Valentine Love for Kindergarten

FOR ONE WORLD ONE HEART GIVEAWAY CLICK HERE (or scroll down).

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Last year it was enough for us to purchase the pre-made Valentine's Day cards (Kung Fu Panda, I believe) and spend nearly an hour getting our preschool son to sign his name to each one.

This year, there was no way we were not making Valentines. What a perfect excuse to create something else!

Because I love the process as much as the final product (and because I believe it is so important to realize we are all human and that those amazing crafts don't pop out pefect the first time, every time!), I've included the whole lot below.

I started by dreaming I could use my Cricut to cut hearts out of fabric (glitter felt squares puchased in the children's section of the craft store). Unfortunately, I don't have the deep blade...so that didn't work. I did get enough of an outline (from the blade) to create a template.

my Cricut

I cut out the template (using regular scissors) and used it to cut out 20 other hearts. I then used the computer to type up 20 "Happy Valentine's Day" cards (using Microsoft Word and the ruler guidelines to ensure the card would fit on the heart).

I cut out the individual cards and let my son write his name on each one. We did an assembly line: after he wrote his name, I used my lovely sewing machine to sew the sides and bottom of the card to the front of each heart. (I left the top open to make a pocket.)

This process went fairly well until the bobbin started acting up...I had one heart that my machine kept gobbling up. Eventually, I had to use my seam ripper to pull the whole card off and just start again. (I only had enough fabric for the 20 hearts so I was luckily able to salvage that!)

Using the seam ripper to get the last few threads off of the fabric heart I just had to salvage. The paper was already removed.

Side note: (partially because I think it's funny and partially because I want to encourage ANYONE to craft and create regardless of your space) My sewing machine is on the floor.

I have a tiny desk in the basement but got tired of bumping into the wall. I now just sit on the floor and use my foot on the foot pedal to sew...sometimes creating some interesting body positions. Who said yoga could only be done on a sticky mat?? Hey, it works. While I dream of having some of the studios like the ones in "Where Women Create", I'm going to work with what I have and make it enjoyable.

We had found some organic lollipops (or Wall-E-Pops as my daughter calls them) at TJ Maxx. (Discount!) After winning the battle with my sewing machine, my son returned to put the lollipops in the pockets we had created.

The final product(s):



We also created a valentine for his teacher.


I must admit, I started with the best of intentions for this Valentine but not the clearest of pictures of how I was going to do it. I wanted to use paper and fabric. The result? Another lesson in letting go of perfectionism and embracing a handmade look.

I used the cricut again to cut a heart out of paper. I then used it as a template to trace the same size heart and another heart about 1/4 of an inch around that heart onto muslin (for seam allowance). The thought was that I would sew the seam around the muslin heart to create a more finished look, then sew the muslin heart to the paper heart.

I've never sewn a seam around a curved item before so I totally guessed along the way. I ended up cutting notches all the way around the muslin heart so the seam portion could fold over onto the heart (without gathering). I tried pinning the seam over...then gave up on that. I just moved very slowly, letting the fabric heart feed into the sewing machine and frequently lifting the presser foot to turn the fabric.





The result was a VERY handmade-looking heart.



We then decided that our son needed to find a way to make this personal (besides just signing his name). So we again used the cricut (love that thing!) to make an envelope into which he could tuck a personal note. I used the Big Bite to put some eyelets on the envelope so we could tie it closed. And back to the sewing machine...

Another Side Note: I have a lot of tools and machines. I've built up my collection over time. If you are thinking of purchasing any of these, please know that I've not paid full price for any of them! With a little research, you can save yourself a lot of money....which, of course, can be used for more tools and machines. :)

I decided to just sew the envelope onto the muslin heart (easier than trying to glue). I just used a straight stitch along the sides and bottom. My son wrote his personal note while I did this.




Finally, I used a zig zag stitch on the sewing machine to attach the muslin heart/envelope piece to the paper heart backing. Because I'd done such an....interesting....job on sewing the seam on the muslin heart, the hearts were no longer the same size. So when they were sewn together, I did get some gathering of the fabric.

