Courageous Is Coming!

Courageous - In Theaters Today!

My family, including The Grandparents, and along with Lindy, are all planning to load up and head about 45 minutes away to the nearest theater to see the newest Sherwood Pictures film on opening day!! I am so excited, both to get to see a great movie, and to see what the Lord will do with the efforts of these dear Godly people who are seeking to honor Him with the talents He has given them. What a joy to know there are still good clean movies being made - and all for the purpose of glorifying the Lord!

Hollywood judges the success of a movie by how much support it gets on opening weekend. If you are planning to go see it, please consider going today, tomorrow, or Sunday, to get the biggest audience for your supportive voice.



Hope to see you at the theater!

SOLI DEO GLORIA! -Kyrie<>< - a 'Dear ____, Love, me' post

Dear book collection,

I'm so happy to have you with me! You never get old. In fact, the older you are, better you get!


Dear dessert,

Why do you have to taste so good? Especially when you take the form of Cookies 'N' Cream ice cream, strawberry wafer cookies, biscuits and jam, or Butterfinger cake?! Temptations, temptations.


Dear grapes, apples, peaches, bananas, strawberries, and raisins,

Thank you for being so delicious ;) . I love you.


Dear night-time bicycle rides,

You're wonderful. I love your cold air stinging my cheeks, the smell of the fresh wind, the crunch of a gravel-and-dirt road under my tires, and the exhilaration of being the only living thing out under the stars.


Dear Nikon D3000 10.2 MP Digital SLR Camera that I don't have yet,

I want you so much. But, I'm trying to have patience until I have enough money saved up to get you. Until then, I hope our little family point-and-shoot will stay alive so I am not totally without a camera...


Dear creativity,

You're the best! I'm so happy that you come to visit me every now and then, especially when I have the time, opportunity, and resources to make good use of your appearances!


Dear late nights,

You seem to help me get so much done. But then, the next morning it is SO hard to leave the soft bed, and I think our relationship is not a healthy one, and so must soon end ...


Dear early mornings,

I really enjoy you! We should get better acquainted.


Dear rain,

You are so amazing. Sometimes I wonder if the Lord thought of me when He made you - not really, but you know what I mean. I love you so much! Come again soon.


Dear Mixed Berry candle,

One dollar, plus tax, at Dollar General. One dollar for a little jar of pure joy. Who can beat that?


Dear yard-sales-where-I-get-stuff-free-because-I-know-the-people-who-are-having-the-sale-and-they-just-want-to-get-rid-of-the-left-overs-so-they-give-it-to-me-and-I-get-to-keep-what-I-want-before-donating-or-consigning-the-rest,

I could seriously get used to having you around.


Dear Fall,

Why can't you be here all year long? I know, I know. If you were, I wouldn't appreciate you as much. But oh, how I love you!


Dear blog,

I'm glad I have you. It is nice to have an outlet for my writing bug, while at the same time keeping a record of what's happening in my life. Even if I do take a little while to get my posts published...


Dear friends,

I love you. I'm so thankful that I have been privileged to know you. You make my day - you encourage me, tease me, love me, teach me, and bear with me. You make me smile. I take you for granted sometimes, and I'm sorry. Don't give up on me, okay?


Dear God,

Thank You for everything You've blessed me with. And I don't mean to be cliched. Thank You for a house to live in; thank You that I live in the country. Thank You that I live in the South. Thank You for soft clean sheets, for a hot shower, my sister sleeping in the next room, plenty of clothing, for chocolate milk and wafer cookies, for good-natured grins and happy, mischievous eyes. Thank You for my wonderful friends and Godly church family at Victory Rd.. Thank You for a job, and for how much I enjoy it. Thank You for finished projects, thunderstorms, good books, and Christian movies. Thank You for old telephones, antique buttons, and recycled treasures. For color, and for eyes to see it with. Thank You for Autumn.
Thank You for surprises.
Help me to be more thankful. Help me not to take for granted what You have given me. Help me to use it frugally, efficiently, wisely, and for Your glory.
Thank You. I love You. Help me love You more.


