Working out the little things....

**UPDATE** I have to get this fixed, I just tried to post photos of some crochet items I've made, and still, this same message.

Ok, still using the pc that I've had, with birthdays Christmas and baby, I can't buy a new pc or lap top just yet. This one has been fixed, but there is 1 thing not working, everything else is working as if it is new. When I click a link on any page, or links at the ville to see others work, or pattern, (even my own blog link in my siggy) I get this message that I do not know how to fix. it says ....

"The requested look up key was not found in any active activation context."

Can't even use my print or preview in my toolbar, says the same message. I spent over an hour on the phone with tech support, (after it was fixed) and all they could tell me was to download the new internet explorer 7 or the mozilla fire fox browser, but when I get to the end of the process, guess what.... Same message. So I am still able to use my pc and everything is working great, I just can't follow some links, some work, some don't, and this message is not one I'm familiar with, so any ideas on how to fix this are greatly appreciated. Other wise, I will just wait till after Christmas to buy a new puter. So, still working, still here, just not able to follow some links.

Hey!!!!!

I have been away for awhile due to pc trouble...eeek! Anywho, I am hoping to be set up soon. A few quick things, there have been inquiries on a few of my posted projects and I will get to answer them when I'm set up. Thank you so very much Amy S for everything you sent me in the Summer Round of Secret Pal, and Tracey, I hope you enjoyed everything I sent you. Loopy, I did receive your card, thank you so much! It was a joy to hear from you. I've missed you all so much! and would have been back sooner, but we are getting ready for our sweet little one, so we have had other expences recently. Let's see, oh...I was published in the Pattern A Day Calander, twice! Yeah! Praise Jesus, and go check it out! I know I'm forgeting something, and I'm sorry for neglecting this blog, but I will catch back up very soon, here and at the Ville. I have some great projects to hopefully show soon! Have a beautifully blessed weekend and God Bless!

Tea Pot with Heart?

Look~y what I found at a local flea market for $3!!! and it has a Heart even! YAY!!!

Now for the even better news....This sweet little pink tea cozy with the most beautiful Queen Elizabeth Roses for buttons, was made by my SP from the Spring Round, Anna. Who I can't thank enough by the way! Isn't it just perfect! My 7 yo. Jake, said, " Wow Mama, that tea cozy is pretty!"

Pretty things.....

I do not know what this is, it is growing along the edge by the forest. (doesn't forest sound much better then "woods") I just love it. There are yellow Irises growing here too. This is a bit of Ivy growing up the front porch.
Oh, how much do I love this plant. We have 2, and they attract butterflies. We always have a garden full of butterflies. The flowers are white, pink, and a dark pink. They are long and trumpet shaped, they reach about 10 feet high. This branch was low to the ground, the flowers bloom on top of the branches.

Aren't these flowers beautiful? They are growing all around my yard. Our pecan trees went through a hard frost, but they have bloomed back out. Praise the Lord! Hoping they will produce pecans this fall. They didn't last year, but I've been told they produce every other year, so we shall see. The one right behind my house is huge, it is sooo tall, you could stack my house on top of itself 3 times and the pecan tree would still be taller than that. I've tried to get a full photo, but you have to be so far away from it, you loose perspective. When it does have pecans, right before they fall, these massive branches touch the ground under the weight. A lovely sight. When it produces, everyone knows what they are getting for Christmas.

50 Book Challenge in 1 Year.

I've decided to do the 50 Book Challenge in a year too. A little late, but here are the first 3 I'm reading now.

1. God's Promises for Mothers
2. At Home in Mitford
3. Anne of Green Gables

Summer...

It seems summer is here in the south already! Yay! We had fresh tomatoes and cucumbers today along with lunch. I will post a photo later of the delicious produce. (when I get some more! It doesn't last long here) I think tomatoes and cucumbers are in a food category all their own. Also I have 2 tomatoe plants started, one is a cherry tomatoe. As kids we called them tommy toes. Silly huh?

