Friday, October 31, 2008

Fingerprint Friday - gentle visitors

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

Thank you to Pampering Beki for hosting this each week! Everyone is welcome to join. To see how to join, as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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When we were visiting my son and family in Ohio two weeks ago, we delighted in the deer who come from the woods behind their house into their yard every morning and every evening. Such beautiful creatures that God has created!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Next Craft Show

My craft show Friday and Saturday went well! My next one is in two weeks: the 26th Annual Patchwork Craft Group's Show and Sale at St. Timothy Methodist Church in Brevard. The Patchwork Craft Group includes 20 crafters from the Western North Carolina area. Come on by if you're in the area!

This is my favorite show because it is very different. Instead of having your own table that you stay at all day, each table has items from each crafter, artfully and elegantly displayed like an upscale boutique. Many of the tables are themed by color (all the items are blue or purple or red, etc.), and some tables are all Christmas items.

The shoppers get shopping baskets at the door and can browse and pick up items they'd like to buy, without the vendors hovering over them as they look. Plus there is one convenient central check out for all purchases where people can pay with cash, checks or credit cards. People seem to buy so much more at this show!

Each item has a tag on the back with the crafter's initials, and these are removed at time of purchase and kept in a notebook, with a section for each crafter, so each can be paid later. The crafters take turns running the check-out table - taking money and wrapping and placing purchases into bags, and roaming around replenishing the tables as items sell. I love running the cash register!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Back from vacation

We visited my son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren out of state over the weekend and returned yesterday. We had so much fun! We went to their soccer games, to church with them on Sunday and out to dinner, hung out at their house some, and played with the polymer clay I brought. We always play with clay together and they make such neat things like this funny faces piece.



Me and my granddaughter, Jocie, 6 1/2.



My grandsons Stewart (11) and Calvin (10).



Here is Jocie with her big clay pot. I brought a big bag of scrap clay that I had saved for months and she used it all. She kept asking, "Are you glad I'm using up your scrap clay, Grandma?" Yes! I never dreamed it could look so good.



Here are a few of their creations.
Cows jumping over the moon...



Alligator...



Little Bird...




Clay house...

Friday, October 17, 2008

Fingerprint Friday - The Magic of Autumn



There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

Thank you to Pampering Beki for hosting this each week! Everyone is welcome to join. To see how to join, as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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The leaves get more colorful each day in this splendid season of fall. They look so vivid against the Carolina blue sky. Here are some photos of the grounds where I work, beautiful beautiful fingerprints of the Master.





Thursday, October 16, 2008

Quilt of Holes

This came in an email today. So beautiful...


As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.

....When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

~*~ Author Unknown ~*~

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Featured Etsy Artist - Rose Creek Cottage

Our featured Etsy artist today is Rose Creek Cottage, where you'll find unique, whimsical jewelry, including word pendants with charms ... initial pendants for Tweens, Tots and Teens ... and special holiday themed items. Keep checking back for new items, including dolls and Santas.

Carol says she quit a teaching job to market her creations years ago and has never looked back! Her experience includes retail and wholesale shows around the U.S., as well as art shows over the past 20+ years. She has been selling online for the past eight years on ebay (under the same name) with over 1300 positive feedbacks and will celebrate her one-year anniversary on etsy in November.



Available in various colors and patterns, here is a pretty sample of the Truffles Collection: Trinkets for Tots, Tweens and Teens. Sweet and trendy, each necklace is nestled in a truffle cup and tucked into its own little tin. Sure to delight even the fussiest princess you know! Initial of your choice.



These Truffles Party Favors would be perfect for your daughter's or granddaughter's birthday celebration! Choose any of the Truffles designs and choose the initials you’d like on each. Each comes with its own silver ball chain and ribbons, tucked into a little truffles tin.



Carol has lots of Scrabble tile necklaces to choose from ... like this beauty with your choice of a Paris vintage postcard (pictured) or a vintage atlas map. It comes with a wonderful added touch, a pewter Eiffel Tower charm.



Here is another Scrabble tile pendant, decoupaged with a vintage dictionary definition of the word ~Quilt~ with a silver thimble charm. It is sealed with a resin coating for long-lasting beauty and permanence, comes on a 24" chain and will arrive at your door in a ribbon-tied organza bag.



Just in time for Halloween is this recycled domino game piece made into a brooch, with a vintage Halloween picture of a little girl carrying a glorious orange jack-o-lantern, with a black kitty, taken from an old postcard. It's sealed with a diamond-like glaze for shine and permanence, accented with an orange mother-of-pearl star and vintage beads, and hangs from a 20 inch black ribbon necklace.

Click on any photo below to visit Carol's etsy shop:

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Featured Etsy Artist - The Rosebud Collection

The Mum and The Rose is a mother-daughter team creating unique and original jewelry and various types of art work. Located in Maine, their shop is a proud member of the Maine Etsy Street Team. Here are a few samples from their etsy shop.


Just in time for autumn, this necklace is made with a real dyed leaf! It also features several olivine swarovski crystals, gold seed beads and a thick and sturdy sterling silver toggle clasp.

You can be pretty in pink with these Spring Blossoms earrings. They are made with light pink Czech glass caps and pacific opal Swarovski crystals, on a large silver plated kidney wire.



