Meg

Ramona

2011-10-22T16:23:00.003-05:00

Its not just the name of my new niece, but its also the name of the blanket i made for her.
here are some pics. Love it!

Im going to be an aunt again

2011-09-26T09:09:00.003-05:00

I'm very excited! So let the baby projects begin!

sorry about the low quality, its was taken with my phone.

Im a dork

2011-06-22T08:34:00.002-05:00

Im a dork, I know it.
I sometimes call it creative, but really thats just being nice to myself, Im a dork

But i love it.

I always seem to have a growing list of projects to do, i never seem to actualy make any of them, but as the summer beggins, so does my embroidery project list.

Summer, here its usually too HOT. But it has its nice cool days to make for some fun.
Swimming, lazy days, dr. pepper and no bake cookies. umm good.

Joplin, Missouri - May 22, 2011

2011-05-25T12:01:00.002-05:00

BEEN SCARED AND BATTERED
MY HOPES THE WIND DONE SHATTERED

SNOW HAS FRIZ ME,
SUN HAS BAKED ME,

LOOKS LIKE BETWEEN 'EM THEY DONE
TRIED TO MAKE ME

STOP LAUGHIN', STOP LOVIN', STOP LIVIN'

BUT I DONT CARE!

I'M STILL HERE!

- James Mercer Langston Hughes

2011-05-09T15:11:00.002-05:00

A couple of hundred years ago,
Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success.

Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you can do today.

This is the man who discovered electricity.
You think more people would listen to what he had to say.
I don't know why we put things off, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it has a lot to do with fear.
Fear of failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision,
because what if you're wrong? What if you're making a mistake you can't undo?
The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine.
He who hesitates is lost. We can't pretend we hadn't been told.
We've all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day.
Still sometimes we have to see for ourselves.

We have to make our own mistakes.

We have to learn our own lessons.
We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore.
Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant.

That knowing is better than wondering,
that waking is better than sleeping,
and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beat the hell out of never trying

Thinking

2011-04-20T16:35:00.002-05:00

Im thinking of buying a house.
It makes me feel so very grown up.
But, Im so very very excited about the idea.

Now.

As I start this process, this blog will probably focus on house buying

I cant wait to post pictures,
share ideas,
post more pictures

So wish me luck!

Megan

Los Rojos de Ultramar- A Review

2011-03-23T15:04:00.003-05:00

"the Reds of the Sea"

this is the translation of the title as i would put it. It has a simple meaning.

The book proved to be a interesting read, with much information on the post-civil war Spanish life. Not of those left in Spain. But of those that had to leave, who were on the loosing side of the war.

It intrigues us, to know how the loosing side survives. and i think this is what makes the book. its that interest to see how the rest of their lives are lived out.

the book is a bit repetitive in parts.
the author has a certain view of the world and he tries very hard to transmit these undertones to the reader with out just coming out and saying them, he gives the clues enough times to allow the reader to come to the conclusion.

though this repetitiveness should not dissuade anyone from reading the book,

on the contrary, its just one man's view of what happened,

and it should cause us all to look at other opinions

and that is what this book caused in me

a desire

a desire to know more about the war that in world history gets over shadowed by world war II.

a war that brought a dictator into a country over over 25 years.

a dictator that at the end of his life gave back the country to a monarchy

a country that now has pretty much undone as much as they can of his dictatorship

the book, as far as i know, only comes in Spanish,

and it was a great read to get me back into the language,

i recommend it.

things I want

2011-03-14T14:24:00.003-05:00

There aren't many things on my: "I want this" list. But those that are have been a source of inspiration. I keep looking for affordable versions of these items that I like. Their original cost is just too much for me to spend.

The first, a french market basket. Gotta love it, for spur of the moment picnics, swimming in the river, reading and knitting in the park, an infinite array of possible things to carry in it and take to.

The second, a lovely long dress. I like this one because the colors are amazing, and the crossing across the front is fabulous. Being that i am only 5'2" i question myself on wanting to wear a long dress, but it can be done, it just needs to be the right one. I do have some weddings in the late spring so it will be a good occasion to wear it.
I love flats! i think that they are the best shoes ever brought into fashion. These combine the flats with the feel of gladiator sandals (which i also love). I keep hoping ill see some here locally. I mean, someone other than antropologie has to make them right? i guess i can dream.

What i like about these three items, is that i can combine them and they make a perfect ensemble.

Sharing...

2011-02-10T13:42:00.003-06:00

I wrote this the other day as i was doing my daily devotions. It made me miss classes and sermons that made the Bible real, and not just "stories". We tend to just read it like its fiction sometimes, and not real people or real events.

I wasn't going to share it, mostly because its not that great. But i figured, why not? I don't think many people read this blog anyway. For those of you who do, enjoy.

Matthew 26: 6-10.

A woman, shy and quiet,
walks into a room full of people, her head down, trying not to attract attention.
She knows she is not wanted here,
that people who do notice her quickly turn away as if looking at her would make them less.
She carries with her a jar,
she hugs it to her body,
trying to cover it with the sleeves of her simple robe,

its a beautiful jar,
if people saw her carrying it they probably would think she stole it from a rich woman.
Because,
looking at her, her hair, clothes and the way she carries herself,
they know she could never afford or deserve such a jar,
and the lovely scent it carries inside is not meant for such a low degraded woman such as herself.

The people know her,
she walks around the same neighborhood as them,
always looking down, never confident enough to look people in the eye.
Murmuring and whispers always follow her were ever she goes,
lovely laughter dies down when ever she enters a room,
and she gets a silent cold treatment, and stares as she walks by.

Men stare her down, from head to toe,
thinking they can intimidate her, she simply keeps walking.
Trying to ignore the burning in her stomach,
because she can only imagine what they are thinking behind their cruel eyes.

She keeps her eyes low, yet eager, searching the crowd, looking for HIM.
the one person she has been looking for.
She has heard of him, he is whispered about also,
he is looked at as an outcast as well, men are intimidated by him yet ridicule him.
Women wont even look at him but are in awe of him
and they have heard hes crazy.

And yet crowds follow him, were ever he goes.
But she knows better.
She has heard the stories of his miracles, of the things he has done.
Though people change them and make them sound like they are fake,
she knows deep in her heart that he is real.
just like the little jar in her hands, so special, yet no one notices.

Then she sees him,
her eyes light up and hope comes to her face.
She cares not what the crowd around him will think,
she pushes her way through,
she can almost touch him.

She reaches out her hand to tap his shoulder,
slowly her courage fades away and her hand stops mere inches from the tattered linen material,
that once was probably white,
but is now a dingy gray from being washed.

Just as she starts to take her hand back,
she feels his eyes turn to her,
the eyes of the crowd follow his line of sight.

everyone is looking at her,

and she just stands there foolishly with her hand outstretched,
the other clasped around the jar.
But the kindness in his eyes, and the so very subtle nod of approval
allow her muscles to work again.
She takes of the lid,
and the scent of fresh clean goodness fills the air,
covering the rank smell of human bodies to close together.

She grabs the jar with shaking hands
and pours a little over his hair, then on his hands and finally on his feet.
She takes a piece of cloth and wipes away the excess from his forehead
as it drips past his ear onto his clothes.
The crowd shifts,
and she realizes what she has done,
her hands tremble as they try to hold onto the jar,
she looks down to the ground as the shouts start in the back of the room,
from the side she entered and moves slowly to were she is.

She can feel the anger of the people,
hear the cries from deep in their throat.
She tries to move out of the way,
but the crowd keeps her in the middle of it all.
Terror comes over her as she is pushed and pulled,
the empty jar falls from her hands and hits the ground with a cracking sound.

He stands up,
the gentleness and peace in his eyes seem to calm the crowd
as he looks out at the masses of people.
He bends over and picks up the jar,
the big piece and each little piece that has broken off.
He takes out a piece of rag and places the pieces in it.
He looks up, the men around him say something to him,
she is now to far away to know what they said,
she strains her ears to hear his reply.
But the crowd just as eager as her to hear his words,
push her back and she hears not what he said.
Near the door now she looks back once more.

The Messiah!
her heart cries out, and she knows her heart is true.
She stands there a moment,
and the crowd follows him to the next place,
to see what other things he will do.
As they all walk away there is a figure, just as tall as she,
she hopes its him, though its just a boy.
In his hands he carries a rag,
a rag covering something, he looks her in the eye,
hands her the package, pauses a moment,
then he too follows the crowd, follows the direction of the noise and dust.

Her hands are trembling and she tries not to drop the package.
She tucks it under the arm and runs away from the noise,
away from the city, out to the field with the big tree.
She hides behind the tree, were no one can see her,
as the sun touches the horizon and turns the sky orange,
she sits on the roots of the tree,
draws her knees to her chest,
takes a deep breath and opens the rags,
she can feel through the material but wants to see it with her own eyes,
the jar.
Small, whole, beautiful.
and in her heart she knows that she too was broken from the harshness of the crowd,
their anger breaking her to pieces,
yet the touch of HIM,
brought her back together: small, whole and beautiful.

Ask not

2011-01-20T13:39:00.002-06:00

As with the MLK post, this comes from Google bringing to my attention the fact that today is the 50th anniversary of John F Kennedy's inaugurational speech.

Id never read/heard the whole speech. But people (including my very un-knowledgable self) know it because of the phrase: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". This sentence, in an of itself is pretty iconic, though we can miss its true context if we don't see what comes before, and what comes after it. I believe that if we do, we will know the "whats" that Kennedy speaks of.