Dear everyone,

Thank you for reading. That is all.


SOLI DEO GLORIA!

-Kyrie<><


Note: I got this idea from Carlotta, who got it from another blogger. I really liked the idea, and hope it is okay for me to use it. I had fun.
Also, I hope to add photos to this post soon.

Thoughts of Spring Blog Party

Found another blog party! This is the last day, and I love 'trivia' (as I've said before) so decided to jump on the tail end. :)


1. How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.)

That's a kind of funny question. I mean, how would I know what word OTHER people would choose? I guess I could take a poll and find out a common word...
Until then, some words I think some of my friends would choose, would be "enthusiastic", "opinionated", or "loyal".

2. Are they right?

Depends on the context, but mostly yes :)

3. What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?

Hmm, not really any, I don't think. There are several I'd like to meet, but they're just regular people like I am - the only difference is more people know their name than know mine.

4. Who is your favorite blogger? Why?

Wow! I could not pick a "favorite"! I enjoy too many. But Jenna, Josh, and their mother, Mrs. Regan have been some of my biggest inspirations and encouragements in the faith. I love their honesty, their imperfections, their passion for the Lord, their love for family, for farming, for frugality, and for fun. I'm challenged by their examples, I'm encouraged by their less-than-perfect-ness. They have become dear friends - even if only blogging friends.

5. What is one of your comfort foods/drinks?

Potato soup!

6. Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.

I believe birth control is just as wrong as abortion.
I believe it is wrong to kiss someone who is not your spouse.

The reason I listed these two opinions as something 'weird' about myself, is because recently I have been rudely awakened to the sad fact that many 'Christians' do not believe either one of these things. I won't go into detail here, but I plan to do a post on both those topics soon.

7. Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done?

Oh yes!

8. What is it?

Goodness! Lots of things!
One that stands out would be going to Scotland.

9. Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?

Action, historical fiction, documentary, adventure, etc. But always from a Christian standpoint, and I am VERY strict about content. So, I have more 'favorite movies' rather than 'favorite genres'.
I love Sherwood Pictures' movies!

10. Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?

Here again, like movies, I have more 'favorite books' than a whole category. But I love Christian historical fiction, biographies and autobiographies of great missionaries and historical people, Christian resources, and about anything worth reading I can get my eyes on.

11.Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?

Ew yuck, some of those. I love old-fashioned Southern Gospel - four-part harmony, men's quartets and trios, and toe-tapping convention-style music. I love the old hymns. I love quality, inspiring, stirring orchestra and military music. I like some of the WWII era big-band music. I also love Celtic - of course, if the words are appropriate.

12. If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?

The first thing? That would be to tithe it, and give the tithe to my church or to missionary work.

13. Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).

Miniatures. HMMHMM I LOVE miniatures! Almost miniature anything - but not everything.

14. If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?

Well, some of my loved ones may have other places they'd want to live, so it would seem a little selfish to drag them all to my place... But I understand the question.
Scotland or Tennessee, but I'd need to think a little before I could decide between the two.

15. Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?

Hmmm. Well, I can sit flat on the ground with my knees bent and flat on the ground so that my heels come back and can touch the sides of my thighs! I can also make the back of my tongue vibrate forwards and backwards really fast, so that if I say "Ah" at the same time, it sounds like, "Yoin, yoin, yoin, yoin" but really fast and run together. Don't know if that one counts - probably lots of other people can do that, but Trissy can't - she's always exclaiming, "How do you DO that?!" whenever I'm going around doing it ;) .

16. What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).

Caring.

17. What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?

Mmmm! The perfume or cologne of a friend. Gives me a good feeling.

18. When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less?

Well, of course it depends on what I said, and what I didn't. Usually some of both I guess.

19. If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?

Etsy
Hobby Lobby
Michael's
Books-A-Million
And if money wasn't a factor (in other words, I had all I'd want to spend), then probably other stores too.

20. What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?

Greatest fear: Disappointing the Lord.
Strange phobia: Bears. I hate bears. Real ones, that is. Stuffed ones are fine :)

21. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Glorifying the Lord.

