TADEO TURTLE by Janis Cox

Posted on February 6, 2013 by JanisCox

Tadeo Turtle by Janis Cox

Tadeo (TAHD-ay-OH) longs to be different. Through an exciting adventure, find out how Tadeo learns to accepthow God created him.

For more information please go to:

All About Tadeo Turtle

Posted in book | Tagged , | 21 Comments

CRAFTING SATURDAYS – Stuffed Tadeo Turtle

Posted on May 18, 2013 by JanisCox

Crafting Saturdays – Stuffed Tadeo Turtle

Stuffed Tadeo Turtle

I have been busy making stuffed Tadeos to take to a conference next weekend. I thought you might be interested to see how I make them. I am not a seamstress. I learned to sew in Home Economics a long time ago and have sewn some things during the years. (Maternity clothes, Hallowe’en outfits, pyjamas, and doll clothes). Other than that my sewing is repair jobs, which my husband says takes a long time to happen.

Here are the instructions:
Pattern TAdeo Turtle

 

Tadeo Turtle Pattern

1. Cut out the pieces using these patterns.

Shell pieces

2. Here are 2 of the pieces for the shell. You will need 4 all together.

Shell pieces pinned.3. Pin the pieces together and sew (about 1/4 inch seam). Do that to both sides of the shell.

sewing shell together - tAdeo Turtle

4. Put both sides together and sew along the top edge. You will now have the top to the turtle shell.

all pieces sewn together

 

5. Now continue to sew the feet, the head and the tail, by putting the pieces right side together. This is all the pieces ready to turn right side out.

Here are all the pieces for Tadeo Turtle

6. Make sure you turn all the pieces right side out. Of course the head is missing. Then stuff them with cotton batting.

Pin the pieces together.6. Leave out the head. Pin all the appendages inside the shell. Right sides together with the top and bottom shell. Sew 1/4 inch around the whole turtle but leave room for where the head will go. You can now start the birthing process.

Tadeo Turtle - out come the legs

 

7. The first out will be the front feet, then the back feet, then the tail. Take it slowly and be gentle.

the birth of Tadeo Turtle8. Almost born. Continue to pull.

Birth with no head.9. Here is the turtle right side out without his head. See the spot left for you to stuff and put the head.

Add the head

10. Stuff the turtle and place head in the hole.

Sew head in place

 

11. Now sew the head in place. It was hard to hold and take this picture. I also turn the head around and fold it back and sew it again to get it to stand up right.

Finished Stuffed Tadeo Turtle12. Another Stuffed Tadeo Turtle. Next week I will show you the bale of turtles I have created.

Please check out more about the book Tadeo Turtle on Tadeo’s Page. You will find more activities at the back of my book. And a 24 page curriculum is available if you ask.

Tadeo Turtle by Janis Cox

 

I link to:

We Made That

HappyandBlessedHome.com

 

BowDabra Blog

I Choose Joy!
Virtual Refridgerator

 

Sugar Aunts

Sharing Saturday Button

Posted in book, Crafts, Kids | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY – Song

Posted on May 17, 2013 by JanisCox

Five Minute Friday – Song

On Fridays I link to Lisa Jo Baker and take only 5 minute to write a post. Great for making me to sit and write with total freedom. Here goes:

Song

Song

I think it is wonderful that I know so many worship songs now. Over the past 10 years since I came to really know Jesus and attended a church with the new music I feel closer to knowing the Bible through music.

When I read a passage in the Bible – particularly a Psalm – I immediately say – oh I know that from this song. I have music notes throughout my Bible to tell me that I knew that Scripture through music.

As a child I learned the Lord’s Prayer through music (and rote). But I love singing it. And the Lord’s My Shepherd.

One of the first Bible verse I learned (except those as a child) was Trust in the Lord with All your Heart. It happened when I helped lead my first VBS (Vacation Bible School). I loved it. Then John 3:16 in song.

Music makes words come alive to me. I remember my sister and I talking – then all of a sudden one word would hit us and we would start to sing. We still do that when we are together.

Time’s up – But I do love music. And I learn from it, too.