There are three other sentences that caught my attention as I read this speech, the first is: "If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich". Yet still today the rich have their needs and wants over indulged and the poor continue to struggle, we do not see it as a responsibility of a free society to change this, on the contrary, we see our freedom as an excuse NOT to help. We say to ourselves "why should I? I'm free to do what ever I want, they are free as well, I'm not the one holding them back" How ignorant and selfish we become, when we do not help the least of these, I believe Jesus had something to say about "the least of these", but then again we don't tend to do what HE told us to do. Oh how foolish we are.

The second quote is: "(The) common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself". All of which we expect our government to take care of for us, and since we do, we don't tend to worry or do very much about it; well probably every four to eight years or so when we are called to cast a vote. Biblically, where do we stand? I can bring to the front verses like: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, to which we add, unless he attacks you first then you can attack him back, (did you not pay attention in kindergarten, its always the kid that hits back that gets in trouble), we are called to care for the poor and diseased, but we once again answer, I pay my taxes let someone else do it, or I guess someone else must be doing it, i haven't meet any poor people lately, OPEN your eyes, the poor are all around us. Diseases, not just physical but also of character are spreading. And war, well now a days we usually forget we are at war. I mean, it has no effect on our daily lives, we hear about it on the news and it doesn't even register anymore.

The third is probably my favorite, it comes immediately after the "ask not what your country..." part but i bet that not even the people who heard the speech on the day it was given really heard it. It says "My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
And so America ended up with this "hero" complex that we have not been able to shake off. Like the Beatles sing "we all wanna save the world". And since we do we split the world into three categories: the ones being saved, the ones being saved from and the ones doing the saving. Ironically, the ones being saved don't always ask to be saved, the ones being saved from never thought they were doing anything wrong, and the ones doing the saving are the ones that get away with murder. Ohh! what a tangled web we weave.
Let us all, brothers and sisters in this world, truly come together for the freedom of man, but freedom from what? Ahh! the true question is being asked. To which I answer simply: ourselves.

Because in ourselves we create our own condemnation, we sin, and its all over. Ohh to have been Adam and Eve before the fall. But yet, here we are, thousands of year later, and we still have that special something that Adam and Eve had before the fall, its our relationship with Christ, his death for us, it untangles the entrails of ourselves and brings forth this glorious redemption. We are made new, we are free! and what do we do with our freedom, sadly we forget about those still enslaved.
So let us not forget, let us see the poor and by such save the rich, let us overcome the common enemies of man and work together to bring about the freedom of man.

Once again some thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. (i know im a day late)

2011-01-18T08:44:00.005-06:00

A couple of years ago I was introduced to a speech given by Dr Martin Luther King Jr. during the Vietnam war (here), which in my heart became a comparison to the current war we are in (yes folks we are at war!, i think i a lot of the time we forget). Today I am once again looking (un-biastly, which I know is hard for a lot of you) at a speech given by Dr King, this one is entitled "Paul's Letter to American Christians" .

There is a 1900 year gap between Paul and Martin Luther King, and now a 55 year gap between Dr King and us now, in this moment of 2011. Goodness how the times have changed, and just as King says in his speech, we have made many advances, though where has it left us morally as a country? Has our moral and spiritual developments kept pace with everything else?

He speaks of our technological advancements, capitalism, segregation in the church both racially and denominationally. He brings these things to the table to be seen in a eternal perspective. These things that in 1956 were at the heart of the speaker, the eyes of the nation, and the pulpits of the church.

The speech is ended in an exhortation to LOVE; and before I loose you because the first thing that comes to mind is SEX, let me bring back a lesson in Greek that many of us learned in Jr High youth group (but have not been able to truly comprehend until now that our hormones aren't crazy!) the LOVE he is speaking of is not EROS love, but AGAPE love, love unconditionally, love in spite of our failures, love that makes us do crazy things even though we have thought them through logically, love that builds, love that endures. Love for those who do not deserve or have earned it. This is what we are called to.

Oh! Christian, that you would take up your cross, bring forth the life that you have been called to. Let not your burdens hold you back, let not your failures intimidate you, stop over thinking and analyzing and start DOING.

Link to Martin Luther King Jr's speech "Paul's Letters to American Christians"

and then we begin a new year

2011-01-17T13:17:00.003-06:00

I was ready for 2010 to be over. Usually at the end of the year i make a picture montage to show what the year was like, this year, i was just ready to be done with it, no looking back, only looking forward.
I don't know what 2011 have in store, and that is a glorious feeling. It almost feels like a new book is starting, not just a new chapter, but a whole new book.
I do have a list of "fun" things i am hoping to accomplish this year. Things like camping, seeing the grand canyon, traveling to a new city, going home and visiting old friends, climb a considerable mountain.
Another big goal for 2011 is to develop my Etsy store more. I need to get some creative juices flowing for valentines day things. There are also other holidays that needs some advanced though.
This is all for now, we still have 348 of the year left, lets make good use of them.

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2010-11-30T13:22:00.004-06:00

well. thanksgiving has passed, and its time to get the Christmas stuff out.

I decorated the livingrooms yesterday. and also finished the first of my presents. with only 5 more to go (though i have no idea what these other five will be)

The "stark" coat. I need to add the name on the tag. so its not 100% percent finished, but enough that i just had to share pictures.

the buttons are recycled from an old pair of jeans.

rarely do my sewing projects come out as well as this one

Costumes

2010-10-27T22:04:00.006-05:00

As I prepared for Halloween this year. I realized that I have had lost of costumes these last few years.

I never got to dress up as a kid, my parents didn't support the whole notion of Halloween. But now as an adult, I have had several non-Halloween dress up opportunities and some actual Halloweens as well.

Here are some pictures,

Enjoy

Getting to dress in some traditional Japanese outfit thanks to the International Students at MSSU.
The international club's Halloween dance, this year i was Cinderella.

The first International Club Halloween dance. I was dresses as a gypsy, this is actually one of the costumes I could not find tonight. I wonder were its at.

This is my 1920's Flapper out fit that I made for the swing dance party at a College Age retreat.

This 1980's bridesmaid/prom dress has been worn on two occasions. First, Amanda wore it to her prom. Second, i wore it to the 1980's dance party with the College Age.

Though Ive never worn this one in public. Its what i like to call my India Maria outfit. Its a traditional dress that dad brought back for me from Mexico. The shoes are ones that Bev brought back from Guatemala.

This one is a really dark picture that makes it really hard to tell the colors. But its Erica's Renaissance out fit. I like it, I'm prepared if I ever need to dress for a Renaissance fair.

Last but not least. This is my costume for this year's trick or treat. Its a Native American/Pocahontas. I plan to wear this one to go trick or treating with Karen and Brenda.
For the college age "monster mash" has other plans, but they are a secret.

I made jam. Or is it jelly...

2010-10-14T19:55:00.004-05:00

Well ill have to wikipedia it to find out which of the two it technacally is.

Untill then, i get to enjoy this. I know its a bit late in the season to be making stuff from strawberries, but better late than never.

Making jelly is just another thing off my list. im liking my list. i still have to spots to fill in and some things listed to complete.

New Living Room

2010-09-29T23:09:00.003-05:00

this morning dad woke me up and demanded that i make a new curtain for the upstairs living room. his demand got me going on actually cleaning the living room and getting it organized.
here is the result:

my "craft" corner. where i will strive to keep all my yarn, material and embroidery stuff.

Amanda's corner inspiration. i tried to put up some of amanda's art and her amazing green chair

the TV. its bev's and just here temporarily. in the background some of my Christmas decor, waiting get pictures taken to get put up on my new etsy site. check it out when you get a chance: firstandcedar.esty.com

and the curtain that started it all. its some of the material that i got at IKEA almost a year ago.

Pumpkin Pie

2010-09-23T14:07:00.003-05:00

I made some pumpkin pie.

I also got in trouble for making it.

Dad says I am not allowed to make such yummy smelling food after 10pm.

Mostly because it ready to late for him to have some.

Guest Room and Luggage Rack

2010-07-28T14:09:00.003-05:00

Mom and i have been talking of arranging my grandmother's bedroom as a guest room.

Today Dad and i made it actually happen.

Here is the result:

This however, will not be the final product. Im still thinking of curtains, some more furniture, different bed cover, but that will take time.

But...I did manage to complete the first project for the guest room. A luggage rack, perfect for guest. A place to put their suit case (thats not the floor).

I remember being a kid and going to hotels. There were always luggage racks in them, but Mom was always the one to use it.

So here are the supplies:

And the finished product:

I like it, because it can also be used to place a laundry basket on, and many other things as well.

As of latetly

2010-07-20T20:12:00.005-05:00

So I finally have some pictures of completed projects:

1st is a dress for Ela. I made her one like this before, but she has out grown in. Seemed like it was time for a new one.

2nd is a project that has been "in progress" for quite a while. I just got it finished tonight. So Im posting these even before i get the chance to deliver it. It's a baby blanket for little Avery Foreman.

And finally, some other things i do with my free time. Some reading that leaves me encouraged.

And some amazing clouds that remind me of how truly awesome God is.

A Dress

2010-07-13T20:12:00.002-05:00

This is the first dress that i have made with out a pattern. For it being a first, i dont think it came out to bad. I learned a lot and will be giving this idea a second try here soon.

Here is the inspiration behind the dress: Here is the sketch of what i wanted it to look like, it was pretty close, but not quite the same.

Here is the dress. I made it out of some material i picked up at Ikea. I know its like not supposed to be for a dress, but its thinker than some material and i though it perfect for a dress.

The back of the dress. There are still a few things i need to work out, but it doesnt look to bad from far away.

The neck line. I like that it looks delicate the way the material is gathered.

The front of the dress. It shows how the gathering.
And since the dress turned out to be a bit short for my liking. I folded it under to see what it would like like as just a shirt.

The end.

