Dream Big

"Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how...We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark." — Agnes de Mille, dancer

source

I love this photo. It speaks to the idea that I have about going after dreams.I find myself wanting to be this woman in her cute skirt on her adventure. This mysterious lady jumps on her steed, um, bike for what ever lies ahead. She goes forward even though we cannot see where that may lead.

When I think about where I am going (with my future) and what God may have in store for me, I wonder what I need to be doing next. If only I looked so cute while doing it!

QUESTION: What messages/images are you paying attention to in regards to your dreams?

4 Ways to Use Your Skill to Give Back

This is an older post from a blog I had a while ago...
Last year I felt a rather sharp thumping in my head and chest. I was not having a heart attack or a migraine; I was feeling the call to do more with my life in a purposeful way.

If you are anything like me then there is a chance that you aren't sure what you can do. And if you only look at what you do for a living then you will most likely find skills you can use to be a "professional giver."

1. Use your talents for a cause. If you are a writer then you can help write grant proposals for a non-profit. If you are a teacher you can help inner-city youth that are struggling. If you are a baker then consider helping with a group that feeds the home-bound elderly. If you are friendly then be a greeter at your church or at a local function.

2. Encourage your employer to get involved. My husband's company formed a partnership with a local school and allowed employees to leave to help with struggling students. They also have a division that educates farmers about new tools and management. One local business had a collection box for old coats that were then donated to a local shelter for children.

3. Mentor with your experience. We all have learned many things through our experiences and can share that information with others. Big Brothers Big Sisters and teen youth groups are just a sample of what you can do as a mentor. Once I began selling online and purchased supplies wholesale, I found myself asked on several occasions about the process. Be open to helping others.

4. Use the internet. I know several women whose vocation and calling is not in an office but online. They use social media and websites to get their message across for the benefit of a cause. One mother I met creates flyers and notices about the importance of restraints for child seats for an organization in another state--online. Now you can help and you don't even need to get dressed to do it!

None of these have to take a lot of time, energy, or money but they do utilize skills that you are already using. So why don't you use them to help others?

QUESTION: What is a skill you can use?

Tips about Squash

 An old post I salvaged from my old website. I hope you enjoy the second time around!

I used butternut squash and acorn squash for the first time. Be prepared to use a hacksaw to cut these bad boys in half. Or really big muscles. I discovered that it is not easy to cut these raw. I did find that if I got the serrated blade in a bit then I was able to cut enough to pry the squash apart. (note--the acorn squash is tougher).

Once you cut the squash drizzle with your favorite olive oil and seasonings.

Place the butternut squash (the light colored one) down on a baking sheet cut side down. Leave the acorn squash cut side up. Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes (the acorn squash will take longer). Remove them when fork tender. I scooped out the flesh and used in a recipe for a delicious cream sauce!

QUESTION: How do you use these two tough guys?

A Craft for Kids -- Bulletin Board Circle Tutorial

 One of my original posts from my old blog!....

There are days when it is simply too cold to play outside with the kids. And since I am always in search of things to keep me organized here is something to keep you organized and the kids entertained!

Supplies: At first I was going to get corkboard but thought I would try a round styrofoam circle from the craft store. If you do use corkboard be sure to check if you need to add an old piece of cardboard behind it to protect the wall if it is thin.

*fantastic fabric--I am using Jennifer Paganelli's Sis Boom fabric *glue--NOT hot glue--it will not be nice to the styrofoam *scissors *stick pins *decorative brads/tacks *ribbon  

What to do: *Cut the fabric around the circle so that it will wrap around the disc neatly. Glue. (The kids can do this messy part:)  

*Cut your thinner grosgrain ribbon and figure out placement. I held down with pins.... *Glue the ribbon strips to the back. I used pins to hold while the glue dried. *I covered the back mess with a piece of art paper. You can use fabric...Glue down. *Stick the decorative brads/tacks in the four corners.

*Add the wider ribbon around the circle with glue.

*Add a loop for hanging and...

You are done! I like how it coordinates with the calendar I made of the kids.

Why Women Need More Muscle

There is this fallacy that if a woman lifts weights she will become some muscle-bound male looking weirdo. It frightens off many women from strength training when they have weight loss and fitness goals which is unfortunate because having muscle is vital to making a gal look good.

One pound of muscle weighs the same amount as one pound of fat.

