Senegal Brought Home

These flowers are made from some Senegal skirt fabric purchased to make roses at the Missionary Women's Retreat held two weekends ago in Saly, Senegal.  They make up cute and are great to decorate a shirt, bag, tote, or hair.  The bottom two fabrics were found here in the States--the left is a beautiful Batik and the right's colors show through both sides--the only kind of fabric to use with this flower.  I'm going to put a couple or more in my Etsy shop, though sales have been nil the last month.  Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.  We did because we saw 9 of our 13 grandchildren during the last week.  What fun!  Tiring, but fun.

Return From Senegal

 I wasn't sure what I was going to do in Senegal but two days before we left, we got a message from our missionionary:  "Do you have anyone who can make curtains?"  Our leader immediately said yes, called me and asked, "Have you ever made curtains before?"  Well, I hadn't but I thought, "How difficult can that be?"  It turns out that making curtains was basically my soul purpose for being there.  Interesting how God works through our abilities, no matter how mundane.  I'm the one in the middle.

 Here they are hanging.  They will separate three beds, side by side and possibly another bed on the facing wall.  We needed heavy cotton that would be difficult through which to see.  We bought it in the market and thought we had enough but it turns out that there was significant shrinking so we had to track down some more.  We had trouble finding the right color and almost settled for a contrasting color when there it was--the same color and just a little different pattern--perfect.  The curtains were finished on the last afternoon that we were in the town. 

 The doctor was very pleased and expressed it to our missionary.

 Here is his wife sewing for the first time. We all got a chance to help.  I also grandmothered their three children (the fourth being 3 hours away at school) by teaching the 10 year old to sew and fixing a few pieces of clothing.  Kimberley (above) was excited and can't wait to show her mother that she actually used a sewing machine.  What an amazing family--such sacrifice and patience.

 The Senegalese are happy, peaceful people.  These boys are invited almost every day into the missionaries' compound to play on the trampoline.  Notice the tire swings in the background.  Though there is very little crime in Fatick, the compound is guarded at night.

 Here are a few little cuties hamming it up for the camera.  They loved getting their pictures taken.

This is a little neighborhood boy.  Everyone is barefoot or has very worn sandals.  Garbage is present everywhere.  There are no designated dumps and no trash pick-up.  Fifty years ago all the garbage was bio-degradeable but not now.

 Our nurse (the lady in the plaid top in the first picture) was able to witness the birth of this little sweetie.  This is our pastor's wife holding him.  The plaid top was a gift from the mother made especially for our nurse's help and encouragement the day before delivery and during delivery.

The nurse was really put to work.  This beautiful little three year old boy, the brother of the new baby, two days before we arrived, lost the first joint of his pointer finger in a bicycle chain accident.  The mother ran out after hearing his screams and fainted.  The father came running, thought his wife had died and saw the mangled finger.  A relative wound up extracating the boy and the father deleriously ran for Mo-John, the name given to our missionary.  Mo-John, Travis, usually fixes everyone's wounds but the finger was so bad that they had to drive the 3-hour trip to a decent hospital to have it amputated.  Our nurse changed the bandages while we were there.  She put just what she needed in her bag "just in case."  Isn't it wonderful that God helps us plan for things in advance and we don't even know for what we're planning?  A couple of hospital rooms in Fatick were cleaned, the cleaning of the hospital grounds was completed, and much encouragement was given to the missionaries by our team.  I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Fluffy Rose Tutorial

 Stitch down the center of a 2-3" strip of fabric about 1 yard long.  Gather the fabric--loosely for heavy fabric and tighter for light-weight fabric.  Use fabric that is the same color on each side.

 Fold the fabric on the seam line.

 Stitch the fabric at the fold to the center of a 3" round piece of felt going through the felt and into the fabric at about 1/4" intervals.  Turn the fabric around itself as you stitch.

 Keep the rows close to each other.  At the end, knot and trim the edges of the end of the fabric into a curve.

 Trim the center of the flower about 1/4- 1/2" if desired.

 Add a pin back about 1/4" from the edge of the trimmed felt back.

 Add a bead to the center.  Wear on clothing, hat, purse, headband or slip a clippie on the pin and wear in your hair.  Use your imagination.

This little flower was put on a tote bag and is going to Africa with me tomorrow.  I'm doing a workshop on on Fluffy and Rolled Roses.  When I get back, I'll try to take pictures of my rolled rose as I make it and share it with you.  Use whatever skills you have to glorify the Lord.  Make the world a more lovely place in which to live by adding flowers.  Thanks for praying for me as I go to use my art and my music for Him.

Pink and Purple Little Girl Necklaces

I made these cute little pink and purple necklaces for some sweet little girl friends the other week.  They wear them to school on days they don't have P.E. so they won't break them.  So sweet.   One did break, though, and I was able to fix the crocheted section by tying and glueing it.  A couple of warnings about these necklaces:  1.  They tangle easily so hang to store them.  2. Since heavy duty thread is used, it's still thread and it might break.  Catch the ends as quickly as possible.  One end will totally unravel and you might loose some beads. 
She was able to catch the necklace immediately and didn't loose any beads so I was able to connect the one charm without any problems.

Getting ready to leave day after tomorrow.  Almost everything is packed except a few things I still have to buy.  I'm so grateful for friends who have "helped" me be able to purchase necessary items.  I hate to leave Bill but I must.  He gets his shot tomorrow and we wait for three months before the radiation treatment.  Waiting is so difficult so I remain super busy to counter the edgy thoughts that enter my mind.  I must completely trust the Lord.  It's totally out of my hands.  I remain blessed.

Crocheted Beaded Necklace--Snow and Cool Waters

Jeremiah 18:14

Does the snow of Lebanon

ever vanish from its rocky slopes?

Do its cool waters from distant sources

ever cease to flow?

