printable 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.

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!

Linked up at Nest of Posies

Gender Reveal Party

January 4, 2013 By Erica Deuel 9 Comments

While we had everyone home for Christmas, my mom threw a gender reveal family dinner for my sister, Annie, and her husband, John. They have a baby coming in May! We were all so excited to find out if it was a boy or girl! So far, I’m an Aunt of adorable little nieces. That little fact helped sway my guess as to what the gender might be! I want a nephew! Keep reading to find out what she is having, and I have something special for you at the end!

We arrived and all placed our votes on the baby’s gender. We wore blue or pink necklaces and had to guess the gender on cards signed with our name. My family is insanely competitive and we weren’t about to let voters try to swap sides last second.

I love the sister shot and the proud grandparents shots that I happened to get on my little camera, but I was very thankful when our photographer arrived. You know it is so amazing to have a professional photographer in the family. If you missed my introduction of Christina as a Spoonful of Imagination sponsor you can see it here or click over to her site (Someplace Wild) and see some more of her amazing work. Thanks for the lil plug allowance.

Now for some of her gorgeous pictures of the night!

If you have not seen my gorgeous sister-in-laws, here they are with my beautiful sister, Joni. Christina (Someplace Wild) is in the middle. Which makes me wonder, who took this picture?? It must have been her partner in crime, my brother Tony.

Aren’t they a beautiful couple!? I can’t imagine how cute their kid is going to be. It is still weird to see my sis with a baby bump as she has always been fit and thin! She is so gorgeous and can pull off preggers pretty well if you ask me.

If you follow me on instagram or twitter, you might already know what the cake revealed. Annie and John are having a baby boy!! I get my nephew, and I know they are thrilled to be having a little boy!

It was such a fun night hanging out with the family (which is a party alone), painting stacking blocks for the future baby, and of course eating a blue cake!

I never was able to wait longer than the doctor’s office to find out the sex of our kids. That wait alone was so hard! Have you ever had a gender reveal party or wanted one? What is your take on them??

Now I have something for you! My mom did all the amazing decorations for this party, but I did help her out with the invite, party blocks/sign, and the voter cards. I have all of those for you today for free!! If you want to help throw a gender reveal party like this one, you simply have to download and print these files, or please pass them along to a friend!

To download, simply click on the thumbnails below and follow your computer’s instructions to save the Word Doc files. Once saved, open them in Word, add your personalization, print, and enjoy!

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The materials you will need for this craft are:

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