Cardboard love #5 ~ Cardboard town play houses

WELCOME to:

Living room Lane, where a small little red neighborhood has been newly developed. 

Come take a look.  

The key hole, peep hole, mailboxes, cardboard phone and flower boxes make these individual compact playhouses FULL of pretend play and fun. 

If you recall THIS post ~ then you remember the very large cardboard boxes I scored. I cut them in half and then I surprised the kids with their own little playhouse neighborhood and we together put in all the fun simple amenities. Come and see us as we paint the living room red and white. :) Simple fun!

 Visiting your neighbor is a high priority in this tiny town. 

Little key holes for keys.

Cardboard phones.

Cardboard phone and straw antenna. The kids made these on their own. 

They're held into place with some velcro strip.

We worked together on some pretty flowers and flower boxes. 

I walked into the living room and here they were watering their flowers. 

So made me smile. :)

Here are the flower boxes, blooming with color.

Now this is my favorite part... they are compact and easy to put aside and pull out again.  I don't have room to store them long-term but because they are so compact I am happy to store them like this for a bit...

 My kids have thoroughly enjoyed these simple little homes, major pretend play has been happening at our house!

Off I go ~  Our kids are on winter break here so tomorrow we are heading to 

Istanbul for a few days to visit friends. 

We are all super excited to get away and do something different. 

Well my friends that is the end of this very picture heavy post. 

Using what I have and this week it is ~ polka dotted cardboard!

In 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


Linking up at THESE PARTIES

I forgot...then I yelled.

Oops I forgot, I forgot there for a minute that I am a mom and a mom is one who drys the tears, brings order to the chaos, I forgot that it is my longing to be a mom, my ministry and yes my calling.  I thought for those brief moments before and while yelling at my children that life was about me my needs and the things I want to do. Please NO ONE feel sorry for me I did enough of that today on my own, acted selfishly, yelled at my kids,cried and felt miserable, asked for forgiveness from my children and from my sweet Lord and now I am starting again.

Source: Rhian Awni

I love fresh minutes.... it doesn't have to be a new day to start again just a fresh minute...

Here I go...........

putting on my apron (not for any particular reason other than I like the color of this apron and color helps motivate me) and I am off to be the mom I need to be..placing my heart and soul into it again during this hour and praying God to give me the grace for the rest of the day and the rest of my life. :)

In my west corner~ screwing up and receiving forgiveness,
Off I go~ here comes that fresh minute, ;)
Becky

A tender question ...When was the last time you asked your little ones to forgive you?

Look what I scored.. red and white polka dot

 The reddest polka-dot-est largest cardboard boxes ever.  :) 

You should have seen me carrying these babies up 5 flights of stairs because they were to tall to fit in the elevator.  Commitment!

So the kids went:

Sliding

Jumping

Bowling

 and Camping

 In our large red polka dot boxes...

and that's not all.  

Cardboard love series #5 will continue: 

Stay tuned to see a red and white polka dot neighborhood come to life in our own living room. 

Yes I am crazy and especially crazy about cardboard and then you add red and white polka dots and well absolutely crazy!

In our west corner ~ being crazy,

Becky

So what would you have done if you saw these boxes? :)

3 simple winter day activities~ A Guest post

Hi there. Vicky over at Mess for Less contacted me a bit ago and asked if I would like to Guest Post for her sometime. :)  That was so very thoughtful I thought and so here is me guest posting over there today. Click HERE to do cyber space jump. ;) 

Vicky has 3 young girls and has a way of finding all sorts of SIMPLE projects to do with her girls. She also finds great way of having her girls help out in the kitchen.

Please pop by Mess for Less and check out these fun indoor ideas... and take time to browse her site.

Mess For Less

In 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

R*E*A*D

We like books here. 

This little fabric R*E*A*D sign I applied several months ago and I like him :) 

I used the water/cornstarch mixture that I have referenced before. 

The recipe is here if you are interested in applying some fabric letters to your walls. ;)

Simple DIY: I used the STENCIL font in my word and made the font as big as I wanted and than cut out and traced the template letters unto the fabric, cut out the fabric letters and then applied to wall with the cornstarch mixture. It took very little time and effort.

We especially like the series 'The Little's' as of late. 

Little people and tiny tales with fun adventures.

I so miss Libriaries.

Turkish or English anyone? 

I did this several months ago too when my oldest daughter was learning to read Turkish and we needed to keep some of the beginner books separate.

Nothing like painting a box and labeling it with scrapbook paper. :) 

Thanks for peeking into a bit of our life here in our 

little west corner,

Becky

Come check out where I party.

Peace of mind and heart doodles

Peace is a gift.  This past week my heart has been in a constant state of concern and my mind has had little rest. This past Sunday I read this verse and I have went back to it again and again.

" I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled of afraid.," John 14:27

 Doodles,tea and me~ 

I am still asking the Lord how to apply this for me right now in the situation I am finding myself in. I am confident that this gift of peace of mind and heart is for me, and IS for right now.  Last night as I lay in bed contemplating this verse I considered how peace comes by believing the truth. The truth is: "My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Ps. 73:26 God, my Father and creator, my friend and wisdom is also my strength and he has provided for me everything I need to release my true concerns to him so that I can receive His gift of peace that is so desperately needed. This world I live in and my own thoughts and ideas are not enough to reslove my issues and bring about true peace to my mind and heart. Wisdom calls out to me to hand over my unending thoughts and take the gift of peace of mind and heart.