22. What are your favorite animals?

1. Horses
2. Dragonflies
3. Pigeons/doves
4. Dogs

23. Are you a hopeless romantic?

Um NO-OO!

24. What movie or book character can you most relate to?

Dan, from the book "Little Men"


Well, some of that 'about me' I've already covered in other posts or blog parties. But I had fun doing it!

Keep It Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 6 - Friday

Day six! It was rainy and misty today, but we snuck out and managed to snap a couple of quick pictures anyway :D !

Me:



Denim Jacket (Same one from Wednesday. Oh, how I LOVE my denim jacket!): Birthday (2005) from Dad and Mom
~
Turquoise Knit Sleeveless Top (Same one from Thursday. Note: I only wear sleeveless shirts if I have something else on top for sleeves): Belk's for less than $6
~
Caramel-Brown Corduroy Skirt: Christmas 2007 (?) from Dad and Mom
~
Cowboy Boots (my first pair since I was five! I LOVE MY COWBOY BOOTS! Can you tell? ;D): Christmas 2009 from Dad and Mom


Trissy:



Green Jacket: Borrowed from me (Dirt Cheap for about $2, I think)
~
Purple Long-Sleeved Knit Shirt: JCPenney's for about $5
~
Hand-Beaded Necklace (Same one from Thursday): A graduation gift from a little 10-year-old friend in another state
~
Black Knit Skirt: Um, consignment shop?
~
Black Shoes: Gotta ask her (will fill in later - I'm trying to get this done so I can link up!)

Ok y'all - only one day left!

Keep It Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 5 - Thursday

Day five of Bramblewood Fashion's Modest Fashion Week.

Me:



Turquoise Sleeveless Knit Shirt: Belk's for less than $6
~
Pale Blue Mint Shirt (I wear this shirt all the time in the summer for several reasons. 1) It's decent! 2) I love the color 3) It's cool in hot weather and 4) It hasn't got to be ironed! Just mist with water and hang up to dry! Doesn't get any better!): Yard Sale for $.50! (Can you beat that?!)
~
Denim Skirt (another one I wear all the time): Less than $5 from our local consignment shop
~
Slide-In Dark-Sand Sandals: Hand-me-downs from the same lady at church who gave me Monday's sandals


Trissy:



I've got to get the details on her outfit later.

Literary Blog Party

{Note: This post is incomplete. Please wait to read it until I have time to finish filling out the questions. Unless of course you're the type that's GOT to go through with something once it's within your grasp...
Just bear in mind there's alot missing still.}

I had a few free minutes today, so decided to go blog-hopping :). In my wandering, I found a blog that is hosting a 'blog party' of sorts, with a questionair on the reader's literary opinions. Click here to read the whole post. I decided to join in because I LOVE books/reading and I like random, trivia, 'about me'-type events and things (both to be a contributor to, and an observer of others' contributions).
So, here goes.


•What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

A faith in Christ so strong that it dictates everything she does and how she reacts to every situation - no matter how small or how great.
(By the way, if anyone knows the name of this painting, please let me know)


•Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

1) Kirsten from George MacDonald's "Heather and Snow"
2)
3)
4)


•Five of your favorite historical-fiction novels?

1) Little Men
2) The Scarlet Pimpernel
3) Tree of Freedom
4) Johnny Tremain
5)


•Out of those five books who is your favorite character and why?

Oooh, that's difficult. But probably, if I really HAD to say, it would probably be Dan from Little Men. Why? Well, I think of all the characters I've met in the hundreds of books I've read, Dan has been the one I've understood and related to the most - we are so much alike.


•If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?

The highlands of Scotland. I would take a few of my favorite George MacDonald books and a couple of others in a leather messenger bag, a lunch, and a camera, and treck the hills the whole time. Well, I would like to visit Banockburn too.


•What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

Wow, pretty much anything historical. I'm especially fascinated with American and Scottish history. I love historical fiction written from a Christian point of view.


•You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy,
recitation - what is your act comprised of?

Recitation. I'm horrible at 'planned' comedy - though I've been pleasantly surprised at how easily I keep my friends in a state of spontaneous merriment, just by being myself around them! I enjoy memorization, and would probably quote some of my favorite Scripture pasages and/or a few selections from my favorite books and poems.


