~WINNERS! Are You Ready?~

::The Winners::

Thank you all so much for participating in "From Under My Little Umbrella's" three giveaways. I am excited as you are to see who the winners are, today! Also, a HUGE thank you to my sponsors, smilesophie and alongfortheride.

Ready, girls? On the count of three, okay? ;) ONE. TWO. THREE.

"Thank you!!!"

Now. Here they are, chosen *quite* fairly via random.org.

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For this lovely necklace from smilesophie:



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The Beeson Girls!

{Congratulations, ladies--comment #70! I don't know which of you entered this giveaway, but..yay!}

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For the super cute peony hair pin from alongfortheride:

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Abby!

{Congrats Abby--comment #43, from "Follow God Everyday!"}

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And, for the beautiful rosette earrings also from alongfortheride:

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Mary!

{Congratulations, Mary--comment #60! Your profile is unavailable to me, sadly, so no link!}

And that about wraps everything up. :)

And, Winners:

Please send your address and full names to me at

lmmorud@gmail.com

BEFORE February 28th, or I will have to draw another winner for your prize. :(

~*~

Blessings! And to those who didn't win--check back soon, because more giveaways are comin' your way! ;)

~*~

~Tasteful Sidebar Graphics~

Here are some sidebar graphics I made, out of lovely pictures found...I had fun pairing the words with fitting photos! Feel free to take any/all that you want, at your leisure! Please let me know in a comment to this post, though, which ones you take. Also, my giveaways end tomorrow--hurry and enter this one and this one! :)

<br /><center><a href="http://www.one-beloved.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx292/arieltheauthoress/paige-palmer-umbrella-3.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />





<br /><center><a href="http://www.one-beloved.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx292/arieltheauthoress/tumblr_lh3h5qCLEz1qf429qo1_400_large.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />

<br /><center><a href="http://www.one-beloved.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx292/arieltheauthoress/tumblr_le1ihoeeHY1qbv4sdo1_500_large.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />

<br /><center><a href="http://www.one-beloved.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx292/arieltheauthoress/cupcake5.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />


<br /><center><a href="http://www.one-beloved.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx292/arieltheauthoress/pic_05.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />




<br /><center><a href="http://www.one-beloved.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx292/arieltheauthoress/28234_390575268347_103075038347_3967389_8358907_n_large.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />
 

<br /><center><a href="http://www.one-beloved.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx292/arieltheauthoress/picture-121.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />

When I Grow Up...

when i grow up,

"...I want to be a fairy princess."

Or so my five-year-old self said when inquiring relatives asked. Flitting through the trees, gathering flowers all the day long, srinkling pixie dust to make things right. Afterall, I'd heard it on "Barney and Friends" a dozen times over:

"You can be anything you want to be!"

...but then i changed my mind.

when i grow up,

"..I want to be a firefighter."

...Or so the ten-year-old tomboy within me thought, as I dreamed of heroism. What better life could there be? Saving lives, high adventure, slim escapes!

...but then i changed my mind.

when i grow up,

"...I want to be an actress."

Or so my thirteen-year-old self imagined as I disovered femininity and left {a few of} my tomboy ways behind. I mean--lights, camera, action! Glamour and glitz, what more could a girl want? 

...but then i changed my mind.  

when i grow up,

"...I want to be a mommy."

Or so I thought from the time I saw a small, living, breathing, precious human child for the first time at the age of four. I knew from that minute that no matter what other course I may take in life, this shall always be my utmost goal and priority, LORD willing.

...and i haven't changed my mind.

Along the way, who knows? Perhaps I shall be a wearer of many hats--writer, musician, cook, teacher..

..but all in due time.

~*~

"Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord."

{Psalm 27:14}

~*~

~What were some of your "when i grow up" dreams?~

A Slap in the Face?

{Via}

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well."

{ Matthew 5:38-40}

Today I just felt led to post on a subject that most bloggers don't post about. Not that it's forbidden or horrible or anything, I guess no one really thinks to start typing out a sermon, that's all! ;)

Don't worry, that's not where I'm heading. I was just thinking.

