Juggling Balls

I found this in my drafts post list from March of this year.  One of the original set I made for Jacob ripped shortly after I made it.  I wanted to make him a replacement and couldn't find the pattern I had used.  Low and behold I had the pattern right in my drafts.  So of the sites below the first one listed proved to be the most useful.  The juggling balls are a great size and shape.  Oh and the reason his ripped is because I failed to put interfacing on the fabric.  The interfacing is dual purpose. One, stiffening the fabric and two, preventing fraying. So if you decide to make these I recommend doing the interfacing. Now it's happy sewing!!


This site gives detailed, yet complicated instructions.
http://juggleballs.amielmartin.com/all

The site below has good advice on what type of fabric to use etc.
http://www.jugglingdb.com/compendium/skills/equipment/making/balls/barnesybags.html

The site below has printable patterns for many different styles of balls
http://www.jugglingdb.com/compendium/skills/equipment/making/balls/sewingpatterns.html

I clicked on this link and got this:
http://www.jugglingdb.com/compendium/skills/equipment/making/balls/Sewing%20Patterns%20for%20Juggling%20Part%20I.pdf

This site gives somewhat useless information about making juggling balls =)
http://www.pjb.com.au/jug/leatherballs.html

New Living Room Window Treatment

I got the idea for these Roman Shades from this site:

http://365days2simplicity.blogspot.com/2011/04/easy-no-sew-roman-shades.html

I used a hot glue gun and a sheet Abigail purchased at St. Vincent's for $2.38! The Venetian blinds were on the window when we bought the house so, although I spent way more on the valence fabric the shades were practically free - wahoo! I am really happy with how they turned out.

This is what I looked at over and over again to loop the valance up. 

http://www.decorating-ideas-made-easy.com/cottage-kitchens.html

The picture is down a ways on this blog, from a Country Living Magazine I think.

I did hot glue here and there to keep this from slipping on the rod. I haven't done this yet, but if i have enough of the yellow I used for the other window I might cover the rod that shows with that.  It is on the to do list.

I didn't quite have enough fabric to do the loopy think on the second living room window.  Here's what I came up with :) I took two rectangles of fabric. One my main color, the second for the lining. Then I sewed them right sides together, leaving a small opening to flip. I trimmed, flipped and sewed the opening closed. Hot glued the top corners and middle to the curtain rod, and tied a piece of fabric in the center.  Fast, easy and I like the look :)

I started a pinterest account so I can add to my ideas bank and go back to visit sites later.  Here's my pinterest link:

http://pinterest.com/spiritfilledmom/

Snapshot Summary #36

Tuesday

26 - April, 2011

Wednesday

27 - April, 2011

Mary and Keziah worked on their purple quilts together in the AM. Then we had lunch with the Langlois family. When we headed back home Keziah got to come with and Cob got to go canoing the Ezra and Silas. I put the little ones down for naps while the girls cleaned the downstairs for our company. I threw in a batch of cookies when I got downstairs. We really enjoyed getting to know a couple of Emmaus students that were able to come for supper. One of which had helped in the nursery with Chloe during our ladies bible study on Wednesday nights.

Thursday
28 - April, 2011
Ahhhhh! I thought today would be a down day. I planned to have Jacob and Mary do some baking for the bake sale the youth group at church was having tomorrow. My lack of planning sent me leaving Mary in charge while I ran to the store. First, I needed a vehicle. With the van in the shop and Drew's car at his office this meant Drew had to run home. I took him back to work and headed to Sam's Club. From there I went back to his office to pick up Cora Borke as she was coming for the afternoon. I thought I would surprise Abigail (I hadn't told the children in case for some reason her visit fell through), so I told Cora to wait in the car and I am so glad I did. I walked into a house of chaos. Jacob was not minding Mary. I left her in charge while I ran. Poor Mary was crying. Apparently even Abigail had been mean to her. Thankfully the little boys were real good and Chloe too. So by the time Abi brought Cora in the house (and Abi was very excited to see her) things had settled down a bit :). So while Cob finished up the cookies he was baking the girls enjoyed playing dress up. Then I went up and had a short rest with the little boys and Chloe, assigning the other's to quiet time rooms and Abi and Cora to the basement. At 4:30 I took Cora and Abi with me to drop Cora off as I needed to pick up some long awaited items from an Emmaus student. I left Mary in charge again and things went WAY better this time. When I got home we made cinnamon rolls for the bake sale and the older chilren started wrapping some of the items up to sell. They were in bed early so they would be ready to roll for our 7-9 AM shift at the church garage/bake sale!

