Make Something Monday, 031113: St. Paddy's Day Treats

Happy Monday! =)  

Can you believe it's already March??! ;oP ~wOw!

And, for me and mine, March means St. Patrick's Day~ and lots o'green! ;)

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, today Make Something Monday is a cute little treat I found online here that you can make with the kids (big *or* small ;] ), and would be great to give as treats!  It's a Hershey's Shamrock! =) 

 Treats for St. Paddy's! =oD 

Here's what you'll need:

• Hershey's kisses (3 per shamrock)
• Several pieces of cardstock, construction paper, or scrapbook paper ~ in green shades
• Glue
• Scissors
• ruler
• pencil
• twine or ribbon

Step 1:  For each shamrock you want, cut a strip of paper: Cut a piece of 9-½” x 1”, and draw notches in pencil (to about halfway up the width of the paper) at 1 1/2" and 8" on one side of the strip, then swing it around and at 4 3/4", draw a slightly thicker notch.  Then make cuts on the lines you've drawn.

Step 2:  You want to "help" your shamrock leaves take form, so slightly (and gently) curl each end with a bone folder, if you have one, or the end of your scissors, if you don't (think ribbon curling).

 

Work out from the center on each side.

Step 3:  Bend in one side of the strip so that its notch meets the middle notch you cut earlier, and marry them.  You have formed your first leaf. =)

Do the same with the other side. You now have two leaves.

Now set this aside while you work on the third leaf of the shamrock.

Step 4:  Cut out a strip, 6" x 1", for each shamrock you are making.  As in Step 1, you will draw marks to make notches~ this time make marks at 1 1/2" and 4 3/4", both on the same side.  Now, make your cuts.

As you did in Step 2, slightly curl your leaf to help give it form.

Step 5: Bring the ends of your strip together, forming your shamrock's third leaf. Slide the assembly into the middle of your shamrock. 

Yay~ Shamrock! ...We're halfway there, but we're not quite finished...

Step 6: Glue your stems together to create one strong stem. Note: remember that there are three places to glue.

Step 7: Cut three strips, measuring 4" x 3", for each shamrock you are making. 

 

Score each of your strips at 1”, 2”, and 3” along its length.

Bend the strips at each score, creating a triangle. This triangle will be the home for your Hershey's kisses.

Step 8: Depending on your personal dexterity, you may find this step might work best one of two ways for you:

      Option A: Insert your formed triangles into the leaves of your shamrock. THEN, insert a Hershey's kiss into each of the leaves of your shamrock...

      ~OR~

      Option B: Wrap your Hershey's kiss in your triangle, and THEN insert the entire assembly into the leaf of your shamrock (my option). 

 

Step 9: Here's the fun part: Personalize your St. Paddy's Treats! =)

I have put a pretty little ribbon on mine... 

In the tutorial that inspired this post, the author added a little greeting : “Happy St. Patrick's Day!” =) 

...Let your imagination lead you!

Ta-DAaaaa! =)

How much FUN is that??! =oD I love these little guys!

Please leave me a comment if you made some, too! =) ...And please share the with your friends!

Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,

~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

ProjectLife365: PL365 Week 9

Happy Sunday!

“A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.”
― Eudora Welty

How's your week been? =)

I've been a little hectic lately, and haven't been here near as much as I would like, and that shows in many ways, not the least of which being that I am behind on my weekly Project Life 365 photo project review! =/

So I will try to catch up this week, but today I will pick up where I left off... Here's Week 9:

 And this little gem ~ #Process~ was featured in the ProjectLife365 Blog's #Daily_Fix... How fun is THAT!?! =oD

Have you shot any great snapshots lately?? ...Leave a comment and let me know! =)

Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,

~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance

The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance

"The Pledge of Allegiance is an important expression of our shared values, and it should be preserved in its current form. I fully support the Pledge of Allegiance and urge my colleagues to do the same.”
~Judy Biggert

The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance of The United States: A Little History

The Pledge of Allegiance is an expression of loyalty to the U.S. federal flag and to the republic of the United States.  Its original version is attributed to a New Yorker named Francis Bellamy in 1892.  It was published in a children’s magazine, popular at the time and distributed to schools.  The Youth Companion ran the piece as a part of the much anticipated “National Public School Celebration of Columbus Day” that year, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas.

The Pledge of allegiance: Form and Fashion

The Pledge of Allegiance, according to The United States Flag Code, “should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.”
As a matter of form, the Pledge was adopted by Congress in 1942, and is ritually recited at the beginning of each session.  In similar fashion, many lower level tiers of government, as well as many private organizations ~ including The Boy Scouts of America~ start their meetings off with this patriotic expression.  Indeed, despite controversy in recent years, the Pledge of Allegiance still begins the school day in many education institutions around the country.

“Patriotism is voluntary. It is a feeling of loyalty and allegiance that is the result of knowledge and belief.  A patriot shows their their patriotism through their actions, by their choice.”
~Jesse Ventura

 

The Pledge of Allegiance: Understanding the Pledge

What does The Pledge of Allegiance actually mean??