Again, perfectionism monsters defeated. (Or at least jailed up. They were still yelling at me. Nasty buggers.)

The final project?

I sent my son off to school a few hours ago with his Valentines. He is so excited about passing them out and seeing what everyone else brings.

And THAT is what makes it all worth it.

Training Progress (Sort of)

FOR ONE WORLD ONE HEART GIVEAWAY CLICK HERE (or scroll down).

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It's time to get serious.

For those who aren't aware, my husband and I (as well as my brother and sister) have signed up to run the Indianapolis Mini Marathon in May - 13.1 miles of exhileration, music, discipline, feet-thudding, sweating, and, hopefully, after all is said and done, a beautiful cross over the finish line.

This feat was only suggested after we decided (last fall) to start training for a triathlon (thanks to our friends who had recently completed one).

And all of this was decided only after we apparently lost our minds.


Keep in mind - I have never been a runner and, at times, have even sworn it off completely. I've exercised on and off for years but never for a long-term goal. I hadn't been on a bike since probably high school... and as far as swimming? Let's just say I can doggy-paddle with the best of them but once you get me horizontal in the pool it ain't pretty. And my husband? Bless him - physical fitness is not one of his strong points.


So here we are. 5 or so months later, we have completed a 5K and an 8K, purchased bikes and a trainer we can use indoors, and signed up for swimming lessons. We have memberships at our local YMCA which we use religiously now that the weather is nasty.

Myself, our son (who completed a 1 mile fun-run), and hubby after completing our first ever "event" (a very hilly 5K)

Because the mini-marathon is first on the calendar, both biking and swimming have taken back seats to running. However, I still try to do swimming at least once a week and, once I figure out how to get my bike on the trainer, will try to do that once a week as well. Right now it is essential to keep progressing on training for the run - each week is an increase in distance and one or two missed days can easily mean not being prepared when the 13.1 mile run hits.


I am learning so much from this process and that is the primary reason I feel the desire to blog about it. I am blown away by the strength I've found within myself to overcome my fears in the water and to keep on running when my legs feel like jello. I'm also learning from those times that my discipline failed. I'm learning how to distinguish between those mental voices; the ones that are looking out for my momentary happiness (eat the cookie dough! stop running and walk!) versus the ones that are speaking up for my soul.


Case in point:

What I Did: (Today)

Intervals for 1 mile (sprint at effort of 10, slow jog at effort of about 5, repeat), ran 1/2 mile.

What I Learned: (Today)

Running without socks is not a good idea.


I had left the house today with both kids in tow (our son's school was again delayed 2 hours) and was proud of myself for getting out so quickly. You know where this is going.


When I got to the YMCA (20 minutes from our house) I realized I'd forgotten all of my other clothes...which included the socks I was to run in. By this point there was no way I was turning around. I decided I'd just go as long as my feet could hang in there.


Turns out, that's about a mile and a half.


I'm still wearing band-aids and am taking tomorrow off from running but am quite glad I still went. This is one of those cases that the immediate-happiness voices were loudly screaming "Don't run! You'll hurt yourself! You can go tomorrow...just use this time to spend time with your kids...they'll love you for it..." (Yeah, they are tricky voices) However, the soul voices knew better. They knew I needed the discipline to get out on the track even if it meant momentary discomfort. They knew my body would know when it was time to stop.


There are obstacles that are going to pop up all over life - snow days, unexpected calls, spills, forgotten socks. It is up to you to decide whether that particular obstacle is a rock you can climb over or a boulder that is best left alone. There is no right or wrong answer...each will depend on the situation and the exact moment you find yourself in. (If our son was already in school, I probably would have driven home to get the socks.)


Training for this half marathon and traithlon has shown me that so many of the obstacles I saw before that looked like boulders were really small rocks - all I had to do was get up off my bum and look down upon them. After all, when you're lying down, everything looks big and impossible.


I'm still working around my boulders (there will always be some), watching my back, and honoring the messages I hear from my body. But the fire continues to grow within and, wow, is it beautiful. My hope is that you are on the path to finding your own light within.


I still wouldn't recommend running without socks, though.

