Auntie's Workshop

 Today's challenge word is... When I pulled the word this morning, I planned to do something a little more substantial.  However, work that pays must come first.  So during my lunch break I worked on some squares for a project I've been stitching off and on as part of my quest to use up all my leftover yarn. Of course, I'll show the finished afghan upon completion.  So, what's it going to be? you ask.  Two hints: flannel and cattle.   See y'all in the next challenge, Lord willing.

Since the last post, I've finished two more quilt tops for Loving Stitches: Name:   "Biscotti" Author:   Heidi Cook Source:   Villa Rosa Design Card.  Copyright 2022 This is a modified Rail Fence quilt pattern.  These strips were in a box in the church closet, so all I had to do was figure out the puzzle and put it together. I've also made progress on the yarn scrap project: "Kittens in a Row" This is an adaptation of Happy Yellow House's "Criss Cross" pattern found here . The 12-inch square pattern is called "Pinwheel."  It is by Dayna Audirsch. Unfortunately, it is no longer available online (I downloaded it in 2009). I've even had time for a couple of painting parties: This is the second year I've had the privilege of leading a class with the WINGS (Women In God's Service) group at Lakewood Church of Christ Miss Betsey stopped by to paint with me this weekend.

Name:  Rotation Author: Sandra Clemons Source:  McCalls Quick Quilts Dec/Jan 2016 Also found here . The first 2024 meeting of Loving Stitches found me working from home.  Mid January dove Colorado into dangerously frigid temperatures, and getting out--even to quilt--was not a wise move.  I texted back and forth with the ladies at the church who braved the elements and kept them abreast of my progress.  A few days before the meeting I finished all the squares for this quilt, so I spent most of Saturday assembling the top.  This pattern was difficult and taught me new skills, but I am so proud of how it turned out.  At some point, I may consider making this one again with a different color scheme.   Pattern information unknown. The rest of the weekend was spent finishing up this quilt and the pillowcases that went with both. This was a kit cut and put together by Miss Pam, so piecing it was simple.  I've also improved on my pillowcase maki...

In my last Daybook ( here on my sister blog), I talked about how I've got too many incomplete craft projects and supplies piling up in my living room.  I decided to put myself on restriction: I will not purchase any craft supplies for a month or until I run out of projects (whichever comes first). The only exception is if I need to buy something to finish what I'd started (sometimes I do miscalculate the amount of supplies needed). So... Week One This first project was really simple, but I'd let it sit undone for months.  I use these clothespins as tiebacks for my living room curtains.  The "naked" pins didn't look right with my curtains, so I painted them to match. I'd made one of these for someone else and used the leftovers to make one for me.  This is part of my fall table display that's part of my Dollar Tree Challenge.  The table isn't quite done yet, but I will post pictures upon completion. Diana gave me this piece of scrap wood last year ...

  "Harvest of Friends" Crochet.   Psalm 18:19 - (KJV) He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.   ⌚ Well, I had two goals this month, to finish the 31 days blog challenge and to get an apartment. As you can see, I'm finishing day 31 now.   As far the apartment goes, I'll know something  before the end of the week.  So, Lord willing, I'll be moving this weekend.   Yay!   I spent this past Saturday plotting and planning out how I would like to decorate the place.  I looked at furniture, appliances, knickknacks, and craft supplies to create decorations.  There is so much to look forward to.    Most of all, rest.  Real rest.   I waste two hours a day in travel, which zaps my energy.  For the most part, I sleep well, but living out of a suitcase isn't soothing or restful.   Now, don't think I'm being unthankful.  Far f...

 Puzzle Baby Afghan:  Crochet Psalm 35:18 -    I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. ⌚   Note:  Yes, I know we did this word earlier this year , but I don't pick the prompts.  This round finds me in a completely different place and state, so I could give a different take on it.  Enjoy. A while back, Pastor Staples (First Baptist Jacksonville) preached a sermon about us finding our place not only in the body of Christ, but in our particular congregation.  For part of the sermon illustration, he handed out puzzle pieces as a reminder. I wonder where my piece fits in this new congregation?  They have all the musicians they need (and, no, I haven't told them I could play ANYTHING), plus, quite frankly, I'm enjoying the break and the chance to serve in a different capacity.  Not only service, but where is my place in fellowship?  I met some wonderful ladies at the Tue...

