Giveaway Winner...

Well, today I get to announce the winner of my first giveaway...and I meant to get this done sooner. Oh, well...you don't really mind, do you? :)

I made a list of everyone's name from the comments left here on the blog and those that 'liked' and commented on the Facebook page...as close to the order that they came in as possible. It came to 32 entries and I used a number picker...

This program will generate a random number between two numbers of your choice.

Enter a lower limit:
Enter an upper limit:
Random Number:

---

So our winner is...  Kimberly R.

She left a nice comment and became a new follower of the blog...Thanks and Congratulations! Sending out an email to get your mailing info!

Thank you to everyone who entered! Hopefully I'll be able to host a few more giveaways :)

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

The Bible never tries to convince us of the existence of God...we just know He was the Creator and has a plan for us.

Amanda

Matching Skirts...

They're finally made! These girly skirts were suppose to be one the girls' Christmas presents, but alas...they didn't make the 'cut'!

But, what was still mostly a pile of material yesterday...

and originally only meant for two skirts for the girls, became skirts for all three girls :)

I'm really excited to have these done. I was afraid it would be one of those projects that I would just keep pushing aside and never do. Now, the three girls, as Liz likes to call us...{especially if we are going some where, I'll get "...just us three girls?", when Chad isn't home} have matching skirts for church on Sunday.

Adding this great accomplishment to the great weekend linky parties on the right side bar...along with the wonderful Finish it up Friday party hosted by Amanda Jean from crazymomquilts...just love that party!

Also, don't forget to checkout my giveaway...it's not over till Monday :)

Another side note...for those that want to help me out :)
If you go to this link...it is to one of my LQS's Facebook page... and 'like' my photo of the three skirts, I could get a $25 gift certificate if I get the most 'likes' on my picture! Thanks...I'd love to go shopping there! [This is the quilt shop where I purchased my sewing machine...and get it serviced :)]

And Jesus said unto them,

Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you,

If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,

ye shall say unto this mountain,

Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove;

and NOTHING shall be IMPOSSIBLE unto YOU.

Matthew 17:20

How much are we missing out on just because we don't have 'enough' faith?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Amanda



Day 25 - Working Wednesday...

Let's Celebrate! Today is the last day of The First 25 Days of 2012...so today is also my Birthday! It's my 32nd and it's been an interesting year... last year on my birthday I made my first comment on a blog (to the talented ladies at Sweetwater) to enter a giveaway. Less than two months later, March 17, 2011, I started blogging!

Before we get into more celebratory activities, I'm going to show you my WIP. Lee at freshly pieced is graciously hosting the weekly WIP Wednesday, so here's my new project...

Skirts for the girls (and me)...

I have the girls' cut out, just need to put them together...mine needs cut out still (it will take a little more work than the girls'. They're from flannel I got on sale on Black Friday...and were to be for Christmas. Oh well, better late than never :)

** UPDATE: I was able to get Amber's skirt sewn together today...very cute! Working on Liz's and mine tomorrow.

I also did a little...very little...work on Liz's quilt. Ok, so I didn't actually touch the quilt, but I was trying to make my template for the flower...

It's to go on each of the pieced postage stamp blocks. My first attempt to start cutting it out wasn't working, so I think I'm going to thicken the lines and reprint...try again. I really would like to have her Christmas quilt done by her birthday...in March :)

So, this weeks work progress...

New Projects: 1 [skirts]
Completed Projects: a bunch of little ones covered in other posts

Continuing Projects: 4 [Skirts, Liz's Sashed Postage Stamp Quilt, the Table Topper, and 'the lost' Quiet book]

I also hope to get back to the Quiet book for Liz, but we'll see, because the Curves Class starts a week from today...I can't wait!

Ok...so lets CELEBRATE some more! My first blog comment was to enter a giveaway...and I've entered quite a few more over the past year, and have yet to win one! However, I have not yet had my own giveaway...so without further ado, I'm hosting my FIRST giveaway!

Here is what you could win...



A New Wave mug rug/potholder, a matching Mini Clutch, and a collection of fabrics that range in size from fat 16th's to fat 8th's.

Now to the logistics of a giveaway...

Anyone may enter!

First chance to enter is to just leave a comment on this post or on my Facebook page (under the status regarding this giveaway).

