A Gentle Reminder

In my devotional this morning I found this verse:

"Jesus said, 'I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.' "  Luke 4:43

That is why this week is important.   Even though I'm exhausted, so was he.  This is the perfect scripture for the Lord to give me this morning.  Why were you sent?

Two Creations Accomplished

It's been a tiring week but a good one.  Pandamania VBS is over and I hadn't caught my breath yet before I was off on another adventure.  Church Missions Here I Come!

I did get to make these two flower clusters yesterday afternoon.  One of my friends cancelled our appointment so I didn't take her to lunch and shopping.  Just as well.  I really needed to work on these and I needed some down time.  Hope my client, The Bride, likes one of them.  It's to be her garter for her wedding.  I'll add the stretchy part when she decides.  Off to more activity--then sleep----aaahhhhh.

It's All Worth It

A little girl accepted Christ as her Savior in Bible School this week.  All the time, efforts and sacrifice are worth it when this happens.  One more soul for Christ.

The hydrangias above were full and round when I first got them but the next year they looked like this.  This plant it about 4 years old and it keeps growing but the clumps of flowers don't look like the hydrangias I know and love.  I think I read something about Fairy's Crowns or something like that--some species of the plant.  Do you know anything about this?  Just random.  My friend loves them.  Wish I could dig it up and take it to her.

PandaMania

God is Wild About You!  This is the reason for my lack of posts for the past few days. (Click on photo for a larger view.)  We decorated the sanctuary on Sat. from 9:00-12:00 and have been tweeking it since.  We had over 200 kids and leaders here yesterday and we had a good day even though it rained on half the kids while we were still registering them.  Busy, busy and on top of that we have a funeral here today and I'm playing for it.  Death does not seek convenience.  The deceased would have loved this backdrop, though, so we're celebrating her life here. Onward and Upward!  Thank you, Group.com for the wonderful idea and resources and especially Cheryl and Mary who organized it and all the helpers who make it a success.  Thank you, God, for your gift to us.

New Rolled Roses Necklace

I finished the roses on Saturday, adding the beads and button, and sewed them into this necklace on Sunday afternoon.  I wore it Sun. evening and Monday.  I really like it but some comments were "That's unique" and "Hmm, that's different."  I'm not sure what to think of those comments.  I still like it and may keep it--not sure whether to sell these or not.  Guess I'll see how the one at the shop goes and I'll put one in my Etsy shop as well, though that usually does not get much attention.  I hope they go because it was fun to make.  Why do all the things that are fun don't sell?  Maybe one day something will catch on.  Probably then I'll make so many that I'll be tired of making them.  What then?  Guess I can't be satisfied.  Gotta work on that.  Busy day what with VBS study and a funeral.  I sure know how to have fun!

Pandamania

Pandas have invaded my territory.  Our VBS theme is "Pandamania--God is Wild About Us" and I made these little cuties from a cardboard box.  I drew them, using the pictures in my study guides for inspiration, painted them and cut them out.  They will be hanging around the bamboo forest when we begin our VBS Party Time Sing and Play worship rally.  Every day, now, is saturated with VBS preparation in hopes that God will send His Spirit into the hearts of the little ones there.  May God be glorified.

My sister is doing very well--no blockage, pacemaker placed and she goes home today!  Praise God!  She's sore from being a pincushion but hopeful that the pacemaker will do its job so she can feel well again.  Isn't it incredible that man can do such marvelous things--remember, "man," the creator who made you helps you make creations that help others.  Awesome!

Life is Precious

My sister was to have had a pacemaker put in today but I haven't heard how she's doing yet.  It makes me so aware of how precious and short our lives are.  She was planning a trip to see her new baby grandson next week--guess that will have to wait a while.


I made these pretty little hair clips last Saturday from nylon mesh fabric and nylon chiffon gleaned from pre-adored clothing.  They are in S'more Couture--ready to be re-adored.

Two Shirts

Here are two more shirts for S'more Couture.  I did a little something different on the last one--streamers and gathered side.  Amy's having a Girl's Night Out tonight and I wanted to get more in the shop, hoping they'd sell during the party.  Have to play for a wedding today--much planning and preparation.  Have a good one--day, that is.

