Have a wonderful Sunday!

This is what I'm thinkin,

I'm a little out of step.

My spirit leadin right,

But the living keeps on pullin left.

I'm thoroughly conflicted,

I've got this pebble in my shoe.

O, You know that I wanna have it my way

But I wanna come out looking more,Like you.

Chorus:So I'm wrestling the angels,

And maybe I won't win.

But if this is how the blessing flows then,

Count me in.

I'm falling on your mercy,

I am losing to gain.

Walking with evidence of change

Walking with the evidence of change.

This is how I'm moving,

It's a limp that's all my own,

It's the journey O becoming,

And on it I am sure I'm not alone.

Chorus

Change that makes a diamond out of coal.

Chage that makes Your glory,

Shine through these holes.

Chorus

By Kelly Minter

scrappin' it!

Hmmmmm

I seem to have aquired a small scrap pile.

Actually, I just had to move my small scrap container to a large storage/moving container. Something HAS to been done.

*** scraps multiply like gerbils***

In a post a couple of days ago (8/16 post) i showed small credit card size bags I made for my daughters' roomates.

That used about 6 small pieces...SHESSSSH what to do???

So i decided to start a coin quilt. Great way to use up lots of scraps. Mixing scraps with my FAVORITE-- unbleached cotton

(not to be confused with muslin-unbleached cotton has a linen look and feel)

ALL that being said...the top picture was taken AFTER i cut out all the above pieces.

YIKES I maybe be making quilts for ALL my daughters dormmates at college :)



There is a great tutorial on the QUILT TAFFY BLOG (no need to recreate the wheel)



Enjoy!
blessings Shelia

Makeover Time!

Struggling

I'm really not sure why.

I've been rather introspective the last couple of weeks...TRUST ME...I'm really not wired that way. I usually see the cup half full if not over flowing. And probably fairly shallow...BUT this empty nest thing...

Yesterday it occurred to me that i have been a mom more then half my life. I always wanted to be a mom...even as a little girl. I remember telling my mom that i was going to have a dozen kids. She always said...I'll come visit you...don't come visit me! :) God blessed me with three wonderful, God loving girls. What is my problem?

OK..truth be told...not exactly a problem..but I'm sure more emotional than usual. An adjustment I guess...who am i going to blame for the lights being left on? the door left unlocked? empty glasses through the house?....oh (face goes into a smile) there is still the HUSBAND!

Well...i decided a makeover was long over due. Above my new picture! What do you think? Just a few hair extensions...lest you think I've had surgery...no NO i tell you. I've been sleeping upside down, like a bat...letting gravity do its job! A little make up and voila! (i think when i was sleeping upside down...50plus pounds slid off-who doesn't love that?)

Looking to see what God is going to do with me next!

Snap! Now i feel much better!

Darlin!

The Offering

the offering
Originally uploaded by sapaho

Offering

I will not give what costs me nothing. When I bring my Sacrifice. Cause You have asked for only one thing. That I gladly give my life.

So now I lay down on Your altar. Knowing what I lose I'll find. Please receive me through I falter. For all I have is Yours, it's no longer mine.

Chorus: With my mouth I will praise. With my strength I will obey. This is my offering. I will go where You lead. I will trust what I can't see. This is my offering, this is my offering.

May my worship be a fragrance. Rising up in sweet refrain. As I come into Your presence. May I be a life worthy of Your name.

By Kelly Minter

Have a awesome Sunday.
We have an awesome SAVIOR

Last year for vacation we headed off to Florida. We stopped on the looooooooooooooooong way down at Amelia Island. An artsy little town (my favorite kind) and in and out of all the little shops... i practically ran! My sweet husband, (who doesn't understand why you would paint a painting when it's soooo much easier to take a picture-enough said about that) was lovingly following...well dragging behind me.

We went into one store...colors were just beautiful. DELIGHTFUL...bright...my kind of thing...I looked and looked and looked and then..at the next painting...BURST out crying! A little about myself...i'm not much of a cryer. Sweet husband ..looks at me...looks at the painting and ...sqeeks out...BUY IT! :) NOT something we would usually do..a real treat. I wasn't sure WHY i was so effected by that painting ...til I came home.

After relaying this fiasco to a close friend...one look and she looks back at me...cocks her head...SHELIA...its your baby's leaving the nest. I'm a little slow....ok ....make that a lot slow.

I'm so glad to have this painting...makes me smile. Hope you enjoy it too!

We're Off!

Our goal is to steadily turn our ( daughters) away from their earthly parents, who will let them down, toward a heavenly Father who will always be there for them and in whose arms they will always be secure.

Susan Alexander Yates

Today is the day.

We're heading off to southern Virginia to Cassidy's college. Part excitement, part fear (what have we forgotten)....

the future is ahead for my little dumplin'.

And for all my concerns...I'm pretty excited to see where God is going to take her....

She couldn't be in better hands!

She is greatly loved

shhhh...it's a surpise!

I decided to whip up some wee little pouches. I just love to make itty bitty things...not sure why..just do! One of my other favorite things to do is goody bags...goodness ...give me half a reason -I'm putting together goody bags...this week...you guessed it ....daughter going to college.



For my older daughters, i would put together a little something, along with a note and leave hidden packages for her and her roommates...so I'm working on Cassidy's roommates presents. I decided to whip up a pattern for these little pouches for college id's, a few dollars and maybe a chap stick..added the swivel hook so they could add it to their book bag or add their keys and be ready to go. I added a Starbucks card to the pouch and I'm off the wrap them. I also added Jeremiah 29:11 on a little gift tag.