Division Within Unity - How I'm Going to (Try) to Post

I have contemplated making different blogs for different aspects of my life - mini/triathlon training, crafting, motherhood, yoga, etc. - but the whole point of "LifeUnity" is the recognition that all of these things flow into one another. What I learn while tripping over my own feet in running helps me keep my balance with the kids. What messages I find on the mat in yoga come through in my craft/art work.

However, I do realize that some readers may be more interested in one thing over another. To help with ease of reading, I'm going to try (for now - we'll see how it works!) to at least create different posts based on the topic. For example, this next post will primarily be on my training (and what I'm learning!!). Please be aware that, as with life, lessons will flow through topics...so if you are interested in the "hmmm" behind the "what", you may want to read all of them! Even if you swear you'll never run (like I did about a year ago - really), you may pick up something that will change your mind...or at the very least, give you a new perspective on the "running" you do in your own life.

Let's see how this goes - on to the next post!!

Snow Day & Updated Giveaway

For the ONE WORLD ONE HEART Giveaway, click here

(or simply scroll down).

I have UPDATED the OWOH giveaway with more pictures of the (almost!) finished book!


Today in lovely Indiana it was quite snowy. This meant no school for our son.

So I used this

to do this

and because I have this

image from McDonalds Chiropractic

I reluctantly had to take this

But because of this

and this

and this

(Which I just won through Sleeping Dog Studios - amazingly talented artists.

They're having another giveaway - check it out!)

and this

http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/2010/02/coolio.html

and this

Giveaway! One World One Heart

Posted by Lisa at 4:38 PM 73 comments Links to this post

and this

Followers (29)

I'm still feeling like this.

( Image Courtesty of The Vintage Moth, who are also participants in the OWOH giveaway! Visit their site at http://www.percyandbloom.com/ )

Thank you.

Giveaway! One World One Heart

UPDATE: ENTRY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH TO ALL OF THOSE WHO ENTERED. I WILL BE DRAWING A WINNER ASAP and POSTING LATER TONIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH & GOOD LUCK!

_______________________________________________________________________

My first ever giveaway! I'm so excited to be giving back to the community that has given me so much.

To My Followers:

This post is for the One World One Heart Giveaway. This is an amazing event that I only recently learned of...but am so glad that I did. This giveaway is open to everyone, regardless of whether or not you are a participant in the OWOH (One World One Heart).

Lisa (at awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com) created this annual giveaway in 2007. (And what an awesome name, huh?! Gotta love those Lisa's.) It is open to anyone who wants to participate and is a way for bloggers to journey around the world, meet fellow travellers, possibly win some lovely gifts, and find CONNECTIONS...all while in one's jammies. Lovely, eh?

I ADORE her description of this event and am so thrilled to see so many people taking part. As she states, "If only it took a simple giveaway to create PEACE everywhere, in the mean time here we give from our hearts. We are not solving the worlds problems nor are we curing anything nor are we changing the world. We are merely generating a closer community between humans through blogging. "

EXACTLY! I'm sure that's what many of us hope to do with our blogs...simply find that community and those connections with others of open hearts.

I'm quite the procrastinator ...the deadline for joining the group has already passed (I got in at the last minute!). But I encourage you to go over and check out more about the event - and Lisa - at awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com .

I plan this to be the first of many giveaways here. I love the feeling of creating something to be sent out to a lovely soul in the universe.

TO ONE WORLD ONE HEART Participants (and my followers who would like to enter!):

You are truly an amazing group. At the time of this posting, over 1000 strong!

As you've probably noticed, I'm one of the last few to jump on board...mainly because I had such a hard time deciding what to do for a giveaway. I've only recently discovered my inner artist and she's still a bit shy. A perfectionist-by-training, I'm still learning how to create while silencing the "shoulds".

So it is still hesitantly (but with the best of intentions to be confident!) that I offer up my first-ever altered book for my first-ever giveaway!

The story? Very simple...how one might learn to grow. Should, Could, Might, Will....AM. The book itself is about 8 1/2 inches x 5 inches in size.