Here are the words to Shout to the Lord: based on Psalm 92:4.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand,
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

YouTube Preview Image

Here is Chris Tomlin singing Shout to the Lord.

What do you think of when you hear the word “SONG”?

Have a great weekend,

Blessings,

Janis

Linking in with Lisa-Jo Baker and Five Minute Fridays.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}
3. Go leave some comment props for the five minute artist who linked up before you {and if you love us, consider turning off word verification for the day to make it easier for folks to say howdy}

It’s a great way to catch your breath at the end of a long week.

Posted in Five Minute Fridays, Following Jesus, Jesus | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

WEDNESDAY’S WORD – Worship

Posted on May 14, 2013 by JanisCox

Wednesday’s Word – Worship

Worship by Janis Cox

Watercolour Painting by Janis Cox

Sunday was Ascension Sunday – and we heard a great sermon called “Home Again”. Some of the truths I learned about worship:

      • worship is not just singing to God
      • worship is exercising your spirit (your mind and feelings can be part of this)
      • one of the keys to spiritual power is worship
      • to exercise our spirits we need to work at it – it is like a muscle that needs to be stretched and toned
      • when we sing we need to listen and appreciate the words we are singing
      • we exist to tap into the power of the risen Christ
      • if Jesus is home again, then we are at home with Him
      • the age to study the Bible is now
      • Jesus is at home now preparing a place for us. 

That last one struck home as that is the first piece of Scripture I memorized as a child at a Bible camp:

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:1-6, KJV).

As I worship – whether in prayer, in singing, in walking outside – every way I worship I am working at being aware of God, thanking Him and coming into His Presence.

W.O.R.S.H.I.P.

Willingly Offering Reverence Showing Him Intentional Praise

“Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – This is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1, NIV).

This week let’s try to exercise our spiritual muscle. (tweet this)

Each Wednesday we hold a Wednesday’s Word Community. Please check the rules of Wednesday’s Word if you are here for the first time. Feel free to add your link below about God’s Word. And we all love comments.

May you look at worship in a different way this week.

After you link please go to the blog that is in front of you and comment on their site. Words of encouragement mean so much to each of us. If you have time visit more of the writers.
Linking on Wednesdays to:

PROWESS AND PEARLS DEVOTIONALS BY MICHELL PULLIAM
Pin It



Posted in Jesus, Walk With Him Wednesady, Wednesday's Word | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

CAN I JOY DARE YOU? Week 19

Posted on May 12, 2013 by JanisCox

Can I Joy Dare You? Week 19

Can-I-Dare-You-

Butterfly Batik Watercolour by Janis Cox

Don’t forget to follow me by my RSS Feed; Twitter; Facebook; or Pinterest.

As I continue to count the gifts I feel like I have been on a scavenger hunt seeking new things. A wonderful week searching and looking. Thanks so much to Ann Voskamp for leading this journey.

I have opened a LINKY for one month. If you count the gifts of God I would welcome you to link to this post. I would love to visit each one of your blogs.

May 6 ~ 3 gifts found in Christ

    • caring people at Women’s Day Together meeting – prayer – Women of Christ
    • caring people at Highlands Pregnancy Care Appreciation Dinner – men and women of Christ
    • I read through Acts 18-20: Paul uses reasoning, persuading, and discussions

May 7 ~ 3 gifts about your home

    • funny that today was the day for sorting and throwing out. My hubby always says, “Junk expands to fill the space available”. So I am dejunking because we have the gift of space
    • a porch where I can sit in the shade and the black flies have not found me yet
View from Back Porch

View from my back porch

    • a place to write, to paint, to eat, to sit and sleep and lots of space when family visits

May 8 ~ 3 gifts inside a closet

    • storage for art, sewing, paper
    • place for my clothes
    • finding things inside my closets to gift, recycle, give away or toss out

May 9 ~ 3 gifts found in the dark

    • the night sky in the Highlands – expansive, bright stars and the moon
    • deep deep sleep – love our dark room and living in the country – no city lights
    • shutting my eyes to pray, to focus

May 10 ~ a gift outside, inside and upside down

    • outside: walking around and see the blossoms of spring (we are slower up here in the Highlands) and the welcome spring rain

