Swap meet find made new

I bought this lamp shade at the swap meet quite a while ago. I've always known what I wanted to do with it and never did it. I'm so happy to have finally given this lamp shade a make over. I love how it turned out!!! Don't you?

Before

After 

I think I will embellish it a bit later on. For now she is glittering in beauty as is.

Fanning the flame

My husband and I recently attended a homeschool expo. The speaker Todd Wilson spoke on fanning the flame. He said that we should be fanning the flame of our children's dreams as well as our spouses dreams. This really hit home for me. So far our oldest son bought a skateboard (something he has wanted for a long time) and our oldest daughter, tonight, made cupcakes all by herself. She wants to own her very own cupcake shop when she is an adult. Will that pan out? I don't know. Will she remember the flavor she made tonight? Or that they are gluten free? I don't know but I can tell you she will remember me letting her do it and staying up past her bedtime to try them. Tonight I fanned that flame for her. This is an exciting time. It's exciting to allow my kids to fulfill their dreams. I'm looking forward to more fanning!! I encourage to fan a flame for someone in your life in the next week. Then comment here on what you did. Happy fanning!!!

Pattern test mash up

Last week I had 3 pattern tests due and I was out of town weeknd at a homeschool convention. All three were made from a sheet. I can only share two though. The top is by GYCT. Her patterns are wonderful. The fit is great. The pictures are very clear and her directions are easy to follow. I love her patterns and she is wonderful to work with. Here's is the link to the Tinley Tee

https://www.etsy.com/listing/188619819/tinley-tee-for-girls-pdf-pattern-size-12

The shorts are by Ruby and Jack. The pattern has not been released yet. It's to be released later this week. These shorts are so cute! They are her cartwheel shorts so keep an eye out for the pattern release. She gives an amazing way to easily ruffle the fabric. It will change your life in the ruffle department. She goes ruffle by ruffle with clear directions. I love these shorts! 

Here's Moriah in both pattern tests. Isn't she cute!!!!

Adventures of The Princess Party Dress

Ever since I tested this dress, Moriah will not take it off. In any moment she can, it's on! To say she loves this dress is an understatement! I was able to test a wonderful, frozen inspired pattern by Mandy K Designs. Moriah picked the colors she wanted. I did goof up a but on the colors she wanted but she loves the dress anyway and that makes me happy!!! This pattern is well written. This is my first costume ever. I say it was an easy sew because the pattern is easy to follow. There are so many options available. You have the choice of 3 sleeve lengths, a cape that can be permanent or detachable. You can easily mix match the bodice size with the length of skirt desired. You can purchase this pattern in the link below. 

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/clothing/princess-party-dress-frozen-inspired/93119

Here are some pictures of the adventures of The Princess Party Dress.

Here she is at the zoo. I will add more pictures as she wears it more places.

Persimmon by Williow and Co.

I was blessed to ba able to test a fantastic pattern. This pattern is for Willow and Co. Designed by Mouse House Creations. This summer dress is a must have. It is fully lined, pleated top, flowy and comfortable. Every sweet little girl needs this dress for the summer. The pattern is very well written which makes it an easy sew. Here are some of my tester photos of my sweet girl. The pattern will be released Tuesday so keep your eyes peeled for this wonderful pattern. When I made it Moriah said she was so happy to have a summer dress. Enjoy!!!!

People past and present

As you know Facebook is a way to reconnect with people of the past and keep up with people in your daily life. I saw my 7th grade teacher had pinned a pin on Pinterest about not having items that spell her name correctly. I decided to make her a keychain with her name spelled correctly. She loved it. I love when people truly love handmade items. 

Kindness

There are people in this world that when you meet you feel like you've known them forever! That happened to us this year. Here I am with my 5 little loves walking out of awanas. I usually stay a bit late because I volunteer in Cubbies and wait til all the kiddos have been picked up. Another mom/volunteer offers to help and I decline. "Oh I'm good" I said. Well bless her, she just helps anyway. She grabs her kids and says help her. Of course most of my kids know her kids because they are teenagers who work with them during awanas. So then it became a weekly thing. We both have 5 kids so it's perfect, one teen to one wee little Bryant kiddo. Then we get to talking. We all know how extremely shy I am and how truly hard this was for me. (I saw you roll your eyes lol). This is where the man I feel like I've known you forever comes in. For the majority we stay after and chat and the kids hang out together. It really is a pleasant time for all of us. Last night Moriah had a TNT movie night and my friends teens had Awana game practice. So we knew we would see each other. Moriah and one of her kiddos hit it off immediately. They are adorable together and each brought the other one a gift they had made. So as the kids go to their respective places, we were like what should we do. My friend informs me that her sweet daughter who had worked the last two weeks had given her money so we could go get a treat and hang out. Now to me that is true kindness. Most teenagers would think how they would spend every last penny on themselves. This really touched my heart and meant a lot to me. Clearly she saw money as a way to bless other people. She saw that our fellowship was important and invested in it. I love to see how God blesses others through the next generation. The next generation really has some amazing people in it. I'm pretty sure I know them all!!! We are so blessed by the teenagers from this family and others in our lives. I'm pretty sure I could write a book about the amazing teens we have.