I can't believe Christmas is over!  This year has flown by.  But that means I can post pictures of items I made for Christmas presents!!!

"Olaf" painted on a piece of board.  My little 2-year-old friend loved this and I received the cutest "thank you" video from her...makes me smile every time I watch it.

String art soccer ball boards for my son and a friend.  Both really liked them.  Used my new Silhouette Cameo to do the lettering - thanks Lynn!!

Two subway art boards I made as gifts.  LOVE making these!!!!!

If you have an idea that you would like made into a decorative board, contact me.  The top one is 11 1/4" wide by 18" tall and the bottom one is 11 1/4" square.  I can do other sizes too.  Costs depends on the size but would run between $15-25.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas time.  Be safe over the New Year's and keep in touch!

Tami

Latest Projects

These have become my new favorite thing to make!!!  Both are 11 1/4" wide by 18" long.  Hand painted and then varnished to seal.  The top one (Fruit of the Spirit) I donated to our MYF silent auction at church.  The White Christmas I made for myself!! 

I have a couple others to do for Christmas presents and some other projects that I did but you will have to wait till after Christmas to see those.  Don't want to ruin any surprises!!

Pumpkin Fest

Our school has a Pumpkin Festival the beginning of October.  You can make fall arrangements, carve pumpkins, and make pumpkin-in-the-recipe items that are judged on.  I have done the recipe contest three times so far and have placed all three times!  This year I also made a fall arrangement that I was inspired by something on Pinterest (of course!!).

It is a small pumpkin that I painted to look like a football!!  I placed third in this category.  So much fun!  Really helped to boost my confidence.

I have also been making more fabric oil holders and just finished some wood oil holders.

I am really happy with how they turned out!!  These are designed to be used if you do the Aromatouch massage therapy as they have spots to put the lids - plus they say Aromatouch. :)  If you would like to purchase one, they are $10 and you can just contact me through this blog or email tamidawnmiller@gmail.com

 My next project will be to make wood holders that you can use to store your bottles when not using.

Stay tuned!!!

I recovered this old office chair in the hopes to use it in my sewing room.  It was too big for that, so it is now my desk chair!!  Turned out pretty good.

Thanks Dave!!!  :)

I have recently started to use Essential Oils and needed something to put them in.  This bag works great - especially when I put the oils in their own little holders!!

I already need to make more holders.

List of books read recently

Now that the summer is over, I haven't been as faithful at posting the books I have read!!  I will give you a list here with the picture of the front (I think that makes it easier to find).

Tattler's Branch by Jan Watson

Good book.  Warning - this is not the first of this series which I did not know when I started.  






52 Steps to Murder by Steve DeMaree

Oh my!  I think you can guess that I like this author seeing as I read 3 of his books right in a row!  Hilarious Christian mystery.  The main character is a hoot!!





Murder in the Winter by Steve DeMaree

Second book in the series.  You wouldn't have to read these in order but they are chronological.






Murder in the Library by Steve DeMaree

Book #3







Dearly Loved by Bonnie Blythe

Okay book - pretty predictable outcome.  Christian romance by a really good writer.  I have read several of her books.






Firewall by DiAnn Mills

I LOVED this intense Christian thriller, romance, mystery!!!!  A lot like Dee Henderson if you are a fan of her stories.  Will definitely be reading more of this writer.

Put this one on your reading list!!!

"Every Waking Moment" by Chris Fabry

What a wonderful story! I could not put this one down. I really had no idea where things were going to end up...with several different areas in the book. Well written, great characters. Fell in love with "Treha" and the whole idea of where she got her name. Not going to tell you!! This is the second book of Mr. Fabry's that I have read and I will continue to do so!

More book reviews

"Life Support" by Candace Clavert

This was a good read.  Easy to read and want to finish.  Pretty predictable outcome.  I had a hard time with the main character and her overprotectiveness toward the sister.  Got old but turned out good.  Another really good Christian romance writer.  Will continue to read her books.  This book is part of a series - Grace Medical - and she has another series called Mercy Hospital.









"When I Fall In Love" by Susan May Warren

Susan has become a favorite of mine.  I am steadily working my way through all of her books.  She reminds me of Karen Kingsbury but I think I like Susan's writing better or at least her characterizations.  People are not so perfect!!  This book is the third in the Christiansen Family series.  Has Hawaii and cooking in it - plus two weddings, and of course hockey!!  I couldn't put it down.






"Echoes of an Angel" by Aquanetta Gordon

Wonderful story, not crazy about the writing.  I had a hard time reading this because of the "flow."  It felt like the author (the mother) wanted to share her son's story but had to share a lot of her own story.  Yet there was a feeling that she didn't want to share it all.  Some things felt off to me.  I had a hard time continuing the book but I appreciated learning more about the little boy.

Rock & Roll and The Gospel

"Sinner's Creed" by Scott Stapp


WOW!  I could not put this book down!  I am not a big reader of biography or memoir, but this one kept my attention.  Scott Stapp, lead singer of the rock band Creed, has a tough story to tell and an amazing testimony to share.  After reading the book, I went to Amazon to look up some of the songs.  I am hooked!  I have never been big into hard rock and roll, but do enjoy some bands' songs.  Scott has two solo albums out that are "Christian rock" and I may be purchasing those!!  I will be praying that God continues to use Scott to spread the Gospel through rock and roll.

"Without discipline we become too scattered to understand God's will. We have to discipline ourselves to read God's Word and learn to listen to Him." - Steve Stapp (Scott's father)

"Without humbly surrendering to God, there could be no spiritual progress.  And because I was a perfectionist, raised in an extreme environment that demanded perfection but expected failure, I had to accept another basic principle - that my recovery was a matter of progress, not perfection." - Scott

Yes, I'm still reading!

A couple more books for you to look over.  Again, these are published by Tyndale and I have been reading them and doing reviews to get credit for MORE books!!!!

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"Claiming Mariah" by Pam Hillman
Very well written romantic Christian story.  Loved the characters and would really like to see this book become a series.  There are several characters that we could learn more about and see their stories play out. I believe I had this book done in less than 3 days!!  Could not put it down.  Might also have been because I had been reading other types of books, memoir and Bible study types, and this one was lighthearted and any easy read.





"What Did Jesus Really Mean When He Said Follow Me? by David Platt
Very short, easy to read book.  But some deep thoughts and ideas.  Would be a great book to use as a Bible study or Sunday school class discussion.  My favorite line: "We must always remember that our deepest craving is not for something but for Someone.  Our ultimate satisfaction is found not in the gifts we enjoy but in the Giver who provides them."  Highly recommend this little book to everyone who calls themselves a Christian.

A book every gal should read

Popular by Tindell Baldwin

Such a tough subject to write about, to even talk about. Tindell does a great job addressing these issues. I got lost a few times in her flow...she jumped around some but otherwise it was a great read. She has lots to say and God is using her for a great mission!  This is one that I would highly recommend every gal read - even parents.  I could relate to some of the things Tindell went through, so it spoke to me.

Some more books

I have finished a couple more books that I wanted to share.  Again, these are ones from Tyndale that if I read and do reviews, they will send me FREE books!!  Love it!!



What Are You Afraid of? by Dr. David Jeremiah

This book has ten chapters with each one focusing on a fear that start with the letter "D".  Disasters, Disease, Debt, Defeat, Disconnection, Disapproval, Danger, Depression, Death, and Deity.  The author does a great job of giving Biblical references to show how God helps us with each fear.  Pretty long chapters but lots of great information.




Wish by Jake Smith

I LOVED this book!!!  Wonderful story - you will laugh and cry.  I was very surprised at how the story went.  I do not want to give anything away because it is so good!!!  Written from a dad's point of view regarding his only son having cancer and his wish to play catch with his little boy.  If you like Baseball and the Detroit Tigers, you may want to read this.


We are going to be on vacation soon so I will have lots more reading time!!  Can't wait!

More books for your summer reading...