And thinking gets me to wanting to write it all down.

And writing it all down gets me to wanting to share it with the world.

..And what better way to 'share it with the world' than to blog it?

Have you ever been slapped? No, I don't mean literally slapped, as in a "right-in-your-face-stinging" slap..though that is a possiblity too.

Have you ever been slapped?

Brutally, sharply, nails-grating-across-a-chalk-board words that are thrown in your face and hit you like cold water. Or simply a cold attittude from someone whom you get the "hate" attitude from. A cold e-mail. A hurtful blog comment. A distant friend.

..It's no fun, is it? I have recieved my fair share of cold shoulders, or "slaps," and while I know what the Lord says to do when we are provoked, everything inside of me screams insults and "slaps" back. Some people are better at "slapping" than others, too, I've learned. Which makes things all the more precarious.

What to do, what to do? As children of God, we obviously should not respond to slaps and stings with more of the same. Here are a few things that help me to stay on the right track:

First and foremost, cry out to God.

He will honor your wish to follow His words, and will give you the strength you need! 

Count to ten.

Old news, I know. But really, it does help. It's amazing how much calmer you are ten seconds after you recieve a cool remark or open up a sharp e-mail than you would have been had you responded right at your first impulse.

Truly strive to "turn the other cheek."

It's easy to read these words, or think you are going to obey, but when you really stop to think about what it means, it hits you.  

Love unconditionally.

Maybe the slap wasn't really a slap. Or it was, but it was a bad day for someone. Forgive and forget, and never hold grudges. :)

 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

{Luke 6:28}

A Friendly Little Homey Update. :)

It's been awhile since I did one of those. Sorta sad, isn't it? I mean, a blog is pretty much supposed to be a little collection of snippets about daily life...but, we've gotten off track here for a little while. Seems like it's all just been giveaways, giveaways, events...I know ya'll don't mind the "giveaways" part, ;) but we're going to get back on focus here, now. I promise!

Anyways...let me fill you in on the little snippets of everyday life. :)

It was my sister Olivia's 18th birthday in January. :) We went up to a nearby mountain (yes, we live only an hour away from the mountains! Die of envy, desert peoples..;) to go skiing. We have really gotten into skiing over the past two years, and this year even went and bought a little pass that was on discount. We have gotten a group of friends to go up, too--though, our family are the only ones that ski; the others snowboard. I mean, c'mon, skiing?! Totally not cool, right?? ;) Hehe...

{Olivia with the mandolin she recieved for her birthday! :) }

{Some good friends who helped us celebrate}

{Olivia and her friend, Rachael, on the way to "the slopes!" Don't I look charming in the back..:P}

Also in January, we had the priviledge of getting to visit the S. family (Lynnae blogs here). They are such sweet friends that we have known for nearly our whole lives, :) but we only get to see them once a year! :(  We are determined to fix that, however..;)

{No, this isn't *everyone*...:) }

{Music, music, music everywhere!!}

..And then, a few weeks ago, we got a small group of girls together and went to a missions conference called "Mission ConneXion." One word: a-m-a-z-i-n-g. :) The thing was held at a church--all free, with tons of 'workshops' to go to on every subject imaginable. I learned so much, attending one on striving to reach out to unbelieving friends, one on family relationships, and so much more! We had fun together, too, and I met some other sweet young ladies! <3

{Rachael C., Shelbe J., and Olivia}

..So, yes! Pretty much the "bigger" events of the past months. And here are a few smallish things, in case you were interested:

~We are hoping to go skiing next week. Yay! 

~Shelbe's family just had their tenth baby, a boy named Mitch. <3

~I am keeping busy with school, running, piano.

~The homeschool choir I play for recently did a "concert" at a local nursing home.

~I am reading "Adam," by Ted DeKker..ooh. C'mon, I can do this! :I

~I wish I could do track..

~My regency dress is coming along; I have one of the puffed sleeves finished..*sigh*

~The ball is in two weeks. Sew, Lucia, sew! :I

~I have recieved a package in the mail every other day for the past week.

