Finished Object Friday

This finished object was a surprise, even to me. Well... sort of. I really had no plans to make this, until I realized that a good friend, just learning to sew, was in need of....

A pin cushion!!


This little project didn't take much time at all... and it was so much fun!
(Does the fabric look familiar?) :)



My grandmother's sewing machine makes a great prop, don't you think?
Here is a link to the tutorial I used to make this little pin cushion. It is really easy! I didn't do the wrist strap and I made it a tad bigger - my squares were 4 inches. (It looked a little confusing to me at first, but once I got going, it made sense.) This went so fast, even for a first time, I may end up making more! (hmm... they would make great gifts! Shhhh... don't tell!) :)

What fun crafts have you been up to? (It doesn't even have to be recent, just something you would like to share! Guidelines are here.

NEWS BREAK: After careful consideration during the past week, I have decided to move FOF to every other week. This frees me up a little more to do other blogging (Friday Show and Tell!), and most of you, like me, don't have something new every week. I had considered going monthly, but I think every other week will be good for now! :) You are welcome, also, to link to a post from the past couple of weeks for FOF, it doesn't have to be posted on the FOF Friday. (I'm not really picky, but I do appreciate a link back here!) :)

ETA: Just to clarify - FOF doesn't have to be something you made recently. It can also be a past project from any time. However, the post should be fairly recent. Make sense? :)

Sunday Blessing

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

from: A Mighty Fortress is our God
by Martin Luther

I have been reminded yet again this week that the battles we face are many times part of a greater spiritual battle. That many people are trapped by sin and don't even realize that they are in bondage. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12 Before he even warns us what we are up against, Paul wrote in verse 10, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." We can be strong, as Christians, because God is our Fortress, our Shield, and our Help.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday! Spring is on it's way! (I am not a big fan of winter, can you tell? ... Good thing I live in the South!) :)

Blessings!
Charity

PS~ Picture AND editing by Angie! Cool, huh? Used by permission. :)

And the winner is....

I put each name on paper and Mark drew the winning name for me (while he covered his eyes!) I wish I had one to give each of you! Maybe I'll do it again with the next tribble I make! :)

Congrats, Melissa!

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Yellow Week: Friday

How about some fluffy soft downy sunshine to brighten your day? :) Aren't these so cute? I took this picture last fall at our local fair. They had an exhibit set up of chicks in various stages. The ones above were a tad older than this little fella! :)

Isn't new life exciting... little kittens or puppies hobbling around or even a brand new little chick, but especially little people. Oh, the miracle of God's creation!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! For more yellow, visit Erin's blog!

Hope your day is happy!

Charity

Finished Object Friday

Everyone knows how therapeutic knitting is, right? It's a very soothing repetitive, creative process. Perhaps if more people took up knitting, we truly would have "peace on earth!" Ok, so maybe that's taking it a bit far! Anyway... you know this is going to be another knitting FOF, right? :) (Don't leave yet...surprise at the end!!)

And what could be cozier than some purple socks for this chilly February weather? (Yes, it's cool again in Texas, but not for long!) :)

I made these socks for Regina for Christmas... what's really bad is her Christmas gift bag held a wonderful bar of handmade soap, and a skein of this yarn. I hadn't even started the socks! Oh, well... I did finish them last month and she is now enjoying them.

I must say, I wasn't overwhelmed with the color of the yarn when I bought it, but was pleasantly surprised at how well I liked it once I started knitting it up. I call these socks, Very Berry Blitz!

I usually have bits of yarn left over from a skein when I make socks or dishcloths. I like making this with it... waste not, want not, right?

It's a tribble!
Remember this one from a while back?

(Pattern here. Really easy and fast!)

Now for the surprise: I'm giving this tribble away! So it isn't the biggest and best giveaway, but I thought it would be a fun little thing to do for a Friday. All you have to do is leave a comment and your name will be put in a drawing for the Tribble! Just to make it interesting, maybe you could share your favorite handmade item you've given or received. :) I'll try to post the winner by sometime Saturday.

Oh, and don't forget to join in on Finished Object Friday! We'd love to see your project! Don't forget to check out the guidelines here.

Yellow Week: Thursday

Bits of yellow sunshine in my yard yesterday! For more yellow visit Erin's blog.

Smiles!
Charity

Yellow Week: Wednesday

What could be more fun than yellow jelly beans? :)

I know others have said this, but it is truly surprising how much yellow pops up during the week! I didn't know how much was around. :) This sure has been fun... like finding bits of sunshine in the day.

Speaking of sunshine... it is an absolutely perfect day outside my window! We had a warm front come through last night and it is supposed to be in the 70's today! How's that for spring? :)

For more bits of sunshine, be sure to visit Erin's blog!

Blessings!
Charity

Yellow Week: Tuesday

Just a little sunshine on my window sill!
The little pitcher belonged to my grandmother. I think it is so cute! The bowl of cherries and the "c" are both Mary Engelbreit. (I love all her cherry things!)

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday! To see more yellow, visit Erin.

Blessings!
Charity

Yellow Week: Monday

Erin over at House on Hill Road is hosting yellow week this week. Since yellow is my favorite color, it was hard for me to resist! :)

This picture is from last year's visit to a local daffodil garden. The wonderful thing is that daffodils are blooming all over right now. Spring is arriving in Texas! :)

Sunday Blessing

O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

Selected from:
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
By: George Matheson

We sang this song in church this morning. I love the words, especially the third verse. That truth has been brought close to me in the past month, the fact that God will give us joy even though we may be hurting and that in the Morning, when all is done, that He will "wipe away all tears."

I hope everyone is having a blessed Sunday! Stay tuned this week for Yellow week! :)

Blessings!
Charity

PS~ The picture is of a current blooming tree here in East Texas... Spring is just around the corner! :) Angie took this picture last week.

Happy Valentine's Day!

From Mark and Chari!

(source)

Finished Object Friday

Alternative Title: What I FINALLY finished this week!!

My internet was out for a while on Wednesday. (A result of the storm that went through Tuesday night - same line that sent tornados through Oklahoma and possibly some near us.) It's amazing (and kind of sad) how much we can get done, knowing we can't spend time on the internet! Anyway, I got to work and finally finished these aprons for Mom and Angie's Christmas! (Last Christmas, not next!) :)

Hobby Lobby has some really cute fabrics. I love how they have complimenting fabrics together. Angie's apron was especially fun to put together. :) I know you can't see them as well, but her straps are black. These are both lined and I again used this apron as a pattern. I love tilting the pockets, they are just right for your hands to slide into.

Here are close ups of the pockets and fabrics:



How about sharing something you've done recently? We'd love to see! Don't forget to link back to my site, and to leave a comment for others shared projects! :) Guidelines for FOF can be found here.

Sunday Blessing

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

from: Breathe on Me, Breath of God
by Edwin Hatch

I love this song. What a wonderful prayer!

So starts the second week in February. I have a feeling that this year is going to fly by faster than 2008 did! I hope everyone has a great week!

Blessings!

Charity

Photo taken by Angie and edited by Chari. :)

Finished Object Friday

Hope you aren't tired of knitting! :) I have more Christmas gifts to share! :) I made this for Mark's Grandma.

What is it, you ask? Well, it's similar to this, but here is a picture of me modeling it. :)

It is a very heavily modified version of a pattern I found in Ravelry. (Here is a link to my Rav. project info.) Here is a close up of the stitch design:

And a picture of Granny modeling it after she opened her gift.


What have you been up to? We'd love to see your finished objects! Even if you don't have anything to share, don't foget to look at the other projects! Here are the guidelines.

Almost Fetching

I like to knit. (SURPRISE!) :) I was thinking today that I often share completed projects (on Fridays) but I haven't shared many in-progress lately. Although, I haven't done a substantial amount of knitting recently, I have been working on this project here and there.

It's called Fetching. Here is a link to the pattern. (While you are at Knitty.com take a look around! They have some great knitting articles and many wonderful free patterns! -I'm not endorsing all content on the site.) :) (Here is the link to my project on Ravelry.)

Here's where I am currently with this project:



Like my stitch marker? I made it! :) (turorial link) It's much more fun to mark stitches with something pretty!

I hope everyone has been having a great week! See you tomorrow for Finished Object Friday!

Blessings!
Charity

Quick Reviews

I just wanted to share glimpses of a couple of films that we have enjoyed recently. When I find quality entertainment, I like to pass it on. I hope that more and more companies will start producing clean, family friendly, quality films!

First is Fireproof. It was released on dvd last week. It is the third of the movies produced by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. Each has improved in quality. The other two are Flywheel and Facing the Giants. Here is a trailer for Fireproof:

I know Fireproof has received a lot of news coverage in the Christian sector, but it deserves it! It is very clean, although the theme may not be appropriate for younger children. I love the fact that in the scene where the character played by Kirk Cameron is kissing his wife, Kirk is actually kissing HIS wife who is standing in for the actress that plays in the film. This film company is doing their best to bring honor to God in their films, and it shows! We need to show them our support.


The second film was very enjoyable and a sweet story. It is put out by Hallmark, a company that has put out several family friendly films, though I can't say I highly recommend all their productions. I greatly enjoyed this one, The Magic of Ordinary Days. This film was recommended by Michele at Whatsoever Things are Lovely. Here is a montage of clips put to music: (I couldn't find a trailer.)

I am looking forward to adding this dvd to my collection. Until then however, it can be viewed in 15 parts starting here. It is very clean and refreshing. I liked the more relaxed pace and beauty of the film. It begins in 1944 and includes some interesting histoy. Livy's dresses are beautiful (I wish I could find some like them!) :)

Has anyone else seen either of these? I would love to know what you thought about them! Maybe someone has some other suggestions for enjoyable clean films!

Blessings!
Charity

Sunday Blessing

How deep the fathers love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give his only son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out amoung the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts no power no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

"How Deep the Father's Love for Us"
By Stuart Townend

Many of you may be familiar with the song above. I had probably heard it before this week, but I don't remember. I think the words are just awesome! Even though it doesn't qualify as an "old" hymn, I think it qualifies as a new one! :) You can listen to the song in my playlist at right.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. I am battling a cold, but hoping to get some rest tonight and plenty of fluids and vitamins tomorrow! :) Hopefully more posting this week than last week. Thank you for all the sweet comments on the apron. My grandmother loved it. She said it was the "best present" ever! :) She also thought it was great that it was sewn on her machine.

Blessings!

Charity

PS~ Photo Credits to my sister, Angie. She left this picture on my computer and I snagged it! :)