Blossoms

    • inside: working inside my newly organized den/art room (thanks to my daughter)
My New Printer table

Great find at the Reuse Centre – $10 for printer table

    • upside down: I watched a friend paint and she kept turning her painting upside down

May 11 ~ 3 gifts about your parents

    • remembering them on their knees beside their bed every night in prayer
    • they were always there when needed; nurturing with food, encouragement, fun and faith
    • knowing that both Mom and Dad are together again in heaven, dancing as they always loved to do
Mom and Dad Marriage 46

Mom and Dad married 1946

May 12 ~ 3 gifts held in hand today

      • a bar of soap for my morning shower – we take this for granted
      • a Hymn book and singing Rejoice the Lord is King
      • a Taco for Mother’s Day – one of my favourite dishes (easy, quick and delicious)

Please make sure that you only link if you are counting the gifts of God. I will take down other links. We are trying to connect with those who are writing about the gifts.

Thanks to the following blogs that I link to :

Multitudes on Mondays

GraceLaced Mondays

Beauty in His Grip Button
 



Posted in Counting Gifts, Following Jesus, JOY DARE, Life | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

SUNDAY STILLNESS – Pause

Posted on May 11, 2013 by JanisCox

Sunday Stillness – Pause

P.A.U.S.E.

 

A week in perspective – I see the times that I had energy and when I lagged. When I learned to lean on God – and ask for energy – I blossomed. When I pushed through in my own strength – I sagged.

Day 2 in Session 3 of Margaret Feinberg’s Bible Study based on Wonderstruck – is called “The Pause Awakens us to God”. I had an amazing morning reading and working through this session.

I developed this acronym to remind me to take that Pause-

Put Aside Until Spirit Energizes.

Here are a two questions you can ask yourselves:

  1. How does lack of rest make you dull to the things of God?
  2. What temptations are you more prone to give in to when you haven’t gotten enough rest?

“By taking time – even if only a portion of a day – to stop working and rest, I’m reminded that God holds all things together” (Wonderstruck Bible Study, Margaret Feinberg). [Tweet this]

Jesus tells us to take time to be with Him and rest – to be refreshed in the Spirit.

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31, NIV).

What is stopping you? Is there any reason for you not to take 3 minutes – right now and seek His Presence?

PAUSE.

Join us in providing your link about what God has spoken to you about this week.

Today is Sunday Stillness – Do you have a Scripture that spoke to you this week? Please link below. If you post to Twitter use #sundaystillness and @authorjaniscox.

Feel free to pin the picture. Follow me at AuthorJanisCox on Pinterest.

I would love it if you would subscribe to my blog. See the sidebar to enter your email address.

Read the Sunday Stillness rules if you are new here.

I would appreciate if you would link only about God’s Word. If you have a linky party that’s okay if it is about the same thing. Please no sales or prizes. I want this to be friendly but I must ask you to abide by the rules. Others want to read God’s Word – and that is what I would like the links to be about. I must take down the links that don’t follow the rules. Thanks so much.

JOIN THE SUNDAY STILLNESS COMMUNITY – 
READ OTHER POSTS AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.

Please check out all the places I link to during the week. Thanks to everyone who has joined Sunday Stillness. I do try to get to your posts every week but I admit sometimes I don’t have the time.

Here are my favourite links for Sunday Stillness:

The Sunday Community

Still Saturday

Scripture and Snapshot

The Weekend Brew

Posted in Following Jesus, Life, Sunday Stillness | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

CRAFTING SATURDAYS – Felt Board Tadeo Turtle

Posted on May 10, 2013 by JanisCox

Crafting Saturdays – Felt Board Tadeo Turtle

I am getting ready for a Homeschool conference in 2 weeks.

I am making stuffed Tadeo Turtles which I will be giving instructions for soon.

I hope to have a bale of them for the conference.

Stuffed Tadeo Turtle - Janis CoxBut for today I am going to show you how to make a turtle scene using felt board. You can make any scene you want, then move around the characters and items. But today Tadeo is going to show his story.

Supplies:

      • Felt – in different colours:
      • brown, light blue, dark blue, green, purple, white, black
      • card board (I used a cereal box)
      • glue
      • scissors
      • cardboard pattern

Instructions:

Cut the felt to match the size of your cardboard. I used the light blue for my background but you can use whatever colour you wish.