I will post more about the history behind this book (and my plans to keep right on going with creating altered books, journals, and mixed-media poetry!) in a post to follow this one. (No need to make this post pages long!)

And to be honest, that little inner critic was a persistent li'l bugger ... she only now let me finish the cover. The book is in progress, but I promise it will be done and beautifully wrapped to send your way! I will continue to update THIS post with photos as it gets completed. (Finishing the cover has released some fears - it's full steam ahead from here.) UPDATE 2/9: New photos at the bottom of this post!

TO ENTER:

• Please leave a comment ON THIS POST by Monday, February 15th, 2010 before 6:00 p.m. (EST). If you've not been here before, I'd love to know a bit more about you - perhaps a fear of your own that you've recently overcome!!

• Be sure I have a way to reach you - include your blog or email address. (I can't send you the book if I can't get in touch with you!)

(I've had someone mention they were not able to leave a comment before. If you have troubles but still want to be entered in the drawing, email me at Lifeunity (at) gmail {dot} com and I'll include you.)

I will choose a winner by random number generator and announce the winner on the evening of February 15th . I will contact you if you've won (and have left a way for me to get in touch with you!). The book will be sent out the next day as long as I have a valid mailing address.

ABOUT ME:

I've seen a few OWOH sites where people have included some information about themselves and/or their blog for first-time visitors. What a great idea!

I am a "stay-at-home" mother of two young children, a registered yoga teacher, and an awakening creative spirit living in a college town in Southern Indiana.

My typical day-to-day activities include training for the Indianapolis mini-marathon and a triathlon (both of which I still can't believe -- a year ago the thought of running made me cringe and my hubby and I didn't even own bikes), getting our kindergartner to and from school, playing with our 2-year old, blogging, creating a myriad of projects, reading, laundry, and pondering the mysteries of life. Yeah, it's an interesting life I lead.

I love Anthropologie but can't afford most of their things, am far more addicted to chai than I'm comfortable with, and get annoyed when I end sentences or phrases with prepositions.

I am an avid (but not professional) photographer, get revived by the outdoors, practice yoga on and off the mat whenever I re-member my Self, and hope I am moved to start teaching again within the next year.

I am in my 30's and have followed a life indulged in Wonderment...not willing to let go of the idea of "something more" merged with the daily "to-do's". I like to challenge my own and others' views of reality, including questionning that darned phrase "that's just the way it is". I enjoy wine and diet coke, though I'm trying to drink a lot less of the latter. Neither quite fit into training, but we'll see how they work over the next few months.

I keep our house a controlled mess because there are more important things to do with my time (but am still embarassed if we have people over), am a vegetarian (but live in a household of meat-eaters and never judge other peoples' choices of what they eat), and value honest friendships -the kind where you never feel judged by the other person - quite highly (though I'm horrible about getting back with those wonderful friends I do have).

This blog exists to bring all of that - and then some - together. It is my attempt to radiate that which I've learned (and am learning) in hopes of connecting with others in the same boat and possibly inspiring some who are struggling with similar issues. It is my way of reaching out to the universe, constantly acknowledging who I am, and hoping to skip along with some fellow travellers and maybe learn some interesting songs along the way.

If this calls to you, please feel free to join me! Just click on the "Follow" button or send me an email at Lifeunity (at) gmail [dot] com. (You know the drill...gotta foil those spammers.)

Namaste - and good luck!!

--Lisa

UPDATES 2/9/2010:

I am finally almost finished! I plan to do a bit more embellishing, but here are some photos of the insides of the book...ya know, the actual story part?!

I am truly overwhelmed by all of the kind comments and the blogs and talent of the OWOH participants! Thank you all so much for sharing your worlds with me...

Divine Play

What if...

...We were divine beings who decided to take a little time to explore what it means to be "human".

We chose our body - and each of its uniquely human characteristics - fully understanding how rich of an experience it would be to inhabit one.

We confined ourselves to a mind - knowing that by simply remembering the divinity that resided there we could explore limitless possibilities that arise from intellect, wisdom, and infinite awareness combined.

We did all of this solely to explore,

to PLAY,

to LIVE.

What if....??

