crafting with grandma - Duck Tape Hat

Around my house Duck Tape is held in high regard! After-all, the world is held together by Duck Tape! :^) So, when Duck Tape began to produce tape in colors and patterns, well, needless to say, it got my attention! I love taking a few minutes to browse the Duck Tape website to see some of the creative things people are making with Duck Tape and decided to share a fun pattern with you for making your own Duck Tape Baseball Hats!  

This craft is one you could use to help your grandchildren make their own hats . . . ones which are very unique and affordable! Brainstorm with your grandchildren to determine the colors you want to use for your hats and design a "logo" to represent your grandchildren, family or something they like to do . . . of course use Duck Tape to make your logo! Have fun with your hats! :^)

Operation Frog Effect - I'm Giving One Away

Two days ago I shared my review and my grandson's thoughts about the book,  Operation Frog Effect. You will find my review at this link. Today I'm very happy to say Random House Books for Young Readers  is making one available for me to give away (USA only).

just for fun - Tomorrow, February 27th, is Strawberry Day

Yes, tomorrow is Strawberry Day, so I thought I'd  share with you an easy recipe for making your own tasty Strawberry Freezer Jam and share some fun information about strawberries as well. First the info. Did you know . . .

Operation Frog Effect

I was recently invited to review a new book for children - Operation Frog Effect. It arrived and was sitting on my sofa when my grandsons came over. My oldest grandson (ten years old) saw it and started reading it, so today, in my review, I'm very happy to share with you his opinion of Operation Frog Effect as well.

Trust God to Put You Back Together

Have you ever felt like the pieces of your life just don't "fit" together? Have you ever felt like there was a "piece" missing? Have you ever wanted God to "put the pieces of your life back together"? Well, if you have - or even if you haven't, this passage from Psalm 86:10b-17 (The Message) is sure to brighten your day!

crafting with grandma - Photo Blocks

One of my favorite "decorations" in my home is a photo block. It is one of my favorites, because on this block are several of my favorite photos of my grandsons. So, when browsing on Pinterest I came across info to make my own photo blocks, I knew I had to share it with you . . . all you need are wood blocks, paint, Modge Podge, photos and printables - which you are able to download for free if you follow the links! 

The Restoration Series: Jonathan’s Walk

I was recently invited to view a video series from Prison Fellowship and share a link for you to be able to sign up to watch it as well. Today I'm very happy to do both.

Hug the Ones You Love with Your Prayers

While our daily prayers certainly may include prayers for specific concerns and needs which may arise - tests, health, relationships, etc., when we pray we need to pray for our grown children and grandchildren to love, know and walk with God. 

First Nations Projects

My daughter has a degree in Anthropology and is considering a calling into work translating the Bible into languages where there is not already Bibles. She gave me three books from the First Nations Project where they are translating the Bible for Indigenous Peoples/Native Americans. I am so impressed with the work going into this project I want to share it with you.

crafting with grandma - Granny Square Cat

I was browsing on  Pinterest  this morning and saw a very cute pattern for a granny square cat! If I had a granddaughter, I'd make one for her . . . I might modify it and make a dog or monster for my grandsons . . . if I do, I'll post photos and the modified pattern for you! But for now, I'll share this pattern, so if you want to make one, you'll have the links! (If you follow the links you'll find a photo tutorial to help you make your own granny square cat!)

just for fun - February 16th is Do a Grouch a Favor Day!

Tomorrow is a special day - Do a Grouch a Favor Day. This is the day where . . . "if you know someone who is always grouchy, then this is the day to go out of your way to turn their frown upside down. Celebrate by trying to make all thos people with the 'I-just-sucked-a-lemon-face' or those people who are just mean all the time, happy by going out of your way to do something nice for them."

Tell Those You Love Like God Tells Us

Happy Valentine's Day! On this day when we tend to think about the ones we love, you may find it encouraging to know God thinks about His great love for you, a lot! We know this, because the word "love" appears 310 times in the King James Bible, 348 times in the New American Standard Bible, 551 times in the New International Version and 538 times in the New Revised Standard Version. Oh yes, God loves us and He is not shy about telling us of His great love for us!

