Make your own Coloring Book

                  
                     After you have created your own Crayons. HERE

Create your own coloring book.

                              You can create your own Coloring book!

Make your own Crayon and Book

Customize it.
 A Team Coloring Book is a great personalized gift.
 A Family picture coloring book can be completed with name and titles.
 A nature or scenic coloring book becomes educational.

Sports coloring book

Team coloring book

Peek through the pics that you have on file.
There are plenty that will lend themselves well to the making your own coloring book.


PETS are puuurfect!

Cat Coloring book

 DIY Coloring book

Get back to Nature.

DIY Coloring Book

All of these pictures have been electronically altered by a Photo Edit Program.
I Click on Effect, then Artistic and finally INK SKETCH.
 Ink line thickness and the level of color in each picture can also be manipulated.

Print each picture on 8.5x11 inch regular paper.
Create cover using Card Stock (A slightly heavier paper stock.)
 Staple all together. Color!

I thought I needed it?!

Ever find yourself realizing that you didn't know you wanted IT until you saw IT?
Ever find yourself discovering that you never did use IT even after you bought IT?

Who needs it?!

No bones about the fact that I would rather be toiling in and boiling from my garden than standing in line to pay at the grocery market. 
No doubts that I prefer the individuality of handmade over the implications of commercially made.
No two ways about it. If I can grow it, make it, mock it, or manage without it, I prefer it.

I like to think of myself as the frugal minimalist employing the will of a realist 
in my efforts to persist in resisting the urge to splurge. It is not always easy.

Newspapers are stuffed with colorful flyers filled with products and great prices for every season.
TV commercials run on relentlessly extolling the virtues of everything for every reason.
Cocky claims ridicule our intelligence by claiming to be valid justification for the whys of what we want.


 We shop for savings but value the prospects of bagging the real deal- happiness.
 All we have to do is shop guilty free.
 The more we shop, the more we save. The more we spend, the more we get paid!? 

Who needs it?
The End of the Impulse Shopper Great LINK HERE

In the interest of sparing my hard earned money
and in opposition to credit card interest and profitability,
I make a LIST and do my very best to stick to it.

 List making is an essential tool for living on a budget.
There were many days as a (Domestic Engineer) and very busy Mom
to four young Sons that I could hardly remember my name
 let alone recalling what I needed at the market when I got there.
 Pushing two buggies (one for groceries and one for children alone)
 around the market without a list I admit, found me to be lost!

If I am not in the market for it, I forget it. Toss the flyer in the fire...
The result of looking through any number of the flashy flyers could result in my desire to acquire
not only debt but also the guilt that often accompanies an unplanned purchase.
I take great pride in arriving back home with only that which I went for.  

Teach your children well

Impart wisdom by example. 
Seek freedom in the truth
of being honest with self.



The originality of living simply 
does not require keeping up 
with everybody else. 

 I am often surprised to hear my boys recalling memorable moments of their childhood.
 I don't hear them extolling the virtues of the expensive hoody that I would annually splurge on
 or hear of the benefits of a luxury toy they received from a friend or relative, whom for a special occasion had afforded IT.

No, rather I hear them speak fondly of meaningful moments in their lives
 that typically included their brothers, their Dad and I.  
There is no mention of what was worn or of the toy that they toted
 it's all about the experiences they recall from a life of love and it's comical commotions. 


 Ingenuity sparks creativity.
Creativity begets originality.
Originality beckons individuality.
Individuality incites integrity.
Integrity grows opportunity for individual ingenuity....

Who needs it anyway?


 No bones about the fact that I would rather be toiling in and boiling from my garden
than standing in line to pay at the grocery market. 
No doubts that I prefer the individuality of handmade over the implications of commercially made.
No two ways about it, if I can grow it, make it, mock it, or otherwise manage without it 
I prefer it.

 I do see a need however for a little more FREE Time.
Free as in not occupied otherwise and Free as in not being out of pocket for getting IT.
 Free time to be with the need to be free!

I challenge you to finding five FREE things to do with your family (or yourself) this week. 

#1. Head to the Beach where there are many treasures to behold.
#2. Head out on a walk to the local park.
 Can you name the people in the neighborhood houses along the way?
#3. Pack your lunch, your skates and your mitts and head off to the local outdoor skating rink.
A local game of shinny may be just what you need.
#4. Pack up a blanket and a thermos of cocoa too before heading to an outdoor, evening airing
 of a favorite family movie. Gratis the local community center.
#5. Head out on the highway with a recycling bag to see how many cans you can collect in an afternoon.
How many of the wild flowers and weeds that you find can you name?

Reflections of a Christmas past

May the reflection
 of your yesterdays
serve as a platform
for 
reaching the potential
of your every tomorrow.








--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Reflection  1. A thought occurring in consideration or meditation.
                   2. A fixing of the thoughts on something; careful consideration.
 is finding your

 Potential    1. possible, as opposed to actual:
                            2. capable of being or becoming:
                             3. A latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.
         
in the absence of

   Din            1. A loud, confused noise; a continued loud or tumultuous sound; noisy clamor.

 
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 On the cusp of a  new year, every year I attempt to stop my world wheel and get off for a little while.
 I like to tone it down and tune it out if you will. 
I need to Re group, Rethink, Rehash, Re-assess and reconsider.

Although I can't afford to physically get away from it all,  I know that I cannot afford either,
not to get away from it all.

Lillian the Domestic Engineer.Blogspot.ca

 I manage to unplug the world
  by plugging into my tub!
 

It is largely
 through reflection
that I come to see 
how time invested in self
provides clarity.










My Sons traveled with their Dad  to visit Nanny and Poppy for Christmas this year.
It was a return trip home that was 14 years in the making.
The last time the trip was made, we drove across the country. 
The boys were  9, 7, 6 and 5. 
It seems as though it were only yesterday. 

