The FIRST Big Giveaway!

Marmi Designs is giving away this beautiful pair of earrings for your sweetie
(or yourself!) for Valentine's Day!

You could win these earrings made of a variety of rose colored glass beads with green glass accent beads. All you have to do is become a follower of the blog and leave a comment under this post. It's that easy!
The contest will run January 31st through February 12th! A winner will be chosen on February 12th and the earrings will be sent out in time for Valentine's Day!

Please leave a comment -
What was your BEST or WORST Valentine's Day gift?

Please check out my etsy shop for a matching bracelet!!!
www.etsy.com/shop/marmidesigns

Let Your Fingers Do The Walking...

I don't know about you, but at our house, we get a lot of phone books! No one needs this many phone books. So we send them out to the recycling

This year I wanted to make some use of them, so I cut them up and made paper beads from the yellow pages. It was a lot of fun! Mary Grace made some of her own too!

I added some glass beads on tiger tail beading wire to make this 48" necklace. This is so cool! You can wear it long or wrap it round twice or even three times for a choker.

I sealed the beads for added strength and shine but I would not suggest getting them wet - they are still paper!

I made a matching three strand bracelet and earrings too!

Check them out on my etsy!
www.etsy.com/shop/marmidesigns

SPRING FEVER

OK, I must have spring fever. The weather can't make up it's mind if it wants to be beautiful and warm or cold and wet. But I can't stop thinking about the beach and camping and playing outside with the girls!

I couldn't resist making this little dress for Naomi during her nap today. It's white, bright, and ready for spring and summer. I've seen these "pillowcase" dresses at various places for various prices. It was pretty simple to make. I didn't have a pattern or directions but it really wasn't hard to figure out. I didn't use a pillowcase, but I did recycle! I used a twin flat sheet that I've never taken out of the package. Someone gave me two twin flat sheets for a gift once and we don't have a twin bed in our house! So I finally found a use for them.

I have a lot of fabric left over so tomorrow I'll make a matching one for Mary Grace and for the girl's build-a-bears! They'll be too cute!

Leave me some comments to let me know what you think!

10 Ways to Build a Great Attitude Toward God in Your Kids' Hearts

Taken from Tim Kimmel's book, Raising Kids for True Greatness. This list inspired me! I hope it inspires you too... Merry Christmas!!!


1. Have a joyful faith. Believe BIG. Trust HUGE. Let your children see a belief in God that makes you a much happier ands agreeable person to live with.

2. Be actively involved in a thriving church. Find a church that exudes a mighty joy and an exciting attitude toward God.

3. No matter what church you go to, refuse to criticize the people who serve you. LOVE your pastor, worship leader, youth workers, Sunday School teachers, and volunteers. If there is a legitimate concern, deal with the person face-to-face in a spirit of GRACE, LOVE, and KINDNESS. Anything short of that, and we become the real problem.

4. Do not speak unkindly about your church, or people who serve the church, around your children. The church is Jesus's bride, and if we insult the church, we insult the Lord. Also, bitter talk and a critical spirit make us a pawn in Satan's hand.

5. PRAY for people who serve your church.

6. Pull your weight. Volunteer your time, your spiritual gifts, and your sweat to carry the burden of service of your church. Sign up to work in the nursery and Sunday School program. Remember: it's not about us.

7. Set the example for your children by consistently supporting your church financially.

8. If the worship is getting too loud and too enthusiastic for you, bring some tissue for your ears, smile, worship your heart out and be excited for the new generation of believers who are being ministered to. Once again, it's not about us.

9. Decide once and for all that you love God's Word. Make it a daily part of your routine. When you pray, lift up each one of your children and grandchildren by name ... everyday. Let your kids find God's Word in your lap and His love in your heart.

10. Bring your family to church every Sunday and encourage them during the week. Pray with them and for them. Minister to your children's hearts throughout the week so that they can show up for church ready to love God and love others.

Mural for Bryson

This is a mural that I painted on the wall of a toddlers bedroom. His parents, who are very good friends, asked me to paint something that he wouldn't grow out of too soon.
This is what we came up with...

First Big Snow Day for the Girls!!!

We had a wonderful Saturday playing in the snow. The day was beautiful and sunny and both Mary Grace and Naomi had a great time sledding! (Their Mom and Dad had a great time too!)

We were joined by my nephew Beau and his mom (and our good friend) Wendy.

This was just one of those perfect family days! I am very blessed and very thankful!

Oh Well - Here Goes!!!

This is my very first post to my own blog. So, here goes!

My beautiful five year old and I made some YUMMY treats for her preschool teachers. Chocolate Covers Marshmallows with Sprinkles! Not only are they YUMMY but they are also very easy! Easy enough for a five year old to make on her own (well, with a little assistance).

We melted chocolate chips in the microwave. Then dipped the large marshmallows in the chocolate. Then topped them off with a variety of Christmas sprinkles and let cool on waxed paper. When they cooled we placed them in the small paper cups and presented them in a Christmas tin (Purchased at the Dollar Tree!).

This was a simple and inexpensive gift for her teachers - and they loved it. Best of all, she did most of the work herself and her teachers really appreciated the thought!