Small Craft project

I haven't had time to post much these past few days.  In fact, I don't really have time right now, but I wanted to post some photos of my new craft for sale.  As always, the proceeds for this craft will go toward the cause...bringing home the new Cheney baby from Ethiopia!  Here are a few pictures of what I have.  I would love to create something unique for your home!  Let me know what you think!

Greek: Fos meaning Light.

Happy Valentine's Day...a.k.a. help support consumerism day?

I've never been a huge fan of Valentine's day...I mean, why should there be one day a year that is set apart to show someone how much you love them? Some may find this view very pessimistic, but it comes from a much happier place, I promise ;).  I want to show love every day!  Don't you think people should love each other and shower them with gifts of love through words of encouragement, affection, kindness?  The Bible tells us about love in well know verses, " ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1Cor. 13:4-7).  It is this that we should strive to shower others with.  And more on love found in Romans 12 tells us that "Love must be sincere..." rather than forced because of some holiday :).  Just to clarify again, I am not bashing Valentine's day, but rather encouraging the truth of love to be spread every day.  As 1 John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”  God is LOVE and how great is his love!

So, on this day of LOVE, I want to remember the TRUE source of all Love and the great sacrifice...the greatest display of love.  I would not truly know love if I did not know Christ and his relentless love.  I will make Valentine's day a day of remembrance and encouragement to continue loving others as Christ first loved me.  It is my day of continued prayer that He would make his love so great in me that it would overflow into ever thing I do and everyone I encounter.

I heard this song today, not for the first time, but really heard it today.  I'm not saying that the song itself is amazing, but the lyrics hold such truth.  It is the perfect Valentine's day song to remind me of Christ's love:  "Hero" by Abandon.
The chorus says it clearly, "Here He stands with scars in His hands. / With love He gave His life so we could be free./ The Savior of the world"

Happy Valentine's Day!  I LOVE you!
xoxo,
~Bri

Craftin' for a Cause: Handmade flowers

Check out the "Handmade Flowers" page to see some of the new pieces and leave feedback!

Adding Buttons to the blog!!!

Ok, so I started playing around with blog buttons and finally figured things out!  The first button is in support of orphans and adoptions.  Their coffee is FAIR TRADE, too!!!  You can support Adam and Heather's adoption through buying their coffee, too!

The Second button is a button for my blog!  You can post it on your blog or any web page.  It took a few trial and errors, but I got it done.
That being said, I would love any feedback on the blog and would love any followers :).  I will be posting more about my crafting adventures in the next few days.  The dress is almost done!

~Briana

It is way past my families bed time, but me...I'm a night owl.  My mind, heart, and soul function at full capacity in the late night hours.  Maybe it's the calm of a quite house, so much so that I hear the clock tick and music playing softly in the background...so peaceful.  As I sit in the house of slumber, I listen to this song by Phil Wickham,

"You are the hand that catches my fall
You are the friend that answers my call
You are my day, You are my night
You are my love and all of my life

You are the love I need
You are the air I breathe
You are my love my life always forever
I would lay down my life
Just to be by Your side
You are my love my life always forever

You are the grace that covers my sin
You’re everything the beginning and end
You have my soul, my heart and my mind
You have my love and all of my life

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, forever

These lyrics are so pure, so true, and I sing out from my heart...quietly of course, since the reset of the house is in nocturnal bliss. This quiet time becomes my time with God...he has "my soul, my heart, my mind."  Sometimes it becomes overwhelmingly emotional, a broken and childlike cry for Christ to consume me entirely, but tonight, tonight it is overflowing with gratefulness, praise, and pure surrender.  What an amazing Lord we serve, one who longs for us to draw closer to Him and longs for us to know him intimately.  

I've been reading Tozer's The Pursuit of God and he writes in the first chapter regarding the relationship one is to have with God as a "continuous and unembarrassed interchange of love and thought between God and the soul of the redeemed man" (8).  That is what I long for, continuous and unembarrassed interchange with my maker in an act of complete devotion, surrender, love.  I will never forget that I am broken and only made whole in Christ.  "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15. And with this I say Good Night.

Made a new bow today.  The picture is a bit blurry, but the idea is there :) This style can be slid on a headband or clip.  Super fun!  I am in love with this fabric, too.  I am still working on that shirring dress (it has actually been sitting on the crafting table all week..I've been a bit busy) but hope to get it done this weekend.  I can't wait to show you what turned out!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Craftin' for a Cause: Handmade Dresses

Craftin' for a Cause: Handmade Dresses: "I went all out on the shirring and here is what turned out. This is the first half of the dress and I will post completed pictures whe..."

Blogging

Ok, so there have been a few technical frustrations with this blog, but I am confident that it will work itself out.  I was trying to figure out how to make posts to the other pages on my blog, but am still stuck.  Oh well, I will just keep posting to the home page ;).

I am going to attempt shirring today!  It seems so simple...but I will post an update to let you know how it goes.  Maybe some mishap pictures, too.  Off to shirr!  Wish me luck.
~Briana

Launching the blog!

I'm going to give blogging a chance...let's see how it goes.  My purpose is to share fundraiser crafts, general crafting fun, and occasional inspired thought :). I am excited to share the ways God is leading me to craft for a cause and rejoice in all his provisions!  I'll be in touch.
~Briana