Temper Temper

This flower is just icing on the cake to a problem I've been having with a remade dress.  I got two pieces of clothing put together, a dress top and a skirt bottom covered with nylon chiffon (bouffant styled and attached to the bottom of the skirt),  but it had been so long since I'd put in a zipper that I paid to have it done.  Turns out the zipper placement allowed a mismatch in the back between the two sections.  Instead of contacting me about the problem before sewing it, this is how I received it.  Now I have to figure out a way to make it work.  I had made this flower to use on the front of the dress and have been so discouraged that I decided to just sell the flower by itself.  Yesterday I sewed a pin back on it and then I started sewing a hair clip to make the flower more versatile when I noticed that I had sewed the straight pin part down to the point of being immoveable.  The only way to rectify the situation was to remove the pin.   I was so mad that I threw it and a pair of scissors across the table.  Fortunately, I only knocked over the salt and pepper shakers and the scissors hit the floor instead of the wall.  Yep, you might say I have a little trouble with temper.  Maybe today I'll be able to correct the situation without loosing it--maybe.  Do you think my anger turned to sin?  Hmmm, yes.

New Necklace

I made this little necklace from some rolled flowers I was going to make into headbands for RE- but decided I'd give this a try.  I've been wanting to make one for a long time now but have never taken the plunge until now.  I think it turned out pretty well but instead of the fine nylon netting backing, I'll use felt next time.  I think it would be more sturdy but this one does pretty well.  I decided to put it in S'more Couture instead of Relics since I would make more money on it---if it sells.  Both SC and R are having a very slow month.  I don't know how other small retailers are this time of year but it's scary.  Both are wondering if they will be able to stay in business.  One lives from month to month on paying rent and utilities, much less the vendors.  Though I made some money last month, I'm having to hold my pay check until next week to see if it's still a go.   Back to the necklace.  I liked making this and it wasn't super difficult for me so I think I will try another one sometime soon--maybe for me?

Accomplishing

I've been accomplishing some long overdue work for S'more Couture.  I have to stock the shop with summer things before Summer turns to Fall in the Fashion market--July.  I have uber busy weeks ahead and am using time whenever I can find it.  I spent most of the day with a friend I haven't seen in a long while, Deena.  We went to Relics, picked up my money from past sales, dropped off more headbands to sell, and went to lunch--turned picnic because there was no room in the shop to eat.  We went to the WMBD and sat on the top to eat--nice, peaceful and amazingly cool in the shade under the trees with the breeze blowing.  Yesterday evening while B was mowing the lawn (a two-hour stint for a push mower and an almost-acre of land) I finished these two shirts.  I just layered different black/white or black/cream prints and sheers into round pieces and added vintage buttons-super easy but a little time consuming since I cut each round by hand and sight.

The Beginnings of a Commissioned Work

 These are photos of the same flower taken at different angles.  The bride wanted a ranunculus since her wedding bouquet would contain the same.  Three of these will be for headwear, probably hair clips since they are more versatile.  She's also requested two bracelets and some special brooches to add to necklaces she's already purchased.  We had a good discussion and I hope this pleases her.  It's about as close as I can get to the structure of the ranunculus.  Now I'm waiting to hear from her so I can continue or reconstruct--whatever the case may be.
I have to complete some tee shirts for S'more Couture today.  I'm way behind on

 all of my "fun work" so I need to catch up the best I can since VBS is closing in on me.  I have hours yet to go in studying and practicing before we begin on June 20.



Some Fun Headbands Done

Well, I have seven of ten done.  Because three of mine were stolen last January, I've attached the tag to the back with a gold safety pin and decorated the tag with a bit of tulle and used pink ink.  Hopefully this will deter a would-be theif.  The tag says:  Headband from Reclaimed Fabric, Buttons/Beads, by Lydia's Lineage, sallylsmith1@yahoo.com.   These are going to Relics today or tomorrow.  I think they look very Summery.  The seven I took in March have sold so I will be picking up my pay. Yay!

Works In Progress

I took these ten baggies of potential rolled flowers with me this last week thinking that I would be able to work on them during naptimes.  That didn't happen like I'd planned.  I only got to complete a few and some of those was with the "help" of my two grandchildren, ages 2 and 4.  Did you know that pins and needles are not good things around that age?  Yeah, so did I but I was very careful and so were they but I still found three pins on the floor that had escaped.  Yes, I'm a bad grandma, one who doesn't protect her grandchildren.  I'm gullible.  I actually want them to learn to be careful and follow my instructions and they really did well--except for the three straying pins. Sooo, I had to put them away and play "real toys" with them--Ohhh, poor me (smiling at the thought of the playtime.)  I have my work cut out for me tomorrow so I can have them in the shops by Monday.  I'm also waiting a contact from a girl who wants me to make headbands and/or jewelry for her wedding at the end of July--more roses, etc. to come!

Creative Resting

Sometimes one just has to do this--rest.  Hopefully, when I return to this blog, I will have new and interesting creations ready to be photographed and posted.  We can only hope.