Craft Fair this Saturday!

Hope to see you there!!!!!

Deutschland April 2011

We got to go back to Germany last week!!!! It was just a 5 day trip but it was soooo good for my heart to be there again with so many amazing people as well as new and old friends. In case you don't know, Ryan and I work for a church planting organization called KontaktMission and last week was their workers conference/ retreat.

A week ago, Sunday, was the main conference day where different KM missionaries got to set up tables to showcase their different ministries as well as tell a huge crowd of other workers and supporters about KM and the work that they are doing all around the world!


The very first picture on this post as well as the one below are both of the view from our hotel room our very first night at the conference (sooooo beautiful)! After this first night all of the mission workers all went over to a different little village to a retreat center to have more of a retreat/ community building/ sharing time for the rest of the week.


We had a wonderful speaker come to the retreat who shared great lessons on living and working a holy life within your church as well as your family. It was great to have a time to be filled with encouraging lessons and stories. There was also a lot of time devoted to sharing about our different ministries, singing (in a crazy little combo of English and German), laughing, crying, dreaming as well as planning, meeting great new friends as well as reconnecting with old ones. It was such an encouraging and heart warming trip- We can't wait to go again next year!!! It was especially good to see the people that we worked with in Jena again! I had missed them so much!



The whole experience really left me with a sense of family. Even with so many different cultures, languages, ages, and talents- these are the people who get me. These are the people who I'm going to turn to for answers to my questions, for advise, for help when I can't figure out how I'm supposed to raise my children in a foreign country, when raising support is too overwhelming, when I don't know how to do Visa stuff, when ministry is at it's best ...or worst. So all in all- it was one heck of a short week given all the traveling that was involved, but it was so worth it!

Hi, remember me?

I'm finding it really difficult to try and balance both blogs that I have. (Well I haven't actually been trying that hard) So hopefully some of you have gone over to my other blog to see what's been going on in our crazy lives!

Anyway- we leave for Germany on Friday! It's too bad that it has to be a SUUPPPER short (5 day) trip, but we're also very excited to go to the conference and see some familiar as well as new faces :-) It will be so good to be in beloved Germany again, but also hard since we will have no time to go up to the city that we lived in last year.

No worries though... just a month after we get back from this trip, we're heading out to Germany again! And this time we're making sure we have time to go back to Jena for about a week to see our friends that we have been missing so incredibly bad! Another really cool thing about the trip happening in May/June is that Ryan and I are actually going to lead a missions trip! It's a trip that we went on as participants about 4 years ago- and now we're leading it! We're so excited! Especially Ryan- he's the one who will get to drive a van full of American college students all around Germany, Austria and Belgium for 2 weeks :-) Anyway- I may post a copy of our support/ info letter that we finished last night just to give you all a bit more information.


So, just to let you know- I am going to be trying harder to remember to post on this blog some more. I would just drop it and go completely over to my other one... but I love this one too much to abandon it! How are you guys doing? Hope you're all having great weeks so far!

xoxo elyse aubrie

Heart Felt blog is up and running!

I know, I know.... I have abandoned my poor little blog these last couple weeks :( I do have some pretty good excuses though, I promise! First of all I have been designing a TON of things for my new Heart Felt adventure. Getting the logo all finalized and then figuring out blog banners, etsy banners, profile avatars and so on and so on! It was really exhausting and even more fun :) So after a good couple weeks of sketching, designing and stressing I finally have my Heart Felt blog up and running! And actually I may be focusing more on that blog than this one now. I do want to keep some separation because I want that blog to be more for promoting my little business and this one to be a personal thing, but there my also be some overlapping going on :) So, here it is!:




Just click HERE to go to the blog!

Please tell your friend about it :) There will be more than me just ranting and raving about wool and felting! Tee heee. I will also have posts on fun DIY projects, handmade living, and vintage treasures on the new blog! My Etsy shop will not actually be up and running until the end of Feb., so you'll just have to wait until then!

Okay, on more of the personal side of things... Ry Guy and I have been in a bit of a transitional mess. I don't know I have been going through reculture shock exactly since we have been back in the States, but I have really been having a hard time adjusting being so close to family, having to leave some of the best friends I have ever had all the way in Germany, going back to school (taking 24 credit hours!), not seeing Ryan as much, and some other things. I didn't think it was really going to be this hard to come back to "real life". But anyway, we have been in search of an apartment these last few weeks. We knew we were going to take it slow with apartment hunting seeing as how I'm not working this semester and Ryan's taking a leap of faith by pursuing his app. programing gig full time, but still.... we're used to being on our own and we've been craving it more and more lately. The only problem is money. Ughhh... it's so stupid, this whole money thing! :) We're trying to listen to what God is telling us to do but we really just don't know! So, keep us in your prayers as we try and figure this whole life thing out :)


Soooo I really should be doing my homework but instead, I'm going to go over to the Heart Felt blog and do a post on some SUPERRRRR cute vintage Pyrex bowls I found today! Check it ouuutttt!!

