Birds Eye

I have found that the best way to develop craft ideas is keeping your eyes peeled when shopping, anthropologie has an array of artsy shabby sheek decor among their adorably over priced clothing and accessories. There are mountains of new discoveries all around.

The greatest aspect of shopping for creative inspiration is planning a base for your design or none at all you may be surprised as to what you will come a pone. If you desire a structured approach to your crafts and ideas, search online or subscribe to a crafting blog, save your favorite tips and one find day make your unique design.

When you have your light bulb moment while stumbling a pone a brilliant idea- write it down. There may be a specific occasion to save this craft for and create it at a later date. Birthdays, holidays, baby's, decor for a new home or room specific and weddings galore. A personal touch always enriches the occasion.

Diving into a good book.

Fact, fantasy, illumination, insight, culture, drama, teaching, growth, thrill, intrigue, diversity, intellect are among the many reasons we desire to engulf ourselves in a new book.

We can chase our childhood innocence and joy...
We can develop a deeper understanding of our magnificent God and his love for us.
We can learn how to become the strongest and courageous person we were meant to be.
We can follow a diverse culture from our own and learn how another country's day to day life is run.
We can hang on to each page wanting more from the character.
We can imagine ourselves on adventure...

I love the process.
Skimming the rows of hundreds of books standing eagerly for you to pick it off the shelf and open its pages.
Or, talking with friends and family that recommend a great book that had captivated them in some way.

Enjoying my last few weeks of summer I have developed a deep desire to reeeeead. I have completed the first few books in the "Number One Ladies Detective Agency" based out of Botswana, Africa. When the 4th and 5th arrive I will continue with the series. In the meantime, my focus is on "The Shack" followed by "Eat Pray Love".

Any suggestions for "Desired/Must Read Books"??

Chasing the skyline.

When a cup is full it is more likely to overflow. When my cup is full- I desire to feed my soul by doing the very things it desires most. Retreat to the beach, a hill top, a drive through the hills, paint, make something of my own, fill a blank page with my thoughts or drown my thoughts and worries in a beautiful melody, craft, bake etc.

But there is nothing quite like the freedom of walking along the beach...
Somehow, clarity and tranquility are present and everything seems to be peacefully silenced by the experience.

I am not afraid to say: I have fears. They are mighty.
The divide: However we have the gift of choice. Each and everyday. To triumph.
Conquer: We are capable of extraordinary things. We just have to let ourselves fly.

We miss out on living by being absent in the present. Seek and he shall find. What course do we follow when we search and fall short of understanding which is truly beyond this world, only in Christ are things revealed. That I have come to know.

So we wait, but do not loose sight of what joy is living in front of us.

Independence Day Delight

A 4th of July celebration would not be complete without some tasty red, white and blue treats. There is an array of patriotic themed cakes, cupcakes and colorful/editable designs to spruce up your party.
To name a few ideas:
1. Cupcake mix with blueberries
2. Fruit; strawberries, blueberries, boysenberries, raspberries, cranberries etc.
3. White frosting
4. Red, White and Blue sprinkles


My delicious American Flag Cake consisted of a chocolate base, white vanilla frosting, blueberries and strawberries.

It not only gets you in the spirit but is satisfying to your palate.

Donating a precious gift.

Locks of love is an organization that collects donated hair and makes wigs for children with conditions causing hair loss. It's a confidence builder as well and an opportunity to empower these special children to be all that they can be.

I have desired to donate my hair for years now and finally have accomplished my goal :) I donated 12 inches of my locks to this wonderful organization. We may have ideas as to how we are supposed to look, act and carry ourselves but at the end of the day we are all beautiful and it is hair that many of us are fortunate enough to have. So why not share our blessed gift!!

It's one of the easiest more rewarding donations to give. Simply go to http://locksoflove.org and follow the instructions. They require a 10 inch minimum to donate.

Be generous with what you have to offer. You never know when you might be on the receiving end.

Capturing the Moment

"A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety." ~Ansel Adams


Photographing is an art as well as an expression. It captures a moment in time to savor and remember for years to come.
...as the seasons change and people grow we can remember these precious times.
A picture is abstract, objective, and can provoke an array of emotions.
Have you ever been so captivated by a picture that it filled your heart with such passion and lifted your spirits high above? Have you ever been so moved by a landscape that it brought tears to your eyes? There is such beauty in the most mundane things. The object is to see true beauty for what it represents.

