Outside Kairos #8 was great!

A rainbow in Oz

Yippee! A beautiful fall Saturday in Kansas it is. Seems like I've been waiting forever for a day like this one.  I love the crimson colors of the changing trees in the Valley and hope you are enjoying the same in your neck of the woods.
Back to my blogspot(s) to share a little about what I've been up to. More weeks flying by...life is full with family, work and lots of others....  How refreshing, it just started to rain and smells so lovely. Wish you were here with me to share a cup of tea at the N2God Store. It's quiet as usual and I don't mind a bit. Yep, in a delightful frame of mind and it feels so good!
Just last weekend I served on Outside Kairos Wheatstate #8. Have you ever heard of this ministry? A little explaining...Outside Kairos offers retreats designed to help women who have or have had someone they love incarcerated. The retreat begins on Friday night and adjourns on Sunday afternoon. Wheatstate is a Kansas camp ground with cabins and facilities. Each cabin has about 20 bunk beds. Can't really tell you many details except...to share it is three days full of love.
This Outside Kairos #8 was an amazing fun, healing weekend for 21 guests and 23+ team.  These retreats are designed to be a safe 'get-a-way' for women to be restored by the love of Christ and open to women without cost and more importantly without questions. "Who you see there, what you hear there...stays there". This three-day-walk is a spin off of Cursillo. A wonderful time to be both encouraged and inspired by talks presented by the team and Leader. Good company, good food and song. It's so true that when we share our troubles, we let people love us a little more. If you volunteer in your world....THANK YOU!
Wheatstate Camp is a very quiet serene place. Unfortunately because of the drought here, the large pond was bone dry. Again, I went to serve to give and come back with SO MUCH MORE. Like when you share a smile or a little bit of sunshine, it comes right back on you doesn't it? I made more wonderful friends for my journey of life. My favorite part of being on the team is serving with women of all faiths. The retreat is open to all women...even those who choose not to believe. The follow-up for guests and team are the 'Pray and Shares' which are held in Wichita and surrounding areas. There is even one held at the N2God Store. Awesome time of faith sharing and inspiration. I love and need my Kairos sisters on my journey of life.
Some ask me 'Why do you want to volunteer on such a weekend?' I quickly answer because people need people and we all need to know we are not alone in our life struggles. We are the body of Christ and He does work through all sorts of people and personalities. Some will admit that their world is slowly going to pieces economically, socially and sometime even morally. On the outside they seem to be holding their own, but deep within they know that all is not right. Within the Kairos ministry comes many blessings. We share His promises and remind the guests that they are never alone. God's love is so amazing, so divine and He wants relationship with all of us. We belong to 'The King'. It is unfortunate that bad things do happen to good people and my little 'call' is to remind others that it's not what happens to you, it's what you do about it. Yep, it's my own reminder to take hold of and every time I speak these words out loud...I believe them more. We don't always get what we deserve however the time will come when we do. That's the good news for the day or should I say the 'God news' for the day?
Blessed,
Patty in Oz

Join us for one of the 'Angels in August crafting classes' August 13th at the N2God Store

Things are almost ready for the 'Angels in August crafting classes' tomorrow, Saturday August 13th at the N2God Store at 813 W. 2nd, Wichita, KS. A few more strings of Christmas lights to hang up and those last minute details...

Will you win something? Not exactly however I can tell you that there is a Christmas surprise waiting for everyone that attends one of the two classes 10 a.m. - noon or 1 - 3 p.m. We have plenty of supplies on hand...walk-ins are welcome. We are crafting  Cute as a button Angel pins and Wooden Angel ornaments. They'll make the cutest gifts. Hope you can join us for this early 'Merry Christmas' fun. For more information please visit - http://www.n2god.blogspot.com/

God is with us always.

Patty in Oz

'Angels in August' craft classes ~ Saturday, August 13th at N2God Store



 

Create three 'Cute as a button Angel pins' (can be altered for wearing for necklace)

Create one 'Wooden angel ornament'  (you'll attach your personal message )

 

N2 God Store 'The Keeping Room'

813 West Second, Wichita, Kansas

'Angels in August craft classes ~ Saturday, August 13, 2011

• Morning class 10 a.m.  - Noon
• Afternoon class 1 - 3 p.m.

Dear friends,

If you are interested in attending the morning or afternoon class on Saturday, August 13, please send me an e-mail with  contact information and I'll be  in touch with you. You'll be stepping into a 'sneak preview of Christmas'...Christmas music, decorations and refreshments.

Each two hour class is $7.00 and this price includes 'art supplies for each guest to create (1) one Wooden Angel ornament and (3) three  'Cute as a button' pins. You'll have (4) four unique gifts ready for Christmas giving in August. Of course...yes...you can dig into your button can and bring some of your own buttons for crafting your pins if you'd like. White old buttons give the Victorian feel and chances are, they're probably from by gone days...at least some are in my button can.

This class is open to everyone.  A great time for friends or  family.  It's never too early to start crafting Christmas gifts and the unique little angel pin and tree ornament are sure to tickle someone in your life.


If you're out and about today (Saturday July 23rd) 10 am - 5 pm stop by the N2God Store...and I'll be happy to show you samples of the 'angels art projects ' we will be crafting on August 13th.

Plan ahead and join us for this early merry Christmas time! Or just come in for a cup of iced tea and visit. http://www.n2god.blogspot.com/ to check which Saturdays we are open. 

Thank you!
Patty in Oz
stwant2be@aol.com

Lighthouse Summertime Matchbox & other swap surprises from Jo R.