Crocheting away on the sweet little thing I'm testing for Anna. I believe it will be done by the end of this week. I had to frog the first row of the scallop. Eeekkk. I don't like to frog. Anywho, it is soooooooo sweet! I just hope Maddi isn't to chunky to fit into it. Also deciding what to make for my SP.

The song I posted yesterday may have offended some, I do understand it is a little blunt. However, the message is true of any Christian, I want to be more like Jesus. I pray for His grace, forgiveness, and help, because with out Him, who knows where I'd be today. Enjoy this wonderfully warm day, a gift from God.

Thought Provoking Song...

This song, I heard on the radio a good while ago, then again today, and it has such a profound message. Just read and see...If you've heard it, you know what I mean. Only 1 thing, in my church, Jesus would be welcomed, open arms falling at His feet. The singer is Todd Agnew....

Lyrics:
"Which Jesus do you follow?
Which Jesus do you serve?
If Ephesians says to imitate Christ
Then why do you look so much like the world?

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant
So which one do you want to be?
Blessed are the poor in spirit
Or do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness
Or do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand

Cause my Jesus bled and died for my sins
He spent His time with thieves and sinners and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the rich
So which one do you want to be?
Who is this that you follow
This picture of the American dream
If Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feet

Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion
Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins
But the Word says He was battered and scarred
Or did you miss that part
Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and the least of these
He loved the poor and accosted the comfortable
So which one do you want to be?
Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church
The blood and dirt on His feet would stain the carpet
But He reaches for the hurting and despised the proud
I think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowd

And I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud
I want to be like my Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!

So very powerful. I am challenged and am challenging everyone, be more charitable, not because of the good you receive, but because that's what Jesus did. He went out of His way to save and help us all. Surely we can continue stepping out of our comfort zones and help those in need. There are so many people out there who are hurting, alone, on drugs, homeless, pregnant an in trouble, sick, elderly, there is a place for everyone to help. Please go out and find what you can do, and then do it well. Do it in Jesus' name. What good is it if you don't tell them about Jesus? I promise, if you meet some of their needs, they may, and some will listen. They may not respond the way you want, but they will have heard that Jesus loves them, and what He did for them, and just how special they are, because Jesus died for them to have the chance to go to Heaven. Think about it, the Son of God, the King of kings, loves you, us all. That's amazing! Tell them who Jesus is, share Him with them. Pick up a few Bibles, and give them out to whom ever God lays on your heart to help. Read the story of the Good Samaritan, it is soooo much more than a Sunday school lesson for children. We need to be a Samaritian every day with the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Thank You Lord for a fresh inspiration and focus.

Hope you have an absolutely Beautiful time serving the Lord by helping those in need.

This is a tote bag I made yesterday for my Secret Sister at church. It has a thread granny square for the front pocket. It is fully lined in the same fabric, and has grosgrain ribbon for the handles. It's to carry her Bible and any other papers she needs for church. It's about 15" long and 10" bottom to top. Hope she likes it.

I'm also very excited, I'm getting the rest of the thread I need tomorrow to finish the sweet little thing I'm testing for Lullabies and Lace. I feel like I've had withdrawls not being able to work on it for the past week. We've had other financial needs this past little while. Hope you have a beautifully blessed weekend!

Dress for Maddi

~~I also made a few of these for the pregnance center, you can see them in the latest posts about the Cherokee Pregnancy Center.~~

This is for baby Madison. She is the daughter of a friend at church. Since I ran out of thread for the sweet little dress I'm testing to give her as a gift, I made this yesterday. The top is crocheted and has a shell border. The bottom is red with tiny white polka dots. Not my usual colors, but very cute! Ever since seeing this idea on the Carol Duval show, I have loved it. Here's a link to the original idea, I didn't do the shell pattern, I just did dc back and forth, it was quicker.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_needlework_crochet/article/0,,HGTV_3260_2820290,00.html

I also made a few of these and posted them in the latest post for the Cherokee Pregnancy Center. I did a flying V st on those. I used a crochet nylon. Bought from Wal Mart, it is about $3.49 a roll, and is very shiny. It almost glows. Can't wait to see her in it. It has an empire waist, so the bottom will be huge like a mushroom top when she is sitting up. I think those are just the cutest!

