Duct tape summer

First of all, I have to give a hearty thanks to my friend, Hannah, who introduced us to duct tape crafting at this summer's Bible Camp. At the camp, the kids made duct tape wallets such as the très chic one you see here ...

It was a labor-intensive craft for the workers, but oh-so-worth-it, as the kids loved it!

After Bible Camp, we came across this little book at our public library ...

(Stick It!: 99 DIY Duct Tape Projects)

... and she was off!

A few of the summer projects included more duct tape wallets: for Daddy on Father's Day, for Grandpa on his birthday (in Dallas Cowboy colors and with a fresh dollar bill tucked inside), and for her brother, just because.

There was a duct tape flower frenzy, with custom orders being taken for Daddy, Mommy, her brother, her BFF and of course, herself ...

Empty tissue boxes scored at a birthday party became treasure boxes (one for her and one for her BFF) ...


Beloved doll, Julie, received a much needed dresser for her clothing and accessories (at the foot of her fabulous canopy bed, which just so happens to be at the foot of my daughter's fabulous canopy bed) ...

(notice the divider to separate the compartments)

Somewhere floating around is a duct tape ring, which may never be found.

This little horse (found randomly in our sewing table and measuring 1-1/2" high by 1-3/4" long) now has a saddle, blanket, feed bag, and some sort of collar ...

(wearing the saddle and collar)

(wearing the blanket and feed bag)

And last, but not least, some duct tape flip flops (I got to help with these) ...

The girl just couldn't understand why (and was none too happy when) we would not allow her to wear the flip flops outside.

Have duct tape, will craft!

Love to share - locks and locks of it

Oh, this girl. Where did she get her heart? The girl who, when she gets some candy, immediately says, Can I share some with my brother? The girl who jumps at the opportunity to help. The girl who is always on the lookout for gifts for her BFF. The girl whose primary joy is to make things that she can bestow as gifts upon others.

My giving girl.

Most of all, she gives love and I am always awed and grateful for it. I don't deserve it. But I receive it and it makes me yearn for a heart like hers. Just the other night at bedtime she took my face in her two soft little hands and planted a ring of sweet kisses from my chin up around my cheek to my forehead and back down the other side and ending on the tip of my nose. She has no idea what a quiet ecstasy it is, to be the recipient of her gift of love. But I know.

So it is no surprise that as her hair grew heavy and summer fast approached and talk turned to a short summer do, her first thought was, Who can I share this with?


If you have a like-minded little girl, or you yourself are in need of a style update, please consider donating to Locks of Love. Your donation will help provide hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. My daughter was thrilled when she received her thank-you card in the mail from the Locks of Love organization.

The hair grows back and the heart grows bigger.