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Thursday, February 28, 2013
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Why I Love My Husband
Why I Love My Husband (the never-ending list):
11. When I cry he kisses my tears away.
12. He always compliments me on my cooking, even when I know I missed the mark on the recipe.
13. He surprises me with with gifts. For example, he bought me a large jar of Nutella last week, even though I'm out of the country. It's waiting for me to enjoy when I return home.
14. He remembers our anniversary (6 years on Sunday!).
15. When I'm fretting over the gray starting to appear in my hair, he tells me how beautiful I am. Knowing I like to take care of my appearance, he brings home a hair color kit for me to hide the gray.

I'm joining in the fun with the Happy Wives Club and linking up every Thursday! I encourage you to share your "Why I Love My Husband" list with your husband. Shower him with some praise and affirmation. In doing so, may the Lord richly bless your marriage.
Easter Ornaments for Passion Week
Easter is early this year - March 31st! Passover is Sunday, March 24th. Start a new tradition this year with an Easter Tree. Use a branch from a tree in your yard and every day during Passion Week hang a new ornament. The idea is similar to a Jesse Tree. See this post. Each day you read the Scripture that accompanies each ornament as you hang the ornament.

When is Passion Week? It begins Palm Sunday and ends Resurrection Sunday --- that's an 8 day week!

This set includes 12 hand-crafted felt ornaments embellished with beads and sequins and a list for daily scripture reading for years of use.

Ornament themes listing, scripture readings, and symbols:

Day 1 - Palm Sunday/Triumphant Entry - Matthew 21:1-11
symbol: donkey and palm branch

Day 2 - Alabaster Box/Mary Annointing Jesus' Feet - Matthew 26:6-13
symbol: alabaster box

Day 3 - Last Supper/Bread & Cup - Matthew 26:17-29
symbol: cup of wine with unleavened bread

Day 4 - Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet - John 13:3-20
symbol: pitcher and bowl with water

Day 5 - Arrest in The Garden - Matthew 26:47-56
symbol: sword/dagger

Day 6 - Crucifixion - Matthew 27:33-44; John 1:29
symbol: cross and lamb

Day 7 - Prophecy of Three Days Buried - Matthew 12:40
symbol: whale

Day 8 - Resurrection Sunday - Matthew 28:1-10
symbol: empty tomb

Please visit my Etsy shop, Pink Scissors Design, to order your set today!

Thursday, February 21, 2013
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Why I Love My Husband
Why I Love My Husband (the never-ending list):
6. He holds my hand when we walk to the bus.
7. He helps with the housework.
8. He always thanks me for the meals I prepare.
9. When he can't sleep, he uses headphones so that I can sleep without noise waking me up.
10. When he wakes up before I do, he has a hot cup of tea and a bowl of cereal ready for me when I wake up.

I'm joining in the fun with the Happy Wives Club and linking up every Thursday! I encourage you to share your "Why I Love My Husband" list with your husband. Shower him with some praise and affirmation. In doing so, may the Lord richly bless your marriage.
Shoe Box of Scraps. Do you sort your scraps? This shoe box holds strips...though, I'm certain I've seen some squares and other shapes in there, too.
Today, I'm linking up with Marie of Blooming Homestead. I whipped up this cute little craft especially for today's link up.

Raise your hand if you keep your fabric scraps.

{Both hands raised high in the air.}

Yeah, I have more than one box marked, "Scraps".

I do enjoy small sewing projects that I can complete in a day...an hour - even better! Thus, I keep my fabric scraps...perfect for those small projects I love.




4 easy steps! Cut. Pin. Stitch. Frame.
Materials
8 1/2 x 11 Document Frame
Muslin
Fabric Scrap for the bird silhouette
Fabric Scrap for the branch silhouette
Coordinating Colored Thread
Thimble
Scissors
Scotch Tape
Iron

Technique
Blanket Stitch - here are a few good places to learn this technique:
Tutorial: Hand Sew Felt Using Blanket Stitch from Future Girl
Blanket Stitch from Stitch School
Blanket Stitch - hand video from Connecting Threads


Step One: Cut.
Step One: Cut
Using the thin piece of card board that came with the frame, cut our your muslin...just a bit larger than the size of the card board.

Keep that piece of thin card board. You're going to need it later and use it for framing that sweet little bird.

Tip: Iron your fabric after you cut it.

Save time and your sanity. A smaller piece of fabric is always easier to work with when ironing. No sense ironing yards of muslin when you will only be using a tiny portion of it.

After you have cut and ironed your muslin and fabric shapes, decide which whether your bird will be framed vertically or horizontally.