You can have a second entry if you comment and let me know that you are a follower here on the blog or comment on the Facebook page that you 'liked' the page [new followers are welcomed :)]

The commenting will be open till sometime Monday morning.

Can't wait to hear from you!

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:37

Amanda

Day 24 - Tasty Tuesday...

On this last Tasty Tuesday for The First 25 Days of 2012 I'm going to share an easy recipe that is greatly enjoyed around here. This is one of the easiest dinners for me to make - Easy Stromboli!

Easy Stromboli

1 loaf frozen bread dough
4 oz block of Mozzarella cheese
pepperoni
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

Around lunch time I get the loaf of dough out of the freezer. I don't follow the package directions exactly...so here's how I do it. I place the loaf on a cookie sheet lined and sprayed with cooking spray, then cover it with a piece of plastic wrap (also sprayed). I preheat my oven to it's lowest temperature (170 degrees) and turn off the oven, then place the loaf in the oven.

At dinner time I preheat the oven to 375 and stretch the thawed loaf out on the cookie sheet, alot like making a pizza crust. Once stretched, I layer my filling...which can be anything that you like on pizza...

I start be slicing the block of Mozzarella cheese, laying it down the center of the dough. Then top with as much pepperoni as preferred. On top of the pepperoni, sprinkle the cup of shredded Mozzarella. Fold the sides in, over the top of the filling. Pinch down the outside seam. Spray top with cooking spray and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake in the 375 degree oven for 20 minutes. Cool Stromboli for about 5 minutes. Cut and enjoy! Great with sauce for dipping, too.

See the linky parties I typically join in on the right sidebar.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the LAST day of The First 25 Days of 2012...my birthday, remember :) So we can celebrate and have my first GIVEAWAY!

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

with my song will I praise Him.

Psalm 28:7

Amanda

Day 23 - Ministry Monday...

The final stretch of The First 25 Days of 2012...and I'm going to spotlight Cherith Bible Institute today on Ministry Monday.

I found this correspondence school online in 2008 or 2009, and started taking their classes to get some more in depth Bible knowledge in a structured coarse. I enjoy the workbook set-up for the classes...however, I'm contemplating going to online because it is taking me an extremely long time to complete one workbook. The online class would give more concrete deadlines...but I guess I'll decide on that later!

For now, I'd like to introduce you to Cherith Bible Institute...

Who We Are

Cherith Bible Institute is a correspondence Bible training program offered throughout the world through the internet and mail. The Program is Baptistic in nature and reflects the doctrine and distinctives of Independent Baptist beliefs.

The course of study is a thirty unit Diploma of Biblical Studies program designed to help local church pastors, workers, missionaries, church planters, and Bible teachers. The program advances from basic Bible survey courses to selected subjects concerning personal and local church development.

Cherith Home Bible Institute provides a wealth of both theological and practical information contributed by a group of sound Bible preachers, teachers, and writers.

[I also have a constant link on the left side bar if you need to use it in the future :)]

This is a great way to increase your study and knowledge of the Bible...and it's Free!
(Donations are always accepted and there is a nominal fee...I think it's $25...at the end for the diploma.)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

We can never study the Bible too much. Studying it helps us found our beliefs in the truth and keeps us from swaying when we may be tempted to drift.

Study more! [and as always, needing to take my own advice :)]

Amanda

Day 22 - Singing Sunday...

Our final Sunday for The First 25 Days of 2012... and we are going to sing another great song that really touches me...even now, after I've heard it many, many times. Today I'm going to share Once Upon a Cross on Singing Sunday.

I listen to this song sung by the Grace Baptist College Tour Group from a few years back. I could not find the CD, Once Upon a Cross, for sale on the website anymore, nor a good YouTube video of the song...so this week will just be the words - which, really, are the most powerful!

Once Upon a Cross

Once there was a King who sat high upon His throne
The ruler of the Universe, God, and God alone;

But His heart was broken by the world held captive by their sin
Ransom must be paid to redeem them back to Him

So, God in His great wisdom revealed His master plan
He'd send the Son of God to become the Son of Man.

Once and for all the sacrifice for sin would finally be Christ,
The perfect Lamb upon the cross of Calvary...

Chorus:
One single act of matchless grace brought hope to all man kind
One drop of sinless blood erased our guilt for all of time

One monument of mercy stands proclaiming to the lost
The way was made, the price was paid, Once Upon a Cross.

