Discovering beauty in the mess of life: 2010

Gifts with Impact - Photos that bring life to children

Between now and Christmas week I plan to highlight businesses that will certainly put your gift giving dollars to good use! Remember – the goal here is philanthropic giving with a twist – supporting a worthy cause through purchasing a lovely treasure.

We all know, on some level, that there are kids out there who are desperate for the stability and love their biological parents are not able to provide. In America alone there are hundreds of thousands of kids just waiting for a forever family.

This post features a family that not only is aware of the problem, they firmly believe that God's plan is to use them to impart His love into the hearts of kids.

I came across this wonderful woman's blog about a year ago - just as they were getting their home ready for their youngest boy, and her writing immediately captured me. As a blended family mom I found myself relating to some of the "bonding" struggles Courtney was so honest in addressing, as a yankee also living in the Southland (and married into a very Southern family) I loved her posts about the North, culture shock and missing home.

Without further ado:

Meet the Rockstars:

What a great couple!

Courtney & her husband will soon be the proud parents of 11 kids. While they have successfully adopted 4 children, they have also invested thousands of dollars in adoptions that – for reasons beyond their control – fell through, their money irrecoverable. They have given their hearts to kids that they won't be able to hold or love in person, they have sacrificed plenty and they still keep giving!

10 delightful Rockstar Treasures

Courtney is a proud stay-at-home mom and a homeschool teacher. Her husband – whom she refers to as “the rockstar” - works very hard to support their family and spends his off hours snuggling, reading to and otherwise pouring into their awesome family.

Courtney is also an outstanding photographer with a very unique eye. You can find her work on Etsy.com @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/Wifetotherockstar

From note cards to framed photographic art – the items in her etsy shop are a worthy offering and by purchasing from her you are contributing to the life of their family

Courtney is also an articulate, funny and painfully honest blogger. You can read more about Courtney & the Rockstar family @ www.storinguptreasures.com

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Month of Thanksgiving

If you spend any time on Facebook I'm sure you've gotten the invite to this “Month of Thanksgiving” and while I've been making my mental list every day, I have to admit – I haven't typed out ANY of them – and here it is the night before Thanksgiving!

So without any further ado, and in no particular order, here is my month's worth of things I'm thankful for :)

Music: I know that sounds lame, but seriously, music has always been a central part of my life and now that I'm all growed up there is seldom a day that my hubby man doesn't break out his guitar & we jam together.
My puppies: we have 2 dogs, both of whom have a God story attached & just seeing them reminds me that God sees the desires of our hearts – and when it's a good thing – He gives us those desires.
Indoor plumbing: this needs no further explanation.
Freedom: cliché or not I recognize the wonder of being able to worship freely, speak openly about my Jesus, build my own business without the “man” telling me what I can or cannot do...
My husband: He is an incredible person & he makes me laugh!Our kids: we've got 3 of 'em between 19 & 14. It is such a privilege to play a part in the destiny God has for these squirts.
Our tiny house: we recently down sized & I have to say it is AWESOME to be able to thoroughly clean your house in no more than 2 hours.
Creativity: being able to make stuff helps keep me sane.
IHOP prayer room webstream: God has used this free web stream to encourage my heart & draw me into prayer on a regular basis
Friends: I'm often amazed at the diverse group of people God allows me to do life with - some of the most incredible people God's made – my friends rock!
Healing: I may not understand why some are healed instantly, others walk out a healing process and still others don't get healed on this side of things, but this I DO know – Jesus heals today & it's amazing to see.
Harvest: our church family has seen us through thick, thin and everywhere in between & they still love us.
Technology: from computers to digital camera, flat top ranges to microwaves, washing machines & sewing machines – there are tons of things now that weren't around 50 years ago that make my life much easier than any other generation throughout history.
Hats: I'm learning how to make some really stylish ones & loving it! A fedora is on my “must make” list.
My mom: there was a time when a loving relationship between us would have been unimaginable, but she is one of my favorite people today. I'm so thankful God pulled my head outta my hiney – otherwise I'd never have been able to appreciate who she is.
My dad: again – so glad God pulled my head outta my hiney – this guy has a great sense of humor, and is a wealth of good, common sense advice.
Salvation: the love of God – as seen in Jesus sacrifice – is overwhelming, and I am forever changed.
Laughter: there is nothing like the sound of laughter to make ya feel like all is right with the world.
Having my kids at home: our boys are home at the same time & it's fun to see how their relationship has evolved & grown as they're growing.
Chocolate: it never ceases to amaze me how chocolate can make a day better.
I'm not who I used to be: THAT is something to be thankful for indeed – thank you Jesus!
My Etsy shop: I love being able to be creative for a living.
Our cars: the previous 3 vehicles have been given to our family free of charge! Talk about a blessing, huh??
Even when situations aren't easy God is good, and His love sustains me.

