Easter Blessings!

Giving thanks and rejoicing this beautiful day! This heart felt rendition of 'How Great Thou Art' sings to my soul each time I watch it.

Wishing you all a Very Happy Easter!

Healing Prayers for CT families

My heart is heavy, as so many others over the horrific shootings in Connecticut. May God's healing hands touch each person so deeply affected by this unimaginable tragedy.

In Keeping My Faith,
Suzanne

Scenes from the Side of the Road 1 - Christ's Church and Wildlife

The other day, we wandered over the border into Maine and passed this lovely old church.

 It quietly sits along side a dirt road.

The belfry on the weathered tin roof has protected the precious cast iron cargo for many years.

 Imagine the tolls of the bell from days gone by, signaling a call for prayer.

 'Christ's Church' - pretty much says it all.

A view through the window - hence, the glare. This tiny space holds just the necessities.....

....for a place to gather and give praise. Such a sweet reminder of a simpler time.

It seemed only fitting that during the same drive, we spotted one of God's creatures.

We never know where our travels will take us or what we will find but it is this that makes our drives so special.

2011 Christmas Tree with Handmade Ornaments

I used our small tree in the family room this year but filled it to the brim with the true meaning of Christmas.

I purchased some wood crosses from AC Moore and gave them a quick coat of white paint.

I added a small burlap canvas adorned with a silver cross for the tree top cross.

White, cream, silver and gray are the colors for this years Christmas. 

My 'Vintage Hymnal Roll Ornaments' were added to the tree next.

I have a love for vintage books and finding vintage hymnal books is such a treat for me.

I simply rolled some of the pages and glued them together in stacks of 3.

These book rolls were then tied with a piece of jute....

and a silver cross charm was added to the bottom.

These were so simple to make but I really love the faith filled joy that they spread.

Do you remember my 'Texturized Spring Wreath Tutorial'? I was lucky enough to have won a wonderful prize in the Canvas Corp Burlap Contest with my wreath. My prize consisted of some lovely scrapbooking papers, burlap and muslin stretched burlap canvas's, burlap shapes of all kinds, jute and so much more! I was able to utilize some of my prize winnings in my next ornament.

My 'Burlap and Muslin Roses' ornament:

Using the stretched burlap and canvas frames, I made some burlap and muslin roses (using the tutorial from The Freckled Laundry) and simply hot glued them to the frames.

A sprig of greenery was added for a touch more color and a jute hanger was added to the back.

For the tree base, I simply placed the tree stand in an old crate filled with burlap.

Last up are my 'Vintage Hymnal Fan Ornaments'.

There are several tutorials for these around blog land. They are very easy to make. Basically fan fold a sheet of paper and glue in a circle. I then dipped the edges in some modge podge and rolled them in Martha Stewart White Gold extra fine glitter.

I printed on card stock different Christmas themed phrases, songs, etc and cut them with a decorative punch and glued them to the center.

I added jute to the back for the hanger.

Our tree is small but it's message is powerful!

Linking up to the following parties:

  

  

   

         

Until next time ~ Suzanne.