If any of you can relate I would love to hear ~ or hit helpful in the reactions below. Peace to each of you today.

Doodling on

in my little west corner of Turkey, 

Becky

Scrap fabric pillow with a pop

Here is what I have been working on....

I was determined to only use my scrap pieces of fabric for this pillow, minus the back. 

The result was a pop of color and vibrancy.

I tried a few new things with some of the left over pieces. 

I don't know all the rules to piecing and applique, however this time I really wanted to use that to my advantage instead of feeling inferior or uncertain. Sometimes not having all the details allows for more experimentation.  I see how I can do a few things different next time. But overall I am pleased with it.  

Would love your input..what do you think?

Dear following along friends, I have decided when I hit the 299 mark for followers and readers that I would like to do another giveaway. I think I am about 10 away..so keep an eye out.  I have a real surprise this time. I am so honestly humbled that you all have joined up to make this journey here in the West Corner so much more full for me. Thank you.

In my west corner,

Becky

linking up at these great Parties  click here 

3 precious firsts of 2011

3 firsts I want to record from last year.

Firsts are so important... 

like learning to ride a bike for the FIRST time... or performing in a dance recital for the FIRST time 

or making it to the potty with no messes for the FIRST time. 

You three I am proud of the little to big accomplishments you make every year.  

~ In our west corner,

your mommy 

Becky

(please forgive me if you see odd changes to my blog..I am trying to tweak a few things.) :) 

3 lira, me and some hip socks.

Saw these, bought these, feel so hip wearing these. 

3 lira, me and a pair of socks!

Happiness, ridiculous, childlike silliness, me and my socks.

Don't covet, it's a sin. ;)

With warm, fun feet in my west corner,

Becky

Cardboard love # 4 ~ DIY whiteboard

Here is a little something that has inspired my daughters in their learning.  

It is fun to mix things up a bit now and again you know. :)

Diy Whiteboards can travel to any room in the house and are light as a feather and simple to clean up.

The key to these simple diy whiteboards are washable markers.  

Dry erase markers do not work well.  We only use washable markers and they wipe off easy with a damp towel.

What you will need:

My DIY daily whiteborad organizer.

I decided to make one for myself..this could look so much prettier.  Fabric around the frame etc but I needed it ASAP and so it fits nicely behind my kitchen door.  This is a great cheap help to me and whenever I am tired of it I can toss it.

Maybe someday I will even make it look all chic and fun...maybe.

This has been a real fun motivator for Lydia. 

She likes how big it is and I like how it travels to any room with us and is easy cleanup. 

Using what we have: contact paper and cardboard...
In our west corner of Turkey,
Becky

Pom Pom pals

Just gotta smile when you walk into your kitchen and see these little guys greeting ya.

Nothing like little pom poms with tails to brighten your day.

~made by my kiddos.

Pom pom pals are get pets!!! Just a little shedding now and again. ;)

Pom Pom link tutorials:
Mini pom poms with a fork - this one is my fav!
Poms poms using circular pieces of cardboard


Using what we have to create, play and have fun~ today it is yarn.


Today I am remembering how important gratefulness is. Gratefulness even for the things I don't like so much is good for the heart and great for the will and does wonders on the attitude. :)

 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Col. 3:15

In my west 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

Homemade ribbon wand + a button

Happy 2012!!!  

Well over the next few weeks I will be posting all our fun diy and homemade gifts that we gave and received over Christmas and I will be continuing my cardboard love series. I am sure I will do some reflection posts along the way too...it is a new year lots to think about and consider.

We have a fun tradition with the two other families that we celebrate Christmas with. The 8 kids from our three families make homemade gifts for each other. Each year it has been sooo much fun for the kids to prepare and give in this way and then to see all the wonderful things others have taken the time to put together. I honestly feel like we could put together a fun little book on homemade gifts for kids/by kids from over the past three years. :) I hope you enjoy this first one,one was made by me and one by my daughter~ every thing was purchased here in Turkey. 

This sweet little ribbon wand was made from a wooden spoon.  There are no small stick douls here in Turkey that I have found for crafting, so I made my own. :)  There are a lot of outside bazaars here and you can pick up a pack of 3 wooden utensils for 1 lira. The spoon is the longest and so that is the one I used for the wand part of the ribbon. 

I sawed off the end and then used sand paper to clean away the rough spots. 

We painted both the ribbon wands and then coated them with mod podge to give them a finished look.

These were SUPER easy and VERY inexpensive and SO pretty. 

What you will need:

A doul stick of some sort

Key chain ring (found them in my house)

An eyelet (these can be found in the hardware sections of stores ~ even uzuzluks)

Ribbon (3 to 4 ~ one thicker than the others)

Button or jingle bell

Paint and masking tape

A little girl to twirl with it. :).

*The eyelet twists pretty easily into the top of the doul stick, then attach the key-ring to the eyelet. 

*Tie the ribbons to the key chain ring one by one in a double knot and then attach the button or jingle bell to the key ring as well. 

* Cut the ribbon ends at an angle and then burn them slightly to ensure they will not unravel.

*Decorate the doul stick any way you want. We used masking tape and paint to design our ribbon wands. *Lastly wind up the ribbon with the thicker ribbon on the bottom and then place a small piece of tape to secure the ribbons in place until ready for use.

Happy twirling and swirling 

to all those little ones out there!!!!

Using what we have ~ 

Good morning to all in my little west corner. 

Becky

Parting at these fun blogs: Linky parties

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