by Sharon | Apr 8, 2016
Too Often Our Thoughts Aren’t For Our Benefit
I’ve had days when I’d rather stay home than run errands.
I was sitting and thinking about all the things I needed to do. Then, I suddenly got up, walked out the door, into my car and drove off. It seemed as though my thoughts were leading me in the direction I needed to go in order to get the various tasks accomplished.
I had a good morning, taking care of things I’d put off . . . just because my thoughts weren’t working with me.
Yes, it was cloudy and wet . . . but, quite honestly, I didn’t notice it. I was on a mission.
Sometimes we do need to let go of our imagined fears and move past them.
I found this great site where you can make an envelope and fill it with Best Thoughts. There are some you can print out and there are some that are blank so you can write out your own Best Thoughts.
They could be favorite quotes or Bible Verses. They could even be affirmations you find uplifting. It’s about allowing your mind to get you out of a rut . . . of deciding to not let troubles and sorrows get you down. This may allow you to think on the more positive side . . . your troubles and sorrows won’t disappear over night . . . but how you perceive them may . . . maybe not overnight, but with persistence . . . soon.
Some may believe this is magical thinking. In a way, I suppose it is. We dwell on things . . . some good and others . . .
Our thoughts help us make decisions . . . getting down to the basics of the situation, rather than all the extras that are there complicating it.
I was watching a movie about a woman who reached a cross roads . . . she was given an opportunity to teach at a prestigious college and have her book published. When this opportunity was presented to her, she also received a proposal of marriage from her long-term boyfriend.
She met him for dinner. She was bursting with news . . . and he was concentrating on his proposal and the life they would share together.
Well, in the movies there is conflict, otherwise there wouldn’t be a story. And in the story, it was all figuring out what to do . . .
There are ways of approaching such a situation . . . and there are many movies with this theme . . . either the man or the woman is given an opportunity of a lifetime . . .
These cards may allow you to think through your priorities without hurting anyone or yourself in the process.
There are many lessons to learn in life . . . many opportunities lost . . . many taken, leading to others . . . or to heartbreak . . .
Life is full of those ups and downs.
It may be worthwhile to sit quietly each day with Best Thoughts to help you either through those downs or assist you in preventing unnecessary ones.
It’s worth a try . . . just click here and you can print out the envelop and the cards . . . and print out plenty of the blank ones to write out your own best thoughts . . .
I find those to be more meaningful to me.
And these may be helpful to a friend . . . it wouldn’t hurt to share this with them.
Until next time,
Sharon
by Sharon | Apr 2, 2016
These Free Printables are easy to make, fill with goodies and give away.
What I really like about these, besides being free, is they come occupied with a great skeleton.
Fun, right?
You can decorate them however you wish . . . adding embellishments of various textures and perhaps make them into cards or invitations. Allow your imagination to soar and you’ll come up with hundreds, if not thousands of uses for these classy paper craft coffins.
Yes, it may be a bit morbid, but you’ll be delighted you started making these now . . . the kids will want to give them to their friends . . . you’ll want to give them to your friends and neighbors . . . you may need to kick the skeleton out . . . or leave him in to frighten the recipients of your treat filled coffins.
It’s always fun to give them a little extra . . . even if it is a fright . . .
Here are some helpful links courtesy of Ray O’Bannon of Ravensblight. There are six different coffin designs in this Peculiar Coffin Boxes set:
Peculiar Coffin Boxes Assembly Instructions
Black and Gold Coffin
Black and Silver Coffin
Gold Filigree Coffin
Silver Filigree Coffin
Rusty Coffin
Chained Coffin
Wasn’t that delightful!!! Mr. O’Bannon has more . . .
Oh yes, indeed he does. May I interest you in his Deluxe Coffin Boxes set?
There are five of these to print out and assemble . . . yes, they have a skeleton occupant, too.
If you print out the Peculiar Coffin Boxes and these Deluxe Coffin Boxes, you’ll have eleven different coffins to give to your family and friends . . . or your kids to give to their friends . . . Eleven different coffin boxes . . . imagine the possibilities . . .