Verse 2:
Once the world could only wait for a promise held by faith
Til once in lowly Bethlehem, Messiah came to live with them

And once upon Golgotha's hill, He bowed beneath His Father's will
to satisfy redemption's cost, Once Upon a Cross...

Chorus:
Just one single act of matchless grace brought hope to all man kind
One drop of sinless blood erased our guilt for all of time

One monument of mercy stands proclaiming to the lost
The way was made, the price was paid, Once Upon a Cross.

The way was made, the price was paid, Once Upon a Cross.
Once Upon a Cross, Once Upon a Cross.

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them,

He was received up into Heaven,

and sat on the right hand of God.

Mark 16:19

Amanda

Day 21 - Show, Show Saturday...

The last Saturday for The First 25 Days of 2012...and I'm gong to show you what I made TODAY!

These cute little cases are a condensed version of the Quilted Book Saver Clutches I showed on Wednesday. The size of these are made for keeping gift cards or appointments cards in them...ooh, business cards would fit great in here...
They do need a few more kinks worked out of them...but they are adorable.

I made the red flower one first, and it was going to be part of the giveaway I'll be hosting to finish off The First 25 Days of 2012... BUT...

It had some issues on the sewing, especially where the hook for around the button is attached. I need to reconfigure my approach for that.

So, since that one was kind of a flop, I decide to make another one without the closure hardware...

This pretty green one is a little bigger and is useful for a few more things...still can hold gift/appointment/business cards, but can also do a contact case and drops, or a standard flip phone. However, my issue with this one is that it won't stay closed on it's own. So, here it is with the other one keeping the flap down.

I thought about sewing snaps on each corner of the flap, but depending on the use of the case, the one side of the snap would need to be place either father up or down the pocket part of the case. Now, what to do?

I'm still planing on adding a Mini Clutch to my giveaway...but I still have a couple of days to work on it :) Hope to see you on Wednesday [and everyday in between :)] for the last bit of The First 25 Days of 2012 Celebration.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

that the excellency of the power may be of God,

and not of us.

2 Corinthians 4:7

We are only 'earthen vessels' made out of the dust of the ground. In and of ourselves we can only muddle our way through life...I feel that way sometimes, but God CAN use 'dust'. We have to remember...sometimes more often than others...that our lives are to be lived through Him, to glorify Him, and to show His power. We can do nothing in and of ourselves.

Needing to lean more...

Amanda

Day 20 - Fabulous Friday...

Another weekend is upon us...our last for The First 25 Days of 2012! So, here again are some of the things that caught my pinning fancy for this Fabulous Friday post. You can check these and more out on my  boards... [remember, to see any of these directly from here, just click on the picture :) ]

Starting this week is the Spectacular Spaces...
Like this great kitchen!

And this great kids room. Someday I think this might be great for the girls, especially if they share a room.

I've always liked benches at the dinning room table, and this week I found some cute ones, here is my favorite...

I must have been house dreaming this week because I seemed to see alot of great spaces...

But now we need to eat, right? So, how about some great looking pretzel rolls...

This looks great...hope I can remember to make it before Liz eats the last banana :)

And who doesn't love a good dessert...especially BROWNIES!!!

And a warm one in 2 minutes, ohhhh... by the way, it was really good!

The bad thing is that they are very easy...I'll have to practice self control :()

Now that we've dreamed and ate...lets craft!

I really should learn to crochet, this shrug would be great for the winter.

This quilt block was on Quilt Story yesterday, I just loved it and had to pin it...

And lastly for this edition of my pick-o-pins for the week, this great star block - with tutorial - from Lee at Freshly Pieced.



So much to see, so little time!

Glad you stopped by...



For the LORD is good;

and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100:5

Amanda

Day 19 - Teaching Thursday...

It's the last Teaching Thursday of The First 25 Days of 2012...and I'm going to share a tutorial for a mug rug.

I made this Fan Mug rug as a gift to one of Chad's coworkers. I found a picture of one...but no tutorials or directions to make it. So, I took what I saw and made this:

I thought it turned out nice and was glad I took a bunch of progress pictures so I could write up the tutorial...did that this morning. So, here is the PDF tutorial of the Fan Mug Rug.

Now, I need to go add the merchadise shown yesterday to the Etsy store...alot of computer time today! I may need another cup of coffee :) and I can't wait to sew some more...while typing up the tutorial, it made me want to make another one. When I get to it, I'll probably add it to the store too!

