Finding New Friends Weekend Blog Hop Week 43

Welcome back to week 43 of Finding New Friends Weekend Blog Hop hosted by Shelly from My Saving Game, Sam from Have Sippy Will Travel and Jeannette from The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug! Thank you all for helping make this hop so successful! We love you tons! Now what are you waiting for? Let’s get to hopping! We are finding some fabulous blogs through this hop and having a great time getting to know so many of you! So thank you for linking up again this week to those of you who are hop veterans and welcome to those who are new! Let’s continue to make new bloggy friends and increase our traffic! We do have a few simple rules for you – nothing too tough though. So here we go!

1. Please follow your hostesses My Saving Game, Have Sippy Will Travel and The Advetures of J-Man and MillerBug on one of our social media platforms.Leave us a comment and we will follow you back! (This includes Google +, Facebook or Twitter.)

2. Follow our Guest Host who this weeks is Nikki from Peace, Love and Purses.

3. You don’t have to post our button but we sure would like it if you did. Not only does it help our hop grow so we can all get new followers, but each week we will choose a guest co-host and to be considered you must have our button somewhere on your site! If you post our button and want to be considered for guest co-host, please email me at jmanandmillerbug@gmail.com to express your interest.

4. You can link up blogs, facebook, twitter accounts, whatever - just be sure to specify what each link is.

5. Hop around and find blogs that you enjoy. Be sure to tell them you are following them from Finding New Friends Weekend Blog Hop so they can follow you back!

6. Have fun!

Presenting Tiddliwink Toys on Etsy

I found this darling Etsy Shop and wanted 

to share it with you today!

So please Welcome!

Purple Circus Elephant

This beautiful purple elephant is one of a kind and has been hand stitched with love and care and is awaiting your affection. Take me down to the circus!

The perfect gift for a child, baby or elephant lover.

I have hand stitched her using 100% wool felt (meeting safety standards for children's toys) and stuffed her with wool fleece. The embellishment on her behind was also hand cut by me and carefully stitched in place. She measures 12cm (5") long by 12cm (5") high.

I can make you a custom elephant in another colour. Please see last photo for a selection of elephants I have made in the past. Custom orders will take about a week.

Felt Elephant - PDF sewing pattern

This is not a finished product! It is for the PDF pattern tutorial with template only!

This is a very easy to follow pattern, step by step, with colour photos.

This felt elephant is best made with wool felt and is hand stitched. You will only need basic hand sewing skills. The elephant is made using a blanket stitch and will only take an hour or so to make.

The felt elephant measures 12cm (5") long by 12cm (5") high.

A perfect hand made gift for a baby, child or that special someone.

Made with wool felt and wool stuffing it makes a great Waldorf toy.

As soon as I have payment I will email the pattern to you. No postage charges!!

Please note that you can sew whatever design you like on the rump of your elephant to personalise it. The pattern does not include a template for the flower.

Tyrannosaurus rex epattern

Here he is!! The long awaited Tyrannosaurus rex!! Isn't he terrifying, well maybe if you're 2!

This is an epattern/pdf to make your own T rex. He is hand sewn from felt using blanket stitch and running stitch and takes me about 5 hours to make. He makes a beautiful handmade gift for a little boy or dinosaur lover of any age.

This is a very easy to follow pattern tutorial, step by step, with colour photos.

The finished Tyrannosaurus rex measures 16cm (6.5”) high and 30cm (12”) nose to tail.

For a finished handmade T rex please have a look here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66389092/tyrannosaurus-rex

and for something to sink his teeth into:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60528358/felt-stegosaurus-epattern

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62427776/triceratops-sewing-epattern

This Tyrannosaurus rex is a fun project, however it is slightly more complex than my Stegosaurus and Triceratops, so you might like to try these first.

Please note that this listing is for the pdf/epattern only and does not include any of the materials.

To make Tyrannosaurus rex you will need:

100% wool felt or a wool blend felt;

embroidery cotton to match the felt (and some brown or black for the eyes);

100% wool stuffing or polyfill stuffing;

Two or three small, clean pebbles, weighing about 20g to weigh down the rear end;

a wooden skewer stick to push the stuffing into the feet, legs, arms and head; and

basic sewing equipment; sewing needle, scissors and pins.

I will email your epattern within 24 hours (usually sooner). No postage charges! However, if you would like a printed copy in the mail please convo me to arrange printing and postage charges.

Bluebird Mobile

These little bluebirds will bring happiness to any child's heart.

This beautiful mobile is made to order. Each bluebird is hand stitched, made of wool felt and fastened to the mobile with satin ribbon. The mobile features two bluebirds and three white felt clouds.

Perfect for a baby shower or a new baby.

I will custom make one for you, it'll only take a couple of days. Then mailing from Australia takes about a week overseas.

The mobile contains 2 bluebirds and three white clouds

The bluebird measure about 8cm x 3cm (3"x1")

The cane hoop measures 20cm across (8")

and the total drop of the mobile is 62cm (25").

