Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Earlier this month, I became a great-aunt again, to a sweet little girl living up in the gentle hills of Tennessee. I wanted to make something for the wee little one, and decided to pull out my favorite pattern for a little girl's dress.
I used three different pink fabrics that I've had for years. I think two of them may have been purchased from Stampin Up! when they were selling a fabric line.
My favorite part of the dress is the cute little flower I created for the dress. The idea for this little flower came from my days as a Stampin Up! demo, and combines both sewing and the Big Shot die cutting machine.
Any die cut machine will do this, but I really love my Big Shot, as it requires no electricity, just a hand crank, and it works amazingly. It will cut just about anything that is thin enough to pass through, even tin!
I have this large scallop die cut that I believe is no longer sold through SU, and it is one I will always keep. It is so versatile and has so many uses. I simply cut the scallop out by passing it through the die machine 2-3 times to get a nice clean cut.
My next step could be done by hand, or by machine. I chose to do it by machine. I just sewed a smaller circle in loose stitches around the scallop edge.
Then I just gathered the stitches together until it "scrunched' up into a little flower shape.
A precious card inside told the story... my dear friend Cheryl who blogs at Homespun Devotions sent me this large collection of fabric, as she is currently downsizing, and reducing, and she wanted to bless me with all this fabric! She knew that I enjoy sewing, especially these little girl dresses, and wanted to bless me with this generous gift of lovely fabric pieces.
Oh the possibilities!
All the beautiful possibilities for different fabric combinations that she sent me! And I think I shall have some help with it all, although probably not the most productive kind of help.... {smiles}
Did you think I could have a post without our sweet little girl in it? LOL! No, I'm afraid not. She has made herself known in every part of our lives now, and when she saw me enjoying the fabric, she just had to see it too!
I think this one shall be a pillow.... let's try it out!
"No, you can't have it. It's mine now!"
"What... you mean I can't play tug-o-war with your pretties?"
"Hee hee hee... we shall see about that... "
Here we have Riley holding the turkeys hostage! They are not happy with her keeping them away from the feed block. They call out to me as I watch, begging me to do something, lol!
We are having just too much snow fun, enjoying it while it lasts!
My favorite part of the dress is the cute little flower I created for the dress. The idea for this little flower came from my days as a Stampin Up! demo, and combines both sewing and the Big Shot die cutting machine.
Any die cut machine will do this, but I really love my Big Shot, as it requires no electricity, just a hand crank, and it works amazingly. It will cut just about anything that is thin enough to pass through, even tin!
I have this large scallop die cut that I believe is no longer sold through SU, and it is one I will always keep. It is so versatile and has so many uses. I simply cut the scallop out by passing it through the die machine 2-3 times to get a nice clean cut.
My next step could be done by hand, or by machine. I chose to do it by machine. I just sewed a smaller circle in loose stitches around the scallop edge.
Then I just gathered the stitches together until it "scrunched' up into a little flower shape.
And lastly, the easiest part, and one which truly just adds a very special touch, I hand sewed a shabby fabric rose to the center of the scallop. You can buy these fabric roses at Hobby Lobby in the lace/ribbon section. It comes in a roll, and you just cut them off one at a time. I love these shabby roses, after being introduced to them by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose.
I also made a second scalloped shabby rose and finished off the back with a small cut piece of fabric, and glued on a little clip for the little one to wear in her hair if desired.
Now there is something very special about this little dress, that I have never had before when making them. Can you see the difference in the picture below?
I now own a serger!
A precious friend of mine called me back in October to tell me she had come up with the perfect surprise for Christmas for me. She gave me some clues, one of which included "you will have to go back to school", and "you will scream when you see what it is"... I was quite perplexed, and shared her clues with my family, and they all agreed with me, it was a puzzle and a surprise all in one.
This dear friend of mine is an immigrant from the Ukraine. Her daughter and my daughter became close friends in high school, and because of their friendship, we became friends too. It was a win-win! She has an amazing grasp of the English language, but still there is a bit of a language barrier there, and we often spend a lot of time laughing together, as we try to understand what each of us is trying to say. Sometimes we just use hand signals, or facial expressions to convey what we want to say. In other words, any time we get together, laughter and fun fill every moment of our time. She is a precious dear soul who is generous, fun and loving beyond words.
