MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My Aunt sent me a beautiful card for Christmas, and I love how it says what this season is all about, very simply. 

"Jesus is the joy of Christmas and all the seasons of our lives.  With a Christmas prayer that you will always know Jesus as the Son of God - and your very best friend".  

"I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you".  (The Word of Christmas)



Blessings to you on this Christmas Day!  We pray you have a blessed and amazing 2014 as well!   


                      With love, William & Paula

WINTER TIME CREATIVITY!

A couple months ago I saw a cute idea online for making a home-made journal.  Inspired by the Crafty Texas Girls blog, this journal is fun and easy to make and requires minimal supplies, some of which you may already have on hand.  When the weather gets colder, I definitely try to find creative ways to enjoy the winter time indoors. 

 
 



 

Front cover

A few weekends ago on Saturday I had one of those feeling creative days.  While my husband was helping his brother for a few hours, I spent the day making two of these journals.  One to keep, one to give away.         
 

 

 

Up-close shot of front cover

 

 

 

Back cover

I have not included a supply list or steps on how to make this as you can find the tutorial at The Crafty Texas Girls Blog.  Clicking on the link will take you directly to their tutorial.    

Journal I made for myself, front cover

** Helpful hint #1 - If you have never used Mod Podge (I had not): This supply list shows Martha Stewart's Decopage and Paper Cut-Outs from Michael's.  I bought my supplies from Hobby Lobby and they did not carry her brand.  Mod Podge (generic name) is the same thing.  You can also buy any brand of scrapbooking stickers & cut-outs.  I also up-cycled some greeting cards I'd been saving for a creative project such as this one.   

** Helpful hint #2 - Do not be intimidated by using Mod Podge.  It's just like Elmer's Glue, seriously.  It goes on just like glue, dries the same.  From what I read online you can use watered-down Elmer's glue (it's much cheaper) to get the same effect.  To me that seems messy and requires extra work.  With a coupon, you can get a large bottle of Mod Podge at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, or your favorite craft store for a few dollars and it will go a long way.

** Helpful hint #3 - I painted the gold spine after I had applied mod podge to the front and back covers.  I did not apply mod podge to the gold paint.  As well, I painted about four-five coats of paint in order to cover the black spine.  I think silver would be a really cool color to use too!      

 

 

 

 

Details of front cover

 

 

 

Back cover

 

 



Enjoy your day and happy Mod Podging!  Paula 

FALL ADVENTURE IN VANCOUVER & PORTLAND, OREGON

 

 

 

All photos taken at the Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon

(This location credit applies to each photo on this blog post)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two weekends ago we headed to Vancouver, Washington so I could attend an interpreting conference (think CEU's).  The conference was Friday evening and Saturday during the day which gave us all day Friday and Sunday afternoon to do some sightseeing.  My hubby & I went to the Japanese Gardens in Portland, about 20 minutes from Vancouver.  We spent our afternoon at this amazing garden and were not deterred by the cool, overcast day at all.  The trees were beautiful and we loved seeing the variety of  flowers, birds, bamboo structures, waterfalls, bridges, and more.  If you are ever in Portland, this is definitely a must see!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So much of God's beauty in one place!



We visited The Portland Japanese Garden on Friday afternoon.  Sunday on our way home we stopped at Multnomah Falls, the highest waterfall in the state of Oregon (620 feet) & the second highest in the nation. 

 

 

Stay tuned for pictures of our

hike to the (almost) top of the falls...... 

 

 

Blessings to you, Paula :)