Saturday, February 28, 2009
Make it: Carnelian & Citrine Earrings
Make it: Carnelian & Citrine EarringsSupplies:
2 teardrop-shaped carnelian beads
14 small round citrine beads
2 gold ear wires
gold beading wire
2 spherical gold crimp beads
2 tubular gold crimp beads
2 gold crimp bead covers
round-nose pliers
jewelry wire-cutters
crimping tool
1. Thread three round citrine beads on a section of gold beading wire. Next, thread a carnelian teardrop bead and follow with three round citrine beads.
2. Bend the wire to form a loop, keeping both ends of the wire together at the top. Thread both ends of the wire through a gold crimp bead and thread one round citrine bead over both wire ends.
3. Gently pull one end of the wire down until it's shorter than the other end but still threaded through the spherical crimp bead and the citrine.
4. Thread one tubular crimp bead over both ends of the wire. Using needle-nose pliers, loop the longer end of the bead wire through the crimp bead to create a tiny loop.
5. Use the bottom groove of the crimping tool to crimp the tubular crimp bead; use the top groove of the crimping tool to flatten the crimp bead. Use jewelry wire-cutters to trim away any excess bead wire.
6. Position a crimp bead cover over the bead and gently press closed with the crimping tool. Repeat steps 1-9 for the second earring. The same technique can be used to create a necklace pendant.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Grace.
“We moving in maybe sometime later dis year. I always teenk to myself you know, sister Wajar (Wai Jia), why is it God choose you to make something happen like dis. So many pe-ple come to Nepal but how did anybody knows something like dis would happen from Kitesong?”
Within minutes I was in tears. The missionary who had driven his dusty, sand-covered jeep to come pick me from the airport, filled with the aroma of Nepal, was trying to express his gratitude to me. Since my first visit to Nepal, the children at the orphanage had had to move twice (a harrowing experience) because of the high rent, and it was hoped through fundraising from Kitesong, enough money would be raised to buy a permanent piece of land, where the children could grow up in peace and stability finally.
“Why is it dat God choose you?” he asked again, as we drove through the dusty, spartan Kathmandu city, winding through the dusty, smoky winding roads thronged with motorbikes, scooters and trucks. He had meant to say that God had a plan, and a specific purpose for my being there but it was at that point, when I smelled that familiarly nostalgic smell of Nepal, when I saw the beautifully stark houses and mountain ranges, heard the gorgeously languid accent of Nepalese, that it hit me- God chooses who He wants to use not because we’re better, more special, more loved- but merely, simply, of his great grace.
Grace. More than just a floozy, spiritually abstract word, it simply means receiving what you don’t deserve.
Like each one of my birthday presents, my birthday surprises, a ticket to a Coldplay concert and this trip to Nepal-which, if not for my parents’ generosity and love for me as birthday gifts, I would not have the chance to enjoy. The honour and privilege to live with these missionaries, people who’ve given their lives wholly for the benefit of others. The awe of seeing how God used a naïve idea to change the lives of needy children. What privileges, indulgences which I don’t deserve.
We can choose to demand, choose to be disappointed, or choose not to expect, and to count our every blessing. Over here, the people are experiencing a shortage of water, gas and electricity. The missionaries here can choose to complain about the dust, the fact that we don’t have electricity 16 hours a day every day, or thank God for the well which we can draw water from, thank Him for the 8 hours we do have electricity, thank Him for the blessings which come our way.
Tis a topsy turvy world we live in. That we receive when we release, we are lifted up when we bow down, we are blessed when we least expect it. Sometimes, in an upside down world, perhaps it is when we view the world from heaven’s perspective that things are set the right side up again.
“Why is it dat God choose you?” That question still rings in my mind.
God’s grace. How his great love washed down upon me.
One by one, the children ran up to hug me in the chilly, wintry afternoon. They were waiting, and I took in with surreal amazement the reality that I was back to see them- these children whose pictures are all over my bedroom walls. They were in a new, cheaper place which was far, far smaller, with hardly any space to play or be free, waiting to finally move into a permanent place they could call home.
It was beautiful, just being in their midst again.
I am learning- very often, it is when we let go that we receive His blessings. It was when I was ready to let go and say it was just too expensive to re-visit Nepal, that I just had to release the ministry to God that I was blessed with a ticket; it was when I decided that even watching Coldplay with the cheapest ticket would be an extravagance that I got one of the best seats as a gift; it was when I didn’t know any better that God could act like He knew best.
And it reminds me, that God chooses us for different purposes. And it is our attitudes he is most concerned about. When we are humble, he lifts us up; when we empty ourselves, he fills us up; when we understand that we have no right to anything we own, and start from the basis that everything we have is a blessing, a sign of God’s grace, then truly we can exult in joy and bask in the freedom of gratitude and everything becomes a true blessing..