-elyse aubrie

Finally!

I was finally able to do some felting tonight! First time in like almost 3 weeks! Ah, it's good to be back :)

Community

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When we were back in California last week we got to go to a vert special church! This is a picture of the church that my uncle now works at with his lovely wife and 4 children and my parents also go there now as well. It was sooooo nice for us to come to this church after being in Germany because it really reminded me of what our church in Germany was like. Small, relational, intimate and just super awesome :) I know my family is so happy to have my uncle, aunt and their kids back in napa and I think it is just so amazing that they have this wonderful community to be a part of together! Just wanted to share :)


I know i have dropped the ball with this whole blogging thing lately. I will try to do better, I promise!

ALSO!!!: new Heart Felt blog coming soon!!!!

Celebrate

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Happy new years from napa, California! It's great to be back in the states with our family and friends!

Hope 2011 holds great things for you as well!

goodbye to Handmade by Elyse

I'm changing my business name! I've wanted to for a very long time and I finally decided on the perfect name and logo :)

goodbye Handmade by Elyse
hello Heart Felt



With my main focus being felting (knitted and wet) I thought this would be a perfect name!
What do you think???

cozie crazy!

Okay, I'm done with cozies for a while.... I think ;)

Here are some pics of all of them together! The last 2 projects for my online felting course are scarves, so I'm going to focus on those for now :)



I know felt has TOTALLY taken over my blog, but I was just telling my hubby... I think it's my "thing". I really love it and it makes me feel great to do it and look at what I've made! It's this totally organic and earthy process that is just so therapeutic for me! Anyways, there they are, all my little iPod/phone cozies! Hope you like em!

-elyse aubrie

Happy December!

This is what it has been looking like outside our window the last few days! It doesn't look so pretty in the pic, but believe me... snowy Germany is lovely! Especially with the Christmas market in the city center and the mountains surrounding the valley of Jena :) It is pretty dang cold though, and when you don't have a car things can get preeetttyyy chilly!

Despite my having to go out all the time to meet with different schools wanting me to teach English, and actually teaching the classes... I have been cramming in some more felting! Here is a little pic of what our kitchen looks like these days.

Just completed these two little felted pouches. The purple on is big enough to hold a little digital camera and the green one is perfect for my iPod Touch! These were project #3 in my online felting class! I'm having a blast with this!


ANNNDDDD.... We got Christmas gifts from my parents!!! My Mom wanted us to open them early so we did, last night! In case you don't know, Dillon Beach is on the northern coast of CA and was always my favorite beach to go to. And then I met Ryan and we would go there sometimes too, and I would always tease him about having his own beach (our last name is Dillon). SO... my prents sent us a whole life time supply of Dillon Beach accessories! These sweatshirts are goingt obe a fave of ours in this cold weather! Thanks Mom and Dad!


Well, I have t get going because I'm teaching an English class today. I just wanted to wish Everyone a blessed and happy December! This is our last month in Germany, keep us in your prayers as we strat winding things up and having to say goodbye to our dear friends here. Now, go decorate your Christmas tree and make some yummy cookies or something... Christmas is almost here!!!

felted flowers

Just waned to share with you all my recent project. I was a little late in being able to start my felt class due to some technical difficulties, but I tried my best to catch up yesterday! (Yesterday was my self-proclaimed snow day!) The first project with the class was felted flowers. I already know how to make flowers with one kind of technique- but this is totally different (and easier and cuter I think)! So I spent yesterday creating some lovely little flowers to share with all of you as well as the other people in my felting class- we have a Flickr group that we upload all out photos to :) I'm all caught up now with the course because the second project was leaning how to make felt beads/balls and I already know how to make them. Today's lesson is an iPod cozy- we'll see how that goes!

So, enjoy looking and let me know what you think!









ps- these little cuties and MANY more goodies will be for sale in my Etsy shop once we're back in the States!

Felt-a-licious e course!