I chose vertically, leaving plenty of space to embroider a verse or quote later.

Step Two: Pin.
Step Two: Pin.
Pin the branch shape wherever you like, keeping in mind which direction you want your frame - vertical or horizontal.

My inspiration for this craft came from a picture hanging on my sister-in-law's living room wall. I thought the darling bird silhouette would translate perfectly from print to fabric. So, one day while visiting her, I did a free hand sketch to create my own templates. No copying or tracing - - - free hand.

This craft would have gone down differently if it was more detailed than a silhouette.

This bird is a basic shape which I encourage you to try. Doodle and sketch. Draw a bird and a rough branch and put your own signature on your craft. Own it!

Step Three: Stitch.
Step Three: Stitch.
Bird and branch pinned in place, thread your needle, grab your thimble, pour yourself a cuppa, put on your favorite show/movie, and stitch.

I recommend appliqueing your bird and branch onto the muslin. My favorite technique when doing this by hand is the blanket stitch. It is easy and pretty. I listed three places to find how-to's for the blanket stitch (see above).

I chose a coordinating pink thread for my pink bird. Unfortunately, I did not have a coordinating green for my branch. So, I chose a complimentary color of an orangish-brown.


Step Four: Frame.
Step Four: Frame.
Remember that piece of thin cardboard that came with the frame? You used it in step one to cut out the correct size of muslin. Now is when you need it.

You will also need some tape to help hold the muslin in place and keep it as taught as possible when fitting it for framing.

Tip: Before fitting your fabric bird to the frame, iron it so that it will lay smooth and look lovely hanging on your wall or perched on a shelf.

After ironing it, lay the bird face down. Place the thin cardboard face up...so that you can read the writing on it. Fold over excess muslin and tape down to cardboard.

Next, gently slide the piece of cardboard which is now steadying your fabric bird into the frame.

A thick piece of cardboard should have come with your frame. Slide this in behind your fabric bird/thin cardboard.

Finally, gently slide the frame stand...the very back of the frame into the frame.

Voila!

Your lovely little fabric bird is now ready to grace your home.

Now, it's your turn...join me in linking up at Blooming Homestead.


I'm also linking up with these great craft link parties:
IMG_6373
Today's Creative Blog
Home Stories A2Z


Better Off Thread
Got tomatoes? Make paste!
Cooker And A Looker - Homemade Tomato Paste. Amanda shares how to make homemade tomato paste two ways: the thermochef way and on the stove top.

A note about a few of the ingredients for American readers, "capsicum" is Australian for "pepper": red, green, or yellow pepper. Not the spice. The vegetable. "White Sugar" is Australian for sugar, meaning not raw (which looks a bit brownish), not icing sugar or powdered, but granulated. And, thermochef is a fancy Australian kitchen appliance (I'm sure America has its own version.)

Crafty? Link up Tuesday at Blooming Homestead!
Blooming Homestead - Crafty Tuesday. I for one am glad that Marie decided to host a crafty link-up on her blog. It gives me great reason to craft today...just as soon as I finish this blog post. Marie is inviting everyone to link up projects, recipes, and crafts. Join me in linking up tomorrow. Not crafty? That's okay, craft link-ups are a great source of inspiration...plenty of pinning going on...and you'll find some great blogs to add to your reading list.

No Sew Tee Pee!
The Handmade Home - A No Sew Tee Pee. My nephews would flip for this super craft! Set aside a day or weekend (if you are a perfectionist) to create this amazing reading/play space for your little ones. Ashley says it cost no more than $7 to make. Purchase six 1 x 2 x 8′s from your local handy man store and some jute (or duct tape if jute is not available) and follow Ashley's example for the rest...raid your fabric stash! Read the post to find terrific suggestions for how to make this amazing no sew tee pee at nearly no cost.

I think I might win Super Aunt of the Universe for Life if I made this for my nephews. Hmm, I wonder how their Grandparents would feel if built this in the bedroom I've been staying in while on my American holiday. Wonder if they will mind? I do realize that I may be sleeping in it...

5 Steps in 5 Days to a Happier Husband!
Happy Wives Club - 5 Steps in 5 Days to A Happier Husband. The Happy Wives Club introduces Kathi Lipp, sharing 5 steps for wives to practice for 5 days to build up their husbands. It's not secret that I'm madly in love with Mr Speech! Any time I can learn how to make my husband happier, I welcome it. Think of it as more ways to say, "I Love You!" Kathi admits that the steps she suggests may not be easy, ask a friend to work with you - encourage you and stay accountable to and pray for you. Kathi is the author of The Husband Project & The Marriage Project...I have both books...very good. I highly recommend them!

