First day of Turkish School~ 2011

Our neighborhood School 

in our little west corner of Turkey.

Here begins another here of being the learner for me as a mom with two of my kids in Turkish School. Autumns workbooks are harder for me this year as I am probably only at a 2nd grade level in reading when it comes to Turkish. ugh :) However I have last year under my belt so I am hoping that my learning curve will not be quite as high. 

Today there was a meeting for the parents of Autty's 2nd grade class.  As the teacher talked I probably only got 65% or what he was saying, (especially with Isaac next to me distracting me) however I did understand when he thanked me and then invited me back this year to continue to do the "Craft/English' times with the class I started last year.

See Investing in the Neighborhood School Series~ click here #1,  #2, and #3.

My daughter asked me if I was going to come back to her class this year and do the 'craft time'.  I asked her if she wanted me to and she said yes, and that is all I needed to know. So I will be continuing investing in the neighborhood school this year with craft projects that cost next to nothing.  We shall see what God helps me come up with this year. :) Sometimes I love the challenge and sometimes I don't. :)

From my corner of the world.
Becky


"I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION, WHETHER WELL FED OR HUNGRY, WHETHER LIVING IN PLENTY OR IN WANT. I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH." PHIL. 4:12,13

DIY fabric stained glass window. :)

Creative window treatments and curtains.

Apply fabric to windows and create a stained glass look effect.

 I applied this fabric with the corn starch mixture that I have posted about before.

 my 'Scrap Fabric Mural'..see post here. 

What is it with me and the corn starch mixture you ask? 

 Let's just say it is a GREAT inexpensive way to use what I have and make changes that are not permanent. :)

I made my little curtain a bit ago to block the sun that was shining in from our balcony door..

here is the post.

After that I needed to add something else to the top window. To answer everyone's question, YES the fabric and mixture comes off with ease.

This is what I did:
*Cut up several squares of coordinating fabric.
*Made the cornstarch mixture.
*Dipped each square in mixture and applied to window.
*After all the fabric is applied I used a damp rag to wipe around and dab excess mixture.

When you want to remove the fabric just take off each piece and then wash your window. It is VERY simple and easy clean up. You can wash the fabric and reuse.

Recipe:
1/4 cup of corn starch
1/2 cup of cold water
mix together
add 3 cups of boiling or hot water

Here are a few more pictures and ideas:

Another idea I had to spice up my blinds:

I used the same fabric and the cornstarch paste and placed small patch work peieces on the top of my window blinds. Take a look. :)

Oh wait... sorry not cool blind pic, cute kid pic. :) 

Ok here is the fabric idea for my blinds.

It just highlights the top and adds to the window treatment on the balcony door.

I also want to leave you with this link.  I pin-interested it a bit ago, it is how to use vintage sheets/fabric for your windows. The ideas involves NO sewing and a fun technique. Plus this ladies home is full of color. Enjoy.

Well that is all from me.  My theme 'use what you have' came in handy several times during these projects. I am grateful for the fabric that was given to me earlier this year. :) My sister-n-law just sent me some scrap book paper and last Saturday I had a great time creating with it.  That will have to be another post down the road however...

Raining in my west corner,
Becky
Linking up to these parties: 
Someday Crafts, Seven thirty three blog, Night owl crafting, The thrifty penny

Sew much a do,Lil luna,Women who do it all,  laugh, love and craft ,Stay at home moms of etsy, Mommas kinda crafty, Creation Corner,Delicate Construction, Joyful Stamper, making the world cuter,Skip to my Lou, Creatinig my way to success

"I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION, WHETHER WELL FED OR HUNGRY, WHETHER LIVING IN PLENTY OR IN WANT. I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH." PHIL. 4:12,13

Life through different lenses

Being understood is such a gift. It is easy for me to want to claim it as a right but truly it is a gift.  

So often I have thought I have understood when really I have not. I remember when I was single and thinking I understood what it meant to be married and then when I was married thinking I understood a bit of raising kids and then when I had one child I thought I understood children to some degree.  When I traveled overseas thinking I understood what it was like to live overseas.  The list could go on. 

Living in Turkey has disrobed me of many things.  One main thing is how much I wear my cultural glasses.Trying to explain my life here is like a study in anthropology I am immersed in the culture, tradition, religion and langauge of a people that see life through different glasses.  I have the privilege to take off my glasses for a time and see life through a new lens. Sometime the sights I see are literally amazing and refreshing and some make me uncomfortable and desirous of my own glasses again. I am so grateful for my friendships here in this culture who have taken the time and patience to help me see life differently, who have embraced me and taught me that a cup of tea takes time. 

 God has strategically placed friends in my life who really do understand. 

What a gift to be understood.  The best is when you barely have to say anything and you both just get it.