Grieving

2010-07-12T12:18:00.002-05:00

every one does it differently.

for me, well, i guess i didnt know i was grieving. then it hit me. like a ton of briks.

so now, it pretty much just hurts.

courage

2010-06-24T10:01:00.002-05:00

I don't have much of it. or maybe its boldness.
As i start this post im stopping, i really dont know what the difference is between these two words. it seems we use them interchangebly.
Lets look these up the in the dicionary, shall we

Courage
Pronunciation: \ˈkər-ij, ˈkə-rij\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English corage, from Anglo-French curage, from quer, coer heart, from Latin cor — more at heart
Date: 14th century
: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

Boldness
Pronunciation: \ˈbōld\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English beald; akin to Old High German bald bold
Date: before 12th century
: showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit

Basically, boldness is required to go into hard situations, courage is what it takes to make it through. Its almost like boldness will get you into the mess, and courage will see you through it.

I feel like im very low on both fronts, i dont have the boldness to enter into hard situations, i am getting thrown into them; and once im in the middle of them, i dont have the courage to get through them. all of this leaves me feeling like apretty big faluire.

Please be praying for me that i will have boldness as i see problems arrising and that i will have the courage to get through them in a way that shows not only my character, but also my passion for Christ.
Thanks.

Finishing

2010-06-15T08:12:00.002-05:00

This saturday i ran my first half marathon. It was quite an experience.
I am hoping to do more in the future. Its been about a year of "training" that has finally paid of into some kind of tangible result.
After my surgery last year i started walking, then running. i started slow because i was still recovering , and the more i recovered the more my tolerance built.
13.1 miles is a lot, i walked quite a bit, and was sore beyond measure the rest of the day and the next day (after some stretching it calmed down a lot).
Really i not to bad after the run. Tonight after work im ready to head out again and run some more. Just NOT 13.1 miles. Ill stick with like 4-5.
If only i would finish more of my sewing projects. I believe i have like 3-2 of them that just need things like buttons, button holes or a hem. Ahh, well, i will finish them eventually.
and when i do, ill try and post pictures.

Time were did you go?

2010-03-09T09:32:00.003-06:00

Ohh yeah, away with my routine.

I love routines, i feel like it allows me to get things done. Not always the fun things, but the things that need to get done, like laundry, and such.

It really throws me off when my routine gets messed up. But I try and remind myself to be flexible. To move with what ever is going on.

This week is turning out to be quite busy. It reminds me of my need to be flexible. Its gonna be pretty fun i hope.

Im house sittng next week. It will be interesting, Ive never done that before. It intrigues me more than a little. I will be caring for a dog or cat or something. I hope its a dog because then i can take it on walks once im off work.

I stayed up late last night which caused me to give in to coffee this morning. One of the only times i can remember enjoying drinking coffee was in Italy, and that was entirely because of the time differente/jet lag.

2010 New Year, New Look!

2010-03-03T12:36:00.003-06:00

So i have not been the best at keeping up with my poor blog. But since we are a good 3 months into 2010 i though i would give it a face lift and start writing in it again.

On mondays after work i usually go work out at the gym, stop by the grocery store on the way home. and then go home to cook a dish that i can take to work with me for lunch the rest of the week.
Yesterday i did mondays routine. On the way home i picked up the essential ingredients for my Greek Penne Pasta and Chicken Recipe. It tastes amazing!
i love it. its very good re-heated. and i will be eating it for lunch tomorow and friday. the only thing that surprised me was the strength of the artichocke hearts have. next time ill use a little less of those and a little more fetta chesse.
i like making a yummy dish to bring to work for lunch. it saves me money and its heathier. last week was an odd week for me and i didnt get a chance to make anything, so i ate lunch out. I spend almost 3 times as much as i usually do on food. it made me mad!
while at the store i picked up come chorizo, im not sure what im going to make with it. but its in the fridge just waiting for my cooking creativity to come out.
i also bough a can of hominy. also at home waiting for me. nexts week's lunch could be sooo yummy.
Any ideas? im open to suggestion.

Life has been interesting

2009-09-12T22:42:00.001-05:00

A long over due update soon, I promise.

Reduce- Reuse- Recycle

2009-08-02T20:58:00.004-05:00

Here I am at Katie's graduation wearing the pants that I took apart to make these two bags. .

These two creations used to be a purple pair of pants.

I think the small coin purse is cuter than the bigger pouch.

I hand embroidered the two flowers and the swirls.

After I was done I decided to add the button, i think it makes it extra cute.

The top zipper was from the pants, it took me quite a while to get it out with out ripping it.

The button was also part of the waist band.

I think Ill use the big one as a new makeup bag. It should hold everything, and the one I have right now doesn't. Plus is has the extra outer pocket.

More to come, if they are cute enough I might try selling them.*

Quilt!

2009-07-25T16:35:00.004-05:00

Ive never done one before, but I had a bunch of T-shirts and had been wanting to do this for a long time. I finally had enough time to work on it. Here it is!

The pile of t-shirt before

top finished!

The back has the + marks in different colors.

Creativy on a sunday afternoon!

2009-07-19T16:56:00.006-05:00

First of all I made a purse that I hope I like enough to actually use.

This is the inside (sorry its sideways, im not sure how that happened)

For Brandon and Julie's Wedding

2009-06-24T18:22:00.004-05:00

My friends Brandon and Julie got married about a month ago, I was in the hospital that day so I didn't get to go.
I made got these simple towels and made them more personal.

This one also has a bird on the opposite corner.

I got the image for this one off a concert poster at school.

This one is very cute.

It took me for ever to find an image of robots holding hands. Thanks Google Image!

This one is probably my favorite because it covers most of the towel.

This is one of them hanging up to dry in the back yard.

and finally the basket I made out of news paper. They fit in it almost perfectly!

When creativity strickes!

2009-05-11T22:33:00.003-05:00

I was a little bored at work this morning.
I was traveling around in the blog world and came across some inspiration for a journal. I am working on making a new planner/calendar for myself (the last one i made only goes till may) and i was looking for inspiration.
I ended up with a fun idea. A one year planner/calendar that goes from birthday to birthday. (mine just passed on may 4th). For a present i think its a great idea because its made from their birth date to their birth date the next year. Making it a one of a kind present.

So in my journal making research i found this lovely blog that taught me all i needed to know!
Here are the results.
I "borrowed" some paper from mom, used some embroidery i had finished quite a few months ago and got to work.
It only required one walmart trip (picture explanation below) and i got it done on the first try!

Here it is: I'll call it, the bird journal.

Here is the binding of the spine.

The screw hole punch i got to get through the front and back cover.

in all its glory! ready to be written in.

A photo of the embroidered cover. A good use for a random embroidery project.

A walk on the wild side

2009-04-24T11:04:00.003-05:00

Life starts slowing down. Just a couple of weeks of school left.

Ashley and I decided to take a walk on Tuesday. We still meet for mentoring, or "partnering" as the kids like to call it. The last few weeks my mind has been so distracted that we haven't really done much of substance, just kind of chilled together, which is better than nothing.
We took a walk at wildcat park in the outskirts of Joplin. It was a lot of fun, quite impromptu (i was wearing dress clothes and cute flats, not really the best hiking/walking attire) and we didnt really know what we were doing. I as not sure that the path was going to loop, so we only went half way.
It was good quality time with each other, we were able to talk, laugh and well have our differences (she was sure the path would loop, i didn't).

We had such a good time that we decided to do it again, and maybe bring some friends along with us. So yesterday we meet up, asked Antonio if he wanted to come with us, he was game. We had to beg and even bribe Sergio (an offer to buy him Starbucks worked like a charm) and also Miss Jeanine came along.
We took a two hour walk through the park. Enjoyed each others company and had fun. I had my camera with me and we got some fun shoots of our little adventure.

Talking with Sergio, I realized that I havent been around as much. I mean its logical because I don't live there anymore. A lot has changed in the last six months since I moved out. I had really thought about how the changes in my life (and the other people investing in the God's Resort kids) affects their lives. We affect them by our trying to show them how to live like Christ, but when our lives get turned upside down, we seem to tilt theirs a little.

Almost six months later...

2009-03-02T21:46:00.004-06:00

...so ive been planning to write about a lot of things. And i will start with my coat. A couple of weeks after we started the spring semester we had a bad ice storm. So they cancelled school for a couple of days.
This didnt mean that JoAnn's Fabrics was closed, no sir. So instead of watching TV and doing nothing. I...well watched TV and worked on some sewing. It was quite relaxing.

Here are the results:

Material + Scisors+ a patterns + thread = a nice coat for me!

here it is almost done. just need to add the buttons.

And these next ones. Arent that great. But im wearing it.

PS. you can see how long my hair is.

Its fall now

2008-09-25T10:12:00.003-05:00

Like most people, fall is my favorite season of the year. At home, all winter was like fall in the midwest. So it was the longest season of the year.

I got one good pic from this last weekend at Devil's Den some of the leaves have started to change. Other then this one, everything was green.

more to come...

Missing you~

2008-07-22T23:12:00.002-05:00

Im back from Italy. Exhausted and with a full weeks schedule ahead of me.

I was looking at my sister's blog just a few minutes ago. As i sit here there are tears running down my face. The reason: Thom and Erica and Ela moved one week before i left. While is was away it was hard to miss them.

This picture of currently my favorite, yet it makes me sad.

There she is in all her cuteness, walking away. A great image to go along with feeling of sadness, exhaustion and missing family.

by God's grace there will be better moments than this one; when we will all gather together, someday.

Night!

I love blogs

2008-06-24T21:27:00.004-05:00

I love my friends blogs, because i get to catch up on what they are up to, even if i dont get the chance to talk to them.