God is truly good and there are too many things to list in one night. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Own Your Beauty - LOVING the skin you're in

My face is round. Really round - the kind of round that causes my eyes to sink into oblivion if I smile real big.

I am built "tonka tough". Short and kinda boxy, definitely built to last.

I'm thick through the hips & shoulders with muscles that kind of pile up at the base of my neck; so instead of a long, graceful neck that gently dips to the shoulders there's this... slight hump that threatens to swallow my entire head! I am built a LOT like the woman in this scene with Lucy...

When I was at the top of my game physically I once had a man tell me I had “the most masculine looking back he's ever seen on a woman - in real life” - and somehow that was supposed to be a compliment to a non-body builder!

For years I fought the way I've been made, believing the lie that I was flawed because I wasn't graceful, sleek and “feminine”.

I did everything shy of cosmetic surgery trying vainly to achieve an unobtainable goal – and *gasp* even worse, the more I worked out, the bulkier I got!

I was sucked into what our culture spins as “beautiful” and thus absorbed, I was 100% unable to see that I am wonderfully, amazingly put together!

You need spend a mere 5 minutes in the check out line to see how shallow our definition of beauty has become - it seems nearly every cover screams for our comparative attention:

*Am I busty enough?

* Is my hiney pleasantly rounded like Jennifer Lopez's?

* Are my teeth straight enough, my ears even, my belly flat

enough, my pants size small enough...

Argh! When does it end? From our obsession with movie stars to the increasing number of plastic surgeon billboards touting how you should give “mom her old body” for the holidays. (These makes me want to use some very unladylike language!)it seems most of our culture drives us to focus on our perceived imperfections instead of appreciating the glorious reflection of God we're made to be.

God did not make any mistakes when He designed me - “tonka tough”, in fact, I've grown to love it and here's the kicker – so does my husband! Oh, how I love that man!

Honestly, who wouldn't love a man that says things like... “I want you to be healthy, just don't get skinny, ok?”

God didn't make any mistakes in your design either and unless Botox takes over the world, we're all going to age. Our bodies will change, our faces will wrinkle and our definition of beauty will have to change or we'll never be able to develop the character of a genuinely beautiful woman.

I am surrounded by incredible women – young and old - who look little to nothing alike – and yet, I can honestly say they are all stunning.

Mom, Maw, Maleesa, Jessica, Cassie, Maise, Maiven, Stephi, Noelle, Jen, Jennifer, Kimmy, Becca, Terri, Alex, Chelsea, Marissa, Kayti, Monica, Bekah - Each of you have been made to reflect the creative genius of God & His art work is FLAWLESS.

To all the ladies that read this, I pray that God will do for you as He's done for me. That He would break off the lies our culture has slathered on you, that you will wake up to His delight in you – body, soul & spirit. It's only once you're comfortable in the skin you're in that you can be free to focus on the things that truly matter.

THIS is the only way to use a scale ;)

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Gifts with Impact - Jewelery that Sets modern slaves FREE

I'm starting a new blogging category for people like me.

I am, by nature a gift giver. The gifts I enjoy giving most are the ones that have lasting impact and meaning – however I also like to put my gift giving dollars to work whenever possible.

Call it… philanthropic giving with a twist, because NOT ONLY does it bless the gift recipient, it also supports an amazing gift item or service provider.

When you want to say it with jewelry, Nightlight designs couldn’t be a better choice! Not only are their designs unique and gorgeous, they also minister to sexually exploited women and children in Thailand – a major hub for the sex slave industry.

Read what they have to say about themselves:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

NightLight is an international organization committed to addressing the complex issues surrounding trafficking and prostitution by catalyzing individual and community transformation. NightLight’s vision is to offer intervention to sexually exploited women and children, to enable them to discover their dignity, and to provide a program of holistic transformation, empowering them to live and work in their community.

NightLight’s mission is to build relationships and provide hope, intervention, rescue and assistance to women and children exploited in the sex industry by offering alternative employment, vocational opportunities, life-skills training and physical, emotional and spiritual development to women seeking freedom. NightLight builds support networks internationally to intervene and assist women, men and children whose lives are negatively impacted by the sex industry.

Through NightLight Design, women are making beautiful jewelry from silver, semi-precious stones, pearls and decorative beads.

NightLight Design provides an economic alternative for women who previously had no hope of freedom from their circumstances. When you purchase these products you are securing the freedom of women who have been exploited or were at risk of exploitation in the bars of Bangkok, Thailand.

Women working at NightLight Design:

-Function as managers and designers

-Learn skills in accounting, quality control, inventory and marketing

-Receive medical benefits, a savings plan and annual salary increases based on performance

-Participate in classes offering English and life skills training

NightLight employees are given the opportunity to receive scholarships for continuing education. Their children are born into a safe haven where the risk of exploitation and abuse is greatly reduced.