Woo hoo! This is a first for me :) I just signed up for an online e-course... and it's for felting! I'm super excited to perfect some of my felting skills, oh goodness... I'm so obsessed with this new craft :) The class is great because it's really not that pricey and I can go along at my own speed with the download-able videos and photos.





Here is a little more info in Emily’s words:

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

This is a fantastical, fun introduction to felting! During the course you will be shown the nitty-gritty of what turns fluffy piles of wool into magical felted goods.With that knowledge you will be guided to make several variations of felt for our projects: round felt beads, a layered felt flower, a flat felt scarfette and a dimensional felt mobile-phone pouch.

Armed with your new skills you will be ready to felt your little hearts out (warning: felting is higly addictive!) and fall in love with this delicious artform. Even if you have felted before, this workshop is definitely going to have you saying “AH-HA!”

THE WORKSHOP WILL RUN FROM NOV 26 – DEC 4

There will be four core ‘lessons’ during the course (video and photo format), tips and tricks from the gurus, a gallery to share your creations, and two live chats with Nicole and Emily. You will be able to work at your own pace, downloading the project information at your leisure. The classroom will remain ‘open’ until the end of 2010.

CLICK HERE if you too would like to sign up for this awesome class!

crazy over... wool.

Ahhhhh, I love wool. I love how it feels. I love knitting with it. I love how it comes from really cute little sheepies. And recently I have found a new love when it comes to wool. Felting! Actually I have been felting wool for a really long time with my knitted felt wool bags (see below), but I just started what's called wet felting. My girlfriends and I took a felting class last week and have been addicted ever since. I can honestly say I felt something everyday :) If you click on that "wet felting" link you can see a video of my favorite wet felting project. Anyway here are some things that I've made. I'm trying to make a ton of cool stuff now, while I still have time to do it, to bring back to the States and put on my etsy site. So, keep your eyes peeled for some new goodies at Handmade by Elyse!




A couple examples of my knitted felt purses :)

Inspiration

I wanted to give you all a peek into my world here for a minute :) I am ALWAYS drawing inspiration from people and am constantly on the lookout for blogs to follow or websites to always be checking into. I wanted to show you a few that over the past year or so have been inspiring me almost everyday. Maybe from sharing these with you, you'll be able to understand a little more about why I am the way I am :) But hopefully, you too will be inspired by the wonderful words, ideas, art, love of Jesus, photographs, lifestyles of these different people and websites!

The first FOUR blogs are actually done by the same person! (That's even more than I have!!!) Anyway, I first heard about this special family from one of Gretchen Magruder's blog posts, and ever since then I have been HOOKED. Sarah Janssen's first blog, The Happy Janssens, is all about their life on the road! They live in a sweet decked out RV and have so many stories to share!



Her next blog, Walk Slowly Live Wildly, is more of a personal one where she is always talking about family, God, photography, dreadlocks and so much more! Her blog is my inspiration for starting my own more personal blog outside of the Dillons in Deutschland one. So many wonderful words, stories an photos in this blog :)


And her NEXT blog is the hooping one, The Happy Hoop!!!! Ahhhh, hooping. It makes me happy just typing out the word :) She is also a hoop lover and so many videos, ideas and resources available on this site. Unlike me, she is actually suuuuper good at hooping and has much advice to give!



And FINALLY her last blog; The Happy Foody. This is where I first found out about the wonderful and amazing green smoothy. So many great ideas for foody type people :)


And now for Boho Girl. I love this blog because the woman who writes it is just so honest with her posts and is a very spiritual creative person. She always has a lot of photos (she is a professional photographer) as well as great stories and inspirational thoughts. (....and awesome dreads.... teehee)


The next blog is brought to you by Juniper Moon Farm. This tells the story of a ex news reported in NYC who decided having a fiber farm was a better idea! Susan Gibbs has a farm out in Virgina where she raises goats and sheep for fiber. Her yarns are gorgeous! She also has beautiful dogs, cute mini pigs, chickens, bees and wonderful writing skills! Her blogs always crack me up.... and leave me wanting some sheep of my own!


And now for Etsy. I don't have to say much about why I love this site :) It's kinda what I'm all about. I don't have my Handmade by Elyse shop running right now since we're in Germany, but be sure to check out the other sellers! Buy Handmade!

So!, That's it.... for now :) Hope you are able to enjoy these sites as much as I do! Let me know if you too get sucked in by any of their magnetic pulls!

What inspires you? Do you have any awesome blogs/ sites that you draw from everyday? Please share!