This fantastic wooden jewelry box -- handpainted in Russian folk art style -- would be perfect for holding treasures on your dresser.



Greet visitors to your home with this lovely wooden handpainted welcome sign.



Click on any photo below to visit their etsy shop.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Fingerprint Friday - Finding God in the Gloom



There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

Thank you to Pampering Beki for hosting this each week! Everyone is welcome to join. To see how to join, as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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It's a gloomy rainy day here but I'm reminded that God is still with us, even in the not-so-sunny days of our lives ... most likely when we need Him the most.

Here is the same tree that I took a photo of last week, with more red leaves now.




And some other shots around our yard. While I was out this morning, a couple of leaves came swirling through the air from way up high and landed right at my feet!







Ha ha, as I was writing the above, the sun came out and shone through the window, poking me in the eye as if to say "Peek-a-boo!", so I ran out and took this picture of our woods. It's still raining lightly, mind you, but there's the sun ... just like when God shines through our difficult days.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Don't Quit - Keep Playing

I received this in an email the other day and thought you'd enjoy.

No Admittance

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano,
a mother took the small boy to a Paderewski concert. After they
were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and
walked down the aisle to greet her.

Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert
hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way
through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE."

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin,
the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her son was
missing.

Suddenly, the curtains parted and the spotlights focused on the
impressive Steinway on stage.

In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the piano,
innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that
moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved
to the piano and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."

Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand
and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right hand reached
around the other side of the child and he added a running
obbligato.

Together, the old master and the young novice transferred a
frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.
The audience was mesmerized.

That's the way it is with God.

What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try
our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music.

With the hand of God, our life's work truly can be beautiful.
So the next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen
carefully and you can hear the voice of God whispering in your
ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."

Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are
playing the concerto of your life.

Remember, God doesn't call the equipped; he equips the called.

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach
of God's grace.

And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the
reach of God's grace.

Don't Quit - Keep Playing


~Author Unknown~

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Inspirational Quote

"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs." - Henry Ford (1863 - 1947)

I have my first craft show of the fall season coming up in two weeks. There's always so much to do to get ready, it can be quite overwhelming, but I've learned that if I do it in stages, it's not too bad. Small jobs, as Henry Ford says.

I hate waiting till the last minute. We are attending a wedding this Saturday, and the next weekend we'll be visiting the grandkids, so I wanted to get everything organized ahead of time.

This past Sunday morning, I rounded up all my items for sale. Some were in my craft room in boxes and baskets, some were in my dresser drawers, and the Christmas and winter ones were in a box in the closet. I laid everything out on the bed to see exactly what I have.

I picked out the ones I will put out for sale and sorted them by groups (critters, faces, flowers, etc.) into the display baskets, put some back-up items in a bag to put out as others sell, and separated out all the ones that needed to be put on cards. On Sunday afternoon, I printed out new cards, cut them with the paper cutter, and put pins and pendants on them.

I had about 25 new pins and pendants on my craft table. I glued pinbacks or bails on them Sunday evening, let them dry overnight, and last night initialed the backs and put them on cards.

All that's left to do sometime before the show is get the display racks down from the attic, make some small signs for the table, and put everything in the two big tote boxes. Not bad for two weeks ahead of time!

Photo at top: Dog Lover's Pin
PURR Cat Pin

Friday, October 03, 2008

Fingerprint Friday - Fall Colors

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

Thank you to Pampering Beki for hosting this each week! Everyone is welcome to join. To see how to join, as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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God's Fingerprints are very colorful this time of year! The leaves are just starting to change here in Western North Carolina. I spotted these pretty red leaves in our yard yesterday. I read in the newspaper that our peak of color will be in about two weeks, so I'll keep an eye on the tree for progress.



These leaves on these small trees have all turned yellow.



Can you find the bunny? We have many bunnies who visit our yard every day but they don't like me to get close enough to get a picture. Look between the two yellow trees and you can see a tiny brown blob with a little white tail, as he's running for dear life to get away from the crazy human giant with the camera. hehe.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Featured Etsy Artist - designs4you

Our featured etsy shop today is designs4you by Becky of Jackson, Mississippi, who loves great fabrics and loves to sew. She makes bags, pouches and quilts, and is always happy to make custom orders.

Here's something in my favorite color, aqua.


This pretty Blue and Chocolate Brown Flutterby Bag has butterflies and ladybugs but don't let the dainty exterior fool you. It's very practical too: it's fully lined for extra durability and sturdiness, boasts two large interfaced inner pockets -- great for your cell phone, keys, and lipsticks -- and closes with a fabric-covered button and fabric tab.


Then there's this quilt that's to die for. Mmm, I would love to come home to this focal point in my bedroom every night. This gorgeous creation is a Fun Colorful Amy Butler Fabric Quilt that's 100% cotton in multi-colors, green and blue. The quilting is flowered daisy in a variegated yellow and orange.





Here is a handy-dandy zippered pouch to keep all your goodies organized. It's made out of fuchsia and moss green fabric from Amy Butler, with a polka dot lining and a cream zipper. It measures approximately 8" x 6".


These are just a few of her pretty handmade items. Click on any photo below to see everything in her etsy shop and start your holiday shopping!