Wednesday, May 2, 2012

A Scrap Wreath & Serving God

So back in December I made a little yarn and felt flower wreath to adorn our front door for the winter.  I finally decided it was time to switch it up and make a new wreath to greet us when we come home.  Here's the thing, I really didn't want to spend a lot of money on this and since I already had a foam wreath ring, I ended up spending zero dollars - woohoo!  This might not have been the wreath I would have made if I went to the store and bought brand new supply items but I happen to really love it - maybe it's because it was free.  Can I just say this rusty red door color has got to go...don't worry we are working on it.


Here are the supplies I used for making my scrap wreath:
- foam wreath form
- leftover scrap ribbon
- t-shirt rosettes
- left over plastic flower cabs
- a vintage earring
- beads
-glue gun

So I started wrapping my wreath form in leftover ribbon that I had in my ribbon box.  I tried to choose a few colors that went well together and just went with it.  I kind of liked the color blocking going on here - that's in style now right?


While rummaging through my craft supplies trying to come up with things that would work for this wreath I came across some fabric rosettes that I had made months and months ago and never used.  I actually made these from an old t-shirt.  The blue ones I just dyed with some food coloring.  I love making fabric rosettes, they are super easy - again same technique as I did when I made my rosette necklace.  Here's a great tutorial.


I hot glued the fabric roses on and then rummaged and found and old vintage earring, a flower glass bead and a few plastic flower cabs.  A little more hot glue and it was feeling complete.  If you are wondering where to get plastic flower cabs, then look no further than etsy.  You can find them all over the place on there and in a ton of different colors and varieties.  


I love the added touch of this vintage earring, it's kind of my favorite thing on this wreath.


And yay, I have a new wreath and didn't spend any money.  Now I can go get a new pair of shoes (kidding....or maybe not).


This week we wrapped up our Crazy Love bible study that we have been working on for the last 10 weeks with out students.  It's been a great study that has really challenged all of us at some level.  One of the things we talked about and reflected on was how we were serving God by using the time, talents, gifts and abilities He has given us - now.  Many times we shy away from serving God in the here-and-now because we focus too much on the things we don't have. Often times, we say things like one day we will do (fill in the blank) for God when I have more (fill int he blank) or are more prepared.  The reality is though that God has prepared you for this moment - right now to serve Him in some way.  If He has called you (and if you are a Christian, you are called) -He has equipped you.  We challenged ourselves to think about the interests, abilities, talents, etc that we all have and how we could use those to serve God in some way.  I loved listening to the students think through this answer.  Some shared that they loved being around people - so we talked about how they could serve God by sharing God's love with others, through thing like praying for others, listening, talking, giving, etc.  One shared that they enjoyed doing things for others - like service projects.  One shared they had a platform in band and they wanted to use that for God's glory.  One has shared about his ability to work on cars and how he wanted to use that to share God's love with others by helping those in need.  Others are creative, like to sing, are good tweeters - you get the point.  Pretty much God can use any part of you to work towards loving and serving Him, we just have to be obedient.  I think that's pretty cool and somehow using what I had to make a wreath reminded me of using what I have for serving God.  

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

8 comments:

  1. Super cute wreath! I love brown and blue together!

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    1. Thanks Ashley! I love blue with just about any color haha!

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  2. I love the wreath and what you said about serving the now. It is so easy to say, "When I'm older (or married, or out of school, or anything else) I'll do this..."

    Allyson
    http://cupcakescandycanes.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Allyson, I know I'm totally guilty of making one of those statements - or several of those statements at different points in my life.

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  3. It's so cute! I like the color blocking. And what a neat connection between the wreath and your heart for God. I've been praying about a couple of service opportunities lately, trying to figure out how I can use my gifts and talents for Him. Thanks for sharing this! :)

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  4. Oh I love this! STILL haven't read Crazy Love, but it's on my list for the year :) Thanks for sharing your creativity + heart! xo -l

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    1. Its such a great book/devotion! We went through it with our students last year and it was awesome. Chan has a new one that just came out called Multiply - I haven't read it but Justin loves it. He is definitely one of our favorite Pastors.

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