{DIY: WALL ART} ...LOVE WHAT YOU DO

Everyone loves a simple art piece on one of their walls that makes a lovely statement, including myself.  I don't have any simple word art on my walls so I decided to make one!  This took very little time to make with items that I found around the condo.  So it didn't require that I spend any money on it which is always an A-plus in my book :O)

Here are the items you'll need for this little project:  1x4 slat of wood(or wood shape/size of your choice), house paint (shade of your choice), paint brush, x-acto knife, magazines, print out of the phrase you want and in the font you like, newspaper, rubber cement and a camera (to snap shots of your lovelies). 

First: Set up an area where you can spread out the newspaper to place your wood slat on in order to paint it.  Then paint it! (it'll only take a few minutes to paint) I set mine up on bar-stools so I could stand up to paint them.  Normally I would spray paint (I loooove me some spray paint) in order to get a smoother finish.  However, for this piece I wanted the brush strokes to show to add a little bit of texture on the background so I used Valspar that has primer in the mix.  

Second: While the paint is drying, get together the letters you printed, x-acto knife, and magazines.  Choose any kind of magazines you prefer to get the colors, textures & shapes you would like on your lettering.  Tear out all the pages you want to use (keep in mind the sizing of the letters in conjunction with the pictures you are choosing)  then place the letter on top of the photo you choose and trace the letter with your x-acto knife to cut it out.

Third: After you're done cutting out all your letters out for your phrase and the paint has dried, use the rubber cement to glue it to your wood slat.  Finish it up by nailing in a couple sawtooth hangers to the back and viola!  Your handmade wall art is ready for display :O)

Easy-peasy!  I was excited to hang it in my room; it's something simple, yet such a wonderful reminder to always fill your day and your mind with what you cherish and love the most :O)

Sending you lots of Light & Laughter!

~Cassie

LIFE LOVE AND INTEGRITY

"Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you." ~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 

#boom

So I haven't blogged in a loooong while, and I changed the name of my blog because I'm going to start sharing more DIY projects I work on, but I had to share my musings over this beautiful quote I came across today!  SHEESH, when I read this quote it hit me the same as that feeling a person might get when walking and looking down at their phone, then accidentally running into a parking meter, leaving them stunned and wowed at the same time! (I can neither confirm, nor deny, being said person above) 

How we choose to live our lives always starts with the thoughts we entertain and eventually they come to fruition through our behaviors and habits which evolve into a level of character.  That's a mouthful, but true!  #deepstuff  The character you develop can be a powerful model to those around you, especially your little ones.  As a mother, a sibling, a boss, a friend, a co-worker, or any other role you might fill, how do you handle fairness?  Is honesty displayed in your daily interactions at home, at a restaurant, the grocery store, at work, on the playground with your child, with family and friends?  How do you react to someone that has wronged you?  How do you act on a tough situation in order to progress toward a more positive outcome?  What behavior patterns are you developing for your children to observe that reflect your level of fairness and sound character?   

As a Mama, I have the opportunity (which is an honor) to model a life of love, loyalty, and fairness and exude strong traits of integrity.  I've been taught that integrity is choosing to do what is right, even when no one is looking, and to always share the truth with love, no matter what the outcome might be.  that.builds.trust.  (Side note...Part of me wishes I would have soaked in these lessons fully when I was younger (I love you Mama & Daddy!), but mostly I'm uber full of gratitude for who I am now, for the people in my life, and for the opportunity I have to be a strong model of integrity to those I cherish and love on this beautiful journey of life.)  Nickelbugs little eyes and ears that I have been gifted with will mimic those that she reveres the most, so I don't take this lightly.  So far, she is everything that defines love and integrity, so I must be doing something right!     

Nickelbug and I's Saturday Morning Snuggles :O)  
(#soakup even the seemingly small moments)

Keep an open heart and be willing to inspect your daily choices.  Try to keep things simple by choosing to pour love and gratitude over your little ones no matter how sour the day might be.  This will bring so much peace into your home and each of your hearts.  Give your children a legacy of a solid foundation from which to grow their character and faith for their future.  Then sit back to watch them bloom!  :O)

Sending you lots of Light and Laughter,

~Cassie

P.S. Stay tuned for some fun, easy DIY projects that I will be posting about soon :O)

SEW NICE TO MEET YOU

I have a thing for birds.  Not sure really where the liking to them came from, but like them, I do.  The short/small/pudgy ones that hop in their cute way are my fave.  When I sit in the Square of Thanksgiving to journal and reflect Dtown, I like to take pictures of them.  Heck, I even have one tattooed on me :O)  I was reading a Chick-Fil-A book about birds to Nickelbug the other night and it stated that you can find so many places to eat when you can fly, pertaining to the many different places that the different types of fowl find good eats.  Nickelbug related to it by sharing, "Yeah, you can find food at Starbucks, and at the mall, and at the store, and at the desert!" hahahah I love how she makes me chuckle and smile proud!

