Happy Times and Sad Times

My Shae hit the double digits back on the 11th and it was a happy time for us as well as a sad time. We lost a very special lady in our church. We had her birthday party on the 14th and I was able to make the cupcakes that she wanted. Because of all that was going on that day I didn’t take the step-by-step pictures that I had planned. Here is how I made them. I choose 2 colors of paste food coloring and took a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and placed a strip of food coloring on the inside seams of the bag. Because they are opposite sides of the bag the colors will come out twisted. Add an icing of your choice to the bag. I used a homemade cream cheese icing, for these as it was the birthday girls favorite kind. TIP TIME: let the icing sit in the bag for at least 15 min before piping and you will not end up with all white cupcakes at the beginning, this helps to past coloring to melt a little better. I also was able to fill the bag a 2nd and 3rd time and still get very nice stripes

Her party turned out great and a good time was had by all.

We had to have her favorite candy of the season there also.

We kept the favors seasonal also. I t worked great she loved the carrot bags and because it was just after Easter everything was half off.

My beautiful baby girl is growing up way to fast.

The next day was a sad day as the funeral service for our sweet Sis. Peggy. As we were sleeping that night we had a call about one of the older men in our church who was being taken to the ER and so when we arrived there everyone prayed with his wife and just a few min later the Dr. came and told that he was gone. He was a very special person and all the children in the church loved him so much, he would take time with them and talk to them like they weren’t children. and they loved it. So needless to say it has been a very hard couple of weeks and we are trying to be back into a routine for the girls So please say a prayer for both families. during this time of loss.

Book Review: Why I Jumped

Why I Jumped By Tina Zahn & Wanda Dyson / Revell Tina Zahn had enough. The pain of emotional scars crippled her and she took what measures she thought were left. After a high-speed chase to the top of a bridge Tina got out of her car, ran to the edge and jumped. Miraculously, a state trooper was right behind and caught her wrist as she fell. Saved from suicide Tina began a deep healing process through her depression. If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, this book offers hope to seek help and overcome.

I started reading this book yesterday and could not put it down. I wanted to share it with you and tell you a story of my experience. What made me pick it up was that she was suffering from PPD (Postpartum Depression) and I thought this would be a book that I could really understand. You see, I suffered from PPD after my second child was born. I had the Baby Blues after my first child but nothing prepared me for what I experienced after my second child was born. For the first 9 months of my precious daughter's life I felt no connection to her. I would just hold her and cry because I did not have the connection with her that I did with my other daughter. My doctor tried to give me meds for the depression but the side effects were so bad that I stopped taking them, and I was afraid of harming my child because I was nursing her and I didn't want her to be effected by them. They made my skin crawl and I could just imagine what they would do to her if it came through my milk. I'm not trying to say that meds are not good and that they don't have their place, they do and they really help some people. It you are going through any type of depression you should seek help.  I know that other things that were going on around me contributed to the depths of my depression and I never though that I would make it through those days. If it were not for the grace of God and praying friends and family I would not have made it. I said all of this to say, there is hope for you if you will just hang on, God has a plan for your life, even when you think that it looks like there is no hope. There is hope, as long as you are alive there is hope for you and God loves you and He will be there for you even when all hope looks gone and even when everything around you falls apart all you have to do is reach out to him and he will pick you up.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jememiah 29:11

Life is like a Garden

As I was out working alone in my garden today a thought came to me. Life is like a garden and how that sometimes we have to go through changes and stages in our lives to be able to grow.

I took a look at my peas and beans that just 2 weeks ago that I could have cooked and eaten them and only had a very small amount, but I buried them in the ground and now I have the opportunity to harvest much more and be able to feed more than just my family.

When I think about this I think how God plants seeds into out lives that have to be buried in our hearts to be allowed to grow. If we do not open out hearts for the seeds to go deep into the dark places to be able to sprout and grow, and only then will they bear fruit that can them be planted into other people. This is just a simple lesson but sometimes the greatest lessons are the simple ones.

