Handmade gifts...

We made these cute bags for a niece and nephew this Christmas. They are library bags! G embroidered their initials; A helped pick the bag fabric; and I sewed the bags together. We had a lot of fun making these...and hopefully they will love them and use them frequently.

I have so much fabric in my "collection". I think the need for large amounts of scrap fabric is
genetic. My mom has it stashed all over her house...and my sister has yards and yards also. I am a fabric junkie!

What I do...and don't do...

This is what I should be doing... cleaning up my desk. It is in such a prominent spot in our kitchen. It stays this messy most of the time. It's always the last to be picked up...

Instead of keeping up with my desk, I have been creating these...

I have made about 30 so far. I sew a pin to the back of each. I wear one almost every day. They can be worn on a hat, a lapel, a purse, a birthday gift, or anything else your heart desires.

I was inspired to make these because of my super-creative sister.

Why do we NEED to create???

My sister made this for me from items she found at the thrift store. It hangs in my kitchen of course!!!



I am fairly determined that my need to create is genetic. My sister and I cannot go for a week without the urge to craft or decorate. My mom is the same way. She is fortunate to be retired and able to succumb to the creative urge practically whenever she wants. I think my Grandmother was the same way.


My sister and I get frustrated when the demands of full-time work as moms and part-time work out of the home gets in the way of our creative urges. I remind her that someday our kids will not need us so much and we will have the time to create more.


We reminisced over the weekend about our childhood home and how much we loved it. My parents did such a great job of making it a place of rest, a place of happiness, a place where anyone on any "road" of life could find acceptance and God, and most of all it was a place where we were encouraged and allowed to be creative. We are so greatful for this. I think we are trying to make our homes the same way. Perhaps they already are!!!

This is our "TIME OUT" chair. It doesn't get used that much anymore but serves as a constant reminder of how quickly my girls are growing up. I started it and had a "block" so Mom finished it for me! I love it so much!!! Perhaps my girls will use it for their little kids someday???