Ohh, the joys of giveaways! ;)

Anything exciting coming up for you in the next few days?

{Hey, that rhymed!}

*whisper*

Don't forget to enter my giveaway #1 and giveaway #2..

..And to the follower that just disappeared today: SHAME!! Hehe..just kidding. ;) Feel free to "disembark" anytime you like. But you have mortally wounded me...*sniff* =D

Blessings, Dearies! <3

~*~

Amo Antico Valore {Product Review}

i have fallen in love.
Amo.
L.O.V.E. 

..with little handmade books. :)

Antico Valore?

...yes, please.

..I was sent these adorable items from a lovely little shop in Italia {doesn't this fact alone make you faint?) to review:

italian script mini book earrings

red-checkered mini book earrings

..a book magnet, and a book pin!

~*~

Aren't they about the cutest, most creative things

you have ever seen?!

..simply a must for your librarian friend, best girl, or general bookworm, because: 

~The shipping is very quick.

~The owner is friendly.

~The products are handmade, of course, and have an authentic Italian quality.

~They are from Italy. :)

Head on over to Antico Valore now and take a little look-see.

You may find that you simply cannot resist!

P.S. (If indeed you find that these items are the perfect gift you were looking for {for yourself or otherwise}, please mention that you found the shop through Lucia. :)

~*~

::Thank you to Antico Valore for supplying this product to review!::

~"The Last Day" Giveaways!~

Girls, this has seriously been so much fun. I hope you have enjoyed the seven days heartsy thing as much as I have, and I can't believe it's already been a week!! We kicked off the week with a giveaway, and now I would like to finish up the fun by treating you to two more utterly dreamy divine things..

...this gorgeous "lariat circle necklace" from

smilesophie

..and this lovely peony ivory hair pin from

alongfortheride

~How to enter~

{Mandatory:}

*Visit both shops and tell me your favorite items from each!*

{Extra Entries:}

(1 entry for each thing, unless otherwise stated)

~Heart one/both of these shops

{1 entry for each shop you heart}

~Follow my blog publicly via Google Reader

{if you already are a follower, that counts, too!}

~Post my blog button or blog link on your sidebar

{if you have alreaady done so, that counts, too!}

~Add one/both of these owners to your Etsy circle

{1 entry for each owner you add}

~Blog, tweet, or facebook about this giveaway

{1 entry for each thing you do}

~Buy something from one of these shops

{30 entries for each item you buy}

~*~

*Leave seperate comments for each entry point*

*This giveaway ends on February 25th, 2011*

*This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents* :(

~Don't forget to enter my Day Two Giveaway!~

..Blessings, ladies! And an update on the gorgeous rose earrings giveaway~~I have changed the ending date to the 25th of February. Hurry and enter!

"The Seven Days of Valentine's:" {St. Valentine's Day..}

St. Valentine's Day

by Edgar A. Guest

Let loose the sails of love and let them fill

With breezes sweet with tenderness to-day;

Scorn not the praises youthful lovers say;

Romance is old, but it is lovely still.

Not he who shows his love deserves the jeer,

But he who speaks not what she longs to hear.

There is no shame in love’s devoted speech ;

Man need not blush his tenderness to show;

‘Tis shame to love and never let her know,

To keep his heart forever out of reach.

Not he the fool who lets his love go on,

But he who spurns it when his love is won.

Men proudly vaunt their love of gold and fame,

High station and accomplishments of skill,

Yet of life’s greatest conquest they are still,

And deem it weakness, or an act of shame, ‘

To seem to place high value on the love

Which first of all they should be proudest of.

Let loose the sails of love and let them take

The tender breezes till the day be spent;

Only the fool chokes out life’s sentiment.

She is a prize too lovely to forsake.

Be not ashamed to send your valentine;

She has your love, but needs its outward sign.

