Hearts All Buttoned Up

Hearts and love. 

Who can live without these? One is necessary to keep our bodies alive and the other is our life's purpose. 

Wanting to pay homage to these attributes, especially with Valentine's day as a prompt, I had my craft class create projects just in time to celebrate the holiday and the sentiment.

I set out 8"x10" picture frames, various colored buttons, paper doilies, and strings of beads. My students chose colored paper to use as the background for their artwork which we inserted under the glass and closed the back of the frame in place. 

The students then got busy choosing the ornaments that they wanted to use. Using glue guns, they adhered the beads and buttons to the glass top. It was so fun to see the concentration and creative passion that these ladies used to make their works of art! Here are their results:

Nicole and Sophia show the love!

Nicole and Sophia's framed hearts

Rosa, Cindy, and Sarah with their "heartwork"

Detailed work of Cindy and Sarah's projects

I'm so proud of these ladies' projects! There's nothing like good friends gathering over a table covered with pretty baubles, their heads full of ideas, ending with a stronger bond and wonderful artwork.

To make my project, here's what I did:

I cut red cardstock paper to fit inside the frame using the glass as a template in order to cut the correct size. 

I dabbed a dot of gluestick on to a paper heart doily and placed it onto the center of the cardstock to use as a guide when I began laying down my button pattern. I closed the paper inside the frame and started picking out white and ivory colored buttons to use on my project. 

I cut off the shanks from the buttons that didn't have a flat back. After my glue gun was heated I got busy laying down the buttons on the glass top over the paper doily. It was like a puzzle trying to fill in the shape using the various sized buttons! Once the first layer was in place, I glued a second layer of buttons over the first in order to hide open spaces and to add more texture. 

After finishing the button heart creation, I decided that the project needed a little more pizazz. I removed the red cardstock from the inside of the frame, took the paper doily off of the cardstock and used a ruler and white ink pen to write rows of the word "love" down the entire page. I placed the cardstock back inside the frame and admired my finished handiwork. So cute!

Head on over to a dollar store or look through your stash of on-hand frames, gather your box of various buttons and beads, and see where love takes you!

In Honor Of My Husband

Our house is so quiet now that you're gone.
I walk silently through the hallways
Expecting to see you but knowing that I won't.
I talk to you but I can't hear your voice.

I miss you.
Your beautiful face, the one I fell in love with so many years ago,
Your touch, the one that excited and warmed me.
We loved each other so deeply,
I don't doubt that you can hear me even now. 
I see you in my mind,
I feel the whisper of your touch.

I wanted just a few more minutes with you before you left.
I wanted to tell you that I loved you just one more time.
Even though we knew that final day was near,
It came as a shock when at last you let go.
I will remember that day always.
You were having trouble speaking
And I was tearfully attending you,
But you looked me in the eye, smiled, and gently stroked my arm.
I can't remember if I told you that I loved you that day, but you knew.

Steve, you are gone from this world,
But you live forever in my heart.
Wait for me.
One day we will be together again eternally.

__________________________________________

Steve Lawson - 1/28/46 to 08/14/16

A Recipe For Joy

People who know me understand that cooking is not my favorite activity. I find it messy, tedious, and hard work. It's not that I'm a poor chef, my results are usually creative and edible. No one complains (outloud) and no one goes starving. Preparing meals is just not my calling. My favorite thing to make is reservations. 

I wrote the following based on inspiration from Mary Oliver's poem, "Don't Hesitate"


A Recipe For Joy

Ingredients

• Equal parts laughter and silliness
• 1 heaping heart of love
• Pinch of sarcasm
• A grain of salt
• 2 handfuls of compassion

Blend thoroughly until waves of smiles appear.
Pour into a well seasoned soul.
Bake for a lifetime.

Serves one and all.

The Blazing Soul

A desire to do more or be more in life can be analogous to a fire. It is a powerful, driving force. Although fire can be destructive, it also clears a path for new growth. Is it safe to give in to this passion, the excitement of the glowing possibilities? I will fan the flames of my heart, eager to see what it ignites.

The Blazing Soul

There's a fire blazing in my soul.
A hungry, burning sensation,
Crackling, flaming.
Not an ember but a roaring full force fire.

