Valentine's Day Gifting: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

So Valentine's Day has come and gone, as it has many times before and will continue to do year after year after year. But, with the added pressure social media brings, gift standards are at an all time high.

"Did you see the necklace she got?" "Look how big her bear is." It can leave us green with envy and sitting high in a place of resentment towards our significant other. While it is normal to have some high expectations, it's so important to be thankful for what we have.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it his not arrogant.

1 Corinthians 13:4

Oh, yes. The ever-so-cheesy 1 Corinthians go-to wedding scripture. But seriously. This is so important. And

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Count others more significant than yourselves. This does NOT mean you are not valuable. This does NOT excuse abusive behavior. This means that even though you really wanted those LuLaRoe leggings you've hinted at for a month, you don't complain when you didn't get them. This means that even though thoughtful, personalized gifts mean more to you, the store-bought flowers and Hallmark card you got are just as meaningful, because everyone is doing the best they can with what they have at any given moment. 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2

Bibs & Blankies

Well, here I am. Trying to survive winter storm Jonas. It's 16 degrees outside and my puppy is my worst enemy right now: the ONLY place he wants to be is outside. In the 18 inches of snow we've been graced with over the past two days. In a time like this, I can't help but wish he was a child who I didn't have to take outside to potty.

Speaking of kiddos, my good friend Nicole his having her baby soon. For her baby shower, I decided to try some new sewing projects: a blanket and some bibs! I absolutely loved making them, and I can't wait to make some more when baby Wagner makes his appearance.

Baby Wagner Blanky

Materials

1 1/2 yd EACH of plain & patterned material

I purchased a cotton & a flannel material

Fat Quarters

Think of how long the babies name is:

1 fat quarter is about 2 or 3 letters

Basic Sewing Machine

I didn't use any fancy stitching, but that's up to you!

Needle & Thread

Corresponding to each fat quarter color if you're using different colors (optional)

Then to whip stitch your blanket shut

First, wash and dry all of your fabric. Use a delicate cycle and be careful what kind of detergent you use, as this is going to be for a baby! When your fabric is all clean and dry, iron out the fabrics.

I ironed the fabrics for the actual blanket on my floor. Just be sure to lay down a couple towels or clean up the area you're going to use before you lay it on the ground.

First, you're going to have to sew your letters on. If you don't have a pattern, I suggest drawing the letter out on paper, cutting it out, and then tracing it onto the fabric.

I sewed each letter on with about 3/4 cm of fabric left as trim from the stitch. I then cut the trim in a rag style. 

After the letters are sewn on, place the fabrics outside in, as if the blanket were inside out. Iron them together and then pin your border. Cut edges to make them even if necessary, but don't worry too much about extra fabric, because this is going to be inside your blanket. 

Start your stitch in one of the corners. I did my seem about 1/2 cm away from the edge. 

QUICK TIP: Be sure that the only fabric under your needle when you turn is the fabric you want sewn! I almost doubled over and sewed two separate areas of my blanket together. Whoops!

Make your way around the blanket. When you approach your starting point, be sure to leave a gap to allow you to turn your blanket right side out. Then, whip stitch the opening shut. It's easier if you iron your fabric to where the edges are folded in, the way the rest of your seam is.

Tada! You now have a simple baby blanket! You can stitch around the edge of your blanket for a decorative, more finished look, but I skipped this part for time restriction reasons.

Now, you're going to essentially start out the same way with bibs.

Baby Bibs

Materials

Fat Quarter

I used the leftover from my letters to match the blanket!

Terry Cloth Square

A hand towel is suitable

Sewing Machine

Needle & Thread

Start out the same way as your blanket. Wash and dry your fabrics, iron them, blah blah all the boring stuff involved in sewing!

Think about what you want your bib to look like. I did a traditional bib pattern and drew one on a piece of paper. Next time, I think I'll go to Dollar Tree and buy a bib to get a more "perfect" pattern. If you don't mind printing, go ahead and find one online and print it off! There's a lot of fun ones out there, bow tie bibs, bandanas. I'm just not a fan of setting up my printer for a small project like this and I thought the pattern was simple enough.