But they don't look the same, take up the same amount of space, burn calories the same, or make the skin above them look the same. Muscle rocks.

By strength training, we allow our bodies to strengthen bones, we burn more calories (hello, metabolism!), and we take up less space. This means that we get to buy clothes that are smaller in size even if we don't see the numbers on the scale change.

So, the next time you fear those dumbbells remember that you want to fight osteoporosis, look good in your shorts, and be all kinds of strong.

QUESTION: What do you to reach/maintain your fitness goals?

When You Dream Big

When you dream big, big things can happen. You have to get past the fears, insecurities, denials, and what-ifs to transfer the dream to reality but it can happen.

Your dreams can lead you to your knees.

Your dreams can lead you to tears and heartache.

Your dreams can lead you to joy.

It is in my heart to encourage women in their faith and to take steps toward realizing that God has a plan for each of them that is not limited by our dreams, ideas, or limitations. And this morning I took a big step and told people that I wanted something done to support women that had a need. I worried for a moment that I was stepping on toes, going out of bounds, or asking the impossible.

And within an hour movement happened.

It would be easy to say that it was me and my phone call and almost relentless search for how can we do more. But I would be wrong.

I was given a dream and the desire and I obeyed. I believe that God heard these women calling out for help and he is answering.

Don't get caught up in thinking that your dream is too big or too impossible or too out of bounds. Dream and live your purpose.

QUESTION: What will you dream and take action on today?

Little Brother's Jacket

This is an old post from an old blog of mine...

He may be considered the "little" brother because of birth order but there is nothing little about my little man! The kids wear the same size and they both wanted me to make jackets which I had never done before.

With his version I experimented a bit more (with technique). I still wanted a fun lining but I added a cord facing. I thought it would keep it more clean looking. I also played around with the sleeves which don't show.

Then I had to add the blue plane buttons to go with the lining and the under collar. Of course that is not in keeping with a pea coat but that is okay.


And I learned that the moment I start gloating to myself about how easy these new techniques were then I made multiple errors. The seam ripper was my friend. Or enemy.

But I look forward to making more of these coats.

But not the pockets. I still do not like pockets--my son uses them for things like rocks and mud.

A Grape It Is Not

This is an old post from an old blog of mine....
This is not the purple of a grape singing monster. This is eggplant with pizazz. It is a little bit of flare for my three year old. Okay, the lining with the purple now reminds me of Anthony from Designing Women which it did not last night; I will have to see what my daughter thinks about it.
The cord jacket is lined in a Michael Miller fabric and four slightly shimmering floral buttons decorate the front. With the black and white lining I did not want a really busy button.

But that did not stop me from adding something different to the under collar. A little secret.

And I already have one cord boot made for her.

Elastic Skirt Tutorial

I wanted to make a simple skirt for my daughter. Something that I knew would take only minutes. And with the requisite ruffle be in touch with her inner princess. It only takes two rectangles (based on her measurements), a double length for the black ruffle, and elastic. Easy peasy!
I cut two pieces of fabric about 22" X 12". I also cut two black ruffles WOF (width of fabric X 4.5"). Sew the sides of the skirt right sides together. (Tutorial for french seams on the way)


Sew the sides of the ruffle to make an extra large circle. Fold in half wrong sides together, press and gather. Pin to the outside of the skirt making sure to match the seams. Flip down and then topstitch.
For the waistband, fold 1/4" down then another 1". This forms the casing. Sew close to the edge and leave about 1.5" open. Insert elastic, sew the ends together and sew closed! (Sorry, I thought I had a photo of this step).

French fried tomatoes! Scandalously easy skirt. This is so easy you have plenty of time to embellish it with applique or fabric flowers, etc. You even have time to do the laundry but who wants to do that?

Universal Pacifier Clip Tutorial

Make a pacifier clip and coordinate it with matching burp cloths, blankets, etc for a great baby shower gift. Easy to make you will want to make more than one!

What To Do:
1. Cut out the fabric 3" X 9". Cut ribbon 7" long.
2. Fold the fabric in half longways with the Right Sides Together. Sew along the long edge. Then turn right side out. Press
3. Turn under the edges and slip the folded ribbon inside one edge. I topstitch around the entire length for a more professional appearance. This will also close the two ends.
4. Slip one end through the clip, fold over and sew. Your done!