Goodness, I almost forgot the links . . .
Deluxe Coffin Boxes Assembly Instructions
Modern Mahogany Casket
Oak Toe Pincher Coffin
Mahogany Toe Pincher Coffin
Walnut Toe Pincher Coffin
Weathered Crate
Now, would Mr. O’Bannon leave you with just eleven coffins?
Of course not. He’s a gentleman and a master craftsman.
He has a special treat in store for you. Three 4″ Coffin Gift Boxes plus a Stone Tomb that will accommodate one of these 4″ coffins . . .
And, as a special surprise . . . he has four unique occupants you can put inside to delight or frighten your family and friends.
Coffin Gift Boxes Assembly Instructions
Pine Coffin Gift Box
Cherrywood Coffin Gift Box
Mahogany Casket Gift Box
Tomb Gift Box
Coffin Occupants
Oh, I neglected to mention that the Deluxe and Peculiar Coffin Boxes are 6″ long . . . but these would still go along nicely with this additional smaller set . . .
Oh yes, there is more from the creative master Ray O’Bannon . . .
I know it’s completely unexpected and totally unbelievable . . .
A Horse Drawn Hearse Carriage complete with a driver and a passenger . . . a coffin with either a vampire or skeleton . . .
This is truly an impressive carriage . . . It will definitely delight your family and friends . . . I am completely speechless . . .
Hearse Carriage Assembly Instructions
Hearse Carriage
Oh dear . . . the children will want several of these for their absolute best friends . . .
It seems you are going to be quite busy . . . adults will go completely crazy over this . . . yes, you’ll catch them opening the back door and pulling out the coffin . . . and taking a peek inside . . .
I may decorate it for Christmas and put it in my Christmas Village . . . wouldn’t this be festive!!!
I’m completely exhausted presenting all of this to you . . . I do have a bit of tidying up to do . . . so, I’ll leave you this treasure trove of delightful coffins and this magnificent hearse carriage . . .
Just follow the directions and you’ll be putting these coffins and the carriage together in no time at all.
Until next time,
Sharon
by Sharon | Mar 30, 2016
I’m sitting on my patio, drinking a hot cup of coffee.
It could be considered gloomy, but I’m feeling good. We need the rain and I was enjoying hearing it. I do find it relaxing.
I am a bit cold, so I’ll move inside.
It’s interesting how a previous post can fill one’s mind . . . especially a craft idea. I’m thinking of using elements from something I shared on my website OldHauntedStuff.com
It is spring and I’m thinking Halloween. I guess with crafts, it’s never too early to get started. I do subscribe to a scrapbooker who is always waiting for pictures from her kids to add to the scrapbooks she’s making for her grandchildren. It is all a labor of love . . . and the pictures she receives, she makes the layout . . . no matter the season.
It’s refreshing to know how most crafters and scrapbookers are always behind . . . or ahead, depending upon one’s perspective. I know there are many who are planning their Christmas in July videos . . . that’s when I’m into my Halloween stuff. Well, this year I’m getting to it earlier . . . along with Christmas.
I guess it doesn’t really matter the season, the important thing is that we’re doing something worthwhile for upcoming holidays.
I would like to be current with my crafts and the season, but I do plan ahead and by the time the actual event occurs, I’m pretty much over it and moving forward to the next.
Disney always come to the rescue when it comes to making an idea a reality . . .
Spring is a time of new growth . . . all kinds of flowers and perhaps a fairy or two . . .
Something to capture the imagination . . . and to take you into another world of peace and tranquility. We do need as much of that as possible. And exercising the imagination is always fun, too.
This would be great for a card or to set up on a shelf . . . it is a freestanding door . . . inviting you to peek around it . . . or open it . . . Just click the image to be taken to the free template.
You can make a wonderful diorama . . . with plenty of flowers . . . even attach the door to a box and build your fairyland inside it . . . there are many uses . . . and hours of fun for you as a crafter and for your children . . . share the fun.
