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Soon-to-be cousins:)

Garden Prayer Flags

I've wanted to make something similar to the Tibetan prayer flags for a long time. This past weekend I spent some time doing just that. I just think they are really pretty and fun and meaningful. The following is a short explanation of what the Tibetans believe about the flags. 

Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.The prayers of a flag become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade from exposure to the elements. Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life, Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old. This act symbolizes a welcoming of life's changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle.

For me, as I worked on my flags, I prayed and thought about all the blessings in my life. You can see on one of them there is the verse from John 15:1 which says," I am the true vine and my Father is the Gardener." My plan is to add more verses to the flag thruout the spring and summer.

One of my goals for this summer is to spend more time in our back yard tending the garden. I also want to get some chickens, so I'll need to tend them often as well. I thought if I spruced up the yard with some craftiness, it would encourage me to get my behind out there more this year:)

Another T-Shirt Skirt.

How to Make Skirt from a T-shirt in 5 easy steps.

 Step 1.) Cut t-shirt off at armpits.

 Step 2.) Cut off a one inch strip. This will be used for your tie. Stretch this strip so it curls in on itself. (see next 2 pics)

 Step 3.) Sew the casing for the tie. Make this about an inch wide. 

 (note: the hem of the t-shirt is also the hem of your skirt:)

 Step 4.) Cut a small slit thru one layer of casing in order to slide tie thru.

 Step 5.) Attach a large pin to end of tie and thread thru the casing.

 TA DA!!! An adorable skirt made in less then 15 minutes!

 So far, I've made a pink one and a purple one.

I want one in every color! 

Tips:

*If you get your T-shirts from the thrift store, make sure to check for stains on the front of the shirt. Also make sure the backside is not printed on past the armpits.

* If you are a size small person, use a medium size t-shirt. I am a med/large size person so I used an extra large t-shirt for the purple skirt....which fits better then the pink skirt which was a large. I gave the pink skirt to my sister who is smaller then me and it fits her well.

* If you want your skirt to have lots of pleats, use a shirt that is really big. 

* I tried to make one from a polo shirt and when I tried it on, it just didn't fall as nice as the t-shirt skirts do.

 T-shirts waiting to be turned into skirts:)