Fall Crafts

It's been a while since I've shared any crafts with you, so I thought I would today.  My mom and I have been doing a few things with burlap.  She has posted a burlap door decoration on our recipe/craft blog a few weeks ago.  I made this wreath and shared it last week.  You'll find photos and instructions for the crafts below.

Happy crafting! Happy Monday!

Burlap Wreath

Last week I bought a magazine called "Christmas Cottage".  It had a really cute burlap wreath pictured that I wanted to make.  The only place I've found burlap on a roll is at Michael's.  Saturday I was able to get to a Michaels to get the supplies, but by the time I was ready to check out, their cash registers were no longer working because of power outages due to thunderstorms.  Anyway, yesterday I was able to go back to Michael's and get the supplies.....again!

Burlap Wreath

3 rolls of 10 foot burlap (The magazine craft said to get 2 rolls; however, I had to use a little more. Mine was 6 inches wide.)
Wire wreath form (this is a large one)
Jute or string
Decorations for "bow" area

Without cutting burlap, form a loop (as if you are making a bow).  Tie loop with string and attach to the wire wreath form.

Continue tying loops all around the wreath, being sure to make loops on the whole width of the wire wreath.  At first you may wonder if you're doing it right (I did!), but soon it will begin to take on the look you are wanting.

Continue until wreath is full.

Add decorations as desired.  The magazine suggested that the typical bow for a wreath is usually ribbon, but that in this case the decorations become the "bow" part.  I added the leaves.  They showed holly.  I'm not sure I like the leaves, but left them there for now.  I'm thinking a raffia bow with some leaves and fall picks might be better?  We'll see.  But, I do know I'll be keeping this wreath on the front door for many months, changing out the decorations to fit the holiday or season.

Burlap Sack - Fall Decor by my MOM


I had so much fun making this for my front door this weekend. I'm not a great decorator, but I get such an enjoyment doing things like this---it's a lot of self satisfaction. Of course, a lot of it, too, is that I can't go out and buy everything I see--I have to make a lot of things myself, but I do love doing it. I should have been cleaning my house, but things like this are so much more fun!!!!! I knew my "dirt" would still be there.

To make this, I sewed a long pocket out of burlap--then folded the top over to make a flap. I probably should have used orange, yellow, and purple for the greenery, but I really liked these "sprigs" from Hobby Lobby. I think the brighter colors would have shown up more from the street, but these look good from the front porch. The netting is a dark purple-y brown that matches the darker sprigs. Larry had to help me get the wire secured the right way. What would we do without our husbands?

Happy Fall!!!!!!

A Few of My Favorite Things

They are growing up too fast!

One of my favorite pictures of them dressed up as Wizard of Oz characters.

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Letters to Siblings

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

Apparently Biscuit had a 3rd grade writing assignment last week that involved writing rules or steps for something.  Biscuit chose to write rules for being a nice brother.  He put in parentheses (I have two).  I'm not sure these are rules for them or for him.

Here are his rules:  1. Play outside with them.  2.  Watch TV with them.  3.  Do the right thing. (Note:  This one makes me proud since our motto is "Do the right thing, 'cause it's the right thing to do!") 4. Be polite.  5. Share.  GREAT RULES, BISCUIT!

Biscuit told his dad the other night he though he should write a book.  I asked him the next day what kind of book he wanted to write.  He said he wasn't sure, but really enjoyed writing and thought that was what he needed to do.  Yesterday he wrote letters to each of his siblings.  So sweet (for the most part)!!

Biscuit is writing to Jacob in this letter.  The "Mr. 42" refers to the golf score Jacob had told his brothers he had made the other day while golfing.  He didn't get that good of a score, but his plan was to make them think that until the next morning.  Obviously, Biscuit never believed him anyway!

In this letter to Zachary, Biscuit tells him that he is his best brother, except (or acsept in Biscuit's words) for the fact that he likes golf.  He's a little upset that golf has taken over from the other sports and that his brothers don't play his games (for whichever sports season it is at the time) with him.  And.....Biscuit is ready for Bible camp (QMCC).

I appreciate Biscuit wanting to write all of these letters and rules.  In our busy world, sometimes we don't take the time to sit down and write someone....especially a hand-written note.  Maybe he will write a book some day. 

The Bible is a book written by many men, but inspired by God.  Think about what our lives would be like without that Book.  What if those men had never taken the time to write it down?  What if we didn't have a written account of the life of Jesus and the plan of salvation?  What would our world be like?

I'm thankful that they did take the time.  I'm thankful for God's Word!

What Am I Here For?

Do you ever wonder about your purpose?  Why you were born?  What your mission in life might be?  Why you are where you are?  Many people ask these questions every day.  Maybe all of us have as one time or another. 

Many spend their entire life searching for the answers to these questions, but as difficult as the questions may seem, the answers are really simple.  The answers are simple because they center on one simple principle:  We are here - each and every one of us - to do God's Will.  Simple, right?  Yes...at first the answer seems simple and in reality it is, but the fact is that we allow "things" to get in the way of this simple fact. 

Too many times we allow our own desires to get in the way of what God desires for our lives.  We believe that it is all up to us to find our purpose, forgetting God some times.  But, the truth of the matter is, we are not here on Earth to please ourselves.  We were put here to please Him and Him alone.