Cut out the other pieces using the PDF file Felt Tadeo Turtle, see below; or draw your own. You could print this PDF onto photo copy (or stock paper for easier handling). Then trace the patterns onto the felt. Cut out the pieces.

Felt Board Tadeo Turtle

Glue the shapes to the turtle’s back. Glue the eye to the turtle. You could use a googly eye instead. Leave the other shapes free to move.

Felt Board Tadeo Turtle

Now make the scene. You can hide Tadeo behind the rocks, just like in the story.

Tadeo Peeking from behind the rocks

This craft is shown in my book Tadeo Turtle. Please check out more on Tadeo’s Page.

Tadeo Turtle by Janis Cox

Tadeo Turtle written and illustrated by Janis Cox

I link to:

We Made That

HappyandBlessedHome.com

 

BowDabra Blog

I Choose Joy!
Virtual Refridgerator

 

Sugar Aunts

Posted in book, Crafts, Writing | 9 Comments

FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY – Comfort

Posted on May 10, 2013 by JanisCox

Five Minute Friday – Comfort

On Fridays I link to Lisa Jo Baker and take only 5 minute to write a post. Great for making me to sit and write with total freedom. Here goes:

COMFORT

comfort

As I listen to the rain teeming down I am filled with a sense of peace. We had a long dry spell which helped the flooded victims in Minden. However, it became so dry that we needed rain because of the possibility of forest fires. So now it rains. Just in time. Wonderful.

To me comfort is peace in every situation. And I am learning to do this. If I stay focused on the One who created me I can always bring that to mind – no matter what situation I am in. What a great comfort that is.

Now cozy comfort is sitting with a blanket and a good book, usually the Bible or an historical Christian fiction and soaking up the peace that I find there.

Most of my favourite Bible verses are ones of comfort:

Do not fear – Philippians 4:6-8
Let God be my strength – Isaiah 40:31
Trust in the Lord – Proverbs 3:5
He gives me peace – Psalm 23

I find comfort in Praise music:

My Redeemer Lives
Blessed be Your Name

I find comfort in Hymns:

Be Thou my Vision
Blessed Assurance
Trust and Obey

So putting these all together I can feel comfort in every situation.

Time is up. What do you think of when you hear the word “COMFORT”?

Have a great weekend,

Blessings,

Janis

Linking in with Lisa-Jo Baker and Five Minute Fridays.

Time’s up. What do you think of when you think of the word COMFORT?

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}
3. Go leave some comment props for the five minute artist who linked up before you {and if you love us, consider turning off word verification for the day to make it easier for folks to say howdy}

It’s a great way to catch your breath at the end of a long week.

 

Posted in Five Minute Fridays, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

WEDNESDAY’S WORD – Stillness

Posted on May 7, 2013 by JanisCox

Wednesday’s Word – Stillness

“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15, NLT).

Stillness Isaiah 30:15

Oh has God been giving me this message this week. And He has been telling me to enjoy – and live. When I went to visit my daughter this weekend I forgot my computer (was that a God-incident?) and so I did without. Hurrah. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

I am leading a Bible Study through Margaret Feinberg’s, Wonderstruck. Today I had the pleasure of reading the lesson on the back porch. How delightful! Under our canopy the weather was perfect, the trees beautiful and the stillness compelling.

I kept saying
- “In the quiet, in the stillness I know that You are God.” (tweet this)

Those words kept repeating themselves and then I knew it was from a Hillsong praise song called None But Jesus.

Here is it for you to enjoy.

YouTube Preview Image

Each Wednesday we hold a Wednesday’s Word Community. Please check the rules of Wednesday’s Word if you are here for the first time. Feel free to add your link below about God’s Word. And we all love comments.

May you experience His Presence in the quiet and stillness of the coming week.

After you link please go to the blog that is in front of you and comment on their site. Words of encouragement mean so much to each of us. If you have time visit more of the writers.