Oodles of Opportunities

I started off this post wanting to just explain the little widget links I have for the Art Journal Love Letters workshop and the WishFull Virtual Art Retreat....and I just kept right on going.

I don't know if this happens to you, but I have at least 20 Internet Explorer windows open between the desktop and laptop of courses and books with which I want to follow up. It seems like there has been a flood recently of beautiful and inspiration energy flowing out there...

I also seem to notice that, as communities develop online, certain bloggers, artists, and yogis/yoginis I "follow" seem to congregate to the same events. Over time, I would check out an event (or website or book) simply because I'd noticed it mentioned on several individuals' sites.

What I am sort of attempting to do below is list all of those wonderful opportunities I've run across in the past few weeks. At the very least, it provides a list for me (so I can close some of these windows and let my hubby reclaim at least one computer) -- hopefully, it provides a rich list of resources for you as well. (But be careful - these can be addictive!)

So many awesome community-building and learning opportunities out there!



I've recently joined Connie's (dirtyfootprints-studio.com) new lovely workshop: Art Journal Love Letters! She does a beautiful job at explaining the class at the site....oh MY I can't WAIT to get started! My hubby doesn't know about the love affair yet, though, so shhhh.....

I'm frantically trying to create something (or several things) to have as give-aways for the One World One Heart project (going on right now, but we have until Feb. 8th to add a link). It is such a wonderful idea! I've been meaning to have a give-away on this blog for quite some time (I REALLY want to give back to the wonderful community that has given me so much)...this is a great way to do so and continue to meet beautiful folk out there.





There are so many other courses in which I'd like to take part - right now it's all a matter of determining what I can afford and what will have to be part of a wish-list for later. I encourage you to visit these sites, if you haven't already - there is some AMAZING stuff out there! And, if you take part in any of this, email me (Lifeunity (at) gmail [dot] com) and let me know your experience!

Where I'd like to be and when (and where you can be too)!:

WishFull Virtual Art Retreat - from April 30th - May 2nd. A plethora of opportunities all in one place and in one weekend...and all can be done in your jammies! What a brilliant idea - a VIRTUAL art retreat! Oh, how I dream of learning from such fascinating women!! (Oh, and the Wish Studio was just featured in the recent Artful Blogging - I won a copy (thanks Mindy!!), received the beautifully packaged magazine a couple of days ago - and have already devoured the whole thing! Gorgeous - check it out!)



Mermaid Warriors! class - Feb 22nd - April 2nd - an exciting opportunity to learn how to teach art to young girls (and, I'd guess, pick up a few techniques myself!). I'm super excited about this one because not only would I learn a few fun tips but also how to pass on this information to bright, brilliant young ladies (including the one shyly hiding in myself). :)


Jenny Doh's Crescendoh website - opening March 1st - will be CHOCK full of items I'll be itching to buy. The site has this logo right now: "Creative Passion * Authentic Community * Focused Compassion" - seriously, how perfect is that?? Jenny has been listing several photos of items to be available on her blog at jennydoh.typepad.com.


Susan Tuttle's (at ilkasattic.blogspot.com) ecourse Digital Photomanipulation 2 - while the current workshop just started on February 1st, she's offering another one in the spring! I love playing with Photoshop and I ADORE Susan's work ... I can't imagine what could come of taking this course!


Jennifer Lee's (at lifeunfoldsblog.com) Right-Brain Business Plan course just started on February 1st as well...but I'm hoping it will be offered again! As all of us creatives itch for the freedom of our own business (or struggle maintaining the one we have), how nice would it be to have a way to organize it all from someone who understands??


Pam Carriker's (at thebagladysart.blogspot.com) course Journal 365 starts April 1st - and goes for an entire year! How exciting is that...creative inspiration the whole year through. As she puts it, I may need to jump on that Ferris Wheel!!

Susannah Conway (at inkonmyfingers.typepad.com or SusannahConway.com) has an ecourse, Unravelling: Ways of Seeing Myself that starts on March 8th. This course I've been drooling over...it combines photography, writing, self-exploration, exploring the senses -- my life's pursuits all examined & taught by an artist I adore!