 "Birdhouse Quilt." Crochet Inspired by a quilt by Eleanor Burns 2015    Ephesians 4:28 - (KJV) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. ⌚   Warning:  I'm cheating a little here.  We just did this word a month ago, so this is a cross post from my sister blog .  Enjoy! Work in progress. Working on it. Slow Men Working Work out. Work it, girl! Worked over. Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it's off to work we go. Years ago, my entire paradigm on work shifted when this scripture was brought out in a message I was listening to.  My goal for work isn't to simply get by with just enough for me.  God has a much bigger plan for work than that. I should be able to live well enough on my wages and have plenty to give. For years, I barely eked out a living at low wage, low hour jobs.  The one time I had a fairly good paying job, it wa...

 Boot Cuffs.  Crochet. Joshua 1:7-8 (KJV) - Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. ⌚   Like music , art takes both vulnerability and bravery.  It takes guts to produce something so subjective as art.  The old saying says, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."  Conversely, ugly is in the eyes of the beholder.  It takes courage to defend the beauty of a piece that others have criticized as not worth the time. I've often wondered why God made me a creative, subject to the criticism and ...

 "Blooms in Burgundy" - Crochet II Corinthians 9:7 - (KJV) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver . ⌚   One of the biggest frustrations for us creatives are people who will not share knowledge and information.  There are a lot of "experts" who are willing to say that what we do isn't right or good enough, but won't offer any help in correcting it.  Actually, creatives aren't the only ones who deal with this; unfortunately, I've seen new Christians subjected to the torture of an "expert."  "An expert is a little spurt away from home."  Pastor T. R. Harper Why this rift?  I think it's insecurity covered with bravado; they must dangle the carrot of their vast superiority in front of the young Padawan in order to look like an important Jedi.  Seen it, and, unfortunately, done it. The best models are those who share ...

 "Ring My Bell" - Crochet Colors can be customized for Christmas, weddings, or any event. Matthew 22:8-9 - (NIV) "Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests." ⌚ I enjoy parties.  Well, let me rephrase that, I enjoy parties I'm genuinely invited to. I've received many a backhanded invitation .  Unlike this wedding party where those who weren't initially invited were treated with equal respect and hospitality as those who were, some of the celebrations I've attended were not so joyous. No, I'm not going to go there, but let's just say that to not be invited is less painful than to be invited yet truly not wanted. Something else, pl...

 "Team Spirit Wreath"  Crocheted Can be personalized to your favorite team's colors. Proverbs 10:7 - (KJV) The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. ⌚   Since coming to Colorado, I've been asked what I miss about home.  I've also been teased about what I brought with me from home that I won't give up.  Namely, Jacksonville State and University of Alabama football on the radio.  Thank you TuneIn App. Don't you hate it when people forget where they came from?  No, I'm not talking about people continuing to stay in the mess they're in or continuing to act a fool because they're from X-neighborhood.   Here's what I mean: When I told my mother about my plans to move out West, she was all for it, but she did ask, "OK, when you go out there and come home to visit, you're not going to act all saditty are you?" saditty . Adjective. (US, slang, chiefly African American) Acting...

 "Flower Coaster"  Crochet   James 1:19 - (NLT) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ⌚   I've never liked the phrase "tea and sympathy."  It sounds like you're being "yeah-yeah"ed.  There's never a solution, and people end up being patronized. Now, a good cup of coffee or tea with a friend who truly listens and you truly listen to them is one of the best experiences in friendship.  Back home, Java Jolt in Jacksonville was the meeting place.  Here in Colorado, there are little cafes and multi-story Starbucks to chose from. I also hope that my own future home (hopefully not too far into the future), will be a place where a friend can stop in with for a steaming cup, a listening ear, and a praying heart. ⏰  -------------------------------- If you are interested in purchasing any of the art pieces featured, please e-mail me at auntiesworkshop@out...

 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...

Quilting has always fascinated me.  Taking tiny cuts of cloth and stitching them together to make functional art has been a staple of American society.  From  the intricate quilts of the Native Americans , to First Lady Martha Washington to the freedom quilts of Gee's Bend , quilts have warmed bodies and souls, told stories, and become family heirlooms.  I have longed to make fabric art of this magnitude.  My first foray into sewing was in 7th grade when I took Home Economics (which, sadly, isn't taught in many schools now--but that's a rant for another day).  Between high pitched insults and rants about how much she hated kids, the teacher (name withheld to protect the guilty) at least taught us how to thread the machine and to always backtack at the ends of a stitch.  After a semester of sewing C-grade items, I was glad to move on to something else...like 8th grade!  On of my best diaper bags After not touching a sew...