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BE SURE TO STOP BY TIDDLIWINKTOYS ON ETSY SHE IS OFFERING A BUY ONE EPATTERN GET ONE FREE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY 2012.

Mother Huddle - Scrap Buster Pajama Bottoms Tutorial

Found this amazing tutorial on Mother Huddle's Blog. I am displaying three pics and then you can hop over to her blog for the tutorial.

Tutorial ~ Scrap Buster Pajama Bottoms

by DESTRI on JANUARY 20, 2012

It has been a while since we have had a good ‘ole re-purposing project, no? They are kind of my favorite – less pressure if you screw up . What I love most about this idea is that it helps tackle my ever growing scrap fabric basket. Plus, they’re cute, quick, and easy. I made the pink pajama bottoms from a knit shirt, and the brown pair from a pillowcase, and some cute scraps I just couldn’t part with. I ended up loving them so much, I used the same concept for my kid’s Christmas jammies. I will have to snap a picture of them and add to the post when I get a chance. Onto the tutorial, catch me after the jump!

Fabric Topped Pajama Pants Tutorial

Supplies:

Fabric (I used scrap fabric and an old shirt and pillowcase)

all your sewing stuff

3/4 – 1 inch elastic

pair of pants that fit well as a guide for pattern

Instructions:

If you are just starting out sewing, I have a sewing tips directory that will help you with any terms or techniques you are not familiar with.

Now hop on over to Mother Huddle for the 

rest of this amazing step by step tutorial.

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Here I Come Dallas!

I will not be online until Monday, the 23rd of next week. I am going to McKinney, Texas right out of Dallas to visit two of my daughters and their families. We are finally going to have our Christmas get together. I am so excited about seeing all of them. It has be way too long. I talk to them on the phone and online all the time but that is not the same as getting face to face. I will be getting to see eight of my grandkids. Will make sure to take plenty of pictures.

So see ya'll Monday!
Patricia aka Mamaw

Valentines Day Gifts at Clayful Impressions on Etsy

Are you looking for the perfect Valentines Day Gift? 

 Well look no further Children Are Our Future 

Team on Etsy have that perfect gift.

Today's Etsy Shop Sharing Some 

Special Gifts For Your Loved One

Custom order Teapot of your choosing

Custom order your color and design from 

one of my teapot collections.

Each teapot is given a unique look of it's own. I freehand design the teapot and then delicately handbrush teapot with glaze paint. I finish with a fine dotting technique of white glaze paint to give overall lace look.


Size is approximately 9x6in.


Holds four cups of liquid


This handpainted teapot will be a beautiful accent to your home or to anyone it is gifted to.


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Baby handprints 3-D Ceramic Keepsake 

of your little one Mold Included

Medium Baby handprints in ceramic you may order on line. Ceramic imprint in heart.


As a mother myself, I am very sentimental about my children. I want to hold on to all the memories and capture them. Creating these hand and foot plaques helped me to preserve a keepsake of their growing lives in a special way. I love knowing that one day they will run their hands over their little prints as they tell their own child, "This will be yours one day"


Size of heart is 7 inches diameter


I will send mold and directions to you.


Infant hand and foot will fit on plaque to age 9-11 months approximately. One hand may fit up to 3yr. of age on this heart plaque. It is best to measure foot and hand to see if it will fit heart size.


Holes are added for hanging w/ ribbon, unless requested for no holes like this plaque shown.


4- 8 week turn around time to recieve back completed prints after recieving your mold back. PLEASE order early for Holidays.You are responsible for shipping back


PRICE INCLUDES MOLD!


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Heart tag scented ornaments to 

gift yourself or others

Wonderful scented ornaments to add to any room, closet, dresser, tree or gift.
.These ceramic heart are around 1 1/2 inches and absorb any scent given to them. Add your own perfume or oil. Scent needs to be refreshened occasionally.


I will scent them with your choice of oils I have listed below. I also have a link to order your own reasonable priced oil if you need more.


clean cotton
french lavender
ocean breeze
northwood pines
poison apple
vanilla supreme
fruit slices
tropical coconut
rose
pink sugar
buttercup cupcake
christmas spirit
christmas tree
christmas morning

Valentine Day Craft at Stay At Home Artist

candlestick topiary tutorial...

Martha Stewart Valentine's Day Craft Paper Valentine Flowers

Martha Stewart.com

Paper Valentine Flowers

The petals of these romantic flowers are overlapping paper hearts, inscribed with words or single letters that spell out a message. If you make them with wire stems, the valentines can be displayed in a vase; with ribbon stems, they can be tucked into envelopes.

How to Make the Paper Valentine Flowers

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Teacher Valentine's Gift M&M Coke Bottle - Two Peas in a Bucket

Teacher Valentine's Gift M&M Coke Bottle 

 Two Peas in a Bucket

Craft Ideas for Valentines Day Gifts

This is just way too cute!

Valentines Day Gifts at SUGAR BEARS BOWS on Etsy

I would like to introduce a member of 

Children Are Our Future Team on Etsy.