Face your fabrics in and pin them along the outer edge. You're going to want to start your seam along the bottom part of the bib, but off to the side- you're going to have to leave enough room to flip the bib right-side-out! 

QUICK TIP

Once you flip your bib, iron it!! Fold the edges under where you're going to whip stitch it shut. It makes the hand stitch 1,000x easier!

Finally, you can add your velcro or a snap. Although I personally prefer snaps over velcro, I used velcro on my first two bibs. I hand sewed the velcro on, because my sewing machine isn't necessarily equipped for that many layers of fabric. But snaps are much more flexible in terms of movement and don't curl up when you wash them, so from now on, I'm going to use the snaps. Be sure to get the bigger ones. Normal snaps can't penetrate through the terry cloth and cotton.

Enjoy!

Here's to you, 2015

As the year quickly draws closer to its end, I see posts on every kind of social media of everyone reflecting on what life has tossed them, blessings and curses, over the past 364 days. What troubles me most, however, is the lack of balance seen between the good and the bad. This year, more than any other, I have seen more "glad it's over" and "worst year ever" posts than those that represent the beauty in our daily lives. As I look back on what the year has given me, I also can't help but be drawn to the trials laid before me, the things I've had to overcome. But, why? Granted, I know some days are better than others, but is a gloomy, rainy day an excuse to stay inside when the sun comes out?

2015 has definitely been one for the books. From the massacres in France and earthquakes in Nepal, to the horrible events right in our own backyard, and even personal losses and life-turbulence we all face, it seems it's getting harder and harder to move forward. But as a fresh set of calander pages approach, the necessity to recognize opportunity for growth increases. The world we live in is exposed and raw and young: desperate to be grown but confused about its identity. And sadly, this confusion can cause us to focus on our trials, and blind us from our blessings. Ironically, though these are the things that shape us into who we are. 

Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act. 

Psalm 7:37

And He will. If I've learned anything this year, it's that in the darkest nights, the stars shine the brightest. Which is why I'm making a resolution for myself to trust more in God and worry less about what life is throwing at me. I'm staying greatful for my blessings and trying to live more humbly through my troubles. And I challenge others to do the same. 

And now, here's a list of things I'm greatful for in 2015.

My God: for giving me something to stand on and believe in

My family: as always, they've given me more love and support than I know what to do with

My friends: for making life that much more tolerable

My jobs: for giving me the opportunity to gain responsibility and understand the world

          Change: I've never been a big fan of change, but this year has offered its fair hand of new people, places, and experiences that have shaped me more than they know 

                       My losses: one closed door opens another, and 2015 has shown me what's behind door number 2 might be just what you've been praying for

     My boyfriend: for being the most selfless, giving man I know, and inspiring and pushing me to be the best I can be 

And of course, my dogs: for providing me with their tail-wagging, slobber-filled, tennis ball hidden in my sock drawer, unconditional love. 

Safe celebrations and best wishes for everyone in the New Year! 

2016, here we come!

Holiday Heat Pads

Merry Christmas, everyone! It's been way too long since I've posted on here, but hopefully this upcoming year I can keep up! Maybe I'll put it on my New Years resolution.... Along with the other thousand things I hope to keep up with!

Anyways, even though the holiday season has technically come to a close, it's not too soon to start thinking about next year; after all, I'm sure I not the only one who stocked up on wrapping paper and half-priced Christmas decorations afternoon (I ❤️ Post-Holiday sales!) So from my DIY idea box to yours, here's a couple gifts I made this holiday season that mine and Anthony's families loved, all while helping us not break the bank!

Rice Heating Pad

For this first gift, I suggest using a sewing machine. If you don't have a sewing machine, be sure to have plenty of time! I tried to sew one by hand after I broke my last needle and about lost my mind; its a very time consuming process. But if you have plenty of time (and pacience), more power to ya! 

You're going to start off with some kitchen towels. I picked mine out from Gabes and Walmart. I personally found it easier to sew the towels I got from Gabes. Try finding ones that have cool designs but aren't very stiff and thick.  

Next, you're going to fold the towel in half- hamburger (pictured) OR hotdog style. You want to do this step to make the towel look "inside out". 

