One Direction (1D) Fan Bookmarks

1D Bookmark

Today, I have had fun creating these cool double-sided bookmarks for 1D fans.  One side has "kiss me" on it and the other - "I love 1D". 

 I know a lot of teenagers have kindles now, however the english novel is still standard.  This is a great way to brighten things up!  I am going to try and sell a few - so if you know any fans that would like them, let me know. They are available through my Etsy store

Thought for the day:  We tend to get caught up in day to day life and forget the important things - like family, friends and God.  Make sure we stop and tell people we love and treasure them and don't forget to Praise God for all that he has done.  By reading or speaking the Psalms we can declare our love to Him.

Post-it Note Folder

Elegant Gift Idea

I have been busy again and came up with this idea, which was very quick and easy.  You need cardstock/cardboard, ribbon, printed paper, bling embellishments, glue, scissors, scoring bone and a post-it note pad.  If you would like more instructions or to buy one - leave a comment or contact me via my Facebook page - Morrowville Gifts

Thought for the day:  I must admit I am a list person.  I need to write down just about everything so I can remember, and I am sure I am not the only one!  I think it is because of our fast paced life and we are just too busy.  However, we are not alone because there are numerous times that it is mentioned in the bible to "Write it down".  This occurred when God had something important to say or teach, so the person would not forget.  So when you see my little notebook today, I want you to read some of these verses - 

Exodus - 34:27

Habakkuk - 2:2

Revelation - 1:19

Note Book

Bird Note Book

I had a few spare note books laying around and I needed a quick gift for an unexpected birthday.  So I got to work and made these.  They were quick and easy - a great way to use up scraps too!  I have decided to make a few extras to sell.  If you are interested in the instructions or purchasing one - you can leave a post or contact me through my new facebook page - Morrowville Gifts

Thought for the day:  Everywhere around us there seems to be despair, suffering and turmoil.  Frankly, the news is very depressing and even in everyday life, people we come across seem to be hurting.  We are so lucky to be blessed with different abilities and strengths.  However, too often we tend to grumble and focus on what we cannot do or envy those who we wish to be like.  Today I want us to all focus on our strengths and talents and how we can use those things to be a blessing to others and for the greater good.  Remember, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13.

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Ok, so I am in the middle of completing my final assessments at the moment, so I have cheated a bit.  For Valentines Day this year I decided to be a bit more creative because let's face it after being together for over 20 years - chocolates, bears etc gets a little bit predictable.  

My sweetheart loves berries - so I decided to buy (yes you heard right) some strawberries and make jam especially for him.  Unfortunately, they weren't really in season and mine all died - which is why I did the strawberry pallet garden earlier.  Needless to say when I presented him with this and his other favourite, homemade shortbreads - he was blown away with appreciation.  Sometimes it is good to think 'out of the box' a bit so that we can create something special and unique.

Recipe for Strawberry Jam

500g strawberries

1 cup sugar

juice of 1 lemon

Wash and dry berries.  Squash berries with hands into a saucepan and add sugar and bring to the boil with lid on.  Stir and take off the lid.  Let simmer until soft and add the lemon juice.  Test to see if it is set by putting a dob on a saucer and letting cool.  Bottle in sterilized jars and lable and decorate.  

 Makes one bottle - but you can adjust the quantities to make more or less.

Thought for the day:  Valentines Day, celebrated on 14 February, helps us focus on love and romance, even though many think it is too commercial.  In light of celebrating love and marriage, I thought this verse would be appropriate.  '..... Rejoice in the wife of your youth.  A loving doe, a graceful deer - may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.  Proverbs 5:18-19.  I like this verse because it highlights that love and marriage can last a lifetime. I know how happy my husband has made me and I treasure our relationship.  I am always looking for ways to please him and he tries to do the same.

Eagles

I have been very busy studying and with sick kids.  However, I have still been creating.  I will post some of these things really soon.  For now I will leave a couple of photos that I enjoyed taking.  Who knows, one day someone might want to buy one!

Two Wedgetail Eagles

Isaiah 40:31

But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

 

Thought for the day:   While researching about eagles I found that some people say that the word eagle is mentioned 34 times in the bible.  Wow!  These creatures evoke both fear and wonder when I see or hear them.  I guess that is a bit like God.  We are told to fear him, but also to love Him.  

 

So, how do you feel about them?  Do they remind you of God or maybe Satan?  These are the questions I leave with you to ponder.

