Tag Archives: tutorial

Horrible Weather

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We experienced very bad weather in our area yesterday. Please remember those families who lost loved ones here in Alabama yesterday. I’m not sure that anyone is ever prepared for storms like the ones that rolled through our state.

We were fortunate and were not harmed by them…it is always a walk of faith for me…we live in a mobile home and have one car so we are not always able to evacuate in these situations. The storms seemed so bad yesterday, that Paul took off work to come home just in case we needed to leave and go stay with close friends (thanks for the offer Christy!!).

Back to yesterday’s lesson, we didn’t get to quite finish because of all the weather activity in the area, and I would like to mention that I am grateful that Lisa offered to put these into proper crochet terminology for me, and those who are lost by my instructions! :)

So let’s get to today’s lesson….

These are the instructions for doing the shell pattern that will go on top of this row (of course, you are always welcome to stop here, if you would like as well!)

(BTW, you will notice that I switched yarn from my lesson yesterday, I thought the thicker yarn would be easier to see but the thinner cotton is very pretty!)

This is a picture of a fleece blanket that I completed last year for my home and the crochet around the edges:

To begin, with one loop on your hook, grab your yarn over your hook (this is called a “yarn over”…you bring the yarn over the hook from the back to the front and hold it in the crook of the crochet hook.) Put the hook into the first existing stitch on the blanket (the one we completed yesterday), yarn over again and pull the yarn through all three loops that are on the hook. Yarn over again and pull through two loops. Yarn over and pull through two loops again. You have just completed your first “double crochet”.

To create the shell pattern, you will complete 5 double crochets in the first stitch, skip the next stitch, Put your hook into the third stitch on your foundation row and pull your yarn under both threads, yarn over and pull your thread through the two loops on your hook. Only one loop should remain on the hook and this is your first completed single crochet.

Skip the next stitch and then begin the process again. The pattern will be something like double crochet 5, in each stitch, skip the next stitch, single crochet in the next stitch, skip the next stitch, and back to the beginning. This sounds far more complicated than it is…and thank you again for the offer to make it more read-able! :)

This is a very old method of finishing baby blankets and it turns out so nice…you won’t be disappointed!

When you have worked your way all the way around the blanket, slip stitch the end with the beginning and knot off your yarn.

Please let me know if you have any questions…I’ll do my best to answer them for you.

Today, is actually Frugal Friday and as promised, we are making on type of burp cloth.

I have started making my own because I found after one child, the gauze cotton burp cloth/cloth diaper things they sell usually don’t last more than a few months of washing before they begin to look horrible and I can’t imagine how they must feel for a little one who has their head rested on all those little fuzz balls!


…and this even if it’s washed with baby detergent.

These don’t take very long and are super cute as gifts, or for your little one if you make burp cloths to match the receiving blankets that we made last week.

(BTW, if you have a serger, this process with be much faster and I’m sure somewhat easier…I don’t, so we’ll be doing it all on a standard sewing machine.

To do this, you will need:

100% cotton fabric

print (very small amount) to match blankets, if desired

trim to match blankets, if desired

cotton batting

thread to match.

Start by cutting your fabric and batting. The measurements are 13″x17″. You need one piece of batting this size, and two pieces of white fabric.

Layer them, just like you would a quilt if you were sewing it on the machine: 2 layers of fabric and then the batting on top (this will make sure the batting is on the inside when you turn it).

Pin all layers together.

Stitch around all four sides, leaving a 2″ opening.

Trim seams, especially corners and turn right side out.

Stitch the opening closed.

Iron flat.

Fold, lengthwise, the burp cloth into thirds and mark down this line with straight pins to create a stitching line.

Stitch. This is what the stitching lines should look like:

Using your left over fabric from making blankets, you will need a strip about 5″x14″. Iron under 1/4″ on top and bottom edges.

Pin fabric at the top and bottom of strip. If you are using a trim, it will be pinned into place as well.

Stitch 1/8″ from edge on top and bottom. (Use a color thread to match the fabric on top and then white thread in the bobbin so that you won’t see stitching on the back.)

Trim the sides to 1/4″ and tuck them in to match the edges of the burp cloth. Stitch 1/8″ from the edge. Cut away dangling threads.

Press well and you are done!

These are such nice sets!

As always, if you would like to read other great frugal tips, visit Biblical Womanhood!

This particular post is one of a series I’m doing on frugal tips for preparing for a new baby. Though these burp cloths will initially be more expensive, they will last longer and properly taken care of, will be able to be passed down to more children.

In the coming weeks, we’re going to be covering maternity clothes, packing for the hospital, another style of burp cloth, making your own cloth diapers, stocking a freezer for baby’s arrival, and whatever else I can think of! :)

Prayer Requests

Please pray for families missing loved ones this morning after the storms yesterday.

Please continue to pray for Derrik (has been hospitalized with cystic fibrosis) and his family.

That I don’t confuse any of you too much with my tutorials! : )

Today I’m Thankful For

The safety of my family yesterday

A cup of yogurt with breakfast this morning…I love this stuff…and I haven’t forgotten that one of my projects is to learn to make my own!

Wonderful emails that I get from all of you

Nice weather today

The opportunity, hopefully, to finish a little more on our bathroom project this weekend.

Tracy’s Task

We still have homeschooling to do today. I also need to:

Make tortillas for a casserole we’re having for dinner tonight (we didn’t get to have yesterday)

Lay out Paul’s clothes for work tomorrow and church clothes for everyone for Sunday.

