Little T-shirt, Much Upcycling

We snipped, we cut, we pulled, we rolled, we glued – we made useful items out of what was used before: T-SHIRTS!

We Upcycled!

What is Upcycling?

"Upcylcing: the process of converting useless materials or products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value."

Kim began our event with devotions (see post below) and prayer time.

Is upcycling mentioned in the Bible? No, but Jesus takes our sinful lives and transforms them into something beautiful. Revelations 21:5 says, “I am making everything new!”
Maybe “upcycling” is mentioned in the Bible.
 




Gretchen and Judy demonstrated several ways to upcycle an old t-shirt into useful items.
Ladies were able to make at least one item. Several ladies made three or more items! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and several mentioned how easy it was!
Find helpful instructions in the “links” area of our blog.

Gretchen and Judy demonstrated several ways to upcycle a t-shirt

 

Selecting "material" t-shirt colors.

Cutting t-shirts into strips and pulling the strips to make fabric coils.

The tote bags required a few simple machine stitches.

Using a rotary cutter can make the cutting process go faster.
But, a scarp scissors can do the same thing.

A tote bag for her daughter

Her favorite worn out t-shirt saw new life in a
flower and necklace!
"I just couldn't throw out my favorite shirt.
Now I gave it new life!"

A necklace with flowers to go with her easter dress.
And, a ruffled scarf made from cutting circles out of her t-shirt.

Necklaces for her daughter and a creative use of colors

Friends chose white and shared laughs!

Trying to run off with mommy's creations!

 

Mark Your Calendars

Our last LIFT event of the year will be next month.

 

NEXT MONTH:

Wednesday, May 21

Little Ideas, Much Sharing

(Note time change)

At 10:00, we will meet at the park in McAlisterville.

Many of us preserve meat, veggies, fruits and/or herbs. 

Come share what foods you preserve and what methods work (or those that don’t work).

Some childcare workers will be there.

Please bring your own picnic lunch.

We Should Have a Spring In Our Step Because

Thank you Kim for sharing this devotional with us at our April LIFT event.

We Should Have A Spring In Our Step Because...

1. God Gives Us Wings To Fly.
We can be so complete in Christ. When we conform to His will, He has a wonderful way of taking our lives and molding them to do great things. As Christians we can have a wonderfully fulfilling life. We can accomplish so much with God's help.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

 

We Should Have A Spring In Our Step Because...

2. God Gives Us Food For Growth.
We are so blessed to have the holy and inherent Word of God to guide us and to make us grow. We can depend on it as a source of our strength. It gives us all the nourishment we need.

"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. " Jeremiah 15:16

We Should Have A Spring In Our Step Because...

3. God Gives Us A Song.
It's so amazing what wonderful joy the Lord gives to us as Christians. The strength that joy brings to our lives should make us walk with that spring in our step every day. Because of that joy, we should have a smile on our face and love in our hearts.

"...for the joy of the LORD is your strength. ." Nehemiah 8:10

 

We Should Have A Spring In Our Step Because...

4. God Gives Us All The Tools We Need.
Isn't it just wonderful how God gives us all the tools needed to live the Christian life? And He puts them right at our fingertips. Look at just prayer alone. My, how that is just one of the handiest tools we can reach for. There are so many things Christ gives us in our tool belt that it makes the Christian life exciting when we use those tools on a constant basis. What about the tools of faith and hope? It should make us have a spring in our step to use the things and tools Christ gives us to be strong Christians.

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. " 2 Timothy 2:15

 

We Should Have A Spring In Our Step Because...

5. God Gives Us His Presence In The Storms.
We're always going to have a few or sometimes a lot of rain clouds in our lives as Christians, but God is faithful. He is always with us and knows each cloud by name. He knows what each of us go through. That's just so reassuring and it should make us walk with that bounce.

"...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Hebrews 13:5,6

"and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. " Matthew 28:20

 

We Should Have A Spring In Our Step Because...

6. God Gives Us His Protection.
Don't you just love to have an umbrella handy on a rainy day? What comfort it should give us as Christians to know we have the umbrella of God's protection on our lives each day. To know He is there to call on and to leave our worries with should give us a boost as we go about our day.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." Psalm 91:1,2

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Psalm 91:11

 

We Should Have A Spring In Our Step Because...

7. God Gives Us His Creation.
What joy it should bring to us as Christians to realize that we know the Creator! God put the things on earth here for us to enjoy and to see His hand in. It ought to give us shivers on our spine to take in just a glimpse of the intricate workings of God's creations and the beauty of the earth.

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." Psalm 19:1-3

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

 

We Should Have A Spring In Our Step Because...

