Camp Craft: 'Let's Read' Bookends

Let’s face it, I’m bookish to a fault! Bookish Bess, that’s me! That small gigantic fact inspired the following Camp Craft session. Okay, gather round the campfire! I really like this one! 


 Supplies: 
-classic metal library-style bookends (2) 
-large 3-D letters that spell out “read” {mine are wooden letters from Michael’s Craft Store’s $1 section (which I love)} 
 -hot glue gun or super glue {I used the handy hot glue gun} 
-spray paint {optional}

What to Do: Okay, so first off at the fabulous Michael’s I found these sturdy wooden letters for $1 each in their cute little $1 section. The thing was, you couldn't choose which colors you got – certain letters were certain colors & that’s that. When I picked out the READ letters, the R & D were the same pink shade, so I decided to take some glossy pumpkin orange spray paint to it. I also spray painted my metal bookends pink {cause I happened to have that spray on hand}. Next, practice arranging your letters how you want them to appear on your bookends. I tried a variety of poses before I made my final decision. Then, using either hot glue or super glue, affix the letters to the bookends {in my case, I glued the E to the base & then the R on top - & then on the opposite bookend, the side of the A to the side of the bookend & the D to the side of the A}. Finally, let the bookends embrace a selection of tomes. So sweet! 

More Inspiration: You don’t have to spell out READ, you know. You could spell BOOK or TOME {a fancy word for book} or use your initials. There’s lots of ways to go! 

Bookish Love, 

-Bess-

P.S.: How are you liking Camp Craft?  Is this kind of thing something you like?  Let me know!

Camp Craft: Easy-Peasy Magazine Catch-All

We all feel better when everything is in its place, but before all that everything has to have a place. Today I’m sharing a simple, quick, easy, think of another similar adjective =) make-it to store all those loose & wandering magazines, books, etc. in. So, let’s groom that room with this nearly effortless installment of Camp Craft!

What You Need: 2 identical large flat-bottomed bowls {these are from Target (clearance .98 each)}; hot glue gun {with low-heat glue gun sticks}; decoration {decorative tape (what I used), scrapbook paper, stickers, wall stickers, ribbon, paint, etc.} 


What You Do: Take the two bowls & glue the bottoms together with a glue gun & low-heat glue gun sticks. Next, apply any decorative elements. You could paint, glue on scrapbook paper, use any type of stickers, ribbons, or decorative tape. Embellishments are where you get to go wild & personalize! =) Finally, round-up the culprits {all those M.I.A. periodicals & their pals}, & place in your oh-so-adorable made-by-you magazine catch-all!

Cheers! 

-Bess- 

P.S.: I’ve been taming my bedroom this week. Still in progress… but getting there!

Let's Picnic

My heart is giddy for it is picnic season once more! =) Something about dining outside, red gingham cloth, marching ants {well, maybe not}, vintage wicker baskets, prickly green grass, an idyllic view... it just gets me right in the ole ticker! It does me good to escape outdoors to God's magnificent creation & have a picnic. What about you? 

 Picnic-y Ideas... 

{next 4 images are via Pinterest}

use a vintage sheet for the perfect blanket + to line your basket

canning jar glasses with cupcake liner lids keep the flies away

skewer watermelon slices onto popsicle sticks {use a cookie cutter to cut out your slices for extra cuteness}

Picnic-y Style Lookbook...

Picnic-y Love, 

 -Bess- 

 P.S.: Now go on a picnic... be it in your backyard, the beach, a local park, or some exotic locale! That's another reason I love picnics, it doesn't matter which of the above places you have it - it's just that you have it & wherever that may be is magic!

Camp Craft: 10 Things to Do With a Rubber Stamp

Welcome to Camp Craft – Session 1! 
Are you guilty of it, too? Do you have a growing rubber stamp collection gathering dust somewhere in your jumbled craft supplies? They’re so irresistible & cute that I found myself purchasing them here & there & then putting them away never to be seen from again. That is, until now. Here are 10 ideas worth dusting off your rubber stamps for…

{Click the pictures for a close-up!}

1. Make your own stationary.

2. Add a decorative edge to a book.  

3. Make your own wrapping paper.

{Bonus Tip: To create the perfect polka dot stamp (as shown in the picture) use a fresh pencil's eraser tip!}

