Scarlet

I've got a really touching blog for you today. Paul Turner is the Worship Pastor at our church. He and his wife Angela have three children. Scarlet, their second child is Autistic.

I love the way Angela writes about her family with honesty and love and I appreciate the insight into the world of Autism that only the mother of Scarlet can.

Check it out here: http://divinelystartled.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-saw-sign.html

Beautiful...

I'm in love with this vertical succulent garden! Look at the beautiful texture...

I really like how they've framed it with natural branches as well. It's a west coast habitat so I guess it wouldn't work so well covered with snow huh?

Found it here.

Patchwork sweater blanket.

What a great idea for a bunch of old sweaters...although I'm pretty sure I don't have this many of one colour!

I really like the idea of them all being neutral though. I may have to start sweater collecting at Goodwill's 1/2 price days.

I bet it would be really cozy on these cool fall days to cozy up under one of these with a good book.

For more info on how she did it, head over here.

Got Books?

After being asked to speak about "Living well On Less" to a Womens Ministry Group this past weekend, my partner in crime, Darlene, started experimenting with book folding. Her results were amazing...I wish I had the book she folded to show you....but you can trust me...it was good! She said it took her about 2 hours (infront of the TV kinda thing!) and I think that was with two folds on each page.

I've found a few more images reflecting the various things you can do with old books. It would be the perfect thing to do with any old books you might have around that are damaged.

One of these pictures shows them hanging...looks amazing in groups. Darlene's looked great just sitting open on a table. And I think they might look kinda cool hanging on the way with a plate hanger!

My other thought was how kid friendly this could be...I think my boys would enjoy it.

So...now you know what I'm up to this week.

An Explosion at Sally Ann!

A few weeks ago I was asked by the Ladies Ministries at church to speak at their upcoming meeting. The theme was to be "Living Well On Less". I was fairly confident, after my many trips to the thrift shops, that I could pull together a half hour talk. And I also knew that if I invited my good friend Darlene to join me, it would be even better! After all, we have been known to inspire eachother...
So we got together and planned our strategy. Between the two of us, there really wasn't a whole lot to prepare...just a trip around each of our homes! The big hits were the the lounge pants made out of old bedsheets, and the aprons made from old mens' shirts. Darlene had lots of great things to show from her latest thing....wool felting. I think everyone had a great time....and I think we really inspired many ladies to think about repurposing items they might already have in their home. One girl came up to me in church this morning and said she had already raided her husbands closet looking for shirts to make into aprons! Sorry husbands out there...
For any friends and family of Darlene and I out there...don't look too close...your Christmas gift might just be tucked into this photo somewhere!

I've been having fun this week preparing for some beautiful fall weddings. Both are full of variety and texture and wonderful colours.

Both weddings will be happening at resorts in Muskoka this weekend. I'd love to see it all set up and ready to go, but unfortunately this time, I'm working in the studio. 30 centrepieces...12 bouquets....head table arrangements....urns....pew flowers...bouttonieres and corsages...I think I get the fun part!

Wish the pictures were better...but you get the idea.