hover craft

after all the cleaning that's been accomplished i've come to realize that knitting ... crocheting .... or really, ANY craft provides me with a means for hovering ... for the 'excuse' i need to justify simply sitting and not feeling guilty for all the clothes yet to fold, or dishes to be washed or dusting that is just waiting for me to write my name in!

there's something to be said for finding peace in the midst of all the clutter .... whether it's the chaos and confusion cram-packed into my overstuffed knitting bag .. or from all the noise and distractions from an over committed schedule that leaves no room for a quiet time of renewal ... to weed out the noise in order to hear His still small voice.

what is it, despite my years of knowing better, that keeps me searching in all the wrong places for The Very One that promises to bring order .... why do i run from my weaknesses and create a bigger mess than a simple reality check could remedy?  i have the potential to 'hoard' and to use my 'collections' as a wall to hide behind .... whether it's a wall of colorful yarn with potential to knit and share projects and initiate a dialogue with someone so that i can share my faith .....

or maybe that collection of 'jokes and funnies' that i throw up as a means of diverting the attention away from getting too "up close and personal" ... hiding behind the 'busyness' so that i don't have to sit too long and face the realities and revelations that a quiet time would peel back and expose ....  kind of like the layers of an onion (and an ogre!)

and yet .... the Lord has commanded us to be still and KNOW that He is God ... He has put the stamp of approval on 'hovering' ....... and He longs to be found whereEVER we are ... no matter what 'collections' or excuses we may offer ... there is no weakness that He can't or won't overcome ... His patience and perseverance are relentless ... His pursuit of my affections and attention has compelled Him to selflessly give His life on my behalf .....

cleaning up my knitting room .. and the clutter of my heart .. is the least i can do in order that i may know the Peace that truly passes my understanding ....... and to hear Him singing over me as He hovers and quiets the chaos of my day

Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.

Job 22:21

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thes. 3:16

Memorial Day wrap up

so ... about the options for a 3 day weekend ......

since we don't have a lake house ...

or ...

a FRIEND with a lake house ....

the options pretty much became ....

cleaning!   ;(

i opted to tackle the knitting room ....

my 1st attempt at organization ... 3 years ago ....

and for 3 years now i've wondered what in the WORLD was i thinking picking out that color that is SO NOT ME!  [although i DO love the whole sitting and knitting concept still!]

i found this concept/idea on Friday and used it for the catalyst and inspiration for the weekend!

back to neutral!  it's so much easier to breathe now ...

i left Home Depot Friday afternoon loaded with 23 2-gallon buckets, 10 8' furring strips, 2" wood screws and 23 washers to attach the buckets to the wall.  and you should have seen the looks from the men in that store when i explained what i was envisioning.  One kind gentleman, when i told him i was looking for new storage options for my yarn collection, suggested i purchase a 4 foot post and drill some holes around it, inserting dowels at an angle so i could hang my yarn.  when i explained to him that i was talking about HUNDREDS of skeins of yarn i honestly thought his eyebrows were going to grow together as his little  manly mind tried to fathom what hundreds of skeins of yarn even remotely looked like!  bless his heart!

  

the process begins ... attaching them randomly and planning on how and where to start the color process ... it was really quite fun to dig back through my yarn .... doing some reminiscing of when or where or why i purchased or received certain skeins .....  and if truth be told, i actually did set a nice little stash to the side to donate as well!

it was a slow process of stacking and regrouping ... and realizing i might need a few more buckets .... so i made a quick trip back after church sunday and bought a few more 1 gallon buckets to fill in a bit ... and stacked and packed and rearranged and grinned and giggled at my wall of color .....

i managed to find my work surface again .... books and magazines are semi-organized and ready to be used ....  stitch markers are back in place .... i found the remote ... and a few extra 'treasures' along the way!

and Finally!  my corner of the knitting room is set and settled .... my wall of color is secured and every square inch is packed in tight ...  sock yarn is hanging above my head .... books are tucked across the way for me to view from my awesome swivel rocker  .... it's been a busy, but oh so productive, Memory making weekend ..... and life is good!  i can't WAIT to just sit in the quiet and knit . . .