Quilt

Clean in my current home zone

Today’s Scripture Meditation

Mrs. Wilt at The Sparrow’s Nest has her latest Proverbs 31 thoughts up. This time, they are covering:

Prov 31:11-12
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
(NIV)

Prov 31:23
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
(NIV)

I love this series. She is doing such a good job and I must confess, Proverbs 31 is where a lot of my time is spent too. I know that I have shared with a few of you that my heart has really undergone such a change since I was first married. I wish that I could say that since day one of our marriage (Mrs. Wilt brings up a good point that it should even start before the marriage) that I had brought my husband good and not evil all the days of my life. The truth is, I still struggle…though I try to be very careful with my words and actions, I have to constantly examine my heart because our heart’s motives are more obvious to others (especially our husbands) than we would like to think and sometimes I still find my thoughts to be rather selfish.

I do think about how my husband and my children would view me if I were gone today…would Paul know how much I love him and am devoted to him? Would he see me as being a loyal and faithful wife? Would he think that I respected him? Would he think of me as a precious jewel? Diligent and careful in all the ways that I represent him? Our family? Our Lord?

What about my children? Would they know that I faithfully served my husband? Would they have seen respect modeled for them in a way that would teach them to do the same where their father is concerned? What kind of example would I be for them in their own marriages, with their own spouse and children?

*Ahem*….let’s just say that I see a lot of room for improvement daily. I want the Lord to shape and mold me in a way that would please Him and honor my husband.

Proverbs 31…what a model! I’m so grateful that the Lord is so forgiving! :) …….but, I will continue to walk daily with hopes that I can step a little closer to her example, and to that of my Lord!

May your home be blessed with joy and love today!

With my love,

Zebra Puppet

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It’s “Works For Me Wednesday” hosted by Rocks In My Dryer.

Today, my tip is to unclog a hairspray nozzle with alcohol! Sometimes water just doesn’t cut through.

It’s a quick tip, I know, but it works for me!!

I’m happy to report this morning that as of yesterday, I am cavity free!

I absolutely hate dentistry so this was great news!! The dentist told me that since it had been so long since I had been, she was surprised to see how clean my teeth were….she doesn’t know that at home, we are obsessed with teeth! My children and I brush and floss often!! :) That is preventive care that works!

Today, being Wednesday, means we roll out the newest finger puppet. I’m really pleased with him, so here he is…..

For those who don’t know, I’m making a set of finger puppets for my little guys for Christmas (we try to live by a few gift rules in our home…give quality gifts that don’t require batteries!). I have been making animals…I might try and make a person later so that my children will have a “Noah” for their animals. This was a suggestion by Darlene from the Heart Light Knit-Alongs group on yahoo.

I guess this one turned out O.K. ….I might still try and tweak the pattern a bit. For those who are sewing along, you can access the other patterns HERE, and the following is this week’s pattern:

Cast on 12 stitches (this will be loose on the finger but I was trying to accommodate Daddy hands that might want to play along!) …Leave a tail of several inches.

Row 1: K
Rows 2&3: K in black in ribbed stitch pattern (knit, purl, knit, etc.)

Rows 4&5: K in white in ribbed stitch patten

Row 6: K in black

Row 7: P in black

Row 8: K in white

Row 9: P in white

Continue in white until puppet measures 1 1/4″

Last full row: K2tog all the way across (knit last stitch)

Carefully slide work off of knitting needle and with a large eyed tapestry needle (or whatever big needle you might have…I had a plastic canvas blue one), thread yarn through all holes and pull tight to close on top.

You want the purl side to be facing out at this point. Using the tail that was originally left from casting on, re-thread needle and use this to stitch closed the finger puppet along the back. Secure tightly.

Turn finger puppet inside out.

Thread needle and take one stitch (leave tail dangling). Using the tail and loose thread now threaded through needle, tie a knot to secure to puppet. Make a twisted cord tail, tie a knot in the end.

Make two french knots from yarn where you would like to place the eyes.

The ears and nose are made from black…

Cast on 4 stitches, leave a tail.

Knit 3 rows

On the 4th row, k2tog all the way across and then bind off in the last row.

Try and shape two pieces into a triangle, and one shape into a circle. Stitch triangle ears on to either side of head. Remember that a zebra’s ears are folded in just a bit so when you are sewing them on, remember to account for this.

His nose gets stitched to the front of his face. Try not to sew it on flat to the front of his face but allow it to pucker just a bit.

His hair is made by drawing a threaded needle through the yarn from the top, tie, cut and comb it out, all the way down the back until you have the desired look.

That’s it!

This is what the back of the little guy turns out like:

Thanks Christy, for the idea to do this animal!

Prayer Requests

Please pray for Roberta who is having some post surgery “issues”.

Pray for a new project that I will be starting on Friday.

Pray for Paul, we found out this morning that he will not find out about the job promotion for TWO MORE weeks. UGH!

Today I’m Thankful For

Having my dentist appointment over for another 6 months!

Progress on Christmas presents that we are making.

The house is almost dried out from the weekend!

An evening out with hubby yesterday!

New shoes! Woohoo!

Tracy’s Task

Today, we’re working on our kitchen. We’re deep cleaning all our rooms now so that we can enjoy the holidays with no stress.

