Making Doll Sandals

I have been making some gifts for my nieces dolls. My nieces are planning on visiting us next week with my sister and parents so I am trying to get finished before they arrive! My desire was to make a sundress and matching sandals  for each doll.  I thought it would be fun to show you the shoes first.  They were just too fun to make:)  I felt like such a cobbler, a happy cobbler at that!! 

Aqua Sandals

Pink Sandals

Light Blue Sandals

Light Blue Sandals w/ Red Soles

Credit for this idea goes to:  www.beanbunny.com/summersandals.html  

I mostly followed her instructions except I did not put a sole on the bottom for a couple of reasons.  First, I didn't like the space visible between the top and bottom soles and secondly, it is pretty hard to cut each sole out exactly the same and I couldn't live with the edges not lining up evenly.  So, yes they have a "raw" bottom but I can live with that since they are so stinkin' cute from the top!!  I used fray check on the ribbon edges or my wood burning tool to seal them.  In addition, I found tacky glue was easier to work with than a hot glue gun to secure the ribbon edges to the underside.

My Supplies (all can be found at Wal-Mart)

In general, I have a weakness for all things tiny and pretty such as baby shoes (if only they didn't outgrow them so quickly!)  Now that I've made these tiny doll shoes they are a new "love."    I think the sandals all lined up are pretty and are ready for playing dress up!

Okay, so that is the sneak peak at the doll shoes I have been crafting.  Next, up the sundresses!!

BlesSings!!

Blueberry Pie Anyone?

I brought over a blueberry pie to our new neighbors who just moved in.  It is a wonderful recipe that I wanted to share with you.  Are you ready?  It is really easy if you start with a ready made crust and a can of pie filling.   I simply took the blueberry pie filling and added a few ingredients to jazz it up a bit.   I then followed the recipe on the back of the can for the crumb topping. 

You know, eating dessert with my family is one of the sweetest moments of my day.  It's when the blows of the day seem to melt away as we "taste and see that the Lord is good."  So without further ado here is my recipe . . .

Filling:
1 can blueberry pie filling
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp butter

Topping:
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
6 Tbsp butter

Directions:  Preheat oven to 375degrees F.  Press a pie crust (I use Pillsbury) into the bottom and sides of a 9inch pie plate.  Combine the filling ingredients and pour onto pie crust.  Next, combine the first 5 ingredients for the topping and mix in the butter until crumbly.  Spread the crumb topping over the pie filling.  Bake for 40 minutes in the oven.  Cool on a wire rack.

Serve warm with ice cream on the side and enjoy!!

Reflections

Hello readers!  

How are you today?

Today found me outside soaking up some sunshine, just like my clematis plant.  

While sitting on my front step I observed this bud pointed up towards the sun. 

Isn't that how we are to live our lives as believers?  

Eyes on the Father, the source of all help, wisdom and love?  

Our Father, the master gardener. 

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."  John 15:1

Notice how the vine is wrapped tightly around the pole?  

"Abide in me, and I in you."  John 15:4a

Won't you join me in choosing to abide in Him today?

Snugglie Blanklie

These bright and cheerful baby animals have been adding a healthy dose of sunshine into my sewing room.  Using leftover fabric from a blanket I sewed for my friends baby awhile ago I made 3 - 12x12 snugglie blankies.

I think the orange and brown colors are just perfect for a fall baby.  These blankies are full of wonderful textures:  plush fabric on the top and bottom surrounded by satin borders.  I can just see little chubby fingers rubbing the border maybe with a thumb in the mouth?!  Wouldn't that be precious?

I used Anneliese's lovey boy tutorial from Aesthetic Nest (see here.)  Working with this cheerful fabric was such a delight as our weather here in Indiana has been so cold and rainy.  I am looking forward to warmer weather next week.   Who knows maybe it will feel like Indian Summer!

The snugglie blankies can be found in my etsy shop.

 Blessings!

Seeing Red

Red is one of my very favorite colors and I couldn't resist snapping a picture of the cones of thread on my serger.  I just love the contrast of red against white. 