God Brings Beauty From Our Storms

Last week we experienced a significant ice storm. While the trees were beautiful covered in ice, many branches came down leaving more than 200,000 people without power. 

However; along with losing power, the ice did something amazing. I live in apple country - there are many, many apple orchards throughout this area and not far from where I live. One local farmer, Andrew Sietsema discovered ice apples in his orchard.

crafting with grandma - Crocheted Purse

I enjoy crocheting. I like to take yarn and end up with something useful, pretty - and hopefully somewhat unique! So, the other day I was browsing on Pinterest and found some free patterns for crocheted squares and I thought, "What if I took those and made three different squares which I could use to make a purse?" So, I did!

Origami Box & Heart Service Project

My church has a large Special Needs Ministry and so, my grandsons are going to do a project this Wednesday evening to show love as people arrive for their Wednesday evening service. We have been making origami boxes and hearts - each box will have one heart in it and the boys will give one to each person as they arrive; along with a smile and the encouragement - "God loves you!"

Stumbles Do Not Stop God's Love

One of the primary focuses of our prayers for our children and grandchildren is for them to make the choice to believe in and follow Jesus. When they do, while the Bible says there is rejoicing among the angels in Heaven, I am convinced a grandma (and grandpa, too) certainly rejoices just as much, if not more than the angels!

We rejoice, greatly, but our prayers do not end. They just change in focus. The ones we love are going to face challenges and difficult times in their lives. They will need to make all kinds of choices - some, they will choose wisely, some they will not.

grandma's cookie jar - Orange Butter Cookies

When it comes to cookies my family tends to favor the "classics" . . . chocolate chip-peanut-butter-oatmeal, plain chocolate chip or plain peanut-butter cookies. But every once in a while I like to try something different and this recipe, which I found on Pinterest, is certainly one I'd like to try! After all, what could be more "yummie" sounding than orange butter cookies?!!!!

Mystery Bag & a Fun Valentine's Project

On my other blog, Grandmas with Heart, I posted another Mystery Bag Project and I think you would enjoy this one, so I'm sharing it with you as well.

Valentine's Day is next week, so I thought it would be fun to find some different ideas our grandchildren could try for unique, memorable Valentines and a fun Mystery Bag project as well. Of course this meant I started by browsing through Pinterest . . . where I came upon an idea which fit what I was looking for . . . interesting, unique and fun for the boys to make!

grandma's cookbook - Forbidden Oreo Pudding Cake

My grandsons enjoy cake; particularly chocolate cake. When I add pudding to the cake; well, there is ever so much more for them to enjoy. And, when Oreos are "thrown" into the "mix" . . . "enjoyment" is an absolute "given"! So, when I was browsing on Pinterest and saw a recipe for Forbidden Oreo Pudding Cake, I had to share it with you - and make plans to make one for my family to enjoy as well!

Trust God, Experience His Peace & Pass it On

I grew up in a time when each Sunday in church we sang the old hymns; It Is Well With My Soul, The Old Rugged Cross, Amazing Grace, Just As I Am – old songs where the lyrics were sound and they challenged and encouraged us in our walk with God. I loved these songs then – and still love them today.

I also love the newer praise songs, but today I want to share one of my favorite hymns with you, and some thoughts about how these lyrics encourage grandparents. Before I do, here’s some background on the lyricist – Frances Havergal.

crafting with grandma - Make a Fun Dragon

As you have probably noticed, I enjoy browsing from time to time on Pinterest! What a great site for ideas to inspire creativity! Well, this morning I saw a fun, simple idea for making a "Flying Dragon Puppet" and had to share it with all of you! All you do is buy some colorful cups, punch a hole in the bottom of each, string some yarn/cord - tie the knot in the last cup, leaving ends for the tongue, tape streamers and decorate a face. Add string to the first and seventh cup and fasten to a stick and you have a fun puppet!