Last One of the Year!

Well, this one is gonna be short & sweet and probably the very last blog post of the yr.

  I got these skates for free when hubby & I helped out w/our town's Christmas parade this yr. and they told us that they were closing the outdoor skating rink at the park.  So this was about the best pair I could find.  I will probably try to spiffy them up a bit next yr. but was so excited to finally find a pr. to decorate with.  Now all I need is a sled!!   I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  and now it's almost New Yr's already!  wow!  can't believe it!  I'm wishing for a more 'worry-free' yr.  Trying to get my faith where it should be w/out so much worrying over this and that in the new yr.

 I've been very busy these past few wks. w/a new temp job, but tomorrow I will find out whether or not I get to keep it.  Lots of new things to learn, but I've tried to be an exemplary employee and have enjoyed it for the most part.  Not as much time for crafting, but I try to stitch a little on my lunch break.  I always wanted to go back to work after my kids were grown, but wasn't sure exactly which type of career to pursue at this stage in the game, so it has been interesting and challenging to say the least.

I also wanted to share the very last book review for this yr. as well.  This book was free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

This book, 'Pilgrimage' by Lynn Austin was one of the best books I've had the privilege to read.  The author figuratively takes you along w/her on her trip to the Holy Land.  It is her journey to a much deeper faith in the land where Jesus walked.  She records in great detail everything she experienced on her trip, from the flight over to the trip back home and everything in between.  What I loved most was how she made the reader feel as if they were right there traveling beside her. You could almost see the lush green palm trees, the rocky terrain of the wilderness and the beautiful oasis hidden from view.
 Lynn does a tremendous job of tying everything she saw while there in w/Biblical accounts of the same places, so you got a more detailed idea of what Bible times were really like.  She gives wonderful examples of what modern day life is like for Jews living there and ties all these things in w/her own walk of faith.  It is an amazing account of a most sought after trip of a lifetime and now makes me want to experience it for myself one day.  I highly recommend this book!

Hope everyone has a wonderful NEW YEAR!!!  see ya soon!

Merry HO HO

Just wanted to hop on here for a minute and share my latest creation, which became our new doorhanger this yr.  I am very happy w/the way it turned out.  I finished it a couple of wks. ago and decided that since it ended up being a really good size, I would hang it on our front door for all to see.                                 

 I stitched it on 10 ct. White Birch Heatherfield fabric that they no longer make, using all #8 Pearl Cotton, mostly WDW overdyed threads. I love the little flecks of color in this fabric and think it gives a more rustic look to it.  Most of you know that I can't seem to leave the color chart alone, so I changed up the colors just a bit and also added the silver metallic pearl cotton in several places to give it more zip.  (Santa's beard however, doesn't show up too well and I even changed it for a brighter white).

 Santa's sleigh runner and the design inside his sleigh, for instance......

 And the star, plus underneath the letter 'C' and also above it just a bit.

 I added several rusty bells across the bottom for a more prim look.......(ok now Santa's beard shows up better from this angle)........

 It was a fun stitch by Pineberry Lane and I'm so glad it got finished right at the start of  the season for once!

  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Just a Reminder.....

Just a reminder about my SALE going on now in my ETSY shop.  It will end tomorrow night, so wanted to let you know that everything is 20% off, but you must use the coupon code THANKS13, all caps and NO spaces in order to get the discount.  Anyone who buys $20 or more, will be put into a drawing for a FREE pattern of their choice, (up to a $9.00 value).  I just listed a bunch more items yesterday.  So go take a peek!

Here's the other snowman ornie I made a few wks. ago.  It is from a Primitive Gatherings pattern that I adapted.  It was pillow size and I just wanted an ornie size, so here's what I came up with.  Sorta added my own flair to the finishing of it.   Anyway, I just hope the recipient likes it. 

The last two days have been unseasonably warm (in the 70*s) here in Ky. and it was so nice putting out the Christmas decor w/out freezing this yr.  Today it has turned cold and RAINY, which is supposed to turn to SNOW!  Hope you're keeping warm and toasty wherever you are!

Did You Survive Black Friday??

Well, did ya'll have a wonderful Thanksgiving??  We sure did, w/11 people this yr. at our table.  Two new faces were added this yr.  I always love it when we have new guests.  Makes it more fun!!

I hardly EVER go out shopping on Black Friday, it is just too crazy out there for me and I just don't care to get into the 'mobs'.  There isn't anything out there that I need badly enough for me to go through all of that!