Isaiah 32:17

The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;
   its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

Lamentations 3:26
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands.

Scars . . Or Signs of Character

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of His inheritance?
He does not retain His anger forever,
because He delights in steadfast love.
He will again have compassion on us;
He will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:18-19




I'd like you to meet Spot, the Wonder Pup! He's just the sweetest puppy ever ... So amiable.. And quite the people person.... He never meets a stranger and responds so very eagerly to even the slightest nod of approval or hint of acceptance. The flip side is that even the remotest tone of dissatisfaction can crush his little spirit and leave his little spotted face so downcast and crushed.

While knitting on Spot and several other little tot toppers these past weeks I have found myself creating personalities for them.... And wondering how others perceive me based on time they spend with me. Am i shy and reserved or do I bombard a room with no regard for anyone else? Does my face light up when someone walks into a room - like Spot would more than likely do - or do I simply continue in my own little world like a Siamese cat? Have I allowed pieces of my past to redefine who I am ... As opposed to who I used to be?

Do you suppose that when you walk through the front door that a dog like Spot would sink down in embarrassment because he had a patch on his face that marred his appearance and might make you judge him or think of him in a less than favorable light? Think he's spent countless hours in research or hundreds of dollars in consultations trying to have this spot removed, or bleached or covered over by the latest make up ... Or has he come to terms with his unique appearance and simply learned to rest in the reality that he is loved AS IS!

Sara Groves has a song that talks about all the scars we carry .... All the bad things, the hurts, the disappointments ... That have left Marks on each of us as well. And it is only in our daily journey and discipline that we learn to view the Marks not as Scars but rather distinctive signs of Character!

When I stand before the Lord will I be Spot the Wonder Dog? Will He view me as one marred and marked by my sins and failures or will i be seen as a child of His that has been redeemed and cleansed ... Washed by the blood of the Lamb and wearing a robe that categorizes me as PERFECT because His eyes see love in a much different way than mine! His perspective doesn't keep score of the scars .... But graciously acknowledges the signs of Character that reflect His heart and ways.

My sins are forgiven... And forgotten....

A remnant redeemed ....

Unashamed

Welcomed Home with open arms!

inside my knitting bag

afraid it's a bit quiet in my knitting bag these days .....  i'm working on a teddy bear .... all the pieces are done and just waiting for assembly ....

crocheting a bit as well in between ....  working on the little puppy hat with the brown patch eye ....

just little piddly projects that seem to be a bit of 'something to do' instead of the laundry!  ;)

bits of 'experimental' knitting [i've never knit a teddy bear before, much less assembled all these pieces] .... patience to knit a while, rip a while, try something new ..... browse Etsy for a while .... then flip over to Pinterest .... then knit a while .... think about washing clothes... sit down and let THAT thought pass!  

ever have those days .... or seasons?

but what i'm learning is that "progress" is not something to be measured against everyone else's accomplishments ... why do i feel less that 'adequate' because i have not managed to knit an entire sweater AND complimentary king sized blanket to match, all within the next 15 minutes???

God has promised to be WITH me ... He doesn't go about Life holding a measuring stick to see if i compare to what He's looking for ....  He doesn't stand back in the shadows and hide until i get close enough to hopefully catch a glance ... He has promised to be with me, right where i am, whether my arms are full or my shoulders are sagging,  when i've tripped and messed up or if i'm praying earnestly for His leadership and love ......

Jeremiah 29:13 states it clearly:  You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.


Plain and simple .... nice and easy .... inside the knitting bag of my heart, i'm finding Peace (in small pieces) that He is knitting together into a garment that will one day be a glorious garment designed by Him .. for me!

