Birdie Pillow Love

A few weeks ago my mom (in-love) came to visit us with a few of her friends on their way back home from Florida. 

Holy Land Experience

 One of the places they visited in Florida was The Holy Land Experience, a living biblical museum, located in Orlando.  I had never heard of it before but it is definitely a place I would love to take my boys (and it wouldn't hurt to "see" the beach, either!)  Anyway, they were on the road for quite a few days and were tired from their journey by the time they got to my home.  They were happy to be able to kick back and relax.

One of the sweet gals who stayed here is a bird lover.  In fact, she shared with me she has a pair of lorikeets.  Aren't they beautiful birds?  I just love their bright colors!

Needless to say she was smitten by the throw pillows on my couch.  She thought the birds were so cute!  Well, these I had just picked up at Target after Valentine's Day at 75% off.  At the time, I knew they were a brighter red than my couch but my boys had "loved on" the silk embroidered pillows I had made a little too much and so I thought these would be good indestructible replacements! 

I said I would be happy to sew her some throw pillows since her couches were without some pillow love!  She was so delighted that I would do that for her.  I promised her I'd find some bird fabric to go with her black leather sofa and love seat.

Well, after they went home I found this cardinal fleece at Hobby Lobby and bought it since she told me she really liked cardinals.  In fact, when she was here, she shared how one day she had been talking with the Lord how she wasn't seeing any cardinals.  Since God is a big God, who goes beyond what we could ask or think, He sent her a whole flock of cardinals one day for her to see right outside her window!  Isn't that awesome?  I love how he didn't send just one, but many for her enjoyment! 

image found here

I do think cardinals are one of the prettiest birds.  They are so striking against a snowy landscape.  I always feel honored when I see "one" because it doesn't happen very often.

Well, I made a total of 4 pillows for her.  There wasn't any fancy sewing involved by any means!  I found the pillow inserts (18x18") at Hobby Lobby for a very reasonable price and read it's best to cut the fabric the same size as the pillow insert (using a 1/2" seam allowance) so that it will be nice and fluffy when closed up.

There you are Karen, I hope you like them!

Savoring Spring

Yesterday we had what I thought was our first warm day of spring.  Spring seems to be running late this year!  I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my tulips that I planted last fall.  It's so exciting to see green growth after a long winter!

Even our trees are showing off their buds.  It was enough to make my soul sing we glee!

The day even warranted some bubble fun.  My boys found it was best to situate themselves with their backs to the wind to get the largest bubbles.

My youngest was trying his hardest to keep up with his older brother!

Much to our disappointment a cold front moved in overnight and it looks like the temperatures will be quite chilly for awhile.  We are thankful none the less for the little bit of time outside.

God's Blessings!

A Day at the Beach

Awhile ago I found myself at a wonderful blog by Mari-Ann Counting Coconuts.  I really like her blog name and her creative Montessori teaching methods.  I've found her photos so inspiring particularly her beach theme activity.
 

Our beach activity.

I am continually challenged with keeping my 5 year old "busy" when he's not in preschool so I thought I would try a similar beach activity for him.  It was an instant hit!  An added blessing was we were able to do it outside on our patio since it was warm enough.   It was so good to be outside without a coat on!!  Whohoo for spring!

Tad-ah!

He had so much fun playing in the sand.  We used styrofoam (found at the dollar store) to hold the umbrella picks in place.  They ended up looking kind of like islands in our ocean, don't you think?

"All You Need for a Beach"

I also read him some books from the library about the beach and ocean .  Next, I hope to have him identify the shells but in the meantime I may need another bottle of sand since a lot of it spilled out the sides!

This was a great way to pretend like we were at the beach!

Happy Spring!

More Dollie Fun!

All Dolled Up

A friend of mine asked me to sew some doll clothes for 2 of her granddaughters.  They are going to have a birthdays at the end of the month.  Yay for birthdays!!!  For the first granddaughter she decided she wanted a party dress.  I found the bright pink fabircs at Hobby Lobby and knew it was just right since it is her favorite color (one of mine, too!!)

Here it is!!  I made the skirt slightly longer than the pattern and sewed a little purse to match.

The purse was an easy accessory to make and it helps pull the whole outfit together.  A girl has to accessorize doesn't she??  He he!

The second granddaugher is younger and has a Bitty Baby.   I had just enough of this puppy flannel left to make this.  Too bad I don't have a Bitty Baby to put it on so you can see it in 3D!

I also whipped up a tiny receiving blanket and appliqued a puppy in the corner.  Now she can wrap up her baby!

Happy Birthday girls!!  Enjoy your special day!

Sunday Scripture

image found here

"The Lord is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation."

Psalm 118:14

Blessings and Peace!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Since I knew very little about the origins of this holiday I did a little research.  After all, why do we eat green food, wear green, etc?  Turns out this day is honor of Patrick who was a missionary in Ireland.  He used the shamrock to teach them about the trinity.  He was an evangelist for over 30 years and was instrumental in bringing Christianity to the Irish people.

Here is a poem thought to have been written by him,

Wake Up Call
I arise today
Through God's strength to direct me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak to me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me from snares of devils.

From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in a multitude.

Whether you celebrate much or little today I pray God's blessings on you!

Dressing up Dollie

I was asked to make some doll pj's for a special girl.  I selected this brown puppy dog flannel trimmed with pink polka dot from my stash.  I was happy to find out after I started she loves pink and brown!

The pattern I used for the nightgown came from Joan Hinds latest book, "All Dolled Up."  The instructions are very clear with nice photos.  The pillow was my own creation and the slippers I made from another of Joan Hinds books, "Sew the Contemporary Wardroble for 18-Inch Dolls." 

A thin strip of velcro is sewn on the back opening which makes for easy dressing by little hands.

It was a lot of fun to make the tiny doll ensemble and I hope it will make one special girl happy!

Blessings!