free Archives - Spoonful of Imagination

You are a Masterpiece

March 25, 2014 By Erica Deuel 6 Comments

When I look at our kids, I see my little super heroes. They make it easy because they like to dress up and pretend to be caped crusaders all the time. But their playtime roles are not really what I’m talking about. I’m talking about their beauty, their strength, their innocence, their creativity, their joy, and most of all their ability to love. They inspire me all the time.

I think you know well enough to know they aren’t perfect. Neither is their mama. I lose perspective all the time. Sometimes I feel like I’m one whiny plea away from running out the front door without a thought of looking back.

I need truths to recenter my heart. I need words that break through circumstances and remind me of the bigger picture. Many times a sweet “I love you” from one of my little super heroes snaps me back. Sometimes a song lyric hits me right where I’m at. Other times I’ll find a scripture that breathes new life and perspective into my funk.

One phrase that has moved me in moments of doubt is “You are Masterpiece”. This comes from Ephesians 2:10 that says, “For we are God’s masterpiece created anew in Christ Jesus to do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

I don’t know where you are at in your life with God or if mentioning Jesus makes you uncomfortable. I understand if that’s the case. There’s a lot to be confused about when it comes to faith. But one thing I can tell you, letting the thought that God has a plan for me, he has good things for me to do, and that he calls me his masterpiece take root in my heart has been life changing. When I doubt, struggle with my shortcomings, and start to believe that I am a failure, I hear that whisper in the back of my head that tells me “You are a masterpiece”. The truth that through Jesus I can be changed and made new, I need that. The hope and belief that my life is about something bigger than me, that was planned long ago, that’s thrilling. I want in on that.

So, when I think about my little super heroes and all that they face and are going to face in this world, I want this thought burned into their little hearts too. No matter what happens, no matter what someone tells them or does to them, I want them to know inside and out that they are a masterpiece. I don’t want them growing up thinking they are perfect, but I do want them to believe they are special. They were made intentionally and they have been invited into a life of hope and purpose regardless of what their circumstances may be telling them in the moment.

I love to say “I have a secret for you”. They smile because they know what’s coming as I whisper “you are a masterpiece” in their ears. This is a phrase we say to each other in our house all the time.

Another passage that provides so much clarity for us comes from 1 Corinthians 13. If you’ve been to a wedding in the last 100 years you’ve probably heard this one a few times. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

We have these words hanging all over our house. It’s a beautiful reminder for all of us. It’s our go-to when conflict comes up with the kids.

While Caleb knows and can recite most of the passage, the other kids know “Love is patient. Love is kind.” Even our foster son that has been with us for a month has this one down. When tension rises and tempers start to flare over something, someone usually breaks out in a quick reminder “Love is patient! Love is kind!” Sometimes they say it through gritted teeth and locked jaws or with a little eye roll, but they say it and move on. Other times I step in and say “why did you ______? What is Love?” They will answer and my follow up question is always “was _______being patient/kind? (whichever applies)” It gives some reference to go and parent off of.

Do you have a special phrase, word, or passage that helps to refocus your heart?

I don’t know about you but I need constant reminders and refocusing. That’s why I created this “You are a Masterpiece” print. Recently I’ve needed reminding. I would like to give it you too. Click here to download it. (Right click and “Save As” on some computers) Feel free to print it out, frame it, hang it up, or pass it along to someone who needs some encouragement. Just do me a favor, let it sink in. Know that you are special. Your life matters. You were created with a purpose and there’s a God who loves you enough to give you the title of masterpiece.

Building a Fire Pit

July 1, 2013 By Erica Deuel 1 Comment

Would you believe me when I say that this fire pit was free? It didn’t cost a dollar. The sweat and time were the only price for this huge, beautiful fire pit.

When we were visiting my sister the other week in Arkansas, we wanted to help her with some projects while we were there. She had on her to do list to build a fire pit. We literally found all these big rocks on her property and carried and carted them over to where she wanted her fire pit built. I wish I had huge gorgeous rocks like this lying around on my property too, don’t you!?

