by Sharon | Oct 28, 2015
Do You Count Your Blessings Daily?
Are you truly thankful for your many blessings?
Is this a thought that comes around only during Thanksgiving?
There’s plenty of negativity around us. The trick is to ignore it and fill your heart and mind with positive thoughts. I know it is easier said than done.
Would You Rather Be Happy Or Complaining All of the Time?
Have you noticed how many say the former and do the latter?
Most of us are a mixture — we may start out happy and then something we see or hear turns us into a complainer. Or we may get into a rant about something.
I know it may seem foolish and childish, but you can make a Unicorn or Pegasus or a combination of the two creating your own little critter to remind you to be thankful, gracious, think positively and count your many blessings.
It’s Easy To Find Fault
But, at times, not so easy to find things to praise.
We do it with our family, friends and neighbors. We appraise people regularly, but may not say anything — hopefully not when negative thoughts come to mind. And many times praise comes out sounding flat and shallow.
Why?
Because it isn’t practiced enough. The negative too often comes to mind and right out of the mouth.
In Order To Be More Positive, You Need To Do Acts Of Kindness
Around the holidays it’s always easy to do little acts of kindness.
It isn’t so easy to do them on a daily basis or we haven’t given it enough thought.
I was running this idea by many friends and neighbors and complete strangers I encountered the other day.
One theme ran through their responses:
Society Has Such An “Entitlement Attitude”
One man said, “I don’t give as much as I used to. What you do isn’t appreciated. They think they’re entitled to a free meal at Thanksgiving or buying school clothes for their kids. I’m disgusted.”
Others chimed in:
“There was a man on the freeway off ramp with a sign, ‘Will Work For Food.’ I didn’t have a job for him, but I had a fresh cold container of orange juice I gave him.”
“That was very thoughtful.”
“Yes, especially with the weather being warm and who knew how long he was standing there.”
“Do you want to know what that man did?”
We all nodded in unison.
“He threw that orange juice bottle at my car as I was moving forward. I have a dent on my trunk where it landed.”
You may think this is just an isolated case
There were stories about giving food to someone who came to the door at dinner time.
“We were eating spaghetti, so I fixed a plate and gave it to the man at the door. He looked at it, stuck his fork in a meatball, took a bite and spit it out.”
“We were in the back yard with steaks on the bbq. This guy comes along without saying a word and takes a steak and walks away without a thank you or even a grunt of acknowledgment. I was thankful he took only one steak.”
I may not have succeed here with thoughts of kindness, being thankful and being more positive, but I have illustrated why with such experiences, we aren’t as giving and positive.
I have made and set out many of these paper craft Unicorns and Pegasuses around my house. I don’t want to be tainted by my own experiences and those of others.
I don’t know from where this “entitlement attitude” materialized. I know I don’t like it. I learned a long time ago that no one owes me anything.
Not a kind word and definitely not a hand-out in whatever form that may take.
These Unicorns and Pegasuses are a reminder to me to be more thankful, positive and kind. I think it’s a gentle way of encouraging children to think of others in a more kind manner and to truly appreciate all the blessings they have in life.
We Are Responsible For Changing Our Own Behavior
I don’t like others manipulating me to change my beliefs and attitudes any more than any other person likes being manipulated.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, beliefs and attitudes. It is wrong to inflict yours upon others, just as an individual declares something is offensive to them.
My goodness, if I had a nickel for every time I was offended by something . . .
To be completely honest with you, I don’t go around looking to be offended by certain things. I don’t think “offended” comes into play as much as not liking something. But my not liking something refers to my not liking it for myself, not trying to change something in others.
If there’s something about yourself you don’t like, then you can focus on it and take action to change it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen over-night, but with continued effort, you’ll make those changes.
I believe that what you concentrate upon is what you bring to you. It’s not magical. You’re more apt to notice those things you have in mind.
While I focus upon blessings and being thankful, I realize how truly blessed I am and how I have many things for which to be thankful.
The paper crafts are merely a reminder for me to leave the negativity behind and concentrate upon positive things. Things that enrich my life. Not tear it down.
It’s also helpful to find the humor in things, rather than being disgusted by them.
It’s all about choices and priorities. They’re different for everyone.
I’m pushing my thoughts ahead to Thanksgiving during this Halloween week because I’m prepared for Halloween and not for Thanksgiving. I know there are many who have Thanksgiving and Christmas all planned.
I am happy for them. They have travel reservations to set up. I admire planning ahead.
I’ve rambled long enough.
I’m very grateful to those of you who have read this post to the end.
I hope the Unicorns and Pegasus find a place in your home. They are cute and well fed on your many kindnesses, positive thoughts, blessings and thankfulness.
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 22, 2015
It’s Amazing How Something Simple Can Be Made Halloween Creepy
I’m not into the gross, but I can appreciate the spooky and the thought provoking.
This image with the Victorian Birds seems tasteful, but also creepy in a Hitchcock sort of way. Maybe a bit Poe . . . and Stephen King as well. Many writers get their ideas from normal everyday objects . . . and ask “What if . . .”
It got me thinking . . . always a dangerous sign . . .
So many . . . yes, so many people have a fear of clowns . . . how would clowns work in place of the birds. Maybe a bit too creepy to create if you have a fear of them . . . Yet these birds do have a bit of a clownish feel with the ruffled collar, yet that could be the Victorian or Elizabethan era theme.
Witches would be a safe bet . . . ghosts, too . . . and all those people who are into zombies . . . that would be a scary way to go.