Here's Eagle Rock for you to listen to

Handmade Mother's Day Card / Fridge magnet

Handmade card for Mum in her favourite colours

With Mother's Day coming up next Sunday, I decided to make my Mum a card.  She loves mauve and pansies.  I made a puff with a pansy button and it detaches from the card as a fridge magnet, so she can appreciate it all year long!

Materials I used:

Purple card stock
Pink card stock
Printed scrapbooking paper (feathers)
Star shaped brads
Glitter Letters
Suffolk puff in yellow
Pansy button
magnet
glue

Inside I used a little verse from the rub-offs range.

Thought for the day:  The bible talks about a lot of different mothers. I especially like the story of Naomi and Ruth.  Not all of us have a mother or if you do, through circumstances may be estranged from her.  However, a mother does not necessarily have to be 'Blood'.  Sometimes there might be a substitute mother figure in our lives.  Naomi must have been a wonderful woman.  The bond formed between her and her once daughter in law, Ruth, must have been so strong because even though Ruth had a mother, she chose to stay with Naomi.  I am not saying to turn your back on your own mother, but if you don't have a mum or the best relationship - sometimes there will be another woman who might be able to fill the gap.  In my parent's church, they honour all women on Mother's Day by giving each woman a small gift.  Many times we have attended the service on this day and I loved seeing the joy on the face of a particular elderly woman who never married or had children.  However, when I was young she would encourage me and other children to visit her, which was always a happy time.  She would spend time with us and make us lovely morning or afternoon teas.  Sometimes she would have older children / adults stay so that they could go to work or university.  She loved children, and tried to mother them with her kindness.  I am sure she meant a lot to many children that were not hers.  Read Ruth's (Chapter 1-4) story.

Honey Joys - for Sunday :)

Honey Joys

Yum!

My son has just started wanting to cook.  I must admit even though he is my youngest, I haven't cooked honey joys since I was a little girl!  Anyway, he tried some and has been nagging me ever since to make them.  So today was the day - I really enjoyed creating these with master 5 :)

Honey Joys

4 cups of cornflakes

3 Tablespoons of butter

1/3 cup of sugar

1 Tablespoon of honey

Put cornflakes in a large mixing bowl.  In a small saucepan melt sugar, butter and honey until frothy.  Pour hot liquid into cornflakes and mix.

Line patty tin with patty papers and give a light mist with cooking spray.  Place spoonfuls of mix in papers and cook on a low heat 150 degrees celsius for 8 - 10 minutes.  Let cool completely in patty tins.

Makes 18

This recipe comes from the Take 4 book (green)

Thought for the day:  I love Sundays because it a great day for family and relaxation.  We try to go to church regularly which adds to my joy because I come away feeling uplifted and enjoy seeing and chatting with other people (yep, I don't get out much through the week).  Today, even though it isn't Christmas, I am going to enclose the wonderful song - which should be sang all year round - Joy to the World.

By the way - these are so quick and simple and would be great for a fete/stall.  We are taking some with us to visit Nanna & Pa this afternoon!

Knitted Mobile Phone Socks

The past couple of days, I have been playing around creating knitted phone socks.  Different colours and patterns.  I have a touch screen phone that seems to be always 'searching' the internet - even though I am sure I put it back to the main screen and turned it off.  The cases are sooo expensive and my phone is a cheapie - they might not even sell a case for it.  It is baffling when you have to buy the exact case for the exact model, isn't it?  Well it is when you are me!  I always forget what mine and my husband and son's phones are - all different.  Of course if you have one of the popular and expensive smartphones you are usually ok.

Anyway, I have enjoyed knitting up these socks and will be starting to decorate them.  I thought they would be handy for mother's day or other gifts.  The plain grey one at the back - I might give to my husband or father and my daughter has already took a pink one I did.  They are very easy to make and I will include the patterns at a later date - or I will make you one if you like!

Thought for the day:  I have a friend going through a traumatic situation with a gravely ill husband at the moment and another family who have recently lost a loved one.  It it is times like these in life when we want someone to comfort and protect us - a bit like a phone sock!  Psalm 121:1-8 tells how God is our protector, which is a comforting thought.  We are never alone, He is with us always!

 Bible.is is a free bible application that can be used online or for any idevice (iphone, ipod and ipad) or android.  My teenage son uses it on his ipod and I will link any readings to it from now on.  It is available in different languages and versions and it has the option of listening too. 

Mug-Hug just for me!