What I’m Learning

Am I the only one who is noticing a trend to de-feminize women? While I was out last night, I must have seen a dozen women who were so masculine that I wouldn’t not have been able to tell their gender if I had seen them from behind.

It’s a tragedy that women are so easily giving up part (a huge, important part) of what makes them beautiful, for the masculine clothing and hair styles that seem to be so popular right now!

Today’s Scripture Meditation

Ps 18:28-30
“You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”
(NIV)

Praying for His will in my life,

Dentists…

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Good morning! I hope that your day has started out well and you are accomplishing all that you have set out to finish today.

We actually started our day a little later than usual. Our day yesterday and night, last night was filled (to overflowing) by a broken dishwasher and then a broken pipe under the sink. I’m so thankful that my hubby (who has never worked on a dishwasher), is willing to research and take chances these days. He saved us an enormous amount of money and today we have restored plumbing in our home.

We are still trying to dry out the Living Room carpet. Last night, there was so much water your feet would sink into it in places. What a mess. I think that we’ve made some progress and today we’re blowing it all out with a fan.

The picture today is of Jessica’s K’NEX “twin”. If you look closely enough, she has hair that matches Jessica’s. Matthew built a twin too! ….and people think that kids in a big family would never want more children! My littles want more so badly that they resort to building them themselves!! LOL!!

This is my latest dish cloth. I’m making these for Christmas presents. I’m so excited because this is a pattern that I’ve written.

I thought I would share it with those who knit. I love this pattern because it has little holes worked into it making it look lacy and the little bubbles worked in make it a great scrubbing dishcloth!

You need two skeins of cotton yarn. I’m using white and the variegated green/white sugar and creme yarn.

Cast on 40 stitches in colored yarn.

Knit across for three rows.

From here until the last three rows (which you will knit), you will knit the first three stitches and the last three stitches of each row.

Perl row 4.

R5: K3, K2tog all the way across, K last three stitches.

R6: K3, now you are going to pick up the little bar in the middle of your stitches and pull your yarn through like this:

work this all the way across and then K3. (Count to make sure you did not pick up an extra stitch.)

R7: K entire row.

R8: Knit in white yarn. Begin with a repeat of R5 with white yarn.

R9: Repeat R6 with white yarn.

R10: Repeat R7.

R11: Knit back in green and white yarn and repeat R5….

Continue on with this pattern until your dishcloth is desired length. Knit last three rows and cast off.

Tada!

Remember, I am VERY new to knitting so if you see something I need to change, or you just have a question, please write and let me know!

I’ve enjoyed knitting so much, almost as much as quilting. My only difference is that you don’t really have to think too much about quilting….there are those patterns that really require your attention with knitting but once finished, you have created items that are much more useful than you could never purchase and are beautiful!

If you’ve never washed dishes with a hand knit dish cloth, you would not believe how much easier it is!!

Speaking of knitting….I’m off to the craft store to look at yarn colors to decide which finger puppet animal we’ll be working on tomorrow….so this week it will be a surprise. The older children in my home who are watching me making these are getting so excited. They are enjoying the wait to see what the knitting needles will turn out next!

Prayer Requests

Please pray for me as I see a dentist today. (It’s just a check up but I HATE going to the dentist, almost more than anything else!)

Pray for us as we continue to clean up water from last night.

Pray for Jenny, (on of the Lines’ yahoo group moms) as her family prepares for some upcoming changes in their lives.

Pray for Fay, (another yahoo group mom that I had mentioned last week) who is recovering from her newest blessing’s arrival! Please pray restoration for her body and health for her new little fella!

Please continue to pray for my dear friend, Christy and her family who are dealing with the passing of David’s Grandmother. I know he felt very close to his Grandmother (he actually had the privilege of baptizing her!) and that this loss is difficult for their family.

Please pray for the dear people in the Amish community who are picking up pieces following yesterday’s horrible school shootings.

I will never understand these things. More importantly, how can people be so blind. I was listening to the news last night and they were saying that President Bush is gathering officials together to meet and figure out what the government can do to stop such things from happening. My husband said it best…there isn’t anything that the government can do…this is a heart issue. It starts with parents. Period.

Today I’m Thankful For

I’m thankful that I still have my teeth and that is why I’m having to see the dentist to have them cleaned.

I’m thankful that this afternoon, my visit with the dentist will be over for at least another six months.

I’m thankful that it’s not raining on the day of my appointment. There is not much worse than having to drive to the dentist on a rainy day.

I’m thankful for hearing that the dentist I will be seeing today is not too “chatty” (I’m seeing a new dentist today.) I hate it when they try to talk to you while your mouth is wide open and filled with their hands working on your teeth…that’s just awkward! Come on, you know what I’m talking about!

I’m thankful to be breathing…people who aren’t breathing don’t have to see a dentist but this is not an option I am ready to explore. :O

Do you understand my hatred for dentist visits?????

I love those signs that read “painless dentistry here”….ha, ha, ha. I haven’t found one yet.

Tracy’s Task

We are continuing today to dry out the things that were under our kitchen sink.

If you haven’t done so lately, it’s a good reminder…just run your hand around the plumbing under your sinks to make sure that there are no leaks that you should know about!