Friday
29 - April, 2011
 We headed out to help with the garage and bake sale about 6:40 this AM. Mary finished wrapping up bake sale items while Cob sat outside and sold. Abi and I were inside manning the cash box with the help of Ms. Chandler. We had a great time working together and fellowshipping with different brothers and sisters who stopped by for the sale. We sold quite a bit during that first shift, but thankfully were never overwhelmed with the amount of people wanting to buy at the same time. I haven't found out how much we made, but the proceeds are for more chairs for the sanctuary. Helping at the Bake Sale

After the morning shift I headed home so Drew could go to work. Mary and Cob stayed and worked the sale. Drew picked them up for Mary and Abi's orthodontist appointment after which we all met up again for science! While Mrs. Stevenson reviewed the lesson on genetics I helped out with Sophia. Sophia and Katlyn

Sophia and Chloe

After science time there is always some time to play. Spring must be here as dandelions are in bloom! The girls enjoyed making necklaces and crowns.

Then we had lunch. Tonya is an amazing cook. I am always so blessed by whatever she serves. Today we had tacos and awesome raspberry cream pie for dessert!

Saturday
30 - April, 2011
A day at the Vosberg Farm! At 8 weeks Rachel is beautiful. I was blessed to get to hold her several times.

The Hunters Three Cob, Wesley and Baruch

They were trying to rid the farm of nuisance birds and made pretty good headway!

Aren't kitten just CUTE!

Snapshot Summary #33

Friday 18 - March, 2011 My Uncle's funeral was this morning. I seriously considered trying to juggle things so I could attend. But in the end I did not make it. His death hit me really hard, actually it hit me before he died. He is my mom's baby brother and when he got sick I longed to see my mom. Funny how emotions get all intertwined. I totally denied the fact that he wasn't going to get better. He rallied so many time in the past I counted on him rallying again. When I came to terms with the fact that he wasn't going to get better this time I had a day of serious blues. I simply went back to bed and buried my sobs under the covers. I finally concluded my hope is not in this world. Burying my head won't change a thing. My hope is in The Living God. I continue to draw strength and encouragement from Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble and He knows those who take refuge in Him." I did not get over that blue, depressed feeling by pulling myself up by my bootstraps. I got over it by placing myself under a God who is good, though I don't understand His ways. He IS good. By calling out on the name of the Lord "Be my refuge" I had a good day. This is a birthday to remember. A day to grieve and yet rejoice. Grieve a loss, rejoice in The Truth. Baruch

Our science partners came over in the morning and we reviewed our lesson on the senses. Then we did a hands on experiment with tasting three different foods, first with the nose plugged and eyes closed (blindfolded)and then without the nose plugged, but still blindfolded. We recorded weather each participant could identify each food tasted while plugging the nose and closing the eyes, and then again without the nose plugged, but still blindfolded. Based on the fact that several of the children could not identify some of the foods with there nose plugged, but all could identify them without the nose plugged, we determined that our sense of smell enhances our ability to taste.

Emma

Mary

Mary and Sophia (having a friend named the same thing as her cousin has totally confused Chloe in the past but today she seems to differentiate between "cousint Sophia" and "friend Sophia" as she started calling them).

After science time we packed up to head to Pa and Grandma's house where we dropped Baruch, Abram and Chloe off and went to see Anna as Mrs. Berry in the play Anne of Green Gables. The play was very well done. Well cast. The children memorized an incredible amount of lines and did a fantastic job!

