When Dirt Said Thanks

 Yesterday was dull and dry day for me, un-inspired to do anything. I tried to think of something to be thankful for. Nothing came-up. So I went out for a walk just to stimulate my creative juices to flow or just to escape nothingness. Still nothing. Until I looked down and saw this on the ground...

A big sigh puffed out of my chest in envy. Even the dirt was screaming with thanksgiving! 

Like the dirt, let me just express my appreciation with two simple words. 

"THANK YOU" 

As iron sharpens iron, so does a blogger sharpens another blogger. Your kindhearted comments encouraged me to keep writing and your creative arts and deco inspired me to keep on crafting :) I have made friends that are truly a blessing. 

My thanks to wonderful lady Sherry of Country Wings in Phoenix who's touching blog inspired me today to be thankful for my blogging friends. Her comments always makes me smile.

...and to my friend Cindy of Whimsical Musings who has been my good blog-buddy ever since I started. She always kept in touch in-spite-of her busy schedules. Her blog was not only a source of shabby chic inspirations, but also a channel of encouragement. Her books and online tutorials made a big difference to the growth of my blog.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

What or who are you thankful for?

Candle Holder Make-Over

 I love stories with redeeming factor. In scriptwriting, there is a pattern called Ugly Duckling formula where something ugly eventually turned into something beautiful.This is my inspiration in this project.

Me and my hubby love candles! So what can I do with these yucky empty candle containers? I didn't want to throw them away. I've got to do something with it.

 First things first, I cleaned the glass of course. Then I looked something I could use for embellishments. Here, I recycled the fabric softener sheets and cut a little piece of burlap

 Next, I wrapped the fabric softener sheet around the glass, a cut piece of burlap and a ribbon.

I am aiming for beach-y feel in our living room so I embellished it with small sea shell using glue stick. I love snowflakes! I added snowflake stickers that my mom-in-law gave me. I thought it's timely since I started putting-up my Christmas decorations. After Christmas, I could just take the stickers off and glue some pearls.

It is just a perfect match to my square plate I bought at Khol's. It was on sale for $2 and something, plus we had a coupon and plus, my husband had a balance left in his gift-card. So it was like FREE!

Put a flame-less tea light then voila! Good as new :)

Well, I guess you can also put an ordinary tea candle. It could magnify the smell of the fabric softener sheet.

Here is the other design I made. I used buttons and a lose string from the fabric and tied it in a bow on this one. Looks like all I'm set for valentines?

I hope you enjoyed the project! 

Bon Week-end!!

Linking to:

Amaze Me Monday@Dittle Dattle 

 

French Friday#6 :French Riviera Antique Market

Ça va mes amis!

I hope I said it right. It's funny how one expression (Ça va) could mean different thing. In French it is an expression of "How are you?" and also a response "I'm fine!", or "I'm good!"

I feel my French is getting pretty rusty. Before I left France my French teacher reminded me that I must continue practicing my French, like a worried mother.

Street markets in French Riviera played a big part with my French. It was quite intimidating to talk to locals. But do not worry, they will be delighted to hear you tried and they'd be happy to correct you.

I tried to get the habit of going out and try to make a simple conversation. Besides by doing, it served as my French homework, going to this market was also my stress reliever.

I used to come to this antique market every Monday at Cours Saleya Nice France. It opens at 7:30 to 6 pm except on holidays. They close early on winter season.

 I always looked forward to my Monday walk. Its was only an 8 minute walk from our apartment.

It always seemed like time traveling in the afternoon or looking at displays in a history museum except you can take them home.....

 ....if the price is right ;)

 Some do trades, and some do buy and sell. I noticed most of the buyers were tourists.
There's a vast selection of antiques of any kind! Be mindful of taking pictures though. Some vendors aren't happy with the idea. They will call you rude.

Even new items and slightly used goods are also being sold here.

 I wish my Mondays are still like this.

I made sure I take home a souvenir before I left. I always love to own a cameo. I have seen so many beautiful antique cameos but this small antique agate stone and white marble cameo pendant was I could only afford. I haggled for a lower price since there's a crack. But I thought it is pretty cool. I asked the vendor if she knew how old this is. She thought, its probably around 20's.
 I'd like to go back to badly!!

Where is your favorite antique market? I would love for you to share :)

Linking to:
Fridays Unfolded@Stuff and Nonsense 
Feathered Nest Friday@French Country Cottage

How Decors Come to Life?

Helpful Mr. Stuffed Snowman was glad to hear he has entertained you with his story. He was just a lifeless stuffed Christmas decoration I got from a silly Christmas party game that I decided to donate to a yard sale for a cause. Suddenly, now it is hard to see it go.