What I’m Learning

My friend Angie, posted this on her site and I learned so much about her….I had to post mine.
Have you ever…

1. Babysat a llama.
2. Eaten raw oysters.
3. Owned a poster of John Schneider (O.K., Angie, I can’t believe that I’m admitting this!)
4. Tripped a boy in school, in the hallway, so that he will notice you. (Hi honey!!)
5. Spoken in front of thousands of people.
6. Written to request (and received) your governor’s favorite recipe.
7. Had a picture made with 5 generations of women in your family.
8. Brushed your Great Grandmother’s hair.
9. Baked homemade biscuits.
10. Made compost
11. Had an induced labor for more than 24 hours.
12. Held your child after a seizure.
13. Watched a sunrise with your family.
14. Attended a StarTrek convention
15. Taught a child to read.
16. Grown and eaten fresh vegetables.
17. Sewn a quilt.
18. Held your lifeless baby in your hands.
19. Washed a cloth diaper.
20. Hung your laundry to dry.
21. Watched Haley’s comment fly over.
22. Sat to view view master reels as an adult.
23. Given birth without an epidural
24. Had a C-section.
25. Made a cup of hot tea
26. Been sprinkled when changing your first baby boy diaper (with 5 boys, I had to mention this one!)
27. Created play dough versions of yourself.
28. Felt the everlasting love of God?
29. Read an entire novel in a day
30. Made snow angels.
31. Visited San Antonio, Texas
32. Been married to a movie star…O.K., it was just one movie…but he is listed in the directory.
33. Performed music in traditional attire from India
34. Went riding through the snow on an 3 wheeler.
35. Watched deer in your yard
36. Cried at the site of your new baby.
37. Sat helpless in a waiting room waiting on your child to undergo heart surgery.
38. Volunteered at a camp for children with cancer.
39. Owned a Volkswagen Rabbit?
40. Caught a jellyfish?
41. Shared an uncontrollable giggle with a friend
42. Owned a pearl that you personally removed from an oyster
43. Teased your hair?
44. Visited your local thrift store
45. Tap danced
46. Owned a well worn, favorite pair of slippers
47. Enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa
48. Done a cartwheel, in your yard, at the age of 32? (You should have seen the face my mom and Paul made!)
49. Watched crabbers on the beach
50. Been 14 and known that you had met the one man that would be the love of your life.
51. Owned a turtle?
52. Had too many pets to count at one time?
53. Had a LIFE game ongoing for more than half a year?
54. Had happy birthday sang to you at a restaurant with a foam lobster sitting on your head.
55. Danced with your hubby, in your teased hair to a song by George Michael (it was in high school!)
56. Sat beside your husband on the sofa and looking at his hand wrapped around yours, thought that there is no place you would ever want to be!
57. Made a birthday cake that looked like a bear.
58. Made a birthday cake that looked like Captain Underpants (don’t ask)
59. Splashed in a mud puddle
60. Known the smell of an old church
61. Been on public access cable?
62. Worn glasses
63. Eaten a saltine cracker and tried to whistle (it was for school!)
64. Written to your man in the military.
65. Raised tadpoles.
66. Sat under a table to read a book to your children.
67. Started a business
68. Reread love letters
69. Tatted
70. Played air hockey
71. Raised sea monkeys
72. Been in the newspaper
73. Eaten a wonderful Italian meal with Italian opera being beautifully performed right at your table.
74. Sipped a cup of tea in a tea room with your closest friends and their daughters.
75. Held your child’s hand while they received stitches.
76. Ridden a subway
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Learned to knit
79. Read Sense and Sensibility
80. Won a photography award
81. Sewn a dress.
82. Flown a kite on the beach
83. Eaten raw squid
84. Sang “There’s Fleas On My Dog” as a family to the tune of Feliz Navidad in the car on the way to church
85. Watched your family star in a musical
86. Fallen asleep on stage (literally) when performing a skit at church
87. Made a giant paper mache tongue
88. Stepped on a slug barefoot (EWWWWWWW!)
89. Received nothing but junk mail in the mailbox.
90. Had an obsession for cows
91. Experienced a child’s first steps
92. Owned an El Camino
93. Felt unspeakable gratitude for the blessings in your life.
94. Almost died after choking on a piece of bubble gum
95. Been a “test subject” for an experiment
96. Tie dyed a shirt
97. Looked up, while lying on your back under a Christmas tree with your children
98. Walked in wet sneakers
99. Swam in a river
100. Rang the bell during the holiday season for the Salvation Army
101. Jumped into a pile of Autumn leaves
102. Stopped to help a stranger on the side of the road
103. Held a snake
104. Eaten fried green tomatoes
105. Had glow in the dark stickers on your ceiling
106. Sat on your porch late into night, just looking at the stars with your honey
107. Shopped Ebay
108. Made a tomb stone rubbing
109. Ridden a train
110. Had 5 piercings (oh, the younger days….)
111. Worn black combat boots (I was not in the military)
112. Flown in a door less helicopter
113. Felt helpless in the world around me.
114. Slept in my husband’s office floor while he worked far into the night.
115. Felt blessed beyond words on evenings with my hubby and all our blessings sitting in the LR for family time.

That’s it for me…I would love to hear yours! Leave a comment or a link to your site!

Today’s Scripture Meditation

Ps 19:7-10
“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.”
(NIV)

Thank you Lord for a new day…even one that involves a dentist appointment,

Rice Socks

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Did I mention fall last week?

Apparently, I was mistaken! It’s supposed to be in the 90′s this week! This, just as I have gotten all of our winter clothing out and am in the process of packing our summer things! *Sigh* Oh well, it will come soon enough, I guess!