This Month

I just wanted to let my readers know that I an here and so sorry that I have not been posting regularly these past couple of weeks. Next week I will be having major oral surgery and will have a few of weeks of recovery time. I have had this type of surgery before but I was 10 years younger and I know that the recovery time will be different this time, so I am asking you to keeping me and my family in your prayers. I have a few post that I have been working on and will be working on over the next week prior to my surgery that I will have scheduled to keep up with fresh content. I hope that you all know that I value each and everyone of you my readers and I thank you in advance for your prayers.

The Beauty of Fall

When we watch the seasons change we are reminded that everything changes. We might be going through a rough patch right now but we have to remember that it is just a season. Our lives are seasons just like nature. Nothing ever stays the same and for that I am glad. No matter how you may like the summer and the sun, it gets old after a while, and then we are led into fall with the beauty of the colors of the trees around us and the knowledge that winter is coming soon.

Take the time to enjoy each and every season in your life and remember that each season only last just a little while before the next one comes in.

A Time for Everything

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 KJV

Behind the Scenes

Sometimes we think that no one can ever understand what we are going through, so we keep it all inside. This is the devils way of keeping us bound and keeping us in a place where he can torment us. This is one of the biggest lies that he tells but it is the one that is easiest for us to believe.
You have to break this bondage and know that there are people out there who are going through just what you are going through. Each time you stand there and judge yourself by what you think another person is, you are letting the devil keep you in the cage that you have built around your heart.
Each of us are fighting battles that we might not be comfortable with letting show but no matter how perfect it looks from the outside we might just be falling apart on the inside. What I am trying to say is that we never need to judge ourselves by how good we think someone else's life is. We need to just remember that what we see is only a facade that we all put up to make it look like we are just fine.

Back and Refreshed

I am back from a week at the beach. Our church has a Ladies' Retreat every September in Myrtle Beach, and this year I was blessed not only to attend the 3 day event but I was able to go down a couple of days early with my Best friend and another friend of ours and enjoy a little extra time of relaxation. I have come back renewed and ready to share some of the wonderful things that I have gleaned from our speaker for the retreat Sis. Wanda Chavis. She was such a blessing as well as all the other ladies that were there. We had 45 ladies in three condo/Townhouses It was such a great time of fellowship and taking time to renew ourselves in God.
We also went shopping (Anthropologie, Stine Mart) and ate at various places (P.F. Chang's, and All you can eat Crab Legs) , so we had a blast. Add in a few runs to Krispie Kream. Love the place. I really would love to be able to share the experience with you all . I have some great post planned for the next few weeks. I hope that you come back and check out the new tutorials that I have coming for the blog.

9-11 10 years later

I like most people can remember exactly where I was on 9/11/2001. I was home I had just turned on the Today Show as they were reporting that the first tower had been hit, and how it must be some awful accident. Then as we are watching the first tower on fire I was shocked as everyone else was when we saw another plane flying right toward the second tower. Then the reports came in that the Pentagon had been hit also. I know that I called everyone that I could think of in a very short time. I had a 11 month old little girl and I had just found out that I was expecting our second child a couple of days before this day. My husband was working in a high rise in downtown Atlanta and I was so worried that Atlanta might be next. During the times that I spoke to him during that day he told me that he could see military flying all around the Atlanta area, and could not see any normal plane activity. I know that we had a special prayer service at church the next night and held prayer services for the next few weeks. We donated blood, and helped in various drives that were going on at the time. 

I look at my kids now and realize that they really do not know what happened that day because the schools really haven't talked about it like I feel they should. So this year I feel like they are old enough to learn about what happened. If you feel the same way you can find a lot of links to information for helping your children understand what happened that day.  Here is the link to CNN for families  to help explain the events.
We know that we have forever been changed be the events of that day, and we will never forget the people that died that day and all the families that were affected by the enormous loss that was felt that day, and we should keep them in our prayers today as they remember the ones that they lost on that horrible day.

Quilts for a Cause: Central Texas Wildfires

After the greater Austin, Texas area reached a new record of 75 days with triple digit temperatures and no rain, something epic was bound to happen. This past week several communities have had to evacuate their homes as over 180 wildfires have erupted. Over 1,000 homes have been destroyed presenting one of the most devastating wildfires in Texas history.

