The Knots In My Life

The other day when I was at my embroidery class. My friend made a comment, that her sister would not approve of her embroidery piece. She went on the say that the back was not pretty and neat.
It got me thinking, my life is like that embroidery piece in many ways. Knotted, frayed ends, threads that start from one point going to what seems to be a random direction, crossing other threads. Some places it resembles a pattern, there are even beautiful colors worked into it. I may try to make it neat and pretty. No matter how hard I try, it still looks messy.
Then I asked myself, is it my handiwork or is it God's? When I look up at it I see a mess, but when God looks down at it He sees a beautiful picture! Without all those messy knots that handiwork would fall apart. So I thank God for the knots in my life, no matter how bad they may look. Others may not always see me as a beautiful piece, but God does. Maybe we need to look pass the messy knots and the frayed ends in ourselves and in others to see what God sees. A beautiful work of art!!!

San Angelo Sheep

Here are few more of the sheep in San Angelo. I took these in the Summer of 2008. My sister's friend and I dragged my sister out one very hot afternoon to take these pictures. I have more that I will post next time. I understand that they have added more sheep, so I'll need to go and look for them on another trip to San Angelo.

San Angelo Texas

Well since I can't my new camera's memory stick to load up on the computer. I decided to post some older photos. This last summer I went to San Angelo, TX to visit my sister. It just won't be the same if I didn't go to the local quilt shop. Every Friday morning they have a free work day. Women bring what ever projects they are working on and bring it to the shop. They work on their project and visit. This is where I got the idea to have a Craft Day in my Craft Cottage. Outside the shop is one of San Angelo's Art Sheep. They have them all over San Angelo. I've got pictures of quite a few of them. I don't believe I have pictures of all them. Which I may be posting, just so I can keep up with my blog.

Mini Scrapbook For Pam

At the first part of the Summer of 2009 I visited my friend Pam. She and her husband have a farm where they grow organic vegetables and herbs. While I was there I took lots of photos of her adorable farm and her little grandson Matt. When I got home I made her a little Scrapbook, I didn't want to put it on my blog until I got a chance to surprise her with it. Last Friday my son and I visited her. She loved the scrapbook. I took more photos, which I plan to put on my blog at a later date.

Here are some of the pages in my mini scrapbook, this Matt, Pam's grandson

You Did It Nathan

It's official my youngest is graduating this Saturday!!!! He passed all his exams and is heading out the high school door. It's kind of sad in some ways. Remembering his first day of school when he was a little fellow. I must say it hasn't always been easy trying to keep this creative boy of mine focused. But I know it will all be worth it. I know God has great things for him!!

So for all of you who are graduating or for you who have a student graduating, let me say "Congratulations".

Blue and White Teapot

Last week I was able to go to one of my favorite shopping places. "Old Town Spring". If you live or are coming to the Houston area you should check out Old Town Spring, It is several blocks of interesting houses that has been turned into shops. They have all kinds of shops there and restaurants. When my sister visits me we usually go there. Well I found this cute teapot at a shop called "Shabby Rose", it's one of my favorite shops. It's the perfect color for my craft cottage and it has a cottage look. It was also put out by Avon. So it is a collectible. Since I collect Teapots I just couldn't pass it up!

Blossoms & Butterflies

I made this birthday card for my friend Charlotte. It was one of those super easy cards. The paper is from The Blossums & Butterflies stack by DCWV, it already comes glittered. I cut out the "Happy Birthday" with my cricut die cutter. The little jewel originally goes on the Crocs shoes, I bought it on clearance and just popped off the backing and glued it on the card.

Altered Altoid Tin

I made this for my friend Charlotte's birthday. I Hope she doesn't see this because I haven't given it to here yet! She is the sweet lady who has been teaching me to quilt. The little sheep represents me, So every time she looks at it she will know I made this for her in love!! I bought the mini spools and wrapped thread around each one. They aren't perfect, but that's OK I guess?

You can get a better view of it on my flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14535762@N08/

My Magnolia Tree

We have a little scrawny Magnolia tree in our front yard. It was here when we moved in about 4 years ago. I remember to water occasionally. I guess I never really thought it would amount to anything. But this morning I was watering my flower beds and I just happen to look up. To my surprised it had a big beautiful bloom. I pull it down and smelled it. Awww it had that wonderful smell that only comes from a Magnolia flower. I ran in and got my camera, just as I was taking the picture a bee showed up. How perfect is that!!!

Just to show you never give up on anything or anyone. I thank God that He has never given up on me. He sings over me (Zephaniah 3:17) and just like the bee I hope others can come to me and go away with the sweet nectar that God has filled me with!! His love and His wisdom .

Mothers' Day

I hope all of you had a wonderful Mother's Day!! I know I did. My boys made me feel very special. I got a dozen red roses, some money to use for crafting supplies and a cute card. My family took me out to eat after church to a nice Italian restaurant. Then home to rest.

I had a blast in my Sunday school class, the children made cards for their moms and colored little crosses. They were still working on them, when their mom's came to get them when the service was over. They were so cute saying "Don't look mom I'm not finished!" You should have seen the smiles on their mother's faces!!

I also thought of my mom and how much I miss her and my mother in law who died almost to the year after my mom died. If your mother is still alive enjoy her while you can!! Here's a special Thank You to all Mothers and for all you do!!

Thyme Square Farm

Friday I spent the morning at my friend Pammy's farm, you can find the link to her web page right here on my blog. Here are some vegetables and herbs she sent me home with. The weather was wonderful, not the heat and humidity we've been having. In the next day or two I'll put some more pictures of her farm, but today I'm showing some photos of her little helper, her grandson Matt. I had a blast playing with him, he even shared his dirt with me by bringing me little shovels full over and over. He shared his toy trucks and he chased me with the water hose. He was so cute in his little overalls.

Matt

His face is still wet from playing with water hose. I was taking a picture of the flowers and he ran up to the camera. He is such a cutie!!!

Matt running through the garden, a great place to play!!!

Matt was trying to spray me with the water! Thank goodness Pam turned the water off!! LOL And that I can out run a two year old!!!

May I borrow your cat?

I spend a lot of time on flickr looking at other crafters creative spaces. I've notice most of them have one thing in common, well other than be very talented creative people. They all seem to have a cat. I use to have a cat, but since I'm catless atm, I thought I would borrow Lisa Long's cat for my blog. Or should I say her son Ben's cat. I took this photo as I set enjoying a beautiful morning on their porch. Now I use to have a cat that looked very similar to this one, only he a had a black spot on the tip of his nose. Billy got him for me our first Christmas together. I suppose some day I will get a cat, after all every crafter should have a cat for their crafting space. Right?

My Craft Cottage Porch

Here's a photo of my Craft Cottage Porch. It's not completely finished. Billy and I sit out there sometimes in the evening. It's great place to sit and chat or just watch the birds. There are some Red Tail Hawks that live in the tall trees that grow on the vacant lot behind my house. So this is a invitation to any of you to come by and we can sit and chat. We can have cold glass of ice tea.

What have I been doing for the last two days? Well it hasn't been crafting. I've been cooking! I've made dishes to put up in the freezer. Billy and I went to Sam's (where you buy in bulk). So I've been dividing meat into small portions and wrapping it for the freezer. Do I like to cook you ask? Sometimes, but the older I get the more I realize there are other things I would rather do. Like crafting, shopping, reading and gardening. OK gardening falls into the same category as cooking. I have to be in the mood and I like the end results more than the process. I have to laugh my two youngest sons (ages 20 and 23) have shown a very strong interest in cooking lately? I mean they are spending their money on cook books, knife sets, pots and pans. They are watching cooking shows. buying seasonings, spices and ingredients. They are trying new recipes and leaving my kitchen a mess. OK we are working on that part. One is better than the other! They show an interest when I try a new recipe and ask me questions. It's almost scary in a good way? Guess who's cooking Thanksgiving Dinner next November!!!!

.......for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

As I reflect on all my blessings. One thing that comes to my mind is the joy in my heart that only can comes from my Lord. Even when things look hopeless that joy always remains and really has been my strength!!!! I pray that all of you too have that same joy, so you can have a strength that only comes from a relationship with Jesus.

This wall hanging made by my sister Christine hangs in my craft cottage. It reminds me of how I feel!!

Jasper, Texas

This last weekend I was in Jasper, TX for a Mother/Daughter Retreat. It was very much a blessing. I was with the daughters when they separated for their special classes and crafts. I taught one of the classes and when the Retreat was over I got a hug from each one. Well when it was time to leave my friend's car wouldn't start. So we were forced to stay over night. Thanks to Lisa Long and her family, who let us stay the night at their home. Here is a picture of their wonderful home. Sunday we went with them to church. For those of you are are Watching American Idol, you will be familiar with Michael Sarver. We went to his church and he was there that morning. He lead one of the worship songs, he has a beautful voice!! That was just the icing on the cake of a already wonderful weekend.

Texas Cattle and Bluebonnets

My OH and I had to drive to Brenham, TX on business today. The drive was beautiful, there were fields of Bluebonnets, the Texas state flower. This spot where we stopped to take the photo was very popular. Cars were lined up on the side of the road taking pictures. This time of year I always think of my mom, her birthday would have been in a few days. We always took a drive around her birthday to see the Bluebonnets, she loved Bluebonnets!!! So do I and I'm sure almost every Texan.

My Craft Cottage

Here are few photos of my craft cottage. It's not completely finished. I still have a few projects to work on. So I'll be taking more photos as things change a bit. Here is the link to my flickr to see more photos of the craft cottage. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14535762@N08/

I pray all of you had a wonderful Easter!! I know I did, even though the rain poured all morning, by afternoon the sun was shining!!! This cute little Easter lamb was a gift from one of my friends, Brook. She goes to the church with me and is our Children's Ministry leader. Her little lamb Tyler is in my 4 & 5 year old class. The rain didn't stop our children at church from having a nice Easter. They had their egg hunt inside, they had Easter cookies, sang worship songs and played games. I love Easter!!!!

Flowers in my backyard.

Yesterday my sweet husband walked in and handed me this cute box. In it was sugar free chocolate from a new candy shop that had opened up "Divina Chocolates". He also got each of our sons some candy for Easter. Another reason I love Easter!!!

Happy Easter

There are two holidays I love Thanksgiving and Easter!! Easter is a time that I really reflect on what Jesus, my Savior has done for me!! He is Risen!!!

When I was little my mom would go all out, making me a beautiful new dress, buying me shining new black shoes, a new hat, gloves and if I could talk her into it a new purse. But my favorite was the new slip, the kind that made my dress stick out and made a crackle sound when I sat down. LOL

When we went to the breakfast table, there was always a big chocolate egg sitting at each plate. Than in the after church we would have an Easter Egg hunt. I love the memories....

We have our own traditions now. My boys are too big for Easter egg hunts now, but I still buy them each a chocolate bunny.

Easter reminds me of Spring. I love the wildflowers and to take a drive through the country to see the Bluebonnets.

I also get the urge to dig in the dirt, to clean out the flower beds, plant flowers of all colors.

Easter......smell of flowers, Easter candy, pretty pastel colors in the stores. These are things that bring a smile to my face!!

SORRY

Sorry it has been a year since I've updated my blog!!! I've several friends encourage me to get back on my blog so I'll try to do a better job! For now this post will have to do.