•If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

Kirsten from George MacDonald's "Heather and Snow"


•What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

It's nice, but not something I can't live without.


•Favorite author(s)?

C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia are hands-down some of the best books I've EVER read - and I've read alot of books), George MacDonald,


•As a small, imaginative, red-haired damsel might query; would you rather be divinely beautiful, dazzlingly clever, or angelically good?

Well, good. I'm not sure about the 'angelically' part. Is that even an appropriate adjective in this case? I mean, the angels really don't have a say in what they do or are... anyway...
Just something to think about. I had to throw it in ;)

*Why?

Why did I have to throw it in? Oh! Why did I pick 'good'. Gotcha.
Ok, well


•In which century were most of the books you read written?

Hmmm, not sure!


•In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…




•Describe your ideal dwelling place.

•Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

Ha! Yes! Several times.


• In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...




•Three favorite Non-fiction books?

1) The Bible - KJV (no offense to the non-KJVers, it's just my preference)
2) "Do Hard Things" by Alex Harris and Brett Harris
3) "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

•Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

•Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

My dream HAT?! Um, well, ok...


•Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

•Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.




•And lastly, as I am a rather businesslike hostess, may I ask you your views regarding those adorable little items - namely pin back and mirror back buttons? 1). Where would you choose to display a button badge to best showcase your unique style?
2). What image and/or sentiment would most make you smile were it inscribed on your very own compact mirror?

Keeping it Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 4 - Wednesday

Day four of Bramblewood Fashion's "Keep It Classy - Modest Fashion Week"!

Me:



Red Dotted-Paisley Knit Shirt: Kohl's (I think)
~
Beige Skirt: JCPenney's, about $15
~
Sand-Colored Sandals: Don't remember, had them a long time though
~
Denim Jacket (I LOVE my denim jacket): Birthday 2005 from Dad and Mom

And yes, in case you hadn't noticed, I'm in a hurry, so I'm just including the bare minimum for now, and fill in more later.

Trissy:


Navy And White Striped 'Sailor' Sweater: Dirt Cheap
~
Navy Skirt: JCPenney's (same style as my beige one - got them at the same time)
~
Black Loafer-Style Shoes (same as from Monday): JCPenney's

Keeping it Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 3 - Tuesday

Day three of the Bramblewood Fashion "Keeping It Classy" Modest Fashion Week!

Me:

Gray T-Shirt (under sweater - if you look close you can see it's collar around the throat of the sweater): Wal*Mart at the end of the season for either $1, or $1.50, I can't remember for sure which
~
Navy Cotton Pull-Over Sweater (I love this sweater. I hardly wear it though because 1) I'm so hot-natured it's hardly ever cold enough; and 2) I love it so much I don't want to wear it out! I call it my "Peter sweater"*. Long story. Yes, I know, another of my 'long stories'. [Maybe] One day I'll tell them all): JCPenney's on sale for $?
*Peter's not a real-life person, for the information of any of you who may be nosy or gossiply inclined.
~
Denim Skirt (a nice skirt, but the waist is huge on me, so I've got to wear a belt and pull it snug to fit LOL! We bought it at a time when I was desperately in 'need' of another denim skirt or two, and it was a good buy.): JCPenney's on sale for $15
~
Leather "Tooled" Belt: A local consignment shop for $.50 I think
~
Leather 'X' Sandals (great slide-ins and they've served me well for a number of years):


Trissy:

Trissy hasn't had a chance to write down all of her outfit specifics, so I'm just going to post mine, and our pictures, and then come back and fill in details later.