This lifeless stuffed snowman with a tiny shovel inspired me to write a story. In the story, he is alive and a has a helpful heart. A heart that desires to help in any ways he could even though he is stuck in a box.

The story gave him life. It seems like I gave him a piece of my heart that has brought him to life. Yes. They do come to life if given them a purpose to exist. Though it is hard to see him go, I feel that he is asking me to give him away to serve his purpose, but he will leave me with a significant story that I hope to publish for children to read to learn the significance of helping, or if not, it will be a bed time story exclusively for my kids in future.

Linking to:
Vintage Inspiration Friday@Common Ground

New Header

I'm very indecisive. I edited and changed my header today probably two or three times! Now, this header is final! (I think)

I borrowed my old header from shabbyblogs.com. The graphics are really pretty though but I thought, maybe it is time to try make my own! 

I also tried to make my own etsy banner

I've been pre-occupied making designs as gifts.
I based my wall art design according to their interest. I designed it myself which is the fun part and add a more personal touch. It took quite some time, but I didn't mind!
  

Yard Sale Mission

 continuation of 

Story of Helpful Mr. Stuffed Snowman

The journey will stop at a Yard Sale on December 3rd in LifePoint Church 3137 E Everett Street, Catalina  Tucson, AZ 85739 from 7:30 am to 2 pm. A yard sale full of fun and activities for kids too!

Mr. Stuffed Snowman further explains his eagerness to help by becoming available for the yard sale to help support 11 year old Mikayla Huber who is born with a rare medical condition called Cloacal Exstrophy along with Spina bifida, she has undergone over a dozen major surgeries and a couple dozen minor ones. Due to the nature of her condition, her family must travel to Boston Children's Hospital for her care. The family's medical insurance does not cover all expenses, and there are imminent surgeries and urgent medical needs in the near future. In order to help defray the cost of braces for Mikayla's fast-growing legs, her friends have volunteered to organize a Yard/Craft/Food Sale to raise funds to purchase her new braces!

Like helpful Mr. Snowman, you too can help!

• prayers for Mikayla to persevere through some difficult procedures in the future (emotionally, physically, psychologically, spiritually)
• prayers for God's provision and His grace

• You could also help by giving or sending baked goods or crafts for the sale, please contact Andrea Malinowski-825-4029 or family_malinowski@q.com

• by giving gently used items like clothes and accessories, furniture, appliances, electronics, sports equipment, toys, etc. There will be a drop off location available beginning Monday, November 28th at the Huber home in the Eagle Crest community (Catalina), 61009 E Halter Place, Tucson 85739

• Please call or email Vanessa before dropping off items 

520-638-8398 vanessahuber3312@comcast.net

• If you would like to give your time to help sort and price on Friday, Dec. 2nd, you are welcome, but please let them know (pre-shopping okay for a minimum of two hour volunteering). Also, extra help at the sale of Sat., Dec. 3rd is appreciated too.

• Monetary help will also be accepted.

• Tell everyone you know to attend the sale so that we can rally around this beloved homeschool family and friends in the Lord!

See you there!

Story of Helpful Mr. Snowman

Mr. Stuffed Snowman loves to help.

He wanted to help shovel the snow from the driveway.

But his shovel is too small!

 And there's no snow in Tucson :(

He started thinking inside his box

He had an idea!

He saw his friend carrying a sack of candies, told his idea and asked if he wants to come with him.

He would love to! But he can't go far. The candies are too heavy.

 He saw another friendly looking snowman in a goodlooking green sweater. He asked if he wants to go.

This is the only tree Myric and Jon has in the house and he has to guard it. So he can't go either. 

He saw Mr. Shiny Snowman on the counter hugging his broom. Can he go?

Maybe? He went to his box to think about it.

Then he saw Candle Santa, Candle Tree and Candle Snowman and told them his story.

The three of them went to one corner shelf to talk about it. They decided to help Mr. Helpful Snowman.

 Off they went to their journey where they shall discover a place where they would find their wonderful purpose. 

 wanna find their mission is about?
 click here to follow the story

Linking to:
Brag Monday @ Graphics fairy 
Craft-O-Maniac Monday 
Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle 
Twice Owned Tuesday@House of Grace 
Whatever Wednesday@Momma Hen's Coop 
Wow Me Wednesday@Ginger Snap Crafts 
White Wednesday@Faded Charm 
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
French Inspiration 
Time Travel Thursday@Brambleberry Cottage 
Fridays Unfolded@Stuff and Nonsense
Feathered Nest Friday@French Country Cottage