Bloggy Giveaways Carnival

This is my first time participating in the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival.

You can click the picture above to go to the master list of giveaways.

For *my* giveaway, you can win a cute coffee cuff! Really, it will work for any cool or hot beverage to protect your hand, and you help cut down on waste because it's reusable! :) I have even used them on cups around the house.



This cuff is made from coffee cup themed fabric with several layers of quilted insulation.

To enter,

• just leave a comment below telling me about your favorite elementary school teacher (I am about to head back to my third graders).
• Be sure to leave your address or a link to your blog so I can contact the winner!
• The winner will be chosen at random and posted on the evening of Saturday, August 2nd.

Cards

I spent some time yesterday and today making cards to help replenish my stash. Time *flies* after school begins, so I am hoping to build up my stock of cards for different occasions through the year. I need to make more, especially of birthday cards, thank yous, and all occasion cards, but here's a good beginning!

Another contest...

So I was talking to my friend Holli today, and the topic of cloth diapers came up (she uses them on her daughter). Then today I came across this contest for 12 free cloth diapers (the very brand she prefers, even!). "Hmmmm," I thought. That can't hurt to try for!

So, check it out if you're interested. :)

So I haven't posted in about a week--but I have an excellent reason. :) My mom is visiting, and I've been busy soaking up all the time I can with her!! :)

We did paint the master bathroom while she's been here, so I hope to post some "before & after" pictures later this week. It's SO much better!!

Have a great week! :)

Only Plan A

If you have not been reading the blog Bring the Rain, you should be (and you can start reading the story here). I have sat with tears streaming down my face and marveled at the grace and honesty with which Angie Smith writes. It's gut-wrenching, but it is beautiful.

Even though I have followed her blog for several months now, having been invited into God's story in and through the Smith family via Angie's writing, only this week did I follow a link she posted quite awhile ago. It was to a video a Nashville-area pastor made documenting the Smiths' trust and understanding of God's will through the loss of their daughter, Audrey Caroline. In this video, Angie made a profound statement, "There is no plan B."

When we feel like the road has twisted or turned into a dead-end or the bridge has been washed out that would keep us on the path to our dreams, we seem to think we have to switch to a "Plan B." But God has no Plan B. Isn't that amazing? That is hard for me to swallow and yet freeing at the same time... I believe in a sovereign God who knows what will happen, numbers our days, and will work all things for His glory and our good. But oh how that can cause us (or me, at least) to wrestle.... so when a job is lost, that was plan A all along.... when a couple struggles with infertility, that was plan A all along... when a dream is dashed, that was plan A all along. How can that be??

Knowing that was the plan all along makes me want to ask, "WHY??" as if my human understanding is somehow more insightful or greater than God's. That's a humbling realization... funny, Becca, to think you know better than God. Right. But it doesn't take away the hurt or confusion of the lost dream.

Here's where I have found myself wresting and then resting in knowing that God knows and Who God is. He sees, He hears, He knew this was coming. He has not lost control. God is still God. And in the beautiful words of Isaiah 61:1-3, "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, He has sent me to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

As I recently read in an excerpt from Beth Moore's Breaking Free, that "doesn't mean we'll never mourn or feel despair. But Christ will minister His gladness to us once again. He will give us a heart of praise if we let Him [emphasis mine]; then one day all mourning and despair will be behind us."

When I finally quit fighting God's Plan A, when I stop furiously searching for a "better alternative," or a shortcut back to what I expected to happen, when I am still before Him and stay my heart in His wisdom and comfort, then my wrestling can turn to resting. And resting in Him is like no other resting I've ever known. The scars may still be there from me putting up a fight, but our God heals, our God restores, and our God never lost control. He never had to change His trajectory. He never had to change plans. Nothing pushes or sways Him from His path. You can trust Him. It's provoking and yet peaceful at the same time. There is no Plan B. God has only Plan A.

Old Red Barn Co. Giveaway!

Check out this AMAZING quilt full of Ginger Blossom fabrics! I'm enetring in the giveaway!
(click the image above to see for yourself!)

