La Petite Maison (The Little House)

My son loves Lego^® and we build things a lot. I mean a lot. As an example, this week we built the Lego^® Creator Transport Ferry #4997, (1279 pieces) [click here for a stop gap animation by Madaboutlego], the Lego^® Creator Highway Transport #6753 (1294 pieces), and the smaller Lego^® Creator Ferocious Creatures #5868 (416 pieces). This wouldn't necessarily be a lot for an experienced builder, but my son is only 5!

After "shopping" (which is what he calls it when I help sort out the pieces for each step) so he can assemble, I get a little crazy and just want to have the satisfaction of putting a few pieces together myself! I didn't ever get to play with Lego^® as a child (I know, I was totally deprived!) but as an aesthetic child, the primary colors of red, blue and yellow, must not have called to me from the store shelves. So as a grown up, I decided to build my own model inspired by a vintage set (Lego 560 Town House) resurrected from my husband's Lego^® collection. Only, of course I had to redesign it to be more appealing to the little girl of long ago that liked more feminine colors.

This project has taken a few months of the middle of the night hours. It was a bigger challenge than I anticipated, because I was building virtually and have no background in 3d software or code of any kind. I'm not gonna lie, the learning curve is not for the faint of heart!

Lego^® has a section on their website that lets a novice user design their own creation by downloading their free Digital Designer software, but I soon discovered that you couldn't control how your instructions were going to look, and were limited only to standard pieces that are available on their sight for the moment. So I researched other options and discovered Lpub, Ldraw, Bricksmith, LdGlite, LDview, and Brickstore, all programs that could help me with the challenge at hand.

I should pause here to mention that there is a very large and brilliant Lego^® community in this world, that I had never encountered before, and these devoted souls are creating amazing things, both in terms of models, and programs, and videos of their creations. My little 621 piece model with its step by step instruction book, and xml file that automatically fills your Lego^® wish list at Bricklink is merely an attempt to put a little something within the reach of the girl who might enjoy building, but wouldn't have considered it before.

I am excited to report that I was able to purchase most of the pieces from Lego^® and the rest from Bricklink and build an actual physical model to test out the instructions. I have found that many people outside the serious Lego^® community, are unaware of the Pick a Brick section on the Lego^® website where you can individual pieces for your own building projects.

For fun, a listing for a PDF of the Instructions, parts list with part numbers, color quantity and description, and a Bricklink XML file is available for purchase on eBay, just in case someone else wants to build La Petite Maison. Interestingly, in January, Lego^® did finally introduce a line of product for girls!

Inspirational Scripture:

"For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God." Hebrews 3:4

Pin It

Building a House

When our son was just about to turn four, he was ready to graduate from his toddler bed to something larger. His room at the time was very small, so I wanted to come up with something that would maximize the available space, fit a twin size mattress, and double as a play area. When I discovered the company Tanglewood Design, I was thrilled to learn that in addition to selling kits, and ready made beds, they also sold the plans for the DIY family to customize and create their own masterpiece. I absolutely fell in love with their philosophy and designs, plus they were personable and helpful as well, so I highly recommend them!

My husband agreed to take on the building project. In his spare time over the next few weeks he borrowed a friend's wood-shop and tools. When he was done cutting out the pieces, he rented a truck and brought them home for me to paint. My original idea was to make a giant tree for the corner of the room, with a rounded door in the trunk, so that our son could go into the trunk to climb into his bed. I wanted LED lights to hang in branches over the roof line to twinkle as a nightlight, but I couldn't find a tutorial anywhere to create such a thing, and as our budget and space were limited, that part didn't come to fruition. However, months later, I stumbled on an article that featured just such a tree (albeit in a beautiful fairy tale girl's room) designed by Kidtropolis. Feel free to check out their link so that you can imagine the complete concept!