I also love the creativity that people put into their blogs. It inspires me.

Here are some of the things that i have been inspired by that i hope we can modify and inplement in our home!

This image was taken from craftzine. there it links you to its original post. that i have forgotten because i found it a while back. We used to have some couches on the front portch, they were comfy and we loved them, so did the flea infested cats that roam our area. So we had to get rid of them, now we have regular plastic chairs. Bummer.

So something like this would be amazingly awesome, plus some outdoor pillows (so we can clean them and de-bug them) would make it comfy!

I just like the color contrast betwen the dark brown of the dresser and the bright yellow vases. Love it!

We recycle! and it can sometimes make a mess in our laundry room. This is a creative alternative! This particular iteam is only make in europe (we probably couldnt afford it anyway) so maybe we can make an alternative one! it like how once the bag is full you just take it out and tie it, then add another new empty bag. genious!

this we probably dont have enought room to make, but i found another variation of this that i loved! maybe once i dont have roommates and an extra space to put it in!

here found it! a variation of the idea above.

Italy!

2008-06-19T10:16:00.003-05:00

The missions trip to Italy is gettng closer and closer. This weekend we have our team retreat. I am exited.

This is the fist international trip that i have been able to take. It was a bit difficult for me to commit to it. I have a lot on my plate here in Joplin with family, school, God's Resort and friends. But I also have this feeling that if i dont go and do now... then when else will i get a chance like this.

I am still a bit short on the money side. just $400 more dollars to get to my goal. I try not to stress about it and know that God will provide, but every once in a while i get just a tiny but stressed.

Because of the dates of the Italy trip i will not be able to join the Mt Zion youth group in the CIY summer conference. This will be the first summer in 4 years that i dont go with them. Needless to say i am very much bummed. I will be thinking and praying for them as they travel north, but most importatly take steps in their spiritual journey and hopefully come closer to Christ.

Thom and Erica have set a moving date. They will be leaving Joplin on the 30th of this month. It still hasnt become a reality, the fact that they are leaving. Im sure i will post many a tearful note on here in the future. But it is so important for them to move on and continue on this path that God has put them on.

Summer fun! we are having some fun times down at God's Resort. If you are in town this summer give us a call and come hang out!

Thankyou once again for your prayes and thoughts!

so how are you? what you up to?

2008-05-22T10:44:00.003-05:00

i dont like questions like these. mostly because it requieres me to talk about myself for an extended time. also because most of the time i dont believe that people really want to hear the asnwer, they just know that its polite to ask the question.

lately i have had nothing to respond to these questions. usually my scapegoat was the fact that i could say school and homework and the asnwer was sufficient. Now that schools out, well what am i up to. Since you didnt ask, i will tell you.

-Im working some 20 hours at KOBC, the Christian Radio station i have worked at for the last 4 years.

-I am going to Mexico for a week with Katie and my sister. We dont know anyone else on the team that we are going with. But people tend to bond quickly on missions trips.

-I will also be going to Italy for 12 days in July (wanna send me money so i acually can go) it will be my first cross cultural-lingual experience.

-Most importantly, i am living at God's Resort. Trying to live out what i believe. To love like Jesus.

My life is simple, i live it quite simply. I dont have an amazing thing that i do everyday, i just live day to day. Sometimes i feel the pressure to asnwer peoples questions with tales of amazing youthfull adventures.

God is great, i can see Him moving all around me. Next time you run into me, instead of asking what im up to, ask what have you seen that God's is up to? i assure you that His day is full of amazing adventures.

Last night some friends and i were talking about childhood cartoons. One that i was not really allowed to watch was Captain Planet (mom had her reasons). Which brought us to the topic of the Planeteers powers. They are wind, fire, earth, water and heart.

most people want to "good" powers. Ones that actualy can do something. But as a friend mentioned, the best one is heart. Why, because its the one changes life. To love someone, that is a power that we have, and we dont need rings or super powers.

Like Celine said "the power of love"

Lets be inundaded with His love, so that in turn we can love others.

bursting forth

2008-05-09T20:58:00.003-05:00

a guitar in the background keeps me alive.
the melody of song awakens me.

seasons have changed, people have changed,
seasons are new

time passes like water under a bridge
love grows like flowers

time changes everythings
growth is inevitable

shadows pass over me,
for a moment and then its gone.

pain is deep as a well
water coming up slowly in a pail.

pain keeps the gates closed
memories that will never be forgotten.

When Christ call us home

2008-04-25T12:27:00.004-05:00

Today i got the news that a dear friend of mine passed away. Her name was Eunice Toga. As sit here and think of her story, how as a young teen i was able to see her life.
I dont really remember the very first time she came to Church. But i remember her coming to the Church at Campo Militar. She was very passionate, she was working at the time. A great young profecional. She fit in with the youth group so well, her leadership was a great motivator for our group.
Her passion and concept that she had of Christ was real. I remeber this because as a teen when nothing really seems real, she was, her faith was.

As time passed by she decided to attend the Bible college there is Queretaro. Not much later her sister joined us and also attended school there. Those years were her catalist. She became a leader is so many more ways, she was able to influence many of the younger students that attended the college.

Next thing i new she was getting married. To Diego, the quiet calm person. Her personality and his, were so balancing. They became the ministers at Iglesia de las Americas. It grew, she also became leadership at the Bible Insitute. She was an amazing woman.

As i think of my life, and think if the things that i am passionate about. As i look back on her life, her passions. Im exited to say, that maybe a little of her rubbed of on me. Hopefully more than i can see at this time.

My deepest condolances to her family, her husband, and a group of students and co-workers she leaves behind. May you continue in Gods amazing grace to finish the race she started.

for more info go over to her blog. Where her and her family have been telling her amazing story.

Fun spring photos

2008-04-04T16:00:00.006-05:00

My first painting of 2008. Its a little house warming gift for the guys (eric and peter). They just moved into God's Resort. Welcome to the neighborhood guys! (this pic shows it not completely finished, i still added some detail and still have yet to seal it. more pics once im done with it)

the cut outs from the "papel picado" that i worked on for the dance party we had last Wednesday. The upstairs of Watered Gardens looked amazing and everyone had a great time dancing salsa and merengue!

I was at work one day and got to watch this car get stopped and searched by the police. I work on the third floor at the University. At the light out side we could see these two kids (in blue and red) getting stopped by the cops and sheriff. They found open beverages in the car and dumped them out. This was at about 3pm on a Monday. Seriously, its to early to start drinking and driving boys!

visiting Ela and the Starks. Shes getting so big, and when Erica and I do crazy stuff she looks at us like we are mad! Her looks are so amazing. Note her cute teeth that have come in a while back. I'm surprised that shes laying in the pics, now a days she spends most of her time walking.

The Lang's came to visit. Here is Eddie surrounded by most of the Lang sisters. (L to R: Eden, Abi, Emilie, Eddie, Emma and Esther). They all came to Joplin to be here for Vincents Baptism.

There has been a lot going on. I cant believe that its April already. The Lord has truly blessed me with amazing friends, warmer weather, and a great family.

Bride's maid...

2008-03-28T16:37:00.004-05:00

My friend Stacy is getting married in October, she has asked me to be a bridesmaid. Im exited about that, seeing her, and getting to be a part of her wedding.

here is a pic from the dress trying on session over spring break. The color of the dress for the wedding is called Watermelon, its a bright pink, i got to try it on in a nice green. My face says how frustrating it is to try on dresses. I had to get one two sizes to big to fit, and i will have to have certain parts take in. boo!

Maybe the day of the wedding i will look more put together and happy. Like the model in the picture from the David's Bridal website. maybe.

Love!

Community VS Communal living

2008-03-26T13:16:00.001-05:00

we dont claim to have it all figured out...

Hard time getting to work.

2008-03-18T19:00:00.005-05:00

Rain rain go away,,, come back another day!

Its been raining all week. This is our Spring Break week, and there has been nothing "springy" about it. Its rained the last three days.

I was on my way to work today, i was late (dont tell my boss) because i had to take to detours because the streets were flooded because its been raining so much.

The whole street covered.

Jesus: speaking thru parables

2008-03-11T18:23:00.005-05:00

Talking through stories
telling us hard truth about who you are
simplifying your love so we could understand

love was the catalyst
love that lead you from storyteller to Saviour
love that was expressed in a unique flavor, rhythm, sent, shape and size

a love that was expressed from generation to generation
through stories of seeds and sheep, children and coins

a love disguised so that we wouldn't run from its intensity
holiness that was told through stories so as not to overwhelm us
with light like the face of Moses in the most holy place

giving a treasure so valuable that direct directions would endanger the seeker
so a map was given; with many secrets, to protect the one who carries it

a love so obsessive like that of a hidden crush
a crush that crashes into the shore, slamming water on to the thousands of pieces of sand
and then gently laying it down again
every grain placed where it belongs for that short moment before its moved by the next rolling wave

peace that enters the soul as understanding comes to the heart of the sinner
and they are no longer on the outside asking the person next to them about neighbors fields and what happened to the other son.
A passion to be passed on to those who still haven't understood that they are that coin that has been searched for
that they are the sheep for whom the shepherd risks his life to find
that they are the son; who is welcomed back with a celebration that says "I LOVE YOU"
and i have forgotten what is in the past
its today that matters
its today that counts.

over, under and whelmed.

2008-03-04T18:22:00.003-06:00

this pretty much describes the lives of us living at the big house at God's Resort.

highs and lows

2008-02-26T23:07:00.004-06:00

This weekend a group of 50 college students drove to Ft Worth TX to volunteer at a homeless shelter.

I was one of these 50.

The experiences this weekend were great, amazing, stretching. and a lot of us came back on a spiritual high. just like the ones we got from summer camp, CIY, missions trips and retreats.

