Turtle

A very excited ballerina on her 4th birthday :)

This is "Turtle", one of my sweet little friends. She turned 4 on Saturday and had a ballerina party, and I, being her babysitter, was invited. I accepted the invitation of course, and we all had a wonderful time twirling and whirling with the birthday girl.
This is just a glimpse of the adorable energy this child has. She can make the most drab thing hilarious! I truly enjoy watching her and her big sister, and am very thankful for the opportunity.

I just had to share because she has the most contagious smile!  :D

~Emily

But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace.  {2 Peter 3:13-14}

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Apron Swap @ Practically Pink

My sweet friend, Emily (over at Practically Pink) is hosting a Fall Apron Swap and you're invited!

I love aprons, and I love making them, but I don't have a "favorite" apron yet.  I've got a couple homemade ones from my Great-Aunt Elizabeth that I really love, but I don't necessarily want to wear them while making enchilada's.  Yes, they're aprons and they're made for catching the mess, but I'd like to save them for the "less messy" work ;)


One of Aunt Elizabeth's aprons.

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I would love it if you would join us for the swap! I'm excited to maybe meet someone new and bless them with (what I hope will be!) an adorable, homemade apron from me! I will admit, I'm also excited about getting one from someone else :)

Head over to Emily's blog for information on how to enter the apron swap!

~Emily

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." {1 Peter 1:14-16}

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Stepping Heavenward

I finished my cowl Thursday!  I finished it much quicker than I thought I would, and I only needed 1 skein instead of 2!  I love it... but I'm thinking I will sell this one (and the one I make with the 2nd skein) and I will go get a little bit different yarn.  I really do love this yarn, I'm just kind of rethinking it. Since I live in Florida, and we don't get super cold weather, I think I'm going to go for cotton :)

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I've never been a big reader.  I've always wanted to be, because everyone would tell me how wonderful reading is, and how good it is for you, but there was just something about it I couldn't love. And please don't get me wrong, I know how to read, and I've read books... it's just not my favorite pass-time... :)

Well I think I've somewhat solved my dilemma!
The other day, mom found a free audio book download of Stepping Heavenward.  I've been wanting to get an audio book just to see how I like it... and I love it!  I'm able to knit, crochet, eat, brush my teeth, or whatever I want, while I listen to the book!  I guess I never liked having to sit down to read.  I like to keep moving!

If you like to stay busy with your hands, and love books, I highly suggest getting some audio books. Like Stepping Heavenward for instance :)  Mom and I have really been enjoying it, and we're only through chapter 3!  I am officially thankful for audio books ;)

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Hope everyone has a wonderful week welcoming October!  Can you believe it's the end of September? It's amazing how we can never believe how time flies, we never seem to get used to the fact that each month, each year, each life is going to end.  And it's all in God's perfect hands, He has timed it just so. What an awesome thought...

And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so. {Genesis 1:14-15}

~Emily

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Fallapalooza Blog Party!

Yes, I know I just posted about a giveaway today, but this one is so great!
It's got tons of possible prizes, and a really fun way to enter...
Thank you so much, Shannon for hosting this Fallapalooza Blog Party! And thanks to all of the sponsors as well! The prizes look wonderful :)
Click here to see the rules and enter your post!

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Onto the questions...

1. Ring! Ring! You receive a phone call from a national sweepstakes organization saying that you have won a life-time supply of your favorite beverage!! What would that drink be?

I'm thinking tea. That way I can make sweet tea or hot tea! ;)

2. If you could live in a Jane Austen novel, which book would you pick? What character would you be?

Sense & Sensibility for sure. I'd hope to be Elinor!

3. What is your theme song, that favorite song that absolutely matches you?

Hmmm... I'm thinking In Christ Alone.

4. You are trapped on a deserted island. Your only supplies are the clothes you have on, and a box with five things in it. What are those five things?

1} Someone to keep me company (sorry to whoever that is!)
2} Bible
3} Pillow (big, so we can share)
4} Watermelon (with seeds to grow more)
5} Knife

5. Chocolate or Caramel?

Most definitely Chocolate! Preferably Hershey's dark.

6. Vacation! If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

This is where I run into a problem. I equally want to go to Ireland and Africa SO. BADLY.

7. If forced to do one of the two, which would you do: sky diving or scuba diving? Why?

Skydiving for sure!! Since I can remember, I've dreamed of the feeling of free falling. I plan to go someday.

8. Are you a coffee and donuts sorta lady, or a tea and scones type of gal?

Yes. :)

9.The time machine has finally been created, and you are the first to be able to use it! What era would you travel too?

