Small Town Life In Big L.A.

Experimenting With Chalk Paint

Well I finally did it! I have wanted to try chalk painting for a long time. For those that don't know it's really "in" to paint old pieces of brown furniture giving them an aged, distressed look. Chalk paint is so easy as it's water soluble and doesn't have fumes like regular paint. You can literally paint the piece in the house right where it sits! As with any new project I start small. After watching You Tube videos and researching chalk paints I ordered these small containers in versions of this year's fashion colors LILAC GRAY and ROSE QUARTZ along with basic brushes and CLEAR WAX.

Here is my first "victim", an old yarn holder we bought at an antique store in Ojai years ago.

And here is the finished piece! I applied one coat of Lilac Gray chalk paint. Let it dry, which only took like 15 minutes... Distressed some spots with a scrub sponge to add worn marks...and finished by painting on clear wax. EASY!!!

Next project were these gold grapes. I wanted to add some pink to use them as cake decor.

It was the perfect finishing touch for this birthday cake I baked for a friend. So fun!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creation. The OLD has passed away; the NEW has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Isn't it good to know when we put our faith in the Lord He makes us new!

How To Make A Pumpkin From A Book!

We did it!!! Last week our Christian Women's Fellowship got together for a night of fellowship and crafting fun, transforming our old paperbacks into one of a kind, keepsake pumpkins!

First, preparing our room and hearts to hear from the Lord, we lit pumpkin scented candles, played soft music, read from the Bible, and listened to messages on transformation & thanksgiving. In the same way we were transforming a book, God promises to completely transform those who belong to Him. Good news!

There is nothing like fellowship in the Lord. It's a very simple thing. God uses His people to exhort and encourage one another.

There's something about a candle in a Mason jar that warms the soul.

Food and breaking bread is part of our fellowship. Sylvia's Pumpkin Roll was almost too pretty to cut...but we did.

Highway Highlands Farm Hot Pepper Jelly from the Montrose Harvest Market over cream cheese with crackers...divine!

This crockpot has been with me since the 80's! This night it held a new recipe: Hot Spiced Apple Tea made with superior, flower studded, Prince of Wales tea.

Here's our pumpkin sample. Can we do it?

The buzy bees gettin' to work.

 

1st step: using an exacto knife to shape the pages into a pumpkin.

Enjoying Pumpkin roll along the way!

Next step: painting the edges of the book.

 

 

Gourmet touches: adding a stem and leaves...burlap is so on trend!

 

 

It's not everyday that we use a saw in a women's meeting. LOL!...or carry knives for that matter.

Ohhhh! Love this pumpkin!

Mary S even hand stamped tags for us to help us remember to be thankful for what God has given us, especially those things we tend to take for granted.

Nice pumpkin Crystal!

Browned pages from an old book made Sylvia's pumpkin extra special!

I am thoroughly enjoying my pumpkin! It brings a smile to my heart and is a reminder of a lovely evening! Thank you Mary S for your generosity and teaching us a new craft! That was so much fun!

Making Christmas Pens!

   

Last night our Christian Women's Fellowship met at church to ring in the season with a night of crafting, the Word, food, & fellowship.

Some of us arrived early to prepare. Miss Amanda set the whole room up and whipped around spreading Christmas decorating cheer. We set the stage with Christmas worship music and the soft glow of twinkling lights.

  

We enjoyed a delicious Spinach Salad by candlelight courtesy of Pam.

 

After dinner we moved into this cozy corner of the room to hear what the Lord has shown LV about being thankful in all things, including the hard times. LV shared the story of the Red Sea and how the Lord brought Israel to an impossible situation so He could deliver them. We are to trust God with a thankful heart.

  

Then it was on to our fun craft. I loved the flower pens we made at our last Women's retreat and wanted to teach others how to design them. Each of us received pen kits containing all the goodies for a fabulous Christmas pen. 

 

    

Here is the finished product. So festive!

For the craft lovers the icing on the cake was making a gourmet Christmas card designed by Mary S. We wish you all a merry & blessed Christmas!

Valentine Craft Fun With The Chatsworth Lake Church Women's Fellowship

Welcome to the Valentine cottage! This festive planter welcomed us as we met for a night of food, fellowship, the Word, crafting, and fun.

Outside looking in to a warm and cozy home.

We gathered around this table to pray together and thank the Lord for His many blessings.

The older I get, the more I cherish these times. The Lord has put us together, each one of us being different. Through Him we have learned to love each other and to bear with each other. This is the fruit of doing things His way and it is marvelous to behold.

Delicious chicken salad and egg salad tea sandwiches on fresh, wholegrain bread.

Brushetta with LOTS of garlic!

Healthy berries and grapes...

Getting ready to surprise sweet Sylvia...

Happy Birthday!!!

After an inspiring message on LOVE from Proverbs we got into some serious crafting. SO FUN!!!

Here are a few of the creative Valentine cards that we all came up with...

Valentine spatulas!

Thank you to our lovely hostess who fed us, shared the Word with us, and donated all the crafting supplies for the event. What a blessing you are!!!

 

Come Unto Me....Pumpkin Fellowship

This month our Chatsworth Lake Christian Women's Fellowship celebrated Fall.

We met at church for a Fall themed potluck which included homemade Butternut Squash Soup, Pumpkin Pasta, Cornbread, Hot Apple Cider, and other goodies. After a time of prayer and the Word...we read from Isiah 40 by candlelight...then it was on to the pumpkins.

Here is the "before" picture of my pumpkin.

Next step: Pick your pattern.

We had some wonderful Christian themes to choose from.

Now for the messy part: scooping out the seeds. We all saved these to roast at home...Another tip: carve out the bottom instead of the top so the stem looks nice.

I chose " Come Unto Me", an advanced design...You begin by taping the pattern to the pumpkin and using a sharp roller to trace the design.

True pumpkin fellowship as our creative juices flowed.

And now for the results. Here a beautiful flower covered pumpkin created by our craft queen, M.S.

Some of our handiwork.

 

" Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest."   Matthew 11:18