In her country, every time you go to someone's house you bear a gift, and so, her generosity each time we get together is a precious thing. I'm so thankful the Lord allowed our paths to cross. She doesn't believe in the Lord or that there even is a GOD in heaven, and we've had many conversations about that too. I feel great hope that someday she will learn to love HIM as I do, but for now, I just love her, and am so thankful for what her friendship means in our life.
So, I shared all that to tell you this... my dear sweet Ukranian friend and her daughter bought me this amazing serger for Christmas! She showed up at my house a few days before Christmas with this big box wrapped so prettily, and inside, was a present I could hardly believe. Did I scream? Yes, with delight!
And the clue about having to "go back to school", yes indeed, owning a serger has caused me to delve into videos and how-to's to learn just how to use this amazing machine. But thankfully, my dear friend T knows all about sewing machines and sergers, because she is a clothing designer, and has amazing skills with both the sewing machine and serger. She told me that after she saw my work making little girl dresses that I needed a serger, and she was going to make sure I had one! Such a huge generous heart she has, I feel overwhelmed by her sweet and generous spirit!
I'm so proud of her too! Just this week, on Monday, she became an American citizen! She studied hard for the citizenship test, and made 98%, passing with flying colors, an honor for her to become a citizen of this great country. She is the kind of immigrant that this country thrives on, one with a generous heart who is not afraid of working hard, and doing all she can to make the world a better place that she lives in. How blessed we are to have her in our lives!
Would you pray with me that the Lord would continue to work in her life? I have seen moments where her heart has been touched, and she has allowed me to pray with her many times, but there is something there, I'm sure having something to do with her past in the Ukraine, that keeps her from knowing HIM as Lord and Savior. She has asked me to pray with her many times, yet she says she does not believe in a god. So, I know it is just a matter of the Lord's time for her to know Him in a beautiful way! {smiles}
And speaking of the Lord's timing... as I was writing this post, the mailman came and dropped off a large package to me today! Blessings upon blessings!
As I opened the package, my heart was in complete amazement at the amazing generosity of another friend of mine!
A precious card inside told the story... my dear friend Cheryl who blogs at Homespun Devotions sent me this large collection of fabric, as she is currently downsizing, and reducing, and she wanted to bless me with all this fabric! She knew that I enjoy sewing, especially these little girl dresses, and wanted to bless me with this generous gift of lovely fabric pieces.
Oh the possibilities!
Did you think I could have a post without our sweet little girl in it? LOL! No, I'm afraid not. She has made herself known in every part of our lives now, and when she saw me enjoying the fabric, she just had to see it too!
I think this one shall be a pillow.... let's try it out!
"No, you can't have it. It's mine now!"
"What... you mean I can't play tug-o-war with your pretties?"
"Hee hee hee... we shall see about that... "
"Oh Grandmommy, it's so fun, please, let's play".... at which point the camera drops, and a certain fur ball is scooped into my arms and told no, she can't chew up my pretties! LOL. Riley and I both thank dear Cheryl for her generosity in sending me this delightful package today!
In other news, we are getting a snowstorm here today, and are expecting about a foot of snow today, and then rain tomorrow... ick! You know me, I love the snow so much, but the rain is going to mess it all up! So, we are enjoying the snow today, while it comes down so prettily.
Annie, has become comfortable in her role as "momma" to Riley, was watching over Riley, and enjoying the snow coming down too.
Here we have Riley holding the turkeys hostage! They are not happy with her keeping them away from the feed block. They call out to me as I watch, begging me to do something, lol!
We are having just too much snow fun, enjoying it while it lasts!
Have a blessed and lovely weekend,
from our snowy world to yours!
This past weekend, I went on a long stroll with Annie-girl. She and I spend wonderful times in the Lord together, and as we walk, I talk with the Lord. My heart is encouraged and refreshed as I look upward and around me.
Simple things bring me great joy. The sun was settling itself comfortably down for the night, and its gentle rays bathed my neighbor's horse in golden light.
Trails of fire splashed through the air as my sweet friend gazed once at me, and then went back to the business of grazing.