What is this?
Should I snuff it out or
Pour more fuel to feed it?

Should it be controlled?
Let its power grow large?

A fire has its majesty.
It can be cleansing and terrifying all at once.

Beautiful, hot, raw energy.

Yes, let my soul burn,
Forging new paths,
Preparing unexpected pleasures.

Coffee, Tea, and Me

Coffee and tea are simple pleasures. Savored slowly or gulped down to charge up for the day, dark roasted or English breakfast, served hot or cold, a cup of this can amp us up or soothe our minds for a while. Here's my take on this treat:

Coffee, Tea, and Me

Coffee shared with a friend,
Both are warming to the core.

Hair-sticking-straight-up strong
Or a rich and creamy delight,
We add a pinch of sugar
To sweeten the pot.

We nibble crunchy croissants
Freshly baked and sinful,
Our heads nearly touching
As we share our gossip and news.

Giggling and grasping each others hands,
We pour another cup of vaporous brew.

Whether in gladness or sadness,
Silly or triumphant,
Or just letting off some steam,
I can always count on pleasures
From my coffee, tea, and you, 
           My friend.

I Can See You Clearly

At some point, most people will need glasses to see better. Maybe just for reading, maybe for nighttime driving, or perhaps to see the world in crisp focus at all times. How wonderful to have this simple tool to bring clarity to our lives!

My creative writing class used a table of eyeglasses as its prompt. This is what I "saw"...

I CAN SEE YOU CLEARLY

Whether nearsighted

Or farsighted,

I can see you clearly.

Tortoise shell

or wire framed,

Your face is always just right.

Dark tint, no tint,

Bifocal or monocle,

You are always in focus.

I may misplace my glasses,

I might sit on and break them,

But you are never forgotten,

Seemingly indestructible.

Right in front of my face,

Always on my mind,

Like my favorite eyeglasses,

I can see you clearly.

The Master Plan

The Master Plan

Time is marked by moments of happiness.
I say "moments" as life is not a continuum of joy and peace.

Thankfully not.

For, if our time here were only gentle and awesome,
We would never want to leave
For the Kingdom above.

Why should we if we have heaven on earth?
That is not the Master plan.

We are to know sorrow at times,
To suffer down deep,
In order that we may trust in relief,
Be consoled by faith,
Give thanks at all times.

Without sadness we cannot have gladness.
Thankfully so!

Treasures Of The Heart

Hearts are the life force of all beings. It ensures that the body gets what it needs to survive. It can fail at times, both physically and spiritually. We should do what we can to feed it in order that we may be healthy and strong.

This poem was inspired by a grouping of lacquered boxes.

Treasures Of The Heart

Like a small box,
My heart holds secrets and shame,
Pride and purpose,
Light and love.

As with a key
I keep some of what is stored inside locked away.
It's just between God and me.

There are drawers that slide open with ease
Ready to release the laughter and joy,
The sorrow and sympathy, 
The anger and confusion.

With felt-lined pockets
I lay my soul within.
It is safe here.
I have room enough for you.

Stuck On You

Life hurts sometimes. It may be a physical, emotional, or spiritual "boo-boo" but these can be healed and made new again. We are fantastic beings!

My poem was inspired by a box of band-aids.

Stuck On You

Like a band-aid,
I'm stuck on you.

I will do my best to protect you from further harm,
Keep you safe, keep you warm.

I will guard over you,
Stand by you,
And never let you fall.

With so many things that can get under your skin,
So many things that can go wrong,
I will stick with you, my love.
Nothing dare pull us apart.

Count on me, 
Trust in me,
I've got you covered.
________________________________________

Everyday, it seems like there's something to report, 
a new sympton, ache or problem. So many troubles visited on a single soul. I am deeply troubled and sorrowful for you. I wish that our lives were different today, that there were more of the yesterdays, that a simple band-aid would patch the pain. I hate to see you suffer. 

Come what may, together we can.

Glue Gun Stencils

If you don't already have a glue gun, you're going to want to run out and get one after you read this! Not only are glue guns handy for tons of projects but making re-usable stencils may be your next favorite craft to try. These stencils are great for use in your journal, making greeting cards, bookmarks, and more. Warm up your glue gun and let's get going!

