Monday, January 31, 2011

Giveaway!

In case you missed it, I am hosting a giveaway! I am making something for one of my blog followers. All you have to do to win is be one of the first 25 followers of my blog. There are only 15 spots left to win!

UPDATE: My cardboard project is taking longer than anticipated, but I will post pictures as soon as I am finished. It has to be done by Saturday, though, so I will definitely post pictures sometime this week.

Is there anything fun and exciting that you are working on?

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Cardboard Crafting

If you know me, you know that I love making things out of cardboard. Really, though, what's not to love? You get to take something that will just be thrown in the trash and make it into something really cool. And bonus, it doesn't cost you anything! I also love a challenge, so figuring out how I will turn something into something else is pretty neat, too.

My most recent cardboard creation was a pretty simple one, but cute nonetheless. I made a port-a-potty for a "County Fair" for the senior adult group at my church.



What can a few cardboard boxes become? Check back later to find out!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

My First Giveaway!

Would you like a gift? Something homemade? Well, this is my very first giveaway and it is super easy to enter! Simply be one of my first 25 followers and I will draw one name to win something made by me especially for you! Enter quickly and spread the word to your friends!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

What I'm Learning Wednesday: One Theme at a Time

Okay, I'm going to begin a weekly post called "What I'm Learning Wednesday". I realize that Wednesday is almost over but, honestly, it is the only day of the week that sounded right when I was trying to think of a name. This weekly post will, hopefully, help keep me accountable to you as my blog readers and to the Lord as I try to become more like Christ each day. Now, on to the post!

Do you ever feel like you have a theme going on in your life? I feel that way a lot of the time. God will teach me something over and over through my personal devotions as well as different people. I think it is so neat how He works all that out. It may be, though, that I am just stubborn and God has to beat me over the head with something before it actually sinks in. :)

Anyway, the theme for my life right now is ministering to others through personal experiences. Through tragedy, through weakness, through past sin, through joys. Would you like an example? Okay!

On January 11, 2006, my younger brother suddenly passed away. It was definitely a tragic situation for my family and me as we dealt with this loss. As people encouraged and supported me through the weeks and months that followed, one of the things that I was told over and over was that God would receive glory through my brother's death. Guess what? He did. I have heard many stories of lives that had been changed through his death. You know what, though? I am changed! The Lord plucked me up from that tragedy and got hold of my life. I have grown closer to God in the past five years than I ever imagined I could.

One of the neat things about any tragedy, though, is that there are two directions a person can run: to God or away from Him. I am so thankful that I found refuge in my great God. I don't want to even think about where I would be if I had made a different decision.

A couple of weeks ago marked the five year anniversary of his passing. In the two days following, two separate friends lost brothers and sisters in tragic accidents. I now have a unique connection to each of those friends that not everyone else does. I know how it feels to lose a younger sibling unexpectedly. I know the emotions associated with the grief that follows. And I know how it feels to make it to the other side of the tragedy. My prayer is that God was glorified through my interactions with each of those friends in the days that followed their tragedies.

The Lord truly works all things together for our good and His glory! I always miss my brother. But I am thankful that I know where he is and that I will see him again soon. Most of all, though, I am reminded of the changed person I am because of His death. Right after he died, I would have never imagined that I would be the subject of God's working in that type of situation.

Remember that God has allowed certain experiences into your life for a reason. You may not know why you have to go through this thing at the time, but chances are that you will one day encounter someone else who has had that same experience. Personal experiences are just that--personal. You can use something that you have gone through to help others in their time of need.

Now, it's your turn! Have you ever helped someone by drawing on a past experience?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

My First Project: A Kindle Cover

As a person just learning to sew, I have been looking for any excuse to make things. I have made a few things so far and I am slowly sharpening my sewing skills. So, here is my latest creation: A Kindle Cover!



My cousin got a Kindle for Christmas, but she found that the covers sold for them were very expensive. I went to Hobby Lobby, found some super cute fabric that fit my cousin's personality, and went to work. I do not use patterns, mainly because I wouldn't know how to make something with them, so I made it up as I went along. I plan on making another one soon with a step by step tutorial so you can make one for yourself.

The camo is one of her favorite patterns, so I had to make it a part of her cover. Then, I glammed it up a little bit with the huge button and bow on the front. Here is a picture of the inside.



Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the result. And, bonus, my cousin LOVED it. This 'pattern' could also be used to make a cover for an iPad (with adjusted measurements, of course).

Do you have any sewing projects for me to try?

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! This is a new adventure for me...one I have been thinking about and wanting to do for some time now. When you visit, you will read about what the Lord is teaching me, fun things that I do, and crafty projects I create. Basically, whatever I fancy! Haha!

I hope you enjoy reading A Feather Fancy! Remember to leave lots of comments!