Which makes me think of the selfish side of service. The person that goes to serve usually ends up with a greater experience than the people that were served.

it reminds me of Bart Campolo in his speech he gave at the National Missionary Convention in which he talks about missions group coming to the neighborhood were he lives, jumping out of 12 passenger church vans in matching t-shirts and then claim to establish a relationship, bring someone to Christ and live this "good Christian's" life for the week. he didn't say not to do this, but what he did call for was a reality check in which we realize what we are able and willing to do away from home on trips, but are not even compelled to think about while we are at home, were we could make a LONG TERM investment and difference.

This is a good reminder for me. its the things i do in between these trips that should demand just as much, if not more energy than what i gave this weekend that matter or can really make a difference. its really looking at the people that live at God's Resort and Joplin with the same enthusiasm and compassion as i did the people at Beautiful Feet and Fort Worth

The thing is, a lot of times its easier to give your all during a short term trip, than it is to give it day after day after day in your "regular" life.

If we did, i do believe that this so called spiritual high would be an everyday thing. what a beautiful thing that would be. i do believe that this is possible.

One of the things that seems to be established almost immediately during trips is community. The reason is that there is no other choice, you are stuck in close quarters with these people, you are cut of from you friends from home, and well, its no so much fun being the only person on a trip that's not having fun because we don't talk to new people.

My question to you all is: how do we establish this here at home, were we can all drive separately, live separately, we don't spend quality time with each other and have easy access to stuff that entertains us, whether it be school, homework, friends, "bad" friends, family, work, sleep, etc.

The answer, intentionality, and true value to the fact that community as Christians with Christians is essential for our walk with Christ through this fallen and deprived world.

Tomorrow is a new day, I'm still exhausted from the weekend, but there is much to be done so rest will have to come later. Blessings!

new favorite TV show

2008-02-19T21:00:00.002-06:00

I get the chance to watch some TV during my time at the radio station. I am a big fan of certain shows. Friends, Gilmore Girls, Scrubs and some others. I am quite picky when it comes to actually declaring that i love the show. my most recent favorite, is Dirty Jobs. its on the Discovery Channel.

Every week i get to watch this guy visit people at work and see how messy and complicated their jobs are.

I love it!

give it a try sometime.

intelligent conversation.

2008-02-18T12:51:00.005-06:00

One of my jobs is at MSSU. To be able to support myself i have 3 part time jobs. The total hours between all of them are 32. ohh wait, i dont work on wed nights any more so its really starting this week only 27. yes! ahh freedom.

any way

So one of my jobs is here at MSSU. and on monday mornings i tutor spanish for students that are taking spanish classes here. For the 300level conversation the class is requiered to have 5 hours a month of conversation tutoring so as to encourage them to actually TALK more. This morning i had a group of two girls come in to practise their "impromptu" conversation with me and make sure they were saying everthing correctly.

I was sitting there, for an hour, bored out of my mind because the best original conversation they could come up with was "lets talk about getting ready for a party". and the conversation went something like this:

-"hello"

-'hey, how are you?"

-"Im good. you look cute, is that what you are wearing to the party".

-"yes it is, is your boyfriend coming to the party? "

-"no, he has to work out in the morning. he works out a lot."

-"ohh, so where is the party".

-"its at such and such a place".

-"oh, what are you taking in your purse"

-"well im only taking my ID".

-"what about you?"

-"well i dont take a purse because ill loose it, so i just take my ID and my cellphone".

-"Blah"

-"blah blah"

now you can begin to understand my pain after just reading a few seconds of the conversation. well just imagine it continuing for an hour.

after they left i had about 15 min with no one around. and then walks in THOM (el guapo esposo de mi hermana)

and i was honestly refreshed by his choice of topic for his conversation:

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

now, thats a conversation worth having. it wasnt anything extraordinary once it got started. Thom knows some facts to back up his argument, and i helped him with the words he didnt know.

The thing that i came away with from his choice. is that it is very simple to create excelence and maturity in what you do. you just simply have to take moments in life and choose to talk about something that will make a difference, something that has value, something that will inspire others.

because i believe that Thom is aware of how simple it is to have intelect involved in life, i believe that it is why he chooses to have "practice" conversations about something that actually matters.

my challege, can I in my daily comings and going choose to have more substance to what i think and what i talk about in my real conversations? if Thom can do it "practise" ones, then maybe i can in "real" ones
"learn something kids"

God as lover

2008-02-13T13:22:00.005-06:00

Its february. i hard month for some. a fun month for some. for me its a
constant accountability to not become overly one way or the other. with what
people call "single awareness day" coming soon. i have caught myself several
times in the wrong attitude.
On sunday night at UpperRoom i was handed a sticker. They were passing a bunch of them out, and mine really did speak to me. it had the passage of 1 Cor 6:16 on it.

i will live with them and walk among them, and i will be their God and they will be my people

A reflection of love from God to his people. The intese desire that God expresses in this passage just overwhelmed me. i few days earlier i had been reading in Exodus. and had run across a similar passage and had been overwhelmed as well.

i will take you as my own people, and i will be your God. Then you will
know that i am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of
the
Egyptians. Exo 6:7.

I am constantly amazed at God's way of speaking to me. He is so personal, at a time when i feel alone, He reminds me that i am not, and that i am His, and only His. That He is a zealous lover of me. That i belong to Him, and that He is mine. A love that is better than i could ever imagine.

google images

2008-02-08T16:17:00.000-06:00

i dont always remember where i get these from. but they are amazing. and i take absolutely no credit for them. they do inspire me.
this apron. i love how femenine it is. but it is still very simple.
i seem to have an obsecion with bed that have posts on the four corners. i love this design.
Because i took over katie's bed side table to use in the living room. i went to the Salvation Army to find her a nice replacement one. i found a circular thing like in this picture, i must say, the ones in the picture are a lot better than the one Katie and i attempted to remodel. ours just simply got a black spray paint job, then kind of got forgotten. this pic is a nice reminder of what it could be.
grey, gray, great. i love gray. the reason why, is because it is the perfect neutral. all the other colors in the room are enhanced by the gray.
it kind of reminds me sea coral. it kind of freaks me out a little to.

a link to a site to make your own storage baskets.
any ways. hope you have a good weekend.

Similarities

2008-01-25T15:58:00.001-06:00

So was looking thru Erica's pictures on both facebook and her blog. I couldnt resist making a comparison of my own.

both carrying them on their back.
it must be a dad thing.

Everybody wants to change the world.

2008-01-23T12:13:00.000-06:00

I have been doing a lot of reading recently. One of the reasons is because Katie has been able to purchase a bunch of books on poverty and social justice.
My most recent book read from cover to cover is the book "everybody wants to change the world. practical ideas for social justice" by Tony Campolo and Gordon Aeschliman.
The books format is one that i love. very much linear and organized. Each chapter is a different area of life in which they explain the need for social justice, and then offer tangible ideas for individuals and groups to try and do.
The chapter that most got my attention was section 3. it talks about the environment. The reason i this chapter got my attention is because of the way they explain WHY! we need to care for our environment.
I will try and keep it short on my quoting from books.

" All of Creation is the personal handiwork of the same God who was viciously strung up on a piece of wood.
Yet it is curious how many Christians do not seem to care about being good stewards of God's creation... People who love Jesus should no more destroy the environment that rip to shreds the carefully painted canvas of a best friend. it is nothing but pure blasphemy to disrespect the creative work of God.
When we care for the environment, we show our deep respect for the Creator in much the same way we would admire the work of a great artist in a museum.... When we care about God's handiwork, we demonstrate our love for God. and that speaks volumes to the world.
There is nothing suspicious about loving the environment, but there is something awfully suspicious and wrong about trampling it. Doesn't it make sense that those who personally love the Creator would be the ones to take a personal interest in His handiwork?"

in the book they go on to give some ideas of how to live greener and how to create more beauty from God's creation. Environmental issues are always issues that are talked about. But for some reason it hit home with me when love for creation was equaled with love for God. Maybe because i am realizing that my love for God needs to be expressed in more ways than just singing in church on Sunday morning. Because my love for God is so overwhelming in me at this time, that my mediocre acts of worship that i have done in the past are no longer enough to satisfy this feeling inside me.
In the old testament, King David got so "into" worship that he danced in his skinnies in front of the people of Israel. This is how i feel, and while i am not brave enough to dance in my undies in front of others, i was more of my life to reflect the love that i have for my God and my Saviour.
So me taking an active interest in the environment can be considered my dance and worship to the Lord.

Fortune Cooki

2008-01-22T23:01:00.000-06:00

Katie and I got Chinesse take out yesterday. I had left overs today for dinner. I took the last fortune cooki. My fortune is as follows:

You lead a useful life no matter what riches are coming to you

So yeah, thats true. I like it when everyonce in a while they actually say something that makes sense.

Martin Luther King Jr.

2008-01-21T15:43:00.000-06:00

I hadnt realized until halfway thru my morning that today is Martin Luther King Jr day. I have been in america now for 5 of these days. Were there is reverence and honor to this man, who gave up his life for the desegretation of America and the justice for the poor.

As i realized what day it was, it reminded me of a speach of Luther King that i had wanted to hear/read. I came across one quote from him in a book im reading called "Irresistible Revolution" (Zondervan by Shane Clairborne). On page 153. The quote is this one "Dr Martin Luther King put it like this: ' we are called to play the good Samaritan on life's roadside... but one day we must be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robben. True compassion is more than flinfinf a coin to a beggar. It comes to see that a system that produces beggars need tobe repaved. We are called to be the Good Samaritan, but after you lift so many people out of the ditch you start to ask, maybe the whole road to Jericho needs tobe repaved' ".