Pin the top where one end meets the other shut. You're NOT going to sew this yet. First, you're going to do the side hems. If you have a smaller sewing machine like I do, I suggest hemming the towel where it is the thinnest. I had a hard time keeping my thread from breaking where the edges of the towels are folded over for their own hem. 

Once both sides are done, take the pins out of the top and turn the towel right side out you should have something like a pouch with an open top. 

QUICK TIP

When sewing the outside, I would use the same color bobbin as your main thread. There will be a couple points where you flip the project over for easier sewing.

If you folded the towel hamburger style (like the above picture) you're going to end up with eight pockets for rice. I found that when you fold the rice pad hot dog style, they look better with six pockets but that's up to your discretion. 

 When sewing the pockets, start from the closed bottom end- its easier to go over the thick part at the top if you start underneath of it instead of right on it.  I also suggest putting the top clothes so that the fabric lays down evenly.

Once you have all your pockets sewn,  take a funnel and fill four of the pockets with regular white rice. If you're doing a longways pad with 6 pockets, I suggest doing two at a time. As you fill each pocket, take a second between pours to shake the rice down into the bottom of the pouch, then continue to add rice until the pouch is full about 1 1/2- 2 inches from the top of the opening (less than that for the other style).

Now sew the tops of the four pockets you filled shut and repeat for the next four. And you're done! 

When gifting them, maybe include a little bit of instruction that mentions microwave times (I do 5 min. MAX in my 700 watt microwave), don't get it wet, and don't feed it after midnight if whoever you're gifting to has a good sense of humor and classic movie knowledge!

Now, this next gift takes a lot less time but still holds a high rank in functionality. It's a different kind of heating pad. 

Now, for this all you need is a reusable napkin from Dollar Tree, flat glass stones, and a hot glue gun.

First, glue the napkin folded in half to itself. This way, the fabric provides more support to the weight of the rocks and prevents fraying if you were to cut the napkin in half. 

Then, all you have to do is glue on the rocks. These make great gifts for people who make casserole dish type dinners, and the fold up nicely for storage!

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and best wishes for a great New Year! 

Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.

Romans 12:12

Shotgun Rider

So it's been a hot minute since my last post. I'm not going to throw my overflowing can of worms at anybody, but I've had a few good reasons, which were accompanied by a few new thoughts.

For one, I'm moving into my own apartment soon- like, by myself. This new change is definitely going to be something that takes some adjusting, seeing as I've lived with Logan for two years. Thankfully, the apartment is roomy and close to town and blah, blah, blah. In all honesty, I'm just excited to decorate it.

Secondly, I'm starting a whole new chapter in my life. I think. I don't know if it would be considered a whole new chapter or just the turn of a page. I'm going to start thinking about myself and my health and happiness, because I feel like I deserve at least that much.

For the past couple months, I've been riding in the passengers seat of a car I'm supposed to be driving. It feels like I'm head south at 100 miles an hour when I really want to be going north. Not to mention, the thick fog makes it next to impossible to see where this winding road will take me next.

I've thought about getting out. I've stopped a couple times to stretch my legs. But no matter what, I get back in and start down that same road again. Not this time.

Taking control of your life isn't something that's easy to do. Control, in a sense, is just an illusion. We perceive that we dictate what happens in our lives, and that really isn't true it all. We can't control events, but we can control how we react to them. And if this event creates a situation we don't want to be in, our reaction essentially boils down to two options: examine or express.

1 John 1:8 says, 'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.' Now, I'm not necessarily talking about sin here, but replace that word with 'troubles'. Lord knows we all got troubles, but it's up to us to either sit back and examine them, or express outwardly our concerns.

Expression comes in the form of both words and actions. Luke 11:9 reads, 'And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you.' The key in this scripture is the first word of each phrase. Ask. Seek. Knock. Action brings reaction.

So, pretty much I'm encouraging all of you to take control. Don't sit in that passengers seat. Take the wheel and utilize your authority to create your own happiness. Pray every day for the courage and strength to employ your power over you.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 

2 Timothy 1:7

Chocolate Orange Butterfly Cakes

Yep, you read that right. This weekend, Logan & I made chocolate orange cupcakes, and boy they were delicious! This recipe was just what my future mother-in-law ordered for her 29-again birthday! They're simple and delicious!