 

Don't you love the poetry of the Bible?  This verse is so lovely and was the inspiration for this necklace.  I used vintage and new metal, glass and plastic beads, pearls, charms, vintage buttons crocheted with vintage linen thread.  I'm missing not having time to make more.  My friend, Mary, purchased three necklaces last week and I'm going to take the remaining ones to Senegal with me next week. 

Next week! Wow! that's close!  Next Thursday I leave.  It's certainly not a good time for me to leave but I don't have a choice.  God gave me the opportunity and he knows the big picture so, here I go.  My trust is in you, Lord.

Faith--A Crocheted Beaded Necklace

Hebrews 11:1

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for

will actually happen; it gives us assurance

about things we cannot see.

Things are coming together.  My husband found out today that the cancer is contained in the prostate.  He will have to have an injection of Lupron and wait about 3 months until he can have the radiation that will subsequently kill the cancer.  In the meantime, we wait.  It's a little easier to wait when you know what will happen.  The not knowing is difficult. 

I'm packed for Senegal even if it is five days away.  I figured I'd pack and then add to it little by little as I remember things and it may take me five days to remember--things.  Well, I'm exhausted but when I get to bed, I can't sleep or I wake up in the middle of the night and stay awake--remembering things.  At least, Bill is sleeping about seven hours a night and he seems relieved to know what to expect.  All in all, we are blessed and we know it, regardless of his diagnosis.  We're going with what God gives us.  Thank you for your concern and prayers.

Rising and Setting Crocheted Necklace

"From the rising of the sun

to the place of its setting

men may know there is none besides me.

I am the Lord and there is no other."

Isaiah 45:6

I've been a little busy lately--getting ready for the Senegal trip by learning dialog, words to music, practicing playing and singing at the same time, readying flower-making, gathering jewelry findings, buying necessary clothing and gifts for our hosts.  I have a couple of friends who need company, too.  The most important thing is being with my husband who is going today for an MRI to see what the next step in the process is.  This dominates my thoughts.  I'm so scatterbrained anyway but I feel very disoriented now.  What would I do without the thought that God is in control and all things are his.  He gives me peace.  

Seedtime and Harvest Crocheted Beaded Necklace

I liked the next photo of this necklace better but the number was the one to denote the antichrist so I chose this one.  Superstitious--I guess--just feels weird.  Anywaaaay.....this one just looks like a harvest festival to me and Miss Cheryl is enjoying wearing it--I hope.  Have a good harvest today.

Genesis 8:22

As long as the earth endures,

seedtime and harvest,

cold and heat,

summer and winter,

day and night

will never cease.

Fall Sales

I sold only two necklaces in last Saturday's sale but...Sunday I sold two more since they were at church and the pastor's wife wanted to see them.  Sold.  Sunday night I got an order for two more--little girl necklaces.  Two young ladies have been following my blog and Etsy shops and are interested in creating.  Pink and purple were their choices.  Anyway--that's two more so the venture was not a total loss.  I did recover most of my monetary output and I still have some to wear myself.  I'll be offering them in my sallylsmith or Lydia'sLineageAttic shops on Etsy in the near future.  Some are there now.  Take a look at my side bar if you are interested.

On a personal note:
My husband is to see the oncologist on Tues. to determine what treatment he'll receive.  We're doing fine coping but it never leaves our minds.  We're both busy people anyway and now we are doggedly busy.  It helps.  It's the "wake-up-in-middle-of-the-night" times that are difficult.  It's 6:45 and I've been up since 2:30.  Time for a little nap now while my dear hubby is deer hunting.  Told you he's busy.

Dealing

Yesterday we found out that my husband has prostate cancer.  Sadness.  Thanks to modern science, though, this type can be treated effectively.  I don't deserve him.  His words:  "Well, we'll see what God has in store in this new adventure."

Crocheted Beaded Necklace Extra Long

Here are some of the goodies I used when making this enormous 62" necklace that I've named "Abundant Showers":

vintage glass, shell, pearl, metal and faceted buttons

silver earrings

scrolled silver pendant

religious charm

rhinestone jewelry pieces

chandelier crystal

beaded dangles

new glass figural beads

other glass, shell, pearl and vintage plastic beads

with white metal toggle closure.

This necklace is long enough to wrap three times around the neck and is easily removed with the toggle closure.
You can find this in my Etsy shop, sallylsmith (see side bar).
 

"The clouds pour down their moisture

and abundant showers fall on mankind."

Job 36:28

Crocheted Necklace--Mysteries

"Can you fathom the mysteries of God?

Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?"

Job 11:7

I used assorted beads, vintage glass and other buttons, a copper leaf, a heart charm, a little glass vial with black beads, a rusty washer, watch innerds, and assorted jewelry bits to make this super-long (about 55") crocheted necklace.  It's going to an outdoor sale tomorrow.

Crocheted Necklace--Know, Believe, Understand

"You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and believe me and understand that

I am He.

Before me no god was formed

nor will there be one after me."

Isaiah 43:10

Heaven and Earth Crocheted Necklace

1 Chronicles 16:31--"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let them say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns.' "

I was busy this afternoon wrapping all my necklaces and earrings, putting them in bags and pricing them.  I've made more earrings for a table my husband will have at a Sportsman's Banquet this weekend.  It was his idea that I make some.  He thought it would be something the men could take home to their wives who so graciously allowed them to attend (or not.)  A little gift never hurts anyway.

Rain and Snow Crocheted Beaded Necklace

I'm going to be posting a number of necklaces I've made in the last two weeks.  All of them are for a craft sale held this weekend.  I have twelve to sell and hope I do well.  This one is "Rain and Snow" inspired by the scripture from Isaiah 55:10--"The rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish."  Now, how did the writer know about evaporation?