2nd and Charles Redemption

i have made yet another really BAD discovery ... one that continues to support my "yarning" habits ... and leads me even farther into the depths of my stash ..... and into dreams and adventures and creations just WAITING to be knitted .. or crocheted ... or BOTH!

we have a new-to-me store called 2nd and Charles ... it is a subsidiary of Books A Million .. and is basically a resale shop for all SORTS of books!  Every category imaginable ... they got it!  INCLUDING KNITTING BOOKS!!!!!!

the adage of "one man's trash is another man's treasure" holds even truer in a store like this .... books and titles that have long since been discarded or updated or simply tossed aside, have been reclaimed and are being resold for a minimal price.  For instance, my "critter" book that i'm knitting my fun hats out of .. retails for $20, but i purchased it for $6.78.

i also found, on that particular trip, 2 Debbie Bliss books that were both originally $25 each, but i paid $7.98 each for them.  i also found 2 sock books, a Cables and Aran book to complete my series of "harmony" books, and 2 other baby books as well!  8 books for $56!  you just can't NOT afford to make visits to a place like that .....  i pulled the books off the shelf, and just plopped down right in front of that section .. perusing and dreaming, planning and negotiating .... wondering if bubba would mind not eating this week so i could use some of my grocery money for one more book!  :)    [kind of gives a "high fiber diet" a new meaning!]

i LOVE the idea of finding a new home for these books ..... some of them are great "trendy" editions, while others will serve as reference material for YEARS to come.  Seeing that potential is what makes them such great finds .. and it also reminds me that i TOO am one of the "redeemed and reclaimed" volumes in the library of the Lord Jesus Christ!

i should have long since been discarded and set aside .... sins of my past, mistakes of today .... poor choices in the tomorrows yet to come .... certainly have 'qualified' me for the trash pile, one that should have been tossed aside for a newer, better, prettier, skinnier, younger, taller, smarter, richer, etc., etc., etc. model.   and YET, Christ sees past my 'excuses' and is willing to 'reclaim' me ... recognizing the potential and worth i have as a redeemed daughter .. a child of the King ... an heir to His throne ....

and because of His great love and belief in me, He chose to pay FULL price for me .. not a discount, no coupon, no buy one get one free!  He paid for me with His very life!  Redeemed - - Reclaimed!  Recipient of eternity, Renewed by a continual love that compels Him to forever find the best in me - despite all the reasons that He shouldn't!  Removed are any excuses that i can offer; i now find myself Resting in His redemptive and reassuring love .... valued and treasured as that edition He's been in search of and finally found in order to complete His series!  What a precious point to ponder!

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Cor. 6:19-20

Magnificent Obsession

perhaps the title is a bit on the dramatic side, but i do think i've got a small taste of 'over-kill' when it comes to babies and knitting and crocheting these days! i am LOVING these tiny little treasures of yarn ... searching through patterns and catching glimpses of those chubby little cheeks and squishy knees and thighs that seem to segue into a ball that we call an ankle/foot! tiny toes, sleepy eyes, pink pursed lips ..... oh my soul! i've got it BAD!

perhaps it's the fact that i can knit or crochet a little hat in ..... an hours! it has proven to be quite the stash buster, and for that i'm grateful. perhaps it's the simple reminder of how sweet and innocent those little one are, and it is with that same mindset that God wants us to come to Him! perHAPS it's the hope of what lies in store for me in the years to come within my own family ..... dreaming of that next chapter in my life. regardless, it has been a wonderful inspiration of yet another venue to use the things i've learned; to put into practice, to give away, to share, to shower someone else with a little bit of "happy" when they least expect it! I've noticed that when you tell someone what you're knitting and hold up that tiny bundle of stitches their face bursts out with a huge grin, and the worry line soften and joy gently spreads across their countenance!



see the distinction between the
smooth "hat" yarn and the fluffy
"eye patch" yarn?

i have a new book of "critter hats" and the pictures alone make the book worth buying! at the end of a rough day i simply sit and flip through those little children wearing the various hats and i just giggle! one such hat is a little dog - a basic white hat with a brown "patch" over his eye, a white ear and a brown ear! The original pattern calls for the hat to be knit flat and then seamed up the back. By knitting it flat you can work the "patch" in a different color. However, i have opted to work it in the round and that makes adding extra colors using intarsia pretty much impossible. So .... i pulled out my lessons for duplicate stitch and have accomplished the same effect ..... in a very easy method.



