Sew Moma Sew

Have you seen her blog???? Sew Moma Sew is fabulous! Before Christmas she posted so many ideas for handmade gifts. I made tons of the rice bags (actually only about 15) and the bagsket was from her blog too.

Here's my latest creation:

I made this knitting needle case for a dear friend. I need to make one for myself too, but that'll have to wait. I still have one more friend who needs one. This idea was on Sew Moma Sew, but was a tutorial on Angie's blog. It was so easy to make and turned out really cute. I'm so glad I finally tried it. Thank you Angie! .

Now, what am I going to make tomorrow....

A Tisket, a tasket....

A pretty little BAGsket!

Isn't this just the cutest thing? I found the pattern a couple of months ago at Suzanne's blog. She gave a fabulous bagsket tutorial. Last week, Grace picked out her fabric and I cut the pieces out. For some reason, at that time, I just wasn't motivated to sew it together.

Today was beautiful outside-sunny and cool. Unfortunately, I had a sick angel and chose to stay in with her. What a perfect opportunity to sew! Thankfully, today, I was in the mood to create. The bag, which is fully lined and even has pockets, went together rather quickly. Mine's not perfect, but Grace said she LOVES it! Mary did too. I'm ready to make her one as soon as she decides on the fabric.

The last thing my girls need are more bags, but who can resist this one? Now, what can we put in it????

Simple Treasures

Sometimes it's the simplest things in life that warm my heart the most- a sweet email from a friend, a wild flower (weed) from my 4 year old or an unexpected kiss on the check from my sweetheart. All of us need those little things to boost our spirits.

Lately my girls and I have been trying to learn how to knit. This has been difficult at times, especially for one of my girls. A couple of days ago I sat down with her to try to help her out. I felt so bad when I realized the simple mistake she was making that had caused her to have to rip out stitch after stitch. Once that was corrected, she was off. We recently purchased a children's knitting book that has quick projects for kids to make on their own. Grace and Mary both chose to knit owls.

We decided to listen to one of our school books on Librivox that day. We all gathered around the table with the laptop in the center, Emma playing a game at one end and the rest of us with knitting in our hands. The chapters flew by as our needles clicked out the stitches. Grace even commented on how much she enjoyed listening to Oliver Twist. I've decided to make this part of our daily schedule.

The results-better than normal narration and...

Mary's is green and Grace's white. The pleasure the girls received from completing a knitting project after so many failed attempts with other patterns, was immeasurable. We may never be accomplished enough to knit fancy sweaters and blankets, but we've definitely found peace and contentment in the simple treasures we've made with our new-found hobby.

When life hands you lemons...

Make lemon zinger tea!!!! I felt like in the last couple of days I was handed a hole basket of lemons. It got me down for a bit, but then I remembered how much I really like lemons and made the most of them!

When I'm down, upset, nervous, etc I clean. I know that sounds crazy, but it makes me feel better. I get so much quiet time to myself to think and talk to God and actually be able to hear Him answer (b/c no one comes near for fear I'll recruit them to help clean too! LOL!). Needless to say my house is so clean and so is my mind and my heart. After all that cleaning I decided to do some stuff just for me. One of those things was making myself a teacup candle. I made these for friends as part of their Christmas baskets and just never got around to making my own. I know this seems simple, but I love candles and seeing one glowing in a teacup makes it even more special.

I also painted a mirror I had purchased a while back at a thrift store. It looks so pretty finally hanging on the wall. I got a good laugh while doing this project. Mary had put Emma in the tub for me to clean all the paint off of her. They both hollered for me to come upstairs quickly. Guess what I saw when I got to the bathroom?

The laughter from seeing Emma giving the kitten a bath with her made me want to laugh more. I knew just what I needed-to call Cheryl. This girl can make anything sound funny. We talked forever and I laughed until I had tears in my eyes. What a bright spot she is in my life. Suddenly the sun was shining on this rainy, dreary winter day.

The next time someone hands me lemons, I'll smile and just think of all the wonderful things that can come from something that initially seems so sour.

SEW Sweet!

