• 12.30.2009 The Best Five Minutes
    The Best Five Minutes
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    One of my Christmas presents has proven to be a gift that apparently keeps on giving. I requested Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking, which, as promised, has turned bread and baked goods at this house on its head. My current confidence in breadmaking has little to do with instinct, patience, or skill, but rather my inner rotund, European peasant woman that has emerged from the pages of this book. Here are some reasons why I love this book: 1. I’m saving money baking my own sandwich, artisan, and dessert breads. 2. It really only takes me a few minutes, including clean-up. 3. I only dirty one container, one spoon, and a few measuring utensils. That’s it. 4. I don’t adjust for high altitude, and everything’s coming out perfect. 5. No kneading, no punching. 6. No preservatives, ever. 7. My family thinks I’m […]

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  • 12.28.2009 Receiving
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    They descended upon our bedroom to announce the arrival {at last!} of Christmas morning. But in their flurry of excitement, our boys didn’t ask to open presents this Christmas morn; they asked to give them. Between construction paper, glitter, popsicle sticks, and scribbles, we were showered with loving handmade gifts from each of the boys. But, nothing could’ve quite prepared us for the gifts crafted for us by Number 1, who at 7, really understood the joy of gift giving this year. Without prompting, suggestion, or assistance, Number 1 got up early and stayed up late for several days to write and illustrate short stories for his dad and me. Some gifts leave you feeling unworthy of such honor…this was surely that kind of gift. “A Strange Case For Dr. Mike” “The Golden Ship” …sisters–three to be exact–were written into this story about our family… “Aye, aye, Captain Mom!” This […]

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  • 12.23.2009 The New Jackie O
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    A friend celebrated a birthday. And I celebrated her…with this. A removable fabric flower corsage pins directly on a blouse or adorns the cotton pearl necklace that I’m sure Jackie O would wear had she lived in these handmade times. It’s so much easier to make than it looks. Perhaps a tutorial’s in order after the holidays…

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  • 12.21.2009 First Recital
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    Number 1 loves his piano teacher. He really enjoys playing the piano, which makes his teacher very happy. His piano teacher asks for no other payment other than diligence and lots of hugs and kisses, which she regularly receives from her Mozart loving son. Recitals are great accountability, encouragement, and training. How do you host an at-home piano recital when your boy’s teacher is his Mama? 1. Invite family 2. Make a program 3. Practice performance etiquette 4. Prepare refreshments 5. Get out the camera for pics and video!

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  • 12.19.2009 Last Minute Shopping With GraceLaced
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    I’m so happy and thankful to share that my handmade fabric handbags have all but sold out locally at Hip Stitch. (Consequently, you will notice that items are deleted, once sold, from my etsy shop, and not marked as “sold.”) I took three more bags I’ve been working on over to Hip Stitch today. The lovely ladies over there informed me that one  of my handmade purses that sold yesterday, was on it’s way to Missouri for the customer’s daughter, who’s just beginning to sew. That does my heart good. Selling handmade goods is rewarding, but inspiring others is far more satisfying. Hope you are busy creating and gifting…and if you run out of time, these three are at Hip Stitch right now! (*I will not be posting these three bags on etsy for now as things have been selling so well locally. Anything that is still already in the […]

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  • 12.14.2009 White As Snowflakes
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    While we rarely have a white Christmas in these parts, white paper and crocheted snowflakes are some of my favorite decorations for the season. Perhaps they will remind you, as they do me, the significance of Christmas for those who have been forgiven… “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) Every Christmas is a white Christmas for the believer. Find a simple tutorial for these doily snowflakes here.

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  • 12.12.2009 Wanted
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  • 12.10.2009 All You Need Is Paper!
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    In keeping with holiday decorations on a dime, I’m sharing a paper craft with you today. My friend, Tara, has a friend. And that friend decorated her house with paper icicles. We liked the idea so much, we made a bazillion of them. A bazillion. This is the perfect holiday arts and craft project for the craft-challenged. It’s practically fail proof. And predictable. So predictable, in fact, that I became restless, and found myself making paper snowflakes again. 1. Fold a square sheet of paper into a triangle.   2. Fold into a smaller triangle.    3. From the open side, cut slits toward the folded edge, parallel to the third edge of the triangle. Cut to 1/8″ from the folded edge, about 1/2′ apart.   4. Carefully open up back into a square.   5. Starting from the center, glue the inner corners together. Continue with the next set, gluing the points together […]

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