The Tire Swing God Sent

Well, perhaps it was the landscaping truck that abandoned its tire that could be given the direct credit for our tire swing but God had them put it right there where we could find it. I have to admit ~ the idea of being "green" was not foremost in my mind when my children and I went to snag the abandoned tire that was littering up the side of the road. No, it was the proximity of a perfectly good somewhat large truck tire that would answer a need. I had wanted to get a tire swing for my kids but felt unmotivated to do the necessary research into where one goes to get one. So, God solved that problem for me.

When we got it home it sat around for a few days. The kids were eager to get it up but I wanted it cleaned first. So, on the weekend my husband oversaw the crazy affair of the "washing of the tire". I was happy to not be involved. Upon hearing that it had been cleaned I set out to get good durable spray paint to not only liven it up a bit but also put a barrier between that black tire rub-off residue and my children's clothes. Yes, I admit it. I do like them to look somewhat nice. We are counter-cultural enough without looking like our children are forced to work on a pit crew.

So, I purchased some mellow green spray paint and strong nylon rope and set to work spraying it that evening. It was a sunny Sunday morning, after Mass, when my husband put up the tire swing. There was excitement in every quarter. Everyone loves it from my son who uses the rope to climb to the tree limbs above to my baby who just likes to sit in the inner arch and sway in the breeze. There is something authentic and real about a tire swing.

Of course I do believe in being "green". I just don't think you have to spend a lot of money to do it.

Sewing Some Silly Cell Phones

For Christmas my girl's received a book called Sewing for Children by Emma Hardy. I am so excited to have cute projects to do with my kids that they can play with over and over! The project they chose was the felt cell phone. I cut out the pieces and they (haphazardly) sewed them together. My oldest girl even embroidered the numbers. She chose numbers other than in the pic ~ she always likes to be original. I have to say the felt I purchased didn't hold up nearly as well as the felt I use in my dolls for my Etsy store but they don't seem to mind and there is no worry in wasting it! We are currently working on Valentine's hearts. Hopefully I can post them soon!