11.18.2014

crafty Christmas creativity:

It's always at this time of year, usually after the first real snow fall, that I start hatching way too many projects in my head.
They flutter about, distracting my thoughts, until I sew/sketch/sort them out!

If you're feeling the bug, too, I thought today I would post some links to projects (D.I.Y's) I've done in the past for young and old(er).  In case you wanted some inspiration for your own creative moment!
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You can click here for 10 different kid's craft/gift ideas.
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Or, click here for some more adult sized cozy creations and decor to make.

Happy Crafting friends!
Mel ;o)

11.15.2014

A.musing.mama! 4.7 (COMIC winner)

Isn't that the truth?

Today's COMIC giveaway winner is Nichole M!  This sketch is dedicated to her 13month precocious progeny who loves getting into all sorts of messes while she attempts to clean.
Yes, a carton of ice cream all over his head.
Yes, the toys all over the floor.

(Not depicted... taking the stereo speakers for a 'walk' with the cords as their leashes! ha!)
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I think we all relate well to the 'futility' of housework with little ones underfoot, don't we?

A BIG thanks to all the hilarious entries for this giveaway, you guys - and your fun families - gave me some great chuckles!

Have a fun weekend friends,

Mel ;o)
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You can catch up on previous COMICS here!
 

11.13.2014

my art. her art:

 
My recent paintings.
8"x8" mini landscapes.

Her recent paintings.
A new 'gallery wall' to brighten up our living room/kids creative corner.
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Art is like exhaling.
We love creating in our nest here!

Mel ;o)

11.12.2014

children's books. Christmas. and the cross:

Hello friends,
I've mentioned in the past various books that I've found helpful to read for myself.
But, I thought today I would highlight some great reads for the kids!
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We love thrifting, receiving, and buying books.
We have all sorts of fun ones crammed into the corners of our nest here.
(Anything illustrated by John Patience is an instant purchase for us).

Today's book list, however, is going to focus on those reads that most beautifully point the hearts to Christ.  Because, that's our deepest joy, and we want to share that with the kids.
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*The book titles will link you directly to their order site on Amazon if you're interested*

The Jesus Storybook Bible - by Sally Lloyd-Jones. 
If you don't own these... I can't recommend them enough!  Every book she touches is gold.  She has a beautiful gift for conveying such profound truths in very simple and unique perspectives for a child to understand.  I did four years of biblical studies.. and I'm still floored by the things she can point out in the story of the Bible.  She also does you the favour of showing how every story in the Bible foreshadows (points to) Christ... wonderful!

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift - by Ann Voskamp.
We haven't read this.. yet.  Since we just ordered it hot off the press for this holiday season.
A scan of the pages has me eager to use it with the kids though.  It's a 25 day countdown to Christmas - using a daily ornament, story from Scripture and applications for how we can be a blessing to others.  I love that each story/ornament shows (once again) that every part of the Bible is pointing to the Christ-child.  The soon coming Saviour. I'm eager to use this book as a tool to encourage our hearts to savour the real meaning of this season.

Long Story Short - by Marty Machowski.
Doing family devotions after dinner is tricky.  Hands are sticky, hearts are distracted.  But, if ever there was a book to help succinctly point our spirit to the richness of God's Word, this book does it.  A great resource for families wanting to have a 'devotional' book that takes you through the Bible and asks questions of your kids (and mom and dad!).

Ok, that's the three big helpful resources of late.
As we enter this Christmas season.. just thought I would share this in case you wanted some fresh inspiration to stay cross-centered in your family.  I know that's not every reader here.  But for our family, in this season so prone to distraction, we want to stay at the cross of Christ.
In a time geared for commercialism.
 We want to tune our hearts to His voice.
In a culture eager to siren call our hearts to other shores.
We want to steer to deeper Living waters.

Don't pile us high with stuff. stuff. stuff.
Don't sell us the cheap lie that we can buy our joy.
Declutter and clear our mind.

Let us see Christ.
For is knowing Him we find the greatest gifts.
Love.
Joy.
Peace.
 
Mel ;o) 
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P.S... You surely have two minutes to watch this powerful video about 'spending less, and giving more' at this time of year?

11.08.2014

A.musing.mama! 4.6

So, I don't know about you, but when the baby is having a fit of 'ain't nothing going to make me happy' I start to go through the mental checklist:

hungry? angry? wet diaper? tired? sick? scared? full moon? voodoo curses? etc.

And when I come up empty.
Teething.
She is always teething if nothing else.

Because that one word still makes me feel like a have a 'clue' about this whole motherhood gig.  It's the answer to calm the fact that I don't have the answers.

Granted, she may be legitimately teething as well.
So, win win... or, something like that (where you still feel like you're losing).

A.musing.mama,
Mel :o)

**P.S: there's still time to enter the GIVEAWAY CONTEST and win your own personalised comic!

11.07.2014

11.05.2014

your personalized COMIC giveaway:

Alright, alright friends... here it finally is!

I've been plotting and planning this curious comic giveaway for a while now... but the weeks have been a blur of bleary eyes, snuffles and sleeplessness (seriously cramping my creative mo-jo).

But I shall wait no longer.

So here's the scoop:  since all of us with kids likely have an endless list of hilarity worth sharing, I thought it would be fun to illustrate one of your amusing moments.
It will then be posted on the blog.
After which, the original sketch will be mailed to your doorstep.
We may even throw in a few originals from the younger artist in the nest too ;o)

How to enter the contest:

1. E-mail me a 'true-from-life' moment of hilarity from your home.
needleandnestdesign@live.com

done!

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The winner of the contest will have their silly moment sketched and published for next weekend's COMIC post. (Nov. 15).

I will then contact you for your mailing address and send you the original.

Looking forward to laughing with you,
Mel ;o)