Every piece of jewelry you purchase provides direct support for one of the artisans. You are helping to break the cycle of abuse by making a lasting difference in a woman’s life, giving her dignity and a meaningful way of supporting herself and her family.

If you only purchase one piece of jewelry this Christmas season please consider purchasing something from this amazing ministry!

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Felicitations and a Free Pattern!

Sassy hat, no?

Greetings and felicitations!

I am hoping you are as much of a crafting junkie as I am... if not - come along for the ride. It's fun, breezy and usually includes a bunch of laughter!

Life at my house is always full of projects in various stages of completion. I've got my knitting, sewing, beading and whatever else I happen to be into at the moment - spread out in various locations. Right now, I'm into hats. I've knitted one and sewed a couple. My momma raised me with the belief that anything was possible - so long as I tried hard enough & was willing to keep at a thing 'til it was done right.

Pictured above is my second attempt at the millinery arts. I have to admit, I wear this hat with just about everything right now - as I am between hair styles & a sassy hat beats bad hair any day!

Here is my rendition of an old classic - the Newsboy Cap.

Simple pattern

This pattern fits my head - which is approximately an adult medium (21" - 22" in circumference) I drew the pattern onto a piece of standard printer paper & included exact measurements just in case it doesn't print or open to a full size document. All seams call for a 1/4" seam allowance

Materials: 1/2 yard of material for hat body

1/2 yard of material for hat lining

1/4 yard of pellon or something to cushion the bill

8"x3" square of plastic - be creative & repurpose something

25" of bias tape to match your hat

1 fantasmo button to top it all off

Here is the "how-to":

1. Cut out all pattern pieces

2. With right sides together, sew 2 pieces of the hat body together. Continue putting pieces together until there are 4 "pie pieces" together in total.

3. Sew the next 3 pieces of the hat body together.

*** you should now have 2 parts of hat body. This is very important, as these curved pieces can be tricky to sew together.

4. Sew the two pieces together.

5. BEFORE you open the hat - press each curved seam FLAT - let each seam lay flat (like it was as you sewed it on your machine) and press ~ give it a shot of steam even. I do this in my quilting, as it causes the threads to tighten.

6. *Optional* Press your seams open

** You should now have a full hat body.

7. Repeat steps 1-6 with the hat lining.

8. With WRONG sides together, run a loose basting stitch as close to the edge of your hat body as you can.

9. With right sides together, sew hat bill FABRIC pieces from corner around the outer curve to the other corner.

10. Press seam (like step #5) then clip around the curve or just cut with pinking shears. (this will allow your seam to lay flat when you turn it right side out.)

11. Turn your bill casing right side out & press.

12. Make a pellon & plastic sandwich. Insert this into the bill casing being sure to get it snug against the seam.

13. Pin the inner curve closed and run a tight basting stitch along the curve of the pellon & plastic sandwich curve. (You will use this as a stitch guide in steps 16 & .)

14. Cut out a strip of fabric for your hat band. This strip should measure around your head + 1 inch, and should be 1.5" wide (mine was 22 1/2" long by 1.5" wide). (If you are using light weight fabric, you can cut out a second strip of pellon for added support)

15. With right sides together, join this strip, forming a circle. ** TEST to see if it fits & make adjustments if needed. As a general rule of thumb, you want to be able to comfortably place 1 finger between your head and the hat band.

16. Opposite the hat band seam, center the hat bill and sew pieces together. (This part is kind of tricky and calls for lots of pinning before you sit down to sew. Take your time lining up the edges with the hat bill on top follow the seam created in step #13)

17. Along this bottom seam, with right sides together, run another seam, sewing a strip of bias tape all the way around. Remember to include a folded edge where you begin to avoid any unfinished edges upon completion. Press these pieces together. This is tricky to get around the bill, but as long as you keep your edges lined up you'll be fine.

18. With right sides together pin your hat body to the hat band. You should have the hat band touching the main hat material and the lining on the outside. Sew and press this seam DOWN toward the hat bill.

19. Adjust the bias tape seam and either hand sew or machine stitch this to cover your unfinished edges.

20. Lastly, add a button to the top ~ and you're done!

If you make one of these, please be sure to leave a comment and a photo! Can't wait to see what you creative types can do :D

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Discovering beauty in the mess of life

Gifts with Impact - Photos that bring life to children

Month of Thanksgiving

Own Your Beauty - LOVING the skin you're in

Gifts with Impact - Jewelery that Sets modern slaves FREE

Rats - FOILED again!

Word Filled Wednesday

Discovery Days

Felicitations and a Free Pattern!

Extravagant Grace

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