Also later in the book he quotes from this same speech. So i looked the speech up online (ahh the convinicenve of internet). as i was reading thru it. I have come to a new found understanding of what peace and war and revolution really mean.

I feel the need to quote parts of it. actually a lot of it. As you read thru it, replace the countries of Vietnam with Iraq; replace that war, fought in the jungle with this war fought in the desert. Thou they are completely different wars, this speach still stands true.

Martin Luther King Jr.

-A time to break the silence-

delivered 4 April 1967 at a meeting of Clergy and Laity Concerned at Riverside Church in New York City

A few years ago there was a shining moment in that struggle. It seemed as if there was a real promise of hope for the poor -- both black and white -- through the poverty program. There were experiments, hopes, new beginnings. Then came the buildup in Iraq Vietnam, and I watched this program broken and eviscerated, as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war, and I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Iraq Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube. So, I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such.

Perhaps the more tragic recognition of reality took place when it became clear to me that the war was doing far more than devastating the hopes of the poor at home. It was sending their sons and their brothers and their husbands to fight and to die in extraordinarily high proportions relative to the rest of the population....I could not be silent in the face of such cruel manipulation of the poor.

I have tried to offer them my deepest compassion while maintaining my conviction that social change comes most meaningfully through nonviolent action. But they ask -- and rightly so -- what about Iraq Vietnam? They ask if our own nation wasn't using massive doses of violence to solve its problems, to bring about the changes it wanted. Their questions hit home, and I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today -- my own government. For the sake of those boys, for the sake of this government, for the sake of the hundreds of thousands trembling under our violence, I cannot be silent.

Now, it should be incandescently clear that no one who has any concern for the integrity and life of America today can ignore the present war. If America's soul becomes totally poisoned, part of the autopsy must read: Iraq/ War/ Poverty/ Materialism Vietnam. It can never be saved so long as it destroys the deepest hopes of men the world over. So it is that those of us who are yet determined that America will be are led down the path of protest and dissent, working for the health of our land.

...I would yet have to live with the meaning of my commitment to the ministry of Jesus Christ. To me the relationship of this ministry to the making of peace is so obvious that I sometimes marvel at those who ask me why I'm speaking against the war. Could it be that they do not know that the good news was meant for all men -- for Communist and capitalist, for their children and ours, for black and for white, for revolutionary and conservative? Have they forgotten that my ministry is in obedience to the One who loved his enemies so fully that he died for them? What then can I say to the Vietcong or to Castro or to Mao Sadamm, or Bin Laden as a faithful minister of this One? Can I threaten them with death or must I not share with them my life?

I must be true to my conviction that I share with all men the calling to be a son of the living God. Beyond the calling of race or nation or creed is this vocation of sonship and brotherhood, and because I believe that the Father is deeply concerned especially for his suffering and helpless and outcast children, I come tonight to speak for them.

This I believe to be the privilege and the burden of all of us who deem ourselves bound by allegiances and loyalties which are broader and deeper than nationalism and which go beyond our nation's self-defined goals and positions. We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our nation and for those it calls "enemy," for no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers can we add immigration reform, illegal aliens to this. Because they dont have a document to make them Americans doesnt mean that they are not humans, brothers and sisters.

...and we again fell victim to the deadly Western arrogance that has poisoned the international atmosphere for so long...

The only change came from America, as we increased our troop commitments in support of governments which were singularly corrupt, inept, and without popular support. All the while the people read our leaflets and received the regular promises of peace and democracy and land reform. Now they languish under our bombs and consider us, not their fellow Vietnamese, the real enemy. They move sadly and apathetically as we herd them off the land of their fathers...

...So far we may have killed a million of them, mostly children. They wander into the towns and see thousands of the children, homeless, without clothes, running in packs on the streets like animals...

...What do they think as we test out our latest weapons on them, just as the Germans tested out new medicine and new tortures in the concentration camps of Europe?...

Now there is little left to build on, save bitterness...We must speak for them and raise the questions they cannot raise. These, too, are our brothers.

Perhaps a more difficult but no less necessary task is to speak for those who have been designated as our enemies...What do they think of our condoning the violence which led to their own taking up of arms?...Their questions are frighteningly relevant. Is our nation planning to build on political myth again, and then shore it up upon the power of new violence?

I am as deeply concerned about our own troops there as anything else. For it occurs to me that what we are submitting them to in Iraq Vietnam is not simply the brutalizing process that goes on in any war where armies face each other and seek to destroy. We are adding cynicism to the process of death, for they must know after a short period there that none of the things we claim to be fighting for are really involved. Before long they must know that their government has sent them into a struggle among the Iraqui people Vietnamese, and the more sophisticated surely realize that we are on the side of the wealthy, and the secure, while we create a hell for the poor.

Somehow this madness must cease. We must stop now. I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Iraq Vietnam. I speak for those whose land is being laid waste, whose homes are being destroyed, whose culture is being subverted. I speak for the poor of America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home, and death and corruption in Iraq Vietnam. I speak as a citizen of the world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken. I speak as one who loves America, to the leaders of our own nation: The great initiative in this war is ours; the initiative to stop it must be ours.

Then we must make what reparations we can for the damage we have done. We must provide the medical aid that is badly needed, making it available in this country, if necessary. Meanwhile... meanwhile, we in the churches and synagogues have a continuing task while we urge our government to disengage itself from a disgraceful commitment. We must continue to raise our voices and our lives if our nation persists in its perverse ways in Vietnam. We must be prepared to match actions with words by seeking out every creative method of protest possible.

These are the times for real choices and not false ones. We are at the moment when our lives must be placed on the line if our nation is to survive its own folly. Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we must all protest.

The war in Iraq Vietnam is but a symptom of a far deeper malady within the American spirit, ...and if we ignore this sobering reality, we will find ourselves organizing "clergy and laymen concerned" committees for the next generation. They will be concerned about Guatemala and Peru. They will be concerned about Thailand and Cambodia. They will be concerned about Mozambique and South Africa. We will be marching for these and a dozen other names and attending rallies without end, unless there is a significant and profound change in American life and policy.

It is with such activity in mind that the words of the late John F. Kennedy come back to haunt us. Five years ago he said, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." Increasingly, by choice or by accident, this is the role our nation has taken, the role of those who make peaceful revolution impossible by refusing to give up the privileges and the pleasures that come from the immense profits of overseas investments. I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin...we must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.

A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies. On the one hand, we are called to play the Good Samaritan on life's roadside, but that will be only an initial act. One day we must come to see that the whole Jericho Road must be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robbed as they make their journey on life's highway. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.

A true revolution of values will soon look uneasily on the glaring contrast of poverty and wealth. With righteous indignation, it will look across the seas and see individual capitalists of the West investing huge sums of money in Asia, Africa, and South America, only to take the profits out with no concern for the social betterment of the countries, and say, "This is not just." It will look at our alliance with the landed gentry of South America and say, "This is not just." The Western arrogance of feeling that it has everything to teach others and nothing to learn from them is not just.

A true revolution of values will lay hand on the world order and say of war, "This way of settling differences is not just." This business of burning human beings with napalm, of filling our nation's homes with orphans and widows, of injecting poisonous drugs of hate into the veins of peoples normally humane, of sending men home from dark and bloody battlefields physically handicapped and psychologically deranged, cannot be reconciled with wisdom, justice, and love. A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.

America, the richest and most powerful nation in the world, can well lead the way in this revolution of values. There is nothing except a tragic death wish to prevent us from reordering our priorities so that the pursuit of peace will take precedence over the pursuit of war. There is nothing to keep us from molding a recalcitrant status quo with bruised hands until we have fashioned it into a brotherhood.

We must not engage in a negative anticommunism, but rather in a positive thrust for democracy, realizing that our greatest defense against communism is to take offensive action in behalf of justice. We must with positive action seek to remove those conditions of poverty, insecurity, and injustice, which are the fertile soil in which the seed of communism grows and develops.*
These are revolutionary times. All over the globe men are revolting against old systems of exploitation and oppression, and out of the wounds of a frail world, new systems of justice and equality are being born. The shirtless and barefoot people of the land are rising up as never before. The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. We in the West must support these revolutions.

It is a sad fact that because of comfort, complacency, a morbid fear of communism, and our proneness to adjust to injustice, the Western nations that initiated so much of the revolutionary spirit of the modern world have now become the arch antirevolutionaries.

A genuine revolution of values means in the final analysis that our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Every nation must now develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole in order to preserve the best in their individual societies.

This call for a worldwide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern beyond one's tribe, race, class, and nation is in reality a call for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all mankind. This oft misunderstood, this oft misinterpreted concept, so readily dismissed by the Nietzsches of the world as a weak and cowardly force, has now become an absolute necessity for the survival of man.

When I speak of love I am not speaking of some sentimental and weak response. I am not speaking of that force which is just emotional bosh. I am speaking of that force which all of the great religions have seen as the supreme unifying principle of life. Love is somehow the key that unlocks the door which leads to ultimate reality. This Hindu-Muslim-Christian-Jewish-Buddhist belief about ultimate reality is beautifully summed up in the first epistle of Saint John: "Let us love one another, for love is God. And every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love." "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us." Let us hope that this spirit will become the order of the day.

We can no longer afford to worship the god of hate or bow before the altar of retaliation. The oceans of history are made turbulent by the ever-rising tides of hate. And history is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued this self-defeating path of hate. As Arnold Toynbee says: "Love is the ultimate force that makes for the saving choice of life and good against the damning choice of death and evil. Therefore the first hope in our inventory must be the hope that love is going to have the last word" (unquote).