You get any sort of gathering of the creepy and scary and it brings inspiration of other frightening spooky images.
A Typewriter Seems A Natural Centerpiece . . . but a Haunted House Works Well, Too
Or a witch’s hat or shoe . . .
I was thinking of a model train engine . . . maybe even a model car . . . an old airplane . . . or a pirate’s ship . . .
You may like a skull with some bones . . .
It’s great to allow your thoughts to get into the creative mode and do something scream worthy for your very own centerpiece decor. The more original you can be, the better . . . but you can get plenty of helpful ideas from http://ravensblight.com
I find The Dark Promise appealing . . .
And you’ll find a lot of interesting things by Ray O’Bannon from Ravens Blight of interest.
Here’s a Haunted House Treat Box you may enjoy.
It’s perfect for giving treats to the neighbors and for kids to give treats to their friends and maybe even their teacher.
I love paper craft boxes for all occasions.
Thanks for stopping by and have fun over at Ravens Blight.
by Sharon | Sep 19, 2015
I absolutely love paper crafts. Ravensblight.com has a new collection of mini haunted houses that are fast and easy to make.
The creator Ray O’Bannon has a creepy little tale about this trio of mini houses that stand about 5 inches tall. They can be tucked away nicely in any little area in the house.
I believe this would be a wonderful introduction to paper crafts for your youngsters who would love to create this little trio of mini haunted houses that have been abandoned, but remain to decay . . . they do have ghostly visitors who make themselves at home . . . I wonder . . . a mini haunted house neighborhood within your home . . . the concept gives me chills . . .
These truly get your imagination running over-time . . . No time for delay with chitchat. Here are the links:
I print them out on heavy card stock. The instructions are easy to follow and you’ll have this little collection of mini haunted houses completed and displayed in your house in no time at all. Browse the website a bit and you may like to have some micro monsters walking around this neighborhood. Something else may grab your fancy . . . 
How about Maxine? She’s a real beauty. Just click the image and you’ll be able to download this 1958 Plymouth Fury. Of course, Ray O’Bannon has a tale to tell about her . . . and you may have one or two of your own . . . there is mystery surrounding Maxine . . . and you may be able to undercover it.
And, as you browse around, you may find something else you’d love to make.
Have fun!
Please leave me a comment.
Sharon
by Sharon | Sep 17, 2015
I love having something I can make, set out and make minor changes to from time-to-time.
It is inspiring to paint messages on rocks as reminders of how very blessed we truly are.
I may get into my fall mode and write “thankful” with a “boo” here and there. It can be like a memory game. I can paint the sayings and turn the rocks over and as the season progresses try to remember where I put the saying I want to feature.
I’ve added crystals to my rock assortment. The images does look a bit generic to me, but you can add fall leaves and small pumpkins and dried fall flowers to make it a bit more festive. Then change it for winter, then you’re back to the beginning for spring and summer. You could do some lovely things for Christmas and Easter, too.
This does look summer to me. I’m sure you have a gazillion ideas of how you can make a holiday centerpiece with this idea and candles.
Inspiration always begins from within. This is like a blank canvas . . . it just needs your master touch.
Thanks for stopping by!
Please leave me a comment with your thoughts about this post.
Sharon
by Sharon | Sep 13, 2015
I’m wondering whether to put this on my front door, out in the yard or somewhere in the house.
This is a fun project you can make. Just get a wooden plaque at your favorite craft store or building supply place. Then with some letters, paint and sealer you’re ready to put it wherever you like.
I think this would creep out just about anyone who reads it. And the thing is you can’t resist reading it!!
The reactions you’ll get will be absolutely priceless!!
You know everyone will first look behind them . . . some may laugh . . . or be creeped out all day!!
I think I may put it on the back of a sweatshirt. Then I have more of an opportunity to creep out more people. Or would the front of a sweatshirt work better . . . hummm, decisions, decisions.
However you use the creepy saying . . . Have fun!!
Thanks for stopping by and please leave me a comment.
Sharon
by Sharon | Sep 9, 2015
I love crafts, especially those I can do for every holiday.
This pictorial tutorial shows you exactly what you need to do.
I like the coffee cup concept with the saucer, too. I may want to experiment with a wine glass or other glassware and also kitchen or other household objects that would be special to you, a member of your family or for whomever you’re making this “centerpiece” or the holiday or celebration.
We’re approaching fall and Halloween. You could use a witch’s shoe or a plastic pumpkin or plastic cauldron or even a plastic skull . . . I’m sure you could think of something else. And, of course, you could be thinking ahead to Thanksgiving, Christmas or the New Year.
You can add whatever you desire to the “plate/saucer” and use artificial leaves or other foliage that fits your holiday theme to cover the fork. I would truly love to make a miniature scene using small figurines for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. There could be artificial snow to cover the fork handle and the fork on the saucer. I may want to use a brandy snifter to spill out the pieces that magically are later placed in the saucer scene. It could be people being poured out of the snifter or elements such as trees or whatever fits the particular holiday.
The flowers and eggs do work out nicely with this concept, but I believe it is worthwhile to create something for the other holidays — it would definitely be a challenge. I’d have to do a lot of experimenting to see what looks and feels right for me. I’m confident something would work, it will just take a bit of trial and error to make it work.
I hope this pictorial tutorial was helpful and gave you considerable food for thought. I’ll be thinking about it and gathering various objects to see what would work for the concept I have in mind.
Thanks for stopping by! Please leave me a comment. I’ve love to hear your ideas.
Sharon
