Show Off Your Stuff - Glass Etching

Oh how I love to try new things. Especially if I think I will be successful at them. So when I found a glass etching tutorial over at Make It and Love It I just had to try it out.

 I etched 2 of these wine goblets with tree branches for a wedding gift.  It was quite easy peasy.
Taking a clear picture late at night was not so easy peasy however :)

Wordless Wednesday - The Road Less Traveled

For more Wordless Wednesday check out 5m4M.

Zibbet Tuesday- For the Birds!

I have grown quite affectionate over birds recently:) They are quite pretty to decorate and play with...so pull up a perch and take a gander!

50s Birdcage Pillow 

Olive

Birdie Blanky - Millie

Made On Fifth Street

PICTURE BOOK I Hear Two Birds 

Kathy Panton

Birds of a Feather Train Case 

Ditsy Gypsy

Motivate Me Monday - Are You Attractive?

If you read my review of Same Kind of Different as Me by Denver Moore and Ron Hall yesterday, then you may have been pondering the question I asked.

Does the way you live your life attract others to Christ?  

In other words are you letting His light shine through you?  Are you loving?

Oh how easy it is to love our children or our spouse.  It's not a problem to love your parents or siblings (most of the time).
To love those who may not love you back, those who are unlovely, that is the real challenge.

So today think of someone to love that may not (even probably won't) return the favor.  Heck they may not even accept your love.
Then step out in faith and practically love that person.
You may start with prayer asking God to open your eyes to opportunities to help this person (or others).  Next comes the uncomfortable part.  Obey.  See the need and meet it.

This is a huge challenge for me as well, but I want to step out of the boat....so here I go.

Marketing Monday

There are some totally great new items in my shop.

  I am calling them Birdie Blankies.

And of course you can still purchase sensory dolls too:)

See you on Fifth Street!

Book Review- Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Let me ask you a question.  Does the way you live your life attract others to Christ?
The answer was a resounding YES for Deborah Hall the late wife of this books coauthor Ron Hall.

Two men from opposite sides of the social spectrum come together in this book through the work of God and a remarkable woman.  Meet Denver, raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana until he escaped "da Man"—in the 1960s—by hopping a train. Then, after another 18 homeless years on the streets of Dallas, God moved . . . and a godly woman named Deborah prayed, listened, and obeyed. Mountains began to move, beginning with her husband, Ron, an international art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani suits and art-collecting millionaires. A true story that crosses the barriers of society.

If you have not already read Same Kind of Different as Me then I recommend that you put it at the very top of your summer reading list.
This story is a beautiful and inspirational testimony of how God works to create miracles.  When Jesus commanded us to love one another He knew what He was talking about.  There are many heart wrenching examples of loving those who are unlovely through out Same Kind of Different as me.

I will warn you to grab a box of tissues though as this book is a tear jerker.

Saturday Links

Here are some great tips for selling kids clothing on Ebay from Mom's Plans.

Find a few hints on how to get your guest posts published from Blogging With Amy.

Don't miss out on The Great Fat Quarter Swap hosted here at The Fifth Street Palace.

Get in on the secret of the perfect s'more from Oopsey Daisy



Linking this up with It's Come to This.

Fabric Swapping and Lattes at Home.

First I want to invite you to participate in The Great Fat Quarter Swap!  Come sign up to swap fabric from your stash with another commenter.  New fabric for just the cost of mailing (which shouldn't be much) is a sweet deal!

Now on with the real post...
I am a Starbucks gal.  I love toffee nut lattes. Hot or iced it doesn't matter.  They lift my mood and give me a little dance in my step.  The price however is not all that lovely.  Well you'll never believe what I came across at a yard sale.

Yup that's right an espresso machine... and the price of this little gem... get ready for it... 

$5

Can you believe it?  

My sweet husband (who is the barista at our house) even made this cool decal for the top.

  In case you can't read that it says "Scottbucks Coffee"  (Our last name is Scott).  Isn't he the best?

So fabric swaps, $5 espresso machines and lattes at home are for sure frugal and finer things :) 

Linking up with Finer Things Friday @ Amy's Finer Things and Frugal Friday @ Life As Mom

The Great Fat Quarter Swap!