Below is a view of the inside of the bed where our son sleeps. The brilliant part about this design is that the space under the bed is big enough for a double mattress, if a family has more than one child or prefers a bunk bed option. We elected to stage it as a little man cave, and set it up like a miniature living room. We added a door (not in the original design) so that we could close in the bookshelves, and keep the space from looking cluttered. Instead of a tree, in keeping with the play house theme, we had a steel plate made for an exterior park light (so that it can't tip over).

Our son still absolutely loves his bed. I never tire of hearing him tell someone he meets for the first time, "I have a house bed that my dad and mom made...and I got to help!" My husband and I joke that we always wanted to build a house together someday. Now we can cross it off our "bucket list".

Inspirational Scripture: Psalm 127 & Joshua 24:15

Pin It

Technical Difficulties

Beginning this last week I have been experiencing a few technical difficulties with my computer randomly shutting off while I am performing the usual tasks required for preparing blog posts. (I know this is normal for all of you PC users, but I have been spoiled with a Mac for several years now, and it is unusual for me!) So have no fear, with a plethora of projects to share, they will be coming as soon as a work-around is discovered.

There are also a few things in the works that I can’t wait to share. I am just working on programming aspects that are way over my head. Sometimes “It’s just not right!” that I have to “do coding” in order to complete a project. My Bassett Hound would have better luck studying quantum physics! After all I prefer to just design and create. I am sooo not a programmer! But on the other hand, asking dumb questions of genius software designers that live overseas, is an exercise in humility. Combine that with stubborn determination, a creative type that doesn’t know any better even though she should, hours plugging in numbers randomly to see what happens to the code each time, and who knows what new creation will surface! If a completed project doesn’t show up each week, it may be because I am working on one of those 40 hour, or yes, even 80 hour projects.

In the mean time, (as my computer just crashed again) it is a perfect opportunity to ponder the deeper questions in life, and practice not “freaking out” about electronic circumstances, no matter how aggravating they may be. I am reminded daily (and sometimes hourly) how much I don’t have all the answers to life’s questions. Thankfully, God does and we can go to Him.

So if a “deep thoughts” post shows up (hint, one is coming); following is my disclaimer. If I get a glimpse of a corner OF a truth, that is sooo very different from claiming to have a corner ON the truth. God often puts something in my heart that shocks my mind and I may initially want to reject it. But if it keeps coming back and feels like an “Ah-Ha!” moment, I am forced to consider it. When I attempt to share it, it can be miss-understood, and it is possible that I, myself miss-understood it to begin with. (i.e. That I am wrong.) The fear of being wrong or presumptuous would be a sorry excuse for never taking the risk to share something that could bring, life, hope, beauty, and truth to someone and thereby glory to my Heavenly Father. I refuse to be enslaved by fear. I wish it was possible to be “right” about things all the time, but I realize that that is impossible, because we only see part of the picture. So in all humility, I ask for grace, that we may anticipate and discover moments of beauty together!

Regarding wisdom & grace: James 1:5 & 1 Corinthians 1

Mirrored Moss

At one time this piece was most likely a mirror. But with the glass missing, it was begging to once again frame beauty. It could have easily showcased a vintage portrait or a new piece of glass, yet it somehow called for something more.

Textural qualities, and wonderful color variances made moss a perfect choice. I find myself drawn to it in nature and awestruck when I consider all the life to which it is home. It presented the long-awaited solution to the mirror's dilemma. Now it encourages one to change their focus and reflect upon the beauty and mystery found in life.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Pin It

The Nature of Love

The Nature of Love

Think I perhaps too much of myself,

A glass full of love and not much more?

Is love even love kept unto itself

Or be it true only poured on the floor?

Surrendered would I be void of love's wealth

Or giving life's drink end thirst evermore?

© 2005 Jolene R. Balyeat

This image was created many years ago in response to a picture that came to mind when I was struggling with the concept of giving love, receiving love, surrendering to love, and whether it was possible to run out of love, be destroyed by it, or loose yourself in the midst of it. The art is very abstract, and doesn't come close to capturing the image that flashed through my mind to illustrate the truth I believe God shared with me. Honestly, this piece doesn't reflect my "style" or preferences in any way, but the point behind it valuable enough to risk criticism on its amateurish composition.