Of course, we had some really excited helpers that wanted to be apart of this project. Lucky for us, we did need some smaller rocks so they were quite helpful and of course good company.

The first step was to create the base size/structure of the fire pit by laying down the first round of rocks. My sister, Olivia, made it bigger than I was expecting, but I love it! I wouldn’t have thought to make such a huge fire pit, but it fits her property and land perfectly. This fire pit is easily four sizes larger than those metal circle pits they sell at hardware stores that I am use to seeing as fire pits around these parts.

We decided we thought about three rows of the big rocks would look the best. It then became a puzzle of aligning the rocks and placing them in the best way to create a circle rock wall with as level/sturdy foundation as possible.

After we got the rock wall in the shape and height we wanted, we inserted some of the smaller rocks into niches to create the most sturdy base as possible. What we wanted to prevent was any one siting or standing on the fire pit (when it’s not in use) and it tumbling over.

The last step was to test it out! I loved building the fire and watching the grass inside the pit immediately spread and burn away. The rocks kept the fire in though, so it worked. We had dinner grilling hot dogs and smores over the new fire pit to enjoy our hard work.

You might not have free gorgeous rocks on your property either, but would you build a fire pit out of rocks instead of buying a premade one? I know this project is now on my to do list for my home! To see more pictures of this fire pit in use and of our trip to Arkansas you can go read about the beauty of country living. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Out of the Box Art Studio {+ a chance to win Summer Art Camp}

February 27, 2013 By Erica Deuel 22 Comments

I love using my kids’ art to decorate our home. I think it is such a special way to celebrate and applaud their creativity while capturing and appreciating this special season of them being little. I know I have shown you my art wall in a lot of posts.

There are only two pieces on my art on that I did. I’m sure you can’t tell which two they are ;). Most of the art on this wall my boys created at my favorite local art studio, Out of the Box Art Studio. Have you heard of them?

Although we do a LOT of art around my house, I send my boys to a summer art camp at Out of the Box Art Studio every year. They have the best projects and the kids always have so much fun. Most of the teachers are friends of mine and I grew up taking art from the Owner & Director, Juli. They are so sweet and encouraging with all of their students.

Caleb, in the summer of 2011, showing off all his artwork from camp.

This was two years ago. I can't believe how much he is has grown. Look at those curls! I miss them! — This was two years ago. I can’t believe how much he is has grown. Look at those curls! I miss them!

You can see my J and Caleb ready to present their artwork at the end of camp Open House. — You can see my J and Caleb (at camp last summer) ready to present their artwork at the end of camp Open House.

I worked at OOTB for a little while. I got to the genuine love of art from the owners and staff while I was emerged in this great environment weekly. I loved it. Now that I stay home with my kids, I love to send them there for a great experience.

Along with my art gallery wall, I used my boys art pieces from camp to help stage all my shelves while our house is on the market.

Their pieces are my favorites. I have already signed my boys up for a camp this summer, and I can’t wait to see what they bring home!

As well as having awesome summer camps, they have art classes all year-long. This studio teaches potters wheel, clay hand building, drawing, oil painting, acrylic, watercolor, and multi media. They have after school classes but also classes during the day for homeschoolers. I have got to get my boys in one for this coming fall.

If you fall in love with this place, as I have, you could use them to host a birthday party or any other special event as well. I had a bridal shower there years ago, where we all painted a piece of pottery for the bride. It was a fun, hands on, and a personal gift to give.

Their newest feature is to do mobile classes where they will come to you. So unique and awesome! I love how all this can be for ages preschool all the way to adult. Are you craving to do some art now?

I have some REALLY good news for three of my local metro Atlanta readers. Out of the Box is graciously offering up a FREE drawing or painting summer camp to three of my readers! The camps are registering right now. You can view them all on Out of the Box’s site here. You all know that I am that hands on mom, and I get nervous about leaving my kids in new places. I trust Out of the Box and am so honored to be able to help promote them to all of you.