As people have lost their homes and families have lost everything it is time to help out. We want every child who lost everything to have a cozy quilt to sleep under. One simple, but real thing to help families get back on their feet. Families have lost everything, let us start to rebuild their lives with a quilt.

Heather from Modern Day Quilts is organizing this drive. She requests quilts to be at least 45” x 60”, although twin size bed quilts are encouraged.

Please ship quilts to:
Valli & Kim Quilt Shop, Attn: Wildfire Quilts
700 West Highway 290
Dripping Springs, TX 78620

If you have questions, please email Heather at moderndayquilts@gmail.com.
If you are in Austin, Heather will pick the quilt up, just send her an email at moderndayquilts@gmail.com.

Please reblog, retweet, spread the word!

You can also make monetary donations to the following address:
Smithville Ministerial Alliance
P.0 Box 743
Smithville, TX 78957

Thank you again! I am re-blogging this from the Jolly Jabber. 
Don't Forget to Enter to Win A Me and My Sister Designs Charm Pack (2 Winners it ends 9/14)

Loving My Life

At the Atlanta History Center " A Little Girl's Dream House" 

I really am working on getting back to post on a more regular basis. I am really enjoying teaching the girls and this has really kept me super busy. I am also getting ready for my open house for A Southern Lady's Designs. I am looking forward to showing all the new items that I have been working on. I am trying to keep the a secret so that when everyone comes they will be the first to see the new stuff. Then the week after the open house I will be spending a few days at the beach with the ladies from our church. I am really looking forward to getting to relax on the beach and read a good book, shop a little and really just enjoy the fellowship. I have not gotten to go to the beach with the ladies since 2007, and I really think that this will be a great trip. We have about 50 ladies and 3 condos so this is great. A private pool and so much more to do. I am so excited. I have a few tutorials that I am writing and I hope to have them uploaded in the next couple of days. I am also in the process of creating an ebook with some of my new tutorials. I will post more information as it gets closer to being finished.

The newest thing that I have done is start reading an participating in Inspired to Action's Maximize Your Mornings. It is a free ebook that shows you how to be a better mother by taking time for yourself each morning before your kids get up to spend time in prayer and taking care of yourself. It is all about making your morning time work for you so that your day runs better and you are not always feeling overwhelmed with the goings of the day.

To Quote Her: "I’m a Mother. I want to define what Motherhood is to my children. I want to work so hard, pray so passionately, and live so intentionally that they never think about what a mom could or should be, but they think about who I am."

This statement really hit home with me today. I was reading her post and I thought this is what I really want to be. "A Mother" .

Shake Heaven

This is one my favorite songs on the radio right now. I could listen to it all day. I don't post many music videos here but I really want share this one.

A Week Of Blessings

This week has been a week of blessings for my family. On Monday there was an unexpected check in the mail. My husband was given extra work and then just yesterday we opened the mail again and there was TWO checks that we did not expect. The Dr.’s office had overcharged on a couple of procedures that my husband had and they sent 2 refund checks one from each visit. God is blessing in more ways than one. I have prayed for a peace in my home and to help my husband with worry. Each of these have been answered.

Being a Mommy

Being a Mom is one of the most important jobs that I can have and I want to be the best that I can be at it. I really have been reading a lot lately about motherhood and ways that I can be better at what I do.

Live Like You Mean It

Live Like You Mean It
 
 
 
 
This is the book that I am reading right now and I will be sharing my thoughts on each chapter. If you would like to read along with me you can pick up a copy through the link above. (I don’t receive any return for your sale, I just want to share this book with you.)
Overview:
Scripture tells us we are “God’s workmanship,” born to participate in intimate relationship with God. We are to do the work of His kingdom—this is foundational to our identity.
This book will show you how to respond to your God-inspired inner urgings and live them out intentionally. Discover your true significance and priorities in living out the incredible work of God’s kingdom.
A great discipleship tool, Live Like You Mean It also can be used in a mission setting or for personal spiritual growth.

