star-spangled denim

Can you believe this heat????  I heard that it got up to 110 degrees in Chattanooga.  Our thermostat only read 106.  Listen to me...only 106! 

Needless to day, I have been sticking close to the air vents all day!  It was definately a good stay-inside-and-get-some-sewing-done day, which I did, most heartily.  I finished up a few projects, started a few, and sketched out a couple of ideas. 

I've had my eye on the ever growing pile of denim scraps in my room for a while now.  I've also been drooling over several headband designs that I've seen here and there.  So, I decided that today I was going to do something about both.  Here's what I came up with:

My model was more interested in her movie than she was in having her picture

taken.  Can you tell??? ;)

Seeing as Wednesday is the 4th and we will be working, as usual, I've been trying to think of something that I could do that would at least make me feel like I was dressed up for the occassion.  This solves my problem!  And it was so easy!  It only took about 20 minutes and I absolutely love how it turned out.  I see myself making up a few more of these in the near future...

detoxing your soul

I recently ran across a site called She Reads Truth.  Several blogs that I follow were mentioning it, so I decided to check it out.  Now, I wish I had found out about it sooner!

Basically, it's an online community Bible study for women.  They are currently kicking off a new study called "Living the Surrendered Life", but I opted to save that one for a later date and begin the study they just finished called "The Soul Detox".  I was intrigued by the title and I also felt that it would be best to start at the beginning even if it meant that I wasn't on the same page as everyone else.  I weird that way, I guess...

I am only on the second day of this study and it has already affected me deeply.  We all have "toxic thoughts" that enter our minds as well as our souls.  These can be very dangerous because the way you think and the thoughts that you allow to enter your mind dictate who and what you are.  This study is designed to help you recognize these toxic thoughts in your life - what they are, where they come from, and how they affect your life - and teach you how to reject them and replace them with God's truth.

If you've been looking for a new daily study, please check this out and join the community!  It's never too late to start!

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday. :)

checking in

This year is going by much to fast!  Wasn't it March only yesterday?  Or perhaps my problem is that my brain is in low gear...

The garden is coming in quite nicely.  I've got more basil than I know what to do with!  Of course, as soon as I find something to do with it it magically disappears, so I'm not complaining.  We staggered our planting so that everything wouldn't come in all at the same time (we've made that mistake before!), so at the moment, all we have been canning is green beans.  Let me tell you, we go through the green beans in this family, so we can a lot of them!

In addition to cultivating my green thumb, I've been dabbling around in other things as well.  I've been painting a bit and sewing here and there.  Of course, it's been a little difficult since my sewing room is currently serving as my bedroom.  I've got stuff scattered everywhere.  Everywhere!  I'd post pictures of what I've been working on, but I haven't the time.  I just wanted to check in to assure everyone that I'm still here!  I'm hoping to start posting more regularly soon.

Until next time!

a hook and some string

"Myra Gillis had 37 doilies when she got married, and

 I'm determined to have AT LEAST as many as she had."

  ~Diana Barry - Anne of Avonlea~

I love doilies. I always have. In fact, Mama and I used to snatch them up whenever we found them at antique stores or yard sales. They get dingy and stained over the years, but we still have enough nice ones to keep at least one in each room.

 

 

When I was about 13, I decided that I was going to make my own doilies for my hope chest. After all, one simply cannot keep house without them! ;) It was hard to grasp at first. Using those hooks that are so tiny that you're not even sure that there really is a hook on the end of them take a while to get used to. But, once I mastered the hook and the art of reading the instructions (most of mine are from the 40's and 50's and therefore, rather cryptic) I was hooked. No pun intended.

 

 

When it comes to handiwork, I find doilies the most rewarding. It can be frustrating when you're in the middle of it, but the finished product is always worth it. It's like making lace - elegant and refined. I just love it! Each time I finish one, I just sit back and stare at it for a while. I showed one to my dad last night and all he could say was, "That's amazing". Ok, maybe that's a little over the top, but it is hard to

Unfortunately, this also means that making doilies is addictive. So, to all of my fellow crocheters, a word of warning: Do not attempt doilies unless you are prepared to make many, many, many of them! Also, don't start with a pattern that is really fancy, especially if it has a huge ruffle or several motifs that are joined in the middle. Find one that is small, simple, and works in a round to start with and then you can move on to the more showy patterns once you've got the hang of it. I tried it the other way around and do not recommend it.

 

 

Now, I must be off to sift through my ginormous pile of doily patterns to select my next project!

What are you working on today?  I'd love to hear about it!

the things that make the perfect rainy day

1. Coffee. (Of course!)

2. A very long and undisturbed journal writing session.

3. My nose in a book. (Currently, The Pursuit of God, by A. W. Tozer)

4. Yo-Yo Ma playing softly in the background.

5. A crochet hook in my hand. I’m almost finished with my afghan! Yay me!

6. A little bundle of fluff constantly sitting in my lap whether there’s something else on it or not.

7. Peace and quiet.

Yup, it’s a wonderful Friday! I hope you’re enjoying yours as much as I am!