September challenge

         I suck at schedules, but I like challenges. This explains why I took the photo a day challenge when I found Fat Mum Slim blog. She's a very cute lady, who loves to take pictures, to laugh and the best thing, she lives in Australia!!! Man, how I love that part of the world. I really hope some day I'll get to visit it...

          If you want to jump in and play along, you can find more information here. I'll be posting on my instagram account all the pictures. I'm still thinking if to make here on the blog a round-up every week or not, but we'll see. 

So, what are you waiting for? Come on and have fun!!! 

God speaks my language

       "But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

                                                                                                                                                       (Romans 5:8)

          These last two days I thought a lot of my purple sweater. Not about the endless possibilities how to style it, but the lessons I've learned through it.

          On Monday, while working on my sweater, a thought started to create in my head. A thought about the similarities of this sweater and my life. I was poor, sank in my sins and miseries without any hope of escaping, and "while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me". I often sold myself so cheap, but God, took me in His love and invested in me. Even though there was no potential in me. Yes, there were times of poking and cutting, and sewing, tears, discourage, questions, but in the end, He will transform me in more than just a pretty sweater, I will be His masterpiece. Can you imagine? From nothing to a masterpiece? I've learned to stop complaining if it hurts, or if there is no answer, I've learned to just wait for Him to do His work in me. I've also learned the importance of not only reading the Bible, but learning verses, chapters, even books ( if you can). As soon as the thought about the similarity between my purple sweater and I, it reminded me there is a verse in the Bible that talks about how God showed His love for us that while we still didn't know Him, Christ died for us. I looked in the Bible, and there it was: Romans 5:8. Now I'll never forget this verse ever again.
       
          I am so thankful that God choses to talk to us in our language. He is so mighty that created everything and He keeps us together, yet in the same time He knows us so intimate, that He knows how to get us closer to Him.

This is on repeat today:

Pink ribbon and some wholes

          Are you wondering how did I turn that old, ripped sweater into the cuteness you're staring at?... Very easy (and cheap!). All you need is: 

• a (ripped) sweater, or T-shirt;
• 2 1/4 of satin ribbon in your choice of color;
• matching thread and needle (I didn't have a purple thread so I used black - you can't really tell);
• scissors;
• a little creativity and some patience.

          I saw this cute little sweater sitting all alone in the clearance isle at Old Navy last year. It was love at first sight, and that little whole just broke my heart. As soon as I saw it, I thought of the idea of wrapping a scarf around the V neck. So, I took it home and loved it some more (did I mention I paid $0.49 for it?). It sat in my closet until today when I figured out I will need it this fall and winter so I spent 30 minutes on it.

Back

Front

       

         Firstly, I made a "plan" in my head how I wanted the ribbon-scarf to look on the sweater. With the scissors I made another 6 wholes and sew the edges to stop the thread to unwind (I don't know if you can see it in the pictures, the sweater is a fine knit). Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture where the other wholes are. I inserted the satin ribbon through the wholes and made a bow. 

            Voila!!!! I took couple of pictures from front and back. Doesn't it look pretty?... Can't wait for the weather to get colder so I can wear it! 

        I think this is my cheapest make over I ever made. The ribbon was $2.00 (at AC Moore with 50% off coupon), and the sweater 49 cents which brings it to a total of $2.49 for a great girly sweater. 

           What was your cheapest make over? 

PS: If you have any questions, please ask, I'd be glad to answer. Also, if you decide to give it a try, please show off your results. I'm curious what you'll come up with! Have fun!!

I linked  this post over:

 

Rediscovering myself

          Couple days ago, my sister was telling me how she shared this story of mine with somebody from her church and they were very impressed and so psyched to hear the shoe boxes they make really do have an impact on children's lives. Which, made me curious of what I wrote (yes, to be honest I don't always remember what I write) and by the time I was finishing reading it, I was crying so bad. And then, I started scrolling through my other blog posts. I remember how surprised was my hubby when I wrote this story; he could not believe I just made up three stories - on the other hand, I was so frustrated on people who don't know how to manage the things really matter and then, they are the ones who complain they are unhappy. I remember the confusion I was facing when I kept wondering for days what do we have to fight so we can get more time to spend with our families? Or why should it be this way? The miracles I just witnessed this summer when I discovered the secret of asking and seeking before knocking on the wrong door.

          It was like I was getting acquainted with me again. It made me feel proud of how deep I can think, how good I am at expressing myself and in a way, I re-discovered myself. I think I spent the best 20 minutes that day reading "myself".

      Do you ever go back and read your old posts? Or read your journal since you were 15? 

A fairy-tale come true

         I live in a fairy-tale. 

                    

           Almost two months ago, my husband and I moved to our own place. It's been a dream come true and I think it is the best thing that could've happen to us this year so far. After the move, I finally have time to spend writing again (which I missed so much) so I wanted to start out by sharing with you a glimpse of our new nest.

the bedroom

dining room & living room

the kitchen

details...

          And when I thought things could not get better, my friend Erika from Shine On asked me to write a guest post for her. Go there say Hi to her (she's very friendly and cute) and see details for a very simple but awesomely delicious greek recipe. 

         

Under construction...

{photo via}

       Well, as you can see, I am back... with new ideas and very excited to share them with you!... First, I just want to warn you there will be changes on this little blog of mine. I'm so excited, and can't wait to see the finished product! 

Fare well, friends, I'm off to cooking and cleaning!

But don't worry, I'll be back soon with more exciting news!