Keeping it Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 2 - Monday

Mom took pictures of me this morning before I left for school. My shirt and skirt are both cotton, so I wanted pictures before I got "rumpled" from riding to, then spending time in, school. Well, I was going to upload the pictures at school, but when I looked at them, they were really dark and grainy. *Sigh* So, I set the camera on the top of Tilly (my car :) ), set the timer, and ran away a good distance to let it take my picture. Well, apparently I ran a little too far, because by the time I cropped it down so you could see 'me', the photo ended up being grainy (and me looking 'rumpled') anyway! I didn't have any more time though (I had to get to the Academy to work), so this will just have to do :]

Me:

White Knit Sleeveless Shirt: Snitched from my Mom's closet :) Truthfully, I borrow it so much that I wear it more than she does! Don't remember (if I ever knew) where she got it, or how much she paid for it, but it's great to wear under other light-weight white shirts, or as an 'under' shirt with a button-up one.
~
Cobalt Blue Button-Up Shirt (I really like this shirt, except it's 100% cotton, and wrinkles up right away, as you can see): JCPenney's at the end of the season for about $5
~
Chocolate Button-Up Skirt (no pockets :/ - I live out of my pockets - otherwise a great skirt): A cousin's yard sale for $1
~
Tan Vintage Sandals (I love these sandals - the only problem is that the soles are so hard that my feet begin to hurt towards the end of the day): Hand-me-downs from a friend at church.


Trissy:


Dark Blue Knit Shirt: Hand-me-down to Trissy from me :) Don't remember where it originally came from
~
Dark Mint/Teal Blue (not really sure what color you'd call it, but it's a beautiful shade of blue) and Slate Blue Patterned Knit Shirt (she loves this shirt and wears it as much as she can get away with - she jokes that she doesn't know what she wore before she got it LOL!): JCPenney's on sale for about $7
~
Slate/Dark Powder Blue Sweater: From Dad and Mom. Don't remember what occasion.
~
Straight Navy Skirt: JCPenney's on sale for $?
~
Navy Knee Socks
~
Black Loafer-Style Shoes (I like these shoes on Trissy. They're nice and practical, but the tiny buckle-and-strap deal on the toes adds a nice touch.): JCPenney's on sale for $? (the box says originally $50, but I KNOW we didn't pay that much! LOL!)

As you might can see from our descriptions, we are firm believers in sewing, sales, consignment stores, and hand-me-downs!

'Til next time - Keep Looking Up!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Keeping It Classy - Modest Fashion Week Day 1 - Sunday

Well, recently I stumbled across a blog called Bramblewood Fashion. I don't remember just how I found it, but I have been keeping (well, trying to - I truly don't get much Blogging time) up with what Ashley and Gabrielle have had to say about 'fashion'.

One of the things that caught my attention was the promotion of a "Modest Fashion" Week in February. This event's purpose was to encourage modesty, while 'proving' that modest people haven't got to be 'frumpy'.
"Hmm, that looks interesting," I thought to myself :) , as well as being needed. I'm afraid the term "modest" has come to be synonimous with the word "frumpy" in the minds of many. So, while I claim to have no fashion sense of my own (my sister Trissy suggested several of my outfits for the week), I know the types of things I like to see on other people. I guess that's got to count for something! And Trissy is planning on joining in as much as she can. She doesn't have a blog, so her outfits will be posted on my blog.
Oh, one other 'clarification' - I do not have a good quality camera, so please bear this in mind when considering the 'photography' :)
Sooo, without further ado, our outfits for the first day of the 'Event (of course, being Sunday, we were dressed for church):

Me:

Yes, my stance does look a little strange... It was terribly windy, so I was trying to just get my skirt to hang straight long enough for Trissy to snap a decent picture! So no, my arms and back don't look this hunched and strange all the time...
Ok, my outfit:

White Blouse (I read somewhere that one of the essentials for a 'classy' wardrobe is a white button-up blouse - guess I'm off to a good start ;) !): JCPenny's during an end-of-the-season sale for $10-$12 I think.
~
Tan Knit Vest (It's really soft. Basically the only time I wear this vest is with this outfit. Trissy loves it when I do.): A local consignment shop for less than $5
~
Brown Paisley Wrap Skirt (I really love this skirt, but I 'ration' the amount I wear it, 'cause it has tiny little 'dashes' of copper glitter that I'm afraid will wash off the more it's washed... :) Yeah, I know, I'm extreme): Made by Mom, fabric from Wal*Mart I think from the $2/yard section
~
Embroidered Brown 'Mary-Jane' shoes (The last pair, and they happened to be just close enough to my size that I can stuff paper in the toes and still wear them ;D I LOVE these shoes! The embroidery and style just look 'Narnian' somehow ;) !): Wal*Mart for $11