S’mores Éclairs !
Baker's Royale - S'more Eclairs. I can't resist a delicious eclair! The recipe calls for "finely cut graham crackers". Graham crackers are easy to find in America. I have never seen them in Australia. Any Australian readers know where I can get graham crackers in Brisbane? If I want to make these beauties, I'll have to make some extra room in my suitcase for a box or two of graham crackers. Mini-marshmallows are also not to be found in Australia. I have only ever seen the large size marshmallow and in pink and white. Where can I find plain ol' white marshmallows? I can easily cut them up into a mini size. No worries. Well, that's one more item to add to my suitcase: mini-marshmallows. Clearly, I need to learn where the best places are to buy American imported goods; AND where in Brisbane do the bakers shop?

Happy Wives, I think these would be perfect for step 4 in the 5 days to a Happier Husband.

Hey, if all else fails, do this for steps 1-5.

Methinks, ye husbands shall be very happy indeed!











Russian Doll Sweet Dreams Pillows NEW from Pink Scissors Design! Top Row Left to Right: Ekatarina, Iryna, Oksana, Anastasia; Bottom Row Left to Right: Viktoriya, Natasha, Tatiana, Svetlana
Smiling eyes, rosy cheeks, and a heart shaped mouth, these sweet babushkas are cuddle ready for quiet time, nap time, and bed time. Terrific secret keepers and they love slumber parties. Perfect as a pillow for decoration or a soft toy for play.

Measures approximately 20 inches tall and 17.5 inches wide.

I made these darlings while in America. These beauties ship from America - $5.20 shipping to America!

Visit my Etsy shop - Pink Scissors Design - doll section and adopt yours today!

A Lovely Year of Finishes



Pinterest is a terrific place to find Valentine's Day printables. Click here for this one.
Happy Valentine's Day! To celebrate, I'm sharing my favorites from my Pinterest boards. Please share your favorite Valentine's Day Pinterest Boards/Pins in the comments below.

Valentine's Day Crafts
Fun Valentine's Day Fonts
Large Clothespin Craft
DIY: Heart-shaped tea bag for the tea lover
Romantic Map Craft: where you met, married, and live
Countdown to Kisses
Valentine Canvas Tutorial
50 Sweet Conversation Heart Recipes & Crafts
DIY: Giant Balloon Heart

Valentine's Day Printables
Keep Calm and Kiss Me
Keep Calm and Be Mine
Arise, My Love, My Beautiful One, and come away...

Valentine's Day Cakes
Heart Hot Chocolate {Italian site}
Valentine's Day Peek-A-Boo Pound Cake
Neapolitan Rose Cake, inside and out!
Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Buttercream Mini Hearts Inside
Valentine's Cupcapkes
Tim Tams Cake - with Thick Ganache icing! An Australian Favorite!

Valentine's Day Cookies
Milk & Cookies {A Cookie Valentine Tutorial}
Chocolate Valentine Cookies
Valentine Shortbread Cookie Sandwiches
Chocolate Heart Sandwich Cookies
Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Meringue Roses
Heart Shaped Raspberry S'more Macaroons
Valentine's Day Cookie Pop

Valentine's Day Drinks
Strawberry Sweethearts Cocoa
Valentine's Day S'mores Cookie Sticks with Cocoa
Crush Strawberry Valentine Drink

Heart Shaped Food
Heart Shaped Fruit Kabobs
Red Velvet Crepes w/ Mascarpone Cream Filling & Chocolate Ganache Topping
How To Peel A Heart Shaped Carrot
Chocolate Chip Cherry Pancakes

Valentine's Day Activities for Married Couples
The 5 Minute Exercise Every Couple Should Do
The Game of Love
Thursday, February 14, 2013
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Dressed for sledding in the Arctic Winter of Michigan.
I've recently discovered a new blog, The Paper Mama. She has recently begun hosting a fun meme: 11 Things. It's a way of getting to know readers and readers getting to know bloggers. I do hope many of you will join in the fun and share the link to your meme in a comment below. I know Mr Speech & I would enjoy visiting your blogs and reading your memes. For this inaugural 11 Things Meme, I - Mrs Speech - am writing it. You may recall that I am on holiday in America while Mr Speech is holding down the fort back in Brisbane. Shout out to Mr Speech! You Rock!!! {You all should know I'm not shy about how I feel about my handsome husband.}

The rules:

1. Post a photo of yourself

2. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.

3. Create 11 new questions and ask people to answer them.

The Paper Mama Asked:

1. If you HAD to change your name, what would you change it to?
"Mom" or even "Mum"...I've been hoping, praying, and waiting years to change my name to Mum. And, you know what...with my heart full of hope, I will continue to pray and wait.

