Isn’t she beautiful? I think I might have a touch of baby fever. A few weeks ago I shared briefly (on this post) about our struggle to conceive. I don’t have any good news to report just yet, but there is one thing I do have. Hope.

Tell ya more about it soon.

Be Made New,
Piper

Last year, I was matched up with Lindsay who has a fabulous blog and shop. You can also check out what Lindsay sent me for the swap last year.

Pretty great, right?

THIS YEAR I was so happy to meet Anna who just so happens to live in my home town of Edmond, OK! Yeah Okies!

Anna is a graphic designer and has a fun blog called And Everything Nice. And boy, is she NICE! Check out what she sent me for this year’s swap:

Did you see those fabulous green gloves?! I actually got Anna the same ones, but in grey. I’d say that’s a pretty good swap!  But I think my favorite thing Anna got me was this awesome Starbucks ornament:

I love it! And I love YOU, Anna! Thanks so much!

Be sure to check out the Cold Hands, Warm Hearts link up to see what other swap partners did for each other.

10 days till Christmas!

Be Made New,
Piper

p.s. Check out what I sent to Anna!

(Source)

The bulk of the discussion and study that night had been about waiting–and how for the most part, people are bad at it. Humans can be rather impatient, can’t we? Just this morning I found myself getting frustrated because a load of laundry didn’t get completely dry after one cycle. Seriously? Come on, Piper.

But it’s true! I get so caught up having to wait for things that aren’t that important, or are really just things I desire, or  wish were over. For example, David and I have been trying to get pregnant for two years. Some days I get upset, angry and mournful over it. Other days I’m excited to dream about the day we do get so lucky to be parents. Still there are days I have trouble believing that day will ever come at all.

Back to Christ’s second coming. I am truly excited for that day. No—PUMPED for that day! The reality for me is that I do wake up many days thinking “What if it were today?” It not only excites me, it really helps me to focus where I need to put my energy, time and money. Probably the greatest benefit to waking with this question on my mind is the sense of urgency it gives me for sharing Christ with others, and doing everything I can to honor God with my life. I don’t want to leave this Earth regretting how I’ve lived or neglecting to tell lost people about Him. Even if the dryer never works right, or if we don’t get the joy of having children. God is still good, and His Son’s return is to be eagerly anticipated. We really should live each day excited and looking forward to that day.

(Source)

That’s not to say I’m perfect. I still have days that I don’t consider my actions and choices in light of eternity. (Which reminds me of a book I love. Check it out here.) I still have times where I don’t really believe that Christ will return in my lifetime. I waste those times and can’t get them back, but they are still reminder that I’m in need of grace. A reminder that I can LIVE in grace, and still look forward to Christ’s return, even when I mess up. No matter what, He will come and He will make us new.

I guess John said it best at the end of Revelation, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Jesus is coming to earth again; what if it were today?
Coming in power and love to reign; what if it were today?
Coming to claim His chosen bride, all the redeemed and purified,
Over this whole earth scattered wide; what if it were today?

Glory, glory! Joy to my heart ’twill bring.
Glory, glory! When we shall crown Him king.
Glory, glory! Haste to prepare the way;
Glory, glory! Jesus will come some day.

Be Made New,
Piper

I love the Christmas song “How Great our Joy!” (especially the echoes)

I made this Merry Christmas sign and even used the leftovers (punched out sheet) (see below)!

I loved how this paper garland turned out! I sewed the circles together with my sewing machine.

Lastly, some old school snowflakes. I cut these by hand.

Sorry about the poor picture quality. Blame the phone!

Be Made New,
Piper

A reviving. Of me.

I have definitely learned a lot, and made many mistakes. I think that’s good and that it’s a part of the process. One of the mistakes it’s easy for me to make is not making Christ central to what I write and do. Yes, it’s fun and entertaining to write about crafting, sewing, and the like and I do think there’s a place for that here too. But there’s something I just can’t get off my mind. It’s this scripture:

If you’d allow me to draw a comparison here… “Unless the LORD builds the (blog), the (blogger) labors in vain.”

It’s all about priorities. And I’m getting back to where my priorities here should be.

One of the biggest things I’m facing is the realization that I’ve sometimes written or promoted what I thought others would like to read. I even open a handmade shop full of items that I liked but I didn’t love. I was trying to make something and be something I thought would attract others.

There’s not going to be anymore of that here. I’m pretty confident in who I am, what I like and the messages I want to share with you. Please forgive me for losing sight of that.

And if you’d like to see  where I go on this journey, I’d be happy to have you along.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Piper

This year I’ve made it my goal to spend only $100 on Christmas decorations.  This is our first year with our own house in the States so we have no holiday decorations to speak of. I’m so excited to be on this thrifty adventure!

I’ve perused countless second-hand stores, dollar marts, and searched deep within my craft closet seeking out anything I can use.

$50 was spent on a pre-lit, 6 ft classic Christmas Tree from Target. (new)
$9 was spent on a pre-lit, 3 ft silver Christmas Tree from the Salvation Army (used)
$7 was spent on random christmas decor pieces from various thrift stores (garland, ribbons, candles, etc)(Used)
$10 was spent on styrofoam balls and a green fabric remnant from Hobby Lobby (new)
$5 was spent on mini ornament balls and tree hooks from the dollar section at Target (new)
$12 was spent on Christmas paper from Michael’s (to be used for xmas cards, paper decor and snowflakes!) (new)
$0 spent on a cute mini tree donated to our collection from my friend Meredith (read her blog here!)
$0 spent on fabric scraps and remnants from other projects (new and upcycled)

Total so far: $93!!

That leaves me jut $7 for last minute touches between now and Christmas. I’m thinking… homemade stockings! We’ll see what happens.

Today I’m showing you the Christmas tree ornaments we’re going to have on our tree and other fun places in the house. But this isn’t just a Christmas DIY. Depending on the fabric you use, this decor is fun any time of year!
((I’ve chosen a variety of different colorful prints and I’ll be pulling them together with solid green balls and solid silver ball ornaments I got from Goodwill. Picture coming once our tree goes up!))

Materials Needed:
Styrofoam Balls (size or sizes of your choice)
Fabric scraps (use what you have and save $$$! Or buy some AWESOME scraps from My Little Sunshine!)
Straight pins
Scissors

Directions:
1. Measure your fabric and cut into strips that will fit around your balls with a slight overlap. Pay attention to the width of your strips. Too wide makes funny looking balls. (Hint: Cut your fabric strips on the bias for the most stretch. Then they will fit snugly around the balls.)

2. Stretch and wrap your fabric strips around the balls and secure with two straight pins on the overlap. (You could also use glue, but using pins allows you to take apart the ornaments later to use the styrofoam balls, pins and fabric strips for other projects! Recycle Reduce Reuse!!

3. Keep wrapping until all the white areas are hidden. I like pinning from the top of the ball for each strip because then less pins show. Play with it until you find a look that you like.

4. You can style your fabric balls in baskets, on your tree (we’re using basic wire hooks), with garland… the possibilities are endless!

Be Made New,
Piper

I’ve been wanting to travel (outside the US) the last couple of months. I don’t know where or when I might make such a trip, but that doesn’t stop me from dreaming about it.

Here’s a map of countries I’ve visited:

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

I “repinned” (that is, I saved the image to my Pinterest boards) and began the thrift store hunt for some fun gadgets of my own! They were easy to find and I got some for only .25 cents each!

I had a little trouble find ones in my desired color scheme, so I went for all neutrals, knowing that I can paint them myself later, if I choose. This is an easy DIY project and I love the result in our kitchen!

Be Made New,
Piper