Embracing My Spiritual Gifts

So recently I attended a six week program at my church (Life Church) called Chazown. "Everyone ends up somewhere. Few people end up somewhere on purpose."

It amazes me how God places, people, and events in your life in times that you really need them. I was recently (Well semi recently. Time is flying by...) let go from my job, and have been struggling with A. What I really want to be doing with my life and B. Just finding "career" jobs in general. I knew that Chazown was something not only that I wanted to attend, but honestly I really needed that guidance from my Provider because I was becoming discouraged and lost.

Each week we worked to finding what our Chazown was. What He created us to do- and one week we took a Spiritual Gifts Test. I felt like I knew what mine would be, but still it was reassuring to see it mapped out on paper. Now I am not sitting here saying that at age 24- I know what my calling is. I am young- situations change- but its a start right? I am interested in so many things that sometimes it hard to narrow down those interest into something I can physically work toward... What can I say... I'm a Dreamer!

My top gift was a match between Craftsmanship and Music. Second-Faith. Third-Hospitality. Fourth-Prayer. Fifth-Giving.

Anyways- My point here is, I know that being crafty and creating things. Styling. Fashion. Always have and always will be something I am interested in... But HOW AMAZING is it to know that these are things that God has instilled in me. It's something so simple, but when you really think about its just incredible. I sometimes struggle with the fact that careers in these fields are few and far between in Oklahoma- and the majority of them are far beyond my reach on my own. But I pray for the guidance and strength to keep on truckin' and really push for the things I want in my life.

I was inspired to put together a few collages of pictures of crafts and baking I have done within the past years...

So I have no idea what the future holds for me- but I do know that without my faith I would probably be freaking out. haha. Some days I have my breakdowns- but I just pull myself back together and get back to the grind. I want to thank all my friends and family who have been so incredibly supportive and encourage through this time- means more than you will ever know.

If you happen to read this- and have connections with people or know of positions that I may be interested in PLEASE PLEASE send me an email- FB me- Twitter me (Jshroppy)- call me... anything. I am open for suggestions!

Betty Who?

Betty WHO?

Betty SHROPPER...

(Get it?!? Betty Crocker... Betty SHROPPER) haha.

So it's been about 50 years since I posted last... why does this whole blog thing seem to come and go with me? Not really sure. Anyways. I must have been in a crazy baking crafty mood because this past week I baked quite a bit. This whole being unemployed thing gives me plenty of time to be crafty- so I thought I'll bake up some delicious Easter goodies for my mother's work. Sell them, make some extra cash ya know. Here is what I came up with...

So on the left are Rice Crispy treats on a stick- SUPER EASY to make. Pre-made treats- shove a stick in them- dip them in almond bark- use a fork (or pastry bag) to zig zag the opposite flavor chocolate over the top for a little something extra. Then add whatever you want. Here I added a fondant Easter egg- but you could always just by the pre-made sugar shapes and use those. Or leave them plain- WHATEVER YOU PLEASE!!

On the right- I did three different cupcake designs. Chocolate cupcake with Chocolate icing- Looks like a bunny's bottom (He is diggin in the ground) I made bunny feet out of melted chocolate. Melt- pour in pastry bag- and free hand it really... (Be VERY CAREFUL- when you place it in the bag VERY VERY HOT haha.) And top it off with a bunny tail- and a flower stick :) The next is Vanilla cake with Vanilla icing- around the edges is baked coconut made to look like a nest- then add piped birdies in the center! Added a little Happy Easter sign just for cuties! haha- Last I did a Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese icing. Added crushed graham crackers around the edges for flavor and texture. On top- used colored buttercream to make carrots.

THEY WERE SOOOOO DELICIOUS! - Made $107.50 off my treats- and the leftover ones I took the the Ronald McDonald house downtown OKC. The kids were so excited. What a great feeling- love helping those who are less fortunate.

Spreading love- Making this world a better place- ONE CUPCAKE AT A TIME!

Anyways below are a few other desserts I helped with. The bestie Jackson wanted some treats to take to her family get together. Of course I helped!

Hope you all enjoyed the holiday as much as I did! Such an amazing day of celebration of our RISEN KING!! Try out some of these treat ideas on your own- take pictures, and send them to me! I'd love to see :)

I hope I inspired you to put on your aprons and find that Betty Who inside of you!

Homemade Holiday

Yes- Christmas has already come and gone... I know. BUT!- I still wanted to show everyone my homemade decor. Maybe inspire someone to try it out on their own! This Christmas, my roommate decided to go half way across the world- so I decided to keep my spirit's up I would decorate for the holiday anyways. Who cares that I may be the only one to enjoy it... the crafty girl inside me couldn't resist.

I wanted to come up with something different- a non traditional way to decorate- but also wanted it to flow well with our home decor already. Some of you may already know this, but we have a entire wall in our living room with a HUGE world map on it. So.... what comes to mind???? Christmas Around the World! OF COURSE!

To start off I did garland across the entryway to the hall. I purchased plain garland and added green beaded grapes, a few ball ornaments, a red hydrangea, green ribbon with a gold accent, and two red bows on each end. Next I made a long garland piece with the same items as the other plus two gold bows and some Christmas lights for over the breakfast bar!

On the fire place I added the same garland piece just smaller. I chose these three stockings because its always good to mix colors, textures, and prints. As long as they compliment each other.

Now here are some pictures that I put together myself, to go along with the Christmas Around the World theme. I purchased the frames at a local thrift store. Next I googled a few different travel Christmas pictures and found a few I loved! Also added a traditional Santa in the circle ornate frame- very festive! Here I added in two red hydrangea into vases that we had already have in our home- placed it all onto a sheer material and added this adorable Santa- probably one of my favorite items I found!

We have a long table backed up against the couch- so here I added some modern Christmas trees that I made. I took a regular piece of poster board/ cut and wrapped it around on it's self until it made a tree shape. Then just picked out coordinating papers and trim to decorate each. The right picture- I have a metal mannequin dress form, in which I put my Grandma's fabulous fur coat on- My papa gave it to her when she was 16 years old! Its is so awesome! Anyways- I also placed a fur wrap around so I would have longer fur to clip my homemade Christmas vintage tags on! I just wanted something different- a way to pull together my travel vintage theme.

Now for the MAIN EVENT... ha ha The Christmas tree, and what better way to top it off than with a GLOBE! May seem cheesy to some- but I absolutely LOVED it! Found the Globe at Ross- in which Antarctica sadly had to be cut out to be able to fit it on the tree. ha ha. The tree skirt was made by yours truly. ME- of course! I loved both prints- one was busy so the ruffle I just chose a simple lime and cream swirl!

I purchased regular bulbs for trees- mostly to add fullness to it. Placed them all in closer to the center of the tree. I also had thicker cream ribbon tumbling down on the sides and the front. Then I added a few bought decorative ornaments- just a few I couldn't live without. The rest- again were made by me. I got travel paper- and vintage inspired stamps, stickers, and rub ons. I just came up with different ideas and made them come to life! In the picture below with the frame- it was as simple as finding a frame- and printing off different city names. London- Paris- New York... Just to add more emphasis to the travel theme.

Well everyone- That's it. Sorry for the long awaited update. The holidays are always hectic- and as you can tell I was busy crafting away! I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas with friends and family. I know I did. Next year during Christmas...I hope your inspired to Travel around the world. Well- NOT LITERALLY! ;)