Sandwich Wrap

I made my first sandwich wrap. I've actually had one since January that's from an online store, but I admit I asked for it (around Christmas) with the intent of figuring out how to do it myself. I can attest to it keeping my sandwiches fresh and yummy, and it's easy to wipe down. Not to mention, and it's easier on the bank account and the earth than pulling out a plastic baggie every day. :) There are definitely some changes/improvements I'll make when I sew the next one, but for a first try (and with vinyl), it's not SO bad.

Basically, this is how it works:

1. Place your sandwich (just 2 pieces of bread for the example) on the wrap

2. Fold the sides left and right toward the middle.

3. Fold the bottom up.

4. Fold the top down and "latch" the velcro

Here's what it looks like on the outside all spread out

I forgot to sew the velcro on before I sewed the vinyl (for one of the pieces), so next time I'll make sure to do that (and as a result, it's not centered very well). :)

Also, the vinyl is tricky! I looked for some tips online, because it sticks to both the foot and the feed dogs (so you can't put it on top or on the bottom). One person suggested putting scotch tape on the bottom of your sewing foot. We only had this super glossy kind that stuck to the vinyl instead of gliding across it. So the other suggestion I tried (that worked like a charm!) was to put the fabric on the bottom, vinyl on top, and place tissue paper of the vinyl. It was great! After you sew, you just tear off the tissue paper. It comes right out from the seam! I highly recommend it. It did take some getting used to, though, so I have a couple seams that aren't as straight as I would like.

I thought I sewed pretty straight on the old machine, but I am finding it more difficult with the new one for some reason.... practice makes perfect, right? And I think the tissue paper obscured my view at times, making it more difficult to sew straight. I actually just used the tissue paper-like backing the vinyl came rolled with--no extra cost or materials!

I hope to have some more improved models to show you soon (as soon as I get that embroidery software, because I want to monogram some before I sew them)! And I can post directions to make a wrap if anyone is interested. :)

Have a great weekend!

The Scoop

So, I've had "making a garment" on my list of sewing goals for quite a long time. I think the new machine gave me the nerve to try something so new. I also had some fabric a teacher left out to take for free at my school, so I wouldn't even have to be frustrated with ruining cloth I liked if I totally messed it up. :) I used a Simplicity New Style "easy" kids pattern (6262) and chose the option that looked like the best balance for me of ease and cuteness. :)

The project included several new skills for me, including fusible interfacing, successfully using single-fold bias tape (and making my own), not to mention the actual dress construction.

I didn't have the right tools to transfer the pattern, so I made the biggest size it's designed for (an 8) so I wouldn't have to cut any of the patterns parts off. That means that even my niece won't be able to wear it for awhile, but I now have the confidence to try something smaller. :) I think I totally have the bug now. :)

I made 2 mistakes. On the back, the fabric isn't smooth at one part of the neckline. But I figure hair would cover it up, and it's not huge. Secondly, the directions said to "clip the corner" at one part (of the back neckline), and I clipped a part that shows instead of the underneath seam they intended. Oh well! Again, it will be covered when someone is actually wearing it. :)

I was super intimidated, but I'm really glad I just dove in and tried. As my mom said, "That's the way you learn!" :) Lastly, the pattern called for ribbon down the center, but I had this sweet, flowered scrap fabric someone gave me that I thought would look nice. I tried to be really careful to measure and press it, but I'm sure it could be even better if I'd used fusible webbing or interfacing. I think it's "good enough" for my first ever attempt!

I know the dress isn't perfect, and I definitely need to hem it :), but I'm really proud of my first ever piece of clothing for people (I believe I "sewed" some doll clothes back in the day)!

I have entered the land of....

...garments!

I sewed my first piece of clothing this week. More details later (and I still need to hem it), but here's a sneak peek!

Fabric Finds

Here are a few fabrics I found on our travels last week. :)

These were found in South Carolina.

The boots on the left and robots on the right will likely turn into part of some embroidered children's outfit or craft (like a crayon roll). The fried eggs in the middle will probably accent the casserole tote I'm making my mom, as I have other chicken/egg fabric picked out and this would be a great complement to it. :)

And these were in Tennessee.

The UT fabric is to make some sandwich wraps for Matt (to use less ziploc bags!), the dog fabric in the middle will probably become a pillow case, the knit puppies on the right hopefully will become baby clothes, and the ladybug fleece is for a Christmas present for Isabella.

It's Here!

Meet my new machine (my old machine did not have a name, but I'm thinking this one needs a name.... maybe Stella, because it's a "stella(r)" sewing machine... I haven't decided yet).

And my first sewing project with it (not finished, but getting there. I'll be adding Isabella's initials in orange once my Husqvarna dealer gets more copies of the 4D software in--because I want to pick any font I wish and not be limited to the standard set--it should be this week!).

orange with white polka-dots,
in honor our alma mater, for whom Matt's sister roots because she's a supportive sister like that (and knows tons more about football than I ever will).

Finishing Touches

Again, Lakey..... please don't read. :)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I found some velcro amongst my sewing notions (organizing the craft part of the guest room was totally worth it! Maybe that's why I didn't buy the velcro at Joann's... maybe I vaguely remembered that I should have some left over from the last casserole tote I made? Hmmm, regardless, I found some!), so I got to finish the paci clip and dipes & wipes holder after lunch.

Here is the paci clip finished. :) You can use any kind of ribbon, apparently, but fusible webbing is recommended to reinforce satin ribbon. I used grosgrain, which is supposed to be okay by itself. But I wanted to spice it up, so I added some fabric to the top for decoration. It really couldn't be an easier project. I'm very glad to find out just how easy it is!

I added the velcro to the other end, so it can now be looped and attached through a paci handle. It's ready to go!

I also added the velcro, ribbon, and a few diapers to the dipes & wipes holder. :) Hooray!

A tip Joy taught me: You can use heat to seal off the ends of ribbon so they don't fray. I use an aim and flame. Just barely pass the end of the ribbon through the flame, and you'll see it melt a smidge. That seals it up so it won't fray! It's great!

And lastly, I must say I'm very excited I went through my last bag of scraps, because I found some perfect green minky for the soft cube/taggie blanket. Hooray! Those projects might have to wait til after the baby shower, though, because I am teaching this week and we're hosting a pot luck for our Bible study tonight. The great news about teaching this week, other than getting to meet and know my students for next year (they're all incoming 3rd grade magnet students) is that my classroom is AIR CONDITIONED!! You see, our a/c is dying. We were on the books for an overhaul July 15, but our wonderful contractors moved us up to this Thursday! But no more burning up all day around the house... I get to go enjoy the 74 degrees my classroom is locked in at. I can hardly wait! :) And we still have until September for baby Isabella arrives, so I'll have time to make the soft cube/taggie blanket in July or August if I can't finish them this week. :)

P.S. If you haven't read the post below this, check it out for the other baby shower gifts I've been working on for Matt's sister. :)

Baby Shower #2

Lakey, if you read this blog..... don't read this entry! :) You'll see it all next week at your shower, anyway. :).
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Okay, for everyone else.... :) Today I did some sewing while Matt helped a coworker replace the timing belt on my car. They ran into some trouble with a bolt that would not come off, so I ended up with lots of extra time to sew. The good news is, I sewed a lot AND they did finish working on the car. :)

First of all, JoAnn's was finishing their Firefly sale with lots of fabric 40-60% off. Here's what I stocked up on (with gift cards even!)...





The purple terry you can barely see on the left might become a hooded towel, the bee fabric was $1/yard and will turn into something for a certain grandmother :), the sweet summer beverages was 60% off and TOO CUTE to pass up, the ladybugs are to make something for the baby shower, and so it the green flannel next to it.


Here you see the green flannel again, along with some green stripe for the same baby shower gift (a soft cube and/or taggie blanket), and the last is a springy Easter fabric I plan to make at least an oven mitt out of. Again, everything was one sale. :)

This last pairing is for Lakey's (Matt's sister) nursing cover.


Here's the finished product I sewed when I got home.

A close up showing the pocket and terry corner



I also decided to try a paci clip... SO SO easy! It will definitely become a baby shower gift staple now. :) I just need to get the velcro tomorrow that I neglected to check out with at JoAnn's.




I tried a dipes and wipes "case" for the first time, too. I also need velcro for the flap, and then I plan on a sweet white grosgrain bow to cover where the stitching for the velcro will show on the top of the flap. :)








I tried a bib too, but it's bunched in one part, and I think it came out awfully small even though I used a pattern from online. So, I may wait on that.

Lastly, I hope to make a soft cube or two and/or a taggie blanket with the ladybug and green fabrics above (the nursey is ladybugs) ....Matt really wants me to make a taggie blanket; he thinks they're cool. :)

So, there you have my day! We were both quite productive. :)

Father's Day Cards

I stamped a few cards for our dads for Father's Day. Matt thought they were still a bit girly, but I picked masculine colors and they're not too froo-froo. After I made the cards, I cleaned out the guest room (late spring cleaning) and found some of my more masculine stamp sets. They are staying in the guest room--they have not been relegated to the garage or closet like some of my more seasonal stamps--so I will have easy access to them in the future. But without further ado, here are the cards I made...

Dad G. on the left and Dad K. on the right (inside it says "You light up my life.")

I picked the toaster stamp for my dad, because one of our silly nicknames for him growing up was Pop and Pop-a-lop. :) I used SU! stamps, I think the ink was close to cocoa (or was it chocolate chip?), and I used a brown sharpie to add little embellishments. I also sponged some brown around the beige layering piece of my dad's card and around the actual card base of my father-in-law's card.

Nothing too fancy, but it was the first time I have stamped since Jamie's baby shower invitations. And THAT was the first time in a long time. I love that summer gives me more time to stamp! :) Hopefully I'll have more to share soon. But for now, I need to run to JoAnn's get some fabric to sew a gift for my sister-in-law. Baby Isabella is due in September, and her shower is next week when we go visit Matt's family (and then my family). We can't wait! :)

Hubby Time

Hubs' birthday is quickly approaching, so I thought it was an appropriate time to respond to E tagging me about my knight in shining armor. :)

1. What is his name? Matt
2. Who eats more? I can out eat him at chips and salsa hands down :)
3. Who said I love you first? He said it a couple times before I was sure enough he wasn't going anywhere and that I wanted to marry him to say it back
4. Who is taller? I am (eek!)
5. Who is smarter? We both have our areas of strength... I love how they balance each other :)
6. Who is more sensitive? I am (but that's not to say he's insensitive)
7. Who does the laundry? I do
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does
9. Who pays the bills? He's the primary breadwinner, I mail out the checks
10. Who cooks more? I do
11. What meals do you cook together? When he grills, I'll often contribute a side dish. :)
12. Who is more stubborn? Ooooo, we're pretty evenly matched there. hehe
13. Who is the first to admit they're wrong? Honestly, probably Matt. He is a humble, loving man. :)
15. Who has more siblings? Becca
16. Who wears the pants in the relationship? Matt, but he asks how I like them before he puts them on. ;)
17. What do you like to do together? Anything if we're together! We really enjoying working on things around the house together, taking Samantha for walks, and going on road trips to visit the fam.
18. Who eats more sweets? Matt
19. Guilty pleasures? video games
20. How did you meet? We met at church (that's the very short version... the slightly longer version is that I liked him for two years but thought he didn't really know I was alive. Then God, with maybe a little help from my sister-in-law [thanks, Joy!] got the ball rolling).
21. Who asked who out first? Ahem. I still tease him about this. He didn't actually ask me out at first, he suggested we do lunch. Later though, he formally asked me and my father to pursue me. :)
22. Who kissed who first? He kissed me (my first ever)
23. Who proposed? Matt
24. His best features? His tender heart
25. What is his greatest quality? He loves God, is incredibly hard-working (not to mention good-looking), gentle and strong at the same time, and puts others first. I couldn't ask for more!