30 YEARS AGO TODAY...

Thirty years ago today something pretty big happened. I was on the verge of turning 6 months old so I was probably drooling on a blanket somewhere or slurping pureed green beans off a baby spoon, but whatever I was doing doesn't matter. Because about 2 hours away, a woman was giving birth to a baby girl & she named her Ashley Marie.  Ashley's life story is pretty amazing...she could tell you some incredible stories that will make you laugh, and others that make you want to cry.

Ashley & I met in college ten years ago. We were at a Getaway with Campus Crusade for Christ. Ash & I became fast friends - seriously, it was pretty instant. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard with someone I've just met. And let me tell ya, we have shared A LOT of laughs since then. Oh the stories I could tell you...oh the stories I SHOULD tell you :) but won't!








Even though we live nearly 800 miles apart now, Ashley is still a very special friend. She's shared some pretty significant times with me, like my wedding & births of 2 out of 3 of my kids.... & we've shared some other insignificant times...like midnight runs to Wendy's for a Coffee Toffee Twisted Frosty. Of course I shouldn't call them insignificant, because any time shared with a great friend is SIGNIFICANT, right?!

 

2003 & 2011

Well I said all of that to say:

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FRIEND, ASHLEY MARIE!

You are VERY VERY VERY special & you have a heart that makes me & so many others want to love & serve Jesus even more!

 I'm SO glad you were born!

I say that through tears because I can't imagine my life without you in it....

I'm so blessed to know you & have you as my friend.

 Happy Birthday!

 Happy Birthday!!

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

LOVE & HUGS,

Julie

A LOADED WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

   

       

 

 

  

The 8-Step Ripped Rose Tutorial

Here's an 8 step tutorial for making a Ripped Rose.  One day Keston came to me at my sewing machine & asked to help me make "sumping." This idea just came to me...After making the Small Ruffled Tote & Tri-Tattered Flower, I knew ripping fabric was the way to go with Keston on my lap. And so this rose was the result. Give it a try & see what you think! These roses can easily be attached to a pin, a hair clip, headband, or anything really! They're quick to whip up too & can even be made with a 2 year old on your lap...    I promise!

Grab some cute scrap fabric & try this out!

Ready?

Okay, GO!

1st - Tear a strip of fabric that is 1.5 - 2" wide

 To do this, make a 2" mark on the selvedge edge of your fabric. Make a small snip there with scissors.

Start tearing!

I tore the entire 44" width of my fabric.

You may need to cut along the untorn edge to even out your strip.

*tip - If you want a smaller flower, I suggest tearing at 1.5" & then cutting along the untorn edge making it the width that you wish it to be & then tearing the length less.

  

2nd - Adjust the settings on your sewing machine

Set the tension to the highest setting.

Set your stitch length to 4.

3rd - Start stiching

Do not back stitch though! 

Using 1/2" seam allowence, stich down the entire length of your strip.

You'll notice that the fabric gathers on it's own.

Isn't that pretty already?

4th - Begin rolling up your gathered strip of fabric

As you roll be careful to keep your center low & pulled down a bit.

It can easily become higher than the rest of the flower, making it look awkward.

(it's okay if you have to re-roll it a few times before you get "the look" you want.)

5th - Shove a pin (or 2 or 3) through the base of your flower.

This will help keep it secure for step 6.

6th -  Hand stitch the bottom.
Stich until you feel like all the layers are secure.

7th - Cut out a fabric circle for the back.
You can use felt or another stiff material that won't ravel.

8th - Get out the hot glue gun.
Hot glue the fabric circle to your flower & then hot glue a pin into place.

Pretty as a posie!

If you could or will make a ripped rose, HOW will you wear it & WHAT will you wear it with? Or WHO will you make one for?

Sharing this post at these parties :)

>