As the sun's rays feathered her in radiance, my heart rested in the beauty of her contentment.
The wide expanse of the skies above me, were once again the theater for the evening show.
Gentle fog rising in the valley as the warmth departed from the skies.
As the earth around me was being wrapped in the shadows of nightfall, I looked up, up, upward to the skies.
Up, above, and beyond the shadows of the world around me.
Ever pressing onward, the shadows around me darkening... yet the brilliance in the skies caused me to ever look up, and press onward.
At times the shadows around me were brightened with splashes of the last light from the skies.
My gaze was lifted upward, and my heart was stilled in the midst of the shadows.
And then... it happened... this! This was what I was waiting for, the grand finale in the theater of the skies. And I knew, yes I knew. The Master Painter and Creator... did it for me... and anyone who cared to lift their eyes and see. His glory spilled from His hand into the skies, and joy, sweet joy rested in me.
No, we cannot know what tomorrow holds, or the next day or the next... why, we can't even know what the next moment holds for us!
But we can trust in the ONE who does know it all.
And while the evening shadows fall around us, and storms do come with their fury...
And at times we wonder ..
Lord, do you care? Are you there? What will be of it all?
I tell you with calm assurance that our magnificent Lord who holds the world in the palm of His hand... has us gently in His great care.
The Lord has given me great peace and contentment in these days when division and fear seem to abound on every hand. Our Lord is in control, no matter what direction the world around us seems to be taking. So, my dear, dear friends... do not be discouraged, and do not fret.
Just look up... and you will know.
All is well.. In HIM!
Simple things bring me great joy. The sun was settling itself comfortably down for the night, and its gentle rays bathed my neighbor's horse in golden light.
Trails of fire splashed through the air as my sweet friend gazed once at me, and then went back to the business of grazing.
As the sun's rays feathered her in radiance, my heart rested in the beauty of her contentment.
The wide expanse of the skies above me, were once again the theater for the evening show.
Gentle fog rising in the valley as the warmth departed from the skies.
As the earth around me was being wrapped in the shadows of nightfall, I looked up, up, upward to the skies.
Up, above, and beyond the shadows of the world around me.
Ever pressing onward, the shadows around me darkening... yet the brilliance in the skies caused me to ever look up, and press onward.
At times the shadows around me were brightened with splashes of the last light from the skies.
My gaze was lifted upward, and my heart was stilled in the midst of the shadows.
And then... it happened... this! This was what I was waiting for, the grand finale in the theater of the skies. And I knew, yes I knew. The Master Painter and Creator... did it for me... and anyone who cared to lift their eyes and see. His glory spilled from His hand into the skies, and joy, sweet joy rested in me.
No, we cannot know what tomorrow holds, or the next day or the next... why, we can't even know what the next moment holds for us!
But we can trust in the ONE who does know it all.
And while the evening shadows fall around us, and storms do come with their fury...
And at times we wonder ..
Lord, do you care? Are you there? What will be of it all?
I tell you with calm assurance that our magnificent Lord who holds the world in the palm of His hand... has us gently in His great care.
The Lord has given me great peace and contentment in these days when division and fear seem to abound on every hand. Our Lord is in control, no matter what direction the world around us seems to be taking. So, my dear, dear friends... do not be discouraged, and do not fret.
Just look up... and you will know.
All is well.. In HIM!
This past weekend my husband came across an incredible deal on craigslist. It was so amazing that I thought for sure it was a scam, or already taken. He went ahead and called, left a message. Sometime later in the afternoon, we received a call back saying it was still for sale. So we headed right over, and paid for it on the spot. I had hoped that we would be able to build a shed in the garden this fall for my tools, and to overwinter my pots and gardening necessities. However, when he spotted this listing, we knew it would be perfect for what we needed.
The family that was selling it had sold their home, and had to be out by Sunday. So the only stipulation was that we had to take it down and get it moved by Sunday.
When you come across a deal like this, everything else comes to a standstill to make it happen! Any plans we had for the weekend were put on hold!
We spent all day Saturday taking the shed down, and then putting it back together on Sunday.
Thankfully, the four walls were all in one section, so the most work involved the roof. We decided to put the new greenhouse where I had my current compost pile.