"For I know the plans I have for you", say the Lord,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

**These pouches were made off a 5 inch square. I did cut them down slightly (no 2 ever a like), I also square off the bottoms. Otherwise made just like any other lined, zippered pouch! (more unbleached cotton used---MY FAVORITE...i think it has a linen look for a WAY cheaper price! These little purses are a fabulous way to use up the scrap bucket.

Happy Monday!

Primping

A year or so ago special clients gave me a gift certificate for a spa. I've been saving it for something special...and today was it!

Cassidy (child deserting me for college) and I headed off to the Red Door Salon for mani pedi's.

She leaves on Tuesday...

OUR DAUGHTERS ARE THE MOST PRECIOUS OF OUR TREASURES, AND THE DEAREST POSSESSIONS OF OUR HOMES, AND THE OBJECTS OF OUR MOST WATCHFUL LOVE.

MARGARET E. SANGSTER

Today was the day.

Today was the celebration of Ms. Dorothea's life. It was wonderful...all that one could hope for.

I just felt so greatful to be there, to hear about parts of her life i didn't know about, meet a little of the family...but most of all to hear more about her LAVISH LOVE.

What a wonderful thing to be remembered for. If i get to pick ...that's what i'd like to be remembered for...having loved LAVISHLY. Hmmmm...what will i be remembered for? Guess i also want to finish well!...she did that too! See ya soon Ms. Dorothea. Love you

It is well....

Monday mornings i work "desk duty" at Weichert Realtors.

This morning...was as usual...i go in, turn the lights on, get a cup of tea and look for a radio station (the local Christian station--which for some reason doesn't come in very well in the building)

As i was struggling this morning to get rid of the static I started singing...the receptionist that used to work with me...well.. we would always sing together before the office opened.

Ms Dorothea (our retired receptioninst) is a lovely lady. She retired from our office a couple of times. ....we all love her so much we were always trying to lure her our of retirement...The last time she left i believe she was in her late 80's.

Anyway...I sang this morning (without her) and thought...I just have to give her a call. Two hours later an agent walked by and said did you hear the news?

Yes....... my Ms Dorothea has gone to be with the Lord. I was so grateful that i'd had that special time "with" her"singing" this morning....funny how those things work...we sure do have an AWESOME GOD!

Below (youtube) was "our" song...bet it's one your favorite too!

(slight disclaimer...ok...its not Ms. Dorothea & I singing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9rZCJSn_-A

Part 2

Raising daughters is like mountain climbing....

you can't keep them from taking chances in life.

They're going to leave

No matter what--it's making sure you've used the right rope and given

the right amount of slack.

EILEEN BROWN

Letting Go

A Mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary.

Dorothy Canfield Fisher (1879-1958)

As daughters, it's hard to let go of our mothers. No matter how old we are, we still hear their voices in our heads. But as much as we love them, as much as they love us. God wants His voice to be louder than our mothers'.

As mothers, it's hard to let go of our daughters. We would like to be with them wherever they go in life, protecting them from all life's dangers. But God wants us to put our daughters in His hands, trusting that His love will provide for them far better than we ever could.

from...Just the Girls

Handbag review!

the above pic from Handmadefirstclass

Slow but sure......

A few graduations presents I'm still working on....grrrrrrr. But today i'm trying to tackle the last purse. Using a pattern i've used several times this summer, purchase on ETSY from Handmadefirstclass. Easy pattern and i love it! Great for beginners and so far NO tweeks...gotta love that. I'll post a finished pic maybe tomorrow. Guess I better get to it :)

Have a blessed Wenesday!

It's all in the little things!

As i've whined...(giggle) daughter Cassidy is leaving for school soon. I have two older girls that along with all the other treasures packed up for school-we made a gift box. You know little things to give for birthdays that don't break the ole' college budget. So i've been making little pouches...could be for make up, change purses etc...a place to put the college id and a few bucks. In the gift box we'll throw a little curling ribbon, colored tissue and little odds and ends that i pick up...chap stick, small lotions, note cards, etc...or Cass may choose to pick up a candy bar or nail polish to make a sweet gift.

There are lots of easy patterns (free too) out there so goggle away. Also...you can find many inexpensive PDF patterns on ETSY. A little caution...etsy...is addictive, proceed with care!

TIP** I've made these pouches for just about every occassion..one thing i've been doing that really improves the finished look--i line them with flannel. I buy tons whenever Joanns or whomever is having a sale. I also think fabric handbags look so much better with flannel lining. It just seems to make the bag 'hang' better.

Hello all!

Summer is coming to a crashing end...my youngest daughter is still planning to leave me for college...a few sewing projects still need my attention....but ahhhhhhhhhhhhh the weekend. Traveled to my husbands hometown...of Flatwoods, WV. I'm sure most of you have HEARD of it and their legendary GREEN MONSTER. Apparently BIG doing's goin on there in the 60's (i believe) with aliens landing.(google-Flatwoods wv monster-if your looking for something to do!)

But for our weekend...it was boating and time spent with family that we just don't get to see enough. God really must love West Virginia...the scenery was just incredible...it almost took your breath. There is no looking at these mountains and their beauty and not realizing that we have a God who loves us so much. He surely didn't have to create it so magnificently just for our enjoyment!

Hope your Summer is going splendidly. Before you know it school will be back in session and we're back to the grind. Funny how even without school age children, there is a different order and drum beat to the Fall....i think I'm ready!.................well almost :)