Ok, now Trissy:



Silver Mother/Daugher Circle and Hearts Necklace: From Mom for Christmas 2010
~
Bright Blue Turtle-Neck Sweater and Plaid Skirt set: From Dad and Mom for Christmas (2008 I think)
~
Black Shoes: K-Mart maybe? It's been several years, but they've held up well and are Trissy's Sunday winter 'staples'.

Ok, well, there are our Day 1 outfits! Looking forward to the rest of the week!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Life Is Sweet

I've been wanting to do a post similar to this idea for quite some time. So the other day when I read this post on Lucy's blog, I decided to join in :) (I stole the Roman Numeral idea from her too). Later, I may do 'mine'. Or I may do this one again, but with ten other things that bring me joy :) . We'll see. For now, I hope you enjoy this peek into what makes me "me" - what brings me joy.


I. Being outside during thunderstorms
II. Godly teenagers
III. Amazing Grace played on bagpipes
(Note: Click here to hear/see the most incredible version of this hymn I've ever experienced - just listen to it first, then go back and watch it)
IV. Working with my hands
V. A good read
VI. Laying in the wet grass at night, looking at the stars, while my friends try to find me
(there's a story to this one)
VII. Psalms 107:8-22
VIII. Pleasing someone I love
IX. Sherwood Pictures
X. Going barefoot

A Christmas Tag

Ok, on a blog I just discovered recently, and am really enjoying, the young lady who authors it requested a Christmas tag. I've been wanting to do a tag for a while, so this is a good excuse! Hope this fulfills your 'want' Lucy!

1. What is your favorite Christmas memory?

2. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

3. Do you do Christmas baking? If so, post one of your recipes.

4. Do you send out Christmas cards? If so, are they store-bought, or home-made? Do you like to use 'cute' ones, 'inspirational' ones, 'elegant' ones, or combinations?

5. What is your favorite Christmas song or carol, and why?

6. Do you go somewhere for Christmas or stay home?

7. Do you usually have guests for Christmas?

8. Do you do volunteer or charity work of some kind at Christmas? If so, tell what, and some of the lessons or memories you've gotten from the experience.

9. Do you give gifts at Christmas? If so, are they store-bought, home-made, or a combination? Which do you like to give best? Which would you rather receive? Why?

10. Do you use a Christmas tree as part of your decorating? Why or why not (give specifics)?

11. Do you get snow where you live? If so, what are your favorite snow-related activities? Why? If not, what do you imagine your favorites would be, and why?

12. What is your favorite Christmas story? Please post it if you have access to a copy.

13. Is your birthday also in December? Do you know someone who's birthday is in December? If so, is an effort made to make it special and seperate from the Christmas celebrations? If so, what are some of the ways you/they accomplish this?

14. What are your favorite Christmas/Winter color combinations? (Ex.: Red and Green, Red and Black and White, Red and Gold, Green and Gold, White and Silver, etc.)

15. Are there some special ways you focus on Christ at Christmas?


Ok, I may keep adding to this tag - I had fun coming up with it, and hopefully it will be a challenge, as well as an enjoyment to all who participate! I will try to publish my own answers later.
I tag
Lucy of course,
Cora,
Grace,
Jenna
and anyone else who wants to do it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

50 Free Christmas Cards From Shutterfly!

I read on Emily's blog about a wonderful promotion Shutterfly is doing this Christmas! They will send 50 Christmas cards FREE to anyone who will blog about the offer! How can you beat that?! My cousin uses Shutterfly frequently to create unique and meaningful gifts. They always turn out great, and each item has such a nice personal feel - not as if you just went out and picked something random up for the occasion, but something with meaning and thoughtfulness. I've never used Shutterfly personally, but I've been impressed with what I've seen of their work.