Enjoying an opportunity to share that tid-bit of Nickelbug and I's time together :O) 

So, on to what has been rolling around in my cerebrum...I've been pondering a lot about the course of events in my life. Choices.  Plans.  Events.  Some controllable and others out of my hands. 

Past.

Future. 

Presently. 

Accomplishments.  Mistakes.  Learning curves.  New horizons.  What-if's.  Dreams.  Freshness.  Tomfoolery.  Blushing moments.  Emotional roller coasters.  Travels.  Surprises.  Challenges.  Funnies.  Faces: past, ones I have yet to greet, and ones still here with me now...

All part of my journey.   

My God is pretty big.  Caring more for my hearts condition than what I can do, or not.  Now realizing He gives me the OK to focus on my inward journey, there is no need for me to worry about what others may think.  Nor should I worry of being incapable or lacking in any area of my life cause He fills in those gaps for me where I humanly can't.  My past does not surprise Him. My present does not worry Him. And my future is certainly not a mystery to Him.  I have come to a place where I can love myself, just as He made me.  Quirks and all(and I have many).   This inward journey has taught me that meditating is important.  Meditation does not mean you have to always sit in repose, stating in unison with others, "Ohmmmmmmm" for hours on end.  You can meditate while you walk, draw, drive, gather firewood, mime, whatever, so long as you aren't consumed with thoughts about your past or lost in some made-up, fairy tale future.  Meditation is no different than prayer.  For me it's about getting centered with God, listening, asking, learning, loving, and letting go.  Letting what God created shine!  How I choose to project my light onto others is entirely up to me and learning to love myself, as is, has become my starting point. Finding love for myself; what I do in love to work through life and what I do in love when it's time to let go, no matter what the situation may be.  People are fallible; many have come into my life, and many have exited.  I'm okay with that.  God doesn't go anywhere and even when I tried to shut Him out, He was still right on the other side of the door, standing guard to protect me.  He is showing me to love, starting with me.  Who am I to be so bold?  Do you love yourself enough to be okay in every situation?  So much so that no matter what you say you can have no attachment to how it and you are received?  Be non-attached to the outcome.  All results are good.  Know this and you will be fine.

Coming to where I have arrived thus far, I can honestly share that I am a very happy woman :O)  Sure, I've made plenty of mistakes (and still continue to make them as I'm only human) but I am thankful for them all for I am the woman I am today for them AND they have brought me the most beautiful little girl, EVER.  For her, I desire not to ever change anything that has been done if it meant she would not be here with me now.  A sentiment I believe that can (and will) be shared no matter where I am on my journey!

So, can you hear the birds singing?

"There is only love.  Everything else is our resistance to it." ~Terces Engelhart

MEET JADE...

Jade Elizabeth Atwine…

Jade Elizabeth means: A jewel consecrated to our bountiful God; God of plenty.  She is a beautiful little girl and Nicolette and I have the privilege of becoming part of her world.  She was born on June 29, 2010 so she is only 2 years younger than Nicolette.  We look forward to learning through life with her and meeting her soon!

Glenda Stutzman, Watotos Sponsorship Coordinator, shard that Jade was abandoned shortly after birth in a hospital in Mbarara in Western Uganda.  When authorities failed to trace Jade’s parents, they requested Watoto Child Care Ministries to take her into their care.  Loving staff and volunteers at the Baby Watoto Home took little Jade under their wings and tended her malnourished little body.  With proper attention, Jade soon got back to good health and she is enjoying playing with toys and other children.

In March 2012, Jade graduated to a Watoto Home in a Watoto Village, where a devoted housemother and Watoto brothers and sisters made her feel welcome.  Jade’s housemother showers her with love and care.  :O)

On Sundays, Mama takes Jade to the Watoto Church, where the whole family receives spiritual nourishment.  When she is old enough, Jade will attend the Watoto School. 

Deeeep inhale...hold it....hold it...then looong exhale....and an uber biiiiiiiig smile :O)  She is a breathe of fresh air!!

Going through life: growing personally, working full time, being a mom full time, and starting a business has its challenges.  It is so hard to be patient…I know what I desire in certain areas of my life, for Nicolette, and for our future, but I know that God has his creative ways of doing things.  He cultivates desires (sometimes seemingly random) in our hearts at different times for certain reasons.  Since I have no idea what the future holds for Nicolette and I, I am choosing to live in the moment and soak up all the good that God has put in our lives right now.  I’m uber excited to see what is in store for Nicolette, Jade & I :O)  To do what I can, with what I have, right where I am at to bless others in our little sphere of influence and also now to bless others around the globe that have yet to meet… A Step in the Right Direction…

^“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

For information on sponsoring a child through Watoto, please contact:

Glenda Stutzman

Sponsorship Coordinator

Watoto USA

PO BOX 1320 

Lutz, Florida 33548

Phone: 813.948.4343

For information regarding Watoto and/or to visit, please contact:

David Wildes

Visit Watoto and Church Relations

Watoto USA

PO BOX 1320

Lutz, Florida 33548

Phone: 813.948.4346

 

Savory Moments

It's amazing how many faces inspiration can have.  Some serene, cooky, stunning, scary, perplexing, corky, some that leave you speechless...name it, it's out there.  Any and all of them are interesting in some form or fashion.  Swimming through all of them, there isn’t anything, or any one, that inspires me more than those that absolutely love to fall over an over again in love with life and all the menial aspects of it as well as the grandeur of events.  People that build-up, encourage and challenge their peers-whether friends, acquaintances, passersby’s, or just blog readers-inspiring them to live in the moment and soak up all of the savories in any situation.  By embracing the good, the bad, and all the fun in between I’m able to see the world around me with a fresh perspective that makes my heart lighter and happier!  