WOW is what I said out loud when I opened my Summertime Matchbox swap gift from Jo.
Dearest Jo, I can't thank you enough. I'm overwhelmed with your kindness and your creativity....thank you, thank you and thank you!
It was like Christmas for me. I didn't expect all of these surprises!!
She altered the matchbox with a light house theme. She did a fantastic job finding out all the things I love and enjoy while I'm trying (lol..) to bloom where I'm planted.
The light house art is so amazing. Can you see the lace sky? It look like light rain clouds blowing in....
the sides of the box have little sea shells and star fish with drops of blue that resemble rain drops or water splashes. So creative...I'm blown away.

A miniature light house charm. Isn't it the sweetest?



OMG! A set, earrings, bracelet & necklace that Jo created.
They are made of glass beads and the green is so pretty. As I get older...I'm finding that I like trying new colors. Green represents life & I love life.

A lovely little antique spoon. Jo, I just began a little spoon collection...this little one will be right at home beside my Wizard of Oz spoon.

Christmas??? Oh my!!

All the blue...just like the ocean I LOVE.

And what could this surprise be?

this straw tea pot...so cute!

Oh yeah, the roosters are at home at my house.

A little hard to see...beautiful shades of vintage green scrapbook papers I will sure enjoy creating with.

Much much more...a Vintage BINGO card, stickers, blue beaded trim and sweet teapot cards to mail...can't wait!
I really like the book marker you created.

A little 'vintage' postcard. So unique!

  

The other side of the little Vintage postcard...two sweet charms.

Feeling VERY blessed by God.
Heart felt thanks Jo. You are amazing! I'm so happy to get to know you better and I'm looking forward to staying in touch with you.

If you have time...you may want to visit Jo's awesome blogspot
www.jos2ndact.blogspot.com



Create a fabric desk writing pad...it's fun & unique.

This is a photo of the finished desk writing pad on my office desk. I just love it! 
The wide zig zag trim has been in my sewing box for ages.
Yep...I've been saving some for something just like this. It was my Mom's. The trim is left loose on the top side, to tuck papers, note or pictures. I found out too...
the underneath side is a great hiding place.
It turned out I had the perfect amount of fabric to create two fabric desk pads.
They add the nicest color on my store desk and my work place desk.

The fabric is my favorite. I found it at a Antique Mall. Been saving it for something special also.



The roses and fruit are wonderful deep color tones.



Just enough fabric for two. Blessed!



Our great friend Candace instantly reminded me that is important to center the art.
She had a perfect eye!

 

Abagail, Candace and Amy.
Having their company made very a delightful afternoon!

 

We used spray glue to attach the fabric to the core board.
Be sure to do the spraying outside! You need to move quickly.
Wear gloves if you can. The glue is VERY hard to remove from fingers!
I used some nice cut boards I had on hand. Can be purchased at the art store.



Luckily, I found fabric that is color coordinated for the back side.
I cut this piece about 2" smaller, ironed down a seam using spray starch.
Next I sprayed the board with glue and carefully smoothed it out beginning from the center.








Oh so pretty! And thanks to my friend Roberta for inspiring me to be creative.
She shared that she measures hers, and sews a casing, as a pillow case.
She finishes it off by hand blind stitching the open side.



Vintage Inspiration Friday 'baby dresses'

~ Three Vintage baby dresses ~
My new friend Lanie surprised me with these just the other day.
All three are made of different fabrics. 

This is my first time to join
Vintage Inspiration Friday with Debra at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Go to her blogspot for great inspiration. It's really something to chirp about!
These little dresses are adorable and they make me ponder what little
baby girls wore them...maybe to Church or a birthday party.
I need help...any ideas how best to display them? Ummm...on old dolls...?
My Chatty Cathy doll might need to be rediscovered. 

The way Lanie presented me was the sweetest.
Her note of friendship tucked inside made my heart smile.

A 'believe' surprise in the mail from Mary P.

My friend Mary P. sent me a wonderful surprise and
the first word I saw was the word believe. I am so happy to share with all my blogger friends. It always a blessing to hear from my friend Mary.
She and I are swap partner sisters friends 4-ever!

Can you see how Mary has a certain beautiful way of  making her gifts so special.

Look at the sweet cloth pin cushion. Isn't it pretty?
My husband said the cross stitching 'looks like the crown of Christ'.
She decorated box (with ribbon and lace) and set inside it the sweetest surprise.
Mary is so talented and so giving to others. If you get a chance and want inspiration visit her wonderful blogspot http://jmppastimes.blogspot.com/
How blessed I am and the heart will always remind me of love.
I read on a billboard this week - LOVE is spelled T - I - M - E
It takes time to show love and Mary inspires me in how she spends her time.

happy /'hap:l/ n. 1. feeling....

 There's that word 'believe' again. It's one I want to keep on the sticky side of my mind. Just yesterday, I shared with a friend that sometimes I'm like 'doubting Thomas'...remember he's the one who had to see Christ's scars. I want to always have faith and believe even when I cannot see.

On the inside of the box was another surprise. It is so small, I will share...

happy /'hap.l/ n. 1. feeling or showing pleasure, contentment, or joy (happy smiling faces) 2. causing or characterized by pleasure, contentment, or joy (a happy childhood) 3. used in formulae to express a hope that somebody will enjoy a special day or holiday,

A little block of home made soap that smells terrific.

Thank you so very much dear Mary! You made my day. You are really something special and I loved your surprise and will treasure it 4-ever. God works in wonderful ways and your gift with the word believe is the inspiration I needed.

I am happy, smiling ear to ear.