Valentine Bingo

 

I have a few blogs that I keep up with. One of my favorites is "The Idea Room".  She made some valentine bingo cards and I couldn't help but make some for my daughter's class.  There is even a template here.  Since I am ALWAYS low on ink, I had to print in grayscale but I just colored the hearts in with a marker to brighten it up a little.  Conversation hearts work great for the game pieces! 

My favorite part of whipping this up was sneaking a few candy hearts into my mouth while filling each bag up.....Especially the yellow ones, they are the best!

God multiplies what we entrust to Him!

For the past month, minus a few days, I have been working towards raising some money for a family that I know about that could use some financial aid. I originally was going to just go from Jan. 10 to the end of the month but I was afraid I wouldn't make anything so I extended the time period to make it for a whole month. I am days from Feb. 10 but I am so low on supplies that I am having to cut it short!  I am blown away with how much has been raised! January is typically my slow month and my personal goal was around $200-$300.  Well God decided he would teach me a lesson and show me just how much He can do.  He has taken that amount and multiplied it by 3. My grand total in sales is $963 and I can't wait to pass it on to the family who will receive it!!!

Thank you to all of you who made purchases during this time to make it possible:
Jessica B., Vicki B., Leah B., Ginger F., Stephanie T., Carol S., Rachel T., LeAnne A., Carla W., Amy S., Erika A., Shana M., Liberty C., Kali H., Amy F., Ellen M., Beth E., Amanda K., Michelle C., Ramie F., Samantha S., Amanda M., Gail K., Dani M., Lisa F., Elizabeth C., Holly E., Brandi J., Jennifer C., Jeanne H., and Ginger H.

{Matthew 25:14}

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded...

I'm choosing to help someone. How would you like to be a part of it with me?     
     The Lord has been working on my heart for a while now and I would love to do something special for a family in need. I've always been a stay-at-home mom. Even now, I'm running this studio out of my home so I can be with my children when they come home from school. I've never regretted the decision, but there are some struggles that come along with the choice. One of my biggest is feeling like I'm never able to contribute to others in need. I've contributed to our family and children. Its just that when we give monetarily, I never really feel as if its coming from me. I've come up with an idea and hope you'll decide to be a part of it as well.
     I opened my shop back up for the new year Jan. 10.  All sales from that point (Not a percentage or profit, but the entire amount) until Feb. 10 will go toward a family in need (I already have one in mind). The more sales the better we can help this family. I hope this will become a tradition for the Figg Boutique! I'm really excited about it!!!
~Sara

"..from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48

Thank you Mr. UPS

Been on a fabric binge the last week or so.  I would love to be able to buy every single print that I like, but unfortunately my wallet doesn't allow that.  I have to be really picky about what I choose. In the beginning, I was quick to choose and some of those fabric choices were not the best.  Let's just say it takes a long time to get rid of 15yards of fabric, especially 15 yards of not so exciting fabric.  Inspiration goes straight out the window! 
Sometimes the choices are so overwhelming, that I end up buying nothing.  I can't even pick a restaurant to eat at for goodness sakes.  I usually just make my husband choose.  I've even been known to call him when he's not with me and ask "What do I want to eat today?".  That is for real and true.  So, choosing fabric is a very difficult task for me because, well, it's totally and completely up to me.  I'm the one that has to work with it and stare at it everyday as it sits on the shelf just waiting to be made into something completely fanstatic! 

I've been searching out fabrics for a while and have settled on a few.  Some came in today and I LOVE it!  I see lots of ruflled pants and matching appliqued tops in store for these two-

My collection is definitely growing!  

Will be ordering more this week... If I can ever get caught up, I may be able to actually USE some of these and create new things!!

Color Inspires Me

Who doesn't love color? I help teach a bible class for a group of teens on Wednesday nights.  At the beginning of class last night, we were talking about our favorite colors and I had a really hard time figuring out my favorite.  I finally decided on brown and one of the girls in my class did not like that at all.  I know its weird, but I truly love so many shades of brown! I also gravitate towards brown when choosing fabrics to work with, however, I wouldn't say the color brown inspires me.  What really gets me going is when I see lots of colors together.  I love a beautiful print with a deep rich pallete.  I work well when surrounded by new and fresh color. 

I received a shipment of tulle the other day and when I lined them all up on the table I just had to step back and exhale.  Ideas were free flowing that day! I cherish those kinds of moments, because those are the ones that keep me going in this business.  I'm expecting a shipment of fabric any day now and I can't WAIT to open it up and be inspired all over again! What inspires you?

The Dental Stand-off

Yesterday Maddie had an appointment with the dentist to fill two cavities and also get sealant put on her teeth.  She was pretty excited about it since we told her she wouldn't have to go to school afterwards because her mouth would probably be swollen and numb.  Paul believes in telling the kids exactly what is going to happen with things like this (which I also believe in, but sometimes, you have to figure out when the right time is).  So before they even left the house he told her she needed to be prepared to get a shot in the mouth before they could fill the cavity.  Maddie does not like shots. At all.  I mean, what kid does right?
As soon as the words left his mouth, she began to melt down.  I wish I had a picture but really I was too busy trying to figure out how Paul was going to pry her off the wall.  She clung to the wall between the hall and the front foyer, grasping onto the molding for dear life.  This child had legs and arms suctioned and was not going to let go without a fight.  Tears streaming down her face, begging not to go. More like demanding that she was NOT going in fact.  Paul had to grab her legs which made her horizontal to the ground as she continued to hang on with her hands.  He finally got her free of the wall and the screaming commensed.  I'm sure all of the neighbors wondered what were we doing to our child!  He got her in the truck and I was thinking I'm glad he's the one taking her!!
He told me that all the way there she was crying and saying, "Isn't there another way dad...Please, isn't there another way?" Once they arrived, and he got out to get her out of her side, and she hit the door lock.  Thank goodness he had his keys and while he was carrying her in, she kicked her shoes off so he would have to go back and get them.  How do kids just know how to delay?
They get in there and she's still just pitiful.  The dentist couldn't even handle it! He decided her new teeth were really close to coming down and would knock out the cavitied ones so she ended up not having to get a shot!  I dread the day, she really does have to have one filled.  I hope Paul takes her to that one too!!!

Another birthday has come and gone.

I'm not sure why, but this year my birthday had me a little anxious.  It's not even a milestone birthday.  34.  Birthdays have never been that big of a deal to me, even as a child we had family parties and sometimes a few friends to sleepover but nothing major.  Mom always made me a cake and made me feel special (and still does) but it has never been something that just HAD to be done.  I thought I might feel weird about turning 30 but I didn't and ever year since has been the same.
However, this year, was a little different.  My husband kept telling me how many days I had left until the big day, and every time I would cringe inside.  Of course, it wasn't his fault, but I was kind of hoping it would just come and go and nobody would notice.  I mean, it's not even a multiple of 10 for goodness sakes. 
I planned to sleep in and mope all day.  Although I did sleep in (which was wonderful) I had no chance of moping.  I awoke to constant text messages and email beeps.  Paul made me breakfast.  He also made plans for my parents to pick up the kids at school so we could go to one of my favorite japanese steakhouses and not have to rush back for the kids.  All day, I received messages from friends and family letting me know I'm loved and it really changed my attitude.  I'm so thankful for all that I have, and I don't mean material things.  I have an amazing physical family, and also a wonderful spiritual family.  I have friends that I can count on when it's time to celebrate and also during my darkest times.  So yesterday I celebrated the fact that I'm alive and well.  I have been blessed beyond measure!