We are not far from home

The name of this blog is "The Sunny Side". I try to be positive and share from my heart the things the Lord has given me and shown me. But in order to be real and relevant, one must also speak of the shadows and the clouds of life. Life and death, heaven and hell, light and darkness, they all exist.

I haven't written much at all on this blog for quite some time. The main reason for that is that on February 6th, my dad was diagnosed with grade 4 Glioblastoma, aka, terminal brain cancer. Seven weeks later, he went to be with Jesus. He just turned 60 years old. I just turned 24 years old. It has rocked my world.

Grieving is so hard. On March 26th, 2012, I lost my dearest father. He was the stronghold of my earthly life. He was the one I went to with questions about the practical things in life. He kept us all sane.

His death has wracked my world and flipped my existence upside down.

But as I process through these things, I seek to grieve not as one who has no hope but as one who knows my Redeemer lives. I came across this great quote that I want to share with you. (From here)

"He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death...." (Hebrews 2:14 ESV)

"O children of God! death hath lost its sting, because the devil's power over it is destroyed...It is sweet to die; to lie upon the breast of Christ... And you that have lost friends, or that may be bereaved, sorrow not as those who are without hope. What a sweet thought the death of Christ brings us concerning those who are departed! They are gone, my brethren; but do you know how far they have gone? The distance between the glorified spirits in heaven and the militant saints on earth seems great; but it is not so. We are not far from home." C.H.S.


We are not far from home.

-Monica

DIY Ceramic Coasters

I apologize for the lack of pictures of the process of this craft, but I would love to share it with you anyway! I have recently gotten the knack for making fun cute CHEAP coasters for Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, I-just-love-you gifts, you name it! They cost approximately 1$ to make!

...athough you can get them all made for you at my etsy store here for 10$ for a set of 3 ... I feel like a money grubber! But I guess there are people out there that would much rather buy something handmade than go through all the oh-so-pain-staking-trouble of making them themselves.

But if you are crafty, you might like this one because it's so easy!

What you will need:

-Scrapbook paper: a variety of colors that coordinate or 1-2 standard sheets of the same color

-Scissors or a paper cutter

-Glossy Mod Podge (or Elmers Glue mixed with H2O) Tutorial found here

-Polyurethane or Embossed Clear Spray Paint

-Standard Size Ceramic Tile (1-4+ depending on how many you want to make)

-4 felt squares

-Glue Gun

Step One

Cut the scrapbook paper to the appropriate size of the coaster. Make sure you cut just a little bit smaller than the actual size of the coaster to ensure proper sealing.

Step Two

With a foam brush or large painter's brush, brush on the mod podge to the top of the tile. Adhere the cut piece of scrapbook paper to the top of the tile. Smooth out edges and ensure there are no bubbles in the paper.

Step Three

Add an additional layer of Mod Podge to the top of the scrapbook that is stuck to the tile. Smooth it out. It will look white at first, but after it dries, it will be clear.

Step Four

Wait about 2-3 minutes to allow the tile to dry. After you think it is sufficiently dry, spray a coat of clear spray paint over the tops of the tile. This makes the surface of the tile water, coffee, and tea proof.

Step Five

Cut out four felt pieces to adhere with hot glue to each of the four corners on the bottom of the time. This ensures that the ceramic does not scrape the top of a coffee top or counter.

Step Six

Shout with glee that you have made a cute ceramic coaster for less than 5$! Make them for all of your friends, family, and pets! :)

With Love,

Monica

lovelytomme.etsy.com

DIY Scarf

Made this today. Thought it was cool. :) Its from a DIY tutorial found here

I love that I can recycle my old t-shirts. This one was a bleach stained ill-fitting blue shirt. Makes a cute necklace/scarf! You can even add a brooch or make a rosette from

the same fabric to attach to it.