~*~

"The Seven Days of Valentine's:" {The Flower of Love..}

My Dear Readers,

I apologise for the lateness of today..I was playing the piano/singing a few songs for a funeral..and the rest of the day has been busy with Biology experiments and the like; thus the postponing. :P

~Don't forget to enter the Etsy sponsored giveaway posted yesterday for Day Three--and keep on the look-out for another day along those lines! ;)

As the rose is the signature bloom for Valentine's Day, here are some fun facts which you may or may not have known about the "flower of love.."

The Seven Days of Valentine's: Day Four
"The Flower of Love.."




Long a symbol of love and passion, the ancient Greeks and Romans associated roses with Aphrodite and Venus, goddesses of love. Used for hundreds of years to convey messages without words, they also represent confidentiality. In fact, the Latin expression "sub rosa"(literally, "under the rose") means something told in secret, and in ancient Rome, a wild rose was placed on the door to a room where confidential matters were being discussed.





Each color offers a distinct meaning: red, the lover’s rose, signifies enduring passion; white, humility and innocence; yellow, expressing friendship and joy; pink, gratitude, appreciation and admiration; orange, enthusiasm and desire; white lilac and purple roses represent enchantment and love at first sight. The number of stems in a rose bouquet can also express specific sentiments.


{Via}


The June birth flower and the 15th wedding anniversary flower, roses are also the national flower of the United States and the state flower of Georgia, Iowa, New York, North Dakota and the District of Columbia. And, not surprisingly, June – the month so often associated with weddings – is National Rose Month.

{Information found here}

"The Seven Days of Valentine's:" ~Where Etsy Steps in!~ {+ Giveaway!!}

My Dear Readers,

'Tis the long awaited day at last! The time when the "Etsy" part of my title at last begins to come into play..yes, that's right, ladies:

The Seven Days of Valentine's: Day Three

{Interview with Miss Laura of the Etsy shoppe, "Along For the Ride!"}

Lucia:  Hello, Miss Laura! Thank you so much, once more, for taking the time to answer these questions, *and* for donating such a lovely item for the giveaway. :) Would you tell us a bit about what got you into Etsy, and how long you've been there?

When I started my blog, I got introduced to the handmade community. I had been making jewelry for quite a while, but can only wear so much of it myself! I decided to start my Etsy shop as a way to share my love for jewelry and accessories with others. I've been actively selling items since the summer.


{Some of the items available in her shoppe are these gorgeouse peony hair pins..}
::Buy this now::

Lucia: What sorts of things do you *most* enjoy making, for your shop, or otherwise?

My favorite thing to make is beaded jewelry. I love turning seemingly separate things (beads, wire, chain) into something beautiful.


{Darlingly vintage rosette necklaces!}
::Buy this one now::

Lucia: Where do you see yourself and your shop in five years?

Oh gosh, in 5 years I hope to be a mommy. I want nothing more than to raise a family with my husband. As far as my shop, I hope I'm still creating and sharing my work with others. Hopefully my shop will only continue to grow.


{Lovely rosette earrings..I love these little guys!!}
::Buy this pair now::

Lucia: Awwe..isn't that great, girls? <3 Laura, for the present, is there another area of creativity that you would someday like to make into a shop, as well?

I'm slowly but surely working on my sewing skills. I hope to feature more hand sewn items soon!

~*~

..Thank you so much for your time, Laura! Your shop is simply dee-lightful {isn't it??}! And now..because Miss Laura is also very sweet, :) she has agreed to sponsor a giveaway for my little heartsy event!:

..No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. ;) This exquisite pair of baby blue rosette earrings might be your's next week! Aren't they so adorable and perfectly shabby chic? I would love to adorn my ears with such prettiness..when I get around to getting them pierced, that is..

L.O.V.E.

..And here's how you can get your hands on a chance of this little bit o' "love:" :)

~*~

{Mandatory Entry:}

**You must leave seperate comments for each entry point!**

Visit Laura's shop and tell me what your favorite item is,

&

Tell me your absolute favorite kind of rose!