The Squam Art Workshops (from June 2nd - June 6th) just opened for registration. I'm still dancing around dreaming like I'll be able to make it...we'll see how the stars align!

And Richard's (twomindsmeet.blogspot.com) Philosophy Cafe groups sound awesome...but seeing as how they are hundreds of miles away, I think I'll just stick to enjoying his blog for now. (I'll see you again soon Richard...and bring that $199 with me!)

On top of all this, there are so many books coming out (some already on shelves!)!

Karen Maezen Miller's (mommazen.blogspot.com) The Laundry Line: Care Instructions for an Ordinary Life. (Her first book, MommaZen, literally changed my entire outlook on parenting....and then some. I have two copies right now - one I keep delving into and the other I pass around among friends...and I'm hoping to buy yet another and keep spreading the love! Also, Karen commented on a post I wrote about her first book awhile ago - I was absolutely giddy. It was my first venture into connecting with inspirational women around the globe - and gave me confidence knowing that those I admire are "real" women too.)


Shona Cole's The Artful Mother (Shona has wonderful information listed at shonastudio.blogspot.com - follow the link! I'm anxious for this to come out...this is just what I need right now.)


Kimberly Wilson's Tranquilista: Mastering the Art of Enlightened Work and Mindful Play at tranquilista.com or kimberlywilson.com (One of those lovely yoginis I've followed for awhile - her first book, Hip Tranquil Chick, unleashed the girly side of me that had been lost for too long. Suddenly, it was ok to be a yogini - mindfulness and all - and "hip" at the same time! Ok, so I never consider myself hip, but at least I felt much better about wearing a bit of glitter every now and then!!)


Naomi and Jamie at IttyBiz (ittybiz.com) (wide range of products) While these are e-books, and have been out for awhile...they're new to me! I simply can't decide which class/e-book to choose - I need all of the info. listed. While I don't mind business "stuff", I usually get turned off by the lingo (hence the word "stuff") - I have a feeling that the way their information is presented would fit quite nicely with exactly what..and HOW...I need to learn.


Kathy Cano-Murillo a.k.a. The Crafty Chica has a new book coming out, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter. (While I just recently discovered her, I was immediately smitten by this blog post on living an artful life on her blog at thecraftychica.blogspot.com)


Leo Babauta's The Power Of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential...in Business and In Life - (again, not a new book, but new to me! He also has several wonderful books (and is so generous with oodles of free information) at his website zenhabits.net.)


Jo Packham and Jenny Doh's book (coming in April) Where Women Create: Book of Inspiration. (My first introduction to Stampington and Co.'s magazines were through an issue of "Where Women Create"...is it too much to say that it changed my life? Combined with blogs, these publications have been soooo inspirational for my creative development. I'm always hungry for more!)


Rachel Whetzel (at minetothine.com) was just featured in Art Doll Quarterly, another Stampington publication. (While I generally don't get this particular one, I love following artists whose lives I admire...and Rachel has an exciting one! I can't wait to check out her work.)

And of course, Rowena's (warriorgirl.blogspot.com) work listed at her Etsy shop (Seriously, I DREAM about Flying Girl at night...I didn't jump on one of her earlier works that I really wanted and am now kicking myself for it) and Maya's (mayamade.blogspot.com) Etsy shop (which was just updated...I can't decide whether to buy the pattern or just the burlap bag!!)...

What is a girl to do?!

p.s. I have to add one more recommendation, even though it may hurt my chances of winning: The LOVELY artist(s) at Sleeping Dogs Studio are having a give-away (in honor of her mom's birthday...how sweet is that??) - a totally unique picture frame! I've seen these in person...they are amazing.

If you have any more recommendations (books, websites, events), please let me know. (It's not like I don't have enough on my plate. I'm a glutton for punishment.) If I've missed you and follow your blog, please leave a comment here -- I'll add the info above! I don't want anyone to miss out on opportunities.

However, my hubby just got home and is feeling neglected. Better spend some time with him so he doesn't mind too much while the bank account dwindles down as I take advantage of everything above ..... (oh, do I love that hubby o' mine!!)