Because, I knew that love was an overwhelming force, I was worried that if I opened myself up to it I would be undone, emptied, and destroyed in the process. I was concerned that my feelings would be too great to control, and that I would shatter, and all that I was would spill out leaving nothing left.

In a momentary flash of revelation, I saw myself as a glass full of water, with the ground under me a parched dessert, thirsting for a drink that could restore life. I saw many other glasses, equally selfish, refusing to surrender life giving drink to a desperate world. Then I saw myself surrendering and an eternal supply of water from heaven, pouring on, in, over, around, and under me. Life sprung up wherever the water fell. A flower, representing fruit, joy, life, and beauty bloomed. I was not lost, or destroyed in the process at all...just surrendered and surrounded in God's supply. Now it seems foolish to have been so afraid. But I was. I suppose I share this because in the picture there were other glasses too, not just mine. Some of these glasses are symbolic of people in churches, some may be people reading this blog. I don't know. I do know this, the lesson I learned was: take the risk. It is worth it; and once one surrenders to love, one is not only open to give, but also to receive.

"But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." John 4:14

For further reflection see: Revelation 22:1-2 & Psalm 145:16

Pin It

Magnetic Words

It may only be February, but it isn't too early to start counting down the days till June. The Farm Chicks Antiques Show takes place, in June, at the fairgrounds in Spokane, WA. In addition to soaking in the collective creativity of so many artists in the same venue, I have started a tradition of buying a few letters to make something with each year. These letters came out of a vintage Eye Rest Anagrams Game. I glued them together and then to magnets to create words that could be rearranged into simple sentences. Digging through the bowl of letters to spell out a few words was fun, but nothing compares with how my son giggles when making silly sentences from them as he learns to read.

Hopefully, in the midst of the fun, I can also teach him that the words we say stick to people, much like these magnets will stick to his chalkboard, for "Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

Inspirational Scripture relating to our words: Proverbs 10:11 & Psalm 19:14
Inspirational Scripture relating to God's words: 1 John 1 & Deuteronomy 11:18 & John 6:63

Pin It

Labor of Love

Every once in a while there is a project that presents itself that is a bit over the top, and I hesitate to start it because I sense it will take on a life of its own and consume more time than it should. This pirate costume was just such a project.

It started when I met a very theatrical little boy who lives across the street. He has a gift in drama, and can do the best impersonation of Captain Jack Sparrow that I have ever seen. Almost every time I see him he is in a different costume, playing a different role. Pretty impressive for a six year old! So when his pirate-themed birthday invitation came, I knew he had to have the proper attire at his disposal. Fortunately, I found a Simplicity 3644 pattern on eBay that fit the bill perfectly. After much research about the actual costume worn in the movie, some additions to ensemble, and somewhere between 50 and 60 hours and 30 buttons later, here is a portrait of the Jack Sparrow costume's inspiration and finished reproduction

Inspirational Scriptures that reference God blessing through items made of cloth:

Acts 9:36-43 & Acts 19:12

Salt and Pepper

A while ago, a friend suggested that we explore the Mad Hatter Vintage Flea Market. Anticipating the shear bliss of sneaking away for an hour or three to peruse things just begging to be turned into a treasure, I said, "Yes, of course!"

While there, these vintage 35 mm film canisters literally thrust themselves upon me. So that is a bit overstated, but since I collect containers like some women collect shoes, I couldn't resist bringing them home as souvenirs. When the vendor asked what I was going to do with them, a picture of salt and pepper shakers flashed through my mind.

Drilling holes in the lids was a snap, but applying the letters was a bit more tricky. The letters "S" and "P" were printed in reverse on a product called Rub-onz ™ by Grafix^® and came from the font designed for the custom stationary available at JBalyeat.com. Now to dream up an opportunity to use them...

Note: Please pardon the puns in this post, and the alliteration in this annotation! It is late and my mind must be shot. Ah, again!