-elyse aubrie

1 Month Dreadiversary!!!

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's already been a month since I got these crazy things! I also apologize for the fact that it's also been a month since I posted last. If you head over to our Germany blog you can read a little more about what we have been up to- October was a crazy month for sure!


Well having my dreadlocks has been a crazy adventure so far! After preparing myself for dreadlocks by reading about a million different dread stories, I assumed that I would have to be working on my hair everyday, my dreads would probably look super ugly and poofy, and that I would always be thinking about them. None of that has been true for me! I hardly ever work on my hair (I probably should do a little more though...), they're locking up quite nicely, and almost right after I got them I just felt like they were a part of me. I hardly ever think about them being there, they kind of feel like they're just supposed to be there. Hmmmm, okay... maybe these are the types of things you talk about only with other dreadheads or else you end up sounding a little bit insane...


I don't think I'm going for the dirty hippie look or anything- I haven't actually changed my style at all... I just have dreadlocks now! And they're amazing!


I have gotten into the routine of washing my dreadies every Saturday. Through out the week when I take my other showers, I just put my dreads up and wash my bangs. I feel like once a week is good for me now- i'm still hunting for a good shampoo to use on my dreads. Lately I've just been using body wash.... but I don't know if that's the best thing ever. With dreadlocks you're not supposed to use conditioner (obviously) or shampoo that leaves residue. I have read a lot of things debating the importance of the residue free shampoo, but I would rather be safe than sorry! Also, I'm looking to purchase a few little things of some essential oils for some nice scalp soothing/ yummy smelling goodness :) Speaking of scalp soothing.... My head is not actually that itchy or flaky! Sometimes my head gets a little itchy just from always wearing a headband. BUT it's no thang!



Now, I do have to admit that there have been some times when I feel like screaming at them!!! They're sometimes super fuzzy and I have some loose hairs that never really want to stay in. I have a crochet hook that I'm supposed to use to control the beast, but it really just takes way too long :)

These next couple pictures are some that I took last night. As you can see I am still being my crafty self even all the way in Germany! I made these wool felted flowers- PERFECT for dreadie decoration!

SO... all of these pictures in this blog post are posted in chrnological order (except for the first one) so you can see.. or maybe not see how my dreads have changed over the last four weeks. Okay... I know you can't really tell from the pics that they look much different now... but they really are tightening and locking up very well! I love my hair and I do plan on keeping them for quite some time! Years and years hopefully!

If you have any questions PLEASE feel free to ask! If you always heard something weird or gross about dreadlocks, just ask me about it and I'm sure I can clarify and debunk some of these awful dreadlock myths.




YAY! I've loved this first month of dreadies! Can't wait for the many months to follow! Again, feel free to ask questions!

A new chapter

As of last Friday, Ryan and I have been done with language school. Going to language school was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but now that it's over... I miss it terribly. When we first got to Jena and kind of figured out our schedule and the price of school, we decided that we would do 3 months in language school and 3 months not, so that we could focus on other things. We knew that we would greatly improve our language skills through this process and meet a lot of people, but I don't think we really expected the great joy that this opportunity would bring to us. Through our German classes we have met so many amazing people, and God has blessed us with some awesome friends through this experience. They are from all over the world, maybe speak English or German :) and are just so wonderful.

It's exciting to have more time in our day for other learning opportunities now, but I already miss being in the classroom with my friends, learning this crazy language. We're praying that God allows us to continue these friendships even outside of school. And of course that our German can also keep improving. Would you pray for us for those things also? It is so hard to believe that we are already half way through this internship! But we are excited to see what this new chapter has in store for us.




These pictures are from the 2 birthday parties my German class had while Ryan and I were still in the school. No, we didn't have a party and eat cake EVERYday :)

Oma and Papa

Yesterday was my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary! I have always thought that they were the cutest couple on earth. My Oma and her family came over to the States from Holland when she was just a young woman, and my Papa is 150% Italian. They are never short on crazy stories about their life together, and have had to endure some of the hardest things a marriage would ever have to face. And here they are today, 50 years gone by and still in love. My parents along with all of my aunts and uncles and cousins are all getting together today to celebrate with them. If you know me well you would know just how hard it is for me to be so far away right now.

How cute are those?! My aunt Gianna sent me a invitation to their party (thanks aunt G!). She designed the whole thing- it was so absolutly wonderful. Above are the pictures that were featured on the invitation of my Oma and Papa back in the day :)

I heard from my dad that they're planning on recreating their Honeymoon. Going to the same places, retaurants, and everything! How romantic and cute is that?!

Love you Oma and Papa! Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!