Today, we’re getting to our rice sock project! I shared a picture of one, a few months back, that I had made for my mom. They really are a simple and useful gift.

Though most people just use colored fabric as opposed to the white …I chose to make mine more like a pillow, with a case, so that this part that goes next to the skin, can be taken off and washed.

Before we begin, as in everything, I have to make the most use of my time. Rather than sewing just the inside, I go ahead and do all of my ironing, both for the case and the sock itself at once, then I will sew all at once, etc. I’ve found that the sewing job goes much faster this way!

Let’s get started:

The first step is to iron the fabric, both for the inside and the outside.

Next, cut the fabric for the inside and outside of the socks.

You will need two pieces cut to 5″x11″ for the inside fabric, and two pieces cut to 6″x12″ for the outside fabric.

I use a rotary cutter to cut my fabrics but there is nothing wrong with measuring out a pattern on a sheet of paper (brown paper bags or newspaper make great patterns).

Iron down the hem for the case by pressing down 1/4″ from the end and then folding and pressing down another 1/4″. (Please excuse our stained ironing board…it seems to be “craft central” and gets lots of “love”!)

Sew the inside case, right sides together all the way around, leaving a 2″ opening. You could pin these pieces together but since they are so small, if you sew slowly, you shouldn’t have any trouble holding them in place.

*One note here, I always use white thread for projects like this. This allows me to work on multiple items without having to constantly change out thread…you would not do this with clothing or something you were making as an heirloom!

These are the three sewn socks that I’m making ready to be stuffed and sewn shut.

Fill Sock with rice. It doesn’t have to be stuffed…think as full as a 1lb. bag of dried beans from the store. The easiest way to fill the sock is with a funnel but if you don’t have one, roll a sheet of paper into a funnel and ask someone to hold it while you pour the rice in. Turn edges of opening under and holding together, stitch closed. (You could do this by hand if you wish.)

If you are just learning to sew, one tip that I learned a long time ago is to stop just before you get to the end, with needle still in fabric, lift the pressure foot and turn fabric 1/2 turn. Walk your machine two stitches and then again, with needle still in machine, turn to continue sewing down next side.

Don’t forget to leave that opening! (I’m so bad to start talking to someone and just stitch the whole thing! I’m so glad for seam rippers!)

If you would like, now is the time to sew on decorative trim to the outside case. If not, you do need to run a seam across the pressed down edge.

Next, is to take the first seams to the case. I HATE unfinished seams inside my work so I go through a few extra steps to finish even the inside of my projects.

With WRONG sides together, stitch around 3 sides of the case (the 1 unstitched side …the one you hemmed eariler, will be the opening) taking 1/4″ seam allowance. Trim close to seam.

Now, turn to inside and press flat making sure that the seams are in place to the sides.

Stitch down three sides, close to edge and press.
Turn to the outside and press again.

The last step is to iron your ribbon, first turning under 1/4″ and then another 1/4″. Stitch into place on the inside opening of the case.

Tada! One rice sock!

I’ll be happy to answer any questions that you might have…just email me. Sewing is a lot of fun…especially if you start with projects that can be finished in just an hour or two.

These can be used one of two ways, you can either put them in the freezer (which is where I store mine), for when you need a cold compress…great for sore muscles or headaches. Or, you can microwave them. My mom and my children both use them this way to warm the bottom of their beds before they climb in at night.

(My microwave is seldom, if ever used for food, but there is a line at night to heat rice socks!) The rice is GREAT for holding heat or cold for long periods of time and much safer than a heating pad.

I’m going to sew several of these for Christmas gifts for friends and family.

Prayer Requests

David Blackwell’s Grandmother died over the weekend. Please pray for their family as they go about funeral arrangements.

Remember to pray for the leadership of this country. This is something that the Bible tells us to do but I’ll be the first to admit, that it’s easy for me to forget at times.

Today I’m Thankful For

The storage space being clean! Hurray!

Extra work Paul had over the weekend.

Being almost finished with my laundry for the day (well, I’ll have to fold and put it away but the last load is in the washer right now!).

I collected several items over the weekend to add to the freezer for the upcoming holidays.

An enjoyable afternoon with my dear hubby on Saturday.

Tracy’s Task

Today, I’m actually working on a couple of projects.

I’m finishing the computer journaling part of “Seven Days To A Completed Scrapbook” to read what we have so far, click HERE!

I’m also finishing the details of last week’s finger puppets.

As for the Holiday Grand Plan that I’ve been working on, this week is Kid’s Room Week. We will be working on organizing and deep cleaning children’s bedrooms around here. Are there toys that you need to go through and donate before the upcoming holidays?

We are currently trying to divide our children’s toys into seasons. We will only pull out that season’s box so that they have a constant rotation of “new” toys and are better able to manage and store what we have out.

Also on the HGP list for this week is to:

*Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
*Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
*Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
*Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying. Ask for gift boxes.
*Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
*Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.
*Check smoke detectors and clean them, change batteries if needed.
*Make “goody basket” for guest bath, from samples found in abundance in stores right now.

I’ve not started wrapping anything yet…but this week, I would like to purchase paper so that I can get a head start on this too.

We did get some holiday meals out of the way…I know it’s cheating but I *LOVE* the frozen lasagnas for storing as holiday meals. They are so easy to just pop into the oven! We purchased one of these, some vegetables, and baking supplies that we will need.

For more information on this, click HERE.