Also, I'll be adding this to the great linky parties...there is so much to see on blog land!

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD,

and he pondereth all his goings.

Proverbs 5:21

God is always paying attention to us, even when it doesn't feel like it.

Amanda



Day 18 - Working Wednesday...

And boy, have I been working! Which makes today's post SUPER late...almost into tomorrow - YIKES...but I need to do one today to keep up on The First 25 Days of 2012!

My work has been steady over the past week, working on the bookkeepers I mentioned in last Wednesday's post...I completed a small collection of a variety of them, and I'm labeling them as different types of Quilted Book Saver Clutches... I also made another Simple Bag from my own tutorial, however, with some different structuring...but using the same basic design. I'm hoping to get most of these items posted to my Etsy store tomorrow. Also, hope to set up a link from here on the blog to the store, too.

But, now on to the pictures of my work...

This first one is a beauty...to me, because it's the one I made for me! ;)

 Pretty star patchwork on the front, with great pinks and greens surrounding it....ooohhhh! Makes reading even more fun. I'm looking forward to making another on for my new Bible... a slight tea accident caused the hunt for a new Bible :)

Now for the Etsy products...

The Black and White Quilted Book Saver Clutch (Plain)

with a matching bookmark.

Next is a blue and green, subtle and earthy tones...

The Blue and Green Quilted Book Saver Clutch (Plain)

with a matching bookmark.

The following two items are what I was working on today...along with taking a lot of pictures and taking care of the girls :)

The Peach and Blue Quilted Book Saver Clutch (Ruffled)

with a matching bookmark.

This clutch turned out a little smaller that the other clutches...a little more square than rectangle.

And a matching bag...(however, they will be listed individually at the store)

The Simple Peach and Blue Ruffled Tote Bag. 

And last, but not least...

The Black and White Quilted Book Saver Clutch (Patchwork)

with a matching bookmark.

Hope you have enjoyed this showcase of merchandise! Again, you can see them in my store :) I'll also try to keep things posted on the Facebook page if anyone is interesed in following there.

I'll be sharing my accomplishments with a few of the great linky parties, too.

UPDATE: I'm also adding this to Finish it up Friday...because I got most of them done this week :) and a great task done for me...I finally got items stocked on Etsy!

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me,

for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

1 Timothy 1:12

When I first read this verse tonight it made me think about being faithful, so that God can use us where He wants us, when He wants us there. But as I was typing it, it also struck me as a thankful verse just for the abilities God gives us. I am thankful for the ability to sew and the joy that comes with seeing it all come together.

Amanda

Day 17 - Tasty Tuesday...

Today's Tasty Tuesday of The First 25 Days of 2012 also lands me on my 100th post...COOL! When I first started formulating the idea for The First 25 Days of 2012 I didn't even realize that it would also include this bloggy milestone...but it's a great place to include it!

Now for today's recipe...

It is technically named Mexican Relish, but around here the vegetables are a little chunkier and it is eaten on tortilla chips as salsa! So,

Mexican Salsa

6 large ripe tomatoes                               ¼ cup salt

12 green peppers                                     3 cups vinegar

4 cups chopped onions                            3 cups sugar

1 Habanero peppers                                5 Jalapeno peppers

Chop all the vegetables, add salt, and drain overnight. Boil vinegar & sugar for 5 minutes. Add the drained mixture of vegetables and bring back to a boil. Pour relish into 5 pint jars and seal in a water-bath canner for 35 minutes. [The Habanaero and Jalapenos add some heat to the mixture...however, this many still made it only a medium salsa - to me :)]

Chad loves this and did a lot of the work for it this past canning season...he even grew the Habanero and jalapeno peppers for in it. We still have enough vegetables in the freezer to make some more...except the onions :) So, soon we may make some Mexican 'winter' salsa - almost would fit this winter since here in northwestern PA we are having a very mild winter! Only 2 snow storms so far...and it warms to above freezing in between - even rain last night!

This recipe is from one of the best selling Pennsylvania Grange Cookbooks ever...the one first printed in 1972.

It's a great cookbook that I remember using when I began cooking around the age of 12 [however, I'm not using that copy - that one fell apart years ago!]. The only thing I dislike is that it has no index of the recipes...so, if you know which one you want, but don't remember the page its on...start flipping pages! It does, however, have a Table of Contents for the sections in the book. Oh, and no pictures :) but this has classic home style recipes!