Please let the rafflecopter widget load below, and enter in as many ways possible to win a free drawing or painting camp for this coming summer! We will be in contact with the winner (via email) on March 6th, to let you know how to register for your camp. Juli is offering up one free camp registration to a preschool aged child, one to an elementary, and one to a tween/teen. (Each camp is valued at $95-$135 depending on the age group) So, three camp spots are up for grabs! Please be sure to answer the question which age group camp you would want, so we can find three winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for entering and good luck!!

If you are new here, please feel free to browse around and check out my site. I love to write about my family, my crafts, and the outings we do. I feel if you add a spoonful of imagination into every area of your life, it will be a more beautiful life! If you would like to see a post about one of my crafts go here, one of my homeschool activities go here, or one about my family go here.

Birds of a Feather Flock Together {DIY Valentines}

January 16, 2013 By Erica Deuel 9 Comments

I am so excited to share with you these sweet Valentines I made for my kids.

The other day I was watching them all play sweetly together (which as much as they love each other does not happen all the time), and it made me think of that popular phrase “birds of a feather flock together.” They are my sweet little flock that always wants to be together. They love each other and it warms my heart.

I am going to show you step by step how to make these sweet little Valentines that you can also use as Valentines decor around your house.

The materials you will need for this craft are:

old jar lids (from spaghetti or pickle jars)
spray paint
scrap card stock/scrap booking paper for birds legs, and nose
paper (I used heart wrapping paper) for the back of your bird
hot glue gun with glue sticks
feathers (found at any craft store)
foam heart stickers (or you could easily cut out paper hearts)
Googly eyes (or your could use paper or draw them on)
printer to print off my graphic
scissors
pen

1) The first step is to spray paint the backs of your old jar lids.

2) Use the jar lids as a stencil to draw the right size circle for the back of your bird.

3) Cut out your circles and get your hot glue gun and feathers ready to glue.

4) Put a strip of hot glue straight across about the middle (depending on size of feathers) of your lid. Press feathers into the hot glue. I used about 5 feathers per bird.

5) Add another strip of glue on top of the end of the feathers to glue your precut circle bird back onto the lid. This will cover up the ugly ends of the feathers and make your bird look more finished.

6) Press your circle onto the hot glue. Add more glue to seal down the ends as needed.

Next, I cut out small strips of creme paper for legs and hot glued them inside the lids. Look at the picture above, I also used red scrapbook paper to cut small hearts out to use for the birds’ heads.

I went back and folded my legs accordion style to add fun dimension to my birds. I then used small foam heart stickers to stick on the ends of my legs to be the feet. I used four stickers per a bird, sticking them to the front and back of the legs. You could easily cut out hearts to do this step. I had snatched up a big container of these hearts in the dollar section on Target and have been looking for a craft to use them on.

Next, I added some googly eyes and a small triangle I cut out of scrap paper to decorate the birds’ heads. Simply use some more glue to stick the features on.

You are almost done! Print out my graphic (listed at the bottom of this post) that I have made and am sharing with you for free! I created 2.5″ circles and have put six on a sheet for you, so they are easy to cut around. Once you print them out, cut the circles out.

Glue the circles into the center of your bird’s belly (inside of the lid). I went back and wrote my kids’ names on the bottom of their Valentine. I left that room so you could put anything you want in the open space.

Your bird(s) are done! How cute are they! I love how it would be so easy to make a bunch of different styles of these depending on the color/size of feathers and papers you use. I think they make sweet Valentines, but you could also use them as decorations. I think you could even add some glue and string if you wanted to hang them from a chandelier over your table, so they seem to be “flying.”

One quick tip: Watch how you glue your papers on, or you might end up with some sideways hearts like me. 🙂 See above picture.

My kids love their Valentines (that I already gave to them!?). Now, they want to make their own, so we are going to! I think we will substitute the hot glue for Elmer’s glue to make it more kid safe.

To download the birds of a feather graphic, simply click on the link below and follow your computer’s instructions to save the pdf file. Once saved, open it, print, and enjoy!

birds_of_a_feather

Are you thinking of Valentines Day yet? Will you make any Valentines?

Now let’s get this All About the Kids Party going! Please link up YOUR new post!

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