What I’m Learning

I think that there must be a conspiracy by child product manufacturers to create “must have” lists for unsuspecting new moms.

I was amazed by a list I read last week, published in a well known magazine, that told of the necessary baby items every baby must have.

What I am learning, well, have learned, is that you really don’t need that much…babies only have a few real needs and the most important is free.

If you would like to read more, you can click HERE.

Today’s Scripture Meditation

A thought for what the Biblical father SHOULD be doing…..I would venture to guess, a far reach from what the world tells Dads they are supposed to be doing!

1Thes 2:11-12
“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”
(NIV)

So thankful for each day,

Tiger Puppet

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I’m sure that everyone is breathing a sigh of relief to not have to listen to me whine anymore about my head.

Thankfully, my Motrin did the trick and I am pain free today. One unfortunate lingering effect is the nausea but hopefully it won’t last too much into the day! I really hate migraines!

It’s “Works For Me Wednesday” again! I thought all week about what I would post today…sometimes the simplest things are what comes to mind.

Today, I am sharing our method for storing and organizing our homeschool flashcards. We got this great tip from someone that we used to attend church with and it’s stuck with my home ever since.

Shoe organizers work great! This one was one that someone had given us. It keeps all the flashcards neatly in one place and off the shelves (which is highly valued book space!).

It works for me…maybe it will work for you too.

Onto our Wednesday knitting pattern.

If you are just joining us, last Wednesday, I shared a knitting pattern for a chick finger puppet that I had made for my little boys for Christmas.

If you would like the pattern for this puppet, click HERE!

Today, we are going to continue on with that theme…we are making a tiger finger puppet (well, actually, I’m making a few!).

Please remember that I am *very* new to knitting. My patterns definitely leave a lot to be desired…but they seem to turn out O.K. That being said, if you have any comments or ideas on changing the pattern to make it a little easier to read and follow, I would welcome them!

So here goes:

Cast on 15 stitches (this will be loose on the finger but I was trying to accommodate Daddy hands that might want to play along!) …Leave a tail of several inches.

Row 1: K
Rows 2&3: K in black in ribbed stitch pattern (knit, purl, knit, etc.)
Rows 4&5: K in orange in ribbed stitch patten
Row 6: K in black
Row 7: P in black
Row 8: K in orange
Row 9: P in orange
Continue in orange until puppet measures 1 1/4″
Last full row: K2tog all the way across (knit last stitch)

Carefully slide work off of knitting needle and with a large eyed tapestry needle (or whatever big needle you might have…I had a plastic canvas blue one), thread yarn through all holes and pull tight to close on top.
You want the purl side to be facing out at this point. Using the tail that was originally left from casting on, re-thread needle and use this to stitch closed the finger puppet along the back. Secure tightly.

Turn finger puppet inside out.

Thread needle and take one stitch (leave tail dangling). Using the tail and loose thread now threaded through needle, tie a knot to secure to puppet. Make a twisted cord tail, tie a knot in the end.

Make two french knots from yarn where you would like to place the eyes.

Take a couple of stitches in black to make a nose in the shape that you wish. Take one stitch on either side of the nose and tie on the top side of the puppet for whiskers. Comb through yarn to separate strands.

The ears are made from orange…

Cast on 4 stitches, leave a tail.

Knit 3 rows

On the 4th row, k2tog all the way across and then bind off in the last row.

Try and shape this piece into a triangle, stitch across with orange yarn and stitch in place onto finger puppet.

This is what the little guy turns out like:

I’m having to be careful because Timothy (my four year old) is pretty quick to catch on to the fact that they are finger puppets. He is just itching to play with them! I hope that we can hold out until Christmas! :)

*On a completely different note, we are planning my soon to be 13 year old son’s birthday celebration. We would love to hear your ideas. We celebrated my older daughter’s birthday in a very special way but I don’t think that my son is going to want to sit with his friends in a tea room! :)

Please send in ideas that you might have for his birthday in February!

Prayer Requests

Today Paul has a couple of things going on, one with a possible job promotion and the other with an attorney for some legal matters to settle before we can proceed with investors. This is a HUGE step forward for us as it will free us to openly pursue investment for our infant company.

We also looked at the outside of a home last evening. It would definitely need a lot of work but the additional space would be so nice. Please pray that even if this is not a home meant for us that the Lord is already preparing a larger home for our family.

Please continue to keep Tanya Beutow’s Grandmother in your prayers.

Remember Fay, on of our Lines’ Yahoo moms….she was to be induced yesterday.

Please continue to keep Joshua in your prayers…his back is still bothering him.

Today I’m Thankful For

The Greenlaw’s seem to have been able to resolve the situation with their neighbor yesterday. I’m so glad for them. I know that this has been a stressful situation for quite some time.

My daughter who prepared a most wonderful dinner last night for our family. I’m so blessed to have her!!

The last few days (Before I say this, don’t get me wrong…I’m always glad for the cooler air!) I’ve been very aware that I only have a few more weeks, maybe, of hanging my laundry out before I’m left with the dryer again. Even at 5 this morning as I was finishing folding a little lingering laundry from yesterday I could smell the outside air in our clothes. I love that! I’m going to miss it! I’m thankful for a few more days of the wonderful smell in my laundry!

A little indulgent, I know, but if anyone has tried Hershey’s new Sweet and Salty granola bars…they are definitely something to be thankful for! YUMMY!