1930's I believe. Or maybe the 50's. Or the 40's...

10. What is the last movie you watched?

Leap Year... definitely one of my favorite movies.

11. What was your absolute favorite toy as a baby?

My baby doll, Chelsie. Though I think I was absolutely in love with all of my toys.

12. What types of blogs do your like best? (examples: DIY, cooking, journal, ect.)

All types really. I like real-life posts.

13. What is your favorite Bible verse, your "life verse?"

Both Psalms 37 & 103 are favorite passages, and I also love 1 Peter.

Now wasn't that fun? Why don't you head over and check out the great prizes... it'll make you want to enter for sure!

~Emily

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Awesome Autumn Giveaway @ A Corner Pillar

Hey everyone! I wanted to share an awesome giveaway with you!

My dear, sweet friend, Lauren, is having a giveaway in honor of her favorite season!

The prizes are awesome. She has a small business where she sells all this amazing, natural stuff (check out her Etsy store!) and she makes it all at home!

Click here to go see her giveaway and enter to win!

~Em

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"...they are new every morning"

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
{Lamentations 3:22-23}

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Autumn is coming...

...and we're starting to feel it!

Today the temps were in the lower 80's and there was a nice, light breeze... and... ok. Cut me some slack here. I've lived in Florida my whole life so having nice days like this in September is quite a treat! We could actually go outside without having a heatstroke! ;)

Anyway, I am so looking forward to cooler weather, fall colors, and cuter clothes. Yes. I love cold weather clothing. Which brings me to a current project!

We're heading north for a little bit in October, so I thought it would be nice to start (yes, I said start) a cowl for our trip! The only reason I'm starting it now is because I want to make sure it's finished by the time we leave. Here's a picture of the yarn...


The reason I only have a picture of the yarn is because I started the pattern today, and I tried to adjust it and do it with different size needles, but it didn't quite work. So next time I'm at the store, I'll be getting the correct size needles and starting again :)

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Another thing I've been working on (for a long time) is a sweet baby blanket...




I'm using Lily Sugar'n Cream 100% cotton yarn (which I love!) and I'm 1 skein down, with about 3 to go. It feels so good to finish a skein on a project :)

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Hey, how would you like to have the pattern?? It's super simple.

Tip: Always read through the directions before starting a project, whether it's knitting, crocheting, or sewing. You may be biting off more than you can chew! I've definitely vetoed projects just because I wasn't able to get into it at the time.

Supplies:
About 10 ounces of 4 ply worsted weight yarn (or similar)
Size 8 circular knitting needles (you will not be working in a circle, it's just to hold the blanket better)
Large-eye blunt needle (for weaving in ends)

Cast on 105 stitches.
Rows 1-6: seed stitch.
Row 7: Knit 1, Purl 1, K1, P1, K1. K5, P5 until 5 stitches remain. K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 8: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1. P5, K5 until 5 stitches remain. K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Rows 9-14: Repeat rows 7 and 8 three times.
Row 15: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1. P5, K5 until 5 stitches remain. K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 16: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1. K5, P5 until 5 stitches remain. K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Rows 17-22: Repeat rows 15 and 16 three more times.

Repeat rows 7-22 until you reach desired length for your baby blanket.

If you would like your blanket to be wider:
When casting on, add more stitches 10 at a time. Follow the rest of directions just the same.

[EDIT]: If you've never switched between knit and purl, or if you have and you're still unclear on how to do so, click here to see a very simple, explanatory video on how to switch between them with "hakuna matata" :)
If you have any questions about the pattern, or if you notice a mistake I've made, please email me! I would be more than happy to help.

He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. {Psalm 104:19}

Happy Autumn to everyone! Enjoy your new pattern! :)

~Emily

P.S. I want to wish a very happy birthday to Mrs. Smith over at Seasons of Life! Boy, you can find some really helpful and practical things over on her blog. She is such an organized and inspiring woman, I'm so blessed to know her!

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You Never Know...

...when you're going to meet someone who will be a blessing to you!

Last Monday when mom and I were in the checkout line at JoAnn's, we saw the lady in front of us was buying some yarn that I really like. Mom said something to her about me liking it, and we got talking. So I asked her if she ever crocheted doilies (because I've been interested in doing so and I haven't met someone who makes them), and she said that she used to, but her eyesight has made it too difficult to make them anymore. Then! She said that if I wanted them, she had a bunch of pattern books that I could have!



So, mom called Helga Thursday, and she invited us to her home on Friday to get the books. When we got there, she had 22 "Magic Crochet" magazines, 16 balls of cotton crochet thread, 4 small crochet hooks and 4 beautiful doilies ("for inspiration") that she made! I'm telling you. They're flawless. She did such a wonderful job.