"Born of Persuasion" by Jessica Dotta
I could not put this book down and am excited that the second book is already out!!  This is a historical novel set in 1838 about a young girl who is orphaned.  During this time it was very difficult for a woman to be able to do much, so she decides to work at getting married.  Unfortunately forces are against her and she "falls" into the wrong hands.  I didn't always understand what the author was trying to hint at with all the characters' interactions with each other though.  Looking forward to reading the next book though.


"Critical Pursuit" by Janice Cantore
If you like Dee Henderson books, you will like this author too.  Female cop who makes it her mission to find abducted children.  She is partnered with a cop who lost his wife and doesn't feel like life is worth living.  During their time together, he realizes that he can move on and she finds that her life can include more than her K9 partner.  I plan to read her other book "Visible Threat" as soon as I can get it.


"It Had to Be You" by Susan May Warren
You know I LOVE Susan's books!!!  Another good one in the Christiansen Family series (similiar to Karen Kingsbury's series).  Eden has made her self be her younger brother's keeper and denies her own desires.  When thrown together with Jace - famous hockey player hotshot - she finally finds that she is important and can be her own keeper.  Great continuation of the Christiansen family books.  The next one is also available:  "When I Fall in Love."

You'll get through this...

Wonderful book!!  Very easy to read and lots of scriptural references that you can apply to life today.  He uses Joseph's story to illustrate how God uses a bad situation to make something good.  "You'll get through this.  It won't be painless.  It won't be quick.  But God will use this mess for good.  In the meantime don't be foolish or naive.  But don't despair either.  With God's help you will get through this."  Max Lucado  Everyone should read this!!

I just realized that I posted about the footstools we made but had not posted the first one that my husband helped me make.  Here it is:

It was fun to make and is working great in our basement!!

I have also been working on some "salt" dough ornaments that are actually made with baking soda and cornstarch.  They come out pure white.  I can then paint them.

So fun!!!

My husband and I and friends made some more footstools!!!  Check these out:

Three of them are going to be at the Pettisville Friendship Days auction on Friday night, June 27th.  Two are going to our Youth group at church to be auctioned off later this fall.  We have one more to finish that we are donating to the Adriel Benefit auction in October.  They were a lot of fun to make - more so because we worked together with great friends!!!

A Way to Help the Pettisville Park

If you are a Pettisville resident, please shop at Weeping Willow in Pettisville during the month of May.  10% of all Pettisville customer sales will go to the park.  Plan to get flowers or a gift for your Mother or wife?  How about some cute outdoor decor?  Need to send a bouquet to a sick friend?  Or just want something special for yourself?  Weeping Willow can help you with all of this and more!!!  This is a great way to help a local business who in turn is helping raise funds for our park.  Thanks!!



Also, be sure to visit the Friendship Days site to keep informed of all events that will be taking place this June 27-29th.  We would love to see you all there!  And if you would like to help out in ANY way, please contact me!

More little bags...

I got more bags made!  So fun and a great little project.  Enjoy!

Car bag - cute signs on the outside, road on the inside and strap

John Deere - made two that are opposites.

Plan to put these out at my garage sale this coming week, but would be happy to make more if anyone is interested!!  :)

Another Purse!

This was a special order for my aunt.  It is made with pre-quilted fabric.

This is a big purse/bag.  I made it to her specifications.

This side has a big pocket with closure

Inside view

Inside are pockets on both sides!!  Lots of storage.

Purses, purses and more purses!!!!

Finally posting pictures of the little girl purses I made last fall.  Most of these are gone, as I made them for orders.  I have a couple left that I am putting out at my garage sale next week (hint, hint).

 
These are my "big" girl purses approx. 10"wide by 8.5"tall. Double pockets on outside and inside.

 

These are smaller versions approx. 8"wide by 7"tall.  Single pocket on outside and inside.

  

These are all the smaller size - so cute!!

Also made some little boy bags...gave one to my nephew for Christmas and filled it with tractors and trucks!!  He loved it!  I loved the bandana fabric for the inside.

 

I have John Deere fabric and race car fabric to make some more - just haven't gotten to them yet!!