We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The tide in the affairs of men does not remain at flood -- it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is adamant to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, "Too late." There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect. Omar Khayyam is right: "The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on."

We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent coannihilation. We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace in Iraq Vietnam and justice throughout the developing world, a world that borders on our doors. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.

Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful, struggle for a new world. This is the calling of the sons of God, and our brothers wait eagerly for our response. Shall we say the odds are too great? Shall we tell them the struggle is too hard? Will our message be that the forces of American life militate against their arrival as full men, and we send our deepest regrets? Or will there be another message -- of longing, of hope, of solidarity with their yearnings, of commitment to their cause, whatever the cost? The choice is ours, and though we might prefer it otherwise, we must choose in this crucial moment of human history.

And if we will only make the right choice, we will be able to transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of peace.

If we will make the right choice, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our world into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.

If we will but make the right choice, we will be able to speed up the day, all over America and all over the world, when justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.

The red letters are words and thoughts that i have added. As i read thru this speech, as i live my life, and as i see what who Jesus Christ is. I can not help but add my voice to the many that have declared that war and violence are wrong. I have been thinking of the term "pacifist" for a long time now (thanks Thom and Erica). I can say now that i too believe in PEACE> not just any peace, but the peace that comes thru Christ Jesus. The peace that we are to actively thrust to the world around us.

Savanah

2008-01-17T15:11:00.001-06:00

Savanah has her birthday celebration this sunday. So i decided i would try and make her a little some thing. Im exited to post the results.
I didnt measure exaclty right so i couldnt make individual slots per crayon. But i still love the way it looks with three in each slot.

2007

2008-01-02T19:30:00.000-06:00

2007

I cant believe that the year is over. I have been thinking about all that happened during this last year. It has been a year of growth and new experiences. There were many new begginings and one more year of school under my belt. Also some sad and interesting experiences.

January: I started out the year well. Surrounded by community. Also road trip to Colorado to go skying. It was my second time ever skying. i was also an extremely long road trip. The first ice storm of 2007.

February: Not only valentines day. But more importantly the trip to Beautiful Feet in Dallas Tx. Also the month that i moved of my parents and moved in with Beverly at the Royal Orleans.

March: New Orleans. Erica turned 24 while i was gone. But that week in NO was amazing. It was crazy to see the damage that is still there, and also a lot of hard work and knowing that we contributed to the repair.

April: Mom hosted Erica's Baby shower. Ela was soon on her way and we all gathered to prepare. Also Sarah gave birth to her first son, Alex. We went to Springfield to go ice skating for Nicole's Birthday.

May: Graduation! Well, not me, but everyone else. Ela was born the same day as OCC graduation. I remember runnung out of the multi-purpose builting at Ozark because mom called and Erica was having a c-section.

June: Amanda's birthday. Also work and summer living, which includes the pool. With love in the summer air as I traveled to many weddings.

July: Independance day. Hangging out with the college age. Fun firework war. Boys! Also CIY> and most importantly the descicion to move to God's Resort. It was on the drive home from CIY that i decided that i needed to do something; and that something was move to Gods Resort. Amanda also made big descicions, and in August she moved to Decatur IL

August: We moved. Boxed everything up. Cleaned the house down at God's Resort. Started un-packing. Getting Settled into life in the neighborhood. Ohh! and another semester of school. forgot about that.

September: School. Visiting Amanda in Decatur and took a road trip up to Chicago. Also our first birthday celebration at God's Resort. Ashley turned 12.

October: Halloween. On many different fronts. At God's Resort, with International Club at MSSU, and one more trick or treat at the Udells.

November: Thanksgiving. Amanda came home for a good 10 days. I miss her so much. We got some nice family portraits. Also the road trip to Cincinnati for the NMC. Finally little Brenda's 5th Birthday.

December: The ice storm. Labeled the worst storm in the area for over 80 years. But for me it was a time of fellowship as we all gathered at the Udells till we got our power back. Then a quick trip to KC to say farewell to Dena, and last but not least Christmas.

Free Crochet Pattern Beanie

2007-12-23T16:30:00.000-06:00

This is my first pattern!
Ill call it "Damian Beanie".
Its a V- stitch crochet beanie. Here goes nothing!

V- Stitch (V-st) Double crochet, chain one, double crochet all in same stitch.
H- hook for child (also 12 stitches instead of 13, and 24 instead of 26)
J- hook for young adult
K- hook for adult

Ch 5, join with sl st to form a ring

1) ch 3, work 12 more dc in ring. join with a sl st to top of ch 3. (13 dc)

2) sl st to space between dc, ch 4, dc in same space, work V-st in space between dc. join to 3rd chain. (13 V-st)

3) sl st to space between V-st, ch 4, dc in same space, chain one * work V-st in space between V-st, chain one. repeat from * till end. join to 3rd stitch (13 V-st)

4) sl st to top of V-st, ch 4, dc in same space, *V-st in space between V-st, V-st in top of V-st. Repeat from *. join to 3rd chain (26 V-st)

5-13) sl st to top of V-st, ch 4, dc in same space. * V-st in top of V-st. Repeat from * till end. join to 3rd ch. (26 V-st) fasten off

14) with new color. sl st in top of V-st, ch 4, dc in same space. * V-st in top of V-st. repeat from * till end. join to 3rd ch. (26 V-st). fasten off. weave in all ends. turn inside out. the end!

Photos of finished hat to come!

all photos from lang lab computer.

2007-12-14T11:19:00.001-06:00

there are pics that i have saved on the work computer. i wont have access to it for awhile so all just leave them out here in cyberspace.

inspiration.

2007-12-06T16:19:00.000-06:00

ohh soon so very soon i will be posting pictures of my own works. some of them will be done soon. im exited!

diaper bag

2007-12-06T16:16:00.000-06:00

diaper bag ideas for erica.

Amy Butler

2007-12-06T13:44:00.000-06:00

I dont know what it takes to be a great designer. But what ever it is Amy Butler has it. Not only does she design materials. But she also makes patterns, and books.

If you want to get me a book for Christmas I really want her Institches book. Ive looked at it several times at B.A.M but have never made myself buy it.

Here is a free pattern from her website. Its the portfolios. Its kind of like the grown up version of the notebook and pencil holder i mentioned on the last post.

Plus, im still on the look out for something i can make dad, mom and my grandma. they seem to have everything they need. Erica if you have any advice let me know!
love love
meg

hand made gift ideas.

2007-12-03T13:43:00.000-06:00

Sew, mama, sew is doing their cound down to Christmas hand made gifts.
After looking thru them these are my favorite.
Some people will probably get some of these as gifts this Christmas.
First: The notebook and pencil holder. Im planning on making some variations on it, but i love the idea of the inside cover holding the pencils. I will have to post on my finished projects and see if my variations work.
Second: a box bag tutotial. im not sure ill be able to follow and make these. But its a great tutorial.
Third: pants turned into a bag. This would be cute for one of the kids. I dont think it would work for an adult. ill just have to see. i dont really have an extra pair of pants laying around either.
There are many more ideas, embelishments and compilations.
Check it out for your self!

summer shoes

2007-11-30T16:33:00.000-06:00

i know that we are barely coming into winter. But i was surfing thru the internet and came across these *amazing* shoes.

Basically they are summer sandals. But because you decide what color of ribbon, and can change the ribbon, they can match any ourfit.

The link to the site is here: mohop

some pics to help you understand how they work.

the different soles you can get acoring to what height of heels you like to wear.

the picture that caught my eye. ive always wanted the greco-roman look, but at local stores the ribbon never goes heigh enough so it doesnt fall off. These shoes let yuo decide how long the ribbon needs to be.

and some examples of people that have bought them, and the variety of way you can weave the ribbon and change the look of your shoes.

fun stitches,..

2007-11-21T22:20:00.000-06:00

..
trying to come up with new stitches.
a new stitch poppalina.
another corner to corner.

crocheting on the road

2007-11-13T18:28:00.000-06:00

im taking a ten hour road trip. and im getting together some suplies so that i can crochet if i am able. plus a whole weekend of sitting and listening to seminars.
so im getting together some patterns for the purses for the older girls from God's Resort.
this one is a pattern from 1944. very vintage.
a granny square hat for a pattern for the kids. im not completaly sure. hopefully i can find another partn i like more.
this link is an interesting one called spike stitch. i think i would work great for a scarf and a purse.
another pattern for the yarn i have for A's scarf. i will have to look into it when i get back. A manly beane pattern, just in case y decide to make a boy a hat.
a shell hat pattern for little brenda, it has a pompom on the top! how cute!
also a cap with a brim. i think it makes it look really modern, ans if you use the right color of yarn it wont look so homemade.
this one is a nubby brim. its very old fashion, but for a little girl i think it will work just fine.
some free patterns. in particular a lacy flower granny square type thing and also a snow flake blanket.
here is a thro blanket worked in pannels. a pannel by it self could be a scarf. dont ya think? i think a test run should be taken!
another pattern, lacy kind. called windom blue scarf. i might use it for an adult. a one skein scarf also on this site a purse that has a square pattern that i would like to learn how to do.
a patern for a flower, i really like it because the pettals are realy defined invidualy. ill just past it so i can find it easy

FLOWER A: ** Ch 4; join with a sl st in first ch to form a ring.Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 sc in ring; join with a sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same sc as joining, ch 3, skip next sc, [sc in next sc, ch 3, skip next sc] 4 times; join to first sc. **

Rnd 3: * (Sl st, ch 4, 9 tr) all in ch-3 lp; turn; ch 4, skip first tr, tr in next 9 sts; turn; ch 1, sl st in first tr, skip next 2 tr, 3 dc in next tr, dc in each of next 2 tr, 3 dc in next tr, skip next 2 tr, sl st in top of ch-4; ch 4, sl st in end of row below, ch 4, sl st in next sc – petal made; rep from * around – 5 petals.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, working behind and below petals, (sc, ch 5, sc) all in first free sc on Rnd 1, ch 5, * (sc, ch 5, sc) all in next free sc, ch 5; rep from * around; join to first sc.