Within minutes I was in tears. The missionary who had driven his dusty, sand-covered jeep to come pick me from the airport, filled with the aroma of Nepal, was trying to express his gratitude to me. Since my first visit to Nepal, the children at the orphanage had had to move twice (a harrowing experience) because of the high rent, and it was hoped through fundraising from Kitesong, enough money would be raised to buy a permanent piece of land, where the children could grow up in peace and stability finally.
“Why is it dat God choose you?” he asked again, as we drove through the dusty, spartan Kathmandu city, winding through the dusty, smoky winding roads thronged with motorbikes, scooters and trucks. He had meant to say that God had a plan, and a specific purpose for my being there but it was at that point, when I smelled that familiarly nostalgic smell of Nepal, when I saw the beautifully stark houses and mountain ranges, heard the gorgeously languid accent of Nepalese, that it hit me- God chooses who He wants to use not because we’re better, more special, more loved- but merely, simply, of his great grace.
Grace. More than just a floozy, spiritually abstract word, it simply means receiving what you don’t deserve.
Like each one of my birthday presents, my birthday surprises, a ticket to a Coldplay concert and this trip to Nepal-which, if not for my parents’ generosity and love for me as birthday gifts, I would not have the chance to enjoy. The honour and privilege to live with these missionaries, people who’ve given their lives wholly for the benefit of others. The awe of seeing how God used a naïve idea to change the lives of needy children. What privileges, indulgences which I don’t deserve.
We can choose to demand, choose to be disappointed, or choose not to expect, and to count our every blessing. Over here, the people are experiencing a shortage of water, gas and electricity. The missionaries here can choose to complain about the dust, the fact that we don’t have electricity 16 hours a day every day, or thank God for the well which we can draw water from, thank Him for the 8 hours we do have electricity, thank Him for the blessings which come our way.
Tis a topsy turvy world we live in. That we receive when we release, we are lifted up when we bow down, we are blessed when we least expect it. Sometimes, in an upside down world, perhaps it is when we view the world from heaven’s perspective that things are set the right side up again.
“Why is it dat God choose you?” That question still rings in my mind.
God’s grace. How his great love washed down upon me.
One by one, the children ran up to hug me in the chilly, wintry afternoon. They were waiting, and I took in with surreal amazement the reality that I was back to see them- these children whose pictures are all over my bedroom walls. They were in a new, cheaper place which was far, far smaller, with hardly any space to play or be free, waiting to finally move into a permanent place they could call home.
It was beautiful, just being in their midst again.
I am learning- very often, it is when we let go that we receive His blessings. It was when I was ready to let go and say it was just too expensive to re-visit Nepal, that I just had to release the ministry to God that I was blessed with a ticket; it was when I decided that even watching Coldplay with the cheapest ticket would be an extravagance that I got one of the best seats as a gift; it was when I didn’t know any better that God could act like He knew best.
And it reminds me, that God chooses us for different purposes. And it is our attitudes he is most concerned about. When we are humble, he lifts us up; when we empty ourselves, he fills us up; when we understand that we have no right to anything we own, and start from the basis that everything we have is a blessing, a sign of God’s grace, then truly we can exult in joy and bask in the freedom of gratitude and everything becomes a true blessing..
Make it: Grown Up Paper Beads
Make it: Grown Up Paper BeadsRe-Craft tiny scraps of paper into pretty beads.
Materials:
Mod Podge - gloss
Colorful wrapping or scrapbook paper (glossy works best)
Scissors
Bamboo skewers
1. Cut paper into triangles approximately 1" or less across the bottom and approximately 2" long.
2. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the paper.
3. Starting at the wide end of the paper, roll it tightly around a bamboo skewer.
4. Apply glue to the last 1/2" of the paper (the pointed end) and roll into place. Once it dry, apply Mod Podge over the surface of the beads to create a glossy finish.
Make it: Paper Bead NecklaceMaterials:
2 paper beads
clasp
chain (long enough to make necklace the desired length)
decorative beads (here, two beads were used, one large and one small rosy quartz)
2 jump rings
2 crimp beads
wire cutters
round-nose jewelry pliers
1 head pin
1. Cut a length of chain to use as the base of the necklace.
2. Slide rosy quartz beads onto a head pin. With the wire cutters, snip off the head pin excess, leaving enough to make a loop. Use round-nose pliers to form a loop at the end of the head pin.
3. Locate the middle point of the chain and attach the bead charm you just made to this point. Use pliers to open the loop of the head pin and attach it to the link in the middle of the chain.