Just wanted to pop on here for a few minutes to show some things I've been working on.  Had this pillow finished a few wks. ago, but forgot to show it last time.  It's from Lizzie Kate, one of my favorite designers!  Stitched over two on 18ct. Raw Linen, so I used my favorite Pearl Cotton # 8, Weeks Dye Works, overdyed floss.

 This was the first dusting of snow we had a couple wks. ago.

 I tried to make it a bit rustic and added some wool 'holly' on the giant rick rack and some red beads for the berries.

 This is the fabric I chose for the bottom and the back of it.  It's a Debbie Mumm fabric and I thought it went perfectly.  Don't cha' love when that happens?  When you actually have something in your stash and it works beautifully w/what you have in mind?

 I also added some beads for 'snowflakes'.......

 Something else I finished recently was this monthly wallhanging, by Art to Heart.  I am in the midst of creating each BOM(block of month) using all WOOL and just the cotton around the outer edges.  I thought of this idea over a yr. ago and made one up, but never finished it into anything, so I started over w/ the month of January, this time finishing it!!  I'm actually a bit early for ONCE!!!  YIPPEE!!!

 Of course I always have to change the colors........

I also have another little snowman finished, but it is for a gift, so will wait till next time to show you.  I have had such a busy Nov. that I wonder what Dec. will hold for us.  We've gotten involved w/so many new things going on at church and also w/in our community this yr., which has been a LOT of work, but  also a lot of fun.  Met lots of new people and made several new friends for which I'm very thankful!

At our recent craft nite (at church) I made a sampling of little 'acorns'.  I saw it on the Cozy Old Farmhouse blog, but all you use is a Hershey's kiss, a mini Nutter Butter and a chocolate morsel.  Looks easy, but boy did I make a mess w/trying to get them to stick together w/melted chocolate.  Had it everywhere and in my fingernails!! ugh!!!  But everyone liked them and thought they were cute.

 This is what our table looked like last nite before the food.........I just kept it simple this yr.  Now I can get my Christmas decor out and start decorating for the next big holiday.  I don't like to skip over Thanksgiving, so I usually wait till it's over.

 I hope everyone found some time to..........

P.S. As a way of saying my heartfelt 'thank you' to all of my customers ~
  I am having a SALE in my Etsy shop starting tonite at 6pm EST(thru Dec. 7th)  ~   20% OFF of everything in the shop and anyone who buys $20 or more will go into a drawing for a FREE pattern of their choice!   all you have to do is put THANKS13(all caps and NO spaces) in the box when you check out.  You all have one whole week!

Away for too long........

Well, I certainly didn't mean to stay away so long, but sometimes, that just happens.  We had such warm and lovely temps the last couple of days (74* yesterday) and today it is the high of 51* and it feels like -35 w/the wind blowing, at least to me!  What a drastic change in temps, but it does keep me more motivated to do some of my favorite things, like sewing..........

 I gave you a sneak peek from the last post and this is what I made w/that 'word' fabric.  A giant tote bag! LOL  I originally thought that I could make it into a purse, but I guess I didn't realize just how big it really was until I started sewing the pieces/parts together.  I hadn't made a casing in forever and thought the pattern was wrong! duh!  It was just me!!   The pattern did have one mistake in it tho', but I figured it out BEFORE I sewed it like the pattern told me to do.

 It has quite a few pockets both inside and out - 6 on the outside(3 on each side) and 6 on the inside, one side is smaller than the other side.

 I'm pretty excited about how it turned out, altho' I probably should have made the handles longer than what it called for.

 All in all, it wasn't too bad of a pattern and it caused me to brush up on my binding skills a bit, too.

 Another favorite thing to do (any time of yr.) is BAKING.........now let me just say, I'm usually not much of a PIE baker, but I was in the mood for a pumpkin pie last wkend and so I thought I'd try one.
 Now you have to realize I have not made a pumpkin pie in about 30 yrs, so was a bit out of practice.  (My MIL always brings pies up for our household to eat, so why bother, I say)....well, my family thought it was pretty doggone good for the most part.  (you can see where the foil got stuck to the pie when I tried to pull it off).  But I still need LOTS of practice and my hubby and sons are all for it!!!

 Not too shabby w/some light Cool Whip added on top..........

 Next up is another book review, so I hope I'm not boring anyone too much w/all the reviews.
These books are FREE from Bethany House/Chosen books in exchange for an honest review.
 This time I chose some NON-fiction and I have been so blessed in reading them!!