My two year old that for the life of me, we can’t keep out of his Super Man p.j.’s! We dress him five times a day and he always shows back up in those p.j.’s! Maybe he thinks they give him super powers??? Who knows but I adore my little super jammied man!

Tracy’s Task

O.K., back on the wagon today….I have got to do some much needed fall maintenance on my garden and my yard for that matter.

Look around your home today…are there things that are going to need some attention as we move into the cooler months? Remember that the outside is the first thing people see of your home! It should look nice and tidy….we’re working on ours…we hope that you will join us!

What I’m Learning

What am I learning?

I think if I could roll all that I have learned from the Lord over the last few years into one thing, it would be centered around this:

My home is where I find contentment.

For years, I felt like the only way to be content would be to stuff as much into my day as I possibly could. Lessons for this and lessons for that, clubs, meetings, church groups all seemed to be the way to better my family and myself.

A series of events brought our family to a place where all of these things were taken from us. Prior to this happening, I would have grieved over the loss of activities, our time out and all that I thought our family was gaining from the outside interaction.

What I’m learning, is that my place is within our home. It is only in our home that my children can learn the things that are REALLY important. It is only in our home that the foundation of life that my children must have will be built. It is only in our home that I will feel satisfied and invest my time in a way that it will come back to me more than I will ever know.

Today’s Scripture Meditation

This is my favorite part of posting everyday!! :)

2 Pet 1:10-14
“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.”
(NIV)

Sewing, Anyone?

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This is dress number 2 that will be posted on EBAY. I finished it yesterday….I think it turned out pretty well. It’s a little big on Emma.

We’ve not done a project in a while so I thought that Monday, we would begin a sew-along.

For those with no sewing experience, this should be a great beginner’s project: a rice sock. We will begin on Monday with an explanation of the basic parts of a sewing machine and work our way on from there.

This project will require the following:

sewing machine
white thread
rice (always use white rice for rice socks….brown rice develops a nasty smell after awhile!)
no fray or a glue like Aileen’s that will not wash away
1/4 yard of solid fabric
1/4 yard of printed fabric
1/2 yard of ribbon to coordinate with fabric

That’s it. You can look back in the post from May 15 entitled “Mother’s Day” to view a sample of our project. We’ll just take a couple of steps a day so don’t feel overwhelmed…and when we are done, I’ll enlist Paul’s help in posting the instructions all in one place so they will be easier to read.

This will be the first of many sewing projects…maybe we’ll even get around to quilting one day!! : )

Late last night, I came in to read a post that my friend, Angie, posted on her website (http://kittenwhiskers.blogspot.com).

I actually woke up this morning thinking about this.

Uuuummmmm, this is the part where I warn you that I’ve just dusted it off and I’m about to take a step onto my soapbox.

Let’s see where to begin….I have years worth of venting on this subject. (Don’t worry, I don’t think that this post will take too long.

I am a mom of eight. Yes, gasp, I know……most of you already know this but for those who don’t I just thought I would place that on the table so that we know the important facts here.

I did not start out to be a mom at all. In fact, growing up, I can remember thinking that anyone who would have more than one or two children must be foolish and irresponsible.

All through high school I planned my life…college and then career. Paul and I dated for a few years before we were married and we still had no plans for this life that we are living…our lives were going to be much more “tidy”….college, career, go to church every Sunday, buy a house…have a good life.

It’s funny the twists and turns a life takes. I felt so “enlightened” then. So much like I had the world at my fingertips and I would have that perfect life by doing everything that those around told me would put me there.

Now, fast forward to the morning at the big church I was attending, to my dear friend Christy and I sitting at the welcome center as people brought their children into church and signed them into the children’s department. I’m not sure how many people made comments about the size of my family that morning while Christy and I were sitting there, but it was with the comment that went something like “it must take you all day to sign all your kids in…” that made Christy turn to me and ask “don’t you ever get tired of that?”.

I thought about that for many months and still do from time to time. I guess I had gotten so used to it that it was easy to ignore. After all, I know that they most likely weren’t trying to be rude, or were they?

I have, in fact, listened to these comments for years…..I even met a friend in the grocery store who has 10 children once…after she left I could over hear the cashiers saying to each other things like “what is wrong with that woman”, “doesn’t she know that people are supposed to know better than that these days?” and so on and so on.

So, Angie, this one is for you, and for my other friend, and for all those who have ever made a comment about stay-at-home moms, or big families, or home schoolers, or just for women who make the decision to (ooohhhh, another gasp, gasp) stay married and work at home in a day when the world would tell you that it’s better to “shop around”.

First, I would like to say that I AM more enlightened now.

I am following the Lord’s direction for my life. That’s about as enlightened as anyone can get! This does not mean that my life is easy. In fact, I have to say that it is much more difficult to go against the world’s standards. The Scripture tells us that we are strangers in this world (1 Pet 2:11 “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.). We have to resist the things that are not of God. This means that we should be living life according to the Word and not according to the world.”