I am going to feature some of her Valentine 

items listed in her Etsy Shop

White Kufi Hat with Red and White Striped Shabby 

Flower Hair Clip for Toddler. READY TO SHIP.

This is the perfect hat and flower combo for your special little girl! Fitting babies 12 months old to kiddos around 8 years old, this toddler sized, crocheted Kufi hat is white and comes with a 2" wide, red and white striped, shabby chic flower hair clip. The flower has been attached to an alligator clip that has been partially lined in matching velvet ribbon. This adorable hat and flower clip combo allows for added versatility in that you can either wear the flower and the hat together or you can choose to wear them each separately!! Don't you just LOVE interchangeable accessories!?!?

Infant Headband and Hairclip in 

Red and White. Accessory for Newborn 

or Infant. READY TO SHIP.

This smaller sized white headband and fun hair clip combo is sure to add some fun to any little girl's wardrobe! The infant sized crocheted cotton headband is 1 1/2 inches wide and is strechy and oh-so-comfy for your little one to wear. It is a slightly smaller size and is best suited for a newborn or an infant (up to 9 months old). The vesatile hair clip is made from a fun red and white striped fabric, "yo yo" flower which has been topped with a second smaller sized solid white "yo yo" and then finally topped once again with a glittery, red heart. This fun hair clip has been attached to an alligator clip that has been partially lined in velvet ribbon.

This adorable headband and flower clip combo allows for added versatility in that you can either wear the hair clip and the headband together or you can choose to wear them each separately!! Don't you just LOVE interchangeable accessories!?!?

HERE ARE SOME DARLING HAIR-BOWS!

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Remembrance of 2011

I made this collage in remembrance of 2011
 Items I made and patterns I bought for my shop
and books I've read, my grandkids and my dog Casper.
 Also my websites.

Be Inspired! Devotionals by Catholic.net

Be Inspired!

I will renew in prayer my personal commitment to always seek to know and follow God’s will in my life

by Catholic.net | Source: Catholic.net

John 1:29-34


Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that all Christians are called to proclaim you with their lives and to follow the path you have taught. I want to grow closer to you and to be more the person you want me to be. I love you and long to be tTransformed me with by your grace!

Petition: Father in heaven, strengthen my faith, hope and love. Enlighten mymind to know your will better as I meditate on this passage of Holy Scripture.Grant that contemplating the example of St. John the Baptist will help mea better apostle of Christ your Son!Holy Spirit, help me to be attentive and docile to your inspirations.

1. Trust in the Lord and Let Him Lead You: Although John the Baptist knew that he was sent as the Precursor of the Messiah, he did not initially know who the Messiah would be. But he did not let uncertainty about the details stop him. He knew that God had a plan and that he was called to play a part in it; as soon as he knew what direction to go, he went, regardless of not knowing his exact destination. Sometimes we can want to have total knowledge of God’s plan, and we hesitate to go forward until we’re sure we know exactly what to do. However, God rarely gives us a full view of his plan before we start out. He wants us to trust in him, to act on what we do know, and to be confident that God will bring his plan to a good end. Not that we shouldn’t have all the foresight we can, but we can’t expect God to let us in on his “master plan.” When God calls us, our response should be to follow without questioning God’s ways.

2. The Holy Spirit Is Our Guide: The fact that we have to trust in God and allow him to reveal his plan as we go along means that we have to be very attentive to his work in our life. John the Baptist recognized Jesus because he was paying total attention to the signs God was giving him: tThe Holy Spirit revealed to him that Jesus was the Messiah. God will usually not speak to us through visions and special signs; however, if we have St. John the Baptist’s attitude of openness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and seeing God’s will in the events around us, we will be able to discern his plan for our life and fulfill it. The most important time to listen to God is in prayer, so setting aside time to be with God has to be part of our daily routine.

3. Dealing with the Unexpected: When St. John the Baptist realized that Jesus was the Messiah, it might have been a surprise. They were related through their mothers’ families, and they may have known each other in youth before John went out into the desert. However, John clearly states that he did not know who the Messiah was until the moment the Holy Spirit revealed Jesus’ true identity. John may well have shared the common opinion that Jesus was a man like any other, albeit outstanding in justice and piety. The important thing is that he doesn’t doubt the divine inspiration. Rather, he immediately acts on it, proclaiming Jesus to his followers. In our own lives, God may well ask us to do the unexpected, or we may see his will in places we least expect it. We need to have St. John the Baptist’s readiness to see God’s hand and act on it, even if it goes contrary to our expectations.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, knowing your will in my life can be hard at times. Even when I think I do know what you want from me, it can be difficult to follow through — especially when it is something that I did not expect or that requires that I go beyond my “comfort zone.” But, Lord, I do want to do your will. Grant me the same spirit of docility and dedication as St. John the Baptist!

Resolution: Today I will renew in prayer my personal commitment to always seek to know and follow God’s will in my life. I will try to heed the inspirations that the Holy Spirit gives to guide me on the right path.