I know many crafters do work with their children or grandchildren. There is a spark that children have in bringing the best out of adults. This allows you to play, imagine and explore . . .
You’ll probably want flowers, too. And the most unusual, the better. This may spark an idea or two of your own once you print out these and assemble them . . . you’ll have plenty of unique flowers to add to your special fairyland . . .
These were inspired by Alice In Wonderland, but you can adapt them however you want. Just click the image to be taken to the free printable.
It’s always delightful to have some friendly flowers . . . these would make a beautiful bouquet to make and share. You can always add pictures of your family in these flowers . . . that would make them very special, indeed.
And, you’ll need fairies, too . . . I wonder . . .
Well, with Disney, you don’t have to wonder very long. They do have exactly what is necessary to create something special and memorable.
Remember to click on the image to be taken to the free template you can print and cut out. This is truly a wonderful template where you mix and match pieces to create your own unique fairies . . . and you can add your own special touches to make each one unique . . . and just right for your creation. They do bring happiness.
And, as with the flowers you can make your friends and family into fairies for your special wonderland/fairyland.
Yes, spring is that time of wonder . . . of joy and delight . . . a time to get out in nature and enjoy yourself with family and friends. And use these free printables and templates. You will definitely have a wonderful time.
I’ll leave you with one more link. Something you may find fun to put on your next batch of cupcakes. It’s appropriate for spring . . . with some of your Disney pals.
I hope this post was helpful and inspiring.
Until next time,
Sharon
by Sharon | Mar 20, 2016
We all love Mickey and Minnie Mouse and when I can find free templates for making different kinds of boxes, I’m right there to share them with you, too.
Here’s a nice gift box with a gift tag. One in pink for Minnie and one in blue for Mickey.
Minnie is now going to steal the show with a box shaped like a purse, a dress and a high heel shoe.
Here’s a Minnie Mouse Pop Corn Box and a Mickey Mouse Pop Corn Box — remember to print out 2 of each to make one box.
Yes, it is exciting to get free printables you can print out and make for a child’s birthday party or for fun hostess gifts throughout the year.
I love making boxes and saving the templates for future use. Being a crafter I like to see how things are made and designed and then once I understand the basic construction, I can create something entirely new from the samples I’ve collected. You can do the same. I’m sure you’re way ahead of me with that idea.
I’m not sure where I heard this, but I remember watching a “how to video” and the woman said that once you learn the mechanics of box making, you can make any shape or size box you can imagine. This is a remarkable concept and I believe it is wonderful advice.
I have seen crafters make all kinds of 3D items that can be filled with treats or small toys. I believe everything is possible when you stop to think about it and begin experimenting with scraps of paper. Before long, you’ll have some interesting original pieces you can share online and with family and friends.
So much is truly possible . . . you just have to believe.
Until next time,
Sharon
by Sharon | Mar 14, 2016
It’s Absolutely Delightful To Print Out This Easter Story Coloring Book
This is excellent for your family. It’s also great for Sunday School Classes.
This comes from My Wonder Studio. This link has the pages colored and includes the story.
Click the image on the right and you’ll be taken to the pages you can color along with your children or Sunday School class.
This is a fun project that can be set up as a diorama or play set where children can tell the story and act out the parts. It is excellent to tell the story of Easter . . . it’s great to have Easter Egg Hunts and Easter Bunnies and Easter Baskets . . . but it is important to remember and teach the true meaning of Easter.
Too often we get away from the true meaning of holidays . . . they usually translate to getting a day off work or for children a day or week or two from school.
I’m not on a soap box . . . parents can teach their children what they want about holidays . . . if you’re so inclined . . . this is an excellent resource for you to use.
This coloring book opens up a wonderful discussion you can have with your children. Children can make the characters and scenery stand up using clay or play-do . . . or you could add strips of paper to make them stand up.
I do hope you and your family enjoy these free printables and will use them during this Easter season.
Sharon
