Here's what I've been doing...

I am SO excited!!!!!!  Yep. I'm very serious. Since last Monday I have been constantly working on Speech for this year! And I am very happy to say that I am almost done writing them. I just have to put a few finishing touches on my Biographical Narrative. After that comes an endless amount of memorizing and practicing. Yay!

Last year I did Debate and Impromptu. This year I'll be doing a Biographical Narrative, Original Interpretation, and Duo Interpretation.


And you probably have no idea what those are.


On a more interesting note. I was working on a new diaper bag design, before I dropped everything, and I'll be making a couch cover for my Mom. When these things will get done I have no idea. But when they are I'll be sure to share!

I can love you.

Communist Officer told a Christian he was beating, "I am almighty, as you suppose your God to be. I can kill you." The Christian answered, "The power is all on my side. I can love you while you torture me to death." 

-Jesus Freaks by dc talk and Voice of the Martyrs (p. 186) 

My sister has written a wonderful post on loving even when its hard. You can read it here.

Owl Warmer Tutorial

Both of my Brothers wanted heating pad for Christmas and after coming across these adorable owl hand warmers I thought they'd be adorable as big ones too! Just warm them in the microwave and you can have a warm little friend to sleep with!

You'll find the pattern pictures for you to print at the bottom of the post.

All you really need are some fabric scraps and rice. (or flaxseed, wheat grains, cherry pits, etc.)  I used cotton for the body and wings, and flannel/knit for the eyes. You can use felt, though if you do test a small piece in the microwave first. 

Print out the Owl Pattern and cut!

2 Body
2 Wings
2 Outer eyes (you can also 'connect' you two outer eyes making a figure 8)
2 Inner eyes
Beak 
4 feet (optional)
Tie or Bowtie (optional)

First I laid out all my piece so I could see how it would look.

Now I added a white egg shaped piece just for fun, if your making a 'boy' and are using the bowtie or tie then I probably wouldn't, BUT since mines a girl I did. :)
 

Starting with the Outer eyes use a large stitch and sew around the edge. Do the same to your middle piece if you have one.

For eye lashes (suggest only for girl owls) lightly draw them with a pencil and using contrasting thread stitch them. I used 4 layer of black thread to make it thick.

Now finished your eyes and add the beak.

For the wings do a large zigzag stitch around the edges then follow up with a strait stitch.

Feet are optional, they look cute with or without them. With right sides together sew around your feet leaving the end open. Its about 1/8-1/4 inch from the edge with a slight tilt toward the top. Cut the corners and in between the toes and turn right side out.

Pin and baste on to your owl.

Slightly fold and pin so you don't sew over them.

With wrongs side together sew all the way around leaving about a 2" opening on the bottom.

Trim the corners and ears.

Flip right side out and press.

Now fill! I was going to use Flax seed but I couldn't find where it went. So I switch to rice.  It takes about 1 1/2 -2 cups. It will depend on how full you want it. Stitch the hole with with your sewing machine, back stitching a lot!

Tada! A lovely owl friend that will keep you warm at night! Microwave for about a minute, don't overheat!

Click and enlarge then copy and print. 

Linking up with- Tatertots and Jello , Flamingo Toes, and One Artsy Mama 

Its.. green!

I have officially painted my room Yay! Its now a lovely shade of green. Here are some before and after pictures. I'm now in the process of reorganizing and decorating my room. So far I've really only done my fabric stash. I'll share how I organized it all sometime next week.

Before

Now the before color isn't at all bad. But it was originally painted for my previous bedspread which had a very blue-purple color. My new bedspread is much more green and purple, so it didn't match anymore.
As it turns out its a lot harder to take a picture of paint, so the pictures aren't too great.

After

Yes so not so great pictures. I'll show off my complete room... ah... sometime. :) In the meantime I've purchase my fabric for some throw pillows! Aren't they lovely? 

Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

While I finished up my project here's a recipe for you! These are by far the one of the best cupcakes out there! You can find the recipe here at My Baking Addiction.

Photo courtesy of Allison.

Can you guess what I've been doing?

Monday, December 26. 8:33 PM.

Happy 2012

Psalms 145: 13

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
   and your dominion endures throughout all generations.