I’ve got to interject one more thought here and it is this: there are many pastors (not to be read as all pastors), that are not teaching the word of God. They are teaching the world. I’m not saying that they mean to (or maybe they do), but in their efforts to not ruffle feathers within their congregations, they refrain from teaching the very Word that they profess to teach! The Bible says: 2 Pet 2:17-20 “These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity– for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” NIV

I would like to say to the things that Angie (you were right on girl!) mentioned in her post:

On The Duggar Family: It’s time that for once America had some real role models. At best, our children see musicians who in vast majority have filthy mouths and even filthier lives, politicians who will say one thing and do the opposite, how about anyone on T.V.? Is there even one that is a good role model? I bet you could count them on one hand. …but, here, is a family. A really big family (praise God!) working together to build their own home (debt-free, I might add!), spending precious time with their children, working in their local government and trying to follow the Lord’s leading in their lives. I’m not sure why it is so easy to make fun of people who seem to be doing the right things. Why are we not more likely to single out those who parade themselves around half dressed or make no time to parent their children or will not give up their seat for a pregnant woman in a waiting room? What has happened to us?

Am I being irresponsible for having so many children?: Absolutely not. My faith for everything is in my Father. Luke 12:22-24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” (NIV) God will provide what we need…in one way or another. I would rather always that my faith be in Him….I can’t imagine having depend on anything or anyone else! : )

We’ve even apparently been responsible enough to plan our retirement…though this part was not intentional! My cousin once commented that while everyone is worried about paying for their retirement….we have created the ultimate retirement plan. He said that surely out of eight children, one of them would be willing to care for us when we were elderly! I chuckled…I had never thought of this before.

Are we “backwards” for having so many children? I mean, people just don’t do this anymore!: On the contrary, I was not raised to believe these things, I’m an only child and Paul is one of two children. We have prayed and felt directed in this area. We made these tough decisions when we knew no one else doing so. Is this backwards? I don’t think so….I’m applauding those who are making tough decisions even though they know that others are not going to approve.

Here are the questions we hear nearly every time we are out with our children…. (and I do mean every time…many of you have been with me and heard these or have had these comments yourselves)……..

“My goodness, are these all yours?” “Yes, they are.”

“Your hands must be very full!” “Yes, I’m very blessed!”

“Don’t you know what causes that?!” I’m not sure at what point it became O.K. to ask such a personal question but our responses range anything from me saying “yes” to a comment that my husband makes that you’ll have to ask him for yourself because I won’t type it here! LOL!

“You need to fix that!” “I’m not broken! In fact, judging from the sweet little faces gracing my home these days…I would say I’m quite good at growing little ones!

“You need to get a TV!” Yes, this was a comment made to my husband in front of a group of men he works with. He decided that this was rude enough…it didn’t merit a response.

“I’m glad it’s you and not me!” “Well, me too!….I’m so glad that God is blessing my home!”

“How do you afford all of them?” The fact is, if you read Parent’s magazine, most of us can’t afford a child, much less a house full of them, but let’s get down to reality. Children really don’t need all the things that we give them. Any Grandmother will tell you that she lived without half the things on the “must have for parenting” lists and so can we. Even so, we’ve never went without. Things may be tight but they are wonderful.

“Don’t you worry that someone will be left out?” These people have obviously never been in my home. There is no where for someone to be left out. I would dare say that there is never a moment when someone could be left out. I had someone say to my newborn son, Benjamin, “bless your heart, you probably get stuck over in a corner and forgotten about!”….I giggled knowing that I have to tell the children constantly to put the littles down in my home. Just this morning I had people lining up to play with Emma. If anything, it makes them a little rotten!! :)

“You can have it! I have one and I can’t handle him!” This is the saddest of all comments to me. Parenting is very easy. There is no secret formula. Children are no different today than they’ve ever been…parents on the other hand, are becoming more and more selfish. They are more concerned about having “their time” or money to spend on new clothes or a new car than they are with spending time training and loving their children. Don’t think for a minute that the children aren’t aware of their parents motives.

15 years and I wouldn’t change a thing. I hope that the Lord continues to bless our home and our family. There is no greater blessing than the gift of a child. I’m surrounded by people who hate their jobs and after years and years of them are burned out. On the other hand, I’m so blessed that the Lord has allowed me this time to be in my home with my family. Each day is a new adventure….a new experience…..another hug…..another “I love you”!

I’m a stay at home mom…not because my husband demands this of me but because we both have made this decision knowing that our investment of my time and energy now will reap rewards so numerous they can’t be counted.

I’m sorry for the “hot topic” this morning….I’m usually very nice about this topic and just smile and go on (I have witnesses to this!). This morning I just had to speak out.

I’m tired of feeling singled out for trying to do the right thing. When did it become wrong for a woman to want to be a Mom or a wife?

For the record, when my friend (mentioned earlier in the posting), left the store, I walked up to the cashiers and told them that I knew the woman personally that had just left. She had a wonderful and loving family and that they had no right to talk about her.

Prayer Requests

Emma has a Dr. appointment today.

The Botkins are speaking in town this week. Pray that ears will hear, eyes will see and hearts will be changed.

Rain, rain, rain,….

Today, I’m Thankful For

God placing like minded people in my life. I’m so blessed by others around me I see that are following His will in their lives.

The beautiful cardinal that has been feeding outside my office window this morning.

Almost completing one of the dolls I’ve been working on.

Paul’s meetings yesterday all went well.

Sprouting garlic in my garden.

Tracy’s Tasks

Today, because of the Dr. appointment, we’ll be rushing to get many of our tasks done. I am going to take the time to make appointments for my other children.

What I’m Learning

I’m learning how to make dolls…this may be one of our sew-alongs some time soon!

Today’s Scripture Meditation

“Lord that you might write Your Word on my heart….”

2 Tim 3:13-17
“while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(NIV)

From my heart,