2. Are you a collector of anything?
Teacups. You may recall this post where I swoon over the tea cups at T2. In the past I collected teapots...whimsical and lovely teapots. However, that collection remains Stateside while my tea cup collection is ever growing Down Under. Perhaps one day the two collections will become one and I can host a huge (YUGE) tea party!

3. What is your first thought when you wake up?
"Tea!" - when I'm home in Brisbane. While I'm in Michigan on holiday, "French Vanilla Coffee!" Either way, the kettle is going on and having a hot cuppa is the first thing on my mind.

4. Do you prefer sweet or salty foods?
Yes! Both. I like the sweet and savory together.

5. Name one thing you miss about being a kid.
Playing. I have so enjoyed time with my three-year-old nephew while on holiday in Michigan. Playing is the most important thing in the world to him. And, I realize at my graceful age of {ahem} 40 {shocking, I know} that there is much to learn from a three year old. I miss being three.

6. Are you a morning or night person?
Ha! I would say night, but it's a struggle to stay up much later than 10 p.m. these days. I can wake up between 6 or 6:30 without an alarm, but I'm not happy about it. Can a person be in transition? I don't think I am either a morning or a night person. When pressed, I would rather stay up late than wake up early. But, there's no guarantee I won't be grumpy {poor Mr Speech...he's so patient and kind when I get the grumpies - - - that's one of the reasons I love him so}.

7. List 5 items on your life’s to-do list:
1) Write a Children's Book
2) Adopt a baby girl from China
3) Have breakfast in Paris with Mr Speech
4) Finish all of my current unfinished quilts/sewing projects
5) Travel Europe researching my ancestry

8. Share one thing that people may not know about you.
Though I was born and raised in a state surrounded by the five Great Lakes and renowned for being a Winter Wonderland, I do not water or snow ski.

9. What is your all time favorite song, movie, and book?
Song - Jesus Loves Me
Movie - It's A Wonderful Life
Book - Psalms

10. Do you have any hidden talents?
Teaching...I was a missionary teacher before I met and married Mr. Speech.

11. Are you a really clean or super messy person?
Good question! I think I am a happy mix of both. People pay me to clean their home, while my own for the most part is "lived in". Ideally, I like to have a place for everything and everything in its place, but that's not reality. Especially, when I get out my fabric. Watch out! My works-in-progress lead to clutter. Organization is an area I'd really like to grow in...share your tips in the comments below or email me!

My Questions For You To Answer
1. Valentine's Day is tomorrow, if you HAD to pick just ONE which would you choose for a gift: 1 lb. heart-shaped box of chocolates, 1 dozen long stem red roses, dinner and a movie, or other?
2. What is the name of the most recent movie you saw at the cinema?
3. Your plans have changed and you have 30 minutes to make dinner, what do you make/do?
4. Do you have a Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall birthday?
5. What is your all time favorite book children's book - favorite you read over and over again, perhaps memorized, as a child?
6. If you are a quilter/crafter, take a photo of your most current project and share it with us. If you are not, please share your hobby.
7. Are you a Downton Abbey fan?
8. List the top 3 places you would take me to if I visited your hometown.
9. What is the name of the last blog you visited?
10. Favorite Love song?
11. Tea or coffee?

Your turn! I hope you will play along and answer this 11 questions meme! If you answer my questions, please come back and put a link in the comments. I’d really love to visit your blog and learn a bit about you!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
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Why I Love My Husband
Why I Love My Husband (the never-ending list):
1. He loves the Lord.
2. He prays for me.
3. He shares his chocolate with me.
4. He watches Gone With The Wind with me.
5. He tells me how beautiful I am even when I'm not wearing make-up.

I'm joining in the fun with the Happy Wives Club and linking up every Thursday! I encourage you to share your "Why I Love My Husband" list with your husband. Shower him with some praise and affirmation. In doing so, may the Lord richly bless your marriage.
Just in time for Valentine's Day! A "L-O-V-E" pillow.
With the snow flying and two feet forecasted by Saturday, I am enjoying my wintry Michigan holiday by staying indoors sewing. A needle and thread and buttons are keeping me quite happy, as I work on this patchwork pillow. I had been collecting fabric scraps and carefully chose some pink ones for this pillow. I was delighted to discover that my mother has a very large container of stray buttons. I emptied the container of buttons, pouring them into the largest mixing bowl I could find in my mother's cupboards and took my time selecting buttons to use for decorate this charming Valentine's pillow. Are you working on any Valentine's projects?

I'm linking up with:
HookingupwithHoHSomewhat Simple
The 36th AVENUE