So, let's ask ourselves another question:  How can I do God's Will? Seeking to do God's will is an easy thing to say, but a must more difficult thing to do. So, to find out how to do this task, we look to the example of Jesus.  He is our example for everything in life.  He lived a perfect life - a life totally committed to God.  As His followers, we will strive to mimic His life's example of commitment and service to God.

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

John 6:38

Remember how Satan tempted Jesus? How did Jesus respond? With scripture, right? Jesus didn't argue with Satan, he just simply quoted back scripture to him.

Now let's look at how can we know God's Will. Here are five ways:

1. Scripture

To know what God's will for our lives is, we must know the scriptures.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

We can't just hear a sermon or a lesson once or twice a week and get to know what God's will for our lives is. We must study the scriptures. We must claim the words and the promises of God as our own. God's Word plainly tells us what His will for us is on many situations we will face in life.

For example, say we are having a problem with someone and we're not sure what to do. God's Word says,

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4. Doesn't that passage pretty much clear up any problems we might be having with someone....if we really apply that message to our lives?

Scriptures help us know God's Will for us in many ways, but they won't tell us specifics....like “who should I marry?”. They give guidelines for marriage, but not specifics....such as who. We can pray for Godly Wisdom in making decisions in our life.

2. Pray for Godly Wisdom

God will not audibly tell us the answer, but He will guide us in our decisions. When something specific comes into our life that we need help with, prayer is the way we can seek God's counsel. By talking to Him.....asking for His help.....asking for wisdom to make decisions in our life....He will help us.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5

Wisdom is “Knowledge Righteously Applied.” You and I can have all of the Bible knowledge possible, and decide not to use it. Satan knows the bible better than we do, yet he uses it wrong and in the wrong way. Knowing the Bible isn't enough. We must know how to apply it in our lives.When we are asking God for wisdom and using His Word as a guide for our lives, He will point us in the right direction and help us know what His Will for our lives is.

He also gave us each other.....to help each other.

3. Seek Godly Counsel

God did not create us to be alone. He created us to be in fellowship with one another. We can (or should be able to) gain wisdom from one another. We can seek counsel from Godly spouses, friends, family members, preachers, elders, teachers....all kinds of people.....even people we don't know through books or websites. However, this is where the scriptures and wisdom come in....we must make sure what these counselors tell us is what is true and right. We want counsel that will help guide us to finding God's Will....not those that will guide us in the wrong direction.

The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 12:15

4. Open Doors (Opportunities)

If God wants you to go in a certain direction he will open doors for you. Or he will close certain doors.

Just this summer three of my family members had job offers that come out of nowhere. God opened doors that they weren't even thinking about. It's great to see God's hand in each of those situations.

However, I have a friend who made a statement recently about her life.  She said, .“God kept putting hurdles in my way, but I kept jumping over them.”  Have you ever felt like my friend?  That God was trying to help you, but your wants and desires led you down the wrong path?

Closed doors may be a way that God is trying to keep us from making mistakes and yet we, like my friend, may continue to jump the hurdles God is placing in front of us. We may be doing our own will, instead of looking for His Will.

Open doors may be God's way of getting us to do His Will.

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Revelation 3:8

But, beware.....Satan can open doors, too....and he does. We must use scriptures, wisdom, and wise counsel so that we won't jump over the hurdles God places in our paths or go down doors that are opened by Satan.

God will guide us to do His Will if we allow Him to do so. 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1

By renewing our mind......by dramatically changing the way we think.....Only then will be able to test and approve what God's will for our lives is.

5. A Peaceful Heart

Having a heart that is at peace means that we are thinking about spiritual things and not earthly things. It means we are using the Bible to guide our lives, we are praying for Godly wisdom....we are seeking Godly counsel.

When we truly have an open door...opened by God....where we are taking scripture and applying it to our lives....we will have a peaceful heart about the situation. Not a “comfy feeling” or a “good feeling” because we can sometimes even feel okay with sin. What I'm talking about is a true, God-given peace. Peace that comes from seeking His Will for your life. Peace that comes from undergoing a dramatic change. Peace that only comes from God.

So, from now on, when you want to ask, "What am I here for?"  Your answer can be an emphatic, "As a follower of Jesus, I am here to do God's Will!"

What Are You Soaking Up?

(This is a kitchen sponge.  Isn't it cute?? I actually sell these in my small business rental booth.  I need to buy one for myself!)

Last night my nephew preached for a youth event. At the beginning of his lesson, he mentioned how our minds are like sponges. Immediately my mind centered around that very true statement. I thought about all of the teens (and many adults, too) who were listening to his message, and how each of our minds soak up information from birth to death.


Sponges are useful items around the house. They absorb things. They soak up spills and help keep things clean, but they can also become dirty and contaminated with germs and grime. In the same way, our minds absorb and soak up all kinds of things. We soak up good and positive things. We soak up bad and negative and sometimes even dirty things.

Sponges can be made clean. They can be disinfected to where they are like new again. Likewise, our minds can be cleaned....cleared....and made to be like new again. We can decontaminate our minds by filling them with what is good and what is holy. We can clean our minds by prayer, by reading the Bible, and by meditating on God's Word.

Ever so often it is a good idea to check our "sponges" (minds) to think about what we are soaking up.  Maybe even ask ourselves, "What Am I Soaking Up?"  Will what I am soaking up and absorbing bring me closer to God or move me away from God?  Will what I am soaking up have me looking more like Jesus...more like one of His followers?  If not, maybe it's time to decontaminate.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Romans 12:1