~*~

{Extra Entries:}

~Follow my blog publicly via Google Reader

(2 entries)

~"Heart" Laura's shop,

&

Add her to your Etsy "circle"

~Follow Laura's blog publicly via Google Reader

(2 entries)

~Add my blog link or button to your sidebar

(1 entry)

~Add Laura's blog link or Etsy shop link to your sidebar

(2 entries)

~Post about this giveaway and the "Seven Days of Valentine's!"

(3 entries)

~Purchase something from Laura's shop

(30 entries)

~*~

{Notes:}

~I will use http://www.random.org/ to draw the winner on

February 25th, 2011

{I will announce the name later that day}

~If the winner fails to respond within 48 hrs. of the announcement, another number will be drawn.

~This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents :(

The 7 Days of V-Day: "Scandinavian Hearts"

My Dear Readers,

Happy {early} Valentine's Day!!

..Are you ready for some fun? I sure am-- and these next seven days are going to be chock-full of it! We have at least two giveaways that will be coming to focus soon, too { followers only!}, so stay tuned!

{Note on button}:

A few of you were having troubles with the button..I'm sorry about that! So, because of a few technical difficulties, :) just copy and paste the picture, upload it to your sidebar, then add my blog link to it.

~Let's get started!~

The Seven Days of Valentine's: DAY ONE

"Scandinavian Folded Heart Baskets {Tutorial}"

~Time: 20-30 minutes~

..My family is full Scandinavian. We are always looking for more "native" things to do that reflect our heritage, and here is a craft that we make every year around Valentine's Day! They can be filled with candy, or {once you get good} made mini and glued on bobby pins for *cute* accessories. 

~*~

This tutorial was found at http://www.oncewed.com/. All photos and wording are not my own, to be fully credited to "Once Wed".  

 

Supplies: Pretty paper, Bone Folder, Ruler, Pencil, Scissors and Double Stick Tape. You will also need some cardstock for the template.

1. Estimate the size of the heart you will make by folding your papers in half.

2. Create a template for your heart by drawing a square and adding an oval arch at the top. This is one half of the heart. Make sure it fits your paper.

3. Trace the template onto each of two papers with the flat end along on the fold and cut out. Mark one side A and the other B lightly in pencil (you’ll want to erase them later).

4. Put the two shapes together to form a heart and note where they overlap. Then cut two evenly spaced slits into each shape just past the mark (it makes the weaving a little bit easier to cut past the mark).

5. Now you are ready to weave the shapes together to form the heart.

Start with the two halves still folded with the point of the heart towards you.

• Thread the first strip of A through the inside first strip of B

• Thread the second strip of B through the first strip of A.

• Thread the first strip of A through the third strip of B

Alternate this process for the other strips to complete the weaving. It’s helpful to “pop” open the strips in order to thread through. Your heart should open and form a little basket. If it doesn’t try again. It can be tricky but once you get it you won’t forget.

6. All that is left is to cute the handle {if you want one}! Fold and tape into place.

..I hope you will enjoy this little craft! They are great to make small and glue on cards, too! :) Thus concludes day one of our event!

INTRODUCING~~"The Seven Days of {Etsy} Valentines!"

My Dear Readers,

You may have heard a whisper of "The Seven Days of Valentines" event already, but if this is new to you, let me explain:

~I am very excited to announce my newest project for this week! In honor of one of my favorite holidays, "Valentine's Day," I am hosting a little event that will run from tomorrow {the ninth} to the sixteenth of February. It will be seven days of pure heartsy, Etsy fun, with tutorials, interviews, and giveaways *galore!*

~If you are planning on participating, please help me spread the word by posting this button somewhere on your blog [be sure to click the "shrink button," or it will be big!]:

{Just copy and paste into a picture-thing on your sidebar, with my blog link:}

http://www.one-beloved.blogspot.com/

 ..Day one begins tomorrow, bright and early! I hope to see you there..and one note: my dear followers get extra fun! ;) ::ALSO:: ..My dear friend Miss Grace B. wrote a book review recently. She asked me to inquire wether some of you would take the time to read it, and rate it! She is hoping for as many rates as possible, because she is in a contest for "the most rates for book reviews!" Please do her this favor~~I promise, it only takes a minute! :) ~*~