Lot's of people worry that homeschoolers don't get enough socialization. Well, we're here to prove them wrong! In fact, if you follow my posts, you probably wonder if we ever do school because we're out socializing so much! We manage to fit book work in too!

Friday afternoon was another day to socialize. My friend Sandy and her daughter Morgan invited us to lunch party. These two know how to throw a party and definitely know how to cook! We always jump at the opportunity to visit them because they go all out! Morgan makes menus and place cards; the table is set with fine china and candles; and Sandy always makes all of our favorites (anything she cooks is a favorite!). It's just lovely!

(the menu)

Yesterday was no exception. Sandy made Tortilla Soup and Squash Casserole (Mary's 2 favorites), black bean dip and quiche. Cookie dough ice cream was for dessert along with a wonderful homemade bread with cream cheese filling. Sandy said it didn't turn out-I gladly wrapped it up and brought it home with me!

We exchanged Christmas and birthday gifts. Then the girls built forts and houses out of pine straw. Sandy and I spent most of our time talking (my favorite thing!) and even sewing. I forced her into that. I brought some sewing with me and convinced her to sew too. We both made bags/purses.

( a purse for Emma)

I had such a nice time-I hated to have to leave. But, there's always next time-let's just hope it's really soon!

These are a few of my favorite things...

I just love that song-actually I love the whole movie! (The Sound of Music). I've been thinking lately-about finding the positive side of things. It's sad that I spend time harping on the negative things in my house, the negative side of friends, etc. A lot of those things I can't change, so why bring myself down thinking about them? Years ago I read a book called "The Power of a Praying Wife". It talked about always complaining about the faults your husband has and trying to change him. Instead you need to pray that God will change you and make you better able to handle whatever faults you might see in your husband. In other words, start with yourself first. So, on that note, I'm going to try to be a more positive person and really see the good and beauty in everything. I went around my house today and took pictures of those things that I really like, that make me happy, make me smile. Some are little and insignificant, but warm my heart all the same.

This was my father-in-law's highchair as a baby. Behind it are cork screw willow branches from Mark's grandmother's tree.

This is my little spot, tucked away under the staircase. I have lots of my favorite books, a picture of my beautiful family and of course, my laptop.

I love Grace and Emma's bed. It's an old iron bed, full of character. Their room is on the south side of our house, so it's always bright and cheery. It's pink and girly and just a beautiful room.Can you tell I love "old" stuff? This armoire was my grandfather's. My father let me "borrow" it the year I was pregnant with Mary. He said I could keep it as long as I promised never to give it away. Give it away!!! I wouldn't think of parting with it. It sits at the top of the stairs. I just enjoy looking up at it as I walk by.

This is a new lovely that I just received as a gift from a friend. She knows me so well. It's plain and simple but with an elegance all the same. I honestly feel "peaceful" looking at it.

There were lots of other favorites that made me happy but, I don't have room to include them all. It's nice looking for the positive, happy things. Funny how I never realized just how many were around me.

No Rush Job

Yesterday we had some friends over for tea. They hadn't been here in a long time so I wanted things to look nice (actually I wanted them perfect, but...). As I straightened up, one thing led to another. Before I realized it, I was head over heels into big projects that I didn't have time to complete properly and also that really didn't need to be started on a day when we had guests coming.

Finally I sat back and took a deep breath. It really didn't matter if I made all the snacks or it they were "store bought" The kids would eat anything. Does my friend care if my house is perfect? Not if she's truly my friend. That helped me to relax a lot.

We ended up having a fabulous time. My favorite part wasn't the tea or the food, but just the fellowship. This is what I said on my New Year's list I want to be able to do-invite people into my home, share a cup of tea and share our lives.

I was so excited when I read my Beth Moore devotional this morning. The title was "No rush jobs with God". The verse for today is:

"O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago." ~Isaiah 25:1

She goes on to say, "I envision great things, but often life gets in the way. What a contrast I am to my heavenly Father. He doesn't get sidetracked by our everyday emergencies, though He is always there to tend to our needs with tenderness and love. "

"I know that my creativity, harried though I may be at times, is a gift from my creator. But He's not finished with me. It's good to know that 'he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion' (Phil 1:6). And it won't be a rush job."