They have a wide variety of gift ideas to choose from, - calendars, stationery, mugs, albums, canvases, even mousepads - as well as invitations, and of course, they offer picture development.
They have such a large and varied selection of Christmas cards, it was hard to choose just a few of my favorites! I love the Family Wall card, the Red Revamped card, and the Snow Flurries Cocoa card, and that's just the first page! There are Elegant Cards, Fun Cards, and a nice selection of Religious and Christian Cards (where my most favorites are)!

If you're interested in participating in this great offer, click HERE to learn more! And be sure to look around at their other great Christmas gift options while you're there!

Thanks Shutterfly!

'An Old-Fashioned Christmas' Event - Week 2 - Fabric

{Visit Grace's blog here to learn more about the 'Old-Fasioned Christmas' Event!}

Note: This is week two of Grace's Old-Fashioned Christmas event, and I am excited, because this week's topic is FABRIC! I have found so many great tutorials, besides personal experiences of my own. Because uploading pictures takes time, I may be adding to this post even after the week is over. But for starters, here are some of my fabric crafting inspirations ;) !



Satin Flowers







Felt Hearts



The link I posted above is to the blog post where I found these hearts. The post had nothing about these hearts except the picture; but as soon as I saw them, I was like, "Oh my! I've got to make some of those!!" :D
So please pardon the lack of quality of my photos - I was taking them in a hurry - and hopefully you can enjoy your own jar of wonderful little felt hearts, or do like I'm going to, and drop one in a loved one's stocking with a note reminding them how much they are loved!

First select the felt you are going to use. I got this value pack at Wal*Mart, and it has a nice color variety (the colors are much more vibrant than in the photo - sorry y'all!). If you want a Christmas theme, then obviously the red and green and white would be a nice choice.



Next decide on the size heart you want, and draw out a pattern. You wouldn't believe the time it took me to get mine just right! I wanted mine a little lopsided, to give it sort of a folk-artsy look, but I didn't want it to look totally sloppy! (If you want yours shaped evenly, try folding a little piece of paper in half, then cut out half a heart on the fold. Unfold it, and you've got a perfectly shaped heart.)



Cut out two hearts from the felt you want to use.





Go through your embroidery thread stash (or if you don't have one, go to Wal*Mart or Hobby Lobby ;) ) and pick the color that you think suits your heart.



Find a needle that has a nice large eye, but that isn't too thick and chunky to go through the felt easily.



Take your embroidery thread, pick out three strands, and carefully separate it down. You want approximately 12-16 inches of the three-strand thread for one heart. I pull the strand until it has pulled from the full length of the skein. Hope that makes sense. If you want, you can just pull and cut the entire thickness of thread (six strands), then separate it and save the other three-strand section for another heart.







Put your two hearts together ...



... and start your stitching with a double-stitch to serve as a knot.











Make sense?

When you get almost around the heart, take a tiny amount of quilt batting or fiberfill, and stick inside to give the heart a little thickness. I save quilt batting trimmings from my quilting projects, and a pinch of that works perfectly.







Finish stitching around the heart, repeat the knot, pull in your tail (I use the needle, and pull it back into the heart itself), and your done!


Some more tutorials and/or resources involving fabric (Note: I cannot vouch for the appropriateness of the entire content of each site, only the pages I've linked to below):

Fabric Labels made using transfer paper:



Fabric Postcards:





Gifts:

Gift Card Cozy:



Scrappy Fabric Rose:



Ruffle Flower:



Felt Rose:



Big Felt Flower:



Cotton Flower:



Wool Flower:



Fabric Flower:



Composition Book Cover:



Thumbtacks:



Felt Toy Truck:



Toy Pasta:



Doll House Party Banner:



Ruffle Pillow:



Burp Cloths:



Embellished Knit Shirt (Applique):



Embellished Knit Shirt (Flag):



Embellished Knit Shirt (Flowers):



Ebellished Knit Shirt (Ruffled Neck):



Re-purposed Sweater Purse:



Camera Strap Cover:




Decorations:

Stocking:



Ornament:


Snowflake Pillows:



Snowflake Table Runner:



More Sewing Project Ideas!