Duplicate stitch is simply that: an echo of the original. All you need is a crewel needle with an eye large enough to accommodate your "new" yarn color. Once you have identified the stitch pattern you simply start at the base of your original knitted stitch, coming from behind the work and up and out through the base of the stitch.

You pull the yarn through and insert the tip of the needle, from right to left, under the legs of the stitch that is above your original stitch. Can you see how you are simply imitating a knit stitch, by hand. Once you pull your yarn through this top section, you complete the stitch by returning the needle and yarn into the beginning point at the base of the stitch. Thus, you have Duplicated the stitch. and you then move on to the next stitch in the row. Working row by row, you can add layers of color, weaving in the tails as you progress, and can achieve an intarsia look without all the extra bobbins dangling behind your work.

[follow this link for a great and much better detailed instruction on how to properly execute a duplicate stitch   http://www.freepatterns.com/content/content.html?content_id=151  ]

"they" say that imitation is the highest form of flattery, and yet that is exactly what Christ has called each of us to do... to be imitators of Him. and in a day and age when so many people are 2nd guessing their decisions and choices, how refreshing and simple - actually - is it for us to simply imitate a life that has already been lived ... to follow in His footsteps, to adopt His mindset and heart .... it really doesn't get much easier than this! we seem to be the cog in the wheel that clogs up life and makes it much harder than it has to be!

one of the secrets to good duplicate stitch is learning how to "tension" your work so that the new stitch lays ever so gently atop the original. not too loose and floppy .. not to tight and distorted ... just gently resting above, mimicking the "Stitch" that has been designed and laid before me .....

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord.  They rejoice in Your name all day long;  they exult in Your righteousness.
ps 89:15

My zealousness and passion for this phase of knitting may be just that:  an obsession over something new and different, and YET!  HIS obsession over me is nothing new to Him!  He continues to daily choose me, to daily continue investing and believing and forgiving me .... i am HIS Magnificent Obsession!

there's no internet in the trees . . .

When i was much younger i LOVED climbing trees ... i loved the solitude - even then - of being able to steal away for a few minutes or hours and see things from a different perspective. Those strong branches provided limbs that i could lean on, could hang from, could swing and dangle and never doubt their strength.  In the Spring and Summer the foliage was so full that i could hide and simply sit .... albeit, i couldn't sit too long because i was, even then, a very nosey child and SO didn't want to miss anything fun that might be going on in the front yard!

it would seem that these past few weeks have been Tree Sitting Time for me .... not so much in the literal sense, but so VERY much in the steal away and just "be" type of setting.  Taking things in ... not really putting things out ..... the ebb and flow of every day - - feeling more like things are ebbing AWAY rather than flowing back .... but still, i'm sitting ... and watching .....

i've been quite intrigued by all the downed trees that have been left behind from the tornado ... saddened and overwhelmed at the amount of destruction and the ability to obliterate things that fall within its path, and yet highly curious about that same basic structure .. the vastness of the root ball when it has been yanked from the very dirt that has anchored it for more years than i have probably been!  often able to see deep into the hollow of the trunk . . it would have appeared to be a strong, healthy tree and yet now i see that it was empty and decaying from the inside out .... [and that's a whole OTHER life lesson and picture, yes!]

i've always loved trees ... and have found on more than one occasion references throughout Scripture that apply the characteristics of a tree to the many facets of a Christian's life.  If you look at Psalms, Chapter 1, you'll see that the psalmist refers to the benefits and attributes of "that person (a Christ follower/disciple) is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers."

