Happy Saturday! We've been having a wonderful day so far...a trip to town to visit daddy and vote!!!, pizza afterward, home again to start making messes, washing sheets, making brownies, reading Junie B. Jones, feeding the chickens, gathering eggs, and getting ready for Sunday.
I've been spending time with my stash of Melissa Frances goodies. Her new collections are gorgeous and just have the sweetest feel to them. You can view all of her new products by visiting her website and then clicking on her new catalog. She's also got a new line of home decor items coming out that are BEAUTIFUL! I'm so excited to see all of her new things, but these shabby hangers have already won me over!
Back to the projects for today. I recently had the opportunity to play with a sweet new Sizzix Fresh Vintage Bird Die designed by my friend Eileen Hull.
These little birds come together so easily once you've got your materials cut. I added them to the top of some Papertrey Ink Heart Tins that I coated with Krylon Catalina Mist spray paint, buttons, and, glitter.
I created little flags using new Melissa Frances banner stickers by just attaching them to a Maya Road trinket pin.
Melissa Frances, crepe paper trim, resin, and pom pom trim dressed up each tin and birdie.
The glittered hearts can be found at Memriemare, the scrunched seam binding at My Craft Spot, and the Friendship Jar Spring Fillers stamp set at Papertrey Ink.
Before I go I wanted to share with you a favorite story of mine...becoming more and more meaningful as time goes on.
The Canary with the Best Song
by Thomas S. Monson
Some years ago, I was called to serve as the bishop of a large ward. One evening, my telephone rang. I heard a voice say, “Bishop Monson, this is the hospital calling. Kathleen McKee, a member of your congregation, has just passed away. Your name is listed as the one to be notified of her death. Could you come to the hospital right away?”
Upon arriving there, I was presented with a key to the apartment in which Kathleen had lived. I entered her apartment, turned the light switch, and discovered a letter. It read:
“Bishop Monson,
“I think I shall not return from the hospital. In the kitchen are my three precious canaries. Two of them are beautiful, yellow-gold in color and perfectly marked. On their cages I have noted the names of friends to whom they are to be given. In the third cage is ‘Billie.’ He is my favorite. Billie looks a bit scrubby, and his yellow hue [color] is marred by gray on his wings. Will you and your family make a home for him? He isn’t the prettiest, but his song is the best.”
Kathleen McKee had befriended many neighbors in need. She had brightened each life she touched. Kathleen was much like “Billie,” her prized yellow canary with gray on its wings. She was not blessed with beauty. Yet her song helped others to more willingly bear their burdens.
The world is filled with yellow canaries with gray on their wings. Some are young people who don’t know who they are, what they can be, or even what they want to be.
We are sons and daughters of God. True, we live in a world where moral character is [often considered] secondary to beauty or charm. But what are the inspired words of God? The counsel of the Lord to Samuel the prophet echoes in our ears: “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).
He calls you and me to serve Him here below. May we reflect our love of Him and of all mankind as we do so.
I just love this story and the gentle reminder it carries with it.
I hope you're weekend has been wonderful so far.
I'll be back with a fun post tomorrow which will kick off Papertrey Ink's BIG anniversary event! You won't want to miss the excitement and all of the amazing giveaways Nichole has lined up!
Night.
Melis