The attachment to flag and country is a unique bond that requires a special language of its own.  The original version of the pledge was written in an attempt to instill the concept of American nationalism during a time in the country’s history when in was particularly low.  That version read as such:

Here's the version we know today:

There are many interpretations of not only the evolution of the pledge, but the words themselves, and everyone has their own opinion.  This video of a performance comedian Red Skeleton gave on the subject sums it up quite nicely! =)  Check it out:

What ever your take on the why’s and wherefore’s of The Pledge of Allegiance, one thing is for certain:  it is an amazing tool to not only unite citizens in a common mindset, but also has the ability to evoke powerful emotions, no matter the version.

So, what are your thoughts about the flag, the pledge, and American patriotism these days?  Please feel free to comment below and let me know, and share this with your friends. =)

Until next time…

May your imagination light your way,

~xo~ StacyLynn “@~>~” a.k.a AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

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New Shop Items, 030213

Happy Saturday!! =)  

How's your week been??

The last couple of weeks have been incredibly hectic, and I apologize for my scarcity here at Beholden To None.  I am making a major move soon- culminating in the realization of a life-long dream- and recently took a 'house-hunting and scouting' trip to get the ball rolling.... My internal clock has been off by at least a week ever since! HA! ;)  Has that ever happened to you??

Anyway, I have been working on new items for the AmrcnWldFlwr Designs shop, however, and wanted to show you a few of the new items I will be listing this week.  =)  So here's a peek:

Well, that's just a little peek into some of the new listings that will be appearing over the next week...  Next week I will also be introducing some pieces from one of my partners in the AmrcnWldFlwr Designs studio, Renee~ so be on the lookout for that, too! =) 

Until next time,

May your imagination light your way,

~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

ProjectLife365: PL365 Week 8

Happy Sunday! =)

[Ooops, this is a catch-up post that never got published. =]... Be a Doll, and pretend it's Sunday while you read it, would you?! ;oP]

It's Sunday again, and that means a Project Life 365 update.  =)

 Week 8 was spent primarily in New York City, exploring the City and scouting it out for my upcoming move! (Yay!! =) ) ...I got some neat shots...

What a great week it has been!!  =)

Until next time...

May your imagination light your way,

~xo~ StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

Tithing Tuesday, 022613: Kiva

Happy Tuesday! =)

Welcome back to Tithing Tuesday... Today's post spotlight's a wonderful organization that helps people all over the globe to help themselves in making their entrepreneurial dreams come true: Kiva.org.

The principle mission of Kiva is to provide loans- through local microloan institutions- to people in parts of the world that have the aspirations to build a business and contribute to their local economy, but would otherwise never have the resources to do so.  As their organization motto says: "Loans that change lives."  It is the mission of the Kiva organization to connect people who can lend monies with help people of impoverished nations in need of loans, to build businesses and improve their local economies. 

In essence, someone with the means to be a lender (often in fairly small amounts, even as low as $25.00 to start out)- or many 'someones'- offer their loan contribution on the website, and the money goes to microfinance institutions in the areas where loans have been sought after.  Once a requested loan has been fully financed by contributors to the Kiva organization through their website, it is made to the borrower.  Once the borrower has accomplished what the loan was intended for, and is able to pay the loan back, the lenders are returned their original funds, and the borrower is better for it.  A good deed is done, and a day well lived is on the books, so to speak. =)

You can watch the quick little video below for a better explanation of the process:


The loans provided through the Kiva organization help people in areas where big banking institutions just don't exist, and provide resources that aid those people that might otherwise be destined to remain in poverty without them.  The loans provided, even in the smallest of amounts, are often just the right amount of help people need to become profitably self-employed and able to, in turn, furnish valuable goods and services to their local communities, as well as to provide for and take care of their family.

Providing loans for business is just one of the many ways that Kiva loans help people help themselves.  Learn more about the ways people are empowered through connection at their main website: http://www.kiva.org. 

OKay~ Think about this... You probably spend $25.00 a week, or a month, on coffee or soda while you are out and about.  What if that $25.00 could help a farmer in Uganda upgrade her piggery and help her maintain her ability to care for her two children while earning her living through the pigs and chickens she raises.  Good karma, right?! =)  ...And what if, after that loans is paid back (Kiva boasts a repayment rate of nearly 99%), since that money is "already spent" in your mind, you simply turn around and put it back into the system, and put it to good use again, helping someone else change their life for the eternal better! =oD ...Talk about GOOD KARMA!! ;)

I believe that small actions can make a BIG impact... and many people all taking small actions together can CHANGE THE WORLD! =)

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”   ~Margaret Mead  

 Just something to think think about. =)

May your imagination light your way,
~xo~ StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]

ProjectLife365: PL365 - Week 7

Happy Sunday!! =)

Another week into the year - wOw! 

Here's Week 7 of the ProjectLife365_2013:

Aaaaaaaaaand, that's a wrap!! ;)

More next week...

May your imagination light your way,

~xo~StacyLynn a.k.a. AllAmrcnWldFlwr [Flower]