John 15:5 explains the benefits of a strong Tree in my life:  "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

The need to be connected ... to find shelter .... to draw strength in simply "being" .... in today's hectic pace it's hard to reconcile such a thought process, and yet my spirit has been pulled to such a lull ... and to find the following devotion literally falling into my lap like the Autumn leaves that gently drift along my path ... is no coincidence, but further shade and shelter from my Tree of Life . . .

As you sit quietly in My Presence, remember that I am a God of abundance.  I will never run out of resources;  My capacity to bless you is unlimited.  You live in a world of supply and demand, where necessary things are often scarce.  Even if you personally have enough, you see poverty in the world around you.  It is impossible for you to comprehend the lavishness of My provisions:  the fullness of My glorious riches.

Through spending time in My Presence, you gain glimpses of My overflowing vastness.  These glimpses are tiny foretastes of what you will experience eternally in heaven.  Even now you have access to as much of Me as you have faith to receive.  Rejoice in My abundance - - living by faith, not by sight.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:19

For we live by faith, not by sight.

2 Cor.  5:7

Time to climb down out of my tree house .... back on the web ... back into life .... and watch and see all that God has planned .....  always connected to Him, regardless of what i think, feel or see ... much less understand!  Time to let my faith grow .. isn't that what Spring is for?

Friday's Smiles

last week the state of alabama was redefined ....

an F5 tornado cut a new and distinct path across our state, leaving a scar and scattering Life all along the way.

part of the 'scatterings' included our son's VW ..... 

it WAS at work at 5:10 PM (prior to the tornado)

and by 5:20 ..................

it was GONE!!!!

still can't find it ANYwhere ....

or ....

could it be?

There WAS a Hobby Lobby in the strip mall located behind our son's restaurant ...

wonder if it instinctively knew to just head on over to the yarn section ... and submerge itself in the yarn that was then scattered from Tuscaloosa to Anniston .... and all points in between!

gotta laugh .. to keep from crying ... or sleeping any more!

i've also come to realize that regardless of how you "decorate" it, it's STILL a Volkswagen!

which, is kind of like me:

regardless of how i dress up, do my hair, add jewelry (or pounds), i am still ME,

and on the inside, i am still a sinner ... saved by Grace!

Some things will never change, despite the clever packaging or camouflaging -

including

His Eternal Love and Forgiveness!

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.

Jer. 29:13

Looking from the Inside Out

i've come to view Thursday's as a good indicator and measuring stick of my week .....

a tangible "Check Off List" of what Life has looked like.

*been too busy? a bag of knots and knitting needles.
*Extra rehearsal? usually afford LOTS of sitting,
            which is ALWAYS good for lots of knitting!
*lazy? i still carry my bag so i atleast LOOK like i'm
                    busy ...
*relaxing at the beach? oh wait! i can't even do a spray
                    tan good, so why in the world would my
                    bag ever go to the beach?

i've spent more than my fair share on Perfect Knitting Bags .... with extra pockets, or that are just really cute and fashionable. I've used every justification that i can dream up for "needing" just one more bag ... and yet, here i am, this week, with my all-time favorite option: One of those $.99 shopping bags from Target.

And while it does NOT have pockets or other amazing organization features, i simply LOVE this bag! it's the Work Horse .... you keep stuffing it in ... and it keeps holding together! Plain and Simple .... But all that i need.