8. God Gives Us A Command.
It's got to make us just a little excited to know that we are the hope of the world. It is left to us to spread the seeds of the Gospel of Christ. Knowing this should make us walk with that air of spring about us. We have great news to share!

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

"...How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:15

Do I Have a Spring In My Step?

Upcycling t-shirts!

Some of the items you can make from a t-shirt include:
a tote bag, scarves, necklaces, flowers, and more!

Wednesday, April 16, 9:00am - 11:00am

Little T-Shirt, Much Up-Cycling

Come see how to make a simple purse, a necklace or a flower from a t-shirt. 

Please bring a sharp scissors and t-shirt to use for this craft- some extras will be available.

Free event and free childcare.

Homemade Soap at LIFT

Home-made soap was the topic of discussion and demonstration at the March 19 LIFT (Ladies In Fellowship Together) event held at Lost Creek Mennonite Church, near Oakland Mills. Jen Stimeling mixed and poured soap into molds while giving helpful instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We began our event with a devotional by Kim. She asked us,

 "What kind of soap are you (or maybe you're a mixture?)"

 

Liquid- a soap that's quick and ready to use

You are ready to witness on the spot. You have the love of Jesus flowing through your life. You are a light for Christ to those around you.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that^[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

 

 

Foaming- a soap that has foaming action

You have a bubbly personality. Perhaps this morning you are bubbling over with the joy of the Lord. You are joyful regardless of your circumstances. You laugh a lot and like to have fun.

"for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

 

Bar – a soap that gets the job done

You are happy with who you are and like to blend in with the crowd. You are a hard worker, but in a behind the scenes kind of way. You don't like to make a fuss or have people notice you.

The Proverbs 31 woman was the best example of a hard working woman in the Bible.

Scented – a soap that smells good

You smell good and have a great attitude. People like being around you because you are so sweet and pleasant. You reflect the sweetness of Christ in your life.

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15

 

Powdered – a soap that dissolves in water
Although difficult and painful at times, you desire Christ to melt into every part of your life so that you can become more like Him.

Jen had 10 different scents of soap for us to "test our sniffer"

^“ John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.  He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:27-30

Antibacterial – a soap that kills germs and bacteria

It is your desire to live a life pleasing to the Lord. You are prepared against sin by safeguarding your heart and don't allow it to creep into your life. When you do, you are quick to ask the Lord for forgiveness.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7,9

So which kind of soap are you?

 

Home-made soap was the topic of discussion and
demonstration at the March 19 LIFT

 

Jen Stimeling mixed and poured soap into molds
while giving helpful instructions.

Jen gave a copy of this recipe to each lady.

Congratulations to Ashten and Cheryl for your perfect sniffers in
the soap scent game!! (and thanks Jen for donating awesome prizes)
Congratualtions to Judy and Cara for being two of the five ladies
that were awarded free reflexology appointments (thank you
to Elkie Fultz for offering these free massages that we missed last month!)

 

 MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

 

The next LIFT event will be a Spring Craft on April 16, 9-11:00am.

 T-shirts will be upcyled into a simple tote, necklace, or flower.

Supplies and childcare provided for free.

 

I can't believe we are saying this again.

If the school district is on a 2 hour delay -
we will start at 10:30am

If the school district is canceled -
we will be canceled.

*Praying we can be together tomorrow!

Soap Making, March 19

Wednesday, March 19
9:00 am - Fellowship Time
9:30 am - Prayer and Devotions
10:00 am - Soap Making Demonstration by Jen Stemling, McAlisterville

Free to any lady, regardless of age or church affiliation
Free structured childcare in three age groups.

TOP 10 Reasons To Come To LIFT This Month:
10 – If your sniffer works, you would win the soap scent game and go home with Jen’s famous body butter and soap.
9 – Someone is bound to bring a delicious dish of food to share during the fellowship time! Yum!! Find some past recipes on our blog. 
8 – Although we had to cancel last month due to ice, one of the scheduled reflexologists will be giving away FIVE free reflexology sessions!!!
7 – An outlet to chat! What lady doesn’t like to chat? Come to catch up with friends, meet new ones, or just sit and listen J
6 – The LIFT recipe books will be given out – oh yeah!
5 – Free childcare! We love our childcare staff and how they provide a safe structured environment in three age groups.
4 – Rummage through the Sharing Table J
3 – Free Soap Making Demonstration. Where in Juniata County can you get that?
2 – Be Blessed & Encouraged! We all need that.
1- Everyone needs soap (face it – it will soon be spring and our kids WILL find mud)

LIFT Canceled

Since the county schools are closed, LIFT has been canceled today and it will not be rescheduled. I'm sorry. We are disappointed too.
Make sure you have March 19 marked on your calendars for Next Month's LIFT.

Here are some pictures of what it looked like: