Join in with my swap!

I swap with Swap-bot!



I swap with Swap-bot!

Just hours left to sign up for the pouch swap. Swap closes at midnight!

Your Love is Amazing!

Your love is amazing

Steady and unchanging

Your love is a mountain

Firm beneath my feet

Your love is a mystery

How You gently lift me

When I am surrounded

Your love carries me

Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah

Your love makes me sing

And Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah

Your love makes me sing

Your love is surprising

I can feel it rising

All the joy that's growing Deep inside of me

And every time I see You

All Your goodness shines through

And I can feel this God song r ising up in me

Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah

Your love makes me sing

And Hallelujan Hallelujah Hallelujah

Your love makes me sing!

Words and Music by Brenton Brown, Brian Doerksen

Have a wonderful Sunday!

I've fallen off the wagon!

Well...I had been on a fabric fast.

I have a little fabric. Ok, maybe a lot of fabric, but as discussed in previous posts, one can never really have too much. Anyway-isn't it beeeeutiful. All washed and ready to go.

If you have a little fabric problem..check out FRESH SQEEZED FABRICS on Etsy...or catch her blog in one of my favorites I HAVE TO SAY...

Crate and Barrel had some great overized napkins yesterday. Gorgeous, beautiful weight and colorful for spring. I made this apron and pot holder for a bridal shower gift this weekend. The napkins were only $2.99. I used almost 2, added a little ric rac and some of my new precious stash and viola. Hope she likes it! It's Friday and i want you to have a lil Emerson to hold you hold you over the weekend!

Have a wonderful weekend

and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASS!

This will make your day!

Emerson Bailey sleepin' at grandma's.

Does it get any better than this?

Someone should have told me about this grandma thing earlier :)

Spread the Love!!!

I'm have a chance to jump in and join PIF thanks to
AuntDaisysCottage . If you also want to join in, but haven't had the opportunity to yet,
then this invitation is for YOU!
Here's how Pay It Forward works:
I've signed up with AuntDaisysCottage and committed to send the next 3 people who sign up here with me on my blog a handmade item and goodie package within 365 days.
By excepting my invitation, YOU agree to Pay it Forward to the next 3 people who sign up with you (on your blog) and send them something within 365 days.
Want to join the fun and Pay It Forward?
I'd love to have you sign up with me!!
Please leave a contact email so I can confirm the details with you.
Let's keep the PIF going strong!


Personally, I love the idea of suprising someone..i'm all about all things goody bag :)


Not sure...but intrigued? Yell at me and i'll tell you more!

Happy Tuesday!!!

The Mailman cometh!

Look what came my way today!

This adorable pin cushion and needlecase came to me from the United Kingdom. I looooove getting packages in the mail...shoot...i even like getting vitamins in the mail. But look at the wee little pieces in that pin cushion...they are only about an inch sqaure. I don't have that kind of patience...or eye site! My swap partner was Kim Roberts from little green bees blog . Great work Kim ...I HEART this present.



I did get alot accomplished at the sewing machine this weekend too! Some of which i'll show and some of which is a SUPRISE! Below is the BLU BAG...I think this maybe my favorite so far. It's a really good size bag with an unusual shape and BAM the inside is spacious and colorful. I love it when the inside JUMPS out!



Hope you Monday was spectacular!.....er good...passible...only 4 more days til the weekend! :)

Cottage Chic Cooking Apron Tutorial

Cottage Chic Cooking Apron Tutorial

Baby Chicks all home in the nest!

My baby girl Cassidy, on the left, is having her 18th birthday this Friday. All my girls are going to be home for the party!!! YEAH!!!

I just love when all my baby chicks are home.

Above pic...Cassidy, Lacey.Steve(best hubby in the world) & Holly.

I am blessed.

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile man. Hebrews 12:15

I met a new friend this week .

She said something that has been rolling around in my brain since. Something was "driving her nuts".

A sweet saint said to her.."You need to get that pebble out of your shoe."

That pebble of bitterness..bothers you a little when you first get it in your shoe. But as you walk it starts to hurt even more. Side tracks you from other things. Before you know it your favoring your other foot ..then your back hurts...all you can think about is that pebble. You see where i'm going. A little pebble...big trouble.

"Bitterness keeps your shackled to the wall of immaturity, but Jesus Christ has made a way for YOU to be set free. He has shown us how to set our minds above and pursue a life that imitates Him. The key to freedom has been given to you by grace." (from WHEN WALLFLOWERS DANCE by Angela Thomas)

I never cease to be amazed at how my Father gives me these "glimpses" that just make so clear the lesson he is trying to get me to understand. My divine appointment with a new friend and a pebble.

This baby Jesus girl still has a lot of growing to do.

I'm here ....

It's the weekend and i'm on this beach

It's warm...the sun is bright...I have to squint my eyes a little, love that coconutty smell of that sunscreen, the smell of the salty air, do you hear the seagulls, toes wriggling in the warm sand..

ok..all in my mind

Soon...I say soon -but today- I believe it's about 4 below zero (ok..a little exaggeration but NOT much)

other news

I'M STARTING TODAY
TO WORK
ON THE GIVEAWAY!!!

Give me a week or so and I'll have it posted and we'll start the fun! Thanks for all your votes...I think I'll leave it a suprise until it's finished . Thanks dear ones :)

Have a wonderful & blessed weekend.
God is good all the time.

p.s. Pictured above is my beautiful, baby girl Cassidy. She is turning 18 this Friday!!!

**18** I'm telling you -she was 5 yesterday. It went by...in the blink of an eye. (sigh)

YIKES! It's a three way TIE!

I'm going to leave the voting open for 1 more day. It's a dead even 3 way tie....so...keep voting.

Free purse to YOU
or
Make up bag with suprises

Please vote in the comments or send me an email

Blessings...me :)

First Giveaway! I need your opinion

I'd like to giveaway a free treat to YOU! Give me some feedback in the comment section or email me and tell me what you would rather me giveaway....a PURSE or a MAKEUP BAG with SUPRISES.

Just let me know
Makeup Bag with Suprises
or
Purse

The first giveaway will be up to you.
Thanks sweet friends for checking in on me regularly...i appreciate it!

What's a Mom to do!

ok... fairly normal morning.
get up
have a lovely, hot cup of Irish tea
watch the news
let the dog out


hmmm...shouldn't Cass be up?

(this is a loaded question-teenagers don't take this well-should i ask??? incur wrath :0)

In fairness, I ask this questions to her 2-3 mornings a week. It's usually met with closed eyes and a grumble that the alarm is set and she has somewhere between 30 seconds and 2 1/2 minutes more of sleep UGHH
so...

i tip toe down the stairs to her room...
sweetly open her door
stair down at my gorgeous, beloved child
gently nudge her..."darling...sweetness & light...shouldn't you be up?" (utters her loving and kind, full of wisdom mother)

What time is it?

9:45

eyes flash open, panic look ensues)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (think look from McCully Culkin in HOME ALONE- when aftershave goes on his face)

I'm going to be late! My alarm clock didn't go off!!!!

Hysterical run thru the house to brush teeth, find shoes, jeans etc...
Ok we..er she makes it to the door in just minutes...out she goes...

NO KEYS
You know the drill...run hysterically thru the house. Tear apart the couch look thru the dirty clothes etc...
We have keys for EVERYONE it seems in our county. Now..they are not marked we don't know who's key is whose, there must be 75 of them..but you get the picture. Dig thru ALL those.

Anyway...my keys in my car...on their way to her school! (sigh)
what's a mom to do?
How has your morning been so far?

I've been busy!

Just cause...
it was rainy this weekend
my sewing machine kept calling me..shelia...oh shelia...come play......I did! I didn't want the poor ole girl to be lonely.
What did YOU do this weekend?

I kept the machine going .... My daughter selected the fabrics and this is going to a friends for a bridal shower.

Another swap item. I made an extra pin cushion to add to my store. A little sparkle, a lttle lavender...AHHH!

This purse is going to PA for a swap. I dug out some of my fresh water pearls and a shell pearl to make the flower on the ribbon. Added a little embroidery to the velvet ribbon. Hope she likes it!.

GIVEAWAY!!!

Check out the wonderful giveaway at Simply This That and The Other...you could win! (although i'm planning on it:)


http://simplythisthatandtheother.blogspot.com/

"YOU DO ALL THINGS WELL"

Mountain maker
Ocean tamer
Glimpses of You
Burn in my eyes
The worship of heaven
Fills up the skies

You made it all
Said, "let there be"
And there was
All that we see
The sound of Your voice
The works of Your hands
You do all things well
You do all things well
You do all things well

Star creator
Wind breather
The strokes of Your beauty
Brushed through the clouds
Light from the heavens
Touching the ground

Imagination runs wild
And breathes the breath of life
Across the fields
Across the miles

By Chris Tomlin

Have a wonderful Sunday!

I'm hosting a swap. Come play :)

I swap with Swap-bot!
I'm hosting a swap on swapbot. If you like sewing, come give this a try. We are going to be making zippered pouches to send to a partner some where in the universe! It's lots of fun. The 2009 version of a penpal...that is a sewing penpal.

Tea Time!

A little tea party last week with a few neighbors and friends. There is something so soothing and civilized about tea...the gentle clinky of the tea cups and the antique linens. I wish that I took the time weekly to relax and touch base with loved ones...but time just gets away from me. Stuff crowds in and my perspective loses it's way.

Maybe next week will be different. I'm still working on this growing up, getting things in order thing. Trying to grow up this Jesus girl!

At Christmas i try to have a large tea party. This year 40ish friends gathered over scones, a roaring fire and some great fellowship. The goody bags (yes...adults need goody bags too) contained this poem. Enjoy!

Dear Potter, We realize we have been jarred by life, causing brokeness. Some of us feel like shards of china instead of the exquisite and intriguing vessels that we want to be. We want to be pots that, when poured, tipped, dropped, or spilled, issue forth streams of life. Please, You who rework clay to repair damage, mend us. In Jesus' restorative name, Amen
(From TEA WITH PATSY CLAIRMONT)

Have a wonderful weekend!
Shelia

Ever have one of THOSE days?

She is too cute! My new & only grandbaby Emerson. Just thought you...and well..everyone should see her :)

And how is YOUR day?

It is well with my soul

It's a double blog day!
Last night when i went to bed (2:30, i might add) and started to pray, this song came to my heart and would not leave. So i thought i'd share. In these times it is good to remember that He is in control. When we believe and trust in Him it will be ...

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

Just a reminder. This was written by Horatio Spafford after two major traumas in his life. The first was the great Chicago Fire of October in 1871, which ruined him financially. Shortly afterward, while crossing the Atlantic, all four of Spafford's daughters died in a collision with another ship. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone."
Several weeks later, as Spafford's own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired the words. They speak to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief befall them. We are blessed!

He is God. He is our Lord. And it IS well with my soul!

Purse & keepin it clean

A new project ready to go in the mail today! This purse was designed for a swapping partner in Pennsylvania. According to her bio she likes all things vintage. I scoured the local antique store and came up with a really pretty pillow case. Used her favorite colors in the purse main fabric and viola! What do you think?

To add to yesterday cleaning supplies...here is recipes for the laundry! The second recipe is for HE washers. I've used both and like both!

Ingredients
1 bar bath soap, grated (your favorite brand, fels naptha is great)
1 cup arm & hammer super washing soda laundry detergent (a laundry booster)
1/2 cup borax
hot water
Directions
Place grated soap in a pot.
Cover with water and simmer over medium heat until all soap is melted, stirring occasionally.
Pour into 5 gallon bucket.
Add washing soda and borax.
Add enough hot water to fill the bucket.
Stir (I use a long measuring stick, but any long stick will work).
Let sit overnight to gel.
Use 1 cup per load.
(You can pour this into old detergent containers or leave in the bucket. (make sure its covered to keep out the critters and little ones. (same difference i guess :)

For HE machines (this recipe from UNLESS THE LORD)
1 bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated
1 c. Borax
1c. Super Washing Soda (not Baking Soda)
1/2 c oxy-clean

Mix all together, and use 2 tablespoons per load

Tracey @ UNLESS THE LORD also suggest mixing half and half, liquid softener and vinegar if your having trouble with static cling. I haven't had any trouble using just straight vinegar. And NO your laundry does NOT smell like vinegar :)
Have a great day!

Time for Spring Cleaning

Or maybe time just to write about it!
I guess when you like to create things...you like creating ALL kinds of things. On the Dugger show (you know the family with 18+ kids) they were making clothes detergent and that sparked my interest. So i zoomed around blog land and have compiled and tweaked some recipes for those of you who like to clean with healthy, cheaper cleansers or those of you who just like to make things (that would be me).

A great blog to check out to clean your home and for encouragement in things of the heart is http://tkcdeanna.blogspot.com/. The following couple of recipes are from her blog.

All Purpose Cleaner

2T.white vinegar (only distilled white vinegar)
1 t Borax
Hot water
a few drops of a mild dish detergent
5 drops of essential oil, optional
In a 16 spray bottle put vinegar, borax and hot water. Swish around until borax has dissolved. Add the drops of dish detergent and fill the rest of the bottle with water. Add the essential oil (I like using orange or lavender).

Homemade Window Cleaner
½ t mild dish detergent
3T. white vinegar
2 cups water
Put all these ingredients into a spray bottle. Shake this up some and use it just like the commercial variety. Wash the windows when the sun is not shining on them and they will not streak.

I love using distilled white vinegar for cleaning and there are so many ways it can be used . See the link below. A little bit of essential oils will cut the vinegar smell but I don't use the oils when cleaning windows.http://www.vinegartips.com/cleaning/

Soft Scrub Cleanser
For homemade soft scrub cleanser, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with enough liquid detergent to make a cleansing liquid. You can apply the cleanser and scrub with a sponge to clean. This works very well in sinks or the bathtubs. Simply rinse it off when you are done cleaning and it washes off easily and will not leave any grit behind.

Also-try tipnut. Lots of good recipes
http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

As for the dishwasher:
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Borax

Mix thoroughly and store in a plastic container, use approximately 2 TBS per load.
Use vinegar in the rinse compartment as a rinse agent to help prevent residue
Try adding 2-3 drops essential oil

Things i've learned along the way:

Buy vinegar in the LARGEST container possible. It seems to be great for everything.
In fact my daughter who had suffered from acid reflux has been basically cured using vinegar. She is not using distilled vinegar but organic apple vinegar. Really worth a try..a takes a teaspoon every morning and pain GONE!(orginally i got this idea from the book THE MAKERS DIET by Jordan Rubin.

All this talk about cleaning...well its kind of inspiring. You know...throw open the windows, get the clean rags and get going. On the other hand...kind of makes me feel like i already did my share --writing all this :) Just kidding. On to cleaning! I love the way the house smells when your finished. And since I'm making my own cleansers...everything is going to be smelling like LAVENDER. Its lavender love!!!!!

You can't have too much PINK!

I'm getting ready to put somethings in my new ETSY store! Making little things is so much fun.
So if your looking for something for a special little one..just give me a yell.Custom orders taken.

Happy Weekend!!!

Shelia

Recipe Box Swap

Over at http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/, Randi is having a great recipe swap. Here is mine to add to the box! Easy as can be, delicious and good for you..

Bean Soup
Equal amount of salsa,corn (Traders Joe's brand rocks)& blackbeans (right out of the can)
Heat together! ((exhaused from ALL this cooking?)
Garnish with a dab of sour cream, maybe a little cheddar cheese and a sprig of cilantro. Company ready!

Check out ALL the other great recipes @ I HAVE TO SAY...(link under my blog list)
Have a great weekend friends!
blessings...shelia

Think Spring!!!!

Ok...the snow was good, beautiful...yeah..yeah..ok, whatever...but...I'm DONE!
So let's all think warm.

The flowers above were from my niece,Taryns, wedding this past summer. It was so much fun putting these together for her. I wondered around my parents farm with all the flowers in bloom and placed together what i liked.
My mom has beautiful flower gardens, acres of them in fact. I supplemented with some roses i had ordered but everything else was from the farm.
I'm going to let that day sit in my head...warm..flowers...yeah! :)

The booties...just cute. These make me smile everytime I make them. I've got a couple of pair i'm going to put in my new ETSY store as soon as i get some more things finished.

Have a lovely Spring...starting TOMORROW :)

HIS Majesty

I'm having one of those days.
A day where I am so grateful for who He is,for all He does, for ALL HE has created and that He loves me.
God is so good.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in holy array.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
The God of glory thunders,
The Lord is over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful,
The voice of the Lord is majestic.
Palms29:2-4

Enjoy this blessed day!
shelia :)

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

Owlet Tutorial

I just couldn't stand to send my swapbot OWL to Texas all by herself...so i whipped up this owlet needlecase.

Great for use when traveling and you still need to get in your sewing "fix".

Owlet was made out of acrylic felt.
Cut- 2 out of the large owl shape (cut this on the fold),1 owl belly,1-2 of smaller owl body shape (i cut one and then made a smaller pocket on the other side)
Do all embellishment to the front of the owl.
Attach smaller owl body to inside of owl case. Sew on dotted line-see pattern.
Attached pocket or another owl body to other side of owl case.
Bind to large owl cases together with blanket stitch.
Amaze and dazzle your friend :)
**due to my limited (but i'm learning)computer skills...if you would like a full size pattern-send me your email or fax and i'll send it to you!

blessings Shelia

Getting ready to fly!

My sweet little owl is getting ready to head off to Texas.
Oliva Hu is for an exchange from swapbot. She is made of polar fleece and a few assorted odds and ends (my favorite being the feather boa & seed beads on the face).
Hope my partner enjoys her!

Enjoy the last (hopefully) snow of the winter. It is breath takenly beautiful outside.