4. Slide paper beads onto the chain, putting one on each side of the charm.
5. With round-nose pliers open up the jump rings and attach one to each end of the chain. Attach one half of the clasp to one of the jump rings and the other half of the clasp to the other jump ring. Close the jump rings with the pliers.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Make it: Artwork à la Warhol
Make it: Artwork à la Warhol4 12"x12" stretched, gessoed artist canvases
Folk Art craft paint in 4 colors (either bright or muted)
foam paintbrushes
Mod Podge
4 14"x17" color copies of a black-and-white image
10 yd. decorative trim (narrower than the edge of the canvas)
floating medium
picture-hanger piece
small picture-hanging nails
hot glue
scissors
ruler
waxed paper
Steps:
1. Choose an image and use photo-editing software to make the picture black and white, adjusting the brightness and contrast until the image is completely black and white with no gray.
2. Print the image, take it to a copy shop and enlarge it to fit the length and width of the canvas (ours was enlarged 140% to fit a 12"x12" canvas). Make 4 copies.
3. Cut the images to the exact dimensions of the canvases. Apply a liberal, even coat of mod podge medium to the canvas. Apply mod podge to the back (not the front) of the image and carefully apply the image to the canvas (don’t start pressing until the image is properly aligned). Smooth out any the air bubbles (you can use a flat-edged object to help flatten bubbles, but be careful not to gouge the paper with the edges) and let dry.
4. Paint the image using acrylic paint that has been mixed with floating medium (one part paint to slightly less than one part medium). Allow to dry. Use more than one coat of paint if the first coat looks streaky.
5. When the paint is dry, add embellishments to the artwork. Ribbon or trim can be used to enhance the border of the frame. Attach a picture hanger to the back of the canvas. Repeat for each canvas.
Make it: 1$ Store Candle Revamp
Make it: 1$ Store Candle RevampMaterials:
Mod Podge - matte
tall glass candle
fun image
foam brush
glitter glue
ribbon
tacky glue
coil bracelet blanks
round-nose pliers
miscellaneous beads and baubles
1. Trim and/or resize the image to fit on the candle. Use a foam brush to coat the back of the image with Mod Podge. Apply the image to the candle, smoothing out air bubbles as you work.
2. Use glitter glue to highlight areas of interest on the image. Jewel glue can be used to apply sequins or rhinestones to a candle. Glue ribbon around the top and/or bottom of the candle with tacky glue.
3. Use round-nose pliers to create a small loop at one end of the bracelet coil; thread beads and baubles onto the coil, leaving enough space at the end to form another loop.
4. When the glue is dry, slip the beaded coil over the candle. The coil can be reused on other candles or worn as a bracelet.
make it: $1 Store Notebook Revamp
Make it: $1 Store Notebook RevampThis project we designed for Plaid!
With a little Mod Podge and a few scraps of paper and ribbon, you can transform a plain $1 bin notebook into a cute and sassy place to store all you notes.
We used the NEW Hologram Gold Mod Podge. It has such a soft and pretty shimmer. I just saw the glitter and shimmer Mod Podge at Michaels.Materials:
Mod Podge ® Glitter - Hologram Gold, 8 oz.
Hardcover spiral notebook
1 Sheet owl themed scrapbook paper
Foam paintbrush
Velvet ribbon scrap
Chipboard letter
Paper clamp
Ruler
Scissors
Tacky glue
Steps:
1. Trim the scrapbook paper to fit on the cover of the notebook.
2. Attach the paper to the notebook cover using a thin coat of Glitter Mod Podge. Apply a 2 top coats of glitter Mod Podge to the cover. Allow for drying in between coats.
3. Use tacky glue to attach a strip of velvet ribbon down the side of the notebook. Use the same glue to attach a chipboard letter to the lower front side. Clip a paper clamp to the top to attach notes to the inside of the notebook.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Yellow fellows.
The past few days have been a furious flurry of activity.
Final exams. A 22nd birthday. News that nothing can be done about the tumor. Relatives flying in and out. Brain-burning bible study from that intensive missions course I signed up for. Gatherings. Errands. And packing for Nepal.
This year's birthday felt different from all the rest- This year, because it fell on the last day of our final exams, a mind-boggling number of people remembered it. This year, because of the stressful exam period, there were few gifts, but more well-wishes, and a very enjoyable and thoughtful picnic surprise at a beautiful park after the paper finally ended. This year, grandma came to stay to celebrate. Last year, my friends surprised me by singing a self-composed song to the tune of Yellow, by my favourite band coldplay- but this year, what a surprise I got...
... Closing my eyes and then discovering a mountain of 22 golden-yellow eggtarts stacked together like an inverted chandelier of wedding champagne glasses, each with a candle on top, and a crowd of friends laughing together with me. A yellow envelope. Yellow daisies. Then reaching home to find another bouquet of yellow flowers, roses this time. And corn soup, ha. A phonecall late at night, then a sneaky surprise visit at home by friends from church with a banner, terribly smoky sparklers, party poppers and cream-yellow cake smashed into my face.
