Gift wrapping alternative.

Ever have that gift to send and realize you are out of wrapping paper?  This wasn't the case for me today, but has been on many occasions.  However, today I was looking for alternative options for gift wrap and came across fabric wrapping.



A bit of history: This trend may very well come to us via Japan where fabric wraps are a cultural staple; they are called furoshiki (meaning "bath spread").  This word comes from historical use of transporting clothes while at the public bath houses, but the term furoshiki now extends to all fabric wrappings.  Applying the principals of origami to fabric, you obtain the perfect wrap to decorate and transport gifts and lunch boxes, or even home decor.

Ever wonder how you will use your left-over fabric scraps, un-used scarves or bandannas?  Save 'em up, save money on gift wrap, and present lovely, uniquely wrapped gifts to your loved ones!

Here are 2 tutorials to get you started:
Chewing the Cud #1

Chewing the Cud #2

My fabric-wrapped gift.  (My fabric scrap was a little odd sized for a rectangular gift, but I made it work!)

Weekend Sevens. {First edition}

Since I often entertain the question, "What did you guys do over the weekend?", I thought that I would present this option for answers.  As usual, I will probably not be religious about posting such a post every weekend, but hope you enjoy those times I do! 

 1) First off, not quite time yet for the rapture/end of the world as evidenced by this post...praying for those poor misguided souls, that they do not lose their faith and hope in Christ but search for, and find the truth.

2) Friday before work I met up with a dear friend to catch up and also chatted with a new one.  Thankful for friendships, encouraging words, smiles and hugs.  Need to schedule more of those this summer!

3) Hubby and I saw Pirates 4...it was good, though not as good as the first three. 

Miss Elizabeth, what are you thoughts? :P

4) First outside car wash of the year occurred.  Took twice as long to clean bug debris from the front of the cars, but I had a fun time out there with hubby. :) Some sunburn is proving to be not so fun; sunscreen next time.  My car is clean and waxed...forgot how much I love its color!

5) Some piano playing ensued this weekend; quite enjoyable (thank you, Mary for the book!)...I'm finding that as things slow down for the summer, I will have to find activities to occupy my free time.  Thinking about resurrecting my violin...

6) As I finished the Francine River's Mark of the Lion trilogy last month, (which I highly recommend for some [very] light fictional reading centered on the life of the early Christians) I've started Sigrid Undset's Kristin Lavransdatter - will report back later on that. 

Summer=time for reading=yay. 

I'm also loving reading St. Faustina's Diary again, Divine Mercy in My Soul; especially appropriate for this month!

7) Grateful for my life, health, faith and peace.  From today's Gospel:

"And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going...I am the way, and the truth, and the life..."

~John 14:3-4, 6

Such comforting words, and so easy if we only follow Him...which does entail picking up our crosses.

Hope you all had a beautiful weekend!

Back in business.

Hi Folks,

After a considerable hiatus, I'm back to the blogging world.  I retreated for a few months to focus on getting closer to the heart of Jesus :) my jobs, home, and self, and now as summer quickly approaches, obligations are lessening, leaving me with time to say hello and to share a few pictures from the past months!

Rewind. Christmas was a quiet one for us this past year; due to my church job, we were obligated to stay in town over the weekend. My choirs did wonderfully and the congregation was very appreciate of our efforts. I also had the pleasure of helping out with the children's Christmas pageant - the kids were delightful. Lots of great families at this parish; we are very much enjoying getting to know more parishioners as the months go by. Hubby and I got away for a few days after Christmas - thankful to spend some much needed time just for ourselves! Laura's clan went to CA for the holidays...I really missed seeing my family this Christmas season...here's to next year!

Hello 2011 - We trade in Andrew's '94 Chevy truck and get a '05 Toyota Camry. Goodbye 'ole bessie, you served us well.

It's been a busy spring....both teaching, my church job and giving private voice lessons kept me on my toes.  I had a very successful Holy Week/Easter - my choir did superb. It is certainly one of the most rewarding jobs in the world to provide beautiful liturgical music for Mass, especially during such beautiful and holy seasons.  My students also had a few successful events this spring, performing for a Fashion Show held at AMU, and singing for the Mass for the Feast of the Annunciation at Ave Maria Oratory, the latter of which was a highly anticipated event, as Bishop Dewane presided at both the Mass and unveiling of the Annunciation Sculpture which now graces the facade of the Oratory.

Andrew too had quite a music-filled spring as he was hired in the fall by Opera Naples, and so was kept insanely busy for a few months both performing in their Young Artist group and in two operas, in one of which (Carmen) he played the principal role of Dancario, and was really superb.  In addition, he has been teaching voice at AMU and taking a few continuing education classes. 

My brother Ben graduated on May 7, and Mom came down for this occasion and to spend a week.  It was SO lovely having her here, especially for Mother's Day weekend.  We spent time doing crafty projects around the house, going shopping, cooking, enjoying wine and chocolate and watching movies...ahh so relaxing.  Laura and co. came down for the weekend, which added to the fun.  Her boys are getting extra cute and entertaining by the day, and we look forward to welcoming Baby Girl Dilanji in September!!

2 more weeks of teaching, then summer will truly start for me.  We have a few weddings to attend this summer, family to visit, and hope to plan a few get-aways just for us.

Hope all is well with you!  Nice to be in touch again.  :)  God is good!