Family Friendly Nook Book Freebies

When I Lay My Isaac Down by Carol Kent (NavPress Publishing Group, 2004)
Change the way you think about personal challenges. Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say— “Isaac experiences” as in Genesis 22— thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions. This book outlines eight transformational power principles that Gene and Carol Kent learned in the process of facing the news that forever changed their lives: Their twenty-five-year-old son, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with an impeccable military record, shot and killed his wife's ex-husband. Jason Paul Kent, long recognized for his exemplary character, now walks a path no one could have predicted—and his family lives in the aftermath of a devastation most cannot imagine. Carol's candid retelling of her emotional and spiritual agony will touch your heart. The principles the Kents learned in the process of surviving such unspeakable circumstances will bolster your faith, renew your hope, and challenge you to new levels of personal and spiritual commitment.
About the Author
Carol Kent is a popular writer, an international speaker, and president of Speak Up Speaker Services, a Christian speakers’ bureau. Her many books include Tame Your Fears, Becoming a Woman of Influence, Mothers Have Angel Wings, and Secret Longings of the Heart.

Free Nook Books

I love to read and I thought I would share a few good books that I have gotten for free on Barnes and Noble’s Website. These are Family Friendly Books and I hope that you will enjoy them. They will not stay free for long so you need to get them while you can.
 
Stealing Jake
Book Description
When Livy O'Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.
Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy--literally--while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town--as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off--Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

My Journey

Earlier this week I posted that I had taken a leap of faith. I would like to take you on this journey if you would like to come along with me. I hope to share this with you my readers and anyone else who would like to read along.

We Met the Duggars Today

We were so excited to meet the Duggar Family today. In the picture above is (L-R) My wonderful Mom, Shae my youngest, Jim Bob Duggar, Me, Anastasia My oldest, & Michelle Duggar.

Busy Busy Busy

I am really enjoying creating things for the upcoming show. I am also enjoying completing the lessons for Art Journaling 101. This has been a very busy week and I plan on taking Saturday off and go to the beach. I wanted to share a few of the things that I have made today. I found the spiral cage at Hobby Lobby for 66% off and I just thought it would be a great display piece for my booth and afterward I can use it in my living room and cover it with flowers. All the flowers on it in this picture can either be worn in your hair or pinned to a shirt or sweater.

I would really love to have this covered top to bottom with the fabric roses.

I made a couple of different variations of this basic ruffled rose.

I also made 22 sets of 2 mini bows with alligator clips on the back.  I was able to use up a lot of small scraps making these and I use large shipping tags for the packaging. I really like how they turned out. I will try to get a better picture of them later.
I do want to say that it really feels good to be doing what I am doing. I have been praying for God’s direction in my life and if this was what I should be doing, then the doors will be opened. I have been getting confirmation from everywhere it seems. It might be a blog post about pursuing your dreams or how God has His hand in everything , or even out of the mouth of a child. Last Night my oldest daughter and I were walking in from the car after going to church and she said, “Mom you are being blessed because, you are where God wants you to be doing what you are supposed to be doing” . Tears came to my eyes when she said that. I had been praying for some sign that I was doing what I am supposed to be, not really verbalizing it just praying silently. But God answered audibly through the voice of a child. Sometimes the answer doesn’t come in a way that we might expect but it will come in His time.
A Southern Lady’s Ramblings © 2011

Last Weeks in the Studio Winners are

Here are the number from from Random.org

 

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6 3 4

Timestamp: 2011-06-25 15:50:41 UTC

Here are the names: 

# 6 is  Jen

#3 is Carola Bartz

#4 is Jennifer @ Studio JRU

E-mail me at craftykate1@gmail.com with your e-mail address and I will send you class information. 

Mini Journals

Here is a few of the mini journal sets that I have been churning out. I have been a busy person. I truly feel like I am doing what I should be doing.

God is so good to me. I have a wonderful family that supports my art and stand beside me. I have prayed about what I should do with my art and I feel like God is truly opening doors where I never knew there was one at. Thank you all for reading my blog and I hope that I am able to inspire you to try something creative. to take a leap of faith and be able to express yourself through art.