The inspirational verse for this project comes from Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

Love vs. Respect

Today is my husband's birthday, so I can finally share the birthday gift project. I saw an idea on Pinterst (the artist has a wonderful tutorial) that utilized a deck of cards to say "52 Reasons I love you" and thought I could combine it with the super-helpful insight gained this past summer from the book Love & Respect. I titled my version "52 Things I Respect About You" because according to the book and to my husband, the "respect" word speaks much louder to a man than the "love" word.

For any desiring a mini review of the book, it said that most men care more about being respected than being loved and most women desire to be loved more than they desire to be respected. Further, the author pointed out that when a good-hearted man is rude or unloving to his wife, he is generally reacting to feeling disrespected, and then the wife, feeling unloved, tends to bite back disrespectfully causing something he referred to as "the crazy cycle". This cycle can happen in reverse if a wife feels unloved and acts disrespectfully, causing the husband to be even more unloving.

I followed it pretty well to that point, but was utterly sickened at what men consider to be disrespectful. There are pages of examples. Also noteworthy is the fact that there is a section written to the man defining actions that wife feels are unloving. Honestly, I hadn't previously thought much about it and I was loath to admit that for the past 15 years of marriage, my "I love yous" hadn't been putting a dent in the massive amount of things my husband was reading as disrespect. As an example, she says, "Hi, Honey, how was your day?" He thinks, "She doesn't trust me, she is prying..." All she is trying to do is be in relationship and it pushes him away. It was so shocking to me that I couldn't accept it. I asked my husband about some of the different hypothetical situations and he verified their accuracy! I was blown away...and angry! I hate putting effort into "loving", and having it completely taken as disrespect! But at least now I know! And so do you! So there you have it, a mini synopsis of a book that is on my "Love/Hate" list. The info it contains will undoubtedly save many a marriage.

le Banc (The Bench)

Watching back episodes of HGTV on my iPad is probably not the wisest way for me to unwind, considering it tends to stir up my creativity. As does my latest habit of surfing Pinterst on the web. But I had a tired old bench with a shiny golden leg that had broken off the ancient wooden seat, whose cushion was undoubtedly home to centuries of dust mites. So the transformation began. I had seen some episodes on reclaimed wood, and thought that perhaps some reclaimed wood could be the ticket to rebuilding le Banc (the bench).

At the salvage yard, my mom and I uncovered a piece of wood perfect for this project that only cost one dollar, plus two dollars to have them cut it down to size. Then my dad, visiting from Alaska, picked out some hardware that would make this piece stand the test of time. Being a perfectionist, (wonder where I got it?) he insisted on drilling the holes and filling any visible cracks with epoxy. Then he suggested I sand and bleach the wood to make sure there was no mold present, since salvage yards store piles of lumber outside in the wet world. Of course! Done. Then I antiqued the legs.

Here is the funny thing. I wanted a french script linen fabric to recover the piece, and so my mom and I went to the fabric store to see what we could find. Nothing except a $45/yard chintz fabric with large scale script, saying who knows what. Therefore I decided to make some. The irony is that it ended up costing far more than if I would have purchased the pre-made fabric in the first place. Oh well, I love the bench and I was able to pick the inspirational message that I wanted, translate it into French, choose a font I preferred, order iron-on flocking, wait weeks for it to come, cut text out of said flocking with my Cricut, spend hours weeding out the negative pieces of flock, and then more hours ironing it on to the linen (as I had already assembled the bench, due to my impatience in waiting for the flocking material to ship!) The crazy thing is, I don't regret all the insanity, because the finished product looks like something I would find in the kind of downtown boutique that I love to peruse for inspiration but can never afford to purchase anything to take home. It is a work of art!