Here's a list of supplies that I used:

• Glue gun - either low heat or high heat type
• Glue gun sticks - lots of them because you're going to want to get crazy making more of these things
• Non-stick craft mat - a heat resistant teflon sheet (found at craft stores and online - excellent for all craft projects to keep your workspace protected and just wipes clean)
• OR a non-stick baking sheet or teflon pan would work fine (a piece of glass from a picture frame would work but you need to cover it with a light coat of vegetable spray first so that the glue doesn't stick to the glass and, of course, be careful of the frame's sharp edges)
• Picture or image outline to use as inspiration - optional

How to make the project:

• Cover your work surface with the non-stick sheet 
• Plug in the glue gun and let it warm up for a few minutes
• If you choose to use an image as a guide, slip it under the sheet so that you can see the outline clearly (The image should be a black or dark image because it can be tough to see through the sheet otherwise. You might try outlining the image with a black marker first to make it easier to see throught the sheet)

• Once the glue gun is heated, slowly pull the trigger laying the glue down following the outline or try free-handing a design. I found that the heavier the line of glue that I layed down, the more sturdy the stencil became. If the stencil is made too thin, it may break and won't hold up to repeated use.
• Once you are happy with your design, let the glue cool and harden - it takes just a couple of minutes.
• Remove it from the teflon sheet and get busy making another design! 

I made clouds, trees, and birds for starters. I liked repeating patterns like bubbles, hearts, squiggly lines, etc. Make sure that the shapes touch each other which keeps the design sturdy.

Try making large and small sized pieces. Large ones are great to fill a journal page or cover a greeting card and small ones work well for a "hint" of a pattern on your designs.

Once you've got some completed stencils, use them as you would any other stencil. I brushed acrylic paints over them and spray misted paint colors over the designs. 

Bubbles and Hearts laid over each other and sprayed with paint

To clean the stencils, carefully rinse them in the sink and let dry. I found that sometimes certain paint colors would stain the stencils. That's ok and won't harm the stencil when you're ready to use it again.

Happy stenciling!

For My Daughter

My daughter, Sarah, is now a manager working for our local In-N-Out restaurant. She was chosen to spend 6 weeks helping to train employees and open a new restaurant near Monterey, California. This is the first time she has been away from home.  She is beautiful inside and out and will undoubtedly go far in her career whether it be ruling over burger staff or running a corporation. 

It is hard when a "bird leaves the nest", even if temporarily, but this is a great opportunity and I am so proud of her! 

My daughter. My darling.

As you leave today

For adventures beyond,

I find myself weeping 

With tears of two sorts.

One is for joy

As I realize you are all grown up

And the world is yours to explore.

The second are tears of sorrow

because you are all grown up

and no longer mine.

I open my arms to let you go free

But hold you close in my heart

And there you shall stay.

Go on, introduce yourself to the world,

Sail the seas, 

Ride the winds,

Climb every mountain,

Sing in foreign notes.

You will amaze all you meet

And spread joy when you leave.

Just know you are forever in my thoughts

And my heart is your home. 

Heartfelt Wreath

Valentine's Day has come and gone but hearts are always "in season". Let me show you how to make this darling heart wreath to hang in a special spot all year long.

HEARTFELT WREATH SUPPLY LIST:
• 3/4 yards of felt – your choice of color
• 12 inch styrofoam heart wreath
• 1 box of straight pins
• Sharp fabric scissors
• Pencil
• 3” diameter cardboard or cup
• Silk/artificial leaves (optional)
• Roll of ribbon for bow (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Along one edge of the felt, trace rows with the cardboard circle, close together to save fabric space, until you have about 130 circles. Cut out circles.
Time-saver: Fold the felt in half so that you can cut out 2 circles at once.

 

Fold one circle in half and in half again. (It looks like a fortune cookie)

Push a pin into the bottom folds of the felt and stick that into the foam wreath.

Continue folding and pinning the felt circles into the wreath, close together for a tighter look or a little farther apart for a full but not bunched look.
Optional: hot glue the pins and felt in place as you go for added security.

"Fluff" open the petals for added fullness.

Optional: Hot glue a few artificial leaves into folds of the flowers and add a ribbon bow for hanging.

Hang and enjoy your new wreath!