And while it does NOT have pockets or other amazing organization features, i simply LOVE this bag! it's the End All, Be All .... you keep stuffing it in ... and it keeps holding it all together! Plain and Simple .... But all that i need. and so, as this week is closing out, i am sharing from my shopping bag/knitting bag/To-Do List the "productivity" and healing that have been contained within.

when i'm not sleeping or huddled beneath the quilt "pondering" i have found that i just wanted to crochet again. i've been on the computer pouring through baby patterns .... longing to connect with new beginnings perhaps, for Sweet and Simple, for anything to bring some sense and semblance to Life at the moment. and perhaps that's why i've turned back to crocheting ... i remember learning from my mom ... i remember ALWAYS seeing my grandmother's crochet basket beside her chair at her home. Granted, she sometimes picked the most random of projects and yarn! I never was (nor will be) a fan of crocheted toilet roll covers .... really? Really! But it kept her busy so i guess SOMEone out there likes them! I remember crocheted doll dresses on those scary little plastic dolls she'd buy at the Dollar Store, just for those dresses! yikes! but i also remember some sweet crocheted baby blankets she made for each of my children ... one was especially soft and carried for QUITE some time ... and still conjures up special memories and moments when we pull it out of the cedar Hope Chest!
Old School .... simple ..... uncomplicated ..... maybe it's my way of asking for a "do-over" .... or just simply an easy way to return home ... but it's felt good to crochet for a moment, even though i have a baby sweater and hat and socks that need to be knitted before the end of the month!

and it all sits in my shopping bag.
Lesson learned this week: God can, and WILL, use ANY thing, at ANY time, to accomplish what is His good and perfect will! Do i have to understand it in order for Him to orchestrate it?   NO .....

this week's "therapy" !

i just have to be available ... like my Target bag ... to receive the abundance and blessings He longs to stuff inside ..... to fill me to overflowing with His desires and Promises and Hopes and Plans and Dreams.... packaged in a simple front desk secretary .... nothing fancy, no high heels and power suits .... just some sweats and my Bible open on my lap ..... heart and hands turned upward ..... gratitude and thanksgiving on my lips for His grace and goodness, fully aware that there is NOTHING He cannot provide ... in my Target/knitting bag!

For the LORD sees not as man sees:

man looks on the outward appearance,

but the LORD looks on the heart.

                                                                                          I Sam 16:7

Season and Reason

i think ..... although i really know deep down inside .... that i am afraid!

i talk the talk .... and some days even walk the walk ..... but deep down in my heart ..... i am still afraid!

and although i have gone through the motions for the past week

i really just want to run and hide!

to lay and sleep in hopes that when i wake up, things will be different.

but they won't be ...

families have lost everything, including each other.

stuff -

that although is easily replaced and refilled for new chapters - -

doesn't have the comfort and memories, the smell of the old ones.

people, who have been forever redefined, based on 30 seconds [that felt like 10 minutes] .....

and yet,

if i dwell on the "what if's" and "why's" of life i might find myself sleeping a LOT!

and when i roll over, or open my eyes to peer out from beneath the heavy quilt,

i still have empty answers ...

SO

that mighty rushing wind is going to have to be the promises of God that i have proclaimed for 30+ years.
that still small voice will be the whisper of His reassuring faithfulness despite the outward and/or visible circumstances that clamor of chaos
the pile of rubble, the lost possessions, the replacements and expense, will be opportunities for me to serve and invest in new friends.
i will cling less to my stuff .. and hold tightly to Him
i will pray His Word .. and not my own.
i will boast in Him ... as i search diligently to see His ways
and when i don't understand ... i will STILL TRUST HIM!

to everything there is a season ... and a change in perspective will do me good.
crochet for a while .... knit a bit less ......
do for others ... as He's done for me!
and as i'm reminded every day:  Serve others ... feel the joy!

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him;

and even though you do not see Him now,

you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

for you are receiving the goal of your faith,

the salvation of your souls.

I Peter 1:8-9

http://www.aestheticnest.com/2010/07/crochet-best-baby-cloche-and-tutorial.html

Plans & Purposes

You intended to harm me,

but

God intended it for good

to accomplish what is now being done,

the saving of many lives.

Gen. 50:20

I pray that out of His glorious riches

He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Eph. 3:15-19

I keep my eyes always on the LORD.

With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will rest secure,

because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

nor will You let your faithful one see decay.

You make known to me the path of life;

You will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Ps. 16:8-11