Saturday 19 - March, 2011

My birthday didn't stop . . . Pa and Grandma watched the children so Drew and I could have a fantastically extended date, which included breakfast, shopping, shopping and more shopping and then lunch to boot! Thanks Pa and Grandma. Chloe enjoying some Grandma love

Pa and Grandma's gift to me (they brought to our house several weeks early!)

Sunday 20 - March, 2011

Four days ago Drew announced to the children and I - we will be attending Christ Church of Dubuque! Drew feels great relief, having made a decision. Searching for a church has the potential of placing a family in a dangerous position. I am so thankful for Drew's wisdom in our search as I know the elders at Potosi knew where we stood and were ready to welcome us back into fellowship if we came up dry. Drew's forethought benefited the entire family. After participating in church this AM Drew headed into the office to plug away on some things he needed to get to. The children and I unpacked, did laundry, and had a low key day. Monday

21 - March, 2011 We had a lovely morning preparing for Aunt Terry's visit and preparing soup for ourselves and a family from church who has been sick. I made bread. Mary and I chopped carrots and potatoes, Cob made cookies. Lots of practical homeschooling going on today :-). Aunt Terry arrived just in time to watch three of the children while three went with me to drop off the meal. After super we enjoyed opening God's word together and also reading from "The God Who is There" by D.A. Carson. Tuesday 22 - March 2011 The children were very eager for Aunt Terry to wake up. We had oatmeal for breakfast. After morning chores and a huge checklist we got out the wii for some exercise. It was chilly and rainy all day and nobody went outside much so we all needed some wiggle release, even Aunt Terry :-). We worked up an appetite so got out the trail mix Aunt Terry had brought along . . . ahhhh now we are revived! After snacks we folded papers. After super Aunt Terry helped the girl's team deliver papers. Then the boys headed to table tennis club while the girls headed to Wal Mart to fabric shop. We ended up going to Jo Ann Fabrics as well. Wal Mart did not have just what Mary had in mind. Abi and Mary wanted to make princess dresses for a party they were invited to on Saturday. The party was supposed to be a dress up party and they were so excited ALL week long - even longer I think!

Wednesday 23 - March, 2011 We are going through "The Names of God" by Kay Arthur at Wednesday night bible study and I have been really convicted about living in the flesh instead of putting my flesh to death. Gal. 5:16- , especially v. 19 - outbursts of anger - oh man I need to put that to death. So after sharing some of what I have been learning with the children we headed out for a nature hike and a nature reserve south of town! It was a little wet, slightly chilly, and extremely muddy! No wonder the children's coughs worsened:(

Chloe and Aunt Terry We had a snack of apples, carrots, cheese and almonds when we got back to the nature center. The gang (Jacob, Abram, Baruch, Abigail, Chloe and Mary Evidence of the extreme mud!! (Abi's socks) The nature center had a cool song bird exhibit with a hugantic stuffed birds nest. The kids had a blast playing in it. Mary, Chloe, Baruch, Abigail and Abram Thursday 24 - March, 2011 Abi made omelette's for breakfast this morning. When I told her I wished I could take a shower this AM she offered to make breakfast so I could! I was thankful (if she looks sad it is #1 because she didn't like me taking her picture while she was wearing pajamas and #2 because she was already anticipating saying goodbye to Aunt Terry) I took a few more pictures of our morning. One of Mary working on her princess dress. It was hot on her mind when she woke up this AM. One of Mary in her dress which she finished at about 11:00 AM. One of Jacob and Aunt Terry - goodbyes to Aunt Terry. They are gone :( Can't find them anywhere. A very mysterious disappearance I must say. Later the boys dressed up like the man in black (Princess Bride). If you have not read the Princess Bride by William Goldman you really should. It makes a great family read aloud. I did have to edit out quite a bit of the introduction but the humor in the introduction is so good I couldn't just skip the whole thing. Abram and Baruch - best of friends After Aunt Terry left I started working on the dress I cut out for Abigail. She wanted to help me sew but it was a bit too technical for that. I was surprised I got it finished as quickly as I did. I was really thanking the Lord it came together without enormous amounts of ripping seams out :) Even the zipper went in rather well. Friday 25 - March, 2011 We Miss you AUNT TRERRY!! Abi and I worked on a Birthday gift for the party tomorrow. I cut. Abi sewed. Abi made some nice straight seams on Gwen's cloak. We made three cloaks in all since there was a big chunk of fabric left when I was done cutting out Gwen's. We figured the littlest two of Gwen's sisters would enjoy having cloaks as well. Jacob worked on this origami dragon for several hours. His turned out fantastic. He worked on origami so hard and long Baruch said "You've kind of dedicated your life to origami Jacob," which got a roaring laughter from all who heard him. Saturday 26 - March, 2011 What a blessing to be at a party where all the girls got along so well. Happy Birthday Gwen!! Watching Gwen open her gifts was THE biggest blessing of all. She pondered over each one with so much thankful it delighted everyone in the room! Abi enjoying the party Mary after we got home from the party. The girls had such a fantastic time. Chloe keeps asking if we can go back and play house some more.