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer. So let's join together in Jesus name and pray for our children, their schools, our blessed and great nation, President and it's leaders. Our military, our family and friends. The bible says in 1st. Thessalonians 5:16...Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. So let's have an attitude of prayer all day. You know, we can pray all day and still go about our daily business...having special prayer time, and in our thoughts as we are doing things. If someone is on your mind, say or think a prayer for the Lord to meet their needs. Or for the hurting and lonely, or for the family whose son is away at war, or for the families of those from the Virginia tragedy. We can always be mindful that if God places someone or some situation on our hearts and mind, there is a reason. Pray for them. We will never grow in our walk with the Lord if we do not pray to Him and speak to Him on a daily basis. Something I've been convicted of just this morning. Pastor Charles Stanley is a man of God, and I encourage you to listen to him on the radio, tv, net, however you can. Enjoy this National Day of Prayer, and remember, "Pray without ceasing!" 1 Thess. 5:17

Lace Heart.....

Isn't this neat? I completely forgot about this book. It is an Annie Potter bok called Fantastic Lace Ornaments. Originally I ordered it b/c there was this really neat ornament my husband actually liked. After receiving a Snowflake book in my reveal package ** I remembered having this. Soooo, I think I will make a few to put on hand made cards...though I just can't bare the thought of someone throwing the cards away eventually. Must send them to crocheters! Enjoy!!!! Jesus loves you, have a beautiful weekend!!!!

(I haven't blocked it yet so it may look a little sideways)

Up~Coming Events...

We are hoping to travel the short distance to Blowing Rock NC. in the next few weeks for a mini vacation. Also to check out the location. In September, they will be having the Mitford Series festival. It is also just a few days away from my husband's birthday, So we are hoping to go for the weekend to the festival. Anywho, Starting May 4, they will be running their historic locamotive. It is on the national registry of historic places/things. http://www.tweetsie.com/park_attractions/ One time I saw something about Thomas the Train will be on the front (?), and I know the boys would love to ride it then. http://www.blowingrockvacations.com/attractions.html We will also pan for gold, sight see, hopefully look off the beaten path and find some thrift stores. I would just love to nab a few vintage finds, doilies or thread. I am hoping to make a skirt to wear. I saw some really pretty ones on a vintage site, I think it was My Vintage Home, I just loved them. So I will be looking for some white fabric with some sort of motif on it that would make a sweet skirt. Of course it would have to be lined, also on a DIY show, they showed how to make this circle wrap skirt, but it had the overall shape of a fifties skirt, with a modern yet very lady like flair, I may not attempt this yet, but maby one day. And a tote bag, I may have to sew one of these too. Anyhow, I can barely wait to go to Blowing Rock to spend the day, or maby the weekend. There will be so many fun things to do. Spending time with my husband and my boys. Just a fantabulous time! Praise the Lord!

I am working on a sweet little pattern, actually testing it, so I can't post anything about it, but that will be taking up most of my crocheting time. Oh, and I joined the Butterfly Bag CAL at the ville, I think it will be beautiful. All the other bags designed by this lady are amazing. They have a vintage flair too. I will post back with that link soon. Have a lovely afternoon! God Bless!

Praise the Lord!

Yay! I'm soooo happy I could bust! My son, who is in 1st grade, was published in a County wide, (21 total schools elem. - high) Young Writer's Gala!!!!! Yay! Go Jacob!!! Woohoo!!! He wrote a short story and his teacher submitted it, He is 1 of only 8 from his school to make the book, and he received an award, first place school winner! Yayayayayayayay! His story was about an army helicopter that landed in our yard. In his story he said he liked army tanks, he liked armed forces, and he liked soldiers. He is a proud American! Praise God! WooHoo!!!!!

After all this excitement, nothing can compete. I waited to post this, b/c Anna had to receive it first, I just fell in love with this pattern, and since she loves tea so much, I had to make it for her. Here's a photo. The pattern is available for purchase thru Crochet Memories. Just click the link on my side bar, ( Not my site, but I love her patterns! she does wonderful work!) and click patterns by category at the bottom, then click kitchen magic.

20 Things I love!

1. English Breakfast Tea
2. Pic~niks with my family
3. Purple Ink Pens
4. Crochet Thread
5. My Journal I'm writing to my boys.
6. Gardenia Candles
7. Queen Elizabeth Roses and Daisies
8. The Colors Pink, Brown, White, Cream, Sage
9. Marigolds (my mom planted these when I was a little girl, and we harvested the seeds for the next year)
10. Doilies from Friends
11. Fried Green Tomatoes (the actual food)
12. Fresh garden tomatoes
13. Movie Sweet Home Alabama
14. Gone With The Wind...need I say more
15. Delicate Crochet Bookmarks
16. Tote bags
17. Tea Pots
18. Vintage finds
19. Unusual Tea Cups and Saucers
20. Plumeria Hand Creme

*~* Thrift Store Finds *~*

First things first, I needed round handles for my fat bottom, I love the other handles, and figured out how to make them work, I just wanted some round handles to make more as gifts. Found them at Hobby Lobby. They had 4 pairs in the entire store, all the bamboo look, which I love. So then, my sweet husband and I went into 2 different thrift stores, and I found these...Tea Pots! One in each store. The 1 serving, was marked with the original sticker for $17.99, and the thrift store sticker said $3.50, the lid is missing, but this one is just for looks, and the Larger one, $4, was usable, but when I went to wash it to set out, the glaze started cracking, so it is for looks too. Anyhow, I just love them! This is my new collection, the friend I made, whom I posted about a few posts ago, her kitchen cabinets are down about 18" from the ceiling, and she has them covered with tea pots and ivy. It is beautiful. Maby she will let me take a photo to post. Anywho, Enjoy the photos, oh, and my first attempt with # 80 thread, and a size 15 hook. Thank you Lady Anna!

(hopefully all the photos will post)

Oh My Lady Anna!!!!!

You must have been a fly on the wall to understand the grace and thoughtfulness behind every gift here. Look thru the photos and see. Anna has created a novel setting for me. Thank you Anna, truely, from my heart! You had already out done yourself, and now with this most special package...your generosity is unmatched! You are so very kind and thoughtful!

I can get cozy in my sweet shawl, sipping any number of heavenly delicious teas (tasting the English tea first), snacking on divine chololate, reading Teacups full of Treasures, Mitford series or an Anne novel, all while listening to the Celtic Woman, which I just recently took off my "wish list" because I thought it may be to expensive.....Crocheting a doily in thread, just about any size...80 perhaps? With, yes, dare I say a hook size 15 or 16...Oh Joy!!!!! Is it a sin to be this happy? lol. My tea will stay warm in the sweetest tea cozy, one of Anna's own designs, and it has the most darling little rose buttons, yes, they do look like Queen Elizabeth Roses...also my favorite, Anna does know me very well. Smelling potpourri of Morning Dew, there is also coffee, which I can not wait to try, stickers, Ferrero Rocher, a calander, Leisure Arts Lacy Snowflakes, beautiful blue beaded purse handle, Bernat baby coordinates yarn in 3 colors, an asortment of thread, All new sizes to me, and my fingers are itching to try.

Now, my goodies, made by Anna, the tea cozy described earlier, the most beautiful shawl. I am utterly stunned by this, in pink, it is heavenly! This purse, I must admit...I was going to buy the pattern to make one for me, I wanted to work out the fat bottom bag first (the Fat Bottom is cute, but there is no comparison to Anna's bag, hers is so charming, reminiscent of Ladys' in days gone by), Anna...how did you know I loved this purse? This is also one of Anna's designs, and it is in brown and pink, one of my most favorite color combinations.. Doilies.....they are added to my 37 Doily Challenge...so beautiful! The small one is maby for my tea cup and saucer as a coaster, the detail in it is lovely! The pink scarf is made of the most unusual fibers, I cherish this scarf...I'm wearing it now, I just can't bare to take it off yet! Anna, Thank you is simply not enough...I must invent a new word that means thank you. After all this description, I am speachless, it amazes me at your attention to detail, there isn't anything in here that wasn't thought about. I do love the Blue Moon beads, they are more exquisite than I would have imagined. The purse, I am wearing tomorrow with a new pair of heels I purchased a few weeks ago, the same color, I just didn't have a bag to match..Thank you! I hope I haven't left anythig out, This was my first exchange, and Anna choose me, this was simply the best exchange I believe I could have ever participated in, both my known and my unknown have become dear friends of mine...I have some really big shoes to fill next time..lol...Thank you again Anna! Now, off to send you a thank you...

***Please excuse the blurriness of my photos, I really do need to buy a new camera...***

Oh no, What's a girl to do...?

Finally, I've finished my second Fat Bottom Bag, (I ran out of yarn for the first one, so it isn't finished) I have searched all over for handles, and sadly, I can not find them. I do so love these handles though. They are adorable. The only place I did not look is Hobby Lobby, hubby was having a hissy this morning and did not want to stop for me. Anyhow, I am using a white fabric, with tiny pink roses on it for the lining. Or maby navy with white polka dots. I have not decided on a flower yet, I have this Gerber Daisy, it is cream, however, a pink rose would be beautiful. So, on to my problem, Where can I find the correct handles...? I have to make these handles work, and I have an idea. I'll post back when I have the bag all finished. I have another idea to make this same type of bag, just with a different stitch, and increasing in a different area. Hhmmm, wouldn't you like to know..lol..I will post it too, as soon as it is finished. Enjoy your beautiful afternoon!

Cherokee Pregnancy Center donatins

There are more, this is just what I took photos of tonight. There are 3 blankets, the Granny Square one I love. The pink one has a mini Crinoline Lady in the corner, and the blue one is edged with a yarn from Lady Anna. ~Thank You Miss Lady Secret!~ The 2 crochet and fabric dresses are inspired by an idea on the Carol Duval show a few years ago. I believe the designer is Candy Jensen..I'll have to look that up and see. The lavender dress is a pattern on~line, I just can't seem to remember which one, didn't follow it all the way either...I kinda like to add my own special touches. lol. Anyhow, there are hats, and bonnets, and I'm happy to say, I designed these bonnets, I did work 2 from a pattern after I made some of my own. The little bag is fleece, it has grograin ribbon for the handles, I sewed this little tote on my new sewing machine, a gift from my mother for my birthday! Yay! Thanks Mama! ;) There will be a matching blanket, just as soon as I can figure out how I want to edge it. Anyhow, I've rattled on, Enjoy the photos. These items will be delivered to the Center next week.

Just thoughts....

For sometime, I have been considering school, work, and my life. I've been praying, and praying, and I simply adore being at home taking care of my children, my husband, and our home. This also allows me time to do charity work and church work too. Which I really love. The thing that keeps coming to mind is to start an on~line business, to sell some of the patterns I make on a regular basis. (my original patterns) I just don't know how to get started, I really would like to have my own .com site, instead of just Etsy, please don't misunderstand, Etsy is great, I personally would just love to have my own site. I also have a name that just came to me tonight. I was jotting down ideas, and this name just came right off my pen. Divine intervention.....? I'm guessing I would mail the patterns same day or next day, because I do not know how to make them available for download. See, I'm in a mess, I just do not know the first thing about setting up, monetary exchange, ect... Any ideas or thoughts are welcome.

I'm borrowing a word from Lady Anna today,

Hope you have a Delightful evening!

Thank You Catheryn!!

Today I received a thank you package from Catheryn. I was her Secret Pal. All the items are lovely! I just love the Angel, and the hearts, the bookmarks, and the thread...Yay!! and the Pinneapple Doily pattern book, I can't wait to get started on one. Thank you so very much Catheryn! I loved being your SP, how neat is it that I live in your home town? Devine intervention! Praise Jesus! I am adding the hearts, which I love and the Angel to my 37 Doily challenge, since you made them for me. Thank you again for being so thoughtful!