I'm in love with doilies. When I'm married and you come to visit me, be prepared that you may not actually see any of the table surfaces in my home, they will all be covered in doilies ;)



Anyway. This is a project that I am very much looking forward to once I've accomplished more in my "to finish" pile. These magazines have so many wonderful patterns in them, I haven't even looked through them all!

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On a side note, I milked a cow Sunday morning! We were visiting friends who are cow-sitting for friends of theirs, and I got up before the sun to milk with two of my friends! I've never milked a cow before, so this was rather exciting :) For a couple years now I have wanted cows, but where we live it's not possible, so it was really nice to be able to experience this. Maybe one day I'll have cows of my own in my pastures, and get raw milk and grass-fed beef from them... *sigh* a girl can dream a little, right? ;)

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What an awesome God we serve... any time I look at the sky I am reminded of how powerful He is. Sun, moon, clouds, stars, lightning, rain... it's all amazing. Sunday night we drove home through heavy weather. The lightning was lighting up the entire sky and the rain was simply pouring down. It was amazing. I'm very thankful God kept us safe.

Well, I hope y'all had a week full of blessings like I did!

We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds. {Psalm 75:1}

~Emily

(Thank you Helga!)

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Completing Before Beginning

Something I have almost always been bad about is starting a new project before completing my other ones. Every time I go into JoAnn's I want to start something new! Seeing beautiful fabrics, soft yarns, great idea books... I just get so excited and want to make all these different things right away! I guess you could say I'm a bit of a dreamer.
Well, this is something I've been trying to get better about recently. First of all, it's not a good habit to form. And second, I am getting a bit tired of seeing all of these unfinished blankets, hats, aprons, etc. sitting on my shelves. - Plus, I'm running out of places to put them! ;)

Yesterday, mom and I made a list and we're getting organized. We're figuring out what needs to be completed before we start anything new. We're figuring out a schedule to start Autumn out the right way! We both love Autumn (and winter) and we want to enjoy this season! After we have all our thoughts and ideas straight, we can start putting them into action! If we get focused and stay focused, we'll be able to start some of our new projects in no time! I have some fabric waiting to be turned into quilts (which I am super excited about!) but it'll have to wait until I get a few more things done.

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Recently, I finished my quilt that I started last August... you wanna see pictures? :)


Many of these fabrics are from Timeless Treasures' line "Jane Street" and I am in love with some of the designs!






And here is one that I made (and finished!) last year for my young friend's birthday. I've posted about this before on my previous blog, but I thought I'd go ahead and share it again here.





I wanted it to be special, so I designed it myself! I made a few mistakes in the design process, but nothing that wasn't fixable when it came to putting it together. I now double check my calculations and measurements and have mom do the same! I strongly dislike that feeling in my gut when I realize I mismeasured something. Not cool.

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As I finish different projects and then start new, I'll try and post about them each, and maybe I'll even whip up some tutorials! (I say "whip up" like I've done it a million times and I'm a pro... heh, nope) I would still like to make a tutorial for this skirt... just don't hold me to it ;)

So stay tuned, my hope is to encourage those of you who have done the same as me, and need to get some things finished!

~Emily

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A New Venture

Quilting is something I've fallen in love with over the past 2 or 3 years. Now, as I wait and prepare to (Lord willing) be a wife and mother some day, I am looking for ways to make money now to save for later. Working on my skills now will help me later when I'm married and don't have as much time to do so.

Since I love sewing, knitting, crocheting and pretty much anything working with my hands, I'm looking to make and sell these things on Etsy. I have no idea how this is going to go, but I'm hoping and praying for the best! I think as a "lady in waiting" I should not just be waiting, but preparing and using my time wisely... because we all know that once you're married and have children, time becomes even more precious! I want to use my "empty" time now to learn things and skills I'll need (or just want) when I'm married.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. {Ephesians 5:15-16}

Not only should I be learning skills and handy tips for life, but I need to be seeking God to mold me into the woman He intends for me to be. Marriage isn't magic. It won't fix personal issues that I had in my unmarried years. I need to be seeking God with my whole being and striving to become a godly woman as the bible describes. Think about it - we make lists and set requirements for the man we will marry... but do we do the same for ourselves? I couldn't imagine putting higher standards on my future husband than I do on myself.

So come along with me as I learn new things and seek to apply them to my life... whether I learn a new recipe, or a new way to be obedient to the Lord... may I aim for God to be glorified in it all!

~Emily

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