Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The Kinship of Women


Any women who sews or knits, or weaves,
blends colors in a tapestry or creates
a patchwork quilt, knows by the feel
that a single thread is weak but the
weaving, the blending, the intertwining
with many others makes it strong.

Any woman alone without friends to
sustain her, to nurture and support,
to hold with loving arms, like a single
thread, is weak.  But the weaving,
the loving, the nurturing of others,
the networks of friendships makes
her strong.

The Kinship of Women 1994


Thanking the Lord for all of you today!

Hugs,

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Tuesday's Unwrapped

Photo by Birds and Blooms

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink; or about your body,
what you will wear.  Is not life more important than
food, and the body more important than clothes?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap
or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

I almost missed the hummingbird.  I've been wondering where they are this summer.  I was caught completely off guard when it flew up to my face and was chattering away, then lighted on the flower near me and set to work gathering food.  I stood there a bit dumb-struck.  It had been here all along.  I just never bothered to stop focusing on all the "stuff" going on in my life to notice.


"And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the 
lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet
I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was
dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the
grass of the field which is here today and tomorrow is 
thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you,
O you of little faith?  So do not worry saying, 'What shall
we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run
after all these things, and your heavenly Fathers knows 
that you need them.

The self-inflicted hamster wheel is tiring me.  Most of the things I fret about are really not important at all.  They are simply diversions that keep me from seeing the things that the Lord has planned for me today.  As I fret, spin, not sleep, get cranky, put off my quiet time with God, I waste my day away.  I'm amazed at how something like the wrong dryer being delivered can rob me of joy and change the tone of my day, a day that I will never get back.


But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
 things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry
about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:25-34

The daisies in my garden have just opened.  They are tilted at an angle, reaching for the warmth of the sun.  Today I will spend some time in the garden, looking for the hummingbird, appreciating the flowers, pondering God's word and what he is telling me through this scripture.  I hope that like the daisy, I will look up, and reach for the warmth of the Savior and let the rest of the "stuff" fade away.

For more Tuesday's Unwrapped visit here

With joy,

Monday, June 28, 2010

Happy Monday!

(Couldn't resist showing you the amazing variety of colors in this hydrangea)

The barn sale was a huge success.  It was fun to see our returning customers and to make new friends.  I am thoroughly exhausted from being on my feet for hours at a time but enjoyed every bit of it.  One favorite moment was when a little girl about 7 years old came up to me with the most darling vintage sewing kit.  She knew she wanted it and had a fist full of dollars.  After pulling out the couple of bills needed I asked her if the kit was for her, and with a big smile she nodded her head.  I think it was in that moment that I decided I would like to teach young girls to quilt.  I'll have to ponder this and see if I can form a plan by this fall.

I forced myself to limit my spending this year.  I really wanted to make a profit not spend my earnings.  It was hard but I'm so glad I didn't come home with a bunch of impulse buys.  I did get this pretty aqua step stool.  It had been refurbished by my friend, John, who also made the pink kitchen island.  He had a price of $14 on it, and I knew it was coming home with me.


The only other purchase was this darling, vintage plant stand.  At $15 I knew it would look good in the pretty room along with all the other shabby items I have in there.  I thought it would also make a good cupcake stand if placed on a table with other desserts.


This package came on Saturday while I was at the barn.  I won a giveaway at the Happy Cottage Quilter.  Jocelyn is moving and she's been having a new beginnings party on her blog to celebrate.  I received a $10 Target gift card, the beautiful aqua fabric and a cute polka dot tote bag.  Thank you Jocelyn!  I love it!

Have a wonderful Monday.  I think I might be sneaking off to Shipshewana for a little fun today!

Blessings,

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Sunday Scripture


"One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.
For in the day of trouble
He will keep me safe in His dwelling;
He will hide me in the shelter of His
tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."
Psalm 27:4-5




Saturday, June 26, 2010

The Fun Girls Barn Sale

It has been a hectic few days but I'm having so much fun at the barn sale.  The best part was that I got to meet Honey from Daisy's Are My Favorite Flower.  I was thrilled that she introduced herself to me and told me that she had seen the sale on my blog.  I love putting a pretty face with a blog.  I have a bunch of barn sale pictures to show you, this is just a small sampling.  Enjoy!



























I'm off to day two of the sale.  Have a blessed Saturday!

Love,

Friday, June 25, 2010

Friday Pretties

Americana Rose Quilt

I'm posting for Friday a little early since I will be tied up with the barn sale today.  I'm feeling the summery colors of red, white and blue.  The quilt above is one of my favorites made with the Cottage Romance line.

Vintage Hobnail Milk Glass and berries

There is nothing like the crisp colors of red and white.  I've been wanting to do a red and white quilt for a long time.  As the saying goes, "So many quilts, so little time..."

My Porch

Not much time to sit on the porch these days.  I haven't been out here since Max passed last week.  He liked to lay on the cool concrete.  I thought I heard his tags jingling up the stairs yesterday and I almost went out in the hallway to look, crazy as it is.  Check out more pretties at Joyce's blog!

