Birds & Words Plus Easy Craft

A few posts back I talked about time.  One of the main points was my wasting of time.  Or at least that's what was in my mind.  The subject was brought to my mind by a lesson I had heard and since I had been thinking about my time wasting problem, it hit home.   Well, recently another statement was made during a lesson by the same person.  Very simply, "What you spent your time doing, is what you want to do!"  So, that makes me look at what I DO spent my time doing.  Am I liking what I am doing?  If not, why?  Just something else for me to consider. 

P.S.  I don't know if this applies to the time we spend working to make a living.  But, it would be great if our work was something we wanted to spend our time doing.  Just saying.

Another statement I heard that really made me stop and think is, "Most of your life will be defined by spontaneous responses and reactions."  I had to rethink this one often, still am.  I think back though the past at the times when it would have been better had I responded instead of reacting.  I think  a response usually means there has been some 'thinking' done before the mouth opens....whereas, a reaction is usually full of emotions, hurt feelings, so forth.  I wonder how many people whose feelings I have hurt or given the wrong impression when I didn't have that intention in my heart.  This can be applied in the work world, school world, friends and family world.  I definitely should have considered this while still working, it could have come in soooo handy.   It makes me consider that other people do this too, not meaning to, we are all human, so I shouldn't react to their reactions.  Could this be a circle?  Anyway, that is another look into my mind ramblings.   I can't wait to hear another, what I consider profound, statement. 

Okay, here are some pictures to finish this blog.  

I saw my first blue bird of the year yesterday.  He was taking a bath in my fountain  and was so cute!  I love him! My font just went crazy on  me.

 I made somemore of the coasters.  I like to have them around to give as thank you gifts.

 I like how they look in one of my wrapped bowls.

 Recently I learned how to do these.  They are just fun to make.  An old craft; new for me to do.

 Bye Bye....

Rain day? Just Play!

Today Sherie was coming over so I could help her take new pictures of her creation, Rebel Fish, for her Etsy shop. He has someone interested in him and Sherie wanted him to look his best. The plan was for a coffee break and photo session. When I opened my front door, she stood there with Rebel Fish, camera, a shopping bag and chocolate cake. My kind of visitor! We got the photo session out of the way and worked on the cake and coffee. Then, da da da da! she brings out of the bag, two, beautiful charm packs by Moda. One design is Cherish Nature and the other, A Breath of Avignon. For you see, yesterday we had been shown a fun project to make, thank you Charlotte!

A little background: a friend and I have started a crafting group. Once a month (or more for some of us) we get together and share creative ideas. The group consists of quilters, painters, knitters, jewelry makers and just sewing in general. Yesterday we were shown how to make really pretty coasters. Now, I'm not into the cutesy, country coaster set thingies. Neither is Sherie. However, these are really cool, of course the pattern of the material helps. Plus, they are SO easy to make. Although, I did manage to make 2 mistakes that caused some ripping out and starting over. I do have, really pretty crystal coasters in my living room, so, do I need more coasters? Yes, I do, I need ones that will wick up the moisture from the glasses instead of causing the glass coaster to stick to the bottom of the glass or the bottom of the glass is wet when you pick it up, causing drips on the floor or you! Besides, truth be known, we just wanted to make some, they are pretty!

So, here is my and Sherie's attempt at showing how to do these. Sherie took the pictures as I worked (sorry for the poor hand model, Sherie's hands would have been better).

This is some of the Cherish Nature spread out for you to see. We forgot to take a picture of the A Breath of Avignon spread around.

First you pick out the piece you want for the back and then four other pieces for the front.

You fold the four pieces and weave them on top of the bottom..... That sounds weird...

After you decide the way you want it to be, press all the pieces. You will notice that all the raw edges are along the outside. If you forget you will be ripping and redoing, yep, that's what I did!

Press, press.

Pin the four sections for the top that you have ironed, to the bottom one.

You will then just sew all around the outer edge, that is all the sewing you do. That's why I like this project....

Trim the corners. I can do that too!

Now you just start turning it inside out, or is it outside in???

Keep turning..

More turning!

All you do now is press it!

Isn't that pretty?!?!?!

Here is a picture of the two different material patterns. The two groups that just have 3 coasters are mine, cuz I was busy ripping and redoing. That leaves the two groups of 4....being Sherie's. She did not have to rip and redo....

We should have also taken a picture of the backside of these, they are just as pretty as the front.

We hope you enjoyed joining us on this creative journey! Next time I think Sherie should do the writing and I the picture taking. Since we were in my home, she thought I should be the one to do this, not necessarily so!