I love love love fabric. And I thought that a swap might be a fun way to add to our stashes. So here's how it works. Sign up below and I will match you up with another commenter to swap 2 Fat quarter size (18"x22") of fabric with.

The swap will be open to Canadian and US addresses.  You have until July 31 to sign up.
Please mail your fat quarters by August 6.  Include your email address in your comment so I can contact you with the email address of your partner and you can exchange mailing addresses.

Also please get the word out!  Tweet, facebook and your own blog.  The more the merrier!

Wordless Wednesday- Brain Freeze!!!

For more Wordless Wednesday head on over to 5M4M

Zibbet Tuesday- Matryoshkas

Matryoshka: Russian nesting doll.

8 Little Matryoshka Dolls

Magpie Night

Soft Sensory Matryoshka Dolls

Made On Fifth Street

 

Magda Matryoshka Spoolie Doll

Sunny Side Up Studio

Motivate Me Monday - Song of Prayer

One of my husbands favorite musicians is Keith Green. If you don't know the story of Keith's life I encourage you to watch the video.  Be warned though it is over an hour long.

I want to share with you some of the lyrics of a Keith Green song that touched me this weekend.

Make My Life a Prayer

Make my life a prayer to you I wanna do what you want me to No empty words and no white lies No token prayers no compromise I wanna shine the light you gave Thru your son you sent to save us From ourselves and our despair It comforts me to know you’re really there Chorus Well I wanna thank you now For being patient with me Oh it’s so hard to see When my eyes are on me I guess I’ll have to trust And just believe what you say Oh you’re coming again Coming to take me away

This song became my own prayer as I listened to it on Saturday night.  I hope that you are uplifted by these words as well.

Link up your motivational and inspirational blog posts below.

Marketing Monday!

I listed some new dolls at Made on Fifth Street this weekend.

Aren't they sweet?  But wait here's the best part...

Their backs are different from their fronts!!! 

Meander on over to Made on Fifth Street and take a peek!

Saturday Links

A very important lesson on what drowning looks like. I definately learned some valuable things from reading this.

Are you looking for a way to really help starving children?

Another super easy apron tutorial.  One day I will actually make one.:)

House Update!!

Come now you must have known this was coming!  Here are some updated photos of our dream house. 

 The outside hasn't changed a whole lot yet except now there are wild flower and wild strawberries abound. So come inside and I will give you a mini tour :)

This will be my kitchen. Those big windows are leaving and the 2 small ones in the corner on the right are staying.  In the left corner which you can't see there is a fantastic pantry and a spot for the fridge.

This is the living room.  I will probably change the decor before we move in though.  There will be French doors where that closest window is on the left that lead out to the invisible deck we don't have yet.

The laundry/powder room.  That filthy broken gross toilet came with the house but is also long before we move in.  The stove isn't staying in the laundry room either.  (Or in the house for that matter).

My bedroom.  Note the walk in closet that makes me weak in the knees.  I admit not as big as some but still a wonderful size for me.  I may let Craig use a small corner if he begs.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour.  Please come back and I will show you the main bathroom and kiddos rooms. 

Zibbet Tuesday- Jilly's Stuff

Everyone has a story.  Let me tell you the story of Jill, who owns a Zibbet shop called Jilly's Stuff.

Jill is a recently retired custom framer from Michaels Arts & Crafts. (I am quite certain that working at Michaels is a dream job for many crafters).  She loves lace, flowers, color, and trying something new, even if it doesn't work out. Jill lives with her husband, adopted 12 year old grandson and a 7 year old beagle.

Here are Jill's top 3 picks from her shop:

White Cross Bookmark Notecard

Doggy Sweaters

Cow Patty Brown Teapot Coaster

Jill's inspiration comes from browsing the internet, walks in the woods, talking to family and friends, books from the library. 

Some words of encouragement from Jill to other Zibbet sellers:

Zibbet has the best people for advice and encouragement. Read as much as you can in the Forums and Blogs from Zibbet members. The information is truly geared to your success on Zibbet.

Other places you will find Jill are:

Zibbet Blog

All Bout Jill Blog