"The Sure Cure for Worry" by Kent Crockett, is a truly wonderful book that teaches you how to learn to trust God no matter what happens in your life.  He gives clear,concise instructions, along w/many humorous and amazing true-life stories to help drive the point he is making.  I used it as another devotional book during my own private quiet time and gained a wealth of knowledge about how NOT to worry.  He also gives questions at the end of each chapter to help you remember what you just learned.  I only hope I can remember everything he taught me!  I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles w/worry!  I can't wait to read more of his books!!

 "Blessings for the Evening" by Susie Larson, was written because of the author's own bouts w/nighttime worries.  In this refreshing devotional book, she gives a reassuring promise from God's Word on one page and then on the opposite side, she speaks blessings over you and tells you to 'sleep well'.  On each and every page are some of the most beautifully displayed pictures of nature behind each promise and blessing.  The photography is absolutely breathtaking!
This would make a wonderful nighttime devotional to read before bedtime each night or would make a very nice gift for someone special.  What a sweet book!  I highly recommend it!

 In his book, "Finding Your Heart's Desire", R.T. Kendall asks/answers such questions as 'Is it wrong to be ambitious?  to want to succeed? to strive for earthly significance?  He balances these questions and more w/Godly wisdom and principles from His Word, giving the reader practical insights as to the struggles we all face in the area of motives.  His main message is to stop seeking the applause of man and start living for the glory of God.   (Edited to say this book was not quite what I expected from the title).

If you've stayed w/me this long, I hope that as we approach the thanksgiving season(here in the states), you'll be blessed by how many things we all have to be thankful for!  Until then, I hope everyone is enjoying this gorgeous time of yr!

Sneak Peek and Some Book Reviews

Here's a little something I've been working on but haven't finished yet.  I just love the 'word' fabric, found it at Hobby Lobby awhile back and just had to have a piece.  Not sure at the time what I would make w/it, but thought it'd be pretty w/the bright green fabric and maybe some rusty orange shades too.  But b/c I'm such a tease(LOL), I will make you wait to find out what it's going to be made into, ha ha.

You have to look really close, maybe even click on the pic for a larger view to see what I'm trying to show you in this next pic.
 I was out walking my dog the other morning, so had to take it from across the street, since there's no sidewalk on the other side of the street and I don't have a zoom lens on my phone camera.
 The people that live in this house 'decorate' w/pumpkins like the scarecrow is 'mooning' you and then they gave him a 'buxom' female by his side to boot!  It always makes me laugh when we drive or walk by.  They've put this pumpkin pair out for several yrs. now, but it wouldn't be fall in our neighborhood w/out them, ha.

And now onto the book reviews ~ I have been given these free of charge from Bethany House/Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review.
'Made to Last', by new author Melissa Tagg, is a cute, light-hearted Christian fiction that has a love 'triangle/rectangle' going on.
The main character ~ Miranda, is almost like a movie star, in that she has her own homebuilding tv show, which began w/a real fiance who ran out on her 3 yrs. before.  The homebuilding part of it really interested me because of my own hubby/son's construction business, but I still found myself learning some new things.
 She pretends to be married for the sake of ratings, then has to come up w/a real guy to play the part, which ended up being quite comical in itself.  That person, Blaze, was just a hoot and I found myself wanting to know about his character, hopefully in a future novel.
 Meanwhile, another guy, Matthew, is a handsome reporter follows her around, digging into her personal life to get a 'story', for his own personal reasons.  As she starts having feelings for him, she still has to 'pretend' she's married and then in pops the original fiance to make things even more interesting!
Overall, I felt it a very cute and endearing story, but it was almost a bit confusing in the beginning w/the story line and characters and there really wasn't much interaction w/the character's relationship to Christ.  Other than that, it was fun read and a great first novel.

"Unforeseeable' by Nancy Mehl, is third in the 'Road to Kingdom' series.  At first I wasn't sure I could get 'into' this book in the beginning. I had forgotten who some of the characters were from the first two books and  I thought it was going to be the same ol', same ol' as the other two, but boy, was I wrong!
The characters developed a little slowly at first, but as I continued to read, I was really drawn to them and their faith in God as the story played out.
The townspeople have another murder to solve and the main character ~ Callie is engaged to the new Pastor of Kingdom Mennonite Church. Levi seems to know some things that he isn't able to share w/her about the murder case, which puts a strain on their relationship.  They learn to lean on one another as the mystery unfolds and learn much about trust and faith.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book till the very end. There were several times when I thought the story line had a much deeper meaning.
 Nancy Mehl knows how to write a good mystery w/great characters and dialogue, but still focuses on the characters' Christian walk w/the Lord, which I find most charming.