Posted in Following Jesus, Life, Wednesday's Word | 10 Comments

CAN I JOY DARE YOU? Week 18

Posted on May 6, 2013 by JanisCox

Can I Joy Dare You? Week 18

Can-I-Dare-You-

 

Don’t forget to follow me by my RSS Feed; Twitter; Facebook; or Pinterest.

As I continue to count the gifts I feel like I have been on a scavenger hunt seeking new things. A wonderful week searching and looking. Thanks so much to Ann Voskamp for leading this journey.

April 29 ~ 3 gifts dirt

  • wiping dirt from Snowball’s feet (muddy outside)
  • the water drying up the mud (dirt) on our flooded lands in the county
  • our roads being cleaned of the winter’s dirt by the rains

April 30 ~ a gift given, a gift made, a gift sacrificed

  • a gift given: I bought a lovely little violet to give my daughter
  • a gift made: I made a blog post called Wednesday’s Word – ROCK
  • a gift sacrificed: my time to get things in order for the community association where I live (I am the secretary)

May 1 ~ 3 gifts tasted

  • my daughter had to fast for over 1 day so I asked her what she wanted to taste first – and she said a sub; then she changed her mind and we bought sushi
  • watching my grandson eat his breakfast and taste every food – bananas, cereal, peanut butter
  • having a pretend picnic on the front lawn and my grandson and I tasted each plastic food; then I picked a little flowering weed and he wanted to taste that too

May 2 ~ 3 gifts flat

  • my daughter and I played a great game called Carcassonne – They have expanded their game so they can play with many people but it also works with 2.

Flat

  • the ride back to the Highlands through very flat lands; I could see the changes in the flora as I drove across – the trees became taller, the ground started to have outcroppings of rocks; but these are pictures of the flat lands

flat

 

flat

May 3 ~ 3 gifts found in difficult people

I found this one difficult because I don’t meet too many difficult people

  • our air conditioning is broken on my new/used automobile (first time using the air); the used car dealership don’t think they will cover the repair; but they are going to try and see how bad it is and see if they can fix it
  • I remember always to look into the eyes of every one I meet and then I see Jesus
  • if I do have trouble with someone I have to ask, – is it them or me?

May 4 ~ 3 gifts before 9 am

  • a glorious cloudless day
  • my quiet time to sit, pray, think and listen
  • my body is still and I sense all the parts working – thank You, Lord

May 5 ~ a gift in a sign, a gift in a smile, a gifts in a snack

  • a gift in a sign: at a children’s art turtle show I saw a sign that said “save the turtles”. I think I will become involved in helping this group
  • a gift in a smile: my newest grandson’s first smile at me
  • a gift in a snack: munching carrots with my grandchildren

 

Posted in Counting Gifts, Jesus, JOY DARE | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

SUNDAY STILLNESS – Treasure

Posted on May 4, 2013 by JanisCox

Sunday Stillness – Treasure

2 Corinthians 4;7 POTS

Watercolour painted by Janis Cox 2013.

I really felt this Scripture this week as I am extremely tired but God kept giving me strength to push through. I know the power comes from Him.

The rest of the verse reads as follows:

 ”We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you (2 Corinthians 4:8-12, NIV).

So let’s live on in Him who gives us the strength, the patience, the kindness and the love.

Join us in providing your link about what God has spoken to you about this week.

Today is Sunday Stillness – Do you have a Scripture that spoke to you this week? Please link below. If you post to Twitter use #sundaystillness and @authorjaniscox.

Feel free to pin the picture. Follow me at AuthorJanisCox on Pinterest.

I would love it if you would subscribe to my blog. See the sidebar to enter your email address.

Read the Sunday Stillness rules if you are new here.

I would appreciate if you would link only about God’s Word. If you have a linky party that’s okay if it is about the same thing. Please no sales or prizes. I want this to be friendly but I must ask you to abide by the rules. Others want to read God’s Word – and that is what I would like the links to be about. I must take down the links that don’t follow the rules. Thanks so much.

JOIN THE SUNDAY STILLNESS COMMUNITY – 
READ OTHER POSTS AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.

Please check out all the places I link to during the week. Thanks to everyone who has joined Sunday Stillness.

 



Posted in Jesus, Life, Sunday Stillness | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments