The Fair's Almost Over...

but it's been fun! We have one day of VBS left...which includes a hayride and water balloons...the kids will have alot of fun!

So, as I've mention, I was in charge of crafts this week and I'd like to show you what we did...

First, week are doing a week long project...planting a seed daily that corresponds with planting seeds of the spirit which also go along with the parable of the sower.

Then on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we did an extra craft for the day...
(Today we had the Dairy Princess doing a presentation, and tomorrow is the hayride, so we only have time to plant our seeds!)

1 - Week long planter...
2 - (Tues.) Can Koozie Pencil Holder
3 - (Wed.) Paper Friendship Quilts
Far Right - (Mon.) Color a Bookmark

The kids made great comments and seemed to really like the crafts, so that was nice!
Here are some action shots of yesterdays quilt making with the younger group of kids.

It was nice that even the boys enjoyed this craft...and I was tickled when the one young boy (he's 6 and quite artistic) copied my design and made a leaf and vine quilt. It's great to be an inspiration!

Hope you are all having a great week and if you NEED MORE inspiration, check out these great linky parties that I'm joining today...

{wow me} Wednesday at {Ginger Snap}

It's a Party! at A Creative Princess

I don't need more inspiration but I check them out anyway!



If my people, which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves, and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

It's nearing the 4th of July and so, as we reflect on the founding of our country...which was founded on Christian principles...we need to pray and follow after God to return to what our founding father's foresaw for our country.

Have a happy 4th of July... (just in case I don't post again till after the holiday!)

Amanda

Farmland Bunting for a Fair VBS...

Today was the beginning of VBS at our church and I'm in charge of crafts...this is hard for me because I'm not much of a teacher when it comes to crafts...I'm more of a doer!
But it went well...today they started their week long project of planting seeds in a egg carton planter and they made a bookmark. Hopefully the rest of the week goes as well!

The theme is "Come to the Fair" and we have all kinds of farm/craft decorations, including the Farmland bunting for the sanctuary. I finished it on Saturday afternoon... so here it is...

Here is a closer picture of it hanging in our bedroom/my craft room before taking it to church...

Don't mind the exposed light bulb...it was the only light fixture in the house when we bought it...well, other than a hittius one in the dining room. We installed new in all the rooms except this one, but it still works...we just haven't found the right globe for it! We've lived in this house for 4 years and it is definitely a work in progress, but I love old farmhouses!

So...after VBS, the bunting will return home and decorate Liz's room. I have some of the farm material left that I'd like to incorporate into a quilt for her new twin sized mattress. I have so many things I want to work on!

Happy to link to these linky parties...

Going international at Manic Monday

over at Sew Happy Geek

Heading down river on the {Sew} Modern Monday

at Canoe Ridge Creations

and Relaxing at Make Something Monday

on the Sarahdipities page

For the word of God is quick, and powerful,

and sharper than any two-edged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner of the thoughts

and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Have a fun and happy week...

Amanda

A Bake Sale and Dinner...

Yesterday, I was busy in the kitchen getting items baked for a Bake Sale we are having in conjunction with a Garage Sale to raise funds for the kids at church to go to camp...which is quickly approaching!

Pie is one of the things I like to make...but lately my favorite crust recipe is not working very well and I haven't found a replacement that I really want to try. So, if anyone has a great crust recipe they would like to share, I'd definitely try it!

So these ingredients...

pie crust

strawberries & apples

Turned into these...

I know they're square, but the store didn't have round throw away pie plates!

Then, I thought homemade bread would go well, so this...

Turned into these... two white and two cinnamon...

and dinner... two pizza crusts...

I thought I'd share my dough recipe. It is one of two that I use for white bread dough, which can be used for a bunch of things.

White Bread

2 pkgs dry yeast

3/4 cup warm water

2 2/3 cups warm water

1/4 cup sugar

3 Tablespoons butter or shortening

1 Tablespoon salt

9 to 10 cups of flour

Dissolve yeast in 3/4 cup of warm water.

Stir in rest of water, sugar, salt, butter, and 5 cups of flour.

Beat (by hand) until smooth.

Mix in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. Knead till smooth and elastic.

Cover in bowl and place in a warm area to rise for an hour.

Punch down. Divide into 3 sections and shape into loaves.

{This would be where you decide what you want to make...like cinnamon bread, sweet rolls, dinner rolls, pizza dough, etc...}

Cover and allow to rise an hour.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes (or until hollow sounding). Remove from pans and spread top with butter. Yeild: 3 loaves

Enjoy your fresh homemade bread!

If you browse over to these wonderful linky parties that I'm linking with today, you'll have many hours inspiration awaiting your viewing pleasure!

{wow me} Wednesday at Ginger Snap

It's a Hodgepodge Friday at It's a Hodgepodge Life

Weekend Showoff Party at Ladybird Lane

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger,

and fed thee with manna, which thou knowest not,

neither did thy fathers know;

 that he might make thee know that man

doth not live by bread only,

 but by every word that proceedeth

 out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Deuteronomy 8:3

We need to be sure to read our Bible and be fed spiritually...This is something I'm working on!

Have a happy weekend...attend church on Sunday :) !!

Amanda

Another W.I.P. Wednesday...

Ok...for some reason Blogger is not letting me add photos to the post...I can upload, but they WILL NOT post...ugh! (Edited on 6/24/11 -- add the pictures!!!!)

So...I'm posting a Pictureless Wednesday...but in hopes of editing pictures in later today. It's just not as fun without the pictures!

Today is week #32 of the W.I.P. Wednesday...which is hosted by Lee over at freshly pieced.  Check out everyone's progress (or lack thereof :) )...

Handsewing Projects: 2

EPP 60 Degree Diamonds Table Topper - has all of the stars done...now I just have to get them all sewn together with the joining pieces.

Hexagon Kitchen Window Runner - hasn't been touched this week...opps!

Machine Quilting Projects: 5

The Patio Table - The main project of this...The Centerpiece is done, I finished the binding on Monday, yeah! However, the other acssesories for this project were not worked on this week and I don't know if I'll make my personal deadline of the end of the month to get the pattern together and posted on Etsy. But I'm so excited about having the main part done and the printed napkins arrived this past week from Spoonflower...so I can't wait to get it all together to reveal the whole project.

Another Summer Headband - I made another one yesterday to go with my outfit for a birthday party we went to last night.

Farmland Bunting - this project has all the pennant cut out...but really needs worked on! It needs to be finished by Sunday...I'd better get moving!!!! 

Fabric Basket and Pincushion - this was quick project for birthday present...it was so cute and fun to do.

Pillowcase - another quick project...and done for a great cause! Check out the Pillow Fight over at Ladybird Lane. (There is a button on the right.)

Miscellaneous Projects: 1

VBS Crafts - I've some of the computer generated tags done! Currently working on a colorable bookmark for Monday's project.

Stalled/Forgotten Projects: 2

Patriotic Wall Hanging  & Oversized Mug Rug - same as last week!

Projects to Start: a whole bunch :) 

... but don't we all have these!  But I can't start anything new this week!!!!!

So, for today, W.I.P. = 10
Projects completed (this week) = 3... OK 4, if you count the Patio Centerpiece, but the whole project is not done!
Projects started (this week) = 3...they're also the ones I finished :) !

Projects that need started = a whole bunch!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Spiritual Reflections

* * * * * * * * * * * *

And Jesus answering said unto them,

They that are whole need not a physician;

but they that are sick.

I came not to call the righteous,

but the sinners to repentance.

Luke 5:31-32

He came for us all...for we are all sinners in need of repentance.

Happy Wednesday...even without pictures!

Amanda

Emily's Pillow and Some Balloons...

Today, I'm linking up a pillow for the Pillow Fight for a Cause at Ladybird Lane. 

 My pillowcase will be mailed today and I want to share a pillow I made in February.



This pillow was made for Emily, a young girl at our church. She had a high fever for weeks and the doctors were unsure what was wrong, so she has having alot test done and the day after I made this for her, she was having a bone marrow test for Leukemia. The church and her family are very thankful to God that she does not have cancer... They finally narrowed down to Cat Scratch Fever. She was treated and is now fine and doing very well!

I made this pillow very soft...it is fleece with flannel applique. I cut out the shapes, sewed them to the front panel, then sewed the two panels together three inches from the edges...leaving a hole for stuffing :) ... then I stuffed it and sewed up the hole. The edges were then cut into inch strips and then two were tied together.

It was fun to make and turned out as soft as I hoped!

This past weekend we attended the Thurston Classic...it seems to have become a Father's Day tradition. It's a beautiful display of hot air balloons...I hope you enjoy some pictures.

It was a beautiful night with very light winds...so the balloons hovered a little just above us which helped get some great pictures. Hope you liked them!

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:13

Standing for God takes leaning on Him to give you the strength and to work the good from it.

Amanda

NOTE: The three opportunities to join me in Pay-It Forward are still available. Check out the Will you Participate Post and join the fun! This will be the last time I mention it and if I do not get any responses by Thursday, I'll be withdrawing myself from the 'swap'.

What Wild Days...

yesterday and today have been! Yesterday was the Friday Night Sew-in with Heidi and Bobbi...so I got housework done in the morning - Yeah! (that's really good for me because it was laundry, and I hate laundry!)

But I digress... I so wanted to post my Friday night work sooner...but today has been very busy, but more on that later!

Yesterday afternoon, I began sewing together this adorable fabric basket for a birthday present. The original pattern from Pink Penguin has two cute handles, but they didn't seem functional...and Chad thought it needed one handle. So that's what it got...I think this is so adorable. When I first saw these baskets, I was wondering just how big it was. It turned out they are very cute 4 inches high, 5 inches across the front and 3 inches deep/wide. I can't wait to make more... it went together quickly! I'm linking this cutie over at It's a Hodgepodge Friday linky party...join the fun!

However, towards the end of the fabric basket project, the baby began to get fussy and cried alot of the evening...so the pillowcase that was on my agenda to finish last night only got partially done. I end up finishing it early afternoon today.

It also turned out very cute and is ready to be sent out to Carlee at Ladybird Lane for the Pillow Fight for a Cause going on over at her blog. I'm also linking this pillow case over at her Weekend Show Off Party...it's a fun party, check it out!

This was my very first pillowcase and I hope it brings comfort to the child that receives it.

Today's wildness also included strawberry picking, jam making, and hot air balloons...but I'll share more on that tomorrow.

Have a wonderful Sunday...

Be ye therefore followers of God,

as dear children;

Ephesians 5:1

We need to follow God's plan for our lives just as children follow others...trusting them to show them the right things to do. We can trust that God will show us His will for our lives if we follow Him...wholeheartedly!

Hope to 'see' you in church tomorrow...
Amanda

W.I.P. Wednesday - #2 for me...

Today is week #31 of the W.I.P. Wednesday...which is hosted by Lee over at freshly pieced.  Check out everyone's progress (or lack thereof :) )...

Handsewing Projects: 2

EPP 60 Degree Diamonds Table Topper - is coming along slowly, but does have a few more stars sewn together.

Hexagon Kitchen Window Runner - has a few (very few) hexagon templates cut out.

Machine Quilting Projects: 3

The Patio Table

The quilting has been done...it just needs the binding hand stitiched. The other acssesories for this project are slowly being worked on. I hope I can still reach my personal deadline of the end of the month to get the pattern together and posted on Etsy.

Summer Headband - this was a quick Saturday project that I posted about on Saturday...I can't wait to make more!

Farmland Bunting - this is a project for decorating our church for VBS...themed County Fair. As I was cutting out a few of the pennants, I decided to use these to decorate Liz's room after VBS...she already has some country/farmy things so this will just help give her room a theme/focus.

More pennant cutting tomorrow!

Miscellaneous Projects: 1

VBS Crafts - this is something added to my list this week. I have the daily projects picked-out...now to just get the stuff to execute the plans!

Stalled/Forgotten Projects: 2

Patriotic Wall Hanging - still hoping to get it done for the fair at the end of August.
Oversized Mug Rug - This just needs quilted and bound.

Projects to Start: a whole bunch :) 

... but don't we all have these!
This coming week I want to make a pillowcase to join the Pillow Fight for a cause over at Ladybird Lane...please head over there and checkout this great cause.

(There is also a button on the right.)

The birthday presents still need attention and a couple of quilts I already have planned and really want to start...especially with the cool weather we have been having the past few days!

Also, joining the Warm Cool Quilt Along over at In Color Order will not be happening...first, I don't have the right materials in my stash to do this particualar quilt (nor can I go get them right now) and I already have alot to do...I do hope that come late summer  I'll be able to join a Quilt-along...

So, for today, W.I.P. = 7

Projects completed (this week) = 1

Projects started (this week) = 2

Projects that need started = a whole bunch!



NOTE: There are three opportunities to join me in a Pay-It Forward 'swap' still available. Check out the Will you Participate Post and join the fun...PLEASE!

I feel like a Psalm today...

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,

all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness:

come before his presesnce with singing.

Psalm 100:1-2

This is one of the great doxologies or praises to God in the Bible. (Note from the Rock of Ages Study Bible.)

Amanda

Pick-up Stix...

This morning I was checking the newest blog posts and Amy over at Amy's Creative Side started her Sewing with Kids series and it showed her little ones useing embroidery floss and a plain piece of material. They got to create whatever they wanted.

So, I thought I'd let Liz try it out! She's three and likes playing with my pins, so a rounded tipped embroidery needle was no problem for her (and Amy's little boy is almost 4...and he did it...and she didn't say anything about blood!). This was also a way to get her into crafts without to much hastle and is more than just coloring or cut-n-paste paper projects (ie. preschool projects).

Liz loved it!

The thing I thought of after I tied off the last of the floss for her and laid it down...it looks like a game of Pick-up Stix from when I was a kid.

The only addjustments I made to what Amy did with her children was to double the floss and knot the end. That way I didn't have to keep re-threading the needle and she could do the whole color without interuption. Also, no biggy, but this is only a 6" hoop...it was the easiest one to grab!

She was so happy with it!

She wanted to give it to her Geema...but I told her that since it was her very first, we would hang it in her room and make another one tomorrow for Geema...and that made her happy!

Click over to Ginger Snap Crafts to check out a wide variety of projects for {wow me} wednesday!

This past Sunday, I had alot of things stick out to me while we were flipping through different passages during Sunday School. One was...

...Take heed to the ministry

which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it.

Colossians 4:17

These kind of verse should always spur us on to do our best in what God has given us to do...and then that evening, I was appointed the leader for crafts for VBS...I want to do a good job and I think I've picked out some fun things...I guess we'll see! The next couple of weeks will be very busy! I hope I can post some of it for you so you can see the fun!

Have a great night...see you tomorrow for W.I.P. Wednesday!

Amanda

Summer Headbands...

Yesterday, Craft Buds had a wonderful tutorial on making reversible headbands. I have been wearing headbands more and thought the tutorial looked great...so I made one this morning! So fast and easy...

The pattern had it 2 inches wide...and I made mine 2 1/2 inches, but it is a smidgen to big. Next time I'd definitely use the 2 inch measurement. They also had another headband version on the tutorial, which I might make at a later time.

I really like how it turned out and how fast it was...probably only a half an hour (once you weed out all the distractions).

Checkout all the fun things at It's a Hodgepodge Life for It's a Hodgepodge Friday as well as some other fun things at Ladybird Lane for Weekend Showoff Party. If you hop over to Ladybird Lane, be sure to read the post about the Pillow Fight for a Cause ...I hope to make a pillowcase early next week. You can click on the text links or use the buttons on the right.

So many fun blogs to share our projects on! I just found these blogs this week and I'm already enjoying them!

For there is nothing hid,

which shall not be manifested;

neither was any thing kept secret,

but that it should come abroad.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:22-23

This reminds me that the good news of God's love, mercy, and grace is to be shared to everyone. It is up to the individual hearing to take God's free gift as their own.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend...'see' you in church tomorrow!

Amanda

NOTE: The three opportunities to join me in Pay-It Forward are still available. Check out the Will you Participate Post and join the fun!

W.I.P. Wednesday...

Today is week #30 of the W.I.P. Wednesday...which is hosted by Lee over at freshly pieced.
I've been seeing these Wednesday post and decide today that I would finally join in and show my works in progress!

Handsewing Projects: 2

EPP 60 Degree Diamond Table Topper

I'm enjoying the 60 degree diamond stars. I almsot have all the diamonds around the templates. Once it is altogether, I want to hand quilt this...my first completele hand sewn project ?!

Hexagon Kitchen Window Runner
And I'm enjoing it so that I have hexagon templates ready to cut out and then start cutting material...I'm thinking of using the vintage flour sacs.

Machine Quilting Projects: 1

The Patio Table

This is a major project that I'm designing and writing a pattern for to sell on Esty. I hope to have it completed and for sale by the end of June. The table center piece has the applique done and the piecing is almost complete...then quilting (tomorrow?)!
Here's a small look...

Stalled/Forgotten Projects: 2

Patriotic Wall Hanging - This is one of my first pieced projects. It needs to be basted, quilted, and bound...I hope to complete it for the fair at the end of August.

Oversized Mug Rug - This just needs quilted and bound.

Projects to Start: a whole bunch :)  !!!

There are a few that need to be done sooner than others, like a bunting for VBS and some birthday presents...but we'll see what gets done! I also would like to join the Warm Cool Quilt Along over at In Color Order...maybe the heat won't be to much and the baby will be happy :) - then I can get more done!

So, for today, W.I.P. = 5
Projects completed (this week) = 0
Projects started (this week) = 1

Projects that need started = a whole bunch!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:

but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

I need to realize this moment by moment...especially lately! 

Amanda 

NOTE: The three opprotunities to join me in Pay-It Forward are still available. Check out the Will You Participate post and join the fun!

Our Strawberry Patch...

A few years ago we planted some strawberry bushes behind our garage. The first two years we got a total of maybe 1 quart...however, the past few years we have been enjoying some great strawberry harvests during the month of June.

Today we got the firsts of this years harvest, which looks to be a pretty good one again...

It doesn't have as much weeding done in it as it should...but it still produces for us!

 

Yummy! Chad and Liz love them...they at all of them this evening except the two Chad gave me. I guess I'll have to fight them for more tomorrow ;) !

On Saturday, I was able to get a good portion of my diamonds sewn around their templates, so soon I hope I can get some stars made and together! It was nice working on something in the car (and only feeling slightly ill once...it was kind of hilly and curvy then!).

Found this picture of me on my camera tonight...
one of the young ladies with us had my camera for part of the day.

This is so fun...and today, Mary over at Molly Flanders showed her most recently completed Grandmother's Flower Garden block and it made me want to try some hexagons soon...so much inspiration, so little time!

Not only did I get alot done on Saturday, I also got a few ideas for some quilts. If only we didn't have to sleep!

For I rejoiced greatly,

when the brethern came

and testified of the truth that is in thee,

even as thou walkest in the truth.

3 John 3

A few weeks ago in Sunday School we cover the New Testament Character of Gais. This verse stuck out to me...that I want it to be said that I walk in the truth.

Great day crafting...God to be praised for the talent given!

Amanda


NOTE: The three opprotunities to join me in Pay-It Forward are still available. Check out the Will You Participate post and join the fun!

Will You Participate?

I've decided to...so will three of you join me in a Pay-it-Forward 'swap'?

Stephanie of Spontaneous Threads is who I signed-up with...so sometime in the next 365 days I'll have a great surprise come in the mail. I'm so excited!

But now for my continuation of the 'swap', I need you...
Here's how it works:

1. I will make a handmade something for 3 readers of my blog
(if you would like to participate in the Pay it Forward....you would like to get something handmade from me...please leave me a comment telling me that you would like to participate). I will send these 3 readers something that I have made, without warning within 365 days.

2. So, in order for you to get something from me - you have to say that you will do the same for 3 readers of your blog,...so, it follows that you should have a blog if we want to keep this "paying forward" unbroken.

3. When you receive your handmade item (from me) you MUST post about what you received on your blog, and put a picture of the Pay it Forward 'button' in your post. (You can copy and paste it from this post or the linked back posts).

This last part is optional, but would be fun - If you like, you can post pictures and your thoughts about what you send to the 3 people who will received something from you on your blog as well. Just give it a few days to travel in the mail. You wouldn't want to ruin the surprise.

~ ~ So, if you are willing to receive something from me and send three other people something you've made, please sign-up...just comment here letting me know you want to join the fun and I'll contact you via e-mail to confirm and get your address. I'll go with the first three commenters...I hope I get that many :) !! (I don't have many followers, so I don't know how well this will work.) Then you can post it on your blog, getting others to continue Paying-it-Forward...

And then as we all receive (and send) our items, we can post about them on our blogs.

I look forward to Paying-it-Forward with you!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This week has seen very little crafting...but I did get the closet clean today! I was also inspired by a post on Molly Flanders about EPP a Carpenter's Wheel block...Thanks Mary! I really want to try it, espicially since my first Carpenter's wheel is a little messy. I'm still anxious to someday do a dresden plate...which was an insipiration from Mary, too. Ahh...to just find the time to do everything! 

So, no crafty pics today, instead how about a cute one of the girls? Always sounds good to me! :)

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore, will not we fear,

though the earth be removed,

and though the mountains be carried

into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,

though the mountains shake

with the swelling thereof.

Psalm 46:1-3

In these times of so much natural disasters occuring...we can take these words as a comfort that God will always be there for us, no matter the conditions around us.
Amanda