Snapshot Summary #27

Friday
14 - January, 2011

We had some friends join us for a wii party! Jonny and Jimmy live close by and already knew the ropes of wii playing. Cob even asked them to bring their own remotes. Shortly after they arrived the neighbors dog came up missing so off the boys ran to help find Hector! It didn't take them too long to find Hector but they came home without Jimmy! I was just starting to worry when I saw him walking toward the house!! The next game of choice was . . .

table tennis. The boys were pretty evenly matched so there were some really good volleys. Before long Pa and Grandma arrived to join in the fun!

Saturday
15 - January, 2011



Chloe and I kind of did our own thing today. We headed to a meeting, then to Aldi, back home to unload, put away and get lunch on the table. In the afternoon I baked a bread. Drew took the other children and his parents to a raptor presentation. They also had a baby cougar! I was thankful to get so much done and Drew said the children enjoyed their time with Pa and Grandma.

Sunday
16 - January 2011






The children enjoyed having friends come for what turned out to be a - longer than expected (and much enjoyed) time. Our plans are not His plans. Poor Kathy dropped Ezra and Keziah off with the plan of picking them up around 4:30 only to experience van trouble. We had a great time with the children. Mary, Abi and Keziah worked on a small quilt. They were easy to photograph, Ezra and the boys never stood still long enough!

Monday
17 - January 2011

Laura brought her children along to bible study tonight. The children were thrilled to have friends here two days in a row. They all played together so nicely. They did divide into girls/boys and rotate half way with one group in the basement and the other group upstairs. Bible study has been very encouraging! Last week we memorized Proverbs 21:5"Steady plodding brings prosperity but hasty speculation brings poverty." I have been so encouraged to just keep plodding away at what I know the Lord desires of me. Steady! Easy does it! Keep going . . . plod, plod, plod.

Flora and Chloe

Tuesday
18 - January 2011

We snuck into John and Miriam's (at Miriam's request) to help John celebrate his birthday. Surprise!?! Yes he was. We gladly stayed for the strawberry cake with chocolate frosting John made.

Chloe waiting patiently for the host to take the first bite.
Our neighbors that have become very dear to us, John and Miriam.

Wednesday
19 - January 2011





Participating in Bible study Monday night and a Birthday celebration Tuesday makes this our first Family Worship since the Lord's Day! Ahhhh our family needed this nourishing time.

Friday
21 - January 2011


We had another busy day. Aldi in the AM. Stringed instrument practice in the afternoon. Drew's parents came to watch the little three as Drew and I are now in on the lessons. Funny how good it sounds when Keith is playing with us and how pathetic when we are home playing on our "lone" (to quote Renee's kids). After lunch (which Drew's mom brought, yummy meatballs) the little ones took naps, Pa and Cob played ping pong and Mary took Mary E. and Abi to St. Vincents and Good Will and I made bread and pizza crusts. Supper was a bit late, then Drew and I had a date. I feel so spoiled we have had so many dates lately! We really needed to talk budget though and weren't organized enough to do it so, well, we'll just have to have another date again!