The text is taken from Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Pin It

Linen Covered Inspiration Board

This piece began as a forgotten antique in the garage of an old friend. When her husband donated it to a church garage sale, my friend Joanne recognized it, and bought it for my birthday. She was curious what it could become. Six distinct possibilities immediately vied for expression, and all of them required the piece to be sanded down and painted black. It was in pretty rough shape. The ideas were:

1. Spice Rack (see former post)

2. Inspiration (Bulletin) Board

3. Chalkboard (for a bistro, or kitchen menu)

4. Trompe l'oeil frame for a painting (I'd have to learn to paint first)

5. Mirror

6. Nesting frame covered with sheets of moss upon which one could hang three smaller pictures.

I decided on the Inspiration board because with so many projects in my head it gets difficult keeping track of the ideas, and I often misplace my list. I figure that on truly desperate days, I can use it as an overstated "to-do" list.

After searching the Internet for materials, I tried to find something called fiberboard at two local department stores, and the local craft store. Apparently that word doesn't mean much in the world of Montana home improvement, so I settled on sound board. The home improvement store cut the giant sheet down to my rough dimensions. I made a template of the inside of the frame out of freezer paper, laid it out on the sound board, and cut out the curve with a box cutter.

Now for the fabric. I wanted to have the burlap-covered look without the mess, as I designed some Burlap and Velvet Christmas Stockings for this last Christmas. (I'll post that project later). So I chose linen. Because we moved for the year and I am not near my usual fabric stores, and as I was trying to match some linen that I had on hand for another coordinating project, I had to call out of state to enlist the help of my mother in law in picking up the needed fabric.

Once the fabric arrived, we stretched it around the board, stapled it, spaced out the satin ribbon, and inserted it into the frame. Then it was time to make pushpins, and some things to pin up! I decided to go with the little flower pins instead of the buttons for the intersections of the ribbon. But I could have gone either way. Overall, I am thrilled with how it turned out. And it was made in such a way that it can be converted to a spice rack, mirror, blackboard, or a moss-covered photo holder, at a later date should the need arise.

Organizing Kitchen Spices

I love to be creative. But unfortunately that trait hasn't carried over into the culinary arts...as of yet anyway. So in an ongoing attempt to make my kitchen a place where I don't loath to be, I decided to "repackage" my spices. Honestly, I was having difficulty finding them. Plus one of my racks fell off of the cupboard door where it was precariously hanging, and quite a few spices were, ahem, expired. (You know they are old when you type in the bottle batch number online and the spice website says, "Y2K was a hoax, quit hoarding and go buy some new spices!") So, I made a list of their names, and then began the search for the perfect spice bottle. I had some matching bottles with plastic lids, but some of the lids had cracked and so I was looking for a metal lidded solution.

The bottle I finally chose was from Ludden's Natural Products. Although I didn't like the green color of the lid, it could be spray painted black. My wonderful husband noticed that I was thinking about abandoning the project due to shipping charges that would almost double the cost, so he ordered them for me on the sly. When they arrived we spray painted them black, and I put them in the oven at 100 degrees overnight to see if that would cure them faster. Not sure if that was the best idea, but being that we are in the wintry Northwest at the moment, it was definitely warmer than the garage, and we didn't smell paint fumes as badly as if they were left out on the counter all day!

Meanwhile, I cut out a pleasing label shape and then traced the shape into Adobe Illustrator with my Wacom mouse pad. After converting the shape to a vector (curve based shape), it was time to see if my cricut would cut it out. (A few years back, I stumbled on a YouTube Video that explained how to get your Cricut to cut any of the fonts or shapes you have on your computer. I bought the software and tried it out on a friends Cricut as I didn't have one at the time. Because the Cricut couldn't line up with a printed image without quite a bit of trial and error, I decided to wait till I could afford a machine with a laser alignment feature. But then I received a Cricut Expression as a surprise gift. So I'm grateful for the option of cutting out my own shapes, in-spite of frustrating process.)

Using a combination of Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Cricut, my laminator, laser printer, a foil product imported from England, and many hours, the labels are finally done.

I affixed them temporarily with glue dots, until I was sure that these were the labels I liked best. I also made a set on ivory paper with black type. The background piece would make a lovely spice rack, but I have other plans for it, so I just laid out the bottles for a quick snapshot to show how they turned out.