Friday, December 31, 2010

Goodbye... Hello! [2010 - 2011 New Year's Eve]

Hello friends!  What can you say about the year 2010?  It was a pretty awesome and creative year for me.  I was able to explore the little crafty side of me ☺.

Thanks to all you creative people, I was inspired to write and start this blog in June -  I'm thankful for my 2 wonderful followers.  It felt good to share my projects with you and at the same time learn from all of you too.  You have inspired me to be more creative and resourceful.

Here's to the year 2011!  Looking forward to new things to do:  more crafts to make, more blogs to make; many blogs to read to meet my needs.  Time to go to the store and explore more.

Have a blessed new year, my friend!  May the good Lord pour out His abundant blessing and grace upon you and our family. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Gifts for the ladies [Christmas 2010 Gospel Bracelets]

This was a "handcrafted filled" Christmas for me.   I combined jewelry making with paper quilling and handmade packaging... yup, labor of love lots-of-love ♥.  This was a Gospel bracelet comprised of 2 pairs of  7 colors of Swarowski crystals:  yellow, black, red, green, blue, white and lavander.  Why these 7 colors you ask?
Yellow:  represents GOD'S PERFECT LIGHT.  1 John 17 says:  "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."
Black:  represents SIN.  Romans 3:23 says:  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Red:  represents the BLOOD of Jesus Christ shed ont he cross for us.  Romans 5:8 "God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Green:  represents ETERNAL LIFE.  John 3:16 "Fod God so loved the world that He gave Hhis one and only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Blue:  resresent obedience in BAPTISM, being immersed in water to show the "death and resurrection" in Christ.  Baptism does not save you, but we do it to follow Jesus' example.  (Matthew 3:13)
Clear:  represent RIGHTEOUSNESS, a new or a clean heart.  Once we accept Christ, we become a new creation (2Cor 5:17).  God saves us instantly through our faith in Christ, He washes away all of our sin and makes us white aas snow before Him (Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18).
Violet:  represent the CROWN OF LIFE.,  The Bible says:  "Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Rev. 2:10)

It is nice to be able to share God's word and be a blessing to other people.  To complete the gift, I made copies of the gospel message and glued them to a #1 envelope.  To make the dimensional envelope:  I started with a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2" Bazzill cardstock and scored 2" on 2 opposite sides and 2 1/2" on the other 2 opposite sides.  Cut the corners then fold the sides and trim the edges using a corner rounder.  I then added brads on the lower half of the envelope and a paper quilled daisy on the top flap.  I added embroidery floss used to close the envelope.  
Oh, it's so dainty and very girly.  I love it!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Hubby's Hat [Toujours Hat by Kim Werker]

It may be very-winter-with-snow outside but it's bright and cheery in my crafty corner today.  Here's why...
About a month ago, I started a very nice pattern from Crochet Me / Interweave by Kim Werker - Toujours hat -  but towards the end of making it, I got totally stuck!  I call it 'crochet block'... somehow, I just had a hard time following the pattern.  I wrote and asked Kim about it and she patiently told me what to do (bless her ♥).  It was my first time to do turn crochet (tc), confused with working with the yarn and i just gave up after several attempts... until last night, Dec. 21.
Seeing my unfinished project lying among my stash of yarn was just pathetic.  I could hear my projects faint voice shouting "Come back" and "You complete me" ☺.  I finally gave in last night and to my surprise, it was very simple and the instructions were easy to follow.  No wonder Kim seemed to be in surprised with my (very elementary) questions.  After a month of waiting, my project was completed in just 30 minutes. 



Oh, I love it!  My husband's gonnna love wearing it as well.  Merry Christmas!


Friday, December 17, 2010

Giving Thanks and Color Challenge [HA December 2010 Challenge]

It's mid-December already... wow, where did the time go? 
I was able to finish 2 cards for the hero arts December 2010 Challenge

The first card that I made was for the color challenge.  I used my HA clear sending holiday cheer stamp set and slate blue cardstock.  I made the background using the pine trees and added snowflakes that i embossed with white.  I also added glitter on the skyline.  I stamped the house, colored and cut it out.  Finally, i added the sentiment,a scallop border dp and 2 red crystal brads.

The second card that I made was a thank you card.  It's a simple card made with love.  I used F5030 Long stem blossom, stamped embossed with gold.  I matted this on a blue cobblestone embossed dark blue paper.  The hand printed the sentiment and added a ribbon.  I placed a gold flower brad on each corner of the mat.  I love the effect of the stamped brass blossom and the brass brads, though it was a challenge to take a good photo.  Simple but made wth love.  TFL ☺♥☺.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Lacy scarf [MIL's 2010 Christmas gift]

Isn't it exciting to try something new?  It may be a new career, a new recipe, a new hobby, a new project and ohhhh... a new crochet pattern.  I was thrilled to see this so i made one for my MIL.  I love my MIL - she recently had total knee replacement of her left knee and is currently doing well and hopefully, she will be home with us before Christmas.  It was tough to see her in pain and get back to her feet one step at a time.  Imagine yourself learning to walk one step at a time as if you were a baby.  With God's healing and her perseverance, she will be back to her toes in no time.  

I made this wheat colored scarf for her.  It is below zero where we are and we try our best to bundle up and be warm.   Made with love, as always.  ☺♥☺

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Toddler beanie hat [Makoa's hat]

Eleven days before Christmas!  It's truly the most wonderful time of the year - especially for the little ones.

I made a beanie hat for my nephew, Makoa.  He is about a year and a half and oh boy, he is so adorable!  I followed the pattern from here but with some revisions.  Instead of adding several stripes, i only added 2 rows near the brim. 

Since i started making hats in October, this is the second hat that i made for a toddler.  I realized that making children's hats takes a little less time than adults because of the lesser stitches that has to be done.  I put a lot of love and  fun making it and I hope he would love wearing it (and fit his head just right ☺). 

I love you, Makoa!  May you feel our warmth and love this season and always.  Merry Christmas from the Cab's.