Auntie's Workshop

Auntie's Workshop continues the motto of Art + Compassion = Hope with a way for you to help bring joy and hope to pregnant women in crisis.  Introducing: One bag, based on a chosen theme, consists of Auntie's handmade baby items (list subject to change): One baby blanket (crocheted, knitted or quilted). A hat and one pair of booties (crocheted or knitted). One diaper bag (sewn). One toy (crocheted or sewn). One art piece (painting, cross stitched item, etc.). Other items at the discretion of the artist (For example:  a tissue topper and/or a purchased children's book). An added bonus is that I make extra hats, booties, and/or blankets out of any scraps left over from projects.  Since relaunching these when I moved to Colorado, I have sponsored each bag (I wasn't going to wait around).  I recently took several to Colorado Family Life Center in Aurora CO.  Would you like to help Auntie spread the love?  You can sponsor a bag for $125.  One h...

   Mary Jane Baby Booties.  Crochet   Romans 8:36-37 (KJV) - As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ⌚   I've never had to make the choice of life or death for another human being. I've never had to overcome the fear and guilt of a pregnancy out of wedlock. I've never had to overcome the anger and resentment after the birth of a child who's the product of rape or incest. I've never had to overcome my own selfish nature to carry an inconvenient child. I've never had to overcome the terror that the baby I carry is a danger to my own life. But... God has given me opportunities to help someone else overcome those fears.  Though none of these women have ever seen my face, they've had a pair of my handmade baby booties placed lovingly in their hands by a volunteer a...

 Simple Baby Booties:  Crochet Proverbs 13:12 - (KJV) Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. ⌚ It has been said that one should never get his hopes up.  I say poo on that!  Without hope, faith in God doesn't work.  Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Not only has hope been brought to me in various forms, God has used something simple to show me how to bring hope to someone else.  The coming of a child should be a joyous hope-filled event, but for some, it's presents nothing but fear.  I'm on a quest to crochet 1000 pairs of baby booties to donate to my local pro-life crisis pregnancy center.  Over 100 went to the center back home in Alabama.  I've found a similar center here in Colorado.  These baby booties renew the hope of an expectant mom and helps boost her courage to keep her little one....

  "School Bus Cuddle Quilt" - Crocheted Prov-31-17"> her arms are strong for her tasks. ⌚ As a child, it seemed that I didn't have a creative bone in my body.  I couldn't draw a straight line (I still can't, even with a ruler).  As hard as I tried, I couldn't color in the lines (I still can't).  Let's not talk about the sewing I did in Home Ec. My attempts at creativity was a hot mess. Fast forward to 1992 when my friend, Suzanne, showed me basic crochet stitches.  After getting it down, I ran wild with it.  Fast forward a few more years when Mrs. Margaret encouraged me to pick up my first paint brush.  My cramming four years of college into five honed my creativity with words. All I needed was someone to encourage me.  All I needed was someone to tell me that I could do it.  All I needed was for someone to show me the basics, but allow me to throw away the rules and adapt it to my style. Maybe cre...

If you remember from our last episode here , I chronicled my journey into (and back out of) the world of quilting.  Well, I may have cracked the code...maybe. Here are thirteen steps to making your first real quilt: Take sewing lessons in high school and learn nothing useful besides threading the machine and backtacking.  Thanks angry, hateful, impatient "teacher" who will remain nameless but everyone who went to Jacksonville High School (AL) in the 80's and took Home Ec will know who I'm talking about. Watch several years of quilting shows on PBS and get lots of information and inspiration you can't do anything with (see #1). Take a beginning level adult quilting class that isn't one. Buy almost $100 worth of quilting supplies you don't know how to use and really can't afford. Take a couple more sessions of "beginners" class that still isn't one. Cuss a lot and make absolutely nothing. Quit the class before you punch someon...

$35.00 each: Whether for baby, crafting, shopping, beach combing, or tailgating, these deep bags hold everything you need for the day...and then some. SIZE: Approximately 16 inches high by 20 inches wide. Bag styles depend on availability of materials.    

Baby Blanket Size:  $35.00 + shipping if sent by USPS Adult sized throw:  $50.00 + shipping if sent by USPS   Imagine a little one snuggled in this sweet blanket at naptime.  Available in many colors, so it makes a great snuggle for both boys and girls.  Can also be made in a larger size and grown-up colors for your décor.  

Mary Jane Baby Booties $5.00 per pair + shipping if sent by USPS       Shell baby headband $5.00 each + shipping if sent by USPS  

$35.00 + Shipping if sent by USPS   What precious new baby girl wouldn't look darling in the summer frock?  The short sleeves and lacy skirt make this perfect for summer.     

 $10 a pair + shipping if sent by USPS Now, when most people think of crochet, they think hot. But these sandals keep baby boy's little toes cool. Can be customized to your color palette.    

 $10 a pair + shipping if sent by USPS. These adorable summer baby shoes can be customized in an array of summer colors.  

$10.00 a pair + shipping   These sweet booties will make any newborn baby girl feel like a princess.