Well, guess who showed up for the compost pile moving... {smiles} As we dumped the compost in the garden, there was no need for me to have to spread it around. I had 24 willing and eager helpers in that department!
They had a chicken hey-day!
I am so excited to have this new addition to my garden. It was a gazebo in its former life, and completely screened in. However, it is going to undergo a little bit of a loving makeover now that is in my care! I plan to cover the walls with clear plastic to make it into a greenhouse/tool shed.
The walls have built-in shelving, perfect for starting seed pots in the spring. Since the greenhouse now sits over my former compost pile, the ground is already soft and full of nutrients. I will probably plant at least one side of the greenhouse, and use the other side for a potting table/tool storage area.
I had never dreamed I would have not one, but TWO greenhouses in my garden! I am just beyond thrilled about it all! I have been busy planning and dreaming what I want to do with it. And of course you know that pinterest is just the place to find amazing ideas!
Here are some of the ideas I am considering:
The family that was selling it had sold their home, and had to be out by Sunday. So the only stipulation was that we had to take it down and get it moved by Sunday.
When you come across a deal like this, everything else comes to a standstill to make it happen! Any plans we had for the weekend were put on hold!
We spent all day Saturday taking the shed down, and then putting it back together on Sunday.
Thankfully, the four walls were all in one section, so the most work involved the roof. We decided to put the new greenhouse where I had my current compost pile.
Well, guess who showed up for the compost pile moving... {smiles} As we dumped the compost in the garden, there was no need for me to have to spread it around. I had 24 willing and eager helpers in that department!
They had a chicken hey-day!
I am so excited to have this new addition to my garden. It was a gazebo in its former life, and completely screened in. However, it is going to undergo a little bit of a loving makeover now that is in my care! I plan to cover the walls with clear plastic to make it into a greenhouse/tool shed.
The walls have built-in shelving, perfect for starting seed pots in the spring. Since the greenhouse now sits over my former compost pile, the ground is already soft and full of nutrients. I will probably plant at least one side of the greenhouse, and use the other side for a potting table/tool storage area.
I had never dreamed I would have not one, but TWO greenhouses in my garden! I am just beyond thrilled about it all! I have been busy planning and dreaming what I want to do with it. And of course you know that pinterest is just the place to find amazing ideas!
Here are some of the ideas I am considering:
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I have a lot of time to think and plan about what I want to do... the long winter awaits us, but I am so excited to have this fun little place in my garden now. And just think of it... we only paid $70.00 for the entire thing. I can't help but give the Lord praise at how He blesses us in such unexpected ways!
I read this quote in a little devotional book that I have been reading, and it has really been "turning over" in my heart lately.
I have learned to see a need
of everything God gives me,
and want nothing He denies me.
Whether it be taken from
or not given me,
sooner or later God quiets me in Himself
without it.
I cast all my concerns on the Lord
and live securely on the care and wisdom
of my heavenly Father.
~ Joseph Eliot, 1664 ~
You see, the Lord knows the desires of our hearts, and when we are not looking, or even thinking about them... He provides. I have learned that if I just lean back and trust Him whether things work out the way I want, or not... there is great contentment and peace in that, and in His time... He will provide all things for us, that we need.
I had been talking to my husband about building me a garden tool shed, and neither of us could see how we were going to find the time to get it done before winter. I had given up my hope of having the tool shed, and decided that I would just use boards on the ground, and a tarp to cover everything for the winter. It would have worked, and it would have been just fine. And I contented myself in that.
But! Then just out of the blue, the Lord provided this shed that is not JUST a tool shed, but another greenhouse!
Psalms 97: 4-5
Delight thyself also in the LORD;
and he shall give thee the
desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the LORD;
trust also in him;
and he
shall bring it to pass.
Is there anyone who cares more for us, than our Father in Heaven? No, a thousand times no. The magnitude of the love of our Lord never ceases to amaze me - it is like showers of blessings that come in unexpected moments, and I realize once again... I am blessed. Beyond measure! He knows my wants, my needs, my desires, and when I cast my care on Him.... His care is sufficient, and beyond measure of what I deserve... and for that I am grateful, thankful, and blessed!
Has the Lord blessed you in an unexpected way? Do share in the comments below, I would love to hear!
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