They were all gone over Christmas and New Years for a stretch of ten days.

I spent Christmas day with my Mom, my siblings and their families.
The absence of my Dad who passed this last October gave rise to a nostalgia that continues to engulf and enlighten me into the ways of reality. 
Life really is short. 

My Dad had only just arrived at his 80th Birthday.

Domestic Engineer

 I spent the remaining holiday enjoying the company of self.
Contrary to the conviction of many who believed
 I must surely be sad to be at home alone over the holidays,
 I relished the opportunity.



I like to think I spend my time wisely.
There is so little of it.

Between commitments and obligations,
duties and celebrations
 rules and regulations
awaits the time for pondering and self preservation.
This time must be found, managed and enjoyed guilt free.

 

Domestic Engineer  - What matters?

Every movement of moment matters.

Every word of conversation counts.

Invest wisely in yourself.
Have a Happy, Healthy New Year

Lillian ponders on HERE

Let the sun shine in!

 Sunshine is the icing on a frozen cake.

  As I raised the blinds on another day the frost on the window 
was highlighted by the back drop of a rising sun 
which created beautiful, coral colored, floral like patterns 
on the window pane.

I could see and almost count the individual snow flakes stacked upon one another on the table just outside my front window. 
There was an accumulation of another 3 cm as a result of last nights snow fall.

It is 32 below zero outside.

Winter Wonderland@ Lillian the Domestic Engineer

  The frost may be heavy but my spirits are high.  

 The pastel turquoise and soft pink hues fading from the new day sky give rise to the sunshine

  and an undeniable appreciation of simply being alive. 

I head off down the range road that I travel to work.

 The long and winding road makes it's way through the snow covered fields where Mother Nature plays.
 I turn up the heater which is finally blowing warm air. 
 I sip my Java on the run.
 I turn on the radio in time to hear the Jockey cautioning people to take care driving out there.
 The Sun through my car window has warmed my soul.
 I finally take my mittens off. 
 I am overcome by the beauty of another Winters day.   

  

Be Grateful everyday

I continue on my way...
 

Past this stand of giggling trees

the road winds and dips through the prairie deep freeze.
Eventually I arrive at my destination
where I will see an elderly client who herself has seen 92 winters.
Many a long, cold, hard season wrought with hard work and trying times,
that I'm certain have helped to strengthened her spirit and harden her mind.
She became the age she grew to be by looking past the weather to see the trees.
By seeing the beauty in every day she has weathered wonderfully.

She is gallant, gracious and grateful.
 She is witty, wonderful and warm.
She is the icing on my cake when the Sun don't shine!

She is my inspiration when motivation is lacking in mine. 

Let the sun shine in +Lillian the Domestic Engineer 

Make you own Polymer Cane Greeting Card

This year, for my annual traditional Christmas Greeting Card,
I dug into the delights of my button box (see link below)
Button Cards

To my delight, the finished results were quite satisfying.

Also to my surprise and delight, the button cards inspired me to create my own Polymer Clay Cane
ornament for a line of cards.

I chose Christmas colors and a simple, seasonal leaf design for my Card cane.

Polymer Clay Cane Card

Play Polymer  See more here. 

DIY Cards

Working on a flat, clean surface, the polymer cane design should be about  1/4 inch thick.
This cane (before reduction) is approx. 2 inches across.

                                                         This is the same Polymer Cane
                                                                having been reduced.

It is now approx. an inch across
and 1 1/2 inches tall.

The distortion of design at either end is typical.
As you slice more into the cane
less distortion is seen.

Once the cane has been created and reduced, I like to leave it in an airtight container overnight.
Time seems to bond and set the polymer clay, creating a cleaner finished slice.
The following day the slices of the cane are baked in an oven at 275 degree for about 5 minutes.
After the slices are cooled they can be glued onto your Card.

 The finished Cane Card.
I used a pre printed 8.5x11 inch stationery paper. 
The pic at bottom of paper is folded so it becomes the inside of the card. 

DIY polymer card

Personalize your Polymer!
Check out the great link below for creating Polymer Clay Canes.




                            Simple Canes Tutorial HERE

 Artmakers worlds of Polymer Clay Canes
   
I really have a thing with Polymer Clay Canes.
One of my favorite things to do with the cane slices is to create jewel bowls.

 Polymer Clay Cane Bowls. My favorite thing! More HERE

DIY Polymer Cane Bowls

Make your own Greeting Cards

DIY Greeting Cards

Dress up the table Candle Craft

Serve up a little originality!

These Gel Candle table center pieces are a festive addition to your seasonal table.
The Candles can be created to match home decor and customized to impress upon personality. 

The slow burning candle gel make these an economical as well as a bright gift idea.
 

GEL CANDLE

 Yes you Candle HERE

Candle table piece

One bucket of melt and pour Gel Wax. (Approx. $30.00 at Michael's Craft)

Candle wax coloring and a selection of essential oils ($20.00 initial investment)

Dinner plates and small dishes ($1.00 per at any second hand store.)

Decorations can be gathered year round and collected in a container...

it is a whole lot cheaper to buy Poinsettias in June than it is in Dec.

The small parcels were removed from a store bought corsage,

the red leaf on left was once a Tree ornament,

the greenery has been cut piece by piece from an old wreath,

(total decoration averaging a couple dollars a plate).

I have made many, many a Gel Candle 

still from the original bucket of Gel Wax.

 DIY Best Craft Blog

                                  These candles were made last night to fill a last minute request.
                                                 They were an honor and a joy to create.

DIY Candle Craft

DIY Gel Candle

 Light up your life

More Candles HERE

Merry Christmas to you

and to all a good night.