Life gets so disheartening and hard sometimes, doesn't it?  Sometimes at some time or another, I think we all wish life was a bit easier.  When we feel disheartened or disappointed, we should try to be gentle with ourselves.  This could mean going back to bed and taking some time out from the world - this is how I feel today!  However, not all of us have this luxury, so here is a list of other things that we could try:

* Go for a walk
* Ring a friend or family member for a chat
* Do something special just for you
* Have a nice relaxing bath
* Splurge on a yummy treat
* Craft, craft craft!
* Buy a nice book or magazine
* Have a nice cup of tea or coffee

So you may wonder why I am feeling overwhelmed today?  I have been up with a sick little boy with the stomach bug.  I am trying to wash a mountain of dirty washing and it is raining.  I clogged up the toilet when I was cleaning it.  I broke the washing machine and I have my husband's end of month bills and tax due today along with all the other million things I should be doing!  There are also other things on my mind.

I usually try to be positive - so I hope that when I get up in the morning things will be a bit better - that is if the rest of the family don't get the bug!  So today I am going to take five minutes out and treat myself to a quiet cuppa with my special little chook mug-hug my mother and I made.

Thought for today:  "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go".  Joshua 1:9

Knitted Squares

Some of my knitted squares ready for 'Knit for a Cause'

 
As, I said in an earlier a post, we all have 'gifts' - some are really unique - like the boy who holds the record for balancing the most spoons on his face and others are kind of common compared to that guy anyway!  Not really.

We are all special and have different gifts that we can use.  But what do we use them for?  Good or bad? Maybe we bury them - I know someone who has the most brilliant voice, but refuses to use it because it reminds her of a painful time in her life.  Maybe we are still trying to work out what they are.

I am able to knit (sort of) basic things.  So when I heard about the plight of a young woman who was calling for donations of knitted squares for cancer patients - I felt I had to get involved.  Since I joined, I have knitted a few squares and hope to do more.  It is taking me quite a while, but I know that there are others out there doing their squares which when combined, will look amazing and provide joy and warmth to someone in need.

I must mention that this is not a new concept.  My mother (and late grandmother) and women (and men) from their local church have been knitting, crocheting and sewing things for the local mission for over 55 years!  These women selflessly work all year long to brighten the countless lives of others, never expecting payment or recognition.  However, a few years ago, the media found out and came and shot footage for a television station - the ladies and gentlemen where very proud, however, they took it in their stride and keep going even to this day.

Thought for the day:  God has blessed us all with gifts.  He likes us to use them and is even more pleased when we use them to benefit others.  In the bible (Matthew 25:14-30) we read about the parable of the three talents.  There has always been some controversy about what this means.  In olden times a talent was a unit of measurement.  Some believe a talent relates to how many souls a person will save, others believe it is just representing our giftedness.  Whatever, it is - we should do it to and for the Glory of God!  So I am going to use it this time to represent our gifts which help us create.  How wonderful if we can extend these to help someone else by being charitable.  Charity is the generous actions/donations to help the poor, ill or helpless.  Don't ignore your gifts!

Here is the facebook page if you want to help ' knit for a cause'

Science Fiction Drawing

My drawing of a Chanswarr

Have you ever been going about your daily routine and suddenly, you find you are bursting to draw something?  I find that this happens to me most when I have been slogging away with lots of numbers (in my office work) or studying lots of dry reading as part of my course.  It has also been that I will wake at night or in the morning and something I have dreamt about seems so vivid - I have to get it out!

I am certainly no artist and this has really only been happening to me in the past few years.  I believe that people need balance in their lives and when life gets hard there really is no room to be creative.  However, eventually this catches up with you and these strong and mysterious urges seem to compel us to create.  It doesn't have to be good - just so long as you can get it out and restore the equilibrium.  Like I said, I have gone on for so many years not being a real 'Creative Person'.  However, I know I am not alone because others have told me similar stories.

I drew this quite ugly fellow when I was on holidays a few years ago.  After being up to my neck in raising kids and working for my husband, I think the calm or the holiday helped me relax and all of a sudden I had to draw!  I hadn't drawn anything since school - oh unless you count stick figures for the kids! So off I trotted down to the local newsagency and bought some pencils and a sketch book.  Once I put the pencils to paper and did some squiggles - this was the end result.  He came from my imagination - I don't particularly like sci-fi movies or television shows because they give me nightmares.  Anyway, my son and husband thought he was pretty cool and they told me to hang it up on the wall.

The point is You don't have to be good at something for it to do you good!  I love the release I get - it soothes me and helps me get my focus back.  It doesn't matter if you draw or garden or cook - find something that will help you de-stress.

Thought for the day:  'Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life'.  Proverbs 13:12.  This is one of my favourite verses in the bible.  It is so true and a motto that I try to live my life by.