Rnd 5: * (Sl st, ch 5, 9 dtr) all in ch-5 lp; turn; ch 4, skip first dtr, tr in next 9 sts; turn; ch 1, sl st in first tr, skip next 2 tr, 3 dc in next tr, dc in each of next 2 tr, 3 dc in next tr, skip next 2 tr, sl st in top of ch-4; ch 4, sl st in end of row below, ch 5, sl st in next sc – petal made; rep from * around – 10 petals. Fasten off.

Flower Center: Ch 6, 10 dtr in 6th ch from hook; join with a sl st in top of beg ch. Fasten off. With tapestry needle, weave thread through top of sts and draw up tightly; secure. Push gathered sts against center ch (the ch all dtr were worked into) to flatten; dtr will fold in half and make “spokes” around the center ch – this is the right side of the flower center.

Secure center in this position with a stitch or two. Bring ends of flower center through the center of the flower; tie all ends together tightly; trim. Sew or glue pin back to wrong side of flower. Form each petal with fingers into curved shapes as shown. Spray heavily with hair spray on top and underside of petals. Reshape petals if necessary. Allow to dry.

pillows

2007-11-12T15:03:00.001-06:00

i made a pillow this morning. pics will come eventually. i dont have a camera. its cute, i still have one or two little details to add. so i decided to google pillow and here are my favorite images. i like the one on the left. the bows are just the right size.

pillow with a message
multi color
with circle

its a cover, so it can be wached, also the bows need to be smaller.
i ike both of the ones on the left. sleek but with texture.
looks comfy and good for the neck and TV watching
more elegant. i like the button one and the two toned ones
very fallish. i could embroider something similar on mine.

in the end there are a lot of ideas. ill have to take some pics of ones i actually make.

2007-11-08T13:31:00.000-06:00

Ive been sick this last week, not much energy to do anything. i did get some time into crocheting a purse, its my own pattern so we will just have to wait and see how it comes out.
Here are some ideas that would be important for my home. First of all a draft stopper, there is about a 2 inch gap at the bottom of out doors and the cold wind just comes right in. A tutorial is shown how to make a simple snake one. i would like to have one that woulnt have to be adjusted everytime you open the door and that would stay in its place. i guess ill have to experiment. The biggest question for me was what do i fill it with? now i have the answer.
I dont really need a wallet. and the colors on the fabrics of this tutorial kind of put me off, but for a gift it would be perfect. Some nice colors, more neutral so you can trow it in any purse.

I also want to make something hand made for each of the kids from God's Resort.
Brenda-
Karen-
Sergio-
Ashely-
Starla-
Eternity-
Brittany-

these are the kids that are at God's Resort more. i still dont know what to make for each of them, any ideas? a blanket? purse? stuffed animal? i dont know.

2007-11-05T12:38:00.000-06:00

A post about my crazy dream. its not craft related so its here.
Happy Birthday to little Brenda who today turns 5!!! and i will hopefully finish her bear before the end of the day.
Thats about it.
meg

Costume!

2007-10-25T14:40:00.000-05:00

So as an adult its really hard to come up with a decent costume.

I have an old brides maid dress that i want to use again, its blue. so i was thinking Cinderella.

then i remembered that its going to be cold tomorrow night, so i want to make a cloak to match it. i found this website but they are so expensive. i really just want to make my own. we will see how much time i have and how that goes. a black one would be good and versatile if i want to wear it again. but a light blue or white would be so elegant.

as far as accessories for the Cinderella costume goes i was thinking that i need a crown, or black head band. maybe some long while or blue gloves. ohh and a black choker. here are some cinder images

So the first two are the classic Cinderella. i think that since my dress is just plain blue i may need to adds some puff to it. i like the yellow picture because of the hair. i like it. i don't really know how to do updoos so maybe this will work better. the last picture just reminds me of how much i just love the whole romance that comes with the princesses.

2007-10-14T13:32:00.000-05:00

a cute bunny. from here. need i say more?

potential christmas presents to make

2007-10-09T20:10:00.000-05:00

a cute summer shirt that may be abe to be reduced to baby or child size; main word being maybe. another wrap skirt, an easier pattern that i had found before. a blog with a lot of free patterns, un particular a wrap dress. a cute vase idea that doesnt require a link, just a quote:

"I really want to try this idea featured in the Consol Glass spring brochure. You pour paint into cleaned and empty glass jars and bottles, swirl it around so it evenly covers the inside surface and then wait for it to dry. I'm sure this isn't a new idea but I loved the photograph so much I had to post about it."

international screem 2

2007-10-08T15:08:00.000-05:00

just because i want to have acces to all the websites i find of progects for International Scream 2.
witches brew with wormed ice cubes here. Green ice cubes and red punch here. Also green glhouade here. and some general halloween stuff from spencers.

furniture.

2007-10-08T13:10:00.000-05:00

For some reason there never seems to be enough room to store stuff. I have been thinking about looking for an old hutch that i could re-do and place in our laudry room to store linens and all that kind of stuff, even some extra lass used dishes. So i decided to get some inpiration from the web.

1. here.

2. here

3. here

and while out in the blog universe i found this recepie for homemade laundry deterget. She explains how to make it and the fact that it only cost a dollar for a two gallon recepie. its worth a try dont you think?

And at Martha Stewart fall decor. Katie and I have talked for decorating, we just need to do it before winter comes. No Halloween stuff, ive never reallyliked it, but definatly adding some fall or autumn decor.

different links for gourd bowls ,

pumkins as vases for flowers,

lanterns the dont have to be scary (but i do question the use of fire),

lace carved pumkins very fancy maybe a little to fancy,

and also lacy luminas. there are a lot more things, you can check them out yourself.

happy fall!

plus its finaly starting to get cold

and last but not least a website of a store called Habitat in Europe with amazing pics of their products.

Friday

2007-10-05T15:59:00.000-05:00

A wrap skirt that looks amazing from Fits, im thinking i will add a pocket. I like pockets, if i dont have one i dont have a place for my phone. Plus skirts with pockets are in.
A cute bag that maybe i can make a few of for the kids for Christmas from bee. I dont do too well with zippers though.
And from looking at other blogs i think the big thing thats "in" is v-neck sweeter vests. maybe because they are easier to make because they dont have sleeves. i coldnt find a free pattern so im going to try it with out one. we will see how it goes.
love love tia meg.
ps Little Brenda (from God's Resort) and I went to visit my grandma this afternoon, and since we were on that side of town we couldnt help but visit my little niece Ela. Erica took some pics, so maybe she will share them and i can add them to the next post.

I love brown

2007-10-04T14:23:00.000-05:00

I love the color brown, its such a prefect representation of fall. Happy Ocotober.

wednesday before a test

2007-10-03T19:34:00.000-05:00

A purse that i think i could make from here. and an apron that gave me an idea for a cute skirt from here. A cute bedding from here.

crochet patterns.

2007-09-14T15:46:00.000-05:00

i havent actually worked any of these. but with the winter months aproaching i think its a good idea to stalk up some patterns.
baby its cold outside-
a blog with great ideas. Erica and i made Ela's tinkerbell outfit from the Smock pattern.
Another amazing blog by heather bailey. with an amazing pic of an apron.
and some images of what i would buy if i had all the money in the world.

dress

2007-09-10T16:54:00.000-05:00

So i know i already said final inspiration. But i like these too.

final inspiration.

2007-09-10T14:27:00.000-05:00

So i have just spent two and a half hours looking on line. Dont judge me to much, im at work and honestly there is nothing better for me to do. but i di have some homework. but before i start on that, just a little of what i have found. these images taken from here. Enjoy.

inspiration from Diego Rivera.

2007-09-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

by artist diego rivera, sorry about the repeat. things have been uploading weird.images taken from art.com

the one with inspiration.

2007-09-08T22:53:00.000-05:00

Great inspiration photos. Two are different images of a bed frame i would love to have. The others are of amazing dreses i like. more photos to come.

Erica's grocery bag.

2007-09-01T20:49:00.000-05:00

The other day I was reading my sisters blog. She is talking about wanting to make some grocery bags out of cloth. I decided that since shes out of town I would give the idea a try. So I looked around of a tutorial and this is what the result is:
The first is the bag holding two half gallons of milk.

The second is the bag empty

The third is the bag nicely folded with a note ready to be delivered.

My new purse.

2007-09-01T20:39:00.000-05:00

I have had this older purse for a while. I made it over two years ago when I needed something to carry books to school in, and I didnt want to use a backpack.
I didnt wash the materia before I made it, so the first time I washed it after it got real dirty, to my surprise, it shrunk. I have still used it, but stuff didnt fit in it the same way. I havent washed it again, and it started to look real grungy quite a while back.
After many days of thinking that I neede a new purse, today I finally finished it. I started it on friday, but then had to go to work so I didnt get it all done in one day. These are the pictures, the orange pocket on the front is the perfect size for my planner and the gray pocket holds by pens and markers. Inside the back lining I added another division so that my personal stuff can be separated from my school books.
My favorite part is the little owl on the bottom left corner, I painted him myself. He is the perfect detail that my bag was missing.

Amanda's gift.

2007-09-01T14:36:00.000-05:00

Amanda, my little sister, moved to Illinois this last saturday. I miss her like crazy already and have started making plans to go visit her soon.
Erica, my older sister, went this weekend to visit her. So I put my creativity to work and made her a little something.