Hello to all! This week my kids started school. Such a bittersweet time because it means the end to wonderful summer and the beginning of a new phase of life. This year my oldest entered the 5th grade!! It is hard to imagine that I am the parent of a 5th grader and to top it off my BABY started kindergarten. It is so funny seeing him in school with all the big kids and his back pack is hanging down to his knees. He is still my little guy. I get very emotional just thinking about how quickly our kids grow up and how some days just drag on but years still, somehow, seem to fly by. So today I want to share with you wonderful idea to spruce up a plain back pack. And  since this week blog is focused on our children I would also like to share with you a bible verse that has become my prayer for my children just as it was Paul, Silas and Timothy's prayer for the church of the Thessalonians.
       2Thessalonians 1:11-12 (the message) 
    To My Babies,  
         Because we (I) know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we (I) pray for you all the time - pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Mater, Jesus Christ, giving Himself freely.   Amen!
     My eyes well up every time I read this passage, it is powerful!

       So here is my kindergartner's back pack. This was an old back back but in great condition and I didn't want to buy a new one if I didn't have to but I also wanted his  first back pack to be special.

I used my GemMagic to make the N and attach the gold stars above the pocket zipper as well. The army stars were iron-ons left over from a previous project.

Let me know how you spruce up those old or plain back packs.

Hugs.....Naomi

   1Corinthians 15:57-58 "thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, Knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
  
   Hello to all my crafty friends! It has been a busy week in this crafty girls house so, much of my crafting as been more useful than creative. I have been recovering seat cushions. So in the mist of all this 1Cor. 15:57-58  and  Colossians 3:23, from a previous blog posting, have been reminders that as long as I work with all my heart as working for the Lord himself then nothing I do is vain! Even if there are times it feels that it is. I pray that these verses leave you encouraged and lifted up! 

The cushions I recovered are my patio chairs

This is the fabric to the original seat cushion and this one is actually in good shape the others were completely ripped. I am just really bad about taking before pictures! I will work on it tho.

This is the new cushion I love the fabric and the chairs are on my to do list.

These next few photos are of my dinning room table that I refinished and just recently completed the seat cushions as well.

Before.....

The afters without the completed seat cushions.....

This is the first time I have antiqued anything.

and now the seat cushions.

I went with vinyl because I have four kids and it is easier to keep than fabric.

I hope that you all have a wonderful week.

Hugs.....Naomi

   

       John15:12-13 My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
      Today I didn't have to lay down my life for a friend nor did a friend have to lay down there life for me but they did stop whatever if was that they had going on in their busy lives to share the day with me and my family. What a wonderful feeling it is to know that you are loved by your friends but an even greater feeling to know, that your friends know, that they are loved by you. So to all who shared this wonderful day celebrating my babies birthdays with me, please know that you are loved!
    I have some pictures of our beach party that even came with Nor. Cal beach weather, that is cool and overcast! Can you believe that?! Is it August 4th or what? But don't worry we rolled with and decided with this kind of beach weather we would just throw in a bonfire. It was perfect!

                                        First stop decorating goody bags.

                             The view as you walk outside where the party took place.

CUPCAKES!!

Working busily on their craft projects.

Action shot of the ice cube races..... so much fun to watch.

And the after party! The kids could not stand seeing a fire without roasting some marshmallows! I enjoyed a cup of joe with two of my favorite people! A wonderful ending to such a special day.

I would like to encourage you to love on your friends today to celebrate with the people you love and love them like Christ loves us.

I can't wait to hear about some of the parties you've put on. So please make sure to comment and share your ideas too!

Hugs.... Naomi