Salt Dough Ornaments

This writing blog is turning much more into a crafty blog, but since my introduction to Pinterest, I just can't help sharing all the fun things I've been making. =) 

I made a whole bunch of these little salt dough ornaments and tucked them away for future gifts.  This one I used to decorate Amy's shower gift for little baby Hannah Joy.  I used acrylic craft paint to make it pink, and a toothpick to etch the "h".  You could also use rubber stamps to imprint on them before they dry out.  

Salt Dough:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup table salt
1/2 cup warm water

Just mix it up in a bowl 'til its nice and smooth.  Then, roll it out, stamp it (if desired) and cut into shapes! I used a toothpick to make the holes, but you could also use a straw.  Put them in a barely warm oven (150 to 200 degrees) until their dried out. I literally popped them in the oven then proceeded to wash the dishes, organize the mud room, clean the bathroom, and start the laundry before I pulled them out again... You just want them to harden.  I put them all in a little container to give out throughout the year (probably most at Christmas next year).

How to Wrap

By wrap, I mean wrap, not rap (for a how-to on rapping, you should probably seek advice from someone else not me!).

This year, we are really trying to be frugal, and I'm trying to fill my time with lots of crafts.  I made these awesome little boxes, then used scrapbook stickers to label them! PERFECT for the little gifts I made (can't show those yet until after Christmas!)

What you'll need:
12x12 scrapbook paper (or any size, really)
Scissors

First, I didn't need very big boxes for this project, so I cut each 12x12 into 4 squares.  You'll want the paper to be fairly thick, which is why scrapbook paper works really well.  For the lids, I used a thin paper, and it didn't work as well.

Instead of me explaining to you how to do this, it'd be easier for you to watch the video that I watched... here you go:

DIY Dry Erase Calendar

I love pinterest! So much inspiration, good ideas, and cheap projects to keep me busy!  This was one idea I got that was completely free for me!

What you'll need:

Paint chips (free at any home improvement store) - You'll need 4-5 strips with multiple colors..

An old frame (I used a 12x12 that I had laying around the house)

Scrapbook Paper

Adhesive (tape, glue, etc.)

Dry Erase Marker

I cut the chips to 1.5" squares, lined them all up, taped them down, and voila... a calendar!  I'm using mine for our monthly dinner menu and it matches the colors in our kitchen.

Super Aiden - Vintage Comic Wall Art

Krissa and Josh are doing a superhero themed nursery for Baby Aiden, thus the inspiration for this craft.  It's super easy, and turned out pretty cool!  You could do this with any theme, really, and just replace the comic book pages with scrapbook paper.

What you'll need:

• 12 x 12 (or any size) canvas (I got mine on sale at Michael's for $4)
• An old comic book (Used book store: $3)
• Mod Podge
• Scrap cardboard (I used an old framing matte)
• Paint
• Glue
• Scissors

First, I picked a couple of the pages from the comic book that  I liked, and ripped them out.  I think it took 4 overlapped pages to cover the canvas.  I put modpodge on the back of the page, stuck it to the canvas, then layered mod-podge over the entire canvas.  I trimmed the edges of the paper after it had dried.

While that was drying, I cut out my letter from cardboard.  I found a free font called "Badaboom!", printed a large outlined template, then used scissors to cut out the cardboard.  I also printed my template for "Aiden".  After the red paint dried (I used 3 coats), I used the pencil technique to trace the name onto the letter.  (Pencil technique: shade the entire back of your template with pencil then trace of the letters on top of the cardboard.  It will leave a faint outline on the letter that is easily covered by paint).  

After everything was dry, I glued the letter to the canvas.  Voila!

words.

Others-Centered.

Lord, instill in me a desire to help, not harm.
To treasure, not trash; to cherish, not chastise.
To love, not loathe.
To bless, not belittle.
To be giving, not greedy.
To ask, not accuse.
Teach me justice, not judgment.
Lord, let others see my Savior, not myself.

Timeout, Please?

I've been sick.  

This kind of sick:

The kind of sick where you really can't do anything else but lay in bed watching movies, sleeping, and wishing this darn cold would just give up and go away.  

Due to being sick, I've failed miserably at updating my blog.  And as if to shoot me down completely, Blogger decided to be under maintenance for a few days, thus in the process erasing my latest post (Crepes!) and preventing me from adding all the yummy recipes to follow. Blog. Fail.  

Now that my head is mostly de-pressurized when laying down, I will try to update the food blog since I still can't really get up and do much... (Tried to do too much and got sent home from work!).  Recipes for Chicken Noodle Soup, Cheddar-Garlic Biscuits, Chocolate-Caramel Rice Krispy Treats, and more!  Ugh. You know you're sick when something so delicious sounds gross... 

Being sick could not have come at a worse time.  Life happens to be pretty busy around here... Mo is trying to finish out his last quarter of prerequisites while still working, I'm trying to manage two positions at my job, plus transitioning to a new job in a week, and trying to make meals for families with new babies! It's funny how God can use a cold to remind me that I DO need to take care of myself, slow down, and rest in his presence.  

Okay, Lord... so, I really would like to request a timeout and get over this cold, but reality is, there's no time! The house is quickly unraveling in a large mess, I only have 5 days left at my current job and there's loose ends to tie up! Plus, I'd prefer to start my new job on a healthy foot.  So while resting sounds fantastic, I really need to get better.  Now. Please? 

I've been laying here thinking how moms do it.  What happens when Mama gets sick?  She doesn't get a timeout like I do.  Her job never stops.  I think it's a good lesson for me to learn that it's okay to take a break.  I need to rely on other people more. Ask for help! I know crazy, right? Me, ask for help? No, really.  I think that's why people (busy, carry-every-burden, do-everything-for-everyone-all-the-time type) need to get sick to the point where it knocks them out.  The Lord created us to live in community with one another and share each other's burdens.  That means every once in a while, you cancel an obligation (i.e., if you're a mom, soccer practice, piano lessons, etc.).  It means that once in a blue moon, you gently ask your husband to do the dishes (GENTLY).  (side note: might not be a bad idea to request help with the dishes regularly!).  It means saying "yes" when someone offers to bring you dinner, pick up the kids, run an errand, or do a task for you.  

Humility.

All that to say, I'm learning to take advantage of this timeout that God has given me... but, I think I've learned my lesson, and I'm ready to be healthy again.  Please?