a certain color scheme.  I was at a complete loss!  I had no idea how these colors would work together, so I booted up my trusty iPad and started searching Pinterest.

What I found was a plethora of color swatches (is that what they're called?)!!  It was magnificent!!  All kinds of color combinations, so very visually stimulating!

Now I can't quit!  Pinterest has this new feature that shows recommended pins based on my recent pins, and oh, the pretty colors!

Not only did these little swatches inspire me on the blanket, but I hoard them on Pinterest in case I need more inspiration.  It's probably a blessing, though, that I don't know how to make my own!  Hubby would never get me off the computer!

Ostrich Day

Do you ever just have one of those days where you want to pull a full on ostrich and stick your head in the sand and never bring it back out?  Where you just can't take it anymore, and you're stressed and want to scream and cry and have a meltdown?  I see you nodding your head!  I'm so glad I'm not alone!  Welcome to the Ostrich Club!

I had a day like that not long ago.  Actually, in the past six months I've had a lot of days like that.  Something about trying to buy a house (looooong story.  I'll fill you in later on all the deets.), while living in a house that I am allergic to (no kidding, I have had the worst allergies since we moved in here, and I have no idea what could be causing it!), and trying to keep some order in our chaotic lives...

Sorry.  I think I got a little out of control there.

Where was I?  Oh, yes.  I've had several Ostrich Days.  That's when I figured out that I need to stop and take time for myself.  It's not selfish, it's necessary.

How helpful am I going to be during homework if I'm a weepy mess on the floor?  Is dinner going to be cooked correctly if I'm jumping up and down and turning red in the face (to be honest, I often wonder if dinner will be cooked correctly because I'm a horrible cook)?  Probably not.  All I'll manage to do is upset everyone else.

I know that everyone else in the world has those days.  No one is immune to a day that feels so overwhelming that they just want to quit their job and run away!

So, what should one do when having an Ostrich Day?  Take a break.  Bury your head in the proverbial sand.  Take a nap, if necessary, or a long bath.  It doesn't have to be an all day break.  Even an hour or two of Pinterest and hot tea (or coffee, or whatever).  Maybe Journaling is your thing, or running (my personal favorite).

Whatever makes you feel better, more like a human.  Yes, the worries and irritations will still be there when you're done in the sand, but they may be easier to handle.  A clear head and a refreshed body will make it seem a little less daunting.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!  (And, if today is your Ostrich Day, it will get better!)

See ya!
Amanda

Uh Oh! No PPS This Week!

I'm so sorry, guys!  I didn't get my Pinterest Project Sunday post ready this week!

Things have been so super crazy that I haven't had a chance to work it up!

I'll have it for you next week, though.  

Amanda

Pinterest Project Sunday: Paper Beads

I didn't have much time, so I only made a
soup spoon full.

I think this is the most addictive craft project I have ever undertaken!  There are so many possibilities with these little beads and they are a quieter craft than last week's!  I was even able to take them with me when I left the house so I could work on them while I was away.

I used a Capri Sun box to hold them upright.

{find the tutorial at Mad Mim}

Of course, I am in love with these little beads.  There are so many possibilities when making them.  I made several large beads, a lot of small beads, and even a teeny one.  I experimented with design and color, and even tried a couple different shapes, although, not having printed the templates {you can find some templates at Cut Out + Keep }, the shapes didn't work out for me as well.   I'm going to try the templates next.

   

Instead of using toothpicks, I wrapped them around a stirring straw to make the hole a little bigger, since I don't always used small wire for jewelry making.  

While I loved all of the beads, I've listed some of my favorites below.

Check out the little fishy face!!

I found several strip of paper with
Roman numerals.

There are a multitude of these
blue beads, also.  They are some
type of shell decoration on the
paper.

See ya next week for a PPS for planner lovers!!

Amanda

Pinterest Project Sunday: T-Shirt Yarn

Sometimes being a pack rat can come in handy.  I hold on to old shirts because I think I'll wear them, or the boys wore them, or just because, well, I'm a pack rat.

I've seen some pins about keepsake t-shirt blankets, but I just wasn't feeling that idea.  I liked the idea of making it into a little ball of yarn, though.  That way I could hold onto it until I had a great, super, outstanding idea for it (I think I have the idea, by the way, I just have to find the time to put it in motion)!

I found the tutorial for it over at Curious and Catcat.

I have a ton of t-shirts that I can mangle!  Maybe I can even make an entryway rug!  Oooh!  I love that idea!!

I'll see you next week for another frugal Pinterest Project Sunday.  I have done very well on my "No Spend February" (um, does eating out count?  I say it doesn't count, Hubby says it does.)!  I have taken this opportunity to downsize the craft hoard, so yay!!

Have a great week, friends!

Amanda