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3 Comments» Continue ReadingOne of the most memorable events of our time away was an unexpected opportunity to participate in a timed, judged, and auctioned art event on Main Street in Ouray, Colorado. The “Quick Draw” was a part of the region’s annual art festival. Number 2 and I considered it for a bit, then took the plunge, and purchased materials at the only local art store for supplies. The challenge, the experience–that’s what we were going for. The Preacher ingeniously crafted an easel out of two trekking poles and a long stick. I’m married to MacGyver, you know. It was a mad rush to get all things together in time for the 10am start. Number 2 and I started off side by side, but in the end, the pressure to finish a framed work of art to be judged and sold by 11:30am was just too much for a seven year old. […]
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» Continue ReadingThe boys and I have finally gotten around to making our own set of salt dough mini-figs. Squishing salt dough between your fingers is quite an affordable alternative to therapy. Seriously…it is fun for all, moms included. The best part? It requires almost zero artistic ability…unless you are attempting to dress an entire army of salt dough mini-figs in camo. But who would attempt that?!? Whether you’d like to try these salt dough creations or you simply want icy casualties floating in your lemonade, you can purchase your mini-fig ice molds here. If you didn’t catch Ashley Ann’s fantastic tutorial the first time around, be sure to check it out here. Happy squishing!
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» Continue ReadingThere’s hardly a lovelier sight than a softly lit summer evening. Start with collected mason jars… …add sand or pebbles… …tealights or citronella pillar candles… …and sprinkle generously with the sweet sound of unity in praise. The makings of a perfect summer’s night.
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» Continue ReadingYou may recall that I turned our dining room into a library It’s had all the elements of a classic library or family parlor: instruments, lots of books, writing desks, artwork and photography. The only thing missing has been the game of chess, the game for the mind and for a quiet afternoon. Oh, how I love feeling on the edge of Victorian. The Preacher visited Zimbabwe years ago, and brought home with him a set of hand-carved chess pieces resembling African animals. I’ve always dreamed of owning a beautiful, antique chess table to showcase his precious keepsake, but such a piece of furniture has never made it very high on prioritized expenditures. So, when the boys began learning chess with plastic pieces on cardboard, and found that they truly enjoyed the game, it became evident we needed a home for those African chess pieces in our library. With an old […]
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» Continue ReadingI’ve know for awhile now that a Man Vs. Wild birthday party was in my imminent future. The day finally arrived a few weeks ago, and I’m happy to say: I survived. Convincing, isn’t it. Best of Man Vs. Wild video… Fire starting and Knot Tying 101: My kids are proficient at making knots when they aren’t trying to. I had fun coming up with unappealing survival food… Swamp and slime jello jigglers were in order. Gummy worms and toads lurked beneath the surface… …which was made more swampy with the help of dollops of Cool Whip while the jello mixture is still warm. I bought crickets and juicy night crawlers to keep company with two of the kids’ party favors. I was going for coolest mom of the year award. Slithering worms when you reach in to grab a carabiner? Brilliant, I know. One particular dad may or may […]
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» Continue ReadingBefore we were 7… Prefers jazz and Chopin… Closeness… Daily bread… And, my favorite white/grey/black subject…introducing the newest member of our family: Pepper, our 6 week old miniature schnauzer… …because everyone with an infant and a potty-training toddler needs to have a new puppy…naturally!
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» Continue ReadingI’m participating in Color Week over at Clarity and Grey. There is a different color to focus on while photographing each day of this week. I’ll be looking through my camera lens to see my surroundings in a different way. Won’t you join us? Leave me a comment with a link to your Color Week post if you participate!
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» Continue ReadingAs promised, I’ve put together a simple little tutorial for the hanging yarn ball mobile you saw in Cinco’s Nursery Reveal. There are several ways to go about this look, including simply hanging actual balls of yarn. The downside to this would be that the balls of yarn would be quite heavy, and it would require the use of more yarn… …You can also find tutorials on how to make hanging yarn balls that are light and airy, which I think are also pretty, but really capture a different feel than the ones I’ve made here. The light and airy version requires cotton yarn, which tends to be a bit more expensive than acrylic. I personally would go for light and airy if using decorating for a wedding or perhaps for use in a little girl’s room… …In my case, I wanted a very homespun, “chunky,” playfully childish look for the […]
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» Continue ReadingI shared last week about our last-minute plan for a nursery redo, or should I say: decide-to-do. I got to work this past weekend while The Preacher was out, and put together a simple baby blanket and pillow for color and decor inspiration. You have to start with something inspiring, and with no bedding quite to my liking anywhere, I decided to make my own. When there’s a will, there is a way, I suppose, because I’ve all but called it quits on any more sewing and crafting projects! Because I allowed myself but one weekend to complete this project, I knew it needed to be done fast and efficiently. 6 hours, and $20 later, I now have a baby quilt and decorative pillow for Cinco. I employed the help of Heat’n Bond Ultra Hold Iron-On Adhesive. What.A.Lifesaver. Let me introduce you if you haven’t met already: All you need is an […]
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» Continue ReadingThe Preacher is attending a pastor’s conference this week near the residence of a dear college friend of almost 20 years. He’ll be attending with her husband. As this is the closest I will come to vicariously visiting her anytime soon, I’ve sent along some gifts for her little girls. Crocheted flower hairclips made of aqua colored cotton yarn with raspberry colored buttons for centers. Deliciously Spring, don’t you think? Here’s how to make one yourself: Step 1: Crochet a flower, any flower! Try this pattern for a single layer flower: Chain 4, sl st to make ring. *Chain 3 and sc in ring*, repeat from* four times more. Sl st to close round. (You’ll have 5 petals) Work in each chain loop of previous round: sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc. Cut yarn and weave in end. Or this one for a double layer flower: Chain 3, sl st […]
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» Continue ReadingToday I have the privilege of introducing my guest Ashley Campbell, of Under The Sycamore. Ashley is a Christian, mother to 3 boys and 1 girl, a talented photographer, avid do-it-yourself-er, and a blogger extraordinaire! She was so gracious to agree to write a guest post for this week’s Raising Boys theme. I hope you are blessed by her creativity, and are inspired to spend time making and creating with your boys today. ********************************************* Guest Post by Ashley, of Under The Sycamore The title of the post Ruth gave me, “Raising Boys…who love to craft” made me laugh a little bit. I love to craft, but it is not on the top 5 list of things my boys love to do. Over the years I have attempted all kinds of crafts with them always hoping they will enjoy it as much as I do. Sometimes they do really get excited about […]
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» Continue ReadingInspired by something she saw on etsy, my friend Haley convinced me to join her in a little arts and crafts project last weekend. You know I’m such a fan of DIY Anthropologie copycat and wanna-be projects. Oh, and birds…and twigs…and gray…and cream. At least I’m consistent. Supplies: -1 grapevine wreath (around $4) -pages from an old dictionary or book (check thrift shops, around $1) -a few sheets of scrapbooking papers (around .50 a piece) -hot glue gun and glue sticks -package of faux butterflies or birds and nests (check craft stores, around $4) -a sheet or two of craft felt (less than a dollar) For felt roses: Cut a circle around 3 or 4 inches in diameter. Cut a spiral into the circle. The tighter the spiral the tighter the rose. Wind the spiral of felt to look like a rose, gluing edge with hot glue as you go. […]
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Hello, friend...I'm Ruth. Welcome to GraceLaced, where you will find my imperfect, but grace-filled musings on the Gospel, motherhood, crafting, art, domesticity, cooking, and the often-times overlooked joys of finding grace in the everyday of life. Read my full profile here.
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