Typically a picture is the reminder of your personal experience for experiencing the event is truly individual. A picture can take you back through your episodic memory to relive the smells, sounds, and presences of your surroundings. Try and recall the last sunset you perceived and how vast and indescribable beauty really is. We are beckoned to experience and visualize though pictures, we achieve this by seeing the world through others eyes.















A leaf,flower,car,boat,bird,family,boot,hands,sunset,
eyes,feather,ring,tree,fish,ice,mountain,swing,beach,chair,expression,house,butterfly etc. Photography is uniquely interpretative. It's amazing the stories pictures can tell in one visual image set before us.

The best part is all you need is a camera and an imagination to carry you away...

Paper Butterflies

History:
Vanessa Means "Butterfly"
Invented by author Jonathan Swift for his poem 'Cadenus and Vanessa' (1726).
Vanessa was used as the name of a genus of butterfly.
Numerological Meaning
People with this name tend to be very inspired, intuitive, and creative. Their aim is to improve the world and can be quite altruistic. They strive to see the "Big Picture" and achieve their dreams.

Oh what a spring we've had..beautiful sunny days, wet misty ones too, and oh those San Ana's..though, summer is just around the corner. Rain or shine this simple craft is a perfect activity.

These fun fluttering paper creations come to life. They are simple to make and add volume to any wall. No age requirement for this task! Invite the little ones to join too.




All you need is:
Paper- I used dictionary paper I bought at the "Dollertree"
Tape or a stapler
Scissors

First fold a piece of paper in half and draw your desired butterfly body. (Use as many layers of paper that you would be able to cut though with ease). Then, cut it out. Add two butterfly layers together and tape or staple them. (Stapling on the outside base of the butterfly allows you to gradually fold each layer out to give it a 3D shape. Next begin to layer your butterflies body aligning the center fold and staple or tape each layer together. Feel free to add layers and move the wings where you want them. Each butterfly is unique in size, layers and design. Now run around the living room fluttering like a butterfly before you decide their final destination on the wall :)

Unique. Fluttering. Decor.

Decor Frames

Tran⋅quil⋅li⋅ty –noun; quality or state of being tranquil; calmness; peacefulness; quiet; serenity.

Easy on the eyes and calming of the spirit. These decor frames brighten up any space they occupy. The color, design and center 3 by 3 space can be filled with any desired choice.
Essentials:
Wooden Frame
Acrylic Paint
Craft Glue

Center 3 by 3 fillers:
Sea Shells
Rocks
Marbles
Sea Glass
Mirror
Photo

..and of course patients for the paint and glue to dry ;)

These are some of my favorite decorative frames to make because there is so much flexibility to diversify the product for different spaces.

I was honored to have someone purchase a set and offer the same to anyone interested in my technique. (Choice of: color, texture and 3 by 3 filler)

Last but certainly not least, credit for this idea goes to Chelsea Carter for inspiring me to create my very own piece of art decor.

Art is contagious!

Hand-Made Jewelry

One of the greatest jewelry gifts to give and receive. A hand crafted genuine original piece of jewelry. There are many ways to make fine jewelry and countless materials to use such as; pearls, crystals, beads, shells, rocks, rings, and many more.

Creating is all about your imagination. Many materials are already in your possession. If you don't have jewelry making supplies there are simple ways to make memorable jewelry. One great idea is to use ribbion as the neclace and add a beautiful pendant or sea shell you found on the beach!

The two pieces I chose to share have their own stories to go along with their style.

The shell earrings were two different pieces that came together beautifully. First while shopping in a boutique on the island of Kauai, Hawaii I found a discounted box of earrings that were all marked at $3. Wow, what a deal. Why perhaps is the next question one would ask so I examined them. In the process of rounding the sides of the square shaped earrings some of the shell was chipped away. Brilliant because there was the simplest solution. When I got home I glued small matching snail shells to cover the imperfections and it added a great finish to the earrings. Wa-laa.
Secondly, the amber crystal necklace is composed of four types of beads. Alternating the sizes of each bead is appeasing to the eye and gives the necklace beautiful definition.

Remember you can always create jewelry with materials you already have. It's such a joy to be able to make your own jewelry for any occasion and uniquely design them for others.

Etsy.com has a great selection of hand crafted jewelry. My sister in-law Chelsea and her friend Lisa make exquisite jewelry offered online at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwoBottleBlondes !!!