Busy--Where Did That Come From?

My husband and I have been quite busy lately.  It's been hard to keep up, and the coming days don't appear to be any less busy.  Let me tell you about our adventures lately!

Surprise!

That was the reason for heading up to Michigan to visit my sister Labor Day weekend--a surprise 30th birthday party.  We headed up the day of the party and stealthily avoided my sister all day.  When arriving at the restaurant where the party was being held, we helped decorate and waited for all of her friends to arrive, then waited for her to arrive.  She was so surprised when she walked in and saw so many of her family and friends waiting to celebrate her birthday!  What made it even more of a surprise was that it wasn't actually her birthday--it was a week ahead of time.  She was appropriately surprised, and we had fun surprising her!

Fall Is Coming...

I'm sure of it.  We had some teasingly cool temps last week, and it's beginning to trigger the color change in a few trees in the area.  I'm looking forward to getting my fall decor out--I already have the tote box down, but haven't had the time yet to get things out.  I will need to make time for decorating, because fall will have to come once I have the house set up that way!

Gotta Get Away!

I have been so busy, and it has been resulting in a lot of extra stress lately.  I think I was stressing my husband out too, because he agreed to a long weekend away from home and all of the trials therein.  We booked a room at a beautiful bed and breakfast (more about that in another post) and spent two and a half days in the Indianapolis area, just relaxing and enjoying a very low-tech trip.  We got back Saturday early evening, had a living history program Sunday, and have Monday off as a rest day.  I feel much better, and a bit more clear-headed.  It was a desperately-needed trip that was a great time.  Like I said, I will have a separate post solely devoted to our trip and the b&b we stayed in.  Check back soon!

Christmas Trees

Do you remember in a recent post the Christmas trees I saw in another blog?  Well, I made them, and they turned out so cute!  Below are a few pictures and simple instructions.  I hope you give these a try...you won't be disappointed!

Start with two fabrics of your choice, a quarter of a yard of each.  Also purchase the round bases, half stars, dowel rod and paint of your choice (I got all of this at Hobby Lobby for around $7.50).

Measure and cut each fabric piece into strips about 3/4" wide.  After the strips are cut, cut each strip into lengths that get smaller--I cut them into 9", 8" & 7" lengths.  Divide each length into two equal piles.  Now you have cut enough strips for two trees!

Now, it's time for a little assembly: Cut the dowel rod into 12" lengths (you should get three out of one rod), and take a sharp knife or box cutter and make a few slices into one end of the dowel rod to create a taper.  Then, take an awl or similar tool and punch a small hole, carefully, through one part of the star. 

Insert the tapered end carefully into the hole just made in the star.  It will be snug, but that's okay--you want it that way!

Now paint--I used a copper shimmer color with fine green glitter.  Also paint the bases now, and if you want, add glitter to those as well.  Then take a power drill with a bit the size of the dowel rod and drill a hole into the base.  Insert the other end of the dowel rod into the base, and if slightly loose, spread a little wood glue around the dowel rod.  If you used glue, allow it to dry overnight.

Now, begin tying the strips onto the dowel rod, starting with the 9" strips and eventually getting down to the 7" strips at the top.  Don't worry about looks yet; you'll rearrange them once all of the strips are tied on.

Do this to both dowel rods, then rearrange the strips so that they are evenly spaced and don't have any visible gaps.  And voila, you have two finished trees, ready to be set out and enjoyed!

Brief Updates

Craft Show

Well, the craft show was okay...I came home with less than what I had at the start of the day, which was my goal, but I still had more than what I had hoped for.  There was a hot-air balloon festival this past weekend, so there were more people in town than normal, but apparently this adversely affected the turnout for the craft show, so I'll try again this coming Saturday.

Half of my display

End of Summer

I can't believe that it's halfway through August already!  Where has the year gone??  The weather is even cooler--yesterday felt just a bit like fall, with cool temps, rain and gray clouds.  While there is nothing specific that has kept us so busy, it just seems like this has been a busy year.  While I was outside yesterday collecting a few green beans from the garden, I found this guy crawling up the side of the house:

Does anyone know what he might turn into?  I've never seen a yellow fuzzypillar.  If you know or have a guess, add a comment at the end of the post!

Prayer List?

I've been thinking about this for a while, and wanted some input.  Would anyone be interested in starting a prayer list on here?  It can be something that anyone can add to--just comment at the end of any post, and it'll be added to the list.  It can also be a praise list, and as descriptive or vague as you'd like.  That way,  hopefully anyone who reads the blog might be praying for you or your concern.  If I get feedback, then we'll start it!  Please let me know what you think.

I've always found it easier to give God praise for the good things in my life, but find it hard to go to God when I'm hurting.  I would rather curl up in a little ball and stew over the problem then ask God to help me through it, which is just ridiculous!  I always wonder if I'm strange like that, or are others like that too?  Matthew 21:21-22 says, "Jesus replied, 'Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.'"  Now, if that doesn't motivate us to pray, I don't know what will!

My New Online Store!

Okay, so I think I have everything together now!  Drumroll, please... I'm starting an online venture called "The Sunflower Tree Designs and Paper Goods".  You can see the website by clicking here.  My goal is to ultimately be a self-sustaining web store, but I need your help by telling others about it.  Please share the link with anyone you think might be interested!

To the right is one of my notepads.  I draw the designs, edit them in Photoshop, and turn them into cute little notepads.  They range in size from small enough to fit in your purse to the size you see in the photo, 5" x 8".  Most are the size of a quarter sheet of paper, though.  I'll be adding more items regularly.  I do still have my Etsy listings, but will probably not continue it after the listings expire in a few months.  

Thanks to everyone who has been kind enough to follow my blog.  I am very grateful to have such kind and caring family and friends!  And now, I'll go back to writing about what we have been up to, instead of selling things (although I'll be keeping a link to The Sunflower Tree for people who visit the site but don't know me).  Thanks again!

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you"--James 4:8

Short Update

Hello all!
I'm sorry I've been scarce on here lately.  I've been working on a new idea and will be ready to unveil it soon!  Until then, I will be busy repainting our living room and hallway with my husband, and having a nice, quiet, relaxing weekend.  I hope everyone has a great Independence Day and remembers what we celebrate this weekend--the country that was given to us by God, that so many have been willing to serve and sacrifice for over the last 230+ years, and that will hopefully continue into the future for years to come.  Freedom was never something that was free, and we will always have to work and sacrifice for our freedoms (or what's left of them).  Thanks to all of the troops that have served and are serving, and God bless America, this weekend and always!

Regardless of how long America lasts, God is always going to be there with us.  Ephesians 3:17-19 says, "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."  May Christ dwell in your heart, whether you are serving your country abroad or enjoying the freedom you have in the United States!