God created us to love and enjoy life and to pour that joy over one another just as He does with us.  Life is beautiful!  There’s so much freedom when taking hold of that truth and walking it out!

When I’m older and reflecting back on my life, I want to be proud of the thumb print I’m leaving in this world and in the lives of those around me.  Right now, one step at a time, I choose to be a sponge and soak in all the savory moments I can and to share them with others  :O)  

Soaking in amazing artwork (by: Katie Daisy). Words, questions, and encouragement!

 

Beautiful flowers 

 

My Mini-Me's feet

Nickelbug's goofy faces & laughter

 

 Blue Tongues

 Cranberry Fun

Hide & Seek 

 

Yummie, good foods

Fun times with my bestie

 And of course.........LOTS of Color!!!

Time may not be able to be retrieved, but when I look at glimpses like these I can happily, and proudly say, they are moments that were not wasted....Time very well spent :O)

 We're lovin' life and doing it together!!

 

Word-Up!

I’m a gal whose main love language is Words.  Fun, exciting, motivating, uplifting, encouraging, life-giving words.  Truthfully, I really enjoy pouring those words over others whenever an opportunity to do so presents itself.  It really fills me with joy to be able to do that and brighten someone’s day!  However, not everyone is like me in that sense.  Recently I have experienced situations where other people’s words were just the opposite of that.  Even those closest to me!  Words that were tearing me down and putting me out.  Their words started taking root in my heart, so instead of being propelled into fulfilling the dream God put on my heart, I was being held back, pulled down and sometimes drug through the dirt. 

It's amazing how outside situations can influence and/or affect what direction my heart takes.  When really, what's in my heart should be what influences and/or affects the direction my external situations take.  

After months of sulking in discouragement and frustration God opened my eyes to the relationship I have with Him in a way I’ve never seen before!  Eureka!!  He is my Groom, the closest and most intimate anyone will ever get with me, and the words He speaks over me and into my life are SOLID.  I am His and He is mine.  He is my biggest fan and will always speak truth, life & encouragement into me.  His words are now being rooted in my heart and growing me into all He created me to be as His woman.  He chose to take possession of me because He believes in me and the abilities He has placed within me to accomplish what he created me to do!  In the same way I choose to take possession of Him and trust that He has the ability to do what He says He will do in my life (Philippians 3:12b).  He is my protector, my encourager, my energy, my motivation, my accountability…you get the picture.  He is all the encouragement I need and He is the One that defines my future with His words, not the people in my world. 

So, instead of allowing opposition from others hold me back or get me down, I choose to allow my Groom to be the one that is behind me and beside me, propelling me into the future He has for me, which is greater than anything I could imagine!  I don’t know what the future holds, but what’s great is I know He’s uber excited to equip me for it!  Everything I set my hands and my mind do will be blessed because I’m doing it for Him and with His words in mind encouraging me every step of the way :O)  He appreciates every bit of it!

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)

 

 ⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Jitterbugs!

Well I'm actually doing it...taking the leap and launching a dream to encourage women to discover their fabulousness and find joy in creative expression! I call it Nickelbug Designs :O) It'll be my little thumbprint to leave behind for my little one and those around me that I'm inspired so much by! Life is full of risk and it's too short to waste the time to just sit, pray, contemplate, worry, and wait. I want to take the leap and do something I know God has put in me to do that is FULLfilling to my heart!!! Using the talents and passions that he has placed in my being to make & create art and accessories, I want to be able to turn around and bless others through them and with the funds I make in selling them my desire is to be able to financially bless those that need it.

Even though I have jitterbugs in my tummy about taking on this endeavor, I am learning fast that God honors those that honor Him, and He is delighted when we take that step of faith, that jump, and are obedient, to start fresh with Him (even when it seems crazy). A very dear friend of mine shared an amazing scripture with me when we were discussing all of this: Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) says ¹⁰ "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin..." All it takes is a starting point, even a small one and He will rejoice over you for taking that step toward where He wants you to go!! The key is keeping the faith and remaining obedient, even when you don't understand it all. God will not forget you. He will not turn His face from you. He will pour favor over you and your children!! Amen?! 


So here goes nuthin'...GERONIMO!!!! 

You can view my collection for Nickelbug Designs at nickelbugdesigns.etsy.com and if you are on Facebook, you can find us on facebook.com/NickelbugDesigns


Enjoy!!