Working through it....

So, it's been a month now, since the new year started. How are you doing on your attempt at building new habits?

I have struggled some - but am finding out, to my delight, that both Kathy Drown and Wendy Blight were right. As you begin to cultivate these habits, they get easier and easier to do. Especially as concerns Bible Study and Prayer. These particular disciplines build upon themselves and are in themselves an encouragement to continue.

I find too that as I add these disciplines to my life, it spills over into the rest of my " things to do"
and I discover that I actually have MORE time by adding these things. They help me keep my priorities straight. I have found my house is actually cleaner and I still have time to work on my crochet projects that have been sitting around waiting to be finished.I also have found more time to spend with my boys - something I dearly want and need to be able to do.

What are some of the things that are your stumbling blocks to cultivating these habits? Let's work on eliminating those one at a time, and replace them with a new and positive "weave" in our life. Like getting rid of the old and worn yarn in a work, and replacing it with good strong yarn. It takes quite a bit of work, but the result is a work ( life ) that will hold up much longer!

New Year, New determinations!

I am not usually one for the whole "new year resolution" thing but this year is different...

This past year has been a rough one, lots of trials to wade through. However, this has made me stronger. My trials have only proved to be the means to make me more complete. This gives me the courage to go on to this next year without fear of what it may bring - I know my Lord will see me through.

I read a great blog from proverbs 31 ministries - http://www.wendyblight.com/ - in which she encouraged us to write a new years prayer. Here is my prayer for this year.

Lord,

Here I am at the beginning of a new year. I pray you will help me to remember all the blessings you have given me this past year and treasure them as reminders that you are faithful. This is going to be a difficult year again, so help me to wait with patience for you and be confident that you will hear my cry and answer. Let my sufferings produce perseverance and bring glory to you. Let me wait patiently for those things that I am hoping for. Let my trials be a means to making me mature and complete in you.

Continue to prune me Lord and cut off every branch that is unfruitful. Show me the things you would have me to do, the things that will be fruitful for my family and for your kingdom. Help me to learn from your discipline this next year, so I may share in your holiness and it will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace. Help me to remember that though I may go through many and bitter trials you will restore my life again, even from the depths of the earth will you bring me up. May I let these tough times help me to rely on you rather than myself. I will say with confidence that you are my God and my helper, I will not be afraid of what life may bring me this year. Plant me by the water of your love and power so that I may not have worries even in a drought and that I my never fail to produce fruit. Be my Light and my Salvation, the stronghold in my life. I am fully confident that you have the power to do what you have promised me.

My life is fully and completely yours Lord, use it as you will.

Amen.

As I begin this new year, I am more determined than ever to be more consistent in all the things I should be doing as a Christian, a Wife, a Mother, and an Artist. Join me in praying for the grace and strength to continue.

What are you determined to do this year?

getting going again

Whew! it's been forever since I've been here! We recently had to move, I HATE moving! However, it does help with all those - I'll get that sorted out later piles! I think I threw away at least as many boxes full of stuff as I moved. Just where does all that stuff come from?
I also have a space just for my crochet and beading work now! Yahoo! I guess that means I have no more excuses for not getting more projects completed and in the studio for sale, right?

My next step is to get pictures of the new bead~and~crochet jewelry I have done, and upload them to the studio. Then I need to decide on the next project to start - more jewelry? Maybe finish up that Irish Crochet belt! (That is if my poor fingers can handle the small stuff right now.)

Well, once again, if any of you have any ideas, they would be greatly appreciated.

Christmas items coming soon!

I have been working my fingers like crazy! Snowflakes, snowflakes, snowflakes!

I have some gorgeous new snowflake ornament sets. Completely original designs too! I love to make delicate little pretties, and these have been a pleasure to create.

I am getting ready for the One Stop Christmas Shop here in Asheville, NC. It looks to be a fun time selling and meeting other artisians. My sister-in-law will be with me, selling her beautiful Photography prints. - you can see her shop at www.jamphotography.artfire.com

Next on the list is Baskets! I have pictures running around inside my head again, and they are dying to get out! Can't wait to get started - just gotta go get some supplies....

keeping on task

I have found that I am easily bored with doing one project at a time. The problem this creates is that I will put one project down in the middle of it and start a whole new one, never to return to the first.



My solution? Start two at the same time, then I am able to alternate between the two, thereby eliminating the boredom factor. I limit myself to two projects at once otherwise none of them will ever get done. I make myself finish those two before I will start a new one.



If I still run into some stagnation, I will allow myself to design on paper the next project, but not to touch the yarn for it till the others are done. This gives me incentive to finish the first projects.



My two projects now are the Creme De Mint doily and the pieces of Irish Lace - which I still have not decided what to use that for.....

Great site for advertising

I found a great site today, thanks to a fellow artisian at Artfire. www.merchantcircle.com
You can link up with other local buisnesses, make cupons, and get more exposure all for free.
Of course there are options for other things which you can pay for, and their prices are very reasonable, but you can get plenty of exposure with the free listing if you take the time to set your listing up nicely.

You can upload pics of your work/studio, make cupons and have them advertised on other local businesses listings for free. It's really great - check out my listing to see what it looks like. http://www.merchantcircle.com/neighbor/972001

Just thought I'd share my findings - happy selling, and happy crocheting!

What to design now?

Ok, so I am working with the Irish lace, now I am wondering what is the best thing to make with it? What are people wanting to buy right now? clothes? I could make a really pretty vest. Home decorations? How about a pillow. Maybe just some little apliques to use on your own creation.

Well, lots to think about while I crochet that tiny thread into pretty flowers, leaves and swirly things! I think I should be able to decide something by the time I get a few of the flowers done.