Pairing red with navy is also a favorite combination of mine.  This little girls jumper was rescued from the goodwill store.  I couldn't resist the appliqued paisley's.  I envisioned them on an AG skirt.

I was able to get 2 skirts out of the one jumper.  The one in the photo above turned out to more of a straight jean skirt that I paired with a simple red t-shirt.

This one though I have to say is my favorite.  The skirt after sewn up has an a-line shape which is much more flattering.  I made a simple ruffle around the neckline of the shirt and it's just the right touch don't you think?  Kind of like a cherry on top of a yummy brownie . . .

Oh yum!  I think I might just have to get me one of those!!

BleSsings!

Fall Gardening

Clematis

My clematis is still blooming in my garden.  I just love the big blooms!  I planted this late spring and thought it would climb all over the trellis behind it.  While there is new growth it isn't as fast growing as I anticipated or hoped.

Winter Pansies

My neighbor was planting some winter pansies and so I was inspired to do the same.  I'm excited to be able to have color in the winter months and early spring.

Winter Pansies

Won't this look striking against snow on a gray day?  It should chase away any winter blues with its cheery face.

While not very exciting I am also edging my gardens.  I am making progress but it is a job my mind can handle only so much of!  I plan to continue with it today as we have another beautiful day to spend outside.

Blessings!

Gifted Artisans

In my quiet time I have been reading in the book of Exodus (chapters 25 and 26) where God gave very specific instructions to Moses on how to build the tabernacle where His presence would reside.  My interest peaked while reading about the tabernacle curtains since I love to sew!

There were to be 4 layers of 4 different materials (fine linen, goats hair, rams skin dyed red and badger skin.)  From the finest fabric to the most durable of material.  Directions were given for the size of the curtains, how many and how they would be joined.  Even the colors of the thread were picked out by God:  blue, purple and scarlet woven into cherubims in the linen.  Each element of the tabernacle was chosen with care to give God glory and honor.  Each element was for a specific purpose and carried spiritual meaning.  Only  the best of materials were chosen.  Not cheap materials.  Not inferior materials.  We are talking gem stones, precious metals, fine linen, acacia wood and so on.  Items of quality, purity and value.  For this is where His presence would be, where the priests in their holy garments would make sacrifices for their sins.  

God spoke to Moses,

"So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, 

whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom . . ." 

Ex 28:3

Gifted artisans

Filled with the spirit of wisdom.

It mattered to God who built the sanctuary.  Not just anybody could work on  it but only those who were skilled workmen.  People who were knowledgeable, hard-working and exceptionally talented.  People who cared about doing a good job for the Lord.

Which reminded me of this wonderful scripture in the New Testament,

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, 

as to the Lord and not to men, 

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; 

for you serve the Lord Christ." 

Col 3:23-24

There is a striking contrast between someone who does a job with all his heart and someone who does a sloppy job cutting corners wherever it won't be noticed.  But, somewhere down the line someone pays for those mistakes.  Over the weekend my husband spent a great deal of time fixing something in our house that was done all wrong (it's a looooooong story.)  Thankfully, my hubby is a great fixer who has been taking things apart since he was a very young boy.  His wonderful mom gave him the freedom to take apart toasters, hair dryers, etc so he could learn how they were built and therefore how to fix them.  Needless to say, he has fixed countless things in his lifetime: dryers, dishwashers, washing machines, computers, cars and on and on it goes!   A lot of times these repairs were because someone did a poor job or had a poor design..  God knows and sees and he isn't pleased with sloppy workmanship.  He hates dishonest scales.  And frankly, I do to.

I'm counting my blessings  . . .

* my husband was able to fix the problem

*  it didn't cost a dime

BTW, I in no way exhausted the topic of God's sanctuary.  There is so much to learn about it so if you are interested just google the topic and there is a lot of wonderful information about the meaning behind why God chose what he did.  It really is awesome to learn about.

The best BleSsing in this is

* Because of the work of the cross God's presence now resides in the heart of every believer and not in a dwelling!

Now, that is something to sing and shout about!!