4. Brush on fabric paint for ink & embellish your clothes.  

5. Make your own gift tags.  

6. Create a decorative flower pot stake.  

7. Make your own bookmark.  

8. Use non-toxic ink to create an instant temporary tattoo.  

9. Frame your stamp art to decorate your room.  

10. Embellish your photographs.  

I hope you enjoyed this 1st segment of Camp C., &, more importantly, that you were inspired!  These were all so fun {& simple} to create!  Hope you'll try some of em' out!  Be sure to come back for s'more of Camp Craft @ Bess' Bag all summer long!  Oh my, I couldn't resist a good {or not so good} camp pun.  Sorry!    

Camp Craft Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: I've had this post ready for days, but Blogger has been giving me fits.  Sorry it took so long, girls! =)

Camp Craft @ Bess' Bag!

Gooey toasted marshmallows, catchy campfire songs, smelly bug repellent, adventuresome canoe rides… Okay, so it’s not that type of camp. It’s more like a crafty/artsy/DIY-summer-fun-totally-online camp full of fresh tutorials & a chance to share your own sunny ideas. It’s gonna be a great summer to get out there & create! So, enroll for Camp Craft @ Bess’ Bag now! Well, you don’t really have to enroll – just don’t miss the big yellow bus… eh, technically there’s no bus… Just make sure you join us!

Summer Camp Love,
-Bess-

Summer Wishes - 2012

1. enjoy/explore God’s creation
2. write a story
3. go antique shopping
4. read a devotional
5. intentionally study books of the Bible
6. have a yard sale
7. cook up something tasty
8. go swimming
9. read good books
10. work on trusting my heavenly Daddy more & worrying less
11. entertain at my apartment
12. go on a mini {or not so mini} road trip
13. perform r.a.o.k.’s {random acts of kindness}
14. come up with new crafts
15. tell others about Jesus

Tuck Everlasting Lessons

There’s something magical about the film Tuck Everlasting… so much so that I try to watch it every year on the first day of summer. It’s one of my traditions. Even though the Disney version is quite different from the original novel by Natalie Babbitt {which I’ve also read}, the theme is still the same: immortality.


For those of you who don’t know the story, it’s about the Tuck family who unknowingly stumble upon what could only be tagged a ‘fountain of youth’ & take a drink. Ever since they all wet their whistles at the peculiar spring they haven’t changed one bit in appearance, & mortal calamities {like falling several feet & snake venom} seem to leave them unscathed.


Years upon years pass, & the ageless Tucks live on, keeping their secret hidden from a world that’s ever changing. That’s the back story. Then, all of a sudden, a girl named Winnie stumbles onto the scene & meets Jesse Tuck {a 104 year old trapped in a 17 year old’s body (which is sort of creepy when you give it much thought)}, but I guess love must really know no age, especially when appearances declare otherwise. Anywho, Jesse helps Winnie come out of her “tight-pruned world” {I love that description from the movie}.

I don’t want to give it all away - & I sincerely hope you check out both the book & the motion picture {as of course I do, it’s my beloved summer tradition, after all}. In the end, the family’s secret threatens to surface & Winnie must decide whether she’ll drink the magical spring water or not & wait for Jesse’s promise to return for her. He also promises that he’ll love her until the day he dies. So dreamy! =) But, the important part is, will she take the sip that will cause her to never age or… die? There’s real life lessons in this pertinent to all. Take a look…





As Christians we have the promise of sweet everlasting life in heaven.  The everlasting life the Tucks have in a world broken by sin is anything but sweet.  Let's look at what it says in 1 Corinthians 15:54-58:


"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, & the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'  Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, & the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."


The first part of the passage describes that when a person becomes a Christian, death is deleted for that person, because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross which vanquished death for all time, & that person's obedience & acceptance of Christ's free gift.  Certainly a mortal death will be had by all, but it is in fact, what must be gone through to get to heaven - not an end-all, but the gate into eternity.  It is not to be feared if you belong to the Lord.  Instead, just as Mr. Tuck said & the latter verses uphold, fear life not lived.  "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."  Disney got it straight from the gospel! =)   Live each day for Christ & give Him your all... it's the only way to give up fear & truly live.

Love & Everlasting Life in Christ,

-Bess-