This new book, 'A Bride for Keeps' by Melissa Jagears, was not your typical mail-order bride story.  I read it in two nights and didn't want to put it down!  The characters were charming and humorous and the storyline was adorable, w/depth.
 Everett  Cline had been jilted several times by other mail-order brides and vowed to never humiliate himself again, but his good friends go behind his back and order him another one!  Julia Lockwood is more than a pretty face, but most men don't see beyond that.  She is running away from her family back east because of some horrible things that happened to her and finds that a platonic 'marriage' would suit her just fine.
Only trouble is, Everett starts falling in love w/her and it isn't what she wanted, or is it??  He needs more than just a helpmate to run his farm and she agrees to the 'marriage' because she has nowhere else to turn.   She works hard to prove her worth, but keeps him at a distance, not allowing room for real true love to enter in their pretend marriage. She acts one way and he thinks it's for a different reason and vice versa, making for lots of humorous situations throughout.
But in the end Julia finds out that God's love is what proves her worth, not all of her hard work.  A simply adorable read and great story line w/strong Christian characters.

A Pumpkin Mat and Some Goodies to Share

This pumpkin mat has always been one of my very favorite items that I stitched over the yrs.  It was a fun design to work on and I used Pearl Cotton #5 and also Watercolours thread by Caron Collection.  They are a 3-ply thicker type floss, equal to Pearl Cotton in thickness, but have a much more variegated look to them.  It was stitched 'over two' on Anne's Cloth, (nine-square) that comes w/that 'square' already stitched and then you just stitch the design within the square, sort of using it as a guideline.  (Have I confused you yet)??

  It was from a Dutch Treat Design from yrs. ago. (you can click on pic to make it larger so you can see what I'm talking about, if you're not familiar with this fabric).

 I added a little pumpkin holder in the center square.

 I have it on my little drop-leaf table in my craft/sewing room.  Gives the C.R. a little bit of fallishness, is that a word???  It measures about 21 inches square.  I used to sell of lot of this fabric when I owned a cross stitch shop yrs. ago.

 Recently, I received a sweet little box in the mail from Danice of Homespun Hannah.  She made me the cutest rustic can w/my blog name printed on the label and inside was a cinnamon candle (my favorite scent) and some vanilla potpourri, along w/a very sweet note.  I wrote her back, thanking her and telling her that I needed to do more RAK(random acts of kindness), which she replied to that I had already done that w/her earlier this summer!  I had totally forgotten all about it!! how funny!  anyway, thanks again Danice!!

 Last week we had some family come to town from out-of-state that don't get to visit very often, so we had a big family gathering 3 nights in a row, and two of them were at our house. There was enough food to feed an army!!  I tried a new recipe for dessert and everyone LOVED it.  Can you say 'Pistachio Cake'??  Oh my goodness, was it ever moist and had the most wonderful flavor.  I sprinkled pecans(boy are those babies pricey) on top, just like the recipe called for, giving it that 'over-the-top' rating!!  I used Cool Whip instead of Dream Whip or whatever and I tinted it w/green food coloring, which I got all over my hand!! LOL    I found the recipe from 'South Your Mouth' blog.

I also made a few loaves of Pumpkin Bread earlier in the week(forgot to take a pic of them), which I took to our Women's meeting at church, where everyone was supposed to bring a baked good and then we all BID on each other's baked goodies to raise $$$ for missions.  There were 3 long tables end to end, full of baked items and boy, do those ladies know how to bid!!  I think a few hundred dollars were raised that night.

 Also, I've been on the hunt for the perfect homemade PRETZEL (don't ask me why), but just got a hankering for them not too long ago, so tried a couple of recipes in the same week.  Here's how a few of them turned out.  You should have seen me trying to get the 'knot' just right ~ what a hoot!!  Anyway, they tasted pretty doggone close to the kind you find in those pretzel shops at the mall.

I'm always glad you stop by, thanks for your sweet comments!  Enjoy the rest of your week!  It is finally getting a little cooler here and feels a lot more like fall.

I still need to write a few more book reviews, so I'll try to get them in my next post.  Until then, happy fall crafting!!