Friday Blessings,

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Pretty Handmades


A thunderstorm just rolled through my neighborhood, followed by a heavy dose of rain, a good day to catch up on things inside my house.  I wanted to share with you the last bit of the shower pictures, the invitation.  I saw this idea on a wedding site and wanted to try it out for myself.  My friend, Sally, printed out the invitation on to transfer paper (she had the required ink jet printer) and then I ironed them on to handkerchiefs.  They were fun to put into pretty envelopes and mail to all the ladies.  I think this would make a fun baby announcement as well.  Diane found the hankies for me in Shipshewana and they were very inexpensive.


I have been eyeing this purse, made by Kathy of Kathy's Cottage, for quite some time.  I decided to treat myself last week and ordered it.  I'm so glad I did!  First of all the sewing is impeccable.  I love the vintage tablecloth mixed with cheerful red gingham.  The flower brooch on the pocket is so pretty!  One of the best features, which you can't see from the picture, is the pockets inside that were made from feedback material from Kathy's Grandmother's stash.  It arrived with a cute box of buttons and adorable tags.  I have gotten so many compliments on it already and I feel like I'm carrying "summer time" on my arm wherever I go.  Thank you, Kathy!


Another treat came in the mail a few days ago as well.  I won a giveaway at Notes of Sincerity.  Trish made this beautiful bracelet.  I love the bunny charms and the way it sparkles when I wear it.  It fits my wrist perfectly.  I love that the purse and the bracelet came from two of my blogging friends, it makes them that much more special.  Both of these talented women have beautiful blogs, be sure to stop over and visit!

Joyfully yours,

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

More Showers of Fun!


Today I would like to share with you the items I made for the shower.  The first is the signature quilt.  I used Brenda Riddles (Little Acorns) pattern named "Remember Whoo Loves You" as my inspiration.  Chelsea collects all things owls and I knew she would love this.  I received a list of special women from her Mom and Diane and sent out blocks for their signatures.  It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed doing the applique.  It is the first quilt that I have quilted by myself and I did enjoy the process.



While visiting dear girlfriends (The Stars) in Ohio.  I saw lovely towers made from various pieces of china.  As soon as I got home I began looking for pieces to make my own.  I used Gorilla Glue and I can tell you for certain that these pieces are stuck together for life.  Note to self: read instructions and do not get glue on bare skin.  Hard to remove!  The cute bride and groom cupcake toppers came from Sur La Table.


I used the top of the towers for flowers but you could just as easily use them for candles or candy.  The cookie cutter is a wedding dress and was made from Lavender Shortbread.


I plan on using these china creations for years to come.  So much fun and very little expense and work.


Chelsea, knowing how much I love EmersonMade, purchased this lovely pin as a thank you gift for me. Isn't it pretty?  I can't wait to wear it!

Showers of blessings!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Chelsea's Bridal Shower


I am very excited today to show you pictures of the bridal shower I had on Saturday.  The weather cooperated, being overcast but not too hot.  Let's take a stroll, through the garden to the festivities...


I had so much fun using my vintage china, some I have purchased and some that belonged to my Grandmother.  I used all my own cloth napkins, they were all different but went together beautifully.


My friend, Diane (the soon-to-be Mom-in-love) helped me scour Goodwill and Salvation Army for mismatched teacups which I filled with Lady Gray tea and homemade lavender shortbread.  They were the take-home favors for the guests.


I cut flowers from the garden that morning, including red rose, hydrangea in pink, blue, white, and lime, blue Love-in-a-Mist, and various daylilies.  I had purchased some pink roses the day before because the rain had taken most of my pink ones away.  All the flowers were placed in vintage china of various size.


I purchased a bundle of vintage wedding cards on Etsy and used Diane's collection of antique floral frogs to display them.  It was fun to add some vintage cake toppers as well as other bridal themed items.


I have been collecting pretty doilies for such a long time and it was fun to use them on the table for added interest.  So many different items coming together to make pretty vintage-inspired tables.


The painted chairs were borrowed from Diane and I purchased the benches at an estate sale and painted one blue and one pink.


The flowers really added that special touch and pop of color.  The scent of the roses were heavenly.  It really was fun to use what I had.  It's really not hard to make something special and remain on a budget when you utilize what you already have.


It was fun to see all the wonderful, thoughtful gifts.  It brought back memories of my own bridal showers, all those years ago.


Without a doubt, the most beautiful part of the shower was our stunning Chelsea who made it all possible.  She is beautiful, smart, funny, caring and kind (to name just a few) and I'm so glad that I was able to be a part of this special time in her life.  Come back tomorrow for pictures of the items I made.

A very heartfelt thank you for all the thoughtful
comments about Max.  It brought many a tear to
my eyes and I am again so thankful for the 
wonderful women I have met through blogging.

Joyfully yours,