I have set the LORD always before me:

because he is at my right hand,

I shall not be moved.

Psalm 16:8

Today, I was reading in Psalm 14, but noticed the pink highlighted verse on the other page... Psalm 16:8. It made me think about how we need to be - putting the LORD first! When we do this we can rest assure that we will not be as easily deceived or drawn away from the truths of our faith...

For me, some of those truths include: 

* Jesus was born of a virgin (Luke 2:27-32)  *

* died as a sinless man (that was also God) - through a sinners death -

to pay my penalty of sin (the Gospels) *

* He rose again and lives in Heaven...

and He is the only way to Heaven! (John 14:6) *

* the Holy Bible is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) *

Amanda



Day 16 - Ministry Monday...

In the spotlight today for the Ministry Monday post of The First 25 Days of 2012 is Commonground Baptist Ministries...which is a ministry of Southeast Bible Baptist Church in Penfield, N.Y. [You can also check them out on Facebook.]

I'm mainly going to cover the Summer Junior and Teen Camps that our church kids excitedly look forward to every year. However, they do also have a Bible Institute that has an emphasizes in distance learning, as well as an online store.

But back to camp...Commonground Baptist Camp is a great camp! Here is an excerpt from their website on what the camp is all about...

What is Commonground Baptist Camp?

Commonground Baptist is a local church camp ministry under the direction of Southeast Bible Baptist Church, and it is designed to serve local churches of like faith and practice. The ministry started when it held its first ever Winter Retreat for teenagers in 1995. Winter camps have been held every year since and Genesee Valley expanded to include summer camp in 2000. God has abundantly blessed and I will gladly put you in touch with pastors who will testify of God working in their youth departments because of the ministry of Commonground.

  Camp Philosophy

Christ Honoring: Our goal is to honor Christ in all things. We are not  building a kingdom and we are not entertaining. This is a camp run by a youth pastor who sends his kids too!

Affordable: When registered early, a week of camp is only $88!

Modest Attire: Our camp strives for an atmosphere that does not hinder the working of the Holy Spirit.

Preaching Centered: Plenty of fun times, but there will be lots of Biblical, Balanced, and Boiling Hot Preaching!!!

  What makes it different?

Commonground is a distinctly Baptist camp that has attempted to lift up a standard in the midst of this Laodecian age. Christ honoring preaching is in the center of this ministry. The messages at camp often stress a total surrender to God in every area of your life. Love God supremely, forsake the sins of this world, and serve Him with all your might. A goal for every camp week is to have an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit has free reign to work. To that end we have a code of conduct for our camp that emphasizes modesty.
The spirit of the camp also sets it apart. As the teens respond to the preaching, the games, and the counselors, the camp has a spirit where the teens just don’t want to go home! Camp is a place where you can not only do business with God, but you can really enjoy being a Christian.

  Why is it a ministry?

I have seen camp have such an incredible impact on the lives of teens and adults that I do not want to see it denied to anybody. Many people over the years have argued to me that I should not be concerned about camp costs because teens can get money for the things that they really want. As a youth director, however, I know how the cost of camp can really have an impact on teens signing up for camp. Our enemy will use anything to hinder a teen from going to something that will bless them, including the cost! I want to keep camp affordable so that every teen can go and be blessed. Money that comes in for support goes for expenses and the expansion of the camp ministry. None of it goes to our local church.

  What is the vision?

From a small winter retreat, Commonground Baptist Camp has grown to include multiple teen summer weeks, multiple junior weeks, men’s retreats and sporting tournaments. For futher expansion, it is important for the camp to acquire it’s own property. Will you pray with us to that end?

Pastor Jim Krohn, Camp Director

and his family

I have gone the past three years, twice to teen camp and once to junior camp...they were all wonderful experiences in there different ways! Pastor Krohn has done a great job at making the camp fun, exciting, comfortable, affordable...and SPIRITUAL! Why go to a Christian camp and come away the same as when you went?

This camp is not like that! Pastor Krohn schedules great preachers that share their hearts and challenge the kids (as well as adults) to follow God with everything!!!

I can't wait for camp :)

Let no man despise thy youth;

but be thou an example of the believers,

in word, in conversation, in charity,

in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

Amanda