Let's start out with the actual cupcake.

To save some time, we used store-bought cake mix. Some home-made mixes are too crumbly, and be careful about the "Super Moist" store-boughts. We got a Hershey's chocolate cake mix with fudge filling! No changes made in this step, just bake them as per the directions.

While your cupcakes are in the oven, go ahead and whip up the icing. 

The following recipe I doubled and was able to ice 12 cupcakes with it. I ended up making an extra batch of icing to finish off the following 6, with a bit extra to eat! 

Orange Sugar Icing

6 tbs softened butter

1 1/3 cups powdered sugar

zest from 1/2 an orange

juice (about 2 tbs) from 1/2 an orange

Directions

Whip the butter until fluffy in a medium sized bowl.

Gradually add in the powdered sugar, whipping until it's all folded together. 

Whip in the zest and orange juice.

You can also use the recipe for lemon icing!

Now, when your cupcakes come out of the oven, be sure to let them cool all the way before you start cutting or icing. I popped ours in the freezer for about 10 minutes.

Once they come out, take a bread knife and cut the tops off of each cupcake. 

There is no set amount to cut off the top, but know that the more you cut off, the bigger the butterfly is going to be!

Now to add the icing that takes the cake (or cupcake!)

Use an icing pump or icing bag. The inside of the cupcake is exposed, so spreading the icing will only make it crumble.

The piece that we cut off is going to make the butterfly wings. Cut it in half down the middle, then put them top side up and together, flat side out. Place them in the icing straight up and down, and when you let go, they will fall to the "butterfly-position."

When all your cupcakes are nice and butterfly kissed, sift just a little bit of powdered sugar over the batch. 

Voila!

Enjoy!!

Fantastic Fathers

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

Psalm 103:13

According to Google, the definition of father is "a man in relation to his natural child or children." Now isn't that far from accurate? From this verse, I see more in the word father. I see the word compassion, and a love that is comparable to that of our Father in heaven. That's a lot of love!

So to that, I say Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers out there! I know I'm a day late, but we should appreciate our dads (and moms) everyday of the year! 

My Dad essentially lives out of our basement (a.k.a. the Man Cave). Being a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan and a former Buckeye (even though we are now eat-sleep-breathe-Mountaineers), the main part of his dwelling is decorated with those two football teams. I decided to give him a proper greeter when he walks down the stairs into his grotto.

I painted him a double sided pallet piece. One side read "how 'bout them COWBOYS", a tip of the hat to George Strait's "How 'bout Them Cowgirls". I did my best to freehand the Cowboys writing logo (I think I did halfway decent) and then on the other side....

a tribute to being another "nutty" Buckeye fan! (Pun totally intended) 

I don't really think this project requires instructions for anything, but I will say that if you're in a hurry, use acrylic paint and a blow dryer. I did the bases first and then painted on the lettering with a thin brush for the outlines and filled them in. 

As far as cards go, my pop is a big Superman fan- his 1925 Model T is done in Superman! So I made him a card using my Cricut Explore and some extra scrapbook paper to reflect his other hobby. 

Unfortunately, Cricut Design Space doesn't have a Superman emblem to purchase, so I made my own by welding together a triangle, a rectangle, and a couple more triangles for the edges.

Then I copy and pasted the solid emblem outline to make a hole in the center. Be sure to make the one in the center smaller. Unlock the dimensions (bottom left corner) to make it fit perfectly. The shape is a little different in order to get the sides even. Take your time!

After slicing the outline, I inserted the letter "S" with my choice of font that best fit the original emblem. There are many that look similar to the original, it's your choice! 

Then I welded the S to the inside of the outline. And, ta-da! Your own Superman Cricut emblem. Use the smaller cut border piece to fill in the background color of the logo.

The card shirt outside involved folding the two edges of a regular piece of scrapbook paper to meet in the middle. I cut it down to the desired height, and then folded the top corners down to create a collar. I cut the tie by hand and glued it to only one of the pieces that were folded in. 

Easy as that! Enjoy!