Thanks for living this life with me. We have held up and challenged each other. Our weaknesses and strengths have balanced each other out. Thanks for understanding what it feels like to be split down the middle.  To love your own culture but feel tied to another. For living the Kingdom life and being ruined for anything else.

from my west corner 

Becky

"I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION, WHETHER WELL FED OR HUNGRY, WHETHER LIVING IN PLENTY OR IN WANT. I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH." PHIL. 4:12,13

Paper dolls ~my girls occupied with paper style.

Sweet girly Simplicity.
My girls absolutely love paper dolls. 

Here is our newest find that is soooo sweet. I love gingham fabric, so I think these girls are fun and so do my girls. A new paper doll find on the internet has kept my two girls completely occupied and engrossed in high style for hours. Having a sister is lots of fun.

All scanned paper dolls on this site are out-of-print and there are several different dolls and styles to pick from. We chose these sweeties for now. 

I had to copy the dolls unto a word document and I didn't make them very big.  The dolls and accessories all fit into an envelope. :) Perfect for travel.

Well hope you enjoy our find. Here is the link for the Terri's Paper Doll Land. It will take you to the main page with lots of resources for paper dolls. Click here for the Gingham girls and their clothes.

The Gingham's 
 Sarah         Katie          Becky 

Click here to view the Gingham's.

My girls also have:
*Laura and Mary in the Big woods paper dolls. (found at a garage sale in the states)
*International paper dolls brought back from Thailand by their Baba.
*A few homemade cut out and some internet finds. This one being our fav site so far!


Just a little fun to pass on. ~
Good night from our corner to your corner of the world.
~Becky

"I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION, WHETHER WELL FED OR HUNGRY, WHETHER LIVING IN PLENTY OR IN WANT. I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH." PHIL. 4:12,13

Little boys & a car cake

"A little boy is a symphony of noise lovingly covered with dirt." author unknown

Today my little guy tumbled over my freshly stacked clean and folded laundry and then jumped in it.

Today my little guy decided to experiment with spit, all over the living room floor.

Today I am taping together books that my little boy tore apart during one of his nap times.

Today my little boy told me " I wuv you mommy, and you wuv me."

Little boys are such a unique treasure to their mommies.  After having two girls, Isaac and all his boyishness, aggression and physical stamina was a surprise.
Our little Buba love is such a gift to our family and he completes us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy 3 year old Birthday Little Buba love!!!

The beginning of summer had us celebrating Lydia's birthday and the end of summer had us celebrating Isaac's. 

Here is his car cake. His favorite of all things other than his family are cars.
Also the car is orange because orange is his favorite color right now. :)

Don't you just love this crazy looking vehicle. :)
It is a three wheeled truck. :)

Lord let Isaac be convinced of your love for him
 and let him be like his Baba ~ a man deeply in love with his creator, trustworthy, stable, strong, full of integrity and eyes bright with fun. 

From our west corner in Turkey ~ celebrating my children and their growth.

~Becky

"I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION, WHETHER WELL FED OR HUNGRY, WHETHER LIVING IN PLENTY OR IN WANT. I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH." PHIL. 4:12,13

Melted crayon art ~ just had to try it too. ;)

Yes this wonderful melted crayon art is every where on the blogging mama web/pininterest. I just had to try it, all that fun color everywhere. 

The only thing is, here in Turkey well wax crayons are non exsistant. So I parted with some of our precious crayola crayons. They are very valuable to us here (no joke)...however after you see the faces of my kids, that we captured on camera it was so well worth it. :) 

Love Autty's expression of awe here. :)

I heart this picture as they watch the crayons beginning to melt and run down the canvas.
The crayons started melting within the first 60 seconds.

This was super easy and seriously who can't smile at such fun colors running all over the place. :)

We were all very happy. (I think even the crayons thought this was worth their use. )

This project was super simple and we didn't spend a dime we actually had it all at home, 

which was super duper great.  

Well, going to go have a cup of tea because it is actually cool enough to drink one today without me boiling along with the tea. :) Only 89 degrees. (please fall come to me)

~Becky 

Painting with marbles

This past week we have had some really fun creative moments at our house. One of those moments was creating marble art. I love it when I can find things that all three of my kids like to do. Sometimes their age differnce pose differnt preferneces and skill levels etc. so painting with marbles was a hit for all three. I did this with girls a few years ago and it was a hit then too. I think Isaac liked it the most this time around. It is super fun for his age, I think. :)

What you will need:

paper

some type of pan

plastic/paper cups

marbles 

paint

tape

easy clean up, takes about 20 minutes for craft

Good night from my corner of Turkey ~
I wish I had 2 more hours to add to my evening but alas sleep is calling to me.
~Becky