So many yellow things. It tickled me.
Till late last year, I never liked the colour yellow. And I couldn't help but find it a little funny how so many things I received this year were yellow, without people knowing.
Yellow flowers signify friendship.
This year's birthday felt different. It taught me a lot about gratitude, contentment and security, the importance of friendship, and family. Most of all, it taught me about God's grace. That while mercy is God not giving you what you deserve, Grace is Him giving us what we don't deserve.
It was a time of reflection and thanksgiving. A year ago, I wouldn't even have imagined I would make it this far. But I have. I've grown, experimented, tried, succeeded, loved and matured- and only because of my friends and family. A year ago on that day I was a wreck and today I stand to testify that God never forsakes us, merely brings us through what He needs to to teach, discipline, encourage and love us.
Yellow roses signify friendship. Friendship blessed by God, without which life would be meaningless.
I leave early tomorrow morning, to see my friends in Nepal, the thirty children and the many missionaries, whom I think of every day. The day I left Nepal the last time, the children at the orphanage put a yellow flower in my hair. Come back okay, didi (big sister) Wai Jia? It's about time.
Final exams. A 22nd birthday. News that nothing can be done about the tumor. Relatives flying in and out. Brain-burning bible study from that intensive missions course I signed up for. Gatherings. Errands. And packing for Nepal.
This year's birthday felt different from all the rest- This year, because it fell on the last day of our final exams, a mind-boggling number of people remembered it. This year, because of the stressful exam period, there were few gifts, but more well-wishes, and a very enjoyable and thoughtful picnic surprise at a beautiful park after the paper finally ended. This year, grandma came to stay to celebrate. Last year, my friends surprised me by singing a self-composed song to the tune of Yellow, by my favourite band coldplay- but this year, what a surprise I got...
... Closing my eyes and then discovering a mountain of 22 golden-yellow eggtarts stacked together like an inverted chandelier of wedding champagne glasses, each with a candle on top, and a crowd of friends laughing together with me. A yellow envelope. Yellow daisies. Then reaching home to find another bouquet of yellow flowers, roses this time. And corn soup, ha. A phonecall late at night, then a sneaky surprise visit at home by friends from church with a banner, terribly smoky sparklers, party poppers and cream-yellow cake smashed into my face.
So many yellow things. It tickled me.
Till late last year, I never liked the colour yellow. And I couldn't help but find it a little funny how so many things I received this year were yellow, without people knowing.
Yellow flowers signify friendship.
This year's birthday felt different. It taught me a lot about gratitude, contentment and security, the importance of friendship, and family. Most of all, it taught me about God's grace. That while mercy is God not giving you what you deserve, Grace is Him giving us what we don't deserve.
It was a time of reflection and thanksgiving. A year ago, I wouldn't even have imagined I would make it this far. But I have. I've grown, experimented, tried, succeeded, loved and matured- and only because of my friends and family. A year ago on that day I was a wreck and today I stand to testify that God never forsakes us, merely brings us through what He needs to to teach, discipline, encourage and love us.
Yellow roses signify friendship. Friendship blessed by God, without which life would be meaningless.
I leave early tomorrow morning, to see my friends in Nepal, the thirty children and the many missionaries, whom I think of every day. The day I left Nepal the last time, the children at the orphanage put a yellow flower in my hair. Come back okay, didi (big sister) Wai Jia? It's about time.
Thank you all for making my 22nd birthday special and memorable. Thank you for remembering, for reminding me of thanksgiving and gratitude, and for all the yellow things.
And it was all yellow.
-Coldplay
Make it: Refashioned Girls Jeans
Make it: Refashioned Girls Jeans
no sew project
Kids go through clothes so fast! This easy no-sew technique will stretch a pair of winter jeans into a spring fashion. Even if you don't sew, it is easy to recycle a pair of girls jeans into a cute pair of walking shorts. no sew project
For this design:
1. Cut the pant legs at the appropriate height for shorts using pinking sheers.
2. Trim around the appliqué (removing it from the lower portion of the jeans).
3. Attach the appliqué using fabric glue.
4. Add a little sparkle to the pants: attach a few rhinestones with gem glue.
Make it: Chalkboard Globe
Make it: Chalkboard Globe
This project we designed for Plaid!
Materials:
FolkArt ® Chalkboard Paint - Slate Gray, 8 oz.
1 Globe
Foam Paintbrush
Damp Rag
Soft Chalk
Letter Stickers
Steps:
1. Clean the globe with a damp rag and allow to dry. Add 3 coats of chalkboard paint. Allow 2 hours in between coats for dry time.
2. After 24 hours, rub the entire chalkboard surface with a piece of chalk to season the surface. Now you are ready to write on your chalkboard globe. Add personalization to the base with letter stickers.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
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